Prospect Watch: Williams, Fulmer, Reed starting strong with new teams
A whopping 55 prospects were traded prior to last week's trade deadline, including several top prospects. The second wild-card makes getting to the postseason a little bit easier, and, as a result, it appears teams are more willing to trade minor leaguers for big-league help down the stretch.
Now that a week has passed since the deadline, most of those traded prospects have appeared in games for their new organizations. It takes a few days to report and get settled in, stuff like that. Here's a look at some the prospects moved at the deadline who are off to strong starts with their new teams.
OF Ramon Flores, Mariners: Flores, 23, has gone 14 for 29 (.483) with four doubles, seven walks and three strikeouts in eight Triple-A games after going from the Yankees to the Mariners in the Dustin Ackley trade. Flores fits the left-handed-hitting platoon outfielder profile to a tee -- he's also a sound defender in the corners -- and he's basically major-league ready. Not a future star or anything, but the kind of player who could go on to have a long MLB career.
RHP Michael Fulmer, Tigers: Six strikeouts and two hits allowed in 6 2/3 innings in your first start with your new organization is a good first impression, right? That's what the 22-year-old Fulmer did with Double-A Erie last week after going to Detroit in the Yoenis Cespedes trade. Fulmer is fifth in the minors with a 1.90 ERA this season and he's the kind of fastball/slider power arm the Tigers love. Detroit is not shy about promoting pitching prospects aggressively. Expect Fulmer to get consideration for the big league rotation in spring training next year.
RHP John Gant, Braves: The Braves acquired Gant from the Mets in the Juan Uribe/Kelly Johnson swap, and, in two starts with Atlanta's Double-A affiliate, he's allowed one run in 11 2/3 innings while striking out 16. Gant, who turned 23 on Thursday, is not a big stuff guy, he's more of a command and control pitcher who relies on deception and a deep arsenal. That's not a sexy profile but it is valuable, especially while chewing up innings at the back of the rotation for the league minimum.
LHP Sean Manaea, Athletics: Manaea, 23, was part of the Ben Zobrist trade, and he has a 2.77 ERA in two Double-A starts and 13 innings with his new team. That includes a 16/2 K/BB. Manaea has been held back by non-arm injuries in recent years (groin, hip, ribs) but his arm is electric, with a big fastball and a wipeout slider. His delivery isn't the prettiest and his command can come and go, though his upside is sky high. Manaea's healthy and has been impressive in his first two starts in the A's organization.
LHP Cody Reed, Reds: Reed was in the middle of a breakout season with the Royals when they shipped him to the Reds as part of the package for Johnny Cueto. The 22-year-old hard-throwing southpaw has allowed one single run in two starts and 15 innings since the trade, striking out 18 and walking four. Reed has learned to harness his mid-90s gas, and both his changeup and breaking ball are improving. He's had an excellent year overall (2.27 ERA) and should be ready to help Cincinnati next season.
OF Nick Williams, Phillies: Williams, 21, is 7 for 18 (.389) in four Double-A games since being included in the Cole Hamels trade, though most of that comes from one game. But boy, what a game it was: 4 for 4 with a double, two home runs, a walk and five runs scored. That's the kind of game that makes you dream on what Williams can become given his athleticism and incredible tools. He's hitting .393/.443/.730 over the last calendar month. Wowza.
A whopping 55 prospects were traded prior to last week's trade deadline, including several top prospects. The second wild-card makes getting to the postseason a little bit easier, and, as a result, it appears teams are more willing to trade minor leaguers for big-league help down the stretch.
Now that a week has passed since the deadline, most of those traded prospects have appeared in games for their new organizations. It takes a few days to report and get settled in, stuff like that. Here's a look at some the prospects moved at the deadline who are off to strong starts with their new teams.
OF Ramon Flores, Mariners: Flores, 23, has gone 14 for 29 (.483) with four doubles, seven walks and three strikeouts in eight Triple-A games after going from the Yankees to the Mariners in the Dustin Ackley trade. Flores fits the left-handed-hitting platoon outfielder profile to a tee -- he's also a sound defender in the corners -- and he's basically major-league ready. Not a future star or anything, but the kind of player who could go on to have a long MLB career.
RHP Michael Fulmer, Tigers: Six strikeouts and two hits allowed in 6 2/3 innings in your first start with your new organization is a good first impression, right? That's what the 22-year-old Fulmer did with Double-A Erie last week after going to Detroit in the Yoenis Cespedes trade. Fulmer is fifth in the minors with a 1.90 ERA this season and he's the kind of fastball/slider power arm the Tigers love. Detroit is not shy about promoting pitching prospects aggressively. Expect Fulmer to get consideration for the big league rotation in spring training next year.
RHP John Gant, Braves: The Braves acquired Gant from the Mets in the Juan Uribe/Kelly Johnson swap, and, in two starts with Atlanta's Double-A affiliate, he's allowed one run in 11 2/3 innings while striking out 16. Gant, who turned 23 on Thursday, is not a big stuff guy, he's more of a command and control pitcher who relies on deception and a deep arsenal. That's not a sexy profile but it is valuable, especially while chewing up innings at the back of the rotation for the league minimum.
LHP Sean Manaea, Athletics: Manaea, 23, was part of the Ben Zobrist trade, and he has a 2.77 ERA in two Double-A starts and 13 innings with his new team. That includes a 16/2 K/BB. Manaea has been held back by non-arm injuries in recent years (groin, hip, ribs) but his arm is electric, with a big fastball and a wipeout slider. His delivery isn't the prettiest and his command can come and go, though his upside is sky high. Manaea's healthy and has been impressive in his first two starts in the A's organization.
LHP Cody Reed, Reds: Reed was in the middle of a breakout season with the Royals when they shipped him to the Reds as part of the package for Johnny Cueto. The 22-year-old hard-throwing southpaw has allowed one single run in two starts and 15 innings since the trade, striking out 18 and walking four. Reed has learned to harness his mid-90s gas, and both his changeup and breaking ball are improving. He's had an excellent year overall (2.27 ERA) and should be ready to help Cincinnati next season.
OF Nick Williams, Phillies: Williams, 21, is 7 for 18 (.389) in four Double-A games since being included in the Cole Hamels trade, though most of that comes from one game. But boy, what a game it was: 4 for 4 with a double, two home runs, a walk and five runs scored. That's the kind of game that makes you dream on what Williams can become given his athleticism and incredible tools. He's hitting .393/.443/.730 over the last calendar month. Wowza.
