Skip to main content

Fantasy Baseball Minor League Report (5/24)

Fantasy Baseball Minor League Report (5/24)

Well, that was a great week for prospects. The Nationals shocked us all and promoted Juan Soto to the Major Leagues and the 19-year-old phenom is already showing why he belongs at the highest level. Overshadowed by the Soto promotion was the Rays giving Willy Adames a chance to step in as the everyday shortstop. The 22-year-old already recorded his first Major League dinger, off Chris Sale of all people. On the flip side, Nick Senzel is still out and another top-50 prospect is going to miss several months and potentially the rest of the season.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s minor league report.

Import your team to My Playbook for instant Waiver Wire advice partner-arrow

Minor League Headlines

Soto Time!

So, you didn’t see Juan Soto’s name in the prospect power rankings below sheerly because I didn’t think he’d be up until September at the earliest, even with his other-worldly numbers this season. But to put him in perspective, he slots in as my No. 2 overall fantasy prospect, right behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. That’s how good this kid is. I say “kid” because Soto is still only a 19-year-old, which makes him the youngest player currently in the Major Leagues.

In my recent scouting report on Soto, I mentioned that he has .300/35 written all over him. That was me holding back, too. Soto slashed a robust .362/.462/.757/1.218 with 14 home runs, 52 RBIs, and more walks (29) than strikeouts (28) in 152 combined minor league at-bats. Out of this current crop of prospects, he’s in the elite tier with Vladdy and Ronald Acuña. Soto needs to be added in all leagues if he still happens to be available.

Estevan Florial Out for a While

Is the hamate bone the cool new thing to injure these days? First, it was Tommy John surgery, then Thoracic Outlet surgery for a bit, and now hamate surgery is becoming commonplace. This particular hamate surgery will keep the Yankees top prospect, Estevan Florial, out until August at least and potentially for the remainder of the minor league season.

Florial was struggling to start the season, but that doesn’t make this any less impactful. The No. 41 overall MLB prospect according to MLB Pipeline was hitting just .246 with a lone homer, five steals, and an OPS south of .700 at the time of his injury. However, he had drawn 21 walks already and sported a .353 OBP, even with the lower batting average. The upside of a toolsy power/speed leadoff hitter is still very realistic for Florial. Now might be a great time to buy low on him in dynasty formats.

Prospect Power Rankings

Prospects currently in the minors that can make the biggest 2018 impact.

Hitters

1. Nick Senzel (2B/3B – CIN)
No, Nick Senzel has not returned to the Lousiville lineup yet, but he’s getting very close. Just got to be patient with this one. He’s still holding down the top spot due to likely arriving weeks before Guerrero. However, that’s changing in a hurry.

2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (3B – TOR)
One can only think of so many superlatives when discussing the greatness of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He’s hitting .523 (20/39) over his last 10 games with three dingers, nine RBIs, and even a couple of steals just because he can. This hot stretch has raised his average to a mind-blowing .425. Wait, why am I saying “hot stretch” like it’s some recent thing? This whole season has been a hot stretch for Guerrero. I’ve said all along that the Blue Jays don’t want to rush him, which is still accurate, but this is starting to get a tad ridiculous, Toronto. Promote the kid to Triple-A at least.

3. Austin Riley (3B – ATL)
Hey, what do you know, a newcomer to this list. Bye bye, Willie Calhoun. Come talk to me when you’re hitting even remotely close to how well Austin Riley has this season. In 162 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A, Riley has slashed .327/.382/.605/.987 with 12 doubles, nine home runs, and 33 RBI. Included in there was a trio of taters back on Mother’s day.

Riley might be “breaking out” this season, but a former Atlanta Braves third baseman saw the potential in Riley even before the 2017 season.

Austin Riley could be Freddie Freeman’s protection in the lineup within the next two to three years,” said Chipper Jones during 2017 spring training. He’s 100% right on this one. Riley profiles as a 30+ home run slugger with enough contact to hit .270-plus on an annual basis. He’s only got 63 Triple-A at-bats under his belt, but if he continues to hit like this, that giant hole at the hot corner in Atlanta will soon be filled.

4. Kyle Tucker (OF – HOU)
Two homers in the last four games? Now that’s more like it Kyle! Those two dingers still only bring his season total to five, but at least his power seems to be trending in the right direction. Like I’ve said ad nauseam, the power has been the only area lacking this season. There’s an opening in Houston’s outfield with Tucker’s name all over it. It’s just a matter of them deeming him ready. Expect to see Tucker promoted some time around the All-Star break.

5. Eloy Jimenez (OF – CHW)
Jimenez is experiencing a slight power outage with only one home run in his last 13 games. However, he’s still hitting .320 in that span, so it’s not like he’s struggling. Expect a promotion to Triple-A within the next month or so with a second-half Major League debut likely.

