The MiLB season is now heading into the playoffs, and we should have answers for everyone about who will or will not be called up when rosters expand by midweek. For those of you that spent yesterday drafting your fantasy football team, went to bed early last night, slept late this morning, or have just been hiding under a rock, we do have the answer to one of the most asked about players – Joc Pederson WILL be added to the Dodgers roster. I mentioned that I felt that they might make a move to get him on their playoff-eligible roster prior to the deadline so he’d be eligible for postseason competition just in case someone gets hurt. Don Mattingly went out of his way to explain that Joc won’t be thrown to the wolves and that they don’t intend to cut anyone’s playing time to get him ABs. That statement would seem to reflect my theory – that he’s simply being added as an “insurance policy”. (The news broke before Pederson became the first PCL player to record a 30/30 season in 80 years last night BTW.)
We can now also assume that Colorado won’t be calling Jonathon Gray up – he was placed on the MiLB DL yesterday with “general soreness” – GM-Speak for “he’s reached his innings limit” for those of you who aren’t bi-lingual.
Our “Prospect Primer” reflects a handful of the prospects I’m keeping a close eye on heading into Week 22 (for both shallow and deep fantasy leagues). Our bi-weekly prospect columns (Sundays and Wednesdays) will continue to focus on the more “well-known” prospects (our Top-50/Top-100) that are likely going to affect shallow to mid-level fantasy teams.
Disclaimer: The bi-weekly lists AREN’T a “re-ranking” of our Top-50/Top-100/Organization Lists. The players mentioned will typically be guys that owners in somewhat regular leagues NEED to be aware of (regardless of their current level) to keep from slipping behind as they want to stay competitive in “keeper leagues”. There may be a sleeper mentioned from time-to-time, but they may be more important to managers in deeper and more long-term leagues. The players listed aren’t in any particular order (you’ll notice they’re listed alphabetically), they’re simply guys you need to keep an eye on and someone you might be interested in targeting when you’re wheeling and dealing.
(Keep checking in daily for information regarding our end-of-season Top 100 and Organizational Top-10 Lists that will be rolling out as the minor league season ends – those of you following me on Twitter will be notified there as well.)
Tyler Glasnow, RHSP, PIT — Apparently no one in Pittsburgh reads our stuff here at Razzball – I’ve been touting Glasnow for weeks – anybody have a bullhorn??? The 20 year old turned in another 7 shutout IP, allowing 2 hits while walking one. His August line looks like something from a video game – 4-0 (25.1 IP), 0.36 ERA, 10 hits and 10 BBs against 34 Ks.
Aaron Judge, OF, NYY — The Yankees’ towering 2013 1st Round pick (a Mike, er, excuse me, Giancarlo Stanton-like 6’7″, 230 pounder) continues his solid first full season campaign and is now slashing .307/.416/.493/.909 with 24 2Bs, 2 3Bs, and 17 HRs during a season split evenly between Charleston (Lo-A) and Tampa (Hi-A). Judge is steadily working his way into one of the scant few Yankees’ prospects worth keeping an eye on.
Francisco Lindor, SS, CLE — Lindor WILL be Cleveland’s 2015 Opening Day SS (barring something entirely unexpected), and has given the Indians’ brass (and fans) reason to feel good about giving him every chance to place him atop their depth chart as the season closes. He’d logged 29 AAA games (125 ABs) and has shown an ability to adjust to the higher level relatively quickly with 13 hits and a .310 BA over his last 10 games.
Hunter Morris, 1B, MIL — Morris may finally get his shot at the Milwaukee’s 1B job next spring. One of the few weak spots in the Brewers’ offense this year has been the platoon they’ve utilized there, and there’s little reason to think that they can’t do at least as well there in 2015 if they have to pick up a couple veteran spare parts in the event he washes out. He’s hit .344 in his last 10 games at Nashville (AAA), raising his season slash to .275/.319/.435/.754 with 20 2Bs, 2 3Bs, and 10 HRs. While he’d represent a step down in power from Mark Reynolds, he’d also be much more consistent – not to mention cheaper, which is always helpful when you’re budgeting to cover Matt Garza’s DL stints.
Kyle Parker, OF/1B, COL — The former Clemson QB’s bat has been ready for awhile now, the Rockies just haven’t had anywhere for it with their OF surplus and Justin Morneau at 1B. If Colorado ownership would finally listen to the baseball people and move CarGo for arms and payroll savings, Parker could give them a really good half of a corner OF and or 1B platoon to help make up for what offense Gonzalez gives them for the short periods he’s able to stay out of the training room and on rehab assignments.
Chad Pinder, 2B/SS, OAK — I pointed out Pinder as the likeliest offensive beneficiary in Oakland’s system at the time of the Samardzija deal, and he’s been hitting like he wants me to look smart recently – 18 hits to go along with a .367 BA over his last 10 games has bumped his season numbers for Stockton (Hi-A) .295/.342/.501/.844 with 28 2Bs, 5 3Bs, and 13 HRs. There’s swing and miss there (22/92 BB/K Ratio), but if Chad can clean that up a bit he could move quickly next season.
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHSP, BOS — Yes, there’s ANOTHER arm to watch in the Red Sox’ system. Acquired from Baltimore in the Andrew Miller trade, the Pitcher the Orioles WERE willing to give up is coming off of 4 really solid outings since coming over. The 21 year old is now 2-0 for Portland (AA) with a 0.74 ERA (2 earned runs) in 24 IP with a 28/6 K/BB Ratio as a Boston farmhand.
Trea Turner, SS, SDP — He’s coming, and he’s coming fast. Turner will start 2015 in AA, and has answered pretty much every question scouts had about his bat. If he’s not the Padres’ SS after the All-Star break next summer I’ll be shocked. The numbers haven’t slowed down in the least since his promotion. He may need a little time to adjust following each step, but I’d argue he’s better than Everth Cabrera right now. Turner’s THE player to watch in the AFL in my book.
Remember, you can always hit me up on Twitter @clvclv_razzball, as well as in the comments section here.
