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If you're in a dynasty league for fantasy baseball, then you know just how important it is to stash up on prospects while their stock is still low. Right now, there's no shortage of prospects within MLB Pipeline's top 100 that possess the talent to thrive in the Major Leagues. While they may not be MLB-ready right now, it's never too early to stash them away for when they are.
These guys could make their debut by September 2023 or perhaps be everyday players for their respective teams come 2024. The five players listed below are 19, 20, and 21 years old, with the highest level amongst them being that of Double-A. They likely aren't being called up to the Show any time soon, but by the time MLB Pipeline's midseason rankings are released, they could climb the list as more top 10 prospects graduate.
Therefore, it'd be wise to pick them up now while they aren't as hot a commodity. Drafting them now could yield benefits for your fantasy team later.
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Mick Abel, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
Unlike his right-handed counterpart Andrew Painter, Mick Abel isn’t quite ready to taste the big leagues yet. That doesn’t mean, however, that the Phillies won’t elect to call up the 21-year-old before the 2023 season is over or that he won’t be a staple in the Phillies’ rotation come 2024. After all, it’s been reported that Philadelphia received multiple offers on both Painter and Abel and chose to shut them down. They believe the duo is special and will eventually become the faces of their starting rotation.
Abel hasn’t played to the level that Painter has in the minor leagues thus far, but he’s still been highly effective, coming in at No. 48 on MLB Pipeline’s 2023 top 100 prospects. The 15th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft tossed 108 ⅓ innings to the tune of a 3.90 ERA across High-A and Double-A in 2022. He struck out batters at an excellent rate (10.8 K/9) but struggled a bit with his command and control, allowing 50 walks and eight HBP. It’s likely Abel makes the jump from Double-A to Triple-A at some point this season, where he can continue to hone in on these issues.
Jackson Holliday, SS, Baltimore Orioles
The son of former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday, Jackson Holliday was selected first overall by the Orioles in the 2022 MLB Draft. The 19-year-old currently finds himself at No. 12 on MLB Pipeline’s rankings, but it’s probable he climbs that list as he gets his first full year of professional ball underway. Drafted out of high school, his ETA is 2025, but it wouldn’t be entirely surprising to see him in Baltimore sooner than that.
The Orioles extended an invite to Holliday as a non-roster invitee (NRI) to Major League Spring Training, and while he won’t crack the Opening Day roster, being around the clubhouse and gaining experience in the Grapefruit League will pay dividends to his development. With 20 games of pro ball under his belt, he’ll likely start the year in Low-A, looking to build upon his .297/.489/.422 slash line.
Marcelo Mayer, SS, Boston Red Sox
MLB.com’s Jim Callis predicts that Mayer will be a top five MLB prospect at this time next year, and for good reason. The Red Sox drafted Mayer fourth overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, touted as a “potential combination of Corey Seager's bat and Brandon Crawford's glove.” Despite dealing with a wrist injury, the 20-year-old came to play in 2022, batting .280/.399/.489 with 45 extra-base hits and 17 steals between Low-A and High-A.
MLB Pipeline projects Mayer to make the bigs by 2024, but with Trevor Story out for most of the season and Kiké Hernández logging just 91 games at SS in his career, there’s a possibility he could arrive in Boston in the near future. His 6’3” frame is bigger than average for a shortstop, and he could eventually move over to third base, but his smooth actions, quick hands, and plus arm would make him a solid defender at either position.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Chicago Cubs
Selected 19th overall by the New York Mets in 2019, Crow-Armstrong was traded to the Cubs at the deadline following a tear in his non-throwing arm in 2021. The 20-year-old then promptly showed New York they made a lofty mistake, logging 30 extra-base hits, swatting 16 home runs, and knocking in 61 RBI in his first full season in Chicago’s minor league system. Crow-Armstrong–ranked No. 28 by MLB Pipeline–ended the year in High-A, and he’ll surely make the jump to Double-A as the 2023 season begins.
The Cubs added longtime Dodger Cody Bellinger to their roster this offseason, signing the former MVP to a one-year deal worth $17.5 million. They’ll stick him in CF, along with Ian Happ in left field and Seiya Suzuki in right. Frankly, Bellinger is a gamble for the Cubs. He could start to return to what he once was, or continue to underproduce. Crow-Armstrong’s natural position is center, so depending on Chicago’s patience with the Belli experiment, the Cubs’ top prospect could see big league action before 2023 concludes and win an everyday spot come 2024.
Jordan Lawlar, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks
Lawlar is yet another shortstop prospect coming up through the pipeline. He was chosen sixth overall by the D-backs in 2021, adding to an already strong Arizona farm system. The 20-year-old performed so well in the minors in 2022 that he was promoted three times, slashing .303/.401/.509 with 16 home runs, 62 RBI, and 57 walks across four levels. Lawlar is also a threat on the base paths, swiping 39 bags last season. Adding him to the D-backs’ athletic lineup will be lethal.
Following a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League in 2022, Lawlar received an NRI to big league Spring Training, getting to put his power and speed on display. However, he will start the season in the minors, needing to make some improvements defensively before he gets the call to the Show. Moreover, Nick Ahmed and Geraldo Perdomo are currently manning the shortstop position, blocking Lawlar…at least for now. MLB Pipeline projects the No.11 overall prospect to arrive in 2024.
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