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!
