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Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 9 of the fantasy baseball season. The minor league baseball season is off to a hot start, providing us with plenty of big plays and impressive prospect performances.
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.
Savvy fantasy managers looking for an edge in their leagues 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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Jesus Bastidas - SS, Houston Astros
Level: Triple-A
2024 stats: 40 G, .307/.383/.620, 11 HR, 43 RBI, 34 R, 5 SB, 8.5 BB%, 22.9 K%, .348 BABIP, .418 wOBA, 137 wRC+
Bastidas is a former Yankees farmhand who joined the Astros during free agency this past offseason. He's on the older side for prospects at 25 years old, but he has still shown that he can make an impact throughout all levels of minor-league baseball. The Venezuelan signee has blossomed into a power hitter who can work counts and drive in runs. As the Astros continue to struggle in the majors, perhaps Bastidas could provide reinforcement sooner rather than later.
Last week, Bastidas went 13-for-24 with four home runs and 11 RBI. He also registered four doubles, three walks, and a stolen base over just a handful of games. He's showing no signs of slowing down at the dish anytime soon.
Jesus Bastidas racked up 9 extra base hits, including 4 HR while posting a 1.863 OPS last week for @SLSpaceCowboys.
Yesterday, he was named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/nwGOcFccKa
— Astros Player Development (@AstrosPlayerDev) May 21, 2024
Ian Mejia - SP, Atlanta Braves
Level: Double-A
2024 stats: 8 G, 8 GS, 4-0, 42.2 IP, 1.69 ERA, 2.74 FIP, 11.39 K/9, 3.59 BB/9, 0.42 HR/9, 47.8 GB%, .231 BABIP
Mejia was a diamond in the rough, landing with the Braves as an 11th-round pick back in 2022. He has maintained low walk rates and decent strikeout rates throughout his first few seasons of pro ball but has noticeably allowed too much loud contact, including home runs. In order to climb the ranks and reach the majors, Mejia will need to keep hitters away from doing real damage, much like he has done through a small sample size so far in 2024.
Last week, he continued to show promise, tossing a seven-inning no-hitter. He hit one batter and walked two, and he also struck out a whopping 11 batters. Fantasy managers would be wise to keep tabs on Mejia moving forward.
🚨 NO-HITTER ALERT 🚨
Ian Mejia delivers a dominant 11-K showing to notch the 7-inning milestone for the @mbraves, their 5th no-no in franchise history 🎉 pic.twitter.com/2zjXW2BHtO
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 18, 2024
Carson Williams - SS, Tampa Bay Rays
Level: Double-A
2024 stats: 32 G, .346/.426/.631, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 34 R, 10 SB, 10.8 BB%, 24.3 K%, .437 BABIP, .481 wOBA, 218 wRC+
Williams is a consensus top prospect both within the Rays' organization and Major League Baseball as a whole. He's been a prominent name in the minors ever since being selected in the first round of the 2021 draft. He displays spectacular skills in the field, where he uses his reliable glove and impeccable arm strength to challenge opposing hitters and runners. He is also a pure hitter, strong runner, and even capable of producing occasional power.
Last week, Williams put on a show, going 8-for-18 with three homers, six RBI, five walks, and three strikeouts. Tampa Bay, which has a variety of needs within its infield, could promote Williams to Triple-A or the majors as he continues to swing a hot bat.
Rays SS prospect Carson Williams has been spectacular, hitting .346/.426/.631 with just a 24% K-rate--down 8% from his career average--while getting his first extended taste of Double-A. There's some clear mechanical adjustments that back his torrid start to the year🧵 pic.twitter.com/cLcWK4Luqy
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) May 20, 2024
Owen Murphy - SP, Atlanta Braves
Level: High-A
2024 stats: 7 G, 7 GS, 4-2, 41.0 IP, 1.54 ERA, 2.26 FIP, 13.17 K/9, 2.63 BB/9, 0.44 HR/9, 29.9 GB%, .200 BABIP
Murphy was the Braves' first-round pick in 2022 and has flashed significant upside ever since making his pro debut. The right-hander has good spin behind his offerings, making up for a lack of velocity likely caused by his relatively undersized 6-foot-1 frame. His fastball registers in the low 90s. He also throws a slider with good break and a slow, loopy curveball that misses enough bats. Finally, he's working on improving his changeup.
Murphy was quite effective in his outing last week, striking out a whopping 11 batters over just 6.1 innings of work. Furthermore, he allowed zero runs on just three hits. A promotion to Double-A sounds like it's right around the corner, which echoes my thoughts from when I highlighted Murphy back in Week 6.
This sequence was bullying from Braves prospect Owen Murphy. Steals a strike with a first pitch curveball, then a hard 85 mph slider down, followed by a fastball with 22 inches of IVB from a 5.6 foot release.
I guess that's what a guy with 60 Ks in just 41 innings looks like. pic.twitter.com/5Ruv2eEqQt
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) May 16, 2024
Henry Bolte - OF, Oakland Athletics
Level: High-A
2024 stats: 37 G, .278/.402/.521, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 36 R, 17 SB, 14.4 BB%, 32.8 K%, .413 BABIP, .424 wOBA, 158 wRC+
The Athletics made Bolte their second-round pick in 2022 and convinced him to sign an over-slot deal rather than attend the University of Texas. Bolte offers a rare blend of power and speed, using the latter trait to swipe plenty of bases and hold down the fort in center field. He also has a strong glove and a decent hit tool, though he definitely needs to cut down on strikeouts.
Last week, Bolte went 10-for-22 with two homers and seven RBI. He also drew six walks, slugged four doubles, and stole four times. If the young outfielder can continue to reduce his strikeout total, he could be shuttled through the minors and to the majors by this time next year.
Henry Bolte is quietly having an impressive season in Hi-A.
Last 10 G: 50 PA, .436/.560/.923, 5 2B, 4 HR, 5 SB, 18% BB, 18% K
Season: 174 PA, .278/.402/.521, 10 2B, 7 HR, 17 SB, 14.4% BB, 32.8% KSolid power/speed, but contact is the question.#Athleticspic.twitter.com/oJBashxGiL
— Eric Cross (@EricCross04) May 21, 2024
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