👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 18 Rookie Roundup: Recently Promoted Prospects

The trade deadline necessitated a flurry of roster moves around the league. Those included below are just the most important prospect call-ups. Since we have so many names to slog through, I'll be going rapid fire on those who require the least analysis.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the recent rookie call-ups, and their outlooks moving forward.

Editor's Note: RotoBaller has the best Premium MLB Subscription for only $1.99 per week. We have all the tools to help win your seasonal and daily leagues: Hitter & Pitcher Streamers, Matchup Ratings for every player, Sleeper Surgers for AVG, HR, Ks, PLUS Daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids. 

 

Hitters

Andrew Benintendi - Boston Red Sox

After failing to acquire a left fielder at the trade deadline, the Red Sox settled for the internal solution by promoting Benintendi. The double-jumped the 22-year-old from Double-A. The lefty raced through the minors with barely a stumble, but he did require a few weeks to catch on in Double-A. The gap between there and the majors is huge - don't be surprised if he slumps before adjusting to the majors.

The statistical profile is a fantasy player's dream - solid power, above average speed, and excellent plate discipline. Be wary of red flags. His stolen base success rate at Double-A was just 8-for-15. He may not have a green light in the majors. Fenway is tough on left-handed power - the 10 feet left of Pesky's Pole being the lone exception. Don't expect a ton of early career power. Plate discipline sometimes evaporates in Triple-A and the majors. Since we didn't get to see him play at Triple-A, it's anyone's guess if he'll retain his quality strikeout and walk rates.

Orlando Arcia - Milwaukee Brewers

Fantasy owners have been clamoring for Arcia's promotion since before the season. Personally, I'm surprised it happened. He did very little to earn it, posting a below average batting line at arguably the highest octane hitting environment in professional baseball (Colorado Springs). Arcia features minimal pop, plus speed, and the potential to eventually hit for a high average. Give the 22-year-old a couple years to develop before you expect steady production. Consider him a source of empty steals for the rest of 2016.

Charlie Tilson - Chicago White Sox

Tilson tore a hammy in his debut on Wednesday. He's done for the season. The speedy lefty reminds me of Jon Jay. The profile reads like a good fourth outfielder with good plate discipline, almost no power, and plus speed. Redraft owners can cross him off their lists. Those in deep dynasty leagues may want to stash him for next spring.

Brandon Nimmo - New York Mets

With Yoenis Cespedes hitting the disabled list, Nimmo is back in New York. The left-handed hitter was nearly traded for Jay Bruce. Incidentally, the presence of Bruce, Michael Conforto, and Curtis Granderson all but assures Nimmo will spend most of his time on the bench. It's where he profiles best due to a wealth of merely adequate skills and no standout talents.

Richie Shaffer - Tampa Bay Rays

Shaffer is a power-first corner infielder whose top skill declined this season. He popped just eight home runs in 424 plate appearances at Triple-A. While owners in deep dynasty leagues should take a flier just in case, his path to playing time is muddy enough to ignore in most formats. If he does play, expect a low average, passable OBP, and modest power.

Gary Sanchez - New York Yankees

The Yankees still have Brian McCann blocking Sanchez, but they'll begin the transition by getting him extra reps as the designated hitter. Sanchez is an aggressive hitter with good power for a catcher. That puts him behind the eight ball as a batter-only. Developmentally, it's important for him to carve out a role as a regular receiver. He needs to make McCann expendable to the Yankees if he wants to take over next season. His fantasy use case is minimal outside of two catcher leagues. He'll bat down in the lineup and projects to provide a below average batting line.

A.J. Reed - Houston Astros

Reed may have officially entered the Quad-A phase of his career. He played 11 games in the minors after a late-July demotion. Over that span, he hit .436/.500/.821 with four home runs in 44 plate appearances. Since returning to the majors, he's 0-for-7 with three strikeouts. If it ever clicks, Reed offers an advanced power bat with plenty of plate discipline. Expect the strikeout rate to remain around 30 percent. I've noticed he can be too passive early in counts, falling behind by watching hittable pitches.

Jorge Polanco - Minnesota Twins

The Twins have called upon Polanco a few times over the years. Finally, they're committing to actually playing him. Polanco has double-plus contact skills with a hint of power and speed. The fantasy profile isn't jaw dropping, but he could become a younger, better Joe Panik. He profiles best as a super utility guy with a high average and OBP. Don't expect him to maintain his current .277 ISO. He'll probably post somewhere around a .120 ISO.

 

Pitchers

Mike Clevinger - Cleveland Indians

The Indians have a number of pitching prospects with breakout potential like Clevinger and Cody Anderson. Clevinger's short term prognosis isn't particularly exciting - something like a league average strikeout rate with too many walks and runs allowed. As he learns to command his arsenal more consistently, he could become an occasional streamer candidate.

