The Buy and Hold, 2016 Week 13

In last week’s edition, I suggested that there were two different Nationals’ prospects that I thought had the best chance of being called up and having an impact. As you properly surmised, neither of those names were Lucas Giolito, who the Nationals called up to take the spot of Stephen Strasburg in the rotation. Some days you get it right, others not so much. Strasburg will return from the disabled list to make his start today, but it has not been announced as of Saturday night whether Giolito will stay with the team or not. For now, he remains off the list since he is in the majors, but would slot in at the #5 spot if he is sent down.

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

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/CF, Nationals (Last Week: 1)

Did you notice that little difference in the position listed for Turner this week? The Nationals are giving Turner starts in center field, in order to help his flexibility for the major league team. At this point, that actually appears a more viable path to playing time for him, given how well Danny Espinosa has played of late.

#2 - Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates (LW: 2)

#3 - Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees (LW: 3)

#4 - Alex Bregman, SS, Astros (LW: 6)

Bregman was promoted to AAA following the Texas League All-Star Game, and after three games is hitting .538/.666/.923. At some point, we’re going to see a level that the prospect will be challenged at, but until we do, I’d grab him for an eventual call up. He could end up with a nice multi-positional eligibility too, as he’s not likely to play much shortstop this year.

#5 - Manuel Margot, OF, Padres (LW: 4)

#6 - Hunter Renfroe, OF, Padres (LW: NR)

Well, turns out that Jon Jay did break his arm, and is on the disabled list now. However, the Padres did not opt to bring up Margot at that time. My thinking at this point is that they are trying to drum up any trade value that may exist for their remaining outfielders (Upton, Kemp, and even Jankowski), because until at least one of them is gone, there’s still not a lot of playing time available. Both Margot and Renfroe appear pretty close to ready though, and could be called up at any time.

#7 - Joe Musgrove, RHP, Astros (LW: 5)

#8 - Clint Frazier, OF, Indians (LW: 8)

#9 - Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Rockies (LW: 9)

#10 - Josh Bell, 1B, Pirates (LW: NR)

Bell has hit well all year at AAA Indianapolis, posting a .324/.409/.537 slash line with 12 home runs in 79 games. Having John Jaso there, who struggled pretty mightily in the month of June (.197/.313/.296) may no longer be the same impediment it once was, and with the Pirates still only 4 games back in the wild card, the move to help the offense may be waiting in Bell.

Dropped from the list:

Nick Williams (OF - Phillies) - Williams drops out of the list at the moment given that I don’t know how long really until I can see the team calling him up. They could use him in the outfield, even with the team going nowhere, but after being disciplined for not running out a grounder, I don’t know if we honestly see him before September at this point.

Reynaldo Lopez (RHP - Nationals) - With the organization adding Lucas Giolito to the 40-man roster, I think it’s less likely that they call up Lopez if they need another starter right now.