Welcome to the 2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 15 Prospect Report
The MLB can never stop tinkering with their All-Star Weekend. Their latest addition is adding their annual Draft to the list of festivities. The draft is even being held in the same town as the All-Star Game (Denver, CO).
The MLB draft is a 20-round marathon that is spread across three days. There are many different rules and regulations that set the MLB Draft apart from others.
I like what MLB has done the past several years, trying to bring publicity and excitement to the draft. The draft offers so many different types of players too, as both high school graduates and College players alike are eligible to be drafted.
If you missed this year's draft, I highly encourage you to check out next year's, as it can be just as exciting as the NFL draft.
Check out Mike's 2021 Top Prospect Rankings.
2021 Fantasy Baseball Week 15 Prospect Report
Promoted
Cal Raleigh, C, Seattle Mariners
Cal was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma this past Sunday. He was put right into the starting lineup as he started at catcher and batted sixth.
Cal is Seattle's sixth-ranked prospect via MLB Pipeline and is a former 3rd round pick by the Mariners in the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft.
The promotion does not come as a shock, Cal has been on an absolute tear for Triple-A thus far in the year. He was batting 324 with nine home runs and 36 runs batted in.
The Mariners are desperate for someone to be their main backstop, as their primary catcher Tom Murphy has been struggling to the tune of 197/274/364 and only seven home runs.
Cal is switching hitting offensive-minded catching prospect that has above-average power. Displayed by his 29 HRs in 2019 and then followed by another nine home runs during his time at the 2020 Alternate Site.
Cal is another young promising bat for the Mariners to make their debut this season and they hope that he will be able to transfer his success at Triple-A to the majors. Unfortunately in his debut game, he went hitless with two strikeouts.
I would be adding Cal in all leagues as he has above average power upside and plays a position that is desperate for upside.
Vidal Brujan, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
Now on to the biggest news of the week and possibly one the bigger news we will have this year. The Rays have elected to recall their second overall prospect and the 36th ranked prospect via MLB Pipeline.
Brujan has been an absolute monster at Triple A this season. So far in 49 games, he was slashing .259/.344/.471 with 9 HR, 37 R, 29 RBI, and 15 SB.
The only thing shocking about this promotion was why it took the Rays so long. Brujan has an above-average approach at the plate. He has never struck out at a higher than 16% rate. He also has an almost 1:1 walk to strikeout ratio for his career.
Vidal Bruján is not messing around.
First big league at-bat, hit, RBI and stolen base for @RaysBaseball's No. 2 prospect. pic.twitter.com/IAmPBzflVL
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 7, 2021
Brujan is the real deal and has immense upside. He offers big power speed abilities, displayed by his 28HR and 166SB in six seasons.
Brujan was initially called up to be the Rays 27th man for their twin billing this past Wednesday. He even got the start at second base in the first game before moving to right field for game two. Brujan was then sent down after the doubleheader but recalled just days later.
If for whatever reason Brujan is available in your league. Add him immediately! He has a ton of power and speed upside and has second base eligibility.
Monte Harrison, OF, Miami Marlins
Monte was a centerpiece in the deal that sent Yelich to the land of cheese and the Brewers. He was a highly-touted prospect when he was drafted in the second round of the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft.
Since being drafted out of high school, Harrison has taken a more methodical rise through the minor leagues as he did not make his major league debut till in 2020 as a 24-year-old.
A lot of his development has been slowed due to injuries and strikeout concerns. He has always had high strikeout totals and even saw his swing and miss concerns reveal themself when he made his debut in 2020 and struck out 51% of the time.
His strikeout concerns have continued this season as well. He is currently striking out almost 40% of the time at Triple A. He does offer some speed upside, as he 146 total stolen bases. Including several seasons of 20 plus stolen bases at the minor league level.
However, the Marlins need outfield depth as Adam Duvall heals from side soreness. Monte should remain on your waiver wire as his strikeout rate is too concerning and isn't guaranteed playing time.
Joey Bart, C, San Francisco Giants
Bart another top catching prospect was recalled from Triple A to make his 2021 debut this past week. With Buster Posey hitting the IL the Giants needed another catcher on the roster.
Bart has shown in the past that he is capable of handling MLB pitching. Bart had a small cup of coffee in 2020, when he debuted for the Giants. He finished the 2020 season with 15R and 7RBI in 33 games.
So far in 2021 at Triple A Joey was slashing 338/400/581 with eight home runs, 24R, and 33RBI. So clearly the promotion was inevitable.
Bart was able to make one start this past weekend and he went 2-for-5 with a run batted in and a scored a run. Unfortunately for Bart, his performance wasn't good enough to keep him with the big league club as the Giants decided to send him back to Triple A.
Joey Bart's second hit of the game and first RBI of the year 👏 pic.twitter.com/Vd4eyc3Mzm
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 10, 2021
Obviously, this is my speculation, but I am guessing the Giants want Bart to continue to get at bats while they are on the All-Star Break.
I would add Bart in any league that you need help at the catcher position. There is a strong possibility he is back with the big league club next week.
Demoted
Matt Manning, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Manning received a surprise promotion back in the middle of June. It was a surprise as Manning was not performing well in Triple A in 2021. However, the Tigers decided they were willing to give Manning a shot at the major league level.
Manning made five starts for the Tigers and finished with a 6.95ERA, 1.59WHIP and only nine strikeouts in 22 IP.
While he made an immediate impact when he came up, the success quickly faded as he surrendered 13 earned runs over his past three starts including a start against Cleveland where he gave up nine earned runs in only 3.2IP.
As for now, Manning can be dropped back to the waiver wire. Until he can gain the confidence that he pitched within 2018 and 2019 when he was striking out ten batters per nine and keeping low ratios.
Taylor Trammell, OF, Seattle Mariners
Let me know if you have heard this before, Trammell was sent back to Triple A. This was Trammell's second tie he has been sent back to Triple A.
The biggest thing that is plaguing Trammell is the inconsistencies. At times he looks like he is able to make the next leap to the majors. Including a multi-home-run game and eight extra-base hits in the month of June.
However, he is still striking at an alarming rate, as he is now striking out 42% of the time so far in 2021 and only batting 160 in 178 plate appearances. However Trammell is still one of Seattle's top outfield prospects, and he will look to regain his confidence at Triple A.
As for now, Trammell is drop-able in all formats, as he will need to prove he can contribute at the highest level.
Top Performances
The top performances from the top 100 prospects from the past ten days.
Hitters:
Jarred Kelenic, OF, SEA (AAA): 350/429/680 1HR, 5RBI, 4R
Drew Waters, OF, ATL (AAA): 389/421/750 2HR, 8RBI, 8R, 3SB
Keibert Ruiz, C, LAD (AAA): 400/500/733 3HR, 9RBI, 5R
Brennen Davis, OF, CHC (AA): 423/483/885 2HR, 9RBI, 6R, 1SB
Brennen Davis: 428 feet to dead center 💥
The @Cubs' No. 2 prospect, who has 55-or-better grades for all five tools, extends the NL's lead in the All-Star Futures Game. pic.twitter.com/fjAkR3Ekhb
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 11, 2021
Pitchers:
Asa Lacy, LHP, KC (A+): 10.1IP, 3.48ERA, 1.35WHIP, 14K
Reid Detmers, LHP, LAA (AA): 9IP, 2.00ERA, 0.78WHIP, 15K
George Kirby, RHP, SEA (A+): 12IP, 0.75ERA, 0.83WHIP, 19K
Cade Cavalli, RHP, WAS (AA): 9.2IP, 4.66ERA, 1.66WHIP, 15K
Be sure to bookmark our Fantasy Baseball Page for great content all season long.
