RADIO
Benjamin looks at the prospects traded during the MLB deadline. His minor league hitters and pitchers to know as fantasy and dynasty sleepers.
All the rumors have now subsided. The dust has (sort of) settled. Major League Baseball completed more than 40 deals over the past week that ranged from deals for utility infielders to deals for future Hall of Famers!
This week's weekly article was delayed in order to address EVERY SINGLE prospect moved during the trading season. This encapsulates trades dating back to June 3. Typically, my goal with this weekly piece is never to use the same player twice throughout the year with the intention of exposing as many players as possible, but this week we're going to pause that "requirement" and review every player with prospect eligibility that was moved. We'll be back to our regular post next week.
Look here for insight on potential fantasy baseball dynasty league pickups before they hit and to get to know players as they ascend to the major leagues!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:- Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
- BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
- PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
- Who should I start? Fantasy baseball comparisons
- Daily MLB starting lineups
- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
- Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard
- Fantasy baseball injury reports
Top Hitter Prospects
Statistical highlights:
- Batting average (min. 200 PA): 1. Wade Meckler .374, 2. David Fletcher .369, 3. Miguel Andujar .361, 4. Dominic Canzone .354, 5. Ernie Clement .352.
- BB/K ratio (min. 200 PA): 1. Ernie Clement 2.88, 2. Xavier Edwards 1.89, 3. Michael Stefanic 1.76, 4. Javier Vaz 1.64, Caleb Durbin 1.53.
Hitter Prospect Outlooks: Fantasy Six-Pack
Luisangel Acuna, SS, New York Mets
Ronald Acuna Jr.'s younger brother has been working his way up the Texas Rangers system since he signed in 2018. He's shown impressive speed and contact ability, but his power has never been able to translate into games.
VERDICT: Acuna should be owned in all dynasty leagues at this point, but don't fall into the hype that he's the "next big thing" just because he was traded for Max Scherzer.
Ryan Bliss, 2B/SS, Seattle Mariners
The Diamondbacks drafted the uber-athletic Bliss from Auburn in the second round of the 2021 draft. He's shown his immense athletic ability with power and speed that can be elite, however, he's moved almost exclusively to second base now. The Mariners acquired him in the package for Paul Sewald.
VERDICT: One of the most obvious trade candidates pre-deadline, Bliss has legit plus speed and could impact as soon as late this season in the steals department. He should be owned in deep and mid-size dynasty leagues.
Dominic Canzone, OF, Seattle Mariners
Canzone has been an impressive hitter in the Diamondbacks' system since he was drafted out of Ohio State in 2019. The lefty-swinging outfielder has hit .310 over four minor league seasons with 60 home runs in 302 games, finally earning his first MLB time this year. He may not be a 30-homer guy, but he could offer a strong average and 20-25 home runs.
VERDICT: Canzone was promoted immediately to Seattle after the trade and knocked a double in his first game. He's a third outfielder in redraft leagues right away.
Ryan Clifford, 1B/OF, New York Mets
One of the biggest helium prospects this year has been Clifford, an 11th-round pick by the Astros last year out of high school in 2022. At 19 years old, he's rocketed up A-ball levels, bashing 18 home runs while making strong contact (.291 average). While he can crush a baseball, he's a below-average fielder in the outfield and likely will end up at first base.
VERDICT: Clifford is an Astros scouting gem, and now the Mets hope to continue his development. He should be owned in any dynasty league.
Derlin Figueroa, 1B/OF, Kansas City Royals
Figueroa was originally signed as an infielder out of the Dominican Republic, but it became clear early on that he didn't have the range or foot quickness to handle anywhere in the infield but first. He's got enough arm to handle a corner, but the bat could be light for a corner guy.
VERDICT: Figueroa is still a teen, so he could definitely develop more power and fit the profile, but without that, he's likely never going to be fantasy-worthy.
