The dog days of summer are approaching, and teams are bringing up more MLB prospects. This week we saw a few new prospects getting the call to fill in for MLB injuries like Anthony Rizzo and Mookie Betts. 

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Prospects 2024: Recently Promoted MLB Prospects

To add on to our opening section, we also saw the start of the MLB Draft Combine and some high school bats starting to stand out. We’ll talk about players like Ben Rice, Orelvis Martinez, and Spencer Schwellenbach and then talk about prep bats to watch for in July’s 2024 MLB Draft.

Ben Rice — C/1B New York Yankees

The injury to Anthony Rizzo’s right arm has opened up a spot on the Yankees roster. Who better to fill that than a lifelong fan in Ben Rice? He’s made major improvements to his game over the last season and a half over multiple levels of the Yankees’ system. 

In the last 133 games in that span, he’s posted 35 HR, 107 R, 104 RBI, and 20 SB with a .302/.416/.578 slash line in 600 PA. We have to take some of that with a grain of salt as he’s a 25-year-old who was drafted out of college who’s now playing against younger opponents even in the upper minors. Rice profiles as a slightly above-average hitter with average pop and not much else that’s a positive trait. 

While he’s gotten time at catcher in the minors, he’s likely to be exclusively used at first or DH with the Yankees given his weak arm behind the plate. First base is a fairly weak position for fantasy, and he should get a decent run with Rizzo out, making him worthy of a pickup.

 

 

 

Orelvis Martinez — 2B/3B Toronto Blue Jays

The move to put Bo Bichette on the IL made room for the promotion of the next Blue Jays’ youngster, Orelvis Martinez. Had they not traded Cavan Biggio, he’d have likely filled this role, but here we are. 

Like most of the bats in Toronto, Martinez grades a bit below-average in the hit tool but has plus power and plays a few different positions. Mainly a second baseman, he can also play third and the bat profiles at either spot. At Triple-A Buffalo this year, he’s slashing .260/.343/.523 with 16 HR, and 46 each of R and RBI in 63 games. 

His K-rate is still a tad too high with more than a K per game. If you are desperate for a bat with a bit of pop but not much else, Martinez is intriguing, but in the long term, he basically fits in with the other bats in Toronto: not much contact but nice pop.

Spencer Schwellenbach — RHP Atlanta Braves

It was a rough couple of first stats for Schwellenbach in Atlanta but since, he’s been figuring it out. Back-to-back 6 inning outings allowing just 3 ER combined while striking out 10 and walking 4 are proving that. 

His four-pitch mix, if not five depending on how you view the cutter, is made up of three above-average pitches and an average offering that’s good enough to keep him in the conversation as a number four starter for the Braves. At this point, he’s proven he’s capable of staying up for the Braves, and if you need pitching help, it’s hard to look past Schwellenbach if he’s still available.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Prospects 2024: Top High School Prospects - MLB Draft

A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the best draft prospects in the College World Series. Now it’s time to highlight some of the best prep bats who could be selected in the draft in July.

Konnor Griffin — SS/OF Jackson Prep (MS)

Likely to be the first prep player taken in the draft, Griffin is a seriously toolsy teenager. At 6’4” and 205 lbs., Griffin already has an MLB-ready frame that may lead to a move to the outfield rather than sticking at short. However, even if he moves to the outfield, the defense projects to be a Gold Glove-caliber skillset at either position. 

As for the bat, the thing all of us fantasy players care about, there’s plus tools everywhere. The power and speed are both at least plus if not double-plus, while the hit tool can be above-average if he cleans up some of his timing/length issues in it. When all is said and done with Griffin, we’re looking at a 30-30 capable bat playing either shortstop or outfield. 

Bryce Rainer — SS Harvard-Westlake (CA)

Equally as toolsy across the total package as Griffin, Rainer doesn’t have quite the upside but a better floor. All of his skills are at least above-average if not plus, and his only real question was about his defensive positioning. 

That question has been answered at this point though with enough promise to be more than adequate at short going into pro ball. Rainer is likely to hit for a higher average than Griffin while being a 30-25 bat capable of hitting in the middle of the order from the left side of the plate.

 

 

 

Slade Caldwell — OF Valley View (AR)

The 5’9” centerfielder is likely to sneak into the end of the first round, or the competitive balance A round. The tools are there to make him a hit and speed over power outfielder. Think of him as Trea Turner-light in the outfield. Caldwell should be able to hit .275 or so with 15-18 HR a year and threaten for 30-35 steals a year, if not more if he’s on base more. 

The defense is fine for centerfield but could make for a speedy left fielder for a team with a large left field. A team who believes in the bat speed and speed in the field translates may take a shot on him earlier in the draft than he’s projected.

Theo Gillen — SS/2B Westlake (TX)

Gillen is perhaps the most interesting prep bat at this point in the draft. There is little doubt that he is in the argument for best high school bat in the class with a 60-grade Hit, Power, and Speed tool to his credit. However, he gets knocked for the defensive questions. Gillen has an injury history that includes a labrum surgery and that has sapped his arm strength. 

That weaker arm means he’s likely to move to second base or left field, both of which are less premier positions and drop his draft stock some, potentially. That being said, Gillen should be able to hit .280 or better with 25 or so homers a year and 30 steals if all goes according to plan with his development.

Tyson Lewis — SS Millard West (NE)

Now off to my home state where Tyson Lewis has led Millard West to two state titles in three years. The lefty-hitting, 6’2” shortstop comes with a nice group of tools similar to Matt Shaw (Chicago Cubs) or Tommy Troy (Arizona Diamondbacks) from last year’s draft. 

Nothing particularly stands out as an individual tool, but the total package makes him a top-50 player in the class overall. While he’s played shortstop in high school, he’s likely to move to second or third in the pros where his above-average arm strength is still fine enough. If you missed out on Matt Shaw or Tommy Troy and want a guy capable of hitting .270 with 18-22 HR and swiping 25+ bags a year, Lewis is that under-the-radar player this year.