August 27-September 2, 2024
Sep 2 2024
Zach Brzykcy (RHP, WAS)
The players covered in this column are only those who still have rookie status as determined by MLB, and who have not already been written up earlier in 2024. Find previous Call-up profiles on the Content tab of the player's PlayerLink page.
Contributing writers: Jeremy Deloney, Chris Blessing, Nick Richards, Matthew St-Germain, and Tanner Smith
September 2, 2024
Logan Driscoll (C, TAM)
With expanded rosters Driscoll will get a chance to make his MLB debut and join the Rays catching mix with Ben Rortvedt and Alex Jackson. The 26-year-old Driscoll is a LHH who has posted good offensive numbers throughout his minor league career, highlighted by a .287/.362/.460 line across 2 AAA seasons from 2023-2024, and has improved his defense from his college days to be roughly average now. Driscoll operates with a lofted swing that can produce average pull power, but will likely translate to a below-average hit tool at the major league level. Driscoll has potential to stick around for a long time as a backup catcher with an unexciting but serviceable blend of below-average offense and average catcher defense.
STATS: Driscoll Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Third Catcher
POTENTIAL: Backup C
RATING: 6B
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Brewer Hicklen (OF, MIL)
Hicklen a 28-year-old RHH outfielder who will get his second taste of the big leagues after debuting in 6 games and 4 PAs for the Royals back in 2022. Hicklen has historically shown a great combination of power and speed at the minor league level, as in 2022 he posted 28 HRs and 35 SBs in 130 AAA games and so far in 2024 he has 21 HRs and 42 SBs in 105 AAA games. Hicklen has walked at a decent clip in his MiLB career, with a career 10.8 BB% in the minors, but strikeouts have been an Achilles heel, with a career rate of 29.8 K%, including a 30.8% rate across 1298 AAA PAs. There is a real opportunity for Hicklen to get a significant chunk of PAs against LHPs for the Brewers in September, with LHH Sal Frelick as the Brewers primary option in RF now, but he will have to prove he can make enough contact to be productive. There is potential for fantasy managers in very deep leagues to acquire a few HRs and SBs at a bargain bin rate, albeit likely with a BA cost.
STATS: Hicklen Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Platoon Outfielder
POTENTIAL: Platoon Outfielder
RATING: 6D
Michael Helman (UTL, MIN)
Long-time minor league utility man Helman will have the opportunity to debut in the majors for the Twins. The 28-year-old RHH can play essentially anywhere in the field except for catcher and has hit very well in AAA over the past two seasons. From 2023-2024 in AAA Helman has posted wRC+ marks in the 122-126 range, hitting for power (SLG over .500 each season) with average (.296 in 2023 and .283 in 2024). One concern for Helman in 2024, despite very good AAA production, is that his K% has shot up to a career high of 24.4%, from 13.6% in 2023 in AAA and a career 17.9% rate, which is concerning for a guy who already projected as a fringe MLB hitter. Helman has a well-rounded enough skillset and positional versatility to provide value to an MLB team, although he may ultimately be more of an up-and-down guy given his age.
STATS: Helman Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Utility Man
POTENTIAL: Utility Man
RATING: 6A
Zach Brzykcy (RHP, WAS)
A new righty has landed in Washington, as Brzykcy has been promoted with the September roster expansion. The 24-year-old is a pure 1-inning reliever who has a history of striking out a lot of hitters, with a career 12.7 K/9 in 3 minor league seasons accompanied by a high but acceptable 3.8 BB/9. He works with a high ¾ arm slot with roughly average extension at 6 foot 2 inches and possesses 3 pitches. His primary offering is a four-seam fastball that averaged 93.6 MPH with great carry that he leans on heavily for swings and misses up, which he complements with a hard curveball with good vertical movement that should be an above-average MLB offering. Brzykcy also has a changeup that he will use occasionally against LHHs in the high 80s with good arm-side action. The rub with Brzykcy, as is the case with many relief prospects is his control, as he has below average control of his fastball and even worse control of his off-speed pitches, although he did impressively only walk 1 hitter in his tiny 8 inning AAA sample this season. This is likely a high strikeout high walk middle reliever with consistency issues, although there is more upside here if he improves his control and consistency of execution.
