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

Recent MLB Prospect Call-Ups From Week 5

Welcome to the first edition of a new series. This article will discuss recently promoted prospects and the fantasy impact that owners can expect to receive from them.

On weeks where there are no prospects promoted, I will discuss some sleeper prospects who have been in the majors for a bit who may be expected to have a bigger impact moving forward.

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.

 

Week Five Fantasy Baseball Rookie Call-Ups

Michael Fulmer (SP, DET)

Own In: 10+ Team Leagues

The Detroit Tigers’ top prospect according to MLB.com, Michael Fulmer recently made his debut for the Tigers against Minnesota. The Twins did manage seven hits and a walk, but Fulmer limited their scoring to only two runs (both earned) and struck out four over five innings of work. Though his debut was far from perfect, Fulmer is a very intriguing prospect for most fantasy leagues.

The 23-year-old right-hander has shown throughout his Minor League career a propensity to strike out batters, having struck out 8.0 batters per nine innings at every level that he accumulated at least 50 IP. He has also demonstrated a respectable ability to throw strikes and prevent free passes (2.17 BB/9 in 2015, 3.10 BB/9 in 2014). As if things couldn’t get any better, Fulmer has also been very reliable at keeping the ball in the park (0.58 HR/9 in 2015, 0.73 HR/9 in 2014).

There is no question that Fulmer has the stuff to be a solid starting pitcher for the Tigers, but fantasy owners also need to understand that he is no future ace. At his ceiling, Fulmer is a fringe number two starter and likely profiles as a third starter. Since his ceiling is a bit limited, he serves as a desperation play for owners in 8 team leagues, but for leagues with 10 or more teams, he could be a real solid sleeper and provide some serious fantasy value.

 

Sean Manaea (SP, OAK)

Own In: All Leagues

Sean Manaea did not find nearly as much luck in his MLB debut as did the Tigers’ right-hander. He faced off against the Houston Astros and while he did last five innings and only surrendered four hits, he was touched up for four runs, mainly based on the strength of the four walks he provided the Astros, and only managed to strike out three. This should be viewed as an outlier, however, as Manaea is too talented to have too many bad outings.

Throughout his professional career, Manaea has displayed nothing but success and insane strikeout upside. He has a K/9 above 10.0 at every level and has kept his ERA below 3.70 at every level. The 24-year-old southpaw has been the furthest thing from an innings eater as he has only threw 100.0 IP last year and 121.2 the year before last, but that was largely the result of a minor injury and him shifting from several different levels. Many would believe that someone with as many strikeouts as Manaea, there would be concerns about command, especially after a rough 2014 saw him deliver a 3.99 BB/9. But Manaea made great strides in that area last season as he walked only 2.88 batters per nine.

Sure, his first outing was a bit rough, but Sean Manaea is still a must-own prospect by all regards. Generally regarded as one of the better left-handed pitchers in baseball (the number seven lefty according to MLB.com), Manaea has immense strikeout potential that many other pitching prospects (like Fulmer) cannot provide. Though he will occasionally have a clunker, the A’s’ lefty is worth owning in all leagues.

 

Jose Berrios (SP, MIN)

Own In: All Leagues

The first real true ace on this list, Jose Berrios is as talented as they come. It was widely speculated that Berrios might not see much time in the bigs until later with the Twins showing some reluctance to promote their young righty, but after placing both Kyle Gibson and Ervin Santana on the 15-day DL, it was Berrios’ name called to take a spot in the rotation. And though he was really kicked around in his first start against Cleveland (4.0 IP, 5 R (5 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K), he looked much sharper his second time out against Houston, delivering 5.1 innings of three-hit, two run baseball with eight strikeouts (the five walks should absolutely be considered an anomaly).

Jose Berrios is everything that fantasy owners would want in a starting pitcher. He has near elite command (2.05 BB/9 in 2015, 2.44 BB/9 in 2014), strikeout stuff (9.47 K/9 in 2015, 9.00 K/9), and has never allowed an opponent’s batting average over .260 in his MiLB career. Scouts praise his stuff, clamoring about his three above average pitches (his fastball and curveball are considered well above-average).

