MLB Farm Report: April 7

With the 2016 season officially in full swing, the majority of the focus will be on players in the big leagues. While those are the stars that will anchor your team to a championship this year, we cannot forget about those coming down the pike. With the amount of injuries that occur during the regular season, minor league call-ups happen seemingly every single day. Some of those recalls are minor league journeyman, some are minor leaguers that haven’t achieved “prospect” status, while the final batch are the well-known prospects that can be instant game changers.

 

Every Sunday and Thursday, several players are going to be spotlighted in this article. We’ll touch on the prospects we all know and love, but the sun will also shine on those players that don’t get as much love in fantasy circles. If you are in a deeper AL-Only or NL-Only league, you may be able to find a starting pitcher that could hold a rotation spot for an extended period of time. Maybe you need an outfielder that will see regular playing time so that you can fill out your roster. Good news:. We are going to uncover those types of players and give you, the readers, a jump to acquire them before anyone else.

 

Since the minor league season actually begins today, we have no real in-season data to look at, so we are going to rewind to spring training and take a look at a couple of players.

 

 

Dansby Swanson, SS, Atlanta – 9-for-30 (.300/.323/.467), 3 2B, 3 RBI, 6 R

 

As the top prospect in Atlanta’s farm system, the team wanted to get a long look at him in spring training. Swanson did a fine job at the plate as he showed gap power and the ability to hit for average. Considering that Swanson played three years at Vanderbilt and is already 22, he is the type of player that should rocket through the minor leagues. He will begin the season at Double-A Carolina, but should reach Triple-A sometime after the All-Star break. His debut is mostly likely to come in June 2017 after the Super Two deadline. Obviously, that can change if the Braves are forced to bring him up early, but the team isn’t exactly in “win now” mode.

 

ETA: June 2017

 

Joey Gallo, 3B/OF, Texas – 8-for-28 (.286/.429/.607), 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 BB, 9 K

 

We all know about Joey Gallo’s massive power. We also know about him being one of the most strikeout-prone players in all of baseball. In this case, you have to take the bad with the good. Gallo had a solid spring for Texas flashing his power, his ability to take a walk, and plenty of strikeouts. The Rangers currently do not have a spot on the field for Gallo, so they sent him to Triple-A for more seasoning. Baseball is a grind and it is a given that there will be injuries. If Adrian Beltre pulls a hamstring or Shin-Soo Choo strains an oblique, Texas won’t be calling Ghostbusters—they’ll be calling Gallo. His power alone is worth a spot on your bench, so stash him away for a rainy day and play the waiting game.

 

 

ETA: Today, Tomorrow, Next Week

 

Trea Turner, SS, Washington – 10-for-41 (.244/.327/.390), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 11 R, 8 SB

 

The Nationals gave Turner a long look during spring training, but ultimately decided on using Danny Espinosa at shortstop. He is clearly superior to Espinosa already, but we know how Dusty Baker loves his veterans. Turner is the Nationals’ shortstop of the future and it’s only a few weeks of a sub-.220 batting average from Espinosa away from being his job permanently. Stash him on the bench in all formats.

 

 

ETA: Late April 2016

 

 

Lucas Giolito, SP, Washington – 4 Appearances (1 Start), 6.2 IP, 4.05 ERA, 9 Ks

 

Washington already has a strong rotation, but the addition of Giolito at some point this season will only make it stronger. Giolito will begin the season at Double-A Harrisburg, but that could be a relatively short stop if he is able to dominate. If Giolito reaches Triple-A Syracuse by mid-to-late May, it may only take 10-12 starts before he gets the call. Much of Giolito’s path to the majors will depend on the health of the team’s current rotation. The Nationals are a true contender this year, so winning supersedes Giolito’s clock.

 

 

ETA: August 2016

 

Jose Berrios, SP, Minnesota – 2 Appearances, 3.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3 Ks

 

Berrios spent half of spring training in big league camp, but only saw action in two spring training games. He split time between Double-A and Triple-A last season and held his own at each level, striking out more than a batter per inning.  In fact, Berrios owns a career 9.5 K/9 over 82 minor league appearances. What’s even more special is that his control is fantastic. Berrios posted a 4.61 K/BB ratio (175/38) at the upper two minor league levels, a number that approaches elite status. The Twins are going to try to hold him off until after the Super Two deadline, but he’s worth an add in AL-Only leagues right now.

 

ETA: June 2016

 

Jose De Leon, SP, Los Angeles – 3 Appearances, 3.0 IP, 7.50 ERA, 5 Ks

 

De Leon is somewhat hidden behind Julio Urias, but he is still one of the top prospects in the Dodgers’ system. His spring training was lackluster, as he gave up three home runs in five innings. With that said, it was never really a true audition as he was slated to begin the season in the minor regardless of how he pitched during spring training. It’s worth noting that the Dodgers have yet to assign De Leon to a minor league affiliate. De Leon will most likely end up in Double-A and should see a quick jump to Triple-A as long as he sees positive results.

 

ETA: August 2016

 

 

J.P. Crawford, SS, Philadelphia

 

There is no question that Crawford is the Phillies’ shortstop of the future, but his spring training numbers left a lot to be desired. He managed just three hits in 20 at-bats and was reassigned to minor league camp on March 14. It will be interesting to see whether he can shake off his spring training rust this weekend when the Reading Phillies host Portland.

 

 

 

Tyler Cravy, SP, Milwaukee – 5.70 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 over 14 appearances with the Brewers in 2015. (Add in deep NL-Only leagues.)

 

Robert Stephenson, SP, Cincinnati – 3.83 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 over 25 appearances with Double-A and Triple-A in 2015. (Add in 14-team mixed leagues, NL-Only leagues.)