STATS: Brzykcy Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle Reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup Man
RATING: 7C
September 1, 2024
José Devers (INF, MIA)
The Rays recalled the 24-year-old after placing Vidal Bruján on the injured list. Devers last appeared in the majors in 2021 when he hit .244/.304/.317 in 41 AB over 21 games. Though he’s been victimized by various ailments over the years, the left-handed hitter hasn’t demonstrated much offensive prowess to give him any semblance of fantasy value. He continues to be a standout defender at both SS and 2B but just hasn’t been able to hit for either BA or power. Devers is a terrific SS with nimble actions and quick hands. He has exemplary range to both sides and has above average arm strength. As a hitter, he is more of a slap hitter who focuses on putting bat to ball. However, he rarely hits the ball hard and doesn’t reach the seats consistently. He hit a career high 7 HR in 2023 and only has 3 this season in 221 AB in Triple-A. He’s also batting .244/.305/.371 with only 4 SB. Devers does offer above average speed as well but doesn’t steal many bases. There isn’t much in this profile to suggest he’ll provide a boost in any fantasy category. He is expected to see some time at SS due to injuries to Marlins regulars. Devers is a career .261/.324/.362 hitter.
STATS: Devers Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Could see extensive time at SS
POTENTIAL ROLE: Reserve infielder
RATING: 6E
Jairo Iriarte (RHP, CHW)
The White Sox are expected to purchase the contract of the 22-year-old when rosters expand on September 1. It isn’t expected that he’ll get many – if any – starts the rest of the way but could be used a few times in long relief. Iriarte was acquired from the Padres in the Dylan Cease trade in February 2024. He has an intriguing profile with a maturing frame, good arm strength and strikeout ability. He has spent all season in Double-A where he has a 3.71 ERA, 4.1 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 126 innings covering 22 starts. He spent the 2nd half of 2023 at that level as well. Iriarte has greater potential and projection than what his career numbers suggest. He’s added significant weight to his formerly lean frame and his extension gives him excellent deception in his low ¾ delivery. He pitches aggressively with his 93-95 mph fastball up in the zone and can complement it with two solid secondary offerings in his 83-85 mph slider and 87-90 mph change-up. Either secondary pitch can sometimes take the lead on the better of the two and the change-up exhibits incredible drop at times though can be too firm. Iriarte’s strikeout rate has fallen this season, though there isn’t much concern despite a slight velocity drop. He’s been focused on fine-tuning his delivery and finding consistency in his release point. He also could polish his fastball command in order to limit hard hit balls. He has very high upside because of his pitch mix and build. At worst, he could be a reliever if he can’t hone his fastball placement. For his career, Iriarte has a 4.58 ERA, 4.1 BB/9 and 10.0 K/9.
STATS: Iriarte Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 10 on SD Org Report
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL ROLE: #3 starter
RATING: 8D
Darren Baker (2B/LF, WAS)
The son of Dusty is in the majors for the first time after the Nationals purchased his contract. Baker was a 10th round pick of Washington in 2021 and has made his presence felt by becoming a solid contact hitter who uses the entire field. The 25-year-old left-handed hitter puts bat to ball as well as any in the system and can go gap to gap. He’s hitting .285/.348/.340 with 20 doubles and 38 SB, a new career high. It should be noted that he has yet to hit a HR this season and only has 6 career long balls over 1360 AB. The weak contact limits his upside, both on the field and in fantasy ball. He has above average speed and runs the bases with aplomb. Though he will get on base via walks, Baker will offer at pitches early in the count because of his ability to find holes in the defense. He’s spent most of his defensive time at 2B and LF. His limited arm strength mutes any value that he brings with his range and instincts. For his career, Baker has a batting line of .286/.348/.354 with a high of 3 HR in 2023.
STATS: Baker Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Reserve 2B/LF
POTENTIAL ROLE: Utility player
RATING: 6D
August 31, 2024
Caden Dana (RHP, LAA)
The Angels appear to be giving their fan base a preview of a future starting rotation and the 20-year-old is the best prospect in the system. He’ll make his debut on Sunday, September 1. Despite his youth, Dana currently leads the Double-A Southern League in strikeouts and WHIP. He’s pitched all season at that level and is one of the youngest players in the league. He’s been absolutely spectacular in August and has allowed only 2 earned runs in 5 starts covering 32 innings. For the year, the 6’4” 215-pound righty has a 2.52 ERA, 2.6 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9. Dana looks the part of a mid-rotation starter and has the goods to back it up. Armed with four pitches and much improved command, Dana has leveraged his efficient delivery to throw strikes and miss bats. His fastball mostly sits between 93-95 mph and touches 97 on occasion. Though the velocity is generally average, it features a lot of armside movement and runs in on right-handed hitters. They rarely barrel the ball against him. While he uses the fastball a lot, Dana also has a mid-80s slider that exhibits depth and break. His other pitches include a fading change-up and loopy curveball. His change-up has shown vast improvement and he’s throwing it with more conviction this season. Dana is a solid prospect and while some may say he doesn’t have ace potential, he also has the durability and stamina to pitch a lot of innings in the middle of the rotation. Some also see more velocity in the tank. For his career, Dana has a 3.01 ERA, 3.0 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9.
