Now that the dust has settled on the MLB trade deadline, fantasy baseball rookie addicts can, once again, get their fix.
The trade market buyers have loaded up their teams with strong veteran talent, so their rookies aren’t expected to arrive until rosters expand in September, if at all.
For the sellers, it’s a much different story, as they now need to replenish their rosters and give some of these kids a chance to audition for next year. This is where fantasy managers can find an advantage, especially if they know who the hot prospects are right now. If you are in need of help in the outfield, both the Marlins and Orioles just might have what you need.
With the trade of Jesús Sánchez to Houston, the Marlins restocked their outfield with Troy Johnston and Jakob Marsee. Johnston is a 28-year-old who has been floundering in the minors since 2019 and doesn’t really have much fantasy appeal. Maybe a splash of speed, but there is a reason this is his first call-up. Marsee is a 24-year-old power/speed threat who has ascended quickly through the Marlins system and has the plate discipline you covet in a rookie. In any player actually.
Marsee has posted a career 15-plus percent walk rate throughout his time in the minors, strikes out fewer than 23 percent of the time and has become an OBP machine. He has appeared in seven games since his call-up and has walked just as much as he has whiffed, which is impressive, for sure.
He has homered once, has four RBIs, four runs scored and one stolen base, and though the .450 batting average is being boosted by a .615 BABIP, the .577 on-base percentage, while bloated in a small sample size, is still believable. It won’t stay that high, but a .350 OBP is certainly in the cards and beyond helpful in fantasy. Add in the power and speed potential, and this is a fun kid to watch.
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If someone in your league has already pounced on Marsee, keep a watchful eye on the Orioles, who are expected to call up 23-year-old Dylan Beavers soon. In a recent interview, GM Mike Elias stated Beavers was close to making his MLB debut and it would be “beneficial” for him to get a taste of the majors this year.
Beavers has a slash line of .309/.423/.538 at Triple-A Norfolk with 18 home runs and 22 stolen bases. Recent adjustments to the dimensions of Camden Yards have made it a little more favorable for left-handed hitters than it had been, and with Beavers’ on-base work and power/speed combo, he could slot into the middle of the lineup. Keep your eyes glued to the transaction pages.
A number of the sellers from the MLB trade deadline are expected to make moves to bring up their youngsters right now with Marsee and Beavers just scratching the surface. The savvy fantasy managers are already making roster adjustments to make room for these players. Don’t just wait until September. The rookie frenzy has already begun.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball news and advice.
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