X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Baseball Prospect Risers - Players To Stash and Top Performers (Week 4)

Paul Skenes - Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Rookies, Call-Ups

Andy's fantasy baseball prospect sleepers and risers to know for 2024 (Week 4). He analyzes MLB prospects in the minor leagues and their recent performances.

The minor league baseball season is underway and many well-known prospects are already making their case for an MLB debut later this summer.

However, the question is, do these performances truly matter for this season? How easy will it be for these prospects to reach the big leagues and are they worth stashing on your redraft roster?

Knowing which prospects to watch can put you ahead of your leaguemates and in the driver’s seat during the second half of the season. Adding the right prospect can fill the missing piece on your roster and power you to a fantasy championship. This fantasy baseball prospects series will examine a few key players in the minor leagues and assess whether they have a path to fantasy stardom in 2024.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Joey Loperfido, OF, Houston Astros

Houston No. 6 , Overall NA

What if I told you that Loperfido leads all of professional baseball in total home runs? The center fielder turned first baseman and has a dominant .333/.429/.825 line with an incredible 1.324 OPS through the first 14 games of the Triple-A season.

Loperfido has a whopping 10 home runs, 17 RBI, and 18 runs scored.

Loperfido is a prospect to monitor because he has seen playing time at first base over the past week. This is highly significant as it could pave the quickest path to a promotion.

Jose Abreu, the current first baseman in Houston, struggled in his first season in the Space City last year and is off to another disappointing start. Abreu is hitting a dreadful .111/.180/.133 with only one extra-base hit. Loperfido could provide a much-needed impact bat to the Houston lineup, and first base could be his ticket to the majors.

One concern I have with Loperfido is his high strikeout rate. This season, he has a 21:8 K:BB ratio, similar to the 134:65 ratio he posted across several minor league levels last season.

Loperfido could make his major league debut soon and should already be rostered in deeper/AL-only formats. In shallow leagues, if you lack outfield/first base production and have the roster space, it could be worth stashing Loperfido. He could provide a much-needed boost to your team if and when he is promoted.

The Astros have been very disappointing this season and I would not be surprised to see Loperfido in the majors by the All-Star break, potentially even sooner.

Verdict: Stash in 12-team or higher, wait in 10-team leagues for now

 

Christian Scott, RP, New York Mets

New York No. 5, Overall NA

Mets pitching prospect Christian Scott has been striking out batters at an elite level at Triple-A Syracuse. 

The 24-year-old has tallied 19 punchouts in just two starts across nine innings. He has a 4.00 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP with only one free pass (19:1 K:BB ratio).

Scott has been dominant in his first taste at Triple-A and is progressing quite well. Last season, he held a strong 2.47 ERA and 0.84 WHIP across 62 innings at Double-A with 77 strikeouts.

Even though Will Sammon of The Athletic reported last week that the Mets would prefer not to rush Scott’s promotion, his dominance at the Triple-A level may change their minds quickly. 

New York's starting rotation has taken hit after hit to open the season. Ace pitcher Kodai Senga and southpaw David Peterson are on the 60-day IL, and Tylor Megill is on the 15-day IL. If the Mets continue to hang around the Wild Card picture, it would be hard to imagine Scott not being on their major league roster by the All-Star break.

For now, it is best to leave Scott on the waiver wire in shallow and 12-team leagues. If he is available in your 15-team and NL-only league, I suggest stashing him, as he could be the most valuable pitcher on your waiver wire. If Scott can make another two to three dominant starts, he will enter must-stash territory in all leagues.

Verdict: Stash in deeper leagues, wait in 12-team or lower

 

Paul Skenes, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh No. 1, Overall No. 3

Rounding out this list is the former No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 MLB Draft. Skenes was a key part of the LSU championship team last year, has been nothing short of electric in Triple-A, and is on the verge of a call-up. 

Skenes has made three starts, with a 0.00 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts in just over nine innings. 

The Pirates are monitoring his innings at this stage. However, it is still being determined whether they are slowly building him up in the minors, intending to promote him after making several stretched-out starts. Alternatively, these short outings could be just a way to preserve his innings until he is promoted.

Time will tell, but if the 21-year-old is somehow available in your 10-team league, grab him immediately, as he should already be rostered in other formats. 

