Fantasy Focus: All Rookie Team

Unless you are in a deep keeper league, you are really only interested in prospects who are likely to play a lot this season for your fantasy baseball team.  In other words, you want to look for players who can potentially win ROY this season, not some 17 year old uber prospect who hasn't played above rookie ball.  With that background, here's my 2020 All-rookie team:

C   Sean Murphy, A's.

AAA:  .308/.386/.625, 6 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 10.7 BB%, 22.1 K%, 140 PA.
MLB:  .245/.333/.566, 5 2B, 4 HR, 10.0 BB%, 26.7 K%, 60 PA.

Murphy is listed at the top of the A's catching depth chart.  Playing time and starting the season on Opening Day are half the battle in fantasy value.  Power looks real.

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1B  Evan White, Mariners.

AA:  .293/.350/.488, 13 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 2 SB, 7.3 BB%, 23.0 K%, 400 PA.

Mariners signed him to a long term contract so there is no reason to keep him down on the farm to manipulate service time.  Very athletic 1B who throws lefty but bats righty.

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2B  Gavin Lux, Dodgers.

AA:  .313/.375/.521, 7 2B, 4 3B, 13 HR, 7 SB, 9.6 BB%, 20.6 K%, 291 PA.
AAA:  .392/.478/.719, 18 2B, 4 3B, 13 HR, 3 SB, 14.2 BB%, 18.1 K%, 232 PA.
MLB:  .240/.305/.400, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 2 SB, 8.5 BB%, 29.3 K%, 82 PA.

Nick Madrigal of the White Sox would be a reasonable choice here, but Lux has significantly more power and a clear path to the bulk of 2B PA's for the Dodgers.

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3B  Carter Kieboom, Nationals.

AAA:  .303/.409/.493, 24 2B, 3 3B, 16 HR, 5 SB, 13.8 BB%, 20.2 K%, 494 PA.
MLB:  .128/.209/.282, 2 HR, 9.2 BB%, 37.2 K%, 43 PA.

Presumptive starting 3B for the Nationals in the wake of Anthony Rendon leaving via free agency.  Whether you want to take a chance on him for your fantasy team depends on how deep your league is.  Alec Bohm of the Phillies projects better, but has not clear path to playing time in 2020.

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SS Mauricio Dubon, Giants.

AAA(Brewers):  .297/.333/.475, 22 2B, 3B, 16 HR, 4.2 BB%, 13.8 K%, 427 PA.
AAA(Giants):  .323/.391/.485, 4 2B, 4 HR, 8.9 BB%, 8.0 K%, 112 PA.
MLB:  .274/.306/.434, 5 2B, 4 HR, 4.5 BB%, 18.0 K%, 111 PA.

The more I see this kid play, the more impressed I am.  Hit 24 HR's over 3 levels last season.  I think he can that again this year.  Only question is if he will get close to 600 PA's in a super-utility role.

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OF  Dylan Carlson, Cardinals.

AA:  .281/.364/.386, 24 2B, 6 3B, 21 HR, 18 SB, 10.8 BB%, 20.3 K%, 483 PA.
AAA:  .361/.418/.681, 4 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 2 SB, 7.6 BB%, 22.8 K%, 79 PA.

Cards could keep him down for some more salt and to delay his service time,  but their OF is weak and they want to compete, so he's not going to be down long, if at all.  ROY candidate.

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OF  Luis Robert, White Sox.

A+:  .453/.512/.920, 5 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 8 SB, 4.8 BB%, 23.8 K%, 84 PA.
AA:  .314/.362/.518, 16 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 21 SB, 5.3 BB%, 22.1 K%, 244 PA.
AAA:  .297/.341/.634, 10 2B, 5 3B, 16 HR, 7 SB, 4.9 BB%, 24.7 K%, 223 PA.

Destroyed 3 levels last season.  Signed a longterm contract so service time not a factor.  Should be starting CF on Opening Day.  Will his swing happy approach work in the majors?  Strong favorite for AL ROY.

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OF  Jaylin Davis, Giants.

AA:  .274/.382/.458, 9 2B, 10 HR, 7 SB, 14.3 BB%, 25.5. K%, 251 PA.
AAA(Twins):  .331/.405/.708, 11 2B, 3B, 15 HR, 2 SB, 8.7 BB%, 26.6 K%, 173 PA.
AAA(Giants):  .333/.419/.686, 6 2B, 10 HR, SB, 12.0 BB%, 23.9 K%, 117 PA.
MLB:  .167/.255/.238, HR, SB, 6.4 BB%, 23.4 K%, 47 PA.

