TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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

Dynasty Implications - MLB Prospects in the Adam Eaton Trade

Wow, the Chicago White Sox are completely blowing up their Major League roster. Yesterday it was Chris Sale for Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech, Luis Alexander Basabe and Victor Diaz, today it's Adam Eaton for Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning. Two days ago, Rick Hahn had one of the weakest farm systems in baseball with a handful of valuable assets on the big league roster that could net big returns. Hahn has since flipped only two players (still with several assets left including Todd Frazier and Jose Quintana) and has completely revamped his farm system.

But for you, the dynasty owner, a trade like this can have a significant impact on your roster. What kind of impact might it have? I'm here to help you find out by explaining what to expect out of the prospects dealt in the deal. Here are the details on the White Sox - Nationals trade:

Nationals Acquire: OF Adam Eaton
White Sox Acquire: SP Lucas Giolito, SP Reynaldo Lopez, SP Dane Dunning

Editor's note: Be sure to also check out our 2017 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. It's already loaded up with tons of great rankings articles and draft analysis. Aside from our tiered staff rankings for every position, we also go deep on MLB prospect rankings, impact rookies for 2017, and dynasty/keeper rankings as well. Bookmark the page, and win your drafts.

 

Lucas Giolito (SP, MLB)

When the White Sox added 2B/3B Yoan Moncada to their roster yesterday, it was the first Top-5 prospect they have had in their system in years. In fact, MLB.com has not given them a prospect even in the Top-10 since they began doing the Prospect Watch lists back in 2011. After the Eaton trade, they now have two in the Top-5. In fact, both prospects currently rank in the Top-3 on MLB.com.

Everyone knows the story on Lucas Giolito by now. Overwhelmingly dominant repertoire with an upper-90s fastball, one of the best curveballs in the minors and a well above-average changeup that keeps left-handed hitters off balance. Like a lot of young pitchers, his control does waiver at times, but most scouts believe he should have little trouble reigning it in soon. And at 6'6", 255 lbs, Giolito stands as an intimidating pitcher on the bump who figures to have little trouble lasting 200 innings in the regular season.

In a trade like this, it is very prevalent that the grades are dropping for Giolito. His stock is a bit down after he was roughed up in his brief time in the big leagues and his command certainly wavered at Double-A this season.

For owners hoping to reap the rewards from Giolito sooner rather than later, this trade is a godsend. No longer blocked by a loaded Nationals' rotation, Giolito figures to slot right in behind Carlos Rodon and Jose Quintana (assuming Quintana isn't dealt before the start of the season). This will be a very telling year as to whether or not Giolito is going to stay on pace to become a top-of-the-rotation starter like many assumed or if he is going to fall behind and only stay as a bottom-of-the-rotation guy. Either way, it is probably safe to say he will still pan out as a starting pitcher. His stuff is too good for him to become a bust.

 

Reynaldo Lopez (SP, MLB)

Another guy who benefits greatly from this deal, Lopez now is probably assured a spot in the starting rotation for the White Sox. He appeared to be totally blocked out in Washington, even if he may have had a slight step over Giolito for the time being.

Like Giolito, Lopez has an absolutely explosive fastball that frequently touches triple digits. It is by far his top pitch and should serve to be a dominant pitch in the majors. His secondary stuff leaves a little bit to be desired as his curveball grades out as only an above-average offering and his changeup still sits slightly below-average for now. Control was a big issue for him early in his career, but his numbers in the minors this season proved he has made some serious strides in that area.

The big question with Lopez will he be able to hold up as a starting pitcher. That was always the top concern in Washington and it will remain a bit of a concern now in Chicago. What makes his move to Chicago so beneficial for his fantasy value is that in Washington, that stacked rotation probably would have him stuck in the bullpen as a future closer whereas now he will be given ample opportunities to stick in the rotation.

His stuff could still lead to plenty of strikeouts, but he will probably be more of a project than Giolito. He is a decent player to buy right now with him all but guaranteed a starting spot, but dynasty owners should be careful not to overpay as there is still work to be done for the right-hander.

 

Dane Dunning (SP, A-)

In most trades, there is always a piece that is seemingly thrown-in. For most baseball fans, Dane Dunning will seem like that throw-in piece, but make no mistake, he is a talented pitcher in his own right.

Dunning is a big right-hander, standing at 6'4" and weighing in at 200 pounds. Like the other two prospects in this deal, Dunning's best pitch is his fastball which can touch the mid-90s, but typically sits in the low-90s. His slider still has a lot of room for improvement, but scouts are optimistic it can become a solid offering for him. His changeup currently stands out as his top secondary pitch and it will prove to be a weapon for him against left-handed hitters. His control wavered at times when he was pitching for the Gators, but most believe he can reign it in with a little bit of development time.

By far the biggest project in this package, Dunning still has several years left until he is going to reach the big leagues. Dynasty owners will need to remain patient with him as he figures to probably work in the minors until late 2018/early 2019. But if owners show patience, Dunning could reward them with a solid number three starter in a couple seasons.




