As usual, August provides us the beginning of prospect call-ups, especially as injuries start to mount for teams that are no longer in contention. These prospects can be of benefit to fantasy owners in not only keeper leagues, but deep leagues where injuries have also taken a toll on a roster.
MLB News and Notes: Week of August 13
Blue Jays call up a couple of prospects
Toronto recalled top catching prospect Danny Jansen from Triple-A Buffalo. Jansen was batting .275 for the Bisons with 12 home runs and 58 RBI. He played for the United States team in the All-Star Futures Game last month in Washington D.C. and hit a home run. The Blue Jays are also expected to call up pitching prospect Sean Reid-Foley to make his major league debut Monday in Kansas City. He has posted a 2.98 ERA and 146/47 K/BB ratio over 126 2/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A. Both are worth an immediate look in deeper fantasy leagues.
Big things happening in Toronto. The #BlueJays have promoted No. 3 prospect Danny Jansen and No. 10 Sean-Reid Foley, who is expected to start Monday. https://t.co/wFWWe7db16 pic.twitter.com/JWSAOacaOy
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 12, 2018
Orioles promote top prospect
While others are preoccupied with football or are just plain ignoring their own teams, here is your chance to snag another young player. Orioles outfield prospect Cedric Mullins made his major league debut on Friday night and was 3-for-4 with two RBI and scored three times. He finished the weekend against the Red Sox by hitting 6 -for-13. Prior to his promotion, Mullins had a .757 OPS with Triple-A Norfolk. He was promoted mid-summer after posting a .875 OPS with Double-A Bowie. He could be the starting center fielder in Baltimore for a long time.
Marisnick to DL, Tucker called up
Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick landed on the 10-day disabled list with a left groin strain. Top outfield prospect Kyle Tucker has been recalled from Triple-A Fresno. Tucker collected just seven hits and three extra bases in his first foray into the majors, but has slashed an impressive .311/.373/.532 with 17 homers and a .905 OPS in Triple-A this year and currently ranks eighth-best among all major-league prospects, as determined by MLB Pipeline
Trevor Bauer hit by a line drive
Indians ace Trevor Bauer left his start Saturday night after being struck by a line drive by Jose Abreu. The Indians sent Bauer for a precautionary X-ray after the game. Early indications are that Bauer should make his start Friday, but keep an eye on how well he recovers. The Indians also had some other injury news when they announced that DH Edwin Encarnacion is headed for the disabled list. Encarnacion returned to Cleveland on Saturday to have his right hand and left biceps examined. Yandy Diaz will be promoted from Class AAA Columbus.
Justin Bour heads to Philadelphia, Phillies try to manipulate roster rules
The Phillies have acquired first baseman Justin Bour and cash from the Miami Marlins in exchange for a minor-league pitcher. Bour is hitting .227/.347/.412 with 19 homers on the year. His fantasy value takes a bit of a hit as the Phillies already have Carlos Santana manning that position so it is unclear how much playing time Bour will receive. Derek Deitrich played first base for Miami over the weekend while Rafael Ortega and Isaac Galloway are in line to split time in left field.
To make room for Bour, the Phillies optioned Zach Elfin to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. On the surface, this seems interesting as Elfin has pitched well. However, the Phillies have off-days on each of the next two Mondays and a double-header against the Mets on Thursday. Normally, a player optioned to the minors has to spend at least 10 days there. Per MLB rules, a team can add a 26th man to the major league roster for doubleheaders, even if that player was optioned and hadn’t spent 10 days in the minors.
The Phillies are giving themselves an extra position player by making Eflin their 26th man. They will bring him back to the majors to start one of Thursday’s game, then send him back to the minors to finish out his 10 days. Eflin won’t actually miss a turn through the rotation. Not a bad strategy and Eflin owners don’t have to shelf him.
Chris Sale returns to Red Sox rotation
Fantasy owners are rejoicing as the Red Sox activated LHP Chris Sale from the 10-day disabled list. All he did was strike out 12 in five innings against the Orioles. Sale became the first pitcher at the current mound distance (since 1893) to throw five or fewer innings and allow one or fewer hits and strike out at least 12 batters, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
@RedSox complete sweep of the @Orioles with Chris Sale throwing a gem through five innings (12Ks). More from @MikeSilvermanBB here: https://t.co/yyCFYvQPQY pic.twitter.com/enKtQTJptt
— Boston Herald Sports (@BosHeraldSports) August 12, 2018
Weaver misses a start as he cuts finger opening a can
You read that correctly. Luke Weaver was scratched from Sunday’s scheduled start against the Royals due to a cut on his right index finger sustained while opening a can. The recently acquired Tyson Ross will took mound for the Cardinals in his absence. It will remain to be seen if the cut will keep him out longer than one start.
Toussaint to make debut for Braves
Atlanta pitching prospect Touki Toussaint will start the first game of a doubleheader on Monday against the Marlins. Between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett this season, Toussaint compiled a 2.68 ERA with a 139/49 K/BB ratio in 117 1/3 innings across 21 starts. It’s very likely that Toussaint will only be up for the start on Monday and then will be sent back down to the minors, but fantasy owners should keep an eye on his performance in case he gets a late-season call-up.
Fernando Rodney trade leaves a closer mess in Minnesota
The Twins traded closer Fernando Rodney to the A’s, leaving a committee situation in his wake and leaving Rodney will almost no fantasy value as he joins the group in the bullpen behind Blake Treinen. Trevor Hildenberger and Addison Reed will lead that committee although neither one has pitched great as of late. Trevor May is a possibility as he has now recorded holds in three of his five appearances this season. Other candidates include Taylor Rogers, who’s got a streak of seven scoreless outings going (three holds). Gabriel Moya is another option as he has closed for Triple-A Rochester. Keep an eye on this one to see who can help you with some saves down the stretch.
Mike Trout heads to the DL
The Angels placed Trout on the 10-day disabled list with right wrist inflammation. The move is retroactive to August 6, though he has not played a game since August 1. The club gave Trout a cortisone shot earlier last week but it seems apparent that it did not help the perennial all-star. Eric Young Jr. will take over in center field during Trout’s absence.
Kenley Jansen to miss time due to heart issues
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat prior to a game last week against the Rockies. The Dodgers announced they have placed Jansen on the 10-day disabled list and indications are that Jansen could be sidelined for about a month. This is not the first time Jansen has experienced an irregular heartbeat as he underwent surgery to address the condition in 2012. Scott Alexander will assume closing duties for the Dodgers. Also, keep an eye on the recently demoted Ross Stripling and Kenta Maeda, as they both could be candidates for saves. Hyun-Jin Ryu is returning to the starting rotation, having been on the DL since May 2.
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