RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 14 of the fantasy baseball season. While there has already been plenty of action in the majors, we can't ignore some of the top prospect performances that took place in the minor leagues during Week 13.
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.
Fantasy managers should certainly keep an eye on these players over the long haul as they may prove to be excellent adds in no time.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and weekly lineup resources:- Nick Mariano's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups (Premium)
- Start/Sit recommendations - All Pitcher Matchups for Week Ahead
- Fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings (top 80 players)
- FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Starting pitcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Outfield fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- 1B/3B fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- 2B/SS fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Catcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Hitter streamers - fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Two-start pitcher streamers - fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Cut List - Players To Consider Dropping
Thomas Saggese - SS, Texas Rangers
Level: Double-A
2023 stats: 67 G, .312/.372/.502, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 47 R, 6 SB, 8.5 BB%, 22.0 K%, .374 BABIP, .388 wOBA, 128 wRC+
The Rangers spent their final pick in the shortened 2020 draft on Saggese, a prep infield prospect from California. Despite being drafted at just 18 years old, he has wasted no time climbing through the minors, reaching Double-A by the end of 2022.
Saggese is an aggressive hitter who has flashed power to the pull side from time to time, a trait that could develop further in the coming years. He projects to be a well-rounded hitter who doesn't sacrifice plate strikeouts for power, rather working an approach that includes some power and aggressiveness, as well as some patience and discipline. He's a versatile defender with good glovework, but a lack of range will likely limit him to second base.
This past week, Saggese truly impressed at the plate, hitting 13-for-22 with one homer, seven RBI, four walks, and three strikeouts. He also stole a base along the way.
Victor Munoz - SP/RP, Tampa Bay Rays
Level: Double-A
2023 stats: 15 G, 6 GS, 6-3, 49.1 IP, 5.84 ERA, 4.11 FIP, .348 BABIP, 9.12 K/9, 3.28 BB/9, 37.7 GB%
Munoz landed with the Rays as an international free agent in July 2017 at the age of 16. The organization has deployed him out of the rotation and bullpen, though most of his starts haven't exceeded four or five innings.
Munoz boasts a nicely-developed fastball that now registers in the mid-90s, peaking around 97 mph. His curveball, changeup, and slider are all solid secondary offerings; they each play off the fastball nicely, though none of the three offerings have emerged as a clear best among the rest.
This past week, Munoz made his sixth consecutive start, lasting five innings and allowing just one hit. He didn't surrender a single run, nor did he walk anyone. His final line included seven strikeouts, tying his highest mark since July 2021.
Abimelec Ortiz - 1B, Texas Rangers
Level: High-A
2023 stats: 52 G, .323/.394/.640, 15 HR, 46 RBI, 36 R, 11.7 BB%, 26.1 K%, .377 BABIP
Ortiz signed with the Rangers after he didn't hear his name called in the 2021 draft. A native of Puerto Rico, Ortiz reached the pros by way of Florida Southwestern State College. He posted uninspiring results through his first two seasons in the organization but has shown massive strides in 2023.
The left-handed slugger swings the bat with speed and strength, attacking the ball and hitting to all parts of the field while demonstrating fantastic power. Furthermore, while he still strikes out at a relatively high clip, he has shown an increased tendency to work counts and draw more walks this season.
Defensively, Ortiz had previously shown promise as a potential right-fielder considering he runs fine and has a lively arm. However, his big frame and bat-first approach have mainly limited him to first base with the Rangers.
This past week, Ortiz went 12-for-21 with three walks and four strikeouts. He also delivered three homers and three doubles, driving in eight runs.
Payton Martin - SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Level: Single-A
2023 stats: 12 G, 10 GS, 2-0, 32.2 IP, 1.65 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 11.02 K/9, 3.86 BB/9, .280 BABIP, 54.1 GB%
Martin found his way to the Dodgers in the 17th round of the 2022 draft. The North Carolina product was selected directly out of high school, but his young age hasn't stopped him from producing great results in Single-A this year.
Martin throws a lively fastball that currently peaks at 98 mph, though he and the club anticipate he could reach triple-digits by the end of the season. With that said, his best offering is his changeup. This is a pitch that he only throws to lefties and on which he has not allowed any base hits this season, Martin told Dodgers 2080. With the high velocity and an advanced repertoire, Martin is already turning heads in the Dodgers' system.
This past week offered another chance for Martin to put his name on the map. The right-hander was brilliant through two outings, allowing one hit, one walk, and zero runs over six innings of work. He struck out a whopping 11 batters along the way and added one more win to his record.
Christopher Familia - OF, New York Yankees
Level: Single-A
2023 stats: 62 G, .271/.377/.449, 8 HR, 42 RBI, 30 R, 4 SB, 14.9 BB%, 20.9 K%, 120 wRC+, .376 wOBA, .323 BABIP
The Yankees signed Familia out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. The left-handed outfielder spent his first two-and-a-half seasons of pro ball at the rookie level before jumping to Single-A last summer.
Familia has long been regarded as a power-first player who prioritizes home runs over plate discipline, but his actual stats suggest that he has been rather professional at the plate. Of course, that's not to suggest the power isn't there; he has 11 homers through 21 games this season, giving him an absurd .928 slugging percentage.
That mark isn't sustainable but still speaks to just how much pop he offers. He lacks speed and will likely spend most of his career as a left fielder or designated hitter. But to his credit, the Yankees have been experimenting with him in right field, too.
This past week held another big stretch of games for Familia. He went 9-for-19 with three homers, eight RBI, one walk, and five strikeouts. He has now logged a base hit in 19 of 21 games this season and doesn't show any signs of slowing down.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
