In this weekly column, I get you updated on with what’s going on in the world of MLB prospects. I usually touch on the guys that are currently hot, and who appear ready to make an impact for their MLB teams and fantasy baseball owners.

This week, I'm putting a slightly different spin on things. I’ll be getting you caught up on some prospects who are most likely to benefit from changing destinations after the trade deadline.

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MLB Prospect Faces in Different Places

Phil Bickford, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Phil Bickford is a guy I’ve been high on for a while, and my affinity for him has only grown this season. Bickford has dominated Single-A to the tune of a 2.71 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 93 innings. He also has a 105/27 K/BB ratio and the future looks very bright for the two-time first-rounder.

The Brewers are generally quicker than the Giants to give prospects opportunities, and for good reason. San Francisco usually finds themselves in the midst of a pennant race, while the Brewers are usually looking to the next season at the All-Star break. 23-year-old Zach Davies is currently a fixture in the Milwaukee rotation, and they gave Jorge Lopez an opportunity as a 22-year-old last season. Expect the 21-year-old Bickford to make his way through the Milwaukee system quickly and even have an opportunity to contribute next year. I’ve always believed he would be a sure-fire middle-of-the rotation workhorse, but I think that ceiling is even higher now.

 

Lewis Brinson, OF, Milwaukee Brewers

The Texas Rangers had a very good problem; they had too many talented outfielders. The Rangers have had trouble finding at-bats for Joey Gallo, and the same issue was going to be inevitable with Lewis Brinson. Brinson was a big piece in the trade that sent Jonathan Lucroy to the Rangers, and you can be sure he’ll be getting to the Majors sooner with Milwaukee.

Brinson had been hyped coming into this season, but a dreadful year has calmed that down to a degree. After hitting .332/.403/.601 last season, the 22-year-old was viewed as a future cornerstone for the Rangers. He hit just .237/.280/.431 in Double-A this season, but he was coming off his most productive month of the season in July. Brinson’s ascension to the Majors will likely be quicker with the Brew Crew, who promptly called him up to Triple-A after the deal. Brinson made them look like geniuses, going 4-for-4 with a double and a stolen base in his debut. Don’t be surprised to see him manning center field for Milwaukee in September.

 

Dilson Herrera, 2B, Cincinnati Reds

Earlier this season, I wrote about Dilson Herrera as a player that had nothing left to prove at the minor-league level, and that the keys to second base would likely be handed to him next year in New York.

He now finds himself in a better situation with the Reds, after being acquired in the Jay Bruce deal. Brandon Phillips is still a capable Major Leaguer, but he’s now 35-years-old, and his power has simply eluded him the last two months. The rebuilding Reds could be inclined to see what Herrera’s got this September. He’s just a .215/.308/.383 hitter in 149 MLB at-bats, but the slugger is .299/.361/.469 in over 500 minor-league games. At the time of the trade, he was hitting .276 with 13 HR in Triple-A for the Mets. He has a chance to develop into a very good hitter with double-digit home run potential at the MLB level. A shift to the Great American Ballpark will make that more of a possibility.

 

Grant Holmes, RHP, Oakland A’s

The Oakland A’s are well-known for developing pitching talent. As an extremely financially-limited team, they have to draft and develop very well to remain competitive. With all that said, a move to the A’s could help Grant Holmes develop into a better pitcher.

The former first-round pick is still just 20-years-old, so he’s likely a couple years away from the Major Leagues. However, look for him to possibly become more consistent and well-rounded, and shoot up prospect lists in the next couple of years. In 257 minor-league innings, he has a 3.61 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. He also has a 9.63 K/9. His erratic control has led to a 3.85 BB/9. Holmes has a chance to develop into a front-of-the rotation pitcher in the Majors. The Dodgers had an abundance of riches in their minor-league system, primarily from international signings. You can bet Holmes will be a major priority for the A’s; not to say that he wasn’t one in L.A., but the A’s will look to develop him into a potential ace quickly.

 

 

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