Fansided

One prospect each MLB team should call up

By Joshua Sadlock

Mar 10, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Ian Happ (86) hits a single against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Ian Happ (86) hits a single against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Francis Martes (79) throws against the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning at JetBlue Park. The Astros won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Francis Martes (79) throws against the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning at JetBlue Park. The Astros won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Astros: Francis Martes

Props to the Astros for doing their homework and plucking Francis Martes from the depths of the Marlins system in 2014. At the time, the right-hander was 18 years old and pitching in rookie ball. More often than not, players like that are merely thrown in to get trades moving and finalized. Martes has come from relative obscurity to take the title of top prospect in a very deep Houston system.

In four seasons in the minors, Martes is 23-15 with a 2.97 ERA, striking out 8.6 per nine with his innings total climbing gradually every year. He reached Double-A last season at the age of 20 and went 9-6 with a 3.30 ERA in 125.1 innings, adding 131 strikeouts while allowing only four home runs. Martes is the fifth-ranked right-handed pitching prospect and a consensus top-20 prospect across all positions.

His arsenal profiles similarly to Lance McCullers — 98 mph fastball, power curveball, hard slider, improving changeup. It’s an impressive package in a 21-year-old starter. Command can be an issue for Martes at times, but he repeats his delivery well, and has no major red flags in his medical history. The Astros could call Martes up at some point this year if the need arises in the rotation, or they could wait for September and bring him out of the bullpen where his power stuff should play up even more.

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