Report: Rays calling up prospect Blake Snell for weekend start

Tampa Bay Rays prospect Blake Snell was a breakout star in the minors last year, rising from Single-A to Triple-A over the course of the season, dominating hitters at each stop. He finished with absurd numbers across three levels: 15-4, 1.41 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 163 Ks in 134.0 IP. Just silly.

Entering 2016, Snell ranked among the elite prospects in the game on pretty much everyone's board. The left-hander has opened his season like an ace at Durham this year, striking out 21 batters in 14.1 innings, allowing seven walks and four runs. He's great, is what we're saying — and he'll reportedly be pitching in the big leagues tomorrow.

I've had Snell stashed in a monster dynasty league for the past eight or nine months, plus I drafted him in two other mixers this year. So THIS IS A GOOD DAY. Hooray, Rays.

Of course there's a clear possibility that Snell will be immediately returned to Durham after the matchup with the Yankees, no matter how it goes. Tampa Bay is stacking LHPs against New York, and the team won't need a fifth starter again for a couple weeks. But Snell is the sort of high-upside prospect who deserves a long look from mixed league fantasy owners on the very real chance that his Triple-A excellence transitions to the bigs. Do what needs doing. His start is a must-watch.