The Toronto Blue Jays have two hitters currently at Triple-A that could make some noise the second half of the major league season and help fantasy owners out in their run to winning a league championship. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud has been on fire of late with a .409 batting average in his last 10 games with four home runs and 14 RBI. For the season, d’Arnaud is hitting .322 with 13 home runs and 37 RBI and is looking like a potential candidate for promotion by the All-Star break.
His teammate, outfielder Anthony Gose, could also provide a nice benefit for fantasy owners looking for stolen bases later in the season. Gose is batting .297 for the Las Vegas 51s with three home runs, 27 RBI and 24 stolen bases. While he will likely not hit for a high average given his strikeout rate, he could provide 10-15 stolen bases for fantasy teams down the stretch if he gets promoted.
A disappointment in 2011, starting pitcher Simon Castro looks to be back on track this season in Double-A with the Chicago White Sox. Acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Carlos Quentin trade, Castro has a 3.45 ERA in 11 starts with 60 strikeouts in 73 innings, with only 14 walks issued. If he can maintain his control, he will have a shot at some possible starts at the end of the season in the major leagues.
The Detroit Tigers promoted third basemen Nick Castellanos to Double-A Erie after he hit .405 in 215 at bats with three home runs and 32 RBI at the lower level. At just 20 years of age, Castellanos has shown the ability to hit for a high average but has yet to display much power with just 10 home runs in 722 at bats over the last two seasons.
With the Oakland Athletics looking to rebuild their pitching staff after a series of trades this past year, right-hander A.J. Griffin could see some starts later this season. Griffin made seven starts at Double-A before being promoted to AAA where he has made five starts so far. For the season between the two levels, Griffin has a 3.10 ERA in 72 2/3 innings with 68 strikeouts and only 13 walks allowed.
Third basemen Mike Olt of the Texas Rangers looks like he is ready for a promotion to Triple-A soon with a .317 batting average in 202 at bats with 17 home runs and 45 RBI. With Adrian Beltre signed to a long term deal, Olt could be a valuable trade chip at the deadline this summer. Olt’s teammate Barret Loux has gotten off to a 10-0 start with the Frisco Roughriders with a 3.03 ERA in 11 starts. Over 62 1/3 innings, Loux has allowed 20 walks with 58 strikeouts.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran has a 3.15 ERA in 11 starts with 43 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings. It may be hard to remember that he is still just 21-years-old so don’t be quick to abandon ship on him in keeper league formats. Given the lack of quality performances by some of the Braves current starters, he could be in line for a promotion soon.
Starting pitcher Zach Wheeler continues to dominate at AA for the New York Mets and should be in line for a promotion in the near future. Wheeler has a 1.88 ERA in 52 2/3 innings with 60 strikeouts. He has held opposing hitters to a .169 batting average against while allowing just one home run so far this season.
