The typical squad is here: Smada at MLB, Matt at AAA, Tom at AA, Grant a A+ and Rhys at A.

MLB

Michael Toglia, 1B COL (MLB) 2-for-3, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB, K

Back to back games with a HR for Toglia. Quickly noted some changes and why I’m a bit more interested now in yesterday’s sheet.

Shane Baz, RHP TB (MLB) 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 5 K, HR

The 3rd QS in his last 4 games, Baz’s ERA is down to 3.27 on the year but estimators are all pointing to a 4.00+ ERA given just a 10.1% K-BB. The stuff is still legit, but he’s been lucky in his return.

Mark Vientos, 3B NYM (MLB) 3-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI

Vientos shows up here frequently because he hits home runs frequently. For his career, the double dong brings him up to 34 HR through 642 PA. I continue to be a believer heading into next year and beyond.

Austin Kitchen, LHP MIA (MLB) 2 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, K

I will admit I’ve never heard of Kitchen, but I have to note that his most thrown offering is the sinker. I’m sure the joke has been made, but the Marlins are literally throwing the Kitchen sink this season. Zero fantasy relevance here.

Samuel Aldegheri, LHP LAA (MLB) 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 7 K

The second career start for Aldegheri was much better as he registered a QS and 14 whiffs on the night. I’d be hesitant trusting him in your lineup in the short term, but I’ll admit I’m intrigued. I’m an Angels fan and might need to keep my homer-ism in check here. 

Zebby Matthews, RHP MIN (MLB) 5 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, BB, 4 K, HR

Control vs. command. Live in the zone and find out at the MLB level. Through 5 starts and 22 IP Zebby has a 18.2% HR/FB and .366 BABIP. There’s just a lot of loud contact so far. I personally love elite K:BB guys because it provides a great performance baseline and does seem like they figure it out eventually. It always depends on price but might be reaching out to his owners in the offseason.

Landon Knack, RHP LAD (MLB) 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 8 K, HR

An impressive start for Knack who was recalled in the wake of the Gavin Stone shoulder injury. Somehow a guy like this is still available to the Dodgers after getting their rotation demolished. Not super exciting, but certainly usable and not bad in a spot start for fantasy.

Triple-A

Ben Rice, DH NYY (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB

Second straight game with a homer for Ben Rice. He’s not prospect eligible anymore but he’s still interesting. He sort of reminds me of a modern Scott Hatteberg type, but one that plays in a park optimized for his power. 

Colson Montgomery, SS CWS (Triple-A) 1-for-3, HR, BB, K

Montgomery hits his 16th homers off the season in this one, and it comes off of former Marlin now Orioles arm Trevor Rogers, who actually pitched well in this one. Montgomery is slashing a very mid .213/.329/.383 on the season. 

Owen Caissie, OF CHC (Triple-A) 2-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 K

All of nothing for Caissie. He’s really improved his prospect stock in my eyes this year. I was skeptical of the contact and the steep bat path, as well as his ability to handle left-handed pitching and while he still strikes out he’s proven he can put up numbers and do damage when he does make contact. 

Nolan Gorman, DH STL (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Gorman’s inability to handle pitches up in the zone got exploited in the big leagues. Hopefully they can fix that during his little Triple-A reset. Good to see the power still playing. 

Quinn Mathews, LHP STL (Triple-A) 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 6 K

Mathews struggled to find the zone in this one but he did also get 13 swings and misses. Fitting on the day Gary Larocque, the Cardinals head of player development, announces his retirement they have a pitcher land less than 50% of his pitches in the zone and run a whiff rate over 40%. All jokes aside he does need to throw more strikes. Big league hitters won’t chase nearly as much. 

Kumar Rocker, RHP TEX (Triple-A) 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 8 K

Rocker is the real deal and is surging up prospect lists at a meteoric pace. The slider is a plus, possible even plus-plus pitch. He got a crazy 71% whiff rate on the pitch in this outing. He also averages 97 with the heater and touches 99. He doesn’t get many whiffs with the fastball if you wanted to nitpick the profile but other than that good luck. 

