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Dynasty Review: Deep Fantasy League Advice for Week 10

The MLB draft kicks off in just a couple days. While some dynasty leagues allow owners to roster amateurs, most require the player to at least join the professional ranks before entering the player pool. I know Ed Sutelan is taking a look at a few of the top dynasty assets in the upcoming draft. I'll weigh in once draftees begin to play in short season leagues.

For now, let's take a look at a few prospects who will be activated in the near future. The Super Two cutoff is fast approaching (exact date unknown) which means financially motivated clubs like the Pirates are preparing to activate a few of their top names. With one exception, we won't be looking at sleepers this week. Instead, we'll be focused on how non-baseball considerations affect when a player is recalled.

Editors Note: Check out all of RotoBaller's MLB prospects analysis here. You can also head over to the prospect rankings dashboard. Our Rankings Assistant is a handy free tool where you can find team-specific prospect breakdowns, tiered positional rankings, 500+ player outlooks, dynasty ranks and more - all in one easy place.

 

Dynasty Advice for Week 10

Chad Kuhl - Pittsburgh Pirates

We'll get to Pittsburgh's top two pitching prospects in a moment. While I am sure you've read plenty about Taillon and Glasnow, there's a good chance Kuhl is flying under the radar in your league. He doesn't approach the dynamic duo in overall talent, but he could provide free value sometime in the next month.

In 61.2 Triple-A innings, Kuhl has a 1.75 ERA, 7.44 K/9, and 1.61 BB/9. In past seasons, he's posted roughly 5.95 K/9 and 2.45 BB/9. In other words, he's shown some signs of improvement this season while moving to the upper minors.

Given the strong walk rates, you might expect him to be a command and control guy. The reports I have describe his command as "fringy." Most of those were from prior to the season. He's credited with an average fastball, slider, and changeup - none of the pitches stand out.

He's been plagued by home runs in recent starts. Pitchers with low walk rates and iffy command tend to suffer from longballitis. Luckily, PNC Park is the second friendliest stadium for pitchers, and the Pirates outfield is defensively elite.

Aside from Gerrit Cole, the Pirates rotation has performed poorly. Francisco Liriano looks hurt. The other three are eminently replaceable. Kuhl won't be a fantasy ace, but he could be the next iteration of Jerad Eickhoff. There will be room for him to make 10 major league starts.

Trea Turner - Washington Nationals

Turner is the victim of a phantom roster jam. He was briefly called up over the past weekend while  Ryan Zimmerman was out on paternity leave. With Zim returning on Monday, Turner was demoted. He was a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk.

Nationals shortstops are hitting .204/.294/.366 with above average defense. Despite the terrible offense, they're still the 15th most productive unit by Wins Above Replacement (WAR). The club could immediately upgrade with Turner, but they feel no pressure to do so - especially with the Mets buried under injuries.

For his part, Turner is hitting .310/.376/.472 with three home runs and 17 stolen bases in Triple-A. He's expected to be a roughly league average defender with a league average, contact-centric bat. For fantasy purposes, his value is tied to batting average, base running, and lineup role. Until the Nationals feel some pressure to make a change, Turner will continue to "develop" in Triple-A.

The Nationals stand to save a few million dollars if they can keep him down until sometime in late July. Turner spent some time on the active roster last year so his Super Two cutoff date is different than most rookies. His fantasy value this season may be overhyped at this point - most rookies are extra careful about stealing bases.

 

Rapid Fire

This week, I'm looking at five players who won't be available in most dynasty formats. I'm focusing on service time considerations and how their respective clubs may wish to proceed.

Jameson Taillon - Pittsburgh Pirates

Despite losing two seasons to injury, Taillon looks like the most polished pitcher in the minors. In 61.2 Triple-A innings, he has a 2.04 ERA, 8.90 K/9, and 0.88 BB/9. His ceiling may not be quite as high as Glasnow or Lucas Giolito, but he's the most likely to provide immediate value.

Rumormongers talked about seeing Taillon pitch tonight, but the Pittsburgh brass shot that down. We're probably only a week or two from his debut. Because he missed so much development time, Taillon is undoubtedly on a innings limit. The extent is unknown; I'd guess something like 120 innings. He may only have another 50 to 70 for the rest of the season.

