Enjoy the list and please click on the baseball card to visit our partner amazon.com to explore additional information on each player.
While Tucker has all the tools to become a star in the major leagues, I still must point out that there is a hitch in his swing. Yes, longtime readers, I’m sure are tired of me pointing this out. But, it does bother me. I do not attribute this to his poor major league debut as the sample size is just too small to make any determination. But, the power is real and early in his career, he’s going to steal bases. In fact, he could be a 20/20 contributor through his mid-20’s before a trail off in speed is likely. But that speed could be replaced by home runs as he’ll fill out and get stronger.
With the necessary caveat, Tucker has star potential. He could easily become a top 30 pick in a fantasy league as early as 2020. For the savvy fantasy player, yes I’m predicting a potentially monster season in 2019 that could rival Vlad Jr. and Eloy.
The Mets signed the 6-foot-1 outfielder in 2011 and the early results were quite positive. He showed some pop and speed with a semblance of an approach at the plate. However, as he moved through the system, he got stuck in High-A as he was beating everything into the ground. A poor BABIP led to a low average and he was stuck. Things turned around last season and 2018, he showed continued success. He’s likely a fourth outfielder but does have some pop and speed that could make him fantasy relevant in short burst.
Isabel’s carrying tool is clearly his 80-grade raw power. The issue, as seems to always be the case is will he hit enough to get to that power. In High-A, that’s not been a problem. However, the 36 home runs have come with a 36% strikeout rate and that will likely not play as he continues his march through the system. To be successful, he needs to cut down on his long swing and while on the surface, that seems simple to do, it’s not. He’s a kid to monitor as next season will tell us a lot on whether this was a building season or just an outlier.
For those of you waiting for him to make his major league debut this season, I just don’t see that happening. The White Sox have nothing to play for this season and having seven years of team control instead of six is the right baseball decision. So, we wait…probably until late April 2019.
August though rolled along and White hit six home runs in the month. An outlier? A result of playing in the California League? Likely, but it also demonstrates the potential. While the comp continues to be James Loney (I know, fantasy owners never like to hear that comparison), I’m still not willing to give up on the bat just yet. He’s a big, strong kid that if he can add some leverage to his swing, could change the calculus significantly. In fact, it happens all the time.
Riley’s carrying tool is his double-plus power that has shown up as more doubles-power so far, as opposed to over-the-fence power. However, there is legitimate 25 to 30 home run pop in the bat. The problem is his penchant to strikeout. He’s averaged over a 25% strikeout rate in his minor league career and in Triple-A, that has ballooned to 30%. He also does not walk a lot and together, it’s conceivable that he could hit .230 or less and struggle to receive consistent playing time. That said, I do believe he will see considerable playing time in Atlanta next season and 2020. If he can cut down his strikeout rate, then he’ll be a full-time regular, perhaps an all-star. If he can’t, then he’s not going to get full-time at-bats for a potential Championship team.
Trammell has the tools to become an explosive leadoff batter in the big leagues. He has plus speed, a very good approach at the plate and power that should start to emerge as he matures. The extra tool is his makeup. While some readers might skip over that comment, don’t. In my opinion, makeup is the most overlooked element in a prospect’s profile, mostly because you can’t measure it. But in talking with people around the game, nearly everyone says that his makeup is off-the-charts – a hard worker, positive attitude, and a good person.
The Reds should start him in Double-A next season with a chance to see the big leagues in 2020.
It’s been a while since the Reds have developed a true top-of-the-rotation starter and while Santillan is still not in the category, his combination of stuff and athleticism gives him a legitimate shot. He’ll pitch the entire 2019 season as a 22-year-old and since he still has one year remaining before the Reds have to put him on the 40-man roster, the likelihood of a call-up is not high. Of course, if the Reds surprise early in the season, the calculus could change.
As the season progressed, White started to turn into form and by August, he was pitching to a 2.08 ERA with a 25:3 strikeout-to-walk rate. The stuff is still good and assuming his control issues are behind him, White has the ceiling of a number three or perhaps number two pitcher. He has premium stuff with a delivery he can repeat. If an owner in your league got frustrated and released White, which is totally understandable, adding him to your roster in a dynasty league is a prudent move.
I saw Toussaint in high school and he had the electric arm. He also had no idea where the ball was going. The Braves were able to help him harness his premium stuff and now he’s ready for a full-time rotation spot with a chance to pitch at the very top of the rotation. The athleticism was always there, he just needed time to grow into his long and lanky body. He’s only 23 and there will clearly be some ups-and-downs, but the stuff is for real and if his one major league outing is any indication, he’s just about ready to join the ranks of some of the uber-talented young pitches in baseball.
