July 29, 2016

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...

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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.

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