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Andy's fantasy baseball prospects sleepers and risers to know for Week 8 of 2025. He analyzes top MLB prospects and rookies to stash based on recent performances.
Welcome Rotoballers to another edition of my biweekly prospect series. In this edition, we will take a look at two of the top catching prospects in the sport, Harry Ford and Samuel Basallo. In addition, we will analyze Otto Kemp's incredible start to the Triple-A regular season.
However, it is crucial to determine whether these performances truly matter in redraft leagues for 2025. Knowing which prospects to watch can put you ahead of your league mates and in the driver's seat. In our last edition, we looked at Jordan Lawlar and Cade Horton, who are both in the major leagues.
Adding the right prospect can fill the missing piece on your roster and set you up for a fantasy championship. This week, we will look at two familiar names if you followed this column last season, and another budding ace in the Tampa Bay pitching factory. This fantasy baseball prospects biweekly series will examine a few key players in the minor leagues and assess whether they have a path to fantasy stardom in 2025.
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Harry Ford, C, Seattle Mariners
Mariners No. 5 Prospect, Overall 67
Harry Ford has been viewed as one of the top catching prospects in the sport throughout his entire minor league career since being drafted with the 12th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.
In 2022, Ford made his Low-A debut and performed very well, holding a .274/.425/.438 line with 23 doubles, 11 home runs, and 23 stolen bases across 104 games. During the stretch, he showed a strong eye at the plate, holding a 115:88 K:BB.
In 2023, Ford spent his entire season with High-A Everett, where he continued to find success, posting a .257/.410/.430 line. He hit 24 doubles, tallied 15 long balls, and swiped 24 bags.
However, last summer, Ford took a steep step back at Double-A. Through 116 games with Double-A Arkansas, the young backstop posted a modest .249/.399/.367 line. He drew walks at a 14.1% rate which was nearly four points lower than his 18.3% rate at High-A the previous summer. He also saw his ISO drop from .173 to .119.
The 22-year-old has been able to bounce back in a big way during his first taste of Triple-A. The Mariners gave Ford the green light to open the season at Triple-A despite his struggles at Double-A. In his first 27 games with Triple-A Tacoma, the North Cobb HS product has posted an impressive .292/.434/.417 line.
His walk rate has jumped to 19.7%, which is more in line with his production at the lower minor league levels.
While this is an excellent improvement for Ford, does this truly matter for 2025? The Mariners currently have one of the best catchers in the sport in Cal Raleigh, who has posted a .242/.365/.557 line with 13 long balls through the opening month. However, their No. 2 backstop, Mitch Garver (who typically plays DH), has struggled holding a .206 AVG.
If Ford continues to hit, he could eventually replace Garver as the No. 2 catcher. This would also allow Raleigh to see more time as a DH to preserve his health for the stretch run. However, given that the Mariners have kept Ford at a level through the vast majority of a season, he will likely only contend for a late-season MLB debut.
Baseball destroyed. Harry Ford goes 442ft for a 2-runs HR. pic.twitter.com/ItJegLFMuy
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) May 14, 2025
Verdict: Continue to monitor, remains on track for second-half MLB debut
Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles
Orioles No. 1 Prospect, Overall 16
Samuel Basallo is viewed as one of the top prospects in the sport. Throughout his career in the minor leagues, Basallo has flashed elite power potential as a catcher. In 2023, across 114 games with Low-A, High-A, and Double-A, Basallo held a .313/.402/.551 line with 26 doubles and 20 long balls.
In 2024, Basallo spent most of his time with Double-A before earning a brief taste of Triple-A. At Double-A, he held a .286/.355/.465 line with 22 doubles and 16 home runs through 106 games. However, during his brief look at Triple-A, he struggled, posting a .222 AVG in 21 games.
Through the early part of the 2025 season, Basallo spent some time on the injured list with a hamstring and elbow injury. This could have explained his slow start, during which he posted a modest 200/.306/.400 line through his first 11 games of the Triple-A regular season. However, over his last 10 contests, Basallo has been one of the most productive hitters at the level.
During this stint, the 20-year-old has slashed an impressive .302/.362/.674 line with four doubles, four home runs, and a 15:4 K:BB. While he has held a high 31.9% strikeout rate over his stretch, it is promising to see Basallo tap into his power upside.
Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his production as he could be in the mix for a relatively early MLB debut. Given Baltimore's slow start to the season, their top hitting prospect could provide a much-needed spark. While Adley Rutschman is blocking him from being the team's backstop, he could find a role at first base, given Ryan Mountcastle's slow start, or at DH.
Basallo is putting on a clinic, just missing his third home run of the night with a double off the top of the wall!
The estimated distance was 403 ft., as the wind kept the ball in Harbor Park. https://t.co/399x7oUSxg pic.twitter.com/78yFmu4bzt
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) May 14, 2025
Verdict: Stash in AL-only formats
Otto Kemp, INF, Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies No. 24 Prospect, Overall N/A
Philadelphia Phillies infield prospect Otto Kemp will round out this piece. While Kemp is low on prospect boards, do not let that fool you. Kemp has been one of the top hitters through the opening month of the Triple-A regular season.
After spending only 13 games at this level in 2024 (and struggling over this stint with a .200/.333/.244 line), Kemp has taken an incredible step forward in 2025. Through his first 39 games of the season, Kemp has posted a .322/.425/.632 slash line with 15 doubles, 10 home runs, and six stolen bases.
Kemp's 26 extra-base hits are the most of any hitter at any level of the minor leagues.
In addition to his increasing power potential, Kemp has also taken strides with his eye. Last season, Kemp spent most of his time at the Double-A level, holding an 8.4% walk rate. However, at Triple-A, he has been able to raise that to a 9.9% rate, which is on pace to be his highest mark since his time at High-A.
While his strikeout rate remains high, Kemp's showing more willingness to take walks and hit for higher power is a very promising sign.
However, does this incredible start truly matter for 205 fantasy baseball? Unfortunately for Kemp, the Phillies have a mainstay at the hot corner in Alec Bohm. While Bohm struggled at times early in the season, since May 1, he has held a strong .361/.425/.472 line. He is not going anywhere.
Kemp has also seen time at the keystone, but that is currently occupied by Bryson Stott, who is also off to a strong start, holding a .259 AVG with eight stolen bases.
As a result, Kemp will need to wait for the injury bug to hit Philadelphia. While he is on track to make his MLB debut later this summer, it will likely come at the expense of an injury, not his personal production.
Otto Kemp has been named the @MiLB April International Player of the Month! Congratulations Otto! pic.twitter.com/ufmNgKFDPm
— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) May 5, 2025
Verdict: Stash in NL-only formats
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