Fantasy Baseball Prospect Tracker: Jennings, Arrieta & More

Eric StashinJun 7, 2010

Let’s continue updating how some of the best prospects in baseball are performing this year. We’ve already done two updates, including Brett Wallace & Daniel Hudson (click here to view) and Carlos Santana & Pedro Alvarez (click here to view). Here are the next six prospects to look at:

Jake Arrieta - Baltimore Orioles - P
Triple-A: 73.0 IP, 1.85 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 64 K, 6 W
He’s been great thus far in 2010, meaning it’s likely just a matter of time before we see him in an Orioles uniform. Still, a lot of his success is based on some luck (.241 BABIP). Consider that he’s struggled with his control (4.2 BB/9), it’s hard to believe that his strong numbers would translate well to the major leagues in 2010, especially in the AL East. Yes, he has potential, but he’s likely only going to have value in AL-only formats right from the start. (For more on Arrieta, click here.)

TOP NEWS

Washington Nationals v Los Angeles Angels

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Desmond Jennings - Tampa Bay Rays - OF
Triple-A: .236 (26-110), 0 HR, 6 RBI, 20 R, 12 SB
Isn’t he supposed to be the ultimate replacement for Carl Crawford? Not if he keeps playing like this, that’s for sure. Of course, we all know that he’s significantly better then he’s shown. He missed time early on with a sprained wrist and you have to wonder if the injury is still having an impact on him. In his last 10 games he is hitting just .175 with 1 RBI, 1 R and 1 SB. Still, I wouldn’t be overly concerned. The strikeouts haven’t been awful (20.9%), though he could improve there. He also should see improved luck, especially with his speed (he’s sporting a .299 BABIP, a number that is low considering his skill set). He’s going to turn it around, so just sit tight with him. (For more on Jennings, click here.)

Lars Anderson - Boston Red Sox - 1B
Triple-A: .231 (25-108), 4 HR, 14 RBI, 17 R, 0 SB
He performed much better at Double-A (.355, 5 HR, 16 RBI) and the resurgence of David Ortiz certainly has put a damper on any speculation of a 2010 impact. The fly ball rate he showed in Double-A (52.1%) has dropped back down to his minor league career numbers (30.4% for his career vs. 29.4% at Triple-A), bringing his power stroke back into question. The strikeouts are also a huge concern, with a strikeout rate of 28.7% (31 Ks in 109 ABs). A lack of power with huge strikeout potential just doesn’t paint a pretty picture.

Chris Carter - Oakland Athletics - 1B
Triple-A: .237 (49-207), 13 HR, 44 RBI, 38 R, 0 SB
All power and nothing else — we all know that’s what Carter is and he continues to prove everyone right. He’s striking out 30.9% of the time at Triple-A, so one could only imagine what would happen when he is recalled. Think Jack Cust — that appears to be what he brings to the table. If that has value in your league, then stash him away, but with Daric Barton playing well it’s not a certainty he is recalled until much later in the season.

Tanner Scheppers - Texas Rangers - P
Triple-A: 19.0 IP, 1.89 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 27 K, 1 W, 1 SV
He has been absolutely lights out coming out of the bullpen, whether at Triple-A now or Double-A previously (0.82 ERA with 19 K over 11.0 IP). Needless to say, it’s just a matter of time before he joins the Rangers bullpen and helps solidify the bridge from the starting pitcher to Neftali Feliz & Frank Francisco. In fact if Scheppers comes up and proves viable, could it be the move that allows the Rangers to remove Feliz out of the bullpen and transition him back to the rotation? That’s a long shot, but with a 13.8 K/9 in the minor leagues this season, Scheppers clearly could have value. He’s not going to pick up saves, but if your formats values middle relievers keep a close eye on him.

Jacob Turner - Detroit Tigers - P
Single-A: 36.2 IP, 3.68 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 41 K, 1 W
He’s looked good early on, but the Tigers are clearly trying to protect his arm and limit how deep he can go into games. His longest outing of the season has been 5.1 innings, which he’s done three times. That clearly limits his potential value in 2010 because it seems unlikely that the Tigers would bring him all the way up to the majors, especially after he missed time early on with tightness in his forearm. The 2009 first round draft pick has a bright future ahead of him, especially with the type of control he’s shown (1.5 BB/9). Keep an eye on him in all long-term keepers.

What are your thoughts on these prospects? Who is the most likely to make an impact in 2010? Which are you highest on?

For more looks at prospects, you can check out the following articles: