Fantasy Baseball Prospect Tracker: Chapman, Alonso & Wallace

Eric StashinJul 20, 2010

It’s time to check in on three more prospects from around the minor leagues. Are any of them primed to make an impact in the not too distant future? Let’s take a look:

Aroldis Chapman - Cincinnati Reds - Pitcher

Triple-A: 4.24 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 94 K, 47 BB, 6 W, 76.1 IP

The strikeouts have lived up to the hype, but so has the lack of control. Since we last checked in on him the Reds have transitioned him to the bullpen in hopes of getting a more immediate return on their investment.

Unfortunately, control issues continue to plague him making it impossible to rely on Chapman. In eight appearances out of the pen (10.2 innings), he’s posted a 5.06 ERA while walking seven batters (he has walks in five of eight appearances). Yes, the 18 Ks are nice, but the other numbers overshadow them. It’s impossible to imagine the Reds relying on him, so outside of keeper formats he holds no current value.

Yonder Alonso - Cincinnati Reds - First Baseman

Triple-A: .268 (66-246), 6 HR, 35 RBI, 20 R, 7 SB

Things have improved sine we last checked in on him, hitting .383 with 3 HR and 14 RBI in 68 AB. Where he has struggled since being promoted to Triple-A is at home where he’s hit .219 (compared to .311 on the road). His current hot streak coupled with his home/road split certainly helps to ease some of my concerns (as does his stolen bases).

The biggest issue, however, is his position. It’s impossible to imagine the Reds moving him to the outfield at this point and they certainly aren’t moving Joey Votto. Only an injury or a trade can open up playing time for him. With the Reds in position to challenge for the playoffs, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them go for it and use Alonso as the centerpiece of a deal (though it would have to be for a major piece and nothing less). That certainly is something worth monitoring over the next week and a half as the deadline approaches.

Brett Wallace - Toronto Blue Jays - First Baseman

Triple-A: .294 (100-340), 15 HR, 47 RBI, 55 R, 0 SB

He continues to hit well, though he has slowed down some (Four HR over his last 146 AB). Couple that with Lyle Overbay’s turn around (.282 in June, .340 in July) and we understand why he’s still sitting in Triple-A. Strikeouts are a concern, as he is currently sporting a 22.4 percent strikeout rate (76 Ks).

Over his last 10 games he has been better, however, with six Ks in 37 AB (16.2 percent). That is a small sample size, so I wouldn’t get too excited, but at least it is something. We’ll just have to continue to sit tight and see what happens. Chances are he’s not going to get an opportunity until he hits another hot streak, if even then. He should get a look in 2010, at some point, so just continue sitting tight.

What are your thoughts on these three? Who is going to make an impact in 2010? Who has the best long-term potential?

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