2017 Fantasy Baseball Week 10 Rookie Report: Third of the Way

There have been rookies who have played like rookies – hello, Dansby Swanson.  Then there are rookies who have stood out and performed above even the loftiest expectations – hello, Aaron Judge.

As we move toward the mid-point of the season, we will start seeing an influx of even more minor leaguers trying to show they belong. The Super Two rule will result in the biggest names coming up to the big leagues, including but not limited to Yoan Moncada and Amed Rosario.

Let’s take a look at which players are in the majors and who is on their way in the Week 10 Rookie Report.

2017 Fantasy Baseball Week 10 Rookie Report

In “The Show”

Bradley Zimmer, OF, Cleveland Indians

The Indians’ top prospect was called up earlier this season when the Indians’ outfield suffered multiple injuries. The talented outfielder is showing why he belongs in the big leagues.

Bradley Zimmer possesses a rare power-speed combination that makes him one of the most attractive prospects in the game. He has racked up 82 minor-league swipes over the past two seasons and he is 3-for-4 on attempts this season with the Indians.

Zimmer is hitting .277/.358/.553 with three homers, 11 RBIs, seven runs and has walked six times. He has been shielded from lefties for the most part during his brief big-league career. He should be exclusively used in fantasy lineups when he faces right-handed starters until he shows signs of slowing down.

Ben Gamel, OF, Seattle Mariners

Ben Gamel was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma when fellow rookie outfielder Mitch Haniger went down with an oblique strain. Gamel got the opportunity for playing time and took advantage of it to the point now where he is hitting number two in the lineup.

After having an up and down start, he broke out in the month of May to the tune of .316/.396/.453 over 112 plate appearances. He is now slashing .323/.400/.454 with two homers, 16 RBIs and 21 runs scored this season.

Even after the turn of Mitch Haniger, the Mariners will find a spot in their everyday lineup for Gamel. Recently, the Mariners have been trying him at first base to assure a spot in the lineup. That type of versatility along with his hitting and on-base percentage makes him a viable fantasy outfielder in AL-Only leagues and someone that should be owned in deeper mixed leagues.

Jeff Hoffman, SP, Colorado Rockies

Jeff Hoffman is expected to make his fourth start of the season this Saturday against the Cubs. He was recalled from Triple-A, replacing the injured Tyler Anderson (knee).

Hoffman is now 3-0 with a 2.61 ERA with a minuscule .73 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 20.2 innings in his first three starts of the season. He has averaged eight strikeouts per start. In addition, he has gone seven innings in back-to-back starts.

He has definitely made a very compelling case to stick around in the rotation even when Anderson comes back to health. I don’t see how you can remove someone who is pitching like this. He warrants more starts and is someone that fantasy owners should keep on their radar, especially when Hoffman pitches on the road. He is a must own and start in NL-Only leagues and worth streaming in mixed leagues when the Rockies are away from Coors Field.

On The Brink

Brett Honeywell, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Brent Honeywell is probably the most polished minor league pitcher right now. He has an extremely deep arsenal, and a plus command of four pitches, highlighted by a well-publicized screwball.

He opened the season at Double-A, but he had little left to prove after going 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 20 strikeouts over two starts. In his last three outings at Triple-A, Honeywell has struck out 23 hitters and he’s walked just one.

Honeywell will receive a promotion this summer to the big leagues. The Rays are going nowhere fast this season and they can slot him in as the fifth starter to start the grooming process.

In AL-Only leagues, it would be wise to pick up Honeywell now, because the price to obtain him once promoted will be steep. If you have an open roster spot and can wait until at least midsummer for results, get him on your roster. The rush to get him will and should be big-time.

Reynaldo Lopez, Chicago White Sox

Reynaldo Lopez has pitched well at Triple-A with a 2.94 ERA and he is striking out more than a hitter an inning.

Lopez has electric stuff and has the potential for three plus pitches. He is probably ready to face big-league hitters for the White Sox.

Lopez should be the first of the White Sox’s young arms to get the call to the big leagues. He outperformed both Lucas Giolito and Carson Fulmer in big league camp. In addition, he is definitely a step ahead of Michael Kopech in the climb to pitch for the White Sox.

The White Sox pitchers have been fairly effective so far this season, but we should still see Lopez get called up this summer. If someone on the staff falters, you should expect to see Lopez be the first pitcher called up. He is someone to definitely keep on your radar in AL-Only leagues. In dynasty/keeper leagues, he should be owned.

