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Jake analyzes three top fantasy baseball prospects - Jackson Jobe, David Festa, Jonatan Clase - who could make big impacts this season. These MLB prospects are potential waiver wire pick-ups or stashes.
As we enter Week 22 of the MLB season, we've already witnessed several rookies making their mark, but there are still some highly anticipated prospects waiting in the minors who could significantly impact their teams later this summer or fall.
One thing I’ve learned here at RotoBaller is that you can never hear enough about prospects. Something about the wonder and ceiling attached to some of these names makes for must-read content. In this article, I have highlighted three fantasy baseball prospects poised to make a difference for both their major league ballclubs and your fantasy teams in 2024 and beyond.
These players possess immense potential, making them valuable assets in almost all fantasy leagues. Let's dive into some of the most exciting prospects that baseball has to offer!
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Jackson Jobe - SP, Detroit Tigers
Current Level: Double-A Erie
Availability: 44% on Yahoo!
2024 AA stats: 12 GS, 3-1, 53.2 IP, 2.01 ERA, 3.13 FIP, 26.7% K%, 12.9% BB%, 33.1% GB%, .225 BABIP
Jackson Jobe was the third overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft and is currently the top pitching prospect in baseball (and the eighth overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline).
Jobe has excelled at every level of the minors so far. Since his professional debut in 2022, he has a 2.96 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in 52 starts (204 IP) across four different levels of play.
Since entering Double-A earlier this season, though, the young phenom has seemed to take his game to an even higher level. In 53.2 innings, he has a 9.73 K/9, and opponents are batting a lofty .161 against him.
Final line on Jackson Jobe:
6.0 IP | 3 H | 0 R | 0 BB | 2 K
75 Pitches/52 Strikes
Erie leads Akron 1-0 heading into the seventh. #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/oZOmY8DlIJ
— Erie SeaWolves (@erie_seawolves) August 13, 2024
Jobe, 22, has a fastball that can reach the triple digits, a 70-grade slider/sweeper, and a changeup, which may be his best pitch.
There is no indication as to whether the Tigers plan on calling up Jobe in 2024. Nothing has been announced yet. They may be waiting until September to preserve his rookie eligibility for next season; however, based on how fantastic he is playing, they may have no choice but to call him up sooner.
While Jobe’s major league status in 2024 remains uncertain, he is an unmissable talent. He is a very valuable fantasy prospect/player for the future and a must-stash in all dynasty leagues. Fantasy managers should keep Jobe on their radar and look out for any news regarding his promotion.
Just Baseball’s top pitching prospect in the game Jackson Jobe is simply filthy pic.twitter.com/1QwDPhAnBQ
— The Call Up | An MLB Prospect Podcast (@The_CallUpPod) August 14, 2024
David Festa - SP, Minnesota Twins
Current Level: MLB
Availability: 55% on Yahoo!
2024 MLB stats: 5 GS, 2-2, 27.2 IP, 5.20 ERA, 5.17 FIP, 27.5% K%, 7.5% BB%, 30.3% GB%, .300 BABIP
2024 AAA stats: 15 GS, 3-3, 60.1 IP, 4.03 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 34.9% K%, 10.2% BB%, 44.4% GB%, .367 BABIP
David Festa – AKA The Slim Reaper (6’6, 185 lbs) – currently ranks as the 89th best prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline and has been bouncing between the big leagues and Triple-A throughout the summer.
Festa has been much better and more consistent in Triple-A, although he has also been a (relatively) solid back-end rotation arm for the Twins in the five starts they needed him. His most recent start came against the Cleveland Guardians on August 11th, where he allowed one run in 3.1 innings.
David Festa, Nasty 90mph Changeup. pic.twitter.com/8YDvVsIQow
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 11, 2024
Festa, 24, is now in his fourth season of professional baseball and should now remain as a member of the Twins' major league roster, barring any injuries or setbacks. He has developed a lot during his time in the minors and has created a very nice pitch mix that should fare well in the majors long-term.
As Minnesota (68-53) is in the midst of a pennant race, it is not clear how exactly Festa will be used for the rest of the season. Minnesota will look to start the best man they have available on any given day, and Festa’s leash will be short. His fantasy value determines greatly whether you play in a season-long or dynasty league.
However, the value of starting pitching depth can never be overstated. He may be used as a streamer to conclude this season, but is an absolute stash if you are building for the future. His availability number will likely keep shrinking, so it may be worthwhile to pick him up ASAP!
Nice look at David Festa's mechanics. #Twins
7 feet of extension on his fastball is greater than ~90% of MLB right-handers. pic.twitter.com/AyIxPtYXMc
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) August 6, 2024
Jonatan Clase - OF, Toronto Blue Jays
Level: Triple-A Buffalo
Availability: 77% on Yahoo!
2024 AAA stats: 70 G, .268/.361/.467, 11 HRs, 38 RBI, 51 R, 28 SB 2024 MLB stats: 19 G, .195/.233/.220, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4 R, 3 SB
Jonatan Clase, who was acquired by Toronto from the Seattle Mariners, is currently ranked as the seventh-best prospect in the Blue Jays organization.
Clase’s MLB numbers came from a quick stint with the Mariners earlier this season, and his Triple-A numbers are from his time with both Tacoma and Buffalo. Clase has a good approach at the plate and has the potential to develop into a really good hitter, however the attribute he is mainly known for is his speed. In 2023, Clase swiped an astounding 79 bags split across two different levels of play.
Jonatan Clase walks and then steals his second base of the game before scoring from second on a single. He's been on base three times tonight with two walks as he continues to focus on getting productive team plate appearances so he can impact the game with his speed. pic.twitter.com/mX6ebqtdsq
— Lookout Landing (@LookoutLanding) May 26, 2023
The Blue Jays have had an underwhelming season, to say the least. They currently sit at 57-64 and have no chance of making the playoffs this season. They will use the rest of the year to audition for 2025 and see who will have a prominent role in this team's future.
Clase, the 22-year-old speedster, is at the top of the list of players who will be called up to Toronto’s major league roster soon. He is as deserving as anyone for a chance to at least compete for a 2025 roster spot, as he has been solid in Triple-A all season long.
It is only a matter of days or weeks till Clase gets the call. If he can find a way to hit and get hot, he could serve as a valuable streamer for the rest of the 2024 season. Clase should definintly be on all fantasy managers radars. Hold onto him if you have him, and if you don't, look out for any news regarding his call up.
Jonatan Clase, acquired by the @BlueJays in the Yimi García deal at the Deadline, belts his first homer for the @BuffaloBisons! pic.twitter.com/hB5KnsVHXG
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 7, 2024
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