RADIO
It's a hitter-heavy edition of Hot Prospects to Watch this week, as we take a look at three batters who have been raking over the last week as well as one pitcher who is currently dominating at Class-A Advanced.
Of the four players we'll be looking at this week, it's Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker who appears to be the closest to getting the promotion to the majors. Houston has outfielder Marwin Gonzalez currently listed as day-to-day with a leg injury from over the weekend, and if he ends up on the disabled list it is entirely possible Tucker could get called up to replace him. The other three on this list could end up getting some major league action later this season, but for now Tucker seems the most ready to make a big impact.
Now let's take a look at who you should be keeping an eye on this week.
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Cease and Desist
OF Kyle Tucker - Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A: Houston Astros)
Upcoming games: vs Colorado Springs 6/5-7, vs Oklahoma City 6/8-11
Tucker has been raking at Triple-A this season, with eight home runs (fourth-most on the team) and 97 total bases (second-most) while hitting .273 with an .814 OPS over 51 games. His last 10 games in particular he has put on a big power display, with four home runs over his last 48 plate appearances despite hitting just .200 over that span. Once he does get called up to the majors, whenever that may be, he is going to bring 20 to 25 home run potential with a good average of around .270 to .275. There's a chance that he could get called up if Marwin Gonzalez does end up on the disabled list, but with Josh Reddick due to return from the DL soon that opportunity might not be available for Tucker. Regardless of how that situation plays out, it's safe to say that Tucker will be in Houston soon, and when he gets the call he'll be an immediate must-add in AL-only and 14-team mixed leagues.
SP Dylan Cease - Winston-Salem Dash (Single-A Advanced: Chicago White Sox)
Projected starts: at Carolina 6/9, vs Wilmington 6/14
One of the top pitching prospects in the White Sox organization, Cease has put together a dominant season so far in the Carolina League. Over 11 starts, Cease has a 7-2 record with a 2.81 ERA, 1.214 WHIP and 10.77 K/9 — the second-highest K/9 in the entire White Sox organization behind only Michael Kopech. Along with that, Cease has managed to drop his walk rate to a career-low 10.9 percent this year over 57 2/3 innings. Cease still has some work to do to get his walk rate down, but he's making steps in the right direction to potentially become a stud fantasy pitcher for years to come. With the Sox in the middle of a massive rebuild, it's highly unlikely that Cease would get called up this year for anything other than maybe a game or two in September, but owners should look into acquiring Cease this season while the cost for him is still relatively low.
OF Braden Bishop - Arkansas Travelers (Double-A: Seattle Mariners)
Upcoming games: vs Tulsa 6/5-8, vs Northwest Arkansas 6/9-12
After gaining national attention earlier this year for his 4mom charity to help fight Alzheimer's disease, Bishop has been gaining attention on the baseball field for his success at the plate. Through 51 games this season, Bishop has hit six home runs to equal his total from his last 223 games over the past two years. His six home runs and 88 total bases both are second-highest on the Travelers this season, while his 10.3 percent walk rate is the best of his career. The one thing dynasty owners should keep an eye on though is whether or not his power surge will be legitimate. Bishop's HR/FB rate has risen from 2.5 percent last year to 11.5 percent this year, while he is sporting a .141 ISO which is up from his career line of .080. He has 15 to 20 stolen base potential, and if he continues this power surge he could be a solid outfielder to own in a dynasty league.
SS Carter Kieboom - Potomac Nationals (Single-A Advanced: Washington Nationals)
Upcoming games: vs Reno 5/29, at Tacoma 5/30-6/3
The joke could be made about "Kieboom goes the dynamite!" and in Carter Kieboom's case it would absolutely be fitting. The 20-year-old shortstop has homered three times in his last four games, and is hitting .325 with a .941 OPS while driving in 13 runs. With nine home runs this year he has already matched his 2017 total and is on pace to hit 20 home runs this year, and on top of that he's shown good plate discipline this season with an 18.6 percent strikeout rate and a 12.7 percent walk rate. The Nationals already have star shortstop Trea Turner firmly entrenched in the starting role, but Kieboom will very quickly be vying for a spot on the Nationals roster, whether it's at shortstop or another position.
