The minor league season is winding down and so is my time here at Razzball. Indians prospect Yu Chang (3-for-5) blasted a pair of homers Friday night – his eighth and ninth dingers on the season. It’s been a disappointing year for Chang, mainly because he has above average power and yet hasn’t taken advantage of the homer happy Triple-A environment. You’re probably asking why I’m leading with him. Here’s why – prospect fatigue. Chances are a guy in your dynasty league is sick of Chang and is willing to sell him at a discount – believing he won’t amount to anything but a Quad-A type. But Chang is just two years removed from a 24-homer, 11-steal season at Double-A and his plate discipline is in line with his other MiLB years. Chang is now 24, and that’s another reason owners might be ready to give up. I’d be willing to take a flyer on him at the right price and hope I run into another Aquino or something even remotely similar. Here’s what else is happening around the minor leagues…
Kyle Tucker, OF | HOU – 0-for-2 with a steal. The steal is significant in that it gave Tucker a 30/30 season for Triple-A Round Rock. I’ll take responsibility for stashing Tucker all year and telling readers to do the same. I’m still salty he never came up this season, but the 30/30 mark shows you just how talented this kid is and what kind of difference he can make for a fantasy team. It’s important to remember that Tucker hit under .200 in both April and July, and yet still put up these crazy numbers.
Jarred Kelenic, OF | SEA – 2-for-4, two homers (19, 20). Since his promotion to Double-A earlier this month, Kelenic is hitting .280 with three homers and a pair of steals in thirteen games. He’s also striking out less at the higher level while keeping his walk rate stable. Kelenic is already one of the best outfield prospects in baseball, and his performance so far as a 20-year-old (he turned 20 in July) is a good omen for 2020. We could even see him in the majors midseason.
Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B | PIT – 4-for-5 and multiple hits in four straight. Hayes is now hitting .315 in August for Triple-A Indianapolis. Through 10 games, he’s hit ten homers and stolen twelve bases at AAA as a 22-year-old. This is significant for a couple of reasons. One, Hayes is one of only four 22-year-olds in the International League and one of only five in all of AAA. Second, Hayes has lost time to injuries this season – a broken finger cost him nearly a month. I like Hayes a lot for next year, even if he doesn’t begin the season with the big club.
