X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Prospect Debuts - Fantasy Stock Watch for Week 4

Jon Denzler reflects on rookie debuts from Week 4 of the fantasy baseball season with a focus on which prospects' stocks went up, who dropped, and who was neither a riser nor faller.

Well, the Major League season is already 15% of the way done. Some owners think that they are on their way to victory while others are patiently waiting for things to turn around. Still, while all the victory laps are being taken, the smart owner is looking forward to the rest of the year and finding what value can still be had. While the season always seems to move quickly, the dog days of summer are still upon us.

Now that we are rolling along, so too are the call-ups. This week, the Rotoballer team keeps tabs on all the new names and faces, with insight into their fantasy value to help any team. For owners looking for a cheap spark, look no further.

For redraft, dynasty, or general fantasy players knowing the new prospects is key to begin to plan out FAAB bids and waiver claims. Target or avoid these players to helps teams keep their competitive windows open.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Rookie Debuts - Stock Up

These rookies hit the ground running in their 2019 debuts and have matched the preseason hype so far. The question is whether this provides a sell-high opportunity or if the fantasy owner should hold tight.

 

Michael Chavis (3B, BOS)

The recent spike in chatter around Chavis is tied to a recent defensive switch to second base. Profiling as a third baseman for most of his career, he transitioned this spring and has started at second in the minors as well. With Dustin Pedroia nearing the end of his career, the spot will be open moving forward. Even when healthy, Eduardo Nunez is no threat to push off a young bat from the spot this year.

In a limited start to the year at Triple-A, Chavis has posted a .250/.345/.600 slash with a four K-BB%. The power was also there with four bombs in 12 games. Scouts have liked Chavis as a solid 50 hitter for most of his career, so playing time on a good team should make him fantasy worthy. Expect a .240 average with 14 homers if he plays most of the year, and he will also score his share of runs. Not a breakout, but Chavis will be a solid player to target next year.

 

Bryan Reynolds (OF, PIT)

Reynolds has shown that he is a good hitter, with a career batting average in the minors above .300. The issue, and why he sits down on prospect lists, is the lack of power. While pushing double-digit homer totals in each of his pro seasons, owners should not expect much more in the Majors. Reynolds fits the Pirates/Austin Meadows mold with solid grades on all the tools, but no real standout carrying piece either. While he does not have the same pop as Meadows, Reynolds should hit for a comparable batting average.

In terms of the situation, Reynolds looks like he could have some playing time over the next month. Even with the likes of Gregory Polanco back, the fact that Corey Dickerson and Lonnie Chisenhall are still out for a bit opens the door. He has been the starting center fielder since his debut and has settled into the sixth spot in recent games. Another player with a low ceiling this year, Reynolds does have the highest floor of the bats on the list in current redraft leagues.

* After finishing this piece, Bryan Reynolds was announced to be dealing with an injury. If he is out, then avoid, but in dynasty leagues, this is a good time to buy low.

 

Stock Neutral

These players neither helped nor hurt their fantasy value in the first week of play.

 

Cole Tucker (SS, PIT)

Tucker made the highlight reels with his first few games, but owners need to slow down before jumping all-in with giant FAAB bids. Tucker will be a reliable fantasy option, but he is still very raw at the plate. For starters, he only has 13 games played above Double-A. Even with playing time, he was posting 20 K%, which needs to come down for a player without much of a power floor. Only one season above five total homers shows the ceiling, but, when he learns the strike zone, he should be a good contact option. In two years at Double-A, he hit .257 and .259 respectfully but did score 74 runs in his second year. Still a bit green, he will be at his best after some more seasoning at Triple-A.

For fantasy owners, Tucker will add some value when he can move around the diamond in a utility role more. Right now, he is only up due to the Erik Gonzalez injury, and there is no real news on what the plan for the spot is moving forward. While a competitive, but not a playoff, team, Pittsburgh will not spend to fill the spot. If this is the case, Tucker could do more harm than good to roto categories, as he will struggle with playing time. For dynasty owners, sell high while there is hype. For redrafts, avoid jumping all in this year, but target Tucker as next year’s utility piece with upside.

 

Taylor Clarke (SP, ARI)

While only up for one day, and three innings, Clarke should be back in Arizona sooner rather than later. Profiling as a starter long term, there is a good chance that the team looks to get him innings out of the pen to help a squad that has been in the bottom half of the league to date. Since the Diamondbacks have been hanging around at 13-11, there is a good chance they think the team can push for a Wild Card spot. If so, expect Clarke to either be in the rotation or taking on the Brandon Woodruff role from last year’s Brewers.

The bullpen would be preferable for fantasy owners, as a 19.2 K% needs to creep up to deal with multiple trips through the order. With only two seasons with more than 100 innings, there is also a chance that Clarke faces a pitch cap, or a clear plan to limit innings later in the year. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his usage to see his value for this year. In the pen he is a must add, but in the rotation, let others take the plunge. Long term, he can be an SP3 or the future closer for the Diamondbacks. He is not one of the top pitching prospects, but Clarke has a good chance to be one of the most productive without the flair.

More MLB Prospects Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Christian Moore

Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
Luis L. Ortiz

the Subject of Gambling Investigation
Jordan Lawlar

to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Receives Encouraging News on his Hand
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dane Belton

Should Have a Role in 2025
Kaiir Elam

Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF