It’s almost May, and over the past week the likes of Gleyber Torres, Tyler O’Neill, and Ronald Acuna, Jr. were promoted to the majors. That means more are due as the player’s Super 2 dates arrive. So, this week let’s look at some of the likely names to see big league time before too long: players roto owners have been waiting for!
Note that the players rank on our Top 250 Prospect List are noted in parenthesis unless called out in the text. You can get on our Top 250 Prospect List for just $9.95, including access to all site articles.
Willie Calhoun (OF, Rangers): The 23-year-old Calhoun has been slow to start, and with so many injuries plaguing Texas, the question ringing is “when will Calhoun be promoted.” Shortly, though the .250-3-7 line with a .326 OBP is far below the career line of .284-72-236 with a .347 OBP (130 walks to 180 strikeouts). The Rangers, in for a year of struggle as it is (9-17 at present), will probably be patient and milk as much time from Calhoun as they can. (#104)
Victor Robles (OF, Nationals): Robles, who went .250-0-4 over 13 games with the big club in September, was sent down March 20 and then wound up on the DL after four games with an elbow injury, and there he languishes. Over those four games, Robles was batting .385-1-2 with a pair of swipes, coming off a career line of .305-26-142 with 121 steals and a .396 OBP. But we must at least wait for Robles to come off the DL and get back into a groove. Then, should the Nationals still be struggling, the 20-year-old should be summoned. (#53)
Willy Adames (SS, Rays): The Rays shortstop prospect has yet to get a call, unlike his mates above on this list, despite a .270-36-261 line over 571 games. Adames is completely tearing up at Durham, hitting .355-2-14 with a .455 OBP (10 walks to 12 strikeouts) and it is likely just a matter of time, though the Rays do have Adeiny Hechavarria and Joey Wendle up the middle at present, both of whom are performing well. However, neither has the resume of Adames, so expect some movement on the team by September at the latest, as Adames has little left to prove at Triple-A. (#36)
Mike Soroka (P, Braves): The 20-year-old leads the talented troika of young arms that includes Koby Allard and Bryse Wilson on an up-and-coming team loaded with young talent. Soroka, a first-rounder in 2015, is a big (6-foot-5) right-hander who has whiffed 311 over 353.3 and at present sits at 2-0, 1.99 with 24 whiffs over 22.6 frames coupled with an 0.95 WHIP. As long as the current Braves are winning and injury free, Soroka will be brought along somewhat slowly, however both those items — victories and health — are more than ephemeral in baseball, so this year will mark his debut. (#7)
Michael Kopech (P, White Sox): Another first-rounder, this time from the Red Sox, Kopech was acquired by the other Sox as part of the Chris Sale swap. The right-hander has yet to win a game this year, but his 2.14 ERA, 29 strikeouts over 21 Chattanooga innings with opposing batters hitting just .189 suggests another team rebuilding and loaded with talented youngsters will advance this pitcher by mid-season. (#16)
Vladimir Guerrero, Jr (3B, Blue Jays): We might indeed be entering a golden age of baseball progeny with the Guerreros leading the way. For, on the heels of his pop entering Cooperstown, the younger Vladimir is hitting .353-2-22 at New Hampshire (Double-A) with seven each of walks and whiffs (.407 OBP). With Josh Donaldson in the final year of his contract and the younger Guerrero in the wings, there could indeed be some movement all around the Toronto hot corner. (#1)
Sean Reid-Foley (P, Blue Jays): Another anticipated Jay, Reid-Foley is 3-0 in New Hampshire playing alongside Guerrero, with a 1.47 ERA, 13 strikeouts over 18.3 innings, and an 0.87 WHIP. The #2 selection in 2014 has 415 minor league strikeouts over 385 innings and should arrive alongside his teammate, at least by the end of this season. The question is whether the Jays contend or start digging in for 2019. (#143)
Bo Bichette (SS, Blue Jays): OK, easy to say “not fair, these are all Toronto prospects,” however, the reality is they are all great young players with a lot of upside. Aside from being another progeny of a former pro (Dante Bichette), Bo is another New Hampshire resident, hitting .303-0-7 with 15 runs and seven steals over 17 games with a .376 OBP. Look for the future lead-off hitter to similarly join the team by end of this year and likely will be part of what should be a fun Toronto team to watch grow. (#10)
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