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When Will MLB’s Next Stars Arrive? Four Top Prospects’ Call-Up Timelines

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The minor leagues are a pressure cooker, where dreams of The Show simmer and occasionally boil over. Right now, four prospects—Roman Anthony, Bubba Chandler, Jac Caglianone, and Kyle Teel—are knocking on the door, their bats and arms screaming, and seemingly ready for a big-league shot. But when will their lifelong dream come true? Through the latest rumors, stats, and thoughts from the game’s biggest insiders, these elite young talents will be suiting up at the big league level shortly. Let’s look at the possible timelines for some of MLB’s top prospects to reach the majors.

Potential Call-Up Timelines for Four Top MLB Prospects

Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox

The crack of the bat echoes differently through Worcester’s Polar Park when Roman Anthony takes a hack. The Red Sox’s 21-year-old outfield prodigy is making Triple-A pitchers look like they’re tossing batting practice. With a .321/.453/.518 slash line, seven homers, and an on-base percentage that would make Ted Williams nod in approval, Anthony is banging on the door of Fenway Park. But in a crowded Boston outfield, the question isn’t if he’ll get the call—it’s when.

Anthony, selected in the second round of the 2023 amateur draft, is the Red Sox’s top-ranked prospect (No. 1 overall per MLB.com’s May 2025 rankings). He’s lighting up Triple-A Worcester with a .451 on-base percentage, leading the International League in barrels and posting an elite chase rate. His 2024 season—split between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester—saw him hit .291 with 18 homers and a .396 OBP, showcasing a blend of power, speed, and patience that screams future All-Star. Anthony’s game is a masterclass in balance. His swing, compact yet explosive, generates easy power—think Kyle Tucker with a touch more speed. He’s swiped 21 bases in 2024, and his outfield defense, while not Gold Glove-caliber yet, is reliable in all three outfield positions. 

The Hitch?

Boston’s outfield is a logjam. Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela are locked in, with Masataka Yoshida’s $18 million salary looming like a Fenway shadow. “Roman’s forcing the conversation,” Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said. “His bat is special, and we’re watching closely.” In March, Anthony used his words wisely when talking about his goals ahead of the new season, “Be a big leaguer… as fast as I can,” he told Boston.com’s Conor Ryan. With Boston chasing a playoff spot, an injury to an outfielder or a trade (Yoshida’s name keeps surfacing) could open the door by June 2025. 

Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Bubba Chandler’s fastball dominates in Triple-A Indianapolis, where the 22-year-old right-hander makes hitters look foolish. Selected in the third round (No. 72) of the 2021 draft, the Pirates’ No. 1 prospect (No. 2 overall per MLB.com’s May 2025 rankings) has gone from two-way high school star to pitching phenom. His 2024 season, split between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis, exemplified flashes of dominance (148 strikeouts in 119 2/3 innings) but also command issues that he’s ironing out. 

Chandler’s arsenal is electric. His fastball pairs with a slider that generates whiffs at a 29% clip, per Statcast, and the curve/changeup combo has above-average stuff+, giving him the depth to start or close. His ceiling is sky-high, with comparisons to Paul Skenes. Chandler’s floor isn’t bad either, drawing comparisons to elite closers like Devin Williams and Mason Miller if his command doesn’t improve. “He’s got the stuff to dominate right now,” Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin told reporters. Through 10 starts in 2025, Chandler posts a 2.27 ERA and 61 strikeouts through 43 2/3 innings. 

Pittsburgh on the Horizon 

Pittsburgh’s rotation looks promising with Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller, but a season-ending injury to Jared Jones puts Chandler on a fast track to the Steel City. Chandler’s rapid rise mirrors Skenes’ 2024 ascent, and the Pirates aren’t shy about promoting young arms. “Bubba’s forcing us to think about him,” general manager Ben Cherington said. A June 2025 call-up feels likely, especially in the wake of Jared Jones’ UCL surgery.

