Hello, Prospect Report faithful, newbies and everything in between. Welcome to the Week 11 Prospect Report. Feels like injuries are really crankin’ now and we’ve got some of those injury updates, including Ohtani and Vlad Guerrero Jr. We also have a Juan Soto update, news on two big prospect pitchers being back on the mound, and much more.
The draft was fun, overwhelming, and mixed like every year. Here is a great summary with the major storylines. I can’t use precious word-count words to dive too deep here. I can use them to talk about wonderful cocktails, though.
And for our craft cocktail of the week let’s talk about how I had a Coronarita at brunch today and how amazing it was. This gravity-defying drink is the perfect way to get your day started at brunch and it is the perfect hair of the dog.
Like any other cocktail that has a beer in it, quality matters. I like it with a Corona but as you may know now, I don’t like sour-mix and am just okay with triple-sec. I would not skip on good tequila here just because there is a corona dunked in your beer, too, FYI. So, I asked the brunch place today to make mine with fresh lime juice, some agave, a lil’ triple-sec, and Patron. They obliged and I got an amazing drink. Don’t be afraid of this wonderful cocktail but do give up your car keys after having one.
2018 Fantasy Baseball Week 11 Prospect Report
News & Notes
For all your rookie and prospect news.
Vlad Guerrero Jr., 3B, Toronto Blue Jays (AAA)
The man who can’t stop hitting the ball has stopped hitting the ball and could continue to not hit the ball for four weeks because he is out with a strained Patellar Tendon in his left knee. Maybe someone would be willing to trade him, now? Nah, probably not.
#BlueJays top prospect (@MLB No. 2) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been diagnosed with a strained patellar tendon in his left knee & will be re-evaluated in four weeks: https://t.co/Hyen4Xehr4 pic.twitter.com/2TUD1jzKMo
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 10, 2018
Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Ohtani could be out for a while. His ulnar collateral ligament (UCL/Tommy John ligament) has a Grade 2 designation. He is shut down from throwing for several weeks and has undergone platelet-rich-plasma and stem cell injection to heal. Sad day for Angels, for baseball, and fantasy owners. This was the risk that came with drafting him. He will be re-evaluated in three weeks. Here is a good article about the injury.
Juan Soto, OF, Washington Nationals
Somehow Soto has only gone up three percent ownership since last week. He’s owned in 75% of ESPN leagues. I get that 25% may have like three man rosters or something. In case he is available in your league… go get him now. Go! The 19-year-old is batting .328 with a .420 wOBA. This is with only about 60 ABs but for just for comparative reasons he’d be between Freddie Freeman and Jose Ramirez as the fifth best wOBA if he did qualify. This is a big IF… yes… I know. But he is raking, big time.
Dude's just gonna hit .350-.370 everywhere he goes?
3rd homer for @Nationals' Juan Soto, who's now hitting .352 with a 1.037 OPS.
In the big leagues.
At 19.
Come on ...(Check his numbers vs. other @MLB Top 100 prospects: https://t.co/RWMwUVekcV) pic.twitter.com/HhLX0ok4GH
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 9, 2018
Jack Flaherty, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
Flaherty’s has now given up seven ERs in his past two games and 10 innings. He struck out 11 as well and only walked one, which is the good news. But he is just looking more hittable right now. I’m still holding tight but can’t blame you for cutting and running. Keep in mind he has a 3.20 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. His SIERA is 3.44. So, this all tells me he is a talented pitcher who may be having some of his numbers come back to earth.
Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (A+)
Sixto, the Phillies’ number one prospect, has started looking really good in his past four starts giving up just two ERs in his last 25 IPs and accumulating 29 Ks during that span. He is the 23rd overall prospect and features a 70 future value fastball (he has a four and a two-seamer). He throws gas and can locate it very well. The Phillies placed him on the DL with elbow inflammation but say it is not serious and they just need to limit his innings.
Forrest Whitley, RHP, Houston Astros (AA)
Whitley is back after a 50-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy. This is the number seven overall prospect and is arguably the most talented pitcher in the minors. He pitched four innings and got five Ks, no walks, and had a 16% whiff rate. Expect more of the same from the guy who can generate strikeouts from his fastball that has great movement, 12-6 curveball, and his changeup. He probably won’t be up until next year, though.
Forrest Whitley highlights from last night 🤗
Get pumped. pic.twitter.com/pKvzkgrp5k
— Prospect gifs (@prospectgifs) June 9, 2018
Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland Indians (AA)
McKenzie is back hurling after recovering from forearm soreness. He is a whiff machine who generated 186 Ks in high A last year. In his first start of 2018 he went five innings, striking out four, walking two, and only allowing one hit. McKenzie should be up next season some time while he tries to gain strength and add more polish to his repertoire. As the 21st overall prospect with a super high ceiling, great build, and plus fastball and curve he will be exciting to watch develop this year.
Jake Bauers, 1B/OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Bauers was called up on Thursday for the Rays. He is a ranked fifth in the Rays system and the 20-year old can hit for some pop. He was 0-for-8 before Saturday when he got two hits, one of them a double. Bauers is not worth owning except in the deepest of leagues and deep keeper leagues. Bauers is interesting because he can take a walk, has good on-base skills, is a lefty hitter, and can steal some bases (though he has struggled this year).
Quick Notes
Ugh! I’m tired of writing about Tyler O’Neil and his MLB comings and goings. But, since going to the minors in early June he’s collected a hit in five of his seven games, including two multi-hit games and two doubles. He’s also walked six times in that span. Who are you Tyler? Really? Who!?
Franmil Reyes now has six HRs and eight RBIs. Coming in spurts, Franmil homered in three straight games in May and had back to back HRs on June 4th and 5th.
Nick Kingham is back in AAA for the Pirates after going 6-and-a-third on Saturday giving up two ERs and striking out five hitters. After a dazzling first start, Kingham now has a 3.82 ERA and .99 WHIP. His SIERA sits at 3.58, so I still say don’t sleep-em on Nick Kingham. Right?
Similarly, the Royals’ number three prospect Seuly Matias has 20 freakin’ bombs in the minor leagues and leads the minors. He’s only batting .233 and striking out 37% of the time. He’s also 19 years-old.
The Next Big Thing
Guys you really need to know about.
Taylor Trammell, OF, Cincinnati Reds (A+)
Trammell played football and baseball in high school. So, he is just a super athlete with tons of skills. He was all over the place in different fantasy writer’s prospect rankings but the overall theme is there is great talent here. He is ranked 36 overall on MLB.com but many people had him ranked higher and some lower.
Last year he was able to demonstrate some good on-base talent and discipline and the reason he is on here is because he is continuing that trend. See, Trammell has 70 FV speed which is akin to speedy-as-all-get-out. He stole 41 bases last year in low A. He has been picked off five times and stole six bases this year, which is not great. But he has a 15% walk rate and a .400 wOBA. He’s also cranked six HRs. So, when I see Trammell I just see so much raw talent I can’t help but write about him here.
Waiver Pick Ups
Players worth your team's consideration.
Michael Soroka, RHP, Atlanta Braves
It’s official. Soroka will pitch Wednesday against the Mets. In his last rehab outing his struck out seven over four-and-a-third innings, gave up one run, and walked one. He’s good to go and go pick him up because he is really freakin’ good. His 3.68 ERA and 1.70 WHIP may frighten some away but his .408 BABIP and 3.6 SIERA keep me very interested. Looking strong, bro. Looking strong...
Mike Soroka (shoulder) will be activated from the DL to start on Wednesday vs the Mets. Soroka has put up 1 W, 3.68 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 14.2/15K on the season. #MLB #FantasyBaseball #FantasySports https://t.co/hYZc0fKCJh pic.twitter.com/PtKvQHKrTP
— FSH Fantasy Sports Help (@FSHsports) June 10, 2018
Risers and Sinkers
Highlighting players whose stock is rising and falling. This week I’m just going to highlight some draft picks I’m excited about as “risers.”
Risers – Enyel De Los Santos, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (AAA)
Probably past time to write up about Enyel De Lost Santos in the Phillies system. He threw one of his many gems of the season on Thursday and now has a 1.63 ERA with 62 Ks over 61 IPs. He should now be a full on bad-ass sized blip on your radar now with his 13% whiff rate. His peripherals do show some luck but he is not even in the top 100. So, his stock is definitely rising.
Sinkers – Jalen Beeks, LHP, Boston Red Sox
Beeks was called up and had a rocky start on Thursday against the Tigers. He gave up six earned over four innings with three walks and four Ks. Beeks in unranked as a prospect and ranked 15th in a so-so Red Sox system. So, to be expected here. He just doesn’t have any plus stuff and relies some on deception.
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