Bernie on the Scene: Reports on Under-the-Radar Prospects

Fantasy managers are usually well aware of highly touted prospects. Many are household names, and we search them out to put on our dynasty teams. Some players, however, are less well known and don't get as much buzz and attention.

This week, I begin a series of scouting reports on players I find intriguing, but a bit under the radar. 

In the first of four articles, I will highlight National League position player prospects. Subsequent articles will deal with NL pitchers and then AL position players and pitchers.

Many of my readers know of these prospects, but I want to provide my take on these important future major league players.

Scouting grades are for offense only. They do not include any defensive abilities and tools.

Scouting Grades:

45 - A utility player on a major league roster
50 - An every day player subject to platoon
55 - A better than average performer, less subject to platoon
60 - An every day player with occasional All-Star Game appearances and multiple tools

Christopher Morel, 3B, Cubs 
Double-A Tennessee
International free agent from the Dominican Republic
BR
5-11, 145
Age 22

Fantasy managers may have heard of Morel, as the Cubs touted him a bit when he signed for $800,000, a nice hunk of change. However, he is struggling at Double-A, after a somewhat solid 2019 at Single-A South Bend.

Morel isn't close to the frame he likely will carry at full physical maturity. Right now, he is slight of build and struggles to power the ball. But, I would guess he could hit the 20-home run range at maturity. Maybe even more.

He is an aggressive hitter. He hasn't yet figured out his swing, and there is plenty of swing-and-miss in his game. Injuries when he first began professional play set his development back a bit.

Morel has upside that could translate to using his solid athletic ability to win a job at the major league level. He has good speed, quick reactions and moves well on defense.

Synopsis: At this point, Morel has power on the way, runs well enough to steal bases, plays adequate defense and has a strong throwing arm from third base. 

Fantasy Worthiness: Low to Moderate

Scouting Grade: 50 

Mike Siani, OF, Reds
High-A Dayton
4th round draft pick in 2018
BL
6-1, 188
Age 21 (turns 22 July 16)

The Reds obviously liked Siani when they drafted him because they gave him a $2M signing bonus, which was $1M more than anyone in the fourth round. Follow the money. The team, not known to throw money around, will give him every chance to make their club. For that reason, take an interest.

Siani has a very strong hit tool, which he likely will carry with him to center field for the Reds. He can hit, and he can run — the two calling cards for today's center fielders.

But Siani won't flash much power. He is known more as a leadoff type guy who can get on base, probably steal and hopefully, score. Think Brett Gardner type. Left-handed hitter, and a pest.

Siani likely will be known more for his defensive than offensive prowess. He can run good routes and chase down fly balls with his solid speed. That won't help us in fantasy.

For now, Siani has trouble barreling the ball, using a long swing that he is still trying to control. That will take more time and experience.

Synopsis: In the future, Siani may be interesting in a league that values stolen bases. I think he can hit for a decent enough average, but without power. Good, quality pitching will give him fits until he totally shortens his swing and learns the art of hitting.

Fantasy Worthiness: He would be a reach in a fantasy league. Center-field type hitter with not much to offer in fantasy categories. However, his signing bonus tells me he makes the Reds at some point.

Scouting Grade: 45

Kody Hoese, 3B, Dodgers
Double-A Tulsa
1st round pick (No. 25 overall) in 2019
BR
6-4, 200 
Age 23

Kody Hoese received a $2,740,300 signing bonus to sign with the Dodgers out of Tulane. He has spent some time on the injured list this season, but he is back on a rehab assignment now.

Hoese may become an impact hitter for the Dodgers at a position that could open for him sooner than later. He has a short, quick and well developed stroke to the ball. His powerful body should result in plenty of gap doubles and homers in the future. 

Slow afoot, Hoese will not leg out extra bases or steal for your fantasy team. He is almost an "all or nothing" guy at the plate. 

Not much a defender with little range, Hoese has enough arm strength to stick at third base. His signing bonus dictates a place with the Dodgers or as trade bait in the near future.

Synopsis: Big and strong, Hoese has a lean frame, but he gets power from his hands. He won't steal bases and he won't hit for a great batting average. In essence, he's an average baseball player.

Fantasy Worthiness: He may be overrated in the fantasy community due to his high draft status and his bonus. But be careful that you don't expect too much.

Scouting Grade: 50

Mario Feliciano, C, Brewers
Triple-A Nashville
2nd round draft pick in 2016
BR
6-1, 200
Age 22

As a supplemental second-round draft pick, Feliciano received a bonus of $800,000 from the Brewers. They don't have a great amount of money invested in him, but he is on the club's radar.

