Interesting NL LABR Reserve Round Picks

This past weekend, I participated in the NL-only live auction. It’s a 12-team league with 23 roster spots and six reserve-round picks. By the end, people are scraping for anyone with a plus and an MLB roster spot. I’m going to go over some of those late picks today to see if there are any I missed.

First, here are those reserve round picks and the full draft board is at RTSports.

Graham Ashcraft: Generally boring, but is lined up to start against the Pirates the first weekend. He should be streamed in most formats for that game.

Will Benson: So far in Spring Training, he has a .528 AVG with 4 SB on a Reds team with several holes to fill.

Alec Burleson: Backup corner bat (OF/1B) for the Cardinals who hit 20 HR with a .905 in 470 AAA plate appearances. The 23-year-old is interesting if he can secure playing time.

Alex Call: If he could get 600 PA this year, projections would have him with around 18 HR and 12 SB with a .235 AVG. He just has to break into the Nats lineup with an ailing Victor Robles.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand: A corner infielder in the Reds system who hit .304/.368/.587 with 32 HR and 8 SB. In 20 Spring Training plate appearances, has 12 hits with 3 HR. There is talk he might sub in for Votto at first base. Worth a dart in even shallower leagues.

Gordon Graceffo: A starter in the Cardinals system who punches all three of my pitching prospect requirements:

• Average MLB fastball velocity (93.9 mph): Sits 93-95 mph
• Plus secondary (60 grade or higher): 60-grade slider (Baseball American)
• Above-average command (<= 3.0 BB/9): 2.0 BB/9 through the minors.

All he needs is opportunity.

Michael Grove: I was a little pissed when Mike Gianella picked Grove. I had seen no hype around him and hoped to grab him with one of my last two picks. In seven games, six starts, Grove had a 4.60 ERA, 7.4 K/9, and 1.43 WHIP. Not good, but most of that damage came in two early season starts. From then on, he posted a 4.38 ERA (4.48 xFIP) with a 7.7 K/9, and 1.26 WHIP. During those five starts beginning on August 29th, he had a 14% K%-BB% (comparable to Jose Berrios, Jose Urquidy, or Reid Detmers). He attacks hitters with a 94-mph fastball, slow curve (17% SwStr%), and slider (19% SwStr%). While he doesn’t have a rotation spot, he’s worth adding once he gets promoted.

Dalton Guthrie: A utility bat for the Phillies who was fine in AAA with 10 HR, 21 SB, and .302 AVG. In the majors, he posted a .976 OPS in 28 PA. A decent bat looking for playing time.

Noelvi Marte: While a top-ranked prospect, Marte has only progressed to AA yet and the Reds aren’t needing to rush anyone to the majors.

Matt Mervis: How the mighty Cub has fallen from his Arizona Fall League hype. He was a cheap add in this draft. I would have added him if I didn’t need to secure a backup outfielder (Tyrone Taylor to the IL).

Andre Pallante: The Card was a pick of mine to possibly start at some point this season. While he doesn’t strike out a ton of batters (6.1 K/9), his 64% GB% is nice.

Quinn Priester: The 21-year-old Pirate is a fringe top-100 prospect, who was OK in 75 AA innings (2.87 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 9.0 K/9). I’m not seeing the upside.

Peter Strzelecki: I didn’t remember Mr. Strzelecki from last season, but he relieved in 30 games for the Brewers with a 2.83, ERA, 10.3 K/9, and 1.23 WHIP. Solid bullpen arm.

Mark Vientos: A third base option for the Mets who had 41 PA in the majors last year (.546 OPS) after hitting 24 HR in AAA.