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Fantasy Baseball: Minor League Report

August 19, 2008 @ 11:59:33

By Jason Hoffmann and Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green and Tim Heaney

Fantasy owners saw the impact of top prospects like Milwaukee Brewers third baseman (now outfielder) Ryan Braun, San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum and Houston Astros outfielder Hunter Pence in the majors last season. Throughout the season, dozens of baseball prospects will get the call to "The Show," and the fantasy manager who can recognize the potential difference-maker from a role player has a distinct advantage over his competition. Not all of these prospects will make a fantasy impact this season, but they should be examined in keeper leagues and by single-year managers eyeing potential value players in 2009.

Catchers

Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles

Wieters, Baltimore's No. 1 pick in last year's draft, has all the tools necessary to become an elite fantasy catcher for a long time. He hits for average, with a .348 mark in 118 games between Class A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. He has impressive power numbers (24 homers, 83 RBIs combined) and has shown solid plate discipline, as well (76 walks, 70 strikeouts). Wieters should get his first taste of big league action this September, and he is the odds-on favorite to break camp as the Orioles' primary catcher next spring. The O's can't keep relying on veteran Ramon Hernandez, and they could use him to help transition Wieters.

ETA: April 2009

Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians

As you might have guessed by his name, Santana has been rocking pitchers this season. In 19 games with Class A Kinston, Santana is batting .368 with four homers, 13 RBIs and 25 runs scored. Santana put up equally impressive numbers (.323-14-96 in 99 games) at Class A Inland Empire before he was dealt by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the trade for third baseman Casey Blake. The Indians have discussed moving current catcher Victor Martinez (elbow) permanently to first base, so Santana could get a chance in September to audition for the starting catcher's role in 2009, but it's likely they will wait until late next season to introduce the youngster.

ETA: September 2009

Corner Infielders

Kila Ka'aihue, Kansas City Royals

As a 15th-round pick in the 2002 draft, Ka'aihue doesn't fit the bill of a can't-miss prospect. However, Ka'aihue's hitting this year is making a lot of people take notice. In 91 games with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, he hit .314 with excellent power numbers (26 homers, 79 RBIs) and even better plate discipline, drawing 80 walks while striking out only 41 times. Ka'aihue hasn't lost a step at Triple-A Omaha (.343 average, eight homers in 19 games), and he could be a decent fantasy option in AL-only leagues over the final month-plus if summoned to Kansas City.

ETA: September 2008

Mark Trumbo, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Trumbo has displayed legitimate power at two stops this year. The 6-foot-4 righty slammed 26 homers in 103 games at Class A Rancho Cucamonga, and he has six bombs in 20 outings with Double-A Arkansas. With first baseman Mark Teixeira holding down the duties in Anaheim, Trumbo's fantasy outlook this September isn't very promising. However, he could be in the mix for the Angels' first base job next spring if the Angels choose not to break the bank to re-sign Teixeira this winter.

ETA: June 2009

Middle Infielders

Alcides Escobar, Milwaukee Brewers

One of many stud prospects at Double-A Huntsville, Escobar recently had a 13-for-24 streak at the plate to help boost his average to .339 with eight homers, 72 RBIs and 32 steals. Escobar's fantasy impact should be minimal with Milwaukee in the thick of a pennant race, but his long-term fantasy outlook appears very bright. With his improved offensive showing at Huntsville and his outstanding defense, Escobar could be ready to start at shortstop for the Brewers in 2009, especially if current shortstop J.J. Hardy is dealt or moved to another position this winter.

ETA: April 2009

Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers

Andrus, a key piece in the Mark Teixeira trade last July, has displayed plenty of promise at Double-A Frisco this year. Despite only having 21 extra-base hits (including four homers) among his 120 hits at Frisco, Andrus has a .287 average and ranks second in the Texas League with 48 stolen bases. Andrus has appeared exclusively as a shortstop in the minors, but there's a slight chance that he'll patrol second base for Texas if Ian Kinsler (hernia) needs season-ending surgery. However, fantasy owners will likely have to wait until late 2009 for Andrus' first shot in the majors, but he likely won't have a permanent spot until 2010.

ETA: April 2010

Ivan De Jesus, Los Angeles Dodgers

De Jesus was a hot commodity prior to the July 31 trade deadline, but the Dodgers spurned all offers for the 21-year-old shortstop. De Jesus has repaid them handsomely for their faith, hitting a torrid .453 with three homers, 11 RBIs and 17 runs scored in 16 August games. De Jesus' father, also named Ivan De Jesus, was a defensive stalwart in 15 major league seasons but was only so-so at the plate. The younger De Jesus projects to be better offensively, and his fantasy stock could rise a great deal in 2009 if he supplants shortstop Rafael Furcal (back) as the Dodgers' starter.

ETA: September 2009

Outfielders

Travis Snider, Toronto Blue Jays

The 20-year-old Snider is on the fast track to the majors, having already earned two promotions this season. He spent the bulk of the year at Double-A New Hampshire, posting a .262 average with 17 homers and 67 RBIs in 98 games, and he has been swinging a hot stick since moving up to Triple-A Syracuse (.375-1-9 in nine games). However, Snider's propensity for striking out (148 K's in 124 games this year) should keep him away from the majors for now; Snider's power likely will be on display at Triple-A and the Arizona Fall League instead of Toronto this year. He still should be owned in all keeper formats, though, since he'll probably at least compete for a roster spot in spring training.

ETA: April 2009

Kellen Kulbacki, San Diego Padres

On a team desperate for an offensive infusion, Kulbacki (shoulder) could be just what the Padres need. In 77 games with Class A Lake Elsinore, Kulbacki is batting .349 with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs. He is currently on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, so his first real shot at playing time in San Diego may not come until next season. The Padres will likely send veteran outfielder Brian Giles packing this winter, and that may give the 22-year-old Kulbacki an opportunity to earn the Padres' starting right field job in March.

ETA: April 2009

Pitchers

Daniel Cortes, Kansas City Royals

As ugly as the Royals' pitching may be right now with a 4.67 ERA this year, Cortes gives the team a reason to have hope in the future. The team's No. 2 prospect entering this season according to Baseball America, Cortes has buckled down over his last five starts. The 6-foot-5 righty has gone 4-0 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 29 strikeouts. However, looking for him to make the jump to the majors this year is a stretch. He has just 100 2/3 innings pitched above Single-A ball, and at just 21, the Royals might want to protect their young hurler.

ETA: August 2009

Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays

The fast-rising Cecil could be on the verge of breaking his first minor league road block. After compiling a 2.03 ERA in his first 137 2/3 innings, Cecil gave up 10 runs in his four starts with Triple-A Syracuse. He has provided an impressive strikeout total this year with 119 K's in 106 1/3 innings, and Cecil turned in his first Triple-A quality start Sunday, Aug. 17, allowing just two hits in seven shutout innings. General manager J.P. Ricciardi has stated Cecil will remain at Syracuse until the end of the season. With the Blue Jays' solid rotation, it is hard to see him receiving a taste of major league ball until about halfway through next year at the earliest. However, the possible departure of starter A.J. Burnett to free agency could open up a spot for Cecil to grab.

ETA: June 2009

Chris Tillman, Baltimore Orioles

Tillman is doing his part to become the third member of the Erik Bedard (Seattle Mariners) deal to create major league buzz - causing the Mariners' success-starved fans to bang their heads against the wall in frustration. The 20-year-old righty has an 8-4 record and a 3.49 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 118 2/3 innings this year. He has upped his game in August with a 1-1 record, 2.50 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 18 innings. Despite rotation problems this year, the Orioles have made no indications of going down to Double-A to fill their rotation. This likely means Tillman's best shot at the majors will come later in 2009.

ETA: August 2009

James McDonald, Los Angeles Dodgers

The California native started his Triple-A Las Vegas career with a bang, giving up just three runs in his first two starts (12 innings) while striking out 20 batters. However, he was slammed Sunday, Aug. 17, giving up five runs in 3 1/3 innings. His overall numbers this year are impressive as he has a 6-4 record, 3.36 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 139 strikeouts in 134 innings. Yet, with the Dodgers acquiring starter Greg Maddux (San Diego Padres), there likely won't be a rotation spot available during the team's postseason run; his best bet would be to come up in the bullpen.

ETA: September 2008

Jess Todd, St. Louis Cardinals

Todd reached his third level this year as he was promoted to Triple-A Memphis Sunday, Aug. 10. He showed no signs of nerves in his first start for the Redbirds Wednesday, Aug. 13, striking out six and allowing just one run in 6 2/3 innings. For the season, the 5-foot-11 righty has compiled an 8-5 record, a 2.63 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP and 122 strikeouts in 137 innings. With questions surrounding their rotation - such as where starters Chris Carpenter (shoulder) and Adam Wainwright (finger) will end up - a spot could be available for Todd come September, but he likely won't be in the rotation.

