RADIO
When is Joey Loperfido getting called up? Will Joey Loperfido play in June of this MLB season? Read about Joey Loperfido's potential second promotion date and fantasy baseball prospect updates for 2024.
Immense struggles for Jose Abreu this season led to the promotion of Astros outfield prospect Joey Loperfido on April 30, a big league debut that lasted until May 26 when the 25-year-old was optioned back to Triple-A Sugar Land. Loperfido's debut went well as he hit .333 with a double, a homer, a stolen base, and an .817 OPS across 43 trips to the plate. At the same time, he also punched out in a whopping 39.5% of his plate appearances and his .103 isolated power disappointed in a miniature sample.
However, a big season so far at Triple-A has Astros fans and fantasy managers alike clamoring for a second promotion, especially with Chas McCormick also struggling mightily at the plate as an outfielder in an everyday role. Despite a slow return to the minors, Loperfido's offensive potential would be a welcomed addition to the 27-34 Astros, even if the offense has been far from the problem.
Let's check in on the slugger's prospect status, when he could potentially return to the big leagues, and his fantasy outlook for the 2024 campaign.
Joey Loperfido Prospect Update for Fantasy Baseball
With a sixth-ranked .325 wOBA, the Astros' surprisingly poor season cannot be put on the offense. At the same time, with McCormick struggling (his 51 wRC+ represents offensive production 49% below the league average) and superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker still under evaluation after taking a foul ball off the leg on Monday, there appears to be a reasonable opening for Loperfido's big league return.
Now, he hasn't exactly helped his cause since being sent back to the minors as he is hitting just .208 without a homer in his five games back with Sugar Land. Additionally, he still sports a bloated 31.5% punchout rate at Triple-A this season, certainly not a new development given his minor league track record of high strikeout numbers. His 13 long balls, seven stolen bases, and 1.000 OPS with Sugar Land deservedly get the headlines but this is a player not without his flaws.
Even with a propensity for the swing-and-miss, Loperfido's bat has largely demolished minor league pitching. It likely doesn't serve him well to spend much more time at Triple-A in his age-25 season, especially with the big club looking to get anything and everything it can to get its season pointed in the proper direction.
Joey Loperfido Outlook for Fantasy Baseball
What can fantasy managers expect from Loperfido this season and beyond? Well, the profile is fairly clear at this point: plenty of raw power, excellent speed for a power hitter, and likely a whole bunch of strikeouts. However, Loperfido's ability to draw walks helps mitigate the strikeout issues as he has walked in a superb 12.5% of his plate appearances in the minors this season.
A player who boasts light-tower power in combination with speed and an advanced ability to draw free passes is a player any and all fantasy managers should covet. After all, the Astros sit with an 18.1% K% on the season, good for the best mark in baseball as they're annually one of the most difficult teams to strike out. Perhaps some of those tendencies can rub off on the young Loperfido.
Loperfido remains a redraft target while dynasty managers should absolutely continue to stash the slugger in any and all formats.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
Andrew Painter - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter missed the entirety of the 2023 and 2024 seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, the budding ace made his Triple-A debut earlier this season and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. Painter began the season with Low-A, […]
Logan Henderson - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitching prospect Logan Henderson made his MLB debut earlier this season and was quite dominant, tossing 21 innings to the tune of a 1.71 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. During this stint, Henderson struck out 29 batters and posted a strong 7.4% […]
Jordan Lawlar - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar received his second taste of the majors earlier this season but was unable to produce. Across eight games in Arizona, Lawlar did not tally a hit and held a 9:3 K:BB. During the 2023 season, Lawlar made his MLB […]
Chase Burns - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues ROSTERED IN: 50% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Chase Burns joined the list of several 2024 draft picks who made their MLB debut during the first half of the 20205 campaign. On Tuesday evening, the former second overall pick got the call to face the New York […]
Bubba Chandler - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups, Stashes (Week 14)
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: After a few rough outings, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the sport bounced back in a big way on June 17. In this outing, the right-hander tossed four innings of two-run ball (one earned run) and allowed five hits and one walk. He struck out three. […]
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!
