Fantasy Baseball Today - FBT Express - Top 5 Prospects to Stash! Pirates Promote Bubba Chandler! (8/21 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Starting point is 00:00:00 We have prospects to stash, plus the pirates are finally promoting Bubba Chandler. Let's discuss on Fantasy Baseball Today Express. Welcome in to FBT Express on Thursday, August 21st. I am, for example, joined by Scott White before we get into the five prospects on the verge, someone who is getting the call. Bubba Chandler of the Pirates, except he's going to pitch out of the bullpen. So one of the most anticipated prospect promotions all season long, Scott, Got off to a great start, but then really kind of fell flat there.

Starting point is 00:00:34 And he's getting called up. We'll see what he does. But the expectation is that he'll pitch in bulk relief. Yes. You've heard the expression better late than never. I'm not sure that applies in this case because it seems like everything got ruined by this promotion coming late. Through the end of May, 11 starts in. Bob Chandler had a 203-ERA 107 whip, 12.5.

Starting point is 00:01:00 8K per 9. Everyone knew he was on the verge of being called up. Probably should have been called up. I think he was only a couple weeks away from being called up. But everything fell apart thereafter. You don't know how it affected him mentally if he started pressing, started feeling like he had to do something different since it wasn't. He's voiced how frustrated he was with the situation.

Starting point is 00:01:24 So great numbers through 11 starts. Final 13 at AAA. Bubba Chandler had a 596. CRA, a 187 whip, and right out of K per inning. So how much can you really count on him? Even before we get into the role, if he had a starting spot in the Pirates' rotation, I'd probably be looking to roster him, but not with a lot of conviction. And the fact that he's going to work in bulk relief, I think more is like a piggyback

Starting point is 00:01:55 situation. It's going to be hard for him to make any sort of fantasy impact, even if he's good, which is very much questionable because of the way his last 13 starts win at AAA. So he's been rostered 65, 80 percent of CBS Sports Leagues all year. That seems too high, to be honest, even now with Bubba Chandler and the majors. Yeah, I mean, if you held on to him this long, I guess hold and see if he pitches really well in relief, maybe he earns himself a spot in the rotation. but there are other names emerging right now.

Starting point is 00:02:29 Hurston Waldrop and Cam Schlittler and guys like that. So it's tough to continue to hold on to Bubba Chandler. Five prospects on the verge of getting called up. Jordan Lawler of the D-Backs, JJ Weatherholt of the Cardinals, Jonah Tong of the Mets, Robbie Snelling of the Marlins, and Justin Crawford from the Phillies.

Starting point is 00:02:47 Yeah, so we got some new names here. I guess we'll start with Lawler. Any day now. Any day. Third base is wide open for him. That's mostly what he's been. playing since coming back from this hamstring injury at AAA during that time. He's hit 282, five homers, seven steals, and an OPS near a thousand in 20 games since

Starting point is 00:03:08 returning. So he's doing his part any day. JJ Weatherholt could be any day for him too. Not as clear of an opening. Well, kind of, yeah, kind of there is a clear opening in St. Louis with Brendan Donovan on the IL. They've been playing Thomas Sejacey at second base. that's one of three positions

Starting point is 00:03:28 Weatherholt could play for them. They could stick him at third if they wanted to upgrade from Nolan Gorman. Their openings, he's been performing well at AAA, very high-end prospect. Needs to be stashed.

Starting point is 00:03:39 Jonah Tong is, I think this is his first mention as a stash for this season, but he just got moved up to AAA. He struck out nine over five and two-thirds innings, got 18 swinging strikes. And just look at the state of the Mets right now.

Starting point is 00:03:54 They are barely holding on to that. third wild card spot barely holding off the reds for that it's it's become a real dog fight i think they could use all the help they could get and jonah tong has been the most dominant pitcher in the minors this season so i mentioned first start at triple a a was great he has a 150 era overall his last 12 starts a 0.99 a 0.82 whip 14 k per 9 batters hitting 138 against him like it want to surprise me if it's just a couple looks at AAA and then bring up Jonah Tong and he could be great for fantasy thereafter. Robbie Snelling has put himself in the top pitching prospect conversation as well. He was there a couple years ago with the Padres was bad in 2024, got traded in the

Starting point is 00:04:43 Tanner Scott deal to the Marlins and pretty much turn things around right then. His velocity's been up one and a half miles per hour this year, better control. In six AAA starts, he has a 134 ERA 0.95 whip 11.5 K per 9. And he's still short of last year's innings total. So it's not like they need to preserve his workload, the Marlins. They can make room for Robbie Snelling, give him a nice audition for next year. I think Justin Crawford, the case for him, high batting average guy, 3.52 in August, tons of speed. Phillies have had trouble in left field all season.

