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The minor league season rages on. Now that fantasy baseball teams have been drafted and the season is underway, it's imperative to monitor the top prospects who have turned heads thus far.
At this point in the season, excellent prospect performances shouldn't be taken too seriously. Sure, there's no denying that short sample sizes can correspond to long-term success, but we'll need to see a bit more out of the players listed below before we go into a deep dive.
Regardless, keep an eye on these names over the long haul as they may prove to be excellent waiver wire adds soon.
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Robel Garcia - 2B, Chicago Cubs
Level: Triple-A
2022 stats: 27 G, .291/.410/.686, 9 HR, 20 RBI, .390 BABIP, 181 wRC+, 17.1 BB%, 35.2 K%
The definition of "prospect" is murky with Garcia considering he is 29 years old and has 78 games of MLB experience in his career. However, he has spent all of 2022 in Triple-A and could be knocking on the doorstep of the majors again. An international signee of Cleveland back in 2010, Garcia committed to his second career stint in the Cubs' system after signing a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training this past offseason.
Garcia has put up impressive offensive numbers this year, showing that he can both put the ball in play and hit for power. He has been particularly dominant as of late, going 9-for-18 with six homers and nine RBI over his last six games. Garcia's underwhelming track record in the majors means he likely won't have a major fantasy impact, but it's still hard to imagine he'll be stuck in Triple-A for long.
Tony Locey - SP, Colorado Rockies
Level: High-A
2022 stats: 5 GS, 27.0 IP, 2-1, 4.90 xFIP, 3.33 ERA, 9.67 K/9, 6.67 BB/9, .203 BABIP
The Rockies have to enjoy what they've seen from Locey, a big-bodied right-hander with an impressive fastball that sits in the upper-90s. He also has a curveball with good vertical break, a putaway slider, and a changeup that remains in the developmental stage. Locey throws hard, isn't afraid to attack batters, and has a reputation for inducing ground balls. There have been concerns about his high walk rate, but Locey's track record as of late warrants some optimism.
Locey mowed down batters with ease in his last outing on May 11. When all was said and done, it took him just six innings to tally 10 strikeouts. He allowed zero hits in the process and earned the win. However, on a negative note, Locey did walk six batters. That figure represented a season-worst, though not by much. In his previous outing, he had issued five walks. In order for the 23-year-old to climb his way to the majors (and pick up fantasy relevance along the way), he'll need to demonstrate much better command.
Hunter Goodman - C, Colorado Rockies
Level: Single-A
2022 stats: 32 G, .307/.348/.598, 9 HR, 34 RBI, .370 BABIP, 143 wRC+
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Goodman currently ranks 20th among MLB Pipeline's Rockies prospects. Power is his best trait, though his overall hit tool also translated surprisingly well to professional baseball action. Defensively, the 22-year-old has made a legitimate effort to improve his skills behind the dish. He has put a focus on improving his footwork and also decreasing his pop time. As such, there's reason to believe he could play catcher long-term rather than make the dreaded switch to first base.
When looking at Goodman's future, all eyes are on his defensive position. However, for the time being, we need to talk about his offense. The Memphis product went 12-for-26 with three homers and 13 RBI over the course of his last six games. Considering the volatility of the catcher position in fantasy baseball, Goodman could have some fantasy relevance when he reaches the majors, though that milestone is likely several years away.
David Festa - SP, Minnesota Twins
Level: High-A
2022 stats: 5 GS, 24.0 IP, 2-1, 2.08 FIP, 1.50 ERA, 51.1 GB%, 12.38 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, .234 BABIP
Despite being a 13th-round selection in last year's draft, Festa has made his impact felt through limited time in the Twins' farm system. The right-hander out of Seton Hall recently earned a promotion to High-A, meaning his next trip to the mound will occur with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. The big-bodied hurler checks in at 6-foot-6 and boasts an impressive fastball in the upper-90s. He also has an effective changeup but lacks a solid breaking pitch. The absence of a curveball or slider coupled with a heater nearing triple-digits could necessitate a move to the bullpen someday.
Although Festa best projects as a reliever, he's a starter right now. He surely made his presence felt this past week, striking out 11 batters over just six innings of work on May 10. He allowed zero runs, zero hits, and just two walks in the process. Festa's high strikeout rate, high velocity, and low walk rate could translate to impressive fantasy value if he reaches the majors in a few years.
Joey Wiemer - OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 33 G, .302/.375/.605, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 6 SB, .400 BABIP, 155 wRC+
There continues to be plenty of hype surrounding Wiemer, who was drafted in the fourth round of MLB's shortened 2020 draft. The Cincinnati product currently ranks second among Brewers prospects and required just 109 games in 2021 in order to show that he was ready for a promotion to Double-A. Analysts view Wiemer as a fantastic defender with a great glove and plus-plus arm. He runs with ease, boasts impressive pop, and has even developed his hitting into a more-than-serviceable trait. It's not hard to ignore the fact that Wiemer has five-tool potential.
Wiemer is 10-for-24 with five homers, eight RBI, and two stolen bases over the course of his last six games. He has made his presence felt at Double-A and could be just a year or two away from reaching the majors. If and when that day does come, Wiemer will have legitimate fantasy value thanks to his power, baserunning, and overall well-roundedness.
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