MLB Prospect News Includes Matt Shaw Being Called Back Up and Jac Caglianone Getting Promoted

There was plenty of MLB prospect news over the past week, and we've only covered a bit of it.

Philadelphia's Mick Abel, Colorado's Carson Palmquist, Los Angeles Dodgers' Dalton Rushing, Houston's Colton Gordon and Chicago Cubs' Moises Ballesteros all made their MLB debuts last week.

Now it's time to discuss some news that broke over the weekend/heading into the new week.

Explore the best in-season tool to manage lineup/start decisions including waiver pickups, projections, trade suggestions, trade value charts, rest of season rankings, power rankings, and tons more with Fantasy Assistant.

Matt Shaw Being Called Back Up

The Chicago Cubs are adding another slugger to an already lethal lineup in Matt Shaw. He's reportedly getting called back up.

He played 18 MLB games and got 68 plate appearances earlier in the season, but hit just .172 and got on base at a .294 clip, so he was sent back to the minor leagues for some more seasoning. Shaw had a double and homer among his 10 MLB hits earlier this season, while also tallying three RBIs, 11 runs scored, 10 walks and 18 strikeouts.

In his 24 games at Triple-A since the demotion, Shaw posted a .286 average and .409 OBP across 110 plate appearances. He had six homers, five doubles and a triple among his 26 total hits. Shaw also had 14 RBIs, five stolen bases, 22 runs scored, 17 walks and only 11 strikeouts.

Shaw has clearly shown all he needs to at AAA, and now will get another crack at the big leagues. Despite not playing in the big leagues since April 14, Shaw has the second-most appearances (23) at third base on the Cubs' roster. Only Jon Berti (23) has appeared there more.

Shaw might not start every game, but he's not going to be called up to ride the bench either. I'd expect him in the starting lineup just about every game going forward.

If Shaw doesn't deliver again, his leash in the big leagues might not be super long, and he could be sent back down again. There's already a logjam for playing time among the team's hitters, and they don't need to keep a struggling hitter at the big league level if he's not producing.

He's rostered in 26% of fantasy leagues right now, and that should grow when he's officially recalled from AAA and appears in the starting lineup. For now though, I'd say Shaw should only be rostered in deeper redraft leagues.

A hot start at the plate in his return to the big leagues should see Shaw's own percentage skyrocket, so all fantasy owners need to be keeping tabs on Shaw. He could be one of the better fantasy hitters in the game if he puts it all together this time around.

Jac Caglianone Nearing Big Leagues

Caglianone is getting closer to the MLB after getting a call up to Triple-A over the weekend.

The No. 10 overall prospect in the big leagues already had an ETA of 2025, and that seems even more likely after he was promoted. He was drafted sixth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.

The 22-year-old left-handed hitting first baseman and outfielder is in the Royals' system. While the Royals are a pretty solid team, they could use more hitting, so the organization won't slow Caglianone if he keeps raking.

In 38 games at Double-A before the promotion, Caglianone had a .322 average and .394 OBP. He had 49 total hits, including nine homers and eight doubles. Caglianone had 43 RBIs, 32 runs scored, two stolen bases, 19 walks and 37 strikeouts as well.

Being able to play first base or in the outfield is going to help Caglianone reach the big leagues sooner rather than later. Again though, if he keeps hitting, Kansas City will find a way to get him into their big league lineup. He's played first base and left and right field, while also serving as the team's designated hitter while in Double-A. 

Vinnie Pasquantino holds down first base most days for the big league team, but he's struggled to get rolling at the plate so far. Salvador Perez is another option there, but he's surprisingly struggled this year too. Only an injury would probably help Caglianone take over one of those two hitter's spot at first base.

Jonathan India leads KC with 21 appearances in left field. Drew Waters (17), Mark Canha (13) and MJ Melendez (11) have appeared there fairly often too. India is the biggest name of that group, but has struggled this season. He could also be an option at third base or DH.

Hunter Renfroe leads KC with 31 appearances in right field. Waters has played 15 games there. Renfroe is a veteran, but has struggled mightily this season.

There's a good chance Caglianone gets called up to play left or right field for the Royals, and it should come at some point this season. If he excels in Triple-A, we could maybe see Caglianone before the All-Star break.

Even though he's only at Triple-A now, his own percentage is at 17%. He's got the most fantasy value in dynasty/keeper leagues, but also has been stashed by some deep-league redraft owners, which I think is a worthwhile thing to do. He'll be a massive waiver wire pickup when he's called up to the big leagues, so you're going to want to keep close tabs on Caglianone.

Trey Yesavage Promoted to High-A

Yesavage is the No. 71 prospect in baseball and was bumped up to High-A.

At Single-A this season, Yesavage went 3-0 with a 2.43 earned run average across 33 1/3 innings. He struck out 55 batters, walked eight and had just a .162 average against him.

The 21-year-old right-handed pitcher was taken 20th overall last season by the Blue Jays. His ETA is 2026, and I think there's an outside chance he could be called up late this season, depending on what the Blue Jays do at the trade deadline and how the team comes together.

Yesavage could be a very quick riser, and that means it's time to highlight him and starting adding him or acquiring him in some dynasty/keeper leagues.

Jurrangelo Cijntje Keeps Dazzling

Cijntje is a switch-pitcher for the Mariners. The 21-year-old was taken 15th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and is pitching at High-A right now.

He's graded out as a better right-handed pitcher, but the uniqueness of being able to throw with either arm definitely makes him an appealing prospect. Cijntje is the No. 8 prospect of the Mariners.

Cijntje has made seven starts and 10 appearances so far this season. Across 33 1/3 innings, he's got a 3-2 record and 4.32 ERA. He's struck out 35 batters, walked 21 and has a .174 average against him.

He's been trending up of late, and has only allowed over three runs in one appearance so far. Cijntje tossed six shutout innings over the weekend, allowing just one hit and two walks along the way. He did hit two batters, and finished with five strikeouts.

Seattle obviously thought highly enough of Cijntje to draft him at pick No. 15, and he's flashed some high upside early in his minor league career. He has some things to clean up for sure, but Seattle is known for developing pitchers, so Cijntje landing there was a blessing.

Cijntje is a player to keep close tabs on over the next couple years. His ETA is 2027, which would be a pretty quick rise through the minor leagues. 

He's definitely got some dynasty/keeper value and intrigue. Now it's just a matter of him putting it all together.