Also, see if you can strike a deal with the manager who currently rosters Skenes in your league. Maybe they are loaded with pitcher injuries and are becoming frustrated with stashing Skenes. The pitcher could have legit ace upside from the moment he is promoted. Now is the time to get him in your redraft league in any way possible as his value will never be lower.

Verdict: Check your waiver wire in shallow leagues

 

Bonus: Quinn Priester, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Fellow Pirate Priester, who technically graduated from prospect status after logging a short 50 innings in the majors last season, began this year at Triple-A and has also been dominant.

Priester has a 3.95 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 20 strikeouts over 13 ⅔ innings this season. Skenes and Priester should be in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later; the question is who will be called up first.

The Pirates have a decimated rotation with Marco Gonzales on the 15-day IL and Johan Oviedo on the 60-day IL. As a result, both Skenes and Priester could be promoted very soon, which will significantly impact the starting pitching landscape. Skenes is the better talent and fantasy option but Priester should be looked at in deeper formats. 

Verdict: Stash in deeper/NL-only formats



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Prospects and Rookies




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Patrick Fishburn

a True Wild Card at Procore Championship
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Eric Cole

Attempts to Start Fresh in Napa Valley
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent
Tyler Seguin

Cleared for Action
Mathew Barzal

Good to Go for Season Opener
Will Smith

Returns to Dodgers Lineup on Tuesday
Dustin Wolf

Signs Seven-Year Extension
Kyle Stowers

Dealing With Strained Side
Kyle Tucker

Placed on Injured List With Calf Strain
Jauan Jennings

Considered Day-to-Day, has a Chance to Play in Week 2
Russell Henley

to Get Final Ryder Cup Prep in at Procore Championship
Sam Burns

Hoping to Keep Quality Form Going This Week in Napa Ahead of Ryder Cup
Jalen Carter

Receives One-Game Suspension, Will be Eligible for Week 2
Maverick McNealy

Will Show U.S. Team What They're Missing This Week at Procore
Scottie Scheffler

Making Unusual Start at Procore Championship for Ryder Cup Prep
Bo Bichette

Goes on Injured List With Knee Sprain
George Kittle

Placed on Injured Reserve
Max Homa

A Good Week at a Favored Silverado Resort is Desperately Needed for Max Homa
Tyreek Hill

Accused of Domestic Violence
Davis Riley

Has a Ton of Question Marks Ahead of Procore Championship
Emiliano Grillo

Returns to a Familiar Silverado Resort for Procore Championship
Brian Campbell

Strange Season Continues At Procore Championship
Jauan Jennings

Avoids Serious Shoulder Injury
Garrett Crochet

Shuts Out the Athletics
Royce Lewis

Launches Two Homers Monday Night
NBA

Mason Jones Takes His Talents to Australia
NBA

Talen Horton-Tucker Joins Reigning EuroLeague Champions
New York Knicks

Malcolm Brogdon on Knicks' Radar
Andrew Wiggins

Attracting Interest From Lakers
Miami Heat

Heat Interested in Reunion With Precious Achiuwa
Tyler Glasnow

Fans 11 in Seven No-Hit Innings Monday
Slade Cecconi

Takes No-Hitter Into Eighth Inning Monday
Max Muncy

Batting Cleanup in Return to Dodgers
New York Knicks

Ben Simmons Reportedly Declined Knicks' Contract Offer
Younghoe Koo

Falcons Auditioning Kickers, Could Replace Younghoe Koo
Denver Broncos

Sean Payton Says Broncos Need to be Better With Run-Pass Balance
Tank Bigsby

Eagles Acquiring Tank Bigsby From Jaguars on Monday
George Kittle

Likely Out 3-5 Weeks, Could Land on Injured Reserve
Chase Burns

to be Activated on Friday
Brock Purdy

Dealing With Multiple Injuries, Could Miss Week 2
Tyler Glasnow

Cleared to Start on Monday
Logan O'Hoppe

Placed on Concussion Injured List
Christian Yelich

Returning on Monday
Elias Pettersson

Feeling "Good" Ahead of Season
NHL

Alex Formenton Rejoins Swiss Team
NHL

Grigori Denisenko Heads Back Home
CAR

Kevin Labanc Joins Hurricanes for Tryout
Ross Colton

Healthy for Start of Season
Daniel Palencia

Cubs Place Daniel Palencia on Injured List With Shoulder Strain
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Returning on Monday
Sean Murphy

