Recent Pitching Call-Ups: Neftali Feliz and Bud Norris

Also featured on Rotoprofessor.com!

Even if you’re an owner that’s fallen out of the race in your fantasy leagues, don’t put baseball on the back burner yet. 

The dog days of August and September are often the most beneficial months for owners looking for that edge come next year’s draft.  Often there are a multitude of call-ups.  Even if these young players don’t play a lot, fans and fantasy owners get a sneak peak as to what’s to come in their future.  Do the prospects look like they know what they’re doing out there, or not?  Well you won’t know if you don’t keep an eye out!

These prospects need not make a huge impact now, just being able to watch how their game translates at the major league level is worth it if you’re a fantasy owner looking to scoop up some sleepers for next year.

Maybe some of these prospects are keeper worthy; maybe they have some intriguing upside.  The point is this: don’t overlook the stretch run call-ups.  They are an invaluable way to evaluate players who could become big-time major leaguers in the future.

Without further adieu, let’s take a look at two recent call-ups: Neftali Feliz and Bud Norris.  I apologize if one of your favorites aren’t included.  This is meant to provide a sneak peek as to possible fantasy impact for this season.  I’m sure we’ll analyze some of these players even further during the offseason.

Neftali Feliz—Texas Rangers

Keeper league owners should have him already and yearly leaguers should scoop him up, if they haven’t done so by now.  Even though Feliz has been moved to the bullpen by the Rangers in order to accelerate his promotion to the big leagues and work on his secondary stuff, he is blessed with the ability to throw a 100-mph fastball effortlessly.  He has a decent breaking ball and a budding changeup that are both still improving. 

He can get by right now with that explosive fastball, but his future will be dictated by the development of his secondary pitches.  I think he’s still a long-term starter, but this short stint in the big leagues should be great for his development.

In Triple-A this season, Feliz threw 77.1 innings, allowed 69 hits, and fanned 75.  He had a decent 3.49 ERA and 1.28 WHIP before his promotion.  Altogether at the minor league level, Feliz whiffed 325 batters in 276 innings pitched. 

The Rangers hope he develops into a key shutdown man in their bullpen.  So far the 21-year-old has thrown 4.1 innings at the major league level, allowing one earned run, one hit, and striking out eight.  He is a great add to your fantasy staff if you’re looking to lower your ERA, while slightly improving your strikeouts.

Fantasy impact this season: It will be limited because he's in the bullpen, but he could put up numbers similar to the top relievers in baseball. That's how good his pitches are.

Future fantasy impact: He's got No. 1 starter stuff and true stud potential.  If he can harness his electric arsenal and refine his curveball and changeup, he'll be elite.

Bud Norris—Houston Astros

Norris, a 24-year-old righty drafted in the sixth round of the 2006 Draft, is a power pitcher with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, but has noticeable late punch to it.  He also has a decent mid-80s sharp slider and a mediocre changeup.

Astros officials had thought of moving Norris to the bullpen, but he dominated Triple-A this season as a starter, so they’ll stick with him as a starter for now.  In 120 innings he allowed just 104 hits and struck out 112.  Even though he had just four wins, Norris sported a very solid 2.63 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.

Norris made his first major league start in place of Roy Oswalt on August 2 against the St. Louis Cardinals.  In his three starts (he made one relief appearance for three innings), he’s earned three wins to go along with 18 strikeouts in 18 innings.

He's also given up just 15 hits in those 18 innings.  Norris struggled with command in his first two starts, walking nine batters in total, but issued just one free pass in last night’s start against the Marlins, where he went five innings, allowed four earned runs and 10 hits in the victory.

He’s got more long-term upside than Brian Moehler or Mike Hampton, so he should be given every chance to succeed this season.  With all the hyperbole surrounding more notable prospects, Norris is an overlooked sleeper down the stretch.

Fantasy impact this season: Norris has the potential to be a great sleeper down the stretch, with strikeout potential to boot.  He goes right after hitters and isn't scared to challenge them with his excellent heater.  He should post almost a strikeout per inning and a three to four ERA the rest of the way

Future fantasy impact: He's got power stuff, but his future hinges on gaining some speed separation on his slider and changeup.  A changeup and slider that are both in the mid to high 80s won't really throw batters off-balance for too long.  His stuff reminds me of a closer's, but he has a shot at being a solid mid-rotation guy.

What do you guys think?  Who is the best bet for this year?  Who’s got the brightest long-term future?

Keep an eye out for tomorrow's post on two more recently called-up prospects!