Today’s Prospect Stock Watch takes a look at a promising Pirates pitcher, an impressive infielder in the Yankees system and a rising name in the Royals system.

Mitch Keller, RHP, Pirates: Pittsburgh has developed some excellent big league arms in recent years with the likes of Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon but there is more on the way. Keller, 21, was recently moved from high-A ball to double-A. A back injury slowed his ascent earlier this year but he still produced some solid numbers. The right-hander’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and he struck out 64 batters in 77.1 A-ball innings. He uses his 6-3 height to create leverage and generates almost two ground-ball outs for every one made in the air. His combination of power, breaking ball, above-average control (20 walks) and ground-ball abilities makes him a potential No. 2 starter in the Majors – exceeding the potential of recent rotation additions Chad Kuhl and Trevor Williams. Look for Keller to spend a good portion of 2018 in double-A but he should taste big league action before that season is out.

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Today’s Prospect Stock Watch takes a look at a former Mariners pitching prospect making good in the Braves system, yet another impressive Dodgers prospect and a Yankees prospect that could be on the move at the trade deadline.

Luiz Gohara, LHP, Braves: The Braves organization has drafted a number of impressive, young arms in recent years but the club has also had eye for acquiring talented mound performers. Gohara was acquired from the Mariners at the beginning of this year in a deal that had Mallex Smith going the other way. A native of Brazil, this young left-handed spent parts of five seasons in Rookie or A-ball – as he struggled to stay healthy and find consistency. He opened 2017 in high-A ball in Atlanta’s system and struck out 39 batters in 36.1 innings with a 1.98 ERA. Gohara, 20, has been equally successful in double-A with 60 strikeouts in 52 innings. Overall, he’s whiffed 99 batters in 88.1 innings with just 28 walks. He has a sturdy frame and should be capable of developing into an innings-eating starter if he watches his weight. Another option, given Atlanta’s incredible pitching depth, would be to consider shifting him to a high-leverage relief role where he could be overpowering with a mid-90s fastball and potentially-plus slider.

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Today’s Prospect Stock Watch takes a look at a Jays pitching prospect that might make a good trade chip, a Dodgers catching prospect that should reach the Top 100 prospects list soon, and another potential Rule 5 pick for this December.

Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, Blue Jays: Reid-Foley has been one of those maddening young pitchers in 2017 due to his lack of command and consistency. He has overwhelming stuff — as witnessed by his 12 Ks in 6.2 innings on Friday night — thanks to a 95-97 mph fastball and slider but he’s also given up 12 homers and has a habit of producing a clunker of a game every two or three starts. He’s been better lately — In his first five starts of the year he got past three innings just once. He struggles to repeat his delivery and part of his issues may also be mental – he seems to meltdown pretty easily and is prone to overthrowing. A four-pitch pitcher, Reid-Foley may be better suited by trimming his repertoire and focusing on three offerings; if he can improve the fastball command he doesn’t really need many other tricks to overpower hitters other than a change of speed and/or plane. With Toronto’s pitching in a state of flux, Reid-Foley should have a good opportunity to throw meaningful innings at the big league level in 2018 — although he also seems like the type of pitcher that’s due for Tommy John surgery sooner rather than later (throws hard, inconsistent mechanics, etc). If I’m the Jays, I’m looking to use him in a package to acquire a young, controllable hitter.

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Within the past 24 hours, two substantial trades have occurred. The Yankees sent Tyler Clippard, Ian Clarkin, Blake Rutherford and Tito Polo to the White Sox for Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle. Additionally, the Diamondbacks sent Dawel Lugo, Jose King, and Sergio Alcantara to the Tigers J.D. Martinez. Here are the players who will likely see their fantasy value change because of the move from the most value gained to least gained.

Yoan Moncada: The game’s number one prospect gets called up to replace Frazier. The 22-year-old switch hitter has the chance to post both double digit home runs and stolen bases over the rest of the season. I could see him post 20 stolen bases as the White Sox may let him run wild with nothing to play for.

Now, Moncada does come with some batting average and on base concerns. Steamer has him projected at a .230 AVG and a .310 OBP. These values, especially the batting average, could be a drag on a team. His owners may want to consider moving him as his value may never be higher and he could bring back a more rounded player.

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Today at the Prospect Stock Watch we take a look at a third baseman that could help Boston during their race for a playoff spot, an emerging pitching stud for the Astros and an underrated arm for the Reds.

Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox: The Boston Red Sox appear to be on a collision course with the 2017 playoffs but the team’s biggest gap is likely at third base — especially after Pablo Sandoval was recently cut (not to mention the ill-fated Travis Shaw trade). Devers, a 20-year-old prospect, could be the answer for the Sox. He’s advanced for his age and was recently promoted to triple-A from double-A where he was hitting .300 with a .944 OPS. He’s not easily overwhelmed and seems to handle pressure well; his triple-A debut saw him go 4-for-4 with a homer. He has 19 home runs on the season but makes a solid amount of contact with just 55 strikeouts in 78 games (17.2% K-rate). Devers has the raw power to be a 30-homer guy in his prime. He’ll have to keep an eye on his conditioning to remain at the hot corner but he has a strong arm and should stick at the position for a while. He could eventually challenge Mookie Betts for the most talented home-grown player on the Red Sox.

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Today at the Prospect Stock Watch we take a look at three of the lesser-known prospects to appear yesterday in the MLB Futures Game in Miami.

Jaime Barria, RHP, Angels: It’s becoming easier and easier to find intriguing prospects in the Angels system to write about — after years of mediocrity. This 20-year-old Panamanian pitcher isn’t the most physical but he commands three pitches that should grade out as average or better. He’s struck out 83 batters so far this season with just 16 walks in 95.2 innings of work. His sturdy frame could allow him to develop into an innings-eating, back-of-the-rotation arm with the ceiling of a No. 3 starter.

After beginning the year in high-A ball, Barria has now made five starts in double-A and, if he continues to succeed at the level, he could open 2018 in triple-A with an eye towards a mid-2018 big league debut. The system doesn’t have many near-MLB-ready impact arms and the big league rotation is fragile (both due to health issues and impending free agencies) so players like Barria could be key to the organization’s successes in the near future.

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Today’s Prospect Stock Watch takes a look at a Blue Jays’ Futures Game representative, an early 2017 Rule 5 candidate out of the Dodgers and an underrated Minnesota Twins infielder.

Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays: A 2016 second round draft pick, Bichette barely made some publications’ Top 10 prospect lists for the Jays but, six months later, he’s jumped onto everyone’s Top 100 overall prospect lists. The teenaged shortstop is hitting more than .380 and has flirted with .400 much of the first half of the year. He’s going to the Futures Game this weekend and will move up to high-A ball (with 18-year-old Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) at the beginning of next week. Bichette has the ability to make uncanny consistent hard contact and leads the Midwest League with 32 doubles (only one other player – five years older – has more than 23). There are doubts over his ability to stick at shortstop but he’s a smart player that seems to pride himself at proving people wrong — so don’t underestimate him. However, even if he does move, he should have lots of arm and power for third base or right field.

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Today at the Prospect Stock Watch we take a look at a second base prospect enjoying the home-run (juiced ball) revolution, an outfielder who has rebelled against the home-run (juiced ball) revolution, and a pitcher who perhaps has the makings to be the next Chris Devenski.

Scott Kingery, 2B, Phillies: Kingrery is an interesting prospect. He hit eight home runs between being drafted in 2015 (in the second round) and the end of 2016. So far in 2017, through 75 games, he has 21 homers. It’s likely the combination of three things: an adjustment in his swing/approach at the plate, the juiced ball, and the Phillies’ double-A park which inflates home run production. That final point may carry less weight given that Kingrey has launched three of his home runs since being promoted to triple-A six games ago.

Second base incumbent Cesar Hernandez has been a solid player over the past year and a half based mostly on his defence but he’s also starting to get expensive (He’s making $2.6 million this year). Philadelphia, in the midst of a rebuilding phase, could look to trade the veteran to a contender this summer, or possibly this winter, and open up a spot for Kingery — who already has a 20-20 (HR-SB) season as July kicks into full swing. Even if the power output slips, he has the ability to hit for a solid average, get on base consistently and steal some bases — which makes for a very good second baseman who can also play defence competently.

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Today’s Prospect Stock Watch takes a look at a breakout Orioles outfielder, more prospect thievery for the Astros, and a wild arm capable of hitting 100 mph.

Austin Hays, OF, Orioles: Selected 91st overall in 2016, Hays has already reached double-A. The well-rounded outfielder has done nothing but hit as a pro despite an inconsistent amateur record. He owns a career .336 average and .945 OPS. And he’s added power to his resume in 2017 with 18 bombs in just 72 games.

Hays has been putting balls over the fence despite a well-controlled swing that helped him strike out just 43 times so far this year (13%) – a very low number for someone closing in on 20 homers. Just 21, his biggest need at this point is to work on getting on base more consistently without having to rely so heavily on his batting average. His walk rate sits at just 4%. Although he’s not a big stolen base guy, Hays should have enough speed to stick in center field for the foreseeable future. He’s been a real steal for the Orioles and someone you’re going to start hearing a lot more about in the near future.

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This week’s prospect stock watch takes a look at an under-the-radar prospect in the Blue Jays system, a shortstop-turned-first baseman showing outstanding pop (and lots of swings and misses), and a long forgotten ($2.5 million) arm now making good in the bullpen.

Edward Olivares, OF, Blue Jays: It’s time to start talking about Olivares – who has been greatly overshadowed by teammates Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, two of the top prospects in the game. The lesser known prospect appeared in just 15 games in 2016 due to injury and has made up for lost time in ’17. He’s slugged 11 home runs (fourth in the league) with 14 doubles and eight triples. Olivares, 21, has also successfully stolen 14 bases in 19 tries and is well on his way to a 20-20 season in his first full year. The only real negative to his game so far is the 3.9% walk rate. Defensively, he can play all three outfield positions. Look for him to get a taste of high-A ball before the year is out.

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