Around 7 PM yesterday evening, in a clear case of ominous foreshadowing, and bad juju. I added Gleyber in several RCL leagues. With his recent AAA numbers, I figured gotta pounce now. But of course, almost simultaneously in Buffalo, just as I add him, the real Gleyber Torres was sliding into home, head first, and hyper-extending his left elbow. Oh yeah, and it was in the process of being thrown out. Because of course it was. It’s a curse, some sort of bad luck butterfly effect I have here in 2017. What can I say? Such a shame my curse had to crush this potential star in the making. And trust me I sincerely believe that Gleyber Torres is just that. Prior to Saturday’s home plate incident, the Yankees top prospect seemed headed for a call-up within weeks. This is all obviously up in the air now, but the X-Rays were negative, and he’s going to be further evaluated on Monday. It’s tough knowing which direction to go when a situation is still developing. A lot could change, but there’s still a possibility it’s nothing, and he misses a couple games. I’d look to be stashing him again if that’s the case come game locks on Thursday. Let’s all hold hands, and pray for Gleyber’s safe return into the lineup. Do it for your boy Ralph, do it for all the father’s out there looking for middle infield help, do it for America, sick orphans, organ donors, brewmasters, iron workers, beautiful strippers, doctors who do breast enlargement, and the guy who’s happy as hell shining shoes. These people want Gleyber! No! These people need GLEYBER!!! Let’s go do some MiLB!!!!
- In the same game another Yankees prospect, not far from a callup, in Chance Adams had a solid but unspectacular outing. The stout righty earned his 4th win of the season, tossing 5 innings of 1 run ball, allowing 5 hits, and 3 walks. While it was Luis Cessa getting the call for C.C. this time, I do believe we see Chance in pinstripes before long, like weeks.
- You know who’s having a strong season in AAA? Please try not to laugh… Rusney Castillo. The punchline of Cuban signings is slashing .296/.328/.493 with 9 homers, and 9 steals. He’s got nowhere to play in Boston, but he’s on a 14 game hitting streak, so I figured I’d let you know he’s not dead. He can’t be traded, well maybe he can, but he’s still owed over $25 million! Not sure how much the Red Sox might eat but it’s a sunk cost anyway, right?
- If you’re in a deeper dynasty, and you’re looking for an off the radar SAGNOF stash grab Twins prospect Zack Granite. He’s hitting .348 at AAA and stole 56 bags last season. Some things would have to happen, injuries and such, but it’s worth a flier in the right format.
- Nationals center-field prospect Andrew Stevenson has been coming on of late, he went 4 for 4 on Saturday, and is hitting .444 over his last 10 games. There’s a catch, coming into the season Stevenson was known for his speed, but he hasn’t been running (4 steals). This is someone who stole 62 bags across his first season and a half of pro-ball. So it’s gotta be an opportunity thing. Hopefully the steals come back, otherwise, he’s empty average.
- Not going to sugar coat it Rhys Hoskins has been slumping for close to a month. I’m not giving up hope and neither should you. I mean his “struggles” are relative, he’s hitting .248 the last month, but he has 6 homers, 22 RBIs, and an .876 OPS. Like I said, don’t give up, we’re going to see Hoskins sooner or later.
- The Red Sox top prospect, and another potential 2017 call-up candidate, Rafael Devers connected for another homer on Saturday his 3rd in the last four games. I covered the last couple. The kid’s mastering AA, slashing .306/.365/.568 with 13 homers, and 42 RBI in 59 games.
- I received an interesting question on Twitter yesterday, the guy wondered if I thought Eloy Jimenez’s callup to AA was over or under a month. I said over, mostly because I think the Cubs play it safe with him, he’s only played 27 games to date. It’s tough to ignore the combination of power, contact, with plus approach, His K% (15.4%) is nearly identical to his Walk% (14.4%). That’s an elite hitter’s tooset for a 20 year old.
- Checking in on the AAA leaderboards, A’s prospect Renato Nunez leads in homers with 18, and could be a source of some cheap power, if they can find him a position. Yankees middle infield prospect Tyler Wade leads in steals, and he’s a favorite buy in deep dynasty leagues for me. No chance he ever sees any real playing time in the Bronx, but it wouldn’t shock me if he was traded, and then became a decent player somewhere else.
