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’s list contains some surging Triple-A pitchers as well as some Double-A sluggers breaking out.
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Pitchers
Lucas Giolito (SP – CWS)
Since his seven-inning no-hitter on May 25th, Giolito has allowed just three earned runs over 10 innings pitched, striking out 14. He had a few good starts before the no-hitter as well, and over the the month of May dropped his ERA from 7.33 to 4.95, his WHIP declined 0.2, and he started walking fewer batters (but still too many). Is Giolito back on track? Maybe. The White Sox are not in a place to contend right now, and they’ll likely sell off some pitching before the end of the season. Expect Giolito to get the call when the roster spots open up.
Luke Weaver (SP – STL)
Weaver’s excellent May in the Pacific Coast League for the notably non-Pacific Coast Memphis Redbirds resulted in an MiLB Player of the Month award shared with Lehigh Valley’s Tom Eshelman (who we’ve mentioned here numerous times). In the notoriously pitcher-abusing PCL, Weaver dominated in May, posting a 2.19 ERA across 37 innings, striking out 37 and walking just six. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because Weaver was called up in 2016. Logic would state that he’ll be the first Redbird to get the call if a Cardinals pitcher goes down this summer, but as of right now, there’s no opening in the rotation available. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him at some point this season.
Batters
Scott Kingery (2B – PHI)
Kingery was red hot coming into May but has cooled a bit in June (1-for-11). His 17 HR leads the Double-A Eastern League, and his 32 RBIs are good for 10th in that category. His slash line holds up to his power numbers as well, sitting at .311/.391/.651/1.041. While he’s spraying the ball all over the field for extra-base hits, he often turns the rare single into a stolen base as well, swiping 13 of 15 bases safely. Kingery is a rapidly rising prospect that needs to be on the radar of keeper and dynasty leagues. That is if he’s not already owned.
Rafael Devers (3B – BOS)
Another slugging infielder makes the list this week, with Devers making noise in the Eastern League alongside Kingery. Devers, who is still only 20 years old, is enjoying his best professional season to date, slashing .308/.371/.544 for a .915 OPS. He’s banged out 10 HR and driven in a whopping 33 so far, quickly climbing the Boston’s 3B depth chart. If there’s anything to detract from his play, it would be his 0-for-3 in stolen base attempts, but Devers won’t be utilized for his speed, and his rather thick build might eventually move him to the opposite corner of the infield.
Promotions
Ryan McMahon (1B/3B – COL)
McMahon (2nd Round, 2013 Draft) was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A Albuquerque last week. In just five games he’s 5-for-19 with four walks and three RBIs. At Double-A, McMahon was surging, slashing .326/.390/.539 for a .926 OPS. He had slugged six HR and drove in 32 runs for the Hartford Yard Goats prior to his call-up. At only 22, McMahon is younger than most think and in a great spot for Triple-A. The Pacific Coast League should boost his power numbers, and the Rockies’ Top 10 prospect may see a call-up in late 2017 and be ready to play full-time in 2018.
Jacob Faria (SP – TB)
The Rays have called up their No. 5 prospect in Jacob Faria to start Wednesday’s game versus the White Sox. Faria, a 10th rounder from the 2011 draft, has been having his way with the Triple-A International League, posting a 3.07 ERA and a 6-1 record for the Durham Bulls. Having struck out 84 in just 58 2/3 innings, Faria presents plenty of swing-and-miss stuff. He’s had a bit of trouble in 2017 with home run balls, relenting seven round-trippers in 242 batters faced. He’ll likely provide decent fantasy SP value out of the gate, but it’s not certain how long he’ll be up.
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Roy Widrig is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Roy, check out his archive and follow him @rolewiii.
