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Continuing down the line, we've already explored the NL West and AL Central. Today, we’re covering the NL Central, home of maybe the most "blah" collection of farm systems and expected outcomes in baseball. That said, the group of prospects that I've pulled might be my favorite overall collection, despite there being two catchers. The systems might be shallow in terms of dynasty fantasy goodness, but these finds are strong.
I don't mean to disparage any individual group, but the division hasn't had an influx of exciting talent since the Cub's Kris Bryant/Anthony Rizzo/Javier Baez era. And I'm referring specifically to prospects produced by their own farm systems, so don't @ me about Christian Yelich. In fact, in recent years, the best prospects to be produced by team in the NL Central have been starring elsewhere, such as the Rays' Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow, or the Giants' Mauricio Dubon. Many of the division's most exciting prospects have tended to lose shine for one reason or another, such as Taylor Trammell and Nick Senzel, or even the aforementioned Glasnow. That doesn't mean that the cupboard is bare, rather it speaks to what our expectations overall should be for this division. With some teams, you can expect a certain amount of development in one area or another. With the NL Central, I think you're needing the player to bring a little more to the table developmentally, so scouting reports on makeup and work ethic are key.
But this group of five prospects represents a very good chance for each of these clubs to graduate a genuinely exciting fantasy star. We're looking for diamonds in the rough, and this is a very bright set of diamonds in a very dull rough. Don't forget to follow @Rotoballer and @RotoballerMLB for the best redraft, dynasty, and daily fantasy content.
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Chicago Cubs – Ethan Hearn, C
I'll be real with you. I have a weird thing with catchers in dynasty. I absolutely hate being the guy who has a stacked roster but is rolling out the M's backup as my starter, just praying for an at-bat. So, because of that aversion, I tend to have too many options. Unfortunately, that extends to you today, Rotoballers, as I have not one but two backstops represented today.
Our first is a nondescript 6th round pick from Alabama who just happened to sign the biggest bonus for a rounder in years. The 19-year-old Hearn is built to be a pure masher, meaning he has a future even if he doesn't stick behind the plate.
Fortunately, the Cubs have been pleased with the tools he's displayed defensively, giving him a good chance to retain that all-important "C." He's a power over hit bat with genuine plus pop from the left-side and a chance for more. Hearn has shown coachability, making tweaks to his approach and his swing.
Catchers that provide value on both sides of the plate are rare, but they become genuine fantasy assets since you never have to remove them from the lineup. With catchers starting to slip in production at a younger and younger age, it would be wise to take a stab at Willson Contreras' eventual heir apparent. If Hearn continues down this path, a Robinson Chirinos-esque .230/.340/.500 with 30+ homers isn't an unreasonable projection long term.
Honorable Mention: Pedro Martinez, 2B/SS; Kevin Made, SS
Cincinnati Reds – Tyler Callihan, 3B
For regular Rotoballer readers that caught my breakdown on the AL East, you'll recall that I mentioned the Baltimore Orioles' affinity for positionless, bat-first guys who move through the minors relatively quickly like Ryan Mountcastle. Well, introduce yourself to the NL's version of that player, the Reds' 2019 third-round pick Tyler Callihan.
The 19-year-old "third baseman" was quietly one the best hitters, full stop, of the 2019 class. He wasn't phased by 90+ mph velocity, barreled balls with ease, and catching up to movement quickly. Once drafted, he showed a plus batting eye, plus bat speed, and plus raw power. His scouting report is literally in the middle of my Venn diagram for traits I specifically look for in a fantasy prospect.
For dynasty fantasy players, where a prospect ultimately plays matters surprisingly little. Maybe you care more, but I frankly don't If a prospect in a deep league brings you MLB points, sometimes that's enough. There are few prospects I am more certain will have a legitimate MLB career than Tyler Callihan. It is a true plus bat that will either end up somewhere in the outfield or second base. Regardless, his bat is very real, and don't wait to add him to your roster if you can.
Honorable Mention: Michael Siani, OF; Michel Triana, 1B
Milwaukee Brewers – Hedbert Perez, OF
I promised no more than one J-2 signing per division, and here’s my favorite in the NL West. Perez is a bundle of premium tools signed at the age of 16. A 5-foot-11, 180-pound switch-hitter with Major-League bloodlines, Perez brings what is already plus speed and above-average power that he actually gets to in games. This might not sound that interesting, but we’re talking about a true man-child that has major league power today. Not tomorrow, today.
Plus, the expectation is that as his body fills out, he could grow into plus or better power. Combine that plus to plus-plus pop with his smooth mechanics and a swing that keeps the barrel in the zone, and you have a potential middle-of-the-order slugger.
Where Perez separates himself from other premium athletes at his age level is his makeup. A native Venezuelan, the 17-year-old is already a fluent English speaker and draws praise as a natural leader in the clubhouse. Further, he’s shown the willingness to adjust his approach and swing, and has taken very well to the limited professional coaching he’s received. Today, Perez unloads a smooth, compact swing, but also controls the strike zone and has shown really strong patience at the plate, willing to take a walk and lay off close pitches that he can’t do as much with.
Hedbert Perez has shown to be one of the elite talents signed during the 2019 international signing period. Right now, the tool projection is plus speed, plus power, and plus hit. If that wasn’t enough, add in an above-average glove in center field that will keep him from having to be substituted out for defensive replacements, thus sacrificing plate appearances. Between the exciting physical toolset, the advanced baseball acumen, and plus makeup, the pieces for a franchise cornerstone are all here. Be aggressive!
Honorable Mention: Antoine Kelly, SP; Luis Medina, OF
Pittsburgh Pirates – Alexander Mojica, 3B
Selfishly, I thought about holding out on you, Rotoballers. I’m sorry, and I hope my apology will serve as payment enough. Well, an apology and one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects in baseball. I’ve been slowly and steadily consolidating shares of this 17-year-old signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. While the sum he commanded, $390,000, is a significant amount of money, it proves he wasn’t viewed on the same level as other 2018 signees such as Noelvi Marte, Orelvis Martinez, or Marco Luciano.
Mojica has done nothing but hit since signing. The 2019 Dominican Summer League was his coming out party, carving up opposing pitchers to the tune of a .351/.468/.580 triple-slash line with eight homers, 37 walks, and just 34 strikeouts on 218 plate appearances. Despite being one of the youngest players, he was one of the best and most polished. A strong, sturdy frame that has above-average raw power, a smooth swing that translates well in-game, and what appears to be a plus eye that could elevate his bat to plus, he has as much upside as anyone in Pittsburgh’s system. Mojica is easily one of my favorite sleeper prospects, and if he takes to low-A like he took to the DSL, we’ll have a top-50 prospect.
Honorable Mention: Juan Pie, OF; Ji-Hwan Bae, SS
St. Louis Cardinals – Ivan Herrera, C
This Cards’ young backstop has been a personal favorite for a couple of years now, although the industry has been relatively down on him. However, this pessimism might come from a combination of Andrew Knizner being widely expected to be the “catcher of the future,” the prevailing belief that Yadier Molina would rather die than retire, and plain old boredom in either Herrera as a prospect, the catcher position as a whole, or both.
Don’t let the lethargy suck you in, as Herrera is a very real prospect who has been advanced in many aspects of the game. Signed out of Panama in 2016, the tools have always been considered more in line with a borderline starter or backup. But despite a lighter toolbox, the Cards have tested the 19-year-old with extremely aggressive promotions. Seriously, he took at-bats in Double-A at the age of 18! That’s not just random, that’s faith in a kid’s fortitude.
But Herrera is not just interesting because of context. He has produced at almost (Double-A at 18!) every level, compiling a .309/.397/.431 in 592 at-bats. The hit tool is strong, with solid plate discipline and a smooth swing that keeps the bat in the zone. He makes consistent contact, and he’s slowly starting to get some power, leading optimists to believe that he’ll eventually work his way into league average pop.
He’s physically, technically, and mentally mature, he sprays the ball to all fields, and he’s lowering his ground ball rate, and he’s a solid backstop. I’m not going to go so far to say that he’s the next Yadi, but I’d put money down that in three years he’s pushing for playing time in St. Louis.
Honorable Mention: Edgardo Rodriguez, C; Luken Baker, 1B
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