Every week, I’ll address 10 burning questions that I’m looking for answers to during the week or questions that may help fantasy managers navigate the week-to-week grind of their team.
Should I Add Vinnie Pasquantino?
Like Lizzo said – It’s about damn time.
Pasquantino finally got the call from the Royals after they traded away Carlos Santana to the Seattle Mariners. Pasquantino was one of the last big prospects we were waiting on to get promoted to the big leagues now that Super 2 has passed more than a week ago.
If you missed it, the Royals’ first baseman of the future – sorry, Nick Pratto – posted a .280/.372/.576 slash line with 18 home runs and 118 runs+RBIs in 296 plate appearances at Triple-A. Moreover, he has elite plate discipline with a 12.5 walk rate and a 12.2 strikeout rate.
There’s always an adjustment for rookies, but Pasquantino should be rostered in every league right now. .260/.345/.488 with 14 home runs rest of the season is achievable – even in that ballpark.
Are There Any Big Prospects Left?
It’s a weird question because there are, of course. But are there any who will make a debut and an impact?
On the hitter side, I’m not sure there are. You could argue Francisco Alvarez will, but we know how long it takes catchers to put things together offensively once they debut. Corbin Carroll is arguably the top prospect in baseball, but anything outside a September cup of coffee seems unlikely.
Gunnar Henderson and Colby Mayo probably won’t see the big leagues until next year. Tristan Casas still could, though he’s been dealing with an injury.
Max Meyer seems like the most likely impact prospect to get the call this year on the pitching side. The Marlins have been dealing with injuries, and Meyer would slot right into their rotation.
Is Alejandro Kirk the No. 1 Catcher?
He just might be with Salvador Perez down, right? Not that Perez should have been No. 1 anymore, but he’s not in the discussion at all.
Kirk has been on a significant heater in May and June, making his .245 average in March and April with no home runs seem even more and more like an outlier.
The issue with Kirk heading into the season was playing time, given the Blue Jays’ options. But with Danny Jansen hurt, Kirk has established himself as a mainstay behind the plate and at DH.
The hit tool is incredible, and he hardly strikes out. What’s more, he has seven home runs this month alone, and while he doesn’t steal bases, Kirk is, at worst top three at the position and the likely No. 1 catcher moving forward.
Who are Some Players Rostered in 50 Percent of Leagues or Fewer I Should Target?
Here are 10 hitters and pitchers you should add to your watchlist who are available in 21-50 percent of leagues (using Yahoo rostership numbers).
Hitters:
Pitchers:
Keegan Thompson (SP, RP – CHC)
What About 20 Percent?
Like above, here are 10 hitters and pitchers rostered in 20 percent of Yahoo leagues or fewer who should be on your deep-league radar.
Hitters:
Pitchers:
Max Castillo (SP, RP – TOR)
Can Anyone Save the Blue Jays’ Rotation?
Yusei Kikuchi has struggled in a major way of late. Jose Berrios has taken his struggles to the next level – especially on the road. Hyun-Jin Ryu is out for the season. Ross Stripling is fine but has a capped ceiling.
Suddenly, the Jays’ pitching staff looks like it’s an issue.
The first move I make is to plug Max Castillo into the rotation. He started in Double-A this season and made a successful transition to Triple-A. He’s a deep-league guy for fantasy now but don’t be surprised to see him in the rotation very soon.
The second move I make is to get Oakland on the phone again and see the cost for Frankie Montas. He’s under control this year and next, so that Toronto could shore up its rotation that way.
Any prospect not named Gabriel Moreno or Ricky Tiedemann should be available for Montas.
Is Isaac Paredes for Real?
The Austin Meadows trade is looking better and better for Tampa Bay, who got Paredes in return.
He was just named the AL Player of the Week thanks to a power barrage by him. But is he for real?
Well, the hit tool has always been the value driver for him, and we’re seeing that now. He strikes out at a below-average clip and controls the zone well, and his zone control helps him tap into the power we’re seeing now.
Since it’s the Rays, the question is whether or not he’ll continue to find full-time at-bats once everyone is healthy. He’s a firm hold for me right now.
If You Could Send Pizza to One Player, Who Would it Be?
We can talk about the fight between the Mariners and Angels if we wanted to, but it was gutless and cowardly from the Angels.
Instead, we’ll talk about the aftermath, including someone sending Jesse Winker a pizza in the clubhouse after he was ejected. There was a big Twitter story that broke out, and the pizza driver ended up receiving a ton of support via Venmo from people after it happened.
But if I could send one player a pizza, who would it be?
You might think I’d say Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or a Blue Jays player, and it’s wise since I’m a big Toronto fan. But I need to be practical here and order from my favorite pizza place.
I’m looking at P&M Pizza in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. So it must be to someone playing for the Pirates or visiting them.
Granted, the Blue Jays are there in September, but they’ll need to prepare for the postseason.
I’ll keep it Toronto-based, though, as I’ll send a pizza to Toronto native Joey Votto, who visits Pittsburgh often as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. Votto sent Ichiro 51 pizzas once, so it’s only fitting that I return the favor.
Pizza is on me, Joey.
What’s Your Top 5 FYPD Right Now?
The draft is coming up, so it’s worth looking at the next year’s top five players for FYPD leagues.
- Druw Jones – Son of Andruw Jones. Absolute stud prep outfielder.
- Elijah Green – He’s 1B to Jones’ 1A.
- Jackson Holliday – Feel old yet? His dad is Matt Holliday.
- Jace Jung – The infielder is the younger brother of Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers.
- Termarr Johnson – Beautiful left-handed swing that explodes through the zone.
Who is the John Cena of Baseball?
Listen, I’m a wrestling mark, and I can’t help it. WWE just celebrated the 20th anniversary of John Cena Monday night, which had me thinking who the John Cena of Major League Baseball would be.
We need someone who exploded on the scene, has been around for a while, who we got bored with but appreciated what he brought to the game as his career was winding down.
There are a few options for me.
Miguel Cabrera – exploded onto the scene with the Marlins. I wouldn’t say we got bored with him, but we may have taken his greatness for granted.
Clayton Kershaw – was the best pitcher in baseball, and we just were used to it. Even his “bad years” were elite, but we found ourselves just waiting for the blow-up.
Nelson Cruz – Cruz had the “John Cena Sucks” chants equivalent when he was popped for PEDs, but he became even better after that.
Joey Votto – we never got sick of Votto, so we can’t really say him.
Jose Altuve – I think this may be the pick. Altuve was great from the jump, was polarizing due to the cheating scandal, but can be appreciated – outside of New York – for what he brought to the game. He’s still an impact player, even if he isn’t running like he used to. He switched up his five moves of doom if you will.
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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.
