Impact MLB Rookies: Which Major Fantasy Baseball Prospect Call-Ups Are Left?

July 17, 2025

Andy's top fantasy baseball prospect call-ups left in the minors for 2025. These are impact fantasy baseball rookies who should get called up in the 2nd half.

Through the first half of the season, fantasy baseball managers have seen many top prospects get the call and make an immediate impact. Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz and Milwaukee right-handed pitcher Jacob Misiorowski are among the names that have emerged as must-start players.

However, there are still several players waiting in the wings who can provide a much-needed boost to your fantasy team.

Who are the top prospects on the verge of reaching the majors? Who will take the sport by storm in the second half? Let's dive in!

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Andrew Painter, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

The top-ranked prospect in Philadelphia has dealt with numerous injuries during his minor league career but is finally on the verge of earning the call to the big leagues. After missing the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons due to Tommy John surgery, Painter made his long-awaited return to the bump during the Arizona Fall League.

After taking a seat in spring training, the Phillies opted to send their budding star to Low-A Clearwater to get his feet wet. The former 13th overall pick needed just 11 1/3 innings to prove he was ready for Triple-A.

However, Painter would hit a bit of a roadblock during his first taste of Triple-A action. Through his first 26 innings, Painter held a high 5.19 ERA with a 29:11 K:BB. Over his most recent 24 2/3 innings, Painter has dropped to a 4.74 ERA with a stellar 26:9 K:BB.

While the right-hander occasionally struggles, seeing him log at least five innings of work in each outing and show stellar command is a promising sign. You will not find a pitcher with as much strikeout potential on your waiver wire.

With Aaron Nola (ankle) on the 60-day IL and not nearing a return, Painter should be in the mix to join Philadelphia shortly after the All-Star break. He is a strong stash option in all standard leagues.

Andrew Painter touched 99.2 mph while utilizing his cutter for 3 of his 5 strikeouts for the Triple-A @IronPigs.

MLB's No. 5 prospect (@Phillies) has 32 K's in 28.1 IP this season. pic.twitter.com/N924rLSHQc

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 29, 2025

Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians

Like Painter, Cleveland's Chase DeLauter has had his fair share of injuries. After being selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, DeLauter would only appear in 57 minor league games in 2023 and a mere 39 games in 2024.

However, he has already participated in 40 total games this season and was recently given his first extended look at the Triple-A level. In 2024, DeLauter was given a brief six-game taste of the top level of the minor leagues and posted a strong .304/.407/.739 line with four doubles and two home runs.

Through 32 games at Triple-A this season, the No. 2-ranked prospect in Cleveland has been nothing short of impressive, posting a .280/.390/.458 slash line. Through these 32 contests, DeLauter has reached base safely in every single game while holding an overall 22:22 K:BB. He has launched four home runs and knocked seven doubles.

More importantly, DeLauter has a clear path to the big leagues and could join them any day. In right field, Cleveland has typically deployed Nolan Jones, who has struggled mightily, posting a .229/.317/.329 line through 81 games.

DeLauter should be viewed as the top hitting prospect to stash going forward. His elite eye at the plate will make him a must-roster in points leagues.

Cleveland #Guardians 23yr old OF prospect Chase DeLauter collects his 1st hit of the night in the 7th inning for Columbus 103.5 mph off the bat.

Earlier in the game DeLauter walked to extend his on-base streak to 32 games with the Clippers. #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/kI0Y34WPHK

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) July 9, 2025

Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles

When looking at power potential in the minor leagues, Samuel Basallo stands alone. The No. 11-ranked prospect in baseball has hit for high power at Triple-A all season and is on the verge of earning the call to the big leagues.

Through 58 games with Triple-A Norfolk, the top catching prospect has posted a .263/.384/.572 line with nine doubles and 17 home runs. He has struck out 51 times and drawn 37 walks. This is impressive for the 20-year-old as he showed significant growing pains during his first look at Triple-A last season. Through 21 games with Norfolk last season, Basallo posted a much lower .222/.267/.370 line.

Like the two names above, Basallo should be in the mix to join Baltimore shortly after the All-Star break. Currently, the Orioles have almost every catcher on their roster on the injured list. Adley Rutschman (oblique), Gary Sanchez (knee), Maverick Handley (concussion), and Chadwick Tromp (back) are all on the injured list, which leaves just Jacob Stallings and Alex Jackson on the MLB roster.