OK, why not?  Only other viable candidate from Fangraphs list of 2020 ETA OF prospects is Jesus Sanchez of Marlins who may have a path to more playing time, but I wasn't too impressed with the scouting report.  Davis may not win Opening Day roster, but if he does, great shot at breaking out and contending for ROY.

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SP  Jesus Luzardo, A's.

AAA:  1-1, 3.19, 31 IP, 9.87 K/9, 2.32 BB/9.
MLB:  0-0, 1.50, 10 IP, 12.00 K/9, 2.25 BB/9.

Luzardo was poised to break out last season but suffered an injury which kept him out most of the season.  If he can stay healthy, should be awesome.

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SP  AJ Puk, A's.

AAA:  4-1, 4.91, 11 IP, 13.09 K/9, 2.45 BB/9.
MLB:  2-0, 3.18, 11.1 IP, 10.32 K/9, 3.97 BB/9.

Ditto Jesus Luzardo above.

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SP  Deivi Garcia, Yankees.

AA:  4-4, 3.86, 53.2 IP, 14.59 K/9, 4.36 BB/9.
AAA:  1-3, 5.40, 40.0 IP, 10.13 K/9, 4.50 BB/9.

Garcia has electric stuff and with Yanks SP's dropping like flies, should get his shot by midseason.

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SP Michael Kopech, White Sox.

DNP.  Fireballing RHP coming back from TJ surgery.  Only question is return to full health.

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SP  Logan Webb, Giants.

AA:  1-4, 2.18, 41.1 IP, 10.23 K/9, 2.61 BB/9.
AAA:  0-0, 1.29, 7 IP, 9.00 K/9, 0.00 BB/9.
MLB:  2-3, 5.22, 39.2 IP, 8.39 K/9, 3.18 BB/9.

Again, why not?  The MLB ERA is deceiving as it is inflated by 1 bad start.  Webb most likely won't be on the Opening Day roster but will almost certainly pitch in the Giants rotation in 2020.  I expect him to do well when he gets his chance.

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RP  Nate Pearson, Blue Jays.

A+:  3-0, 0.86, 21 IP, 15.00 K/9, 1.29 BB/9.
AA:  1-4, 2.59, 62.2 IP, 9.91 K/9, 3.02 BB/9.
AAA:  1-0, 3.00, 18 IP, 7.50 K/9, 1.50 BB/9.

I probably should list the fireballing Pearson as a SP, but he would also make a lights-out Closer for the BJ's when Ken Giles hits the wall.

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/1/2020: Padres 7 Giants 5

Kevin Gausman continued the remarkable string of scoreless starts for the Giants this spring with 2 strong innings.  Brandon Crawford continued his hot hitting while Buster Posey and Mauricio Dubon contributed home runs.  But in the end, the Padres outscored the Giants.  Key Lines:

Brandon Crawford SS- 2 for 2, BB, SB(1).  BA= .444.  Crawford has been on fire in the early spring games.  Can he sustain it into the season?  Hopefully he's in the Best Shape of His Life and the Giants give him plenty of rest days as the season wears on.

Buster Posey C- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .250.  Buster went the other way and stroked a line drive out of the ballpark.  Probably would have been a double in The Oracle, but it's encouraging to see Buster scald the ball like that.  Can't remember the last time we saw that.

Mauricio Dubon 2B- 2 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .455.  Speaking of fire, from a fan's perspective, a 26 man roster spot should be Dubon's to lose this spring.  Not only is he not losing it so far, he's winning it!  I believe he is the first Giants player to hit his second HR of the spring.

The Core- 5 for 11, HR, 2 SB.  BA= .289.  The Core has rebounded nicely from their glacial start for an overall batting line of 45 AB, 13 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 2 SB, 3 BB.

Kevin Gausman RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Gausman K'd Manny Machado on a 95 MPH heater(per Jon Miller on video) up in the zone.  He got the other on a splitter that dipped under the bat of Wil Myers.  Pitchers who have started games for the Giants this spring have pitched 17.2 scoreless innings since DRod gave up a couple of unearned runs in first spring game.  Overall, SP composite pitching line is 0.00, 18.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 8 BB, 16 K.  Add in non-starting appearances by Andrew Suarez and Logan Webb, the line pitchers competing for a rotation spot is 22.1 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 9 BB, 22 K's.  ERA= 0.40.

Dany Jimenez RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 2 HBP, Balk.  ERA= 0.00.  Adventurous appearance for the Rule 5 rookie, but he came out of it with his zero ERA intact.

