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Several top prospects are currently in the middle of brief stints in the Majors before returning to Triple-A. Those prospects would be Kyle Schwarber and Domingo Santana.
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein has confirmed that no matter how well Scwarber performs, he will be sent down. Santana has a chance to earn some more playing time, but it likely is temporary while Colby Rasmus is on bereavement leave.
Editor's Note: For more fantasy prospects coverage, check out RotoBaller's weekly top 30 MLB prospect rankings for fantasy baseball.
Dan Black (1B, CHW, Triple-A)
Stats: .324/.457/.568, 6 HR, 0 SB, 19.3% BB rate, 17.1% K rate
One of the older names on this list, 27-year-old Dan Black has been putting up great numbers for years for the Sox in the minors but has always been blocked at first base. Black has put up upper-teens home run totals in four seasons since being drafted in 2009 and has consistently maintained a high average without excessive strikeouts. This year, Black has continued to demonstrate plus power while walking more than striking out (a rare feat at such a high level). Currently blocked by Adam LaRoche and Jose Abreu at first, the White Sox may work to convert him to be an outfielder in order to get his outstanding bat in the lineup.
Danny Worth (2B/SS, ARI, Triple-A)
Stats: .365/.447/.550, 4 HR, 3 SB, 12.4% BB rate, 26.3% K rate
Danny Worth was part of the reason that the Tigers went out and acquired Jose Iglesias to play shortstop. Worth had spent time in the Majors with the club, playing mainly shortstop, and struggled to hit. Worth was never going to be an offensive shortstop, but he only managed to muster a .230/.293/.295 slash line while in the Majors. Worth has seemed to turn it around thus far with the Diamondbacks as he has hit incredibly well in his 217 PA with their Triple-A team so far. Has Worth finally become a decent hitting shortstop? It is possible, but don’t go rushing to stash him just yet as his .508 BABIP this year may have something to do with the success.
L.J. Hoes (OF, HOU, Triple-A)
Stats: .347/.419/.485, 3 HR, 11 SB, 10.4% BB rate, 13.9% K rate
L.J. Hoes was one of the highly regarded hitting prospects that the Orioles had along with Manny Machado and Henry Urrutia. Much like Urrutia, Hoes did not pan out with the Orioles. Luckily for Hoes, he is only 25 years old and has performed very well at Triple-A with the Houston Astros. Hoes doesn’t have a lot of power, but he has great contact hitting ability and has decent speed that can help fantasy owners. He has a lot of potential and could really perform well if given the chance to play, but Houston has a loaded outfield and he will have to earn the time while bumping out one of the starters, including Preston Tucker, Domingo Santana, Jake Marisnick and George Springer.
Chris Devenski (SP, HOU, Double-A)
Stats: 55.0 IP, 0.65 ERA, 2.85 FIP, 7.85 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, 0.33 HR/9
When people think of Astros’ starters in Double-A, immediately the first name that comes to mind is Mark Appel. And while Appel has really underperformed this season, Chris Devenski has performed about as well as anyone could hope for. He hasn’t really tore up any level until this season, but has been one of the best MiLB pitchers to this point in the season. It wouldn’t be the first time that a player was called up straight from Double-A, and the Astros really need help on pitching. Devenski could get the call and he could play really well. One of the other advantages for Devenski is that he really flies under the radar and could be a sneaky good pick for fantasy owners.
Colin Rea (SP, SD, Double-A)
Stats: 56.0 IP, 1.29 ERA, 2.23 FIP, 8.04 K/9, 1.45 BB/9, 0.16 HR/9
Chris Devenski hadn’t had much success until this season, but Colin Rea has been very successful and still has flown under the radar. Taken with the 383rd overall pick in the 2011 draft, Colin Rea has never been seen as a great pitching prospect, but he has performed like one. Rea has never been much of a strikeout pitcher, but he knows how to get outs while keeping the ball in the yard. It will be a longshot if he sees a Major League rotation this season. He has performed well enough to earn a spot on the Major League team in the future though and could be a nice fantasy pickup in future years.
Zach Davies (SP, BAL, Triple-A)
Stats: 60.1 IP, 3.13 ERA, 2.65 FIP, 7.91 K/9, 2.98 BB/9, 0.15 HR/9
This is not the first time on this list for Zach Davies, and hopefully it will be his last because he is very much deserving of a Major League call up. In spite of being drafted 785th overall in the 2011 draft, Davies has been seen as one of the top Orioles prospects as he has just dazzled at every level. With the pitching struggles that the Orioles have had this season, it is shocking to see Davies not in the rotation yet. He would be a great add for fantasy owners as he will likely be called up sometime this season and will definitely fly under the radar in most leagues.
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