RADIO
September call ups are finally here! They didn't disappoint either. Today we will be discussing the most relevant call-ups for the remainder of the fantasy season.
The bad news is that there is a lot of uncertainty on these high potential prospects for the rest of 2015. The good news? If you want to take a chance on a newcomer, they are all widely available.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more MLB prospects, rookies and potential call-ups, be sure to check out our MLB prospects for fantasy baseball homepage which has lots of great weekly analysis.
MLB Prospect Updates & Recent Call-Ups - Week 23
Zach Davies (SP, MIL, Owned in 0% of fleaflicker leagues)
Zach Davies was the prospect the Brewers received in exchange for Gerardo Parra. Davies had a rough first start, going four and one-third IP, allowing four runs, four hits, three walks, and producing three strikeouts. There is reason to be optimistic about Davies' future though. In 501 and one-third IP in the minors, he had a 3.55 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, while allowing just 0.6 HR/9, 2.9 BB/9, and producing 7.8 K/9. Although he has struggled lately, Davies certainly has the peripherals to produce quality outings. He has a wide open opportunity in the Milwaukee rotation to make an early name for himself and reap rewards for fantasy baseball managers.
Miguel Castro (P, COL, Owned in 1% of fleaflicker leagues)
Maybe Coors Field isn't the best place for a guy who appears to be a fly ball pitcher, but Miguel Castro could make it work. After being a piece in the blockbuster Troy Tulowitzki deal, Castro struggled in his Colorado debut by allowing four ER in one and one-third IP. In 209 career minor league innings, Castro has a 2.54 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, while allowing a fantastic 0.5 HR/9, 3.2 BB/9, and 9.6 K/9. Despite his initial tendency to allow fly balls, Castro strikes out a lot of batters, doesn't walk many, and allows a very low HR rate. Fantasy baseball managers should look for Castro to get it together and maybe grab a hold of the elusive Colorado closer role. Remember, this kid is only 20 years old. Castro is a very deep saves sleeper going forward.
Marco Gonzales (SP, STL, Owned in 2% of fleaflicker leagues)
It will be hard for Marco Gonzales to make much of an impact for fantasy baseball managers when he is currently on the best pitching team in baseball. Nevertheless, in 220 and two-thirds minor league innings, Gonzales has a 3.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 0.8 HR/9, 2.3 BB/9, and 8.0 K/9. Gonzales has also struggled to find a groove in the major leagues. In 37 and one-third MLB innings, he has a 4.82 ERA, 5.01 FIP, and 1.63 WHIP. The lack of control simply goes against the grain of Gonzales's entire career pattern. He may always allow home runs, but it has always been his tendency to strike batters out and limit walks. Unfortunately, it will be hard for him to find a window of opportunity to produce meaningful statistics for fantasy baseball managers this season.
Rob Refsnyder (2B, NYY, Owned in 3% of fleaflicker leagues)
Yankees fans have been clamoring for Rob Refsnyder to be called up to give the low average, high power hitting Stephen Drew some relief. In his first 12 major league at bats, Refsnyder has a home run, a .167 BA, and a .583 OPS. However, his career in the minors indicates he is a far safer pick than the all or nothing Drew. In 1,594 minor league at bats, Refsnyder has 33 HR, 55 SB, a .290 BA, and a .813 OPS.Drew does have 17 HR on the season so it is likely Refsnyder will have to share playing time. If he sees the field though, he is a great widely available source of a little bit of everything.
Hector Olivera (3B, ATL, Owned in 4% of fleaflicker leagues)
Hector Olivera is 30 years old. Not exactly the young gun image that comes to mind when you say "top prospect". In his illustrious 10 year career in Cuba, Olivera hit 96 HR, stole 55 bases, produced a .323 BA, and a .912 OPS in 2,800 AB. In 125 minor league AB, Olivera has two home runs, a .272 BA, and a .702 OPS. The good news for Olivera (and fantasy baseball managers) is that his window to playing time in the Atlanta infield is wide open, and he produces in almost every offensive category. Unfortunately, it's not clear if Olivera can cut it in the United States after so many years in Cuba. If you are in a very deep league and need a smorgasbord of statistical categories, he could be a high risk/high reward option.
Dalton Pompey (OF, TOR, Owned in 4% of fleaflicker leagues)
While Dalton Pompey is a great young player, it is hard to think the Blue Jays will be switching the lineup around too drastically at the rate they are winning. In 1,608 minor league at bats, he has 136 SB, a .284 BA, and a .788 OPS. Speed is absolutely what you are looking for with Pompey. Ironically, Pompey can't erupt for too much power. So far in the majors this year, Pompey has a .193 BA, a .601 OPS, and four SB in 83 AB. If you need widely available stolen bases, take a shot on Pompey. His path to playing time just isn't that clear.
Corey Seager (SS, LAD, Owned in 6% of fleaflicker leagues)
Corey Seager is certainly the most anticipated September call-up, but he probably isn't the most valuable to fantasy baseball managers. In just 1,523 minor league AB, the brother of All-Star third baseman Kyle Seager has an impressive .307 BA, 62 HR, 28 SB, and a .891 OPS. In his first nine major league plate appearances, Seager has a .444 BA, and a 1.111 OPS.
The Dodgers are deep. They just traded for Chase Utley. Justin Turner and Kike Hernandez have been utility success stories this year. Jimmy Rollins has 13 HR and 10 SB on the season regardless of his woes at the plate, and he's played better recently. Seager is very talented and the future for the Dodger infield, but his path to playing time isn't as clear this season as many might think. Keep an eye on this situation.
Cream Of The Crop
Joey Gallo (3B/OF, TEX, Owned in 7% of fleaflicker leagues)
This season in the majors, Joey Gallo has hit five HR, stole two bases, and produced a .730 OPS despite just a .211 BA in 90 AB. These figures are well backed up by Gallo's 1,377 minor league AB in which he hit 127 HR, stole 30 bases, and produced a .258 BA with a .971 OPS. He is eligible at two positions, hits HR at a rapid pace, and steals a lot of bases for such a power threat. Just watch out for the strikeouts.
Javier Baez (2B/SS, CHC, Owned in 26% of fleaflicker leagues)
Speaking of whiffs, Javier Baez strikes out a lot, right? At the end of the day, batting average is just one statistic that is recorded in matchups. Is Javier Baez going to hit .300? Probably not. However, last season in 213 MLB AB for the Cubs, Baez hit nine HR, and stole five bases, on just a .169 BA. When this guy gets a hit, he produces important statistics with either power or speed. In 1,509 minor league AB, Baez hit 89 HR, stole 80 bases, and actually produced a .288 BA with a .888 OPS. Baez is also eligible at 2B/SS, two positions without a lot of power and speed options - especially at this point in the season. He might drag down your team's BA, but he will put up production in almost every other offensive category.
MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room
[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]