The soon-to-be 22-year-old has a very bright future and it starts this year. Berrios may have been promoted as an injury replacement, but the underlying assumption has always been that once promoted he will not return to the minors. He is in a good position to be the Twins’ first real ace since Johan Santana and should absolutely be owned in all leagues.

 

Aaron Blair (SP, ATL)

Own In: 12+ Team Leagues

Acquired from the Diamondbacks in the blockbuster Shelby Miller deal, Aaron Blair had turned in a sterling Braves AAA debut as he posted a 1.42 ERA and 2.34 FIP (largely the result of a 10.42 K/9). Many believed that he could be a guy with high strikeout upside in the majors, but so far has struggled to rack up gaudy strikeout totals for fantasy owners as he only owns a 3.18 K/9 in two starts already.

There is no denying that Blair is a talented prospect, but he is not as good as he has been hyped up to be. Fantasy owners expecting Blair to improve exponentially in the strikeout category will be largely disappointed as he has a track record of being more of a groundball pitcher than a high-caliber strikeout artist. Blair will not kill himself with walks (as evidence by a walk rate that has gone over 3.50 only once in his MiLB career), but last season he only mustered a 6.17 K/9 in Double-A and Triple-A. Blair is expected to remain in the Braves’ rotation and is nothing if not an innings-eater, but fantasy owners should not put expectations too high.

The 24-year-old right-hander looks very likely to reach his ceiling as a Mike Leake-type number three starter, but he is no elite fantasy baseball asset. He will have some value for owners in 12+ team leagues. Fantasy owners should not expect anything in the way of punchouts, but 150 IP of 3.40 ERA baseball with a 6.50 K/9 seems likely for him to be able to reach.

 

Tim Adleman (SP, CIN)

Own In: Deep/NL-only Leagues

Tim who?! Tim Adleman, a lesser known pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds who recently made his debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adleman delivered 6.0 innings of two run, three hit baseball while walking only two and striking out six. With Raisel Iglesias out on the 15-day DL and delays in the rehabbing of both Anthony DeSclafani and Homer Bailey, owners can expect Adleman to be in the Reds’ rotation at least for a few more games.

Adleman has been nothing if not consistent throughout his professional career. Though he struggled in the early going with Baltimore and in High-A with Cincinnati, Adleman has since delivered back-to-back Double-A stints of sub-3.00 ERA seasons (2.64 in 2015 and 2.85 in 2014). His FIP has indicated that while he likely will regress, he can still be counted on for decent production. Much like Aaron Blair, Adleman should not be counted on for any strikeout production as his highest MiLB strikeout rate has been 7.86 in 79.0 innings in 2014 Double-A. What the 28-year-old righty will do is keep the ball in the yard (0.55 HR/9 in Double-A) and limit free baserunners (2.71 BB/9 in Double-A).

With little upside and an atrocious Reds bullpen that costs every starting pitcher a win, Adleman should not be considered owning in any fantasy league with fewer than 14 owners. He is best suited for deeper leagues and for NL-only leagues and only as a temporary fix since he will more than likely return to the minors or the bullpen upon the returns of DeSclafani, Iglesias, Bailey, and Lamb.

