It’s Wednesday. You know what that means. We are back with another prospect report where we look at rookies who were just called up, making an impact in the big leagues or are turning heads in the minors.
This week, we are looking at some big-name prospects who are getting a taste of the big leagues. It’s an exciting week, so let’s not waste any time and get right to it.
All stats are accurate as of Tuesday afternoon on June 20.
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Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1B – CIN)
We are on the weekly CES watch, as he continues to dominate Triple-A while awaiting his turn to be called up. The Reds have recently activated Joey Votto, which could complicate things a bit when CES does get the call.
What’s more, the Reds have won nine straight games – we’ll call that the Elly Effect – so they have an added reason to call up CES and put the best players on the field as they look to take down a weak division.
He’s the top player to stash right now.
Henry Davis (C – PIT)
Would you look at that? Nearly a year to the day when the Pirates called up Oneil Cruz, they called up former No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis.
The Pirates find themselves in a dilemma, though, as his bat is big-league ready – as shown by his double in his first at-bat Monday – but his defense behind the dish is not good. They started him in right field, which would be huge for fantasy managers this year and beyond if he can retain dual eligibility.
Davis is a must-grab catcher, as offense is his calling card. Expect the frugal Pirates to find a way to get his bat in the lineup each night.
Gavin Williams (SP – CLE)
The Guardians have called up Williams to start for them Wednesday night. Another pitching prospect for us to lose our minds over.
The Triston McKenzie re-injury is brutal. The only silver lining to take from it is that we are going to get to see Williams at the big-league level.
The 23-year-old dominated Double-A and Triple-A this year, posting a 33.3K% in the higher level over 46-plus innings. He offers mainly a three-pitch mix with a show-me changeup.
You should grab him now before his first start.
Bo Naylor (C – CLE)
Williams will get to see a familiar face in the clubhouse, too, as the Guardians also called up his battery mate. Naylor, the younger brother of Josh, finally got the call when Cleveland decided this much Mike Zunino wasn’t healthy for anyone in 2023.
Naylor has improved on his plate discipline this year, posting an 18.1 BB% and 19.3K% – both career bests. The low average is a bit of a concern, but he has the power to make up for it.
I prefer Davis over Naylor for this year and beyond, but Naylor is still worthy of consideration as your C1 in 12-team leagues.
Luis Matos (OF – SFG)
Matos ended last season in High-A, and now he’s in the big leagues in San Francisco.
He nearly hit .400 (.398) in 24 games in Triple-A, which allowed the Giants to feel comfortable with advancing him. It’s been just 21 plate appearances so far, but Matos is holding his own with a steal, seven runs (!), and a 23.8 BB%.
I’m tempering expectations at this point in his career, but he’s a fine OF5.
Michael Busch (2B – LAD)
The hamstring injury for Max Muncy sounds brutal, and with him going on the IL, we saw Busch get recalled.
The rookie has been up and down so far in his big-league time, but we’re basing that on 33 plate appearances. He’s an advanced 25 years old, so he won’t get a lot of extended time to ‘prove it’, if you will.
Still, he’s a guy who can hit you 12-15 homers the rest of the year if he can stick in the lineup.
Emmet Sheehan (SP – LAD)
We had this last week, and I hope that you were able to grab him before he made his debut.
Sheehan had a 1.86 ERA (3.22 FIP) in 53.1 minor league innings this year with an absurd 41.7 K%.
He threw six shutout, no-hit innings but only struck out three, but it was still a hell of a debut for the 23-year-old, once again highlighting the Dodgers’ depth.
Given the injuries the Dodgers have suffered, I feel confident about him sticking.
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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.