Drew Gilbert, OF, New York Mets
By my mark, Gilbert was the best prospect traded during the trade deadline, though he's much more a real-life prospect than a fantasy darling. Gilbert is a strong defensive outfielder no matter where he plays, and he offers plate discipline along with 15-20 home run power and 15 stolen base speed. The Mets will open him at Double-A with the potential to see him in New York in 2024, perhaps as soon as Opening Day.
VERDICT: Gilbert has a very similar offensive profile to former All-Star Brian Jordan with nearly as much athleticism. He should be owned in all dynasty formats.
Ronald Hernandez, C, New York Mets
The switch-hitting catcher made his pro debut in 2021. He has worked on his catching skill in his first two years on complex, and this season, Hernandez has shown some of his hitting ability, with a .299/.480/.449 line with more walks than strikeouts.
VERDICT: Hernandez was the second piece of the Miami deal to acquire David Robertson. That said, he's a teenage catcher on the complex, and there is a significant amount of variability in young catchers.
Sammy Hernandez, C, St. Louis Cardinals
Hernandez was a 14th-round pick out of high school in 2022 by the Jays. He is a high school catcher and has plenty of work to do on both sides of the game, but he's blessed with a dynamic arm behind the plate. Offensively, he has legit power, but a long way to go in recognizing spin and making consistent contact.
VERDICT: The high school catcher profile is wrought with failures, but Hernandez landed in a system that has been developing strong catching over the years (despite Yadier Molina holding down the position for the better part of two decades). No reason to roster him yet, but he landed in a good spot.
Jeremiah Jackson, 2B/3B/SS, New York Mets
An elite athlete when the Angels drafted him in the second round in 2018 out of high school, Jackson altered his swing for power and has powered out 69 home runs in 328 minor league games. He has a powerful arm, but inconsistent hands that have led to Jackson playing all infield positions as well as center and left this year.
VERDICT: Jackson's in Double-A, so he's near the majors, but his all-or-nothing approach at the plate could make his loud raw tools never reach the majors. Leave him be for now in all dynasty leagues.
Korey Lee, C, Chicago White Sox
Lee was the third catcher selected in the first round of the 2019 draft. He moved quickly in the 2021 season, reaching Triple-A, hitting .277 with 11 home runs across three levels. He followed that up with 25 homers in 2022, though with much less contact. He continues to struggle to hit for consistent contact, but shows power and more stolen base potential than an average catcher.
VERDICT: Lee is almost certainly a future backup catcher with the ability to develop into a stronger hitter as a pro, akin to Elias Diaz. Deep, two-catcher leagues make sense for Lee, but no reason to roster him otherwise.
Hao-Yu Lee, 2B, Detroit Tigers
The Phillies paid more than a half million to sign Lee out of Taiwan in June of 2021. He showed why in 2022, showing off an incredibly impressive hit tool. He's continued to hit for a strong average this season, but the raw power he shows in the cage has yet to translate to game power.
VERDICT: Lee's best defensive fit is second base, and if he can tap into his above-average raw power, he could be a guy to hit 20+ homers with a strong average. Certainly, he's a guy to have in deep and mid-size dynasties.
Kevin Made, SS, Washington Nationals
Made signed for $1.5 million in 2019 with the Cubs. He flashed impressive raw tools after making his pro debut in 2021 in A-ball. He's struggled to make consistent contact since and hasn't been able to advance to Double-A. The Cubs moved Made to Washington in the Jeimer Candelario deal.
VERDICT: Made is still quite young, not turning 21 until mid-September, so there's plenty of time to potentially develop, but no reason to roster him at this point.
Devin Mann, 1B/2B/3B, Kansas City Royals
Mann was drafted in the 5th round in 2018 out of Louisville. His lack of a defensive position stalled his quick ascent up the minors, as his bat has been impressive the entire way up the chain, slashing .270/.370/.464 over nearly 2,000 minor league plate appearances. He was traded to Kansas City as part of the Ryan Yarbrough trade.
