MLB: Three prospects that can impact playoff hunt
The MLB Trade Deadline has come and gone. While teams are still hoping to find ways to improve, they essentially have the roster that they will live and die with. Those postseason aspirations will depend on how well those players perform and the health of the roster.
That does not mean that there will not be upgrades. As the playoff chase continues, there may be a prospect or two finding their way to the majors. Those players could end up making a major difference for those teams, helping to solidify the roster and providing that needed spark.
Three prospects that can impact the MLB playoff chase
Which players can make that type of a difference? Let’s take a look at three prospects that can impact the hunt for the postseason.
Luis Gil
Luis Gil has been pressed into service as the New York Yankees battle COVID and an ineffective rotation. Through two outings, he has been everything they have needed.
Despite a small sample size, Gil has impressed. He has allowed just six hits and three walks over 11 shutout innings, striking out 14 batters. As trade deadline acquisition Andrew Heaney has been hammered, and the Yankees have desperately needed someone to step up, Gil has been a revelation.
It is not necessarily a surprise that Gil has found this level of success. Armed with an upper 90s fastball and an average slider and changeup, Gil is the type of pitcher that has the potential to develop into a top of the rotation arm if he learns to command his stuff.
Thus far, he has been able to do exactly that. As the Yankees attempt to fight their way into one of the berths for the playoffs, they will need Gil to continue to pitch well at the MLB level. While it is foolhardy to expect that he will perform at that level every time out, he has the potential to make a major impact on the Yankees’ chances.
Tanner Houck
One has to wonder what the AL East would look like if the Boston Red Sox put Tanner Houck into their MLB rotation and left him there.
Houck has been excellent during his time in the majors this season. He has posted a stellar 2.45 ERA and a 1.130 WHiP in his 25.2 innings, striking out 36 batters with seven walks. It was understandable that the Red Sox had sent Houck down to start the season to work on his command, but that excuse just is not there any longer.
Instead, the Red Sox continued to turn the ball over to Garrett Richards and Martin Perez. The latter has already lost his place in the rotation, with the imminent return of Chris Sale necessitating an opening. It should not be much longer before Richards loses his as well, as the Red Sox will need Houck to solidify their push to the postseason.
Tanner Houck has been excellent for the Red Sox when given the chance. As they are fighting for a playoff spot, it is time that he sticks in the rotation for good.
Luis Campusano
For all of the San Diego Padres machinations that the MLB Trade Deadline, they were never really linked to any catchers that could be on the market. This was surprising given the lack of production that they have had from the position this year.
However, the Padres may well be able to upgrade behind the plate this season. Luis Campusano, one of the top catching prospects in the game, survived the Padres’ series of trades, and has been hitting well in Triple-A. He has produced a solid .282/.352/.506 batting line in his 273 plate appearances, hitting ten homers and 19 doubles.
That production has yet to translate to the major league level. Campusano has just four hits in 42 MLB plate appearances, although he does have one homer in that span. His strong throwing arm and solid defense could allow him more of a chance to prove himself with the bat.
Campusano’s bat is expected to come around. He is considered to be an excellent prospect offensively regardless of position, with a strong hit tool and excellent power potential. It is just a matter of those tools translating to the major league level.
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Luis Campusano could make a major difference for the Padres down the stretch. Given the lack of production behind the plate, he should get a look.