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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 12 of the 2018 fantasy baseball season.
Unfortunately, there has not been a lot of news recently on the prospect front. Unless you count the fact that the Mets will almost certainly not be calling up Peter Alonso this year to be news, that is. At this point, we're just waiting for teams to start service clocks for their blue-chip prospects; we should see more fantasy-relevant prospect call-ups coming within the next few weeks.
Until that comes, though, we are stuck with the bums like Juan Soto and Gleyber Torres, who are already in the major leagues. I'm kidding, of course.
Shohei Ohtani, Willy Adames, Dennis Santana, Walker Buehler, Jake Bauers, and Miguel Andujar leave the list this week. Players joining (or-rejoining) the list are Shane Bieber, Franklin Barreto, Brian Anderson, and Reyes Moronta. Without further ado, this week's rookie report:
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Prospect Call-Ups and Rookie Performances
Jonathan Loaisiga (SP, NYY)
Loaisiga dazzled in his first MLB start, drawing comparisons to Mariano Rivera from Rays manager Kevin Cash. In five scoreless innings against the Rays, Loaisiga struck out six, walked four, and scattered three hits. He was a little less dominant on Wednesday night against the Mariners, going just 3 2/3 innings, allowing six hits, two walks, three earned runs and fanning four. Regardless of the shoddy results Wednesday, Loaisiga has struck out over one batter per inning and has an ERA of 3.12 through his first two MLB starts. He may be a matchup-dependent start in shallower leagues, but the upside here is unquestionable and Loaisiga should be owned in all leagues of 10 teams or larger.
Juan Soto (OF, WAS)
Juan Soto continues to make history. On Monday, he became one of the few players to go yard before debuting in the big leagues. Soto played in a game that was suspended from May 15, which is five days before he debuted. He pinch hit on May 20th against the Dodgers then got his first career start the following day. He homered in his first career start and then went on to mets hit a homer before he even debuted by appearing in a game that started on May 15th. Soto has continued raking and is triple-slashing .326/.420/.593 on the season, not including Wednesday's play. Sit back and watch your Rookie of the Year go to work.
Shane Bieber (SP, CLE)
Bieber was called up for a spot start on Sunday after Adam Plutko was needed in relief of injured starter Carlos Carrasco on Saturday. Bieber delivered a near-quality start, posting a final line of 5.2 IP, 10 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 7 K. Bieber threw just 89 pitches, so there's a chance he could have gotten the quality start, but Terry Francona went to the bullpen before that could happen. It's not certain whether Bieber will get another turn in the rotation but if he does, he has a solid floor and a sky-high upside. If you have space then add now, ask questions later.
Franklin Barreto (2B, OAK)
The only noteworthy thing Barreto has done over the past week is get called up. That's it. Barreto was one of the key pieces in the return for Josh Donaldson from Toronto, and 30+ games is too small a sample size to judge a future career on, but it's looking like Barreto might end up just being the answer to a Josh Donaldson trivia question. The Venezuelan middle infielder is hitting .158/.200/.316 through eight games.
Brian Anderson (3B/OF, MIA)
Over the past month (not including Wednesday), Anderson is triple-slashing .331/.403/.483 with a 13:23 K:BB ratio. The plate discipline could use a little work but the hitting is more than serviceable, especially for a guy that was likely a waiver wire add for most owners. If he's a free agent in your league he's worth scooping up as a depth piece.
Reyes Moronta (RP, SF)
Moronta picked up the save for the Giants on Wednesday afternoon after Sam Dyson came in and faltered in his first crack at closing duties. Moronta, a 25-year-old rookie, sported a 1.93 ERA over 32.2 innings prior to Wednesday's one-out save. Whether this is a one-time thing or whether Moronta will be in the mix for saves from here on out is unclear, but the Giants closer situation is one to monitor.
Quick Hits
Mike Soroka (SP, ATL)
Soroka gave us a clunker in his last time out: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO. This is his floor, ladies and gentlemen. Don't panic.
Diego Castillo (RP, TB)
Castillo has been excellent since being called to the bigs: 8 IP, 10 SO, 2 BB, 5 H, 1 ER. If you need a ratio buffer, Castillo is your guy. Plus, he might see an occasional save opportunity given the way the Rays manage their bullpen.
Seranthony Dominguez (RP, PHI)
Dominguez's last week: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 SO, 1 ER. And it's funny because this is "struggling" for him.
Ronald Acuna (OF, ATL)
Last week I said Acuna was close to a rehab assignment. Well this week, he's REALLY close. He should go out on a rehab assignment before the weekend ends (sound familiar?)
Josh Hader (RP, MIL)
Hader only made one appearance this past week. He came in, got two outs, and gave up no runs. And they were both strikeouts. Shocker.
Gleyber Torres (2B/3B, NYY)
Torres actually OPS'ed under .800 this past week! Worry not, he's still triple-slashing .287/.344/.556. Also of note: Torres will not be subject to the alleged Home Run Derby curse because he is refusing to participate.
