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Fantasy Baseball Prospects On the Rise: Hitters

With All-Star festivities having taken place in the minor leagues, it’s the perfect time to catch up on some of the lesser known prospects making names for themselves. These are all players who jumped on my radar with their performances during the first half of this season and who you should keep an eye on in dynasty leagues.

CATCHER

Danny Jansen (TOR)
Age: 22
Level: AA
Current stats: .351 avg, 7 HR, 30 R, 27 RBI, 26K/19BB in 54 games (205 AB)

– Drafted in 2013, Jansen has come out of nowhere this season. The Jays had three potential big league catchers – Reese McGuire, Max Pentecost and Danny Jansen. He was the least likely of them to replace Russell Martin. McGuire is good behind the plate, but an offensive liability, Pentecost’s injury has pushed him to first base, and now Jansen is the only hope. Injuries have slowed him down as well, yet judging by what he’s been doing this season, they weren’t enough to stop him. He has been making strides offensively and defensively, and if he can manage to stay healthy while maintaining his current form, it would go a long way toward establishing him as a real threat to eventually dethrone Martin.

 

FIRST BASE

Josh Ockimey (BOS)
Age: 21
Level: A advanced
Current stats: .288 avg, 7 HR, 36 R, 50 RBI, 68K/42BB in 67 games (226 AB)

– This left-handed batter could be Boston’s future version of Mitch Moreland. It’s not unlikely he and Sam Travis share first-base duties in a couple of years’ time. I can’t say Ockimey is an exciting prospect, but I can say he’s undervalued. He has been steadily improving since he joined the organization, knows how to draw walks (88 last season, on pace for a similar number this season, ranks 3rd in the Carolina League with 42) and is good at bringing teammates home (third in the league in RBI with 50). The 21-year-old is also ninth in OPS (.853) and ranks just outside the top 10 in AVG (.290) and SLG (.452). So, although his numbers don’t sparkle, they are very solid. We are talking about a hard-working player, who not many expect(ed) to be fantasy relevant (including me until this season). However, he’s more likely to have a place on his team’s 25-man roster when the time comes than many other more highly touted prospects. Currently at A advanced, he’ll have to avoid a second half drop off (he batted .297 before the All-Star break and .152 after last season) in order to take another step forward.

Chris DeVito (KC)
Age: 22
Level: A advanced
Current stats: .321 avg, 15 HR, 47 R, 57 RBI, 61K/17BB in 68 games (265 AB through 2 levels)

– Drafted in the eighth round in last season’s draft, DeVito is not even in the top 30 Royals prospects on MLB.com. I’m a little bit hesitant about his future, and he will need to keep doing what he’s been doing so far for an extended period of time to prove he’s for real, but I still like him more than Samir Duenez, another left-handed Royals first baseman who broke into the top 30 Royals prospects this season. The 22-year-old has already made the jump to a higher level, and I wouldn’t surprised if he were to move up one more by the end of the season. He’s far from athletic and the upside is very limited, but considering he’s playing for an organization known for giving players like him a chance to show what they’ve got, it’s not far-fetched to think he can carve out a role in the majors in the not too distant future.

 

SECOND BASE

Willie Calhoun (LAD)
Age: 22
Level: AAA
Current stats: .297 avg, 15 HR, 43 R, 43 RBI, 34K/19BB, 3 SB in 65 games (256 AB)

– Calhoun is one my favorite prospects in baseball. The young lefty has a contagious character, has fun playing the game and for a second baseman can barrel the hell out of a ball. He hit 27 home runs last season, and he’s on a pace to surpass that (15 thus far), which is extremely impressive given his small stature (5’8”). He made headlines a couple of weeks ago when he homered in three games in a row, including predicting his own in one game and hitting the third of back-to-back-to-back home runs in another. The 22-year-old ranks fifth in the Pacific Coast League in total bases (146). Given the success of Cody Bellinger and the struggles of Logan Forsythe, it’s now easy to imagine Calhoun’s transition to the Dodgers’ everyday second baseman job sooner rather than later. Good defensively, he doesn’t offer much in the way of steals, yet he’s a player who gets fans and teammates excited, and he should eventually do the same for fantasy owners.

Scott Kingery (PHI)
Age: 23
Level: AA
Current stats: .302 avg, 18 HR, 58 R, 40 RBI, 50K/26BB, 19 SB in 66 games (268 AB)

– Kingery has been the surprise player of the season so far in the minors. For a while he led the entire MiLB circuit in home runs (second now), and he seemed to be making news almost every day. Philly fans probably find that familiar. Remember the show Rhys Hoskins and Dylan Cozens put up for the same team last season in their battle for the home run crown? Their development this season tells me two things: 1. Yes, those home runs are a product of a hitter’s ballpark; 2. No, those home runs are not JUST a product of a hitter’s ballpark – the player himself is actually pretty good. Kingery had a decent season in 2016, batting .281 and stealing 30 bases, but nothing that would signal such a breakout. Again, that park can do this to players, but the 23-year-old is a second round draft pick, so the talent is actually there. Similar to Calhoun, it’s easy to see him taking over the Phillies’ everyday second base job and hitting second in the majors. For dynasty owners, what you’re getting is a promising second baseman who can first and foremost steal bases, whose average will often fluctuate and who can get on a roll at any time. Thus, you could end up with many more home runs from the position than you originally expected. He’s going to be a very popular pick in dynasty leagues in 2018.