VERDICT: Mann is major league ready and fits a profile for the Royals that they do well. He may not give a lot of fantasy value in statistics, but he could offer a strong contact profile if he can earn a starting job in 2024.
Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Cleveland Guardians
The Rays snapped up Manzardo out of Washington State in the second round in 2021. He's surprised many who saw him as not having enough bat to support a first-base-only profile, slashing .291/.392/.543. Manzardo is still struggling to turn his raw power into game power and has dealt with family and personal issues off the field this year.
VERDICT: Manzardo is still struggling to access his power and may be more of a hit-over-power profile long-term, but he should be getting to the majors this year and owned in dynasty and redraft leagues.
Mason McCoy, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
McCoy was originally drafted in the sixth round in 2017 out of the University of Iowa. He's bounced around since, moving him to Seattle before the 2022 season and then moving to Toronto for reliever Trent Thornton. McCoy has struggled to hit since reaching the upper minors, and he's already 28.
VERDICT: His advanced age and struggles with the bat in the upper minors make it most likely that McCoy ends up a minor-league depth piece. No reason to roster him in any format.
Cesar Prieto, 2B/3B/SS, St. Louis Cardinals
After not being in the international market for years, Prieto was one of the first notable signings by the Orioles when they got him from Cuba. Prieto hit .365 over four seasons in Serie Nacional before being signed, and he's continued to show elite contact skills, hitting .305 in 200 games in the minors before he was traded as part of the return for Jack Flaherty.
VERDICT: Prieto has elite contact skills, likely not a full-time player at any defensive position, but he could work well in the majors with the Cardinals as soon as 2024 in a shared-time sort of role. He's a player to own in deep dynasty.
Edgar Quero, C, Chicago White Sox
The switch-hitting Cuban Quero made his pro debut for the Angels in 2021, quickly moving up to Single-A ball. He had a big 2022, hitting .312/.435/.530 with 17 homers in Single-A. He was moved up to Double-A this year by the Angels as one of the youngest position players at the level. He's struggled to access his power but has walked more than he struck out this year.
VERDICT: Quero is really focusing on managing an upper-minors staff behind the plate right now, so his bat work is a secondary concern. No reason to jump out on him yet, but as a catcher with work to do to be ready for the majors, there's no rush to add him in anything but deep dynasty.
Jeremy Rodriguez, SS, New York Mets
The Diamondbacks signed Rodriguez out of the Dominican this January. He has excellent plate recognition and a big arm defensively while also showing plus speed. The Mets received Rodriguez in exchange for Tommy Pham.
VERDICT: Rodriguez is still 16 and at the DSL, so he's got a long way to go. Keep an eye on his development, but no need to roster quite yet.
Thomas Saggese, 2B/3B, St. Louis Cardinals
Saggese was the Rangers' final selection in a 2020 draft that drew plenty of raised eyebrows as he was off the radar for most evaluators. He's been impressive in his offensive production throughout his minor league career, working up to Double-A this season before the Rangers traded him to the Cardinals in the deal for Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton.
VERDICT: Saggese fits the Cardinals' mold of moving guys around to get them playing time. He could find his way to St. Louis by the end of 2024. He is worth taking a flier in deep and medium-sized dynasties.
Jhonny Severino, 3B/SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
Signed by the Brewers out of the Dominican Republic, Severino has impressive raw power and a big arm. He's struggled with his plate discipline thus far, with a 15/65 BB/K rate over 62 games.
VERDICT: While Severino has impressive raw tools, he's still far away from the majors and has significant work to do before he'll be fantasy viable.
Estuar Suero, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Padres signed Suero out of the Dominican last January. He showed off impressive raw speed in his DSL debut last summer. He's added a bit more power this season, but he still strikes out a lot.
VERDICT: Suero's 17 in complex ball right now and striking out at a very high rate, so there's no reason to jump into ownership at this point.
