Regan's Rumblings: 30 Teams, 30 “Interesting” Guys

Given the volume of questions coming my way related to keepers and 2017 planning, I'll shift my focus this week to one player in each of baseball's 30 organizations who I find interesting and worth a quick write-up. Many of these guys aren't well-known in shallower formats, but hopefully this is helpful.

NL West

Peter O'Brien (OF-ARI) – Basically the NL version of Evan Gattis. Batting .282/.307/.586 with 21 homers and a 111:11 K:BB for Triple-A Reno. He will be traded to the AL his winter and could be a DH/OF sleeper in 2017.

Adam Ottavino (RP-COL) – Sure he could get hurt again, but you could say that about most other pitchers as well. Ottavino has been lights out since returning from Tommy John surgery, allowing no runs in 11.2 innings to take over as Rockies' closer. Look for Ottavino to keep that job next year and save 35+ games with a bunch of strikeouts.

Rob Segedin (3B/OF-LAD) – Josh Donaldson didn't establish himself as a viable big leaguer until he was 27, the same age Segedin is right now. I'm not comparing the two in terms of future or past performance, but perhaps Segedin is a similar late-bloomer. After tearing it up in spring training, Segedin batted .319/.392/.598 for Triple-A Oklahoma City before recently making his big league debut. In his one and only big league start, Segedin had a single and double to drive in four runs, but the playing time just won't be there for him right now. He played third base in the minors, so that makes him a candidate to take over for Justin Turner after this year (free agent), but let's just say that his defense hasn't received rave reviews. I don't know what the Dodgers would do with Segedin next year, but I'd love to see what he could do with a full season of big league at-bats somewhere.

Alex Dickerson (OF-SD) – Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe should see significant time in the San Diego outfield next year, but it won't be at the expense of Dickerson, who has been surprisingly (to me at least) effective this year. Dickerson has a 1.047 AAA OPS and a .920 mark in the big leagues, and one thing that impresses me especially is that the lefty swinger is batting .294 vs. southpaws, albeit in just 17 at-bats.

Matt Cain (SP-SF) – I continue to hold out hope here, perhaps irrationally so. Cain's fastball velocity is down just 0.9 mph since 2011, so I do think the veteran can figure things out and become an above-average starter as long as his health permits. In 10 innings over his last two starts, Cain hasn't allowed a run, but he's also walked seven, so any real fantasy contribution may still not come until 2017.

NL Central

Javier Baez (2B-CHC) – The Cubs will likely deal Jorge Soler for pitching this winter and that should make Ben Zobrist the left fielder while opening up second base for Baez. Hitting .277/.315/.446 with 11 homers and nine stolen bases in 302 PA's, Baez still struggles with pitch recognition (3.6% BB%), but we've seen guys improve that number with more experience. Baez has hit as many as 37 home runs in a single minor league season (2013), so he could easily be a top-10 fantasy second baseman next year.

Billy Hamilton (OF-CIN) – Since the All-Star break, Hamilton has a .367 OBP with 23 stolen bases in just 97 PA's. Project that over 700 PA's and you have over 160 steals, which is obviously insane. 98 PA's isn't a huge sample size, but it's enough for me to say that he's made enough progress to be a potential second-round fantasy pick next year.

Lewis Brinson (OF-MIL) – You've probably heard of Brinson as a result of the Jonathan Lucroy deal, but it's worth noting that after putting up a disappointing .711 OPS in Double-A with the Rangers, the Brewers bumped him to Triple-A where he's been on fire ever since. In eight games since the trade, Brinson is batting .455/.455/.667 with a home run and four steals. He should get a look soon and be a fixture in the Milwaukee outfield for many years or until the next rebuild.

Adam Frazier (2B-PIT) – Sure, Josh Harrison could man this position again in 2017, but since making the 2014 All-Star team, Harrison hasn't been quite the same (.300 OBP, 4 HR this year). Frazier could be the guy going forward, despite the utter lack of power. In 350 minor league games, Frazier has just three home runs, but he does have a .363 OBP and 47 steals, though he's also been caught stealing a whopping 45% of the time. He's fared well in his brief big league stint, so put him on your NL-only keeper league radar.

Greg Garcia (SS/3B-STL) – Garcia has provided sneaky value in OBP leagues this year with a .394 OBP in 160 PA's to go with three homers and a stolen base. The counting stats aren't all that impressive, but I expect the Cardinals to consider dealing Jhonny Peralta this winter to ease the infield logjam.

