Kyle Tucker has started the 2019 season cold. Like really cold. Like, the freezing point of helium cold. Shout out to my unfortunately-named high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Richard Sores. But, there is hope for the flowers. Tucker has hit safely in each of his last three games with a double and two homers in that span. Why is this important? If you own Tucker, who was a favorite to get called up at some point this season, he needs to play well to avoid getting leapfrogged by Yordan Alvarez and Myles Straw on the road to Houston. Here’s what else is happening around the minor leagues…
Griffin Canning, LAA – Set for a promotion and the start on Tuesday. Dan Pants did a nice job breaking down Canning in Saturday’s rundown. Here’s what I said about Canning in the offseason: “If this wasn’t a fantasy-centric list Canning would probably rank higher. He’s a college arm and kissed Triple-A already. Triple-A didn’t exactly kiss back though (5.49 ERA), so I doubt he’s going to be running away with a rotation slot in the spring. Like Suarez, he has four better-than-average offerings with decent control and strikeout potential – thanks in part to a plus change. It’s a mid-rotation profile with some injury history so I’m not exactly falling all over myself to scoop him up.” What a glowing report! The good news is Canning has only given up one run in 16 Triple-A innings to start the year. He’s struck out 17. Definitely an add in AL-only. I’m less crazy about him in mixed formats.
Nico Hoerner, CHC – Hit the IL with SWS (shitty wrist syndrome). Funny, that’s what me and all my buddies suffered from in middle school. It’s only a bruise and he should be back in a week. Hoerner was off to a decent start in Double-A with a .290+ average, and this doesn’t affect his value since it’s minimal time lost.
Yusniel Diaz, BAL – Also headed to the DL with the dreaded “undisclosed injury”. That’s what I put as my reason for sick leave at work. Mind your own business Karen from human resources! I had a chance to see Diaz in Akron recently and honestly he was just kinda meh. He’s hitting .225 to start the 2019 campaign with Bowie. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and the break helps him readjust.
Keston Hiura, MIL – 3-for-3 with two homers and a double Friday night. That brings his average up to .316 on the year and we can all take a big breath after a scary strikeout-riddled start to the 2019 season. There’s no room at the Milwaukee inn currently, but injury could open a door for Hiura this summer.
Enyel De Los Santos, PHI – Called up to the pen and possibly a spot start here or there. Luckily Kapler had enough sense not to make EDLS clean up Arrieta’s mess in the sixth when Jake peed down his leg. Instead, Enyel entered in the seventh with nobody on. He gave up a hit and a 2-run homer…so I’ll be screaming into a pillow if you need me. I’d monitor in NL-only leagues but in a bullpen role his value is diminished.
Nate Pearson, TOR – Punching out a ridiculous 14+ K/9 with 30 strikeouts in just 19 innings. The big righty has given up just two runs and two walks so far in High-A. Next stop is Double-A and a call to Toronto by the end of the summer might not be totally crazy. Unlike my uncle, who calls his dog “the fur person”. That’s totally crazy.
I miss Ralph’s minor league reports! His writeups always had far more prospects.
Seriously? Just…wow.
Any chance Tucker is just bored and frustrated being stuck in the minors?
It’s possible, but I think it’s still early enough to turn things around.
Thanks for the info Mike! Holding tight to Hiura.
Dynasty questions for u:
I give E.Suarez/AHicks
I get T.Shaw/Realmuto
Can u ranks these 3 SP:
Beuhler, LCastillo, Taillon
Appreciate it.
Apologies I missed this earlier, but I think it’s answered further down.
So if Canning is the first Angel kid pitcher getting a shot this year is there any update on Suarez? In early March I heard that he had a sore shoulder but haven’t heard anything since. I can’t find him on the roster of any Angel affiliates.
Yup shoulder issue on the IL. He had just been called up to AA but he’s on hold for now.
Sounds like Richard Sores spent too much time with Richard Lovelady
Have you met Richard Sores and Richard Lovelady child?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-d-headd-a19b86170/
Seems very disagreeable
Ha! Indeed
I just made a dynasty trade and I want to make sure I’m not missing something here because this was other owners idea (his team sucks and should be rebuilding)
I traded Trevor Bauer, Justin Turner and Colin McHugh
For
Matt Chapman, Gleyber Torres, Ardolis Chapman and Touki
I did good in that right? Like, I like Bauer and love him for Fanatsy, but bats over arms and this seemed like I was fleecing this guy.
I did do well in this trade, right?
Yeah looks like you did just fine. I love Chapman.
Thanks for the reassurance Mike!
It sucks losing Bauer but if I’ve learned anything look how quick arms can go.
Sale (maybe)
Hopefully not, but Thor this year
MadBum
Arrieta
Etc
Some stay for a long time and some crash and burn.
I mean Gleyber is 22, Chap is getting a ton of praise for his glove and the bat seems to be real, Touki if he figures out his command is an upside arm and Ardolis doesn’t need much intro and is a top 5 type closer still
I feel like I couldn’t pass this deal up
No problem!
If you had to guess Ty France’s chance of becoming the Padres’ 2B is: 50%, lower, higher?
I’d take the under on France. Just got back from Endgame with my son. Packed theater for a 10 AM showing in Bumblefuck, Ohio holy cow this thing is going to make a ton of cash.
So is Uriah’s up soon for good worth picking up?
De Los santos sp soon?
Yes, Urias is still the horse I’d want in that race. EDLS hopefully gets some spot starts. If he’s up just to pitch an inning or two here and there I think they’re wasting him and he might as well go back down and start full time.
I still have high hopes for Urias…who is still only 21. In his last 5 games:
10/24, 2b, 2 triples, 3 homers. In his first at bat today…homer!
Who said he does not have power!
Why the insanity 4 carter keiboom. Turner back in 2-3 weeks unless they are hiding an injury to rendon where does he play?
Not like Dozier is setting the workd on fire. Not sure how much money they have tied up in him, but they should dump Dozier and go with kieboom/turner up the middle. Both can play either 2b or ss.
Make that Urias 2/2 with 2 homers today!!
Ummmm…BRING HIM BACK UP!!!!
Cant keep up with his insanity…
3/3 3 homers!!!!!!!!
Insane. Sneaky power is the best kind of power.
Haha, nice… thanks!
anytime man
I’m almost embarrassed to say this but I play in a league where I was rostering Jesus Sucre. It’s a super old AL-only keeper league with two catcher spots and extremely limited adds/drops (you can only do it if someone goes on the DL or is cut, essentially).
It’s impossible to draft a catcher worth owning unless you wildly overpay, so I could just sit with this dead roster spot for a bit in the hopes someone gets called up. Is… is there a human catcher in the AL who might be called up this year?
I love those old school leagues with strict rules. Makes you think. I’d look at Sean Murphy if he’s available. Catcher in the A’s organization that should be up this season.
Thanks! Will check him out. Yeah these old school leagues are surprisingly fun, if also frustrating…
anytime!
Luis Urias is en fuego!
2 homers yesterday
3 homers in the first four innings today
Please let him develop in SD from now on!!!
And who says he has limited power?!?!?!
haha nice!
Now they are just scared to pitch to him anymore. 2 walks.
Free Luis “Babe” Urias!
Thanks for the info Mike! Holding tight to Hiura.
Dynasty questions for u:
I give E.Suarez/AHicks
I get T.Shaw/Realmuto
Can u ranks these 3 SP:
Beuhler, LCastillo, Taillon
Appreciate it.
Prefer the Realmuto side. Pitchers are kinds of a tossup. I’d go that order with maybe Taillon and Castillo flipped.
Y
Urias(San Diego)or Michael Tucker for this year in a 5 x 5 OBP
Mike Taylor? I’d go Urias
I have to stop drinking on Sundays. Really I don’t. Was distracted while writing. … Kyle Tucker or urias for the rest of the season
Unless Tucker gers traded, he won’t get a ton of PT. Urias should be the every day second baseman very soon.
ha I get it man…I’d go Urias for 2019. Tucker overall.
Kyle Tucker or urias for the rest of the season 5×5 OBP
See above
I have Ke’Bryan Hayes and Brent Honeywell in my two Minors spots. Kyle Tucker is available. Should I drop one for him? (14 team OBP league)
Most of the other big guns are taken like Bart, Bichette, Whitley, Cease, Reyes, McKay, Senzel, Matias, Toussaint, Hiura, H.Ramos, R.Lewis Adell, B.Rodgers, Kiriloff, Sheffield, Luzardo, AJ Puk, W.Franco, Palka, N.Gorman, H.Greene, and Y.Alvarez
eh, I mean I like Tucker better than them overall, but for this year the other two could get looks first.
