As Major League Baseball’s season hits its final stretch, numerous teams are showcasing a new wave of talent through notable late-season call-ups. These call-ups not only energize rosters but also grant young players the opportunity to acclimate to the big leagues without significant service-time ramifications for their respective clubs.
Rising Stars Making Their Marks
Kumar Rocker of the Rangers, Luisangel Acuña of the Mets, Thomas Saggese of the Cardinals, and Seth Johnson of the Phillies are among the recent impressive call-ups. However, a few young talents have particularly caught the eye of enthusiasts and analysts alike.
Roman Anthony, the Red Sox’s 20-year-old outfielder, has demonstrated extraordinary prowess in his Triple-A appearances. Over his first 29 games, Anthony boasted an impressive stat line, hitting .327/.431/.504. Additionally, his plate discipline is commendable, with nearly as many walks as strikeouts. His exit velocity peaked at a noteworthy 112.5 mph, indicating his power potential. Alongside Anthony, Worcester's team features other promising players such as Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell, and Kyle Teel.
Pitchers on the Rise
In Pittsburgh, 22-year-old right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler has made a significant impact. In his inaugural four Triple-A starts, Chandler has posted a 1.59 ERA coupled with a 3.54 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His arsenal includes a formidable 97 mph fastball and a slider with an impressive whiff rate of 33%. This season, Chandler has also set a new career high for innings pitched, showcasing both his stamina and skill.
The Pirates’ farm system also boasts second baseman Nick Yorke, who was acquired from the Red Sox. Yorke is making noticeable strides at the Triple-A level, further strengthening Pittsburgh's prospects.
Another towering presence on the mound, Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers, who stands at 6-foot-7, has etched his name with a 2.87 ERA and 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings at the Triple-A level. His impressive performance includes a fastball touching 98 mph, complemented by a highly effective breaker. Misiorowski has pitched over his previous career-high innings by more than 20, evidencing his evolving endurance and skillset.
Reds and Cubs Prospects
For the Reds, pitcher Chase Petty stands out notably, having thrown 132 innings this season. Petty's pitching technique leans heavily on a mid-90s sinker paired with a sharp slider, tools that have served him well. In late August, the Reds also promoted Rhett Lowder, further enhancing their pitching depth.
Meanwhile, the Cubs are closely monitoring Matt Shaw, a first-round pick who briefly faced a setback due to a back issue. Shaw, who advanced to Double-A late last year and was promoted to Triple-A in August, managed to return in September. Since his return, Shaw recorded seven multi-hit games out of 11, marking a strong comeback and reaffirming his potential in the Cubs’ future plans.
This series of late-season call-ups across various teams has injected a fresh wave of talent into Major League Baseball, generating excitement and optimism for the future. These promising players are seizing their opportunities, making significant strides, and laying the groundwork for what looks to be promising professional careers ahead.