Tyler Glasnow - Pittsburgh Pirates

Glasnow has bigger stuff than Taillon, but his command is shaky. Major league hitters tend to punish pitchers with plus stuff and minus command. In 61 Triple-A innings, Glasnow has a 2.07 ERA, 10.62 K/9, and 4.28 BB/9. He threw just under 110 innings last season. I'd guess he's penciled in for about 140 frames this year.

The Pirates need to be careful about relying too heavily on Glasnow or Taillon down the stretch. They're a prudent organization so I don't doubt they'll shut down both pitchers prior to the postseason. It might be the right move long term, but it'll be a public relations nightmare.

Alex Bregman - Houston Astros

We talked about Bregman's offensive gifts in the first Dynasty Review. The shortstop prospect is still tearing through Double-A pitching with a .301/.409/.583 line, 12 home runs, three stolen bases, and more walks than strikeouts. Everybody expected him to show more speed than power.

There's talk that Bregman could be summoned in the next couple weeks, but I see that as wishful thinking. For one, the club isn't feeling any pain at third base now that Luis Valbuena is hitting. And while Colin Moran flopped in his debut, there's no rush to add Bregman to the 40-man roster. The Astros probably need to claw back into the playoff hunt before they consider starting Bregman's service clock. They're making progress (28-31 as of this writing).

It's my guess that Bregman remains in Triple-A because he's still learning third base. It's wise to not challenge a prospect along multiple fronts. Once he's comfortable at third, then they can try him against tougher pitchers. It's not unheard of for a top prospect to skip the highest level of the minors, but I doubt Houston is planning to do that with Bregman.

Joey Gallo - Texas Rangers

Gallo recently spent a couple days on the big league roster. The Rangers pinch hit him once. He's in the midst of a contact breakout at Triple-A, but it's clear the club doesn't want to undo the progress. He's hitting .296/.442/.657 in 138 plate appearances with 10 home runs, a 23.9 percent strikeout rate, and a 21 percent walk rate. That sets him up as a better version of Adam Dunn. In past seasons, Gallo's strikeout rate has barely limped under 40 percent.

With Nomar Mazara already carving out a regular role, the Rangers probably don't want to put too much pressure on their rookies. Gallo may eventually assume a regular role later in the season - especially if Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland fail to rebound. Don't expect the promotion to come until after the trade deadline.

Tim Anderson - Chicago White Sox

The White Sox recently acquired James Shields specifically because they have every intention to contend. After a hot start to the season, they've been equally cold of late. The Sox strike me as a desperate club. They could look to a prospect like Anderson for a jolt of adrenaline. While Jimmy Rollins and Tyler Saladino haven't been bad at shortstop, they haven't been good either.

Anderson doesn't strike me as somebody who will thrive in his first taste of the majors. He has plate discipline issues and middling power - .297/.321/.392 with three home runs and 10 steals in 241 Triple-A plate appearances. Those numbers are buffed by a .382 BABIP. The soon-to-be 23-year-old is probably a couple years from consistent major league production. He's also a breakout away from being more than a good utility guy. He's certainly worth owning in a dynasty format, just don't count on instant gratification.

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Quinten Post

Set to Suit Up Versus Philadelphia
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Will Play on Thursday Night
Joel Embiid

Back on Thursday Night
Al Horford

Available on Thursday
Jonathan Kuminga

Cleared for Action on Thursday Night
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Out of Action Thursday
Terance Mann

Available Versus Utah
Kirill Marchenko

Returns From Four-Game Absence
De'Anthony Melton

to be Capped at 20 Minutes on Thursday
Carter Verhaeghe

Ready to Return Thursday
Scott Wedgewood

Skips Thursday's Game
Paolo Banchero

Upgraded to Questionable for Friday Night
Danila Yurov

Misses Second Straight Game
CFB

Billy Napier Finalizing Deal to Become James Madison's New Head Coach
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Unavailable Thursday
CFB

Buster Faulkner Set to Become Florida's New Offensive Coordinator
Dereck Lively II

to Seek "Multiple Opinions" on Right Foot Treatment
David Pastrnak

Still Out Thursday
Ryan McDonagh

Lightning Sign Ryan McDonagh to Three-Year Extension
Trayce Jackson-Davis

Set to Suit Up Thursday
Ja Morant

Considered Day-to-Day
Tee Higgins

Ready to Return After Full Practice?
Jimmy Butler III

Sidelined Thursday
Jayden Daniels

Practices in Full on Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Ruled Out Thursday Against the Wizards
Lamar Jackson

Expected to Play Against Steelers
Quentin Grimes

Is Ready to Return on Thursday
Deshaun Watson

Not Expected to Play This Year
Paul George

Will Not Play Against the Warriors
Joel Embiid

Upgraded to Questionable for Thursday
CFB

Joe Sloan Expected to be Kentucky's New Offensive Coordinator
Justin Herbert

Chargers "Really Optimistic" That Justin Herbert Will Play on Monday
Michael Porter Jr.

Will Not Play Thursday
CFB

Lane Kiffin Working to Keep Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker at LSU
Noa Essengue

Out for the Season
Mike Evans

has "Real Chance" to Return in Week 14
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Expected To Miss 2-4 Weeks
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Realistic Expectation is for Amon-Ra St. Brown to Return Next Week
Jalen Carter

Won't Play in Week 14 After Having Shoulder Surgeries
Justin Herbert

Expected to Practice Either Thursday or Friday
Mike Evans

Practicing Again Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable With Rib Contusion
Marcus Smart

Sidelined Thursday Against Raptors
CFB

Brian Daboll a Candidate for Penn State Head-Coaching Job?
Karel Vejmelka

Records Impressive Shutout
JJ Peterka

Rocks Ducks With Four-Point Effort
Cole Caufield

Extends Point Streak With Power-Play Assist
Matvei Michkov

Delivers Two Assists Wednesday
Jake Oettinger

Grabs Fourth Consecutive Victory With Shutout
Ryan Leonard

Tallies Four Points in Wednesday's Win
Cam York

Exits Win Early
Kyren Williams

Expected to Play in Week 14
Davante Adams

Expected to Play Despite Missing Wednesday's Practice
Kyle Tucker

Visits With Blue Jays
Woody Marks

Texans Say Woody Marks Will be Fine
Rasmus Ristolainen

to Miss at Least One More Week
Drew Doughty

Logs Full Practice Wednesday
Emilio Pagán

Reds Bring Back Closer Emilio Pagan on Two-Year Deal
Jeff Skinner

Remains Sidelined Wednesday
Petr Mrazek

Out 2-3 Weeks
Tyler Seguin

Likely Done for the Season
Neal Pionk

Returns to Jets Lineup
J.J. McCarthy

Practices in Full, on Track to Return in Week 14
Cedric Mullins

Rays Agree on One-Year Deal
Mark Andrews

Agrees to Three-Year Extension With Ravens
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Considering Trading Freddy Peralta
Kyle Schwarber

Reds Serious About Adding Kyle Schwarber in Free Agency?
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Officially Questionable for Thursday Night
Omarion Hampton

"on Track and Looking Good" for Week 14
CFB

Brent Key Signing Five-Year Deal to Remain at Georgia Tech
Joey Bosa

Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury
Bryce Young

Panthers Expected to Pick Up Bryce Young's Fifth-Year Option
Deshaun Watson

Browns Opening Practice Window for Deshaun Watson
CFB

Brian Hartline Expected to Land USF Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Collin Klein Expected to be Top Target for Kansas State if Head-Coach Job Opens
CFB

Chris Klieman Considering Stepping Down at Kansas State
Alexander Wennberg

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
CFB

D.J. Durkin Staying at Auburn Under Alex Golesh
CFB

Charlie Weis Jr. Permitted to Coach Ole Miss Offense in College Football Playoff
CFB

Five-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Flips Commitment From Georgia to Vanderbilt
CFB

Florida Hiring Brad White as Defensive Coordinator
Kyle Schwarber

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber
Willson Contreras

Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?
Edwin Díaz

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz
Devin Williams

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets
Cole Ragans

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?
CFB

Kentucky Hires Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein As Head Coach
CFB

Kalani Sitake the Top Target for Penn State Coaching Job
CFB

Josh Heupel Says He's Not a Candidate for Penn State Head Coach Job
CFB

Will Stein, Brian Hartline the Top Candidates for Kentucky Job?
CFB

Nebraska Fires Defensive Coordinator John Butler After One Season
CFB

UCLA Expected to Hire Bob Chesney as Next Head Coach
CFB

Lane Kiffin to Make $13 Million Salary, Ties Kirby Smart
CFB

Buster Faulkner, Joey Halzle Candidates for Florida Offensive Coordinator Job?
Zack Wheeler

Likely to Return in May
Ryan Helsley

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles

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