Lewis Brinson, OF, Milwaukee Brewers

Lewis Brinson is playing outstanding at Triple-A. He is slashing .310/.397/.510 with 18 extra-base hits and seven steals.

Brinson is a tremendous athlete and has the size and the physicality to be an impact player. He has plus power-speed potential and has dramatically improved his plate discipline this season.

The Brewers are at least waiting until they are safely past the Super Two cutoff or a regular spot in the outfield opens up for him. He has the potential to be an All-Star and a 20/20 guy in the big leagues.

In dynasty/keeper leagues, he should already by on someone’s roster. In NL-Only leagues, owners should look to get him and stash Brinson while he has yet to make an impact. Depending on roster size and availability, Lewis Brinson is a perfect stash candidate for someone who will make an impact for the Brewers and fantasy teams.

Three Up

Dinelson Lamet, SP, San Diego Padres

Dinelson Lamet, the Padres’ top pitching prospect, has dazzled in his first two big-league starts this season. He is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 16:3 K: BB in 10 innings.

It has been a great start in his major league career for the right-hander, who earned the shot by posting a 3.23 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 39 innings at Triple-A El Paso to start the year. He has struck out more than 25% of batters at almost every minor league stop, so a K-rate around 25% could be expected in the majors as well. In addition, across four seasons in the minors, he has a 2.99 ERA and has amassed 336 strikeouts.

With the benefit of pitching in the National League and in Petco Park, those strikeouts are more than enough of an appealing reason that he should be scooped up in all formats.

Ty Blach, SP, San Francisco Giants

Ty Blach has been a savior for the Giants in the wake of the Madison Bumgarner injury. The left-hander is now 4-2 this season with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP.

Blach has now pitched five straight quality starts. In addition, he has reeled off victories in each of his last four outings. He has been pitching so well that he should keep his rotation spot even when Madison Bumgarner finally makes it back.

He isn’t a tantalizing fantasy option due to his lack of strikeout stuff, but he could be a useful streamer in the right matchups.

Jorge Bonifacio, OF, Kansas City Royals

Jorge Bonifacio is a former MLB Top 100 Prospect and remains one of the top hitting prospects in the organization.

He made his MLB debut on April 21 after being called up from Triple-A Omaha. He was hitting .312 with three homers and a team-high 12 RBIs at the time of his promotion.

The rookie outfielder has provided high-end production to this point. He is sporting a solid .286/.341/.516 slash line. In addition, he has smacked eight homers in his first 138 career big-league plate appearances, which translates to a 30-plus homer pace over the course of a season.

The recent news of Jorge Soler’s demotion to Triple-A Omaha was telling of the stranglehold that Bonifacio currently has on the starting job in left field. The hard-hitting rookie is definitely worth in an add in all leagues due to his power numbers.

Three Down

Christian Arroyo, INF, San Francisco Giants

Christian Arroyo received a surprise promotion after getting off to a torrid start at Triple-A Sacramento. He received consistent playing time at third base and shortstop following his promotion but he struggled to hit once promoted.

Arroyo hit just .192/.244/.304 over his first 135 plate appearances. He will now return to Triple-A, where he hopefully will regain his swing. He has now played more than twice as many games at the Major League level than at Triple-A!

There is no reason to hold on to Arroyo other than in dynasty leagues.

Amir Garrett, SP, Cincinnati Reds

Amir Garrett showed promising upside earlier this season but since then the left-hander has fallen mightily.

In his last start, he made his shortest start of the season. He allowed eight earned runs on seven hits and three walks over just 2.2 innings. He has allowed at least six earned runs for the third consecutive start.

Home runs are a huge problem for the 25-year-old rookie, who has allowed 15 in just 47 2/3 innings this season, including nine in his last three starts.His latest results should scare off fantasy owners in all formats.  I would be surprised if Garrett’s next start is not at Triple-A.

Amir Garrett is safe to drop off all fantasy rosters.

Dansby Swanson, SS, Atlanta Braves

After looking like he was getting over the hump in May, he is starting to revert back to showing that he needs to make tons of adjustments before he is a fantasy option.

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He has just two hits in his last 29 at-bats.  The projected Rookie of the Year is batting just .192/.275/.301 with five home runs and 21 RBI through 54 games. The Braves continue to be patient with him despite his struggles on both sides of the ball.

Swanson is such an unappealing option right now, that I advise staying away in all leagues.