NL East

Mauricio Cabrera (RP-ATL) – He'll be the Braves closer next year once Arodys Vizcaino is traded and Jim Johnson departs as a free agent only to fail once some team gives him an ill-advised two-year $12 million deal. Cabrera is averaging 100.3 mph with his fastball (!), but posts just an 8.3 K/9. That will change next year and he'll be a top-10 closer once he gets a full spring training with big league coaching. Heck, maybe I'm selling him short.

Austin Brice (P-MIA) – I'm not sure whether the Marlins intend on using Brice in the rotation, but that's where he belongs. He's not an elite prospect, but I do think there's something to like here. He can throw in the mid-90s, is a solid 6-foot-4, and has made significant progress this year in addressing his control. After putting up a 5.0 BB/9 last year in Double-A, Brice improved that to 2.8 this year. I'd have expected with a big fastball that his K/9 would be higher than 7.6, so there is a decent case to put him in the bullpen. He's not a mixed-league option, but in deep NL-only leagues, I'd give him a look if it turns out he's going to get starts.

Michael Conforto (OF-NYM) – I'm wondering whether the Mets will consider dealing Conforto this winter given they have a plethora of left-handed hitting outfielders and the fact he'll have more value than Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson. Conforto has had a disappointing sophomore season, but upon being sent to Triple-A, he apparently took it well, batting .344/.420/.603 and getting the call back to the Mets. He probably won't have a spot on the team once Yoenis Cespedes (quad) returns in a week or so, but I do really like his swing and think he can be a cornerstone type guy for some team.

Hector Neris (RP-PHI) – Should the Phillies fail to trade Jeanmar Gomez this winter, I'd consider firing GM Matt Klentak. Gomez has a surprising 29 saves this year, but with a 5.7 K/9, can we really count on him doing that again? I think he'll be moved this winter. That makes Neris the overwhelming favorite (in my book at least) to lead the team in saves next year. The Phillies have money, but a rebuilding team spending big money on a closer just isn't happening. Neris, meanwhile has closer credentials, including a 93-96 mph fastball, 2.50 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and most impressively, an 11.1 K/9.

Anthony Rendon (3B-WAS) – Rendon is my new Rickie Weeks, a guy with a lofty draft position, a lot of hype, and early MLB success who has fallen on hard times. Rendon has been better this year than last, but a .265 BA and 13 homers from a guy who I figured would be a .300-30-100 guy by now is disappointing. Still, I have a hard time letting go of guys with his history, so yes, Rendon will end up on more than one of my teams next year, but given my similar history with guys like Weeks and the Upton brothers, you may do well to avoid him.

AL West

Michael Feliz (RP-HOU) – The Astros will likely continue to have Ken Giles, Will Harris, and Luke Gregerson around next year, but Feliz could be a bit of a sleeper to lead the team in saves. Despite spending the entire year in the bullpen, Feliz looks to be a lock to top 100 strikeouts with his 13.2 K/9 and elite mid-to-upper 90s stuff. Sometimes guys connect with the fastball and it goes a long way, but Feliz should be able to work on that as he progresses and gains experience.

Cam Bedrosian (RP-LAA) – Bedrosian has been one of the few highlights for a team that has used Andrelton Simmons and his one home run in the cleanup spot lately. He's out with a finger injury right now, but when healthy, Bedrosian has put up a 1.12 ERA in 40.1 innings with an 11.4 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. He's averaged 95.3 mph with his fastball, and clearly has the look of the team's future closer. Huston Street is signed through 2017 with a 2018 team option, but with the Angels sporting perhaps baseball's worst farm system, I fully expect Street to be traded this winter.

Ryon Healy (3B-OAK) – The overall lack of talent on the A's roster (especially the hitters) is pretty alarming, but could Healy be a starter in 2016? In AA/AAA this year, Healy hit a combined .326/.382/.558 with 14 homers in 85 games. He hasn't done near that well in the big leagues, of course, (.238/.265/.413) but lots of guys need time to adjust to levels. Honestly, if you look over the A's roster and consider that they can't exactly go out and spend big money, a solid performance down the stretch will go a long way in giving Healy a lead on a starting job in 2017.

Ariel Miranda (SP-SEA) – Miranda doesn't have a huge ceiling by any means, but he'll get a shot now to stick in the rotation. Miranda held the Red Sox to a pair of runs in six innings in a recent start, so a lefty who averages over 93 mph and pitches in a pitcher-friendly park deserves a look.

Jurickson Profar (SS/3B-TEX) – I fully expect Profar to be a full-time player next year, whether it be in Texas or some other team in a trade for a pitcher. He's batting .280/.340/.407 this year, and given his overall talent, the best is yet to come.

