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Welcome back, RotoBallers! The regular season is in full gear. We're heading into Week 7 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 the minor leagues during Week 6.
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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Justin Dirden - OF, Houston Astros
Level: Triple-A
2023 stats: 25 G, .269/.339/.519, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 12 R, 1 SB, 8.5 BB%, 28.8 K%, 97 wRC+, .369 wOBA, .354 BABIP
Dirden, now 25, went undrafted in the COVID draft of 2020. He has done nothing but smash the baseball since then with a boisterous, aggressive approach at the plate. He has impressed scouts by blasting the ball to all parts of the field with authority. Dirden's power bat has translated to a high strikeout rate in the past, but he has shown progress in working counts and reducing his K/BB rate. Finally, the Southeast Missouri State product is solid defensively and could put together a long career in any of the three outfield positions.
This past week, Dirden went 13-for-26 with four homers, nine extra-base hits, 15 RBI, one walk, and nine strikeouts. During this five-game span, he scored seven times and put together a phenomenal .500/.519/1.192 slash line. There's no doubt that the rising star could have a legitimate fantasy impact in the near future.
Chih-Jung Liu - SP, Boston Red Sox
Level: Double-A
2023 stats: 5 G, 5 GS, 3-1, 24.2 IP, 3.61 FIP, .293 BABIP, 10.58 K/9, 4.01 BB/9
Liu signed with the Red Sox out of Taiwan in 2019. His repertoire includes a variety of options, including a mid-90s fastball that has solid velocity but he doesn't miss a whole lot of bats. His mid-80s slider, on the other hand, is more lethal and is seen as his best putaway pitch. He also throws a curveball and changeup, but neither pitch is anything more than a change-of-pace offering.
Liu is coming off a memorable week in which he tossed a no-hitter at Double-A. The right-hander tossed all seven innings, allowing just two walks while striking out six batters. He now has 14 strikeouts and zero earned runs through his last two games (12 innings) and seems like a top candidate for an early-season promotion to Triple-A.
Austin Gauthier - SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
Level: High-A
2023 stats: 23 G, .429/.533/.607, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 23 R, 2 SB, 18.7 BB%, 17.8 K%, 223 wRC+, .516 wOBA, .523 BABIP
Gauthier is a talented infielder who signed with the Dodgers as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He has quickly made his mark within the lower levels of the organization thanks to his physical, aggressive style of play and ability to put the ball in play. He adds additional value by having a tendency to shoot the ball to all parts of the field. Defensively, Gauthier is a slick fielder with great instincts, though his range and arm will likely force him to eventually patrol second base.
Gauthier is coming off a huge week in the minors in which he went 11-for-19 with four extra-base hits, eight RBI, nine walks, and four strikeouts. While he didn't show off a lot of power, he continued to prove that he can get on base by tallying hits and drawing walks. In fact, over this six-game span, he reached base in exactly two-thirds of his plate appearances. If this trend continues, Gauthier will climb through the ranks very quickly.
Robby Snelling - SP, San Diego Padres
Level: Single-A
2023 stats: 5 G, 5 GS, 3-0, 21.0 IP, 0.86 ERA, 3.63 xFIP, 11.14 K/9, 3.86 BB/9, .205 BABIP, 45.5 GB%
Snelling is a talented, youth southpaw who was selected 39th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft. The 19-year-old consistently lands his fastball in the mid-90s, and that could prove to be a lethal pitch that induces plenty of whiffs once he reaches the upper levels of pro ball. Snelling also gets swings and misses with a tremendous, vertically-breaking curveball, giving him a great option with which he can bolster his repertoire. Finally, he is developing a changeup that, at the very least, offers a fine change of pace.
Snelling had a great start on Friday, allowing zero runs, one hit, and one walk over five innings of work. Best of all, he struck out nine batters and earned his third consecutive win. Dynasty managers should continue to monitor Snelling as he takes the mound in the minors.
Jordan Beck - OF, Colorado Rockies
Level: High-A
2023 stats: 21 G, .286/.322/.595, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 15 R, 1 SB, 5.6 BB%, 21.1 K%, 141 wRC+, .402 wOBA, .288 BABIP
Beck was selected with the 38th pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. The Tennessee product and promising outfield star has impressive power at the plate, a clutch factor that can't be ignored, and solid running. With a very strong arm and glove (plus average speed), he should at least have a chance to earn the top center field job in the organization. If not, shifting to a corner outfield role is a very logical and attainable next step for the 22-year-old.
This past week was one to remember for Beck, who went 11-for-25 with four homers, 12 RBI, one walk, and four strikeouts. His power is simply impossible to ignore, and it's easy to see his potential path to the majors. Consider Beck a solid dynasty option long-term.
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