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Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 16 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 last week.
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.
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Xavier Edwards - 2B, Miami Marlins
Level: Triple-A
2023 stats: 66 G, .368/.437/.366, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 52 R, 20 SB, 10.6 BB%, 5.1 K%, .471 BABIP, .355 wOBA, 125 wRC+
Edwards was traded from the Rays to the Marlins last November, but his contributions to the big-league club have been limited due to a crowded roster. As a result, Edwards has spent most of 2023 playing at (and tearing up) the Triple-A level.
The switch-hitter has developed a tremendous approach at the plate, generating contact and keeping strikeouts to a bare minimum. Although he lacks power, he more than makes up for it with his impressive speed and ability to put balls in play. Defensively, he offers some versatility but looks most natural at second base, where he provides a solid glove in the middle of the infield.
Last week was incredible for Edwards as he went 21-for-34 (.618) with five extra-base hits, 10 RBI, two walks, and just one strikeout. Yes, you read that correctly: he struck out one time over the course of 36 plate appearances. He also stole seven bases. The 23-year-old is arguably the best hitter in Minor League Baseball, and his promotion back to the majors is long overdue. It's only a matter of time before he's making key contributions alongside fellow offensive stalwart Luis Arraez.
Brooks Crawford - RP, Cincinnati Reds
Level: High-A
2023 stats: 21 G, 0 GS, 4-1, 47.1 IP, 3.99 ERA, 4.43 xFIP, .240 BABIP, 8.56 K/9, 3.80 BB/9, 32.5 GB%
Crawford shuttled from the Giants to the Reds during the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft in 2022. The 26-year-old is a former Clemson product who has struggled to progress through the minors over the course of his four-year pro career.
The right-hander's repertoire is highlighted by his fastball. He gets great velocity on the pitch, and he has been able to harness it so that it moves in on right-handed batters. Crawford typically works to contact, which has produced varying results over the years. It worked well in 2021, the best year of his career, when he surrendered a .316 BABIP but still managed to produce 11.15 K/9 and a 1.96 ERA.
Moving from the past to the present, Crawford is enjoying a strong month of July. He made two relief appearances last week, achieving perfection in both of them. Over the two outings combined, he lasted five innings. He faced 15 batters, retiring all 15 and striking out nine. If Crawford continues to pitch well in July, he could finally earn a promotion to Double-A.
Ethan Salas - C, San Diego Padres
Level: Single-A
2023 stats: 30 G, .259/.381/.500, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 24 R, 5 SB, 15.8 BB%, 22.3 K%, .295 BABIP, .401 wOBA, 133 wRC+
Salas is one of the most exciting players to watch in Minor League Baseball. Despite turning 17 years old just last month, he has already reached Single-A and ranks second on MLB Pipeline's list of Padres prospects. The expectations are high for the young backstop, and he's already making an impact in the minors.
Salas bats from the left side and has a smooth, controlled swing that peppers the ball to all parts of the field. There have been some questions about his power in the past, simply because this trait is more of a projection and less of an evaluation when you're still a teenager. However, Salas has already shown some pop in the minors, slugging six homers through 30 games. Defensively, he is incredibly well-rounded behind the dish, showing off advanced receiving, blocking, and throwing skills.
This past week, Salas impressed at the plate, going 7-for-19 with four homers, 10 RBI, five walks, and five strikeouts. He also stole two bases. The future is bright for Salas, who already looks like a top-tier prospect despite having an MLB ETA of 2028.
Duncan Davitt - RP, Tampa Bay Rays
Level: High-A
2023 stats: 18 G, 3 GS, 3-0, 39.1 IP, 4.81 ERA, 10.07 K/9, 3.66 BB/9, .275 BABIP, .211 OBA, 1.19 WHIP
Davitt joined the Rays as an 18th-round pick in the 2022 draft. Although it remains to be seen whether he'll be a starter or reliever long-term, he has spent the bulk of 2023 operating out of the bullpen and looking solid while doing so.
The Iowa product's four-pitch mix includes a low-90s fastball, low-80s changeup, low-80s slider, and low-70s curveball. The slider is his best pitch, approaching batters with dramatic sweeping action. It is a very effective offering late in counts, as is his changeup, which has missed plenty of bats despite Davitt not being a high-velocity pitcher.
Although Davitt has primarily been used as a reliever, he actually started the game in three of his last four outings. He looked great last Friday, tossing five no-hit innings. He issued zero walks, hit one batter, and finished with nine strikeouts. It was a very impressive bounce-back outing from the right-hander after he allowed five runs over three innings in his previous appearance.
Mason Albright - SP, Los Angeles Angels
Level: Single-A
2023 stats: 13 G, 12 GS, 7-4, 66.2 IP, 4.05 ERA, 9.79 K/9, 2.58 BB/9, .309 BABIP, .248 OBA, 1.26 WHIP
Despite being a 12th-round pick in 2021, Albright has developed into a solid pitching prospect within the Angels' organization. That's good news, after all, considering Los Angeles' approach over the last few years has been to draft and develop as many young arms as possible.
Albright's fastball lacks game-changing velocity, but it's still an effective offering. FanGraphs' Eric Longenhagen describes his heater as "diverse" because "Albright can create sink and tail from his low slot, but can also run his heater up the ladder because his slot creates such a shallow approach angle." The southpaw's best secondary offering is an effective curveball, though he's also working on developing a changeup.
Albright was electric this past week, striking out 11 batters over 6.2 innings of work. His final line included zero runs, two hits, one walk, and the victory. This was a much-needed bounce-back outing from the 20-year-old after he allowed seven runs and failed to escape the first inning in his previous start.
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