Jasson Dominguez (OF-NYY) will reportedly get the call to the majors on Friday ahead of the Yankees' series opener with the Astros. The 20 year-old switch-hitter is ranked as the #78 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline and has spent most of the 2023 campaign in Double-A, where he hit .254 with 15 homers, 66 RBI, 83 runs scored, and 37 steals, with a wRC+ of 117 in 507 PA. He was recently promoted to Triple-A, where he hit .419 with 10 RBI, 6 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases with a wRC+ of 178 across just 37 PA. Dominguez's hit tool is a bit suspect as he has fanned a good bit throughout his minor-league career (including at a 26% rate in Double-A this season), but Dominguez possesses plus power, is not afraid to take a walk (15% walk rate in Double-A this year), and will deploy his plus speed to swipe bags. He should be added where available in fantasy based on his ability to contribute in multiple categories down the stretch, although he may be a liability in the average department.
Ronny Mauricio (2B/SS/OF-NYM) is expected to be promoted to the majors on Friday as the Mets will open a weekend series with the Mariners at home. The 22 year-old - whom MLB Pipeline ranks as the #91 prospect in all of baseball - has put together a productive campaign in Triple-A this season, batting .292 with 23 homers, 71 RBI, 76 runs scored, and 24 steals, with a wRC+ of 107 across 532 PA. While he clearly offers plus power potential and can steal some bags - despite a below-average grade in the speed department - there are concerns about Mauricio's approach at the plate, as he recorded high strikeout rates earlier in his professional career as well as been reticent to draw walks. This season, the latter has remained true as his walk rate is under 7%, but he's encouragingly slashed his strikeout rate to 18% this season after it was 23% in Double-A last year. His ability to contribute in multiple categories is intriguing and the Mets are expected to give him starts at 3B and OF with Francisco Lindor locking down SS.
Yu Darvish (SP-SD) will be temporarily shut down from throwing after testing revealed a bone spur in his right (throwing) elbow. While the Padres have not indicated that he'll be out for the remainder of the season, it's a possibility since the Padres are 7.5 games out of the 3rd NL Wild Card spot entering Thursday's action. The 37 year-old is in the midst of a disappointing 2023 campaign, as he has compiled a 4.56 ERA, 9.3 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, and 3.93 xFIP through 24 starts (136.1 IP). Opposing hitters have logged hard-contact against him at a solid 37% clip while his swinging-strike rate is down to under 11%, his lowest since 2018. His BB/9 is his worst since 2019, his ERA is his highest since 2018, and his xFIP is also his highest since 2018. Given his age, it's tough to expect better in 2024, but the elbow issue might have been hampering his performance for much of the current season.
Matt Manning (SP-DET) was stellar against the Yankees on Thursday afternoon as he fired 6 shutout IP in which he scattered 2 hits and 2 walks while fanning 4. The 25 year-old righty threw 50 of his 81 offerings for strikes in the outing. Manning's 3.62 ERA and 2.3 BB/9 through his 14 starts (77 IP) on the year seem good enough, but those come with an eyebrow-raising 5.35 xFIP and 5.7 K/9. He pitches to contact (85%) as he misses very few bats (7% swinging-strike rate), somehow surviving a 39% hard-hit rate. He's an easy pick for regression down the stretch, perhaps starting with a rematch in New York with the Yankees next week.
Patrick Sandoval (SP-LAA) has underwhelmed this season, but should make for a good play against the lousy Oakland offense on Friday. The 26 year-old southpaw owns a 3.95 ERA, 8 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, and 4.47 xFIP across 23 starts (123 IP) this year, but has been solid (if unspectacular) in two starts against Oakland (12 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 7 K). Sandoval has been better since the All-Star break, compiling a 2.89 ERA, 9.4 K/9, and 4.35 xFIP in 37.1 IP, although control has remained an issue (5.5 BB/9). Oakland, meanwhile, ranks #28 in baseball in team OPS against lefties (.678) and ranks #21 in baseball with 101 walks this year, so there's a good chance that Sandoval is able to earn at least a quality start and perhaps a win against that anemic offense on Friday. He's currently available in about 70% of ESPN leagues.
This is just a small sample our daily analysis, join our member area for tools that will help you win your fantasy championship. Click here for details: http://www.insiderbaseball.com/baseballsample.htm Click here to register: http://www.fantistics.com/salesbaseball.php3
