Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Drew Waters could become relevant to fantasy baseball managers sooner rather than later because Cristian Pache, unfortunately, has struggled to hit and stay healthy. Prospect analysts love Pache and think he could become the next Andruw Jones, a majestic defensive center fielder with raw power and plus speed. So far this season, things have gone rather poorly for Pache, as he has hit just .111 in 63 at-bats, with 25 strikeouts and only two walks. He is currently on his second injured-list stint for a soft-tissue leg injury -- first his groin, now his hamstring.
Waters may not be the prospect that Pache is, but it may not matter in this case. Atlanta intends to win its fourth consecutive NL East pennant and it would certainly help to have someone hitting a bit in center field. Atlanta's center fielders entered Wednesday hitting a rough .212 with a combined three home runs and a 29% strikeout rate. Sure, all the team really covets from the position is strong defense, and Pache, Ender Inciarte and Guillermo Heredia all defend well. Nonetheless, having a hitter out there couldn't hurt, either.
Waters can handle center field and, at some point, if Pache continues with his woes, Atlanta may want to see what their second-best outfield prospect can do. The switch-hitting Waters is hitting .268 with a pair of home runs -- one from each side of the plate on Tuesday -- and three stolen bases over 10 games at Triple-A Gwinnett. A Georgia-born kid, Waters is one month younger than Pache, and while he has much swing-and-miss in his approach as well, scouts expect him to develop relevant power. Waters hit .319 with 49 extra-base hits and 13 steals at Double-A Mississippi in 2019, though with a .436 BABIP.
The bottom line with so many prospects is that context matters and organizations rarely share their thought process in regard to timetables. At times, timetables accelerate, too, based on injuries, the standings ... myriad things. If Pache cannot turn his season around at the plate in June, it would not be surprising to see Waters get his opportunity. Fantasy managers in deeper formats (and definitely dynasty ones) should plan for that.
Elsewhere in the outfield
In recent weeks, this Thursday blog entry has focused on the most rostered pitching prospects and hitting prospects in ESPN standard leagues. Today, let us catch up with outfielders in the news.
Jo Adell & Brandon Marsh, Los Angeles Angels: As noted in Wednesday's blog entry, the organization that just lost the awesome Mike Trout for two months seems in no hurry to promote either of its top two outfield prospects. Adell, 22, has four home runs in 12 games for Triple-A Salt Lake, but also a 36.8% strikeout rate. He whiffed at a 41.7% rate in the majors last season. For more on Adell, check out what Tristan H. Cockcroft wrote about him yesterday. Marsh, 23, has a home run and seven walks in six games, his season delayed due to a shoulder injury. I think Marsh gets the promotion first, but not in the next month. Add them both if you please in redraft formats, but know there are better fantasy options for 2021.
Josh Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays: Everyone checks out the Triple-A Durham box scores to see what electric shortstop Wander Franco is doing -- and for good reason. However, Lowe is slugging .757 after nine games, which is pretty nice, too. Franco is slugging "only" .660. Regardless, Lowe is 23 and if there is yet another IL stint for Kevin Kiermaier or if Manuel Margot needs one of his own, Lowe may get his chance. Lowe is going to swing and miss, but he hit 18 home runs and stole 30 bases in 2019 at Double-A Montgomery, which tends to get him noticed.
Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins: Our first look at Sanchez in the majors came last season when he made an out in 24 of his 25 at-bats. Not good! However, Sanchez is doing good things at Triple-A Jacksonville, with six home runs and 10 extra-base hits over his first 11 games. I wonder, if had the minor-league season began on time in April, would Sanchez (hitting to this degree) have been the Starling Marte injury replacement in center field? Still, Marte is likely a trade candidate this summer, and Sanchez, who came over from the Rays in the Nick Anderson trade, should get another chance. This is not a big power fellow, but unlike organization outfielders Lewis Brinson and Monte Harrison, he's someone who should hit for a nice batting average.
Nolan Jones, Cleveland: This three-true-outcomes swinger is not off to a good start in his first taste of Triple-A ball at Columbus, with a mere four hits in 39 at-bats -- and 20 strikeouts! If Jones starts hitting, he may be a candidate for promotion, since Cleveland's outfield is not exactly star-studded. Jones boasts intriguing power and plate discipline, but strikeouts have certainly been a problem. Consider him more of a points-league option in future years than a roto one.
Taylor Trammell, Seattle Mariners: Demoted in order to make room for Jarred Kelenic, Trammell did it to himself by hitting a sad .157 with 41 strikeouts and a .592 OPS in 27 games and 95 PA. At Triple-A Tacoma, however, Trammell has now homered four times in six games, knocking in 14 runs. It is too early to call him a Quad-A player, though, and if Trammell keeps hitting, the Mariners will find space for him and he will get another call to the majors. Speaking of the Mariners, Julio Rodriguez is slugging .727 at High-A Everett, but that is so far from the majors. Do not expect his big-league debut until next season.