All year we’ve been ranking the top prospects closest to the majors. With September call-ups quickly approaching, this post is a little different. Instead of limiting the list to players with their rookie eligibility intact, this will include any players currently in the minor leagues regardless of their at bats or innings pitched totals. There’s a catch, though. It’s only going to list players who are currently healthy and on their team’s 40-man roster. If you see a big name omitted, it’s probably because they aren’t currently on the 40-man. That can still be manipulated of course, but if a player is already on the roster, it increases the chances they’ll get a look next month. I also decided to weed through it for players that I thought could actually have some relevance in fantasy. With guys like Domingo Santana, Trea Turner, and even Aaron Altherr already up, this isn’t exactly the sexiest group. But there are some nice players in here, and if they can find playing time, they could also help your fantasy team down the stretch. When looking at who to pick up, I’d recommend focusing on teams that are out of the playoff hunt and who may be more inclined to give their younger players a look. Zeroing in on injuries (or potential ones) is also a good move. I bolded a few of the names that I think are interesting gambles…
| BAL | Christian Walker, 1B |
|---|---|
| BOS | Deven Marrero, SS |
| CWS | Micah Johnson, 2B | Erik Johnson, SP | Frankie Montas, SP |
| CLE | Jesus Aguilar, 1B |
| DET | Steven Moya, OF |
| HOU | Jon Singleton, 1B | Lance McCullers, SP | Michael Feliz, RP |
| KC | Terrance Gore, OF |
| LAA | Kyle Kubitza, CI/OF | Matt Shoemaker, SP |
| MIN | Oswaldo Arcia, OF | Max Kepler, OF | Jorge Polanco, MI | Kennys Vargas, DH |
| NYY | Gary Sanchez, C | Rob Refsnyder, 2B |
| OAK | Max Muncy, 1B | Rangel Ravelo, 1B | Aaron Brooks, SP | Sean Nolin, SP |
| SEA | Chris Taylor, MI | Roenis Elias, SP |
| TB | Matt Moore, SP | Richie Shaffer, 1B | Nick Franklin, MI | Ryan Brett, MI |
| TEX | Joey Gallo, 3B | Chi Chi Gonzalez, SP |
| TOR | Dalton Pompey, OF | Drew Hutchison, SP |
| ARI | Brandon Drury, MI/CI |
|---|---|
| ATL | Hector Olivera, 3B |
| CHC | Javier Baez, MI | Arismendy Alcantara, OF | Carl Edwards, RP |
| CIN | Adam Duvall, OF | Michael Lorenzen, SP | Brandon Finnegan, SP |
| COL | Wilin Rosario, 1B | Cristhian Adames, MI | Eddie Butler, SP |
| LAD | Jose Peraza, 2B | Zach Lee, SP |
| MIA | … … … |
| MIL | Luis Sardinas, MI | Tyler Wagner, SP |
| NYM | Kevin Plawecki, C | Dilson Herrera, 2B |
| PHI | see Marlins, MIA |
| PIT | Alen Hanson, MI | John Holdzkom, RP |
| SD | Will Middlebrooks, 3B | Rymer Liriano, OF |
| SFG | Chris Heston, SP |
| STL | Tim Cooney, SP | Marco Gonzales, SP |
| WAS | Wilmer Difo, MI | A.J. Cole, SP |
No Brett Phillips or Seager?
@Marti: they’re not on the 40 man roster
@Marti: No. But Wilson Phillips and Bob Seager send their regards.
yup, just a 40-man thing (both will be in the power rankings I’m sure, since that one isn’t limited by that)
Who’s your top.pitcher to drop berrios for and yoie top 3 hitters
If you’re stashing, Berrios is still the guy for me…Olivera, Seager, and Gallo woulld be my three bats
@Mike: Redraft
you are probably better off streaming the spot then
@Mike:
Hey Mike
Do you like them in that order?
I have the number 1 waiver priority and can grab Olivera but I already have Frazier and Sano at 3B and Dozier at 2B. I have Seager in my N/A slot as well. So he would strictly be a Util bat. Is he worth grabbing? What do you expect from him ROS.
Yup, that would be the order…handful of homers and a decent average if he shakes the rust off quickly
Who gets the most hr ROY
Herrera Santana boesch druery
Tight race for first
Dom Santana for sure
Blake Snell have a one of best season in minor… you don’t think will call up? I think who he have a chance to crack rotation in 2016…
@Steeve: If Steeve’s English and grammar was a prospect, it’d be Andy Marte.
