This article is part of our House of Shlain series.
This week, I will cover the recently called up Javier Baez as well as three prospects who were on the move last Thursday at the trade deadline.
Javier Baez, SS, Cubs
The Cubs called up Baez for Tuesday night's game in Colorado. Baez, who started at second base with Starlin Castro at shortstop and Arismendy Alcantara in center, didn't take long to make a big impact in the major leagues as he became the first player since 1981 to hit a go-ahead home run in the 12th inning or later of his MLB debut. Fortunately, the best is still yet to come for Baez as his combination of size, strength, and off the charts bat speed makes him an absolute menace to face in the batter's box. The value of getting his offense from a middle-infield position going forward can't be overstated. If a dynasty draft were starting today, he'd rank alongside of Byron Buxton and Kris Bryant.
Jake Marisnick, OF, Astros
One deadline trade that may have gone under the radar was the swap between the Marlins and Astros. Jarred Cosart when to Miami in the deal, which also sent Marisnick and Colin Moran to Houston. Now, the Astros haven't exactly had a season to remember both on and off the field, but I really like this trade for them. Marisnick wasn't tearing up Triple-A when he was still in the Miami organization (.277/.326/.424), but he's athletic and will contribute home runs and steals. In only
This week, I will cover the recently called up Javier Baez as well as three prospects who were on the move last Thursday at the trade deadline.
Javier Baez, SS, Cubs
The Cubs called up Baez for Tuesday night's game in Colorado. Baez, who started at second base with Starlin Castro at shortstop and Arismendy Alcantara in center, didn't take long to make a big impact in the major leagues as he became the first player since 1981 to hit a go-ahead home run in the 12th inning or later of his MLB debut. Fortunately, the best is still yet to come for Baez as his combination of size, strength, and off the charts bat speed makes him an absolute menace to face in the batter's box. The value of getting his offense from a middle-infield position going forward can't be overstated. If a dynasty draft were starting today, he'd rank alongside of Byron Buxton and Kris Bryant.
Jake Marisnick, OF, Astros
One deadline trade that may have gone under the radar was the swap between the Marlins and Astros. Jarred Cosart when to Miami in the deal, which also sent Marisnick and Colin Moran to Houston. Now, the Astros haven't exactly had a season to remember both on and off the field, but I really like this trade for them. Marisnick wasn't tearing up Triple-A when he was still in the Miami organization (.277/.326/.424), but he's athletic and will contribute home runs and steals. In only 18 MLB games this year, he has five steals without being caught. Marisnick's approach isn't as disciplined as he might like and there was minimal progression in his BB:K ratio in Triple-A over the past two seasons (17:68 in 2013, 17:64 this year). There are definitely scenarios where he doesn't figure it out at the plate, but if he can cut down his swing, the modest power and speed upside is there.
Colin Moran, 3B, Astros
Moran, the sixth overall pick in the draft in 2013, is the real meat of the Cosart trade. The Astros have had their eye on Moran since the draft as there were rumors they might take him first overall before deciding on pitcher Mark Appel. Moran, a polished hitter and good defender at third base, was promoted to Double-A immediately after the trade. Cosart won't be a free agent until 2020, but Houston could look at getting Marisnick and Moran as a big steal. In 20 starts with Houston, Cosart had a 4.02 FIP and 1.46 WHIP. His stuff isn't overpowering and will likely play much better in the National League. Marisnick and Moran won't turn into the next M&M boys, but Moran alone could provide more value. He projects as an above average regular.
Willy Adames, SS, Rays
Nobody had their stock shoot up on trade deadline day like Willy Adames. Now, he wasn't all the Rays received in return for lefty David Price, but Adames does make up a third of the package that was sent to Tampa. Going from a non-top 100 prospect at the beginning of the season to getting traded for Price is certainly something, but other teams were so impressed with his play early in the season that they sent plenty of scouts to West Michigan. Even before the deadline, Adames' name came up in nearly every Tigers trade rumor. After trading other prospects for Joakim Soria, moving Adames seemed to be the only way the Tigers could add a big piece. He hit .269/.346/.428 in the Midwest League before the trade. His approach at the plate is impressive and he's undeniably a promising young player (Adames doesn't turn 19 until September), but he has a long way to go before we see him in the majors. Jacob Turner, the lead prospect in a deal which brought the Tigers Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante in 2012, was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Tuesday, which raises the ultimate question: Why would anyone buy what Dave Dombrowski is selling?
