The MLB season keeps rolling along and teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds are making the push for the playoffs. With the success of every team comes more young dynasty prospects picking up the torch with their major league call-ups. Today, I will break down five prospects that have received the call to the majors or are on the cusp of their major league debut.
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5 Prospects To Watch
Noelvi Marte, SS CIN
(92 GP, .279/.358/.454, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 18 SB)
It has been an impressive season for Noelvi Marte who came out the gates struggling in Double-A to start the season, but turned it around and caught fire over the summer months. During his 50 games at Double-A Marte slashed .281/.356/.464 with eight home runs, 25 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. The advanced approach at the plate was on full display for Marte as he walked 9.9% and struck out only 17.1% while in Chattanooga. The Reds promoted Marte to Triple-A Louisville where the 21-year-old slashed .280/.365/.455 with three home runs, 20 RBIs, and eight stolen bases in just 39 games played.
This performance encouraged the Reds to promote Marte to the major leagues and should make his debut soon. Marte profiles as a 20-25 home run bat with plus bat-to-ball skills and an advanced approach that should help in OBP leagues.
Nolan Schanuel, 1B LAA
(21 GP, .370/.510/.493, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 2 SB)
One of the big storylines this week was that of the Angels promoting Nolan Schanuel to the major leagues after drafting him 11th overall this year in the MLB draft. I highlighted several times during the draft season how Schanuel was a polished college bat that could get to the major leagues quickly.
In his brief time in the Angels minor league system Schanuel ascended from complex ball to Low-A up to Double-A Rocket City. In the 16 games played at Double-A Schanuel slashed .339/.480/.475 with one home run, 12 RBIs, and one stolen base. While at Florida Atlantic University, Schanuel slashed .447/.615/.868 with 19 home runs, 64 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 59 games played and in my opinion was one of if not the most underrated players going into the MLB draft.
All that to say I’m happy to see him get his shot in the major leagues and if I was to throw out a “too early” comp for Schanuel it would be Vinnie Pasquantino or even Loftyer Freddie Freeman.
Masyn Winn, SS STL
(105 GP, .288/.359/.474, 18 HR, 61 RBI, 17 SB)
At only 21 years old, Masyn Winn has made his major league debut with the Cardinals. The defensive wizard has put together a strong season in Triple-A Memphis, slashing .288/.359/.474 with 18 home runs, 99 runs scored, 61 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in 105 games played. Winn has shown excellent plate discipline in Triple-A as he has walked 8.8% while only striking out 16.7% of the time.
It should come as no surprise then that the Cardinals are ready to show off their top prospect and call him up to the major leagues. For dynasty purposes Winn projects as a 15-20 home run bat at the major league level who can pitch in 25-30 stolen bases annually.
I suspect the bat might struggle a bit as it has taken him an adjustment period to take off in each of his call-ups but a .250-.265 hitter with a .345-360 OBP is not out of the cards.
Ronny Mauricio, SS/2B/OF NYM
(106 GP, .286/.337/.484, 19 HR, 63 RBI, 21 SB)
It seems like only a matter of time before the Mets promote Ronny Mauricio to get some reps with the big league club. Mauricio has put together an impressive season, slashing .286/.337/.484 in Triple-A Syracuse, all while continuing to expand upon the improvements made over the off-season.
For example, Mauricio has cut his strikeout rate to 18.6% while improving the walk rate over last season to 6%. What has kept Mauricio in the minor leagues to this point has not been the production but more the learning of second base and left field. Most of Mauricio’s reps lately have come in left field and shed some light as to what the Mets might be thinking long-term.
Mauricio profiles as a 25-30 home run bat that will chip in 20-plus stolen bases early in his career and I believe he could be a major contributor in the outfield long term.
Heston Kjerstad, OF BAL
(101 GP, .310/.381/.551, 19 HR, 46 RBI, 4 SB)
The Orioles are surging toward a playoff appearance and some additional power is never a bad thing. Heston Kjerstad is tearing up Triple-A Norfolk right now slashing .310/.378/.529 with eight home runs, 44 runs scored, and 23 RBIs. The former first-round pick has been walking 7.1% while only striking out 20% of the time. Kjerstad profiles as a 30-plus home run bat long-term with advanced bat-to-ball skills that make him a must-target in OBP leagues. The Orioles are filling out their team with the future talent and it seems that Kjerstad and Connor Norby seem like the next logical candidates for a call-up.