We’re back here at Pitcher List to detail every prospect promotion in 2022. That’s right, every Friday we will have to update you with every call-up from the week leading up. That’s every prospect, every Friday, all season long.
As this is the first week of the season, this edition of Prospect Promotions will include all prospects that made the Opening Day Roster. As a result, this week will likely contain the most promotions we will see this year. For administrative purposes for this article, any prospects that got the call from April 1 to April 7 will be mentioned under April 7th (Opening Day). We’re also ignoring players who were technically recalled, just to be put on the 60-Day IL.
April 7
Geraldo Perdomo, SS, ARI – Some early injuries for the Diamondbacks made it an easier path to MLB time for Perdomo, who struggled at the top level a season ago. Perdomo has above-average speed and knows how to take a walk.
Seth Beer, 1B, ARI – Beer has big-time power but has the looks of a strong-side platoon bat.
Drew Ellis, 3B, ARI – Ellis has put up huge numbers in the minors. Last season, he belted 20 home runs in 81 Triple-A games with a 145 wRC+. He’s struggled in the majors so far, so there is a chance he is a Quad-A bat.
Corbin Martin, P, ARI – Once upon a time, Martin was a top-100 prospect. That was years ago though and control issues have haunted the righty in the upper minors and major leagues. It appears that he is fully transitioning to a relief role where he could find more success.
Jake McCarthy, OF, ARI – McCarthy is a fourth outfielder profile with good speed.
Spencer Strider, P, ATL – Strider has a heater that can hit the triple digits. He’s being used as a multi-inning reliever out of the gate but could easily work his way into a high-leverage role.
Tucker Davidson, P, ATL – Davidson has since been optioned to Triple-A, but he’s going to get some relief and/or spot start work throughout the campaign.
Mike Baumann, P, BAL – Baumann has historically been a starter in the minors but the Orioles are using him out of the bullpen to start the year. His fastball/slider combination could lead him to a high-leverage role down the line.
Felix Bautista, P, BAL – Bautista is a relief-only arm that had elite strikeout numbers in the minors in 2021.
Tyler Danish, P, BOS – Danish is a 27-year-old relief arm. He’s bounced around the league a bit over the last few years but put together his best season at Triple-A in 2021, so he might be able to carve out a big-league role at some point in 2022.
Kutter Crawford, P, BOS – Crawford had a breakout season in 2021, posting strikeout rates above 30% at Double-A and Triple-A. He looks set up for a relief role out of the gate.
Alfonso Rivas, 1B/OF, CHC – Rivas lacks pop for a corner bat, but he has some of the best walk rates in the minors.
Ethan Roberts, P, CHC – Roberts is a relief-only prospect but enjoyed a nice 2021. He’s likely in a low-leverage role to start the year but could creep into higher-leverage situations as the year goes on.
Tanner Banks, P, CHW – Banks transitioned to mostly a relief-only arm in 2022 and had a bit of a breakout in 2021. He has the potential to work his way into a more permanent role with the big-league club.
Jake Burger, 2B/3B, CHW – Burger’s injury history is well-known at this point and it’s just exciting from a human standpoint to see him on the field. The White Sox are dealing with some early-season injuries so Burger is getting some big-league opportunities for the time being.
Bennett Sousa, P, CHW – Sousa is a lefty-relief arm for the White Sox that has a better chance at sticking with the big league club after the season-ending injury to Garrett Crochet.
Hunter Greene, P, CIN – Greenee is a flamethrower whose prospect stock has been a bit of a rollercoaster. It’s encouraging to see him in the starting rotation to start the year, but there will probably be some bumps in the road along the way.
Nick Lodolo, P, CIN – Lodolo is another top-100 prospect arm for the Reds. He was spectacular at Double-A in 2021 and while he doesn’t have much experience above that level, his single-digit walk rates in the minors give him a safer floor than most pitching prospects.
Steven Kwan, OF, CLE – By now, you’ve almost certainly heard of Kwan. The Cleveland outfielder had a historic start to the season and is rightfully slotted toward the top of the lineup. He’s here to stay.
