Happy Labor day to all. Fantasy baseball season is coming to a close but the sheet boyz continue to grind away.

MLB

Kyle Stowers, LF MIA (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI

Over the last 7 days Stowers has been hitting (222 wRC+) but the K:BB remains atrocious. 

Caden Dana, RHP LAA (MLB) 6 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, HR

Dana had a solid first career start, getting through 6 IP on 95 pitches, something that he’s done consistently throughout the year. He showed off his 5 pitch mix and got whiffs with all pitches but was primarily FB/SL and averaged 94 mph on the heater. He had a 7% BB in AA, so we’d expect the walks to be a bit better than the 4 he issued here moving forward. Just 20 yrs old there is room for improvement across the board and should be a fixture in the Angels’ rotation over the next few years.

Justin Wrobleski, LHP LAD (MLB) 5.1 IP, 10 H, 10 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 HR

Oof, this isn’t it. Was hopeful that the Dodgers had a guy that might stick in Wrobleski but he hasn’t finished the 6th inning in his 6 starts and hasn’t gotten the whiffs that he got in AAA.

Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP ATL (MLB) 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 2 K

Absolutely THE breakout pitcher this year. Now a large sample of 22% K-BB, gets deep into games consistently with a large arsenal. The only concern headed into next year is the IP ramp up YoY and I’m fine with any injury risk revolving around that.

Spencer Torkelson, 1B DET (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 K

That’s #8 on the year for Tork. He got this one off a 72 mph curveball from Rich Hill. No question he’s been hot in his 60 PA being recalled, but similar to Stowers above, the K:BB has still been bad. Good ISO & BABIP is not enough for me to buy in, even if he continues it through September.

Triple-A

Alan Roden, OF TOR (Triple-A) 4-for-5, 2B, 4 RBI

The former Creighton Blue Jay and Blue Jays hopeful is hitting .308/.391/.477 this year in Triple-A and has earned himself a look this spring at a roster spot. He was a .383 hitter in college and has been productive in pro ball. He looks hitterish with an upright stance and a big leg kick, like a combination of Alec Burleson and Joc Pederson at the plate. 

Doug Nikhazy, LHP CLE (Triple-A) 7 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 2 K

Nikhazy has been throwing the ball well, only allowing two earned runs over his last 16 innings, but the peripherals haven’t been great with ten strikeouts and eight walks in that span. So maybe its not all that well after all? He’s a deception and weak contact type arm that has to start because I don’t think the stuff plays up in the bullpen.

Kyle Teel, C BOS (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB

It’s been a tough go of things in Triple-A, as Teel picks up just his second extra base hit in 55 at-bats. His overall slashline is still good, but the .145/.238/.218 line so far in Triple-A is dragging the overall line down. He’s going to be in the mix sometime in 2025 for the Sox.

Nick Yorke, 3B/2B PIT (Triple-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Yorke is another guy that should be a mainstay in 2025, and I think there’s enough here for him to be the Pirates starting second baseman early in 2025. Between two levels and two organizations Yorke is hitting .297/.374/.439 with 39 extra base hits and 18 steals. He’s hit for considerably much more power in Triple-A as well. 

Jacob deGrom, RHP TEX (Triple-A) 2 ⅔ IP, H, BB, 5 K

The best pitcher on earth is almost back. He’s going to be a top 40 pick next season so be ready to pay up for about 120 innings.

James Outman, OF LAD (Triple-A) 4-for-5, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI

He’s too good for Triple-A but the Dodgers feel like he doesn’t make enough contact so he’s back here in Oklahoma City. They are right but this isn’t a really fixable issue here I don’t think. He still does enough to make up for it with everyday playing time, but if he’s not playing everyday the skills won’t shine through. A lot like Tyler O’Neill in that regard.

Thomas Saggese, SS STL (Triple-A) 4-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, BB

I value Saggese pretty similarly as to how I value Nick Yorke, but swap some hit for power in Saggese’s case. With the way the Cardinals are going to look next year it’ll be Saggese and Fermin battling for a backup infielder spot. 

