RADIO
Balbino Fuenmayor (1B/3B, KC, Double-A)
Stats: .365/.402/.602, 10 HR, 1 SB, 4.6% BB rate, 17.5% K rate
Balbino Fuenmayor has the unfortunate distinction of being able to play two positions, and also being blocked by two potential All-Stars at both positions. He couldn’t even play DH for the Royals because of the great play of Kendrys Morales. But this season, his bat has broken out in a big way -- he is making a very compelling case to see major league time, if not this season then next. He has tremendous power, though a bad eye at the plate to go along with that power, as is the case with a lot of power hitters. His future looks most likely to be in the form of a bench bat, but there is no doubt that this season he is tearing it up at Double-A.
Trea Turner (SS, SD/WSH, Double-A)
Stats: .333/.405/.508, 5 HR, 9 SB, 10.9% BB rate, 18.9% K rate
Trea Turner has one of the most interesting stories in baseball as of right now. The 21-year-old shortstop was drafted with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 draft. Later that year, Trea Turner was involved in the three-team trade that sent Steven Souza to the Tampa Rays and Wil Myers to the San Diego Padres, with Trea Turner going to the Washington Nationals as a player to be named later. He still has to remain with the Padres however until June 13, due to the MLB rule that players are ineligible to be traded during the first year of their contract. Turner won’t let this get in the way of his production though, as he so far has put together quite the season, looking like a potential duel threat with his power and speed. Turner is likely the heir to the shortstop position for the Washington Nationals, and there is a chance that he sees time this season in September. But the fact that he is already in Double-A is a good sign for his fantasy potential in the future.
Tyler White (1B/3B, HOU, Double-A)
Stats: .291/.447/.400, 3 HR, 1 SB, 20.6% BB rate, 14.9% K rate
Tyler White appears to be a player quite opposite to any other player that has manned first base for the Houston Astros in quite a while. Jon Singleton may be tearing up Triple-A now, but he struggled greatly in the bigs, especially with strikeouts, and Chris Carter is a safe bet to strike out 200 times a season. White doesn’t have nearly the power that Carter or Singleton have, but he has got some tremendous plate discipline. In only one season in the minors has he struck out more than he walked, which is really quite impressive. White was taken with the 977th overall pick in the 2013 draft, so odds are there will not be much clamoring for him to reach the majors,. But if he continues to dazzle with the ability to hit for contact, combined with his eye and average power, he could force the Astros to give him some time.
Mike Broadway (RP, SF, Triple-A)
Stats: 23.1 IP, 1.16 ERA, 1.21 FIP, 14.27 K/9, 2.31 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
A relief pitcher? Why do I have a relief pitcher in this list? When you put up the kind of numbers that Mike Broadway does, you have to be put on a list like this. Broadway has appeared in 16 games this season and has thrown 20 innings, which is an indication that he could be used as a potential long-relief option. He has also shown at every level in the minors that that he can strike out a lot of batters while also limiting walks. This season, Broadway's BABIP is .317, which one would think leads to a high opponent average and WHIP. But he has an opponent’s batting average of .181 and a WHIP of 0.95. Bullpens are finicky because they seem to constantly change, and Broadway may pitch well enough to bring the Giants to one of those changes. If he gets called up, don’t be afraid to add him just because he is a relief pitcher, because he should pitch a lot of high quality innings for your fantasy teams.
Dan Barnes (RP, TOR, Double-A)
Stats: 26.2 IP, 1.01 ERA, 1.27 FIP, 12.83 K/9, 2.36 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
Another relief pitcher, but this guy has been absolutely lethal in the minors. Dan Barnes at every level has struck out well over 10 batters per nine innings, and could potentially see a major league call up sometime before the season ends. The Jays have seen a bullpen that can’t find consistency and could use someone like Barnes if they find themselves in a possible playoff push. If not this year, then at the very least look for Dan Barnes to be in the majors at the start of next season, and possibly in the closer’s role or setup role.
Zach Davies (SP, BAL, AAA)
Stats: 48.2 IP, 2.96 ERA, 2.53 FIP, 8.14 K/9, 3.33 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
If the Orioles have one area that they could really improve on, it would be their pitching. They have the 16th best ERA in major league baseball which isn’t terrible, but it is very average for a team that hopes to compete in 2015. While they have many compelling options in Triple-A Norfolk to pull up, one name that doesn’t come up as often is Zach Davies. Davies has quietly put together a very strong campaign in Triple-A, and is making his case to be called up to the majors. While top prospects Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman recover from injuries, Davies could be seen as an option to be called up sooner rather than later. He has been in good health, and pitched incredibly well last season in 110 innings of Double-A and also in the 148.2 innings the year prior at High-A ball. He has great command, and strikes out a fair amount of batters -- scouts see him as having a good fastball with an even better curveball and a possible-elite level changeup. Look for Davies to be one of the next arms the Orioles call up.
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