Marco Vargas, SS/2B, New York Mets
A dynamite athlete signed by the Marlins out of Mexico for just $17,500, Vargas impressed many with his contact ability in the DSL. He's continued to show excellent plate discipline, with a 40/22 BB/K rate over 174 plate appearances. He was the prime return for David Robertson.
VERDICT: Vargas is a ways off, but he has exceptional talent that is worthy of a deep dynasty roster spot. Until he shows his talent in full-season ball, you can hold off on adding him to regular dynasty leagues.
Kahlil Watson, SS, Cleveland Guardians
One of the top-rated prospects in the 2021 draft, Watson fell to the 16th overall pick by the Marlins. Personal issues and swing-and-miss issues have plagued his development since, with just a .234/.331/.412 slash line. He still flashes power and speed, but he's struck out at a 28% clip this year.
VERDICT: Cleveland has a strong reputation for developing middle infielders, so Watson ended up in a strong organization. He isn't going to be a guy to worry about rostering until he can have success in the upper minors.
Alika Williams, 2B/SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
Drafted by the Rays in the first round of the 2020 draft out of Arizona State, Williams has always been a guy who's more a sum of the parts than a guy with any one standout tool. The Pirates acquired him in June in exchange for Robert Stephenson, and he exploded in AAA after the deal, hitting .305/.384/.531 and earning a call-up.
VERDICT: Williams is a strong profile that should work as a regular bench player, but I don't know that he's a long-term starter. He could be worthwhile in an NL-only league potentially, but no reason to bother otherwise.
Top Pitcher Prospects
Statistical highlights:
- FIP (min. 50 IP): 1. Lazaro Estrada 2.29, 2. Christian Scott 2.46, 3. Hunter Dobbins 2.48, 4. Steven Zobac 2.54, 5. Jake Bennett 2.57.
- K-BB% (min. 50 IP): 1. Andrew Abbott 34.6%, 2. Emmet Sheehan 30.8%, 3. Cade Horton 29.2%, 4. Lazaro Estrada 28.4%.
Pitcher Prospect Outlooks: Fantasy Six-Pack
Mason Albright, SP, Colorado Rockies
The Angels made waves in 2021 by selecting all pitchers in their 20-round draft, but they used that pitching depth to fuel a host of trades this deadline. Albright was part of the deal that sent C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk to the Angels. He had success in A-ball last year, and he returned to Single-A this season, finding significantly more success, with 86 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings.
VERDICT: Albright has a strong feel for pitching despite his young age. The lefty will face an uphill battle in the Colorado system. It's best to leave him until he shows well in the upper minors.
Alec Barger, RP, Colorado Rockies
A 17th-round selection in 2019 out of North Carolina State, Barger has been a minor league reliever throughout his pro career, using a mid-90s fastball and a mid-80s splitter. Control has gone in and out throughout Barger's pro career, and this is a rare time in his career that he's had success while struggling with a 12.8% walk rate.
VERDICT: The sole return for Brad Hand, Barger is likely going to get moved up to Triple-A this year, but he's probably not fantasy-worthy.
Bradley Blalock, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
The Red Sox drafted Blalock out of high school in Georgia in the 32nd round of the 2019 draft. Blalock has used his mid-90s fastball to lead a five-pitch mix that he controls at an advanced level for a pitcher with just 93 innings under his belt due to the pandemic and injury.
VERDICT: The Brewers acquired Blalock for Luis Urias, and his advanced control of a diverse mix of pitches gives him a shot of developing, but no reason to jump on him quite yet until he hits the upper minors.
Joe Boyle, SP, Oakland Athletics
The Reds made Boyle their final selection in the shortened 2020 draft out of Notre Dame. He possesses one of the best fastballs in all of minor league baseball, reaching triple digits with elite movement. The big issue is a lack of ability to control his dynamic stuff, leading to nearly a 20% walk rate.
