This article is part of our Minor League Barometer series.
September call-ups are fast approaching, but that could mean a variety of different things for upper-tier prospects. Some may not be promoted at all, perhaps due to Arbitration eligibility, innings limits, or being blocked at the big-league level. Others may get called up, but might not see action or be activated (see Gavin Lux of the Dodgers). Then there are those players that will get the call and can expect to play. Some names to keep an eye on are Kyle Tucker of the Astros, Jorge Mateo of the Athletics and Luis Robert of the White Sox.
Most of the players on the verge of being called up have been talked about in the Minor League Barometer at some point this season, so let's instead focus on some neophytes who are unlikely to debut in 2019 but are still making headlines.
UPGRADE
Cory Abbott, P, CHC – A second-round pick out of Loyola Marymount in 2017, Abbott found little resistance in his first taste of full-season ball in 2018. His success has continued at Double-A this year, and he has been particularly dominant of late. Over his last four starts - a span of 25.2 innings - Abbott has allowed just four earned runs while registering a 38:9 K:BB. He tends to walk a few too many batters at times, though his ability to miss bats is evident. The opposition is also hitting just .220 against in 2019, while Abbott has recorded 147 strikeouts over 130.2 innings. As long
September call-ups are fast approaching, but that could mean a variety of different things for upper-tier prospects. Some may not be promoted at all, perhaps due to Arbitration eligibility, innings limits, or being blocked at the big-league level. Others may get called up, but might not see action or be activated (see Gavin Lux of the Dodgers). Then there are those players that will get the call and can expect to play. Some names to keep an eye on are Kyle Tucker of the Astros, Jorge Mateo of the Athletics and Luis Robert of the White Sox.
Most of the players on the verge of being called up have been talked about in the Minor League Barometer at some point this season, so let's instead focus on some neophytes who are unlikely to debut in 2019 but are still making headlines.
UPGRADE
Cory Abbott, P, CHC – A second-round pick out of Loyola Marymount in 2017, Abbott found little resistance in his first taste of full-season ball in 2018. His success has continued at Double-A this year, and he has been particularly dominant of late. Over his last four starts - a span of 25.2 innings - Abbott has allowed just four earned runs while registering a 38:9 K:BB. He tends to walk a few too many batters at times, though his ability to miss bats is evident. The opposition is also hitting just .220 against in 2019, while Abbott has recorded 147 strikeouts over 130.2 innings. As long as he can limit the free passes, he should continue to raise his stock.
Braden Shewmake, SS, ATL – A first-round pick out of Texas A&M in this year's draft, Shewmake proved he was too polished for Low-A pitching by slashing .318/.389/.473 with three home runs, 39 RBI and 11 steals in 51 games at Rome. The Braves were so impressed with the 21-year old that he skipped over High-A entirely and is already appearing in games at Double-A. While Dansby Swanson enjoyed a solid year prior to getting injured, elite depth is never a bad thing to have, and Shewmake eventually has the makings of a starting shortstop/leadoff-type hitter. If he is indeed fast-tracked, a 2020 debut is not outside of reach, especially if Swanson struggles with health.
Dylan Carlson, OF, STL – Carlson had been one of the biggest risers in the minors in 2018. And at just 20, he has already been promoted to Triple-A. Carlson showed his tremendous skill set at Double-A, hitting .281/.364/.518 in 108 games while cracking 21 home runs and stealing 18 bases. He has already hit the ground running at his new level, going 5-for-12 through three games. Carlson possesses the elite combination of power, speed and the ability to hit for average. When combined with his youth, he has emerged as one of the top outfield prospects in the game.
Luis Garcia, P, HOU – This 22-year old hurler from Venezuela has been surging of late by allowing only one earned run over his last two starts. During that span of 12 innings, Garcia has fanned 23 batters while walking just four. The walks are especially notable, because he has experienced issues harnessing his command in the past. However, the progress of off-speed pitches, most notably a slider, has elevated Garcia's game to new heights. He boasts massive strikeout potential, improving control and developing secondary pitches. Next season at Double-A will be a true test of Garcia's future prowess, but he is clearly trending in the right direction.
CHECK STATUS
Julio Rodriguez, OF, SEA – In terms of players at the lower minor-league levels, there are very few that can match the potential and productivity of the 18-year old Rodriguez. In 67 games at Low-A, he batted .293/.359/.490 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI. Rodriguez's power profile is off the charts, and he backed that up by hitting a grand slam in his first game following a promotion to High-A Modesto. However, he missed two months earlier this season due to a hairline fracture in his left hand and was struck on the left forearm Saturday, eventually leaving the game. The severity of the injury is unknown at this time. However, despite these injuries in 2019, Rodriguez's future path should not be doubted or changed, as he owns all the tools of a future start power-hitting corner outfielder.
