Perhaps it is too early to start discussing Toronto Blue Jays RHP Alek Manoah in terms of the fantasy baseball world for this season. After all, he was their first-round pick in the 2019 amateur draft and he certainly needs more time in the minors. How much time? Well, the Blue Jays certainly appear to have enough offense to contend in the AL East, but their rotation is a different story. Left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu is great and perhaps fellow lefty Steven Matz actually can be trusted. After that ... who knows?
That's why I think Manoah, 23 and inexperienced, but physically ready for the majors at an intimidating 6-foot-6, 260-plus pounds, may debut this summer -- and perhaps even early this summer. The Blue Jays lack reliable, proven right-handers. Nate Pearson can be awesome, but staying healthy is a challenge. Ross Stripling earns points for engraving "Chicken Strip" on his glove, but neither of his first two outings went well. T.J. Zeuch provided four reasonable innings versus the mighty New York Yankees on Wednesday, but he hardly overpowers hitters. Tanner Roark is just, well ... Tanner Roark.
Armed with a solid fastball-slider combination and with an emerging changeup, Manoah is a clear top-100 prospect. He looked far from overmatched in Spring Training as he whiffed 15 of the 24 hitters he faced, permitting just one hit in seven scoreless innings. He issued nary a walk and, while he was hardly facing Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, he still overpowered potential big-league hitters. The Los Angeles Dodgers would scoff at the notion of a quick promotion for a pitcher who has yet to reach the Double-A level but the Blue Jays are in a different position, for sure. They need help now.
Anyway, stashing Manoah or any pitching prospect in an ESPN standard mixed-league, with short benches, seems overly optimistic. However, in an AL-only format? Go for it, and go soon. Among rookies, I view Miami Marlins right-hander Sixto Sanchez as the first starting pitcher not currently in the majors to stash. After that, I can be convinced of anything. Perhaps San Diego Padres LHP MacKenzie Gore is next. Perhaps it is Pearson, or Tampa Bay Rays RHP Luis Patino. Scouts claim that Manoah may lack the "ace potential" of those other fellows, but the Blue Jays would certainly take a mid-rotation starter for this season -- and they may well have to do so.
Rookies in the news
As we do each Thursday, what follows are my thoughts on other rookie-eligible personnel. I must admit that my take on hard-hitting outfielder Akil Baddoo from last week already looks quite wrong. Hey, nobody's perfect!
I never thought I would trade for Detroit Tigers RHP Casey Mize in any league this season, but his velocity is up, he's relying more on his split-finger, and his contract in that keeper league made sense. So, I did it. Do I think he can keep his ERA on the good side of 4.00 this season? I do not know, but I do think there is upside for big stats and I wanted to take a chance on someone young, so people did not think I was biased. I am just cautious.
Blue Jays right-hander Julian Merryweather, one of the two rookie-eligible closers with multiple saves this season, hit the injured list with an oblique strain on Wednesday. We might not see him again in April. Fantasy managers are adding Jordan Romano, but I think it is 50/50 that Rafael Dolis gets the saves. It's tough to keep Merryweather rostered in an ESPN standard league, for he may not have the closer role waiting for him when he gets healthy. You should try to do so anyway.
Cleveland right-hander Emmanuel Clase is the other fellow with multiple saves who is still eligible for the Rookie of the Year award, but it was James Karinchak who saved Tuesday's win. Frankly, both of them should be rostered in all ESPN standard leagues, saves or not.
Houston Astros RHP Luis Garcia looked better in his second outing, striking out seven Tigers over 4 1/3 relief frames on Monday, but his role remains problematic. Perhaps I like Garcia more than I should, but I see opportunity and upside here. Keep him around in AL-only leagues.
I got a good look at skinny Cleveland right-hander Triston McKenzie on Monday and it is not only his role that scares me for fantasy purposes, but his control. He walked two in one inning and they scored. That makes six walks now in just 7 2/3 innings. I will still take the under on 120 big-league innings in 2021.
Boston Red Sox RHP Garrett Whitlock was a starter for the Yankees in the minors, and a Rule 5 pick for Boston this winter. He has nine strikeouts and nary a walk or run allowed in three relief outings. The organization claims he may start in the future but, for now, there seems to be a Devin Williams 2020 vibe. You know, until there is not.
Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has one measly hit in 16 at-bats, but it was a home run. I have seen a bit of his play and while Kirk is not hammering baseballs at 100 mph directly at fielders, neither is he swinging and missing all the time. In fact, he has only three strikeouts so far, to go along with some line drives. Minnesota Twins backup backstop Ryan Jeffers is striking out. He looks bad. I think Kirk will hit and, since I do not think Toronto starter Danny Jansen will hit, this is potentially important for fantasy. Kirk is a wise investment in deep formats.
I really don't understand how the White Sox are utilizing Andrew Vaughn. Yes, they have to play Yermin Mercedes at designated hitter the way he rakes, and Vaughn is not really a left fielder. I get it. Demoting Vaughn when there's no minor league baseball yet also makes little sense. Just play the kid in left field. He will not be Barry Bonds out there, but just leave him there and write his name in the lineup, hitting seventh, every day, regardless of the opposing pitcher. Vaughn will hit. You can always replace him in the outfield in later innings for defensive purposes. Hey, I used to watch Pat Burrell and Raul Ibanez play left field. If you can hit, we will happily overlook the defense. Fantasy managers should keep Vaughn rostered. If this situation remains confusing in two weeks, however, we must re-evaluate together. I'm on your side, frustrated fantasy managers.
I am mad that I did not get shares of Dodgers surprise Zach McKinstry because, in retrospect, this mini-breakout was so obvious. Sure, the Dodgers only chose McKinstry in the 33rd round of the 2016 draft, but look at how he hit in the minors! Trust the Dodgers. They know what they're doing. The versatile McKinstry can play anywhere and, while he may not reach 20 home runs or steal 20 bases, he simply hits. He reminds me of Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth in many ways. I should have known.
Finally, Chicago White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon is no rookie, but those that have followed his struggles had to feel good for him when he no-hit (and in near-perfect fashion) Cleveland on Wednesday. Rodon teased the fantasy world with potential relevance in his first season in 2015 and perhaps pushed a bit quickly. Staying healthy was the issue after that. He had Tommy John surgery in 2019 and was well off the fantasy radar this spring. If there is any connection warranting his inclusion in a rookie/prospect blog entry it could be that his late signing and strong spring may have played a role in right-hander Michael Kopech being exiled to the bullpen. Kopech has pitched great. By the way, we might end up with around 15 no-hitters this season.
Fantasy Focus Baseball podcast
LISTEN: "He Looks Like a Fantasy Monster!"
Eric Karabell and Tristan H. Cockcroft breakdown the valuable, yet subtle, paying dividends for Carlos Rodon (0:10), concern around Christian Yelich (5:20) and the rebound value of Ramon Laureano (7:05). They also discuss Corbin Burnes vs. Tyler Glasnow long-term (10:45), Casey Mize's impressive start (12:30), struggling aces (13:50), the ever rotating ninth-inning door (14:25) and ... a bold Bo Bichette claim (20:20)!