Owen Caissie, OF CHC (Triple-A) 3-for-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB

Kevin Alcantara, OF CHC (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, K

Moises Ballesteros, DH CHC (Triple-A) 3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI

These three had the only three extra base hits the Iowa Cubs had all afternoon. All these dudes are high upside pieces for 2025 and will be worth drafting in the right formats. I think the Cubs will move one of Happ/Suzuki this winter and could have some at-bats up for grabs. Ballesteros is likely more of a second half of 2025 type unless they want him to DH full-time.

Carlos Perez, C OAK (Triple-A) 3-for-5, 3 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI

A triple dong day for Perez, who spent most of 2023 in the big leagues as Oakland’s backup catcher. He’s been in Vegas for all of this year and has put up a fine season. Sure, the park has inflated the numbers but there aren’t many better third catchers to have around. 

Brandon Sproat, RHP NYM (Triple-A) 5 ⅓ IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

The Sproat Goat. He should spend a majority of 2025 with the big club. He’s got strikeout stuff but needs to work on his command, especially commanding his breaking balls. Mid-rotation upside with the capabilities to strikeout more than that. It all comes down to throwing strikes. 

A.J. Blubaugh, RHP HOU (Triple-A) 5 ⅓ IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, BB, 9 K

Blubaugh gets lost in the Astros depth but on most teams he would’ve made several appearances with the big club. He’s a nearly ready number four starter that has checked every box this year. 

Double-A

Mikey Romero, SS BOS (Double-A) 3-for-6, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K

He keeps hitting home runs and Ikeep telling you that he doesn’t have much. He’s making me look bad. His third homer in five games at Double-A. This one a longer one than yesterday. Still not buying into it. 

Robert Hassell III, CF WSH (Double-A) 1-for-3, 2 BB, K, CS

Getting the call to Triple-A. Not seeing anything in his profile that excites me.

Spencer Jones, CF NYY (Double-A) 1-for-5, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 K

In the last month (and a day) Jones has a crazy statline. 38% strikeout rate with a .320 average. Unfortunately, I think the strikeout rate is real and the batting average won’t be able to keep up. 

Gage Workman, SS DET (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI, 2 K

The strikeouts have been coming in bunches and we’ve seen his K percentage move from the low 20’s to hovering close to 30%. The walks have dropped during that time too. 

Chase Petty, RHP CIN (Double-A) 7 IP, H, 2 BB, 8 K

I shy away from pitchers that have to rack up the innings in order to get the strikeouts. Petty has an 8.7 K/9 with a 1.4 WHIP. The Great American Ball Park would not fit him well.

Nathan Martorella, 1B MIA (Double-A) 1-for-5, HR, R, RBI

Another home run. Since August fourth, eight home runs, .289 average and a 15% strikeout rate. Martorella’s approach at the plate seems like he’s set up to lift and pull. He squats in the box which probably helps him elevate the ball easier. 

Matthew Etzel, CF TB (Double-A) 4-for-4, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB, SB

Why is it important to watch the replay of games? Etzel’s double should have been caught. I think it was a misread on the centerfielder who then pulled up a little short. His fourth hit came against a position player who was lobbing it in. Sorry to rain on the parade.

Abimelec Ortiz, 1B TEX (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB, K

A lesson to be learned while ranking prospects…dig in, and don’t overreact. I’m guilty of the latter. After a horrible slow start, Ortiz wasn’t showing any glaring changes in his profile but the power wasn’t showing. All of the sudden, it is back. If you stayed with him or bought low, it’s looking good. 

Carter Jensen, DH KC (Double-A) 2-for-5, HR, R, 4 RBI, K

In 109 at-bats, Jensen is struggling making contact. Only 21. A common practice to give these guys a taste of the next level so that they aren’t starting the following year there. I’d expect him to be in Double-A for the majority of 2025. KC has a couple of catchers that have the power-speed blend that makes them more appealing.

Cole Young, 2B SEA (Double-A) 4-for-5, 2B, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, K

Young was spraying the ball all over the place here and with some pop too. He had a quiet July, batting .203 but then picked it back up in August hitting .320. The power hasn’t been the same since May when he hit five homers. He’s had a total of four since then. I really like the profile and if the power does come, I see a Roman Anthony in the infield.

High-A

Josue De Paula, LF LAD (High-A) 3-for-4, 3 1B

Continues to display the hit tool that makes him such an exciting young prospect. I have no doubt the power will come and once he does, he will be a T10 level prospect shortly. All in on this guy as I keep saying.

