Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins - This has been one of the busiest months in terms of super high level prospects getting called up that I can remember. Buxton is getting the call Sunday to Minnesota and likely will be inserted as the team's every day centerfielder. While he immediately may be a top five defensive centerfielder in the league, how will he produce offensively? Stolen bases are going to be a huge part of Buxton's game as he swiped 47 across three levels in his breakout 2013 campaign. He doesn't walk a ton for a guy who likely will hit at the top of the lineup, but he also doesn't strike out much so he can use his speed. While he has good raw power, he likely would top out in the 8-10 range this year with 15-20 pop over a full season in his prime. All this said, he's a must add in virtually all leagues where he's available.
Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers - Gallo is going to make it awfully hard for the Rangers to stick to their guns and send him to AAA when Adrian Beltre comes back from his injury. He blasted his 3rd homer, a 461 foot blast, and is triple slashing .306/.405/.583 over 42 plate appearances. He reached base safely every PA Saturday, with the homer and three walks on the day. His strikeout rate is really his only concern at 35.7%. However in his small sample size, 60% of his contact is resulting in a hard hit ball which is what he has to do to be successful with a near 20% swinging strike rate.
Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays - McGee looks like he has taken over as the Rays closer for Brad Boxberger as he's now picked up the save in each of his last three outings. Saturday he walked one and allowed one hit but he still fanned two batters in an inning for the third straight time. Last season he notched 19 saves for Tampa and struck out 11 batters per nine, and in his small sample of the season that number has jumped to over 14 per nine. His SWST% is at 17% early into his 2015, but a 13% clip last season was the 7th among relivers with at least 70 innings last season and he ranked third among all relievers in fWAR last season. He's an elite bullpen arm and needs to be owned accordingly.
Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays - It's weird saying that 7.0 innings and three runs allowed is disappointing for a pitch but that's just the kind of roll Archer has been on this month. He walked just one, continuing year after year improvement in his BB/9 and this year it's a career low 2.10 per nine. Even with that number as low as it is, it's still higher than his ERA and his FIP. A huge reason for his growth on the mound (including his 11 K/9) is his increased use in his slider which jumped 10% compared to last season. His slider ranks on Fangraphs as the best one in all of the game, narrowly edging out Francisco Liriano. Archer is one of the best in the league and is always a must start in season leagues and always worth consideration in DFS.
Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians - Lindor, like Buxton, received news that he would be getting the call to the big leagues Sunday and will likely step in as the everday shortstop for the Indians. Unlike the Bryant's, Gallo's, and Buxton's of the world, it's harder to get very eager about Lindor's debut from a fantasy prospective. He hits for a nice upper .200's average and has a little pop, but he doesn't have anywhere near the speed of a guy like Buxton. Lindor is easily the most talented player at short for Cleveland so he'll get every shot to succeed.
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