Matt Wieters, in the Majors!

May 26, 2009

Before you read anything else, if for some insane reason Matt Wieters is available in your league, go pick him up. Now.

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters and Rays Pitcher David Price are the top 2 prospects in baseball – Price is back up in the majors, starting for the Rays, and Orioles GM Andy MacPhail announced today that Wieters will make his debut this Friday, at home against Dontrelle Willis and the Tigers. Expectations – particularly among Orioles fans – are incredibly high; they’re thinking he’s the second coming of Mike Piazza.

So what can we expect from Mr. Wieters? I’m going with a batting average around 280-290, 15 home runs, 50-60 rbi and 50-60 runs. I think he is THAT good, and will hit very well in that Orioles lineup.

So as I said, Go Grab Him Now. Please.

Written by Jesse Mendelson · Filed Under Blog, Player News | Leave a Comment 

Fernando Martinez Called Up

May 26, 2009

The New York Post is reporting that the Mets have called up top prospect Fernando Martinez from the minors to replace injured players Jose Reyes and Ryan Church.  According to the Post, Martinez is starting tonight’s game in the outfield and will bat sixth.  With Carlos Beltran day-to-day, and Church on the DL, expect Martinez to get a bunch of starts in the next week or two.

As I reported on May 14, Martinez suffered through a few injury-plagued seasons in the minors.  As a result, he lacks the gaudy stats of other top prospects, but few doubt his potential.  Still incredibly young at 20, Martinez has generated so much hype over the past few years that you could form a lake from all the scouts’ drool.  He is a five tool player and is projected to become a perennial all-star.  In AAA this year he was hitting .291 with 8 homers, 28 RBI’s and 25 extra base hits. 

Nonetheless, fantasy baseball expectations for Martinez should be toned down this year.  Unless he hits the cover off the ball, his time in the majors is limited and he will be sent back down after Reyes and Church come off the DL.  The Mets want to get his feet wet and slowly adjust him to the majors.  Yet, other than Carlos Beltran, the Mets are relying on a makeshift outfield of Ryan Church, Daniel Murphy, Gary Sheffield, Fernando Tatis, and Angel Pagan — not exactly awe inspiring for a pennant contender.  If Martinez starts hitting well right away he could stay in the majors longer than expected.  But few 20 year olds are able to come up and dominate. 

Our advice:  Pick him up immediately if you are in a keeper league and stash him for years to come.   You should also pick him up if you are in a non-keeper league and need an outfielder or utility spot who will get regular playing time over the next week or two.  But tamper expectations and don’t expect another Ryan Braun — at least, not this year.

Written by Evan Rosen · Filed Under Minor Leagues | 1 Comment