We've got a rag-tag bunch today. Smada at MLB, Tom at AA, Grant at high-A, and then Drew Wheeler filling in at AAA and Alex Juicy Jensen at A-ball. Hope you are enjoying your long weekend!
MLB
Andres Chaparro, DH WSH (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI, K
Do you think the Yankees are kicking themselves? Ben Rice was sent down yesterday, Rizzo is a below average player who will be a FA at the end of the year and here is Chaparro running a potentially sustainable 124 wRC+ through his first 62 PA.
Junior Caminero, 3B TB (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB
Caminero’s 3rd HR was a 429 ft blast off Randy Vasquez. Through 69 PA he’s run a 119 wRC+ and has kept a palatable 8.7% BB and 23.2% K. Shame he wasn’t up sooner to get more of a sample under his belt before moving into his first full season. Btw- check out the Machado/Caminero content if you missed it. Great stuff.
Lawrence Butler, RF OAK (MLB) 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Well that’s now 20 HR on the season for Butler and that makes 6 HR in the last 5 games. I’m not sure if these HR binges are going to be repeatable next year, but maybe the power will be even better with the Sacramento AAA field next year.
Spencer Horwitz, DH TOR (MLB) 3-for-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, K
Addison Barger, 3B TOR (MLB) 2-for-6, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K
Will Wagner, 2B-1B TOR (MLB) 5-for-6, HR, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI
Nathan Lukes, LF-RF TOR (MLB) 4-for-6, 3B, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, K
TOR exploded for 15 runs vs the Twins with 9 runs coming off of Zebby Matthews in the first two innings with 3 more at the end of the game vs Kyle Farmer. The Blue Jays rookies were at the heart of the damage. Horwitz hit his 9th HR, Barger his 6th and Wagner his 2nd. Barger K% is reduced over the last 15 games and is a nice development. Wagner 169 wRC+ through the first 16 games has been a strong first impression but the 3.4% BB is a bit uncharacteristic vs his MiLB history. Lukes is a 30 yr old journeyman OF who got a cup of coffee last year and hit well in AAA this year. He has a low-power, low K% profile that it seems TOR has been targeting with the likes of Horwitz and Wagner.
Jackson Chourio, LF MIL (MLB) 3-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB
Now 3 HR away from a 20/20 season, Chourio did it all in this one, including the go ahead 9th inning HR. The HR was an oppo shot that would have been out in 29/30 stadiums.
Corbin Carroll, RF ARI (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, K
Carroll is just a HR away from a 20/20 season and the funny part is that his 22 SB are more of a disappointment than his power at this point. Still hard not to like Carroll a lot headed into 2025 and he obviously has the same potential that he showed last year.
Griffin Conine, RF MIA (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI
It’s only been 5 games but Conine has been doing it all to start his big league career. Historically the K% was unplayable and made him a non-prospect, but he was able to get it down to 29.5% at AAA this year (yes, “down to”). I wouldn’t race to get Conine, but he can get into one like he showed today. But Conine is a AAA-quality player right now.
Connor Norby, 2B MIA (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI, 2 K
I’ll admit I’m impressed by the 3 HR and 2 SB that Norby has put up with the Fish over 12 games. He’s shown more power than I expected and it hasn’t come at the expense of plate discipline. Need to see it over a larger sample before I buy-in.
Triple-A
Jorbit Vivas, 2B NYY (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, K, HR
Jasson Dominguez, LF NYY (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, HR
Oswald Peraza, SS NYY (Triple-A) 1-for-4, R, 3 RBI, K, HR
Future (major leaguers who may be) Yankees squad stand up and say what’s up! (What’s up?!) The Martian continues to hit the ball – remember when people worried? Remember when he was supposed to be Mantle? sigh We’ve lived three lifetimes with this kid. He’s going to be just fine.
Brady House, 3B WAS (Triple-A) 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
House is one of the more sure-thing big leaguers we can identify in the Triple-A level and the power has been a bit more prevalent lately, perhaps indicating his final needed lesson has been learned and he’s applying his power more regularly. This blast was his sixth for the level – there’s a shot he cracks camp with the Nats in 2025, but I’d bet we’ll see him next season regardless.
Bryan Ramos, DH/LF/3B CWS (Triple-A) [Game 1] 1-for-2, R, 2 RBI, BB, 2B [Game 2] 2-for-5, RBI, K
The 22-year-old Cuban makes fine contact, but is running into issues with his overall plate discipline – when you’re swinging less than you should, whiffing more than you should, and making less than quality contact in the zone, 39 percent sweet spot percentages will not be allowed to play up as well. Fortunately, Ramos is still just 22, enjoyed a 15-game cup of coffee in Chicago, and has plenty of time to right the ship. This year hasn’t been his best, though.
Jake Misiorowski, RHP MIL (Triple-A) [Game 1] 2 IP, H, ER, 3 BB, K
Craig Yoho, RHP MIL (Triple-A) [Game 2] IP, H, BB, 2 K
Two future Brewers and perhaps two future Brewers relievers. Misiorowski allowed a home run to Michael Chavis, but the real story is the three walks – this is something we’re a bit used to, though; wildness is part of the package. Yoho, on the other hand, only allowed a double to fellow future major leaguer Colson Montgomery. Yoho is a slam-dunk relief piece who could impact the major leagues now; Misiorowski still has enough goodwill to benefit from the Brewers’ ‘fun’ reliever-to-starter pipeline, but he’s got to get the wildness intact.
Roman Anthony, RF BOS (Triple-A) 0-for-4, K
This is your hero?! Nah, I’m kidding, he’s dope. Blip game.
Samad Taylor, 2B SEA (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, K, 2 HR
Taylor cracked his ninth and tenth homers of the AAA slate in this one, including one off knuckle-ballin’ major leaguer Matt Waldron. The metrics under the hood are… not great… and Taylor would likely need multiple injuries to earn another opportunity at the majors. Sorry, Samad. Your double-dong day is sweet, though.
Luis Matos LF SFG (Triple-A) 3-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR, SB
How about a combo meal with a double on the side? This is what we call ‘stuffing the stat sheet,’ folks – Matos needs to be with the Giants yesterday. The 22-year-old is a player I’d look into in deeper or dynasty leagues for the closing stretch and the future alike.
Juan Brito 1B CLE (Triple-A) 3-for-5, 2 R, RBI, HR
George Valera RF CLE (Triple-A) 2-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, K, 2B, HR
Johnathan Rodriguez LF CLE (Triple-A) 1-for-2, R, RBI, 3 BB, HR
The “future” of the Guardians flashed major tools in a 6-4 win over Gwinnett. Brito’s consistency at the plate was pleasant to see from a ‘first baseman’ (Guardians recognizing not everyone can be a middle infielder what?!), while Valera’s two XBH was another feather in the cap of a guy who may have the largest case of prospect fatigue in recorded human history. Meanwhile, Johnathan Rodriguez walked thrice and completed the trifecta of homers for the Clippers. These are major leaguers.
Braxton Ashcraft RHP PIT (Triple-A) IP, H, K
In his first appearance off the injured list, Ashcraft tossed a single inning before being removed and being placed again on the IL. Reports indicate Ashcraft had recurring forearm symptoms – not in the same area as his previously-afflicted arm. Supposedly, Ashcraft didn’t feel good during or after the game per Kevin Gorman.
Ivan Johnson 2B/DH CIN (Triple-A) [Game 1] 3-for-5, R, 4 RBI, K, 2B, HR, CS [Game 2] 2-for-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 K
Oh, hello. Johnson is a bit swing-happy, but man, he had a day to remember spread over two contests. The 25-year-old makes great contact, but doesn’t walk a lot and really struggles with whiffs. In another org, he may even get a September shot at ABs, but Cincinnati’s infield is just as jammed as ever.
Damiano Palmegiani 1B TOR (Triple-A) 3-for-4, R, RBI, K, 2B
‘Ole Damien Parmesan hit his 15th double of the AAA season; Palmegiani’s hit 15 homers, too, and really needs to show a bit more plate discipline (29 percent strikeouts, .316 OBP) before we can seriously consider him for major league success.
Kenny Piper C TB (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, K, 2 HR
Tristan Peters RF TB (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, K, 2 HR
Nearly identical lines from the bottom half of the Bulls lineup – catcher Kenny Piper’s homers, his second and third of the year, were a much more pleasant surprise than Peters’ 10th and 11th. Piper is kind of an all-or-nothing power bat whose stock has dropped this season, but 106 and 104 off the bat is p kewl. Peters, though, has enough power and speed to be on the periphery of the majors at any given time – the level of impact he could make, though, is a bet less than you would hope. Can’t ignore double dong days, though – Rhys threatens death if we do.
Cam Devanney SS KC (Triple-A) 4-for-4, R, 6 RBI, 3 2B
Have yourself a day, Cam. The 27-year-old 15th rounder from Elon isn’t exactly a prospect in the fantasy sense, but a perfect day at the plate (career day?!) deserves flowers.
Moises Ballesteros C CHC (Triple-A) 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI, K, 2B, HR
“The Thighmaster” had a day to remember tallying his tenth double and ninth ding-dong doodle for the level and 18th on the season. Is he a catcher long term? Probs not..but 397-feet bombs hit 99 MPH off the bat play regardless of position.
Kenny Rosenberg LHP LAA (Triple-A) 7 IP, 4 H, 8 K
The 29-year-old has cobbled around the majors here and there since 2022 and isn’t really a prospect sort, but in this gem, he was truly Ken-ough.
Double-A
Daylen Lile, LF WSH (Double-A) 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 K, SB
31% line drive rate in Double-A should produce something better than a .256 average, especially since he strikes out less than 20%. The power is lacking right now. It could develop in the future and he’s got some speed. Good floor here. I’d like to see him push that ceiling up next year.
Adael Amador, 2B COL (Double-A) 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI, BB, K, SB
I thought by now we’d be seeing a .280 average from him. A .249 BABIP doesn’t help. It looks like he’s been trying to get to more power this year and it has shown up. His pull rate is up to 53%. The Rockies gave him a surprising shot in the Majors this year. I don’t see what’s holding them back next year from giving him a longer one.
Justin Crawford, CF PHI (Double-A) 2-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBI, K
Just his second homer at Double-A but eighth of the year. He doesn’t hit too many balls in the air. This one just snuck over the fence. Expect a good average and steals. Be thankful for games like this.
Moises Chace, RHP PHI (Double-A) 6 IP, H, 13 K
Wow! The fastball was buzzing. I just wrote up a player profile on him last week and said, “it starts with the fastball”. The broadcast said he was getting it up to 96 mph. The more impressive part was he was in the zone with it. The slider and changeup are good and play up even more when he can bring the head in the zone. Now, do this again!
Josh Hatcher, RF HOU (Double-A) 5-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SB
Awesome night for the 25 year-old. PLive+ has him as well below replacement level.
Cory Lewis, RHP MIN (Double-A) 5.1 IP, H, 3 BB, 6 K
A little bit of a walk problem lately but it hasn’t come back to bite him. Solid strikeout numbers for the past month.
Nathan Martorella, 1B MIA (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
I admit that I’ve been giving Martorella the cold shoulder lately on the sheet but I can’t anymore. He finished the month with seven homers, a .304 average, and almost a 1:1 K:BB. If the hit-tool has improved and I believe in the power, Martorella becomes more fantasy relevant.
Robby Snelling, LHP MIA (Double-A) 6 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, BB, 2 K
All that excitement that he was back, and…now it’s gone. Back to back outings of hardly any strikeouts. All of the sudden he’s not missing any bats. Six total swinging strikes in the last two games.
Ernesto Martinez Jr., 1B MLW (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
Wrote about him yesterday. Kind of excited about him for an older prospect because of his profile as a first baseman.
Noah Schultz, LHP CHW (Double-A) 4 IP, H, 2 BB, 7 K
13 swinging strikes in his short outing. Not a news flash here, but ace like potential. I’d hate to be a left handed hitter in the AL central with the left handed arms they have.
High-A
Spencer Nivens, RF KCR (High-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 R
Home run number 18 on the season for Nivens and his second in two nights. He really has impressed with the power this season and I get the upside. Whether or not he will make enough contact is still a question for me.
Cam Collier, 3B CIN (High-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K
Twenty on the season for Collier and it seems that the plus raw power is very much shining. He’s not polished and has work to do, but twenty home runs in High-A from a guy that is barely 19 is worth hype.
Cam Smith, 3B CHC (High-A) 2-for-3, 2 1B, R, 2 RBI, BB
Dominating in his handful of games in High-A now as well. The exit velocities are really high and there’s no question about the impact this guy could have. Very much in on him right now, just like everyone else seems to be.
Hendry Mendez, LF PHI (High-A) 4-for-4, 2B, RBI
Mendez is a hit over power guy who showed off that hit tool in this one. He’s had a nice season, but the body needs to develop some strength before it can take him anywhere. Also needs to get the ball off the ground so much.
Nick Morabito, CF NYM (High-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, K, SB
Stolen base number 48 for this guy on the year and he flashes some power as well. Not a bad night. I’ve written about him many times and I do like the profile, even if it lacks some ceiling.
Casey Saucke, DH CHW (High-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, K
Saucke was the Sox 4th rounder in this past draft and is so far having a solid pro career, albeit with some hit tool concerns. He’s chasing way too much and showing some bat to ball troubles, but he’s still very fresh to pro ball. Too soon to judge.
Kaelen Culpepper, SS MIN (High-A) 1-for-3, HR, BB, K
First High-A home run for Culpepper and it sure got out in a hurry. More of a hit over power guy, but he does put up some good exit velocities so there could be average power there. It’s still super early in his pro career, but the plate discipline is what I’m looking for him to improve.
Malcolm Moore, DH TEX (High-A) 1-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Third home run on the season for Moore. He’s striking out way too much at the plate and the approach has to change, as does the bat to ball levels. Not the most exciting profile here but his college pedigree makes me think he should be solid at the plate. I’m just a little lower on his ceiling than some are after last year.
Jarlin Susana, RHP WSH (High-A) 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 10 K
Continues to have a great season and has made huge strides this year. The Nationals need a front end guy eventually and he may be it. Easy T100 guy for me after what he’s shown this season and he continues to climb up that list.
Tommy Troy, 2B ARI (High-A) 3-for-3, 3 1B, 2 R, 2 SB
Troy doing what Troy does best. Making contact. He’s not hit like I thought he would and I was definitely too high on him, but the hit tool and defensive versatility are all still real. I’d still buy low and hope the bat develops eventually.
Cole Carrigg, CF COL (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, SB
Still not sure why this guy does not get more praise. Having a great season, showing more power than I think some thought he had, and has defensive versatility at two premium positions. It’s a profile you have to love and I hope he gets a taste at Double-A soon.
A-Ball
Eduardo Tait, C PHI (A) 2-for-4, BB, K
I love this kid. Monster arm behind the plate, monster raw power and a hit tool that has just been better than expectations consistently. Tait projects very similarly to Agustin Ramirez, but may have a better shot to stick behind the dish.
Tai Peete, SS SEA (A) 3-for-4, 2B, SB
One of the most likable kids in the minors, Peete had struggled to get to his power this year, but that has turned around late in the year, albeit with an increase in swing and miss. Peete is an easy plus athlete who probably winds up in CF and, when healthy, has a monster arm with plus raw power with projection for more. The hit tool is the question mark here. IDK if i’m bullish enough on it to project a 40 yet, but if he gets there he could become a Jazz Chisholm profile player.
Zyhir Hope, OF LAD (A) 1-for-5, HR, 2 K
Hope, despite a major injury, has just been rolling all year. Built like an NFL RB, Hope has slowed down a tick post injury and off-season conditioning will determine if he’s a potential five tool player still, but the hit tool has played well well above expectations and there is MASSIVE raw power and a huge arm in RF. Hope looks like a top 100 prospect to me, just one with many different potential outcomes.
Brandon Winokur, 3B MIN (A) 2-for-4, 2B, 2 K, SB
Do I think Winokur will hit enough for the profile to work? No. Is he outperforming my expectations thus far…yeah. Winokur is a fun player, who will definitely slow down but could grow into truly massive power. But the swing is just too long and launch-geared for a player his size imo.
Dante Nori, CF PHI (A) 1-for-2, 3 BB
I’m in the seemingly rare camp that liked the Nori pick. I think the swing works very well, the approach works very well and he fits the Phillies player dev well. The power is the question as Nori is a smaller player, who is admittedly jacked to the gills, but lacks projection and has struggled to hit for power. I view Nori as a potential high avg, high OBP leadoff type who can play CF.
Demetrio Crisantes, 2B ARI (A) 1-for-4, HR, K
One of my personal favorites, Crisantes has one of the most functional and efficient swings in the minors and has been an absolute grinder in the weight room who I think will continue to tick up athletically, despite a filled out frame. Crisantes is easily a top 100 prospect for me right now in fantasy.
Austin Charles, 3B KC (A) 3-for-5, 2 2B, K, SB
Charles continues to be a hyper-toolsy project with huge physical upside but inconsistent results. If Charles can get to a 40-grade hitter, he could have an MLB future with potential plus power and speed with a high defensive ceiling at 3B….that said, his hit tool looks more 30-grade at the moment.
Nick Mitchell, CF TOR (A) 3-for-3, HR
Young for the class, Mitchell was drafted after a strong junior year at Indiana and is showing more power in A ball than he did in college. Mitchell profiles a utility OF prospect and has shown strong bat-to-ball skills with more of a contact oriented approach than loft driven.
Cam Caminiti, LHP ATL (A) 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 4 K
Strong debut for Caminiti, who sat 92-95 using the FB to get ahead but doing his damage with a SL that sat 78-82 with big sweep.
Santiago Suarez, RHP TB (A) 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K
I’ve always liked Suarez, it’s a 60 FB that he throws often and allows him to consistently work from ahead in counts. Suarez does have 4 pitches and a potentially swing and miss curve, but it’s more of a Joe Ryan style approach to pitching. As such, there will be some blow up outings if the FB isn’t on, but 90% of the time, Suarez is a very high floor arm who should consistently be a lower whip arm.
Travis Sykora, RHP WAS (A) 5 IP, H, BB, 9 K
Sykora has probably been the most dominant pitcher for their level I’ve seen this year in the second half. He just looks unhittable for A-ball bats.
Juan Rojas, LHP BAL (A) 5 ⅓ IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 K
It’s hard to find recent video on Rojas, who was acquired via trade from the Twins in 2022, but Rojas throws four pitches and has been a nightmare to square up this year. He’s someone I want to dig in on.
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