Luis Urias (SD)
Age: 20
Level: AA
Current stats: .314 avg, 2 HR, 53 R, 21 RBI, 38K/43BB, 5 SB in 68 games (264 AB)

– Urias is as advanced a hitter as you can be at the age of 20. Since entering the minors in 2014, he’s batted .297, .299, .333 and now .314. He was even promoted to Triple-A last season and managed to five draw walks in addition to the four hits in nine at-bats. He also won the batting title and the MVP award in 2016, as the youngest player in the league no less, in the A Advanced California League. Urias profiled more like a utility player, yet has been exceeding expectations every step of the way, earning him a spot in MLB.com’s top 100 prospects list (#97). Home runs and steals might come with age if he fills up his small frame (5’9”, 160 pounds), but one thing remains certain – the kid can hit. With great hand-eye coordination comes a great K to BB ratio, and the 20-year-old Mexican has walked more than he has struck out, which is simply astonishing taking into consideration he was always one of the youngest players wherever he played. In the Texas League, he ranks third in hits (83), second in walks (43), sixth in average (.314) and second in OBP (.415). I drafted him based on his potential in the later rounds in one of my dynasty leagues before the start of this season, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Although the righty doesn’t offer much in regard to home runs and steals (yet), I believe every team (real-life and fantasy) needs a player with his upside on its roster. His floor is very, very high.

Shed Long (CIN)
Age: 21
Level: A advanced
Current stats: .312 avg, 13 HR, 37 R, 36 RBI, 63K/27BB, 6 SB in 62 games (247 AB)

– Long is the poor man’s version of Willie Calhoun. Similar dish with much less flavor. As an unheralded 12th round selection in 2013, he started coming into his own in 2015 and really came onto the prospect scene last season. He has picked up where he left off in 2016, batting .312 with 13 dingers, two shy of a career high. I do like his effort, but I have my doubts about his future fantasy value. So far, he’s been beating the odds. It will be interesting to see how he progresses. A name to remember nonetheless.

 

SHORTSTOP

Bo Bichette (TOR)
Age: 19
Level: A
Current stats: .388 avg, 7 HR, 49 R, 45 RBI, 46K/23BB, 9 SB in 57 games (232 AB)

– It wasn’t a secret that Bichette has great potential. What was unexpected was that he would be this good this fast. Second in the minors in batting average behind Brendan Rodgers, the son of former MLB All-Star Dante Bichette has suddenly elevated himself to one of the most intriguing prospects in the game. He has been the best player in the Midwest League, ranking in the top three in almost all offensive categories and is ripe for promotion at the tender age of 19. The mechanics of his swing are a tad unusual, but he makes it work. He will need to bulk up to negate some of the durability concerns and work on his defense if he wants to stay at shortstop. Time is on his side. What’s important is the foundation, which is very sturdy and allows for plenty of high-quality building blocks to be added on. The Blue Jays have their shortstop of the future. I took Bichette a couple of picks later in that same league where I drafted Urias. Dynasty league owners, draft with confidence!

Ryan Mountcastle (BAL)
Age: 20
Level: A advanced
Current stats: .313 avg, 12 HR, 46 R, 41 RBI, 46K/10BB, 5 SB in 67 games (272 AB)

– Mountcastle is an interesting prospect. Not only because of his last name, but because of what he brings to the table. He carries plenty of ifs and buts, such as whether he’ll stay at shortstop long-term, whether his plate approach is good enough for the upper levels and whether he has the capacity to survive the developmental curve most prospects go through. Obviously, the talent is there. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been a first-round pick. Walks have been ample, yet his batting average (despite some cold streaks) hasn’t suffered as a consequence (.294 overall in three minor league seasons despite 187 strikeouts to only 44 walks). He has already hit more home runs (12) than he hit all of last season (10) and ranks fourth in runs, second in hits, first in doubles (25), fourth in homers, second in total bases, fourth in SLG (.544), fifth in average and sixth in OPS (.886) in the Carolina League. Only 20, there is sufficient time to make all the necessary adjustments as he climbs the ladder. I’m becoming a believer.

