WASHINGTON (USA TODAY)--More rain. More postponements. Weren't we supposed to be done with April showers? The National Pastime remains as unpredictable as ever. (See this week's new addition.) Yet we must continue our search for value in the free agent pool.
BEST BETS
NEW: Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
(NL: $47, Mixed: $28)
Howie Kendrick's season-ending Achilles injury depletes the Nationals' outfield even further. The best chance they have now rests with a 19-year-old who has played exactly eight games above the Class A level. Of course, he's hit .323/.400/.581 in those eight games -- after hitting over .370 at two previous Class A stops.
Soto is the real deal -- and as we've already seen with the Braves' Ronald Acuna, age doesn't preclude success in the majors. He has more power than fellow Nats prospect Victor Robles (who would have gotten this chance if he wasn't injured), but not as much speed. What he will have is playing time -- or else the Nats wouldn't have called him up so soon.
Look for bids in fantasy leagues to be all over the place, depending on the personality (and desperation) of the owners. In NL-only leagues, Soto could have the kind of impact similar to the trade-deadline acquisitions from the AL in late July -- with a two-month head start.
OF Franmil Reyes, San Diego Padres
(NL: $10, Mixed: $6)
A week ago, he was leading the entire minor leagues in home runs, swatting 14 of them in 36 games at Class AAA El Paso. In three games with the Padres, he's 1-for-8. Perhaps that slow start may temper owners' expectations, but it shouldn't overshadow the fact Reyes, 22, has tremendous raw power.
1B Mark Reynolds, Washington Nationals
(NL: $8, Mixed: $5)
On the other hand, most fantasy owners are quite familiar with Reynolds' ability to hit for power. He had 37 homers and 97 RBI last season in Colorado, but couldn't get a major league contract this offseason. Ryan Zimmerman's DL stint prompted Reynolds' call-up from the minors and he promptly hit two homers in his first game. He'll split time with Matt Adams (if it ever stops raining) until Zimmerman is ready to return. Reynolds could stick if the Nats feel comfortable playing Adams in left field.
REPLACEMENTS
OF Austin Meadows, Pittsburgh Pirates
(NL: $6, Mixed: $2)
With Starling Marte on the disabled list, the Pirates' top hitting prospect is set to make his MLB debut. Meadows, 23, has shown flashes of brilliance -- and brittleness -- in the minors, with injuries stunting his otherwise rapid progression through the organization. In his third taste of Class AAA, he hit .294/.336/.397 with one homer and eight stolen bases in 32 games. Speed will be his major contribution as he takes over in center field while Marte is out. Grab him if he's available in keeper leagues, otherwise his time in Pittsburgh could be short.
OF Rajai Davis, Cleveland Indians
(AL: $5, Mixed: $2)
If you need speed, Davis always seems to be available on the fantasy waiver wire. Bradley Zimmer is out with a chest injury, so Davis is getting most of the starts in center field. Even at age 37, he's still fast -- and he has the green light with eight steals in 11 attempts. As long as he can find a way to get on base, he'll have value. Even more if he's leading off.
OF Clint Frazier, New York Yankees
(AL: $2)
Perhaps the AL version of Meadows, Frazier was promoted before the Yankees were rained out in Washington. It's even possible he'll be sent back down without getting an at-bat. The 23-year-old was slowed earlier in the season by a concussion, but he's been raking at Class AAA with a .362 average, three homers and a .702 slugging percentage in 47 at-bats. He has a decent ceiling as a power/speed guy, but there's just no room in the Yanks outfield. His greatest value right now is as a trade chip.
SPECULATIVE PICKUPS
RP Dan Winkler, Atlanta Braves
There's no indication the Braves are looking to change closers. After all, Arodys Vizcaino picked up his eighth save on Thursday. But Winkler has been outstanding (0.98 ERA, 27 K's in 18 1/3 innings) and manager Brian Snitker said this week he might consider using Winkler and lefty A.J. Minter in save situations.
3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
It's finally time to address the question so many are asking: When will we see the game's top minor leaguer in Toronto? I've said all along it didn't make sense to rush the 19-year-old phenom to the majors -- other than a possible September call-up. But he's destroying pitchers at Class AA (.410/.453/.683 with seven homers and 40 RBI in 35 games).
A promotion to Class AAA Buffalo seems imminent. If he continues to rake, is there any good reason not to call him up? Well ... yes. There isn't anywhere for him to play in Toronto with Josh Donaldson the everyday third baseman. The Jays are getting almost nothing from their designated hitters, but putting Vlad Jr. on the major league roster just to DH isn't the way to encourage his development.
Perhaps the Jays give him some reps in the minors at another position, say the outfield or first base. That would be one way to justify not starting his service time clock before at least the Super 2 cutoff in June. Sometimes a player this talented can't be held back -- and traditional rules don't apply. Other phenoms -- Justin Upton, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper -- have reached the majors as teens. Guerrero should as well.
