Some top-ranked prospects will make a big impact in fantasy baseball right away. But still, there will be others that struggle or won’t get the opportunity in the majors. These are the players with the best chance of succeeding in the MLB and are worth a stash.
These players are all currently in the minor leagues and have a good chance of being called up soon.
Brendan Rodgers- SS, Colorado Rockies
On Saturday the Rockies organization faced a scare when their top prospect Brendan Rodgers was hit in the head by a pitch. Thankfully Rodgers is fine and will look to continue his solid year at the plate when he returns. He has 42 hits, 17 extra base hits, 31 runs and 18 RBI.
Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson are splitting time at second base and both have struggled to secure that spot outright. The 22-year-old Rodgers should have his number called in the coming weeks unless one of those two improves.
Mitch Keller- SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Keller has a full collection of pitches that starts with a dynamite fastball and a curveball that can drop to the bottom of the zone when pitched right. He also has a ground ball inducing sinker, and a changeup to keep hitters guessing. Some wonder why Keller hasn’t been called up to the majors yet. According to general manager Neal Huntington, it is because of the development of another pitch. “He’s gaining some confidence in it (the slider/cutter) and some willingness to use it in key situations,”
If Keller can figure this last pitch out he’ll have one of the better repertoires in the MLB when the time comes. For now, he is being kept in the minors for more seasoned arms like Nick Kingham and Steven Brault however that should change as he keeps improving.
Cavan Biggio- 2B, Toronto Blue Jays
Biggio isn’t as polished of a hitter as Rodgers and his path to the majors is more muddled than Rodgers as well. This is due to him not being on the 40 man roster, meaning the Blue Jays would have to send a player through waivers in order to call Biggio up. Another reason is the play of the guys ahead of him. Eric Sogard is enjoying a .310 batting average through 71 at-bats. Freddy Galvis has done well in 2019 despite his sluggish past week. Vlad Guerrero Jr. demands playing time due to his pedigree and potential.
Biggio should get an opportunity in 2019 for his major league debut and when that happens he’ll need to be added.
Yordan Alvarez- OF, Houston Astros
Alvarez is the best hitter on the list but ranks below the others because he will have a hard time being called up. He currently does not have a spot on the 40 man roster. This is similar to Biggio however the Astros are one of the best teams in the MLB and won’t rush to change their current lineup or place a player on waivers.
If Alvarez keeps performing how he is though, the Astros might have to give him a shot. If he does poorly in the upcoming weeks they might look to Kyle Tucker as the next call up.
Kyle Tucker- OF, Houston Astros
Tucker saw some time in the MLB in 2018 and did not perform well. His 2019 numbers as a whole haven’t been that great either however his last 10 games have seen improvements. He is hitting .378 with five home runs and 14 RBI. His strikeouts are still high and would seem to be below Alvarez but the 40 man roster spot is his.
If Tucker keeps this up the Astros might give him the call up to the majors.
Featured image courtesy of Houston Chronicle
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