- Despite being awful in his first few tastes of the majors, Royals prospect Raul Mondesi has been awesome at AAA. He’s slashing .340/.372/.566 with 14 steals in 49 games. I think it’s easy to look at Mondesi and dismiss him based on his lack of MLB success, but there’s some power and speed here, and he’s 21 with a total of 114 games above AA.
- There’s a trio of 19 year olds in the Sally League catching my eye. Ding!! Ding!!! Ding!!! Ding!! Ding!! “What are awful ways to start a conversation Alex!” While that is correct, that’s not where I’m going with this. The Yankees Estevan Florial, the Royals Khalil Lee, and the Rockies Colton Welker. All three are bringing some power and speed to the table (Lee 11 homers, 14 steals; Florial 8 homers, 12 steals; Welker 6 homers, 6 steals), while Florial and Welker bring .300+ batting averages to the table Lee is far more raw. All three are worth your attention if you’re in total rebuild mode in your 16+ team dynasty.
Follow me on Twitter @Ralphlifshitzbb, and check out my weekly Live Baseball Show on Fantrax YouTube channel Tuesday’s at 9 PM EST
Going to a minor league game? Lend a hand to our crowd sourced scouting project. Simply take a quick 30 second video of an at bat and email it to me at [email protected]
Dynasty. Archer/Ray for Bellinger/Heany/Tillman/K. Guzman
Which side?
@Chris: Is that Ronald Guzman? If you got arms to spare I like adding Bellinger and Healy. You’re giving up a lot of pitching though.
kevin gausman. Andrew Heaney. Oops.
@Chris: I’d hold on Archer and Ray.
thank you. How about archer-ray. For bellinger-bregman-Andrew Heaney
Hey Ralph, another great write up! Do you see Devers getting called up for the Sox in August and become a oermnanment fixture at the corner for 2018? What are your thoughts on Cordero? Is this kid for real?
@ClemsonCrushers: Yeah I think we see Devers within a month or so.
Cordero is interesting from a power and speed context, but the swing and miss and contact issues will catch-up to him soon. He’s a hot schmotato with some upside.
@Ralph Lifshitz:
I still have to take the other side of this debate. Maybe he gets a September call up, but I still see no shot of him getting called ip before then. He needs to go to AAA first and get some at bats against more experienced arms.
@James T Kirk: Dombrowski has a long history of calling guys up from AA, it’s also June, the AAA season isn’t ending anytime soon. He could be in Pawtucket tomorrow. If Dombrowski can’t land a solid two way third baseman he’s coming up. In fact I’ll bet you $100 he’s up before September. No joke.
@Ralph Lifshitz: You don’t even have to pay me
@Ralph Lifshitz:
How can I pass up a bet like that. You’re on!
@James T Kirk:
My guess is Devers doesn’t even get a September call up. But I suppose it is possible. But zero chance he is up and playing in the bigs in Auguest…pretty confident I win this wager.
@Ralph Lifshitz:
I sure hope so. I jumped on the Devers bandwagon when I heard they were looking for 3B help. I still think he may be a bit too young, but what the heck do I know?
Love your prospect info. Can you name some NL guys that weren’t on top 100 prospect lists at start of year but will be appearing on them soon or just real high upside guys.(like Acuna last year at this time).
@Alan: Jon Duplantier, Scott Kingery, Daniel Brito, Fernando Tatis Jr., Colton Welker, Edwin Rios, Walker Buehler, Mitchell White, Taylor Trammell, Cristian Pache, Daniel Johnson, Brett Cumberland, Josh Naylor.
@Ralph Lifshitz: Thanks so much!!! You’re advice on hidden gems has always been very helpful
@Al: Thanks Al! Call me Benny
Quantrill or McKenzie, who do you like if you can only keep 1?
@Heathcliff Slocumb: McKenzie for me, he’s one of the best arms in the minors.
Bummer on Gleyber, as a Yankees fan I am, praying for a minor injury!
Fantastic Sunday info on the specs!
