RADIO
For all fantasy owners of Steven Matz, we have been dealt some bad news. Yes, we, because I was someone who owned him as well. Matz will miss the next several weeks with a lat injury which will really put a damper on what has otherwise been a tremendous start to his Major League career.
Matz has been productive both offensively (obviously only for the Mets and not fantasy owners) and on the mound. The loss is painful, but owners should not jump ship yet as Matz will jump right back into the rotation as soon as he is back and healthy. But it could unfortunately be a while.
Editor's Note: For more fantasy prospects coverage, check out RotoBaller's weekly top 30 MLB prospect rankings for fantasy baseball.
Tyler White (3B, HOU, Triple-A)
Stats: .307/.425/.454, 7 HR, 1 SB, 16.5% BB rate, 13.9% K rate
After playing very well at Double-A to start off 2015, Tyler White was given a quick promotion to Triple-A. White doesn’t have much power, but he does have double digit pop that translated to 15 home runs last season between A and High-A. The big advantage to Tyler White’s game is that he has one of the best eyes at the plate in the Minors. White has (in multiple seasons) walked more than he strikes out. He did so in 2013 and has so far in 2015. The only season that he didn’t walk more than strike out was in 2014 when the difference was that he struck out four more times than he walked. He won’t be the third baseman this season with Luis Valbuena performing so well, but it certainly could be his job next season before Colin Moran is called up.
Taylor Motter (OF, TB, Triple-A)
Stats: .306/.364/.477, 7 HR, 22 SB, 8.4% BB rate, 17.2% K rate
Taylor Motter has shown potential to be quite the toolsy player. There is no question that Motter has speed as he has stolen over 20 bases four times in his Minor League career. Last season, Motter even flashed some pop mashing 16 home runs and has continued to do so this season with seven already. Though many scouts believe that the power will not translate to Major League production, the speed is for real and he avoids striking out which is a major concern for many speed hitters. He is great at putting the ball in play and could have a decent average this year. Motter could potentially see time this season, though the recent play of Joey Butler could do a great job at keeping him down at Triple-A.
Rob Refsnyder (2B, NYY, Triple-A)
Stats: .287/.383/.407, 7 HR, 10 SB, 12.0% BB rate, 12.3% K rate
The Yankees have not received the kind of offense they hoped for from Stephen Drew and they certainly have seen a complete absence of production at second base. Yankees’ second baseman own a combined slash line of .184/.245/.345 with 13 HR and one stolen base with Stephen Drew playing the bulk of the time at second (270 PA of 387 total PA). The Yankees would love to add a spark to their lineup and Rob Refsnyder could be just that guy.
Refsnyder isn’t the biggest offensive contributor at any one element of fantasy baseball, but he provides solid all-around production. He will hit double-digit home runs in a full season, but likely never eclipse the 20 home run mark. He will steal some bases, but never surpass 25. He will hit over .260, but probably never above .300. Refsnyder could be just the guy the Yankees need, and fantasy owners should be ready to add him if he is promoted as he would provide solid production in just about every fantasy category.
Matt Boyd (SP, TOR, Triple-A)
Stats: 92.2 IP, 1.36 ERA, 2.83 FIP, 8.4 K/9, 1.85 K/9, 0.58 HR/9
Matt Boyd is one of the most intriguing prospects in baseball. He was briefly up in the Majors and showed signs of dominance with an electric fastball and a wipeout slider as a left-handed pitcher. Unfortunately for Boyd, the stuff only translated to success in his first Major League start. His second start, Boyd faced seven hitters and retired a grand total of zero. That ballooned his ERA to 14.85. Following that outing, he was sent down to Triple-A where he has resumed his domination of the Minor Leagues.
Boyd represents a great potential investment in keeper leagues though don’t rule out his value in AL-only leagues this season. With the Jays’ desperate need for pitching, they may find themselves in a spot where they call up Boyd and give him another chance to impress. Look for the young lefty to do just that as he has proven that he has excellent strikeout stuff and has excellent control.
Austin Voth (SP, WAS, Double-A)
Stats: 96.0 IP, 3.19 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 8.44 K/9, 1.97 BB/9, 0.47 HR/9
Austin Voth has made a name for himself this season at Double-A. After getting a brief taste of Double-A in 2014, Voth started the season there this year and has turned in a great season. In his 19.1 IP there last season, Voth walked 4.19 batters per nine innings and gave up 1.86 home runs per nine innings. Both of these numbers were viewed as anomalies given his track record of outstanding control and penchant for keeping the ball in the yard. He has righted the ship this season and could see time as soon as next season. A call-up this year is unlikely and would likely be a sign of desperation from the Nationals, but starting the season next year with the big league club cannot be entirely out of the question.
Aaron Brooks (SP, KCR, Triple-A)
Stats: 82.2 IP, 3.59 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 8.38 K/9, 1.74 BB/9, 0.76 HR/9
Aaron Brooks had a brief stint with the Kansas City Royals that came to an end on Thursday when he was optioned back down to Triple-A. The right-hander was hit hard, but didn’t walk anybody or give up any home runs in either of his two appearances. He has demonstrated above average control in previous minor league seasons, but this season he has really started to rack up the strikeouts. Prior to 2015, Brooks was expected to strike out around 6.50 batters per nine innings while still flashing his sub 2.00 BB/9 and sub 1.00 HR/9. Brooks has struck out well above his career norm this season and should not be expected to be a great strikeout pitcher in the Majors. Brooks appears to have a future as a solid back end of the rotation guy, but should not be fantasy relevant at least until 2016.
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