This story was originally published by Dead Spin
See you soon?
September call-ups are right around the corner. For some teams, it’s a welcome boost for the final push into the postseason.
For others—hello, Chicago White Sox—the roster expansion brings the next wave of a rebuild.
Here are 10 prospects to know before Sept. 1:
New York Mets RHP Brandon Sproat: Skyrocketing from unranked to No. 40 on MLB Pipeline’s in-season Top 100 prospects list, the Mets’ top prospect has pitched as a starter at three levels in 2024 but could be a valuable relief weapon for New York in the NL wild-card race. The 2023 second-round pick sports an electric arsenal, including a fastball that regularly touches 101 mph.
Baltimore Orioles 3B/1B Coby Mayo: Like Pipeline’s No. 1 overall prospect, Jackson Holliday, Mayo flopped in his first stint in the Majors, but will the 2020 fourth-rounder return and thrive like Holliday did? With Jordan Westburg likely out until at least late September, it seems likely Baltimore’s No. 2 prospect (No. 10 on Pipeline’s Top 100), who belted 20 homers in his first 78 Triple-A games, will be back for the stretch run.
Washington Nationals OF Dylan Crews: The Nats will miss the playoffs again, so why not see what their top prospect (and No. 3 on Pipeline’s Top 100) can do in September? Last year’s No. 2 overall pick has shown he’s ready for a late-season callup. Through 97 games at Double-A and Triple-A in 2024, he posted 101 hits, 13 homers, 59 runs, 66 RBIs and 23 steals.
Milwaukee Brewers RHP Jacob Misiorowski: The organization’s No. 3 prospect and No. 66 overall per Pipeline recently moved up to Triple-A with a four-pitch repertoire highlighted by a 100-mph-plus fastball. The 6-foot-7 hurler, a 2022 second-round pick who posted 105 whiffs in 79 2/3 innings at Double-A, has pitched in relief at Triple-A and could play a pivotal role in Milwaukee’s stellar bullpen.
Detroit Tigers RHP Jackson Jobe: At No. 8 on Pipeline’s Top 100, he’s the highest-ranked pitcher and appears destined to be a mainstay in the Tigers’ rotation. He’s yet to pitch above Double-A, but the No. 3 pick of the 2021 draft has flat-out dominated at two levels in 2024 (2.12 ERA in first 16 starts). With the Tigers all but out of the AL wild-card race, they should see what their No. 2 prospect can do in Detroit.
Chicago Cubs OF Owen Caissie: After an impressive Double-A campaign in 2023, the Cubs’ No. 3 prospect (and No. 36 overall per Pipeline) has seen his numbers tick down at Triple-A. Nevertheless, the 2020 second-round pick’s offensive skillset has drawn comparisons to Fernando Tatis Jr., per Just Baseball, so it would behoove the Cubs to bolster their playoff hopes by calling him up.
St. Louis Cardinals INF Thomas Saggese: With the Cards’ playoff aspirations fading, an infusion of power could be the jolt they need to make a late run. While St. Louis ranks near the bottom in the NL in homers, Saggese, the organization’s No. 4 prospect per Pipeline, hit 18 through his first 109 Triple-A games in 2024.
Cincinnati Reds RHP Rhett Lowder: Sporting a ridiculous 0.62 ERA over his last five Double-A starts, the Reds’ No. 2 prospect (No. 35 on Pipeline’s Top 100) is set to make his Triple-A debut on Thursday night. The No. 7 overall pick in 2023 may get another call, this time to the Majors.
Houston Astros OF Jacob Melton: With All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker on the 60-day DL since June, Melton, a 2022 second-round selection and the Astros’ No. 1 prospect (No. 100 on Pipeline’s Top 100), may get his first call to the Majors. Tucker may return around Labor Day, per Astros general manager Dana Brown, but Melton would be a valuable insurance policy.
Chicago White Sox LHP Noah Schultz: The majors’ worst team has plenty of young talent, especially their No. 1 prospect, who, at No. 15 on Pipeline’s Top 100, is the highest-ranked left-hander. With a front-of-the-rotation ceiling, the 6-foot-9 hurler produced a sparkling 1.79 ERA in his first 12 Double-A starts. The White Sox could be tempted to bring their 2023 first-round pick (No. 26 overall) to the majors.
