MLB.com Columnist
Jonathan Mayo
These prospects could improve contending teams
Promotions of Giolito, Urias, Gallo, others might produce immediate results
There undoubtedly will be plenty of deals between now and Aug. 1, this year's non-waiver Trade Deadline. The Red Sox have already been a bit busy, getting pitchers Brad Ziegler and Drew Pomeranz and infielder Aaron Hill.
Not every team will improve its 25-man roster by acquiring talent from other organizations. Instead, these teams might look to promote from within to bolster their postseason chances.
Some of those on this top 10 have already been called upon to help out at the highest level. Some will be making their Major League debuts when they get the call for the stretch run. All are on the current Top 100 prospects list, and their current rank is in parentheses.
1. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals (1): His two-start big league debut had some moments, but he wasn't up long enough to make a lasting impression. Now back in Triple-A (he made a start in Hagerstown to stay on schedule), Giolito is waiting until he's needed again as an injury replacement or otherwise.
2. Julio Urias, LHP, Dodgers (2): He's already made eight starts and shown he can get big league hitters out, striking out 10.9 per nine. He also uncharacteristically walked 4.2 per nine, but most of that came from one six-walk outing. His time back in Triple-A will be short-lived as he'll come back up to start in place of Clayton Kershaw on Thursday. It's easy to forget he's only 19.
3. Joey Gallo, 1B/3B/OF, Rangers (7): He's been up before, and we all know that power plays anywhere. The question, as always, is will he make enough contact to tap into it at the highest level. He's still striking out, although not as much as he has in the past, and his walk rate is up. The fact he can play both infield corners and left field gives him added value.
4. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates (8): His big league debut started out well enough, then he ran into trouble. But he showed his stuff is just as unhittable at the highest level as it has been throughout his Minor League career. He went back down and continued to miss bats in Triple-A. If he can throw strikes, he should get another chance to help the Pirates get to the postseason again.
5. Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals (11): Anyone who saw his stuff in the Futures Game knows what he can do. The power stuff is as legitimate as there is among any pitching prospect with a devastating fastball-curveball combination. Yes, he still needs to refine his command, but he could help the St. Louis bullpen right now.
6. Alex Bregman, SS/3B, Astros (18): He let it be known on a national stage -- the Futures Game -- that he's ready for the spotlight, finishing a home run shy of the cycle. The No. 2 pick in the 2015 Draft is already in Triple-A and he's been raking, with six homers in his first 13 games there. An Astros lineup with Bregman at third and Luis Valbuena at first, with A.J. Reed DH-ing sure sounds good, doesn't it?
7. Jose De Leon, RHP, Dodgers (20): He may be known as the "other Dodgers pitching prospect" right now because of Urias' ascendence ahead of him, but it would be a mistake to forget him. He started this season late because of shoulder inflammation, and the Dodgers have been very cautious in stretching him out. He's been striking out Triple-A hitters at a 13.8 per nine clip and holding them to a .200 batting average. Shorten him up, only for now, and let him give the bullpen a boost.
8. Josh Bell, 1B, Pirates (42): Bell appeared in four games during his little taste of big league life, and all he did was single, homer and walk twice in four plate appearances. Now, no one can expect a 3.500 OPS over the long-term, but there is no doubt Bell can help the Pirates, at the very least as a switch-hitting bench presence in September. While the defense is still a work in progress, the offensive upgrade at first could entice the Pirates to bring him up before rosters expand.
9. Gavin Cecchini, SS, Mets (75): Cecchini continues to rake in Triple-A, with his .320 average putting him firmly in the top 10 among Pacific Coast League hitters. He's never played anything but shortstop as a professional, but he's a gamer who could serve as a utilityman off the bench, the kind of player who invariably comes up with some big hits during a playoff run.
10. Joe Musgrove, RHP, Astros (97): Musgrove's strike-throwing skills were on full display as the San Diego native got to start the Futures Game in his hometown and threw a perfect frame on 11 pitches and three groundball outs. He never hurts himself with walks, and he threw well in his two pre-Futures Game starts. That kind of efficiency could come in handy as Houston continues to climb back into contention.
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanMayo and Facebook, and listen to him on the weekly Pipeline Podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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