With the non-waiver trade deadline behind us, let's discuss some of the prospects who changed hands in the last week. Rather than covering a couple players in detail, let's touch on all the notable dynasty assets on the move. It was a busy deadline, so feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (@BaseballATeam) if it looks like I skipped a guy you like.
Please note, the Liriano trade was reported after I finished compiling the list for this article. I did not include Reese McGuire or Harold Ramirez as a result.
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Dynasty Advice for Week 18
Lucius Fox - Tampa Bay Rays
Fox is a highly regarded, 19-year-old shortstop prospect. In his first exposure to pro ball, Fox has demonstrated solid plate discipline and plus speed. Unfortunately, those positive traits are offset by a high strikeout rate and minimal power. In short, he's overmatched in Low-A. Fox still represents a high ceiling, long term lottery ticket for those in very deep leagues.
Lewis Brinson - Milwaukee Brewers
After receiving a brief call to Triple-A last season, Brinson's repeat at Double-A has been a disappointment. Fantasy owners were eager to benefit from the 22-year-old's blend of power and speed. However, he's posted a meager .233/.277/.430 slash due in large part to a low .260 BABIP. Top prospects tend to post very high BABIPs, so his current numbers are a real concern. It signals that he's making poor contact. In any event, Brinson remains a high value dynasty asset. If it clicks, he offers easy 20/20 upside.
Luis Ortiz - Milwaukee Brewers
The 20-year-old righty is a command and control guy with a mid-90s fastball, average-to-plus slider, and average changeup. Everything adds up to a future major league starter, even if the end product is only an innings eater. He's already reached Double-A and could get a taste of major league action in 2017.
Dilson Herrera - Cincinnati Reds
Herrera does a little bit of everything. Depending on how much credit you give the Mets organization for talent evaluation, their continued refusal to play him in the majors is either confusing or damning. The temptation is to say the Mets knew what they were doing. The numbers say he should have been on the roster as a super utility guy all season. Herrera features 15 home run power with adequate contact rates and 10 stolen base speed. He's good fantasy roster glue, and there's upside for more.
Andrew Susac - Milwaukee Brewers
Long hidden behind Buster Posey, Susac is now free to start for the Brewers. He has solid power and plate discipline for a catcher with - expect something like 12 home runs with a slightly below average batting line. Miller Park should help his power to play up. He's a smart upside play at a painful position.
Phil Bickford - Milwaukee Brewers
Bickford was a steep price to pay for a top left-handed reliever like Will Smith. Scouts aren't overly impressed with the raw stuff, describing it as "good enough" rather than jaw dropping. In Bickford's favor is rising action on his fastball and plus command. Barring injury or decline, the 21-year-old should be in the conversation for major league reps in 2017 or 2018. There isn't much upside beyond what we already see here.
Dillon Tate - New York Yankees
By comparison, Tate has plenty of upside. The issue is an utter lack of consistency. The 22-year-old's fastball has ranged from the high-80s to the mid-90s this season. Obviously, he needs it at the upper end of that range to thrive. As a fastball-slider pitcher, Tate may have a better future in the bullpen - especially under the New York media microscope. Just ask Dellin Betances.
Frankie Montas - Oakland Athletics
Montas is a hard-thrower who can reach triple digits on the radar gun. He's mostly been used as a starter in the minors, but there's a debate as to his best role in the majors. The secondary stuff may be better suited to relief. Montas has struggled with health this season. He had a short audition with the White Sox in 2015 where he held his own over 15 innings (two starts, five relief appearances).
Grant Holmes - Oakland Athletics
Holmes, 20, features a three pitch repertoire that should play in a major league rotation. He's a big-bodied righty. Traditionally, we look at big guys and say either "durable" or "injury risk." Contradictory, huh? Holmes has pitched well this season at High-A. He's about ready to be challenged at Double-A.
Jharel Cotton - Oakland Athletics
Another fun right-handed pitcher, Cotton lacks the pedigree of Montas or Holmes despite possessing a mid-90s fastball and average to plus change. His breaking ball receives average to minus grades which puts his path to the majors in jeopardy. At Triple-A, he posted 11.00 K/9, 2.96 BB/9, and a 4.90 ERA. If he can weaponize the change up, he could become a high quality reliever.
Charlie Tilson - Chicago White Sox
Tilson is a low-power outfield prospect on the cusp of a major league call up. The left-handed hitter is batting .282/.345/.407 at Triple-A with a high contact rate. He's posted good stolen base numbers in the minors include 45 swipes last season, but he figures to take only about 15-20 bags over a full major league season. More importantly, without adding power, he won't be more than a fourth or fifth outfielder.
Clint Frazier - New York Yankees
Arguably the top prospect moved at the deadline, Frazier appeared in last week's Dynasty Review. To recap, "The righty features plus power and above average speed. Strikeouts could be a problem. If he ever clamps down on the whiffs, he'll offer solid five category production in the middle of the Indians Yankees lineup." For what it's worth, he's less likely to be a middle of the order threat in New York - they tend to import their big boppers when contending.
Justus Sheffield - New York Yankees
Sheffield is perhaps my favorite pitching prospect of those appearing in today' column. He has a four pitch repertoire featuring a low-to-mid-90s fastball, power curve, slutter (blend of a slider and cutter), and a change. I think he'll eventually be a five pitch guy using a cutter and true slider. The Indians had him working on developing that aspect of his repertoire while keeping the curve in his back pocket.
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