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That trade between the Atlanta Braves and the Arizona Diamondbacks is very odd to me. In case you missed it, The DBacks traded an injured and old Bronson Arroya and 19 year-old pitching prospect Touki Toussaint for utility man Phil Gosselin. That Diamondbacks must have seen something that most people don’t in Gosselin. Or maybe they just saw something bad in Toussaint.
Toussaint is a very highly touted pitching prospect within the Diamondbacks system. And though the Braves have to eat the contract of Arroyo, it is well worth it to add a pitcher of Toussaint’s caliber.
Editor's Note: For more fantasy prospects coverage, check out RotoBaller's weekly top 30 MLB prospect rankings for fantasy baseball.
Matt McBride (1B/OF, COL, Triple-A)
Stats: .329/.370/.560, 10 HR, 4 SB, 5.2% BB rate, 13.0% K rate
Matt McBride has really been a career Minor Leaguer. He was drafted in 2006 by the Cleveland Indians. McBride didn’t reach the Major Leagues until 2012 with the Colorado Rockies and never really dazzled at the MLB level or even at the MiLB level. But this season, McBride has performed very well and could see time at the majors if one of the Rockies’ outfielders gets dealt. He has flashed above average power in the Minors, consistently hitting over 15 home runs in a season. He also has shown decent contact hitting ability with a good eye at the plate. He won’t provide much speed, but McBride could provide at least above average fantasy value if given a chance.
Stefen Romero (OF, SEA, Triple-A)
Stats: .305/.360/.527, 9 HR, 2 SB, 7.3% BB rate, 18.2% K rate
Stefen Romero is a guy who could have a big impact on the Seattle Mariners this season. The Mariners offense has not been very good this season and really needs a spark in that lineup. Romero has decent contact ability and scouts see him as being a guy who could potentially hit around .280 in the Majors and show above average power that can easily top double digit HR totals every season. He stole 16 bases in his first MiLB season, but don’t count on him as a great base stealer. He could really help a struggling offense in Seattle, but since his numbers and ability are average or slightly above average, he doesn’t hold much fantasy potential.
Max Kepler (OF, MIN, Double-A)
Stats: .346/.411/.565, 3 HR, 10 SB, 9.8% BB rate, 10.7% K rate
When discussing Twins prospects, Max Kepler’s name is often lost behind that of Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. Kepler has a lot of potential and could be viewed as a potential five-tool outfielder (obviously to a lesser extent than Buxton or Mike Trout), but a five-tool guy none the less. He has a lot of speed as evidenced by the 10 stolen bases this season, a lot of power as evidenced by the 10 home runs that he hit in 59 games in 2012, and could hit for a high average like he has done so far this year. He may be a little bit further from the Majors than Buxton or Sano, but he could have a great fantasy impact when he is finally called up.
Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN, Double-A)
Stats: 72.1 IP, 3.73 ERA, 4.24 FIP, 10.70 K/9, 4.98 BB/9, 1.00 HR/9
Robert Stephenson had a terrible April this season. But, since the calendar turned to May, Stephenson has been pitching very well. Since May 1, Stephenson had a 3.23 ERA with a 10.51 K/9 with a .166 opponent batting average. With Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake likely to be dealt this trade deadline, Stephenson’s name has been mentioned as a guy who could join the rotation in August. He does not give up many hits and though he does have a tendency to walk his fair share of hitters, his WHIP will generally stay down in front of that great Cincinnati defense and he is an elite strikeout pitcher. Stephenson could have a tremendous amount of fantasy value if given the call up.
Steven Matz (SP, NYM, Triple-A)
Stats: 85.1 IP, 2.11 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 9.07 K/9, 3.27 BB/9, 0.53 HR/9
Since Noah Syndergaard was called up, the prospect spotlight has turned to Steven Matz. Matz, unlike Zack Wheeler or Syndergaard, has dominated Triple-A while pitching in a very hitter-friendly environment. Only three times this entire season has Matz given up more than two runs in a start and only twice this season has Matz struck out less than five batters. The 24-year-old lefty has great stuff and will do terrific in the Majors. Matz will be called up on July 1 so fantasy owners need to stash him now or risk losing him in a bidding war with another owner.
Donn Roach (SP, CHC, Triple-A)
Stats: 82.2 IP, 2.29 ERA, 4.24 FIP, 3.59 K/9, 1.63 BB/9, 0.54 HR/9
Donn Roach is one of the most interesting pitchers in the Minor Leagues. He has virtually always had a lower ERA in the Minors, but has struggled to strike anybody out since 2012. He has decent command, but his stuff doesn’t fool anybody. He could see time at the Majors this season since the Cubs have had their fair share of struggles in both the bullpen and the starting rotation. With his low strikeout rates, he doesn’t have much fantasy value to owners.
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