Feliciano may not be able to stick behind the plate, as his current defense is seen as a liability by some. However, he has a loud bat with above average power.

There are those who think Feliciano is best suited to be a full-time DH and a part-time, emergency catcher. His stock will rise if the NL gets the DH in the next collective bargaining agreement.

A member of the 40-man Brewers roster, Feliciano is on the Nashville injured list with a serious shoulder impingement.

The offensive problem with Feliciano is his aggressive approach at the plate. His pitch recognition needs work, but when he finds the barrel, he can have an offensive impact.

As a good hitting catcher, Feliciano will have to prove his abilities on defense to stick at the position.

Synopsis: Good hitting catchers are rare, and this guy can hit with some power. The issue is in his defensive upside. He is slow and doesn't have great movement behind the plate, but if he hits, he'll advance. A shoulder issue can be serious, especially for a catcher.

Fantasy Worthiness: This is the type of guy who can make a club if the DH is in play. He can serve as a backup catcher, or DH when needed. However, there may be better options at the catcher position when he graduates to the big leagues. But he may have some value.

Scouting Grade: 50

Tucupita Marcano, INF, Padres
Triple-A El Paso
Signed as an international free agent from Venezuela
BL
6-0, 170
Age 21

His father named Tucupita after his hometown of … Tucupita, Venezuela.

The Padres signed the athletic Marcano for $320,000 in 2016. The team has had a collection of outstanding infield prospects in recent years, and many have been used in trades. So far, Marcano has stuck.

Marcano has had a taste of major league baseball, having appeared in 25 games this year before being sent back to Triple-A. He hit only .182 in 50 plate appearances, hardly a test of his value.

I've seen him play plenty, and I like his spark. A tall and thin infielder, Marcano is a patient hitter, lets the ball travel deeply and isn't over anxious at the plate. He has advanced hitting mechanics that serve him well.

I don't think he's anything other than a spare part, average defensive infielder. It is unlikely fantasy managers will get much in the way of power form Marcano, but he can be viewed as a potential stolen base and extra innings threat.

Synopsis: An athletic infielder, Tucupita Marcano has the ability to hit, get on base and steal. He could very well get a good share of big league walks with patience and a solid eye at the plate. But don't look for power in a slender, rather weak frame. In a word ... meh!

Fantasy Worthiness: He could be useful as a spare part infielder for a fantasy bench. I don't see much relevance in him in many fantasy hitting categories. I include him because people will talk about him as a solid prospect. And besides, I like his name.

Scouting Grade: 45

Liover Peguero, SS, Pirates
High-A Greensboro
Signed by Diamondbacks as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic in 2017
BR
6-1, 200
Age 20

This is a guy to keep an eye on. 

The Pirates will continue to try to get younger and younger with less expensive players under control for years. I think Peguero has a future as a starting shortstop in their organization. But he is one among many solid middle infielders that include Nick Gonzales and Oneil Cruz. Cruz is ahead of Peguero in development, and Cruz is probably the better prospect. However, one of them could move to second.  Cruz has the better arm and has more power. Maybe Cruz moves to third, leaving Peguero at short with Gonzales playing second.

Or maybe Cruz goes to the outfield. My point? The Pirates have three great prospects in Peguero, Gonzales and Cruz.

The Diamondbacks spent $450,000 to sign Peguero and then traded him to Pittsburgh in 2020.

Peguero has been scouted as a defense-first shortstop with some speed and a good hit tool. That's a pretty solid trio. 

I like him for the speed he brings and some pop in his bat that may emerge as he develops and matures. He has a solid enough arm to stick in the middle-infield.

Synopsis: An all-around quality player with upside remaining as a good fielder and improving hitter. He could surprise. He runs well enough to be considered a stolen-base threat.

Fantasy Worthiness: This guy could have a nice future as a regular infielder on a team like the Pirates. I can't see him gaining much traction with a higher quality roster — he could get lost.

Scouting Grade: 50

Next Week: NL prospect pitchers

HEADING HOME

Is there a prospect player you wish me to profile? Please let me know in the comments. I will do my best to profile the player if I have seen him play.

Here are this week's questions to you: do we cut Trevor Bauer from our fantasy teams now and use his roster space? Will he pitch again this year?

Thank you for following me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff and for reading my work at Forbes.com.