Every week here at FantasyPros we take a look at what’s going on around the minor leagues and the implications on fantasy rosters. This week we’ll take a look at what’s happening with now-pitcher Anthony Gose, the call-up up Dinelson Lamet for San Diego, and more!
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Batters
Luis Robert (1B – CWS)
The Chicago White Sox made the biggest news of the week, signing 20-year-old Cuban first baseman Luis Robert, widely considered the top prospect currently available out of Cuba. The White Sox paid $25 million in response to Robert’s 12 home runs and 40 RBIs over 53 games in Cuba’s Serie Nacional in 2016. Over 232 PA, Robert struck out only 15 times while slashing a ridiculous .401/.526/.687. Reports have him starting out at Single-A, so his ETA won’t be until late 2018 at the earliest, but he’s a very interesting prospect to have on your radar.
Lewis Brinson (OF – MIL)
Milwaukee Brewers top prospect Lewis Brinson has been rising as a one-level-per-year prospect with the Texas Rangers before 2017, and now with Triple-A Colorado Springs he’s slashing .313/.403/.496, so the gradual pace must be working. His .403 OBP this season is a pleasant sight, as Brinson’s career .349 OBP isn’t terribly impressive, and it points to him developing a better approach at the plate. He’s only 5-for-10 in stolen base attempts this season, but he’s 90-for-126 in his MiLB career. So far this season he’s also blasted four HR and has driven in 15, which isn’t a huge number, but he does have 80 HR in 500 MiLB games, so the production is there.
Pitchers
Thomas Eshelman (SP – PHI)
After his promotion just two weeks ago, Phillies SP Tom Eshelman has actually improved at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, posting a 2-0 record and 0.78 ERA over three starts, encompassing 23 IP. He’s allowed just two earned runs, one walk and has struck out 12. While his K/9 has dipped a bit since his promotion to Triple-A, his 119 K in 120 IP in 2016 is a good sign that he can potentially pitch to a K/9 of 9.00 in the big leagues once he masters Triple-A, which he’s already shown to have a great grasp of.
Michael Kopech (P – BOS)
Michael Kopech continues to terrorize the Double-A Southern League batters with his fastball, which has been sitting in triple digits. He’s struck out 59 batters in 42 1/3 innings pitched, which is actually at a lower rate than it was last season when he struck out 86 in 56 innings. Through eight starts he’s 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA, but he’s also walked 23 batters, which is terribly high and above his rate from last season. On a long enough timeline Kopech profiles out to be a bullpen arm, touching 100 MPH with consistency, so don’t get carried away with him as a future SP just yet. Plan accordingly in deep, dynasty-type leagues where he may become overvalued as an SP.
Promotions
Anthony Alford (OF – TOR)
Blue Jays top OF prospect received the call before this weekend’s series in Baltimore due to suspensions and injuries with the big club. Alford went 0-for-6 with two strikeouts but hasn’t looked overpowered yet. Through the first six weeks of the season with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Alford was slashing .325/.411/.455. He likely won’t stick with the Blue Jays for long and will find himself back in Double-A or Triple-A before he’s ready for the MLB competition. His greatest skill is his legs, as he’s 65-for-79 in stolen base attempts in his short MiLB career.
Dinelson Lamet (SP – SDP)
The Padres called up Dinelson Lamet from the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas on Tuesday to take Jered Weaver‘s (hip) spot in the rotation. He’ll likely start Thursday versus the Mets. Lamet was 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA and 50 K in 39 IP to start the season with El Paso. He’s not listed among the Padres’ top prospects, but his 10.1 K/9 at the MiLB level and 3.8 BB/9 can be serviceable against a poor Mets offense and home games at Petco Park.
Gleyber Torres (SS – NYY)
The Yankees top prospect was promoted from the Double-A Trenton Thunder to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders this week after a .273/.367/.496 start to the season with five HR and 18 RBIs. Torres has struck out 21 times in 121 AB and is just 5-for-9 in stolen bases. At just 19 years old, the shortstop prospect is blocked by Did Gregorius at his home position and Starlin Castro at 2B, his next most likely position to play. Scouting reports do not have him sticking at shortstop, though, so his future role is likely 3B.
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Roy Widrig is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Roy, check out his archive and follow him @rolewiii.
