Complex League games have begun, so there’s about to be a run on pop-up prospects such as Prince Fielder’s son. You read that right; I didn’t mean to say Cecil. Time remains undefeated.
I don’t have super big feelings after three games, but I do think you should consider adding young Fielder (Jadyn), Royals SS Yandel Ricardo, Dodgers SS Emil Morales, and Cardinals SS Yairo Padilla if they’re available in your league. Fielder should be lowest on that list, priority-wise.
Cubs Manager Craig Counsell mentioned RHP Cade Horton (23, AAA) as an option for this weekend in place of Shota Imanaga, so I went ahead and started him in a 20-team league where I’m a little desperate for innings. I’d rather never start a pitcher in his debut, but desperate times and whatnot. I don’t have better options, and I like Horton’s chances even early because his stuff is good.
I’ve added Reds RHP Luis Mey (23) everywhere I could even though he’s not likely to be part of the closer crew anytime soon. I’m planning to give him the same sort of runway I gave Justin Martinez last year, meaning I’ll probably hold him for at least a calendar year. They’re different guys, of course, but they both throw triple digits with ease. Similar scenario involving a dynamite stuff guy who has to refine his control but projects to be a long-term solution in the ninth.
If you’re the sort who enjoys the experience of rostering young Rockies, you might want to make room for OF Jared Thomas (21, A+), a left-handed hitter with plus power and speed. He was the 42nd overall pick out of Texas in the 2024 draft, and I think he’d go higher today as he’s cruising through the minors, slashing .315/.431/.500 with five homers and five steals through 28 games. He played just eight games in Low-A last year and posted a 148 wRC+, and it looks like he doesn’t need much more than 28 games in High-A.
Atlanta is rushing RHP Didier Fuentes (19, AA) through the system, perhaps because they decided his stuff was too good for High-A hitters after just three starts at the level. His two Double-A starts have left him with a 9.39 ERA through 7.2 innings, but the upside here is obvious in the double-plus fastball, quickly developing secondaries and organizational confidence.
White Sox OF Braden Montgomery (22, A+) is quickly proving to be too much for the level, slashing .360/.467/.760 with two homers in seven games after graduating Low-A in just 18 games. We might see him in Chicago by September.
Cut Me, Mick!
Diamondbacks OF Druw Jones (21, A+)
Drops in the Highlander Dynasty Invitational are not the same as dynasty league drops. That league’s setup is closer to a keeper league that gets finicky a few times a year, so I wouldn’t map this move onto a standard dynasty league with dedicated minor league roster spots.
Yankees SS Alexander Vargas (23, AA)
He’s actually been solid (114 wRC+), but the power he showed in spring training hasn’t materialized in games just yet, so I think I can float him on the wire. He was a Razz30 flier in the first place.
Rockies 2B Adael Amador (22)
This wasn’t my drop, but a good team in a 15-teamer just cut Amador even though he’s about 300 at bats away from losing his MiLB eligibility in that set up. He’s striking out 32.6 percent of the time and batting .179, but he’s at just 15 games this time around. Another good team scooped him up for $2 out of $1000. I bid a buck but wasn’t sure if I wanted him.
Reds 2B Ivan Johnson (26, AAA) started the season on fire but cooled off a bit and lost out to Tyler Callihan. I was rostering both in the Razz30 but dropped Johnson just a day or two before Callihan crashed into the left field wall. Might create a lane for Johnson and his 134 wRC+ through 25 games.
Thanks for reading!
Itch would you add either/or Travis Sykora/Luis Morales in a 12 teamer keep 10 & 12 farm/stash ?? Drop Candidates would be Amador or Temarr Johnson … thank you per usual
So in my 12 tm H2H 2 keeper league I drafted Quin Matthews in the 24th and put in my n/a spot with hopes that he would be up by May or June and would be someone I could potentially keep going forward but now that he’s been shut down would it be wise to drop him to pick up someone off waivers like Painter who would be unkeepable because he wasn’t drafted but could help my team more this season than Quin? Or should I just hold out for Matthews because I could keep him in 22nd round next year
Tough call. If it’s me, I’m just trying to win this year and would add Painter. Could you trade him for a keepable player if he comes up and pitches well?
Sure could. So which of these current minor leaguers on my wire do you like best just for this season: Painter Misiorowski or Chase Burns?
Please rank Caden Dana, Logan Henderson, Cade Horton ROS. Thanks!
Horton
Henderson
Dana
You know who I’m thrilled is back…Brailer Guerrero. Do you have him anywhere still?
6 games…on base at least twice in 5 of them, 3 SB
Yep, held him everywhere I had him. Happy to see him healthy and hitting.
Let’s go!
Better stash – Logan Henderson or Cade Horton?
Horton
Would you trade zebby for Sandy in dynasty?
I’m kind of avoiding Sandy until further notice.
Itch, really appreciate and value your work. I have two offers that have been proposed to me for my Bleday that I would like to get an opinion from you. Bleday is in a contract year for me and I am fine trading him. Both offers involve me receiving a minor leaguer who when called up would have a three year contract at $2, 12 team AL only. One offer involves me acquiring Orelvis Martinez and with the other I would acquire both Gavin Cross and Dylan Beavers. Orelvis is a K machine, Beavers in Balt with logjam and Cross really struggling. Two prospects not always better than one but I think it might be in this case. Thank you in advance.
Yeah I don’t really want any of those guys at the moment. Rather wait and see if Bleday gets hot and maybe trade him then.
Hi Itch thanks for the write up! I have Mey in a couple of which 2 would you hold? leagues!
Also, what’s your take on Ernesto Martinez Jr as a prospects
and should I hold Christopher Morel?
Martinez is hurt, but I’d like to see he him get a big league chance this year. Looks good n ready.
I’m not going out of my way to make room for Morel.
Hi Itch a former or maybe somewhat prospect still. Jose Ramos doing quite well in AA. It is his third time though. See any hope he rekindles as a legit prospect. Thanks
He’s still got plenty of talent, sure. He wound up filling out a little quicker than maybe people expected.
Has Montgomery improved his chase rate on non-fastball offerings? We know he can hit the fastball, but he chases a lot on the off speed pitches
Dunno but you might be able to find that on prospectsavant
Hey Itch,
Regarding Complex prospects, what are your thoughts on JD Dix and Kale Fountain?
Haha nice try those aren’t real names.
Hahaha, legit names (Arizona and SD prospects, respectively). Hoping they make it to the majors. Would make for great team names.
pretty sure he’s mentioned kale fountain before, and these surely are funny names.
I’m more interested in JD, but both are definitely worth tracking closely.
Hey Itch, what would you say is the best comp to Horton, say Nate Eovaldi or Sonny Gray?
Gray is closer to Horton’s style/approach, but Gray’s much smaller.