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MLB Rookie Report: Delino DeShields, Billy Burns, Noah Syndergaard

James McCann is filling in nicely for the Tigers and fantasy owners alike

James McCann is filling in nicely for the Tigers and fantasy owners alike

Every couple of weeks, the Rookie Report will keep you up to date on the latest comings and goings in the world of major league rookies. We aim to provide you with information about some of the first-time major league players who have had an impact in fantasy so far and their expectations for their future.

As we move further into the 2015 season, more and more prized prospects are being called up to make their major league debut. In the past two weeks, Maikel Franco of the Phillies, Mike Wright of the Orioles, and Rusney Castillo of the Red Sox, have all splashed onto the fantasy scene. Let’s take a look at the performance of some of these rookies and a few other first-year players.

Catchers

James McCann, C, DET
Since Alex Avila went on the disabled list in early May, McCann became the primary catcher in Detroit starting in 15 of 19 games. During that span, the 24-year-old is hitting an impressive .310. While he will not hit many home runs, the rookie backstop will get plenty of opportunities to drive in and score runs in the majors’ fifth highest scoring offense in the league. With Avila having no timetable for return, McCann will continue to dominate the playing time in Detroit and makes a great deep league play at a shallow catcher position.

2015 stats: 93 AB, 10 R, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, .290 AVG

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Infielders

Delino Deshields Jr., 2B/OF, TEX
Over the past two weeks, there has been no hotter hitting rookie than DeShields. Since May 11, the left fielder is hitting .327 while scoring 14 runs and stealing four bases. On the season, DeSehields leads all rookies with 11 steals. With Josh Hamilton returning to action Monday, DeSheilds will lose some at-bats to the veteran outfielder but his sizzling bat will force the Rangers to find spots for him in the lineup. While he may not play many games there, DeShields holds second base eligibility as well as the outfield, making him an excellent play in fantasy leagues at the middle infield position.

2015 stats: 79 AB, 21 R, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 11 SB, .278 AVG

Yasmany Tomas, 3B/OF, ARI
Leading all rookies in batting average this season, Tomas has been crushing the ball lately. In his last nine games, the third baseman has seven multi-hit games with a batting average of .439. As the weather in Arizona heats up, Tomas will have plenty of chances to showcase his power. Hitting behind superstar Paul Goldschmidt will give the 23-year-old Cuban plenty of chances to drive in runs as well. Available in over 40 percent of Yahoo leagues, Tomas should be a priority move for all fantasy players regardless of league size.

2015 projections: 101 AB, 10 R, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 2 SB, .347 AVG

Matt Duffy, 2B/3B, CHC
When the Giants released Casey McGehee earlier this week, it signaled the clubs stamp of approval on Duffy as their everyday third baseman. It was a move long time coming too. In the month of May, Duffy is hitting .350 while driving in 13 in 14 games started. Not a power hitter, only 13 home runs in over 900 minor league at-bats, Duffy has managed to maintain a .300 plus average in every level of baseball he has played in, including the majors. His multi-position eligibility makes him for an intriguing option in year-long fantasy leagues.

2015 stats: 106 AB, 8 R, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 1 SB, .302 AVG

Other notable infielders:  Kris Bryant – CHC, Maikel Franco – PHI

Outfielders

Billy Burns, OF, OAK
With CoCo Crisp making another trip to the disabled list, a spot in center field has opened up in Oakland, and Burns has taken full advantage. The former Nationals prospect stole 128 bases during the last two seasons over three minor league levels and the speedster has not slowed down since joining the big league squad. With seven steals through 21 games, Burns is on pace for over 40 steals this season. But with only two home runs in 400 minor league games, do not expect any more home runs for Burns this season. What you can expect is a high average, tons of steals, and plenty of runs scored for the remainder of the season.

2015 stats: 85 AB, 11 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 7 SB, .294 AVG

Preston Tucker, OF, HOU
A prolific home run hitter in the minors, 19.9 HR per AB rate, Tucker has continued to crush in his limited major league at-bats. In just over 40 at-bats, the Astros outfielder has two home runs and seven RBI already. Unlike many other young sluggers, Tucker has not been strikeout prone either. With only seven strikeouts compared to five walks, the 24-year-old has shown the plate discipline to continue terrorizing baseballs at the major league level.

2015 stats: 41 AB, 7 R, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, .341 AVG
Other notable Outfielders: Rusney Castillo – BOS, Joey Butler – TB

Pitchers

Noah Syndergaard, SP, NYM
After cruising through five starts in Triple-A this season, Syndergaard made his MLB debut on May 12. While he has not had the same lights out success as in the minors, the 22-year-old is showing that he can hold his ground against veteran bats. Since walking four in his debut, Thor has issued only one free pass in his last 12 innings on the mound. He has so impressed the Mets; they plan to keep Syndergaard in the majors, even if it means they have to use a six-man rotation. If you are in one of the 35% of Yahoo leagues where the rookie remains unowned, run to the waiver wire to pick him up immediately.

2015 stats: 3 GS, 17.1 IP, 16 K, 1 Win, 3.63 ERA, 1.21 WHIP

Mike Wright, SP, BAL
Flying under the radar, Orioles rookie Mike Wright made his MLB debut a few days after Syndergaard on May 17. Since then, the 25-year old has pitched seven-plus innings in each of his two starts, giving up only one extra-base hit and zero runs. With a sub-par minor league career, his major league numbers are bound to regress. Wright did face two of the worst hitting teams in the league as the Angels and Marlins rank 23rd and 24th in runs scored respectively. He does make for an intriguing streaming option/deep league pickup as he faces off against the 29th ranked offense, White Sox, in his next start.

2015 stats: 2 GS, 14.1 IP, 10 K, 1 Win, 0.00 ERA, 0.70 WHIP

Mike Foltynewicz, SP, ATL
In his latest start, Foltynewicz tossed a one-run gem against the Brewers. He went 7.2 innings, allowing only three hits and one walk while striking out seven, to earn his third win in five starts. The Braves right-hander looks to be a good source of Ks as he has fanned seven batters in each of his last four starts. If Foltynewicz can limit his tendency for walks, he will pay dividends to fantasy owners for the rest of this year and years to come.

2015 stats: 5 GS, 29.2 IP, 30 K, 3 Wins, 4.25 ERA, 1.42 WHIP

Other notable pitchers: Roberto Osuna – TOR, Carson Smith – SEA

Dale Redman is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Dale, check out his archive and follow him @fantasytool.

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