I took the past few weeks off though I did post an article about some incoming prospects yesterday hint, hint. The prospect call-ups have slowed down a bit as the trade deadline approaches. Today we will look at a few prospects even I was not totally familiar with at first and check in on Jhonny Brito. As always please give a follow at Ed Fingerhut (@TWS_Irish) / Twitter.
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Fantasy Baseball Prospect News and Notes
Our boy Jhony Brito is down on the farm. The Yanks have been getting a bit healthier pitching-wise and Brito will need experience and games to stay warm. I could see him back up to make spot starts and maybe an outside shot as an RP for the postseason if the Yankees are able to make it in.
Mets stud Ronny Mauricio continues to hit bombs. He’s hitting .297 with 16 HRs in 388 ABs in AAA this season. The Mets front office is sending mixed signals saying Mauricio hasn’t hit all his benchmarks. This is ridiculous of course considering the fact that the Mets will call anyone up at any given time. As a Mets fan, we need the bat!
Heston Kjerstad is considered one of the best prospects in baseball, but it could have been better. A scare with a heart situation had scouts worried. The worries have come to rest as Kjerstad has a .399 OBP this season between AA and AAA. If Colton Cowser wasn’t in front of him, Kjerstad would already have been called up.
Another Met, Christian Scott continues his ascent up the Mets organizational ladder. I mentioned him a few weeks ago and he has continued to pitch well for AA Binghamton. A 2.90 ERA with 47 Ks in 40 innings this season could warrant a call-up for the pitching-needy Mets. The future looks bright with Scott, Tidwell, Vasil, and Hamel coming soon.
This is a last-call warning on Michael Arias of the Cubs. Currently sporting a 0.88 ERA this year in single-A, I saw at least five posts on Twitter about him this weekend. I keyed you into him in an article over a month ago and I hope you listened. Three well-above-average pitches anchor Arias. Run don’t walk people.
The Rockies traded for Victor Vodnik today from the Braves. While this hurts Vodnik a bit he could be up with the Rockies in a matter of weeks. With good break on his pitches and currently in AA, we could see Vodnik immediately inserted into a high-leverage situation.
It’s time to grab Tyler Black in 10-team leagues with NA spots. With a plus hit tool Black is currently hitting .290 with a .432 OBP and could get the call for the Brewers anytime. Who can’t use a plus hitter?
I promise I’m not trying to make this a Mets love fest, but Sean Reid-Foley is a name you have probably forgotten. He is currently on the Mets High A team on the way back from Tommy John. The Mets could use a stable arm. Reid-Foley has a .59 ERA in six appearances for A and A+.
Prelander Berroa was called up and made one appearance for the Mariners. The control just wasn’t there with Berroa walking three in 2/3 of an inning.
Under the Radar prospects
Nathan Martorella, Padres
A bat-first type player, Nathan Martorella isn’t going to pop off the page as anything special. He’s sporting below-average speed and glove, but he makes up for that with his eye and bat. A patient hitter that holds an over .400 OBP in his minor league career, he has 58 walks to 67 Ks this season in A+. There is some pop in his bat, and he does have a 20-25 HR ceiling if he can reach it. He may be able to play LF, RF, 1B but some work will need to be done here.
Ricardo Cabrera, Reds
One of the stars of the 2022 international class, Ricardo Cabrera is showing some real promise. At only 18 years old, he should be ready soon for promotion to A-ball. The graduation from rookie ball will be well deserved as Cabrera has hit .392 with an OBP of .521 in his first 22 games in rookie ball. Right now, at a smallish 5’11, he could still grow several inches and develop an above-average power tool to pair with a borderline above-average hit tool.
Darell Hernaiz, As
Acquired earlier in the year from Baltimore, Darell Hernaiz has done everything he is supposed to do. The hit tool is there. Above average athletic ability to steal bases and play the field have him on the verge of promotion to the big club. There isn’t much power here but an OBP of almost .400 is what the A’s need to start turning things around. Spark plug could be used when talking about Hernaiz.
Sam Basallo, Orioles
If you read my work, you know I’m not a fan of catcher prospects. This will be the 2nd catching prospect from the Orioles I’ll be mentioning this season with Creed Willems being the first. Sam Basallo is currently a level below Willems and is excelling in A ball. A bat-first catcher with a .295 average he has an above-average hit tool and power tool. While admirable he will have to improve on his defense and framing if he hopes to move up. Already behind Creed Willems depth-chart-wise and Rutschman at the big club, he would be an interesting target for a team needing a catcher.
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