Ha….no sh!t.
I agree…it’s possible, although he’s not on 40pman either
2016 for sure, even if it’s not out of the spring
Thoughts on Olivera for the rest of the season. Useful fantasy player?
Still cant believe the Braves gave the Dodgers all that young talent for an unproven 30 year old.
eh, probably a lot of rust…I still like him the most of the “prospects” since he’ll play a lot
maybe a handful of homers and a 270 average if he adjusts quickly
Any idea what they’re going to do about CMarts innings? Would you replace him with McCullers or any of the guys on the list in H2H redraft?
great question
long story short I think you’re safe to use him in fantasy as a starter, and he’ll probably go to the pen in the postseason since he’s got experience there and the Cards had originally said they were going to limit him
@Mike: Thanks.I keep looking for any signs,but I can’t figure it out.I’m surprised he wasn’t shut down weeks ago.
no problem
Looking to add one more prospects to my dynasty league team…
R. McMahon, F. Barreto, B. Phillips, A. Bregman or D. Dahl
Which would you rather have?
Dahl for sure
Thanks for all your columns. I often find myself gunshy on rookies and your columns have helped me figure out who to take a flier on in my NL Only league.
Speaking of an NL Only league… would you rather have a $24 Gerrit Cole or a $5 Joe Ross next year? I’m in first place and was offered AJ Ramos (also a five dollar keeper, though I don’t see him as a closer next year) and Joe Ross for Gerrit Cole. Should I take it? Assuming AJ Ramos can make it through the year as closer, it would likely get me one more point in saves that I could use.
The other option is to trade a $9 Jose Fernadez for Aroldys Vizcaino ($5), AJ Ramos ($5), and Joe Ross ($5). That would absolutely wrap up the title for me, but I hate the idea of giving up a $9 Jose Fernandez.
Basically, I’d like to know your thoughts on Joe Ross (and the potential trade offers). Flash in the pan, or a legit keeper? What trade to make, if any? Thanks!
no problem…glad I could help
Keep JFer for sure…assuming it’s a 260 budget, I think I would still keep Cole at that price if you can manage it without falling out of first. You’ve got JFer at such a nice value that I think it’s okay to go over 20 for a guy like Cole, and Ross to me isn’t going to get into Cole/JFer territory…I think he maxes out as a #3 guy and that’s no knock on him
Thanks. That’s how I was leaning as I’m 8.5 points up. I just worry that I could quickly lose most of that since the second place guy is on my tail in OPS, WHIP, and ERA.
One more question — While I don’t know if he would do it, the owner who wants J-Fer is in full dump mode. I might be able to get him to throw Steven Matz in for Joe Ross. Would that change your opinion if the trade was Jose Fernandez ($9) for Steven Matz ($5), Aroldys Vizcaino ($5) and AJ Ramos ($5)? Or would you still keep J-Fer?
I like Matz more than Ross, but for just four dollars more I’d still take JFer. The closers to me are just throw in pieces for this year so they’re not as important as the two starters IMO
good luck…I hope you win the league
Got it. Thanks!
With the late season call ups it makes for some tough roster decisions at seasons end. Bird and Altherr were moved off my n/a spots onto my roster with Gallo probably being done the same soon. I also have Profar on the dl but will have to clear a spot if I hold onto him. Between Bird and Altherr I would think Altherr has a better shot at coming out of spring training next year with a starting gig. Would you agree with that assessment provided it came down to releasing one at seasons end due roster squeeze?
yup I agree…Tex thru 2016 so I’m not sure Bird gets the 1B gig yet…Altherr has a clearer path next spring.
I’ve heard good things about that Morris Kode kid from Miami, could be a sneaky upside call up.
lol, I tried I swear!
@Sky: nice one
I have my moments
@Sky: I really enjoyed your impersonation of Star Lord as Noel Gallagher
Currently still own Aaron Sanchez on my dynasty team. Think he will have any value in the future or do I cut him?
if Osuna falters he could run into saves, but he looks caught between not being a starter and not being a closer, which is limiting in most leagues that don’t value relievers
Hey, Mike! Gio or Leake ros? Thanks and enjoy the rest of the weekend!
thanks…you too!
I’d lean Gio
Hi Mike – It’s always great to read your column, and I’m definitely looking forward to September. I wish our fantasy rosters expanded a spot or two.
