Prospect Stock Watch: Dahl, Reed, Taillon

The Prospect Stock Watch is back. It’s a feature that I’ve been writing since 2013 and have used it to predict breakouts for prospects such as the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks and the Phillies’ Odubel Herrera (who was with Texas at the time). Today, we look at a slugging outfielder and a couple of intriguing arms — including one that could impact the playoff race.

David Dahl | Rockies | OF
ETA: August 2016
Value: On the Rise

The San Francisco Giants have pulled away from the pack in recent days but the Rockies currently sit in second place — just three games out of first place. And the lineup has been doing quite well, buoyed by the early-season successes of third baseman Nolan Arenado and rookie shortstop Trevor Story. The outfielders have been holding their own but, outside of perhaps part-timer Ryan Raburn, haven’t exactly been tearing the cover off of the ball. Enter Dahl — whom the organization tabbed with the 10th overall selection back in 2012. Recovered from losing his spleen in 2015, the young outfielder is showing increased pop (10 homers in 38 games) to go along with solid on-base acumen and strong base running (13 steals in 15 tries). He could be a .300-30-20 (AVG-HR-SB) man in Colorado during his prime and just might be capable of providing a big-league spark to this team in the second half of 2016.

Cody Reed | D-Backs | LHP
ETA: mid-2018
Value: Sleeper

Since GM Dave Stewart arrived on scene, the organization has not been shy about shedding young talent to acquire veteran players. As such, the minor league system in Arizona is thinner than it’s been in a number of years… but that doesn’t mean there isn’t talent. Down in low-A ball, 2014 second rounder Reed is laying waste to the hitters in the Midwest League. They’re hitting just .228 against him and he’s struck out 39 batters in 25.1 innings (with just three walks). He doesn’t have the stuff that screams “frontline ace” but he has above-average stuff for a lefty and a strong build that suggests he might develop into an innings-eating, mid-rotation starter.

Jameson Taillon | Pirates | RHP
ETA: July 2016
Value: Skyrocketing

With both Jeff Locke and Jon Niese struggling in the starting rotation, the Pirates may not want to wait too long to look for help — especially with the Chicago Cubs padding their first-place lead in the NL Central division. The good news for Pittsburgh is that help could — and should — come from within. Taillon, fully recovered from injuries that cost him two seasons (2014-15), is pitching to a 1.82 ERA in eight starts. And it’s no fluke. He’s struck out 51 batters with just five walks in 49.1 innings. With fellow Pirates pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow also pitching well in triple-A, the club could have a dynamite, home-grown one-through-three in the starting rotation by year’s end with Gerrit Cole already established in The Show.





Marc Hulet has been writing at FanGraphs since 2008. His work focuses on prospects and fantasy. Follow him on Twitter @marchulet.

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Peter
7 years ago

I’d be somewhat shocked if Taillon wasn’t in the Pittsburgh rotation by June 15th. They’re just waiting on Super 2 with him.

Merlmember
7 years ago
Reply to  Peter

Yeah but is he worth a stash knowing he’s on such a tight innings limit? think about that it. There is no chance he pitches 60 more innings on top of his 50 already.

Pirates Hurdles
7 years ago
Reply to  Merl

NH just discussed this, he is on a pitch count, not an innings limit, due to his unique circumstances. He has went 150 IP in the past.