Sleeper of the Week

Jose Capellan may have looked awful at Shea, but the young righthander’s future looks awfully bright.

Making his second big-league appearance, Capellan was hammered by the Mets, allowing seven earned runs in just one inning of work. Yet if you’re picking up the 22-year-old prospect, you’re not looking for a late-season boost (well, hopefully you aren’t), but a high-potential keeper for the future.

And Capellan’s potential is high indeed. Perhaps as a result of Tommy John surgery, he’s added a bit of velocity to his fastball and now throws in the mid-90s, occasionally hitting 100 on the gun. His changeup is also improving, and the development of this pitch might eventually be the key to success at the major league level. His control is already excellent. Pitching at three minor league levels this year, Capellan has fanned 152 batters in 139.2 innings, walking just 45.

In spite of the hype surrounding his call-up, Jose Capellan shouldn’t be expected to make an immediate fantasy impact. He still needs to make adjustments in order to harness his considerable talent, and will most likely not only have his ups and downs this September, but next year as well. Additionally, the Braves may well give him more time to hone his skills in the minors. If you can also afford to give him time to develop, he could be a solid addition to your dynasty roster.