:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33768625/494926087.0.jpg)
Prospect Buy and Hold
Now that Oscar Taveras and Marcus Stroman were called up, we all want to know when Gregory Polanco and Joc Pederson will be called up to the big leagues, as they are the next prospects in line to make an impact on your fantasy teams. But who are some other top prospects who can help you this season? Jason Hunt publishes his weekly Buy and Hold article every Saturday morning, ranking his top 10 prospects in line for a call up, along with some other prospects to consider as well.
Top 25 Fantasy Prospects for 2014
Matt Mattingly offered Fake Teams readers his midseason Top 25 Fantasy Prospect rankings on Sunday morning, and his rankings will make Cubs fans very happy.
Matt also offered readers his take on which prospects will be called up after the silly Super Two deadline:
Super Two Deadline: Prospect Call Ups
Today's Roundup will be short as I am late in getting to it.
Round'em Up
Cardinals outfield prospect Oscar Taveras didn't waste any time in making an impact as he homered in his second major league at bat in the Cardinals 2-0 win over the Giants on Saturday. Taveras batted sixth in the Cardinals lineup behind Allen Craig and Yadier Molina, and played right field. I see Taveras playing right field until Matt Adams returns from the disabled list, then switching to center field once he returns. One thing I do not see is Taveras being sent back down to AAA.
Taveras is batting fifth in the Cardinals lineup this afternoon.
It is safe to say that Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez has been a disappointment this season, but he looks like he might be locked in right now. I watched most of the Friday night game vs the Pirates where he went 2-4 with a double and an RBI, but last night he had his best game as a Dodger. Hanley filled up the boxscore, going 4-4 with 2 home runs, 4 runs scored, 5 RBI and a stolen base in the Dodgers 12-2 win. He raised his slash line to .265-.339-.480 with 9 home runs, 27 runs scored, 32 RBI and 5 stolen bases, and is now on pace for 26 home runs, 77 runs, 91 RBI and 14 stolen bases. His owners hope this is the start of hot streak for Hanley.
Red Sox pitching prospect Rubby de la Rosa made his first big league start in three seasons yesterday and he absolutely dominated. The former Dodgers prospect shut out the Rays on four hits, no walks and eight strikeouts over seven innings in the Red Sox 7-1 win on Saturday night. Rubby ws 2-3 with a 3.05 ERA in ten starts in AAA this season, striking out just under eight batters per nine, while walking around four batters per nine. He will have to keep the walks to a minimum to have success at the big league level, but he is someone I would grab if you have a need for a starting pitcher in any of your leagues. I put in a bid on him in my AL only league.
The Blue Jays recalled pitching prospect Marcus Stroman to start Saturday's game against the Royals, and Stroman was looking to show that he belongs in the big leagues after getting knocked around in his last two relief appearances prompting his demotion back to AAA. Making his first big league start, Stroman pitched great, limiting the Royals to just one run on five hits, no walks and six strikeouts and induced 12 ground balls in six innings in the Blue Jays 12-2 win on Saturday. I imagine he will get a few more starts after this terrific performance.
Although he didn't figure in the decision, Indians starter Trevor Bauer pitched very well in Saturdays 7-6 win over the Rockies. Bauer limited the Rockies to two runs on four hits, a walk and eight strikeouts in six innings yesterday. In his four starts, he is now 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 29-9 strikeout to walk rate in 22.1 innings. He is owned in 18% of leagues right now and should be picked up in leagues where he is still available on the waiver wire.
I have to say I never saw this coming from Cubs starter Jason Hammel, as he is flourishing in their rotation thus far in 2014. Yesterday, Hammel limited the Brewers to just four hits, no walks and eight strikeouts over seven shutout innings in the Cubs 8-0 win. The win moved his record to 6-3 with a 2.78 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and a 62-15 strikeout to walk rate in 71.1 innings. He has given up three runs or less in all but one of his eleven starts this season. Pretty impressive, but I imagine some regression is in his future because I don't think he is this good.
We always knew Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo had power, but there were concerns with his plate discipline after his 2013 season. He has improved his plate discipline as his .397 OBP indicates, and is still hitting for power as well. On Saturday, Rizzo had a big day at the plate, going 2-4 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI in the Cubs 8-0 shutout of the Brewers. Rizzo is now hitting .269-.397-.468 with 10 home runs, 33 runs scored and 28 RBI in 53 games thus far, and is on pace for 30 home runs, 99 runs and 84 RBI. I see a 30 home run, 90 RBI season from him in 2014, which will move him up our first base rankings in 2015.
Fantasy Rundown
For more fantasy baseball (and football) news and rankings, make sure you check out Fantasy Rundown, your one stop for all the fantasy news you need on a daily basis.