Bryan Lavastida, C, CLE – Lavastida profiles more as a backup backstop, but he has a good approach and knows how to draw a walk.
Spencer Torkelson, 1B, DET – Torkelson is one of the best hitting prospects in all of baseball with a career .935 OPS in the minors. With the Tigers pushing to win in 2022, it’s encouraging to see him get the call right out of the gates. So far, it’s looking like he’s going to be an everyday player but hit toward the bottom of the lineup until his performance forces him to move up.
Elvin Rodriguez, P, DET – Rodriguez had nice strikeout numbers at Double-A in 2021, though he got hit around to the tune of a 5.83 ERA. The Tigers look to be using him as a multi-inning reliever to start 2022.
Jason Foley, P, DET – A relief-only arm that is likely to see low-leverage work for the Tigers.
Jeremy Peña, SS, HOU – The Astros lost Carlos Correa to free agency but the club seems more than confident to hand the shortstop keys off to Peña, whose 2021 minor league season was shortened due to injury. Peña is a glove-first prospect but his offensive profile has greatly improved in the last few seasons.
Jose Siri, OF, HOU – Siri has an intriguing power/speed combination but he’s not likely to see an everyday role given Houston’s depth.
Ronel Blanco, P, HOU – Blanco had a bit of a breakout in 2021, posting a 31.7% strikeout rate in Triple-A. He’s a relief-only option for the Astros.
Bobby Witt Jr., SS, KCR – Witt Jr. is one of the top prospects in all of baseball and has immediately been given the opportunity to be an everyday player that hits near the top of the order for the Royals. The potential star dominated the high minors in 2021, clubbing 33 home runs and swiping 29 bags. Witt Jr. should be up for good unless he struggles to find his footing.
Kyle Isbel, OF, KCR – Isbel was much better in his second promotion in 2021 than his first, but for now it looks like he is going to be used as a bench outfield option.
Reid Detmers, P, LAA – Detmers dominated Double-A in 2021 before struggling once facing MLB hitters. We’ll see how he does against big-league pitching time around, but he has the opportunity to stick in the rotation for the entire season as long he performs.
Austin Warren, P, LAA – Warren is a relief-only arm that racked up strikeouts and walks in the minors.
Cody Poteet, P, MIA – Poteet spent a good chunk of 2021 getting MLB action. He’s a low-leverage relief arm.
Joe Ryan, P, MIN – Ryan impressed enough in his 26.1 MLB innings in 2021 to make the Opening Day Roster for the Twins. He’s never been considered an elite prospect but has performed at every minor league level, so it’s not surprising to see him earn a rotation spot.
Jhoan Duran, P, MIN – Duran’s heater can hit the triple digits and while he was long considered to be a starting pitcher prospect the Twins seem more than happy to use him in a high-leverage relief role where his stuff plays up.
Josh Winder, P, MIN – Another pitching prospect for the Twins. Ultimately, he probably ends up in the rotation but for now, Winder will be used in a relief capacity.
Clarke Schmidt, P, NYY – Schmidt has been up and down a few times for the Yankees the last few seasons but amazingly only threw 12.2 innings of MLB season prior to 2022. He’s looking like a multi-inning reliever/spot starter.
Ron Marinaccio, P, NYY – Another relief prospect for the Yankees. Marinaccio put up bonkers strikeout rates in 2021, so another arm that could help New York immediately.
JP Sears, P, NYY – Sears was terrific in 2021, striking out 136 in 104 minor league innings, mostly as a starter. He’ll be a reliever for the Yankees, but don’t be surprised if he finds success right away.
Jacob Lemoine, P, OAK – Lemoine is a relief-only prospect but he should get a decent amount of looks for an Oakland team that is not going to be competitive in 2022.
Dany Jiménez, P, OAK – Same boat as Lemoine, but Jimenez’s high strikeout rates could give him a longer leash.
Zach Jackson, P, OAK – Sensing a theme? Another relief-only arm is being given an opportunity for Oakland.
