Hot MLB Prospects to Watch for Fantasy Baseball - Braden Montgomery, David Shields, Milan Tolentino, Nolan Perry, Cam Maldonado

April 22, 2026

Andersen looks at the top fantasy baseball prospects risers, sleepers for Week 4 in April 2026. These MLB prospects may become strong waiver wire stashes or pickups.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! The 2026 MLB season is nearly a month old, and we've already seen plenty of standout performances across all levels of pro ball.

Monitoring the top fantasy baseball prospects who have turned heads thus far is imperative. The players listed here are coming off dominant weeks and have significant long-term upside. Don't be surprised when these exact names are painting corners, mashing homers, and swiping bags at the big league level soon.

Savvy fantasy managers looking for an edge in their leagues should watch these players over the long haul, as they may soon be excellent additions.

Braden Montgomery, OF, Chicago White Sox

Level: Double-A
2026 stats: 15 G, .358/.456/.755, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 12 R, 2 SB, 17.6% BB%, 25.0% K%, .429 BABIP, .506 wOBA, 193 wRC+

The future is bright in Chicago as Montgomery continues to impress within the White Sox's farm system. The young outfield prospect was originally selected in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox, fetching a $5 million signing bonus after an impressive collegiate career at Texas A&M. However, he was traded to the White Sox in the December 2024 deal headlined by Garrett Crochet.

A switch-hitting outfielder, Montgomery possesses plenty of power, and he's started showing a tendency to strike out more as a result of the increased power approach. It has worked out fine so far, and it will give him a high-upside profile as he approaches the majors. He has a strong arm and enough speed to keep him in center field for now, but he could eventually switch to a corner outfield spot.

Last week, Montgomery went 12-for-20 with one home run, five doubles, two triples, and seven RBI. He also drew four walks, struck out five times, and stole a base. The 23-year-old is currently in Double-A, and while the White Sox won't rush him, he could be a late-season call-up if he continues to hit this well.

Braden Montgomery clears the fences!

With his fourth homer of the year, the @whitesox top prospect has an OPS of 1.158 for the Double-A @BhamBarons. pic.twitter.com/javwO6D0ql

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 18, 2026

David Shields, SP, Kansas City Royals

Level: High-A
2025 stats: 3 G, 3 GS, 1-2, 11.0 IP, 4.91 ERA, 5.01 FIP, 12.27 K/9, 3.27 BB/9, 1.64 HR/9, 38.5% GB%, .333 BABIP

The Royals used their second-round pick on Shields in 2024. At the time, he was an intriguing prep lefty, and he signed for a substantial amount of $2.3 million out of high school. The Royals are taking their time with his development, as he spent all of last year at Single-A and opened the 2026 campaign at High-A.

Shields' best pitch is his slider, which generates an effective mix of induced vertical and horizontal break. He has a good feel for the command of his breaking ball, allowing him to land it for a strike or generate a whiff. It pairs nicely with his fastball, which sits in the low 90s but also has good command. He rounds out his repertoire with a changeup, which is nothing special but is a fine tertiary offering.

Making his third start of the season last Friday, the 19-year-old threw five shutout innings. He allowed zero hits and one walk while striking out eight batters. We know the Royals won't rush his development, but if he keeps it up, he could be promoted to Double-A sooner rather than later. There's long-term fantasy appeal here.

Milan Tolentino, SS, Cleveland Guardians

Level: Triple-A
2025 stats: 22 G, .292/.378/.639, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 12 R, 4 SB, 12.2% BB%, 23.2% K%, .319 BABIP, .435 wOBA, 160 wRC+

Tolentino was the Guardians' fourth-round pick in the abbreviated 2020 draft. He fetched an $800,000 signing bonus out of high school, and he has gradually developed into a Triple-A contributor with the potential to make an impact in the majors sooner rather than later.

Tolentino isn't viewed as a major power threat, but he did turn some heads by slugging 21 homers last year. That was encouraging, as his previous season-high was nine homers. There are mixed feelings about the hit tool, as he hit .216 with a 34.3% strikeout rate last year, but has increased his average in 2026 and is now striking out less than one-quarter of the time.

Last week, Tolentino went 10-for-20 with four homers, one double, one triple, and 10 RBI. He also drew two walks, struck out three times, and stole a base. With 143 games of experience at Triple-A under his belt, the Guardians should feel comfortable promoting Tolentino to the majors when they need an infield replacement.

Checking in on Milan Tolentino...

He's 2-for-2 with a homer, a triple, and a pair of RBI so far in today's @CLBClippers game💥 pic.twitter.com/F8uzRuIDfm

— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) April 19, 2026

Nolan Perry, SP, Toronto Blue Jays

Level: Single-A
2026 stats: 3 G, 2 GS, 0-0, 13.0 IP, 1.38 ERA, 2.49 FIP, 15.23 K/9, 2.77 BB/9, 0.69 HR/9, 47.4% GB%, .167 BABIP

It's been a long and patient development process for Perry, who was the Jays' 12th-round pick out of high school in 2022. Despite being drafted nearly four years ago, Perry remains in Single-A, partly due to an elbow injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for part of 2024 and all of 2025.

Perry throws a fastball with impressive ride, and the pitch has looked even more effective post-Tommy John surgery. It settled in the low 90s before surgery but is now sitting around 94 mph. The heater pairs nicely with a breaking ball that demonstrates significant drop. He rounds out his four-pitch mix with a cutter and curveball, giving him the tools to remain a starter long-term.

The 22-year-old had one of the best games of his career last Thursday, striking out 12 batters over five scoreless innings of work. He allowed just one hit and zero walks along the way. Perry's post-injury results have been spectacular, and we wouldn't be surprised if he finally gets his much-deserved promotion to High-A very soon.

NOLAN PERRY, TAKE A BOW🫡

Career high 12 strikeouts, including seven in a row to begin his outing!

5 IP | 0 R | 1 H | 0 BB | 12 K pic.twitter.com/GysHtWdtUJ

— Dunedin Blue Jays (@DunedinBlueJays) April 17, 2026

Cam Maldonado, OF, San Francisco Giants

Level: Single-A
2025 stats: 14 G, .345/.431/.727, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 14 R, 6 SB, 13.8% BB%, 15.4% K%, .325 BABIP, .485 wOBA, 175 wRC+

Maldonado, 22, was the Giants' seventh-round pick in last summer's MLB Draft. The Northeastern product fetched a modest $287,400 signing bonus out of college, and the deal seems to be paying off as he has torn up the minors early in his first full pro season.

Maldonado shows off a nice blend of power and speed, giving him the potential to stick in center field long-term while batting in the top half of the lineup. He consistently produces high exit velocities, and we like his chances to steal at least 35 bases this year. At the plate, he has a plus hit tool and has shaved his strikeout rate from 25.4% last year to 15.4% so far this year.

Last week, Maldonado went 10-for-21 with six home runs, 10 RBI, three walks, three strikeouts, and one stolen base. Six home runs in one week is bordering on historic, and it's certainly one of the biggest power outputs we've ever highlighted in this Hot Prospects series. After just 31 career Single-A games, Maldonado is already making a serious push for a promotion to High-A.

Cam Maldonado was 3 for 5 with two home runs and a double while Damian Bravo added a home run and a double.

Jeremiah Jenkins added two hits including his 3rd home run and Isaiah Barkett got on base 3 times, including a double in helping San Jose put up another 13 runs in… pic.twitter.com/ivp2BWtF3m

— SFGProspects (@SFGProspects) April 18, 2026

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