Pitchers

1. Michael Kopech (SP – CHW)
Kopech bounced back nicely from his eight-run fiasco on the 11th, but has now walked four batters in three of his last four starts and has a 5.9 BB/9 rate in the month of May. The only roadblock holding him back from joining the White Sox rotation right now is that control. Expect him up with the White Sox after he has a couple starts in a row with solid command.

2. Shane Bieber (SP – CLE)
Another day, another Shane Bieber start with zero walks allowed. Bieber was masterful against Charlotte on Sunday, going eight scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out eight. That strong start drops his Triple-A ERA and WHIP to a pristine 1.32 and 0.70 respectively. There’s no doubting that Bieber is ready to join Cleveland’s rotation. All he needs is for Adam Plutko to slip up or someone to get injured.

3. Kolby Allard (SP – ATL)
Like Bieber above, all Allard needs is a spot. He’s proven himself to be ready posting a 2.02 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with Triple-A Gwinnett this season. In his one start since last week’s update, Allard posted his fifth straight quality start, allowing three runs on eight hits over seven innings. This was one of his worst starts of the season and he still managed to come out of it with a quality start. Unfortunately for him, Luiz Gohara and Mike Soroka are vying for rotation spots, too.

4. Enyel De Los Santos (SP – PHI)
There’s a common theme brewing on this list. De Los Santos is pitching well enough for a promotion to Philadelphia, but there’s currently no spot open for him. In his last start, De Los Santos allowed one run on five hits while walking one and striking out five in seven innings of work. His ERA now sits at a tidy 1.39.

5. Forrest Whitley (SP – HOU)
When it comes to sheer upside, Whitley is a top-5 pitching prospect in baseball and in the conversation for the top overall pitching prospect. Unfortunately, he got himself a 50-game suspension to start the 2018 season and won’t be back until June. He might only be 20, but Whitley has the stuff and makeup to help out in Houston later this season. He finished 2017 with a 2.83 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and an absurd 13.9 K/9. It’s too early to speculate how and when he’ll join Houston’s star-studded rotation, but Whitley needs to be on everyone’s radar for later this season.

Call-Up City

Fantasy-relevant prospects that have recently gotten the call or a call-up is imminent.

Willy Adames (SS – TB)
This promotion shouldn’t come as much of a shock to anyone. The Rays placed Adeiny Hechavarria on the DL with a hamstring strain and utility-man, Joey Wendle, on the paternity list. Sorry Adeiny, you’re not getting your starting shortstop job back any time soon. Adames might not have a sexy offensive profile like other top shortstop prospects, but there is reason to have some excitement over this call-up.

In 148 Triple-A at-bats, Adames slashed .311/.387/.466/.853 with four homers and three stolen bases. You’re only likely to get moderate power and speed contributions from Adames, but the 22-year-old Dominican native has shown the ability to get on base during his minor league career (12.6 BB%, .366 OBP) and should hit near the top of the order for Tampa Bay. If you’re in need of a reliable shortstop with some upside, Adames is your man.

Franklin Barreto (2B/SS – OAK)
So, Barreto is back with Oakland. That’s great, but he still doesn’t have a full-time, long-term gig until Marcus Semien and/or Jed Lowrie get injured or start stinking up the place. However, in the short-term, Barreto has some value in deeper mixed leagues and AL-Only leagues while Khris Davis is on the DL, freeing up the DH spot. The batting average potential is limited, but Barreto has some power and can chip in some steals as well.

Import your team to My Playbook for instant Waiver Wire advice partner-arrow

Eric Cross is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Eric, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @EricCross04.

More Articles

13 Bold Predictions from the Experts (2024 Fantasy Baseball)

13 Bold Predictions from the Experts (2024 Fantasy Baseball)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 5 min read
Fantasy Baseball Injury Stash Rankings: Walker Buehler, Matt McClain, Josh Lowe (2024)

Fantasy Baseball Injury Stash Rankings: Walker Buehler, Matt McClain, Josh Lowe (2024)

fp-headshot by Joel Bartilotta | 4 min read
Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice: Players to Buy Low & Sell High (Week 1)

Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice: Players to Buy Low & Sell High (Week 1)

fp-headshot by Brett Ussery | 4 min read
One Breakout Player for Every MLB Team (2024 Fantasy Baseball)

One Breakout Player for Every MLB Team (2024 Fantasy Baseball)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 1 min read

About Author

Hide

Current Article

5 min read

13 Bold Predictions from the Experts (2024 Fantasy Baseball)

Next Up - 13 Bold Predictions from the Experts (2024 Fantasy Baseball)

Next Article