So here’s the issue off the top: Jackson Holliday is not on this list. I mean I haven’t written it yet, in full, but he’s not gonna be on this list. One of the few rules I’ve installed to help me create this document throughout the season is that once you’re a big leaguer in the current season, you’re off the list. Holliday cashed those major league game checks, so he won’t be represented here. I suppose he’d be first here, but I’m not even gonna think about it because one of the key points here is to highlight players who might not be rostered yet. I’m not even sure we’re late enough in the season to reach that objective for most leagues, but that’s irrelevant to the ultimate Ultimate goal of creating interesting, readable fantasy baseball content. I don’t think I’m doing that in that last sentence. Might need a quick walk.
Why aren’t there any games on Saturday afternoon? Or Friday afternoon? I kind of count on watching baseball to get me into the flow of writing about baseball . . . I mean I guess it’s the NFL draft’s rounds four-through-seven today, but I tried to watch round two last night and fell asleep by 7:30. I needed the rest, I guess. We’re nearing the end of the school year around here, and I’ve been working pretty hard, though admittedly not as hard as that lady who got tackled by a cop just walking between classes. I know I’ve said it before, but keep your head on a swivel, dear reader.
1. Pirates RHP Paul Skenes | 21 | AAA
Lincecum. Prior. Fern. Skenes. Some guys just dominate from day one. His K-BB rate of 43.9 percent sends a little shiver down my leg–er, spine.
2. Nationals OF James Wood | 21 | AAA
Look, Washington. Come closer. Camera two. This thing where you promoted Alex Call on Saturday because Joey Gallo went down? Don’t do that. Major league at bats are a finite resource. Don’t spend them on Call, no offense to him and his family. Wood is slashing .310/.420/.488 with a 23 percent strikeout rate. LFG, gentlemen.
3. Orioles 3B Coby Mayo | 22 | AAA
Being a real officer and gentlemen letting all these others go before him, knowing all the while deep down that he has the goods and will get the girl–ugh, gig.
4. Rays 3B Junior Caminero | 20 | AAA
I dunno, man. The vibes are not great. It’s just a quad injury, and he’s reportedly day-to-day, but it will be a relief to see him string a week or so of games together.
5. Blue Jays 3B Orelvis Martinez | 22 | AAA
Addison Barger is fine and all, but it’s probably time to get serious. Orelvis is slashing .307/.365/.636 with a 21.9 percent strikeout rate and seven home runs in 22 games.
6. Mets RHP Christian Scott | 24 | AAA
I don’t perzactly understand what the Mets are waiting for on Scott, who could be most recently seen allowing one hit over 6.1 innings against the Triple-A Clevelands. His WHIP across four starts is 0.73. He will turn 25 on June 15. Let’s hope he doesn’t have to wait that long, but if he does, at least he’ll be able to rent a car when his plane lands.
7. Astros 1B Joey Loperfido | 24 | AAA
Seems like pressure is mounting, and ownership is doubling down on Jose Abreu because apparently he was signed via that direct-line channel. That’s not great for Loperfido, who will turn 25 on May 11 and will probably have to wait until at least then for the organization to throw him a bone.
8. Guardians 1B Kyle Manzardo | 23 | AAA
Hell, I dunno. Wanna trade a rotation mainstay for a big-league-ready first baseman and then give him 200 at bats in Triple-A? Sure. Let’s do it. Manzardo is slashing .296/.378/.556 with a 19.4 percent strikeout rate and five home runs in 22 games, which means we should see him in the majors some time before the next solar eclipse.
9. Yankees OF Spencer Jones | 22 | AA
This guy’s a fuckin’ animal: the type who gets his birth certificate regularly checked in little league. Shave that stache or bring your papers, youngsters. He’s slashing .350/.422/.575 through ten Double-A games and might be in Triple-A by the time you blink.
10. Cubs RHP Cade Horton | 22 | AA
The club is slow-playing the 7th overall pick in the 2022 draft to some extent. He’s started just three games and thrown just 11.1 innings at a level that’s a notch below where he should probably be, but they can’t love the idea of burning up too many more innings in the minors. They’ve had good fortune with Javier Assad and Jameson Taillon looking like solid starters and Ben Brown commanding the zone, but with Kyle Hendriks looking cooked, Horton’s time is coming. Jackson Jobe could just as easily claim this spot. He too is in Double-A and won’t find much friction there.
Thanks for reading!
