The Spokane Fightin' Fish signaled Wednesday night that they believe their competitive window has re-opened after a 10th place finish in 2019. The only 2-time RDBL Champion acquired right-hander Tyler Glasnow to add to an already stout starting rotation with eyes on their first Masters Division Title after moving into the division this off-season.
Their offense is a step behind their pitching staff, but the Fish have a bevy of assets in the Minor Leagues to pair with significant cap space that should make them a major player in Auction.
Value Up
Zac Gallen (2FA/$5)
The Fish received multiple inquiries on Gallen heading into the 2020 season which sparked their own interest in retaining the right-hander. 12 Months later, Gallen looks capable of sitting towards the front of a RDBL rotation providing elite value for $5. Gallen has been one of the most effective starting pitchers in the game since he broke into the majors that season. A third-round MLB Draft pick in 2016, Gallen has faced 625 batters in the big leagues and pitched to a 2.78 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 178:61 K:BB. His value is sky high currently and is set to sit right behind Trevor Bauer in the Fish 2021 rotation.
Trevor Bauer (2/$55)
Speaking of Bauer, the Fish stunned the RDBL when they surrendered a 2nd Round Pick for the right-hander following his disastrous 2019 campaign with the Lunatic Fringe. At the time, Bauer looked to be one on the worst contracts in the league as was thought to be a surefire drop given his $55 price. A year later, Bauer is fresh off the NL Cy Young after dominating in the short season and leading the Reds to their first postseason appearance since 2013. He did it with a nod and a wink -- the spin rates on all his pitches jumped dramatically, something he'd previously shown he could do with the help of a foreign substance. Knowing MLB could not single him out, Bauer leveled the playing field and ascended back to the elite ranks after a miserable two-month run with Cincinnati to close out 2019. There's some regression expected ahead as Bauer benefited from a very soft 2020 schedule but the projected New York Met is certain to be back atop the Fringe rotation.
Tommy La Stella (2FA/$5)
Tommy La Stella did his usual thing in 228 PA between Los Angeles and Oakland last season, hitting for a high average thanks to an ultra-low strikeout rate -- the lowest among qualified hitters in 2020 (5.3%). He hit 16 home runs in 2019, six more than he hit in his first five MLB seasons combined and while his power dipped in 2020, his average and on-base percentage make him a great value at $5. La Stella has eligibility at first, second and third and is set for significant playing time in San Francisco after signing a 3-year deal this off-season.
Clint Frazier (Minors)
Clint Frazier has been up and down with New York over parts of four seasons, never appearing in more than 69 games in a season while being the only 2013 RDBL Reserve Draftee to still be on a Minor League deal. He has been openly frustrated with the team at times but deserves credit for his overall restraint; it looks like Frazier's patience and the Yankees' patience is finally paying off. Frazier was the club's third-best hitter during the 2020 regular season by wRC+ (min. 100 PA). He punished fastballs to the tune of a .325 BA, with six of his eight HR coming off heaters. Frazier didn't do nearly as much damage on the road (.711 OPS) as he did at home (1.068), and as a corner outfielder there will be a lot of continued pressure on his bat. This is the Yankees and they are always a threat to sign or trade for someone, but you can project full-time at-bats relatively safely in 2021, and that's a first with Frazier.
Value Down
Casey Mize (Minors)
The Fish acquired Mize in a blockbuster one-for-one deal with the Alamo Short Stacks that saw Francisco Lindor head the other way. At the time, Mize was regarded by many as the best pitching prospect in the Minors. While still a big time arm, Mize's rookie season was a rough starting point from a results standpoint, but at least he is healthy and his stuff is intact. He had never pitched above Double-A (and had less than 80 innings to his name there in 2019), so the struggles weren't entirely unexpected. Mize throws five pitches 10% of the time or more. His sinker and splitter generate a ton of movement but last year didn’t get a lot of whiffs. In the minors, Mize has been a pitcher without gaudy strikeout numbers or ground ball rates, but has done just a lot of things well that add up to strong ERAs/WHIP. He’ll likely have a long leash to continue his development this year, but may end up being a stronger activation option for 2022 given his lack of experience.
Yoan Moncada (2R/$3)
Moncada contracted COVID-19 before the season started and said in September that his body still hadn't recovered. It was plain as day he was not himself; Moncada slashed just .225/.320/.385 with six homers and 24 RBI over 52 games in 2020. He's just one year removed from hitting .315 with 25 long balls and 79 RBI in 132 contests, but his elevated K% and IFFB% gave him little chance at success. He was also unable to swipe a single bag after recording double-digit steals totals in both 2018 and 2019. Moncada has shown that he can be a big-time contributor in all five categories and can be a cornerstone of a fantasy squad, when healthy but pairs it with high K and chase rates. He's certainly capable of returning to the fantasy stud he was in 2019, but the stock is down a bit from where it stood 12 months ago.
Early 2021 Projected Keeper Roster
The Fish are locked to bring back at least five starting arms while Casey Mize waits in the wings. Pablo Lopez (2FA/$5) could make a push for GM Michael Tirabassi to bring back an entire staff but the club is likely to want some flexibility on Draft Day without every spot solidified. Given their depth, the Fish could be a player for an upside and higher risk arm like Jameson Taillon to round out the rotation.
The offense will be led by Pete Alonso (2/$14) and Moncada while Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. (2FA/$5) has quietly emerged as a major force as well. David Fletcher (2/$1) and Tommy La Stella (2FA/$5) provide excellent flexibility for the roster which should allow Tirabassi to chase some big bats this Winter and in the Draft without a thought about position.
The club will face decisions on the activations of Clint Frazier and Austin Hays, though both appear headed for steady playing time in 2021 making them good bets to move onto the Active Roster.
Farm System
With Frazier and Hays expected to exit, the Fish Farm System still brings plenty of depth with a few additional assets who could provide value in 2021. Mize has company at the top of the group as elite outfielder Julio Rodriguez continues to dot Top 10 overall prospect lists this Winter.
The club also hold outfielders Tyler O'Neill and Brandon Marsh who should both make contributions at the big league level in 2021. With Dexter Fowler out in St. Louis, O'Neill has a chance to hold down a daily role and could emerge as an activation option as well.
The light has dimmed on several other prospects in the Farm which is likely to happen when you hold 16 prospects. Julio Pablo Martinez, Jahmai Jones and Seong-Beom Na could all be off-season cuts to clear room for more big league depth with the Fish hoping to compete for a Playoff spot in 2021.
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