Jurickson Profar - Rangers SS DOB: 02/20/93
Profar is making huge strides at the plate this season, adding power and patience to his repertoire. He was looked at as a pitcher so he has the arm for shortstop and is a good bet to stick there. This quality adds value in keeper leagues since you can bank on him being a shortstop when he reaches the majors, not a left fielder. Profar is among the elite young shortstops in the minors, in a class with Manny Machado and Nick Franklin.
Manuel Rivera - Red Sox SP DOB: 09/01/89
A sudden case of gopheritis caused Rivera's ERA to balloon and he gave up 8 home runs in a 4 game stretch. Fortunately outside of that 4 game stretch he has given up just one dinger in the other 12 games. I expect Rivera to get at least a cup of coffee in AA this year unless he hits another bumpy patch. The rough stretch will mask a dominating season and you may be able to capitalize by gaining Rivera at a discount.
Jameson Taillon - Pirates SP DOB: 11/18/91
When handing out honors to the SAL's top pitching prospect it's hard to argue with Taillon's 47/6 K/BB ratio.
Luke Jackson – Rangers SP DOB: 08/24/91
Jackson has high upside due to his swing and miss stuff but he is at the mercy of his control which comes and goes. When he is in the zone he can let his stuff do the work as shown by his 7.5 H/9. Instead, Jackson pitches for the strikeout and as a result he has 11.8 K/9 with 5.5 BB/9.
Cody Buckel – Rangers SP/RP DOB: 06/18/92
Buckel started the season in the bullpen but has since switched to the rotation and flourished. In 8 starts he has a 1.91 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 8 walks in 37.1 innings. Buckel's latest start was his best when he struck out 10 in 5.1 innings. He walked one and allowed a hit. Buckel is putting up some of the best numbers in the South Atlantic League as one of the league's youngest. He just turned 19 but could move quickly, following the Martin Perez model.