Emerson Hancock, RHP SEA (Triple-A) 6 ⅔ IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 6 K

Hancock is blocked as it gets in Seattle, and in most other teams he’d have been long graduated from prospect status at this point. He’s a savvy trade acquisition for someone this winter and probably the guy the Mariners try to trade a bat for. The ceiling isn’t as high here as the other arms so it’ll likely cap his trade return but it only takes one team!

Double-A

Connelly Early, LHP BOS (Double-A) 6 IP, 2 H, 9 K

Early tied a career high in strikeouts with 9 and had his best overall game of the season. He’s had a shorter leash in his outings, never reaching past the 6 innings or over 86 pitches. 41% CSW and over a 30% K-rate in both levels. The fastball isn’t special but being that he’s a lefty, he can get away with it more. 

C.J. Kayfus, 1B CLE (Double-A) 2-for-5, 2B, R, RBI, 2 K

If you sold a month ago, you probably got a good deal. He’s been on the struggle bus. wOBA has dropped significantly, strikeouts reaching 30%, and in-zone contact below league average. Hang with him though. 

Moises Chace, RHP PHI (Double-A) 4 IP, 5 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Caddyshack 2 and this outing. What do they have in common? Horrible sequels. Chace was on the rise, striking out 23 batters in 10.2 innings before this outing. He did manage 11 swings and misses and only walked 2, but was hit hard. 

Rafael Flores, C NYY (Double-A) 2-for-3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB

Flores is making great contact in Double-A and is bringing some power with it. He’s up to 15 home runs at the level. He’s been dabbling between catcher and first base in Double-A. 

Spencer Jones, CF NYY (Double-A) 0-for-5, R, 5 K

It pains me to put him on the sheet for this reason, but ugh. Big step back this year in what looked to be so promising. 

Ernesto Martinez Jr., 1B MLW (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI

I’m pushing the hype train up the hill. Anyone jumping on board? Great in-zone contact. Swings too much outside the zone but nothing too crazy. Already 25-years old. Let’s give this guy a shot.

Joshua Mears, RF SD (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI, 2 BB

It hasn’t been easy for the Padres 2nd round pick in 2019. He’s striking out close to 50%. 

Robby Snelling, LHP MIA (Double-A) 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 6 K

Back on track…sorta. The Marlins let him throw 99 pitches here. It’s been a roller coaster of a season for him and I’m not sure how the ride ends. Could be with the kid puking on your after the next loop or maybe you get back on it again cause the line is so short.

Harry Ford, C SEA (Double-A) 2-for-3, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB

I’ve been concerned about the power all season. It turned into a schtick anytime he hit a home run. I had to find a way to pour cold water on it, but I was being truthful in my analysis though. Ford is athletic and will get on base. He can also play multiple positions. But what I don’t think he’s going to do is hit for much power, especially in Seattle. So, do you want a catcher who can get you 5-10 homers and steal 20+ bases? 

Carter Jensen, C KC (Double-A) 4-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, K

Striking out too much in this small sample but doing some major damage with six homers in 33 games.

High-A

Tommy Troy, 2B ARI (High-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, 2 BB, K, SB

Flash of power for the struggling infielder. Not the best year for him, but there’s more impact than he showed this year. I have high hopes for next year.

Frank Mozzicato, LHP KCR (High-A) 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K

Back to back good starts in the command department for the former first rounder. It’s still a huge red flag and way too bumpy to rely on, but the stuff should play as a reliever. My bet is that’s where he ends up.

Hendry Mendez, LF PHI (High-A) 2-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, K

Mendez is typically a hit over power guy, so an intriguing performance here. He’s patient at the plate and makes a ton of impact, but he needs the frame to fill out to get consistent power. Still young and the hit tool looks to be there, so patience.

