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.
It’s been a slow week as far as prospects are concerned, and while there is one who made his debut and one who returned to the big leagues, we are also going to look at some players who are making their rehab returns from injury and should be back with their big-league team in short order.
Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report
All stats are accurate as of Tuesday afternoon on July 25.
Grayson Rodriguez (SP – BAL)
I mentioned G-Rod last week in this section, but it was before he pitched. What’s more, he pitched twice last week, so I felt OK about repeating his name here.
In 10.2 innings last week, Rodriguez gave up six earned runs, had 10 strikeouts, and allowed four walks. Overall, it’s a so-so line, but the two starts came against the Dodgers and the Rays. The second start was much better, as he struck out six batters and only allowed two runs.
The stuff looked better for him, and he was inducing a high amount of grounders. I’m expecting a big second half for Rodriguez to put a cap on his rookie year.
Sal Frelick (OF – MIL)
With the NL Central essentially a wide-open two-team race, the Brewers have enlisted some help offensively with Frelick. He wasn’t doing anything to blow people away in Triple-A this year, but he is a hit-first 50-FV player, who has 60-grade speed.
So far, Frelick has been phenomenal, but it’s just been three games. He already has a home run, and he’s slashing a comical .556/.583/.889 so far. The speed is the part we like for fantasy, as well as the good plate awareness.
The Brewers slotted him in at cleanup, which I don’t expect to stick, so they clearly value him. He’s more of a ride-him-while-he’s-hot player for the short term with obvious long-term value.
Ricky Tiedemann (SP – TOR)
He’s back.
After dealing with a biceps injury off and on all year, Tiedemann returned to the mound this past week. While throwing just two innings, he struck out two hitters and was hitting 97 on his fastball.
Tiedemann is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. While the injuries put a damper on him making his debut this year, the window to acquire him in your dynasty league at a reasonable cost is closing.
Trevor Story (SS – BOS)
Remember him? Story is one step closer to returning to the Red Sox, as he’s had his rehab transferred to Triple-A. In three Double-A games, Story posted a 50 K%, but he also went deep.
He was awful in his first season with Boston last year, slashing .238/.303/.434 with a 30.8 K% but he is capable of giving the Red Sox offense a boost with a blend of speed and power. I could see 12 combined homers and steals for the rest of the season.
Brendan Rodger (SS – COL)
Rodgers, the heir apparent to Story in Colorado, is making his way back from what looked to be a season-ending shoulder injury in Spring Training. He’s in High-A now, and he hasn’t done anything of note yet in five games.
It’s less about results for Rodgers at this point in his rehab, though, and it’s more about staying on the field.
He’s no longer the young future stud shortstop that he once was, and next year, when he turns 27, it will be his last real shot to prove he can be an above-average everyday shortstop.
Brandon Woodruff (SP – MIL)
It looks like we are about two weeks away from Woodruff rejoining the Brewers’ rotation. Remember, the 30-year-old made just two starts this season before getting hurt. Now, shoulder injuries are always a concern for pitchers and I care about them way more than I do elbow injuries.
However, I am so ready to have Woodruff back. He’s only thrown three innings so far in his rehab (at High-A), and he struck out four hitters. Additionally, he was hitting 93, which I’m OK with.
Even when he comes back, it’ll take a few turns for him to build up the stamina to go deeper into games. He’s a September add and a potential playoff winner.
Max Fried (SP -ATL)
Fried is about to make his fourth rehab start at Triple-A, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him back in Atlanta after that.
In two Triple-A starts so far, Fried has only thrown 4.2 innings. The strikeouts are there, and while I can’t find a reading on his most recent outing, his manager – Brian Snitker – said that it was “really good.”
It’s a forearm injury, so making this fourth start will be crucial for his path back to the big leagues.
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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.
