RADIO
This wait before the deadline is killing me. As a Reds fan, I am waiting for them to begin the fire sale and see what kind of prospects they can get for players like Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Jay Bruce, Marlon Byrd, and maybe Aroldis Chapman.
I will also be eager to see some of the prospects that get called up to replace these starters on the big league roster and see what they bring to the table. While these prospects here are unlikely to be called up this season, they have great value as potential keeper league players. Some of these guys could even be used as trade bait during the trade season.
Editor's Note: For more fantasy prospects coverage, check out RotoBaller's weekly top 30 prospect rankings.
Zach Borenstein (OF, ARI, Triple-A)
.292/.374/.485, 9 HR, 2 SB, 11.3% BB rate, 19.5% K rate
Traded to the Diamondbacks last season before the trade deadline, Zach Borenstein has so far put together quite the season splitting time between Triple-A and Double-A. He has flashed his power potential while also maintaining a solid batting average this season. The Achilles heel for Borenstein has always been strikeouts, but he has been able to reduce it to a reasonable 19.5% this season. With the crowded Diamondbacks outfield and Peter O’Brien likely one step ahead of him in the depth chart, Borenstein will likely stay at Triple-A until at the earliest September, but his bat could be intriguing to watch in deep keeper leagues.
Jackie Bradley Jr. (OF, BOS, Triple-A)
.315/.389/.490, 9 HR, 4 SB, 9.0% BB rate, 13.8% K rate
Jackie Bradley Jr. came up to the Majors and dazzled a lot of people with his defensive ability. He did not impress anybody with his hitting skills. He has been a decent hitter in the Minors, but this season he has really turned things around. He has flashed some power, which he has in past seasons (career-high 10 home runs in 2013 at Triple-A), and has really cut down on the strikeouts (13.8% K rate his lowest since High-A in 2012). While Bradley may never be a phenomenal hitter in the big leagues, he has the speed to turn more groundouts into base hits and could be useful in the future to some deep league fantasy owners.
Xavier Avery (OF, SF, Triple-A)
.297/.367/.382, 1 HR, 14 SB, 9.8% BB rate, 20.2% K rate
Xavier Avery was considered the number two prospect for the Baltimore Orioles back in 2011 and has since then bounced around between four different teams. Avery has never shown any difficulty with speed as he has stolen double-digits in every season since being drafted. Avery’s biggest issue has just been getting his batting average up high enough to be valuable and lower his historically astronomical strikeout rate. This season, he has done both of those reasonably well with a .297 batting average and an improved 20.2% strikeout rate. Avery does not have much power to speak of, but fantasy owners would be wise to add Avery in the event of a call up if they need help in the stolen base department. Owners must also though keep him on the bench and wait for favorable matchups as his contact hitting tool still leaves a bit to be desired.
Taylor Rogers (SP, MIN, Triple-A)
122.1 IP, 3.46 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 6.25 K/9, 2.35 BB/9, 0.44 HR/9
The Twins have a really talented left-handed pitcher sitting at Triple-A by the name of Taylor Rogers. Rogers doesn’t steal the headlines like Jose Berrios does, but he has pitched very well in his professional career and has proven that he is deserving of a look in the Twins rotation. As Twins Assistant General Manager Rob Antony said, “Historically he has thrown enough strikes. So I think he’s going to give himself a chance to be a major league starter.” Because of the Twins current depth in starting pitching, I would be surprised to see Rogers spend time in the rotation this season, but he seems like a very likely candidate to start off 2016 in the rotation. Dynasty and keeper league owners should look to see if he is available as he could have great value moving forward.
Austin Voth (SP, WAS, Double-A)
111.0 IP, 2.95 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 8.51 K/9, 1.96 BB/9, 0.41 HR/9
Austin Voth had a rough stint at Double-A in his 19.1 innings last season, but he has absolutely torn it up this season much like he has at every level in the Minors. Voth has historically been a great strikeout pitcher while also impressing scouts with his ability to keep the walks down. Voth has a decent fastball that can range up to 95 mph but typically sits just at 90 mph. The secondary pitches complement his fastball well as he has above-average control on both his slider and his changeup. Voth won’t be starting for the Nationals anytime this season, but he has a lot of value in keeper leagues and could fight for a starting rotation spot next season.
Luis Cessa (SP, NYM, Triple-A)
90.2 IP, 3.57 ERA, 2.74 FIP, 7.15 K/9, 1.89 BB/9, 0.30 HR/9
Luis Cessa has been good in his Minor League career, but if he has any future value as a starter it will be on another team besides the Mets. The Mets rotation is going to be rock solid top to bottom and it will be young which limits Cessa’s potential. But his arm will allow him to pitch very well for some other team. His fastball is great that averages in the mid to upper 90s. His curveball has some work to do while his changeup is an average change. He could be used as trade bait during this trade season as he could be a starter as soon as next season for a big league club. He projects as a middle to back end of the rotation guy and could have value for fantasy owners in deep leagues.
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