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Most fantasy drafts have been completed by now, as Opening Day for the 2023 season starts Thursday. Hitter prospects can emerge to become fantasy superstars and are worth taking a chance on later in the drafts or picking up through free agency. Prospects can provide a boost to fantasy managers' teams later in the season, and in some cases, right off the start if they make the Opening Day roster. Finding the right prospects through the draft or adding through free agency can be the difference between a middle-of-the-pack team to a championship contender. Finding those hidden prospect gems in the later rounds or stashing them for future use is essential.
Today, we're looking at some late-round hitter prospects for you to consider drafting in your season-long leagues for 2023. Are their ADPs undervalued? Will they make significant fantasy contributions and become a priority late-round draft target? Read on to see our take.
Our editors have hand-picked these specific MLB players for your draft prep enjoyment. Usually only available to Premium subscribers, the five outlooks below are meant to give you a taste of the in-depth analysis you receive with our industry-leading 2023 Draft Kit. Be sure to subscribe today to start reading all of our in-depth 2023 player outlooks and many other premium articles and tools, including Team Sync, the Live Draft Sync assistant, Custom Rankings Service, and so much more – available exclusively in our 2023 Draft Kit.
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Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees
Anthony Volpe, the No. 1 prospect in the New York Yankees farm system, made the big league roster and will make his MLB debut on Opening Day. He hit .314 with three homers, five RBI, and five stolen bases this spring. Volpe packs in an overwhelming load of talent in his 5'11" frame. He has all the intangibles one can think of and is certainly a perennial talent.
The 21-year-old spent most of his 2022 campaign in Double-A Somerset, boasting a .820 OPS with 18 HRs and 44 swipes. Not to mention his 11.15% walk rate. Volpe spent the remaining 22 games in Triple-A, slashing .229/.312/.361 across 93 plate appearances.
ATC projects him to amass a .708 OPS and a .310 wOBA with 15 stolen bases. Volpe could make an immediate fantasy impact, and his ADP has skyrocketed in recent weeks. The Yankees' top prospect is projected to hit ninth on Opening Day, which will affect his run production and RBI opportunities. If he continues to hit during the regular season, he could overtake DJ LeMahieu for the leadoff spot. Volpe has all the tools to make a difference in fantasy, and his upside is worth taking a shot at his current ADP of 189.
-- Rephael Negnewitzky - RotoBaller
Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies
If not for an upper leg injury in June, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar may have pushed the Colorado Rockies to potentially open space for him at the midseason trade deadline in 2022. Instead, after hitting 13 home runs and stealing 17 bases in just 66 Double-A games before his injury, Tovar played just five games once he was healthy in Triple-A before Colorado brought him up for a brief trial to end the season. While his overall line didn't blow anyone away, he flashed impressive raw power, with 87.5% of his contact classified as a medium or hard hit.
Tovar's defense has significantly improved in his minor league time, giving him a chance to stick at shortstop and provide fantasy managers with a guy that can give double-digit homers and steals from the back of the draft.
-- Benjamin Chase - RotoBaller
Spencer Steer, Cincinnati Reds
A compact infielder, standing just under six feet tall and listed at 185 pounds, Cincinnati Reds third baseman Spencer Steer doesn't strike an intimidating pose at the plate. However, the former third-round selection from the University of Oregon took a very keen eye to the plate when he was drafted and worked on settling into his back leg in his batting stance. This allows him to access his power more consistently.
Steer returned from retooling his swing throughout the pandemic season and has powered out 47 home runs in the past two seasons in the minor leagues and a pair of home runs over 28 games in the major leagues in 2022. After picking up Steer in a trade last summer, the Reds cleared a path for him to start every day this year by releasing incumbent third baseman Mike Moustakas.
Steer's power should play well in Great American Ball Park, though he may not hit for a high average. His on-base skills are polished, and he only strikes out a little, despite a strong uppercut swing. ATC projects Steer with a .312 wOBA and a 93 wRC+ over 461 plate appearances in 2023. There's potential for a very excellent value here for a guy going off as the 45th third baseman and 415th player overall.
-- Benjamin Chase - RotoBaller
Logan O'Hoppe, Los Angeles Angels
Initially drafted in the 23rd round out of high school by the Philadelphia Phillies, catcher Logan O'Hoppe was likely stuck behind one of the best two-way backstops in the league in J.T. Realmuto before being acquired by the Los Angeles Angels last summer in the trade that sent outfielder Brandon Marsh to Philadelphia.
O'Hoppe has the defensive skills to stick behind the plate. His ability to hit for power (26 home runs in Double-A in 104 games), his eye (15.7% walk rate), and his defense will eventually allow him to be a valuable two-way catcher. The Angels are shopping in the free agent catcher market for guys that would be one-year deals and quickly pushed aside for O'Hoppe if he continues the strong work he showed in 2022.
Due to his massive upside, the 22-year-old is worth a late-round flier in two-catcher formats if he can become the Angels' primary backstop in 2023.
-- Benjamin Chase - RotoBaller
Curtis Mead, Tampa Bay Rays
Curtis Mead came to prominence in 2021 when he progressed from Single-A to Triple-A. Over the course of the year, he hit .321/.378/.533 with 15 homers, 69 RBI, 77 runs, and 10 steals (104 games). That was followed last year with 13 homers, 50 RBI, 43 runs, and seven steals with a .298/.390/.532 slash line (76 games) across Double-A and Triple-A. He had an impressive average exit velocity of over 90 mph but an elbow injury late in the season cost him any hopes of reaching the majors.
While it certainly appears as though Mead's bat is ready, question marks remain over his defense. He's set to be a utility guy with second base the likeliest fit due to concerns about his arm at third base. The Rays aren't an organization renowned for rushing up prospects and they don't have a clear path for regular playing time. Without an injury, Mead might have to be patient.
But when the time comes, Mead certainly looks like he can contribute with the bat. Given he's only being drafted in ~50% of NFBC leagues, he makes a nice late-round flyer in drafts as someone who could help your teams from the offset.
-- Jamie Steed - RotoBaller
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