With a couple weeks left in August, a couple top prospects have been promoted to the Show before many others get the same opportunity. in September when teams expand their rosters. Fantasy owners should pay close attention to prospects that get called up in the near future because they can add a boost to their fantasy baseball championship run.
Kolten Wong, StL 2B
The 22-year-old from Hawaii made his Major League debut on Friday night as the starting second baseman for the Cardinals. Wong batted sixth in the lineup behind Carlos Beltran and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He was very good in Triple-A this season with a .303 batting average, 10 homeruns, 45 runs batted in and 20 stolen bases over 107 games. Wong is regarded as one of St. Louis’ top prospects in what is a deep farm system.
The Cardinals will likely have the left-handed hitting Wong starting at second base against right-handed starters, which will move Matt Carpenter to third base and David Freese to the bench. Wong will get a chance to prove himself over the next couple of weeks and could be added to the postseason roster if the Cardinals earn a playoff spot. Fantasy owners in need of a second baseman should consider adding him because he can hit for average, including a lot of extra-base hits, and has good speed.
Travis d’Arnaud, NYM C
The time has finally come for one of the game’s best catching prospects to dawn a Big League uniform. The Mets have called up d’Arnaud on Saturday while starting catcher, John Buck, goes on paternity leave awaiting the birth of his child.
Injuries have hindered the 24-year-old the past two seasons. In 2012, his season was cut short with a torn knee ligament after sliding into second base and this year he was sidelined for four months after a foul ball broke his left foot. The former first-round pick by the Phillies in 2007 has played in 32 minor league games this season across three different levels and has combined to hit .286 with three long balls and 20 RBI. He has good power, can hit for average and should be in the middle of the Mets’ lineup for years to come.
It’s not clear how long d’Arnaud will be with the Mets as the next few games could go a long way toward determining if he gets sent back down to the Minor Leagues or not. If he doesn’t produce, it could be a quick cup of coffee in the Majors for the young backstop until September call-ups. Fantasy owners who can afford to wait and see how he does may be able to pick him up next week if the Mets decided to keep him.
