The Buy and Hold, 2016 Week 8

It's been a two-week hiatus for the Buy and Hold as I took my family on a much-needed vacation, and thank you to everyone who has asked about when it will be back. It's always appreciated to know that people are looking for your writing. It's been a busy couple weeks again with the call-ups, so let's jump right into those.

We've seen Julio Urias and Joey Gallo both come and go back to the minors, and while one has returned the list, the other hasn't. For Joey Gallo, I am just not seeing a potential option for consistent playing time right now. The Rangers don't seem likely to bench either Prince Fielder or Mitch Moreland, so unless an injury opens a spot in the lineup, Gallo seems likely to remain at Round Rock.

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

Jose Berrios - Called up in Week 3

Sean Manaea - Called up in Week 3

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. Trea Turner, SS, Nationals (Last Week: #2)

Turner moves up a spot on the list the longer given that Danny Espinosa continues to hit poorly, and the Nationals are currently in a tie for first place in the NL East. Turner can still provide a high batting average, steals, and a little bit of power, and could be a top 10 shortstop from the day he is called up. He could make a difference for the Nationals, and at some point soon, that decision could be coming.

2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates (LW: #1)

3. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pirates (LW: #3)

I've moved Glasnow down a spot more as a result of the fact that Taillon has essentially given the Pirates two different, comparable options to call up should they need a starting pitcher. We saw Ryan Vogelsong hit the disabled list after being hit in the face by a pitch, but that did not create an opening in the rotation at this time.

4. Julio Urias, LHP, Dodgers (LW: #10 - Call Up)

Urias made his major league debut on Friday night in New York, and while it didn't go as well as his previous starts in AAA, he definitely pitched about as well as you might expect a 19-year old to pitch in his major league debut. The team sent him back to the minors immediately following the start, and the hard part with really evaluating his value this year is how much he's really going to pitch as a starter. I think the Dodgers are better served using Urias to make spot starts now that he's on the 40-man roster, rather than working him out of the bullpen. (Not that my hopes thoughts matter in this case.)

5. Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees (LW: #6)

Given the inconsistent performance that the Yankees have been getting from their outfielders, it makes a little bit of sense that the team has been having Judge work in all three outfield spots in preparation for a possible call-up. He's cooled off a little bit in the past week, but he can potentially provide double-digit home runs if he's up for two months.

6. Tim Anderson, SS, White Sox (LW: #8)

Anderson is heating up at AAA Charlotte, hitting .373/.415/.509 in the month of May with three home runs, six stolen bases, and all eight of his walks this year. With the Indians just a half game back in the division on Saturday, Anderson could make a lot of sense as a call up to help with the offense.

7. A.J. Reed, 1B, Astros (LW: #7)

As Tyler White has cooled off, the Astros have been going with a pair of platoons between 1B and 3B, with Luis Valbuena seeing essentially full-time at bats and Colin Moran, Tyler White and Marwin Gonzalez seeing the rest. Reed just returned from the disabled list earlier in the week, and may need some time before he's ready for a call up. With the Astros currently in last place, it may be a while before Reed sees Houston.

8. Nick Williams, OF, Phillies (LW: #5)

Williams has a six game winning streak going through Friday's game, and is hitting .391/.440/.652 in that time. However, Williams falls down the list more because I don't think that the Phillies bring him up before the end of June at the soonest.

9. Blake Snell, LHP, Rays (LW: #4)

Snell drops down the list primarily because the movable spots in the Rays' rotation (ie, Andriese, really) are pitching very well of late. Snell continues to post high strikeout rates, but also is struggling with walks as well.

10. Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins (LW: Not Eligible)

Berrios was demoted after an atrocious start against the Tigers on the 16th, and with the Twins going absolutely nowhere this season, there's not all that much incentive for them to bring up Berrios before early July when they can practically guarantee he won't accrue enough service time to achieve Super-Two status.

OUT: Robert Stephenson, RHP, Reds (LW: #9)

Since returning to the minors, Stephenson has made seven starts in the minors, and has walked at least three batters in six of them. The Reds have had plenty of opportunity to bring Stephenson back up due to injuries in the rotation, but will let him continue to work it appears.