The minor league regular season is winding down with about five weeks remaining, and as some of the most notable prospects continue to impress, attention is turning to who might receive major league call-ups in early September. Highlighting this period is Taj Bradley, who is drawing increasing attention for his performances at AAA, making the Taj Bradley <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB prospect watch especially compelling as teams prepare their rosters for the stretch run.
Samuel Basallo’s Hot Streak with the Orioles
Samuel Basallo, catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, is currently making a strong case for a promotion. Over his last three starts, Basallo has hit a home run in each game, accumulating a four-game hitting streak where he went 7-for-18 with six runs, three homers, and 10 RBIs. Despite striking out 21 times in his last 18 games, his overall slash line stands at .311 with 13 runs, eight home runs, and 26 RBIs over 74 at-bats, signaling a rising offensive approach that the Orioles may not ignore much longer.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand Finds Rhythm in AAA
After a demotion in mid-July, Cincinnati Reds’ first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand has shown signs of adjusting at the AAA level. In his last six games, he has gone 9-for-23 with five runs, a home run, and six RBIs, with only three strikeouts. Since entering AAA, CES has maintained a .240 average, tallying 12 runs, four homers, and 15 RBIs over 75 at-bats, suggesting his bat may be heating up ahead of the final weeks of the minor league season.
Bryce Eldridge’s Power Surge for the San Francisco Giants
After returning from the injured list, Bryce Eldridge has emerged as a significant power threat for the Giants’ AAA squad. Over 19 games, Eldridge has collected 20 hits in 70 at-bats, producing 14 runs alongside eight home runs and 27 RBIs. His minor league totals include 18 home runs in 250 at-bats this year. Given his recent power numbers, the Giants could be inclined to add Eldridge to the major league roster during the roster expansion in September.
Zack Gelof’s Struggle and Potential Return to Oakland Athletics
After an inconsistent season marked by injuries and shuttling between AAA and the majors, Zack Gelof of the Athletics has struggled to produce offensively. However, his recent nine-game stretch shows promise — going 14-for-41 with nine runs, two home runs, and eight RBIs. For Gelof to succeed in the majors, he will need to improve his contact rate to solidify a more consistent role.
Jordan Lawlar Progresses Toward Game Action with Diamondbacks
Shortstop Jordan Lawlar of the Arizona Diamondbacks has advanced his rehabilitation this week to include live batting practice, signaling positive recovery progress. He appears close to returning to minor league game action this weekend if no setbacks occur, which would offer fantasy teams a late-season boost as he resumes his climb back to full health and gameplay.
JJ Wetherholt’s Rapid Rise to the Majors with Cardinals
JJ Wetherholt’s steady advance following his promotion to AAA manifests a player potentially ready for the major leagues. Beginning with a strong AA season batting .300 with 39 runs, seven home runs, 34 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases, he has improved further after moving up a level. At AAA, he is hitting .338 with 19 runs, six homers, 13 RBIs, and two steals over 68 at-bats. His patient approach is evident in his 54 walks against 50 strikeouts over 356 plate appearances this year, emphasizing his major league readiness.
Tyler Black’s Versatility Emerging with Milwaukee Brewers
In his recent 16 games at AAA, Tyler Black has shown steady production, hitting .271 with 16 hits in 59 at-bats, eight runs, two homers, 10 RBIs, and six steals. The Brewers have utilized him both in the outfield and at first base, showcasing his defensive flexibility. While his impact in fantasy leagues is still speculative, Black remains a player to watch heading into the latter part of the season.
Dylan Beavers Raises His Profile with the Orioles
Dylan Beavers has been knocking at the door of a call-up since late July, especially following the Orioles’ trades that opened roster space. His back-to-back two-homer games on August 3rd and 5th underscore his power surge since the All-Star break, reflected in a .298 average with 22 runs, eight home runs, and 16 RBIs over 57 at-bats. For the season, Beavers is hitting .309 over 314 at-bats with 74 runs, 18 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases, cementing his status as one of Baltimore’s top rising talents.
“The top 10 hitting prospects over the last 30 days in the STS model! ð1. Spencer Jones2. Dylan Beavers3. Carson Benge4. Abimelec Ortiz5. Bryce Eldridge6. Samuel Basallo7. JJ Wetherholt8. Colt Emerson9. Rainiel Rodriguez ð¦10. Sam Petersenpic.twitter.com/RLL9oFDLYf” —Scout the Statline (@StatlineScout)
James Outman’s Early Struggles with the Minnesota Twins
Since being traded to the Twins, James Outman has encountered early difficulties offensively, registering only one hit in 17 at-bats at the AAA level. His current line includes a run, an RBI, and a stolen base. This comes after a strong start to the year with the Los Angeles Dodgers in July, where he hit .429 over 12 games, demonstrating previous high upside that he hopes to recapture with his new organization.
Jhostynxon Garcia’s Consistent Production for the Red Sox
Jhostynxon Garcia has maintained a steady hitting streak since joining AAA, recently securing a six-game hitting streak. In August alone, he has gone 11-for-23 while scoring seven runs, hitting three home runs, and driving in 12 RBIs. Over the full minor league season, he boasts a .311 average with 44 runs, 15 homers, and 48 RBIs across 222 at-bats, maintaining himself as a productive bat within the Red Sox’s pipeline.
Hunter Greene Advances Rehabilitation with Cincinnati Reds
Reds ace Hunter Greene has made notable strides in his rehabilitation, completing three rehab starts over the past two weeks. Across 7.2 innings, he has allowed four runs, 10 baserunners, and two home runs while striking out 17 batters. Greene’s most recent outing on August 3rd saw him throw 66 pitches, with a target of 80 pitches set for his next start, signaling an expected progression toward full readiness.
Taj Bradley Impresses in AAA, Poised for Call-Up
Taj Bradley has become a bright spot in the Minnesota Twins’ pitching prospects recently, prompting many fantasy players to acquire him with hopes of late-season innings. In his second AAA start last Wednesday, Bradley delivered six strong innings, allowing one run on five hits with a home run and recording four strikeouts. His season numbers at AAA are impressive, featuring a 0.69 ERA, 0.54 WHIP, and seven strikeouts over 13 innings. Based on this performance, Minnesota is expected to call him up next week, further advancing his MLB trajectory.
Kyle Harrison Rebounds for the Boston Red Sox
Kyle Harrison had been struggling earlier in the minors, leading some fantasy managers to consider moving on from him. However, he bounced back in his latest start on August 7th, delivering five scoreless innings with just five baserunners and seven strikeouts. His improvement indicates he will contribute meaningfully for the Red Sox’s pitching staff this season as he approaches a major league role.
Cristian Javier’s Rehab Progress with Houston Astros
The Houston Astros’ Cristian Javier has undergone five rehab starts over the past four and a half weeks, though control issues have persisted. Over 14 innings, he has surrendered eight runs, 10 hits, and 15 walks, raising concerns about his WHIP and potential shortened outings initially. Despite these challenges, the Astros anticipate integrating him into their starting rotation next week, banking on a return to form for their pitching staff.
Implications for Fantasy Leagues and MLB Rosters
As the minor league season edges closer to conclusion, several prospects like Taj Bradley, Bryce Eldridge, and Jordan Lawlar are gaining momentum and may influence major league rosters as well as fantasy baseball strategies. Bradley’s evident dominance on the mound and Eldridge’s surge in power make them attractive candidates for September call-ups. Meanwhile, Lawlar’s progression from rehab offers hope for late-season contributions. These developments not only impact projection settings in fantasy leagues but also provide fans with insight into the future talent poised to shape their MLB teams in the coming years.