VERDICT: Boyle may have some of the best stuff in all the minors, though he may have to end up in the bullpen. He's a speculative add only in the deepest dynasty league until he can figure out his future role.
Ky Bush, SP, Chicago White Sox
The 6'6" lefty was drafted in the second round in 2021, and only missing time with injury has slowed his rapid progress through the Angels system, as he's reached Double-A. He works with a fastball that reaches 96-97 and pairs that with a mid-80s slider that receives plus grades. He also has two other pitches to balance out the arsenal.
VERDICT: Bush has impressive raw stuff that would work very well at the back of a bullpen, and if he can control it, he could be #2/3 starter stuff. He's struggled to locate this year, and really only should be rostered in a very deep dynasty at this point.
Juan Carela, SP, Chicago White Sox
The Yankees overhauled Carela's pitch shape, and he responded with 131 strikeouts over 107 innings in 2022. He's continued to strike out hitters at a high rate this season in High-A, but he has been susceptible to hard-hit balls. The Yankees moved him for reliever Keynan Middleton.
VERDICT: Carela has very intriguing pitch shape metrics that portend a future starter, but he's still working his way through A-ball, so there's not a real reason to hurry to roster him at this point.
Coleman Crow, SP, New York Mets
The Angels drafted Crow in the 28th round in 2019 and signed him away with a $317K bonus. Crow is a guy with multiple average pitches that he sequences well and also can shape in multiple ways. The Mets picked him up in the June deal that sent Eduardo Escobar to the Angels.
VERDICT: Crow has not been healthy in 2023, and he is really a mid-rotation profile if he hits his max profile. There's no reason to push ownership at this point.
Jake Eder, SP, Chicago White Sox
In many eyes, the best pitching prospect traded at the deadline was lefty Eder, who went from Miami to Chicago for Jake Burger. Eder has been slow-walked back onto the mound after Tommy John surgery cost him all of 2022, but he's flashed the dominant stuff that made him one of the best pitching prospects in the game in 2021, striking out 48 in 39 1/3 innings.
VERDICT: Eder has frontline stuff from the left side but is still getting healthy. Definitely, he should be owned in deep and mid-size dynasties, but depending on your league, he could simply be a guy to watch in shallow dynasties.
Tanner Gordon, SP, Colorado Rockies
Since the Braves drafted Gordon in the sixth round in 2019, the 6'5" righty has seen his velocity jump to a consistent mid-90s offering with good extension, but he's struggled to develop his change and slider. Gordon has limited walks this season, but the lack of wiggle on his stuff has led to too many hard-hit balls.
VERDICT: The lack of putaway stuff is a scary thing in Colorado. Stay away.
Justin Hagenman, RP, Boston Red Sox
The Dodgers drafted Hagenman in the 23rd round of the 2018 draft out of Penn State. The righty has been a reliever throughout his minor-league career. He has spent the last three years in the upper minors, but he's struggled until this year when he's combined for a 2.68 ERA over 57 innings.
VERDICT: Hagenman has a pretty typical bullpen profile, but not the sort of dynamic stuff that could lead to a role in the back of a bullpen. Without that, he's not relevant for fantasy.
DJ Herz, SP, Washington Nationals
The Cubs paid over slot for Herz in the eighth round of the 2019 draft, and he's shown them smart at every level, cutting across both A-ball levels in 2021 before dominating High-A to open 2022 and struggling in his Double-A debut. He's pitched well this year, striking out 80 in 59 innings. Now the Nationals will let him build innings the rest of the year.
VERDICT: Though his control has been spotty this season, Herz has shown plenty of raw stuff. He is likely a watch-and-see guy for anything but an extremely deep dynasty right now.
Justin Jarvis, SP, New York Mets
The Brewers selected Jarvis in the fifth round out of high school in North Carolina. The Brewers have been slowly letting Jarvis develop, with his high arm slot now generating mid-90s fastballs and three average to above-average secondaries. He's struggled this year with a 10% walk rate, otherwise, he has an ideal mid-rotation profile.
