David Dahl‘s 2015 season is already over after lacerating his spleen in a nasty collision. Fun fact time. Back in the day, when humans were even dumber than they are now, folks thought that the spleen produced a kind of black bile that was related to melancholy. Their descendants can now be found trolling blogs across the interwebs with a brand new arsenal of misinformation. Dahl ranked numero uno on my Rockies Top 10 Fantasy Prospects list this offseason and #12 on my Top 50 Fantasy Prospects, so this is a major injury to a very good player. Missed time is starting to pile up, as Dahl had already missed a large part of his 2013 season with a torn hammy. The 21-year-old also suffered a concussion in this week’s collision. Just talking about this makes me all melancholic. I blame my spleen. Here’s what else is happening around the minor leagues…
Corey Seager, SS | Dodgers
If you’re one of the fantasy owners on #SeagerWatch, the news that he started a game at third on Friday night must have really tickled your fancy. After his 6-for-6 performance on Thursday with two doubles, a homer, and six RBIs it was probably more like a Seagasm.
Jose Peraza, 2B | Braves
Peraza already moved off of shortstop with Simmons blocking him in the majors. Now it looks like he’ll give centerfield a go with Jace Peterson actually hitting with the big club. Getting some reps at center may speed up his ETA, but a profile like Peraza’s has more fantasy value at middle infield.
C.J. Edwards, RHP | Cubs
The Cubs promoted Edwards to Triple-A after he went 2-2 with a 2.66 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 23.2 innings for Double-A Tennessee. I shied away from ranking Edwards in a stacked Cubs Top 10 this offseason, but the 23-year-old is pitching great and making me look silly so far.
Luis Severino, RHP | Yankees
Severino was also promoted to Triple-A this week. The 21-year-old right-hander ranked fourth on the Yankees Top 10 list this offseason and could make his major league debut later this year if he keeps it up. He has a tidy walk rate (2.4 BB/9) and good strikeout numbers (11.4 K/9).
Trea Turner, SS | Padres (Nationals)
We’re almost to the actual completion of the Padres/Nationals trade, and it feels like Turner is trying to slam the door on his way out of San Diego. Entering Saturday’s games, the 21-year-old shortstop was rocking a 14-game hitting streak. For the 2015 season he is hitting .339 with five homers, 12 doubles, and nine steals. Don’t let his elevated BABIP scare you off, as his skill set lends itself to higher BABIPs. Turner could be in the mix for the Nationals’ middle infield as early as 2016.
Tyler Wagner, RHP | Brewers
Wagner will make a start for the Brewers this afternoon after being promoted straight from Double-A Lance McCullers style. He had a 2.01 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 53.2 innings this year in the minors, and walked only 2.5 per nine. He’s not a prospect I’m really excited about, but he could be worth a spot start in deeper formats.
Robert Stephenson, RHP | Reds
Stephenson has had his share of rocky outings to start the season, but has now posted double-digit strikeout totals in each of his last two starts. Control continues to be a major issue. In 2014 he posted a 4.9 BB/9 and this year that number has climbed to a 5.8 BB/9.
Jose De Leon, RHP | Dodgers
I mentioned two weeks ago that De Leon could be looking at a promotion to Double-A. He got his first start there this past week and struck out 11 batters in seven innings. Did I mention you should pick him up in your dynasty league? The 22-year-old now has a 13.7 K/9 and a 2.1 BB/9 on the year.
Dylan Bundy, RHP | Orioles
The Orioles’ top pitching prospect hit the minor league disabled list this week with shoulder soreness. Legend has it that thousands of years ago the god of pitching prospects, Slurvius, was sitting under a tree when a bird shat upon his well-groomed beard. That bird was an oriole, and since that day there has been a curse on the kingdom of Baltimore. Flash forward to 2015. Jake Arrieta looks solid for the Cubs, Eduardo Rodriguez looks fine for the Red Sox, and both Bundy and Hunter Harvey are effed.
Derek Fisher, OF | Astros
Fisher went turbo in his debut for Lancaster (A+) last night. The 21-year-old was 4-for-6 with three homers (two grand slams) and 12 RBIs! According to tweets from the game, all three dingers went to different parts of the field as well. Today might not be the best day to try to trade for him as his owners are probably too busy having the box score framed at a local Things Remembered. The Cal League (Lancaster especially) is a hitter’s paradise. Expect the young outfielder to have some more big games this summer.
J.P. Crawford, SS | Phillies
The Phillies promoted Crawford to Double-A Reading and I’ve promoted him to #1 in my heart with Franco’s arrival in the rear-view. Crawford is now the youngest player in the Eastern League. The jump to Double-A is one of the hardest, so we’ll keep an eye on how he handles the tougher competition.
Alex Meyer, RHP | Twins
Meyer recently moved to the bullpen at Triple-A Rochester, and has responded with 1.1 clean innings (three strikeouts). The 25-year-old Meyer was already looking like a 2015 call-up, and the switch could speed up his arrival to the bigs should he have continued success. I don’t want to use the ‘c’ word, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Meyer get some high-leverage innings down the road either.
Michael Conforto, OF | Mets
Conforto was promoted to Double-A after slashing .283/.350/.462 with seven homers and 12 doubles in the Florida State League (A+). One of the best fantasy prospects from last year’s draft, Conforto could force his way into the Mets’ outfield next year.
