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Brian's top-5 fantasy baseball hitting prospects in MLB that can be stashed on your bench for Week 17 in fantasy redraft leagues as of July 11, 2024.
After a busy stretch of high-profile call-ups last week, things quieted down on the prospect front in fantasy baseball this week. That being said, there are still quality bats producing at a high clip in the upper levels of the minors, patiently waiting for that big-league opportunity.
Fantasy baseball managers have seen what James Wood and Brooks Lee have been able to do lately after making it to Washington and Minnesota respectively. So, let's try to get ahead of the game and identify the next impact hitter who can be added to fantasy benches ahead of an eventual call-up this season.
With none of the names from last week's top five list earning a promotion, this week's list remains very similar to last week's with one new name breaking into the mix thanks to video-game numbers across Double-A and Triple-A this season.
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Top Fantasy Baseball Hitting Prospect Stashes
Coby Mayo - 3B/1B, Baltimore Orioles
Mayo, the current Norfolk Tides corner infield slugger, remains the premium stash as he sprints toward a promotion with a prodigious display of power at Triple-A this season (mixed in with a rehab assignment at High-A Aberdeen). Despite missing some time with a rib injury this season, Mayo has launched 22 homers with 61 RBI while hitting .307. His OPS is an eye-popping 1.041.
The Orioles roster is loaded with talent, making it seemingly difficult to find a corner infield spot and consistent at-bats for Mayo at the big-league level. However, Mayo may soon force the issue with his performance, needing to be challenged at the highest level. The 22-year-old, who homered again for Norfolk on Wednesday, has aced his minor-league test.
Coby Mayo (@Orioles) to the bushes!
MLB's No. 15 prospect sends his 19th homer 438 ft. for the Triple-A @NorfolkTides. pic.twitter.com/CYGXz23XzX
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 11, 2024
With the trade deadline approaching, Baltimore has an opportunity to be creative in finding a way to get Mayo's bat in the lineup consistently. Whether it be through a trade or some line-up shuffling, the Orioles' No. 3 overall prospect should burrow his way to Baltimore soon.
Jacob Wilson - SS, Oakland Athletics
Wilson, the A's pure-hitting shortstop prospect, is arguably the best story in the minor leagues right now and it might not be a minor-league story for long. The 22-year-old is crushing Triple-A pitching and, with a rehab assignment mixed in, is hitting .461 this season with a 1.225 OPS in 167 at-bats.
The sample size is limited due to some missed time with a knee injury this season, but Wilson is on a tear and the rebuilding A's are likely to give him a big-league shot soon. Known more as a high-average hitter with limited power, Wilson has seven homers in 42 games this season, showing that he does have some pop in his bat.
Jacob Wilson with his 4th homer with the Aviators!
The Athletics #1 prospect now has a homer in two straight appearances! #AviatorsLV pic.twitter.com/mCgrczK8sa
— Las Vegas Aviators (@AviatorsLV) July 6, 2024
Thrown into a big-league lineup, Wilson is capable of producing at a high level. Like Mayo, he is proving he is worthy of being tested at the highest level. The former first-round pick has the pedigree and the minor-league resume to suggest he can be a big help to fantasy managers over the second half of the season.
Dylan Crews - OF, Washington Nationals
Still finding his footing a bit at Triple-A Rochester, Crews is a bit more of a long play than Mayo and Wilson. The talented outfielder hit a home run this week at Rochester to move his season total to eight homers and 49 RBI across Double-A and Triple-A. He also has 22 stolen bases this season.
In 19 games with Rochester, Crews is hitting .256 with three homers, 11 RBI, and five stolen bases. He is capable of being a five-category fantasy contributor upon his call-up. The 22-year-old is a polished hitter who might need a bit more time at Triple-A but still warrants a bench spot for most fantasy managers looking for a second-half boost.
Dylan Crews with his third Triple-A homer. pic.twitter.com/APtstKnesA
— Bobby Blanco (@Bobby_Blanco) July 5, 2024
That boost could come in late August or September but a month or so of production from Crews could be of help to a lot of fantasy teams looking to make a jump in the roto standings or get a shot in the arm for their head-to-head playoffs.
Junior Caminero - 3B, Tampa Bay Rays
One of baseball's best prospects, Caminero is finally on the mend from a quadriceps injury. In the first game of his rehab assignment with the FCL Rays, the talented slugger blasted a three-run home run on Tuesday.
All signs point to a return to Triple-A Durham shortly and then it could be onto the Rays in a short time if he shows full health and a high level of production. Caminero has the potential to be the biggest impact rookie bat this season upon his call-up, it's just a matter of if he can stay healthy and how much time he gets at the big-league level.
Junior Caminero clubs a three-run homer in his first game since May 28!
MLB's No. 3 prospect is currently on rehab assignment with the #Rays' Florida Complex League affiliate as he works his way back from a quad strain: https://t.co/41H8rFXWT4 pic.twitter.com/LmiGsFYAk5
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 9, 2024
With seemingly unlimited power, the man nicknamed "La Maxima", should realistically already be stashed in most fantasy leagues. If and when the Rays decide they need some more offensive firepower, a healthy Caminero should be the first option and a worthy solution. The upside here is immense.
Deyvison De Los Santos - 3B/1B, Arizona Diamondbacks
De Los Santos was the name that was teased in the intro and he could soon be looking at promotion thanks to his insane production across two levels this season. Between Double-A and most recently, Triple-A Reno, De Los Santos is hitting .335 with 27 homers, 82 RBI, and a 1.042 OPS.
There's not much more De Los Santos can prove on the field in the minors this season. If he stays hot and continues to produce at this rate, the Diamondbacks would be wise to give him an opportunity. As the Diamondbacks' No. 14 prospect, he doesn't have the pedigree of some of the others on this list, but the Dominican Republic native has power to spare and that could play at the big-league level.
Deyvison De Los Santos extends his Minor League home run lead with a 27th long ball!
MLB's No. 9 1B prospect (@Dbacks) will be showing off his power at the Futures Game on Saturday: https://t.co/2g4PFSxpe2 pic.twitter.com/aIcZvMiqOE
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 11, 2024
At 21 years old, De Los Santos is one of the most intriguing prospects in the minors. Since he might not have the name recognition of Mayo, Crews, and company, he could be a sneaky addition to fantasy rosters ahead of a second-half promotion. Add him now and reap the rewards down the stretch run.
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