Prospect News: Jac In The Box or Denzel In Training

It’s a big day in Boston as SS Marcelo Mayer comes to town, though it’s not under ideal circumstances. Mayer is ready enough to take office; it’s just not ideal that it comes at the expense of an injured Alex Bregman. The two aren’t inherently connected in that Mayer was coming up soon regardless of the situation, but it’s kind of a bummer for all involved that this is how it happened. David Hamilton might get a little playing time boost here, which is pretty important to note in the rotisserie landscape.

Earlier this week, the Rangers signed Korean high schooler Seong-Jun Kim and announced they will develop him as a two-way player. I’ve only seen the hype video the org posted, but he looks best at shortstop, then on the mound, then with the bat. I’ve noticed he’s getting added in a bunch of Fantrax leagues, but I’m probably not spending any spots on him. Feels like every FAAB run these days involves several young players I really want to add and hold for the long term, but Kim would fall into a trade-chip bucket for me because I’m not patient like that. Kim won’t join the club until January, making him something like a half-decade away from impacting our game in the categories. 

The Royals sent 1B Jac Caglianone (22, AAA) to Triple-A this week, and he’s responded by hitting two home runs in four games. I can’t imagine he’ll be there much longer. Sal Perez is 35 years old and battling through injuries. Might be wise to let him rest when he’s not behind the plate rather than keeping him in the lineup everyday. 

The Royals also recalled 2B Nick Loftin (26), who walked (21.2%) almost twice as much as he struck out (12%) at Triple-A alongside four homers and 12 steals. He has sputtered through part-time assignments each of the past two seasons but has the hit tool to succeed if he’s getting enough chances to remain in rhythm. Michael Massey has a 35 wRC+, and I can’t fathom why he’d block Loftin if Nick hits this time around. 

This whole article could probably be dedicated to the roster moves Oakland alone made Friday. OF Denzel Clarke (25) got all the early headlines, which referred to him as “Top Prospect Denzel Clarke” but Oakland actually reshuffled the whole bottom quarter of their roster, even demoting center fielder JJ Bleday, who hasn’t carried over his success from 2024. Clarke hasn’t hit much this year but should be an upgrade on defense. He’s slashing .286/.436/.419 with zero home runs in 31 games. At 6’4” 220 lbs, he should provide more than zero home run power but pounds everything into the ground. Seems to have traded any chance at power away to reduce the strikeout rate by eight points and double his walk rate from 8.2 percent in 116 games at Double-A last year to 17.3 percent this year. No offense to Clarke, but a 25 year old hitting .286 with zero home runs in 31 Triple-A games is not the toppest of top prospects. 

Other new hitters of interest to deep leaguers are catcher Willie MacIver and utility men Logan Davidson and CJ Alexander. I don’t really want any of ’em, but I’ve long had an eye out for MacIver, and not just because he can fix his catcher’s gear with a ballpoint pen and some chewing gum. He could be interesting if given a decent enough role. 

Pittsburgh thrilled a nation this week when it promoted Pirates RHP Mike Burrows (25) to take Carmen Mlodzinski’s rotation spot. By the way, did you know Paul Skenes is 3-and-5 this season with a 2.36 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. Maybe they’re right to leave Chandler in the minors where he might get a little run support. I’m kidding, but what a shizzshow they’re running. And now there’s trade whispers around Skenes generated by, I assume, well-meaning people who don’t want to see his prime years spent winless. Burrows is okay, so far as that goes. Not trying to dump on a guy with a 1.05 WHIP and 31.5 strikeout percentage in 32.1 Triple-A innings. I’d be okay taking a flier on him, especially if Wins is not a category in your league. 

Pirates 3B Javier Rivas (22, A+) had never really hit before this season, but he’s making up for lost time in High-A, slashing .306/.369/.549 with nine home runs and three stolen bases through 38 games. Listed at 6’6” 165 lbs, Rivas has a lot of frame he could build some muscle onto, and I think that process is underway. A fully realized Rivas with man-muscles and contact skills would be a lot of fun for us. 

Marlins RHP Josh Ekness (23, AA) has a great name for a reliever and should get a chance to flash his Eck-ness in the late-innings for Miami later this season. He’s 6’4” 225 lbs with a double-plus fastball and solid slider. Straight out of central casting for a closer with his 1.15 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and three saves in 15.2 innings. 

Thanks for reading!