If you haven't noticed, major league teams are getting more and more comfortable calling up top prospects a few months earlier than expected. Earlier this season, the Nationals called up Bryce Harper when their lineup needed a jolt. Recently, the Orioles called up Manny Machado and even moved him to third base upon his call up. So, it should come as no surprise that the Rangers are considering promoting the top prospect in baseball, Jurickson Profar. Here is T.R. Sullivan from MLB.com on that possibility:
The Rangers could promote Double A Frisco infielder Jurickson Profar to the big leagues when they go back to a four-man bench. Club officials said Monday "it’s been discussed" and Profar is one of the candidates who could get the call.
Sullivan went on to the team elected to add another pitcher in their bullpen with the call up of Mark Lowe and sending down Alberto Gonzalez. He also quoted manager Ron Washington saying that he wants a middle infielder when the team returns home next Monday, so be on the watch for news on a Profar call up by the weekend.
And here is Evan Grant on the possible callup, via Twitter:
Jurickson Profar has homered today. Re-engage callup talks. I expect he is here a week from today.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 14, 2012
Once he is called up, I don't see Profar playing everyday with Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler playing every day in the middle of the Rangers infeld. Of course, he will be eligible to play in the postseason if called up before the end of the month. Like Mike Olt, he is better than any player they have in AAA right now, so it makes sense for the team to call him up to keep their starters fresh and get them ready for the postseason.
The Giants activated third baseman Pablo Sandoval in time for their game vs the Nationals last night, but he did not start. Sandoval has disappointed fantasy owners this season, as his power is down and he has missed about half of the season due to various injuries, most recently a hamstring injury. He is hitting a respectable .299-.352-.491 this season, with just 8 HRs, 36 runs and 33 RBI in 234 at bats.
Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist is having another Zobrist-like season with double digit home runs and stolen bases and a solid OBP. He is hitting .256-.373-.444 with 12 HRs, 61 runs, 43 RBI and 13 stolen bases thus far in 2012. Pretty decent production for a second baseman, and he is on pace for 17 HRs, 86 runs, 61 RBI and 18 stolen bases. These stats look even better for a shortstop, which is where Zobrist has been playing of late. He has played 3 games at shortstop thus far, and manager Joe Maddon has stated that Zobrist will be his every day shortstop, so Zobrist will be that much more valuable come draft day 2013.
More Roundup after the jump:
Phillies ace Cole Hamels threw his second consecutive complete game shutout last night, giving up 7 hits, walking none and striking out 5. He is now 13-6 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 158-41 strikeout to walk ratio in 163.2 innings pitched this season. He has given up 2 runs or less in 6 of his last 10 starts, and has worked at least 7 innings in 9 of those 10 starts.
Rangers starter Ryan Dempster probably wanted to pitch for a winner, so one can't blame him for accepting the deal to the Rangers, but he certainly has been a different pitcher in the American League than he was in the National League. While in the NL, Dempster was leading the league in ERA, but he has proven to be hittable in the AL. Last night, he got knocked around for 8 runs on 9 hits, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. and took the loss in the 8-2 drubbing at the hands of the Yankees. Since the deal to Texas, Dempster is 1-1 with a 8.31 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP.
Garret Jones seems to like hitting against the Dodgers. He went 4-4 with a double and 3 RBI last night, but it wasn't enough to get by the Dodgers. Jones is now hitting .282-.314-.526 with 17 HRs, 50 runs, and 57 RBI this season, and is on pace to hit 24 HRs and drive in 80. Since his abysmal month of May where he hit, .206-.231-.397, Jones has hit .300 in June, .283 in July and .324 in August thus far.
Twins catcher/outfielder/DH Ryan Doumit had a big night at the plate last night, as he went 3-4 with a HR, 2 runs and 3 RBI. Doumit is now hitting .297-.343-.497 with 14 HRs, 40 runs and 59 RBI. He has hit in 9 of his last 10 games, going 15-38 with 4 HRs and 10 RBI.