With the MLB draft behind us, the midseason trade market should begin to gain steam. Trades offer excellent opportunities for fantasy owners to assess talent. The deals themselves give us signals about how clubs value the exchanged players. They also often open up playing time new assets including some who flew completely under the radar.

The early returns on last week's column were interesting. The Pirates tabbed Jameson Taillon to pitch. He was fine in his debut. Now he's back in the minors with Chad Kuhl and Tyler Glasnow. Meanwhile, the White Sox have turned to Tim Anderson in a pure desperation move. The high ceiling shortstop is still years from reliable fantasy production. He could turn into a good buy-low target if he flops this season.

Editor's Note: RotoBaller offers the best Premium MLB Subscription - only $1.99 per week. All the tools you need to help win your seasonal and daily leagues: Hitter & Pitcher Streamers, Matchup Ratings for every player, Under-the-Radar Surgers for AVG, HR, Ks, plus daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids. 

 

Dynasty Advice for Week 11

Ryon Healy - Oakland Athletics

I'm seeing Healy discussed more and more as a quality dynasty prospect. After tearing through Double-A (.338/.409/.628), the 24-year-old is hitting .351/.396/.596 in the offensively charged PCL. As is common with top minor leaguers, a high BABIP (.398 BABIP in Double-A; .377 BABIP in Triple-A) is making his numbers look even better.

Most scouts view Healy as a first baseman even though he currently mans the hot corner. The Athletics have suffered through the likes of Yonder Alonso and Billy Butler at first. It's not as if somebody is blocking Healy.

There are concerns about his ability to consistently hit for power. Playing regularly at the Coliseum won't help. Per a couple reports, all of his power is to the pull side. His opposite field hitting lags behind. The best hitters can mash to all fields. That doesn't stop a few pull-only guys like Brian Dozier or Brian McCann from being solid major league hitters. It does place a cap on his value - especially as a first baseman.

Since the Athletics have absolutely no urgency this season, we probably won't see Healy promoted until late July or August. Oakland doesn't want to rush him to the majors, but they do need time to evaluate his place on the 2017 roster.

Zach Eflin - Philadelphia Phillies

Eflin will debut tonight for the Phillies. The 22-year-old was acquired prior to the 2015 season as part of the return for Jimmy Rollins. In 11 Triple-A starts, Eflin posted a 2.90 ERA (2.57 FIP) with 7.24 K/9 and 1.45 BB/9.

He's a command and control sinker specialist with middling secondary stuff. Pitchers of this type tend to struggle in their first exposure to major league hitters. In the minors, they can work the edges of the strike zone without being punished. Once at the top level, they have to learn how to pitch outside of the strike zone without falling behind in the count. The transition can be a challenge.

Eflin has a particularly difficult assignment against the (formerly) mashtastic Blue Jays. It's worth keeping an eye on him today. When this profile clicks, the results look like the good versions of Dallas Keuchel or Doug Fister. Unfortunately, it usually turns out to be much much less valuable.

 

Rapid Fire

Here are five names from the draft to target. You'll notice the conspicuous absence of first overall pick Mickey Moniak. He's probably at least four years from the majors with plenty of skill development ahead of him. The five I've tabbed below may offer more instant gratification.

Nick Senzel - Cincinnati Reds

If the Reds didn't already have Eugenio Suarez manning third base, I'd give Senzel a decent shot at reaching the majors later this year. If memory serves, Ryan Zimmerman was the last third baseman to pull this trick. Senzel is a perfect fit for Great American Ballpark where his average power has a chance to play up in a big way. We should see him in the majors by mid-2017.

Kyle Lewis - Seattle Mariners

Many analysts considered Lewis to be the best overall talent in the draft. I think everybody was surprised when he slid to 11th overall. He's a toolsy college bat with big power potential. There's a bit of swing-and-miss in his game. Don't be surprised if he takes a few years or even busts. The upside looks something like vintage Justin Upton. Remember, most players don't reach their upside.

Corey Ray - Milwaukee Brewers

Another candidate for the top player in the draft, Ray offers solid power and plus speed. The Brewers will probably be forced to eventually move him from center to left field. Milwaukee is loaded with outfield prospects so Ray will have prove himself at every level.

Joshua Lowe - Tampa Bay Rays

It's easy to point at top drafted hitters and call them dynasty targets. You probably already knew to go after Senzel, Lewis, and Ray. Lowe was my favorite high school bat and the top player in Georgia. He's a future power hitter with athleticism. The Rays are known for developing their prospects slowly. Lowe's likely four or more years from the majors, but he could easily outplay Evan Longoria by the time he's ready to join the big league roster.

Kyle Funkhouser - Detroit Tigers

Funkhouser slipped all the way to the fourth round after getting picked 35th overall in 2015. If the Tigers are contending, he could reach the majors later this season as a hard-throwing reliever. A slow start to the college season sent him tumbling down draft boards, but he rebounded later in the year. Funkhouser sits at 94 mph and can reach back for 97 mph velocity. He's a possible closer candidate, and he may have a mid-rotation ceiling too. Although he's not the best pitcher in the draft class, he may be the first to debut in the majors.

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room