The Z Files: Batter's Brigade, Part One

A few weeks back, colleague Brad Johnson wrote his annual "Kids on Parade" watch list for up and coming pitching. We had some requests for a similar piece for hitting. Ask and ye shall receiver, so here's Part One of the "Batter's Brigade", a review of some sticks with a chance to make an impact next season.

Today's focus will be infielders in line to contribute in 2018, next week I'll review catchers and outfielders. Many of the subjects appeared in the majors this past season, so I'll use Rookie of the Year eligibility as the filter. These aren't rankings, more just a list of names to consider for those who prefer to speculate on upside rather than play it safe with the likes of Mitch Moreland or Jordy Mercer. Please refer to the site's Top 400 Fantasy Baseball Prospects for frequently updated rankings.

FIRST BASE

Bobby Bradley, Cleveland Indians: The 21-year old lefty-swinging slugger likely won't break camp with the Indians, but depending on what the club does with the position, Bradley could be an in-season addition to a team looking to return to the playoffs. Carlos Santana is a free agent, while the Tribe probably prefers to keep Edwin Encarnacion as their primary designated hitter. Bradley spent the season with Double-A Akron, displaying pop with 29 homers in 131 games along with a discerning eye. Like most young power hitters, strikeouts will be key as he progresses. A 74 percent contact rate may not seem encouraging, but it was an improvement over previous marks, plus he was a little younger than most at the level. Bradley is getting more seasoning in the Arizona Fall League. He's likely ticketed for Triple-A Columbus to begin 2018, but if he continues to make reasonable contact, he could be a second-half call-up. Keep an eye on how Cleveland deals with Santana's impending departure as that could be a sign how close they think Bradley is to contributing.

Ronald Guzman, Texas Rangers: While declining the 2018 option on Mike Napoli doesn't clear a spot for Guzman, it's one less obstacle. A healthy Adrian Beltre mans the hot corner, pushing Joey Gallo across the diamond, though an injury to the aging Beltre or an improbably power outage from Gallo could change things. While Guzman doesn't possess the power typical of a first baseman, he smacks ample extra base hits to be a run producer. After spending a month at Triple-A Round Rock in 2016, Guzman toiled for the Express all of 2017, improving his skills across the board. Guzman just turned 22, so there's still time for home run power to develop. He's not the type you want as an anchor in mixed leagues, but lacking the prospect hype of others, the cost is minimal for deeper formats.

Also consider: Rowdy Tellez, Toronto Blue Jays

SECOND BASE

Scott Kingery, Philadelphia Phillies: It's a little surprising Kingery didn't get a roster-expansion call in September. Don't read anything into it, as he's still very much a part of the Phillies' future, perhaps sooner than later. The major roadblock is an improving Cesar Hernandez, who deserves to be starting for someone at the keystone sack. If Philadelphia finds a taker, Kingery could break camp with the big club. This past season, Kingery split time between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley, notching a combined 26 homers and 29 steals – hence the fantasy appeal. Kingery's numbers dropped at the higher level, so the brass may opt to keep him with Lehigh to start the year, then look to move Hernandez mid-season. A hot spring could force their hand, but either way, look for Kingery to debut in 2018.

Franklin Barreto, Oakland Athletics: Admittedly, listing Barreto as a second baseman is the fantasy analyst version of poetic license, but shortstop is loaded, second base is weak and Barreto has dabbled on the right side of middle infield. In fact, Barreto split time between second and shortstop with the Athletics in September. He was overmatched, striking out 33 times in 76 plate appearances, but then he won't turn 22 until February. Barreto spent the 2017 campaign with Triple-A Nashville, slashing .290/.339/.456, which is impressive considering age versus level. Something to note is while Barreto has good wheels, his stolen base success rate needs work, as he swiped just 45 bags in 70 attempts combined in Double-A and Triple-A. This is an area easily improved with coaching, so don't discount Barreto's ability to be a solid runner at the major-league level. Considering Barreto's contact woes in the Show, along with Oakland's intention of bringing back Jed Lowrie, expect Barreto to begin 2018 back in Triple-A. However, while it remains to be seen where Barreto lands defensively, he'll remains firmly in the middle infield on Ricky Henderson Field.

Also consider: Luis Urias, San Diego Padres

SHORTSTOP

Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees: If it weren't for Tommy John surgery last May, we could be talking about the Yankees kiddie-core of Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Torres leading the club through the playoffs. Torres, who'll turn 22 in mid-December, is the baby of the group. He's begun swinging a bat, so he should be good to go come spring training. A shortstop by trade, a position switch is likely in store as Didi Gregorius has solidified himself as Derek Jeter's long-term replacement. Torres' stick should play at third, though he could also slide across to second base, especially considering the arm surgery. Currently blessed with more speed than power, it's easy to project increasing pop as he matures into his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. Unless he crushes it this spring, expect Torres to start the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. However, if he displays no ill effects from the injury, Torres should be summoned in plenty of time to compete for the second straight American League Rookie of the Year Award to go to a Bronx Bomber.

Willy Adames, Tampa Bay Rays: Continuing the theme of fantasy friendly power/speed middle infielders, Adames is close to breaking through with the Rays. Acquired by the Rays along with Nick Franklin and Drew Smyly in the David Price deal, Adames is the last one remaining with the club. Adames, who reached his 22nd birthday early last month, recorded a .277/.360/.415 line with 10 homers and 11 pilfers for Triple-A Jacksonville. An 11 percent walk rate in tandem with a 23 percent strikeout rate at his young age suggests Adames can make the jump to the bigs. The Rays have arbitration-eligible Adeiny Hechavarria, Daniel Robertson and the returning Matt Duffy in tow, so there's no need to rush Adames. Plus, the club is likely to maximize their control, so don't expect him to break camp. However, especially if they're in the playoff hunt, there isn't anyone, including Duffy, blocking Adames from a mid to late-season promotion.

Also consider: Brendan Rodgers, Colorado Rockies; Jorge Mateo, Oakland Athletics; Nick Gordon, Minnesota Twins

THIRD BASE

Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds: Senzel, the second overall pick in the June 2017 draft, is certainly on the fast track, having advanced to Double-A Pensacola to end the 2017 campaign. Actually, Senzel's season was cut short after he experienced symptoms of vertigo in late August, though he's expected to be fine with no residual effects this spring. A polished hitter with advanced plate skills and burgeoning power, Senzel should excel in the homer-friendly confines of the Great American Ballpark, along with being athletic enough to swipe some bags, too. Eugenio Suarez has been a pleasant surprise and is still under club control, but he's just keeping the hot corner warm for a potential fantasy difference-maker. The plan is for Senzel to begin the campaign at Triple-A Louisville, with a call-up sometime in 2018. A tell could be what the Reds do to compensate for the loss of Zack Cozart to free agency. There's a few internal options, but if Suarez is moved back to shortstop, that could signal Senzel's arrival in the The Queen City could come sooner rather than later.

Michael Chavis, Boston Red Sox: This is really stretching the limits of poetic license as not only is Chavis not as likely as any of the others to play in 2018, he's being groomed at first base with Rafael Devers secure at the position. However, since there aren't any other third baseman by trade on the cusp of contributing, Chavis gets the nod. Boston asked Chavis to pack a first baseman's mitt before heading to the Arizona Fall League, as it appears Sam Travis won't hit enough to warrant playing the position full-time on a team with championship aspiration. The Red Sox will likely find a stopgap to replace Mitch Moreland, as Hanley Ramirez can't be expected to don the leather on a regular basis. Who they sign could be a harbinger of their plans for Chavis. The 22-year-old righty demonstrated nice power, clubbing 31 long balls combined for High-A Salem and Double-A Portland without sacrificing contact as he lowered his strikeout rate from previous seasons. After summoning Yoan Moncada in 2016 and Devers this past season, Boston isn't afraid to promote young talent to fortify a playoff run. Chavis won't begin the 2018 campaign in the majors, but he could get a look at the Green Monster sometime later in the season.

Also consider: Ryan McMahon, Colorado Rockies