VERDICT: The Mets acquired Jarvis for Mark Canha, and they will send him to Triple-A. If he can show he can control the ball, he could be up. Until then, take a wait-and-see approach.
Marques Johnson, RP, San Francisco Giants
The Red Sox drafted Johnson from Long Beach State in the 11th round last summer. He's struggled to control the ball, walking 16.5% of hitters in A-ball, posting a 6.37 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. He was traded to San Francisco for Mauricio Llovera.
VERDICT: Johnson has solid stuff, but he can't get it in the zone. No need to roster until he does.
Adam Kloffenstein, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
The Blue Jays snagged Kloffenstein in the third round in the 2018 draft, and after an impressive 2019 season in short-season ball, he struggled through the 2021-2022 seasons. This year, the 22-year-old has found his stride in Double-A, with a 3.24 ERA and 105 strikeouts over 89 innings.
VERDICT: The Cardinals will hope that they can develop Kloffenstein as a mid-rotation starter. If he gets bumped up to Triple-A, take a shot on him in deep dynasty.
Jordan Leasure, RP, Chicago White Sox
Leasure has grown significantly since being selected in the 2021 draft by the Dodgers. He's shaped his fastball, which can reach triple digits, and changed his sharp upper-80s slider into more of a multi-plane offering. The results have been strong in the upper minors this season, striking out 56 in 35 2/3 innings. He was included in the deal that sent Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly to Los Angeles.
VERDICT: Leasure has the type of stuff to succeed in the back of a major league bullpen. He should get that chance soon with the White Sox, but there's no reason to grab him just yet in fantasy.
Easton Lucas, RP, Oakland Athletics
The Marlins originally picked the 6'4" Lucas out of Pepperdine in the 2019 draft. He was shipped to the Orioles in exchange for Jonathan Villar in December 2019, and the Orioles traded him to the A's for Shintaro Fujinami. He was dominant in Double-A to open the year, but his results in Triple-A for Baltimore and Oakland have been more mediocre.
VERDICT: Lucas has stuff to stick in a big-league bullpen, but not the type of stuff to work at the backend of a 'pen. He can be left alone until he finds his way into a role that earns saves or holds.
Jake Madden, SP, Colorado Rockies
The Angels snagged Madden in the fourth round last summer. He has impressive raw stuff and an ideal frame at 6'6" with broad shoulders and a loose arm. Madden works with a heavy upper-90s fastball and a slider and change-up that both flash plus. He has struggled significantly with his control, making it difficult to work in the rotation.
VERDICT: Madden has tremendous raw stuff, but it may be best suited in the bullpen going forward.
Landon Marceaux, SP, New York Mets
The Angels' third-round pick in the all-pitcher 2021 draft, Marceaux had strong overall stuff, offering four average-or-better pitches and exceptional control. He jumped through the system in 2022, reaching Double-A. Marceaux has struggled with injuries this season and his stuff has flattened out, leading to a 5.60 ERA as he's been hit hard all year.
VERDICT: Marceaux has mid-rotation stuff if he can get the wiggle back. You can leave him be for now.
Evan McKendry, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
After an up-and-down career at Miami, the Rays selected McKendry in the ninth round in 2019. He's struck out a batter per inning in the minors with elite command (4.7% walk rate through the minors). He works with a low-90s fastball and mixes in a change and curve that are both average to below average.
VERDICT: McKendry has excellent control and could work as a long-man quickly simply based on that. He's going to need to show he's worthy of a pickup at the major league level before he should be owned, however.
Zach Muckenhirn, RP, Seattle Mariners
A lefty from the University of North Dakota, Muckenhirn worked his way up from an 11th-round pick in 2016 by the Orioles to be the return in a salary dump trade between the Mets and Mariners. In between, he was a minor league free agent signing twice. This year, he was dominating Triple-A and earned a major league call-up.
