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The final week of August is here and it’s already been a busy time for MLB clubs with September just around the corner. Who needs football, right?
Five players featured on last week’s list graduated to the Majors including pitchers Jordan Romano and Justus Sheffield. Hitters Abraham Toro, Willi Castro, and Nick Solak also reached The Show for the first time. Teams with new players on this week’s list include the White Sox, Tigers, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, and Padres.
Next week’s list could be a challenge for yours truly with a wave of minor league players projected to be added to the big league rosters on or shortly after Sept. 1. Some players may have their promotions delayed if their minor league clubs are in the playoffs.
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Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings (1-10)
1. Kyle Tucker, OF/1B, Astros (AAA) (ETA: September)
Tucker is scuffling a bit lately with a .206 batting average over the past 10 games but he’s been more valuable than it appears. During that stretch, he has a BB-K of 8-6 and four stolen bases, which reminds us that power is not the only part of his game. He has 32 home runs, 30 steals and 58 walks in 121 games. With his Triple-A team sitting in first place in their division, the only question is: How much value does the front office put in him playing in the minor league playoffs versus the MLB experience he’d gain in the final month of the season?”
2. Gavin Lux, SS, Dodgers (AAA) (ETA: August)
Word around the ol’ rumor mill is that the Dodgers front office is still conflicted over the potential promotion of Lux, who needs to be on the 40-man roster in November anyway. He’s hit just .270 over his past 10 games but is still at .400 through 45 Triple-A games. The Dodgers have depth but the playoffs are long and gruelling so you really can never have too much depth.
3. Nathaniel Lowe, 1B, Rays (AAA) (ETA: September)
Lowe continues to push for a promotion in September with a strong month of August. He’s been really good over the last 10 games with a .316 average, two home runs and a BB-K of 6-9. With the big league club fighting for a wild card slot, you can expect every available hand on deck and every hot hitter in the lineup.
4. Carter Kieboom, SS, Nationals (AAA) (ETA: September)
Washington is currently sitting pretty in the wild card race but there are a lot teams on the club’s tail so expect it to field the best lineup available in September. If Kieboom can carry his hot hitting over to the Majors then he should play a good number of games while giving the veterans some rest. He’s hitting .306 with a BB-K of 10-9 and two steals over his past 10 games.
5. Kyle Wright, RHP, Braves (AAA) (ETA: September)
Wright continues to pitch well at Triple-A. His last start saw him throw five shutout innings with four strikeouts and three walks. The club will likely want to protect young arms like Mike Soroka and Max Fried, so there will be innings to be had for the likes of Wright, Bryse Wilson, and maybe even Patrick Weigel.
6. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Athletics (Rehab) (ETA: September)
Oakland is in a three- or four-team fight for two wild card spots so you can expect a healthy Luzardo to throw some innings in September. He’s been OK, but not great, in Triple-A as his control has been hit and miss. Over his past two games, he’s allowed just one earned run in 9.1 innings but the nine strikeouts have come with five walks.
7. Brusdar Graterol, RHP, Twins (AAA) (ETA: August)
In 11.1 innings since coming off the IL and missing two months, Graterol has yet to allow an earned run. He has a K-BB of 12-3 during that span and looks like a strong option for the Twins out of the bullpen down the stretch. His future, though, still lies in the starting rotation.
8. Sean Murphy, C, Athletics (Rehab) (ETA: September)
Murphy has now had two stints at Triple-A sandwiched between an IL stay and has an OPS of 1.117 in those 27 games. He’s also slugged 10 home runs at that level — including three in the past seven games. If this offense translates to the Majors, Murphy will be a stud.
9. Ryan Mountcastle, 1B/3B/OF, Orioles (AAA) (ETA: September)
Mountcastle should get a ton of at-bats on the rebuilding Orioles in September and the defensive versatility coupled with his power potential could make him a valuable fantasy player. With that said, his value will take a bit of a hit in leagues like Ottoneu that reward walks. Mountcastle is hitting just .244 over his past 10 games but also has slugged four home runs, giving him 25 in 121 games.
10. Sheldon Neuse, IF, Athletics (AAA) (ETA: August)
The A’s lineup could receive a real shot of offense with the promotions of Sean Murphy and Neuse. The young third baseman is hitting .316 with four home runs and a BB-K of 6-10 over the past 10 contests. Overall, he has 27 home runs, 31 doubles and 55 walks in 125 games.
Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings (11-20)
11. Tanner Houck, RHP, Red Sox (AAA) (ETA: August)
The Sox sit six games out of a wild card slot so they have a chance to make the playoffs, even if it’s a slim one. Houck could help solidify the bullpen and has allowed just one earned run in his last five appearances. During that stretch, he’s allowed just five hits (four in one game) and two walks in eight innings. He also has 13 strikeouts during that span.
12. Jared Walsh, 1B/RHP, Angels (AAA) (ETA: September)
Ho hum. Just 34 home runs in 94 games after another three bombs on Aug. 25. Nothing to see here. Oh OK, even with the juiced ball this is pretty impressive. Toss in 58 walks and a .325 batting average and Walsh should see a good amount of playing time in September, as well as some innings on the mound.
13. Jesus Sanchez, OF, Marlins (AAA) (ETA: September)
Sanchez continues to struggle through the final month of the minor league season. Luckily for him, he’s already on the 40-man roster and the Marlins outfield has been pretty bad this season outside of maybe Garrett Cooper. Sanchez has a .205 batting average with just one home run over his past 10 games. Perhaps the MLB hitting coach can help him hit the ball in the air more consistently and unlock his raw power.
14. Deivi Garcia, RHP, Yankees (AAA) (ETA: September)
Garcia has been shifted to relief work at Triple-A in an effort to preserve his innings, which also means the Yankees could be considering him for September baseball and the playoffs. With that said, the Yankees have also piled up a number of veteran arms recently for increased depth. Garcia has been inconsistent out of the pen with three earned runs allowed over 3.2 innings during his last two outings.
15. Jon Duplantier, RHP, Diamondbacks (AAA) (ETA: September)
The Diamondbacks club is only four games out of the final wild card slot but it must also jump over four teams to get there. Duplantier could help provide some extended innings out of the bullpen in September. Over his past two outings, he’s struck out seven batters in five shutout innings but has also walked three.
16. Mauricio Dubon, SS, Giants (AAA) (ETA: September)
The Giants may want to get a good look at Dubon in September to help determine if he’s ready to take over second base next season (assuming Brandon Crawford is still at shortstop). The middle infielder is hot right now with a .404 batting average over his past 10 games. He doesn’t look like a power-hitter but he’s gone deep 20 times this season.
17. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pirates (AAA) (ETA: September)
Hayes is making a late push to save his season and also earn a MLB promotion for September. He’s been extremely hot over the past four games with 11 hits in 16 at-bats. He hasn’t struck out (or walked) in five games. Overall, his batting average is now up to .259 with 10 home runs and 13 steals in 14 tries.
18. Jorge Mateo, SS, Athletics (AAA) (ETA: September)
Mateo continues to sputter through the final weeks of the season and is hitting just .205 over his past 10 games. But few prospects can offer his mix of speed and power. He has 17 home runs and 13 triples along with 23 steals in 112 games.
19. T.J. Zeuch, RHP, Blue Jays (AAA) (ETA: September)
Zeuch, or King Sink as he’s referred to by teammates, followed up his recent no-hitter with a solid performance that saw him allow two earned runs in five innings. But he also allowed eight hits. Because he’s so reliant on his sinker — and isn’t much of a strikeout pitcher — his successes hinge heavily on his defenders.
20. Keegan Akin, LHP, Orioles (AAA) (ETA: September)
Akin continues to battle his control after walking seven batters in 5.2 innings in his last start but he also continues to miss bats. His eight strikeouts in that game brought his season total to 124 whiffs in 106.1 innings. After throwing 137.3 innings last year, he should be able to throw quite a few innings for the Orioles in September.
Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings (21-30)
21. Luis Robert, OF, White Sox (AAA) (ETA: September)
The team continues to stay quiet on the possibility of Robert seeing big league action in September. He looks ready after compiling 30 home runs and 36 steals with a .332 batting average over two levels. Robert is hitting .270 with five home runs over the past 10 games.
22. Zack Collins, C, White Sox (AAA) (ETA: September)
Collins would like another shot at The Show. He’s hitting .355 with four home runs and a BB-K of 6-5 over his last 10 games. He now has 18 home runs and 57 walks in 82 Triple-A games and could be a real offensive force behind the plate if he can stick there defensively.
23. Bryan Garcia, RHP, Tigers (AAA) (ETA: September)
Garcia has looked good in his return from 2018 Tommy John surgery. He has the stuff to be an eighth- or ninth-inning reliever. He’s struck out 32 batters in 31.1 innings this season.
24. Randy Arozarena, OF, Cardinals (AAA) (ETA: September)
It’s possible that Dylan Carlson will get an opportunity in September over Arozarena but the latter has the advantage as he’s already on the 40-man roster. Carlson doesn’t have to be added for another year and there aren’t that many at-bats to go around with a crowded outfield. Arozarena has a .350 batting average this season in 84 games. He also offers some pop and speed.
25. Daulton Varsho, C/OF, Diamondbacks (AA) (ETA: August)
The Diamondbacks organization has started to get this athletic catcher some experience in center field, which gives him even more value from a fantasy perspective. The position change hasn’t slowed down his bat and he’s hitting .350 with four steals in his last 10 games. Overall, he has 17 home runs, 40 walks and 21 steals to go with his .298 batting average.
26. Anthony Alford, OF, Blue Jays (AAA) (ETA: September)
Alford is back from a brief stay on the injured list and has about a week to get back into game shape for his big league opportunity in September. Derek Fisher has hardly lit the world on fire since his acquisition so there should be at-bats for whatever outfielder gets hot. Alford has 21 steals in just 74 games this season.
27. Justin Dunn, RHP, Mariners (AA) (ETA: September)
Dunn has now had solid back-to-back starts. During that stretch, he’s allowed just two earned runs 10 innings, as well as a K-BB of 15-2. He has now struck out 153 batters with just 37 walks allowed in 126.2 innings.
28. Jake Cronenworth, SS/RHP, Rays (AAA) (ETA: September)
Cronenworth is done his rehab and back at Triple-A. His defense could be an asset for the Rays in September and into the playoffs. He’s seen time at second base, third base, shortstop and pitcher in 2019. He’s hitting .330 with a .940 OPS.
29. Bobby Dalbec, 3B, Red Sox (AAA) (ETA: September)
Dalbec has his warts — he’s struck out 130 times and is hitting just .245 — but he also has 26 home runs and 71 walks. He’s not overly dissimilar to Michael Chavis although Dalbec has a little more raw power and patience.
30. Edward Olivares, OF, Padres (AA) (ETA: September)
Olivares is already on the 40-man roster even though he spent the entire year in Double-A so there is a good chance that he could see some big league playing time in September. He has some pop, as witnessed by his 17 home runs, and he also offers a lot of speed. Olivares has stolen 33 bases this season while hitting .288.
More MLB Prospects Analysis
