Hot MLB Prospects To Know For Fantasy Baseball - Week 23

Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 23 of the fantasy baseball season. There were plenty of impressive prospect performances in the minor leagues last week.

It's imperative to monitor the top fantasy baseball prospects who have turned heads thus far. The players listed here are not only coming off dominant weeks but have also impressed over the entire season. Don't be surprised when these exact names are painting corners, mashing homers, and swiping bags at the big-league level soon.

Fantasy managers should certainly keep an eye on these players over the long haul as they may prove to be excellent adds in no time.

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Colt Keith - 3B, Detroit Tigers

Level: Triple-A
2023 stats: 103 G, .309/.378/.562, 23 HR, 87 RBI, 75 R, 3 SB, 9.9 BB%, 21.1 K%, .352 BABIP, .406 wOBA, 142 wRC+

Keith is a fast-rising prospect who has turned heads throughout various levels of affiliated ball. Now knocking on the door of Major League Baseball, the 22-year-old continues to impress from the left side of the plate with a swing that is fast yet under control. As a result, he is capable of putting the ball in play at a high rate while keeping his K% at a reasonable clip.

Keith lacks defensive range but has a very strong and effective throwing arm, suggesting his long-term home will be third base despite spending time at second base in the minors. His glovework is currently average at best, but it's an area that he has steadily developed over his years of pro ball.

This past week, Keith went 11-for-24 with three homers and 10 RBI. He drew six walks and, perhaps most impressively, only struck out once over the six-game stretch. Keith could be a household name in fantasy leagues as early as 2024.

Anderson Pilar - SP, Colorado Rockies

Level: High-A
2023 stats: 15 G, 8 GS, 7-2, 52.1 IP, 2.06 ERA, 4.11 FIP, 11.01 K/9, 3.61 BB/9, 0.34 HR/9, .310 BABIP

Pilar's rise to relevance has been relatively tedious. Signed as an international free agent in 2015, he didn't reach A-ball until 2021 and remains at the High-A level today. Nevertheless, he has looked solid, maintaining a high K/BB ratio while generally inducing weak contact. With that said, he's seen a blip in his HR/9 and HR/FB rates at High-A, which is something worth monitoring over a larger sample size.

Nevertheless, Pilar was brilliant this past week, pitching seven hitless frames during a combined no-no on Tuesday. His final line included a whopping 13 strikeouts to just three walks. Equally impressive is the fact that Pilar initially operated out of the Spokane bullpen when he first reported to the team. However, he has now made two consecutive starts, logging six innings of one-run ball and seven innings of a no-no, respectively.

Brady Allen - OF, Detroit Tigers

Level: High-A
2023 stats: 111 G, .263/.362/.481, 17 HR, 62 RBI, 66 R, 5 SB, 12.1 BB%, 25.2 K%, .327 BABIP, .382 wOBA, 77 wRC+

Allen just started his fourth month in the Tigers' organization after being traded from Miami back in May. The 23-year-old is a toolsy, well-rounded player who is capable of hitting for average and power to all parts of the field. He seems to have gained patience at the plate since joining Detroit's system, posting a 13.4 BB% but also letting his K% jump to 25.8. Defensively, he's capable of playing all three outfield positions but primarily occupies right field thanks to his above-average arm strength.

Last week, Allen made headlines by going 12-for-22 with four homers, eight RBI, six walks, and two strikeouts. He drew a walk and reached base at least twice in every contest during this six-day stretch. If he continues to play at a high level, he'll have no trouble earning a promotion to Double-A by the end of the season.

Trey Dombroski - SP, Houston Astros

Level: Single-A
2023 stats: 23 G, 14 GS, 4-9, 105.0 IP, 3.94 ERA, 3.04 xFIP, 11.31 K/9, 2.66 BB/9, 1.20 HR/9, 43.1 GB%, .284 BABIP

Dombroski is a 2022 draft pick who made his pro debut this year. He has spent all of 2023 at Single-A, splitting time between the bullpen and rotation. The southpaw has a very advanced and polished repertoire for someone in the lower levels of affiliated ball, so although he might not have any truly overpowering offerings, he has been able to produce terrific results on the mound. He sets the pace with a low-90s fastball over which he has solid control, then mixes in his well-developed curveball, slider, and changeup.

Last Wednesday, six days removed from a relief outing, Dombroski drew the start and ended up delivering five perfect frames. In addition to allowing zero baserunners, he induced 11 strikeouts and 18 whiffs. It was a much-needed gem from the hurler after his August had gotten off to an uncharacteristically shaky start (12 earned runs and 15 hits over 11.1 innings).

Trevor Werner - 3B, Kansas City Royals

Level: Single-A
2023 stats: 23 G, .318/.408/.659, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 20 R, 5 SB, 12.2 BB%, 27.6 K%, .404 BABIP, .479 wOBA, 183 wRC+

Werner is a former two-way prospect who decided to no longer focus on pitching prior to the 2023 collegiate season. The Texas A&M product demonstrated major strides at the plate last spring, showing off immense power and an impressive hard-hit rate. With that said, he drew far too few walks and far too many strikeouts in college and has continued to do so in his first taste of Single-A action. If improving his plate discipline means sacrificing some power, it's probably worth it.

Looking at his game from the defensive side, it's clear that Werner is a former pitcher. While his fielding is solid, it's his arm that really turns heads. Drafted in the seventh round of last month's draft, Werner has already patrolled the hot corner for 16 games in the minors (as well as seven games at DH).

Last week, Werner went 11-for-23 with five homers, 11 RBI, four walks, and seven strikeouts. Evidently, his power was on display in a huge way, and it's also worth noting that he had a solid 1.75 K/BB rate over this six-game stretch. However, that's a small sample size, and a player is bound to see fewer pitches in the zone when they have hit five homers in one week. It will be imperative to continue monitoring Werner's offensive production going forward.

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