It’s coming up on that time of year when the phrase “Super 2” either frustrates the super fan or excites a casual fan. Exciting only because it’s comforting to know that you actually have a stud on the brink! Well, in glancing at the minor league stat boxes, it doesn’t take long to see that the Dodgers are owners of 2 of the better prospects in all of minor league baseball. Joc Pederson and Alex Guerrero may be position blocked by their big league club, however, June may bring some changes. And if they do, be prepared to make some roster moves for these future studs! I’ll list a few players in the order they should be up in The Bigs taking hacks or throwing strikes.
Oscar Taveras, OF– His name is well known by now, but is sometimes lost because of the fact that he has been in the Cardinals organization since 2008, as a 16 year old! Yes, he has untimely injuries but even the durable Prince Fielder has been bitten by the injury bug in this injury-plagued Major League baseball season. With talk of him needing to play with some more fire, my gut tells me he is chomping the bit to get to the bigs where he should have been at the beginning of the season. To be playing in his 6th professional season, let’s get this guy up already! Jay has played underwhelmingly and his defense won’t be missed. Allen Craig has played bad enough to lose a few AB’s but his upside is still too high to sit permanently, so Jay is the odd man out. I suspect it won’t be much after June 1, that Taveras gets his chance. He is worth the wait. Pick him up or make a trade offer. 20-20 guys are a rare fantasy breed. His potential for 30-30 type production in future seasons is real.
Gregory Polanco, OF– Similar to Taveras, Polanco has spent 5 years with his original team and paid a few dues. Unlike Taveras, no one is questioning the “fire” that Polanco is playing with AAA Indianapolis. Hitting over .370 and slugging nearly .600 has Bucko fans screaming for Polanco to get up and play in right field every day. I think the Pirates cave to fan pressure and get this guy up mid-June.
Jon Singleton, 1B – Based on Astros GM, Jeff Luhnow, I wouldn’t be shocked to see this masher be the first prospect up but I’ll slot him 3rd, since I think all 3 listed so far all come up by 3rd week of June. He brings tons of extra base power but an undisciplined eye which, based on fellow touted prospect George Springer, isn’t too exciting to consider. But Springer has adjusted nicely and no reason to think Singleton won’t either. Future 30+ HR seasons is almost automatic.
Andrew Heaney, SP – The Marlins just recently promoted Heaney to AAA New Orleans. He is being fast tracked to The Bigs. If he has early success in the Big Easy, the slender lefty will be up soon to The Bigs. Barring injury, he will undoubtedly make a few starts in the Marlins rotation this season. My gut says late June to Mid-July is where Marlins organization sees this call up happening.
Four guys that I have my eye on but would be surprised to see up before September:
Joc Pederson, OF – Hitting .351 with a .454 OBP while slugging 14 HR’s through 45 games at AAA Albuquerque, Pederson is doing everything asked of him and more. But as we all know, the Dodgers are loaded in the outfield. Until then, folks in Albuquerque should be filling up their stadium for Joc and his battery mate that I list next.
Alex Guerrero, 2B – With second base such a thin fantasy position, anyone producing like Guerrero is right now for AAA Albuquerque should be on everyone’s radar. I don’t see a call up real soon based solely on the fact that this is Guerrero’s first season in the Dodgers organization, however, he is 28, they paid big money for him and as I said before, his stats are studly. .376 BA .417 OBP with 10 HR’s through just 33 games. 6 HR’s in the past 6 games has Dodger fans wondering……
Kris Bryant, 3B – Does “Kris” mean “power” in some language I don’t know of? This guy has been hitting HR’s like he was still in college! Fantasy managers will be drafting this guy very high in drafts, possibly as early as next season. I don’t see a call up til’ September but his production is very, very encouraging. At AA Tennessee, through 45 games, he is hitting .335 with .431 OBP and 40 RBI’s. His 12 doubles and 12 HR’s has him slugging .623.
Robert Stephenson, SP – The Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect, Stephenson, has allowed four earned runs for an ERA of 1.50, struck out 28 batters in 24 innings and only walked 8. Opposing hitters are batting .167 against him during that span. He leads the Southern League with 61 strike outs. Stephenson made 3 appearances with the Reds in the Spring – allowing 3 ERs a walk and 1 K in 4 IP. On the season he owns a 3.72 ERA, .218 BAA and 47/20 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 38 2/3 innings. It’s possible that the 21 year old could be a September Call-Up.
Look for further updates as the summer heats up! I hope you are able to fire up that grill and enjoy some quality baseball time with the family this coming Memorial Day. Be safe and unlike so many high profile MLB players, DON’T get injured! Leave your comments below. Follow us on twitter @LegionReportMLB for the latest in fantasy baseball!