 

THIRD BASE

Colton Welker (COL)
Age: 19
Level: A
Current stats: .365 avg, 6 HR, 27 R, 31 RBI, 36K/15BB, 5 SB in 58 games (222 AB)

– For a position that has been relatively weak in prospect circles recently, a few names have been starting to pop up that might convert it into one of the strongest. I’ll start with my personal favorite – Colton Welker. He came out of the same high school as Anthony Rizzo and plays for the same organization that developed Nolan Arenado. He can hit, he can field, and he is advanced beyond his age. What more can you ask for from a 19-year-old? There’s a lot to look forward to with this kid. The Rockies have no need to rush him, which even more works in Colton’s favour. His numbers have been nothing short of impressive, hitting .329 in his first taste of MiLB last season, and doing even better a level up in 2017. The 6’2” righty leads the South Atlantic League in batting average (.365), is second in OBP (.409), fourth in SLG (.532), fifth in total bases (118) and second in hits (81). Yes, Welker plays in the hitters’ haven that is the Asheville Tourists’ McCormick Field. Yes, the sample size is small, and he hasn’t proven anything. Yet, there’s something that tells me Welker is for real. No, he won’t be Arenado, but he’s definitely worth stashing in dynasty leagues. If he has at least half of the relentless desire of a certain former NFL Dolphin and Patriot named Welker to go along with his talent, he just might become the MLB version of his namesake.

Michael Chavis (BOS)
Age: 21
Level: A advanced
Current stats: .318 avg, 17 HR, 50 R, 55 RBI, 57K/19BB in 59 games (223 AB)

– Chavis is a player I didn’t think I’d be including in this article, but I had to because of his performance. He came into the league as a first-round draft pick who hit .580 in his senior season in high school and was thought to carry a powerful bat. There had been hints of that power here and there; however, generally speaking, it had been a struggle. There was a sign of a breakthrough last April and then injury struck, which required a lengthy lay-off. He seems to have finally found his groove in 2017, having already set a career high in home runs. The power comes to him naturally. It’s the other aspects of the offensive game that needed refining. He’s in the top five in all main offensive categories in the Carolina League, including ranking first in homers, RBI and slugging percentage. If it turns out he has indeed turned a corner (all signs point to yes), then the Red Sox can be calm knowing they have Devers and Chavis on deck. As for fantasy owners, we should have a clearer picture of who Chavis is at the end of 2017.

Edwin Rios (LAD)
Age: 23
Level: AA
Current stats: .321 avg, 15 HR, 41 R, 58 RBI, 61K/14BB in 67 games (265 AB)

– Rios is the Dodgers’ version of Cubs prospect Jeimer Candelario. Their profiles are nearly identical. One advantage the left-handed Puerto Rican has is that his path to the majors is clearer than Candelario’s, although Candelario is ahead in the development department. He went through three levels in 2016, doing most damage in A advanced with .367 average and 16 home runs. The last stop last year is his first this year, although based on evidence, a promotion is drawing near. The third baseman is second in the Texas League in batting average (.321), second in home runs (15), first in RBI (58), tied for third in doubles (18), first in total bases (148), second in hits (85), first in SLG (.558) and first in OPS (.920). You get the picture. An underrated prospect like him will always play with a chip on his shoulder, and that alone should allow him to carve out a role for the Dodgers, who are looking at a bright future with a bevy of quality youth (Bellinger, Verdugo, Calhoun, Seager and Rios), proving once and for all that the best way to build a winning team is through the minors (scouting -> $$$). Don’t be surprised if they follow the Cubs’ way to a championship within the next three years. As for Rios, he deserves a look in the middle to late rounds (depending on the league you’re in) in all dynasty leagues.

James Nelson (MIA)
Age: 19
Level: A
Current stats: .329 avg, 5 HR, 25 R, 33 RBI, 55K/18BB, 5 SB in 53 games (210 AB)

– Nelson has been a pleasant surprise in an otherwise uninspiring Marlins farm system. The 19-year-old was drafted in the 15th round, mostly because he’s very basic. A simple swing, average defensively, power needs to develop = question mark, not too big, not too fast, nothing special. Well, sometimes nothing special doesn’t mean nothing good. He’s batting .329 for the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers with five home runs, five stolen bases, .380 OBP, .490 SLG and .871 OPS. There’s still room for growth, and it’s hard not to like what he’s shown. Of course, he’ll need to be closely monitored, but the Marlins have no obvious solution at third base. Based on that fact alone, Nelson is worth a look as a dynasty pick.

 

OUTFIELD

Austin Hays (BAL)
Age: 21
Level: AA (just promoted)
Current stats: .327 avg, 16 HR, 42 R, 41 RBI, 40K/12BB, 4 SB in 65 games (266 AB)

– Hays has looked every bit as an everyday MLB outfielder since the moment he took the field after being drafted. He batted .336 in 140 at bats in A short and continued with the same pace this season in A advanced. His indisputable ability has earned him a promotion to Double-A. The 21-year-old third-round pick has been the best player in the Carolina League along with Mountcastle and Chavis, and like them, he’s at the top of almost every offensive category. Additionally, Hays has a terrific arm in the outfield. He might not become a fantasy asset, but his toolsy skill set will be well worthy of a fantasy roster spot.

That’s all for the hitters at this moment. Be on the lookout for next week’s article, where I’ll be taking a look at pitchers.

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