Sanchez, Glasnow fantasy baseball minor league prospects to know
Gary Sanchez has been marinating in the Yankees' minor league system - as one of the organization's top prospects - since 2010. With this most recent promotion, he'll look to add to his two plate appearances enjoyed at the end of the 2015 season. Alex Rodriguez is on the disabled list and the Yankees are carrying three catchers at the moment. So, chances are Sanchez DH’s against the White Sox.
Sanchez was hitting .290 (.339 OBP) with five homers, 13 runs and 20 RBI in 26 games at Triple-A. Before you get all excited to stream him into your lineups, know he’s facing Chris Sale and Jose Quintana this weekend. Outside of that, if he can stick around, his catcher eligibility and known power should translate well in fantasy circles considering Wellington Castillo and Salvador Perez lead catchers in HR with seven and five, respectively.
Prospects to Know
Byron Buxton (Twins-AAA)
Since he was demoted by the Twins on April 25, one would think the success Buxton has enjoyed at the plate should be the confidence boosted he so desperately needed. He left the Twins with a 24:2 K/BB ratio. In 18 Triple-A games, he’s smacked nine extra base hits including three homers with two steals and a healthy .316 BA / .373 OBP. In an ever-connected, what-have-you-done-for-fans lately, fantasy owners should remember the dude is only 22 years old and not everybody can be Bryce Haper, Manny Machado out of the gate. Just don’t sell your faith in him in May 2016. He’ll be back.
Steven Moya (Tigers-AAA)
Moya has been in the Tigers’ farm system since he was 17 years old. On Thursday, he was called up for only the third time over the past three seasons – all brief cups o’ coffee. The dude is big 6-foot-6, 6-foot-7 and roughly 260 pounds depending on the resource site. He poked 40 homers at a few lower minor league levels in 2014 and 23 dingers in 2015. In 31 games with Triple-A Toledo this season, Moya smacked nine homers with 23 runs and 24 RBI, while hitting .310. Justin Upton’s struggles to start the 2016 season could open up extra playing time for the 24-year-old outfielder.
Note: he was 2-4 in his season debut for Tigers vs. Orioles
Julio Urias (Dodgers-AAA)
Whispers, whispers are a sin unless you’re a fantasy owners drooling over the idea of Urias joining the Dodgers before his 20th birthday. Granted, that promotion would probably send him to the bullpen rather than rotation because, ya know, young arms and pitch counts are so hot right now. Regardless, Urias, 19, is dominating the typically offensive-friendly PCL with a 9.90 K/9 rate and 1.50 ERA in 30 innings pitched this season.
Tyler Glasnow (Pirates-AAA)
The Pirates own the 11th-highest team ERA in baseball. Most believe Glasnow would be an immediate upgrade to the back-end of their rotation. He’s posted an 11.61 K/9 rate with 2.13 ERA in 38 innings at Triple-A this season. Now, as some may know the Pirates are very fickle with their minor league prospects getting as many reps as possible before promoting them to The Show. Glasnow is only 22 years old. However, Gerrit Cole made 13 Triple-A starts before his promotion at the age of 22. Glasnow has started 15 games for the Indianapolis Indians over the past two seasons. He’s very close to helping your fantasy roster.
PCL Power
Peter O'Brien - Diamondbacks
Stats: 11 HR / 25 R / 28 RBI / .342 AVG
This guy's power is wasting away in the minors. O'Brien will turn 26 years old in July, but needed to transition from first base to outfield because Paul Goldschmidt is also really good at baseball. I thought this Baseball America chat excerpt made a lot of sense:
Kenny Graves (Newburgh, NY): Is Peter O'Brien getting the call soon or will he be trade bait for a team that needs a outfielder?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Man, that bat is so enticing I think he’s a candidate for a deal. I know the argument that Greg Luzinski played left field (man, I’m old) and so anyone can, but Luzinski was surprisingly athletic for a big dude. O’Brien doesn’t move that well laterally. He’s a perfect DH/1B type in the AL.
Triple-A Speed Demons
Trea Turner - Nationals (13 SB)
Emilio Bonifacio - Braves (13 SB)
Not quite the prospect, but continues to take bags at all levels!
