Before we get into this, Jose Berrios. If you want a pitcher to stash, add him. Rotowire says he is in line to start next week on May 6th. With all the Injuries occurring, the waiver wire is thin. Jose Berrios is the player to add that most likely will make an impact in 2017. He is the #1 option for me, even before anyone else on this list. Seriously, go add him, then come back, and finish reading this.
Every weekend, I will be posting about the minor leaguers you should be stashing on your team. This list will be arranged by impact for this year only. Players that will be called up sooner will be ahead of players with more talent who might only be called up late in the year. Prospects are a great way to stay ahead of everyone else rather you are in a dynasty league or a 10-team league. With the minor league season going we can start seeing some movement with this list. I have the same 10 guys but with more and more games to evaluate, new players will jump onto the list, while others could fall off entirely.
Let’s get down to business.
1) Nick Pivetta, Philadelphia Phillies AAA, ETA: SUNDAY
Nick Pivetta has not pitched since last week’s rankings came out. That is because he was called up to the MLB Team and was skipped in the rotation after a rain out. He is worth a stream even against the Dodgers. Add him and see what he does.
2) Jeff Hoffman, Colorado Rockies AAA, ETA: May
I called Hoffman out last week saying, “I like Hoffman a lot, the talent is immense but he needs to start performing like a future #2 and not like a #4.” Obviously, he is a reader of Pitcher List because he listened. Last night he pitched 7 innings giving up one hit and striking out eight. He needs to repeat.
3) Chad Green, New York Yankees AAA, ETA: June
Green continues to be decent in AAA and is carrying a 3.74 ERA through four starts. He has 27 strikeouts and only 6 walks in 21.2 IPs. He is not a big name but could be a solid pick up whenever he gets the call.
4) Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers AAA, ETA: June/July
Josh Hader has to be better with his control. Through five starts, he has 17 walks and 20 strikeouts. His poor control inflates his pitch count, which ends up with him being pulled earlier. You look at some of the Aces out there, they pitch seven or more innings, and Hader has not hit that this season. Hader will be a love hate person who will strike out 10 in 5 innings and then the next week is pulled in the third.
5) Yohander Mendez, Texas Rangers AA, ETA: June
Yohander is a #3 for an MLB team. Fantasy wise he will not strikeout many people but he should not kill your stats. He is just good, not great, high floor with a decent ceiling. He continues to dominate AA with a seven inning, one hit, seven-strikeout effort vs San Antonio. Keep an eye on him.
6) Jacob Faria, Tampa Bay Rays AAA, ETA: June
Taylor Guerrieri is likely to miss extended time after injuring his right elbow. MRI came back negative. Enter, Jacob Faria. However, why not Honeywell? Well Faria is on the 40 man and has more time in the upper minors than Honeywell. In addition, have you seen what Jacob Faria has done? 25.2 IP, 39 Strikeouts, ya 39, with a 3.16 ERA. He is next up.
7) Francis Martes, Houston Astros AAA, ETA: June/July
Martes is similar to Hader. Future Aces if the control gets better. Reports out of Houston is they will keep his innings down and give him more time in between starts in hopes that he can contribute if they make the playoffs. He has not made a start since last week and it is likely because of that. But that could also mean his ETA is later than originally we thought.
8) Dinelson Lamet, San Diego Padres AAA, ETA: June
Dinelson Lamet made his pitcher list debut last week. He has made one start since then pitching seven innings with nine strikeouts and only two walks. He has looked very good and he has Petco.
9) Lucas Sims, Atlanta Braves AAA, ETA: June
A first round pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, Lucas Sims is making his debut on the List. He has been quite good in AAA with a 2.66 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, and 21 Strikeouts through 23.2 IP. Braves will make a trade so his debut will be this year if he keeps the production up.
10) Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics AAA, ETA: June
Another 2012 MLB Draft first rounder making his Pitcher List debut. He does not have elite pitches but he has very good control. He has 19 strikeouts a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP through 22 Innings. Despite being a first rounder, his upside is not crazy, but he will be a good streaming option.
Players to watch:
Brandon Woodruff MIL, Brian Johnson BOS, and Eric Skoglund KC, Carson Fulmer CHW