At the risk of overstating the reality, I’m happy to see the Zac Veen era is underway in Colorado. My bold predictions article says he’ll steal 40 bases this season, so that’s pretty much a lock at this point. Or perhaps he’ll be back in the minors a month from now. I’m betting against that, obviously. I think it’s more important for the organization to get Veen right than it is for them to, for example, get Jordan Beck right.
Athletics 1B Nick Kurtz (22, AAA) hit another home run on Tuesday, bringing his total to five in just 39 at bats. Tyler Soderstrom had to leave Tuesday’s major league game due to calf tightness, and while that might’ve been a preventative measure, it’s a reminder that Kurtz is just a moment’s mishap away from starting in just about every fantasy baseball league in the verse.
Twins RHP Zebby Matthews (24, AAA) is throwing harder than ever, sitting in the high 90’s as he dispatches with minor league hitters. Through two starts covering ten innings, he’s got 13 strikeouts alongside a 1.30 ERA and 0.60 WHIP. Chris Paddack has looked helpless both times he’s taken the mound this year. Maybe he’d be okay in relief, but I think Minnesota is throwing good money after bad here in letting Paddack make starts that should be going to one of the team’s many minor league options (Matthews, Andrew Morris, Marco Raya, David Festa).
Cubs OF Christian Franklin (25, AAA) is off to a nice start through seven games, walking more often (six times) than he’s striking out (four times) and swatting four extra base hits. He’s posted impressive outcomes in the wRC+ column throughout his career despite mediocre power numbers thanks to an extremely patient approach and decent contact skills even deep in counts. He also stole 34 bases in just 98 Double-A games last season. He’s not a high-upside type, and it’s hard to see where he fits into the roster long term, but I think he’d produce if given the chance, especially if he landed in a slightly kinder ballpark for righties than Wrigley.
Keep an eye on Guardians OF Jorge Burgos (23, AA). He’s homered in each of his four games this season and has a 15 percent strikeout rate. A left-handed hitter listed at 5’10” 165 lbs, Burgos is a little bigger than that these days, and there’s hope that some added strength will put him on a plus prospect path. He was pretty good early in his pro career but stalled out at High-A in his age 21 and 22 seasons before closing out the 2024 season with 15 Double-A games. He batted just .127 in those 60 plate appearances but is playing like a new man this time around.
The Cardinals rearranged some chairs and hired new developmental folks this off-season, and I wonder if we’re seeing some success already. C Ivan Herrera looked incredible before he got hurt. Jordan Walker has been playing pretty well. And 2023 first-round pick OF Chase Davis started the season on a tear, slashing .375/.474/.813 with two home runs in 16 at bats. Here’s a link to more specifics regarding the player development overhaul.
Royals 1B Jac Caglianone (22, AA) has two home runs and a .455 OBP through 16 at bats. He seems pretty good.
Boston got quite a haul from Milwaukee in exchange for RHP Quinn Priester: OF Yophery Rodriguez, a competitive balance pick in the draft, and a player to be named later. Rodriguez caught a lot of eyeballs for his physicality and athleticism as a young professional but has not dominated just yet, making him a perfect prospect for the Red Sox to buy low and work into their excellent player development team. He’s hitting .412/.444/.765 through 18 plate appearances. Probably a good time for us to buy where we can.
Brewers SS Luis Peña (18, A) got an aggressive assignment alongside wunderkind SS Jesus Made and is off to a fun start through four games, slashing .313/.455/.438 with zero strikeouts, zero home runs, four stolen bases and four walks. Made has played just one game because he rolled his ankle on opening night.
Thanks for reading!
