What a fun All Star Game, with some back-and-forth punctuated by 10 homers which is the name of the game these days.
With just eight weeks to go, and 10 days till the trade deadline, the last months of the baseball this season look to be a lot of fun. Add in the cluster of great young players emerging, and ideally a new generation of stars is here.
With prospects and trades on the minds of us all at this point, let’s focus upon that this time, looking at both some call-ups and some trade bait the Orioles received as part of the Manny Machado extravaganza. So, let’s have at it.
Willie Calhoun (23, 2B, Rangers): Finally. I had frozen Calhoun in my Scoresheet league two years ago, eating up a roster spot, assuming this season he would be in Arlington Opening Day. Well, finally, but, make no mistake: Willie Calhoun is potentially a major offensive weapon. With a .290-77-271 line in the minors, along with 149 walks to 204 strikeouts (.351 OBP), Calhoun just needs a chance to strut his stuff.
However, he is a full-time DH waiting to happen, and that is the drawback. Today Calhoun opened in left with Joey Gallo in right, giving the Rangers arguably the worst outfield since the Athletics started Jack Cust and Emil Brown in the same outfield. Irrespective, Texas has to give Calhoun chance, even if at the expense of either Gallo or Rougned Odor, both of whom have a lot more trouble getting on base.
Garrett Hampson (23, 2B, Rockies): With D.J. LeMahieu hitting the DL for the third time over the past few months, the contending Rockies need some help up the middle. Hence Hampson, a third-round pick in 2016 who has hit a solid .315-19-151 in the minors since being selected. With an excellent 146 walks to 195 whiffs (.389 OBP), 93 steals, and a great .846 OPS. Hampson makes a prudent grab not just because of what he can do, but I suspect the depth of D.J.’s injuries might be more than what is reported, meaning Hampson could have a gig for the rest of the year.
William Toffey (23, 3B, Mets): Word is that the Mets fans were miffed at the Jeruys Familia swap, noting they got virtually nothing in exchange. Bobby Wahl — part of the deal — could be a useful pen addition and could (though maybe a stretch) be a closer with 38 conversions in the minors. But, Toffey, drafted in the fourth round last year out of Vanderbilt, is more interesting. Hitting .244-5-32 in the California League his first full season and logging a pretty good .357 OBP over 48 games, the way the Mets are up-and-down, I would dismiss nothing. And, Toffey is a future project, at best for roto players.
Breyvic Valera (26, 2B, Orioles): The elder statesmen of the Machado swap bounty, Valera has a solid minor league line of .302-20-330 over 858 games. A switch-hitter, Valera has a great minor league OBP of .389 with 282 walks to 257 strikeouts, along with 139 doubles, 39 triples, and 92 swipes. Valera could actually be of some use in the near future, especially in an AL only format.
Yusniel Diaz (21, OF, Orioles): A youthful Cuban import, Diaz is the core of the swap. With 261 minor league games under his belt, Diaz sports a line of .287-26-139, comporting himself well at Tulsa this season prior to the trade with a 314-6-30 line over 59 games (Diaz has spent a couple of stints on the DL). The 116 walks to 219 strikeouts needs some attention, but Diaz is an enormous talent and does factor as a starter in a couple of years. Track accordingly.
Zach Pop (21, P, Orioles): Pop was the Dodgers seventh-round selection last year out of Kentucky, making him experienced at a good collegiate level for as young as he is. Projecting as a closer, Pop has converted seven saves already this year and carries a 0.33 ERA in the California League since being promoted to High-A. He’s got 52 whiffs over his first 49.1 frames with an 0.97 WHIP and batters are hitting just .197 off him as a pro. Good resume thus far: more to come?
Dean Kremer (22, P, Orioles): A 14th-rounder in 2016 out of Las Vegas, Kremer has moved up to AA over his two years as a pro, with a 7-3, 2.93 mark this season as a starter. He has whiffed 131 hitters over 92 innings thus far, with opposing batters managing just a .217 mark while posting a 1.17 WHIP. Those are good numbers and continued progress could even mean a September shot, especially with Chris Tillman jettisoned
Rylan Bannon (23, 3B, Orioles): The Bums eighth-round selection last year, Bannon was hitting .296-20-61 at Rancho Cucamonga when swapped (the Orioles assigned him to AA Bowie), with 17 doubles, six triples, and and ok 79 walks to 132 strikeouts (.404 OBP) over 89 games this year. It is pretty clear the Orioles will need help on the left side of their infield sooner rather than later, and Bannon could be the tonic (along with Valera).
Tune into the Tout Wars Hour on the FNTSY network, hosted by me, with Justin Mason and featuring Lord Z every Sunday, 2-4 PM ET/11 AM-1 PM PT, and you can follow me @lawrmichaels.
