Jim Cowsert-US PRESSWIRE
The fantasy baseball season may be over, but it is never too early to start scouting prospects for next year. Below is my latest fantasy baseball prospect report:
Dealing Aces:
SP Dan Straily, Oakland Athletics – Straily struck out a phenomenal 190 batters in only 152 minor league innings, making Oakland’s decision to call him up quite easy. Since his mid-summer call up, the righty has faired pretty well, as he currently has a 2-1 record and has a very respectable 3.89 Earned Run Average (ERA). Straily has pitched out of some damage this season, which is always positive to see out of a young fireballer.
Staily’s performance has been extremely reassuring, especially considering the on-again-off-again health of starter Brett Anderson. Straily has struck out 32 batters in just over 39 innings and although he may not be showing the dominating strikeout totals he did in the MILB, the 23-year old has at least solidified his spot in the rotation moving forward. Straily will be a very popular sleeper next season, so try to stash him now while you still can.
Next Big Star:
3B Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals – Rendon is the best prospect in the Nationals’ farm system and the kid will certainly be called up early in the 2013 MLB season. The 22-year old was the sixth overall selection in the 2011 draft and was a proven power-hitter throughout his tenure at Rice.
He can hit for power and has a very undervalued glove, so he will eventually be a permanent fixture in the Nats’ lineup. He may eventually have to move to second base with Ryan Zimmerman anchoring the hot corner, but expect Washington to find a way to get him into the infield next season.
