MLB Pipeline: One prospect each MLB team should call up

DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 06: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during the Grapefruit League spring training game at Dunedin Stadium on March 06, 2019 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images /

The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox have started the season 8-13 — yes, 8-13. And that’s only after riding a two-game win streak. It’s the worst start for a defending World Series winner since 1998.

Everything is a hot mess. The hitting is not coming together like it did last year, the rotation has been slow out of the gate, the defense has been subpar (18 errors; Rafeal Devers already has six). But, nothing has been a bigger issue for the team than the inconsistent and underwhelming performance of the team’s bullpen.

The decision on who to call up is a difficult one. The main reason is because they are one of many teams where the farm doesn’t really match the needs of the big-league club. In addition, Boston has so many players on the team who aren’t going anywhere, despite their underperformance thus far in 2019.

It’s a tough call, but the team needs to decide to move on from Tyler Thornburg. The 30-year-old right-hander has thrown 8.1 innings this year, and has dragged down the bullpen with a 6.48 ERA. The team needs to go in a different direction if they have any hope of righting the ship and making another run.

Fortunately, one of the few MLB-ready players on the AAA roster fits in nicely, as 24-year-old right-handed pitcher Mike Shawaryn is off to a great start. In fact, his 3.12 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched this season is the best of his career (since rookie ball). The 2016 first-round pick has yet to make his Major League debut, but seems ready for the challenge.

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