 

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

Xavier Worthy

Avoids Concussion
Nolan Arenado

Going on Injured List With Shoulder Injury
DeVonta Smith

Misses Fourth Practice
Dontayvion Wicks

Takes Part in Friday's Practice
Jayden Reed

Practicing on Friday
Conor McGregor

Enters UFC Testing Pool
Emanuel Wilson

Suffers Leg Injury on Friday
Bryce Young

and Starters Will Play First Two Preseason Games
Ja'Tavion Sanders

"Shining" in Practice
New York Jets

Quinnen Williams is Week-to-Week with Calf Injury
Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parson Considering Drastic Measures Amid Contract Negotiations
Grayson Rodriguez

Considering Having Surgery
Cam Skattebo

Missing Team Drills, Being Managed by Giants
Calvin Ridley

Won't Practice on Friday
Los Angeles Rams

Kam Curl is Considered Week-to-Week with an Ankle Injury
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Not Interested in Trading Terry McLaurin
Drake Maye

Has Yet to Throw an Interception in Training Camp
Detroit Lions

Dan Campbell Not Happy with Lions Performance in HOF Game
Cole Kmet

Works With First-Team Offense on Thursday
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Revamps Diet, Continues to Flash in Practice
Devin Williams

Yankees Plan to Keep Devin Williams in Closer's Role
Baker Mayfield

Won't Practice on Friday with Hand Injury
Keandre Lambert-Smith

Leads Chargers' Receivers, Scores Touchdown
Tre Harris

Quiet in Hall of Fame Game
HyunSung Park

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Tatsuro Taira

Set For UFC Vegas 108 Main Event
Mateusz Rębecki

Mateusz Rebecki Looks For His Second Consecutive Win
Chris Duncan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Elves Brener

Looks For His Fourth UFC Win
Esteban Ribovics

Set For UFC Vegas 108 Main Card Bout
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos Aims To Bounce Back
Karol Rosa

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Nora Cornolle

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Neil Magny

Returns At UFC Vegas 108
Kevin Vallejos

Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 108 Main Card
Danny Silva

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Omarion Hampton

Gets the Start, Flashes Promise
Mikal Bridges

Signs Extension with Knicks
Jackson Chourio

Expected to Go on Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Jonathan Aranda

Rays Hope Jonathan Aranda Can Return in September
Shelby Miller

Brewers Acquire Shelby Miller
José Caballero

Jose Caballero Shipped to the Bronx
Bailey Falter

Traded to Royals
Charlie Morton

Headed to Detroit
Camilo Doval

Yankees Acquire Camilo Doval
Griffin Jax

Traded to Tampa Bay
Connor McDavid

Oilers Hope to Finalize Connor McDavid's Contract Extension Soon
Willi Castro

Joining Cubs
BUF

Devon Levi Re-Signs With Sabres for Two Years
Merrill Kelly

Rangers to Acquire Merrill Kelly
Martin Pospisil

Signs Three-Year Extension
Ramón Laureano

Ramon Laureano Heading to San Diego
Ryan O'Hearn

Padres Acquire Ryan O'Hearn From Orioles
Jesús Sánchez

Jesus Sanchez Traded to the Astros
Carlos Correa

Astros Acquire Carlos Correa From the Twins
Cedric Mullins

Mets Acquiring Cedric Mullins
Jonathan Aranda

Exits Thursday With Apparent Wrist Injury
David Bednar

Yankees to Acquire David Bednar
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits After Hit by Pitch Against Yankees
Dario Šarić

Dario Saric Hoping to Have Meaningful Role with Kings
Donte DiVincenzo

to Skip EuroBasket Due to Injury
Ayo Dosunmu

Set to Remain in Chicago
Malevy Leons

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Thunder
Daeqwon Plowden

Kings Pick Up Daeqwon Plowden on Two-Way Deal
Bryce McGowens

Signs Two-Way Deal with Pelicans
Jonathan Kuminga

Declines Latest Offers from Golden State
Gary Woodland

Eyeing Strong Finish to Reach Playoffs
Max McGreevy

Chasing a Miracle at Wyndham
Stephan Jaeger

a Solid Value Play at Wyndham Championship
Max Homa

Fighting to Salvage Disappointing Season
Nicolai Hojgaard

a Sleeper at Wyndham Championship
Rickie Fowler

Riding Quiet Momentum Into Wyndham
Brian Campbell

a Wild Card at Wyndham Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at Wyndham Championship
Aaron Rai

Finishes Tied For 34th at Open Championship
Andrew Novak

Finishes Tied For 63rd at Open Championship
Hideki Matsuyama

Finishes Tied For 16th at Open Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Wins 3M Open
Tom Kim

Finishes Tied For 28th at 3M Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Misses Cut at 3M Open
Max Greyserman

Misses Cut at 3M Open
Jordan Spieth

Looks to End Regular Season on a High Note at Wyndham Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Tied For Fourth at Open Championship
Eric Cole

Misses Cut at 3M Open
Keith Mitchell

Needs a Big Week at Wyndham Championship
Robert MacIntyre

is the Perfect Kind of Ball-Striker for Wyndham Championship
Charlie McAvoy

Ready to Go for Next Season
Dylan Samberg

Agrees to Three-Year Contract with Jets
Michael Kim

Needs More Solid Finishes
NBA

Thanasis Antetokounmpo Added to Greece Training Camp Roster for EuroBasket 2025
Los Angeles Clippers

Patrick Baldwin Jr. Waived by Clippers
Josh Green

May Not be Ready for Start of Hornets Training Camp
NBA

Thomas Bryant Set to Move to Greece
Cam Thomas

Nets Far Apart in Contract Talks
Kristaps Porzingis

Feeling "Great" Ahead of New Season
Chris Paul

Hints He Could Extend His Career Beyond the 2025-26 Season
Brandon Miller

Close to 100 Percent
Jayden Struble

Canadiens Lock Up Jayden Struble for Two Years
Robert Whittaker

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Reinier de Ridder

Gets Split-Decision Win
Conor Timmins

Avoids Salary Arbitration with Two-Year Deal
Marcus McGhee

Drops Decision At UFC Abu Dhabi
Toronto Raptors

Colin Castleton Waived by Raptors on Monday
Petr Yan

Extends Win Streak
Marc-Andre Barriault

Suffers Decision Loss
Shara Magomedov

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jose Ochoa

Dominated At UFC Abu Dhabi
MMA

Asu Almbayev Dominates At UFC Abu Dhabi
Kyle Larson

Falls Short of Back-To-Back Victories at Indianapolis
Denny Hamlin

Rallies Into Third Place At Indianapolis
Chase Briscoe

Pit Strategies End up Failing Chase Briscoe at Indianapolis
Ty Gibbs

Wins NASCAR's Inaugural In-Season Challenge Tournament
Ryan Preece

Finishes Fourth but Loses Ground to Playoff Cutline
Brad Keselowski

Has Good Strategy, but Not Enough to Win
Ryan Blaney

Bails from Hail Mary Strategy Attempt but Recovers to Finish Seventh
Tyler Reddick

Eliminated from Brickyard 400 in Crash After Top Five Run
Chicago Bulls

Billy Donovan Agrees to Contract Extension with Chicago
Erik Jones

Is Erik Jones Worth Rostering At Indianapolis This Week?
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Worth Rostering For Indianapolis DFS Lineups?
NASCAR

Could A.J. Allmendinger be A Solid Tournament DFS Option?
Zane Smith

Is a Respectable Value Option for Indianapolis Despite Low Experience
Cole Custer

Is A Solid Value Option for Indianapolis DFS Lineups
Riley Herbst

Is an Unfavorable DFS Option for Indianapolis Lineups
Zeev Buium

Aims for Big Role Next Season
NHL

Conor Sheary Signs Tryout Deal with Rangers
Denny Hamlin

an Easy DFS Target After Wreck in Qualifying
Arvid Soderblom

Agrees to Two-Year Deal with Blackhawks
Kyle Larson

Will Start 13th to Defend Brickyard 400 Crown
Chase Briscoe

on Pole for Brickyard as Momentum Continues to Build
Ryan Blaney

Learned a Lot in Practice at Indianapolis
Brad Keselowski

Should Be Very Strong at Indianapolis
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Challenge for a Brickyard 400 Win on Sunday?
Ryan Preece

Don't Forget About Ryan Preece at Indianapolis
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF