Knocking Down The Door: July 1, 2021

“Knocking Down The Door” is a weekly column highlighting minor leaguers who are making a case for a major league promotion. Listed below are the names of this week’s picks and the player’s team, age, level(s), prospect ranking, and last 10-14 days of statistics.

The analysis can be viewed in the embedded video of the previous day’s episode of The RosterResource Show, a weekly live stream focused on all things related to rosters, transactions, and RosterResource content at FanGraphs.

•Jarred Kelenic (21), OF, Triple-A Tacoma | Seattle Mariners | Prospect Rank: 4 (overall), 1 (organizational) | June 20-June 29: 13-for-36, 3 HR, 2 2B, 3B, 9 RBI, 7 BB, 7 K, 2 SB

If there’s a positive that came out of Kelenic’s disastrous first stint in the majors — he went 8-for-83 with 26 strikeouts — it’s that it would be nearly impossible to do worse in his second stint. Expectations would also be much lower, although Kelenic is still extremely talented and has proven why he is considered one of the best prospects in the game since his demotion to Triple-A. His path to regular playing time is still wide open and he should resume his MLB career very soon.

•Jose Miranda (23), 2B/3B, Triple-A St. Paul/Double-A Wichita | Minnesota Twins | Prospect Rank: 13 (organizational) | June 13-June 29: 32-for-65, 9 HR, 3 2B, 17 RBI, 5 BB, 8 K, 2 SB

Following an impressive stint with Double-A Wichita (.345/.408/.588, 13 HR), Miranda celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday with five hits, including three homers, in his Triple-A debut. Seriously. That is a thing that really happened. It’s not an easy path to playing time in Minnesota at the moment, but it won’t matter if he continues to hit as he has over the past two months.

•Jake Burger (25), 3B/2B, Triple-A Charlotte | Chicago White Sox | Prospect Rank: 34 (organizational) | June 16-June 30: 24-for-51, 4 HR, 5 2B, 3B, 15 RBI, 5 BB, 10 K

Burger’s audition at second base — he’s started four times at the position — could prove to be irrelevant if the White Sox acquire Eduardo Escobar from the Diamondbacks, which has been rumored. Still, it won’t matter if he’s blocked by Yoán Moncada at third base because he could end up being the team’s best option at designated hitter if Yermín Mercedes doesn’t starting hitting again soon. Burger could also be a trade chip. He’d be a great fit in Arizona, although trading him for a rental probably isn’t the best idea. Expanding the trade to include additional player(s) who could help the White Sox beyond 2021 could make sense.

•Shane Baz (22), SP, Triple-A Durham | Tampa Bay Rays | Prospect Rank: 102 (overall), 7 (organizational) | June 22-June 27: 10 IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 15 K

Luis Patiño is reportedly going to make a start on Friday, which puts him in the driver’s seat to lock down a rotation spot if he pitches well. He’s been terrific in his last four Triple-A starts, allowing only one run while striking out with 28 strikeouts in 19 innings. But, even if the 21-year-old does enough to stick around, the Rays aren’t likely to be done auditioning pitchers who can help the team down the stretch. Next in line could be Baz, who dominated in seven Double-A starts (2.48 ERA, 32.2 IP, 2 BB, 49 K) and has had no problems against Triple-A hitters (14 IP, 2 ER, 3 BB, 20 K). In his last five starts, the 22-year-old has allowed only two runs in 24 innings with three walks and 34 strikeouts.