Jac Caglianone, 1B/OF, Kansas City Royals

Jac Caglianone is making headlines almost daily this season. The Royals’ 2024 first-round (No. 6 overall) 22-year-old slugger, promoted to Triple-A Omaha’s Storm Chasers last week, has already launched five home runs in his first four games. A .346/.357/.923 triple-sash in his opening week, capped off by a 459-foot moonshot that left his bat at 108.6 mph, Caglianone’s pressuring the Royals to give him that magical call under a year after dominating as a two-way player at the University of Florida. 

Caglianone, the Royals’ No. 1 prospect (No. 10 overall per MLB.com), has turned Triple-A into his personal batting cage. His not-so-warm welcome to opposing pitchers in Omaha has him leading the minors in RBI with 53. Caglianone’s 2024 season showed raw power, but major swing-and-miss tendencies. The woes of last year are a thing of the past now. He hit a .322 average with nine homers in 38 Double-A games this spring, followed by his Triple-A explosion. His refined approach leaves MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis saying, “Jac’s seeing it at another level right now,”. 

Caglianone’s Comparison

The left-handed missile launcher, reminiscent of a young Shohei Ohtani, consistently achieves exit velocities exceeding 110 mph, with a peak of 116 mph in April. Caglianone’s 70-grade power is no fluke; he clubbed 75 homers in three seasons at Florida. “I’m here to hit dingers and help the team win,” he told MLB.com after a two-homer game.

The Challenge

Defensively, he’s primarily a first baseman, but he did log seven outfield starts this year. “We’re giving him reps in the outfield to see how he fits,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. His arm, once a pitching weapon, makes a corner outfield position an option, though his glove needs polish. With Vinnie Pasquantino solidified at first base and Salvador Perez primarily taking the designated hitter role, a corner outfield spot is realistically the only way Caglianone gets an everyday role in Kansas City. Robert Murray of FanSided predicted that Caglianone could debut by late June if he maintains his current pace, though a September debut is more consistent with Kansas City’s historically cautious approach.

Kyle Teel, C, Chicago White Sox

The ball sounds different off Kyle Teel’s bat, and it’s turning heads at Triple-A Charlotte. The 23-year-old White Sox catching prospect is making pitchers look like they’re lobbing softballs so far in 2025. The former University of Virginia star, acquired in the blockbuster Garrett Crochet trade, is slashing .293/.397/.490 in 2025 with seven homers and 27 RBI. Teel has reached base safely in all but three games this year, screaming the big-league readiness. 

Teel’s 2025 campaign in Triple-A Charlotte has been a masterclass in consistency. His .293 average, seven home runs, and nearly .400 OBP through May 26 were good enough to earn International League Player of the Week honors. In 2024, Teel hit .288 with 78 RBI across Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, showing a knack for extra-base hits (36) and a 134 wRC+. 

Bold Predictions

Teel, a left-handed blend of power and contact, displays shades of Buster Posey in his prime. His .977 fielding percentage in 2024 (11 passed balls in 655 1/3 innings) and 25% caught-stealing rate so far in 2025 show defensive growth and prove why he won the 2023 Buster Poser Award at Virginia. Teel’s athleticism—12 stolen bases in 2024—adds a rare dimension for a catcher. “Kyle’s a complete package,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. Teel did play some outfield in college, but is adamant about being behind the plate, “I’m a catcher… I love catching. Let’s do it for 15 years,” he told MLB.com. 

Journey to the Southside

Chicago’s catching depth is a fortress. Korey Lee, the Opening Day starter, and Matt Thaiss form the current duo. Edgar Quero, who shared the clubhouse in Charlotte with Teel, got the call in April to Chicago and is posting respectable numbers just over a month into his major league career. “Kyle’s forcing us to look at him… He’s close to big-league ready,” White Sox GM Chris Getz said. FanSided’s Robert Murray said, “If Teel keeps this up, he won’t wait long.” A July 2025 debut feels likely, possibly earlier if Lee or Thaiss get injured, though a September call-up aligns with Chicago’s long “patient” rebuild. 

The Big Picture

These four top prospects headline the future of MLB, but their paths to the majors hinge on opportunity, performance, and health. Anthony and Chandler are the closest, with June call-ups likely if roster spots open. Caglianone’s power could fast-track him, and Teel faces a crowded depth chart but could break through by season’s end. These kids are knocking, it’s just a matter of when the door opens. 

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