Cristian Pache, OF, OAK – Pache is an elite defensive outfielder that has struggled against big-league arms. He should see some opportunities on an Oakland team not looking to be competitive in 2022.
Kevin Smith, SS/3B, OAK – Smith had a re-breakout in 2021, posting a 144 wRC+ at Triple-A. He has good power and speed, but it’s unclear if he can handle MLB pitching or if he’s more of a Quad-A bat.
Daulton Jefferies, P, OAK – Jefferies has above-average walk rates all across the minors, though he struggled at preventing runs at Triple-A in 2021.
A.J. Puk, P, OAK – Puk’s stock has been a roller coaster the past few seasons. It looks like Oakland is going to use him out of the bullpen and maybe that will be the best thing for him.
Bryston Stott, SS/3B, PHI – Stott was one of the biggest prospect risers in 2021. The lefty-hitting infielder played across three different minor league levels last season and didn’t find much resistance at any of them. He spent the majority of his season at Double-A, but in total, he triple-slashed .299/.390/.486 and notched a walk rate north of 13%. He looks to have a near-everyday role with the Phillies, playing primarily third base.
Matt Vierling, OF, PHI – Vierling is a fourth outfielder type but will get an opportunity for some playing time to start the year.
Simon Muzziotti, OF, PHI – Muzziotti is a defense-first outfielder with limited power and good speed.
Cristopher Sánchez, P, PHI – Sanchez has been a starter in the minor leagues but will be used out of the bullpen for Philadelphia, likely in low-leverage situations.
Damon Jones, P, PHI – Jones is a lefty relief-only arm that has struggled in the upper minors.
Miguel Yajure, P, PIT – Yajure really struggled in the majors last year, but it was only 15 innings. Still, it may have been enough for Pittsburgh to move him to the bullpen. Time will tell.
Diego Castillo, INF, PIT – Castillo is probably best suited as a utility infielder, but he has good bat-to-ball skills and should seem opportunities with a Pirates team not likely to be competitive.
José Azocar, OF, SDP – Azocar is a light-hitting depth outfielder with some speed.
C.J. Abrams, SS, SDP – Abrams is another one of the game’s top prospects. He has elite speed and at peak could win a batting title or two. His promotion is almost certainly a result of the preseason injury to Fernando Tatis Jr. and, at least to start the year, it appears that Abrams is going to be the strong-side of a platoon. While the long-term upside is high here, it’s important to note that Abrams has not played above Double-A, so there may be an adjustment period.
Steven Wilson, P, SD – Wilson is a relief-only arm but posted a strikeout rate north of 40% in Triple-A in 2021.
Joey Bart, C, SF – Bart was once considered one of the top prospects in baseball but the shine has dulled in recent years as he’s struggled with his bat-to-ball skills. He’s still got good power and should slot is a solid player for the Giants, but he no longer looks like a potential franchise cornerstone.
Julio Rodríguez, OF, SEA – The Mariners made a handful of win-now moves this offseason so there was hope among fans that Rodriguez would make the Opening Day Roster, and here we have it. The talented outfielder topped out at Double-A ball in 2021 but has absolutely obliterated the minors. He should be a near-everyday player out of the gate for the Mariners and will shoot up the lineup if he’s productive.
Matt Brash, P, SEA – By now you’ve heard of Brash. His whiffle-ball-like stuff was all over the internet and he looks like a top-of-the-rotation arm that is here to stay.
Andrew Pallante, P, STL – Pallante had a nice season at Double-A in 2021, posting a 3.84 ERA in 21 starts as a 22-year-old. It’s looking like he’s going to be used as a multi-inning reliever to start his big league career, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a spot start or two despite not having big strikeout numbers.
Gosuke Katoh, INF/OF, TOR – Kathos is a versatile utility type. He but he should be up and down throughout the year as a bench piece for Toronto.
Josh Lowe, OF, TBR – The Rays trading Austin Meadows to Detroit indicates the kind of confidence they must have in Lowe, who gets the call here. Lowe had an incredible 2021 at Triple-A, posting a 142 wRC+ while hitting 22 home runs and stealing 26 bases. Tampa is known for only utilizing a handful of players in everyday roles, but Lowe appears to be getting a long leash to start.
Lucius Fox, INF, WAS – Fox profiles as a versatile utility type with some speed. The Nationals seem committed to playing a bunch of veterans out of the gate, so it appears that Fox will be used sparingly to start the year but could see a bigger opportunity once Washington’s season goes along.
Joan Adon, P, WAS – Adon has big strikeout numbers in the minors but his command limits how deep in games he will be able to go at the MLB level.
April 8
Joe Perez, 3B, HOU – Perez has never played above Double-A and has already been optioned since this promotion. He had a bit of a breakout in 2021, so he could be one to watch, but he’s not a 2022 contributor.
April 9
Roansy Contreras, P, PIT – Contreras has been a big prospect riser this offseason. He was dominant at Double-A as a 21-year-old in 2021, finishing with a K-BB rate north of 30%. It looks like the Pirates are going to use him out of the bullpen for now but you have to imagine he will get some starts down the line.
April 10
Brian Moran, P, LAA – Moran is a 33-year-old relief-only prospect, but he has posted nice strikeout rates in the minors the last few seasons.
Heliot Ramos, OF, SF – Ramos is a borderline top-100 prospect that has power and speed but has posted strikeout rates in the upper 20s throughout his minor league career, though he has been consistently young for every level. He’s already been sent back to Triple-A and whenever he returns to the majors he’s likely in the short side of a platoon.
April 11
Tyler Heineman, C, TOR – Heineman gets the call following Danny Jansen hitting the IL. He’s a backup backstop profile.
April 12
Anderson Severino, P, CHW – Relief-only arm with very high walk rates in the minors. Tough to see that translating against big-league hitters.
Jimmy Lambert, P, CHW – Lambert is apparently getting a shot in the White Sox rotation for the time being. He’s been able to post good strikeout numbers in the minors but they’ve also come with high walk rates.
Yunior Marte, P, SF – A relief-only prospect arm that was decently effective in Triple-A a season ago. He’s already been optioned to Triple-A and could be someone who is up and down throughout the year.
Tommy Romero, P, TB – Romero has been one of the most effective starters in the minors over the last few years, though he did struggle, relatively speaking, once he reached Triple-A in 2021. He didn’t fare well in his MLB debut following this call-up, only going 1.2 innings and walking five while allowing three runs.
April 13
Nick Lodolo, P, CIN – Lodolo has some of the best walk rates in the minors, issuing just 11 free passes in 50.2 innings a season ago. Most of those frames came at Double-A, and Lodolo almost never pitched deep into games, but it feels more indicative of what we are going to see from him down the line than Wednesday’s MLB debut where he allowed five runs and three walks.
Pedro Avila, P, SD – Avila is a relief-only arm. He’s a low-leverage option for the Padres while he’s up, but expect him to bounce between the majors and Triple-A throughout the year.
Dusten Knight, P, TB – Knight has already been sent back to Triple-A, so this was a temporary call-up. His promotion didn’t go well, surrendering three runs in 1.2 innings, and as a prospect over 30, the ceiling here isn’t super high.
April 14
Andrew Bellatti, P, PHI – More of a feel-good story than anything else. Bellatti is a 30-year-old relief arm and most of his MLB action came back in 2015. He faced and retired one batter following this call-up, but it’s unclear how long he will be with the big league club.
Phoenix Sanders, P, TB – Sander is a relief-only arm but had a nice season at Triple-A in 2021, posting a 27.8% KK-B rate to go with a 3.14 FIP in 64 frames. He tossed three innings of piggyback relief following this promotion, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out two. Expect to see Sanders used in similar roles through the season.
Nick Snyder, P, TEX – Snyder is a relief-only righty who had an injury-shortened 2021, but pitched across three levels on the minors. Historically has high strikeout rates and low walk rates so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him work into a permanent role.
Gosuke Katoh, INF/OF, TOR – As mentioned earlier, Katoh is a utility type that should be up and down for Toronto throughout the year.
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)