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Giants bus to Talking Stick to take on the D'Backs with Jeff Samardzija getting the start against RHP Merrill Kelly.

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Heliot Ramos pulled a muscle in his side on the throw that froze the runner at 3B the other night.  We likely won't see him again this spring training.

Scouting the 2020 Draft: Seth Lonsway

Seth Lonsway LHP, College(Ohio St).  6'3", 195 lbs.

2019:  8-4, 3.70, 92.1 IP, 59 BB, 126 K.
2019 CCL:  2-0, 4.50, 12 IP, 12 BB, 10 K.
2020:  1-1, 1.13, 16 IP, 10 BB, 37 K.

Seth Lonsway has a classic pitcher's frame and is a lefty to boot.  His stock took a hit over the summer in the Cape Cod League where his velocity dropped into the high 80's and his walks exceeded his K's.  He's come out in his junior season at Ohio State firing 92-96 MPH. The walks are still a bit on the high side, but he's piling up K's at a rate of greater than 2 per inning.  If he keeps that up he is likely to take on serious helium as the draft approaches. His pitches are 4-seam FB with a curve and slider. No changeup, at least so far.

Spring Training Game Wrap 2/29/2020: Angels 10 Giants 3

After another strong start by LHP Drew Smyly, the Angels erupted for 8 runs in the 3'rd inning and the Giants were not able to come back.  Key Lines:

Wilmer Flores 2B- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .300.  Flores is a lock to be on the Opening Day roster.  Role TBD.

Jalen Miller PR/2B- 1 for 1, HR(1).  BA= .250.  Miller looked a tad taller and bigger on TV than I remembered from seeing him play for the San Jose Giants.  His first hit of the spring was a HR which came from an easy pull swing. The ball left the field of play quickly.

Drew Smyly LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Smyly had no problem with a middle-of-the-order of Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Justin Upton, all RH batters.  He allowed only an IF single while striking out Trout and Upton.

Trevor Gott(R), Sam Wolff(R), Enderson Franco(R), Wandy Peralta(L)- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 7 K.  Trevor Gott is a lock to make the team if healthy and he looked sharp in his inning of work with 2 K's.  He is even a candidate for the Closer role.  Sam Wolff walked 3 batters but got out of the inning.    Franco and Peralta had 2 K's each.

The carnage in the 3'rd inning was created by Conner Menez and Olbis Parra, 2 pitchers who are not really in the conversation for a roster spot.  Tyler Cyr gave up 2 runs in 1 inning of work and will likely start the season in Sacramento.

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Kevin Gausman gets his second start of the preseason today facing the Padres in Peoria.

Spring Training Game Wrap 2/28/2020: Giants 9 Rockies 6

Giants win the nightcap of the split squad doubleheader in a high scoring game featuring a successful spring debut for Johnny Cueto and a HR bomb from Heliot Ramos.  Key Lines:

Joey Bart C- 1 for 2, BB.  BA= .625.  I would imagine Johnny Cueto is not the easiest guy to catch and can probably demand the catcher he prefers to work with, so it seems significant that Bart got the starting assignment in a home game with Cueto on the mound.  Not that it means Bart is going to be on the Opening Day roster, but gotta think it's a sign of respect from the organization and from Cueto.  Oh, and he had another pretty good day at the plate too!

Brandon Belt 1B- 2 for 2, 2B, HR(1), BB.  BA= .250.  Belt gets his first hits of the spring, both for XB's.  Comments from the beat writers that Belt has slimmed down and looks more mobile this spring.

Billy Hamilton CF- 2 for 3, 2B, 3B.  BA- .222.  Lots of first spring hits today and Billy Hamilton got his too.

Sean Roby 3B- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .714.  I probably should have included Roby in my Giants Top 50 Prospects.  He hit .338 for Salem-Keizer last summer but then face planted after an August promotion to Augusta.  He's come out smoking in spring training, SSS.

Heliot Ramos RF- 2 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .400.  Heliot hit an impressive HR to left-CF and a groundball single up the middle.  The future is getting brighter!

Johnny Cueto RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 5/0.  ERA= 0.00.  Cueto reportedly hit 93 MPH on the radar gun and gushed about how great his arm feels after his first spring start.

Tyler Rogers(R), Jarlin Garcia(L), Nick Vincent(R), Matt Carasiti(R)- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  The Giants will undoubtedly go with an 8-man bullpen, but there seem to be at least that many deserving candidates.  Rogers and Garcia would seem to be locks.  Nick Vincent is a veteran and will get extra consideration.  Carasiti gets the Save here and has been impressive in early spring appearances.  It's hard to see how there's room for him though.

