Who's Next? A Guide to Upcoming Prospects
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We are just about at the halfway point of the major league season, and so far many teams have called up their top prospects in order to pump some energy into their lineups. Some are flourishing (Ryan Braun, Hunter Pence) while others are wondering how this game has gotten to be so difficult (Alex Gordon, Carlos Quentin). With so many guys either called up, or given jobs to start this season, many fantasy players are wondering Who’s Next? Here are five guys that could have an impact in the second half of the season:
Jeff Niemann, SP, D-Rays. The next time that Edwin Jackson (or some other member of the patchwork Devil Rays rotation) blows up, you might be seeing Jeff Niemann. Niemann will be the least hyped prospect on this list, but most likely be the next one to come up. He is 9-5 with a 3.75 ERA for AAA Durham this year. The number that makes him a potentially viable fantasy player is his 93 K’s in 98 innings. He won’t carry your staff, but if you are starved for pitching and Niemann comes up, he is definitely worth a flier.
Rick Ankiel, RF, Cardinals. Remember me? I was the hot pitching prospect who threw a record number of wild pitches during the 2000 playoffs. Do you also remember that Ankiel was a pretty good hitting pitcher? Well, he’s now a right fielder and flourishing in AAA Memphis. If it weren’t for the fact that Ankiel is out of minor league options, he would be with the big club already. However, if they bring him to the Big Show, they can’t send him back down without him being exposed to waivers. In 74 games, he is hitting an OK .267, but is third in all of the Minor Leagues with 25 HRs and has driven in 64 runs, and has been swinging a powerful bat lately. He has five homers and ten RBI in his last 10 games. Look for him to reappear in St. Louis very soon.
Adam Jones, CF, Mariners. About a week ago, Jones was a phone call away from the Majors. In Seattle, Jose Guillen was hurting, and it looked like Raul Ibanez was going to the DL. The stage was set for Seattle’s top prospect to hit the Big League…….but then Ibanez and Guillen have played through their pain, and Jones is still stuck in Tacoma. But he is leaving a lasting impression on Pacific Coast League pitchers. Jones is currently hitting .308 with 19 HRs and 68 RBI, and for good measure he has stolen 5 bases. If one were to find a flaw, it would be with his 85 strikeouts in just 79 games. If Seattle has any injury in the outfield and Jones hits the Majors, I would grab him up.
Clay Buchholz, SP, Red Sox. The Red Sox were looking for a temporary injury replacement to Curt Schilling while he was injured. They were deciding between Kasson Gabbard, Jon Lester, and Clay Buchholz. Buccholz is probably their top pitching prospect, Lester is overdue to be called to the majors, so of course ,the Sox picked Gabbard. Buchholz is a hard throwing right hander that keeper league players need to know right now. If he is in your player pool, he is the kind of guy you pick up and sit on. This season Buchholz is 7-2 with a sparkling 1.77 ERA, and an eye popping 116 punchouts in just 86 innings. He might not make it to Boston this year until possibly September, he is still behind Lester, but if you see him coming, I would find a spot for him on my roster.
Justin Upton, OF, Diamondbacks. This is the guy that I was expecting to be the number one pick in all keeper leagues next year. However, with the horribly struggling Carlos Quentin sent back to the minors, it is a possibility that Upton might get the call to Arizona sometime in the second half. He was a shortstop converted to a center fielder, and has been playing right field (Quentin’s position) the last two weeks at Mobile. His minor league numbers won’t knock you over the head (.318/13 HRs/ 52 RBI/ 16 SB) but he is one of the most talented players to come along in a while. One last fact to have keeper league players salivating….he was born in 1987!
