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Rookie Report: Recent MLB Prospect Call-Ups (Week 22)

ronald acuna fantasy baseball rankings MLB Injury news DFS lineup picks

Rookies and prospects who have recently been called up to the Major Leagues. Michael Grennell evaluates the most relevant rookies for Week 22 of the 2018 fantasy baseball season.

Same report, new management this week, as I will take over the Rookie Report for Max for the remainder of the season. I've been writing about the hot prospects dynasty owners should be keeping an eye on this year, and now I'll also be diving into the best rookies for fantasy owners to pay attention to right now.

Until we see Eloy Jimenez or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (finally) called up, Michael Kopech will remain the biggest "new" rookie in fantasy baseball. Kopech has electric stuff and his fantasy potential is the highest of just about any pitching prospect out there. That being said, that doesn't mean there aren't other top-tier prospects out there who are making their way to the majors. Top second base prospect Luis Urias made his major league debut this week for the San Diego Padres after putting up some eye-popping numbers in the minors over the last month.

Urias is one of two new additions this week, as he and Ryan Burr join the report. To make room for them, Bryse Wilson and Willie Calhoun have both been bumped from the list after they were both optioned back to the minors. So without further ado, let's go over this week's report.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Prospect Call-Ups and Rookie Performances

Michael Kopech (SP, CWS)

After rain short-circuited his debut, Kopech bounced back to earn his first career win on Sunday. Over six innings, he allowed one run on seven hits while striking out four against the Tigers in a 7-2 White Sox win. As a die-hard White Sox fan for almost half my life now, seeing Kopech's 22.2 percent strikeout rate and 10.9 percent swinging strike rate has me excited about both his future fantasy and real-world potential. The one big concern that all fantasy owners need to monitor with Kopech is whether or not his wild streak will reappear. Over eight innings of work, Kopech has not allowed a walk yet, but he has hit three batters. Growing pains are to be expected with any rookie pitcher, but Kopech's history with control issues does give some pause to the growing hype around his fantasy impact this season. Going forward through the rest of this year, Kopech should be owned and started in almost all leagues, but it wouldn't hurt for fantasy owners to be a little more selective of when they start him based on the matchups.

Luis Urias (2B, SDP)

After going 0-for-3 with a walk in his major league debut, Urias rebounded with a 3-for-5 performance in his next game with a double and a run scored. This comes after he put together a 15-game hitting streak in Triple-A, during which he hit seven doubles and three triples with six RBI and 15 runs scored. Looking at Urias' career numbers, he doesn't have one single category that he will make a difference in fantasy, but he will put together solid numbers in all categories across the board, especially for a second baseman. Owners looking for a boost during the fantasy playoffs should definitely consider Urias as a good middle infield option in 12-team leagues and a starting second baseman in 14-team and deeper leagues.

Ryan Burr (RP, CWS)

Out of the players in this week's report, Burr likely has the most limited fantasy value for the rest of this year. That being said, he can still provide a boost in some leagues as a high-strikeout middle reliever. Over four years in the minors, Burr has posted a 10.8 K/9, and in his major league debut this week he struck out two while allowing no hits and no walks over 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Burr is only ownable in 16-team leagues or leagues that count K/9, but in those leagues, he should provide a solid boost to your rate numbers.

 

Quick Hits

Jeff McNeil (2B/3B, NYM)

This last week has been a little slower for McNeil at the plate, but he is still putting up good numbers overall. He has hit just .261 over his last 26 plate appearances with one triple, three walks, and two stolen bases. He's still a solid fantasy rookie, and his positional flexibility should help provide a boost to teams making a fantasy playoff run.

Danny Jansen (C, TOR)

Over four games this last week, Jansen has gone 3-for-10 with two doubles, two runs scored and a 2:1 K:BB ratio. While there is value and some good potential for Jansen in the future, he's not looking right now like he will have much of an impact in fantasy playoffs this year because of his limited playing time. In 14-team or deeper leagues he's worth owning, but for all other redraft leagues, he should be dropped until his playing time ticks up.

Taylor Ward (3B, LAA)

After a good start to his career, the bat has fallen almost completely silent for Ward. He has just two hits over his last 28 plate appearances, with 11 strikeouts and two walks during that span. Like Jansen, Ward has good potential value for the future, but for right now he shouldn't be owned in any redraft leagues.

Ronald Acuna (OF, ATL)

Now is the time to panic on Acuna, as he is hitting only .280 with only one home run over his last six games. Obviously, we were all wrong on Acuna, and he should be dropped in all leagues, especially ones I'm in. Please?

Juan Soto (OF, WAS)

Yet another rookie who is struggling and should be dropped in all leagues that I am in. Over 30 plate appearances this past week, Soto is hitting just .296 with one home run and five RBI. Truly such a disappointing week for Soto.

Miguel Andujar (3B, NYY)

Andujar has been on a bit of a hot streak over his last six games, hitting .367 with two home runs, eight RBI and four strikeouts to one walk. He has been one of the better third basemen in fantasy this season, and he is continuing to put together what would normally be a very strong Rookie of the Year case. But with the guy in Anaheim, Andujar faces an uphill battle in that race.

Shohei Ohtani (SP/DH, LAA) 

OK, yeah, I completely whiffed on Ohtani this year. I thought he would be alright, but would not live up to all the hype he got during the offseason. While he's still working his way back to potentially pitching again this season, Ohtani is hitting .417 with two home runs and five RBI over his last six games - only two of which he started. The only slight concern is that he has a 10:1 K:BB ratio over his last 28 plate appearances, but there are no signs yet that he's going to just stop hitting.

Seranthony Dominguez (RP, PHI)

Strikeout numbers are still looking good for Dominguez with five over his last 2 2/3 innings this past week. Allowing three runs on two hits and a walk isn't quite as good though. Now over 10 appearances in August, Dominguez has an 8.00 ERA with 13 strikeouts over nine innings.

Gleyber Torres (2B/SS, NYY)

Hitting .409 with two home runs over the last week, Torres' bat is heating back up after starting off August hitting .122 over 13 games. What's also good to see is his 5:7 K:BB ratio over 29 plate appearances. If he's available in your league, grab him now for a good boost in the fantasy playoffs.

Jake Bauers (1B, TB)

Bauers continues to look lost at the plate this week, hitting .125 with no extra-base hits and a 7:2 K:BB ratio over 20 plate appearances. There's no reason to be hanging on to Bauers in any redraft league at this point.

 

More MLB Prospects Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
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Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
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Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
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Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
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Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
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Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
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Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
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Undergoes Surgery
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Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
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Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
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Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
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Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
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Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
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Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
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Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
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Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
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Rejoins Timberwolves
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Moves to Brooklyn
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Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
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To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
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Exits With Ankle Sprain
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Officially Active on Monday Night
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Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
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Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
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Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
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Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
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Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
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Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
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Returns To The Win Column
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' Week 3 Status in Doubt
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Wins His Second UFC Fight
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Gets Back In The Win Column
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Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
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Suffers First-Round Knockout
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Shines In His UFC Debut
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Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
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Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
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Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
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Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

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Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
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Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

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Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
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Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
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Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
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Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
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Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
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Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
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Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
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Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
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Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
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Josh Berry

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Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
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