STATS: Dana Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 1 on LAA Org Report; No. 47 on midseason Top 50
CURRENT ROLE: Starter
POTENTIAL ROLE: #3 starter
RATING: 8C
Seth Halvorsen (RHP, COL)
The Rockies continue to churn through bullpen pieces and the 24-year-old is the latest to arrive in the majors. Halvorsen is a quick-rising 2023 draftee who has impressed with his underlying pitch mix since signing. He is exclusively a reliever and has some closing experience as a pro. Colorado selected him in the 7th round and finished his draft year in Double-A. Halvorsen started at that level for 2024 before getting a bump to Triple-A in early August. On the season, he has a 4.47 ERA, 4.7 BB/9 and 11.4 K/9 while holding hitters to a .251 oppBA. The pitch mix is very strong. With both velocity and pitch movement, he has the repertoire to profile well as a late-innings reliever. On the other hand, his max effort delivery and inconsistent release point have led to erratic control and high walk rates. There is hope that Halvorsen’s natural athleticism could result in better command down the road. His fastball sits in the 95-98 mph range while he mixes in a mid-80s slider and splitter. All of the pitches grade at least as average and have the capability to miss bats. There is potential here but a profile of a hard-throwing, max effort reliever who can’t consistently pepper the strike isn’t a tantalizing one.
STATS: Halvorsen Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL ROLE: Setup reliever
RATING: 7E
August 30, 2024
Rhett Lowder (RHP, CIN)
The Reds are promoting their #2 prospect to the big leagues and he’ll make his major league debut with a start during a doubleheader on Friday, August 30. Lowder was the 7th overall selection in the 2023 draft and he will now be pitching on his fourth level of baseball this year. He began his pro career at High-A Dayton before moving to Double-A in mid-May. After continued successful performances, Cincinnati promoted him to Triple-A in mid-August. Lowder has the touch, feel and delivery to be a solid starter for many years to come. He not only has a solid three-pitch mix, he also provides the durability and stamina that could keep him on the mound start after start. Throwing from a low ¾ slot, he uses his lower half well and offers above average extension in a fairly deceptive delivery. Because of his athleticism, he exhibits well above average command and control. Though he may not be the traditional strikeout artist, he misses bats with all three pitches and also hits his spots in the lower half to induce a high percentage of groundballs. Lowder has a 93-95 mph fastball that can hit 97. It features plenty of armside run and has proven difficult to elevate. He complements the fastball with a plus mid-80s slider that can register strikeouts against hitters from both sides of the plate. His best pitch may be the 84-87 mph change-up that drops and darts. There isn’t an overwhelming shortcoming in his delivery or repertoire. This season, Lowder has a 3.64 ERA, 2.0 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9 with a .243 oppBA across 108 innings.
STATS: Lowder Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 2 on CIN Org Report; No. 63 on HQ100, No. 33 on midseason Top 50
CURRENT ROLE: Starter
POTENTIAL ROLE: #2/3 starter
RATING: 8A
Brandon Leibrandt (LHP, CIN)
The Reds pitching staff is in shambles due to a combination of mediocrity and a bevy of injuries. They are now turning to Leibrandt, a 31-year-old journeyman who has spent a lot of time in the independent leagues over the last three years. He was a 6th round pick in 2014 by the Phillies before earning his release in 2020. The Marlins picked him up and he pitched 9 innings in the majors that year. He later spent time with the Cubs before pitching in a variety of independent leagues. Leibrandt began this season in non-affiliated ball prior to the Reds signing him shortly after the beginning of the season. He has been mostly a starter in his career and will likely be used as a long reliever, possibly for only a few games. He works with an 89-92 mph fastball, slider and change-up. He has a career 3.65 ERA, 2.4 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9.
STATS: Leibrandt Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL ROLE: Long reliever
RATING: 5E
Samuel Aldegheri (LHP, LAA)
The 22-year-old will make his major league debut when he starts on Friday, August 30 against the Mariners. Acquired from the Phillies at the trade deadline, Aldegheri will be in an exclusive club as he is only one of a few Italian-born players to perform in the majors. He is enjoying his best pro season to date as he’s upped his velocity while pitching effectively up in the zone. Between High-A and Double-A, he has a 3.59 ERA, 3.9 BB/9 and 12.7 K/9. The strikeout rate is very high despite the lack of premier velocity or an elite offering. It can be attributed to a combination of pitch movement and spin. His fastball now consistently touches 95 mph but is effective in the low 90s because of plus riding action. Aldegheri has both a slider and curve with the former a more consistent pitch. He also mixes in a change-up with late tumble. He has continued to improve his pitch sequencing while also repeating his delivery more consistently. Though he doesn’t have great size, he pitches aggressively and can work to both sides of the plate. He will need to address his inconsistent control, though most scouts see a smooth delivery that should eventually lead to more strikes and fewer walks. Aldegheri will be closely monitored for the rest of the year and could be a rotation stalwart next year if he continues to push forward. He has a career 3.60 ERA, 3.9 BB/9 and 12.0 K/9.
STATS: Aldegheri Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Starter
POTENTIAL ROLE: #4 starter
RATING: 8D
August 29, 2024
Erik Sabrowski (LHP, CLE)
Sabrowski is a big lefty (6’4”, 230) with a mean four-seam fastball that shows long-term bullpen upside. He works from a ¾ slot with a generally easy delivery but his height gets him down the mound well (6.8’ extension). That helps his fastball play up as its velocity band sits only 93 mph. It’s the near 21” of IVB that makes the pitch so difficult for hitters to make contact with as Sabrowski leans heavily on the it both early in counts and for strikeouts. When hitters do make contact, however, it’s quite hard (.461 xwOBACON) and a big reason for his 40.7% LD%, though it’s still an easy plus offering. Outside of this, Sabrowski does well keeping the ball down (17.4% FB%), working with both a curveball and slider about equally. The slider, however, is far ahead of the curve, flashing plus with a 40.6% whiff rate and .229 xwOBACON, though it (28.4%) along with the curve (18.8%) do not garner much chase. Paired with all his pitches outside of the zone moreso than in it—FB (48%); CU (42%); SL (40%) zone rates—helps explain his astronomical 17.6% BB% at Triple-A Columbus this year. A 37% hit rate is partly responsible, but his xFIP (4.35) sits right on his ERA (4.38) so more work needs to be done. He probably should ditch the curve for the slider long term, but fastballs like Sabrowski’s tend to find leveraged work in time so if he can shore up the hard contact and walks that’s where he projects.
STATS: Sabrowski Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle Reliever
POTENTIAL: Set-up Reliever
RATING: 7D
Steven Cruz (RHP, KC)
Another year and more growth in the righthander with tanks of gas. At 6’7” and 225 pounds, Cruz has a solid presence on the mound, with a fairly easy delivery from a lower ¾ slot who has done well this year, shoring up his release spot while getting down the mound well (6.7’ extension) for his size. The fourseamer is still absolute heat, sitting 97 mph and making up nearly half (48.6%) of his usage. It doesn’t have much IVB (14”), however, and hitters don’t chase it much up in the zone (21.8%), and while it gets a moderate amount of whiff (24.2%) it also generates hard contact (.357 xwOBACON) when hitters make contact. However, his sinker plays much better despite only going to it 12.2% of the time. It sits at the same velocity band as the four-seamer and hitters feebly doink it into the ground regularly (.242 xwOBACON) and he’d likely be served well going to it more often. Cruz goes to his slider the most of his secondaries, but again he’d be served better by utilizing his cutter more as while the slider does generate good whiff (37.2%) and chase (34%) it by far gets tagged the hardest (.409 xwOBACON). It still pairs well with his fastball, but upping the usage on cutter would help it play up more as the cutter generates a huge amount of swing and miss (36.7%) for its pitch type and hitters really struggle making contact with it (.264 xwOBACON), though interestingly it is more of a chase pitch (32.6%) than a zone offering (37.7%). The growth this year has been in reducing his walk rate 2 points, upping his groundball rate 12 points all while keeping the swing-and-miss fairly intact. Cruz continues to have bullpen upside but he’ll further need to refine his command to get there.
STATS: Cruz Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle Reliever
POTENTIAL: Set-up Reliever
RATING: 7E
Evan Kravetz (LHP, CIN)
Kravetz, a pitchability lefty who pitches backwards, has done well with his limited stuff but presents muted upside in a major league bullpen. 6’8” and 240 pounds, his monster size belies his soft stuff, which is a three-pitch mix where his four-seam fastball is used the least (29.5%). Sitting 89 mph, the pitch does tend to get on hitters faster than the velocity would imply due to his size, relatively quick delivery, and extension down the mound (6.8’). It also has good IVB (17.6”) but isn’t very flat up in the zone (-6.2 VAA), and as such isn’t in the zone much (46.4% zone rate), doesn’t generate much chase (22%) or whiff (18%) and hitters make a lot of contact with it (.431 xwOBACON). This is why Kravetz leads with his change-up (38% usage) and curveball (32.5%), both of which sit more average-to-above average. Both of these pitches generate a solid amount of whiff (37.2% CH; 36.9% CU) and hitters struggle making contact (.276 xwOBACON CH; .317 CU) but neither is much of a chase offering (32.1% CH; 25% CU) and with both at identical velocity bands (80 mph) may be fooling minor league hitters but doesn’t portend to have the same kind of success rate with the smoke-and-mirrors in the majors, especially with his limited fastball utility. There are also some significant home/road splits here pitching much better at home in Louisville which is one of the most pitching friendly parks in the International League, so while he’s really been on a tear of late, the chances of this working similarly in the majors is somewhat muted. Long term he’s more of a lefty specialist, mop-up arm if he makes the jump.
STATS: Kravetz Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle Reliever
POTENTIAL: Middle Reliever
RATING: 6D
August 28, 2024
Ryan Miller (RHP, LAA)
Miller, a $25K senior sign in 2018 by the Diamondbacks who has twice spent time in Independent ball, has both found a team desperate for warm bodies all while seeing his skills coalesce at the right time. 6’0” and 180 pounds, Miller has been a reliever since his days at Clemson, and is primarily a two-pitch guy though he mixes in three other pitches to varying effect, utilizing a drop-and-drive delivery with negligible extension (6.2’) due to his shorter stature. The mainstays of the profile are his 94-mph sinker and 88-mph cutter, together accounting for 67% of his usage pattern. The cutter is the better of the two, running a 42% chase rate, 31% whiff rate, and .327 xwOBACON. The sinker does well in terms of swing-and-miss (24.1% whiff) against other sinkers, but its chase (23%) and xwOBACON (.400) indicate that hitters don’t offer at it much and when they do they hit it hard. There’s also a slider, four-seamer, and curveball in here, all of which sit around fringe-average with the slider probably closer to average and the best of the three, all of which are essentially utilized as chase offerings. Because both the sinker (52%) and cutter (54.6%) are in the zone so much, Miller’s walk rate is a solid 5.6% alongside a similarly serviceable .210 oppBA. But his 25.5% hit rate helps explain why his xFIP (4.27) is two full runs above his ERA (2.45). There are no platoon splits and Miller regularly goes two innings and sometimes three, so he’s likely more of a bulk or long reliever if he can stick and on a squad like the Angels that’s a distinct possibility.
STATS: Miller Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Long Reliever
POTENTIAL: Bulk Reliever
RATING: 6C
August 27, 2024
Dylan Crews (OF, WAS)
Washington’s top prospect, 22-year-old Dylan Crews, has been called up and immediately put in RF while batting second. In his first game he went 0-for-3, with one walk and one strikeout. The 5’11”, 203-pound outfielder was the 2nd overall pick just over a year ago, and has been pushing his way through the levels with rapidity. He reached Double-A his draft year as his third level that summer. He started this year at Double-A and put up a much improved line of .274/.343/.446 in 211 PA. Then he was promoted to Triple-A and did much the same to the tune of .265/.340/.455 in 238 PA. With power and speed and a decent batting eye, he has shown himself to be ready for the challenge. In Triple-A only his swinging outside the strike zone (29.5%) is not ideal. His strikeout rate of 17.6% was terrific, his walk rate of 8.4% was fine, and his power showed up in his HardHit% (43.9%), his Avg EV (90.2), his 90th% EV (106.3) and his Max EV (112.6). He has enough speed to get 20-30 SB a year near the top of a lineup. The game power will show in HRs as he grows, but he can already hit 15-20 a season. Combined with his good batting eye, and the defensive ability to play anywhere in the outfield they need him to play, and we are looking at a likely future All-Star outfielder.
STATS: Crews Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 3 on the Midseason HQ50; No. 1 on WSH Org Report
CURRENT ROLE: Starting RF
POTENTIAL: Starting OF
RATING: 9C
PLAYER POTENTIAL RATING
Scale of (1-10) representing a player’s upside potential
10 - Hall of Fame-type player
9 - Elite player
8 - Solid regular
7 - Average regular
6 - Platoon player
5 - Major League reserve player
4 - Top minor league player
3 - Average minor league player
2 - Minor league reserve player
1 - Minor league roster filler
PROBABILITY RATING
Scale of (A-E) representing the player’s realistic chances of achieving their potential
A - 90% probability of reaching potential
B - 70% probability of reaching potential
C - 50% probability of reaching potential
D - 30% probability of reaching potential
E - 10% probability of reaching potential
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