The Seattle Mariners called up pitching prospect Bryce Miller on Tuesday, May 2nd and he delivered a gem. His 6 shutout innings of 2 hit ball were accompanied by 10 strikeouts and ZERO walks. Miller was the off-season #3 prospect within the Mariners organization and he was rewarded with a second start over the weekend. In our previous article we discussed the success that the Cleveland Guardians experienced with Tanner Bibee and Logan Allen. Oakland is very excited about Mason Miller. Under consideration on the near term horizon is Andrew Abbott of Cincinnati who is striking out batters at an advanced rate. But not all debuts have gone as strongly as others and some notable prospects struggled in this past week. Let’s dive in and look at the whole landscape.
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Brandon Pfaadt owners bought in this spring as this prospect emerged over the winter as a name that didn’t get a ton of attention during the 2022 minor league season. He had an excellent season in Triple AAA and led all pitchers in strikeouts at that level. But he wasn’t a household name and was not heavily rostered in dynasty leagues at the conclusion of 2022. However, he generated some significant buzz as a prospect this spring and so in quite a few dynasty leagues he was already well rostered prior to his debut on May 3rd. He came away lucky with a no decision as his outing was ugly. Nine hits and 7 earned runs in 4-2/3 innings with 3 strikeouts and 1 walk. The outing was not crisp and his pitches weren’t missing bats. A lot of owners walked away planning to pause Pfaadt’s entry into their rotations though Arizona plans on giving him a second start for the following Tuesday. Stay tuned.
The Los Angeles Dodgers had Gavin Stone listed as their #6 pitching prospect by Baseball America this winter and his scouting report spoke of a 94-98 mph fastball. We didn’t see that in his debut on May 3rd as his fastball topped out at 93 mph as he surrendered 8 hits and 4 earned runs in only 4 innings with 1 strikeout being tallied. It was a forgettable debut and the Dodgers were giving indications in advance that it might only be a one start audition. I would expect Stone to be sent back down to Triple AAA.
So how do you play this market for maximum upside. Too many fantasy baseball players can be lured right on to your fishing pole when you discover a Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen or a Bryce Miller. I always look to sell high when I get lucky with these debuts. There are going to be struggles. There are going to be injuries. In my dynasty league we have an owner that is currently holding on to Tampa Bay rookie Jeffrey Springs. Why? Look at how long it took Tampa Bay to finally unleash Shane McClanahan. Jeffrey Springs underwent Tommy John ligament transfer surgery. The recovery is typically 14-16 months. Will this owner really spend a Keeper slot to wait for Jeffrey Springs to return next May or June. For a pitcher with all of 16 innings under his belt? Maybe he is holding him in hopes of flipping him for a draft pick during the winter, I am smarter than that and so are you. Tampa Bay will be very guarded with Springs. Expect him to be on strict pitch counts when he gets back. His 2023 is over but so is his 2024. Don’t get drawn in.
The #3 most added pitcher this last week in ESPN leagues is a Baltimore pitcher named Yennier Cano. He has come out of nowhere this season as a previously unheralded 29 year old previously with Minnesota. He has 16 strikeouts alongside no walks in 14 innings pitched and has several wins and saves. Without a proven track record, I would look to flip him. You will get paid for a hot story. Good owners play these stories every single baseball season.