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Drew Smyly makes his second spring start today facing the Angels in Scottsdale.

Spring Training Game Wrap 2/28/2020: Giants 3 Royals 1

The Giants split the squad to play 2 games and won both.  This one featured a big offensive game from Darren Ruf and more tremendous pitching.  Key Lines:

Buster Posey DH- 2 for 3.  BA= .222.  Buster gets his first two hits of the spring, both singles.

Darren Ruf 1B- 2 for 2, HR(1), BB. BA= .286.  Ruf gets his first hits of the spring and shows his power.  He could be a potent RH bat off the bench or a RH platoon bat.  With Pablo Sandoval likely to start the season on the DL, Ruf has a chance to make the Opening Day roster. Positional limitations are in issue though.

Dereck Rodriguez RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.  DRod was impressive in his first start but gave up 2 unearned runs due to 3 errors behind him.   He throws 2 shutout innings here.

Andrew Suarez LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Another impressive appearance for Suarez!  After his ERA hit 10.66 on 8/1/2019 last season, Suarez went 2.57 in 21 IP through the end of the season pitching out of the bullpen.  He's picked up this spring where he left off.  He is stating a strong case for a long relief/swingman role out of the gate.

Carlos Navas(R), Trevor Oaks(R), Sean Hjelle(R), Jake Jewell(R), Trey McNutt(R)- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  Another shutout inning from Sean Hjelle.  McNutt gets the Save, but gives up the lone run of the game for Giants pitching with his ERA sitting at 11.57 in 3 appearances, 2.1 IP.

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It's still early but.....it's starting to look like the Giants have unexpected quality and depth on the pitching staff.  I am sure FZ will use options to maximize his depth, but it also opens up the possibility of trades to fill other gaps, acquire younger, higher ceiling prospects or packages to unload contracts.

Spring Training Game Wrap 2/27/2020: Giants 5 Mariners 4

Tyler Beede pitched a very impressive 2 innings and the Giants won a see-saw battle in Peoria.  Key Lines:

Cristhian Adames 2B- 2 for 2, 2B.  BA= .500.  Adames is buried in the depth chart and will likely start the season in Sacramento.  He subbed in for Wilmer Flores who started the game at 2B.

Hunter Bishop CF- 1 for 2, SB(1).  BA= .250.  When Bishop subbed in for YtY, he and his brother, Braden, were both in the game at the same time for opposing teams.  Hunter hit a slicing liner to LF for a single, stole 2B and took third without a throw from his brother when the ball went into CF. He then came home on Adames' double.

Joe McCarthy RF- 1 for 2, BB, SB(1), Assist.  BA= .333.  Nice line for a guy who is buried in the depth chart but who the Giants seem to see something in and will get a chance to develop it in Sacramento to start the season.

Rob Brantly C- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .333.  BA= .286.  Tyler Heineman started the game and went 1 for 2 to get his BA to .200.  Brantly then came in and doubled.  On paper, Brantly looks like the leader to win the backup C spot on the team and his early spring performance backs that up. Gotta say, if you look at the video of Braden Bishop stealing 2B, the throw from Brantly seemed mighty weak.  Heineman also gave up a SB.

Donovan Solano SS- 2 for 2.  BA= .500.  The acquistions of Wilmer Flores and Yolmer Sanchez appeared to doom Solano's chances of making the team, but he just keeps going.  Meanwhile, Yolmer Sanchez maintained a .000 BA with an 0 for 3 day while playing 3B.

Tyler Beede RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  In Tyler Beede's final start of 2019, he struck out 7 batters in 3.1 perfect innings before leaving the game with an oblique strain.  He picked right up where he left off in his first spring start with a FB that ran 96-98 MPH.  He got his first K on a curveball and his second on a changeup.

Logan Webb RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.50.  Webb gave up the first earned run of the spring for Giants SP candidates whose combined pitching line is now 0-0, 0.73, 12.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 7 BB, 12 K.  Webb is working on adding a cutter and more sweep to his breaking ball.  It appears he will likely start the season in Sacramento, partly to control his innings and to polish up his pitches.

Sam Coonrod(R), Jerry Blevins(L), Dany Jimenez(R), Rodolfo Martinez(R)- 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.   Rule 5 draft pick, Jimenez, pitched his second scoreless inning.  Rodolfo Martinez hit 100 MPH on a pitch.

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The Giants play split squad games tomorrow with Dereck Rodriguez getting his second spring start against the Royals in Surprise and Johnny Cueto getting his first against the Rockies in Scottsdale in the evening.  Pablo Sandoval is expected to DH in the evening game.