MLB Rumors: Could the Baltimore Orioles call up the top prospect in baseball?

If we've determined anything from the last 24 hours thanks to the Los Angeles Angels calling up Nolan Schanuel, it's that no prospect is off limits. Schanuel was the Angels 2023 MLB Draft pick. Typically, it would take at least a year, if not two, for Schanuel to make his MLB debut, but the Angels deemed him ready for the big leagues when they selected him just a few months ago.

College hitter in particular make their way through the minor-league system at lightning speed these days. The same cannot be said about those adjusting right out of high school, but Jackson Holliday appears to be an exception to that rule. Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Orioles haven't ruled out promoting Holliday as they chase an AL East crown and perhaps more in the postseason.

Per Heyman, "the Orioles haven't ruled out a call-up for 19-year-old shortstop phenom Jackson Holliday, the No. 1 pick in 2022. Matt Holliday's son is hitting .337, including .356 at Double-A Bowie."

Any promotion would come as a surprise given Holliday is still a teenager, and that he'd be called up straight from Double-A.

Baltimore has long kept Holliday out of trade talks, fully knowing he would make it to the show rather quickly. In possible trades for Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer, the Mets knew better than to even ask about the son of former MLB player Matt Holliday.

His time will come, whether it be this season or next.

MLB Rumors: Marcus Stroman's contract decision with Cubs isn't so clear

Marcus Stroman is expected to be shut down for a couple of weeks with a rib cartilage fracture.

"There's not much I can be doing right now to contribute," Stroman said, per The Athletic. "The team's in a great place and everyone's got a great routine. I've never been a big proponent of guys being there that aren't going to contribute directly and can't help the squad. I'm someone who knows their body pretty well. I'm hoping it's fast-tracked and I'm hoping I feel better sooner than later and I can get back on a routine."

There are plenty of questions surrounding Stroman beyond just this season, specifically with his contract. Stroman has an opt out after the 2023 season, and he would have been well within his right to use that given his strong statistical campaign to date (though he has faltered a bit since the All-Star Break).

With the rest of his season on hold, it's unclear when (or if) Stroman will be back. Should he come off the injured list and finish the year strong, then a free-agent chase could be back on. If not, then his future is in question, and he may be better served to opt in rather than out.

MLB Rumors: What will the Braves do with Max Fried?

Max Fried is clearly part of the Atlanta Braves immediate future. Now fresh off the injured list, Fried is adjusting to life back on the big-league roster. In his last start against the Yankees, Fried gave up just two runs on eight hits in six innings of work.

Fried will be a free agent after the 2024-25 season. As of now he and the Braves front office haven't had substantial contract talks, though those are sure to heat up this offseason and in spring training with Fried's deal nearing its conclusion.

FanSided's Cody Williams relayed this article from SportsTalk ATL's Chase Irle, which suggested the odds of Fried's re-signing are around 55 percent.

"More importantly, though, Irle made clear that Alex Anthopoulos has preached the importance of having two aces in the rotation and making sure the starting pitching is strong, even if his free agency moves and trades haven't totally reflected that. That last part is a concern, to be sure, but it could also very well be a signal for the plan to land Fried, and Irle believes that Anthopoulos will finally write a big check for a looming free agent when it comes to the southpaw.

I tend to agree with that assessment but, as 55% from Irle acknowledges, that's not a formality to happen in Atlanta."

Fried and Spencer Strider could lead the Braves rotation for years to come, should Anthopoulos deem Fried stable enough (and injury-free enough) to deserve a contract of that magnitude.