Following a 3-for-5 efficiency Sunday, Chicago Cubs first-base prospect Matt Mervis entered the week slashing .288/.410/.576 for Triple-A Iowa, with 5 dwelling runs and 21 RBIs. The April binge from Mervis is mostly a continuation of a stellar 2022 season through which he hit 36 homers and 40 doubles throughout three minor-league ranges, delivering an OPS of .984.
At this level, it is robust to make the case that the 25-year-old slugger requires any further seasoning. Mervis is probably going as prepared as he is gonna get. He has been showcasing his parking-deck energy for months:
In the meantime, on the major-league stage, the Cubs are getting next-to-zero manufacturing from their main first basemen and DHs:
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Eric Hosmer: .241/.305/.352, 1 HR
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Trey Mancini: .232/.260/.333, 2 HR
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Edwin Rios: .063/.250/.250, 1 HR
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Luis Torrens: .250/.318/.300, 0 HR
Hosmer leads MLB in ground-ball fee (65.1%), and Mancini is not far behind (56.3%). So yeah, it could be time to #FreeMervis. Chicago is a shocking 12-9 in the meanwhile, regardless of the dreadful efficiency of two spots within the batting order that historically provide energy and run manufacturing. A severe staff would invite Mervis (and Christopher Morel) to the social gathering.
Mervis is a beneficial energy stash, nonetheless out there in additional than 90% of Yahoo leagues.
Varied different farm nuggets
— The Dodgers have actually been hit hard by the paternity bug, resulting in a call-up alternative for Michael Busch, one of the crucial scorching-hot hitters within the excessive minors. Busch is slashing an outrageous .337/.461/.506 at Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis. He cleared the fence 32 instances final yr within the excessive minors, driving in 108 runs and reaching base at a .365 clip (and placing out 167 instances). He would not have a transparent path to prolonged enjoying time simply but, however his MLB cameo might nonetheless be enjoyable. In a less-loaded group, followers would’ve been clamoring for his arrival way back.
— Reds left-handed pitching prospect Andrew Abbott was rewarded with a well-deserved promotion to Triple-A after he opened his season with an absurd 36 Ks over 15.2 innings at Double-A Chattanooga — yup, these are precise numbers. Abbott has allowed solely three walks, six hits and two runs in his three begins. He is not a pure triple-digit flamethrower, however he has a vigorous sufficient mid-90s fastball and a vicious curve. File away the title for later use.
— Rays prospect Kyle Manzardo hit a 455-foot moonshot over the weekend towards Dylan Bundy throughout a 3-for-4, two-homer efficiency for Durham:
Final yr, Manzardo hit 22 bombs with a .327 common in 93 video games throughout two ranges. He appears lots comfy at Triple-A thus far this season, hitting .283/.371/.600 with 5 homers and 9 XBHs.
— If we will simply get David Hamilton to the massive leagues, it might tackle quite a lot of fantasy issues for me personally. The 25-year-old shortstop has been binging at Triple-A Worcester, slashing .338/.397/.600 with 4 homers and 11 steals, which leads the Worldwide League. He swiped 70 baggage at Portland final season, so the velocity could be very actual.
— Tanner Bibee has been dealing at Triple-A Columbus, placing out 19 batters in 15.1 innings whereas permitting three runs in three begins. There’s no less than a chance that we’ll see Bibee take the mound for the Guardians on Wednesday towards Colorado, which might be an actionable fantasy occasion. He has 4 high quality pitches and might attain the upper-90s as wanted. Final yr, he struck out 83 batters in 73.2 innings at Double-Some time delivering a 0.88 WHIP. He is most likely prepared for a brand new problem.
— Matthew Liberatore has punched out 36 hitters in his 27.2 innings for Triple-A Memphis, profitable three of his 5 begins whereas sustaining an ERA of two.60. He is coming off a stable spring, and it appears he has made significant velocity beneficial properties. He is possible the subsequent man up if/when an harm hits the Cardinals’ rotation.