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

Los Angeles Chargers

Mike McDaniel Expected to Become Chargers Offensive Coordinator
Kel'el Ware

Unavailable on Tuesday
Will Zalatoris

Could Start Off Hot at Favored PGA West Event
Justin Rose

Starting Season at AMEX Event After Bounce-Back Year
Mikko Rantanen

Out Tuesday
Andrew Peeke

Returns to Action Tuesday
Rodrigo Abols

Expected to Miss Several Months
Harry Hall

Looking to Have Another Solid Week in Coachella Valley
Luke Hughes

Out Tuesday
Jonas Brodin

Will Miss Olympics
Carlos Beltran

Andruw Jones Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Rickie Fowler

Hoping to Keep Train Rolling at the AMEX
Alexandre Texier

Won't Play Tuesday
Kirby Dach

Rejoins Canadiens Lineup
Mark Williams

Active On Tuesday
Harris English

Starting Off the Year at Questionable AMEX Tournament
Brice Sensabaugh

Unavailable Tuesday
Luke Clanton

Still Trying to Settle Into PGA Tour Ahead of AMEX
De'Anthony Melton

In for Back End of Back-To-Back
Draymond Green

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Al Horford

Sidelined Versus Raptors
Lauri Markkanen

Unavailable for Fifth Straight Game
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Expected to Land at Georgia Tech
Steven Adams

Will Not Play Tuesday Against the Spurs
Tari Eason

Could Be Back Against the Spurs on Tuesday
RJ Barrett

Will Not Return Against the Warriors
Cam Christie

Could Miss Tuesday's Contest in Chicago
Patrick Williams

Could Be Back in Action Tuesday Against the Clippers
Malik Nabers

Giants Hope Malik Nabers Will be Back for Start of Training Camp
CFB

Duke Suing Quarterback Darian Mensah
Naz Reid

Upgraded to Available Tuesday Against Utah
Collin Murray-Boyles

Will Not Play Tuesday
Cam Skattebo

Should be Ready by OTAs
Mark Williams

Uncertain to Play on Tuesday in Philadelphia
Paul George

Could Return Tuesday
Joel Embiid

Will Not Play Tuesday
George Kittle

Expects to Return "Well Before November"
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Entering Transfer Portal
Mookie Betts

Plans to Retire at the End of his Current Contract
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Robert Saleh as Next Head Coach
Josh Giddey

Could Return Tuesday
Zaccharie Risacher

Ruled Out for the Week
Kristaps Porzingis

to Sit Out at Least One More Week
Jalen Williams

to Be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Ludvig Aberg

Making Season Debut at American Express
Ryan Gerard

Heads to PGA West With Momentum After Strong Week in Hawaii
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Expected to Hire Jeff Hafley as Next Head Coach
Ondrej Palat

Ready to Face Flames
Chris Kreider

Returns From Two-Game Absence Monday
Corey Perry

Back With Kings
Bobby Brink

Available Monday Night
William Nylander

Misses Second Straight Game Monday
Kiefer Sherwood

Sharks Pick Up Kiefer Sherwood From Canucks
Matthew Tkachuk

Set for Season Debut Monday
Sepp Straka

Eyes Repeat At The American Express
Si Woo Kim

Poised To Contend At The American Express
Zach Charbonnet

has Torn ACL
Zach Charbonnet

Needs Knee Surgery, Out for Rest of Playoffs
Tennessee Titans

Mike McCarthy a Finalist for Titans Head-Coaching Job?
Colston Loveland

Suffers Concussion in Divisional Round Loss
Kyren Williams

Scores Two Touchdowns in Divisional Round Win
Buffalo Bills

Bills Fire Head Coach Sean McDermott
Tom Wilson

May Return Monday
Henri Jokiharju

Moved to Non-Roster List
Frank Nazar

Returns to Practice
Oskar Sundqvist

Suffers Skate Cut Sunday
Kasperi Kapanen

Considered Day-to-Day
Zach Whitecloud

Joins Flames
Rasmus Andersson

Moves to Vegas
Rhamondre Stevenson

Returns in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Ha-Seong Kim

has Finger Surgery, Out 4-5 Months
Rhamondre Stevenson

Questionable to Return on Sunday With Eye Injury
Woody Marks

Returns Following Brief Exit on Sunday
Dalton Schultz

Won't Return in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Open to Aaron Rodgers Returning in 2026?
Jarrett Stidham

to Start AFC Championship Game
Zach Charbonnet

Questionable to Return Against 49ers
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Hiring Kevin Stefanski as Head Coach
Bo Nix

Suffers Broken Bone in Ankle, Done for Playoffs
CFB

Darian Mensah Entering Transfer Portal
J.T. Realmuto

Signs Three-Year Deal to Return to Phillies
Bo Bichette

Agrees to Three-Year Contract With Mets
CFB

Weber State Signs former Ohio State, Cal Quarterback Devin Brown
Bo Bichette

Phillies the "Overwhelming" Favorite to Sign Bo Bichette
Josh Lowe

Angels Acquire Josh Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Kyle Tucker

Signs Four-Year Contract With Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw

to Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
CFB

Auburn, Ohio State the Lead Suitors for Kyle Parker
CFB

Oregon QB Transfer Bryson Beaver Linked to Georgia, Kentucky
CFB

Jake Merklinger Commits to UConn

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP