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Andersen looks at the top fantasy baseball prospects risers, sleepers for Week 8 of 2025. These MLB prospects may become strong waiver wire stashes or pickups.
Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 8 of the baseball season, and the minor league schedule is in full swing. During last week's action, there were plenty of big plays and impressive prospect performances throughout Minor League Baseball.
Monitoring the top fantasy baseball prospects who have turned heads thus far is imperative. The players listed here are coming off dominant weeks and have significant long-term upside. Don't be surprised when these exact names are painting corners, mashing homers, and swiping bags at the big league level soon.
Savvy fantasy managers looking for an edge in their leagues should watch these players over the long haul, as they may soon be excellent additions.
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Nick Morabito, OF, New York Mets
Level: Double-A
2025 stats: 36 G, .263/.322/.436, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 25 R, 14 SB, 8.2% BB%, 29.5% K%, .364 BABIP, .342 wOBA, 120 wRC+
Morabito was the 75th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. The Mets selected him directly out of high school, and he has continued to impress at the minor league level. Speed is Morabito's best trait, as evidenced by his 14 stolen bases so far this season (and 59 total last year).
He has been hitting the ball quite well this spring, showcasing an ability to make contact and go the opposite way. However, he lacks significant power, and we'd like to see him cut down on his strikeout rate. Defensively, he has the speed needed to stick in center field long-term.
Last week, Morabito went 12-for-26 with one home run and four doubles. He also drew three walks, struck out seven times, and stole six bases. If Morabito can cut down on his strikeout total, his speed will allow him to play at the next level.
Nick Morabito drills an RBI double 🔥
🎠 x #NeedForSteed x @NickMorabito1 pic.twitter.com/BfPEy5XgQ3
— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) May 15, 2025
Will Sanders, SP, Chicago Cubs
Level: Double-A
2025 stats: 8 G, 8 GS, 3-1, 39.1 IP, 2.29 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 8.92 K/9, 1.83 BB/9, 0.23 HR/9, 50.0% GB%, .291 BABIP
Sanders was the Cubs' fourth-round pick in 2023. A right-hander out of South Carolina, his pro debut was delayed until 2024 due to injury. He immediately impacted the back half of the rotation at High-A.
Sanders throws a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup, but none of the pitches are overpowering. He lacks top-end velocity and movement on his pitches, but he makes up for it with impressive command. He has shown an ability to land his pitches in the strike zone, leading to a reduced walk rate and plenty of weak contact at the Double-A level.
Pitching last Saturday, Sanders tossed six shutout innings. He allowed just one hit and zero walks, and he rounded out his stat line with seven strikeouts. He hasn't allowed a run in either of his last two starts, and he has just one earned run through 16 innings in May. Questions exist about Sanders' ability to be effective against quality hitters at the next level, but for now, he's certainly turning heads.
Will Sanders strikes out the side in the 4th🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/QB8ll8WIXB
— Knoxville Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) May 18, 2025
Abimelec Ortiz, 1B, Texas Rangers
Level: Double-A
2025 stats: 34 G, .269/.359/.470, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 17 R, 2 SB, 11.1% BB%, 22.2% K%, .269 BABIP, .377 wOBA, 129 wRC+
Ortiz signed with the Rangers after he didn't hear his name called in the 2021 draft. A native of Puerto Rico, Ortiz reached the pros by way of Florida Southwestern State College. He has continued to hit the ball well ever since an offensive breakout in 2023.
The left-handed slugger has great bat speed and strength, attacking the ball and hitting to all parts of the field while demonstrating fantastic power. He has cut down on strikeouts over the last two years while working counts and increasing his walk total. Defensively, Ortiz's big frame and bat-first approach have mainly limited him to first base, though he could end up as a designated hitter in the majors.
Last week, Ortiz went 9-for-20 with three homers, including a walk-off grand slam. In total, he drove in 11 runs, drew five walks, and struck out four times.
Congrats to @RidersBaseball 1B/OF Abimelec Ortiz on being named Texas League Player of the Week!
Ortiz hit .450 with a 3 HR, 2 2B and 11 RBI over 5 games vs Corpus Christi last week, including a walk-off grand slam. pic.twitter.com/n72uDlMR06
— Rangers Player Development (@TEXPlayerDev) May 19, 2025
Tyson Hardin, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
Level: High-A
2025 stats: 7 G, 7 GS, 3-1, 38.2 IP, 1.16 ERA, 1.88 FIP, 9.31 K/9, 0.93 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 46.9% GB%, .290 BABIP
Hardin was a 12th-round pick last summer, but he has quickly developed into one of the Brewers' best pitching prospects. Although he primarily pitched out of the bullpen at Mississippi State, he has held his own as a rotation piece in the minors.
Hardin throws a fastball, slider, cutter, and changeup, with the slider being his best offering. He's not afraid to attack hitters, and he has shown the ability to command all of his pitches in the zone. His fastball velocity sits around 94 mph.
Last Friday, he allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings of work. He continued to build on his impressive K/BB ratio, amassing six strikeouts and zero walks. The sample size is small, but so far, Hardin looks like he could be a solid starter in the back half of the Brewers rotation down the road.
Tyson Hardin took a perfect game into the 6th this week en route to a pristine line in the @TimberRattlers 1-0 win Friday
7IP / 2H / 0R / 0BB / 6K
#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/BsJcQzXzDu— Brewers Player Development (@BrewersPD) May 19, 2025
A.J. Ewing, OF, New York Mets
Level: High-A
2025 stats: 33 G, .381/.477/.587, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 27 R, 27 SB, 15.9% BB%, 15.2% K%, .451 BABIP, .486 wOBA, 194 wRC+
Ewing was the Mets' fourth-round pick in 2023. He opted to sign with the Mets, forgoing his commitment to Alabama. The decision has paid dividends for both sides as Ewing has arguably been the best hitter in Minor League Baseball this year.
Drafted as a shortstop, Ewing hasn't played a game at the position in the minors. The bulk of his appearances have come in center field, where he runs well and showcases a solid glove. At the plate, he has excellent contact skills with above-average bat speed and the ability to crank out extra-base hits. Ewing's speed adds an extra element to his profile.
Last week, Ewing went 9-for-18 with two doubles, a triple, and three RBI. He also drew five walks, struck out four times, and stole six bases. The 20-year-old currently owns a 10-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 22 consecutive contests.
A.J Ewing in his first 12 games since being promoted to High-A Brooklyn:
.306/.393/.490, 4 2B, 6 RBI, 8 SB, .863 OPSpic.twitter.com/xuoGXgSvFW
— Farm To Flushing (@FarmToFlushing) May 15, 2025
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