I’m going to be honest, I’m a little tipsy right now, I didn’t listen to Malamoney’s advice and got a little silly with my brahs at my CBS points keeper league draft. You know, the one where the kid made the video…. I’m sipping on some Cold Harbor Willow Tree IPA, a kick ass brewery down the road from mi casa. Wow this is like a giant unsolicited advertisement for things I’m not getting paid to promote. Then again, maybe….. So anyway, in my never ending quest to hold off on deep league prospect player profiles until the season starts, and in my secondary never ending quest to prepare you for any and every scenario in dynasty leagues, deep leagues, RCL’s and everything else under the sun. Today on this holiest of sunday’s – Hallelujah!!! – I bestow upon you Razzscalians, the truest of true, the purest of heat, the protectors of the fantasy baseball shield, the real shizz, that shizz that make you feel shizz, nah mean. Imma bring back hip-hop Sunday, church, and snap bracelets. Raw Imma give to ya, no trivia, raw like ROOKIES TO TARGET!!!! Say what? That’s right, I’m hitting you with the rookie players to draft and stash in those Yahoo N/A spots (shouts to Goodfold, all 6 of y’all), minors spots in fantrax/CBS, and whatever ESPN probably doesn’t have. Unless a few of these make the roster (Peraza), most of them will probably be in AAA until their service clocks tick back one sweet year of arbitration, but they will all be mixed league relevant at some point. Who knows a few might break into the top 100, I mean, last year, right?
C – Gary Sanchez, Yankees – I don’t know, maybe this is a reach. Probably is, but it just feels like he’s the most likely rookie catcher to make a true fantasy impact at any point this season. I see him being up before or around the same time as Willson Contreras or Jorge Alfaro, and he might be the highest upside hitter of any prospect doning the C distinction. He was demoted to AAA Scranton (Ain’t no party like a Scranton Party..) on Thursday, but that’s cool because Austin Romine, ain’t nothing but a vegetable.
1B – A.J. Reed, Astros – I know everyone is jacked up about Blanco Tyler White, and rightfully so but Reed is the truth like white girls with boo-tay, asians with breasts, and Paul Pierce with the game on the line (B-O-S-T-O-N). He’s got power, advanced approach, and he’s the most talented player at his position in the organization, plus he’s close. If you don’t know about his line in the minors last year google it. Well worth the stash he’ll be up by June the latest, in my estimation.
2B/OF – Jose Peraza, Reds – He’s got speed for days, and it looks like Bryan Price (between cursing sessions) is looking to get him as many at-bats as possible. Looks like he might break camp with the Red stockings. Though he may be in a reserve role at first, there’s an excellent chance of injuries in the outfield, or potentially a Brandon Phillips trade to open things up at the keystone. Either way, by Mid-July everyone’s going to be doing the Peraza. Maybe I’m crazy, but I love this cooky cat.
SS – Orlando Arcia, Brewers – I’m a fan of Arcia, so sue me. I know he’s already been sent down but I’m sure that’s a temporary move, unless by the grace of god Kelly Johnson hits. I’m not sure who’s god that is, but I’m sure it’s the one JB prays to. Arcia brings the speed on the basepaths, a plus hit tool, and the ++ defense that will keep him in the lineup. I’ve heard comps to Omar Vizquel, and go look at the offensive numbers of Omar in his peak. That’s a very good thing. I guess I could have gone Seager in this spot technically, but he’s almost irrelevant on a list like this.
3B – Joey Gallo, Rangers – We all know about the mythical power, and we also all know about the mythical K numbers, but there’s no denying he’s an intriguing prospect, warts and all. I mean people are excited about Pedro Alvarez, why not feel the same about Gallo once he’s up and playing on the reg. Maybe there’s safer options I could have gone with, but in my personal opinion the upper minors are devoid of impact corner bats.
OF – Byron Buxton, Twins – This one seems pretty easy, though people are jumping off the bandwagon left and right. I read an article on Yahoo yesterday by triple D, and you’d think this was baseball’s Greg Oden. Not to worry, it may take another year to settle in, but let’s say for arguments sake he figures it out in late June and goes 15/20 the rest of the way. Are you telling me you don’t want to own that? Hell naw, of course you do. But wait, you excluded Seager but not Buxton? Yeah, because I can’t see a likely scenario where Seager is sent down, cust kayin.
OF – Max Kepler, Twins – Hey!! Let’s go with the entire Twins Outfield circa July 2016 til infinity. As a soccer fan I know one truth to be self evident, always trust a German. Okay, my ancestors are turning in their graves, a German athlete. Mighty Max brings a little bit of everything to the table. He looks like a future points league star to me, and some one that will occupy 3-4 OF status in RCL’s for years to come. He gets on base, doesn’t strikeout much, and has some power/speed upside. He’s going to start the season in AAA, but could be up by late-May to mid -June.
OF – Nick Williams, Phillies – Let me get this straight, Williams was traded to a team with a better hitter’s environment and with hella less road blocks, but we all forgot about him like Dr. Dre in the 99? Maybe, y’all forgot, but he brings the boom and the quickness with the plus hit tool. One of the least talked about budding fantasy superstars in the minors. I get asked about players every week, but rarely about Williams. Tip a four-tay of Steel Reserve 312 Quinnipiac Commons style for Prospector Mike.
SP – Steven Matz, Mets – I don’t even feel like I need to write this, you know who he is, you’ve seen what he can do. He’s been rough this spring, but it’s spring training, trusting those stats is for suckers.
SP – Lucas Giolito, Nationals – Perts and Scouts be saying that Giolito is going to be up early, like May-June early, and I’m buying. The young based god is ready. Bring him up!!! He’s the best pitcher in the minors, and he’s destined for acehood. Just another tasty arm in a long line of Nationals pitchers.
SP – Aaron Blair, Braves – I’m kind of shocked he wasn’t the Braves rotation to start the season. That has less to do with Blair’s ability and more to do with the Braves options. He was a top prospect and someone I was looking to make an impact in 2016, even before the trade. Now the timetable is already accelerated. Should be up soon.
SP – Jose Berrios, Twins – I love Berrios, so does Grey, and pretty much everybody. He’s going to start the season in AAA (quite the team the Twinsies have down there), but should be up before you know it. With the small market nature of the Twins, I’m guessing this is all service clock non-sense, but who know. He’s got three plus pitches and the ability to anchor the backend of a fantasy rotation down the stretch.
