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Winning in a fantasy baseball redraft league requires a nice blend of high-floor players and upside shots. While prospects do present more risk in a one-year setting like a redraft league, if they hit, they pay big dividends. The reward could be huge if these players get adequate playing time and perform.
Throughout the season, there will be plenty of prospects who will get promoted and make an impact on their respective MLB teams and fantasy teams. Getting ahead of the curve on these players can play huge dividends when it comes to FAAB bids. You can save money and have your league mates question how you are already in on that player so far in advance.
This bi-weekly article will dive deep into three players who could make an impact sooner rather than later. In our first edition, we discussed Jack Leiter, Heston Kjerstad, and Joey Loperfido. Leiter is making his debut and the other two could be next. But who else should you know? Let's discuss.
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James Wood, OF, Washington Nationals
Despite the monster spring training, I said I didn't believe that the Nationals would rush Wood, but he seems to be forcing their hand. There have always been tools to dream on with Wood, but to do what he is doing in Triple-A as a 21-year-old is highly impressive. While the two home runs might not wow you, Wood is obliterating baseballs and has six doubles.
The power numbers are just nuts, as Wood has a 96 mph average exit velocity and has topped out at 115.3 mph. For reference, just three MLB hitters have a higher average exit velocity, and only five have a harder-hit ball than Wood.
Wood's .340/.476/.580 slash is a major improvement on last year's number, and the contact has improved substantially. Even with contact rates that might be below league average in MLB, how hard he hits the ball will allow him to run higher batting averages than you might think.
A lot of the struggles in 2023 came against breaking balls and changeups. Wood saw 249 changeups this season, swinging at 50 percent of them and making contact at just a 51 percent clip. Wood’s highest chase rate of any pitch is against sliders, which is just a 32 percent clip, right around an overall league average, showing his plate discipline and pitch recognition. Those numbers have all improved this season.
When you have a player that is Wood's size who possesses elite power but can also run, you have a pretty fun fantasy asset to dream of. Wood already has five steals on the year after having 18 in 2023. It might not be long before Wood is up obliterating baseballs in the majors.
Only 3 MLB hitters have a higher average exit velocity than James Wood(96 mph) at this point. 5 have a higher max than Wood’s 115.3 mph.pic.twitter.com/jxYqc058hn
— Chris Clegg (@RotoClegg) April 18, 2024
Paul Skenes, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Skenes is proving to be the best pitching prospect in baseball, just like many thought he could be after his elite season at LSU. He has made three starts this year and has not thrown more than 55 pitches in an outing, but that is not because he is "building up." Skenes threw 122.2 collegiate innings, and regularly threw 100 pitches and sometimes as many as 120. It is possible the Pirates baby him all year, but that does not mean he won't be in the majors soon. At this point,, it will probably be just two more Triple-A starts before he is up.
In those 9.1 innings, Skenes has allowed just four hits and walked two while striking out 19 batters. His fastball is averaging over 100 mph and all the concerns about the "dead zone" shape should be thrown out at this point. When you throw it 100 mph and locate it as well as Skenes, it does not matter what the shape is like.
Skenes' slider is easily a plus or better offering, sitting near 87 mph and generating plenty of whiffs. The wild thing is his arsenal got even better as he began to develop a curveball and a splitter. The splitter is a unique pitch to the changeup, which is extremely good.
If you were building a pitching prospect from scratch, Paul Skenes is what they look like. If all clicks, this is an ace, and the floor is still quite high as well.
Top @MLBPipeline pitching prospect Paul Skenes struck out a career-high 8 last night. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/INbNPHu6MY
— MLB (@MLB) April 13, 2024
Cade Povich, LHP, Baltimore Orioles
When the call comes, which might be soon, Povich should make an instant impact on the Orioles rotation. Sure it won't be a Skenes level impact or excitement, but don't get it wrong, Povich can pitch. Through three starts, Povich has a 1.10 ERA across 16.1 innings with 24 strikeouts to five walks.
The fastball looks good and sits 92-93 mph with a good armside run. The mid-70s curveball shows incredible depth, having 60-65 inches of drop regularly with 10 inches of sweeping action. The mid-80s changeup showed nice depth and run, while also featuring a sweeper and a cutter.
It is a true five-pitch mix, and while he is pitching, you might get him confused with Max Fried with how similar the mechanics are. Even with Kyle Bradish potentially coming back soon, there is still a spot in the rotation for Povich, who is thriving in Triple-A.
Cade Povich with a third straight gem to begin the year:
5.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 10 K
On the year: 16.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 24 K, 1.10 ERA
📈🔥
— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@TheVergePod) April 14, 2024
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