AL Central

Carlos Rodon (SP-CHW) – I expect Rodon to be the team's Opening Day starter in 2017. Sure, Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, and James Shields make him the No. 4 starter right now, but I fully expect the White Sox to fire GM Kenny Williams and manager Robin Ventura this winter and go into full rebuild mode. Given their top two prospects are a catch they just drafted (Zack Collins) and a guy they are using as a reliever now (Carson Fullmer), this is for the best. Rodon has been a disappointment this year with a 4.48 ERA and 1.51 WHIP, but he still has a high ceiling.

Greg Allen (OF-CLE) – Don't sleep on this guy. He's 23 and was just promoted to Double-A, so it would seem he's been a bit old for his level, but with Clint Frazier having been traded to the Yankees, this could help Allen's chances at seeing MLB time next year. Sure, Michael Brantley could recover from his shoulder injury and claim a spot. Bradley Zimmer is arguably the team's top prospect and he's an outfielder close to big league action, but Allen has a .412 OBP and 39 steals with more walks (61) than strikeouts (60). Dynasty leagues take note.

Shane Greene (RP-DET) – With the Tigers on the hook for $120 million to six players next year, it's hard to see them paying big bucks for a closer. Perhaps they can get Francisco Rodriguez back on a cheap deal, but I think they open 2017 with Greene in the closer role. He's allowed just two runs in his last 10.1 innings, and after allowing lefties to bat .363 with five HR in 199 PA's last year, that same group is batting .232 with no homers in 74 PA's this season.

Paulo Orlando (OF-KC) – Orlando has wrestled the RF job away from Jarrod Dyson, pushing Dyson to his familiar 4th spot again. Orlando has hit a stunning .331/.354/.434 with three homers and nine stolen bases in 304 plate appearances despite an ugly 61:7 K:BB. I'd be skeptical for a few reasons: he's 30, he had a .269 OBP last year, and his BABIP is .412. Ride him while he's hot, but look for the Royals to bring in some competition next winter, likely pushing Orlando to a reserve role once his numbers start to come down.

Kennys Vargas (DH-MIN) – This guy can hit, so naturally the Twins aren't using him, giving him just two starts in the last seven games despite Vargas batting .278/.404/.569 in 89 at-bats. That's admittedly a small sample size, but apparently not enough to get him playing time over the likes of Joe Mauer, Miguel Sano, and others.

AL East

Dylan Bundy (SP-BAL) – It's good to see the "SP" and not "RP" next to Bundy's name. In his last four starts covering 23.2 innings, Bundy has an insane 29:2 K:BB with a 1.90 ERA. This is too small a sample size to conclude that Bundy is now the elite starter we thought he could be four years ago when he was the top pitching prospect in the game, but this is certainly encouraging. He'll end up starting one of the team's first three games next year and for good or for bad, there will be no innings restriction in 2017.

Yoan Moncada (3B-BOS) – We'll see a sneak preview in September, but Moncada will be Boston's Opening Day third baseman next year. Moncada is batting .299/.403/.512 with 44 stolen bases in the minors. His HR total (12) is relatively modest, but seven of those homers have come in his last 23 games. There is no team in the league with more elite young talent than Boston when you think about Moncada, Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, etc.

Luis Severino (SP-NYY) – Perhaps the Yankees will try and make up for the losses of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller by using Severino out of the bullpen full-time, but doing that without giving him another shot in the rotation would be a mistake. He's allowed just one run in three relief appearances covering 8.1 innings, but as a starter, Severino has posted a 7.55 ERA in 39.1 innings. He did, however, have a 3.25 ERA and 57:15 K:BB in 63.2 innings in Triple-A as a starter and he's just 22, so given the Yankees are in dire need of starters for 2017, he should get a look and I think he'll thrive given his raw stuff.

Matt Andriese (SP-TB) – With Alex Cobb likely returning later this month from the DL, Andriese could find himself pushed to the bullpen, but look for the Rays to deal a guy like Jake Odorizzi or Chris Archer this winter. Andriese has posted a 2.90 ERA in 80.2 innings for the Rays this year split between the rotation and bullpen. He looks to be a low-ceiling/high-floor guy, but that's still of value in a lot of leagues.

Marcus Stroman (SP-TOR) – I've seen several of Stroman's starts this year and I'm confident in declaring him the best starter in baseball with an ERA greater than 4.75. That may generate a chuckle or two, but I just think his stuff his that of a No. 2 starter (or more). He's generating a 3.5 GB/FB rate with an impressive 2.3 BB/9, and all Stroman needs to do from what I've observed is to continue developing his breaking stuff and keep gaining experience after missing most of 2015 with a torn ACL.