ETA: September 2008

Carlos Carrasco, Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have avoided calling up Carrasco this season given his erratic performance at Double-A Reading (7-7, 4.32 ERA in 114 2/3 innings). His buzz-worthy ascension to Triple-A Lehigh Valley reminded the organization of his promise; he has posted a sparkling 0.48 ERA with 22 strikeouts and just six walks in three starts there. He has lasted at least six innings in each effort - a promising sign of his maturity. A trip to the majors doesn't seem to be in the cards for 2008 since the team wants to be patient with the keeper league gem; starter Brett Myers has found his groove again, and the Phillies seem to be sticking with pitchers Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton for the near future. Carrasco's best scenario for coming to the majors this year appears to be as a reliever.

ETA: April 2009

Tommy Hanson, Atlanta Braves

After the Carolina League failed to touch him (0.90 ERA in 40 innings), Hanson has moved on to post respectable numbers for Double-A Mississippi: He's 7-3 with a 3.27 ERA in 16 starts for the M-Braves while recording 99 strikeouts to 35 walks. He recently ran off three straight 10-strikeout efforts and allowed one hit in a combined three-hitter Saturday, Aug. 16. The big club is all but out of the playoff race, so they are unlikely to rush him to the majors by skipping a stop at Triple-A. In 2009, Hanson could compete for an opening in the rotation created by injuries to starters Tim Hudson (elbow), John Smoltz (shoulder) and Tom Glavine (elbow); Hudson underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this month, and the latter two hurlers might have taken the mound for the last time.

ETA: April 2009

Derek Holland, Texas Rangers

In his third stop of the 2008 season, the 21-year-old southpaw has a 0.64 ERA in two starts at Double-A Frisco, recently earning him Texas League Player of the Week honors. The flamethrower's fast track has produced a ridiculous 12-1 cumulative record with a 2.40 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a .212 opponents' batting average. He has 145 strikeouts compared to just 36 walks in 138 2/3 frames, but the team said he needs to work more on his off-speed pitches before he can be brought up to Texas. Holland might see his route to the majors stalled until late next season, especially with young starters Eric Hurley, Matt Harrison, Brandon McCarthy (forearm) and Kason Gabbard (elbow) already in tow. Fellow highly touted fireballer Neftali Feliz is making his own climb up the minors and could be used either as a starter or closer; he might block Holland's entry to the majors for a bit if he enters the rotation.

ETA: September 2009

Francisco Samuel, St. Louis Cardinals

The reliever sports a 3.27 ERA in 50 games for high Single-A Palm Beach but has rattled of a 2.08 ERA in nine August appearances. Samuel, who boasts a closer makeup with a powerful fastball and an effective slider, has registered 27 saves in '08, including 26 for Palm Beach. The righty has fanned 89 in 59 2/3 innings combined when including his previous stop at Single-A Quad Cities, but the 21-year-old has issued 47 walks in that same stretch. Reliever Chris Perez is making a strong case to be the closer next season, and he was already viewed as the Cardinals' stopper of the future. It's hard to ignore Samuel's strikeout totals, though; Samuel still needs to lower his walk count, but he could be a significant part of the Cards' setup corps late next season along with reliever Kyle McClellan.

ETA: July 2009

Dallas Buck, Cincinnati Reds

Acquired in the deal that sent outfielder Adam Dunn to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the gritty Buck has already returned the Reds' trust with five innings of one-hit ball Friday, Aug. 15, for high Single-A Sarasota. A victim of Tommy John surgery last August, he has made just 11 appearances (10 starts) this year, compiling a 1-5 record and a 3.23 ERA. All 153 1/3 of his minor league innings have come at the Single-A level, and with his 2007 elbow injury, it is unlikely that he will head to the majors until the 2010 season.

ETA: May 2010

Author Bio

Jason Hoffmann

A lifelong Wisconsin resident, Jason Hoffmann has seen plenty of good (Green Bay Packers) and bad (Milwaukee Brewers) in sports. Armed with a statistics degree from UW-Madison, Hoffmann prides himself in finding important trends that cannot be seen by simply scanning box scores. Hoffmann has been involved in competitive fantasy baseball and basketball since 1999 and a KFFL contributor since 2004.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.