You are here for the latest Irish report. As I sit here with my dog Marshall, watching Avengers Endgame for at least the 50th time, I’m giddy with the number of MLB prospects getting the call-up. There are more big-time fantasy baseball prospects on the way! Summer, baseball, and movies when I’m not in the pool. It makes me wonder if this is anyone else’s routine. Please follow me on Twitter @TWS_Irish.
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Fantasy Baseball Prospect News and Notes
Former No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis is getting the call for the Pirates. He hit .284 with 11 HRs this year in the minors and is thought to be the future at backstop.
One of my favorite prospects in the stacked Guardian farm system, Gavin Williams will be starting today for the Guardians. Williams brings with him a career K/9 of almost 12.00 and a 2.39 ERA in 60 innings pitched. As good as Logan Allen, Tanner Bibee, and Peyton Battenfield have been, Williams is thought to be better than any of them. In my opinion, there is no other big-time prospect you should be watching this week over Williams.
Jhonny Brito!!!! He will be called up for the Yanks for a spot start. Let’s see if he can get it going.
Mark Vientos was sent down earlier in the week so Pete Alonso could come off the injured list. I’m hoping he is back soon.
As mentioned as a potential call-up for high-leverage bullpen work in last week’s report, Grant Hartwig is now a major leaguer. The Mets bullpen is in shambles. If Hartwig is consistent this could be a permanent call-up.
Bo Naylor, who is arguably one of the best catchers in the minors, has been called up with Mike Zunino designated for assignment. The Guardians have not had much production offensively from the catcher position. This could be the move that was needed to get the Guardians over the hump.
The Dodgers, with a seemingly endless group of pitching prospects, called up Emmet Sheehan. In his debut, all he did was throw six innings of no-hit baseball. He will almost certainly get a few more starts. He will be on a tight leash with so many young names in the Dodgers farm system.
Under-the-Radar Prospects
River Ryan, Dodgers
A star at UNC Pembroke as both as an above-average hitter and star pitcher, River Ryan was acquired by the Dodgers in 2022 from the Padres. He is still being worked in as a starter as his arm still has a brand-new car smell with very few miles on it. He features a fastball that reaches the high 90s with an above-average slider, cutter, curve, and change. With his limited experience, it’s surprising he has such an arsenal. He is a bit older at 24 but a solid Dodger farm system could get him up next year.
Gabe Gonzalez, Mariners
From the 2021 international class, Gabe Gonzales has been a name high on my radar. Already in A ball at age 19, Gonzalez has been mashing and could see a promotion to High A ball before the year is over. He is hitting over .340 in 255 ABs with 23 extra-base hits. With the outfield already full of young talent, the Mariners will likely take their time developing Gonzalez.
Nelson Rada, Angels
Another young international player, Nelson Rada has moved quickly into the top 500 prospect lists at the tender age of 17. An advanced approach to the plate, where he is approaching an OBP of almost .400, anchors this young man’s resume. I see a lot of similarities to Luis Angel Acuna here from the Rangers. Rada has a lanky build and is under 160 lbs, which will need to be addressed, but the risk is worth the reward here.