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A look at top prospects who impressed during Week 3 of the 2023 fantasy baseball season in the minor leagues and may be strong waiver wire stashes or pickups.
Welcome back, RotoBallers! The regular season is officially here. We're heading into Week 3 of the fantasy baseball season, and while there has already been plenty of action in the majors, we can't ignore some of the top prospect performances that took place in Triple-A during Week 2.
It's imperative to monitor the top fantasy baseball prospects who have turned heads thus far. The players listed here are not only coming off dominant weeks but have also impressed over the entire season. Don't be surprised when these exact names are painting corners, mashing homers, and swiping bags at the big-league level soon.
Fantasy managers should certainly keep an eye on these players over the long haul as they may prove to be excellent adds in no time.
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Jose Butto - SP, New York Mets
Level: Triple-A
2023 stats: 2 G, 2 GS, 1-0, 9.2 IP, 1.86 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, .176 OBA, .231 BABIP, 7.45 K/9, 4.66 BB/9
Butto was a 2017 international free agent signing and is closing in on his MLB debut after being selected to the 40-man roster last fall. The right-hander has done a great job limiting walks and inducing strikeouts throughout his young career in the minors, all while keeping runs and hits to a minimum.
The 23-year-old excelled this past week, allowing two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings of work on Sunday. He struck out six batters and ultimately earned his first win of the 2023 season.
Butto has an impressive upper-90s fastball that pairs exceptionally well with his changeup, which offers depth and consistently baffles opposing hitters. He's still working on refining his curveball and slide, but there's optimism that his breaking ball could be an effective offering eventually. Until then, he's stuck with a two-pitch repertoire and will likely pitch out of the bullpen if he reaches the majors in 2023.
Tucupita Marcano - SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
Level: Triple-A
2023 stats: 7 G, .500/.517/.929, 3.4 BB%, 10.3 K%, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 4 R, 1 SB, .611 wOBA, .542 BABIP, 271 wRC+
Marcano may not have true prospect status after playing 74 MLB games between 2021 and 2022, but he is still a high-end minor leaguer with the potential to make an impact very soon. The middle infielder lacks power but has shown a tendency to avoid strikeouts and put the ball in play, all while displaying his speed on the basepaths.
The 23-year-old has impressive bat-to-ball skills, which suggests that he can still be a very strong option off the bench even if he doesn't have an everyday starting role in the majors. Marcano also has a great defensive IQ, smooth hands, and impressive range.
Marcano is coming off a big week in which he went 10-for-19 (.526) with five doubles, one triple, one homer, and seven RBI. After just seven games, he is already knocking on the door of the majors and earning a promotion sooner rather than later as the Pirates look to inject some youth into their roster.
Chase Silseth - SP, Los Angeles Angels
Level: Triple-A
2023 stats: 2 G, 2 GS, 2-0, 11.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2.34 FIP, 0.55 WHIP, .081 OBA, .125 BABIP, 10.64 K/9, 2.45 BB/9
Silseth, a 2021 11th-round pick, is considered one of the top pitching prospects in the Angels' system. He has shown incredible strikeout stuff since being drafted but has still struggled to keep opponents off the bases, especially at the major league level in 2022 when he posted a 1.57 WHIP.
Scouts and analysts rave about Silseth's upper-90s fastball, which pairs quite well with his effective slider, deceptive changeup, and a really strong splitter. His offerings could truly become top-notch if he continues to pitch with high velocity and break while simultaneously working to improve his command.
Silseth has looked great this season, but the better of his two outings came last Friday when he allowed just one hit and two walks over six scoreless innings. The right-hander also struck out seven batters and earned the win while continuing to demonstrate why he's a candidate for a mid-season promotion to the majors.
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