Prospect News: Embrace Your Inner Gil or Justin’s Foscue Face

Rangers IF Justin Foscue was promoted to take the roster spot vacated by injured 3B Josh Jung, who got plunked in the wrist and broke a bone for the second straight season and will reportedly need about six weeks to recover. Foscue figures to mix in with Ezequiel Duran and maybe Josh Smith, so it’s hard to say how many chances he’ll get in the early going; nonetheless, it’s good for Foscue even if it felt like a big ole fuskyou to my 15-team dynasty team that doesn’t presently have a back-up third baseman. 

Yankees RHP Luis Gil looked incredible against Arizona, baffling a World Series lineup with high-nineties heat along with his 85 mph slider and a handful of 92 mph changeups. Gil’s starts are appointment viewing for me at the moment. He was painting with 99 and 100 in the first inning. He tends to get injured, and I’m not saying that’s out of the question as he continues to throw the high-velo (hard-grip) change-up, but his fastball features premium ride, and I’m buying up all the tickets I can find. 

Blue Jays RHP Yariel Rodriguez threw four hitless innings in his Triple-A debut. RHP Bowden Francis got knocked around by the Astros, but they’d lost four straight games, and any fool could predict they weren’t going to drop a fifth in a row against Bowden Francis, so I didn’t really fault him and in fact was fairly impressed he pitched into the sixth inning despite a three-run first. I’m not sure it matters though. Francis proved capable in relief last season, and Rodriguez looks ready for the challenge–not to mention he’s under contract for a half-decade. I like Francis and wouldn’t drop him but am trying to acquire Rodriguez where I can while I can. 

You don’t need me to tell you Cubs LHP Shota Imanaga was amazing against the Rockies, showing us what a no-hit bid typically looks like on opening day before Astros RHP Ronel Blanco rewrote the script, but you might want to see Imanaga against a more capable lineup before drawing any long-term conclusions. Even against good hitters with a plan, however, Imanaga’s experience, stuff, unique delivery and unknown factor should help him carve out a fantasy-friendly debut season. Some people are going to see this start and say “Sell High!” It’s just the nature of the game. No harm in asking if his team in your league is thinking the same. I suspect the ideal arc here is that you have him early while it’s cold and sell him later when it’s warm but his numbers are fully infused with all that frigid Wrigley goodness. 

Twins RHP David Festa opened his Triple-A season with three shutout innings while RHP Louie Varland got knocked around in his big league opener. A switch is not imminent, but with Tony DisCo out for the season, Festa figures to be the first guy up when the Twins need a starter, and he’s good enough to hold a gig and help us in fantasy. 

Yankees RHP Chase Hampton will start the season on the Double-A injured list with a shoulder issue. He’s safe to drop in the deep deep redraft leagues where people might have speculated on him taking a job out of spring. Even in shallow dynasty leagues, he’s not a definite hold for me as the early season waiver wire is rich for prospectors. Gotta travel light and react fast to make the most of it. 

Reds OF Rece Hinds homered and walked in each of his first two Triple-A games. OF Nick Martini started his season smooth like James Bond ordering his drink shaken not stirred, and I think Martini can hit enough to remain on the roster, but he’s a 33-year-old journeyman who could be shuffled to the bench if Hinds forces the issue. 

Orioles OF Heston Kjerstad is hitting .529 with two home runs through four games. 2B Jackson Holliday,  OF Connor Norby and 3B Coby Mayo are hitting well, too. Baltimore is in third place at 3-and-2 and just scored one run against Alec Marsh and the Royals. Team control is the thing though. They’re still winning in the team-control standings. 

Thanks for reading!