Starting point is 00:05:17 They don't have any good option there. They're still playing Max Kepler. He's doing nothing. This is the sort of player that could really, energize the lineup with that game-changing speed that Justin Crawford offers. So maybe, you know, maybe looking ahead to the postseason. They try him out and left field, see if he becomes a dynamic force in his lineup and can contribute a lot of steals and fantasy in a short time. All right. Let's take a quick break and we'll be back right after this. Welcome back in

Starting point is 00:05:45 FBT Express. Let's take a look at prospects on the periphery. Zach Veen of the Rockies, Thomas White of the Marlins, Ralphie Velasquez, with The Guardians, Harlan, Susanna of the Nationals, and Daniel Egan from the D-backs. So, Zach Veen, he was up before, obviously. It didn't go well. I don't think you need to stash him.

Starting point is 00:06:06 And really, the Rockies don't have room for them. All three of their outfielder's doing well. But Zach Veen's making every effort to force his way back into the majors. Last 36 games at AAA betting 357, four home runs, 10 steals, a 9-61 OPS. The home run output could be higher, but that's more of a launch angle issue than exit velocities. Exit velocities are fine for Vane.

Starting point is 00:06:29 So maybe some work to do with launch angles at launch angle at 23. That's hardly unusual. I think he still has a pretty bright future. Thomas White of the Marlins, his sort of like, sort of like Jonah Tong has put himself in the best pitching prospect conversation this year. He was 26th in my mid-season top 50. and has turned in his best three outings since then. A 14 strikeout effort on July 26th, a couple on nine strikeout efforts.

Starting point is 00:06:59 In all, he has a 131 ERA, 0.92 whip, 17K per 9 in his last, I think that's in his last four starts. I didn't note that, but he's been dominating is the point. Ralphie Velasquez of the Guardians, converted catcher playing first base now. he kind of as a hitter reminds me a little of Samuel Bessaya. Like he's not there yet, but he has that kind of like power that's like the stuff of legends already.

Starting point is 00:07:35 You see some of Ralphie Velasquez's highlights. The home runs are like missiles. They get out of the ballpark before the play-by-play announcer even has a chance to react to them. He hits a ball very hard. And since moving up to AA, he's batting four. 433 with four homers. I think Ralphie Velasquez turning himself into a legit prospect. Harlan Susanna of the Nationals.

Starting point is 00:07:58 So this Juan Soto trade is the gift that keeps on giving. He is the last piece there to yet to make a contribution for the Major League Club. But he looks well on his way. Miss some time with an elbow issue earlier this year. But in six starts since returning, Harlan Susanna has a 228 ERA. 0.85 whip 16.7 K per 9. He just had a 13 strikeout effort there at AA last time out. So had control issues in the past.

Starting point is 00:08:25 Throwing a lot of strikes now. Hitting triple digits with that fastball. Looks like a legit pitching prospect. And then finally, the least known prospect here, Daniel Egan, spelled differently than the VEP character. He, among pitchers still in A ball, he has the most strikeouts. His last two starts there, two hits combined, 21 strikeouts and 13 innings. too good for a high A and 22 years old.

Starting point is 00:08:54 You always worry when a player that old is dominating A ball. Maybe he's just too good for the level. But Daniel Egan, really distinctive fastball, good carry. Even though he throws from a high arm slot, usually you get the good carry with a lower arm slot. So a tough look for hitters. A couple of breaking balls that rate is plus. And I think he's somebody you need to take note of in Dynasty Leagues.

Starting point is 00:09:19 All right. for more extensive fantasy baseball coverage, listen to our full-lane podcast, Fantasy Baseball today on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere else podcasts are found. Thanks for listening to Fantasy Baseball Today Express, and we will be back again tomorrow. Bye-bye.

Starting point is 00:09:35 On Podcasts.

Fantasy Baseball Today - FBT Express - Top 5 Prospects to Stash! Pirates Promote Bubba Chandler! (8/21 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

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