This deals with one of the biggest inaccuracies in HBD. Many people believe that because they see a guy improve a ton for 3-4 seasons in the minors and then slow down or even stop improving in their 5th+ year once they reach the big leagues that guys only improve in the minors and once you bring them to the majors they stop improving.
The fact is, as Mike said, that as long as a guy has lots of playing time (and good coaching) he will improve no matter what level you play him at. The majority of a player's progression happens in the first 3-4 seasons. Therefore, while you are seeing players progressing those first few years in the minors and slowing down later in the big leagues, it is NOT because they are in the bigs, but rather because they have hit their 5th, 6th, etc seasons and have simply reached or come close to reaching their maximums.
My rule almost always is that if a guy's current ratings are good enough to be a starter in the bigs, I will bring him up. Some people also suggest waiting so you don't burn an arb year...to which my response is that if the guy is ready, I want to maximize his entire career. If I wait another season so i don't burn an arb year, I just lost out an entire season of his big league productivity that can never be recaptured.