HOT MLB PROSPECTS TO WATCH FOR FANTASY BASEBALL - WEEK 4
Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 4 of the fantasy baseball season. The minor league baseball season is off to a hot start, providing us with plenty of big plays and impressive prospect performances.
It's imperative to monitor the top fantasy baseball prospects who have turned heads thus far. The players listed here are not only coming off dominant weeks but have also impressed over the entire season. Don't be surprised when these exact names are painting corners, mashing homers, and swiping bags at the big-league level soon.
Savvy fantasy managers looking for an edge in their leagues should certainly keep an eye on these players over the long haul as they may prove to be excellent adds in no time.
Joey Loperfido - OF, Houston Astros
Level: Triple-A
2024 stats:
14 G, .333/.429/.895, 10 HR, 24 RBI, 21 R, Two SB, 12.9% BB%, 34.3% K%, .360 BABIP, .512 wOBA, 196 wRC+This is the third week we've published our Hot Prospects series this season and Loperfido is already making his second appearance. He ranks No. 3 among Astros outfield prospects but boasts the potential to be an everyday standout in Houston. He runs well, has a strong blend of contact and power, and boasts positional versatility with his ability to play the outfield, first base, or second base. These strengths certainly make up for his average defense and strikeout tendencies.
Over six games last week, Loperfido went 11-for-26 with five home runs, 13 RBI, six walks, and 10 strikeouts. He also stole one base along the way. As his hot start continues, don't be surprised if Houston summons him to the majors sooner rather than later.
Cameron Weston - SP, Baltimore Orioles
Level: High-A
2024 stats:
Two G, Two GS, 1-0, 8.0 IP, 1.13 ERA, 1.79 FIP, 11.25 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 55.6% GB%, .222 BABIPWeston was an eighth-round pick in the 2022 draft who has primarily flown under the radar so far. A mid-90s fastball and effective splitter headline his repertoire, but he also throws a decent slider. He has also demonstrated impressive control while maintaining a high ground-ball rate.
The southpaw continued to boast his potential with another big start in the minors last week. He tossed five shutout innings on April 11, allowing zero hits and zero walks while hitting one batter. He also struck out nine batters along the way, once again elevating his K/9 rate.
Carson Williams - SS, Tampa Bay Rays
Level: Double-A
2024 stats:
Seven G, .444/.516/.704, One HR, Five RBI, 10 R, Four SB, 9.7% BB%, 16.1% K%, .524 BABIP, .566 wOBA, 261 wRC+Williams was the Rays' first-round pick in the 2021 draft. He boasts a strong blend of offensive and defensive skills and is a fringe five-tool player. He showcases impressive power, runs well, and is such an excellent defender that he should have no trouble remaining at shortstop long-term. He can make an everyday impact in the field with his terrific range, glovework, and arm strength.
Williams mounted a five-game hitting streak last week, going 10-for-19 with one homer, three RBI, two walks, and two strikeouts. Outside of the batting average above .500, this line doesn't seem otherworldly. However, he truly rounded out his big week by stealing four bases on five attempts. He spent limited time at Triple-A last year and will likely be on his way back to Durham sooner rather than later.
Quinn Mathews - SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Level: Single-A
2024 stats:
Two G, Two GS, 1-0, 8.1 IP, 1.08 ERA, 1.78 xFIP, 18.36 K/9, 5.4 BB/9, 1.08 HR/9, 60.0% GB%, .200 BABIPMathews was the Cardinals' fourth-round pick in 2023, but he didn't make his pro debut until this April. The southpaw has a low-90s fastball and rounds out his repertoire with a curveball, slider, and changeup. Of those secondary options, the changeup is the best, though all three can be effective. Mathews flashed decent control in college and has racked up strikeouts so far this year. He also struggled with walks in his pro debut but seemed to harness his control a little more in his last outing.
Speaking of such, Mathews' last outing thrust him firmly into the spotlight once again. He struck out a whopping 11 batters over five shutout innings while surrendering just one hit and issuing zero walks.
Rubel Cespedes - 1B, Minnesota Twins
Level: High-A
2024 stats:
Seven G, .423/.500/.846, Three HR, 11 RBI, Five R, Zero SB, 13.3% BB%, 16.7% K%, .444 BABIP, .607 wOBA, 280 wRC+Cespedes signed with the Twins out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. He has gradually developed within the Twins' farm system and is currently a promising prospect with a variety of skills. He displays positional versatility, having played all four infield positions in 2023.
Expect him to settle into a corner infield position long-term. He has also flashed impressive glovework, maintained an impressive K/BB rate, and demonstrated an impressive hit tool. Plus, although he has never been viewed as a major power threat, the first baseman has already homered in three of seven games so far this year.
Speaking of Cespedes' contributions so far this season, the 23-year-old is coming off a big week at High-A. Over six games, he went 11-for-24 with three homers, 11 RBI, three walks, and five strikeouts.
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