Farmhands of the Week (Week of April 8 – April 14)

Could Pittsburgh’s big bopper be on the verge of breaking out? A 1st round choice out of Wake Forest in the 2016 draft, Craig now has 6 HR in the early goings of the 2019 season. He’s a 1B-only prospect, so he’s really going to have to hit to force the issue in Pittsburgh. And right now Josh Bell seems to be holding down the 1B/cleanup hitter spot for the Buccos. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if Pittsburgh, in the hunt for a playoff spot in the 2H, takes an all hands on deck approach and brings Craig up for some MLB action if he continues to blister the ball at the same rate as he’s doing now.

My Buddy, my Buddy…my Buddy Reed! Raging start to 2019 for Reed. Stole 51 bags between 2 levels last year to go with 13 HR. Now has 6 HR to start 2019. Plays outstanding defense. The 5-tool potential is palpabale, but he just strikes out a lot. If he can reign the Ks in just a bit, he’s a stat sheet stuffer with his glove creating a clear path to playing time.

Seuly just keeps using his 80-grade raw power to smash yacks. He also keeps striking out in at least 1/3 of his plate appearances. He’s still only 20 years old and is feasting on A+ Carolina League pitching thus far. He launched 31 HR in Full Season ball last year as a teenager and now has 50 HR in 792 career professional at bats. Don’t forget about his potential 80 arm in RF either. The sky is the limit if he can just figure out how to make a little more contact. He looks every bit the part of a high-upside Top-100 prospect to me.

The kid’s a beast. He was my #1 overall hitter for first-year player drafts this offseason, based on the fact that I think he’s just going to keep raking. He’s now hit 21 HR in 279 ABs as an 18-year-old playing full season baseball. From what I’ve seen, the odds that he sticks at 3B are greater than 50% too. It’s still a long road to the show from here for Gorman. But he’s doing everything right so far.

AAA FotW selections are always difficult early in the year. You get rehabbers, over the hill starters, and prospects who never panned out lumped together with a few legitimate dudes to keep your eye on. One of those potentially legitimate dudes this week was Keegan Akin. This WMU Bronco hails from Alma, MI, the geographical center of The Mitten. He’s a larger lefty (6’0″, 225) who has worked his way up the MiLB chain in fine fashion since being punched in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft. This week, he turned in a fine performance, punching out 10 and walking 0 in a 6-inning start for the Norfolk Tides.

Unlike AAA, AA ball usually serves as a nice proving ground with a bunch of prospects that dynasty leaguers should be following closely. This list of top pitchers in AA for the last week fits that mold. There are several great names to keep tabs on this list. However, I have to admit that McCaughan was not on my radar before this writeup. The righthander was a 17th round selection out of Long Beach State in the 2017 draft. He was excellent this week, posting a 14:0 K:BB ratio in 12 innings across 2 starts for a fun Arkansas Travelers squad.

Whom? Exsqueeze me? Baking powder? This is a real name?

Never heard of the guy before today. He’s struck out 30 dudes in 16.2 innings already this year. I’m going to find some tape now.

Man the KC system is just loaded with arms right now. It was difficult picking between Lexington teammates Kris Bubic and Jonathan Bowlan but I went with Bubic as he just decimated a talented Columbia Fireflies lineup in his start this week. Sure he’s a college arm at A-Full, so maybe we should just be expecting this. But I’m beginning to think I was too low on Bubic when evaluating him this offseason. Just a haul of arms for the Royals in the draft last year. Bubic, Jackson Kowar, Brady Singer, and Daniel Lynch could all wind up in the rotation.