The Farm Report: Minor League Baseball Coveage From A Fantasy Perspecitve

Posted by Tom Blaz on 04/15/2013 | 3 Comments

Tags: Wil Myers, Jurickson Profar, Oscar Taveras, Billy Hamilton, Mike Zunino, Yasiel Puig, Tony Cingrini, Gerrit Cole, Dylan Bundy, Bruce Rondon, Danny Hultzen, Zach Wheeler

If you're like me, you are already tired of looking at the same guys available on waivers across every league. Time for the stud prospects to start making their way up to "The Show"!  Many of us have a limited Minor League roster as part of our fantasy teams, but most of the talent we will see come across our lineups this season weren't taken in the two or three rounds that were filled following every one's draft or auction. Each week we will profile who is "next", either on the verge of getting the call or those to track now so you will be ready when the time comes.

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Let's celebrate tax day with a look at those who are going to make the big bucks, someday very soon. Again, this is a partial list and if your league has minor league rosters, these players are certainly taken. If your league does not employ minor league rosters, these are the players you need to jump on when they get called up. We provide the basics, and the latest on baseball's "Dominant Dozen" as we search for the next Mike Trout!

Hitters

Wil Myers Tampa Bay OF- Myers is currently at Triple-A Durham, where he has been nursing a wrist injury. Myers figures to get the call very soon and will hold down a corner outfield spot for years to come.  Myers is the reigning Minor League baseball player of the year and is the top hitter of all prospects.

Jurickson Profar Texas INF- Profar is playing at Round Rock in the Pacific Coast League and is also nursing a minor injury. Rumors of late have trade discussions involving the Dodgers (Andre Eithier) and Cardinals (Oscar Taveras). Barring trade, CF seems the quickest route to the majors in Texas for Profar.

Oscar Taveras St.Louis OF- The 20-year-old sweet swinging left-hander is playing in Memphis of the PCL, bashing the ball at a .412 clip in five games. The Cardinals are loaded at the major league level, with Carlos Beltran's right field spot the long term plan for Taveras.

Billy Hamilton Cincinnati SS- Hamilton is at Louisville of the International League and has been slowed by a calf injury. A shortstop in recent years, Hamilton has been getting a look in CF. Speed, speed and more speed, Hamilton topping 100 stolen bases each of the past two minor league seasons.

Mike Zunino Seattle C- If you are looking for an impact player who could be a regular in "The Show" any day now, Zunino is your man. A superstar at the University of Florida, Zunino is ripping PCL pitching at Tacoma at a .303 clip, with four home runs and 18 RBI in just eight games!

Yasiel Puig LA Dodgers OF- Puig had a legendary Spring and drew comparisons to Bo Jackson, but may be a step further away at Double-A Chattanooga of the Southern League. The Cuban star has drawn comparisons to Matt Kemp and may be only a Carl Crawford injury away of playing alongside him.

Pitchers

Tony Cingrani Cincinnati- Fantasy owners across the nation were monitoring the transaction wires last night, hoping Cingrani would get the call to replace the injured Johnny Cueto. Cingrani was even pulled early in his start furthering anticipation. Great stuff? How about 26 strikeouts in 14 innings.

Gerrit Cole Pittsburgh- The 22 year old former UCLA star brings it at 98 mph on the radar gun. Pirates fans are dreaming of a top of the rotation featuring Cole and fellow stud, Jameson Taillon. Until he gets the call, Cole will be blowing away hitters at Indianapolis of the International League.

Dylan Bundy Baltimore- The Orioles feel they have a comparable one-two punch on the horizon in Bundy and Kevin Gausman. Bundy has been sidelined with elbow concerns, but is reportedly now throwing pain free. The 20-year-old smoked hitters at three levels last season, next stop-Camden Yards.

Bruce Rondon Detroit- The Tigers did everything they could to hand Rondon the closer's job this Spring, but he wasn't ready. Until he fine tunes things, Rondon will be blistering catcher's mitts with his 100+ mph fastball at Toledo of the International League. Should get a chance to close in Detroit soon.

Danny Hultzen Seattle- Brandon Maurer shocked baseball insiders by earning a spot in the Seattle rotation this Spring. Taijuan Walker is thought to be the top Mariners prospect, with Hultzen not far behind. Hultzen was so dominant at the University of Virginia, he earned the 2nd overall pick in the 2011 draft.

Zach Wheeler NY Mets- With Matt Harvey bringing back memories of Nolan Ryan at Shea Stadium, it doesn't seem fair that the Mets also have Wheeler waiting in the wings. In Las Vegas 'till he gets the call to New York, Wheeler has been suffering from blister issues. Wheeler came in trade from San Francisco.

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Tom Blaz is a writer for Fantasy Alarm and co-owner of The Recruiting Eagle a website focusing on Auburn University Athletics.