VERDICT: While he's made it up to the majors, Muckenhirn is not exactly a backend reliever, meaning his value in fantasy is not worth holding.
Nick Nastrini, SP, Chicago White Sox
The Dodgers lucked into Nastrini in the fourth round in 2021 after his stock collapsed in his draft season due to poor performance. He's regained his raw stuff since, now working with four pitches that are above average or potentially better. His stuff has been incredible this year, but his 11.3% walk rate has kept him from fully breaking out.
VERDICT: Nastrini has #2 stuff if he can only control it, and if he can't, he could be electric in the back of a bullpen. He should be owned in deep and mid-size dynasties.
Chad Patrick, SP, Oakland Athletics
The Diamondbacks drafted Patrick in the fourth round in 2021 out of Purdue Northwest. He works with a fastball that can touch 95 and a pair of secondaries with excellent control. He's been in a hitters' park this season before being traded to the A's, so his season stats don't show that he's been a strong inning-eater.
VERDICT: Patrick's ability to repeat his delivery should allow him to tally innings, but he's most likely a backend starter in the majors. No reason to roster him until he shows it in the majors with his profile.
Sean Reynolds, RP, San Diego Padres
The Mariners drafted the 6'8" Reynolds out of high school in the fourth round. He showed light-tower power...when he actually made contact. After a .178 average over six seasons, he moved to the mound. In his first full year of pitching in 2022, he made it to Double-A. His unique arm angle allowed him to climb up to Triple-A.
VERDICT: While Reynolds is an older prospect at 25, he has swing-and-miss stuff due to his height that could allow for him to potentially work at the back of the bullpen, but he's joining a deep bullpen.
Logan Rinehart, RP, Baltimore Orioles
Rinehart was drafted in the 16th round of the 2019 draft by Seattle. He has a strong two-pitch mix, and the Mariners attempted to develop him as a starter after surgery and the pandemic. He moved to the bullpen this year and has been a strong closer, though it's been at High-A as a 25-year-old.
VERDICT: The Orioles acquired Rinehart in exchange for DFA'd reliever Eduard Bazardo, and that says a lot about his true value. No reason to worry at this time.
Jesus Rios, RP, Kansas City Royals
An older signing out of Mexico by the Padres this January, Rios has struggled in the DSL despite big raw stuff, primarily because he struggles to control it. He was the secondary piece of the Padres' deal to acquire Scott Barlow.
VERDICT: Rios is a long way away and has a lot of work to do to be of any consequence in fantasy.
Sem Robberse, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Originally signed by the Jays out of the Netherlands in 2019, Robberse made his full-season debut in 2021 and reached Double-A last year at age 20. While he's been dinged by the long ball this year, Robberse's handled Double-A fairly well. Robberse works with a low-90s fastball and three average to above-average secondaries.
VERDICT: Robberse was acquired by the Cardinals in the Jordan Hicks trade, and he profiles as a backend starter. He could be up in 2024, so deep dynasties could consider him, but otherwise, he's best left alone.
Josh Roberson, RP, Chicago Cubs
The Marlins drafted Roberson in the 12th round in 2017 out of UNC-Wilmington. He was traded to Tampa Bay last season, as he struggled to control his power fastball/slider combination. Now 27, Roberson is still struggling with control but has raw stuff that could allow him to do well in a big-league bullpen if he can control it.
VERDICT: No reason to roster Roberson, but keep the name in mind if he commands well enough to earn a call to the majors.
Nick Robertson, RP, Boston Red Sox
The 6'6" righty was drafted by the Dodgers in the 7th round in 2019 and has worked as a reliever his entire pro career. He was jumped to Double-A in 2021 after the pandemic, and he's bounced between AA and AAA until making a debut this year, striking out 44 in 30 1/3 minor league innings before whiffing 13 in 10 1/3 innings in the majors.
VERDICT: Part of the return for Enrique Hernandez, Robertson will likely end up in Boston soon, but not likely in a fantasy-relevant role. Leave him be.
