Jaycob Brugman & Alex Presley: Deep League Wire

If you’re in dire need of outfield help in your deep league, you’ve stumbled upon the perfect place.

Jaycob Brugman | OF OAK | CBS 1% Owned

The Athletics recently rid themselves of Trevor Plouffe and already look to be in sell mode, even though we’re projecting them to be closer to a bubble team. One of the decisions they have made was to dramatically cut Rajai Davis‘ playing time, and in doing so, have made Brugman the starting center fielder, on the strong side of a platoon. The left-handed hitter was ranked just 15th among the team’s prospects, with his future looking like an “excellent bench outfielder for a long time”. That’s not so exciting, of course.

But in deep leagues, playing time is king. And in 150 Triple-A plate appearances this year, his plate approach was strong — he walked only a couple less times than he struck out. Since hitting 13 homers in just 195 at-bats back in High-A in 2014, his power has waned, and he hasn’t made up for it by supplying a whole lot of steals. So really, this isn’t a potential difference maker who could contribute in power or speed quickly. Instead, Brugman will contribute a bit all around, perhaps pacing for a 10/10 season at best over a full year of plate appearances.

His playing time is far from secure, but he’s unlikely to hit a strikeout-related slump, so a quick demotion is probably not going to occur. He should have a bit of leash, and for the time being, makes for a respectable stopgap.

Alex Presley | OF DET | 0% Owned

I feel like I have owned this guy often over the years, which makes sense since he’s been up and down since 2010! He has always intrigued me with his power/speed combo, but he hasn’t displayed enough, or any interest in taking a base on balls, to earn more than the 370 plate appearances he garnered in a season in 2012.

But the Tigers have had center field issues all year and no one has taken the job and run. At this current moment, it appears to be Presley’s job against right-handed starters, and this coming on an excellent offensive team. Of course, he didn’t exactly earn the call-up to begin with, as his Triple-A wOBA was a sad .269. But the Tigers have no one else so the merry-go-round will continue until Presley hits an extended slump. Right now, he’s been fine at the plate, though his UZR suggests he’s been a disaster in the field.

He has already shown his power and speed, hitting a homer and swiping two bags. He’s essentially Brugman with a bit worse plate discipline, but in a better lineup and far more Major League experience. I like him slightly better than Brugman, though he admittedly has less job security. He’s obviously not in the Tigers future plans, whereas the Athletics are going to want to see if Brugman is.