BALLER MOVE: Add in All Formats
ROSTERED IN: 13% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: The Houston Astros have called up outfield prospect Joey Loperfido from Triple-A Sugar Land after the 24-year-old enjoyed a monster start to his 2024 season.
It appears the 'Stros have struck gold when they drafted Loperfido in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft. All he has done so far this season is slug 13 home runs alongside four stolen bases and a 1.106 OPS across just 25 games and 122 trips to the plate with Sugar Land. The dude has a history of hitting for big-time power in his minor-league tenure, even if it has some with some swing-and-miss.
Indeed, Loperfido has punched out in 30.8% of his plate appearances entering Sunday's action at Triple-A this season, a trend that is not exactly new. At the same time, he has mitigated the punchouts with a healthy 12% BB%, another trend that shouldn't come as a surprise. Loperfido walked in 12.9% of his trips to the plate at the Double-A level a season ago.
The @astros are reportedly calling up their No. 6 prospect, Joey Loperfido, per @brianmctaggart.
Loperfido hit his 13th homer of the season Sunday -- the most in MiLB or MLB: https://t.co/hMif2HwzoD pic.twitter.com/yQDPcNYzbp
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 29, 2024
The bottom line is that fantasy managers should be hopping on the youngster before it's too late. The 9-19 Astros will give the slugger plenty of running room, especially with Jose Abreu struggling mightily at the dish.
There is massive power upside here as Loperfido is certainly worth an add before the true breakout begins.
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