While the Orioles may not "rush" to promote Basallo, given his current production and state of the Baltimore roster, he should be in line to make his MLB debut in early August.

When he gets the call, he will be viewed as a must-start catcher in all standard leagues.

Bubba Chandler, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Entering the season, Bubba Chandler was viewed as a top candidate to get the call to Pittsburgh in April. Through his first 48 2/3 innings of the campaign with Triple-A, Chandler posted a stellar 2.03 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. During this stretch, Chandler struck out 69 hitters and served up just 21 walks.

However, in June, Chandler took a significant step back, and his short-term stock plummeted. In 12 2/3 innings in June, Chandler posted an 8.53 ERA with a 2.29 WHIP. He served up 12 walks while only striking out 11 batters.

Despite the rough month, the top-ranked pitching prospect in the game returned to form in his start in July. Facing Triple-A Louisville, Chandler tossed six shutout innings with five hits, two walks, and six strikeouts.

If Chandler can continue to turn the corner in July, he should be in a prime position to make his MLB debut in early August. He made his Triple-A debut last season and posted an impressive 1.83 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP, suggesting that he could immediately find success when making the jump to the big leagues.

The 22-year-old will carry high-end SP3 upside when he gets the call. If the Pirates opt to trade veteran pitchers like Mitch Keller or Andrew Heaney at the deadline, Chandler will have a clear path to remain in the rotation during most of the second half.

Justin Crawford, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

When looking for a prospect who could improve your batting average and speed production, look no further than Justin Crawford. While Chandler Simpson would be on this list, he made his MLB debut early in the season and has been a valuable contributor.

Crawford has spent his entire campaign with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he has held a .340/.413/.447 line with 18 doubles, two home runs, and 27 stolen bases. While his power output is low, he possesses elite contact skills and speed. In 2024, Crawford swiped 42 bags while holding a .313 AVG across 110 games split between High-A and Double-A.

With the Phillies in the heat of the NL East race, Crawford will provide a much-needed offensive boost to their outfield. While he will not take Nick Castellanos' spot in right field, he could find a role in left or center.

Max Kepler has seen most of his time in left field and held a modest .212/.308/.379 line across 82 games. In center field, Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas have shared time and have not made a significant impact in the batter's box.

While Basallo is your target for power, Crawford is your target for speed. Crawford is a valuable stash option in category formats, especially if you need to boost your solid base production in the final months of the season.

If Marsh, Rojas, and Kepler continue to struggle, Crawford could be up in the majors before the end of the month.

Justin Crawford this season with AAA Lehigh Valley:

253 AB | 84 H | 14 2B | 2 HR | 28 RBI | 26 SB | 33 BB | 53 K | .332/.408/.435pic.twitter.com/RwOHjnFreL

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) June 27, 2025

Trey Yesavage, SP, Toronto Blue Jays

While Nolan McLean and Quinn Mathews were in the mix to hold the final spot on this list, when looking for impact, there is no better pitcher to keep an eye on than Trey Yesavage.

Yesavage is viewed as the No. 2-ranked prospect in the Toronto system, and he is the No. 57-ranked prospect in the sport, according to MLB.com.

While he currently resides at Double-A, Yesavage is expected to reach the majors in the second half and has seen his chances increase given Toronto's recent surge in the AL East standings.

In June, Blue Jays beat writer Mitch Bannon noted that it was "not out of the question" that their budding ace could debut in the second half.

Yesavage opened the season with Low-A but needed just 33 1/3 innings to earn the call to High-A. Then at High-A, Yesavage logged just 17 1/3 innings before moving up to Double-A. Through 50 2/3 innings in the lower levels, the 21-year-old posted a remarkable 2.13 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with an 88:18 K:BB.

While he has struggled at times at Double-A, allowing four runs in two separate starts, he has continued to flash high strikeout upside, tallying 23 through 17 innings.

Yesavage is not a stash candidate at the moment, but if he were to move up to Triple-A before the end of the month, he would be a high-priority option. Yesavage would easily find a role at the back of their rotation as the Blue Jays hope to reach the postseason. He carries just as much upside as Painter and Chandler and could be the final piece to push Toronto over the edge in the final weeks of the season.

Honorable Mentions

• C.J. Kayfus, 1B - CLE
• Nolan McLean, SP - NYM
• Quinn Mathews, SP - STL

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