Maybe you missed the memo, however the Kansas Metropolis Royals, starved for offense and particularly outfield energy, promoted 1B Jac Caglianone from Triple-A. He’s slated to make his MLB debut on Tuesday. Caglianone, chosen No. 6 within the 2024 draft, hit 15 residence runs over 50 video games and 228 plate appearances throughout two minor league ranges this season. He additionally hit for majestic energy whereas on the College of Florida and, whereas myriad strikeouts are anticipated to be in his instant future as properly, few query Caglianone’s energy potential within the majors.
Fantasy managers are, and must be, fairly . ESPN’s Tristan H. Cockcroft delves into what to anticipate from Caglianone right here. Whereas I’m usually the “real looking voice of motive” on promoted prospects, there’s a clear path for Caglianone to be a top-10 first baseman in fantasy this season. I might see him taking part in at a 30-plus HR tempo (or 18-22 for the 4 months of this season), albeit with a low batting common, one thing within the .245-.255 vary.
Actually, he already jogs my memory of Atlanta Braves 1B Matt Olson, one other massive, left-handed hitter who hits for prodigious energy with an anticipated batting common within the .250 vary, whereas additionally drawing many walks and putting out fairly a bit. There’s nothing fallacious with this. Olson is a consensus top-10 first baseman and a top-50 factors league hitter. Caglianone, nonetheless uncooked at age 22 however definitely worth the danger for the Royals and fantasy managers, is gifted sufficient to attain these heights in his first season.
Related state of affairs in Baltimore
In the meantime, the last-place Baltimore Orioles are outscoring the Royals, however not by a lot. These are two of the six groups averaging fewer than 4 runs per sport. The Orioles need assistance, too, and Triple-A C Sam Basallo can present it. Basallo, 20, boasts 10 residence runs and 6 doubles in 35 video games and 138 PA for Triple-A Norfolk. Basallo’s stable .891 OPS cannot fairly match what Caglianone was doing, however 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn is the lone Orioles common with an OPS higher than .771 and no Oriole has greater than 10 residence runs.
Basallo, who turns 21 on Aug. 13, might appear to be buried on the organizational depth chart behind C Adley Rutschman (who’s having an terrible season with a .632 OPS), however look nearer. Basallo has performed loads of first base, and the Orioles don’t have any common DH. Basallo, who has at all times hit via the minor leagues and has had no points with left-handed pitching, would supply an apparent jolt to the offense, and he might share catching time with Rutschman, maybe like prospect Dalton Dashing is doing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fantasy managers must be proactive right here.
Inventory rising
Ronny Mauricio, 2B, New York Mets: Mauricio, 24, missed the 2024 season recovering from a torn ACL and he bought a late begin to this season. He struggled over 10 rehab video games within the decrease minors, going simply 4-for-32. Nonetheless, since arriving at Triple-A Syracuse, he has intrigued fantasy managers as he’s hitting .515 with three homers, 4 steals, 5 walks and solely 5 strikeouts over 9 video games and 39 PA.
Identical to the Houston Astros (see beneath), the Mets aren’t precisely getting Ryne Sandberg-like manufacturing at second base. That is why it is not a shock that the tool-laden Mauricio, so filled with energy and pace — and often a excessive strikeout charge (he struck out 28% of the time in his 2023 Mets debut) — in now again within the main leagues, having been recalled by the Mets on Tuesday morning. Whereas he comes really helpful extra for roto/classes leagues (due to the strikeouts), there’s main upside in all codecs.
Brice Matthews, 2B, Houston Astros: A later 2023 first-round choose, Matthews lately missed 10 days whereas coping with a concussion. Since returning, he’s 11-for-23 with a pair of residence runs and 10 RBIs. Matthews will not be a notable high prospect, however there could also be a giant league alternative because the Astros are getting paltry manufacturing at second base (.228/.282/.310), no matter which place 2B/OF Jose Altuve handles. Matthews is just not a high-contact hitter, however he can run and defend. Determined for offense and with OF Yordan Alvarez (hand) nonetheless out, the Astros lately promoted OF Jacob Melton. Matthews could also be subsequent.
Mick Abel, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies: Abel is scheduled to get his subsequent massive league probability on Wednesday in Toronto, because the out of the blue sputtering Phillies transfer RHP Taijuan Walker to the bullpen to take care of the troubling state of affairs there. Abel, 23, bested Pittsburgh Pirates ace RHP Paul Skenes in his MLB debut final month, tossing eight shutout innings with 9 strikeouts, however fantasy managers should not anticipate that efficiency usually. Abel misses bats, however usually struggles with management, too. Higher lineups will drive him to throw strikes. Abel could also be again at Triple-A Lehigh Valley quickly, with RHP Aaron Nola (ankle) on the mend. However, he’s somebody to look at long-term if he can keep away from walks.
Inventory falling
Hagen Smith, LHP, Chicago White Sox: The No. 5 choose within the 2024 draft (only one choose forward of Caglianone), Smith has not pitched for Double-A Birmingham in three weeks as he offers with elbow soreness. The group believes Smith, 21, solely wants some relaxation (and never main surgical procedure), so at the very least that is a constructive. Smith has had some combined outcomes over seven begins and 25⅔ innings for the Barons, with stable run prevention and a 39% strikeout charge, however he is served up 20 walks, too. Even when wholesome, it’s unlikely we see Smith within the main leagues this season, so transfer on in redraft codecs.
Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians: A 2022 first-round choose, accidents have outlined DeLauter ever since, with this season being no completely different. DeLauter, 23, missed the primary six weeks of this season recovering from a hernia, and he’s hitting a mere .190 over his first six video games at Triple-A Columbus. Few can query DeLauter’s hitting means and plate self-discipline, and the Guardians might use the assistance, however he has tumbled within the prospect rankings as a result of he hasn’t proved he can keep within the lineup.
Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies: Miller, a 2023 first-round choice, is slashing .241/.333/.367 for Double-A Studying, underachieving in one of many extra infamous hitting parks within the Japanese League. At 21, he’s younger for the extent, however the Phillies and fantasy traders doubtless anticipated extra energy. It is hardly too late for Miller to emerge — and lots of anticipate him to be the long-term shortstop or third baseman in Philadelphia by 2027. That mentioned, fantasy managers should not anticipate statistical relevance in 2025.