C-Mart is up to 148 IP after a total of 114 (2013) and 112 (2014). How much longer till STL will put him in the pen to rest him up for playoffs and/or next year? Does he get more than 2 or 3 more starts? I’m wondering if I should jump on Marco or Cooney when the Cards need another starter and both are up ready to go.
Also, bias aside, would you go with Mark Reynolds or Andres Blanco? I lean Blanco because he’s hitting well lately, switch hits, and is batting 2nd. I’ll have to drop one eventually to pick up another starter soon.
Thanks for your help!
thanks! me too
I think they;ll just roll with CMart until the playoffs, then stick him in relief…not a terrible idea to pick up one of those guys if they shut him down early though, but it would probably be for like 2 starts tops
Blanco
anytime
Thanks! I think I’ll drop Reynolds for Eickhoff then. Hopefully someone doesn’t use their WP on him. Not using my #5.
no problem…good luck!
Hey Mike,
I am 5 pts out of first in my 15 team roto, need a Heston replacement but only 5 moves left :
Morton
Vogelsong
J Ross
Iglesias
Also do you see Olivera as a pickup over Shaw at util when he is up?
@Nightpandas: need help mainly with wins, era and whip
Iglesias…probably just better to roll with Shaw while he’s up and hitting
after about to accepting the grichuk for duda, grichuk gets hurt that day. at first i thought duda was simply better for my team, but now i read c.davis won’t have 3B next year, making him a RF/1B only guy. league also has defensive stuff (putouts, assists, double plays)
14 team dynasty.
recker (stream spot)
lind
altuve
solarte (stream spot)
sano
LF k.davis
CF delino
RF c.davis
util marte
BN suarez (off today)/d’arnaud (off today)/grichuk (out of DL spots)
DL souza/springer/mesoraco/b.hamilton
NA a-jax/dahl/bell
SP arrieta/iwakuma/corbin/iglesias/rea (stream)/j.garcia
RP britton/tolleson/ramos/kela/w.smith/diekman/n.jones
DL darvish
NA berrios/stephenson
With that lineup (c.davis at 1B next year and sano at 3B only i would think, or util only) still trade grichuk for duda? duda would get put outs at 1B but might not have a spot if Sano ends up util only guy.
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo: already having springer/marte/delino/b.hamilton gives me a fairly crowded OF already, making c.davis have to be 1B as it is. i am able to bench billy quite often except for steals of course. H2H too, so this comes up pretty often.
I’d go with Grichuk
@Mike: whew, glad i waited on that one. plus grichuk counts at all OF spots.
word…yeah it looks like you are good at 1B and it’s nice to have a guy yiu can slot around in the OF. I’ve alwasy avoided bench bats, but there have been times where it saved me a headache when ticky tack injuries happened.
@Mike: by league rules we have to use at least 3/4 of bench slots on bats. this does make for really good streamers, way better than i’m used to.
How likely do you think it is that Max Kepler is called up? He’s looking great this year but do they have him skip AAA? Also, the outfield is pretty crowded already. What about Sean Newcomb? I heard they might have him pitch out of the bullpen. Finally, obviously Blake Snell is having a phenomenal season in the minors but how do you think that translates to the major league level, especially looking towards next season?
50/50? With a lot of these guys they aren’t going to get a lot of playing time anyway. It’s just interesting that he’s already on the 40 and Arcia has been god awful in August.
Newcomb’s possible, but not on the 40-man as of now. Not that it means everything, but they’d have to shuffle him in.
I’d say Snell is in good shape to be a #4/#5 fantasy starter as soon as next year.
@Mike:
Between Snell, Kepler, and Newcomb, who would you like to have most in a dynasty? Don’t care as much about impact this season.
that’s how I’d rank them
@Mike:
Thanks man. I really appreciate your insight. This is hard to project but what # starter do you think Snell settles in as? Does he have front end potential or do you see him as more of a middle rotation guy? The Rays sure do know how to churn out pitchers.
anytime…prior to the season it would have bee a mid-rotation ceiling, but at this point I’d be comfortable upping that ceiling to a #2/frontline guy.
@Mike:
That’s great to hear. Do you prefer him over Taylor Guerrieri? I hear he’s all the way back after his TJ surgery. My league allows us spots for minor league players and currently I have Leonys Martin taking up one of them. Would I be better off holding on to him or picking up Kepler instead?
I’d take Snell over Guerrieri, yeah (and I like Guerrieri)
Tough one on the outfielders…I’d lean Martin there
@Mike:
Saw someone else ask about Micah Johnson. I currently have Johnson, Leonys Martin, Mazara, Moncada, and Bradley Zimmer. I’m clearly holding onto Mazara, Moncada, and Zimmer. Would you drop Johnson or Martin for Snell? I want him so bad but I love the upside and steals those guys offer. Hold tight or pull the trigger?
I’d be okay with dropping Micah for Snell
it’s looking more and more like i’m gonna have to just drop one of these guys
if i have to trade/drop one of quintana/hammel/fiers/heaney/d.holland/r.iglesias in a dynasty where i both have to have at least 9 TEX players (choo/beltre/profar/darvish/fielder/kela/tolleson/holland/andrus/gallo) and need to trade or drop 1 SP to make a legal roster (adding a RP somewhere) what order do i attempt to trade or drop them? i’m sure holland would be near the top, but i might not want to drop a TEX player in case somebody gets traded next year and i’d be stuck starting a shitty TEX player. if i can’t get a trade done best RP to drop one of these for are may/fien/scribner/qualls/scrabble/osich/crockett. K/9 in play here. really didn’t think iglesias would be THIS good when i streamed him and kept him from about a month or little more ago.
I’d see what you can get for Hammel or Fiers
@Mike: is one of them the drop if i can’t, i’ve been trying, nobody’s biting at all, and today was the extra week end of trade deadline (it was moved back from last week already, not on account of me particularly). Hammel is looking pretty decent yet again, Fiers has been great for a bit too. This happened at end of last year too, too many good SP (esp for a 20 team league).
nah, I wouldn’t drop, but I’d try to move them in trade…I hear ya on having a roster crunch. If you can wait until the offseason you should be able to make some moves with the surplus of arms. Otherwise I think Holland or one of your relievers might be the odd man out.
@Mike: if comish gets it up his ass to bitch i’ll have to drop one to make legal roster.
when in doubt drop the reliever then…long term they don’t make great assets
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: i’m trying very hard right now to move iglesias to CIN owner, maybe i can get upton or sal perez for him. zunino is str up awful (my catcher). i’d have to add of course something to iglesias to get upton, i could move yes… many tomas, tucker, n.williams (i’m waivering Maz in september likely), hicks. comish might not bitch since i’m in 17th place, playing against him right now, and he hasn’t bitched.
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: oh nice, trade deadline extended again till start of games tomorrow (pending offers that can’t finish today since games are locked)
Tomas and Iglesias for Upton would be solid
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: i can’t drop RP, i have 6 healthy for 7 spots, and 7 SP for 5, and legally we can only have both 13 total but have to have all slots filled. none of quintana/liriano/iglesias/hammel/fiers/holland/heaney count as RP in yahoo.
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: or iglesias and lesser than tomas piece (and maybe give back zunino too) for salvy if not upton.
Sal Perez works too, sure
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: another idea, i have 4 closers but not enough holds guys but i was having trouble getting value on closer trades. i have melancon/k-rob/tolleson (kela backup too)/giles. iglesias + melancon for upton sound doable too if he doesn’t like tomas? this opp has no closers and pretty awful pitching in general (holmberg/morgan/simon/lamb/koehler/desclafani/hellickson).
yup
I see you bolded Micah Johnson. What kind of playing time do you expect this September and what kind of numbers do you see him putting up next year? I love his speed potential.
hard to say with Sanchez actually hitting now, but I could see a start or two a week at second if they call him up and maybe some pinch running for SAGNOF. I’m with you on the steals potential
CF Isranel Wilson (17, Rookie ball)…..9 HR in just 148 PA’s to lead the GCL….(.850ish OPS) that something work stashing in a Dynasty League (over say a Nelson Gomez, or Dermis Garcia)…..or does this kind of flair up happen often in rookie ball from guys who ultimately won’t be worth anything?
Also, whats your opinion on Balbino Fuenmayor? his numbers this year impress you enough to the point of thinking he may be something, or is he basically a junk prospect still?
Thanks.
I don’t think Balbino is junk, but I’d treat him as filler on a fantasy roster more than somebody to build around.
I like the Wilson call, worth a shot, but at this point it’s hard to say one over the other based on stats…I’d go by eyewitness accounts more than anything with those guys (approach/mechanics/maturity etc.) Stats at that level and are really hard to go by and all three of them have upside.
Think Drury gets much of a chance with all the MI’s in AZ this year?
Would you go Difo or Drury for next year and beyond?
How close is Turner vs Altherr? Thanks Mike.
I do … I think he’ll get some time at 2B
Turner> Altherr and it’s probably not that close. I’d flip a coin between Drury and Difo honestly…whichever one seems to have the clearer path. In a vacuum I’d lean Difo
@Mike: Thanks!!
I know it’s impossible to predict but. Do you see Trea as a guy who sticks for next yr and on?
anytime…yeah, I think so
Gun to your head. Keep 10 forever 14 team 5×5 roto. No restrictions… Soler or Joc?
FTrax is down. So you get the FBB OCD runoff today. Sorry.
hmmmm….Soler!
ugh…All I want is a site with a complete player universe, friendly/fast customer service, a user friendly interface, live scoring, and fully customizable with no outages…is that too much to ask!?
@Mike: Those Canadians are really good. FTrax is pretty great for keepers and dynasty(as you know). I’ve been with them since 2008. Never had a major issue.
word (I was being a little tongue in cheek there) If they can get the outages and draft software going, I think they’d be the best hands down. I’ve had issues with auction drafts :(
@Baezaworldseries: Maybe they’re not Canadian.
what about tomas + melancon + SP of mine for buxton + storen?
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: or just buxton?
absolutely
@Mike: got the iglesias + melancon for upton done.
wow…nice!
@Mike: offended buxton owner for even bringing up that idea.
Such a pragmatic list. Thanks for the hard work
*googles pragmatic*
thanks!
@Mike: *googles pragmatic*
Yes!
Better keeper…Turner or Olivera
Turner for me
man, i wish this deal would’ve come around yesterday, this owner said he wanted hitter for joc as main piece. that’s why i gave up on getting joc and went with melancon + iglesias for upton. i can get done this one now though
1. my k-rob + hammel for joc + warren (or broxton). i’m pretty sure neither of warren or broxton would be keepers
next year’s roster would look like this if i did it
C (could go zunino, but as bad as my team is now, i’d do better only keeping 24)
1B fielder
2B profar (or he’s NA again), or drop somebody else and keep forsythe
SS andrus
3B franco
LF upton
CF joc
RF stanton
util beltre
BN gallo/tomas/choo
NA t.anderson/tapia/mazara (or n.williams)
I’d still pretty much have to deal Tomas or Franco for another position, like 2B/SP/RP/C
SP darvish/liriano/fiers/holland/quintana/heaney
RP Giles/Tolleson/Kela
NA Urias/Bradley
I could keep 24 of these, so would still have to drop 1, but my CF is fixed.
1 major reason to do this is that i probably couldn’t keep all of hammel/fiers/heaney/darvish/liriano/quintana anyway, and keeping K-Rob would take away from keeping an extra prospect hitter or maybe N.Jones instead. 2 closers is enough in 20 team leagues i’m guessing. I can replace Hammel with Hendricks right now.
Reason not to would be is if Hammel is that much of an upgrade over Quintana/Fiers/Heaney. I do need steals badly now, with Leonys dropped and Andrus not doing those much anymore.
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: can’t do it now anyway, will have to wait for next year, owner sent it with like 23 minutes before CUBS game started, and i didn’t see it till about 2 hours ago, wasn’t expecting guy who yesterday said he wanted hitter as main piece for joc to change his mind by today.
ugh
for next year (i can’t do it now, team with odor is in 3rd and competing), with my roster, franco for odor isn’t a bad idea is it? that way i both won’t have to worry about choo sucking or being traded, beltre retiring or anything like that. We have defensive stats here so 2B usually more more in those than 3B. it’s same reason i didn’t trade franco for sano, sano this year doesn’t even play a position, and i lose out many weeks in putouts simply from having fielder at 1B already.
I’d rather have Franco
@Mike: owner of odor would do it, and maybe would do tomas + something for odor. and apparently we can do trades for offseason as soon as offseason starts as far as the joc one.
nice…sounds good
12 team h2h 5×5 dynasty league.. I have the number 2 waiver claim. Should I go ahead and place a claim on Trea Turner, or wait until Hector Olivera becomes available and take a shot on getting him?
I’d take Turner