Tekoah Roby, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
With Jake Eder's injury stuff, Roby could be in the running for the best arm acquired during the deadline. He features four above-average pitches, led by a mid-90s fastball that he gets a surprising extension on at 6'1". There's not a single one of his pitches that sits plus, but he touches plus with each offering.
VERDICT: Roby's been hit hard in Double-A this year, but his stuff is still impressive. The Cardinals will develop him to likely debut in 2024. He should be grabbed in deep dynasty leagues.
Drew Rom, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Baltimore drafted Rom in 2018 in the fourth round. He has the typical college lefty profile, even without attending college. He works with a low-90s fastball that he generates swings on due to his deception. Repeating his delivery with that deception involved can sometimes be an issue, leading to an 11.5% walk rate.
VERDICT: Rom has a balanced repertoire that should work as a backend starter from the left side. The Cardinals will likely get a look at it this season.
Matt Svanson, RP, St. Louis Cardinals
The Blue Jays drafted Svanson in the 13th round in 2021 out of Lehigh. He converted to the bullpen immediately, and he's posted strong numbers in the minors, with a 3.18 ERA over 130 1/3 innings, striking out 145. He's missing true dominant stuff, which is why he's spent the last few seasons bouncing between A-ball levels.
VERDICT: The return from Paul DeJong for the Cardinals is likely going to end up a minor-league reliever, and there's no reason for him to be owned.
Connor Van Scoyoc, SP, Colorado Rockies
The 6'6" righty was drafted in the 11th round in 2018 out of high school in Iowa. With less mileage on his arm, Van Scoyoc was eased into throwing, but he tossed 120 innings last year, striking out 140. The Angels used Van Scoyoc to acquire Mike Moustakas in June.
VERDICT: Van Scoyoc has a heavy low-90s fastball and an upper-70s slider that can generate grounders. He's still multiple years from the majors, though, and he'll be in Colorado, so let him be.
Zack Showalter, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
The Orioles signed Showalter for above-slot $440K after drafting him in the 11th round last summer. He features a mid-90s fastball with a strong ride up in the zone. He also has some feel for a slider and change, but they both need significant work.
VERDICT: Showalter has impressive raw stuff if he can get his control in check with the Cardinals. They'll likely push him up at a much more measured pace, meaning he really doesn't need to be owned at this time.
Victor Vodnik, RP, Colorado Rockies
One of the best names in all of minor league baseball, Vodnik has been a guy that drew comments everywhere he went in the Braves system for his raw stuff, with a fastball that touches triple digits, a grounder-inducing change, and a slider. He struggles to locate his arsenal, which led to a move to the bullpen last year, and he's thrived in the role, striking out 107 over 78 1/3 innings.
VERDICT: Vodnik profiles as a backend reliever with his stuff, but he has to control it first. No need to own him at this time.
Henry Williams, SP, Kansas City Royals
Without Tommy John, Williams would have been in discussion in the first round last summer. Instead, he fell to the Padres in the third round. He's been working to get the feel back as he returns from surgery, but he has also flashed just how impressive his stuff can be in short spurts. He profiles as a mid-rotation starter with his 6'5" frame.
VERDICT: The Royals have overhauled their development system for pitchers, but Williams still has a ways to go before he's worthy of a fantasy roster spot.
Jackson Wolf, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Towering at 6'7", Wolf uses a low arm slot from his height to create deception, allowing his below-average fastball to play up and for his curve and slider to have extra depth and unique shape. He had success in Double-A before getting a call-up for a day with the Padres. Wolf was part of the return for Ji Man Choi and Rich Hill going to San Diego.
VERDICT: Wolf has the build and stuff of a backend starter who likely is better in the rotation than in relief, but he needs an opportunity before he's worth picking up in all dynasty leagues. He could be rostered in a deep dynasty.
Check back again next week for more evaluations and look behind the numbers!
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