I’m back this week to take a closer look at some of the top hitting prospects that have made their 2019 debuts with their teams. My focus again will be on both their value for season-long leagues and how often we should consider them for our DFS lineups.
Michael Chavis, 2B/3B – Boston Red Sox
Season Stats: .293 AVG, 1.060 OPS, 6 HR, 13 RBI in 71 Plate Appearances
68% owned in Yahoo leagues
Michael Chavis has burst onto the scene in a big way for the Red Sox since being called up from AAA on April 20. Chavis is a big-time prospect and former first-round draft pick who has put up some impressive numbers at each level of the minors so his hot start is not all that surprising. His .345 ISO so far is really impressive and likely too good to be true, but he certainly has shown that he has power at every stop in the minors.
I’m BUYING Chavis in season-long and I’m amazed that he’s only 68% owned in Yahoo leagues. He won’t keep up this pace all season, but hitting in the middle of this potent Red Sox lineup is going to give him every opportunity to continue to drive in runs on a nightly basis. He’s already swiped two bases, too, although that’s not something he did much of in the minors. For DFS purposes, I would consider him on a nightly basis when his price and matchup put him in play. So far he’s been better against righties than lefties, although in a very small sample size.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B – Toronto Blue Jays
Season Stats: .162 AVG, .433 OPS, 0 HR, 1 RBI in 41 Plate Appearances
97% owned in Yahoo leagues
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has perhaps the most hype surrounding an MLB prospect we’ve seen in several years. Blue Jays fans were clamoring for his promotion in April as the big league club struggled offensively right from the start. Vlad, of course, is the son of former MLB All-Star Vladimir Guerrero and is facing some of the highest expectations placed on a young player due to his pedigree and minor league success.
Guerrero has struggled out of the gate..badly. But he can’t stay this bad for long. His 26% K rate is almost double of what it was all through the minors and it’s really only a matter of time before he starts to make some adjustments and hit the ball. He’s hit for average at every stop in the minors, including batting .400 in AA before hitting .367 in AAA this April before being called up.
He’s not available in many leagues, but I would be floating some low-ball offers to whoever owns him in your league to see if they’re frustrated with his slow start. I’m BUYING Guerrero Jr. anywhere I can and waiting for the right matchup in DFS to pounce on him again at lower price and ownership.
Nick Senzel, 3B/OF – Cincinnati Reds
Season Stats: .231 AVG, .910 OPS, 3 HR, 4 RBI in 30 plate appearances
73% owned in Yahoo leagues
Nick Senzel was just called up by the Reds last week and has already made an impact for a Cincinnati offense that has been one of the worst in the majors so far this season. He hit two homers in the one game and gets to play his home games in one of the best hitters’ parks in all of MLB. The hype surrounding Senzel seems pretty justified so far. The Reds need his offense badly and he recently led off against a lefty so I think it’s safe to say they are planning on not just playing him, but featuring him going forward. He has third base and outfield eligibility which is pretty sweet and is still available in 27% of leagues. I’m BUYING Senzel in season-long leagues and adding him wherever I can. I’m also looking to target him in DFS, especially at home and against lefties if he continues to draw that leadoff spot in the order.
Pete Alonso, 1B – New York Mets
Season Stats: .275 AVG, .940 OPS, 11 HR, 31 RBI in 138 Plate Appearances
85% owned in Yahoo leagues
His ISO rate of .312 this year is incredible and the fact he hit 21 homers in 300 ABs in AAA last year means it’s sustainable. The Mets badly need his power from the right side of the plate, as most of their best hitters are lefties in that lineup. He’s been hitting second in the order this season, meaning he’s going to get 4-5 ABs a game and while Citi Field is not a stadium that’s conducive to homers, he’s shown the power to hit out of any park, including Yellowstone. I’m BUYING Alonso in season-long leagues. Add him wherever you can and float some trade offers to owners. In DFS, he’s a great play just about every night out as he has serious home run potential against lefties and righties alike.
Cole Tucker, SS – Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: .196 AVG, .554 OPS, 1 HR, 2 RBI in 55 Plate Appearances
4% owned in Yahoo leagues
Before reading any further, I want to acknowledge that I am long-suffering Pirates fan and that my fandom will in no way cloud my judgment of Pirates infield prospect Cole Tucker. Tucker got the call up after the Pirates had to put their everyday shortstop Erik Gonzalez on the 60-day DL and hit a game-winning home run for the Bucs in his debut. But he’s cooled off considerably since then and finds himself currently hitting 8th in the order. He’s clearly a talented ballplayer and like the others on this list, a first-round pick. However, his minor league numbers don’t show much power and he’s struggled to hit for average. He did steal 35 bases at AA last year, but I think the Bucs were a tad premature in bringing him up after only 16 games at AAA. I’m SELLING Tucker for season-long teams and I’m not all that interested in him for DFS until he shows us that he can get on base consistently in order to utilize his speed on the basepaths.
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