Even this early in the season, there have already been a number of notable callups. The largest occurred on April 10 when Jackson Holliday, the Orioles’ top prospect, was promoted. To strengthen their outfield, the Dodgers called up fellow Top 100 prospect Andy Pages on Tuesday.
The Cubs immediately went to former Top 100 prospect Ben Brown after Justin Steele pulled a hamstring on Opening Day. Brown overcame a difficult major league debut by allowing only one run in his first two appearances. After just one outing, Nick Nastrini, who joined the White Sox on Monday, immediately appears to be their No. 2 starter.
Next up, who? Each of the following 17 organisations’ impact callup candidates is highlighted by one of our 17 Top 100 prospects:Blue Jays: No. 1/MLB No. 27 Ricky Tiedemann, LHP
Tiedemann, who Toronto was still considering as a Major League option late in the spring, has had a difficult three Triple-A starts. In a chilly April 5 outing in Worcester, he walked four over 1 2/3 innings. Through eight frames in his first three starts, he has given up five earned runs overall. But there’s no denying the skill, especially when it comes to his low-80s sweeper and mid-90s fastball. With a 4.64 ERA overall, the Jays pitching staff is ranked 23rd in the Majors. If Tiedemann can maintain his health and improve his command, they could have an advantage.Blue Jays: No. 1/MLB No. 27 Ricky Tiedemann, LHP
Tiedemann, who Toronto was still considering as a Major League option late in the spring, has had a difficult three Triple-A starts. In a chilly April 5 outing in Worcester, he walked four over 1 2/3 innings. Through eight frames in his first three starts, he has given up five earned runs overall. But there’s no denying the skill, especially when it comes to his low-80s sweeper and mid-90s fastball. With a 4.64 ERA overall, the Jays pitching staff is ranked 23rd in the Majors. If Tiedemann can maintain his health and improve his command, they could have an advantage.Rays: 3B/SS Junior Caminero (MLB No. 1/No. 4)
After recovering from a minor strain to his quad, Caminero is back to his best habit of crushing the ball. He returned to the Triple-A Durham lineup on April 14 and blasted a 425-foot home run. In his first five games with the Bulls, he has at least one hit, with a slash line of.318/.400/.636. If the right-handed slugger made a comeback to the major leagues, his power would undoubtedly be felt, but sadly for him, Tampa Bay’s Isaac Paredes is still a monster at third base. In order to keep the Rays competitive in the AL East, Caminero ought to be called upon if the depth of the infield is put to the test.Red Sox: No. 1/MLB No. 15 Marcelo Mayer, SS
After undergoing shoulder surgery, Trevor Story is out for the entire season, leaving the Red Sox’s middle infield situation uncertain. In comparison to current shortstop starter David Hamilton, Mayer, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 Draft (Boston’s highest selection since 1967), would provide an instant offensive and defensive upgrade. Aside from his quickness, Mayer has all-around good tools, and he’s off to a.344/.371/.500 start at Double-A.Red Sox: No. 1/MLB No. 15 Marcelo Mayer, SS
After undergoing shoulder surgery, Trevor Story is out for the entire season, leaving the Red Sox’s middle infield situation uncertain. In comparison to current shortstop starter David Hamilton, Mayer, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 Draft (Boston’s highest selection since 1967), would provide an instant offensive and defensive upgrade. Aside from his quickness, Mayer has all-around good tools, and he’s off to a.344/.371/.500 start at Double-A.Kyle Manzardo, 1B (No. 2/MLB No. 54), is a Guardian.
The Guardians are in the middle of the pack early in the season and might add even more power with Manzardo, after finishing last in the Majors in home runs last season. The 23-year-old, who was acquired from the Rays in July of last year as a trade-in for Aaron Civale, is a pure hitter who consistently raises his profile with smart swing choices. He is cutting.371 / 265 /.408 at Triple-A.
Will Klein, RHP (No. 18) is a Royal.
Just one Triple-Klein is one of the pitchers who has made more than five appearances in 2024 without giving up an earned run. The 6-foot-5 right-hander has fought control troubles (seven walks) and has struck out eight batters in eight innings pitched. Despite this, he has maintained a perfect ERA. With a fastball that averages 97.5 mph and has produced 13 whiffs in 39 swings, the stuff has held up. He has two breaking looks with his mid-80s curveball and upper-80s slider to further throw batters off balance. Klein, who was added to the 40-man roster in November, may be a valuable addition should Kansas City require bullpen support.
