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We are headed into the final stretch of the baseball and fantasy seasons. This week, I take a look at two recent high-profile promotions in RotoBaller’s Recently Promoted Prospects series for fantasy baseball prospects.
In this article, I discuss these recently promoted MLB prospects and their outlooks as we head into Week 20 of the fantasy baseball season. I make note of what I think their upside could be for fantasy baseball managers, and whether they are potential risers or fallers.
I examine industry scouting reports, analytics, and RotoBaller’s premium projections to predict what each recently called-up player could do if given a continued opportunity in 2022.
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Brett Baty, New York Mets
33% Rostered on Yahoo
Situation: Following injuries to infielder Luis Guillorme (groin) and third baseman Eduardo Escobar (oblique), the New York Mets called up top prospect third baseman Brett Baty on August 17. Baty will play third base and start for the Mets for the foreseeable future. That is, until the time that either Guillorme or Escobar returns from the injured list sometime in mid-to-late September.
Baty did not disappoint in his MLB debut when he went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in his first MLB at-bat against the Braves on August 17. Since his debut, he has tailed off. Baty is batting just .171/.237/.343 with two homers and five RBI in 35 at-bats over 10 games.
Despite the slow start, the Mets will give Baty a long look at third base while Escobar and Guillorme are on the mend. Prior to his promotion, Baty was impressively slashing a combined .315/.410/.533 with 19 HR, and 60 RBI over 362 at-bats at two minor league levels (Double-A and Triple-A), with the majority of those at-bats at Double-A (340).
Skill: Baty is a 6’3” left-handed hitter drafted in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Mets as the twelfth overall pick. Baty is the Mets’ second-ranked prospect and 19th overall ranked prospect in MLB, as per MLB Pipeline. Over three minor league seasons and five levels, Baty owns a career slash of .289/.390/.493 with 38 HR and 149 RBI in 882 AB.
Due to the Mets’ roster constraints, and the dire need for a third baseman, Baty only played six games at Triple-A prior to his promotion. Baty hits to all fields with a strong hard-hit rate (evidenced by a 113 mph fielders’ choice in his first MLB game) and a solid on-base and batting average skill set. He hits lefties and righties well, so there is no chance he would be subjugated to a platoon role in the coming years.
If his power develops more fully, Baty could eventually become one of the top third basemen in baseball who can provide managers with solid ratios and counting stats.
Projection: There is no question Baty will start while he is in New York. As mentioned, though, he only played six games a Triple-A Syracuse before his promotion. While other prospects have been successful without spending any time at Triple-A (Vaughn Grissom and Michael Harris II on the rival Braves immediately come to mind), if Baty continues to struggle, the Mets may opt to have him spend more time at Syracuse.
Baty has also had some trouble defensively since his promotion. Manager Buck Showalter places high stock in defense, which could also serve to limit Baty’s time in the majors once the Mets roster is replenished.
Managers in redraft formats in need of help on offense should be somewhat aggressive in their FAAB bids for Baty but also be mindful that his time with the Mets may come to end before the season’s conclusion. The jump from Double-A to the majors may prove to be difficult for him. As a result, redraft managers can be optimistic but expectations should still be held somewhat in check. Stating the obvious, Baty is a must-roster in all dynasty formats.
Cade Cavalli, Washington Nationals
18% Rostered on Yahoo
Situation: The Washington Nationals, in full rebuild mode, opted to call up top pitching prospect Cade Cavalli to the majors on Friday, where he made his debut against the Cincinnati Reds. Cavalli was roughed up in the outing allowing seven earned runs over 4 1/3 IP on six hits and two walks. Cavalli did, however, strike out six batters. Prior to his promotion, Cavalli posted a 3.71 ERA, and a 1.18 WHIP, to go with 104 strikeouts over 97 innings pitched in 20 games with Triple-A Rochester.
Skill: The 24-year-old Cavalli is a 6’4” 240-pound right-hander who was drafted by the Nationals in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of the University of Oklahoma (22nd overall pick). Cavalli was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 29th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, however, he honored his commitment to attend and play for Oklahoma. Cavalli, a two-way player while in college, is currently the fourth-ranked prospect in the Nationals’ organization and the 58th overall prospect in all of MLB as per MLB Pipeline.
Cavalli boasts great athleticism and led the minors in strikeouts in 2021 with 175 over 123 1/3 IP (over three minor league levels, ending in Triple-A). He possesses an elite fastball that can hit the high nineties and triple digits, to go with an above-average slider, as well as a curve ball and changeup. He is susceptible to control issues, which could ultimately limit his ceiling in the majors.
Projection: With the Nationals well out of the playoff picture, they are calling up Cavalli to see what he can do in the majors. He rose to Triple-A in his first professional season, following his successful college career. With his four-pitch arsenal and pedigree, there is reason for optimism that he is ready and up for the challenge of facing big league hitters, notwithstanding his rough debut.
Managers in redraft formats should certainly take a flier on Cavalli. While he won’t generate much in terms of win totals on a bad Nationals team, he can certainly help with strikeouts and ratios depending on the matchup. It’s unlikely the Nationals will send Cavalli back to Triple-A, where that season ends on September 28. Cavalli should, obviously, be rostered in any legitimate dynasty league.
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