Daily Sheet 9/11/24

MLB - Smada

Parker Meadows, CF DET (MLB) 2-for-3, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB

In his 130 PA since returning he’s up to a 150 wRC+ with 4 HR and 5 SB. Meadows will once again be a very popular pick in redraft leagues and continue to be coveted in dynasty. 

Keider Montero, RHP DET (MLB) 9 IP, 3 H, 5 K

It’s been a bit of a rough introduction to the big leagues for Montero who has an ERA of 4.88 AFTER the complete game shutout. This was an obviously dominant outing, but it also came against the Rockies. It’s unclear whether or not Montero will have a hold on a rotation spot in 2025. But Skubal seems to be the only one locked, with 4 spots up for grabs between Montero and Brant Hurter, Ty Madden, Casey Mize, Jackson Jobe, Matt Manning, and free agents. 

Rhett Lowder, RHP CIN (MLB) 5 IP, 5 H, 3 K

Lowder was able to get away without a walk in this outing after 4 each in the previous two starts. While the ERA looks sparkling at 0.59, he’s been extremely lucky with the batted balls so far. He only generated 6 whiffs in this game. The xERA of 4.13 and xFIP of 4.46 paint a much different story to the start of his MLB career.

Jacob Wilson, SS OAK (MLB) 1-for-5

Since returning from injury on 8/27 Wilson hasn’t done much to warrant sheet attention, but wanted to provide an update. He’s received 43 PA with a 7% BB and 11.6% K with no HR or SB and a pedestrian .211/.262/.289 slash. On a positive note, the contact skills are as-advertised with a 90.4% overall contact rate that ranks 7th in the league since his return. Additionally, with Lawrence Butler out, Wilson led off in this one. The BABIP will surely rise, and the contact quality shouldn’t stay this bad forever. I still believe he’s a future .300 hitter, but hard to envision much more than a Luis Arraez type bat at peak without showing he can generate more power in the big leagues.

Spencer Arrighetti, RHP HOU (MLB) 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 7 K, HR

After a complete wreck of a start last week (looks like the 9 ER did get adjusted to 3 ER with a scoring change), Arrighetti got back to his QS ways. Continue to be very interested in Arrighetti.

Wyatt Langford, LF TEX (MLB) 2-for-4, K, 2 SB

With Seager out Langford has been hanging in the 3-hole and the 2 SB raised his season total to 14. For as much crap as I’ve given Langford for not coming close to the lofty expectations most placed on him, his per 600 PA pace for the season is 12 HR, 70 R, 78 RBI, 17 SB is usable in 15+ team leagues. A 20/20 season is still visible for 2025, but it’s hard to not be concerned about the HR rate.

Triple-A - Matt Thompson

Reese Olson, RHP DET (Triple-A) 3 IP, H, 0 ER, BB, 5 K

The second successful rehab stint for Olson. He’s apparently flying back to Detroit to see if he needs another one or not. I’d say no, but we will see!

Kyle Teel, C BOS (Triple-A) 1-for-1, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Teel goes deep. He’s really turned it on this month, hitting .375/.516/.667 in September, and has raised his batting average by 70 points in this stretch. He’s very good, and the Red Sox catcher of the future. 

Bubba Chandler, RHP PIT (Triple-A) 6 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K

An absolutely dominating performance by Bubba Chandler. He had some of his best stuff of the season, touching 99 with the fastball and averaging 97. He registered 18 whiffs tonight, a solid mix of his fastball, slider and changeup to get there. Hey Siri, what if Jackson Jobe was just slightly worse at everything? Then you get Bubba Chandler. He’s got a 1.59 ERA in his first month at Triple-A.

Jake Mangum, OF TB (Triple-A) 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI

I really like Mangum and it's the old lesson about not ignoring elite level performers. He was an elite college player and the Rays look like they’ve been able to draw more power out this year. Really good deep league stash. 

Ian Seymour, LHP TB (Triple-A) 6 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 7 K

Seymour sits in the low-90s and attacks hitters with a five pitch mix. Command and pitchability over stuff here, and Seymour is an interesting case moving forward. He needs to be added to the 40-man this winter and from the outside looking in it appears to be an easy decision to make. I just wonder if the Rays will let him start or use him as a bulk reliever. Likely will be a mix of both?

Orelvis Martinez, 3B TOR (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 3B, 2B, R, K

Martinez’s suspension ends on September 23rd and it appears he won’t be called up after his rehab stint comes to an end. I still disagree with the rehab rule, but whatever. He’s a dynasty hold for now still. 

Tony Gonsolin, RHP LAD (Triple-A) 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Welcome back Tony! This is Gonsolin’s first rehab start and he might be able to make it back and pitch out of the bullpen, but the calendar is his worst enemy at this point. He likely won’t have enough time to fully make it back as a starter. 

Nolan Gorman, 2B STL (Triple-A) 3-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI

Woo Woo! A double dong day for Nolan Gorman who has six homers since getting sent down a few weeks ago. 

