This article first appeared in the Metro news publication.
Two of the game’s top prospects were promoted to the majors on Monday, and each is among the most added players across all the major fantasy platforms. If you missed the boat on Alex Bregman or David Dahl (or both), never fear – there are still some excellent prospects worth stashing for the stretch run. For more options to improve your roster, be sure to check out RotoBaller’s waiver wire rankings assistant tool, which is updated daily.
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These Kids Are Alright
Manuel Margot, OF, San Diego Padres
Part of the massive haul brought back by the Craig Kimbrel trade last winter, Margot has hit .306/.356/.434 with 24 stolen bases at Triple-A this season. He’s more a line-drive hitter, but at just 21 there’s still projectable power in his bat. With Melvin Upton traded to Toronto on Tuesday, Margot figures to get his shot at the majors soon.
Andrew Benintendi, OF, Boston Red Sox
Even after overpaying for Kimbrel and dealing Anderson Espinoza a few weeks ago, Boston’s farm system is among the best in baseball. One reason why is Benintendi, the seventh pick in last year’s amateur draft. He dominated the low minors immediately, and has been productive since being promoted to Double-A earlier this year. Benintendi does everything well, but his control of the strike zone is particularly remarkable. Whether he ends up being dealt at the deadline or stays in Beantown, there’s a strong possibility that we see Benintendi in the big leagues later this season.
Jose Berrios, SP, Minnesota Twins
Unlike the other players on this list, Berrios has already played at the MLB level. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well. Berrios struggled with his command and the long ball, resulting in horrendous ratios (10.20 ERA, 2.13 WHIP) in four starts before being demoted. He’s gotten back on track there, pitching to a 1.09 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in his last seven turns while striking out over a batter per inning. Ervin Santana is the only Twins starter with an ERA under 4.00 and he could be on the move, so the opportunity should be there for Berrios.
[Berrios will start today against the Indians - Ed.]
Jose De Leon, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Julio Urias isn’t the only high-end pitching prospect in the City of Angels. De Leon has posted gaudy strikeout rates at every stop in the minors and boasts a 2.49 ERA and 1.02 WHIP at Triple-A. The Dodgers will need a starter on August 4 and have already said that Urias, who is working with an innings cap, won’t be the guy. Barring a trade, De Leon seems like the most obvious option on that day, and given the deluge of pitching injuries the Dodgers are dealing with, he’s likely to stick if he performs well.
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