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Eight MLB Prospects that should see a call up very soon

The Press Box Sports Eight MLB Prospects that should see a call up very soon

With the 2018 MLB season almost through its second month of play, teams are starting to pay very close attention to their farm teams. Between injuries and lack of production, prospects will be called upon to see if they’re ready for the show. While most of them will have to wait until the second half of the season, we have eight guys targeted who should get the call right now. We’re throwing team control out the window on this one and focusing on guys that can make an impact right now. A few of these guys will have to wait because of the business side of things, but they’ve proven themselves worthy of a shot. Several MLB teams need help and these prospects could be the answer right now.

Kolby Allard (SP) Atlanta Braves

Allard has worked his way up the minor league ranks quickly and efficiently. He’s a dominating lefty that keeps hitters off balance and has shown that he can pitch into the later innings. In fact, he’s gone six innings or more in his last five starts. Allard is 3-1 on the season with a 2.02 era. Opponents are batting just .223 against him this season. Even at 20 years old, Kolby Allard has the right stuff to pitch in the majors right now. The Braves are on top of the NL East thanks to their younger guys like Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Dansby Swanson. Adding another prospect to the mix like Allard will take the strain off the rotation as the season grinds on.

Jalen Beeks (SP) Boston Red Sox

Beeks has been lights out at Pawtucket this season. The lefty is 2-2 with a 1.93 era and 0.96 WHIP. Righties nor lefties can seem to produce against him. Beeks has shown a lot of improvement and is ready to break into Boston’s rotation. The only problem is that there isn’t really a spot for him. So the Red Sox would have to create a spot which is easier said than done. Hopefully, that comes pretty soon because Jalen Beeks would make a big impact on a rotation that’s been hit or miss this season.

Jabari Blash (OF) Los Angeles Angels

The Angels did use Blash early this season, but he only played in three games and was sent back down. If he had a few more at-bats, we may have been able to see what he could really do. Blash is a good contact hitter that has some power behind his swings. He’s currently batting .352 with 12 home runs with Salt Lake City. Finding him playing time in the outfield could be tricky, but Kole Calhoun has been underperforming this season. That’s where Jabari Blash could come in and provide some consistency in right field.

Brandon Dixon (OF) Cincinnati Reds

It’s been a disappointing season for the Reds so far this year. Poor pitching is the main culprit, but offensive production from the outfielders doesn’t help. Scott Schebler has been the best hitter with a .255 average. Adam Duval is batting .188 and Billy Hamilton can run, but can’t hit. Jesse Winker hasn’t been able to start every day and it’s starting to take a toll on his development. Dixon should be an upgrade among any Reds outfielder. The 26-year-old has good pop and he’s making better contact overall. Dixon is turning over a new leaf hitting well above his career average this season at Triple-A. The Reds may be in a position to deal a couple of outfielders and expect Dixon to jump right in.

Josh Fuentes (3B) Colorado Rockies

Let’s get this straight right now, Josh Fuentes will not overtake Nolan Arenado at the hot corner. But he can play first base as well. Ian Desmond has struggled the past two seasons and Fuentes should get a trial at the position. He’s a fundamentally sound hitter that has good power. Fuentes has hit over .300 since 2016 and deserves a shot to break into the Rockies lineup. It’s unlikely that he will though due to the veterans, but he’s ready.

Joey Meneses (1B) Philadelphia Phillies

Meneses is another player that won’t overtake the predecessor, but he has the tools to do so. Carlos Santana hasn’t been able to get it going so far this year. Santana is durable, but his numbers are regressing. The 26-year-old Meneses has paid his dues in the minors and has been very impressive the past three seasons. He has almost matched his highest home run total for a season in his career and he’s hitting .368/.414/.658 this season. He’s never played in an MLB game, but expect him to make some noise when he does. The Phillies need to make some room for this guy because he’ll be a major upgrade offensively.

Tom Murphy (C) Colorado Rockies

Many MLB catchers aren’t very productive offensively. Teams are more concerned about their defense. Murphy is an above-average hitter for the position. His numbers with the Rockies weren’t appealing in 12 games last year, but he showed some big league potential in 2016. As for this year in Triple-A, Murphy is hitting .301 with 11 home runs. Both Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters are having problems producing offensively this season. Adding a good hitter like Murphy will fit in nicely with the offensive weapons that Colorado has. If the Rockies can get him around 200 at-bats, we’ll start to see his true potential.

Nate Orf (2B) Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers have a very good second baseman in Jonathan Villar. They are lacking in other areas though and that’s where Orf could contribute quite nicely. He’s played four different positions this season with Colorado Springs including 11 games at shortstop. Orlando Arcia is nowhere close to his numbers last season and is also having defensive issues as well. While Orf is similar defensively, his offensive numbers by far outweigh Arcia. Orf is hitting .346/.417/.471 this season and looks to be on track with last year’s great performance. Milwaukee is in the thick of a four-way battle for the NL Central. To get to the top, they need some help. Nate Orf is a player that can take over at short right now or play other positions to rest the everyday starters.

The post Eight MLB Prospects that should see a call up very soon appeared first on The Press Box Sports.



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