Can Rusney play 3rd, if he can the Sox should stick him there and hope he hits to get something for their $25 million..
Happy Fathers Day, enjoy your day!
@Malicious Phenoms: Haha thanks MP feeling the same, only not a Yanks fan.
Let’s see, prolly not of course! Worst signing ever, Devers will be up and manning 3rd by August 2nd.
Thanks!
@Ralph Lifshitz:
Worse than the ‘Panda’ signing?!?!
@Sport: Might be.
Ralph, what do you make of Fedde’s move to the pen? What do you se in his future? Will he be called up soon? Will he make his way into the closer’s mix? Thanks.
@David: I think he’s gotta be up soon, and should be in the mix at the back end of games. He might be the contingency plan if they can’t land a vet.
Any news on when Juan Soto returns? At first sounded like a simple ankle sprain but he’s been out awhile.
@Al: Read a few weeks and that seems like it.
Any chance the Dads hand the keys to the 9th over to Phil Maton this year?
Thanks Ralph!
@Woodrow the Impaler: It’s a possibility, it’s not like Mauer is holding that job convincingly, and that seems like something Preller would try.
@Ralph Lifshitz: what’s yr impressions of him?
@Woodrow the Impaler: I think he’s perfect for that role.
Thoughts on ryan McMahon?
@Marti: He’s rebounding nicely from a poor 2016, looking great in AAA. I mentioned him in my Thursday write up. If Reynolds is hurt and Desmond is needed in the OF he could come up and rake. More than likely he’s shipped out of town for another piece. His value takes a hit out of Coors, but who’s doesn’t?
Obligatory Moncada call up prediction plz. ;)
@benjaminred: July 3rd
@benjaminred:
July 12
Hey-O Ralph…picked up Brinson last week and then Fisher got called-up by the Astro’s on Thursday and is eligible for waiver claims tonight. A couple of questions…who do you prefer long-term? Which of the two has a better pathway (i.e., playing time) to success in 2017? Or do you forget both and fill-in one of the following players off the waiver wire: Tapia, Mancini, Puig, EYJ? Appreciate your write-ups.
@Slimcompoop: I like Tapia and Mancini. Fisher is close, I’m a little worried about Bronson’s PT.
@Ralph Lifshitz:
Tapia because of Coors, Cargo maybe leaving and opportunity next year, right?
Happy Father’s Day Ralph !
Looking for a upside for a possible keeper for next year:
Drop Glover for :
Meyer, Lamet, Farmer or go get Adams or Honeywell or McKenzie
@Nightpandas: Thanks NP, I say go get Honeywell or McKenzie.
Happy Father’s Day to you! Nothing greater than your own kids.
Harrison Bader has been dropped in my 16 team dynasty. I have studs like Acuna and Robles, plus IF of Crawford, Isan Diaz, Kingery, and Calhoun, and two SP or Allard and McKenzie.
Drop Diaz for Bader?
I would like a SP closer to a call up and have considered dropping Allard for Walker Buehler or Flaherty. Those two coming up in 2017 and or should I hold and be patient?
Thank you!
@Sport: Thanks! God, I hope they’re mine! Haha
I’d drop Crawford for Bader, but if you went Diaz that’s fine.
Buehler possibly as a reliever, Flaherty I think has a good chance of coming up.
Hey Ralph! Great info as always… Do I drop De Leon for Calhoun? 12 team forever keeper.. + 10 farm … Thanks as always!
@Landisimo3: Yes sir, snatch up some Willie!
How should I approach someone like JP Crawford in a dynasty format? It seems like he hasn’t hit in 2 years yet he continues to be rated highly so I’m guessing he’s doing fine as far as scouts are concerned. At what point should I be giving up on him?
Favorite Pirate prospect out of Cole Tucker, Jordan Luplow, Kevin Kramer, Kevin Newman?
thanks
@Will: I have, and I never loved him to begin with. His Prospect status is heavily reliant upon his elite defense, and plus on base ability. The bat itself and lack of true stolen base threat speed make him blah for fantasy.
It’s Tucker until he got hurt, and I’m starting to fall in love with Luplow a little. The power + contact thing gets me every time.
