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Welcome to the new format of the MLB Ready Prospects Power Rankings list. It's late in the season, so I'll be ranking prospects who are most worthy of picking up off the waiver wire for the September stretch. As you guessed it, this will be a bit more like a waiver wire article.
A prospect will not be eligible for this list if they were on an active Major League roster on August 31 because they would’ve been a call up prior to the expansion of the rosters. A prospect will also lose eligibility to be on this list once they are owned in greater than 50% of Fleaflicker Leagues.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more MLB prospects, rookies and potential call-ups, be sure to check out our MLB prospects homepage which has lots of great weekly updates and analysis.
Top MLB Prospect Call-Ups to Watch on the Waiver Wire
1. Blake Snell (SP, TB)
Baller Move: Stash in Deeper Leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Blake Snell has made this his breakout season and it looks like it could finish in the majors. Snell hasn’t been called up just yet, but it does seem likely that he will see time in the majors before the postseason hits. While he will likely see a majority of the time as a relief pitcher, Snell will get an occasional spot start and could see some time in the rotation if he pitches well enough to earn another cycle in the rotation.
2. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN)
Baller Move: Stash in Deeper Leagues
Owned In: 2% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Early I wrote that Robert Stephenson was likely to be shut down after he was sidelined with an injury. And while that was the wise decision for a team in the Reds position where the future is more important than the present, the Reds decided to have him continue to play this season. Stephenson could see time in the Reds rotation as there are a lot of young arms that have strict innings limits. Because of his ability to rack up insane strikeout totals, Stephenson represents a potential steal for fantasy owners in need of pitching help in September.
3. Jorge Polanco (SS, MIN)
Baller Move: Stash in All Leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
The Twins haven’t called up Jorge Polanco just yet, but all signs to them promoting him some time soon. Polanco has already seen time in the majors this season and played fairly well, not to mention how poorly the Twins’ shortstop position has performed overall. For a team that needs an extra boost to make the postseason, the Twins will try to have their best possible team at every position and that likely means the eventual promotion of Polanco into their lineup.
4. Peter O’Brien (C, ARI)
Baller Move: Monitor in 10+ Team Leagues
Owned In: 1% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Peter O’Brien won’t necessarily be guaranteed playing time in September, but he has certainly hit well enough to warrant the occasional spot start for the Diamondbacks. O’Brien flashed insane power this season at Triple-A, amassing 25 home runs with a triple slash line of .281/.331/.539. With the Diamondbacks outfield being left-handed heavy with David Peralta and Ender Inciarte, it looks likely that O’Brien’s best chance of playing time is as a platoon option in the outfield. He is worth owning for owners in deep leagues because of the potential power production he could provide and the fact that he qualifies as an outfielder in most leagues.
5. Jesse Winker (OF, CIN)
Baller Move: Monitor in All Leagues
Owned In: 1% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Jesse Winker could be a major x-factor for some fantasy teams. Winker is one of the best hitting outfield prospects in baseball and has a hitter profile very similar to that of Joey Votto. He has above-average power, but has a phenomenal approach to the plate and is likely to have a high on-base percentage. It awaits to be seen whether or not Winker gets promoted this year, but if he does he is a must own in all leagues.
6. Mike Wright (SP, BAL)
Baller Move: Monitor in 12+ Team Leagues
Owned In: 1% of Fleaflicker Leagues
It looks likely that Mike Wright will be promoted today, so fantasy owners in need of starting pitching should get ready to add him. He won’t be a top of the rotation arm, but he strikes enough hitters out to potentially be fantasy relevant. Due to his typically low strikeout rates though, he is more of a desperation play than a pitching staff tuneup.
7. Josh Bell (1B, PIT)
Baller Move: Monitor in 10+ Team Leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
The reason Josh Bell is low on this list is because it is a bit of a mystery as to whether or not he will see time in the majors. If he is called up, he is enough of a potent bat to have fantasy value even at a position like first that is loaded with talented offensive bats. He would have a lot of time starting at first base for the Pirates as they have seen a lot of struggles there so far. Bell would contribute a decent batting average and some decent RBI and runs scored totals depending on his place in the Buccos’ lineup.
8. CJ Edwards (RP, CHC)
Baller Move: Monitor in Deeper / NL-only leagues
Owned In: 1% of Fleaflicker Leagues
CJ Edwards is about as much of a guarantee to be called up as anyone on this list. The Cubs’ bullpen has really struggled this year and they need to correct that if they wish to stay in the playoff picture. Edwards has fantasy value for some teams who praise relievers with high strikeout rates, but because he is unlikely to get any save opportunities, Edwards does not have much value in 10-12 league teams.
9. Michael Fulmer (SP, DET)
Baller Move: Monitor in Deeper/ AL-Only leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Michael Fulmer has continued to be one of the most under the radar pitching prospects in baseball while putting up great numbers. Since being acquired by the Tigers, Fulmer has posted a 2.84 ERA with a 3.49 FIP in 31.2 IP. Fulmer is not a guarantee to be called up unlike many of the people on this list, but he could be a very solid play by fantasy owners if they are in desperate need of some pitching help.
10. Albert Almora (OF, CHC)
Baller Move: Monitor in Deep/NL-only leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Albert Almora has been putting together a decent season at Double-A so far this year, but the acquisition of Austin Jackson brings into question whether or not Almora will be needed in September. Almora is a great defender, but doesn’t provide much offensively. He has average speed, power, and plate discipline. If called up, fantasy owners that are desperate for outfield production could consider adding him, but he is by no means a must own in any format.
