RADIO
As a prospects writer, I feel like I have followed several of the big name Rookie of the Year candidates all season. I have discussed at length players like Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, Kris Bryant, and Noah Syndergaard. If you all haven’t guessed where I am going with this, then I will just tell you: it leads to my predictions.
In the American League, the hot-hitting Francisco Lindor and uber powerful Miguel Sano have made strong cases for the ROY, but I think in the end the award will go to Carlos Correa. Correa has been invaluable to the Astros and looks deserving of every bit of hype that he received to this point. Speaking of hype, Kris Bryant certainly received a lot of it and I think he too will end up winning the award. Randall Grichuk, Noah Syndergaard have certainly put together outstanding campaigns, but I see the award going to the Cubs second best hitter, Kris Bryant.
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.
Prospects Called Up to Consider Adding:
1. Jorge Polanco (SS, MIN)
Baller Move: Own in All Leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
The Twins are oh so close to that Wild Card and they are likely going to try and do anything they can to ensure that they make that final push. They need an offensive upgrade at shortstop and had turned to Jorge Polanco earlier this season and seem poised to do the same again now in September. Like the Twins, if you have an offensive hole at shortstop, Polanco may be the guy for you. He will provide plenty of speed numbers and could give the occasional home run to boot.
2. Josh Bell (1B, PIT)
Baller Move: Own in 10+ Team Leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
The Pirates too need one positional upgrade and that is first base for them. Josh Bell seems like the best answer for their problem. He has not shown much power this season, but he is a tremendous batsman and would represent a definite upgrade over Aramis Ramirez especially against right-handed pitching. First base is a very deep fantasy position, so Bell may not have tremendous value. But Bell could prove to be nice to some teams who are in desperate need of offensive upgrades.
3. Blake Snell (SP, TB)
Baller Move:Own in All Leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
It no longer seems 100% certain that Blake Snell will be promoted in September, but there is still a chance. Snell has been arguably the best pitcher in the minors this season and has quickly risen all the way up to Triple-A. The final verdict: don’t stash Snell at the moment because it is too far from certain that he will be called up, but don’t remove him from your watch list. He is too talented of a pitcher to be ignored if called up.
4. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN)
Baller Move: Own in All Leagues
Owned In: 2% of Fleaflicker Leagues
What I said about Blake Snell essentially could just be copied and pasted into Robert Stephenson except for the part about being the best pitcher in the minors. Stephenson struggled for much of the first half, but he has since made a huge turnaround and has continued to flash the mind-boggling strikeout numbers that he is known for. Stephenson’s health concerns may keep him from the majors this season, but there is still a chance that he sees time with the Reds this year and if he does he is too good to be ignored by fantasy owners.
5. Jesse Winker (OF, CIN)
Baller Move: Own in All Leagues
Owned In: 1% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Jesse Winker is currently leading the Pensacola Blue Wahoos through the Double-A postseason, but if he impresses enough during the run he may see a September second half call up. Winker struggled in the first half of the season, but really found his stroke in the second half. Winker is basically an outfield version of Joey Votto in that he doesn’t have 80 power, but his overall bat handling ability should allow him to reach base often, score plenty of runs, and maintain a high batting average.
6. Mike Wright (SP, BAL)
Baller Move: Own in 12+ Team Leagues
Owned In: 1% of Fleaflicker Leagues
The Orioles aren’t mathematically eliminated from making the playoffs, but they are just about as close to that as possible. This means that they probably won’t rush any of their prospects to the majors to help out with their team for September. But Wright has already pitched this season in the majors and has shown that he can handle big league hitters. He is a solid bottom of the rotation type arm for both the Orioles and fantasy owners, but owners in need of some pitching help could do worse than add the O’s right-hander.
7. CJ Edwards (RP, CHC)
Baller Move: Own in Deep/NL-only leagues
Owned In: 1% of Fleaflicker Leagues
CJ Edwards looks like an eventual Wade Davis type pitcher with a little bit less control, but a little bit more strikeouts. Edwards’ days as a starting pitcher are over and he won’t get any save opportunities with Hector Rondon as good as he has been. Fantasy owners in typical 10-12 team leagues should probably look elsewhere for pitching help, but owners in deep leagues could definitely find some value in the Cubs elite relief pitcher.
*CJ Edwards was recently promoted by the Chicago Cubs*
8. Michael Fulmer (SP, DET)
Baller Move: Own in Deep Leagues/AL-only leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Michael Fulmer is also not given any type of guarantee to see time at the majors this season, but like Snell and Stephenson he would have great value if he was called up. He would possibly be put in the starting rotation which gives him some value in mixed leagues, but most likely he will see time in the bullpen which limits his usefulness to deep league owners.
9. Albert Almora (OF, CHC)
Baller Move: Own in Deep/NL-only leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Albert Almora could be called up by the Cubs to be used as outfield depth. He is a very solid defender and could potentially provide a little bit of anything in fantasy categories. Due to the Cubs currently loaded outfield, it is unlikely that Almora will see regular playing time. Almora only has value in deep leagues.
10. Hunter Renfroe
Baller Move: Own in Deep/NL-only leagues
Owned In: 0% of Fleaflicker Leagues
If Hunter Renfroe is promoted, he would have quite a bit of value. He could see a lot of playing time for the Padres as they are far out of a playoff spot and may look to give him some at-bats to see what the future looks like for them. Renfroe has decent power and contact hitting ability and projects to be a potential middle of the order bat for the Padres. With Wil Myers still hurt and Melvin Upton Jr. unlikely to win over any starting spot, an opening could appear in left field for Renfroe if he is called up. At the moment, the only question with Renfroe is if he will be called up.