Jac Caglianone, 1B KCR (High-A) 2-for-6, 2B, R, 2 RBI, K

Been a heck of a pro start for Caglianone and the power still really has not even showed up. But he’s running a Z-Contact% of 84.4% and being aggressive when it is in the zone. That’s an encouraging level of contact and the rest will come shortly.

Manuel Pena, 2B ARI (High-A) 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K

Pena is a 2B with some power potential and an iffy hit tool, but he’s had a pretty meh year so far. Good stat line here though. He needs to add strength to his profile and if he does, he has the contact levels to make an impact. Still only 20.

Cameron Cauley, SS TEX (High-A) 3-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, BB, K, 2 SB

More power for Cauley, who has had a nice season in the power department. There’s no question that he has power in there, but the hit tool is still very questionable. Needs to improve the bat to ball skills for him to go further.

Max Anderson, 2B DET (High-A) 3-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 R

Anderson avoids striking out very well for a guy with real hit tool questions. He also shows some decent pop, as shown in this game. The power would be shown more if he could make better contact, and he also needs to stop chasing a bit too. I think he has what it takes to improve the hit tool, so patience here.

Connor Burns, C CIN (High-A) 2-for-4, 2B,  R, 2 RBI

I really wish this guy could hit, because he is a plus fielder behind the plate. A good guy to have in your organization and if he ever becomes more than a poor hitter, he would be a great backup catcher.

Roc Riggio, 2B NYY (High-A) 3-for-5, 2 2B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI

Riggio has had a really nice season and continues that in this one. He’s showing the power that makes him an intriguing profile especially for a guy with his lack of size. I still have some questions about the bat to ball skills, but if that could improve he could really be something.

Travis Bazzana, 2B CLE (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K

First overall pick is raking in High-A and has overcome a slow start. He should be a little more aggressive and it would help his strikeout rates, which are a bit high right now. But I have no question about the hit tool here and neither should you.

Bryce Eldridge, 1B SFG (High-A) 1-for-1, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB

James Tibbs III, RF SFG (High-A) 0-for-5, 3 K

Five home runs in the last six games for Eldridge. A pretty ridiculous stretch of power for him and he’s one of the most impressive prospects in the minors at this point. I’m a slower burner on profiles with this much swing and miss than others are, but a guy showing this level of power at this age is worth all the hype he is getting. Tibbs, on the other hand, has been struggling to the highest degree since promotion to High-A. It’s a small sample and he’s better than this, so he will turn it around at some point. I thought he would handle High-A much better than this and expect a turnaround soon.

Single-A

Not a whole lot to work with today, so I apologize, but less is more from Adam generally. 

Arjun Nimmala, SS TOR (Single-A) 2-for-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 K

I mean this is kind of a snapshot of the best case scenario for him.  I really can’t offer much in the realm of new information. As you’ve read before, the Ks are just a part of it but the upside is quite high.  I anticipate he struggles for a bit at each level before taking off.  Exhibit A: in 98 ABs across August, he hit .298/.330/.541.  If you want in, wait for promotions and the struggle that will ensue. 

Carter Johnson, SS MIA (Single-A) 2-for-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, K, SB

It has been a very slow start for this year's Gunnar Henderson (allegedly). A 34% K rate in his first 100-ish PAs isn’t preferred, and will certainly result in him dropping down FYPDs.  I struggle to care too much about the first stretch of playing time in affiliated ball, but you can’t completely ignore it. Regardless, he is still a target for me later in FYPD rounds because you should target tools/skills and he has a plate approach worth betting on. 

Eric Bitonti, 3B MIL (Single-A) 2-for-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI, K 

Bitonti just refuses to stop mashing.  He had a slow start but his last 37 PAs have been much better slashing .281/.378/.531 however, the Ks haven’t really come down and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about them.  But that’s a future problem right?

Welbyn Francisca, 2B CKE (Single-A) 3-for-4

Speaking of players who refuse to stop hitting. .328 on the year with a .898 OPS. 

Walter Ford, SP SEA (Single-A) 5 IP,8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

He’s just 19 but man it’s not been an easy road for him. Too young and too explosive to call a non-prospect, but he has to show something next year for me to keep him on my radar.  I wonder if he regrets reclassifying? At least he didn’t waste Keith Law’s time and withdraw from the draft.