Ariel Miranda - Seattle Mariners

The Mariners acquired Miranda in exchange for Wade Miley. As of this writing, the 27-year-old was scheduled to make his first major league start later in the evening. The Cuban reportedly owns a 94-95 mph fastball with a solid curve and changeup. He may profile better in relief. He averaged 93 mph on the gun in a two-inning debut.

Brock Stewart - Los Angeles Dodgers

Stewart had the misfortune of pitching at Coors Field on Wednesday. It did not go well. However, the righty has a useful mix of traits. He can induce whiffs, throws 93 mph, and has above average command. Although he isn't a touted prospect, he has the stuff and wherewithal to become a back end fantasy starter. If they continue to use him this season, there may be a few streaming opportunities.

Julio Urias - Los Angeles Dodgers

Urias appeared in relief of Stewart and that didn't go well either. The 19-year-old phenom is set to chill in the bullpen. He could be a good source of ratios and vulture wins if you have a particularly deep bench. Now may also be a good time to pry him from contending owners in keeper leagues.

Jose Berrios - Minnesota Twins

Berrios earned his first major league win on Monday. He held the Indians to three runs in six innings of work. Berrios is one of the top pitching prospects in the league because he can overwhelm opponents with his 94 mph fastball and a sharp power curve. The pitch is particularly tough on right-handed hitters. Scouting reports credit him with an above average to plus changeup, but I've yet to see much from that particular offering. Command remains an issue for the young righty.

Joe Musgrove - Houston Astros

Musgrove is expected to take the place of Lance McCullers while he recovers from a (hopefully minor) elbow injury. As is the case with most command and control prospects, Musgrove will need to quickly adapt to working the edges. In the minors, command pitchers can run a tiny walk rate without getting punished. If they fall behind in the count, they just pump strikes. In the majors, they have to be more willing to pitch outside the zone in three ball counts. This must be done deceptively with pitches that legitimately look like strikes.

If it comes together, Musgrove could post numbers comparable to Jordan Zimmermann. That's the upside, expect closer to a high-3s ERA with 7.00 K/9 and 3.00 BB/9.

 

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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Top-Rated Accuracy
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kirill Kaprizov

Bags Sixth Career Hat Trick Sunday
Stuart Skinner

Nursing Upper-Body Injury
Charlie Lindgren

Gets the Nod Sunday
Pavel Buchnevich

Ready to Play Sunday Night
Jordan Staal

Jordan Martinook Unavailable Sunday
Frederik Andersen

Takes on Senators Sunday
Linus Ullmark

Faces Hurricanes Sunday
Trevor Lawrence

Can a Dynamic Surrounding Cast Lead Trevor Lawrence to Another Career Year?
Malik Willis

Dolphins Want to Build Around Malik Willis
Courtland Sutton

Has Courtland Sutton's Dropping Dynasty Value Made Him a Buy-Low?
Ryan Rollins

Available Against Grizzlies
David Njoku

One of the Top Remaining Free Agents
Leonard Miller

Matas Buzelis Out Sunday, Leonard Miller Joins Starting Lineup
Tyler Warren

Has Room to Grow in Year Two
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Back in Action Sunday
Josh Giddey

Won't Play Against Suns
Trey Murphy III

Out Sunday
Dejounte Murray

Misses Second Straight Game
Anthony Edwards

Won't Play Sunday
Pete Fairbanks

Serving as Opener Before Going on Paternity List
George Klassen

Called Up to Start on Sunday
Stephon Gilmore

Announces his Retirement
Hunter Brown

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Right-Shoulder Strain
Matthew Stafford

Rams to Put Matthew Stafford on Pitch Count Ahead of 2026 Season?
Isaiah Likely

John Harbaugh "Certain" Isaiah Likely Will Break Out
New York Jets

Jets "Leaning Toward" Arvell Reese at No. 2 Overall
Cleveland Browns

Browns Targeting Carnell Tate at No. 6 Overall?
Tennessee Titans

Titans "Love" Their Running Back Room
Jauan Jennings

Asking for Too Much Money?
Brandon Aiyuk

Nothing Imminent With Brandon Aiyuk
Luther Burden III

Bears Want to Continue to Get the Ball to Luther Burden III
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo Dominates Rockies on Saturday
Byron Buxton

