Jose Siri is locked in, not just because he’s found a way to avoid iPhone jokes for a majority of the season, but because lately Siri has the answer. What? You didn’t think I’d go there? It’s like you hardly know me. (BASEBALL FOCUS.) Not since Francisco Mejia’s 50 game hit streak have we had a streak so epic. So not since last year, and even that, meh not really true. Regardless Reds outfield prospect Jose Siri is in the midst of a 34 game hitting streak, one that’s raised his average to .299, and left him with the very healthy slashline of .299/.343/.541. Siri has never been much of a contact guy, and has fallen into the power/speed upside camp. So far in 2017 the strikeouts are way down, the walks are up, the average is up, and the homers and steals have nearly doubled! So things are going good for Siri. Here’s a look at Siri cranking a homer against South Bend earlier this season.
He is however, still only a depth prospect in most dynasty formats. Despite recent success, he’s had a history of swinging and missing, inconsistency with his approach, and some off the field concerns. Despite all that, a high upside low minor player remains, and one that might be worth a speculative grab in 16+ team leagues. At 22 he’s old for A ball, and he could use a promotion to high A to really put this breakout to the test. No matter the details the streak pushes on… Here’s the rest of the happenings in MiLB.
- It’s the best time of the year, other than the other 3-5 times I say it’s the best time of the year. Seriously though I love the silly season, because, I more often than not, am in the know on these players that are being traded for stars and vets. Changing organizations, and the opportunity that comes along with it, adds a fun wrinkle to prospecting.
- Jose De Leon has been on a rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League ramping up his workload in the process. He struck out 8 over 4 innings his last go round, and 4 over 5 this time out. He should be back in Durham, and then up to Tampa in short order.
- Anyone remember Ramon Laureano? He was a big deal coming into the season after a great 2016, and rave reviews during last year’s Arizona Fall League. He’s really struggled against righties this year, hitting .202 against them. After rocking averages of .202 in April, .188 in May, and .206 in June, Laureano is hitting .286 in July and might just be turning it on again. He’s in a loaded Astros organization, and looks like the kind of high upside expendable piece that could be a kicker in a deal.
- On Friday night top Reds prospect Nick Senzel collected his first four hit game in AA while homering and doubling for Pensacola. In 32 AA games Senzel is slashing .331/.386/.521 with 4 homers. The third baseman will approach 22-25 homers in the majors at peak, but is an absolute doubles machine, hitting 35 already this season. If you play in a slashline league, Senzel will be of more value.
- The Braves promoted 20 year old lefty pitching prospect Luiz Gohara to AAA this week, and he proceeded to get a little roughed up. He did strike out 5 over 4 1/3rd and is extremely young for the level. We discussed Gohara on the podcast yesterday, and I love the fastball-slider combo with his ability to command both, as well as a fringy change.
- After getting roughed up in his last few go rounds since returning from the DL Brandon Woodruff pitched 5 scoreless innings for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox last night striking out 6 in the process. After injuring himself minutes prior to his MLB debut the righty is on the shortlist for a callup to Milwaukee.
- Last night Indians righthander Shao-Ching Chiang ended a two month losing streak pitching a nine-inning no hitter for High A Lynchburg. He saw just two batters over the minimum, walking one, while the other baserunner reached on a throwing error. Chiang isn’t a very exciting prospect for fantasy outside of very deep formats. His bread and butter is control and weak groundball contact only striking out batters at a 15% clip.
- After earning PCL player of the month honors for the month of July the Rockies Ryan McMahon celebrated in style going 3 for 4 last night and finishing a triple short of the cycle. I went into full on add alert in all RCLs this week when Ian Desmond went down with yet another injury, but alas Ryan McMahon did not get the call. If he’s not traded in the coming days McMahon could end up an August callup that could help fantasy teams down the stretch. The question remains however, where does he find consistent at bats in Denver?
- The new top prospect in the game (updated rankings coming in August – September) Ronald Acuna had another game last night going 4 for 5, with a homer, a double, an RBI, and 3 runs scored. He’s now slashing .318/.400/.606 with 4 homers and a couple of steals in 17 games at AAA, and has absolutely no split issues (.300/.321). Far be it from me to poo-poo an aggressive Atlanta promotion but Ozzie Albies reached AAA at 19 and he’s been there for a year plus. Don’t bank on an Acuna callup, though it’s not out of the realm of possibility, particularly in September.
- We might be mere days away from the debuts of Mets prospects Dominic Smith and Amed Rosario…(3) then again, maybe not. It is after all the Mets we’re discussing here. Either way, both were in action last night as Smith went 2 for 3, with a walk, and an RBI, while Rosario went 0 for 3 with a walk and 2 K’s. Each has been knocking on the door all season maintaining superb batting averages, .341 for Smith, and .329 for Rosario. Each should hit at the next level eventually, if not immediately.
- You know I can’t go a post without bringing up one of Preller’s Diaper Dandies right? Well this week, we’re talking Adrian Morejon’s A ball debut, as the lefty went 5 strong, allowing one run on 5 hits, and a walk. Quite an impressive performance by an 18 year old starter for a full season squad. During his time with the Tri-City Devils of the Northwest League, Morejon flashed brilliant command and control with the ability to miss bats, and drive weak contact. As this rate we might be watching a future ace develop before our eyes. I’m such a Padres homer.
- Speaking of Padres pitching prospects Anderson Espinoza is having Tommy John, meaning he’s going to be out another year after not seeing any action since last August. Espinoza should be dropped to back end of most fantasy Top 100’s for the next year.
- Future boring major leaguer Jeimer Candelario homered twice yesterday for his father’s birthday, you can find this touching story on Cut4 I’m sure. Sorry just throwing some chum to the Crabs. Anywho, Candelario looks like a league average 3rd baseman with 17-20 homer pop, and a .270 average. Good depth in a deep league but that’s about it.
- Big game for Tigers pitching prospect Beau Burrows on Thursday, as he struckout 10 across 5 frames. He’s been steadily improving since a rough initial promotion to AA. He’s one of the few bright spots in a rather abysmal Tigers system.
- The homie Brandon Marsh was back in action for Orem, after missing every game since I wrote my glowing Dynasty Stock Watch post on him. Not to worry cause Marshie came through with a homer for all the Marsh-a-maniacs throughout the world. He’s now 3 for 6 since returning to action on Friday night. BUY! BUY! BUY!
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