Top 5 Prospects that Can Help Contending Teams
The game of baseball is becoming a younger and younger activity with teams trying to maximize player values and pushing minor league prospects into action earlier than years past. With less than 50 games left in the season, all the teams that are in playoff contention are trying to gain every little edge they can.
What better (and cheaper) place to look for help than within your own minor league system? Unless you’re talking about the Red Sox and Mariners, most teams have one or two players that are just about ready to make the Major Leagues and in a playoff race, those prospects have a chance to carry a team to glory.
Some of you older readers will remember when the (then Anaheim) Angels brought up a feisty right-handed pitcher named Francisco (K-Rod) Rodriguez to close out games and win Mike Scioscia a World Series.
Let’s take a look at some players who could make a huge impact for their teams heading to the finish line.
Forrest Whitley (Astros, RHP)
What? Not Kyle Tucker? Yep. Houston’s offense hasn’t been what it was last year and Kyle Tucker could help a little, but when we look for someone who could create a real shift, Whitley is the guy. Sure, he missed the first 50 games with a drug suspension and is currently sidelined with an oblique issue. But that just means he’s well-rested. He throws four pitches that are plus or plus-plus and he could be used as a spot starter or long-reliever to crush the bats and wills of the Astros’ opponents.
Tyler O’Neill (Cardinals, OF)
When Tommy Pham was traded to the Rays at the trade deadline, most baseball folks (myself included) were a bit flabbergasted. Maybe they didn’t like Pham’s tools, or thought they would regress. Maybe they didn’t like his attitude or maybe he had bad breath. Or maybe they just wanted to open a roster slot for the hard-hitting Tyler O’Neill. The Cardinals acquired him last year in a swap with the Mariners for Marco Gonzales. A solid trade. O’Neill has come into his own in the Cardinals system. He’s striking out less, getting on base more and crushing dingers.
Justus Sheffield (Yankees, LHP)
Even though the Yankees traded for Lance Lynn and J.A. Happ at the deadline, the team still had some questions in the rotation. Sonny Gray has been, um, erratic, C.C. Sabathia just had his knee drained and Luis Severino has been pretty mediocre. Sheffield is just 22 years old but has been man-handling batters at AAA. He could come up now and be their No. 2 starter. And how great would it be to see the name Sheffield on a Major League Baseball jersey again?
Garrett Hampson (Rockies, 2B)
Some of you might think that DJ LeMahieu is just fine at second base for the Rockies. But if we’re talking about an electric player that can really make a difference, Hampson is where I’d look. He’s got speed, defense, bat-to-ball skills and a little power. Colorado has already started playing some of their younger guys with David Dahl and Ryan McMahon. Hampson is the future at second base for the Rockies, so maybe it’s time for the future to be right now.
Jesus Luzardo (Athletics, LHP)
When the Nationals decided they needed to improve their bullpen last year, they traded for Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madsen. Good move. The bullpen improved. The cost? Blake Treinen and Jesus Lazardo. Treinen is among the top 5 closers in baseball and Luzardo is a top 25 pitching prospect that looks like he is just killing time in the minors before his real career as a Major League Baseball monster begins. The Athletics have been a surprise to most of the league, so let’s keep this going and bring Luzardo to the big club and show them exactly what Jesus would do.
Honorable Mentions
Victor Robles (Nationals, OF)
Robles would have been in the top 5 if A) there was a clear roster spot for him and B) the Nationals were actually contenders. He hyperextended his left elbow early in the season and he probably would’ve been the guy who got called up in May instead of Juan Soto. He’s a dynamic player with all five tools and could be just what the doctor ordered to resuscitate this fading Washington team. They’ll have to bench Eaton or [GASP] trade Harper, but he’s one of the few players in the minors who could carry a team to the playoffs.
Alex Verdugo (Dodgers, OF)
If there was some sort of metaphysical way that you could convert hitting prowess to pitching skills, then Verdugo would be exactly what the Dodgers need right now. Los Angeles’ offense has been sputtering along with its ravaged bullpen and a hitter like Verdugo is just the sort of spark plug a contending team could use to get everyone fired up. The Dodgers had this last year with Cody Bellinger. But the roster is pretty full already and while more runs could help, they certainly won’t matter if the team keeps giving up runs in the late innings.
