USA TODAY International Edition
TOP PROSPECTS CARRY OCTOBER POTENTIAL
Sometimes, best pickup is player from own system
The trade deadline generates such hype and expectation every year that it’s easy to forget teams often can get just as big a boost from the midseason promotion of a prospect as they would from a new acquisition.
That was the case last season when Andrew Benintendi came up from Class AA Portland ( Maine) and earned a spot as the Boston Red Sox’s starting left fielder in the final two months of the season and the playoffs and when catcher Willson Contreras became an integral part of the Chicago Cubs’ championship drive.
Two things to note about prospects in this class: They are so advanced and integral to a club’s future that they are more or less untouchable in trade talks. Yet they’re also talented enough that clubs might see fit to spring them on opponents in October to glean an unexpected advantage.
With that in mind, here are minor league prospects who could make an impact in the second half of this season and possibly beyond. Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays’ emergence as contenders for the American League East crown has put them on the market for pitching help, especially in the bullpen.
Tampa Bay has employed young starters in relief roles during playoff races in the past — David Price and Jeremy Hellickson come to mind — so calling up Honeywell to perform in that role would not break new ground.
Honeywell, 22, has been on a roll of late, earning MVP honors in the Futures Game and throw- ing 11 scoreless innings in two July starts for Class AAA Durham ( N. C.). If the Rays wanted to keep him in the rotation, they could consider having him take the spot of lefty Blake Snell, who has a 5.79 ERA over his last three starts and 4.98 for the season. Walker Buehler, RHP, Los
Angeles Dodgers: As if the Dodgers needed any more help. Well, get used to it, L. A. haters, because there’s plenty of talent in their farm system.
It took Buehler all of 16 games to climb from Class A to AAA, where he was recently promoted after striking out 64 in 49 innings at the AA level. He struggled in his debut Thursday, failing to retire a batter and giving up three runs, though Oklahoma City pitching coach Matt Hergers said Buehler “was throwing 101 mph and just missing.”
It was that fastball that earned the 22- year- old right- hander recognition as the Dodgers’ top prospect in Baseball America’s midseason rankings.
Los Angeles relied on farmhands such as Ross Stripling and Brock Stewart last year when injuries hit the starters. The rotation is in better shape this time, but a power arm such as Bueh-
ler’s could prove irresistible down the stretch and into October, provided his next outings with Oklahoma City go a bit smoother. Erick Fedde, RHP, Wash
ington Nationals: Edwin Jackson got the call when Joe Ross was lost for the season after having Tommy John elbow surgery, and the nomadic veteran responded with seven innings of tworun ball in a victory.
But there’s a reason Jackson has pitched for 12 major league teams. Consistency is not his calling card, so at one point the Nationals might be looking for a different fifth starter to round out their fine rotation.
Fedde, regarded as their No. 2 prospect, could be their best bet if he returns to the form he flashed last season, when he had a 3.12 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 121 innings at Class A and AA. Fedde, 24, didn’t fare as well when he moved up to Class AAA ( 5.57 ERA) and is working his way back to a starter’s workload after spending time in the bullpen. Francisco Mejia, C, Cleveland Indians: It’s not common for a contender to call up a catcher from Class AA in the middle of a season, especially one who won’t turn 22 until October, so chances are the Indians will continue to exercise patience with Mejia.
But it will become increasingly tempting to call him up if their catching tandem of Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez continues to struggle at the plate. Indians catchers rank second from the bottom in the AL in batting average (. 206) and on- base plus slugging percentage (. 622) while combining for seven home runs.
Switch- hitting Mejia put together an eye- popping 50- game hitting streak at two Class A levels last season and has adjusted to AA quite well this year, batting .322 with a .901 OPS. His receiving skills haven’t caught up to his hitting, but they keep improving. Is the offense- defense split worth the risk to the Indians? We might find out.