Miami RHP Edward Cabrera makes his debut today against fellow rookie Josiah Gray and the World Series Champion Washington Nationals. Remember them?
Here’s what I said about Cabrera in the latest Redraft Stash List: Top Ten Fantasy Prospects for the Final Lap.
“Cabrera is striking out a lot of guys in AAA, and while his command hasn’t been sharp, a 22.5 K-BB rate ain’t bad. He’s here in part because the Marlins seem like wildcards to me, looking in from the outside, and I wouldn’t put anything past them. Not wildcards in the playoff-making sense, but you know, marching to their own drummer and whatnot.”
Pa rum pa pum pum.
Washington OF Lane Thomas might be leading off as he has the last few games. He’s on fire at the moment, and I’m sure you’ll be shocked to recall he’s a former Cardinals farm hand hitting well for a team that’s not the Cardinals. Fairly similar team color scheme though. Probably doesn’t count for much in the grand scheme of things.
Washington OF Yadiel Hernandez has been hitting since the Kyle Schwarber trade opened up a full-time role for him. He’ll be on my sleeper list next year. The Nationals might be back in contention much more quickly than I would have wagered after the Trea Turner trade. I’m still betting against it because they’ll need a lot of pitching, and they’ll need to get genuine big league turns out of Victor Robles, Carter Kieboom and Luis Garcia, but crazier things have happened.
Washington C Riley Adams came over from Toronto at the deadline. He was never going to play much there, so even a timeshare with Tres Barrera until Keibert Ruiz arrives is an opportunity upgrade. He’s working on a five-game hitting streak and has always produced power in the minors despite a big strikeout rate. Could offer some cheap dingers down the stretch. Can I still say that? Dinger?
Pittsburgh OF Matthew Fraizer just keeps hitting. He’s been even better in AA (.379/.422/.690) than he was at High-A (.314/.401/578); nonetheless, he’s been omitted from some mid-season Pirates Top 30 prospects lists. He can’t even crack the top 30!? I know their system is stacked but that’s a leap too far, yar! Fraizer’s days of producing big outcomes in relative obscurity are coming to an end. I think he’s a sleeper to earn an early call-up in 2022 and help us even in redraft leagues.
In contrast to Fraizer who’ll be something like a 50th round pick in draft and hold leagues, Washington RHP Cade Cavalli looks like he’ll be a very popular target in 2022 redraft leagues. He’s getting the bump to AAA this week, where he’ll put the cap on a beefy season in terms of both innings and outcomes. If he’s healthy through the winter and spring, he won’t have many workload restrictions next year, if any.
I realize Tampa Bay RHP Jayden Murray has functionally zero perceived value around the dynasty game, as evidenced by his 0% ownership mark across all Fantrax leagues, but I’ve added him in my 20 and 30 team leagues anyway. He’s just too good to leave in the wind. I think he too will be a redraft-functional piece early next year. His WHIP in August is now 0.43 across four starts in AA. He has walked zero batters and struck out 25 in 21 innings. Truth is stranger than typos.
Texas 3B Dustin Harris is enjoying a ridiculous run at AA, slashing .484/.507/.844 with six home runs and three steals across 16 games. I’m sorry if this missive reaches you too late for you to add him in your leagues. I should’ve flagged him sooner. His High-A outcomes were closer to good (.300/.386/.471 with 9 HR in 72 G) than the elite monster output he’s generating now, but he had stolen 20 bags in 21 attempts, and I regret my oversight. I don’t have him in any leagues either, if that’s any consolation. He’d hit all of one home run in 58 career games before this year, but he was 19 then and has clearly made some leaps over the lost season. Could be a worthwhile trade target early this winter before he starts catching some real helium. It’s not common to see a guy striking out about 15 percent of the time while producing speed and power against competition that’s a bit older than him. Hope you can still snag him somewhere!
Thanks for reading!
I’m @theprospectitch on Twitter.
