Every weekend, I will be posting about the minor leaguers that you should be stashing on your team. Unlike dynasty content focusing on who to own for their production years down the road, these rankings will be done solely for the 2018 season (there will be discrepancies). 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 — we want to give you an edge. Prospects are a great way to stay ahead of everyone else rather you are in a dynasty league or a 10-team league.
1. Alex Reyes (St. Louis Cardinals) – ETA Late May
Alex Reyes has been otherworldly during his Tommy John rehab not letting up a single run over 23 innings striking out a total of 44 of 69 batters (walking 7). Reyes is expected to be called up this coming week, he should be universally owned, but if he is available (owned in only 44% of ESPN leagues) snap him up. Reyes was a top prospect before having Tommy John in 2017 and his performance in 2018 has demonstrated why. Reyes will be working with an inning limit, but his upside will make his ownership worth the cap.
2. Michael Kopech (Chicago White Sox) – ETA Early June
Michael Kopech has been relatively back on track his past two starts, although walks still seem to be a pressing concern after a great start to the season. Kopech will rack up strikeouts, but his ability/inability to limit his walks will at least in the short term limit his value as it will hinder him from pitching deep into games. In standard leagues, Kopech’s value is also dampened by playing for the last-place White Sox. His strikeout potential alone will make Kopech worth rostering once called up.
3. Nick Kingham (Pittsburgh Pirates) – ETA Mid June
Nick Kingham has found modest success after three starts for the Pirates. He has at the very least demonstrated himself to be a competent starter who should have long-term success in the MLB. Joe Musgrove had his first MLB start this season yesterday – with Kingham’s performance he may have a short leash or get relegated to the bullpen as he was in 2017 with the Astros. He had middling success during his rehab – if not Musgrove, three of the Pirates’ starters have ERAs over 4. Kingham will get his chance at some point this season.
4. Jalen Beeks (Boston Red Sox) – ETA Mid June
Each week I return to this column expecting to write about how Jalen Beeks has finally slowed down, but he has yet to do so. Although his last outing was his most “disappointing” so far this season (3 runs over 6 innings with 6 strikeouts) – Beeks has done nothing but impress in Triple-A. Beeks still leads all Triple-A pitchers with 65 strikeouts on the season. With a league-leading offense built to compete, Beeks is slowly forcing the Red Sox’ hand to give him a shot. If he had a clearer path to the majors, he would be a tough 1/2 decision with Alex Reyes.
5. Stephen Gonsalves (Minnesota Twins) – ETA Mid June
Outside of Stephen Gonsalves May 11 performance where he let up six runs over 1.2 innings, Gonsalves has only let up 1 run over 24.2 innings with 30 strikeouts. In his past few starts, he has not gone as far into games as a result of an inflated walk rate (attributing some luck to that otherwise sterling ERA). After each promotion Gonsalves has had throughout the minors is marked by an inflated walk rate, but after some time at each level, he has been able to keep it down. Much like Michael Kopech, if Gonsalves can keep the walks down, he should find great success.
6. Josh Rogers (New York Yankees) – ETA Early June
Domingo German has had one good game and two awful games since getting moved into the rotation. He faces the Astros on Monday, a steep matchup to be sure. If German keeps faltering the Yankees could slot him back into the bullpen where he had otherwise found pretty solid success. Josh Rogers has continued to dominate in Triple-A, racking up 51 strikeouts and a 2.80 ERA this season. Jordan Montgomery is still a way out from recovery and didn’t look great so far this season, Rogers could usurp if he is able to translate his early success in 2018.
7. Austin Voth (Washington Nationals) – ETA Early July
Something is off with Austin Voth who continued his three-game slide, letting up five runs over five innings in his last outing. His ERA has ballooned to a 5.58, a figure which does not concern his talent or likelihood for getting called up (which the Nationals were perfectly willing to do a week back). Voth will still compile quite a few strikeouts and a solid ERA if he spot starts or takes over for injury – with the Nationals having one of the best rotations in the league, Voth will be hard pressed to find room as it is now.
8. Shane Bieber (Cleveland Indians) – ETA Late June
And I was like baby, baby, baby, no. There, the one time I’ll do it, on his inaugural listing. Done. Shane Bieber has dominated at every level of the minor leagues with his highest ERA being a 3.10 (back in High A). Adam Plutko is off to two great starts, but it will prove unsustainable. Bieber is the clear fifth man on this stacked Indians rotation, he may be called up sooner than later with his 1.16/1.32 ERAs across Double-A and Triple-A this season. He will post a modest amount of strikeouts, but his superb control will make the jump to the majors much easier.
9. Yefry Ramirez (Baltimore Orioles) – ETA Early June
Yefry Ramirez is emblematic of how one start can crash and burn your season statistics after letting up 8 runs over 1.2 innings earlier this week. Prior to that start, he had not thrown less than 7 strikeouts in his four games prior with a 2.52 ERA. If he can get back on track, the Orioles could use a competent pitcher. Camden Yards is a daunting place for a pitcher and Ramirez has traded much of his groundball contact for strikeouts over the past two years.
10. Kolby Allard (Atlanta Braves) – ETA The Fall
Unlike most of the pitching prospects on this list, Kolby Allard does not have the swing and miss potential of a star – but he has a solid groundball rate and currently sports a 2.02 ERA on the season. The depth of the Braves’ pitching prospects has been tested as many of their top prospects have slowly been called up this season. Allard is still only 20 and may have some time as the Braves opted to spot start Luiz Gohara in lieu of starting Allard when Michael Soroka went down with injury – but Allard should see some action at some point this season.
Graduated
Daniel Gossett – Gossett was called up as an injury replacement and unlike his first taste of the majors this season, did not disappoint throwing 7 innings and only 1 earned run. He struck out 5 and walked 1 batter. He should stick for the time being and should be rostered in deeper leagues.
Jumped-In
Fell Out
Mozeliak actually said that Reyes won’t have an innings limit this year
I had not seen that prior to drafting the article – the sky is the limit for Reyes.
Any love for Enyel De Los Santos? Dude has been killing it this year
Absolutely love him – but his playing path is so unclear right now. All five of the Phillies starters are pretty entrenched. I think Velasquez is the weakest link, but even he has been playing well as of late. If there is an injury, De Los Santos could get called up – but in 2018 the Phillies have one of the leagues best rotations. I have Austin Voth over De Los Santos because the Nationals have already demonstrated a clear desire to call him up whereas the Phillies are pretty mum on De Los Santos’ 2018 plans (there will do something with him).
No innings limit for Reyes. If you’re basing a list on potential call up, how do you not have Alcantara? Man, sorry but this is a hard list to follow when looking for advice considering these two points.
Check out LHP Jose Suarez, recently promoted to AAA by the Angels.
Apparently as a lefty he has a plus changeup and plus command but average everything else. He dominated the lower levels with that. It will be interesting to see how he does in AAA.
I have him in my dynasty – he was promoted after I had drafted the article and will definitely be in contention for making the list in the coming weeks. As Francis said, how he does in Triple-A will impact his 2018 value/ETA.