I’ll be running down everything that caught my eye in the Dynasty Baseball world on most Mondays throughout the season. Here is the Monday Morning Dynasty Baseball Rundown (7/12/21):

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-July 2021 OBP/OPS/PTS “Universal” Dynasty Baseball Rankings
-10 Dynasty Baseball Players to Target
-Dynasty Baseball Trade Strategies at the Halfway Point (Contending, Mid Pack, Rebuilding)
-Top 300 June 2021 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings
-2021/22 Top 50 First Year Player Draft Dynasty Baseball Rankings

Ronald Acuna ATL, OF, 23.6 – The baseball world wept as Acuna went down with a torn ACL. Even if you are contending, I think you just gotta suck it up and hold no matter how much it sucks. Acuna is too good of a long term piece to give up even if it does get a you championship this year. I just ranked him #2 overall in my ongoing Updated Dynasty Rankings over on my Patreon, and this injury will knock him down to 5th overall.

Brennen Davis CHC, OF, 21.8 – Davis was the star of the Futures Game as he blasted off for 2 dingers, one of which was a 428 foot bomb. He was heating up at Double-A too, slashing .338/.416/.618 with 4 homers, 3 steals, and a 21/7 K/BB in his last 19 games. He is quickly ascending into elite prospect territory. Do not deal him off unless you are getting an elite win now return.

Jose Barrero CIN, SS, 23.0 – Barrero also went deep in the Futures Game on a pull side, 426 foot missile. He’s struggled a bit since his promotion to Triple-A with a .171 BA, but is still showing power with 2 homers in 10 games

Henry Davis PIT, C, 21.10 – The newly minted #1 overall pick of the 2021 MLB Draft is my 5th ranked prospect in my Top 50 FYPD Rankings. You have to remember the MLB Draft doesn’t pick purely based on talent (not to say Davis wasn’t deserving), but signing bonus demands also come into play. Davis was the best college hitter in the class and with everyone expecting robo umps in the near future, seems very likely to stick behind the plate. Offensive catcher production will almost certainly see a huge boost with robo umps as pitch framing becomes worthless. Arm and bat will now rule the day, and Davis has those two areas covered.

Marcelo Mayer BOS, SS, 18.7 – Mayer fell right into Boston’s lap at #4 overall, and he is my #1 overall FYPD pick in non 5×5 leagues. He also had all the guys on MLB Network gushing over his good looks, how he has the “it” factor, and how he looked great in that Red Sox cap, which actually has me worried a bit. A big part of “Moneyball” was Billy Beane recognizing how easily scouts can be fooled by a guy that looks great in a uniform. I also always go back to Joey Harrington in the NFL who got similar praise for being good looking and playing a mean guitar. I love Mayer, and I’m just joshing around a bit, but these thoughts are in the back of my mind.

Jordan Lawlar ARI, SS, 19.0 – Lawlar went 6th overall to Arizona, and he is my #1 overall FYPD pick in 5×5 leagues. His stolen base potential gives him the edge over Mayer in leagues where speed matters a lot.

Kahlil Watson MIA, SS, 18.3 – Watson fell to #16 overall which creates a buying opportunity in more casual dynasty leagues where draft order carries a ton of weight. I have him ranked #3 overall. It is actually the exact same thing that happened with Corbin Carroll, who I also had as my #3 overall player before falling to #16 in the draft.

Gerrit Cole NYY, RHP, 30.10 – We might have been a little premature on pouring dirt over Cole’s grave, as he pitched angry on Saturday, going 9 IP with 3 hits, 0 earned and a 12/3 K/BB. His spin was still down and he put up only a 24% whiff%, so I’m not sure we are completely out of the woods quite yet, but this start inspires confidence he will be damn good regardless

Alec Burleson STL, OF, 22.7 – Burleson has caught fire again at Double-A, going 2 for 4 with his 15th homer of the year yesterday, and now has 4 homers in his last 4 games. His contact numbers have actually improved at Double-A too with a 23.4%/7.2% K%/BB%. He continues to be one of the most underrated prospects in the minors.

