Give it a couple of months and suddenly all of the overhyped top prospects everyone overbid on in their respective drafts are finally relevant. This week, we will see the return of Jurickson Profar, Jake Odorizzi, Tyler Cloyd, Yasmani Grandal, and maybe even Adam Eaton. Give it a couple of weeks and we will once again be talking about Wil Myers, Zack Wheeler and Christian Yelich. Let’s take a look at an obscenely young list of 20-something waiver wire pickups and one A.J. Pierzynski.
Jurickson Profar (Owned in 50% of Yahoo Leagues): With Ian Kinsler headed to the disabled list, the top prospect in the country is finally up in the bigs – at least for the time being. It’s unclear how long Kinsler will be out for, probably not very, but Profar is definitely the type of prospect you take a shot on. A solid extra-base hitter with good speed, Profar is batting .278 with four home runs, 19 RBI, 27 R, and six steals through his first 37 games in Triple-A. Over the previous two seasons he batted .280+ with 12-14 home runs, 60+ RBI, 75+ R, and 16-23 SB. Odds are that he will get more time later in the season so he’s definitely worth stashing in deeper leagues.
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Jake Odorizzi (11%): With David Price on the disabled list, the Rays’ top pitching prospect has cracked the rotation temporarily. Price shouldn’t be out long so Odorizzi’s value is limited right now but with a 9.5 K/9 this season and 9.2/9 over his career, he is definitely worth adding for the time being. This season, Odorizzi is 4-0 with a 3.83 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 47 K/15 BB over 44.2 IP in Triple-A. In his career he owns a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 3.2 K/BB. Plus, the Rays have the best pitcher development system in the league, few people have any doubts this kid is going to fit right in with the likes of Matt Moore and Alex Cobb.
Yasmani Grandal (3%): Grandal will be eligible to return from his 50-game banned substance suspension on May 28 which means it’s time to grab him in, oh let’s say 97% of leagues. A top-60 prospect entering last season, Grandal put up an impressive .297/.394/.469 line with eight homers, 36 RBI, and 28 R in just 192 at-bats. This is hardly surprising since he owned a .311 BA and .903 OPS over his short minor league career. There’s potential for gold here and it’s time to get him before everyone else does.
Tyler Cloyd (4%): Cloyd may not be as highly touted as Odorizzi but his numbers speak for themselves. Between 2011 and 2012, Cloyd went 24-5 with a 2.50 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 251 K over 313 IP. Although he has struggled this season, going 1-4 with a 6.57 ERA and 1.64 WHIP he got the call to replace Roy Halladay who will miss at least most of the season. In his first start, he held the Diamondbacks to just two runs over 6.1 innings while surrendering just two hits and three walks and striking out four. Also unlike Odorizzi, Cloyd is likely to stay up for far longer assuming he plays well.
Jeff Locke (23%): I mentioned Jeff Locke last week and he only made his case stronger as he shut down the Astros for seven innings, giving up just three hits, two walks, and striking out four. Sure, it’s the hapless Astros but he put up similar scoreless outings against the Phillies and Cardinals just a couple of weeks ago and has allowed a total of seven earned runs in his last six starts.
Andrew Cashner (38%): You can’t help but like Cashner who owns a 2.80 ERA and .227 BAA since moving into the rotation. Over 35 innings as a starter he has struck out 24 and given up just 11 walks. He has allowed more than three runs just once and more than two runs just twice. His K/9 is just 6.6 this year, well down from his 10.1 last season, but his 3.02 ERA and 1.19 WHIP on the season make up for it.
Jose Fernandez (49%): I completely understood people shying away from Fernandez early on but how many good games does a kid need to have before he’s owned in more than half the leagues? Over his last four starts, Fernandez has a 2.63 ERA, .198 BAA, and has struck out 25 in 24 IP. His innings have been limited so he still has at least 100 to go this season, there is no reason he should be unowned in any league right now.
David Phelps (12%): I wanted to shy away from Phelps this season but with three straight great looking starts it’s getting harder. Since moving into the rotation, Phelps owns a 2.84 ERA, .233 BAA, and 24 K/10 BB over 25.1 IP. Last season as a starter, Phelps put up a 3.77 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 8.5 K/9 over 11 starts. He looks like he is in the rotation to stay and now would be the best time to snatch him up.
Adam Eaton (35%): Eaton is now finally playing the outfield in his rehab assignment after being limited to DH duties for a while. His return is imminent and considering he is a top prospect who was expected to be the DBacks’ leadoff hitter this season I would grab him immediately. While we haven’t seen much power from him, last season he put up a .375/.456/.523 line with seven homers, 48 RBI, 44 SB, 130 R, and 47 doubles. The kid looks great and the DBacks will certainly find him enough playing time.
A.J. Pierzynski (54%): It’s incredible that a catcher who batted .278 with 27 homers and 77 RBI last season would be available in nearly half the leagues but that is what a DL stint will do to you. Pierzynski is readying to return from a strained oblique and while it’s crazy to expect another 27 home run campaign he has already hit four homers and put up 11 RBI in 95 at-bats. I would expect something along the lines of .270 BA, 16-20 HR, 55-65 RBI, and 60 R – all solid numbers for a catcher.
