PROSPECT: Brian Van Belle, SP, Boston Red Sox
ANALYSIS: The Boston Red Sox signed Van Belle as an undrafted free agent out of Miami after the 2020 shortened draft. Known for a dynamic changeup, Van Belle was undrafted due to a low-90s fastball and a below-average curve as his other offerings at draft time.
Van Belle has worked to develop his pitches, gaining shape on his fastball and improving the command and control on his 12-6 curve, allowing him to pound the strike zone with an easily repeatable delivery. However, after finishing out 2022 in Double-A and posting a 5.31 combined ERA over 137 1/3 innings, most assumed Van Belle would be a filler arm in the minors.
This season, the fastball and curve have continued to be located well, but Van Belle has done well adding a second grip to his change that offers two different looks and has led to a ton of poor contact. Van Belle's easy delivery has allowed him to be one of the top innings guys in the minors this year and he's posted a 1.50 ERA over three starts so far in June, posting a 16/5 K/BB rate.
VERDICT: Van Belle is likely going to be more valuable in real life than in fantasy as a backend starter that chews up innings. While he's working himself into plans for 2023 in Boston, his ultimate fantasy value will likely be low as he's going to have a low strikeout rate and lacks overwhelming stuff. Watch for now, but be ready to pounce at backend starter value if he's called up.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
Jasson Dominguez - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 7)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 25% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The New York Yankees are taking a cautious approach with Jasson Dominguez, their No. 1 prospect for 2024 on MLB Pipeline, on the outfielder's way back from late-season Tommy John surgery in 2023. There was some initial hope after undergoing the procedure that... Read More
Gregory Soto - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 2% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Gregory Soto picked up the save this past Wednesday in a 2-1 victory over the Angels, which was his second save of the year. Notably, Jose Alvarado pitched the eighth inning, giving way to Soto in the ninth. Technically speaking, Alvarado's task was... Read More
Shane Baz - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 7)
BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: One of our favorite pitching prospects is Shane Baz. Depending on where you look, Baz has graduated off lists that use service time, but he's still under the 50-inning threshold and worthy of discussing in an article such as this. After missing all of 2023 due... Read More
Alex Lange - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 44% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After recording 26 saves for the Detroit Tigers in 2023 as the team's primary closer, Alex Lange was expected to be the team's closer heading into 2024. A somewhat rough spring for Lange prompted manager A.J. Hinch to use Jason Foley in the... Read More
Joe Kelly - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Analysis (Week 7)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-14+ Team Leagues / NL-Only Leagues ROSTERED IN: 3% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Dodgers closer Evan Phillips (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with a Grade 1 hamstring injury. Although Phillips is expected to remain sidelined only for a minimum stint, several save opportunities will now be... Read More
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!Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!