Jarlin Susana, RHP WSH (High-A) 5 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 10 K’

Back to back starts with ten strikeouts for the righty, whose arrow continues to go up. His stuff is absolutely electric, including a fastball that has been reaching triple digits. The stuff is some of the best in the minors and with the command strides this season, his stock is way up. 

Luke Gold, 1B DET (High-A) 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 R

It’s been a rough year for Gold, but a good stat line here. The hit tool is just way behind where it should be and he struggles with making contact badly. The approach is also pretty poor and needs a ton of work. For a guy playing first base, the bat has to be way better. 

Jack Brannigan, 3B PIT (High-A) 3-for-4, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI, K

18 home runs on the season for Brannigan, and there’s no doubt the power is there. He has the power and should be able to stick at third base, which makes him somewhat intriguing. The only problem is the hit tool is still below average and he’s 23 years old. Big questions on whether he’ll ever be advanced enough there to stick.

Mac Horvath, 3B TBR (High-A) 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, K

13th home run on the season for Horvath, who has really struggled since the trade. He’s flashing some big whiff concerns and striking out way too much, so he has to get the bat to ball skills back in tact. I’m curious about what about the switch in orgs made him struggle like this so far.

Michael Arroyo, 2B SEA (High-A) 4-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, K, 2 SB

Arroyo might be one of the biggest High-A sheet staples on the season. He continues to impress and is a for sure T100 guy for me after the year he’s had.

Dyan Jorge, 2B COL (High-A) 4-for-5, 4 1B, R, 3 RBI, K, 2 SB

Four hit game for Jorge here. He has very little power in him and I’m not sure the hit tool is good enough to make up for it at this point. Hopefully he can fill out and add some size eventually.

Kendry Rojas, LHP TOR (High-A) 6 IP, H, ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Rojas is one of the Jays top prospects and has had an amazing season. The fastball is solid, the slider is a nice whiff pitch and even the changeup looks like it’s making nice strides. On top of that, he’s made huge strides with the command this season and that might be the most encouraging sign for him. The command combined with some above average stuff makes him one of the better arms at this level for me.

Single-A

Sean Keyes, 1B TOR (Single-A) 3-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB 

A hat-trick of singles for Mr. Keyes. The former Bucknell corner infielder has been hitting relatively well in his limited taste of professional baseball. He’s not super fantasy-relevant outside of the deepest of deep leagues, at which point you or I might be fantasy relevant.

Roderick Arias, SS NYY (Single-A) 2-for-2, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 3 SB 

A super-sized combo meal? Arias’ issues with contact stem from suboptimal swing decisions, but every once in a while, he shows off the power and speed that made him such a high-priced IFA. He seems like the next Yankees prospect whose stock is going to crater when he gets to the upper minors (cough cough Spencer Jones cough cough). Also, what’s the deal with (airline food) Cashman not wanting to allow The Martian to play over Alex Verdugo?

Welbyn Francisca, SS CLE (Single-A) 3-for-6, 2B, 2 R, RBI

The contact-first middle infielder continues to make contact. It was a rough initial stretch for him in Single-A, but I think the jump between the complexes and Single-A has never been greater. I question if he will ever become a 12-15 homer bat, but the plate skills are there. Plus, he should be able to contribute some speed. He could be a 20-25 steal threat, especially with the new rules.

Elijah Green, CF WAS (Single-A) 1-for-5, HR, R, RBI, 4 K 

The entire Elijah Green experience. 

Santiago Suarez, RHP TB (Single-A) 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 7 K 

We are so back, baby. Santiago Suarez looks like one of the best pitchers at this level on his day. He has a hard mid-90s fastball paired with a nasty breaking ball. The Rays, time and time again, have turned this profile into awesome pitchers. I would buy the dip if there is one with the drop in strikeouts. I'm interested to see if there was something he and the Rays were working on that resulted in what looked like a lack of command. He is one of my personal favorites.