X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Minor League Spotlight: Top Fantasy Pitching Prospects from Week 20

Mike Fiers could be one of the best under the radar trades at the deadline. And I’m not just saying that because of the no-hitter, though that may have some influence on why I am now discussing him. If you all recall, Fiers dominated last season with the Brewers throwing 71.2 innings with a 2.13 ERA and 2.99 FIP. While Fiers certainly is no ace, he can be a very solid middle of the rotation starter for the Astros going into the postseason.

This week we discuss some pitchers who probably won't reach the majors until next season. They're still smart stashes in deep keeper and dynasty leagues.

Editor’s Note: to read about even more MLB prospects, rookies and potential call-ups, be sure to check out our MLB prospects homepage which has lots of great weekly updates and analysis.

 

Jose De Leon (SP, LAD, Double-A)

Stats: 103.0 IP, 2.97 ERA, 2.79 FIP, 12.76 K/9, 2.97 BB/9, 0.70 HR/9

After flying under the radar in the 2013 draft, Jose De Leon has established himself as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. De Leon was taken with the 724th overall pick by the Dodgers and has quietly shot up to be the 27th overall prospect in baseball. He's the seventh best right-handed pitching prospect according to MLB.com.

De Leon has a nice repertoire that could help him progress into an eventual front of the rotation type starter. His best pitch is his fastball which can sit anywhere between the low-to-mid-90s. His best secondary pitch is a slurve that sits in the low-80s and has proven itself over time to be a dominant strikeout pitch. His changeup is not great, but it has the potential to eventually be something more than a below-average pitch.

The Dodgers have a very special pitcher with  De Leon, but they likely won’t give him any time to start until next season. Since the highest level he has ever pitched at is Double-A, the 23-year-old is expected to start at Triple-A next year. He could work his way into their rotation as soon as May if he continues his string of dominance in the minors.

 

Frankie Montas (SP, CWS, Double-A)

Stats: 108.1 IP, 2.49 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 8.47 K/9, 3.57 BB/9, 0.17 HR/9

Montas scuffled in his brief tenure with the Boston Red Sox farm system before being dealt to the Chicago White Sox in the Jake Peavy deal. Montas always had the electric fastball, but didn’t have the secondary pitches to make himself a top pitching prospect. Now having changed sox, Montas has become more developed and now has a peak of a top of the rotation starter.

Montas has one of the best fastballs of all minor leaguers, routinely throwing it in the upper-90s while at times reaching triple digits. The transition from a thrower with a reliever peak to a pitcher with ace peak has been the development of an elite slider that sits in the mid-80s and complements his fastball very well. His changeup requires a lot of development, but shows of potential.

The White Sox are taking their time with developing Montas which is understandable given his potential. His control still leaves a lot to be desired, but he could be a fixture in the White Sox rotation for years to come if he can rein in his command. Don’t expect him to start the season with the Sox. Like De Leon (discussed above) he will likely start the year at Triple-A and could have a spot in the rotation before the start of the summer.

 

Mark Appel (SP, HOU, Triple-A)

Stats: 113.0 IP, 4.46 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 7.33 K/9, 3.27 BB/9, 1.04 HR/9

Mark Appel was drafted in the first round twice and has shown at times the statistics to prove that the Astros did not waste the first overall pick in 2013. In Appel’s first Double-A stint back in 2014, he threw 39.0 IP with a 3.69 ERA, 2.99 FIP and seemed to have all of his best stuff working. After being promoted to Triple-A (in spite of a less-than-stellar Double-A showing in 2015), Appel struggled in his first two starts, but has since found his groove. He has thrown 41.0 innings and has a 3.51 ERA and 4.22 FIP.

The reason the Astros are not too concerned with Appel’s struggles is because of his stuff. Appel has an electric fastball that can reach as high as 98, but is typically at 94-95. His slider is an elite secondary pitch and is typically the pitch that helps him rack up the punch outs. His changeup needs some improvement but has the potential to be a plus-plus pitch. He knows how to throw strikes, but gets in trouble when he misses inside of the zone to hitters.

The future is bright for Appel even if it looks bleak at the moment. He has the stuff to be a top of the rotation starter, but needs a little more time. If he can string a few more solid starts in Triple-A and look sharp in Spring Training, he could have a shot of starting the season in the Houston rotation. However, it does not look likely that the Astros will take a shot on the right-hander in 2015.

 

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Denny Hamlin36 mins ago

Silences Doubters After Crew Chief Change with Dominant Martinsville Victory
Ty Gibbs37 mins ago

Earned Best 2025 Finish at Martinsville Despite Failing Cool Suit
Ross Chastain39 mins ago

Although the Hail Melon Was Ross Chastain's Greatest Martinsville Moment, Yesterday Was Likely His Best Race
Chase Briscoe40 mins ago

Had Solid Run at Martinsville, but His Teammates Were All More Impressive
Erik Jones42 mins ago

Disqualified from Martinsville for Weight Violation, but Still Lacked Speed
Tanner Bibee7 hours ago

Throws 5 2/3 Shutout Frames
Daniel Schneemann8 hours ago

Homers, Draws Three Walks
Wilyer Abreu8 hours ago

Draws Three Walks
Aaron Judge8 hours ago

Goes Deep Again
Isaiah Hartenstein8 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Monday
Jaylin Williams8 hours ago

Could Miss Monday's Game
Jazz Chisholm Jr.8 hours ago

Jazz Chisholm Blasts Two More Homers
Chet Holmgren8 hours ago

Uncertain For Monday
Jonathan India8 hours ago

Hit In Head By Pitch
Jonathan Kuminga8 hours ago

Won't Return On Sunday
LeBron James8 hours ago

Expected To Suit Up Monday
Zach Wilson10 hours ago

Still Views Himself As A Starter
New York Giants10 hours ago

Victor Dimukeje Signs With Giants
Dallas Cowboys10 hours ago

Brian Schottenheimer Optimistic About Deal With Micah Parsons
Tyler Soderstrom11 hours ago

Hits Another Homer
Luke Jackson11 hours ago

Records Second Save
Jacob deGrom11 hours ago

Throws Five Scoreless Innings
Nathaniel Lowe11 hours ago

Collects Three Hits
Mitchell Parker11 hours ago

Has Strong Outing Against Phillies
Trea Turner11 hours ago

Likely Out Until Wednesday
J.T. Realmuto11 hours ago

Expected To Play On Monday
Lane Hutson12 hours ago

Continues Special Campaign With Hat Trick Of Assists
Trae Young12 hours ago

Playing Versus Milwaukee
Anfernee Simons12 hours ago

Cleared For Action Versus The Knicks
Giannis Antetokounmpo12 hours ago

Available On Sunday Night
Nick Suzuki12 hours ago

Notches Three Points In Sunday's Win
Robby Fabbri12 hours ago

Not Expected To Return This Season
Jacob Trouba12 hours ago

Could Be An Option Sunday
Jalen Brunson12 hours ago

Cleared For Basketball Activities
Jordan Staal13 hours ago

Will Not Play On Sunday
Manny Machado13 hours ago

Ready To Go On Sunday
Jerami Grant13 hours ago

Out Again On Sunday
Evgeni Malkin13 hours ago

Out Against Senators
Taj Bradley13 hours ago

Records Seven Strikeouts
Ryan Walker13 hours ago

Dealing With Back Issue
Camilo Doval13 hours ago

Notches Save On Sunday
Tobias Harris13 hours ago

Probable Versus Minnesota
Heliot Ramos13 hours ago

Blasts Homer In Win
Justin Fields13 hours ago

Aaron Glenn Thinks Justin Fields Is Ready To Break Out
Tomoyuki Sugano13 hours ago

Exits Due To Cramping
Michael Busch13 hours ago

Sitting Out On Sunday
Dennis Schröder13 hours ago

Dennis Schroder Expected To Face The Timberwolves
Cade Cunningham13 hours ago

Doubtful For Sunday Night
Mark Williams14 hours ago

Ruled Out Versus The Pels
Dak Prescott14 hours ago

"Doing Great" In Rehab From Hamstring Surgery
Jacksonville Jaguars14 hours ago

Fred Johnson Signs With Jacksonville
Tennessee Titans14 hours ago

Titans Still Entertaining Calls For No. 1 Overall Pick
Esteury Ruiz15 hours ago

Designated For Assignment
Karel Vejmelka15 hours ago

Makes 17th Consecutive Start Sunday
Arvid Soderblom15 hours ago

Tries To End Four-Game Skid Sunday
Alec Martinez15 hours ago

Misses Fourth Consecutive Game
Robert Bortuzzo15 hours ago

Activated From Injured Reserve
Olli Määttä16 hours ago

Olli Maatta Considered A Game-Time Call Sunday
Logan Thompson16 hours ago

Starts Against Sabres Sunday
Rasmus Dahlin16 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Sunday
Cameron Payne16 hours ago

Ruled Out On Sunday
Miles McBride16 hours ago

Remains Out On Sunday
Scoot Henderson16 hours ago

Out On Sunday
Brandon Aiyuk16 hours ago

Deadline Coming For Brandon Aiyuk
Anfernee Simons17 hours ago

May Miss Sunday's Game
Ty Jerome17 hours ago

Out Again On Sunday
Kawhi Leonard17 hours ago

Sitting On Sunday Afternoon
Josh Berry20 hours ago

Has Top-10 Upside At Martinsville
Joey Logano20 hours ago

Don't Overlook Joey Logano This Weekend
Ryan Preece21 hours ago

Could Get First Three-Race Top-10 Streak Of His Career
Chase Elliott21 hours ago

Looking To Continue Great Runs At Martinsville
Christopher Bell21 hours ago

Wins Pole At Martinsville, But Can He Stay Up There?
Ryan Blaney21 hours ago

Fast In Practice But Skeptical About Car
Leon Draisaitl21 hours ago

Leads The Way In Return
Artemi Panarin22 hours ago

Scores Twice On Saturday
Jake Oettinger22 hours ago

Earns Fifth Straight Victory
Mikko Rantanen22 hours ago

Tallies Three Points On Saturday
SJ22 hours ago

Jimmy Schuldt Injured On Saturday
Colton Sissons22 hours ago

Exits Early On Saturday
Denny Hamlin22 hours ago

New Crew Chief Has Terrible Martinsville Record
Austin Cindric22 hours ago

Martinsville Is Austin Cindric's Best Short Track
Kyle Busch22 hours ago

Short-Track Performance At Richard Childress Racing Is Pretty Dire
Brad Keselowski22 hours ago

If Brad Keselowski Has Any Speed Whatsoever, He's A Killer DFS Option
Noah Gragson22 hours ago

Teammates Will Likely Outrun Him On Sunday
Michael McDowell22 hours ago

Martinsville One Of Michael McDowell's Worst Tracks
Ricky Stenhouse Jr22 hours ago

. Consistently Slow At Martinsville
Erik Jones22 hours ago

Has Worst Qualifying Run At A Track That Already Wasn't His Best
John Hunter Nemechek22 hours ago

Has Fastest Legacy Car, But That's Not Saying A Lot
Riley Herbst22 hours ago

Unlikely To Gain Enough Positions To Justify DFS Play
Dereck Lively II1 day ago

Ruled Out Versus Chicago
Chicago Bears1 day ago

Doug Kramer Jr. Re-Signs With Chicago
Washington Commanders1 day ago

Foster Sarell Inks One-Year Contract With Washington
Miami Dolphins1 day ago

Willie Gay Jr. Heading To Miami
Seattle Seahawks1 day ago

D'Anthony Bell Signs With Seattle
Nikita Zadorov1 day ago

Set To Rejoin Bruins Lineup Saturday
Chandler Stephenson2 days ago

A Game-Time Decision Saturday
Houston Texans2 days ago

Texans Sign E.J. Speed To One-Year Deal
Buffalo Bills2 days ago

Bills, Christian Benford Reach Agreement On Four-Year Extension
Detroit Lions2 days ago

Lions Re-Sign Kayode Awosika
Irvin Charles2 days ago

Jets Re-Sign Irvin Charles
Green Bay Packers2 days ago

Kristian Welch Signs With Green Bay
Pittsburgh Steelers2 days ago

Jeremiah Moon Heading To Pittsburgh
Teagan Quitoriano2 days ago

Falcons Sign Teagan Quitoriano
2 days ago

Tetairoa McMillan Scheduled To Visit With Panthers
Baltimore Ravens2 days ago

Ravens Reach Three-Year Contract Extension With John Harbaugh
Steve Erceg3 days ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Brandon Moreno3 days ago

A Favorite At UFC Mexico City
Manuel Torres3 days ago

Set For Co-Main Event
Drew Dober3 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Mexico City
Joe Pyfer3 days ago

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kelvin Gastelum3 days ago

Set For Middleweight Matchup
Vince Morales3 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Raul Rosas Jr.3 days ago

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Saimon Oliveira3 days ago

Looks For His First UFC Win
David Martinez3 days ago

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Kevin Borjas3 days ago

Set To Open Up UFC Mexico City Main Card
Ronaldo Rodríguez3 days ago

Ronaldo Rodriguez Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Jhonattan Vegas5 days ago

Not A Good Play At Houston Open
Gary Woodland5 days ago

A Dark-Horse Candidate At Houston Open
Nick Taylor5 days ago

Keep An Eye On Nick Taylor At Houston Open
Mackenzie Hughes5 days ago

Avoid Mackenzie Hughes At Houston Open
Nicolai Hojgaard5 days ago

Looking To Rebound At Houston Open
Scottie Scheffler5 days ago

Returns To Houston Looking For Year's First Victory
Rory McIlroy5 days ago

Making Additional Start At Houston Open To Prepare For Augusta
Doug Ghim5 days ago

Looking For Iron Form In Houston
Aaron Rai5 days ago

Keep An Eye On Aaron Rai At Houston Open
Si Woo Kim5 days ago

Looks To Build On Recent History At Memorial Park
Harry Hall5 days ago

Looking For Consistency At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Harris English5 days ago

Looking To Build Off Solid Finish At The PLAYERS
Sahith Theegala5 days ago

A Risky Option At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Alex Smalley5 days ago

A Strong Play At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Michael Kim5 days ago

Bounces Back At Valspar Championship
PGA5 days ago

Sungjae Im Looking For Bounce-Back Performance At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Austin Eckroat5 days ago

A Player To Avoid At Texas Children's Houston Open
PGA5 days ago

Nico Echavarria A Volatile Option At Texas Children's Houston Open
Joe Highsmith5 days ago

Continues Post-Win Success And Is Looking For More In Houston
Adam Hadwin5 days ago

Far From Good Form As He Heads To Texas
Ben Griffin6 days ago

Looking For Consistency At Houston Open
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF