Ray’s Ramblings: Young Talent in San Diego, Boston

THREE CALL UPS IN SAN DIEGO

Manuel Margot has been added to the Padres club and he is batting second in his first major league game Thursday. The outfielder, ranked the #2 prospect in the Padres organization according to MLB.com and chosen the MVP of the Pacific Coast League this season, brings a strong speed element to the game along with impressive athleticism. In 124 outings at Triple-A Margot stole 30 bases and that speed adds plenty of value to his fantasy outlook. Margot also hit .304 in the minors this season, and though he walked just 36 times he also struck out 64 times over 517 at-bats. He makes contact, has a good understanding of the strike zone, and he isn’t afraid to use all fields. He’s an extremely intriguing rookie heading into 2017.

The Padres also called up their #3 prospect, Hunter Renfroe. This outfield prospect batters Triple-A pitchers with his monster club. Not only did he bat .306 but Hunter blasted 30 homers, hit 34 doubles, posted a .557 SLG and a .893 OPS. Renfroe also drove home 105 runners and scored 95 times himself in a special season. His power is immense thanks to elite bat speed, but he does have a bit of an upper cut which can lead to bouts of strikeouts. He is also apt to struggle on outside pitches but turns with ferocity on pitches on the inner half. He has the talent to be Adam Jones like at the dish in terms of his production.

Not wanting to accused of leaving their top level talent in the minors, the Friars also promoted Austin Hedges. A 24 year old catcher, Hedges bombed last season in San Diego in a major way. Over 152 plate appearances he hit .168 with three homers and 38 strikeouts on his way to a pathetic .203 wOBA with the Padres. Hedges has brought the eyeballs back to him with the season he’s posted at Triple-A. Over 82 games on the farm, he missed a month with a broken hand, he hit .326 with a .353 OBP, impressive numbers, but check out that .597 SLG. How is the number so high? The 21 homers he has hit might have something to do with it. Folks, Austin also drove in a run per game with 82 in 82 outings. Derek Norris is arbitration eligible next season and it’s probable the Padres will look to move him this offseason to open up playing time for Hedges.

TWO YOUNGSTERS IN BOSTON

Andrew Benintendi missed a good deal of time with a left knee sprain. Turns out, the injury was more than that as Andrew also suffered a avulsion fracture below his knee. The team has said they might move him up in the batting order now that he is healthy, but he continues to hit ninth in the batting order (like he will Thursday). Andrew has a hit in each of his last four games since returning to action with a double or homer in each outing. Yeah, that’s good. In 25 big league games he’s been exactly as averaged with a .317/.360/.524 slash line. He’s still not playing every day though, diminishing his value a bit as we get ready to close down the 2016 season.

Xander Bogaerts hit .240 as a rookie with 12 homers and two steals and most folks were greatly depressed. In his second season last year he broke loose and had one hell of a season, the type is talent suggested was possible as he went .320-7-81-84-10. It was a hell of an all-around season. Coming into this year the expectations where immense. Either he hit .320 with 15 homers and 15 steals or folks were going to be disappointed. He might get there, at least in two of the spots as he’s hit 20 homers with 13 steals. He’s also upped his RBI total from 81 to 88, and he’s pushed his runs scored production up from 84 to 111, the 4^th best mark in the American League. Back to the batting average with Xander. He’s hitting .295, a bit disappointing given his .320 mark last season, but it’s still an impressive mark, ain’t it?

After reading all of that you might be thinking back to the intro to the piece while asking yourself ‘didn’t you say he was struggling or stumbling or something?’ Yes, I did. Here is why. In the month of September Xander is batting .221. In the month of August he hit .219. Since August first, a stretch of 47 games, Bogaerts has hit .220. My goodness, his .289 OBP in that time is less than his season long batting average. He’s also failed to steal a single base in 47 games. Truth is that he’s been a poor offensive performer, exceedingly poor, for the past two months (.282 wOBA). His overall numbers are still tremendous, but talk about a front loaded effort.

THE BEST POWER HITTER IN BASEBALL?

Giancarlo Stanton is starting Thursday. Since returning to action, Stanton has failed to play nine innings as the team continues to do what it can to shield Stanton’s weary body as it’s clear his groin issue isn’t fully resolved. Stanton has appeared in nine games since he returned and he’s posted a total of just 16 plate appearances. Giancarlo has hit two homers helping him to a .479 wOBA though he has also struck out five times in just 11 at-bats.

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).