In case you didn't notice, it's All Star week. The MLB Futures Game was played on Sunday and featured some spectacular moments. For this week's Dynasty Review, let's talk about some of the players who made noise on the big stage.
Alex Bregman and Yoan Moncada stood out at the plate, but they're both already among the most valuable dynasty assets. I'll focus on a few guys who are a little more likely to be available - either on waivers or in a fair trade.
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Dynasty Advice for Week 15
Eloy Jimenez - Chicago Cubs
If baseball were to conduct an expansion draft tomorrow, they could create a healthy franchise just by picking Cubs prospects. Every week, it seems like it's time to discuss someone else from their bounteous system. Jimenez, 19, is playing in Single-A. Even though he was substantially younger than most of the players at the Futures Game, he arguably had the brightest performance - a 2-for-3 night with two runs, four RBI, and a home run. He also made this catch.
On the season, Jimenez is batting .332/.372/.527 with 10 home runs and six stolen bases. Judging from that one defensive play, he also figures to be a plus defender. While defense doesn't count for fantasy, it's a good way for a position player to stay in the lineup. Ask Kevin Pillar and Kevin Kiermaier.
The strong numbers aren't without caveats which is why you don't see Jimenez talked about as one of the top 20 prospects in the sport. A .407 BABIP has buoyed his batting line, hiding a 22 percent strikeout rate. While he has plus raw power, it's not yet actualized in a game setting. Plenty of prospects have huge power potential but never come close to accessing it on a consistent basis.
With three minor league levels between him and the majors, Jimenez feels a long way from big league action. The short path could see him ready late in 2017. With the Cubs embarrassment of riches, they may (wisely) take a slower approach to his development.
Manuel Margot - San Diego Padres
Margot wasn't a standout performer on Sunday. He went 1-for-4 with a couple runs and an RBI. The 21-year-old is batting .299/.349/.422 at Triple-A with a 6.3 percent walk rate and 9.5 percent strikeout rate. He's not a consistent source of power, although he does project to have 10 home run pop in the future. His best fantasy baseball trait is speed. He looks like a future 20 to 30 stolen base threat.
In true dynasty leagues, Margot has been owned for years. The Padres acquired him prior to the 2016 season in the second Craig Kimbrel trade, but he's been a touted prospect in the system since he debuted in 2012. His success in the majors will likely depend upon how much of his plate discipline transfers. Sometimes, aggressive high contact hitters in the minors have trouble adjusting to major league pitching.
Margot is on the cusp of a promotion to the big leagues. The Padres outfield currently consists of Matt Kemp, Melvin Upton, and a platoon of Alex Dickerson and Travis Jankowski. Kemp and Upton are trade bait at the deadline with Upton seemingly a lock to be dealt. Margot could also replace the platoon if neither veteran is dealt.
Rapid Fire
Hunter Renfroe - San Diego Padres
The Friars have two major league ready outfielders at Triple-A. Margot is the superior prospect, but Renfroe also promises to offer fantasy value. The righty is playing well in his first full season at Triple-A. He's hitting .335/.362/.611 with 21 home runs in an offensively charged environment. And it's easy to see how the Padres might open two spots in their outfield. Before you get too excited, Renfroe only projects to be a league average bat early in his career. The power will be offset by a tough stadium for right-handed hitters and a high-ish strikeout rate.
Raimel Tapia - Colorado Rockies
Tapia has been hyped since he was signed as a 16-year-old in 2010. Now 22, he's moving closer to a 2017 debut in the majors. Tapia is similar to Margot with his aggressive, high contact approach and modest power. Tapia has both more power and whiffs than the Padres top prospect. Since Tapia will call Coors Field home, he'll immediately profile as a 12 home run, 20 stolen base threat with room to grow into more taters. He's hitting .337/.381/.463 with six home runs and 14 stolen bases at Double-A.
Clint Frazier - Cleveland Indians
The Indians top prospect has probably been owned in your league for quite some time. He's having another strong but unspectacular season, this time at Double-A. Frazier is batting .287/.369/.483 with 11 home runs, 11 steals, an 11 percent walk rate, and a 20.7 percent strikeout rate. He profiles as a five category fantasy contributor.
Josh Naylor - Miami Marlins
Naylor was in the news about a month ago for his part in a knife prank gone awry. Aside from some poor judgment, Naylor is having a strong full season debut. The 2015 12th overall pick is batting .254/.311/.426 in Single-A with nine home runs and 10 stolen bases. He recently turned 19 in late June. Even though he has a way to go before he reaches the majors, his prospect stock is starting to climb.
Chance Sisco - Baltimore Orioles
It's rare for a catching prospect to be truly worth owning. Not many turn into Buster Posey or even Jonathan Lucroy. The ones that can hit - think Kyle Schwarber, Wil Myers, Pablo Sandoval, and Josh Willingham - quickly move down the defensive spectrum. Even Blake Swihart, aka "the next Posey," is an outfielder now (also, he hasn't exactly hit well on the big stage).
So that's a big strike against Sisco right off the bat. He figures to be a good major league player, but his fantasy ceiling may be limited. He has just one home run in 296 plate appearances while batting .307/.397/.398. The 21-year-old has quality plate discipline. His future home park may help him to actually supply a few home runs too. Overall, he'll be worth owning, but there's no sense to hoarding him now.
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