Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
One fantasy baseball prospect that received a good deal of attention this off-season was Minnesota Twins SP Jose Berrios. Berrios pitched in the bullpen during the 2013 World Baseball Classic for the Puerto Rican team and the 18-year-old truly looked his age. In just two innings of work, he was shelled for four runs on five hits and cost PR one game during the classic.
PR manager Edwin Rodriguez praised the kid in the tournament, though, and declared Berrios as one of the bright spots of the national team. Berrios even tossed a no-hitter during a Puerto Rican All-Star game last year, which has really helped his overall prospect value.
Since he didn’t pitch much during the WBC, Minnesota decided to play it safe with Berrios in the early part of the MiLB season. In his first outing of 2013, Berrios lasted just five innings. He gave up seven hits, two earned runs, and two walks. He managed to pick up the win, but it wasn’t his best performance.
The righty looked much more comfortable on the bump in his most recent start. He lasted 6.2 innings this time around and only gave up one earned run on just four hits. He has racked up 13 strikeouts in 11.2 innings of work this year and the teenager is finally starting to figure things out. He has lowered his ERA all the way down to 2.31 and his WHIP to 1.114.
He has a fastball that is already topping out at 93-95 MPH, which is rather intimidating from a teenager. Berrios may only be six-foot-one and weigh just 190 pounds, but he is an amazing athlete. He has an insane workout routine and the dedication should only help the young pitcher stay healthy more in the future.
It has always been hard to judge international talent, but Berrios appears to be the real deal. He has a natural confidence that is contagious and the youngster has the stuff to be a front-of-the-rotation pitcher.
Put Berrios on your watch list now in any dynasty league, because he has the talent to be a strong fantasy contributor within the next couple years.
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
