| | | | Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | | Graham Ashcraft's recent run of success continued Tuesday with a 10-strikeout effort against the Angels. I emphasize the strikeouts because they're what have been lacking as he's put together a 2.36 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over his past 10 starts. This marks his second in three, though, with at least seven strikeouts, and I can't help but notice that in both of those instances, he mixed in his sinker more. Perhaps it serves as an effective counter to his 98 mph cutter, revealing its true glory. It gives me some faint hope he can keep this going, particularly given the Reds' favorable matchups down the stretch. | | Jesus Luzardo's bounce-back effort offers another reason for hope. He limited the Padres to two hits over six shutout innings while striking out seven. He looked like might be wearing down as his career high in innings continues to tick upward, but you almost have to get him active for two starts next week. You can probably move on from Nick Lodolo, on the other hand. The left-hander's rehab assignment was shut down after an MRI revealed another stress reaction in his tibia. | | | | More call ups | | Several recent call-ups saw game action Tuesday. Michael Busch, Oswald Peraza and Everson Pereira each went hitless, but you have to like that they were in the starting lineup. Wilyer Abreu didn't start but came in after Alex Verdugo was ejected and went 2 for 3 with a double on a ball hit 108.9 mph. Perhaps he'll get to start occasionally against right-handers. The most encouraging performance for a recent call-up, though, belonged to Kyle Harrison. True, he lasted only 3 1/3 innings in his major-league debut -- and there's reason to believe the Giants will coddle him for the entire stretch run -- but he got 14 swings-and-misses on just 65 pitches and threw 66.2 percent of his pitches for strikes. If he learns to keep the walks at bay, he'll be an absolute stud. | | Let's look at some other prospects who may follow that group to the majors. | | | | Five on the verge | | (These are the prospects most worth stashing in redraft leagues.) | | Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs | 2022 minors: .312 BA (423 AB), 16 HR, 32 SB, .896 OPS, 36 BB, 102 K
2023 minors: .289 BA (370 AB), 18 HR, 32 SB, .906 OPS, 41 BB, 101 K | | At full length, Crow-Armstrong's hair takes on an orange hue, which is fitting since he plays like it's on fire. In other words, he's exactly the type of player who can energize a team fighting for a playoff spot. That's a lot of pressure to put on a 21-year-old with only 17 games worth of experience at Triple-A, but it doesn't sound like president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is ruling it out. | | "We'll see," Hoyer said, adding that contention allows for more aggression. "Obviously, he has a skill set that could certainly benefit us in a lot of ways. Right now, we're just focusing on his development." | | That development, for what it's worth, is going well. Crow-Armstrong's production has actually improved slightly since the move up to Triple-A, and concerns about his power are gradually fading given that his swing seems optimized to get the most out of what he has. | | His energy mostly manifests on the base paths and in center field, where he's a clear asset defensively. The Cubs are doing fine there with Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman, but the former can play first base (and has more often recently) and the latter a corner spot if the Cubs choose to optimize for defense. Of course, none of Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki or Christopher Morel actually deserves to go to the bench, which is why this may all be a pipe dream, but an injury to any of those guys could change the thinking rather quickly. | | Ceddanne Rafaela, OF, Red Sox | 2022 minors: .299 BA (481 AB), 21 HR, 28 SB, .880 OPS, 26 BB, 113 K
2023 minors: .304 BA (421 AB), 19 HR, 35 SB, .872 OPS, 25 BB, 97 K | | The Red Sox actually did lose an outfielder to injury this week (Jarren Duran, sprained toe). Moreover, it was their primary center fielder, which is the position Rafaela can play as capably as anyone in the game. He already stood to be a major defensive upgrade even before Adam Duvall was in line for most of the reps there. But instead of calling up the 22-year-old Rafaela, the Red Sox opted for the 24-year-old Wilyer Abreu to fill Duran's roster spot. | | "[Rafaela] is very versatile and he's having a great season, but I think having [Rob Refsnyder] and having Duvall in the mix, we needed the left-handed bat," manager Alex Cora said. "Raffy's time is going to come sooner rather than later." | | OK, so Abreu bats left-handed, and yes, he has some exposure to center field, too. But it's unlikely he claims an everyday role the way Rafaela might have. Depending on the extent of Duran's injury, it's still possible the Red Sox eventually opt for something more permanent than Duvall. Rafaela offers a similar profile to Crow-Armstrong, having learned to get the most out of his modest raw power. He's an overly aggressive hitter, though, which some evaluators worry may catch up to him in the majors. | | Heston Kjerstad, OF, Orioles | 2022 minors: .309 BA (243 AB), 5 HR, .851 OPS, 29 BB, 64 K
