X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Baseball Prospect Risers (Week 18) - Rookies to Stash and Top Performers

fantasy baseball prospects MLB prospects rookies call-ups

Andy's fantasy baseball prospect sleepers and risers to know for Week 18 (2024). He analyzes MLB prospects in the minor leagues and their recent performances.

The All-Star break is now behind us, and several top prospects have gotten off to a hot start in the minor leagues. Some of these prospects are able to carry this success into the big leagues and can become a viable fantasy baseball contributor.

However, the question is do these minor league performances truly matter for this season? How easy will it be for these prospects to reach the big leagues, and are they worth stashing on your redraft roster?

Knowing which prospects to watch can put you ahead of your league mates and in the driver’s seat during the second half of the season. Adding the right prospect can fill the missing piece on your roster and power you to a fantasy baseball championship. 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 2024. 

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Zebby Matthews, SP, Minnesota Twins

Minnesota No. 19, Overall N/A

When looking at the budding aces with the best command in the minor leagues, look no further than Minnesota Twins young arm, Zebby Matthews.

Matthews was taken in the eighth round of the 2022 MLB Draft and has cruised through the minor leagues without many setbacks. In 2023, he began the campaign at Single-A and needed only 38 frames to reach High-A, where he spent most of the second half of the summer. However, he held a worse 4.59 ERA and 1.13 WHIP there.

This season, the right-hander opened the campaign at High-A and posted a much-improved 1.59 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and perfect 0:28 BB:K ratio across 22 innings. Besides not allowing a walk, Matthews also raised his K% from the 21.5% he held at High-A in 2023 to a much-improved 33.3% he held this summer. In addition, he lowered his FIP from 4.76 to a stellar 1.58.

When he moved up to Double-A Wichita, he logged 55 ⅓ innings with a 1.95 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and a 6:63 BB:K ratio. At Double-A, he held a similar 30.1% K rate and a 2.07 FIP, which is a great sign. More importantly, he posted an excellent 4.4% HR/FB rate, which was his best mark since his time at Single-A.

Matthews was promoted to Triple-A St. Paul last week, making a 2024 major league debut possible. The right-hander showcased his strong command in his Triple-A debut as he allowed two runs across five innings with six strikeouts. 

Fantasy managers should monitor his first handful of starts at Triple-A very carefully, as he may force his way to the major leagues very soon. Even though the Twins rotation is currently full, all it takes is one injury, and Matthews could be in The Show soon.

Verdict: Stash in standard redraft leagues

 

Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B/3B, Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona No. 14, Overall N/A

The current minor league leader in home runs has yet to slow down this summer and is making a solid case to reach the major leagues this summer.

He opened the campaign by getting his third look at Double-A and posted a resounding .372/.426/.696 line with 14 home runs and 37 RBI. This is a stark contrast to the .231 and .254 AVG he held over the past two summers at Double-A. 

In addition, he posted a career-best (at the Double-A level) .324 ISO, which was significantly higher than the .177 he held in 2023. He also lowered his ground-ball rate from 52.8% in 2023 to 45.0%, which is now a career high.

This earned him a promotion to the top level of the minor leagues on May 21. De Los Santos has not missed a beat since joining Triple-A Reno and posted an excellent .296/.339/.620 slash line with 14 home runs and 46 RBI. He raised his fly-ball rate at Triple-A to 32.8%, the highest since his 2022 total at High-A.

Also, at the top level of the minors, he maintained an almost identical K and BB rate, which is a great sign and showed that the 21-year-old continued his strong play and could easily adjust to the top pitching in the minor leagues.

Looking at the major league roster, the Diamondbacks have had underwhelming production at the hot corner, which could open the door for De Los Santos. Veteran Eugenio Suarez has recently begun to bump up his production at the plate with a strong .313 AVG and .646 SLG in July, but it still sits at an overall .215/.300/.362 line, which will not cut it for a team that is looking to compete in October.

De Los Santos could be the answer to this, providing a potential boost to the team's power production. If he continues to mash at Triple-A, it will be tricky for Arizona to keep him in Reno.

Verdict: Stash in deeper redraft leagues

 

Jace Jung, 2B/3B, Detroit Tigers

Detroit No. 3, Overall 40

Rounding out this list is another infield prospect who has looked quite comfortable since moving up to Triple-A.

Jung is a bit different from De Los Santos, as he opened the season directly at the top level of the minors after splitting last summer between High-A and Double-A. Last season, the former 12th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft had a solid .270/.398/.510 line with 14 home runs, 50 RBI, and a 50:72 BB:K ratio across both levels.

This summer at Triple-A, the 23-year-old has posted a .269/.394/.502 slash line with 13 home runs, 47 RBI, and a 53:70 BB:K ratio across 70 games.

A look under the hood shows that the young infielder has taken even more strides forward this season and could be closing in on a major league debut. At Triple-A, Jung has a 16.9% walk rate and a 22.4% K rate, which are better totals than what he held at High-A and Double-A last summer. In addition, at Triple-A, Jung currently sits with a 56 wRC and .395 wOBA, which are right in line with his career averages.

Colt Keith has done very well at second base in the big leagues in his first major league season, but the Tigers have not had consistent production at the hot corner. Matt Vierling often shifts to the outfield, leaving third base open for Zach McKinstry, who has held a poor .189 AVG. 

Jung could be poised for an August debut if the Tigers sell some of their veterans at the deadline.

Verdict: Continue to monitor



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!



More Fantasy Baseball Prospects and Rookies




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP