Fantasy Baseball Prospect Tracker: Bumgarner, Friedrich and More

Eric StashinJun 11, 2010

Let’s continue our look at some of the top prospects in the game and their potential to make a fantasy impact both now and in the future. Make sure you check out some of our other recent updates including Brett Wallace and Daniel Hudson (click here to view), the newly recalled Carlos Santana and Pedro Alvarez (click here to view), and Desmond Jennings and the recently recalled Jake Arrieta (click here to view).

Madison Bumgarner - San Francisco Giants - P
Triple-A: 69.0 IP, 3.13 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 47 K, 6 W
There’s no questioning his turn around with a 1.89 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over his last 10 starts. The problem is from a mental perspective, as he was recently suspended three games for an outburst on the field over a questionable call.

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In fact, the San Francisco Chronicle said that, “He had to be physically restrained from the umpire by his teammates.”

Also in the report, “On his way back to the dugout he turned around and threw the baseball into center field.”

There had been talk of him potentially coming up to take Todd Wellemeyer’s spot in the rotation, but that is no longer going to be the case. He’s going to be up at some point and will be a useful option in all formats, but you have to wonder how long this outburst delays his return.

Christian Friedrich - Colorado Rockies - P
Double-A: 40.0 IP, 4.73 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 37 K, 0 W
He missed time earlier in the season due to elbow soreness, which could help to explain some of his struggles this season. He’s a much better prospect than this, though given the earlier injury problems, you have to wonder how much the Rockies will push him, at least early on.

Since returning from the DL, he’s made five starts. He’s gone six innings twice and the other three starts lasted 4.2, 4.0, and 3.1 innings. Also, amazingly, lefties are hitting .400 against him with two HR on the season. Things should get better, but at this point it’s hard to imagine seeing him in the majors before 2011 (For more on Friedrich click here ).

Jason Castro - Houston Astros - C
Triple-A: .285 (49-172), 2 HR, 20 RBI, 29 R, 1 SB
The 2008 first round pick still hasn’t fully busted out, but he has started to turn things around. He’s hitting .333 over his last ten games (12-36), but he’s still not producing much outside of that (one HR, three RBI, six R over that span). He hasn’t been overmatched, however, striking out 26 times vs. 31 walks for the season, which is a tremendous sign.

The Astros are a team that is building for the future, and while Humberto Quintero is streaking right now, we all know it’s just a matter of time before he falls off. Castro isn’t going to hit for a lot of power or drive in a ton of runs, meaning his value lays in two-catcher formats only (For more on Castro click here ).

Kyle Drabek - Toronto Blue Jays - P
Double-A: 72.2 IP, 3.22 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 63 K, 7 W
He’s been good, but the numbers are a little bit deceiving. He’s struggled with his control (4.0 BB/9) and he has given up 10 unearned runs. Drabek is a solid pitching prospect, but you can’t overlook these things and have to be a bit concerned. Given the pitching depth the Blue Jays have, he’s not going to make an impact in 2010. Leave him for long-term keeper leagues only at this point (For more on Drabek click here ).

Jordan Danks - Chicago White Sox - OF
Triple-A: .229 (49-214), 2 HR, 23 RBI, 29 R, 12 SB
He’s actually been better over his last 10 games, hitting .257, but how impressive is that? He’s striking out a ton (72 K), which helps to explain his struggles. The problem is, he had similar troubles at Double-A in ‘09 (73 K in 284 AB). He doesn’t hit for a lot of power, and while he has 12 SB, it’s not like he’s a huge speed burner either (12 SB in 402 AB in 2009 across two levels). It’s very unlikely he makes any type of an impact at this point until he learns to make contact.

Josh Bell - Baltimore Orioles - 3B
Triple-A: .270 (57-211), 6 HR, 28 RBI, 30 R, 2 SB
Bell has been hitting for average (.318) and scoring runs (eight) over his last 10 games, but the power (zero) and run production (three RBI) just hasn’t been there. He’s just not putting the ball in the air enough, with a 31.3 percent fly ball rate, to expect big home run totals. It certainly is beginning to look like his two HR in 31 AB this spring was an aberration, doesn’t it?

Given how bad the Orioles are, it’s still possible they give him a look before year’s end, so keep an eye on him. Just don’t expect big power production from him. (For more on Bell click here )

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: