MLB Prospect Debuts: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups and Rookie Stashes (Week 16)

Mike's fantasy baseball prospect stashes, sleepers, and rookie waiver wire pickups for Week 16 of 2025 -- recent MLB prospect debuts and potential call-ups to monitor.

We have hit the All-Star break, a pause in the daily action and grind of the baseball schedule. This week, we are putting a twist on the usual article, where we suggest recent or near call-ups who can help your fantasy rosters, both hitters and pitchers.

Instead, we will focus on the prospects that have made the biggest impact on their teams, and also speculate on what they might look like in the second half.

Next week, we will return to our regular article. Let's jump in and look at four hitters and four pitchers who have made a significant impact in the season's first half.

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Fantasy Baseball Hitter Prospect Debuts

Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

Level: Called Up

2025 Stats: 235 PA, .257/.333/.558, 33 R, 17 HR, 44 RBI, 1 SB, 10.6% BB%, 33.2% K%, 139 wRC+

Kurtz was frequently mentioned this spring as a player who might receive the call quickly in 2025. He was recalled in late April and had an IL stint in late May. Kurtz initially struggled to hit and hit for power, but started to show it in late May with five home runs.

He hit seven in June and has hit another five in July. The rookie now has 17 home runs on the season to go with a usable .257 batting average (.264 in June, .275 in July so far) and 44 RBI.

Check out his Statcast below, and it is the blood red color we fantasy players love to see in a profile. A 16.8% barrel percentage and an average exit velocity of 92.4 miles per hour. Yes, the strikeout percentage is high, but you can live with it given the production.

Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox

 Level: Called Up

2025 Stats: 124 PA, .264/.371/.406, 19 R, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 2 SB, 12.1% BB%, 21.8% K%, 119 wRC+

There was a ton of hype surrounding Anthony when he got called up, and he has met the billing. Anthony has moved into the third spot in the batting order most of the time, and he's hitting .264 after some initial struggles, including .341 in July with 11 runs.

Below, you will see that we highlighted his hard-hit percentage by month. He is killing fastballs right now, and the league will adjust to him, and he will adjust back. Anthony is not returning to the minor leagues and will continue to develop.

Marcelo Mayer, 2B/3B/SS, Boston Red Sox 

Level: Called Up

2025 Stats: 124 PA, .224/.266/.414, 19 R, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 20 SB, 5.6% BB%, 29.8% K%, 81 wRC+ 

Mayer, Anthony's teammate in Boston, was recalled when Alex Bregman went to the IL with a quad strain. Mayer shifted to an unfamiliar position, third base, and with Bregman's return, Mayer has shifted to second base.

Meyer has not hit as well as Anthony, but he has more power, with four home runs to Anthony's two. He has a 53.5% hard-hit percentage and a 74.2 miles per hour average bat speed. Those skills should translate to better results in the season's second half.

Drake Baldwin, C, Atlanta Braves

Level: Called Up

2025 Stats: 211 PA, .279/.351/.479, 21 R, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 0 SB, 9% BB%, 16.1% K%, 133 wRC+

Baldwin was a surprise, making the team out of spring training. He rewarded the faith in him by hitting .279 with 11 home runs in the season's first half. Sharing time with Sean Murphy, Baldwin hit .389 in May, followed by a paltry .200 in June.

He has rebounded to hit .276 with two more home runs in July while balancing playing time with Murphy, who has been hot in July. Look for the timeshare to continue in Atlanta. Baldwin has a low strikeout rate, which should help prevent slumps.

At a premium position like catcher, Baldwin should continue to be rostered in every two-catcher league.

Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Prospect Debuts

Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers

Level: Called Up

2025 Stats: 25.2IP, 2.81 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 33.7% K%, 11.2% BB%, 3.82 FIP

The "Mis" was recalled last month and has gone 4-1 in five starts with a 2.81 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts in 25 innings. His 99.3 miles per hour fastball puts him into the 99th percentile in all of baseball. He is here to stay.

Look at his box below. He had a bad start early in July, but bounced back in a big way in his last start, striking out 12 Los Angeles Dodgers over six innings last time, surrendering only a solo home run. Will they manage his innings in the second half?

Even if the Brewers do manage the innings, Misiorowski is a stud and should remain in the rotation as long as the team stays in playoff contention, only one game behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs.

Will Warren, New York Yankees

Level: Called Up

2025 Stats: 95.1 IP, 4.63 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 26.7% K%, 10.5% BB%, 3.41 FIP

Warren made six starts last year for the Yankees, posting no wins and a bloated 10.32 ERA and 1.90 WHIP. He did not make the team out of spring training this year, but was needed due to the season-ending Tommy John surgery for Gerrit Cole.

Warren has started 20 games this year for the Yankees, going 6-5 with a 4.63 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP, and 112 strikeouts in 95 innings. Warren mixes up a four-seamer, a sweeper, and a sinker, while also throwing a show-me change and curve.

His arsenal is good enough to be a number-three starter, and he should continue to get opportunities in a New York rotation that needs him.

Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds

Level: Called Up

2025 Stats: 16 IP, 6.19 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 33.8% K%, 12.2% BB%, 4.08 FIP

Burns was a much-hyped prospect but has had a rough start to the beginning of his major league career. He has started four games, with only one decision, a loss. Burns has 25 strikeouts in 16 innings, with a 6.19 ERA and 1.63 WHIP.

Yet, the underlying stats show a better picture. The 4.08 FIP is two runs better than his actual ERA, and the 33.8% K% is outstanding. He will need to work on cutting down the walks. It is unknown at this time if Burns will have an innings limit in the second half.

Burns is worth rostering in just about any league at this time.

Noah Cameron, Kansas City Royals 

Level: Called Up

2025 Stats: 70 IP, 2.31 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 21.1% K%, 8.0% BB%, 3.67 FIP

Cameron was a surprise call-up due to injuries in the Kansas City rotation in mid-May, and he has been a terrific addition. He's got three wins, a tidy 2.31 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts in 70 innings. Cameron should stick in the rotation.

Check out his Statcast below. He is not going to strike out tons of guys, but he limits barrels, and he has a 45.6% ground-ball rate. That is a recipe for success. Cameron has been great in July, with three starts, a win, and 20 strikeouts in 18 innings.

I hope you liked this article this week, a quick recap of the major contributors from a stash of recalled prospects this season. I've enjoyed bringing these to you each week, and I hope you have found something helpful in this piece.

You can contact me anytime on X @mdrc0508, the worst Twitter handle of all time. Enjoy the rest of the All-Star break. Let's be ready to get after it as the second half begins on Friday.

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