Matt Shaw, 3B CHC (Triple-A) 2-for-5, 2B, 2 R, BB, 2 K

Shaw should play a significant role with the Cubs in 2025 as all signs point to a possible shakeup on the north side with the front office and potentially the big league roster. It’s even likely that he makes the roster as a utility type option that plays everyday. 

Edwin Rios, DH CIN (Triple-A) 2-for-6, 2 HR, 3 RBI

The second double dong in a week for Rios, who has never been shy about his power. The issues are he’s got a poor hit tool and is a poor defender on the corners. He will still keep getting Triple-A chances at worst though because he’s quality org depth.

Dane Dunning, RHP TEX (Triple-A) 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, BB, 6 K

I’ve never been that big on Dunning but he’s a pretty solid arm. He gets lost a bit on this deep Rangers staff and Texas will be one of the most interesting teams this off-season to watch. 

David Villar, 3B SF (Triple-A) 3-for-6, HR, 5 RBI, 3 K

Villar is a quad-A talent at this point in his career, but at the same time represents quality Triple-A depth. He really handles left-handed pitching well and will land somewhere in Triple-A next year.

Tyler Soderstrom, 1B OAK (Triple-A) 3-for-4, 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB

Soderstrom is on a rehab stint and should finish out the stretch with the A’s, starting here soon. I still like him a bit but his stock is down quite a bit.

Kyren Paris, SS LAA (Triple-A) 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB

I’m admittedly way out on Paris but a good game is a good game. He’s a good athlete that can potentially play all over which is good because it appears likely that’s his best path to the big leagues. 

Double-A - Tom Gates

Ryan Clifford, LF NYM (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, K

The Big Red Dog has been splitting time between OF and 1B. If he can play multiple positions, it would boost his value. We all know who he is. Three true outcomes hitter.

Wikelman Gonzalez, RHP BOS (Double-A) 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K

The strikeouts have ticked down while the high walk rate remains. 

Enrique Bradfield, CF BAL (Double-A) 2-for-3, HR, 3 R, RBI, BB, SB

All the O’s center fielders are hitting home runs lately. This Bradfield’s first in Double-A and fourth on the season. Can’t expect too much more. But you can expect a good OBP, contact skills, and tons of stolen bases. He’s at 71 swipes.

Sterlin Thompson, LF COL (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI, K

Underwhelming, yet not disappointing is how I’d sum up Thompson's year. I think we expected more power. He has yet to reach his home run total from last year and has played in 20 more games. 

Elijah Dunham, RF NYY (Double-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 K

Double-dong from Dunham.

Nathan Martorella, 1B MIA (Double-A) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI, BB

Forgive me if I’m wrong because it’s so very early in the morning and I haven’t had my coffee yet, but I think Martorella looks like the best piece so far from the Luis Arreaz trade. He and DDLS should be knocking on the Major League door next year.

Carson Williams, SS TB (Double-A) 1-for-5, HR, R, RBI, K

An oppo taco on taco Tuesday. Williams will be a top fantasy player if he can improve on his hit-tool. The power is legit and the speed is there. He’s young for the level so there is time. I’m a big fan.

Mason Barnett, RHP OAK (Double-A) 7 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 9 K

Back to back to back 9 strikeout games. That’ll get your attention. And a 10 spot - five games ago. I love Barnett’s breaking ball. It can travel through the entire zone when he takes some velocity off it. Out of his hand, it looks like the elevated fastball. The fastball plays well up in the zone, like many do. I’d have to really dive into him more to see if he can be effective with it elsewhere. 

Gino Groover, 3B AZ (Double-A) 1-for-2, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, K

He turned on a 93 mph fastball inside and sent it deep over the fence. This guy has been making waves in the fantasy community lately.  It doesn’t sound like everyone is all in him. In the last 28 days, he’s batting .300 with 6 home runs and more walks than strikeouts. 

Javier Vaz, 2B KC (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB

Carter Jensen, DH KC (Double-A) 2-for-5, HR, R, 2 RBI, K

This game got out of hand late. 12 runs scored in the last two innings. Jensen’s name has been popping on the sheet more frequently lately. Vaz is a solid baseball player that will probably lack the power due to his small frame to be relevant in most leagues. 

High-A - Grant Carver 

George Lombard, SS NYY (High-A) 3-for-5, 3 2B, 3 RBI, K

Not a bad way to start the playoffs for Lombard. It took some time, but he’s showing the ability to adjust to High-A and seems ready to end the season on a high note. I’ll be all in on his stock next season.

Trent Sellers, RHP NYY (High-A) 4 IP, H, 0 ER, BB, 9 K

Sellers went undrafted and had himself a nice little season in High-A, peaking with this playoff performance. He’s 24 and needs to throw more strikes, but still a solid year and a potential bullpen piece at some point. Not the most notable guy but this stat line deserved a shout.