Back in Sunday's Lineup
Mookie Betts

Heading to the Injured List With Oblique Strain
A.J. Brown

to be Traded to Patriots on June 2?
Cade Horton

Cubs Place Cade Horton on 15-Day Injured List With Forearm Strain
Isaiah Collier

Out Again Sunday
Immanuel Quickley

Still Sidelined Sunday
Nicolas Claxton

Won't Play Sunday
Evan Mobley

Sidelined Sunday
Jarrett Allen

Won't Play Against Indiana
Pascal Siakam

Ruled Out Sunday
Clayton Keller

Collects Four Points Against Canucks
Andrew Nembhard

Ruled Out Vs. Cleveland
Jack Eichel

Records Three Assists in Saturday's Win
Gabe Perreault

Nets First Career Hat Trick
Nicolas Hague

Exits Early Against Sharks
MacKenzie Weegar

Listed as Day-to-Day
Jack McBain

Considered Week-to-Week
Justin Faulk

Questionable Sunday
MarShawn Lloyd

a Dynasty Trade Target with Long-Term Upside?
Emanuel Wilson

a Low-Risk Trade Target in Dynasty Leagues?
Jalen Nailor

Seems Likely to Face Competition
Adrian Kempe

Delivers a Four-Point Performance
Dylan Sampson

a Candidate for Standalone Value in 2026?
Jaylin Noel

Still the Texans' WR4 for 2026?
Evgeni Malkin

Collects Four Points on Saturday
Keenan Allen

Remains a Free Agent in Early April
Mookie Betts

Considered Day-to-Day, Heading for an MRI on Saturday
Juan Soto

Day-to-Day With Minor Groin Strain, No Decision on IL Yet
Anthony Edwards

Questionable for Sunday
Andre Drummond

Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond Join Starting Lineup Saturday
Marcus Sasser

Upgraded to Available
Tobias Harris

Cleared to Play Saturday
Jalen Duren

Available Saturday
Paul George

Ready to Rock Saturday
Bruce Brown

Suffers Leg Injury Saturday
Nick Lardis

Available Against Kraken
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Won't Play Saturday
MLB

Cubs-Guardians Game Postponed on Saturday
Mookie Betts

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Tyler Kleven

Out Week-to-Week
Mason Marchment

Expected to Return Saturday
Aliaksei Protas

Returns on Saturday
Alejandro Kirk

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Thumb Fracture
Juan Soto

Mets Concerned About Juan Soto's Calf Injury
Juan Soto

Removed with Calf Tightness
Byron Buxton

is Day-to-Day with Forearm Contusion
Byron Buxton

Leaves on Friday After Being Hit by a Pitch
Cade Horton

Headed for Injured List Stint
Isaac Paredes

Placed on Bereavement List
Jordan Lawlar

Suffers Fractured Wrist, Set to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Alejandro Kirk

Having X-Rays on his Thumb
Cade Horton

Exits Friday's Start with Forearm Tightness
Chris Duncan

Set For UFC Vegas 115 Main Event
Renato Moicano

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 115
Tabatha Ricci

Set For UFC Vegas 115 Co-Main Event
Virna Jandiroba

Looks To Bounce Back
Brendson Ribeiro

In Desperate Need Of Win
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Ethyn Ewing

Set For His Second UFC Bout
Rafael Estevam

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Gunner Stockton Looking "Great" After Offseason Injury
CFB

Sam Leavitt Showing "Encouraging Signs" at LSU Practice
J.J. Spaun

Needs the Putter to Cooperate in San Antonio
Thorbjorn Olesen

Trending Up in San Antonio
Denny McCarthy

Carrying Momentum into San Antonio
Chris Kirk

Has Course History on His Side in San Antonio
Billy Horschel

a Volatile Option at the Valero Texas Open
Joe Highsmith

Still Searching for Form in San Antonio
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks to Find Form at the Valero Texas Open
Jordan Spieth

a Horse for Course History at TPC San Antonio
Robert MacIntyre

Has One Flaw to Overcome at Valero Texas Open to be a Must-Play
Maverick McNealy

In Exceptional Form This Season
Michael Thorbjornsen

Playing Well But Still Searching For A Win
Hideki Matsuyama

Playing Well Heading to the Valero Texas Open
Si Woo Kim

Heads to Valero Texas Open For Final Tune-Up Before Masters
Collin Morikawa

Withdraws From Valero Texas Open
PGA

Stephan Jaegar Still Looking For Consistency at Valero Texas Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

is Red-Hot Coming to TPC San Antonio
Tony Finau

a Risky Proposition at Valero Texas Open
Ludvig Aberg

Looks to Shake Off Collapse at Valero Texas Open
Patrick Rodgers

Needs to Make More Birdies in San Antonio
Sepp Straka

Seeks Opportunity in San Antonio This Weekend
Nick Taylor

Could Again Struggle at the Valero Texas Open
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF