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Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 15 of the fantasy baseball season. The minor league baseball season continues to provide us with plenty of big plays and impressive prospect performances.
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.
Savvy fantasy managers looking for an edge in their leagues 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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Josh Zamora - 2B, Miami Marlins
Level: High-A
2024 stats: 65 G, .279/.362/.529, 16 HR, 50 RBI, 39 R, 0 SB, 10.8% BB%, 17.3% K%, .285 BABIP, .403 wOBA, 147 wRC+
Zamora went undrafted out of the University of Nevada in 2022 and has remained in the lower levels of the Marlins farm system ever since inking a deal with Miami. Primarily a second baseman, Zamora has put himself on the radar almost entirely due to his power. The right-hander had just seven homers through his first 111 games, but that number soared to 16 homers through 65 games so far in 2024. Best of all, he hasn't let his sudden power surge impact his walk or strike rates much (if at all).
Last week, Zamora went 10-for-24 with four home runs, five strikeouts, and two walks. It was truly a magical stretch for Zamora, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games on June 30. He's shown that he's capable of being a major contributor with the bat, suggesting that the Marlins could send him to Double-A sooner rather than later.
Congrats to Josh Zamora! 👏 pic.twitter.com/Qx3OkE7I4s
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 1, 2024
Cooper Hjerpe - SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Level: Double-A
2024 stats: 14 G, 14 GS, 2-4, 50.1 IP, 3.40 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 13.05 K/9, 4.83 BB/9, 0.54 HR/9, .263 BABIP
Hjerpe is a talented left-handed pitching prospect whom the Cardinals selected with their first-round pick in 2022. One of the best southpaws in the St. Louis farm system, Hjerpe headlines his repertoire with a decent low-90s fastball. His sweeper and changeup are fine secondary offerings, and he continues to tinker with a cutter. For the most part, he's had a decent year stats-wise. However, he does need to improve his control and reduce his worrisome 4.83 BB/9 rate. His high strikeout rate is great, but it will become quickly overlooked if he continues to issue too many free passes.
Hjerpe is coming off a great start last Wednesday in which he spun five scoreless frames. It was his second consecutive outing in which he went five innings without surrendering a run. For the most part, he kept opposing hitters off the bases, allowing two walks and zero hits along the way. If the southpaw can string together a few more dominant outings, he'll be headed to Triple-A very soon.
Take a bow Cooper Hjerpe! Five hitless innings tonight runs his hitless streak to ten straight innings over his last two starts. He matches a career-high with eight strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/g6ouydRraL
— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 27, 2024
Kyle Karros - 3B, Colorado Rockies
Level: High-A
2024 stats: 72 G, .312/.392/.455, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 36 R, 8 SB, 9.5% BB%, 20.3% K%, .385 BABIP, .398 wOBA, 144 wRC+
Karros was a Rockies third-round pick in 2023 and has quickly generated significant buzz within the organization. The 21-year-old patrols the hot corner quite well, demonstrating his smooth footwork, reliable glove, and above-average arm strength to throw across the diamond. Offensively, he should grow into some additional strength. Concerns are growing about his plate discipline, though, as his walk rate decreased and his strikeout rate increased following each of his last two promotions to the next level.
Last week, Karros put together a great stretch of performances, going 13-for-26 with one double, two homers, and four RBI. He drew just one walk, stole two bases, and struck out five times. The corner infielder can certainly be a productive hitter at the higher levels of affiliated ball if he reduces his K/BB ratio.
What do Kyle Karros and 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤 have in common? Nothing but hits. #GoSpo pic.twitter.com/aNga54Kmno
— Spokane Indians (@spokaneindians) July 1, 2024
Hunter Barco - SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Level: High-A
2024 stats: 15 G, 13 GS, 3-1, 57.0 IP, 3.16 ERA, 3.30 xFIP, 11.37 K/9, 3.47 BB/9, 0.47 HR/9, 46.9% GB%, .298 BABIP
Paul Skenes may be the premier young pitcher in Pittsburgh right now, but don't think that the production on the mound ends there. Pittsburgh has plenty of minor league talent, including Barco, who throws a mid-90s fastball but deploys a lethal slider as his best offering, too. He rounds out his repertoire with a changeup and splitter. The starter has shown improved command throughout the first few months of this season and could certainly be a mid-rotation option for the big league club down the road.
Last week, Barco struck out nine batters over the course of five innings in a single game. He allowed just one walk and zero hits while keeping his opponent scoreless. He has now gone 10 innings in a row without allowing a run, perhaps putting him on the shortlist for a promotion to High-A.
Hunter Barco sat 93-94mph last night, touching 95mph 😳
Dominating High A ball. Looking forward to a move up to AA in the near future
If you haven’t already, learn the name. First full season back after TJ surgery pic.twitter.com/Ikw0guPf28
— Christian✞ (@CWolfPGH) June 29, 2024
Aidan Smith - OF, Seattle Mariners
Level: Single-A
2024 stats: 49 G, .271/.340/.432, 5 HR, 28 RBI, 41 R, 16 SB, 8.0% BB%, 26.3% K%, .359 BABIP, .364 wOBA, 109 wRC+
Smith was a fourth-round pick in 2023 who quickly agreed to an over-slot deal after his selection. He has wasted no time generating buzz in the minors, and he even jumped to No. 13 on MLB Pipeline's Mariners prospect rankings. He's primarily known for his serviceable defense and above-average running, but the emphasis seems to have shifted following a recent offensive tear.
Indeed, just last week, Smith went 9-for-25, and he currently owns an active 14-game hitting streak. He also walked seven times, struck out nine, and stole four bases. The 19-year-old has put up a decent year in all components of the game and entered the first week of July trending upward.
Aidan Smith stays hot as he hits his 20th double. pic.twitter.com/8i8weyBkcv
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) June 30, 2024
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