Minor League Baseball prospects expect a call up in the near future?

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If there’s one thing that’s always being planned in the MLB, it’s the future. Minor League Baseball prospects are continually being analyzed, traded and scouted. The few who stand out from the rest are close to the big show.

Shohei Ohtani, generally regarded as the baseball’s No. 1 Minor League Baseball prospect, has taken the major leagues by storm in his first taste of the majors.

He doesn’t necessarily fit the “typical” mold of a No. 1 prospect. Most of the time, baseball’s top prospects are revered for their dominance of minor league ball.

We don’t know what they can accomplish in the majors, but we usually have an idea.

Ohtani is an exception, but behind him exists a wealth of elite minor leaguers.

Most of these players have already shown flashes of superstardom at the next level.

The Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees are owners of some of the game’s deepest pools of talent.

The Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and Oakland A’s are all systems that have seen a spike in their talent with recent trades and smart drafting.

Some of the game’s premier prospects won’t see the majors just yet, though.

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., for example, won’t reach the majors until 2019 at the earliest.

Of the five selected prospects who will be analyzed, two are pitchers. The rest are outfielders and infielders. More importantly, these players look to become household names sooner than later.

LAKELAND, FL – MARCH 20: Gleyber Torres /

Minor League Baseball: Gleyber Torres – New York Yankees

Gleyber Torres, the jewel of the Aroldis Chapman trade, has blossomed into one of the game’s premier young talents at a rapid rate.

Torres played most of 2017 with Double-A Trenton where he hit .273 before being called up to AAA. In his 96 at-bat’s before Tommy John surgery in his non-throwing arm, Torres raked.

The 21-year-old hit .309/.406/.457 with two home run’s, 16 RBI’s, four doubles and 13 walks.

After recovering from Tommy John surgery in his non-throwing arm, he’s returned to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre right where he left off.

Through 23 at-bat’s in 2018, he’s hit .348/.348/.565 with a home run and four RBI’s. He was regarded as baseball’s No. 1 prospect coming into 2017, so it’s no surprise that he has continued to excel at the second-highest level.

The question is when will get his chance at the next level? Well, it should be soon.

The Yankees have been hit hard by injuries early on in the season. Tyler Wade and Miguel Andujar have both seen significant time in the infield, with both producing mixed results.

There’s a real chance that Torres could be called up before the All-Star break, as his play will have the opportunity to force the Yankees’ hand. He’s already one of the team’s best options in the infield, with a steady combination of speed, power, and defense.

Minor League Baseball: Nick Senzel – Cincinnati Reds

Being the No. 2 overall pick in a draft can be a daunting title to live up to. For Nick Senzel, he’s taken the chance and ran with it.

The second pick behind Mickey Moniak of the Philadelphia Phillies, Senzel has developed into a genuine offensive threat in his short time in the minors.

Senzel slashed .321/.391/.514 with 65 RBI’s, and 57 extra-base hit’s between Single-A and Double-A. The righty struck out just 97 times throughout 507 plate appearances, too.

Cliff Pennington is currently the Reds’ starting third baseman. That should tell you what you need to know. Senzel will be in the majors this season, but when?

He’s gotten off to a slow start in Triple-A this season, with just four hits and zero RBI’s through 25 at-bats. The No. 7 prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com, has taken reps at shortstop, too.

From what I've been told, expect Nick Senzel to be starting at 3B tonight for Louisvile. That's a big hint, to me, of what's gonna come
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) April 10, 2018

As it stands now, Gleyber Torres and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. are the highest rated infielders of the game’s elite talent. Senzel isn’t very far behind, though, with a combination of above-average speed, power to all fields and slick defense.

With an injury to Eugenio Suarez thinning the team’s infield, even more, Senzel should be getting the call sooner than later.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – MARCH 13: Ronald Acuna /

Minor League Baseball: Ronald Acuna – Atlanta Braves

“Unless he gets injured or something, I think he has a chance to be in the Hall of Fame. I really do. But you can’t put them ahead of the game. You’ve got to let them grow.”

Atlanta Braves

These words were spoken by former Atlanta Braves outfielder turned scout, Ralph Garr.

That’s quite the praise for Ronald Acuna, who just turned 20 in December.

Is it a little crazy to expect the kid to be a Hall-of-Famer before he ever sees the major leagues? Probably.

What’s not so crazy, though, is to label him a future star.

The Venezuela-native is currently the No. 2 prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com.

Aside from Shohei Ohtani, Acuna is regarded as the top talent in the minors.

Acuna has skyrocketed through the minor leagues since being signed in 2015. Last season, the outfielder hit for a .325 average while gathering 60 extra base hit’s.

Incumbent Preston Tucker has played well thus far for the Braves, with a .286 average and nine RBI’s.

Acuna hasn’t exactly gotten off to the start he would have hoped, as he’s in a 2-for-19 slide in Triple-A Gwinnett.

Next: Is Shohei Ohtani the Next Face of Baseball?

In spring training, though, Acuna hit four home run’s, drove in 11 runs and ended with a .432 average. Don’t let it fool you, Tucker’s good start will not hold Acuna in the minors.

To some, he’s already the game’s next big thing.

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