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Rookies and prospects who have recently been called up to the Major Leagues. Max Brill evaluates the most relevant rookies for Week 11 of the 2018 fantasy baseball season.
The Tampa Bay Rays decided to call up their entire minor league system this past week. Well, not their entire team, but three notable prospects all got the call this past week and if they sell off the rest of their team, which seems not unlikely, we could see more minor leaguers come up in Tampa.
As I do every week, I must note that all is quiet on the western front. The "western front," in this case, refers to the theoretical call-ups of the remaining top prospects. There is news about Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech, though: it is not certain when (or if) they will get the call this year. Not helpful news, but at least it's something. Toward the end of June or beginning of July is when we should see our first blue-chippers in big-league action. For now, let's enjoy the other top prospects that are in the bigs.
Jalen Beeks, Shane Bieber, Dylan Cozens, and Alex Reyes leave the list this week. Players joining (or-rejoining) the list are Jonathan Loaisiga, Jake Bauers, Willy Adames, Walker Buehler, and Diego Castillo. Without further ado, this week's rookie report:
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Prospect Call-Ups and Rookie Performances
Shohei Ohtani (SP/DH, LAA)
I told everyone last week that the blister situation is not one to be very worried about. I think I was correct in that a blister, hypothetically, would not be a big thing to worry about. The problem is that Ohtani also suffered a grade 2 UCL strain during his last start. There are mixed reports about whether he will be able to play again this season, and some reports that suggest he will only be able to return as a hitter. All-in-all it's unclear as to whether Ohtani will need Tommy John surgery or not. Either way, it seems as though he is a safe drop, if you need the roster space, in redraft leagues.
Jonathan Loaisiga (SP, NYY)
Loaisiga was called up by the Yankees to start this upcoming Friday against the Rays. He is a three-pitch pitcher with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and two solid off-speed pitches (a change and a curve). This season, across two levels, Loaisiga has posted a 11.6 K/9 and 0.8 BB/9. Pitching in the AL East presents a challenge for any pitcher, but Loaisiga, despite being just 23 years old, seems up to the task. I wouldn't add him in any leagues smaller than 12 teams just yet, but he's worth adding to the watch list for now.
Willy Adames (SS, TB)
Adames was recalled to the bigs this week after Daniel Robertson was placed on the disabled list. Whether he will stay up after Robertson's return remains to be seen, but so long as he hits, he should stay. He's 3/10 with 5 strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 run, and 1 RBI since being recalled which is not fantastic but is pretty solid. Add in the fact that Adames is a 22-year-old in the majors and you have the makings of a future stud. Given the depth of SS this season, I wouldn't run to the wire for Adames just yet, but be ready to snag him if he heats up.
Mike Soroka (SP, ATL)
Soroka's first start off the DL could not have gone better: 6.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 R. He took a no-hit bid into the seventh and was flat-out dominant all day. Granted, it is the Mets but good numbers are good numbers. Feel comfortable plugging Soroka back into all lineups from here on out.
Diego Castillo (RP, TB)
Castillo joined Adames with the big league club this past week. Since being promoted, Castillo has thrown 5.2 innings, allowing 1 ER, 2 BB, and fanning 8. He is a great pickup for anyone in a holds league or looking for a ratio buffer.
Juan Soto (OF, WAS)
Thanks to a two-homer performance at Yankee Stadium, Soto is now triple-slashing .344/.447/.641 on the season. He has five homers in 76 PA, and has walked more times (12) than he has struck out (11). Soto is in elite company; he is the first teenager since Ken Griffey Jr. to have a multi-HR game off the Yankees, and the first to do it at all since Andruw Jones in 1999. And as if that weren't already enough, about 20% of all MLB players who got at least 100 at-bats as a teenager have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Soto is in elite company, so enjoy the ride.
Jake Bauers (1B/OF, TB)
Bauers has been solid during his time in the majors, triple-slashing .308/.379/.538 with one long ball in 29 PA. For fantasy purposes, given the positions he plays, Bauers is not super intriguing, but if he continues hitting how he has been he will become a must-add. Monitor Bauers for now.
Quick Hits
Dennis Santana (SP, LAD), and Walker Buehler (SP, LAD)
Santana and Buehler both landed on the DL in the past week. Santana was placed on the DL with a right rotator cuff injury and Buehler was put there with a rib injury. The timetable to return is unclear for both pitchers so both situations are ones to monitor.
Seranthony Dominguez (RP, PHI)
Dominguez's last week: 3 IP, 5 K, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 H. His ERA sits at 1.42 on the season, his WHIP at 0.42, and K/9 at 10.4. Life is easy for Seranthony.
Ronald Acuna (OF, ATL)
Acuna is likely to begin a rehab assignment before the end of the weekend. He's still likely around two weeks away.
Josh Hader (RP, MIL)
More dominance from Hader over the past week: 3.2 IP, 6 K, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 ER. He has a 1.22 ERA and 75 strikeouts over 23 games (yes, he is averaging over three strikeouts per appearance). Stud.
Miguel Andujar (3B, NYY)
Andujar's last week: 4/14 with a dinger and two RBI. He's triple-slashing .304/.333/.541.
Gleyber Torres (2B/3B, NYY)
Torres is 5/16 with 2 HR over the past week. His triple-slash is up to .296/.353/.566 on the year, and he is easily the front-runner for Rookie of the Year in the AL. I still hate the Yankees.
