Don’t look now, but GMs around the league are nearing the unwritten rule of the June 1st prospect call up. Vast majority of GMs, to save a few million if the prospects pans out, wait for the arbitration service time clock to strike midnight before calling their best names up. Speaking of which, Grey’s Buy/Sell article on Friday targets several top prospects and their recent fantasy baseball prospectus. Other names to note, and maybe a few repeated too:
Andy Oliver | DET | LHP (SP): Love his mid 90s fastball and repertoire, but drew the short straw facing the Red Sox in his spot start. I’m still riding his prospect-wagon.
Yonder Alonso | CIN | 1B/LF: Requested by frequent commentator, Racehorse, and justifiably so, Alonso is slashing .297/.359/.483 in 172 at-bats with 21 XBH (5 Hr) and a 25:18 K:BB ratio at Triple-A. His smooth swing, ability to hit to all fields, strong grasp of strike zone, and has started a transition to left field since Joey Votto isn’t going anywhere. Currently in a oh-fer 19 slump, if or when the Reds tire of Johnny Gomes’ streaky tendencies, they’ll justify calling up Alonso.
Brett Lawrie | TOR | 2B/3B: What is there to say at this point? Oh, go grab him!
Brandon Belt | SF | 1B/LF: Since Grey went over him, Bochy announced that Belt would be a bench bat.
Anthony Rizzo | SD | 1B: Petco will limit his power and the Padres limit his ability to alleviate their Quad-A lineup status.
Mike Moustakas | KC | 3B: Continues to tug and tease on our nerdy hearts. Ever step forward is met with another setback. His excellent swing and power potential just isn’t making enough solid contact (.264 average in 174 at-bats and 35 strikeouts) to translate production. Still fully expect him to be given the opportunity, it is, after all, the Royals.
Desmond Jennings | TB | CF: Sam Fuld’s .230 average in leftfield should be on the bench come June 1st. Jennings has been the expected hitting call up for the Rays over the last 18 months.
Dustin Ackley | SEA | 2B: Defensively needs to improve at second, but what are the Mariners waiting for? Ken Griffey, Jr. Jr.?
Jesus Montero | NYY | C: Monitoring the Yankees ability to call up the Montero is awfully difficult. Unless the Posada struggle becomes more petty, Montero will need an injury to be promoted. His power has been lacking (.419 slugging) and his plate discipline has slipped too (39:9 in 160 at-bats). At catcher, with Posey going down, there are few solid options. Here’s to hoping.
Kyle Gibson | MIN | RHP (SP): My coworkers, who don’t even follow baseball, know the Twins entire roster has been inept. No time like the present, and his 49:10 K:BB in 47 1/3 innings with a 1.56 GO/AO sure beat what the Twins are throwing out each night.
Dee Gordon | LAD | SS: Continues to hit (.333/.390/.417 in last ten game and .311/.349/.378 in 164 at-bats) and steal bases (18 on the year). His early career potential is another Elvis Andrus. Now we just wait for Furcal to re-injure himself.
Mike Trout | LAA | CF: Has simply been nothing short of brilliant living up to one of the top hitting prospects in the game. Hitting .301/.410/.523 in 153 at-bats with a 30:26 K:BB ratio at Double-A, this young 19 year old could see the majors shortly after his 20th birthday (i.e. September).
Shelby Miller | St.L | RHP (SP): Currently annihilating High-A hitters with his 81 strikeouts in 53 innings. Sports a 4:1 K:BB ratio and has limited batters to a .204 average. Miller should be promoted to Double-A soon.
Jason Kipnis | CLE | 2B: Offensively doing everything he can to be called up. He’s hitting .333/.375/.667 in his last 10 games and .292/.368/.500 on the year. Kipnis most likely won’t be called up unless there’s an injury to Orlando Cabrera.
Devin Mesoraco | CIN | C: There isn’t much room for another hitting backstop in Cincinnati, however, Mesoraco has been making his case. His 18 XBH (5 Hr) and .296/.383/.489 slash line in 152 at-bats and 33:20 K:BB ratio are enticing to many deep league managers who are currently spotting Wilson Ramos too many at-bats. Maybe that is just me.
Jordan Lyles | HOU | RHP (SP): He’s not going to strikeout many batters in the majors and most likely will be a low-tier fantasy option for 12 team leagues. His value, especially this year, is limited due to his home park and strikeout potential. Long term, his ability locate his pitches (fastball, plus changeup, slider and cutter), mature pitching approach and his durability project as a solid middle rotation pitcher you can count on.
