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Welcome back RotoBallers, the All-Star break is in the rearview mirror. We're heading into Week 18 of the fantasy baseball season, and the minor league season rages on. It would be foolish to proceed without highlighting the top performances from Week 17.
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 waiver wire adds in no time.
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Joseph Ortiz - SS, Baltimore Orioles
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 87 G, .258/.314/.416, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 43 R, .295 BABIP, .321 wOBA, 6.4 BB%, 18.0 K%
The Orioles selected Ortiz, a New Mexico State product, in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He is a defense-first player with phenomenal glovework and a plus arm. He projects as the Orioles' shortstop of the future, using his fantastic baseball instincts, fluid footwork, and great glove-to-throw skills. He isn't super speedy, but he has enough range to cover the shortstop position adequately.
Ortiz has never been known as a major power hitter, but he has seen a somewhat surprising uptick in homers over the last couple of seasons. He's an average hitter who will ideally cut down on strikeouts and develop a bit more discipline before he reaches the big-league level.
All criticism aside, Ortiz is coming off a huge week in Double-A. Through six games, he went 14-for-27 with three homers, four doubles, 11 RBI, and nine runs. The 24-year-old undoubtedly factors into Baltimore's future plans and could have some low-end fantasy appeal in the majors as soon as 2024.
Spencer Stockton - RP, Cincinnati Reds
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 21 G, 2 GS, 45.2 IP, 4-1, 2.76 ERA, .297 BABIP, 7.49 K/9, 3.06 BB/9
Stockton went undrafted out of Jacksonville in 2019. He signed with the Reds and has climbed through the lower ranks of affiliated ball, showing the club that it made the right decision when inking him to an amateur contract. The right-hander, who has seen some rotation work but mostly pitches out of the bullpen, has been fantastic this season, allowing more than two runs in just one outing (a rough July 23rd showing in which he surrendered seven runs and didn't escape the first inning).
The 24-year-old has done a very good job limiting walks, all while striking out roughly one batter per inning throughout his three-year career in the minors. He doesn't induce many ground balls whatsoever, but he does have impressive LOB and HR/FB rates.
Stockton had two quality appearances out of the bullpen this week. He totaled six innings, striking out a whopping 10 batters while allowing just three hits and two walks. His outing on July 27 was the best of the pair. Not only was it his first game since the brutal seven-run rough-up, but eight of his 10 outs came on strikeouts and he allowed just one baserunner in the process.
Aaron Sabato - 1B, Minnesota Twins
Level: High-A
2022 stats: 73 G, .226/.347/.453, 16 HR, 54 RBI, 46 R, .295 BABIP, .361 wOBA, 122 wRC+, 13.2 BB%, 32.2 K%
The Twins used their first-round pick on Sabato back in the COVID-shortened draft of 2020. The North Carolina product has mostly lived up to expectations so far, showing off a phenomenal power tool while also drawing a solid amount of walks. However, there have been times when he has appeared to be outmatched, especially when facing fastballs. This has led to a high strikeout rate, which often happens to power hitters in the majors but generally doesn't plague the most trustworthy bats in the minors.
To his credit, Sabato has worked hard to improve his swing amidst a challenging transition to pro baseball and wood bats. He has improved his timing and worked to pull the ball to left field rather than go the opposite way. The power is clearly there; now he just needs to take the next step with his contact. He also has good discipline and impressive knowledge of the strike zone, giving the Twins additional optimism about his long-term outlook. However, he does leave a lot to be desired defensively, so Sabato will need to hit his way into the majors and be content playing first base or designated hitter.
This isn't the 23-year-old's first appearance on this list and it likely won't be his last. This past week, he went 7-for-21 with four homers, 11 RBI, four walks, and 10 runs. He showed off his power, drew some walks, and scored almost every time he reached base.
Landon Marceaux - SP, Los Angeles Angels
Level: High-A
2022 stats: 16 GS, 85.0 IP, 4-5, 2.65 ERA, .246 BABIP, 56.1 GB%, 7.31 K/9, 1.48 BB/9
The Angels selected Marceaux, a Louisiana State product, in the third round of the 2021 draft. That was the year in which they took all pitchers, and Marceaux had the privilege of being their third choice. After a brutal 3.2 innings of work at the Rookie level in 2021, the right-hander has bounced back with plenty of strong outings at High-A this year.
Marceaux's fastball sits in the low-to-mid-90s, but it gets good run. However, his complementary pitches are the ones that make him such a special pitcher. He throws a low-80s slider and curve, both of which demonstrate good break and work nicely off the heater. He also has a fading changeup that, according to MLB Pipeline, is effective at "generating a lot of groundballs."
The 22-year-old's great command of all four pitches gives him a leg-up over opposing batters and has translated to the stat sheet quite well in 2022. His stats show that while he doesn't get a whole lot of strikeouts, he has kept walks to an absolute minimum and also induced a lot of ground balls.
Marceaux put on a show this past week, striking out eight batters over eight innings during his outing on July 30. He surrendered just two hits and one walk while holding his opponent scoreless for the entire game. Fittingly, he earned the win and brought his ERA down to a fantastic 0.64 in the month of July.
Jase Bowen - OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Level: Single-A
2022 stats: 92 G, .278/.358/.450, 13 HR, 60 RBI, 57 R, 20 SB, .363 BABIP, .373 wOBA, 133 wRC+, 9.5 BB%, 27.4 K%
Drafted in 2019, Bowen, like many other minor leaguers, suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic because it limited his opportunities to see crucial game action and progress his development in 2020. As a result, he's still in Single-A, though he's certainly knocking on the door of a promotion.
The 21-year-old's biggest weakness is his hit tool. He has the potential to clobber a lot of homers, but at what cost? Bowen has swung and missed way too many times in the lower levels of the minors. Although he has continued to strike out at a high rate in 2022, it is promising to see that his batting average has climbed to .278 after it was .223 or lower in each of the past two seasons. Defensively, Bowen has the above-average speed, fielding, and arm needed to play center field long-term, though he has taken reps at second base, too.
Bowen is coming off a great week at Single-A in which he went 10-for-22 with three homers, 10 RBI, three walks, and four strikeouts. He was also hit by two pitches and came around to score eight times in the six-game series against Lakeland.
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