Fantasy Baseball: Searching the Minors for Pitching
By Craig Bozic
Fantasy Baseball: Top Minor League Pitching Targets
The second half of the season is now upon us and the super 2 deadline well and truly in the rear view window, what better time to scout the minor leagues for some pitching prospects that could make an impact to your fantasy baseball team in the second half of the season.
With some very notable starting pitchers currently on the DL, and some done for the season, the necessity to know who might be next in line for a call up increases as we head towards the part of the season where innings limits, and in some cases being shut down for the season, start to come into effect and have a direct impact on our fantasy teams.
Naturally the size of your league, as well as the settings will have a direct impact as to the level of talent that is available on your waiver wire; but if you are in a deep league, or potentially looking for an under the radar DFS play down the line then this is the article for you.
Next: Jose Berrios
Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins
We have already had a little taste of the Twins top prospect in the majors so far this season and those that picked Berrios up on his promotion have been left with a little sour taste in their mouth. In his first 4 major league starts the former compensation round draft pick gave up over an earned run an inning as well as giving up 12 free passes through 15 innings. You however can use his poor start in the majors to your advantage as it will have some owners thinking twice about adding him again.
Let’s start by looking at his poor start in the major leagues. Yes the Puerto Rico native struggled with his control but the outstanding use of the breaking ball did allow the 22 year old to rack up 20 strikeouts in his 15 major league innings. Now after being sent down to fine tune some of the issues, Berrios has regained his confidence and over his last 10 starts for AAA Rochester is starting to show the form once again that made him the minor league strikeout champion in 2015.
Not only has the converted 2B prospect reduced batters to a .196 average in AAA but he has also continued to strike out over a batter an inning. With Minnesota firmly entrenched at the bottom of the AL Central, and better pitch sequencing resulting in success in AAA sign me up for a second look at Jose Berrios as we enter the latter part of the season.
Next: Brady Rodgers
Brady Rodgers, Houston Astros
Brady Rodgers may not be a household name in the world of fantasy baseball, but with the kind of standout performances we have seen recently, including starting the AAA All-star game, is starting to get some of the recognition that his talent deserves. After a somewhat disappointing season in 2015 from the former 3rd round pick, Rodgers has not only seen an uptick in his strikeout rate, increasing his K/9 from 6.9 to 8.3, but increased efficiency which has resulted in an 8-3 record, a 2.88 ERA and a 1.14 whip for AAA Fresno Grizzlies. Add to the fact that Rodgers has only given up 4 home runs in his 15 starts also leads me to believe that success is very possible at the power friendly Minute Maid Park. Changing his pitching style going into the 2016 season the former Arizona State player seems poised as the next arm in line for promotion should the Astros require another starter down the stretch.
Brady Rodgers might not have the pedigree that other pitching prospects have, but let us also remember when Dallas Keuchel burst onto the scene he was seen in a similar mold. With the confidence sky-high coming off an AAA All-star appearance this is a name I will be keeping on the watch list for the second half because if the opportunity comes then the potent Astros offense could catapult the 25-year-old into some fantasy significance.
Next: Braden Shipley
Braden Shipley, Arizona Diamondbacks
Hopes were high entering the season in Arizona that the team were poised to take the step to the next level after adding some much rotational help in the big off-season acquisition of Zack Greinke, and the trade which bought former Brave Shelby Miller to help lead the line.
Who would have anticipated then that post All-Star break that the Diamondbacks would be sitting last in the NL West with a 39-53 record, Zack Greinke would be on the DL and making little progress with his oblique discomfort, and an admittance from general manager Dave Stewart that the Shelby Miller trade hasn’t worked out. Bad teams often gift us the opportunity to see future talent in the second half and this is likely going to be the case with arguably next in line Braden Shipley.
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The former 1st round pick does not have the most over powering arsenal in his repertoire, but with plus command as evidenced by his 70:19 K:BB ratio is the type of pitcher that should play well in the hitter friendly ball park. Currently playing his baseball at AAA Reno, Shipley currently sports a 3.85 ERA which is largely in part to some misfortune as his .317 BABIP would suggest, not to mention the hitter friendly environment that Shipley currently pitches in.
Next: Top Minor League Hitters
At the time of his promotion the 24-year-old projects more of a match-ups play than a must start in fantasy, but selecting those match-ups wisely could result in fantasy rewards for a low-end in the second half.