Done for the Year With Hip Labral Tear
Alec Bohm

Lands on Injured List With Cyst in his Shoulder
Trea Turner

Going on Injured List, Phillies Hope to Have him Back for Playoffs
Brock Bowers

Considered Day-to-Day With Knee Injury
Jonathan Taylor

is "Good" After Taking a Hit to his Neck in Week 1
Caio Borralho

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Kyle Stowers

Suffers Setback on Rehab Assignment?
Nassourdine Imavov

Extends Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy

Gets Submitted
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Taps Out Mauricio Ruffy
Michael King

Expected to Return on Tuesday
Russell Wilson

Remains the Giants Starter
Trea Turner

Undergoing MRI Exam on Monday
Paul Craig

Retires After UFC Paris Loss
Denny Hamlin

Earns his First Cup Victory at Gateway
Kyle Larson

Damage Ruins Kyle Larson's Chance At a Top Finish at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Scores his Third Top-10 Finish at Gateway
Joey Logano

Maintains his Perfect Top-Five Streak at Gateway
Ryan Blaney

Struggles and Recovers for a Top-Five Finish at Gateway
Modestas Bukauskas

Scores First-Round Knockout
Bolaji Oki

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Xavier Worthy

Week-to-Week with Dislocated Shoulder
Mason Jones

Scores Comeback Win
Rhys McKee

Suffers Third-Round TKO Loss
Axel Sola

Successful In His UFC Debut
Robert Ruchała

Robert Ruchala Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
William Gomis

Bounces Back In The Win Column
Derrick Henry

Scores Twice but has Costly Fumble on Sunday
Lamar Jackson

Shines With Three Total Touchdowns in Loss to Bills
Keon Coleman

Leads the Team With 11 Targets on Sunday
Josh Allen

Totals Four Touchdowns in Win Over Ravens
Chase Elliott

Gets Lucky but Still Has Best Run at Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wins Stage 2, but Was Let Down by Strategy
Tyler Reddick

Despite Bad Luck, Tyler Reddick Does What he Needed to Do
Chase Briscoe

Recovers from Incident with Daniel Suarez to Finish Second
William Byron

Late Caution Foils William Byron's Shot at Gateway Victory
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates Targets in Seattle, Records 124 Receiving Yards in Week 1
Puka Nacua

Leads Rams in Targets, Catches, and Receiving Yards in Week 1
Christian McCaffrey

Logs 31 Touches in Season Opener
Jayson Tatum

"Moving Around Way Better"
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Gateway
Denny Hamlin

Fastest in Qualifying, the Favorite to Win at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Looking for Redemption at Gateway
Joey Logano

Has Been Elite at Gateway
Austin Cindric

Should Be On Your Radar at Gateway
AJ Allmendinger

Could Be a Sleeper Again at Gateway
Tyler Reddick

Southern 500 Near-Miss Makes Tyler Reddick a Stronger Option for Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace a Likely Gateway Contender
Alex Bowman

a Long Shot to Advance in Playoffs
Austin Dillon

Richard Childress Racing Looks Slower at Gateway, Which Will Hurt Austin Dillon
Shane Van Gisbergen

Starts 18th in Gateway Debut
Jeremy Swayman

Ready to Get Back on Track
Connor McDavid

Aiming for More Goals
NJ

Luke Glendening Signs Tryout Deal With Devils
Dylan Harper

Hoping to be Ready for the Opener Versus Dallas
EDM

Derek Ryan Retires From Hockey
Connor Zary

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Flames
Carey Price

Canadiens Trade Carey Price to Sharks
Rasmus Hojgaard

Finishes Tied For Second at Omega European Masters
Tyrrell Hatton

Finishes Tied for 32nd at LIV Indianapolis
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Fifth at Omega European Masters
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied For Second in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Xander Schauffele

Finishes 42nd in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Caio Borralho

Set For A Title Eliminator Bout
Nassourdine Imavov

Looks To Earn A Title Shot
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set For UFC Paris Co-Main Event
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Paul Craig

In Dire Need Of Victory
Mason Jones

Set for Main-Card Bout
Bolaji Oki

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Rhys McKee

Set To Open Up UFC Paris Main Card
Jon Rahm

Looks to Prove His Importance on European Ryder Cup Team
Tommy Fleetwood

Among Leaders of European Ryder Cup Team
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
E.J. Liddell

Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage