MLB Farm Report Stock Up/Down #2
Stock Up:
Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks OF (MN Moose Knuckles)
Robert Hassell III, Padres OF (Wait ‘Til Next Year)
Eury Perez, Marlins SP (DTC Porkchop Express)
Daniel Espino, Guardians SP (MN Moose Knuckles)
Miguel Vargas, Dodgers 1B/3B (Cooper Troopers)
Stock Down:
Brennan Davis, Cubs OF (DTC Porkchop Express)
Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles SP (Win’s Up Doc)
Vidal Brujan, Rays 2B/OF (The Pullies)
Noelvi Marte, Mariners ?? (Ornery Otters)
Oneil Cruz, Pirates SS ($traight Cash Homie)
Stock Up:
Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks OF (MN Moose Knuckles)
AND
Robert Hassell III, Padres OF (Wait ‘Til Next Year)
It only seems necessary to combine these two who are battling it out to become the new #1 overall fantasy prospect as Bobby Witt and Julio Rodriguez graduate. Both were highly touted draft picks who are absolutely sizzling at their levels. Carroll is hitting .305 with 13 home runs and 18 stolen bases in only 44 games. Hassell is hitting .305 with 6 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 43 games. Both contain a future superstar type blend of contact, power, and speed. Currently experts give the edge to Carroll as 1A to Hassell as 1B.
Eury Perez, Marlins SP (DTC Porkchop Express)
Eury is universally in the conversation for top 5 prospect pitchers. His 3.79 ERA after his promotion to AA might be a little deceiving. His WHIP is a wicked 0.94. He also has 56 strikeouts in 38 innings. Even though the organization has vowed to take his development slowly, his peripherals indicate that the 19 year old just may overpower his way into AAA.
Daniel Espino, Guardians SP (MN Moose Knuckles)
The 4 starts that Espino has made for AA this year have been nothing short of brilliance. He holds a 2.45 ERA with a 0.70 WHIP. This short sample size was enough that the experts have moved him up from #39 to #19 in the overall rankings. He has joined Grayson Rodriguez and Shane Baz in a three way race for the title of top minor league pitching prospect.
Miguel Vargas, Dodgers 1B/3B (Cooper Troopers)
Vargas has continued to show steady production throughout every level of the minor leagues. Justin Turner isn’t getting any younger, and Vargas seems like the natural replacement with no season lower than a .380 OBP in his career. Vargas is establishing himself as a safe floor player in a great organization.
Stock Down:
Brennan Davis, Cubs OF (DTC Porkchop Express)
Davis underwent back surgery this week with the likelihood that he misses the rest of the season. He had a 195/.286/.299 slash line with two doubles and two home runs in 22 games at Triple A before landing on the injured list. His Fantrax dynasty prospect ranking has dropped from 14 to 37 which now makes him a fringe keeper.
Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles SP (Win’s Up Doc)
Grayson recently suffered a grade 2 lat strain that will likely sideline him for 3+ months. Doc would be the first to tell you that a partial thickness tear of the latissimus dorsi can be a nightmare for pitchers. Luckily for him, the lowly Orioles are going to shut him down with no intention of bringing him back until next season.
Vidal Brujan, Rays 2B/OF (The Pullies)
What a disastrous start to his major league career for Brujan. The only thing worse than his .134 average and .200 OBP is that this elite “speedster” has only successfully stolen 1 base on 4 attempts. He is looking more like a Tony Kemp than a Juan Pierre.
Noelvi Marte, Mariners ?? (Ornery Otters)
The coveted prospect is having a very tough time in A+ ball to start the season. He is hitting .243 with only 23 walks compared to 51 strikeouts. The biggest concern, however, is his glove. He has a whopping 12 errors, and the team has indicated a move from shortstop might be imminent.
Oneil Cruz, Pirates SS ($traight Cash Homie)
The guy who seemed like a massive snub in not making the opening day roster started his season with an abhorrent performance. His power has since returned, but he still sits at a .223 batting average with his fair share of strikeouts on the season. This week he suffered a minor ankle injury, and his future seems like it will always be a rollercoaster of ups and downs.
Free Agents: 5 Available Names to Watch
1- Vinnie Pasquantino, Royals 1B (AAA)
Went 11-for-23 with four home runs, 11 RBI, six runs scored, two doubles and a triple in six games to win AAA player of the week. Now has a 303/.396/.667 slash line with 15 homers, 51 RBI, 36 runs scored and three stolen bases in 46 games with Omaha this season.
He is the only prospect with a 12+% walk rate, <15% K rate, and a .300+ ISO. Only one MLB player has those metrics: Jose Ramirez.
2. Austin Wells, Yankees C (A+)
Wells was the 1st round pick of the Bronx Bombers in 2020. He is an offensive-minded catcher who is lighting up his early assignments. The new #45 overall prospect is hitting .323 with 6 home runs and 9 stolen bases. If he finds continued success as he gets promoted, he will definitely find his way to a LoL roster before too long.
3. Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies SS (AA)
This name has taken the Rockies by storm. Scouts originally labeled him as a young Omar Vizquel when they plucked him out of Venezuela. Tovar flashed some speed, but was not a top name when the entire 2020 season was canceled due to COVID. Tovar returned in 2021 with pop in his bat. The now 20 year old hit .455 this year in big league spring training. He is following it up by hitting .317 with 11 home runs and 17 stolen bases at AA. Can you imagine this upside at Coors?
4. Elly De La Cruz, Reds SS/3B (A+)
The 20 year old is hitting .292 with 10 home runs and 12 stolen bases this season. Cruz joins Tovar and only 11 other prospects in the minors with a “double-double” in those categories. He has moved up to #71 on the prospect list, but if his production continues he will easily be top 50 by the end of the season.
5. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs OF (A+)
-PCA is more than just a famous legacy as the son of Matthew John Armstrong and Ashley Crow. The kid is hitting .341, and recently got promoted to A+ ball. He was the crown jewel of the Javy Baez deadline trade, and he has skyrocketed up every ranking this season.
Honorable Mention: Adael Amador, Gunnar Henderson, Kyle Harrison, Esteury Ruiz (33 SB’s in 49 AA games), Gavin Williams, Colton Cowser