There weren’t enough screens in my house to keep up with everyone I wanted to watch last night, but I made due by flipping around like a maniac trying to catch everything I could. Here is the MiLB Opening Day Dynasty Baseball Rundown:
Austin Martin TOR, OF, 22.1 – Martin kicked things off on the opening pitch of the MiLB season with a Jeter-esque single going the opposite way. If things go right, he could be putting up some Jeter-esque batting lines in the majors for years to come.
Wander Franco TB, SS, 20.2 – Launched a deep triple for his first of 3 hits on the day (3 for 5), and his speed looked in top form to my eye flying around the bases. He also tacked on a stolen base. Launch angle? Check. Speed? Check.
DL Hall BAL, LHP, 22.7 – Hall looked unhittable in his Double-A debut throwing his upper 90’s fastball up in the zone and then landing his breaking ball both in and out of the zone. He went 4.1 IP with 2 hits, 0 earned, and a 10/2 K/BB. He wasn’t necessarily consistently hitting his spots, but he also wasn’t completely out of control. If one start could have your stock on the rise, this one was it.
Grayson Rodriguez BAL, RHP, 21.5 – In the battle for Baltimore’s top pitching prospect, Rodriguez did not want to be outdone as he went 4 IP with 1 hit, 0 earned and a 5/2 K/BB at High-A. With John Means dominating on the MLB level, it could be the dawn of a new era in Baltimore.
Shane McClanahan TB, LHP, 24.0 – McClanahan toed the rubber for the Major League club and he looked masterful with a fastball that sat 98.7 MPH and a slider that put up a 57% whiff%. He went 4 IP with 2 hits, 0 earned, and a 5/2 K/BB. He may never rack up innings in Tampa, but it sure looks like he will dominate in the innings he does pitch.
Keibert Ruiz LAD, C, 22.9 – Smashed a 106.5 MPH homer off Kyle Hendricks in his first MLB at-bat of the season. He also homered in his first MLB at-bat in 2020 as well. The guy knows how to make a first impression.
Colin Barber HOU, OF, 20.5 – David Gonos of The Athletic gave me a playful ribbing for leaving Barber off my Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings when he named that ranking one of the top free fantasy baseball resources, and Barber set out to prove Gonos right in the early going as he tallied his first dinger at High-A. Barber has a good feel to hit with speed, so showing off the power is exactly what you want to see.
CJ Abrams SD, SS, 20.7 – Abrams already made a big jump for me into the land of the elite based on his spring performance, and he kept is going at Double-A with 2 doubles, 0 K’s and a walk in 5 at-bats.
Gabriel Arias CLE, SS, 21.2 – Arias was 8 for 13 with 3 K’s in spring training, and yesterday he displayed some power with his first homer at Triple-A (1 for 4 with a K). He’s a plus defensive player whose glove will keep him on the field, and there is offensive upside if he can continue to refine his pitch recognition and plate approach.
Nate Pearson TOR, RHP, 24.7 – 3.2 IP, 4 hits, 1 earned, 8/1 K/BB. His fastball velocity was in prime form and so was his swing and miss slider. He is working on new mechanics to keep himself healthy, and if the early returns mean anything, it is going well.
Gunnar Henderson BAL, SS, 19.11 – Cracked possibly the most impressive homer of the day, hitting a no doubter the other way that left the ballpark. The hype was already starting to percolate based on 2020 reports, and that dinger should put it into overdrive.
Jackson Kowar KC, RHP, 24.7 – Kowar went against a relatively tough lineup in his Triple-A debut and was lights out, going 5.1 IP with 2 hits, 0 earned and a 9/2 K/BB. It shouldn’t be long before he joins Daniel Lynch in the rotation.
Matt Manning DET, RHP, 23.4 – 5 IP, 6 hits, 5 earned, and a 6/1 K/BB. He gave up 3 homers. He didn’t look all that great to me in spring training either (5.00 ERA in 9 IP). He’s not exactly forcing Detroit’s hand to say the least, and while I’m holding strong with his ranking, I’m starting to keep my expectations in check when he does get the call.
Michael Harris ATL, OF, 20.2 – Electric start to the season at High-A as he went 3 for 4 with a double, stolen base, OF assist, and a 1/1 K/BB. I was too low on him in my off-season rankings, even though my blurb and projection for him was glowing. I will rectify that mistake in my next update.
Francisco Alvarez NYM, C, 19.5 – Got off to a hot start at Single-A, going 4 for 5 with a double and a walk. If he keeps this up he’s on track to become the top catching prospect in the game when Adley Rutschman graduates.
Travis Swaggerty PIT, OF, 23.10 – There were reports of improved pull side power at that alt site and he showed that off at Triple-A yesterday with his first dinger (3 for 4 with a BB). He has speed and a plus glove in the OF, so the power coming around is big to see.
Ronny Mauricio NYM, SS, 20.1 – Mauricio has become a bit of a divisive prospect with more tools than production, but he got off to a strong start at High-A with 2 doubles and a walk in 4 AB. He’ll have to keep producing this season if he doesn’t want his prospect ranking to dip.
Liover Peguero PIT, SS, 20.4 – Smacked a homer out to deep CF at High-A for his only hit of the day (1 for 4 with a 2/1 K/BB). He has speed with a potentially plus hit tool and glove, so the power is the final piece.
Michael Toglia COL, 1B, 22.8 – Bombs away as Toglia got a hold of his first homer at High-A. He also struck out twice and is a bit old for the level, but his upside at Coors is exciting if they ever give him the chance to play.
Jesus Sanchez MIA, OF, 23.7/Lewin Diaz MIA, 1B, 24.5 – A pair of Marlins went deep at Triple-A as they push for a MLB roster spot. They will get their shot at some point this summer.
Luis Medina NYY, RHP, 22.0 – 4 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 8/2 K/BB at High-A. He looked great in the Puerto Rico Winer League before struggling in spring training. He has nasty stuff, so continuously showing the ability to harness it will be key this season. So far, so good.
Luis Gil NYY, RHP, 22.11 – Gil is another high risk, high reward Yankees prospects who got off to a good start yesterday. He went 3.2 IP with 2 hits, 0 ER, and a 6/1 K/BB. At the least, these guys can be electric arms out of the pen.
Nick Pratto KC, 1B, 22.6 – After dominating in spring with 4 homers in 29 AB (albeit with 14 K’s), Pratto picked right up at Double-A with his first homer (1 for 5 with a K). His stats bottomed out in 2019 with a .191 BA, and it certainly looks like a resurgence could be upon us.
Jordan Walker STL, 3B, 18.11 – Crushed a weak breaking ball for a pull side homer with a quick, vicious hack. Nobody was questioning his power at 6’5”, 220 pounds, but it doesn’t hurt to see it.
By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@DynastyHalp)