5 Dynasty Infield Targets Worth the Price
Jeremy Pena
Watching Pena patrol short in the Dominican Winter League, he looks like a dude. Well built with fluid actions and a strong arm, the 24 year old is also growing into power. He was limited by a wrist injury last year but hit well in AAA slashing .287/.346/.598 with 10 homers and 5 steals to boot, in just 30 games. He stood out to me in a Winter League composed of mostly vets and fringe MLB talent. His stock has been trending up rapidly this offseason, however, I think the helium is warranted. Pena looks like the guy and with Correa assumed to be gone, the former 3rd round pick looks primed to take the reins in the 6 hole in Houston.
Jorge Mateo
Mateo’s pro ball career has been long and winding. Signed by the Yankees in 2012 he was traded to Oakland in the Sonny Gray deal. In three seasons in Oakland’s system, the A’s never gave him a shot, soured by the plate approach. He then failed to grasp a role with the Padres. Now with Baltimore, the approach remains a major concern, however, the speed remains edouble plus. If Mateo can carve out a role on a bad Orioles team he should be a cheap contributor of steals. Still just 26 years old, Mateo hit .247/.293/.376 in 89 games last year. Wheels like this do not grow on trees but a 4.3% BB rate and .293 OBP are not going to cut it. His performance this spring will likely hold weight. A role is to be had and bases could be stolen in bunches here.
Kevin Smith
Smith was blocked in Toronto and while they might have the best infield in baseball now, he finds himself with an opportunity to play in Oakland. He’s versatile enough to handle third, short or second with a strong arm and enough athleticism. A 2017 4th round pick out of Maryland had somewhat of a breakout in AAA last year coming out of the shut down. He slashed .285/.370/.561 with 21 homers and 18 steals. The various projections at Fangraphs are not optimistic about the hit tool with most projecting a sub .230 average. The 23.7% strikeout rate last year will be interesting to monitor this year in Oakland. An increase is figured but if he can keep it below 30% that will bode well. Those projections though have 17–20 homer pop with double digit steals as well. He’s going to play for the A’s because someone has to, the upside here is nice for the price point.
Nico Hoerner
I like Hoerner enough to take a flier anywhere I can as he is essentially free. The 2018 Cubs first round pick out of Stanford has fallen from his former prospect status. This is largely, and maybe fairly, due to a lack of power. After hitting more home runs in 40 games on the Cape in 2017 than his entire 3 year Cardinal career, Hoerner appeared to be getting into more power in 2019. He hit 6 bombs in 90 games combined between AA and the bigs. He has not homered in a pro game since although he has been frequently injured. Per Fangraphs, he ranked as the 44th overall prospect in 2020 and my how that star has faded.
One thing remains true however, Hoerner can still put bat to ball and get on base. In 170 PA in 2021 he slashed .302/.382/.369. You can pencil in <5 homers but I’m optimistic there is a .285 hitter here with speed. I think there is value in a bench bat like that, padding average when you need him, especially since it won’t likely cost you anything.
Rodolfo Castro
Signed out of the DR in 2015, Castro found himself buried in a budding Pittsburg system. He ranked #29 on the Baseball America list at the start of the 2021 season after having struggled at the plate across two levels of A ball in 2019. The raw power has long been tantalizing but Castro struggled to get into that power in games with major contact issues. Those issues did not dissipate in 2021 however Castro reached the bigs with stops in AA and AAA. He made headlines in July by homering for his first five hits, an impressive feat. All told, Castro hit .198 with those 5 homers in 93 PA with the Pirates with productive stints in AA and AAA as well.
The Pirates have a wealth of infield talent percolating in their system but Castro is just 22 years old, a switch hitter, a strong body(he’s jacked), and has power to dream on. He’s worth a flier as his contact rate is trending up. If he continues to make progress in consistently putting bat to ball, he could supply a nice source of power in the infield.