Who are 3 pitching and 3 hitting prospects to stash for a callup this year, or for sure next year?
I feel like I should snag a Wander Franco or something. I want the “next best thing” that I can wait on. But the league I want to grab a guy has no NA slots so he would just be on my bench, so I want to make it count!
hmmm pitching I think you are looking at Honeywell, Cease, and Luzardo
Hitting I’d go Robert, Alvarez, and Hiura
Okay!
How would you rank them all overall? I think I will do one pitcher and one hitter.
If you have to choose one each I’d go Alvarez and Honeywell
Nate Lowe, man dude is raking, getting close?
Have to figure…should probably be added in AL-only leagues just in case.
14-Team H2H OBP Keep 6 Forever League;
Prospects Available; Luis Robert, Tucker, Kirilloff, Trammell, Pache
We get to keep one rookie on top of our 6 standard keepers. Looking to stash someone who wouldn’t lose rookie status this year and has a chance to start early next year. Do I have them ranked in the right order?
A+ username
I think your best bet is Kirilloff
Love he article.
Need to drop 1 of these prospects. I am looking at 2020 since my 2019 season is a disaster. Need to drop 1 to keep roster legal since I just landed Franco for Xander.
Biggio
Kirilloff
Honeywelll
Gore
Manning
Puk
Sixto
That’s tough. I guess Biggio is the “lowest ranked” but I think I’d lose Puk so you’re not keeping so many pitchers.
Thanks for the reply. I was leaning Biggio since I have a solid MI but I feel he might get called up soon. I will dump Puk for the time being and hope for Biggio to get the call soon!
Thanks for taking the time to reply
Anytime
A few names of breakout prospects so far outside the top 120? Got Jahmai Jones who really feels replaceable, wanted to drop him for Miles Straw but our shitty U-24 prospect rules don’t allow it. There must be someone else fantasy prospect universe, just give me a sign!
Hmmm…Rogelio Armenteros, Luis Garcia (Washington or Philly both), Kristian Robinson, Jesus Sanchez…hard to say without knowing who’s available so I’m shooting in the dark a bit.
Thanks dude, Arment…eff it that guy is over 24 so no go, others owned apart from the Philly Luis Garcia (prospect hound league). But not sure he’s showing much signs of a breakout so far? Hitting .190 with 1 homer.
Zach Collins has actually been really good. Was my guy in the past so gone back to the well with him now. I still think he could be a really good offensive catcher in OBP leagues, but when will they actually call him up?
No problem. Yeah Garcia Philly has been off to a terrible start. Not sure about Collins call, catchers tend to take longer. Maybe July after he’s had a half season to cook in AAA?
I’m cool with that for Collins (it’s a grab with promoting next year in mind anyway). Will he be getting the lion’s share of AB’s upon promotion? What I like about him is he could get some DH or even 1B if he hits well as well as C elig. And it’s a OBP league and he loves a walk in the park.
I would think so. Yeah, I think I’d agree with that take on some position flexibility.
Also you see (super)Mercado coming up soon? Indians OF is OFfensively bad, surely the call must be nearly imminent.
Yes, in fact he’ll be included in this afternoon’s stash list.
greetings Mike,
Thoughts on Michael Chavis, Nate Lowe, Yordan Alvarez…
how you think they compare long-term, how you profile these dudes tools etc?
So long term I like Alvarez the most. He’s hit and hit for power. Lowe is like a poor man’s Alvarez. Chavis long term I worry about the most. He’s got K issues that I fear could be exposed in the bigs once they get a book on him.
Thanks man! That’s what it seemed to be, appreciate your insight.
Anytime
Hey, so in my 10 team 42 roster dynasty league, I’ve been offered an interesting trade. I will say that my team is not close to competing for the next couple years. However, I got an interesting trade offer. I give up C Seager, Trammell, Senzel and Bichette for Judge, Whitley and Trienen. I would try to see if I can get L.Castillo or ESuarez instead of Trienen. Any of these options good or should I hold?
I’d hold.
Thanks Mike, you da man. How about Judge/Whitley for Senzel and CSeager? Which side? Is it close?
No problem. Eh, I think I’d take the Seager side like 8 out of 10 times.