Jose Rodriguez CHW, SS, 20.2 – Rodriguez had a monster day yesterday, going 3 for 5 with a homer and 2 steals. He’s now slashing .284/.325/.470 with 8 homers, 18 steals and a 17.4%/5.1% K%/BB% in 55 games at Single-A. He’s now homered in back to back games and is easily worthy of a pick up in medium size leagues and deeper.

Benny Montgomery COL, OF, 18.9 – It’s hard not to get excited when Colorado drafts a hitter even with their poor track record of development and willingness to play young hitters. Montgomery was drafted 8th overall by the Rockies and is possibly the highest upside bat in the draft, putting up a 103 MPH exit velocity and a 6.32 60 yard dash time. That puts him at the top of the class in power and speed. Hit tool is still raw and he has to refine his swing, but this is the type of bat you target in fantasy. Colorado did dynasty players a solid on this one.

Edward Cabrera MIA, RHP, 23.3 – 5.2 IP, 5 hits, 4 earned, 7/1 K/BB at Double-A. This was Cabrera’s worst start since returning from injury and I mean that in the best possible way as it wasn’t all that bad and the K/BB was on point. His stuff is nasty and he is quickly re-establishing himself as one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the game.

Shane Baz TB, RHP, 22.1 – Baz was electric in his one inning at the Futures Game, striking out 2 with no hits or walks. He flung 99 MPH heat and showed off his newfound control by painting the black. There is a reason I have him as the #2 overall pitching prospect in baseball behind Grayson Rodriguez.

Cade Cavalli WASH, RHP, 22.10 – Cavalli impressed in his one inning as well, taking out Jasson Dominguez on a 100 MPH fastball. He struck out 2 and walked 2.

Spencer Strider ATL, RHP, 22.8 – 0.2 IP, 0 hits, 5 ER, 0/5 K/BB at Double-A. I still like Strider a lot but it is a reminder to not get too carried away with pop up pitching prospects in leagues where you can pick up prospects during the year. It’s easy to fall in love with every prospect who is dealing in the minors, I’ve definitely been guilty of it, but that is how you end up with a farm system with over 50% pitching prospects, which is a recipe for disaster. You have to pick your spots and take a chance on a few of them, but you can’t grab them all.

Hunter Greene CIN, RHP, 21.11 – Greene did his best Shohei Ohtani impression yesterday, going 5 IP with 6 hits, 1 earned and a 2/2 K/BB on the mound and went 1 for 2 with a RBI at the dish. He has the talent to truly be able to do both, but he won’t be given the opportunity.

Gilberto Jimenez BOS, OF, 21.0 – Jimenez went 3 for 6 with 2 doubles and a steal yesterday at Single-A, and he’s been heating up over his last 9 games, slashing .361/.400/.556 with 1 homer, 3 steals, and a 10/0 K/BB. He’s a dropper overall on the season though with a poor 21.1%/2.2% K%/BB% and only 2 homers in 51 games.

Kyle Harrison SF, LHP, 19.11 – Harrison had his longest outing of his career, going 7 IP with 6 hits, 2 earned, and a 7/0 K/BB at Single-A. Harrison’s stock took a big jump this season, but he still needs to work on his control/command (4.9 BB/9).

Joe Ryan TB, RHP, 25.1 – Ryan had the best pitching outing of the day yesterday, going 7 IP with 1 hit, 0 ER, and a 9/1 K/BB. He has utterly dominated every minor league level and now has a 34.8%/5% K%/BB% at Triple-A. There is no guarantee he ends up a starter, especially in Tampa, but I’m betting on him being effective in any role he pitches in.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR:
-July 2021 OBP/OPS/PTS “Universal” Dynasty Baseball Rankings
-10 Dynasty Baseball Players to Target
-Dynasty Baseball Trade Strategies at the Halfway Point (Contending, Mid Pack, Rebuilding)
-Top 300 June 2021 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings
-2021/22 Top 50 First Year Player Draft Dynasty Baseball Rankings

By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@DynastyHalp)