CALL-UPS MAKING PRESENCE KNOWN
Top-performing prospects getting chance on teams that have needs
The top prospects have arrived — and more are probably on the way.
With the season safely past the point teams might risk paying an extra year of arbitration salaries should they start a player’s service-time clock, there are no artificial barriers preventing the promotion of top-shelf prospects. Houston Astros first baseman A.J. Reed became the latest to land in the major leagues over the weekend. If a kid’s ready, and there’s a need on the big club, he’s probably coming up.
With that, USA TODAY Sports breaks down several blue-chip prospects who have already announced their presence, and another who might debut or reemerge soon:
Pedigree: Ranked No. 11 overall prospect — and No. 1 Astros prospect — by Baseball America.
Why he’s here: Reed, 23, made a strong case in spring training to win the first base job and continued to do so in Class AAA. The Astros had more seasoned, legitimate options in Tyler White and utility infielder Marwin Gonzalez but White cooled off considerably and Gonzalez can play other infield spots. Reed should provide more power at first.
Outlook: Reed was riding an eight-game hitting streak in which he hit .412 (14-for-34) with three homers and seven RBI when he was called up from Class AAA Fresno. That brought his season slash line ( batting average/ on-base percentage/slugging percentage) to .266/.349/.509 with 11 home runs and 36 RBI in 222 at-bats. Reed’s left-handed bat should help balance out a lineup that features right-handed hitters George Springer, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Evan Gattis and Carlos Gomez. That could work to his benefit since he should see mostly right-handed pitchers.
Alex Bregman, the second overall pick in the 2015 draft, was hitting .296/.410/.562 at Class AA Corpus Christi (Texas), where he has played some third base, might not be far behind.
Willson Contreras, C, Cubs
Pedigree: No. 50 on MLB.com’s preseason prospect list; No. 2 Cubs prospect
Why he’s up: No. 1 catcher Miguel Montero is not hitting — he’s at .202 with a .643 on-baseplus-slugging percentage (OPS). No. 2 catcher David Ross is retiring after this season. And Contreras — at worse the No. 2 catching prospect in the game — knocked down the door with a .350, ninehomer, 1.030 OPS at Class (Des Moines) AAA Iowa.
Outlook: Pretty sunny — Contreras homered on the first pitch he saw in the major leagues, from Pittsburgh Pirates reliever A.J. Schugel on June 19. Oh, sure, it won’t all be first-pitch homers and curtain calls, but make no mistake: Contreras, 24, is up to play, and learn. Contreras had started five games since his callup, with Montero catching Jake Arrieta and Ross receiving Jon Lester. If Contreras slumps and injuries elsewhere make carrying three catchers cumbersome, it might compel the Cubs to adjust. But as manager Joe Maddon put it, “We’ll be creative.”
Albert Almora Jr., OF, Cubs
Pedigree: Sixth overall pick in 2012. Ranked Cubs’ sixth-best prospect by Baseball America, and No. 83 overall by Baseball Prospectus.
Why he’s up: Naturally, an injury to another über-talented Cubs youngster — in this case, Jorge Soler, out with a hamstring strain. Almora, 22, has 12 hits in 45 at-bats, a game-winning double and a go-ahead hit in extra innings of another game.
Outlook: You can’t blame the Cubs’ top prospects if they start feeling like Billy Preston trying to break into the Beatles. With Chicago on a 105-win pace and superstars — or mere stars — at every position, there’s little room for the kids to break in. And Almora will likely return to Iowa when Soler is healthy. Still, Maddon has shown little hesitation to throw talent on the field, regardless of how young. So count on Almora being a significant factor, though perhaps not a constant presence, the rest of the season.
Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pirates
Pedigree: Drafted between Bryce Harper and Manny Machado in 2010. Consensus top 15 prospect from 2011-2013.
Why he’s up: A triceps injury to ace Gerrit Cole created the opening in the Pirates rotation, but injuries or poor performances among Francisco Liriano, Jeff Locke, Juan Nicasio and Ryan Vogelsong means there’s work in