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Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Moises Ballesteros, Samuel Basallo, Spencer Jones - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.
It is crucial for fantasy managers to always check the waiver wire for high-impact prospects who are nearing the major leagues. This season, many prospects have received the call and made an immediate impact, such as Nick Kurtz of the Athletics.
In this piece, we will look at two budding hitters at Triple-A who have yet to reach the majors and one who received a brief taste earlier this season.
Should those players be left on the waiver wire, or should fantasy managers add them before their breakout? Let's dive in!
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Moises Ballesteros, C, Chicago Cubs
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA Stats: 74 G, .334/.391/.500, 22 2B, 8 HR, 4 SB
The budding star in Chicago received a brief five-game stint in the majors earlier this season when left fielder Ian Happ hit the injured list. During this small taste, Ballesteros tallied three hits, added three RBI, and scored three runs.
However, while at Triple-A, Ballesteros has been one of the best hitters in the minor leagues. Through 74 games with the Iowa Cubs this season, the No. 53-ranked prospect in the system has posted a remarkable .334/.391/.500 slash line with 22 doubles, one triple, and eight home runs.
He has held a 43:29 K:BB, tallied 50 RBI, and scored 39 runs.
Over his last 12 games, he has been especially impressive, boasting a .340/.365/.489 slash line with seven doubles. During his first taste of the top level of the minor leagues last summer, Ballesteros looked just as comfortable, posting a .281/.340/.454 line with 10 home runs across 68 games.
Currently, Carson Kelly has received the majority of the starts behind the plate while Miguel Amaya is on the IL with an oblique injury. This has created an opening on the roster for veteran Reese McGuire. However, with Amaya nearing a return, Ballesteros will not have a clear path to join Chicago for the stretch.
Since he did not receive the call when Amaya went on the IL, Fantasy managers should expect him to return to Chicago in the near future.
As a result, he is only worth stashing in deeper 12+ team leagues if you are looking for an upside catcher.
Moisés Ballesteros gets the call!
Ballesteros has torn the cover off the ball this season with an elite 150 wRC+. He is aggressive batter who makes a ton of contact while posting strong power metrics, all why being one of the youngest players in AAA
Congratulations! https://t.co/S3AA7XQ1Zp pic.twitter.com/vGFcDhrYiI
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) May 13, 2025
-Written by Andy Smith
Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA Stats: 59 G, 265/.388/.577, 10 2B, 17 HR, 0 SB
The catcher grim reaper has struck in Baltimore again as Gary Sanchez has a PCL sprain that will keep him out eight to 10 weeks. That makes four catchers who are on the IL for the Orioles.
The Orioles appear adamant on continuing to sign catchers off the street to play until Adley Rutschman (oblique) returns rather than promoting their top prospect. However, we, as a fantasy community, still have to hope that Mike Elias will come to his senses.
Basallo is continuing to do what he does best at Triple-A: hit. He has a 149 WRC+ with 17 HRs. He also has an impressive approach at the plate, as he walks 15.6 percent of the time and strikes out only 21.5 percent of the time.
Samuel Basallo has homered in 8.9% of his at-bats in Triple-A this season.
He has 17 homers in 58 games with a .945 OPS. pic.twitter.com/z2QUh7fiYI
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) July 9, 2025
I've written about how catcher seems deeper this season than it ever has, but Basallo is a special bat. It's becoming frustrating to roster him due to the shenanigans of the Orioles' front office, but you'll feel like the "guy digging for diamonds and giving up just too early" meme if you drop him and he gets called up shortly after.
Fantasy managers should view Basallo as a high-priority stash option in all leagues heading into the All-Star break. When he gets the call, he will be viewed as a must-start catcher in all leagues.
- Written by Kevin Luo
Spencer Jones, OF, New York Yankees
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 10% rostered
2025 MiLB stats: 60 G, .297/.405/.635, 11 2B, 21 HR, 16 SB
Spencer Jones has been one of the hottest hitters in the minor leagues and has been hitting a home run nearly every night since the start of the month. While Jones carries high power upside, he also strikes out at a hefty 33.1% rate, which will hurt him in the big leagues.
Jones was one of the best hitters at Double-A this season as he had 16 HRs with a 185 WRC+ before getting called up to Triple-A. Since he got the bump, he's been even better. In only 10 games at his new level, he already has five HRs with a 225 WRC+.
Spencer Jones has FIVE homers in TEN games since getting called up to Triple-A 💪pic.twitter.com/w7YG9ShHfU
— MLB (@MLB) July 9, 2025
However, while he seems to be on the fast track to the major leagues, the Yankees do not have an open spot for him in the lineup. With a full outfield and Giancarlo Stanton seeing most of the time at designated hitter, Jones will likely need to wait for an injury to get the call to the Bronx.
When he does get the call, he will be viewed as a solid option in category leagues given his elite power upside. However, managers in points leagues should stash Jones with caution given his inability to make consistent contact.
As a result, fantasy managers in shallower formats should leave Jones on the waiver wire for the time being, as he does not appear to have the most viable path to an early promotion to the big leagues.
- Written by Kevin Luo
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