The Washington Nationals will reportedly promote outfield prospect James Wooden to the majors on Monday, paving the way in which for the crown jewel of the Juan Soto commerce to make his big-league debut at house towards the New York Mets. Wooden is the newest in a line of prime prospects to achieve the majors this season, becoming a member of the likes of Jackson Holliday, Wyatt Langford, Jackson Chourio, and Paul Skenes — and people are simply the debuting gamers who have been ranked within the prime 10 this spring by CBS Sports activities.
With Wooden en path to The Present, we thought it could be a pertinent time to ask and reply the next query: who’s subsequent? Or, extra particularly, which prime prospect is the subsequent to debut within the majors? (It’s possible you’ll recall that we appropriately recognized Wooden as the subsequent in line following Skenes’ arrival.) Beneath, we have provided the 4 candidates who we predict have the most effective photographs at turning into the solutions to that inquiry.
Earlier than we get to the train, let’s be clear about one thing: we’re not regarding ourselves with Jackson Holliday, Junior Caminero, or every other participant with MLB expertise; this area is just for true debutants, not these ready to ascertain a foothold on a everlasting gig. Do additionally observe that the gamers are listed of their anticipated order of arrival and that that is extra of an artwork than a science.
Now, let’s get to the good things.
1. Brooks Lee, 3B/SS, Twins (Preseason: No. 15)
It is seemingly that Lee would have already debuted this spring have been it not for a herniated disc in his again that delayed his season. He returned to Minnesota’s Triple-A lineup in early June, the place he is since hit .361/.432/.667 in 17 video games. Lee is a elegant switch-hitter who has expertise at shortstop, second, and third base. The place he matches into the Twins’ big-league lineup is to be decided. Each Willi Castro and Jose Miranda have carried out higher in 2024 than might have been moderately anticipated, and he is definitely not going to place Carlos Correa or Royce Lewis out of a spot. Nonetheless, crowded depth chart or not, Lee is a strained indirect (or, um, damage wrist) from reaching The Present.
2. Coby Mayo, 3B/1B, Orioles (Preseason: No. 22)
Simply what the Orioles want, proper? One more gifted younger infielder nearing the majors. Mayo is a slugging nook infielder who has hit .314/.382/.652 with 17 house runs in Triple-A. He does strike out a good quantity (round 25% this season) and there are questions on his defensive viability on the infield. Extra pressingly, we’re not fully positive how the Orioles will match him into their plans — they’ve All Stars abound of their infield, their corner-outfield slots are additionally occupied, which means the reply is not so simple as “put him on grass.” We do suppose he is earned a crack at big-league pitching earlier than later, and as with Lee, he is perhaps solely an damage away from realizing it.
Montgomery appeared more likely to debut final season earlier than having his yr ravaged by damage. He is spent this marketing campaign in Triple-A, the place his play has underwhelmed. Montgomery entered Friday hitting .221/.339/.395 and hanging out way more typically than anticipated (practically 30% for somebody who beforehand saved his Ok charge at or beneath 20%). The White Sox appear sure to commerce rental shortstop Paul DeJong forward of the July 30 deadline, at which level they’re going to ostensibly hand the reins to Montgomery. Maybe he can go on a tear earlier than then so it does not really feel prefer it’s by default.
4. Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals (Preseason: No. 5)
You possibly can’t do that piece with out together with Wooden’s former and future outfield mate. Crews, the No. 2 choose in final summer time’s draft, has been just a little slower to rise than a few of his friends. He was, however, just lately promoted to Triple-A, the place he is hit .256/.275/.462 with two house runs in his first 9 video games. Crews is hitting the ball onerous (he already has three batted balls over 105 mph in Triple-A), however he is skilled some odd platoon points all yr: he has an .832 OPS towards righties, and a .553 mark versus lefties. We’re unsure what to make of that (or, if there is something to make of it). All the identical, we predict Crews stays on schedule to debut later this summer time.