Daulton Varsho, C, ARI – Varsho has recently ranked among the minors' hottest hitters, batting a blistering .439 with three home runs, 10 RBI and three steals over his last 10 games for Double-A Jackson. He now has 16 home runs and 20 steals on the season, an ultra-impressive combination for any player, let alone a catcher. Add in a .295 average, and Varsho has done everything to earn a few at-bats at Triple-A before the season is completed. The Diamondbacks have Carson Kelly behind the dish at the MLB level, so it remains to be seen if Varsho will end up staying at catcher down the line. He is athletic enough to handle other positions, but a move to the outfield would hurt his fantasy value.
Ryan Vilade, SS/3B, COL – The 20-year old has been surging of late, batting .370 with one home run, six RBI and five steals in his last 10 games for High-A Lancaster. Vilade is yet another high end bat for the Rockies, hitting .302/.360/.458 through 114 games this season. While his alleged lack of quickness will likely have him end up at third or second base, he has looked terrific on the base paths by swiping 20 bags in 25 attempts. In fact, it has been Vilade's power numbers that are surprisingly lacking, as he has hit just nine home runs in the hitter-friendly California League. Of course, playing your future home games in the thin air in Colorado could certainly bump up your power totals. And the Rockies seem to churn players like Vilade out with incredible efficiency.
Bowden Francis, P, MIL – An interesting fact: Francis's younger brother was picked in the same draft in 2017, going in the fourth round to the Diamondbacks. While Harrison Francis may have been viewed as promising more upside, the elder Francis had more polish despite having to wait until the seventh round to get picked. Bowden is having something of a breakout season at 23 in Double-A by compiling a 3.86 ERA and 130:43 K:BB across 119 innings while opposing batters are hitting just .235 against. He has also recorded two double-digit strikeout games in his last six outings. At 6-foot-5, 225, Bowden is bigger than his brother. While Harrison Francis remains a raw project, Bowden Francis is turning some heads in the Milwaukee organization and beyond.
DOWNGRADE
DL Hall, P, BAL – Hall is one of a bevy of high-upside arms the Orioles have acquired through the draft in recent years. However, he has been shut down for the rest of the season due to a lat strain. One of the top southpaws in the minors, Hall had a 3.46 ERA and 116:54 K:BB in 80.2 innings at High-A prior to the injury. Opposing batters hit a putrid .189 against, although the high walk total indicates even he may not have known where the ball was going half the time. As a result, Hall will look to get healthy and improve his command heading into 2020, though an appearance in the Arizona Fall League has not been ruled out as of yet.
Jordan Groshans, 3B, TOR – It certainly looks like Groshans can hit, but he has been unable to stay healthy in 2019. Limited to just 23 games at Low-A, the 19-year old batted .337/.427/.482 with two home runs and 13 RBI. The Blue Jays have endured a mass exodus of prospects from the minor leagues this season, bumping Groshans up the organizational rankings. Still, he is a ways away from making a big-league impact, is blocked by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and has only played a total of 71 games since being drafted. Shut down for the rest of the season with a foot injury, Groshans will likely return to Low-A next season and attempt to prove he can stay both productive and healthy.
CJ Abrams, SS, SD – The Padres are likely to pump the brakes with Abrams after he suffered a bone bruise in his shoulder that has kept him out for the past two weeks, and could keep him out for even longer. Abrams hit over .400 with 15 steals in 34 games in the Arizona Rookie League, resulting in a quick jump to Low-A. He played in two games for the Fort Wayne TinCaps before suffering the injury. With 20-year-old Fernando Tatis Jr. being ruled out for the rest of the season with a back injury, the non-contending Padres should also be extra cautious with the 18-year old Abrams, as the first-round pick from this year has already exceeded expectations.
Keibert Ruiz, C, LAD – The switch-hitting backstop was having a mediocre season at Double-A, slashing .254/.329/.330 with just four home runs and 25 RBI in 76 games. However, Ruiz did manage more walks (28) than strikeouts (21). This advanced approach was enough for the Dodgers to promote him to Triple-A, where he got off to a better start by hitting .316 with two home runs and nine RBI in nine games. Unfortunately, Ruiz then suffered a broken pinkie on his throwing hand from a foul ball, and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Considering one of the better catching prospects in the minors heading into 2019, he is suddenly blocked by Will Smith, who is scorching to begin his big-league career by batting .325 with 10 home runs and 28 RBI through 26 contests. As a result, Ruiz has gone from elite catcher of the future to perhaps being trade bait in the offseason.
