The Stash List – Deep League Edition

Hey y’all!  This week’s stash list should be a good one for all of you deep fantasy league players. I’ll be reviewing two pitchers with excellent K-BB percentages, that could help your ratios in a few years. I also bring to you a Houston hitter, that is not Kyle Tucker, unable to crack the Houston lineup. I also profile a very young San Francisco Giant killing low A and begging for a call-up.

I hope you got a chance to read my Top 100 prospects list. If you hadn’t, what are you waiting for?

Abraham Toro (HOU AA) 3B Age 22 ETA 2021

The Astros picked up Abraham Toro in the fifth round of the 2016 draft.  After being drafted, the Astros assigned him to Rookie ball. He didn’t hit the ground running, slashing 0.254/0.301/0.322 with a 20.3 SwStk% in 44 games.  The Astros weren’t deterred and assigned him to low A to start the 2017 season. The Astros were on to something as Toro has never had a stop where he hit worst than he did in his first stint in professional ball.  Toro has a great eye at the plate. He has only dipped below a 10% walk rate in 50 games on his first taste of AA ball at then end of last season. So far this year, Toro is slashing 0.296/0.388/0.494 with fourteen home runs.  He is not a non-zero on the bases, swiping four so far this year. However, going forward do not bank on stolen bases from Toro as that is not a part of his game but a few here and there will be nice for your team. The worst part of Toro’s profile is who he plays for, the Houston Astros.  I cannot see a way for him to get playing time in Houston. Heck, Kyle Tucker cannot even crack the lineup. I think Toro is and would be an excellent trade piece if and when the Astros make a trade before the trading deadline. Get ahead of your league mates and pick up Toro before he is traded and everyone knows his name.

Franklin Labour (SFG A-) OF Age 21 ETA 2023

Franklin Labour was part of the Giants’ July 2nd signings back in 2015 and he might be a sneaky scouting win for San Francisco.  Overshadowed by Lucius Fox signing in the same draft class, Labour was signed for only $70,000 with a $60,000 scholarship. Fox has since been traded to Tampa Bay but Labour remains with the Giants.  He did not come stateside until last year where he played in the Arizona League where he struggled with strikeouts. In 130 ABs, he racked up 40 punch outs with a SwStk% of 31.5%. However, even with the strikeout issue, he put a relatively good average.  He slashed 0.269/0.379/0.431 with one home run and seven steals. To start the year, the Giants assigned him to low A and he has not labored at all (Sorry, I had to do it). In 30 games, Labour has hit thirteen home runs and swiped two bases. What has been even more encouraging is that is SwStk% has decreased to 13.8%, which is a career-low.  His slash line of 0.325/0.417/0.725 is begging for a callup to A ball. It might be a bit early to pick up unless you are in a very deep league, but you should keep your eyes on him.

Tyler Ivey (HOU AA) RHP Age 23 ETA 2020

In the third round of the 2017 draft, the Astros picked up right-handed pitcher, Tyler Ivey. He has a decent fastball and slider to go along with an above-average curveball. If you take a look at some video of Ivey, he has a pretty slow delivery but some major head whack. Even with the head whack, he has great control of his pitches.  Over 178 innings in professional ball, he has walked only 55 batters while striking out 221 batters, which is a 4:1 K:BB ratio folks. He has recently come back from injury but should be returning to AA after a few rehab starts. I’m not sure if there is a fantasy ace here, but might be a mid-rotation type here. I trust the Astros when it comes to development, so I am sure we will see Ivey in the majors sometime next year.

Joey Murray (TOR A+) RHP Age 22 ETA 2022

Joey Murray was drafted last year by the Blue Jays in the eighth round as a junior from Kent State.  He was assigned to Low A after being drafted, during that time he threw 63 innings, with a 1.75 ERA, 0.94 WHIP with a 14.5 SwStk%.  After a great debut, the Blue Jays assigned him to A ball. During that time, he racked up 30.2 innings with a 3.82 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.  The Blue Jays have been aggressive with the right-hander and promoted him to High A at the beginning of May. Murray paid the Blue Jays back by pitching another 63 innings with a 1.71 ERA and 0.94 WHP with a SwStk% of 12.9%  Murray does not have an overpowering fastball so he is getting by with deception. Even so, Murray should be a guy to keep your eye on in deeper leagues. His strikeout to walk ratio is a bit hard to ignore.