Say hey, baseball: Byron Buxton and Francisco Lindor both debut today

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The year of the prospect continues today in baseball, with a couple of American League Central teams calling up their highly touted minor leaguers. Just add Byron Buxton and Francisco Lindor to an already incredible list of names who have made their major-league debut in 2015. It’s a list that includes top prospects from whichever source you prefer. Although we don’t typically see flurries of prospects of this quality get called up so closely together, it’s not a coincidence it’s happening all at once. The Super 2 deadline just passed, meaning teams should be able to avoid an extra year of arbitration for these players by waiting to call them up.

We learned of Buxton’s call-up first, and he’ll be making his debut today in Texas. Buxton has been at or near the top of just about every top prospect list for the last three seasons. Although injuries have halted his development over the last couple of years, they haven’t done anything to diminish his loud tools. Even if he struggles against major-league pitching at first, his plus defense and plus speed should make him a valuable contributor to a surprise Twins team.

Although Lindor hasn’t been ranked quite as highly as Buxton over his professional career, he’s been a consensus top-15 prospect in the world for the past two seasons. In an incredible flurry of news, we learned of his call-up just an hour or two after Buxton’s. Although Buxton’s call was a bit of a surprise, it’s been a matter of "when," not "if," Lindor would come up for Cleveland. Much like Buxton, Lindor will carry plenty of value even if he doesn’t hit right away, as he will soon be one of the better defensive shortstops in the game, if he’s not already there.

• Joey Gallo is another one of these top prospects to make their debut recently, and he just keeps hitting monstrous home runs.


• The Tigers are leaning on David Price at the top of their rotation. Is it sacrilegious to consider him, and not Clayton Kershaw, as the best pitcher in baseball?


• Didi Gregorius had one of the tougher jobs in the league replacing Derek Jeter at shortstop in New York. After a sluggish start, he’s starting to look a bit better at the plate.


• We’re not sure if we want him to, but it doesn't really matter. Jose Canseco will never go away.


• Seattle has been one of the most disappointing teams in baseball this year, and their lackluster offense has a lot to do with it.


• Remember that friend who always had the most ridiculous Christmas list, but you just knew there was some chance they’d get what they wanted? That’s the Dodgers at the trade deadline.


• In more trade news, the suddenly selling Reds appear to realize this is their best shot to get significant value for Aroldis Chapman.


• The Cardinals’ rotation lost Adam Wainwright very early in the year, but has still been highly productive. Is it sustainable? (Yes, devil magic overcomes anything.)


• Jose Quintana will forever be underrated.


• Jeurys Familia had a cooler Friday night than you.