MLB Farm Report Stock Up/Down #1

Stock Up: The Blue Bloods

We went into the offseason unsure what to expect in the CBA, and some significant changes have bolstered the value of the very top prospects – the blue bloods. Investing in those elite prospects is paying early dividends. In 30+ years of Baseball America’s top prospect list, only one other time have 10 of those top 100 made their debut on opening day. Julio Rodriguez, Spencer Torkelson, Hunter Greene and Bobby Witt Jr. are among players that look like future stars. 

Stock Down: Early Injuries

Owners of Riley Greene, Adley Rutschman, Shane Baz, Josh Jung, and Sixto Sanchez will have to wait a while longer to see what they have. The team hit hardest by this is Wait ‘Til Next Year, who was specifically relying on Shane Baz to be an out-of the gate starter. Sixto Sanchez could hit the waiver wire too with the MN Moose Knuckles having 5 other prospects.

Stock Up: Orelvis Martinez, SS Blue Jays (MN Moose Knuckles)

The #2 ranked prospect in the Blue Jays organization will start his age 20 season at New Hampshire (AA). He absolutely raked during spring training with a slash line of .333/ .407/ .833. Toronto has called him “untouchable” in trade talks. He may be the single most prolific riser in all of baseball, and the big league club should still have plenty of firepower around him when he arrives. 

Stock Down: MJ Melendez, C Royals (The Pullies)

How does a guy who hit .288 with 41 homers and 103 RBI’s in the minors last season not find a big league roster spot? Well, the answer is that the guy ahead of him at the position hit 48 homers with 121 RBI’s (Salvador Perez). Right now, he has virtually no path to playing time, and he was demoted to AAA to start the season. They are reportedly “trying him out” at other positions such as 3B and RF. 

Stock Up: Francisco Alvarez, C Mets (Las Cabras)

Mets top prospect “Frank the Tank” played as advertised during spring ball. He is on a blazing trajectory to becoming the Mets backstop for the foreseeable future. Francisco reportedly has been unable to wear the new PitchCom communication wristband because he can’t “Get it on his massive forearms.” Las Cabras, however, are flush with catchers. Salvador Perez and Willson Contreras form the best catching duo in the League of Leagues. Alvarez might force his way into the mix.

Stock Down: Nolan Gorman, 2B/3B Cardinals (Sporty Strauss)

The promising young Cardinal faces a logjam for playing time. Many sites projected him to have a great season, until Albert Pujols made his triumphant return to the dirty birds.  He will surprisingly start the season at AAA. Will he be able to find a spot on the big league club before the season is over? 

Stock Up: Bryson Stott, SS Phillies (The BamO’s)

The Phillies prospect hit a torrid .419 in spring training, and earned a shocking spot in the order on opening day over former top prospect Alec Bohm. Unfortunately, The BamO’s might need Alec Bohm with his only other 3B on the roster being Yoan Moncada, who is injured. If Stott gets 3B eligibility, The BamO’s will be happy to move him into the starting lineup.

Stock Down: Jose Miranda, 3B Twins (Wait ‘Til Next Year)

Wait ‘Til Next Year is, indeed, going to have to ‘wait for it.’ After that, hopefully he does not ‘throw away his shot.’ Either way he’s still a part of Wait ‘Til Next Year’s draft ‘room where it happens.’ Jose Miranda, the cousin of the famous playwright, is an exciting prospect for our hometown Twinkies, but he’s found logjam. He hit an astounding .344 with 30 homers and 94 RBI’s in the minors last season. Will he find a spot, or will he be trade bait to try and fix a starting rotation or bullpen that is clearly still subpar, even after the Paddack trade.

Stock Up: Triston Casas, 1B, Red Sox (DTC Porkchop Express)

One of Boston’s top prospects was a winner by default. The Red Sox were unable to reach an agreement with any free agent first baseman. The lowly Bobby Dalbec is the only player in his way. Casas is a masher who is seen by many as a future top 5 fantasy asset at the position. DTC Porkchop Express should reap the benefits.

Stock Down: Cade Cavalli, SP Nationals (Win’s Up Doc)

The Nationals top pitching prospect was competing for a role on the big league club, but instead he will be sent down to start the season in AAA. Inexplicably, the Nats let him get shelled for 10 (!) earned runs in a recent spring training game before pulling the plug. Hopefully, Win’s Up Doc treats his prospect with far more respect.

Stock Up: CJ Abrams, SS, Padres (Cooper Troopers)

The pirates have chosen to manipulate the service time of their young stud SS (Oneil Cruz). The Padres took the complete opposite approach. They said, “Screw it” and threw him in right field in order to get his bat onto the big league club. It is a ballsy move that hopefully jumpstarts an impressive career. We all know the Cooper Troopers need an influx of talent on their roster.

Free Agents: 5 Available Names to Watch 

1- Roansy Contreras, SP Pirates

The Pirates top pitching prospect is being called up to the Majors for the moment. In 13 starts with AA Altoona and AAA Indianapolis last season, Contreras worked 58 innings and had a 2.64 ERA, walking just 13 and striking out 82 across 58 innings. In fact, as this article was being written and posted, Sporty Strauss scooped him. Good fine.

2- Tyler Soderstrom, C Athletics 

As one of the top catching prospects in all of baseball, the 20 year old slashed .306/.390/.568 with 33 extra-base hits and a 10.8 percent walk rate last season. He was assigned to Lansing (High-A), but he has the chance to quickly move through the minors. His bat is far more advanced than his glove. Could he be a massive beneficiary of an electronic strike zone in the future? 

3- Daniel Espino, SP Guardians

The #2 ranked prospect in the Cleveland organization can touch triple digits with his heater, and he has off-speed pitches that can miss bats. He will start the year in Tulsa (AA). He has massive potential. 

4- Eury Perez, SP Marlins

The #41 ranked prospect in all of baseball will start his season at AA before even turning 19. This advanced promotion for his age is indicative of his smooth delivery and polish. Some believe that he will become the top pitching prospect in the league.

5- Andy Pages, OF Dodgers 

Pages is the #68 overall prospect in baseball, and the #4 in the Dodgers organization to start the season. He has massive power upside after hitting 31 homers in the minors last season. Andy could be a great prospect keeper with a possible arrival date to start next season. Who doesn’t like someone named Andy?

Honorable Mention: DL Hall, Colton Cowser,  Brett Baty, Khalil Watson, Ronny Mauricio, Brayan Rocchio