The 68th overall pick by the Rockies in 2021 out of Ohio, Rays LHP Joe Rock (23, AAA) is listed at 6’6” 200 lbs and looks the part of a major league innings eater. The Rays got Rock in exchange for SS Greg Jones in March of this year, and wouldn’t you know it, Rock’s enjoying his best professional season under Tampa’s tutelage. He’s gotten especially hot over the past month. In 30 innings spread across six outings since April 27, Rock has a 1.50 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with zero home runs allowed. It’s fascinating to see Colorado trade a promising lefty with all the tools of a starting pitcher (fastball, slider, changeup, command) for a speedy shortstop with a major strikeout problem (38.6 percent in 51 AAA games at age 25). Colorado has typically struggled to sort through its position-player prospects, so it’s not easy to see how Jones would fold into the roster even if he stopped striking out about 40 percent of the time. Just another bizarre move for a front office that makes a lot of them. And hey, another functional arm for Tampa.
Another college pitcher popping onto our dynasty radars, Astros RHP Jake Bloss (22, AA) was a third-round selection (99th overall) out of Georgetown in the 2023 draft. He graduated Low-A after five games last season, graduated High-A after four games this season and has a 2.42 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through five games in Double-A. At 6’3” 223 lbs, Bloss is the Houston prototype with a plus fastball that plays well up in the zone and a nice curveball he can consistently bury. He’s also a smart dude who graduated early from Lafayette with a double major in math and economics and then worked toward a Masters in Econ while at Georgetown. All in all, he’s a perfect fit in this organization that has a need for pitching and can help him maximize his outcomes. If he doesn’t make the big club this year, he’ll be an option early in 2025.
Speaking of quick climbers, the Mariners selected 3B Ben Williamson (23, AA) with the 57th overall pick out of William and Mary in the 2023 draft. He went to the complex for two games then finished the season in Low-A for ten games. He opened this season in High-A and posted a 154 wRC+ across 29 games to earn a promotion to Double-A, where he’s slashing .300/.417/.450 with a 145 wRC+ through ten games. As successful as Seattle has been at developing (and often trading) prospects, they remain without a long term solution at the hot corner. Josh Rojas had a fast start this season but is slashing .128/.212/.191 over his last 15 games. Luis Urias was hitting .152 when he got optioned to Triple-A. Like Bloss, Williamson is just on the fringes of getting his chance this season, but he’s almost certainly part of the picture in 2025 if he continues to develop.
Can probably copy and paste the previous sentence for Diamondbacks RHP Yilber Diaz (23, AA). At six-foot even and 190 lbs, Diaz features a riding fastball that dominates atop the zone and a nasty curveball that tunnels well with the cheese. Unlike Williamson and Bloss, Diaz is Rule 5 eligible this winter, which means he’ll have to be added to the 40-man roster before then anyway. In the past, teams might look at a guy like this and print his ticket for the bullpen. And maybe that’s how the team will deploy Diaz down the stretch this season. I think he’s got the best stuff of their rotating back-end starters and could grab that gig if given the chance. Trouble is, his command comes and goes, and Double-A hitters don’t punish pitchers for that the way a major league lineup might.
From one six-foot righty to another, we join Rangers RHP Winston Santos (22, A+) in the process of a repeat trip to the South Atlantic League. He’s making the most of his time in Hickory, recording 58 strikeouts in 42.2 innings with a 1.69 ERA. His last start at the level has to be coming up soon. Could he join the bucket of maybe-Rookies for 2024? Sure, I suppose so. He too is Rule 5 eligible this winter. I’d bet against him having much of a role though. This club has a lot of ready-now arms already.
I feel compelled to discuss Phillies LHP Mavis Graves (20, A) this week, and it’s only partly because his name is Mavis Graves. A sixth round pick out of high school in 2022, Graves has halved his walk rate this year, from 7.68 BB/9 in 2023 on the complex to 3.31 in Low-A this season. His 24 percent K-BB rate and 1.08 WHIP back up the 2.92 ERA. Good stuff, Mavis. Bury those batters!
Rangers OF Yeremi Cabrera (18, CPX) is ready for his next challenge, slashing .341/.444/.750 with five home runs and six stolen bases in just 14 games at the complex. A super-athletic lefty listed at 5’11” 155 lbs (he weighs more now), he posted similar numbers in the Dominican Summer League last season and should probably be added in most leagues where he’s available.
The Cardinals recalled Itch-fave 2B Jose Fermin and immediately put him in the lineup, batting second. Love to see it. Also wonder how it’s possible that he’s been in the minors all year but bats 2nd on his first day, but hey, but I’m just a key at a guyboard . . . wait . . . a guy at a keyboard. It’s so easy to make weird mistakes haha!
Thanks for reading!
