MLB Player News

Despite getting a lot of attention this spring for his jewelry, Clark is a very talented player who hit .271/.403/.432 with 14 home runs and 19 steals in 111 games split between High-A and Double-A last year as a 20-year-old. Clark struggled in spring training, but he also posted a 92 percent zone contact rate and an 84 percent contact rate overall, so he was not overmatched. The Tigers will use the next couple of weeks to decide what affiiliate he will begin the season at, but he could absolutely play his way into Detroit’s lineup this eason.

A simple connect the dots exercise seems to indicate that Wesneski, who threw a bullpen session in Los Angeles after traveling with the club, will come off the injured list to take Spencer Arrighetti’s spot in Houston’s rotation. The 28-year-old hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since last May when he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. It’s a decent matchup for streaming purposes and Wesneski has looked good in recent rehab outings, including striking out seven over four shutout frames for Triple-A Sugar Land last Friday. He’s at least worth a speculative pickup in extremely deep leagues.

Valdez was struck by a pitch on the left hand during the fourth inning of Monday’s series opener in Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old rookie sensation, who has hit 14 homers in 38 games this season, will head for X-ray to determine whether he suffered any fractures. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

It’ll be made up as a split doubleheader on Tuesday instead. Monday’s original starters Chase Burns and Slade Cecconi will presumably beb pushed back to take the ball at some point during the twin bill.

Strosnider receives a $2.1 million signing bonus, which is well above the $1.35 million slot value for the 60th overall pick. The 21-year-old outfielder possesses tremendous athleticism and elite bat speed, allowing him to generate plus raw power while remaining a stolen-base threat. Questions about his hit tool and offensive approach are the primary reasons he slipped to the end of the second round, but he couldn’t have landed in a much better organization. Milwaukee’s player development engine has earned a reputation for maximizing offensive talent, and if the Brewers can help Strosnider tighten his swing decisions, the physical tools are loud enough for him to develop into an impact fantasy contributor someday.

Lowrance is one of the more intriguing fantasy prospects from this draft class, especially since he landed in Los Angeles with the 40th pick. The 18-year-old possesses an excellent hit tool and athleticism for his size at 6-foot-5 and should grow into some over-the-fence power as he matures physically. He’s a name to watch in long-term keeper and dynasty leagues.

Ebel heads to Milwaukee to join his older brother Brady, who was the club’s first-round pick last year. The 17-year-old shortstop, who is the son of Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel, figures to stick at shortstop and boasts an above-average hit tool for his age. He’s obviously a long ways from reaching the big leagues.

Townsend receives a below-slot deal for $3.1 million after being taken 23rd overall by Chicago earlier this month. The 21-year-old instantly becomes one of the club’s better pitching prospects after a strong collegiate career at Mississippi State.

It’s a bit of a surprise that Flukey fell to the 22nd pick and the Tigers were able to sign him for $3.8 million. The 21-year-old righty was limited to just 24 starts in his final collegiate campaign at Coastal Carolina, but his stuff remained strong enough to ensure that he would still be a first-rounder. There’s an argument to be made that he’s the second-best pitching prospect in this draft class.

Borthwick receives a $3.8 million signing bonus after being taken by San Diego with the 21st overall pick earlier this month. The 18-year-old prep righty boasts a four-pitch repertoire and has the prototypical size at 6-foot-6 to envision him becoming a rotation mainstay at the highest level someday.

Peterson gets the full $4.53 million slot value from the Guardians as the 19th overall pick in the draft. The 21-year-old is mostly projection at this stage of his development, but he’s armed with a near-elite slider and misses plenty of bats. He’s not close to making a fantasy impact, but he’s interesting.