The Buy and Hold, 2016 Week 15

With the trade deadline approaching, we’re fairly likely to see a flurry of callups as teams start to make decisions on where they are headed this season. The A’s could start to see players traded specifically after the decision yesterday to call up Ryon Healy, demote Billy Burns, and inform Coco Crisp and Danny Valencia that their playing time would be cut. They may have been the most recent team to make a set of moves like that, but they will not be the last. While many of the prospects below are on teams in contention, don’t forget that every trade could mean an opportunity for someone else that isn’t owned in your league.

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

Julio Urias - Called up in Week 8

Tim Anderson - Called up in Week 9

Jameson Taillon - Called up in Week 10

Blake Snell - Called up in Week 10

Cody Reed - Called up in Week 10

A.J. Reed - Called up in Week 11

Trea Turner - Called up in Week 13

Josh Bell - Called up in Week 13

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. Alex Bregman, SS, Astros (LW:4)

Hope you enjoyed Bregman’s performance at the Futures Game, as it’s likely that he’s in the majors before the end of the month at this point. He’s absolutely destroying the minors, and showed during the Futures Game what he can do at the plate. The signing of Yulieski Gurriel could potentially complicate things, but Bregman’s bat will play regardless of what position he ends up playing for the Astros.

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

The Pirates have not announced their starting pitchers beyond Sunday at the moment, and with Glasnow scheduled to go on Monday at AAA, I could see him being the call up for Tuesday’s game.

3. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals (LW: Graduate)

The Nationals are going with a four-man rotation out of the break, but will need a starter for Saturday. Giolito started on the 12th, and is currently not scheduled to make another start as of yet, so he could be in line for that start if Joe Ross won’t be ready in time.

4. Andrew Benintendi, OF, Red Sox (LW: NR)

The Red Sox’ top draft pick from a year ago, Benintendi has torn through the minors and has been rumored as a potential call up to address their issues in left field. I think it’s actually more likely it happens now that the Red Sox have made their first trade, sending Anderson Espinoza to San Diego for Drew Pomeranz.

5. Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals (LW: NR)

Reyes started the Futures Game, and appears to be pretty close to ready for the majors. He could be up for a spot start here or there, but isn’t clearly lined up to stay without an injury.

6. Yulieski Gurriel, IF, Astros (LW: NR)

The Astros’ newest signee may or may not be added to your league’s database soon, but he’s worth an add on the potential that he gets regular playing time this year. He’ll need some time in the minors since he hasn’t played all year, but he could provide solid production once he is up.

7. Manuel Margot, OF, Padres (LW: 5)

8. Hunter Renfroe, OF, Padres (LW: 6)

9. Joe Musgrove, RHP, Astros (LW: 7)

10. Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins (LW: NR)

The rumors about a potential trade of Ervin Santana have been growing, and Berrios has been pitching better since returning to the minors after 4 starts. Berrios would be the most likely pitcher to take Santana’s spot in the rotation if it opens up, and would likely be up for good this time.

Dropped Off:

Aaron Judge - Judge is on the disabled list at the moment after spraining his PCL last week, and with him expected to be out for a while, can’t really have the same impact this year.

Jeff Hoffman - He’d be this week’s #11 prospect, but I prefer Berrios to Hoffman for the rest of the season given that Hoffman remains in Coors.

Clint Frazier - With Tyler Naquin deciding that he wants to stay via his production at the plate and Michael Brantley out on a rehab assignment, the likelihood of Frazier being called up soon has dropped significantly.