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MLB: 10 prospects ready to play in the big leagues

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (76) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (76) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19), third baseman Chris Johnson (23) and first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) celebrate in against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves defeated the Phillies, 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19), third baseman Chris Johnson (23) and first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) celebrate in against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves defeated the Phillies, 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

2. player. 17. . Pitcher. Atlanta Braves. Matt Wisler

Most of the players on this list are already household names among baseball fans that keep a close eye on the next crop of up-and-comers. All were pre-season Top 50 prospects that have garnered a lot of attention for their raw talent and upside.

Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Matt Wisler is hardly a diamond in the rough (he’s the No. 64 player on MLB.com’s Top 100 and ranked 34th among Baseball America’s 2015 Top 100 Prospects), but the former seventh round pick hasn’t had quite the hoopla surrounding him and is a little more under the radar than others listed here.

However, because of his strong start to the season in Triple-A Gwinnett following a trade from the San Diego Padres on the eve of Opening Day, Wisler could announce himself to Major League fans very soon.

The Braves already have a rotation stacked with young arms in Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, newcomer Shelby Miller and rookies Mike Foltynewicz and Williams Perez. Only Teheran – the team’s true No. 1 starter – has been disappointing of late, so the chances are limited for Wisler to break into the starting rotation. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t ready in case he’s called upon.

In five pro seasons to date, Wisler has posted a 3.42 ERA across 89 appearances and 87 starts. This year in Triple-A, he’s 3-3 with a 3.58 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 55.1 innings. His strikeouts are down (his 7.5 K/9 rate is the lowest of his career), but so are his walks. Wisler has issued just 11 free passes this season, which gives him a solid 4.18 strikeouts per walk and 1.8 walks per nine innings.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander is also the reigning International League Pitcher of the Week after tossing 8.1 scoreless innings May 30. Wisler allowed only two hits and two walks and struck out seven to earn his third victory of the season. He also tossed two scoreless innings in a rain-shortened start earlier in the week. It’s the second time Wisler has won the pitcher of the week award this season.

Next: Carlos Correa

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