The Buy and Hold, 2016 Week 3

We saw a couple of the prospects on last week's list promoted for spot starts (Stephenson, Snell), as well as another who wasn't on the list (Archie Bradley). All three were optioned back to the minors following their starts, so they're eligible for the list again this week. It's not clear yet whether Aaron Blair will return to the minors following his start today, so he is off the list for now. There are still a number of prospects who can provide value for fantasy owners this year even though they aren't up yet, and while I don't expect that any of them are likely to be called up this week, I would still hold onto these 10 depending on your specific needs.

Graduates (Call Up Article)

Mallex Smith - Called up in Week 1
Nomar Mazara - Called up in Week 1
Aaron Blair - Called up in Week 2

These rankings are based solely on their potential 2016 value, and do not include take into account their long-term value for dynasty leagues.

1. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates (Last Week: 1)
2. Blake Snell, LHP, Rays (LW: 4) (Moving On Up)

It was a quick trip for Snell to make a spot start, and he made a good one in his major league debut. He struck out six and allowed just one run and three baserunners over five innings, but didn't factor in the decision. He was immediately optioned back to the minors since the Rays won't need a fifth starter again until the second week in May, and I could see him being back up then to stay.

3. Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins (LW: 3)

The Twins have five wins now, but with both Tommy Milone and Kyle Gibson struggling, I can still see a fairly reasonable opportunity for the Twins to make this move even with the call up of Tyler Duffey coming today. His best start of the season came on Thursday night, striking out seven batters over seven shutout innings, and would be in the majors for most other teams by now.

4. Trea Turner, SS, Nationals (LW: 2)

Danny Espinosa still isn't hitting particularly well, with a .538 OPS through Friday's game which increased 60 points on the strength of a two hit game that night against the Twins. Turner is hitting well at AAA still, but with the Nationals at the top of the division right now, Turner moves down two spots with the thought that the team doesn't make a change when things are going well.

5. Tim Anderson, SS, White Sox (LW: 5)
6. Nick Williams, OF, Phillies (LW: 6)

The reports on Nick Williams have been glowing for awhile now, and while there's no hurry to bring Williams up to the majors, the current outfielders aren't exactly tearing the cover off the ball either. When he's ready, Williams can provide a high batting average with some power and speed, along with his excellent defense.

7. Robert Stephenson, RHP, Reds (LW: 7)
8. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pirates (LW: 9)

I wrote about Taillon's start earlier in the week, and after that he threw six shutout innings against the Reds' affiliate on Saturday. He remains worth watching for the upside there, but let's see him string together a couple of good starts in a row.

9. Matt Chapman, 3B, Athletics (LW: NR)

The Athletics' starting third baseman, Danny Valencia, has hit the disabled list this week, and Matt Chapman, the team's top third base prospect is heating up at AA Midland. Over the last week, Chapman has a .391/.481/.870 slash line with three home runs, three walks, and just two strikeouts in 27 plate appearances. The injury to Valencia isn't expected to be a long one it sounds like, but if it turns out to be, they could bring up Chapman to help provide power production.

10. Sean Manaea, LHP, Athletics (LW: NR)

Meanwhile, at AAA, Manaea has pitched well so far, with a 1.50 ERA, 21 strikeouts and just 4 walks in 18 innings pitched. While I don't necessarily think that the opportunity for Manaea is there at the moment, his upside in terms of strikeouts gives him more upside for fantasy should Erik Surkamp or Chris Bassitt continue to struggle.

Dropped Off: Cody Reed (8), Orlando Arcia (10), Michael Reed (HM)