@Ralph Lifshitz:
I was thinking luplow myself, not sure where he’ll play with all the backlog in the OF, but I guess good prospects find a way one way or another.
thanks again
Great MiLB update – prospects are my favorite part of the fantasy game. Currently rostering L. Urias, R. McMahon, and K. Lewis in my 12 team dynasty. Hold or drop any of them for Hoskins, Y. Alvarez, or Isan Diaz. Thx!
@Bill Lumbergh: I think I’d drop McMahon for Hoskins. Seems like there’s always some good options on the wire.
Hey Ralph,
Thanks for the updates! I’m in a 14 team league h2h 10 categories. I went mostly pitching and steals so I almost never win HR’s. I’m pondering dropping hedges at catcher for Flowers to help boost my average. Does that make sense to you?
Thanks
@Chris: Makes sense to me. You can even play matchups with catchers depending on matchups etc. The hittertron is good for that.
Thanks!
Who you like Pham-vs Pit @ Phil
or Slater vs Mets @ Atl
@Chris: Pham! I love Pham!
Will Tapia pass 150 major-league bad batch this year if so I better activate him now
Also you are my my MILB hero
Ugh ML at bats this year not bad … ( spell check)
If he goes over 150 he loses minor league status. So if u think he does might as well activate him now and get his stats
Lehmeknow
@Luvdarooks: no worries I got what you were putting down big dog! Thanks for viewing me and heroic. I pick my nose in public, figured I’d share that.
@Luvdarooks: I think he might, he’s got a shot this early and he’s hitting everything. I’ve been holding him in 12 team mixed.
Dynasty league trade my severino/daniel norris for faria/soroka? I think severino is blossoming this yr but im stuck cuz I love soroka. Thanks ralph have a great fathers day and thanks for the great articles every week.
@Soft toss aces: Why would you give up Severino there? If you’re gonna let him go at least get more out of it
@Soft toss aces: I’d hold on Severino, and even Norris I’m not giving up on. See if there’s another way to get Soroka.
Hey Ralph
I have to drop one
Nelson, Lynn or Strally
Thanks
@Daze: Straily, never Nelson, he’s turning into an ace.
Any thoughts on Dominic Smith and what to expect going further?
@Brett: He’s the guy starting next year, or if Duda is hurt or traded. He’s a batting average machine, hitting .300+ his entire minor league career. The power isn’t huge, burn he could tap into more.
I would normally never entertain trading Machado but I own him, Bryant and Arenado in a keeper league. Was offered Bogaerts and something else (possibly someone like Dickerson) for him. Machado will most likely lose ss eligibility and I have plenty of power but not a lot in the way of speed/average. Thoughts?
@Nuke Laloosh: If you thought about it, you don’t feel you’re selling low, and it helps you. Seems like a good fit. Machado is tough to trade
Where is the Austin Hays love? I know it is a relatively short minor league career – but he seems legitimate….thoughts?
@Dave Weinnstein: I’m loving what I’m seeing this season, might be a fringe Top 100 guy. Wrote him up a couple weeks ago. https://razzball.com/tag/austin-hays/
Fairly deep dynasty league, about to start out mid-season draft.
Could you choose your 5 favorite prospects from the list below, with a bias towards upside (i.e. rather a guy who will be a top 50 prospect next year over a guy who will be a bench MLB player next year):
Casey Gillaspie, Oscar De La Cruz, Jack Flaherty, Trevor Clifton, Luiz Gohara, Ian Anderson, Matt Chapman, Lourdes Gurriel, Dane Dunning, Alec Hansen, Yu-Cheng Chang, Jordan Sheffield, Anthony Banda, Christin Stewart, Albert Abreu, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Luis Urias, Eric Lauer, Shed Long, Miguel Andujar, Jesus Sanchez, Sixto Sanchez, Beau Burrows, Taylor Trammel, Kyle Funkhouser, Carson Kelly, Nick Neidert, Greg Allen, Carter Kieboom, Sheldon Neuse, Dustin Fowler, Ryan Mountcastle, Lewin Diaz, Joey Wentz, Heath Quinn, Wander Javier, Scott Kingery, Andrew Moore, Bo Bichette, Mitch White, Andres Gimenez, Tyler Mahle, Tony Santillan, Marcus Wilson, Jordan Humphreys
First off, thanks for these posts. I joined a dynasty league for the first time this year and your posts have been incredibly helpful. I have two questions for you that I’ll put in two different comments. This first one is a trade question. For context, it’s a 16 team mixed League H2H 9×8 (!) league. Batting categories include both OBP and BA and pitching categories include both saves and holds.
