Fantasy Baseball Prospects Report: Robby Snelling primed for debut; Kade Anderson can't be stopped
Agustin Ramirez is a minor leaguer again. It's an outcome no one foresaw, but it's happened. The question in Fantasy is whether to drop or stash him, and while he's not a prospect anymore, it's fitting to address it in an article that comments on the stashability of minor leaguers.
Ramirez has the most upside of any hitter in the Marlins organization. He impacts the ball hard, draws walks, and steals bases. His demotion is likely a measure to get his bat going, and he may return in as little as 10 days.
However, the Marlins' reasoning is different. They claim the demotion is about improving his catching skills. But Ramirez was never right behind the plate, and the Marlins have swapped him with a defensive specialist. They should play him as a designated hitter or first base.
Robby Snelling, a left-handed pitcher, is the replacement for Chris Paddack, who was designated for assignment. Snelling has been excellent at Triple-A, with a 1.46 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 17 starts. He's tied for the minor league lead in strikeouts, but his swinging-strike rate is substandard.
Noelvi Marte, an outfielder, continues to excel at Triple-A, hitting and stealing bases. The Reds haven't called him up yet, partly due to defensive questions and the performance of JJ Bleday. The gap between Triple-A and the majors is wider than ever, and Marte's production may not be enough.
Kade Anderson, a pitcher, is close to being called up by the Mariners. He has a 0.37 ERA and 0.70 WHIP in 24 IP at Double-A. The Mariners are cautious, but the rotation openings are frequent, and Anderson may be called up soon.
A.J. Ewing, an outfielder, has been hitting .440 at Triple-A, stealing bases, and is the prototypical leadoff man. The Mets' lineup could use a spark plug like him.
Ryan Waldschmidt, an outfielder, has a good slash line but may miss time with a concussion. He's more here by process of elimination.
Spencer Jones, an outfielder, is tinkering with his stance and has homered six times in seven games. His strikeouts are high, but he has an average exit velocity.
Cole Carrigg, an outfielder, has improved his strikeout rate and is playing shortstop. He may not have enough power, but his position and Coors Field could help.
Ethan Salas, a catcher, has improved offensively and is well ahead of the developmental curve at 19 years old.
Kevin Alcantara, an outfielder, has increased his fly-ball rate and is tied for the minor league lead in home runs. He's striking out more, but he's only 23.
Justin Gonzales, an outfielder, is 6-foot-6 and has improved his power production. He's a 19-year-old in High-A, with room for improvement.
