This article is part of our Farm Futures series.
This will be a shorter article this week, as I'm doing a Reddit AMA this afternoon, but I just wanted to touch on some top stash candidates, as well as offer some glowing praise for Nate Lowe, who was promoted right after FAAB ran in leagues over the weekend.
I think Lowe has a higher ceiling this year than Carter Kieboom, Cole Tucker or Michael Chavis, but it's possible he is eased in on the strong side of a platoon. We saw how quickly Austin Meadows shed a platoon tag, and Lowe is talented enough to follow suit and earn everyday playing time. He could be somewhat susceptible to the shift, but if he can regain the all-fields approach he showed for most of last year, that won't be a big issue. The fact that he had 17 walks (18.9 BB%) and 19 strikeouts (21.1 K%) in 90 plate appearances prior to his callup portends an ability to provide value even when he's not getting hits, which would make him somewhat slump proof. His top tool is 70-grade power to all fields, but he also has an above-average hit tool and elite on-base skills. His peak performance could be similar to that of Rhys Hoskins, particularly if he is able to avoid a platoon. If he is platooned, he could be the player we thought Kyle Schwarber would be. Lowe should be rostered in all formats, and is worth an aggressive bid in leagues that run
This will be a shorter article this week, as I'm doing a Reddit AMA this afternoon, but I just wanted to touch on some top stash candidates, as well as offer some glowing praise for Nate Lowe, who was promoted right after FAAB ran in leagues over the weekend.
I think Lowe has a higher ceiling this year than Carter Kieboom, Cole Tucker or Michael Chavis, but it's possible he is eased in on the strong side of a platoon. We saw how quickly Austin Meadows shed a platoon tag, and Lowe is talented enough to follow suit and earn everyday playing time. He could be somewhat susceptible to the shift, but if he can regain the all-fields approach he showed for most of last year, that won't be a big issue. The fact that he had 17 walks (18.9 BB%) and 19 strikeouts (21.1 K%) in 90 plate appearances prior to his callup portends an ability to provide value even when he's not getting hits, which would make him somewhat slump proof. His top tool is 70-grade power to all fields, but he also has an above-average hit tool and elite on-base skills. His peak performance could be similar to that of Rhys Hoskins, particularly if he is able to avoid a platoon. If he is platooned, he could be the player we thought Kyle Schwarber would be. Lowe should be rostered in all formats, and is worth an aggressive bid in leagues that run FAAB.
STASHING SEASON
We have been spoiled to have already seen so many high-end prospects make their big-league debuts this season, but there are still more talented players who could get the call soon.
TOP-12 HITTERS TO STASH
- Nick Senzel, 2B/OF, Reds
- Yordan Alvarez, OF/1B/DH, Astros
- Luis Urias, 2B/SS, Padres
- Jorge Mateo, SS/2B, A's
- Cavan Biggio, 2B/OF/1B/3B, Blue Jays
- Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros
- Austin Hays, OF, Orioles
- Oscar Mercado, OF, Indians
- Austin Riley, 3B/OF, Braves
- Keston Hiura, 2B, Brewers
- Brendan Rodgers, 2B/SS, Rockies
- Matt Thaiss, 1B/3B, Angels
TOP-12 PITCHERS TO STASH
- Forrest Whitley, RHP, Astros
- Jesus Luzardo, LHP, A's
- Corbin Burnes, RHP, Brewers
- Dylan Cease, RHP, White Sox
- Zac Gallen, RHP, Marlins
- Nick Pivetta, RHP, Phillies
- Bryse Wilson, RHP, Braves
- Corbin Martin, RHP, Astros
- Lewis Thorpe, LHP, Twins
- Tyler Beede, RHP, Giants
- Shaun Anderson, RHP, Giants
- Mitch Keller, RHP, Pirates
I wanted to spend most of my efforts breaking down Zac Gallen, because it's been very difficult to find good footage of him this season. I particularly wanted to see how his offspeed stuff looks, because most public reports will tell you that he lacks a plus pitch. However, we already know that most public reports are wrong about his fastball, as he was in the mid-90s with that pitch this spring.
Zac Gallen labors a little in second inning of work, but puts together another scoreless frame.
Final line: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 42 pitches (23 strikes). 3 groundouts, 1 flyout. Velo was strong, repeatedly hitting 95-96 MPH, while topping out at 97. #Marlins
— Wells Dusenbury (@DuseReport) March 7, 2019
I watched his most recent start against a loaded Round Rock lineup, and compiled some clips of the (mostly) good and the bad. I think he has a chance to be a No. 3 starter, perhaps as early as this season.
FASTBALL
Here are two examples of him locating his fastball to both sides of the plate for whiffs on Myles Straw, whose 17.5 K% ranks in the top third of qualified PCL hitters. It seems to sneak up on hitters, largely because of his ability to change speeds early in the game. Many pitchers go fastball heavy the first time through the order, but Gallen is mixing and matching right out of the gate, which allows his fastball to play up as an easy plus pitch.
CHANGEUP
Gallen's changeup was really impressive. He gets big whiffs from Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker with it in these clips. It is a plus pitch that he will use to get big-league hitters out when he gets ahead in the count with his fastball. His ability to effectively change speeds is his best trait as a pitcher.
CURVEBALL
When he really snaps it off, his curveball can be a swing-and-miss pitch, but it was the least consistent of his three pitches in this outing. Here are two of his best hooks:
MISTAKES
Let's not confuse minimal walks (five in 33.1 innings) with elite command. Gallen has above-average command, particularly when locating his fastball to either side of the plate. However, he hung a meatball for a home run in this outing and badly missed the strike zone on a 3-2 count to Myles Straw.
