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Welcome back, RotoBallers! September is almost here. We're heading into Week 22 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 21.
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 — perhaps as soon as rosters expand on Sept. 1.
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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Matt Sauer - SP, New York Yankees
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 21 GS, 106.1 IP, 5-4, 4.15 ERA, .310 BABIP, 11.09 K/9, 3.30 BB/9
The Yankees selected Sauer, a California native, in the second round of the 2017 draft. A top prep pitching prospect at the time, the right-hander overcame Tommy John surgery, found his way to Double-A, and is coming off a pair of phenomenal performances amidst a solid season. The 23-year-old has a mid-90s fastball that touches 97 mph, certainly his best pitch. He also has a nasty slider with above-average horizontal bite, as well as a fading changeup that complements his heater nicely.
Sauer absolutely stole the show in the minors this past week, delivering an eight-inning outing in which he struck out a whopping 17 batters. Let that sink in. 17. SEVENTEEN! Sauer allowed one run on two hits and zero walks along the way. This was his fourth outing at the Double-A level and his second consecutive with double-digit strikeouts; he had fanned 11 batters through 5.2 innings in his previous outing. Clearly, Sauer has good strikeout stuff and could have instant fantasy intrigue when he reaches the majors, perhaps as soon as 2023.
James Outman - OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Level: Triple-A
2022 stats: 99 G, .290/.390/.578, 24 HR, 85 RBI, 80 R, .370 BABIP, 12.2 BB%, 28.6 K%, 12 SB
Outman is a talented 25-year-old outfielder on the verge of making a legitimate MLB impact. In fact, if Outman played on a team that didn't have as many stars as the Dodgers have, he'd likely be an everyday player. Instead, he's in Triple-A, just waiting for another opportunity after he went 6-for-13 with a homer and three RBI during a short MLB stint one month ago. A true athlete, Outman is a pull hitter who has drastically improved his discipline in the Dodgers' system. He gets on base at a high clip and has shown off some impressive power. Defensively, he has the speed and arm strength needed to survive in center field long-term.
This past week was one to remember for the young outfielder. He went 12-for-21 over the course of six games, delivering 10 extra-base hits, two homers, and 14 RBI. His best outing undeniably came on August 26, when he went 5-for-5 with a single, double, homer, and two triples. That's a total of 13 bases, as well as one run and six RBI. He will have instant fantasy relevance when he's promoted to the majors, which could come when rosters expand to 28 players on Thursday.
Sean Burke - SP, Chicago White Sox
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 22 G, 21 GS, 90.0 IP, 4-6, 4.40 ERA, .357 BABIP, 11.50 K/9, 4.10 BB/9
The White Sox selected Burke with their third-round pick in 2021. The fact that he reached Double-A in a matter of months should tell you how much he has impressed the Chicago organization. The right-hander has a solid fastball that has only added velocity since he made his pro debut; it now peaks at 98 mph but generally sits in the mid-90s. He also has a good feel for his knuckle curve and slider, and both breaking balls have the potential to become plus pitches if he can execute a bit more break. Finally, his changeup is nothing special but merely a change-of-pace offering, giving Burke another tool with which he can keep hitters guessing.
Burke hasn't pitched since last Tuesday, when he tossed just five innings in search of his first win since May 19. He was successful, allowing zero runs on just two hits en route to securing the victory. Most notably, Burke struck out nine batters and did not walk anyone; both of these marks represented career-highs for the 22-year-old.
Freddy Fermin - C, Kansas City Royals
Level: Triple-A
2022 stats: 68 G, .274/.376/.511, 13 HR, 47 RBI, 34 R, .282 BABIP, .386 wOBA, 134 wRC+, 14.3 BB%, 16.5 K%
Fermin is a 27-year-old backstop who didn't make his MLB debut until this season. Signed out of Venezuela back in 2015, Fermin spent one series with the big-league club in July but has otherwise suited up behind the dish for the organization's Triple-A affiliate in Omaha. Not only has his power improved in 2022, but he boasts impressive walk and strikeout rates.
This past week treated Fermin quite nicely. Over the course of six games, he went 7-for-19 with a whopping five home runs and 12 RBI. He remained quite disciplined, drawing five walks while striking out just three times in the process. Undeniably, he could have some fantasy relevance in the majors if he's able to keep up his impressive offensive output.
Joseph Hernandez - SP, Seattle Mariners
Level: Single-A
2022 stats: 22 G, 20 GS, 108.0 IP, 8-5, 3.42 ERA, .263 BABIP, 40.9 GB%, 11.00 K/9, 3.92 BB/9
Hernandez is a talented, young right-hander known for his lethal slider. One of the best slider-throwers in all of pro baseball, Hernandez's breaker baffles opponents, especially righties. He also has a solid fastball and changeup, the former of which registers in the low-to-mid-90s. Just 21 years old, he still has a ways to go in his development, but the repertoire and early metrics offer optimism toward an impressive future.
Hernandez made two starts at Single-A this past week, totaling one earned run, five hits, and five walks while striking out a whopping 16 batters over 12 innings. His best of the two outings came on August 23, when he struck out 10 batters and did not surrender a run through six frames.
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