Top 5 MLB Prospects in Line for a Call Up in 2015

While there are a number of Major League-ready rookies who will start the 2015 season off on their respective team’s 25-man rosters, there are a handful of the game’s top prospects who may have to wait a little longer to earn their call up to The Show.

Here are the five top MLB prospects who should get a call sometime early in the 2015 season.

5. Maikel Franco, 3B, Phillies

Sep 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Maikel Franco (7) hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

He didn’t start out hot, but once Maikel Franco got going, there was nothing that could stop him with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Over the final 54 games, he batted .324/.344/.579 with 11 home runs and drove in 47 runs. His tear didn’t continue into the Major following a September callup, but that shouldn’t keep the Phillies from considering giving the 22-year-old infielder the green light should he show flashes of brilliance during Spring Training or down in Allentown again.

Franco has plus-power potential with quick hands. He feasts on fastballs at will. On the defense, he is a fully capable third baseman who will provide the Phillies with reliable range and a good arm from the hot corner when he finally gets the call.

4. Noah Syndergaard, SP, Mets

Mar 3, 2014; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; New Yorks Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard (55) warms up before the spring training exhibition game against the Atlanta Bravesat Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets already have one heck of a pitching staff stocked full of quality youngsters. The addition of right-handed starter Noah Syndergaard would solidify them as legitimate contenders for the foreseeable future, however.

A rough 2014 campaign certainly doesn’t give reason for such optimism. He finished 9-7 with a 4.60 ERA in 26 starts at Triple-A Las Vegas. Opposing hitters destroyed him, batting at a .293 clip in 133 innings.

Still, there is no denying the 22-year-old’s potential. Working with a Mets organization that has had a lot of recent success churning out young pitching should work in Syndergaard’s favor.

The obvious hardships overshadow his 3.70 FIP, which indicates some of his struggles may have merely been a result of playing in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. More importantly, the 6’6”, 240-pound pitcher’s control continues to be a reason for positivity. He has managed a sub-seven percent walk rate over the last two years in the Mets’ system.

Syndergaard’s repertoire of pitchers, combined with otherwordly size, make him a lethal threat once he is able to gain complete composure of himself and start to dominate in Triple A. With another year of work under his belt, he should improve. When that improvement starts to show, there’s a good chance the Mets will come calling to bolster their starting rotation with another future star.

3. Jake Lamb, 3B, Diamondbacks

Sep 11, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb (19) high fives a teammate after a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The 24-year-old infielder probably isn’t in line for an early season callup. However, should he continue to excel like he did last season with Double-A Mobile (.318/.399/.551 with 14 home runs and 79 runs batted in in 439 plate appearances), Jake Lamb will be with Diamondbacks in due time.

He has the talent. That’s why he ended up starting games at third for Arizona in September despite having played just five games at Triple A. He didn’t do great once with the big-league club, but that doesn’t overshadow the potential he’s shown to date.

Lamb’s rapid success is a pleasant surprise, having been a sixth round pick by the Diamondbacks in the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft out of the University of Washington. Unfortunately, now standing in his way is 24-year-old Cuban Yasmany Tomas, whom Arizona acquired this winter. Tomas’ present could pose a threat to Lamb’s ascension to a mainstay at the Major League level, but Lamb will get his shot at some point this season, especially if Tomas struggles early on.

2. Carlos Rodon, SP, Chicago White Sox

Jun 8, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack pitcher Carlos Rodon delivers a pitch against the Rice Owls during the Raleigh super regional of the 2013 NCAA baseball tournament at Doak Field. North Carolina State defeated Rice 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

After being selected third overall in last year’s draft, Carlos Rodon skyrocketed through the White Sox’s farm system in two months, dominating across three levels before finishing the year with Triple-A Charlotte. In nine games (six starts), he pitched to a 2.96 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched.

The 22-year-old looks like a lock to be an ace in the White Sox rotation before long. His mound presence is unquestionable and, should he excel during Spring Training, it would be a shock to no one if he starts the year as Chicago’s No. 5 starter. The Sox already appear very open to the idea if the left-hander proves he’s capable.
With limited experience, it would likely be in the Sox’s best interest to keep him down in Triple A for a little longer. But barring injury or some unexpected struggles, Rodon will get his shot with the big-league club sooner rather than later.

1. Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs

Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant against the West during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Arguably the best prospect in all of baseball, the Cubs’ Kris Bryant will have all eyes on him in 2015. The 23-year-old was phenomenal last season, batting .325/.438/.661 with Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. He led the minor leagues with 43 home runs, and also drove in 110 runs and scored 118 in 594 plate appearances.

He somehow failed to receive a September callup, but there’s a pretty good chance he starts the 2015 season in Chicago. At 6’5”, 215 pounds, Bryant projects to have superb power that should translate at the Major League level. He’s a good contact hitter who will pose a threat at the plate every time he steps into the batter’s box.

Bryant doesn’t miss a step in the field, where he flashes the leather from the hot corner. Despite his size, he’s an agile athlete with good range and a strong enough arm to make the throw across the diamond to first base.

With subpar talent staying in his way, it’s inevitable Bryant hooks up with the Cubs sometime early in the season, even if he doesn’t open up with them. He is a surefire talent with potential to be an overnight sensation in an era of Cubs baseball with great promise on the horizon.