With the 2017 fantasy baseball season in full swing, it is time to examine this year’s early promotions. The following players have all been called up recently, and may offer significant fantasy value now and in the future. Each player will be listed along with their age, team and position.
Daniel Vogelbach, Seattle Mariners, First Baseman
Vogelbach was called up on April 23 and is expected to be the left-handed half of a platoon with Danny Valencia at first base. Valencia is also expected to platoon in right field with newly called up Ben Gamel after starting right fielder Mitch Haniger went out due to an oblique injury. This means that Vogelbach could see a bit more playing time than originally anticipated.
Vogelbach was originally a second-round pick by the Chicago Cubs and made his way to Seattle in the Mike Montgomery trade in 2016.
He has shown the ability to hit for contact and power in the minor leagues, as he has a career .287 minor league batting average with 85 home runs in 560 games. The 24-year-old is Seattle’s anticipated first baseman of the future, although their reluctances to start him against lefties confirms his lack of readiness for everyday at bats.
Julio Urias, Los Angeles Dodgers, Starting Pitcher
The 20-year-old phenomenon has officially received the call up and is expected to stay with the club for the remainder of the season. This is huge news, as Urias has drawn comparisons to his teammate Clayton Kershaw in delivery and arsenal. They both are hard-throwing lefties who primarily use a fastball, curveball and slider while occasionally working in a changeup.
Urias has been astounding in the minor leagues with a career ERA of 2.62, WHIP of 1.09 and K/9 of 10.9. The Dodgers’ star prospect pitched over 100 innings for the first time in his career in 2016, which shows that they have been patient with workload. This decreases his injury risk and puts less mileage on his arm moving forward.
There may be a few more learning curves for Urias, but he will be a star in the Dodgers’ rotation for years to come, and is sure to improve as he matures physically and mentally.
Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers, First Baseman/Outfielder
The top prospect in the Dodgers’ farm system was called up after Joc Pederson was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a groin injury. With injuries to Pederson, as well as Logan Forsythe, Franklin Gutierrez and Andre Ethier, the Dodgers expect to play Bellinger primarily in left field. They plan to play Andrew Toles, Trayce Thompson and recent call-up Brett Eibner in center.
Bellinger’s combination of power and speed make him a very intriguing target in fantasy baseball. He batted .271 with 65 home runs and 36 stolen bases in only 361 games.
His versatility also increases his value. He is a first baseman who can comfortably play all three outfield positions. The 21-year-old will have to play his way into a full-time roll with the big-league club because they may send him down once Pederson and/or Forsythe return.
Trey Mancini, Baltimore Orioles, Designated Hitter/Left Fielder
Mancini was promoted by the Orioles in early April and has continued to find success. He has shown the ability to hit for power and contact in the minor leagues with a career batting average of .306 with 54 home runs in 483 games. He currently has five home runs and 11 RBI in 13 games.
The 25-year-old has found himself playing first base, left and right field and designated hitter so far this season. That bodes well for his fantasy versatility moving forward.
Mancini has done incredibly well so far. However, with Seth Smith back from injury, it may be harder for him to find the field this year.
Christian Arroyo, San Francisco Giants, Shortstop
Arroyo was given the call this weekend after starting shortstop Brandon Crawford was placed on the three-day bereavement list due to the passing of his sister-in-law. Crawford is also nursing a groin injury, and has yet to get an MRI, which complicates his timetable for return.
Arroyo was a first-round pick in 2013, and is a career .300 hitter in the minor leagues. He is currently the 84th ranked prospect by MLB.com and will be a part of the Giants infield in the future.
Once Crawford returns, Arroyo will likely be sent down. When that will be is unknown as of right now.
Gift Ngoepe, Pittsburgh Pirates, Shortstop
The first ever South African-born MLB player was promoted to the majors this week since starting third baseman David Freese has been hampered by a hamstring injury. The Pirates will presumably move utility man Josh Harrison to third base in the meantime, while Phil Gosselin and Alen Hanson platoon at second.
Ngoepe is a career .232 hitter in the minor leagues, with only 37 home runs in 704 games. Although the utility infielder may not be an impact player of the future for the Pirates, he is an inspiration to South Africans and baseball fans world-wide.
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