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 Review: Deep Fantasy League Advice for Week 17

Brad Johnson's premier dynasty advice for week 17. These MLB prospects and breakout candidates should make fantasy impacts in 2016 as fantasy baseball sleepers.

What a busy week for dynasty prospect watchers. Real world trades, promotions, and injury rehabs have affected a bevy of players.

The major league trade deadline is always an important time to monitor your dynasty league. Opportunities abound. Here are a few...

Editor's Note: RotoBaller offers the best Premium MLB Subscription - only $1.99 per week. All the tools you need to help win your seasonal and daily leagues: Hitter & Pitcher Streamers, Matchup Ratings for every player, Under-the-Radar Surgers for AVG, HR, Ks, plus daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids. 

 

Dynasty Advice for Week 17

Aaron Altherr - Philadelphia Phillies

I see it as my job to find unappreciated diamonds in the rough. Over the last couple seasons, I've been particularly effective with Phillies semi-prospects. One of those was Aaron Altherr. Once considered a promising five-tool talent, years of mediocre play scrubbed Altherr from prospect lists. Last year, I noticed a solid power-speed profile with just enough plate discipline to maybe work in the majors. Sure enough, it panned out in year one. Now he's back in the majors.

This spring, Altherr suffered a wrist injury. He's finally on the rehab trail. His bat appears to have picked up where he left off, but he's yet to hit for any real power in 45 plate appearances. Phillies fans are pining for a look at Altherr in the major. Given the nature of his injury, a power slump is possible. As such, I wonder if Altherr might be best served by remaining in Triple-A. As outsiders, it's always difficult to judge the best way for a club to handle each specific player.

Depending on the depth of your league, Altherr may be easily overlooked. He's not the kind of player who oozes talent. The overall profile reminds me of Gerardo Parra with more power and less contact.

Gleyber Torres - New York Yankees

In the intro to last week's column, I had this to say about Cubs prospects: "I think I've (temporarily) run out of Cubs prospects to hype. Well that's note quite true, I'm pointedly ignoring a couple." The player I was most pointedly ignoring was Torres. And now I get to talk about him as a Yankee.

The 19-year-old shortstop was having a superb season as one of the youngest players in High-A. For the Cubs, he hit .275/.359/.433 with nine home runs, 19 stolen bases, and solid plate discipline. His game is described as all-around average. For those familiar with scouting grades on the 20-80 scale, Torres rates as a 50 across the board.

This should help inform our expectations about his future numbers. He probably won't steal more than 10 or so bases per season, and his power may cap out around 10-15 home runs. The development of his approach at the plate may determine whether he's a good utility man or a starting caliber player.

With merely average defense, he's very likely to move away from shortstop sometime in the next few seasons. The Yankees have Didi Gregorius and Jorge Mateo lined up as long term shortstops. This is bad news for dynasty owners since his lack of standout tools will limit his path to production. That's fine at shortstop, but it's harder to tolerate at second or third base. With his name recognition at an all-time high, now may be a good moment to trade him away.

 

Rapid Fire

Roman Quinn - Philadelphia Phillies

Altherr isn't the only Phillie returning from injury. Quinn, a speedy, oft-injured outfielder, is rehabbing in the GCL. He'll return to Double-A soon. Quinn has the speed to be a menace at the top of the lineup, but there's no guarantee he'll make enough contact to be relevant. Durability has eluded him throughout his pro career. He's on the 40-man roster. I expect to see him in the majors this September.

Clint Frazier - Cleveland Indians

The Indians recently promoted their two top outfield prospects to Triple-A. Frazier is one of the pair. The righty features plus power and above average speed. Strikeouts could be a problem. If he ever clamps down on the whiffs, he'll offer solid five category production in the middle of the Indians lineup. Of course, the 21-year-old could be outbound via trade any day now.

Bradley Zimmer - Cleveland Indians

The other Indians promotion is Zimmer. The path to the majors reminds me of George Springer in a vague sense. Zimmer rolled through Double-A, but he wasn't exactly young for the level. He stole 33 bases in 407 plate appearances, but he thrives on instinct over raw speed. Translation, he'll steal fewer bags in the majors. The left-handed hitter has burgeoning power and should blast 20 per season in his prime. His strikeout rate could brush 30 percent in the majors.

Travis Demeritte - Atlanta Braves

The Braves acquired Demeritte from the Rangers yesterday for a swingman and a high upside reliever. The 21-year-old second baseman is in the midst of a breakout season at High-A. The fantasy numbers are fantastic - .272/.352/.583 with 25 home runs and 13 stolen bases. Unfortunately, there's a fly in the ointment - the kind of fly with an ugly brown patch,  glistening red eyes, and an over-sized proboscis. Demeritte's 33.1 percent strikeout rate represents the second best strikeout rate he's ever posted at any level. That won't play in the majors, and strikeout rates usually get worse upon reaching the upper minors.

Triston Mckenzie - Cleveland Indians 

We're Indians themed today. Mckenzie is a high ceiling, 18-year-old starting pitcher currently working in Low-A. In eight starts (44 innings), he has a 0.61 ERA with 9.54 K/9 and 2.84 BB/9. The Indians are currently more focused on managing his workload than challenging him. Expect to see him work in High-A and Double-A next season with a possible major league debut as a 20-year-old in 2018. His secondary stuff flashes plus but requires more polish.

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




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

Harold Fannin Jr.

Ruled Out in Week 18
Harold Fannin Jr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 18
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable to Play in Week 18
Josh Allen

"Good to Go" Vs. Jets
CFB

Joey Aguilar Undergoes Surgery to Remove Tumor on Friday
CFB

Texas the "Team to Beat" for Transfer Running Back Isaac Brown
CFB

Rocco Becht to Follow Matt Campbell to Penn State?
CFB

Texas Targeting Cam Coleman in Transfer Portal
CFB

Former Texas Running Back CJ Baxter Visiting Kentucky
CFB

Beau Pribula Visiting Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech
Derik Queen

Facing First Career Absence Friday
Saddiq Bey

May Sit Out Friday's Game
Grayson Allen

Questionable Friday
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Iffy for Friday
Miles Bridges

Likely to Return Friday
De'Andre Hunter

May Miss Second Straight Game Due to Illness
Mitchell Robinson

at Risk of Missing Another Contest Friday
Devin Vassell

Remains Sidelined Friday
Draymond Green

Resting on Friday
Stephen Curry

Questionable Friday
Victor Wembanyama

to Miss at Least One Game
Sebastian Aho

Records Season-High Five Points Thursday
Auston Matthews

Opens 2026 With Four-Point Effort
Dylan Guenther

Posts First Career Hat Trick During Four-Point Night
Josh Anderson

Exits Early After Scoring
Bo Horvat

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Noah Laba

Out Week-to-Week
Conor Sheary

Lands on Long-Term Injured Reserve
Jamal Murray

Expected to Play Friday vs. Cleveland
Trae Young

Listed as Questionable for Friday vs. Knicks
Rui Hachimura

Ruled Out Through Weekend
Isaiah Hartenstein

Ruled Out Again vs. Golden State
Herbert Jones

Remains Sidelined vs. Portland
Jerami Grant

Remains Out Friday Against Pelicans
Chris Boucher

Active Thursday vs. Kings
Jalen Duren

Won't Return Thursday After Ankle Injury
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Ruled Out Again Friday
Josh Hart

Sidelined for Fourth Straight Game
Bo Bichette

Yankees Showing Interest in Bo Bichette
George Kittle

Listed as Questionable for Week 18
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Trending Towards Playing
Miles Wood

Blue Jackets Place Miles Wood on Injured Reserve
Dak Prescott

May Not Play Full Game in Week 18
Conor Garland

to Miss One Week
Marco Rossi

to Miss at Least One Week
Yegor Chinakhov

Set for Penguins Debut Thursday
Tanner McKee

Will Start for Eagles in Week 18
Shayne Gostisbehere

Misses Third Consecutive Game Thursday
Auston Matthews

Returns From One-Game Absence
Josh Allen

Trending Towards Resting in Week 18
William Nylander

Remains Out Thursday
Lamar Jackson

Will Officially Return in Week 18
Houston Astros

Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal
Jordan Love

Clears Concussion Protocol, Won't Start in Week 18
George Kittle

"Absolutely" Expects to Play in Week 18
Clayton Tune

to Start for Packers in Week 18
Chris Olave

Ruled Out for Week 18
Tom Wilson

Wraps Up 2025 With Gordie Howe Hat Trick
Valeri Nichushkin

Nets Second Career Hat Trick
Frank Vatrano

to Miss Six Weeks With Shoulder Injury
Conor Sheary

Noah Laba Exit With Injuries Wednesday
Brayden McNabb

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Wednesday
Miles Wood

Exits Early Wednesday
Gavin Brindley

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Davante Adams

Not Expected to Play in Week 18
Geno Smith

Won't Play in Week 18
Aaron Rodgers

Considering Playing Beyond 2025?
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Play in Week 18
Christian McCaffrey

Trending to Play in Week 18
Jalen Hurts

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Most Starters in Week 18
George Kittle

49ers Will be "Very Surprised" if George Kittle Doesn't Play on Saturday
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
CFB

Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
CFB

Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator

RANKINGS

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