This week we will be looking at five not so highly ranked MLB prospects that will be up soon and could help your fantasy baseball team down the stretch. These are either not top 100 or small market teams that often have the cream of the crop ignored. Irish is here for you. Please give me a follow-on Twitter @TWS_Irish.
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5 Lower-Ranked Prospects About to Get the Call
Aaron Schunk, Rockies
A local kid playing for my Albuquerque Isotopes Aaron Schunk has made as strong a case as anyone in the minor leagues as to why he should be up at the big-league level. He is hitting .317 this season with 12 HRs and 54 RBIs. He reminds me a bit of a 1990s second baseman or third baseman. Solid fielder with an above-average hitting tool with an average run tool. He can play multiple infield positions and could really plug some holes the Rockies haven’t been able to plug over the past couple of years. I’m hoping he stays for the next week as I will be in the press box and trying to grab some time for an interview with him.
Jacob Lopez, Rays
The Rays have been known over the years to not be super aggressive with pitching prospects (of course there are outliers.) Jacob Lopez has been nothing but consistent while in the Rays farm system. In 46 innings pitched at AAA Durham, all he has done is have an ERA of 1.16 and has looked unhittable. The stuff certainly isn’t overpowering but a deceptive arm angle, almost a 3/4 arm angle, coming from a lefty is baffling hitters. He projects more as an RP, but it would be interesting to see him get a few starts to get going. A less powerful version of Chris Sale could be possible.
John McMillon, Royals
A name that I honestly just was told about by Royals writer Preston Farr Jon McMillon doesn’t just have a cool name. Those who follow me know I love power relievers like Little, Munoz, and Joyce. McMillon fits here. A fastball sitting around 101-103 MPH his violent delivery allows him to pick up strikeouts at an alarming rate. He is exclusively closing for AA for Northwest Arkansas in the Royals system. McMillon had an 18 K/9 in A+ and has still maintained a 13.2 K/9 in AA. He could get a taste this year as an older 25-year-old prospect.
Kyle Hurt, Dodgers
Another older prospect on the list former USC product Kyle Hurt has been tearing up the Dodgers farm with a ridiculous number of strikeouts. In 56 innings pitched he has struck out 98 batters. A very average four-pitch mix anchors Hurt’s repertoire with his best pitch being a solid plus fastball. The unfortunate thing for Hurt is the Dodgers farm is stacked with these types of pitchers. I’d like to see him called up to anchor the bullpen and get a shot at the rotation next spring.
Luke Little, Cubs
The gentle giant is one of my favorite prospects and I’ve talked about him before. I will be the first to admit I was wrong. I was hoping for the next Randy Johnson, but he seems to be settling into more of a reliever role. That’s not a bad thing. It still stands he is a sure bet to make it to the majors. The 80-grade fastball still anchors him. He has pitched in AA Tennessee with a 3.38 ERA over 29 innings to pair with 50 strikeouts. That’s over 15 K/9. That dog will hunt. Sorry, I’m showing my age.
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