With the Super Two deadline approaching, we may start to see an influx of prospects called up to make their major league debuts. One of them, perhaps the most exciting of the bunch, has already arrived and highlights this week’s waiver wire targets. Be on the lookout for more in the coming weeks.
Waiver-Wire Targets:
Cincinnati Reds SS Elly De La Cruz — I mean, duh. The 21-year-old’s debut this week was one of the most anticipated in recent memory, as De La Cruz has skyrocketed up prospect rankings to consensus top-five status thanks to his elite athleticism and insane exit velocities. He’s hit safely in all three games thus far and made a strong first impression with a monstrous 458-foot home run in just his second game, followed by a triple in his next at bat in which he posted the fastest home-to-third time in baseball this season. The guy is a freak. He needs to be rostered everywhere.
Miami Marlins OF Bryan De La Cruz — It’s a De La Cruz party on this week’s waiver wire. While South Beach’s edition might be a tad less exciting, he might be equally productive. So far in June, De La Cruz is batting .320 with a home run and 10 runs batted in. That’s after he hit .337 in May with a .939 OPS. During the past calendar month, his 178 wRC+ ranks sixth among qualified hitters. Despite his excellent season in which he’s also knocked eight home runs and stolen three bases, he’s rostered in just 31.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
Cincinnati Reds LHP Andrew Abbott — I don’t have any pitchers named De La Cruz to highlight, but I do have another exciting young Cincinnati Red. After striking out an absurd 90 hitters in 54 innings across Double-A and Triple-A this season, Abbott made his big-league debut on June 5 and gave up just one hit in six scoreless innings, walking four and striking out six. He’s expected to be given an extended look in the rotation. I like Abbott in redraft leagues, but I love him in dynasty. Just beware of rookie growing pains, especially in the bandbox that is Great American Ball Park.
Detroit Tigers RHP Michael Lorenzen — The former two-way player is fourth in ERA since the beginning of May, yet I hardly see anybody talking about him. He has gone at least six innings with one earned run or fewer in five of his last six starts. Lorenzen isn’t exactly racking up strikeouts, but he won’t hurt you there either. He has limited walks, contributing to a 0.99 WHIP on the season. He’ll start on June 9 at home, where he has a 2.66 ERA this season.
Honorable Mention:
Colorado Rockies INF Ryan McMahon
Cleveland Guardians 1B Josh Naylor
Miami Marlins RHP Eury Perez
Cleveland Guardians LHP Logan Allen