We start one player at each position (no UTIL), there is a thirty man hard roster limit, and you can never have more than 7 SPs or 5 RPs EXCLUSIVE of players on the DL or in the minors.
Each yeah, teams can keep between 7 and 13 players.
I’m in first place and would prefer to play for this year and some struggling teams are looking to trade for Dansby Swanson. My roster is below:
C: JT Realmuto
1B: Joey Votto
2B: Daniel Murphy
3B: Jake Lamb
SS: Eduardo Nunez
OF (I start three): Mookie Betts, Eric Thames, AJ Pollack (DL), Scott Schebler, Max Kepler, Mallex Smith, Bradley Zimmer, Kole Calhoun, Tommy Pham
Bench Hitters: Howie Kendrick (1B, 2B, 3B, OF elibible) and Dansby Swanson
Hitters in the Minors: Rhys Hoskins
SP: Yu Darvish, Corey Kluber, Sean Mananea, Jeff Samardzjia, Brandon McCarthy, Mike Foltynewicz, Homer Bailey (DL)
RP: Addison Reed, Edwin Diaz, Bud Norris, Pat Neshak, and Cam Bedrosian
Pitchers in Minors: Brent Honeywell
A Braves fan who is already playing for next year offered Andrew Miller and Elvis Andrus for Dansby Swanson (I would probably drop Pat Neshak and someone else, likely Rhys Hoskins). Is that not enough in a dynasty league? I bet I could get him to add in either Wilson Contreras or Rafael Devers. If he did that, would that change the calculus for you?
Also, generally speaking, do you see Dansby Swanson as a potential decade long keeper at SS or should I be trading him considering my roster and my ‘win now’ goal? Thanks so much!
I should have mentioned that he would be willing to add Wilson Contreras, Rafael Devers, or Christian Yelich. Forgot Yelich. Sorry about that.
Hi Ralph
I also asked this in Grey’s blog but wanted to get your opinion
Would you rather have Newcomb or Chance Adams this year in a redraft league?
Same league, but a roster tuning question. As a reminder, it’s a 16 team mixed League H2H league where the batting categories include both OBP and BA and pitching includes saves and holds.
We start one player at each position (no UTIL), there is a thirty man hard roster limit, and you can never have more than 7 SPs or 5 RPs EXCLUSIVE of players on the DL or in the minors.
Each yeah, teams can keep between 7 and 13 players.
I’d like to know if I should make any dynasty tweaks to my roster. I’m ideally looking for players that will come up this year or next, though I’m open to longer-term plays. Available players are listed below. My current roster is:
C: JT Realmuto
1B: Joey Votto
2B: Daniel Murphy
3B: Jake Lamb
SS: Eduardo Nunez
OF (I start three): Mookie Betts, Eric Thames, AJ Pollack (DL), Scott Schebler, Max Kepler, Mallex Smith, Bradley Zimmer, Kole Calhoun, Tommy Pham
Bench Hitters: Howie Kendrick (1B, 2B, 3B, OF eligible) and Dansby Swanson
Hitters in the Minors: Rhys Hoskins
SP: Yu Darvish, Corey Kluber, Sean Mananea, Jeff Samardzjia, Brandon McCarthy, Mike Foltynewicz, Homer Bailey (DL)
RP: Addison Reed, Edwin Diaz, Bud Norris, Pat Neshak, and Cam Bedrosian
Pitchers in Minors: Brent Honeywell
Players I could pick up include: Dominic Smith, Willie Calhoun, Harrison Bader, Christin Stewart, Kolby Allard, Luke Weaver, and Walker Buehler.
Would you swap out any any of my players for any of those listed above? If so, which ones? Thanks!