Angel Genao, SS CLE (High-A) 1-for-4, HR, K

The power was a little lower after his promotion to High-A this year, but everything else remains. This guy can really get the bat on the ball and shows more pop than his frame would suggest. Needs to chase less but it’s hard not to buy into this guy right now.

Jay Allen II, CF CIN (High-A) 2-for-5, 2B, RBI

11 home runs for Allen in 2024 and he made strides in that department for sure. It’s still behind where it should be for a guy with his hit tool concerns, but it’s a start. Guys with red flag hit tools like this are tough for me, but he’s made strides and has above average raw power with plus defense in center. I’m willing to wait.

Single-A - Rhys White

Rayner Castillo, RHP DET (Single-A) 6 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K 

Castillo collected 9 swings and misses on the evening, which feels like a season high for Rayner Castillo. He is more of a weak contact merchant, as he has only struck out 17% of the batters he has faced (before this game). BUT, he is posting a 58.6% (!!!) ground-ball rate. His sinker is pretty bonkers, getting up to the upper 90s and being beat into the ground. If he can’t elicit whiffs, he is nothing more than a streaming option if he gets up to the majors.

JJ Wetherholt, SS STL (Single-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB

Wetherholt came to play with a homer in the first inning. He’s got the clutch gene, or whatever Jeff Frye is trying to peddle these days. I feel like Jeff would love JJ Wetherholt, fwiw. The elite contact skills are alive and well, and I’m at the point where he’s the second-best bat in this FYPD class. The dream here is a .280-.290 average — depending on batted ball variance — with 20-25 homers and maybe 12-15 steals.

Yerlin Confidan, CF CIN (Single-A) 2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB

I forget if they count MiLB postseason homers, but if they do, Yerlin just crossed double digits in the homer department. His contact skills scare me, but he can hit the crap out of the ball. The goal here is for him to have a few Franmil Reyes years.

Yophery Rodriguez, CF MIL (Single-A) 2-for-5, 2 RBI 

This is a big day for the Yophery Rodriguez hive — we are thriving, baby! Yophery Rodriguez is one of my personal favorites, and if he can get the hit tool to a 45, he could be a big league regular with 20/20 upside. Would the batting average and on-base percentage be pretty? Probably not, but like, can you just be cool for ONCE? I want to take chances on these sorts of prospects because when they hit, they become like Jhostynxon Garcia.

Seaver King, SS WAS (Single-A) 1-for-4, 2 R, RBI, SB

Elijah Green, CF WAS (Single-A) 1-for-3, 2 R, 3 SB 

The base paths were not ready for these two. Maybe the best way for Elijah Green to ever become something is as a base-running extraordinaire, while Seaver King's speed was on full display. Seaver King is one of my favorite gambles in what is a weaker FYPD class; right now, I’d really have to think about whether I’d take Condon over him. King is probably a top 100 prospect, but that says more about the state of prospects than it does about Seaver King.

Alex Clemmey, LHP WAS (Single-A) 3.2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K 

The command was there, at the very least. He just wasn’t missing enough. He’s gonna be nasty out of the bullpen. 

Gary Gill Hill, RHP TB (Single-A) 3.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR Allowed

Every pitcher is giving up 6 hits these days, huh? Gary the Snail didn’t have the best start; some are saying he doesn’t have that clutch gene. I wonder what his horizontal break would be on his breaking ball... let’s ask Jeff Frye.

Jordan Hicks, RHP SF (Single-A) 2 IP, H, 2 K 

Could you imagine being a Single-A hitter, getting ready for a playoff game, and having to face Jordan Hicks?

Ashton Izzi, RHP SEA (Single-A) 3 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 5 K, HR Allowed

Izzi is one of my favorite pitching prospects that I have seen this season, which says a lot about the pitchers I've seen, but Izzi hovers around a 40 to a 45. He's a good athlete, and you can see where the Mariners could tweak some things with him. He has an easy and repeatable delivery, and his breaking ball is sharp but rather inconsistent. The shape of the fastball is fine, if unremarkable. Izzi will be a slow burn, but there’s a lot for the Mariners' player development group to like. If he hits the ground running next year, I would rush out to pick up the 2022 4th-round pick.

Demetrio Crisantes, 2B ARI (Single-A) 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB 

Cristofer Torin, SS ARI (Single-A) 2-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB 

May a higher power have mercy on any pitcher who has these two as their middle-infield defenders. Crisantes’ 86% in-zone contact rate is pretty bonkers, with an elite 13% out-of-zone swing rate. He has one of the best pure hit tools in the low minors. I think he has it in him to sacrifice some contact, tweak his bat path, and sell out for a bit more power — or at the very least, lift and pull a touch more. Crisantes is what people thought Torin was last year. Torin being in Single-A all year is a bit alarming, if you remove the fact that he’s only 19. Torin is more about approach than contact at this point, and his big issue is that he's trying to pull too many of his batted balls — basically trying to pull all of them — and that’s partially to blame for his drop in production this past year.