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The Prospect Pod – Calls To The Show! 

By Richard Haake
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Check out the new episode of The Prospect Pod. This episode had a ton of notes on the call-ups of Jordan Walker, Anthony Volpe, and others! As always I am scouring the minor leagues for targets in deep dynasty formats which will be in my “Down On The Farm” section. Finally, I finish off this podcast with college notes to get you ready for the 2023 MLB draft later this summer. Make sure to subscribe to The Prospect Pod so you do not miss a single episode and thank you for your support.

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Also, make sure to check out the other great podcasts powered by Fantrax HQ including The Full Count Podcast hosted by Ryan Antkowiak and Hunter “The Country Biscuit” Raikes breaking down all things MLB getting you ready on a weekly basis to win your leagues.

Below are the notes I used for the podcast if you like things in a more visual format.

MLB Rosters Made

Jordan Walker STL

The Cardinals are adding Jordan Walker to the Opening Day roster. This makes it not only fun for dynasty managers but for baseball as a whole. Walker showed out in 2022 and continued in spring training for the Cards this year. Walker hit .286 with 3 HR, 9 RBI, and 2 stolen bases in 63 at-bats this spring. Walker’s 2022 season had everyone wondering when will he get the call? After slashing .306/.388/.510 with 19 HR, 68 RBI, and 22 SB in 119 games at AA Springfield it was only a matter of time. Walker is currently ranked #2 in the Fantrax HQ prospect rankings and really made it hard for me to not put him #1.

Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd ATL

The Braves have announced they will be taking Shuster and Dodd for at least one turn in the rotation to start the season. Both were competing for the 5th rotation spot this spring but with the setback in recovery for Kyle Wright, both pitching prospects will get the chance. Shuster has had a solid minor league career after being selected in the first round of the 2020 draft coming out of Wake Forest. The left-hander had 18 strikeouts in 18.2 innings pitched this spring holding a 1.45 ERA and a .115 average against in 5 games on the mound. Dodd, a 3rd-round pick in 2021 out of Southeast Missouri State, struck out 20 batters in 18 innings and posted a 2.00 ERA and 1.06 Whip in 5 games this spring. Dodd is projected to start either the 4th or 5th game of the season in St. Louis not too far away from where he went to college, making it a special start for the 24-year-old lefty.

Anthony Volpe NYY

Volpe did everything he was asked to do this spring and for Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Coming into camp Volpe was on the outside looking in but took his opportunity to hit .314 with 3 home runs, 5 RBI, and 5 stolen bases in 51 at-bats for the Bronx Bombers. The Jersey kid is heading home to play for his childhood favorite team at a premium position not to long removed from the Jeter era.

Jhony Brito NYY

Like Volpe, Brito was invited to big league spring training to get reps in and head to AAA Scranton. The 6’2” flame-throwing Brito had other plans. Jhony features a four-pitch mix in his fastball, curveball, slider, and change-up all grading out as plus or better. Brito is known to blow the fastball up in the zone to hitters and induce weak contact or swing and miss with his mid 80’s change-up. The right-handed Brito carried a 2.08 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched this spring with his final 5 innings being scoreless, earning him a spot in the rotation on the Opening Day roster. In his age 24 season, Brito had a solid season in 2022, ascending two levels in AA and AAA to a combined ERA of  2.96 with 91 strikeouts in 112.2 innings pitched, holding batters to a .230 average against.

Oscar Colas CHW

The White Sox have announced that Oscar Colas will be on the Opening Day roster. Colas had an amazing 2022 season rising three levels slashing .314/.371/.524 with 24 doubles, 4 triples, 23 home runs, 79 RBI, and 3 stolen bases in 117 combined games. I saw Colas several times in 2022 at A+ Greensboro and Winston Salem, Colas had excellent plate recognition and quick hands through the zone. He would slash the ball to all fields for situational hitting then swing up for power. Colas was a favorite going into camp to potentially win a spot on the White Sox but he solidified that this spring by hitting .270 with 3 home runs, 6 RBI’s, and a .725 OPS in 63 ABs. Welcome to the show Oscar!

Down On The Farm

Druw Jones ARI

Diamondbacks first-round selection Druw Jones is playing in games after the shoulder injury that shut him down last season. The swing looks level through the zone with the quick hands Jones is know for. Druw laced a single off of Shohei Ohtani on Twitter later stating “he is actually disgusting…”

Jacob Reimer NYM

Taken in the 4th round of the 2022 draft, Reimer is a high school bat with big upside. The 6’2” 205-pound Reimer has plus power from the right side of the plate. The power was on full display on the backfields for minor league spring training as Reimer hit a towering 2-run home run to left center against the Orioles. In 7 games at rookie ball in 2022 Reimer slashed .261/.414/.478 with 1 triple, 1 home run, and 7 RBIs. Reimer keeps the strikeouts to a minimum with good plate recognition and quick hands through the zone. He profiles as a third base prospect but is not spectacular defensively. It could be possible he moves to first base or a corner outfield position as the bat could carry him to the majors as he develops.

Jacob Berry MIA

Taken 6th overall by the Marlins in 2022, Jacob Berry was a stand-out bat at LSU. In his last season at LSU Berry slashed .370/.464/.630 with 15 home runs and 48 RBI in 53 games played. After being drafted by the Marlins, Berry went from rookie ball to A- Jupiter slashing .264/.358/.393 with 3 HR and 24 RBI in 33 games. Berry profiles as a bat-first player that could hit for average and power though a defensive home could be elusive. Barry was drafted as a third baseman but looks poised to slide over to first base. This spring Jacob Berry had a brief stint with the Marlins’ main squad but was sent to minor league camp. The switch-hitting Berry has a clean level swing with big raw power, stemming from his wide stance at the plate and small lead leg slide. As an advanced college bat Berry should move through the minors quickly to help the Marlins who have a need for a long term first base option.

College Notes

Paul Skenes LSU

Skenes is one of the best college pitchers in this year’s draft class and one I touched on for the college update for March. In his most recent start, Skenes was touching 100-101 MPH in the first inning and topping out at 102 MPH with the four-seam fastball. The plus fastball is next to impossible to hit once he mixes in his 92 MPH change-up with the same release point. Skenes is fun to watch and should be going in the first 10 picks this season with the argument being made to go 1-1. Skenes currently leads NCAA with 71 strikeouts in 37.1 innings pitched… second is sitting at 59 strikeouts in 34.2 IP.

Max Horvath UNC

The power-hitting third baseman Horvath is having a great season. He is currently hitting .306/.415/.806 with 13 home runs and 31 RBI on 30 hits… that’s efficiency. If that’s not enough, Horvath has also stolen 12 bags only being caught once. The Junior is draft eligible this year and could factor into the first round with the strong spring he is having ranking 7th in home runs so far this year.

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