We’re back from the All-Star break with some new additions to the second half.
Max Meyer – SP Marlins – Listed in 28 percent of Yahoo leagues
It’s finally happening. No, it’s not Meyer’s return to the big leagues, although that is imminent. Because, starting Sunday, the Marlins can bring Meyer back to the majors and have him finish 2024 with less than two full years of service time. It’s the day they’ve been waiting for, as it means they will have control of him through the 2029 season, barring a claim that somehow prevails in arbitration (history suggests that won’t happen). Probably the only reason Meyer isn’t leaving for Miami that very day is that it would add to the outcry.
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While it’s true that Meyer shouldn’t have been asked to make 30 big league starts in his first full season after Tommy John surgery, the decision to send him away after three good starts (2.12 ERA in 17 IP) to Starting the year was terrible optically. To limit his workload, Meyer spent two months pitching three or four innings once every seven days. He was largely ineffective during that stretch, but the Marlins extended him at Triple-A Jacksonville in recent weeks and had him work four days’ rest last time out. He pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings on July 2, six one-ball innings on July 9, and five shutout innings on July 14.
Meyer probably won’t spend the last two months as a top-30 Fantasy starter, especially with the already terrible Marlins likely to sell at least a bat or two and the team will be closer. It’s also quite possible that Miami will limit his workload again in September. Still, he’ll probably be worth playing most weeks.
Jacob Wilson – SS Athletics – Listed in 11 percent of Yahoo leagues
438 average, 32 extra-base hits, 13 strikeouts and 1.162 OPS in 46 games. That’s what Wilson has done in 46 minor league games this season. The son of former Pirates shortstop Jack and the sixth overall pick in the 2023 draft, Wilson is headed to the majors this weekend and will serve as Oakland’s everyday shortstop during the second half.
A knee injury that cost Wilson a month was the only thing that slowed him down this year. He has accumulated four home runs and six doubles in 13 games since returning to Triple-A Las Vegas. Incredibly, this resulted in just one strikeout in 65 plate appearances. His exit velocity numbers don’t really support the power swing, and it seems unlikely he’ll start hitting many homers in the majors. However, his contact skills are legit and he will likely continue to collect many singles and doubles after getting the call.
As a fantasy prospect, it’s pretty hard to get excited about Wilson. He has decent speed, but isn’t a great base stealer, going 2-for-3 this year. All three robbery attempts occurred during the first two weeks of the season. The homers probably won’t be there, and he’ll be hitting in a mediocre lineup in a tough ballpark. It’s fun to think he might have Luis Arraez potential, but that profile often doesn’t translate to the majors. Wilson is definitely one of the best bets among all MLB prospects to become a long-term regular, and he could end up hitting .300 with some regularity. It makes some sense to try it in mixed leagues if the magic continues.
River Ryan – SP Dodgers – Listed in 5 percent of Yahoo leagues
One of last year’s fastest-rising pitching prospects, Ryan opened his professional career as a pinch hitter in 2021. The Padres took him in the 11th round that year and let him finish the season as a DH. Most teams, including the Padres themselves, were more interested in him as a pitcher, and after the Dodgers poached him for Matt Beaty that winter, they had him focus exclusively on the mound. He moved up to Triple-A last season and has shown high-90s velocity at times. A sore shoulder cost him the first two months of this season, but he has posted a 2.22 ERA in 24 1/3 innings since his return, and now he’s expected to debut in the Dodgers’ rotation on Sunday or Monday.
An excellent athlete who played shortstop and second base at UNC Pembrooke, Ryan offers all types of projection on the mound. The fact that he has played so few innings for a 25-year-old comes up sometimes, but it is something that could very well pay off in the long run as far as arm health is concerned. Ryan is comfortable working in the mid-90s and his cutter is an excellent weapon against left-handed hitters. His curveball is a streaky pitch against lefties and righties. It’s too much to ask for him to be a savior of the Dodgers’ rotation right now, especially considering his season pitching record is 67 after the long absence. It is also not yet promised that he will remain in the rotation after his debut. However, he’s definitely considered one of the top Fantasy prospects, and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he’s ready to be useful in mixed leagues while throwing roughly five innings at a time for one of the best teams in baseball.
Quick strikes
– Those in deeper leagues looking to stash prospects could try Ben Joyce of the Angels or AJ Puk of the Marlins. The only problem with Puk is that he could very well join Tanner Scott in transferring at the deadline. Joyce has made the case for replacing Carlos Estévez by throwing 14 1/3 scoreless innings in his last 11 starts, and the other candidate to replace Carlos Estévez is about as likely to be traded as Estévez.
– I can’t believe Rece Hinds’ great first week. By all means use it if you have it, but I think it’s okay to ditch it at the first sign of trouble.
– Albert Suárez from Baltimore is a great option for a week at least. He could be benched at the trade deadline, but will face the Marlins on the road and the Padres at home next week.