2023 minors: .308 BA (406 AB), 19 HR, .927 OPS, 33 BB, 82 K | | It may be unreasonable to think Kjerstad is next in line given that Colton Cowser is back in the minors and already on the 40-man roster. But seeing as Cowser hit just .115 (7 for 61) in his first look in the majors, the Orioles may prefer to try something else should the need arise -- a need such as Anthony Santander missing time with a back issue. The issue doesn't sound like anything that will put Santander on the IL, but the point is that something that small could be enough to punch Kjerstad's ticket. The 24-year-old has had a quiet August but continues to demonstrate impressive bat-to-ball skills for a player who was drafted second overall in 2020 mostly on the basis of his power potential. His exit velocity readings don't sell him short there either. | | Brett Baty, 3B, Mets | 2023 majors: .216 BA (278 AB), 7 HR, .620 OPS, 27 BB, 86 K
2023 minors: .360 BA (75 AB), 9 HR, 1.210 OPS, 11 BB, 18 K | | (Yes, I realize he's not actually a prospect anymore.) I mentioned that the Orioles might want to try someone other than Colton Cowser in the outfield given how poorly his trial run went. Well, the Mets have been trying players other than Baty at third base, and wow, what a disaster. So how long before they go back to their obvious future at the position, a guy who has hit .325 (13 for 40) with four home runs in 10 games since being sent back down and who has an average exit velocity of 100 mph(!) for his entire time at Triple-A Syracuse? I predict not long. It's pretty obvious Baty has regained his confidence and deserves a chance to close out 2023 on the highest possible note, particularly since the Mets have nothing else to play for. | | Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks | 2022 minors: .303 BA (389 AB), 16 HR, 39 SB, .910 OPS, 57 BB, 115 K
2023 minors: .263 BA (372 AB), 17 HR, 35 SB, .844 OPS, 51 BB, 93 K | | This is one to dream on. Lawlar has had a trying season that began with him hitting just .199 (29 for 146) over the first two months. But he's hitting .305 (69 for 226) since then, homering 11 times with a .941 OPS, and recently made the jump to Triple-A, where things have gone just fine so far. It would be an aggressive move to bring the 21-year-old up now, but it might be the spark the Diamondbacks need as they fight to stay in the playoff race. They could then shift Geraldo Perdomo to third base, a position where they've gotten basically no production all year, or remove him completely now that Evan Longoria is back healthy. Lawlar is a consensus top-15 prospect who offers significant upside for Fantasy. Even if he's slow to adapt at the plate, his base-stealing prowess should make him useful. | | | | News and Notes | | Julio Rodriguez was scratched Tuesday due to a stomach illness.Mike Trout was activated and in the lineup batting second. Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave Tuesday by Major League Baseball under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. He had been on the restricted list before this. We still have no idea if or when we'll see Franco again but we're getting closer to the point where you can drop him. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he expects Joe Ryan to make his next start in the majors. It sounds like he'll return this weekend against the Rangers. Joe Musgrove is set to play catch Friday. It will be the first time he's done any throwing since he landed on the IL at the beginning of the month with right shoulder inflammation.Nathan Eovaldi faced batters during a live batting practice session Monday. He remains without a timetable. Shane Bieber extended his throwing distance off flat ground to 120 feet as of last week. He's been out since July with right elbow inflammation.Triston McKenzie has yet to resume throwing off a mound but has increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 105 feet. He's been out since June with a UCL sprain in his right elbow.Sal Frelick was originally in the lineup and then scratched with lingering right hamstring soreness.Nick Lodolo was diagnosed with another stress reaction in his left tibia and is out indefinitely. I doubt we'll see him this season. Anthony Santander has missed four straight with a back injury. Apparently, he's improving but isn't ready to start yet. Tyler Wells was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A, where he'll pitch out of the bullpen. He's still 47% rostered.Jarren Duran was officially placed on the IL with a left toe sprain.Astros manager Dusty Baker said they hope to activate Jose Abreu Thursday. Ryan Pepiot could be recalled to start Thursday in Cleveland. He threw five innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts last weekend. He's 16% rostered.John Means is targeting an early-September return. He's made three rehab starts so far and has a 6.14 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. 21% rostered.Ryan Helsley was cleared of any structural damage in his right forearm Tuesday following another MRI. He's been out since June with right forearm tightness.Paul DeJong signed a major-league contract with the Giants after being released by the Blue Jays. Matthew Liberatore was placed on the IL with lower-back tightness.Zach Davies is set to return Saturday against the Reds.The White Sox fired executive vice president Ken Williams and senior VP/GM Rick Hahn. | | | | | | | | U.S. Open Cup | | CBS Sports Golazo Network | Watch the U.S. Open Cup TONIGHT as Messi's new-look Inter Miami CF takes on a dominant FC Cincinnati squad. Tune in at 7:00 PM ET on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
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