RADIO
Brian Van Belle is a fantasy baseball SP prospect sleeper and minor leaguer to know. Read our MLB prospects outlooks for fantasy baseball rookies and call-ups.
PROSPECT: Brian Van Belle, SP, Boston Red Sox
ANALYSIS: The Boston Red Sox signed Van Belle as an undrafted free agent out of Miami after the 2020 shortened draft. Known for a dynamic changeup, Van Belle was undrafted due to a low-90s fastball and a below-average curve as his other offerings at draft time.
Van Belle has worked to develop his pitches, gaining shape on his fastball and improving the command and control on his 12-6 curve, allowing him to pound the strike zone with an easily repeatable delivery. However, after finishing out 2022 in Double-A and posting a 5.31 combined ERA over 137 1/3 innings, most assumed Van Belle would be a filler arm in the minors.
This season, the fastball and curve have continued to be located well, but Van Belle has done well adding a second grip to his change that offers two different looks and has led to a ton of poor contact. Van Belle's easy delivery has allowed him to be one of the top innings guys in the minors this year and he's posted a 1.50 ERA over three starts so far in June, posting a 16/5 K/BB rate.
VERDICT: Van Belle is likely going to be more valuable in real life than in fantasy as a backend starter that chews up innings. While he's working himself into plans for 2023 in Boston, his ultimate fantasy value will likely be low as he's going to have a low strikeout rate and lacks overwhelming stuff. Watch for now, but be ready to pounce at backend starter value if he's called up.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
Craig Yoho - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups and Prospect Stashes (Week 4)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 3% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Milwaukee Brewers called up their No. 18-ranked prospect, Craig Yoho, ahead of their series opener against the San Francisco Giants on Monday. Yoho has quickly risen up the minor league ranks since being drafted in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB Draft. […]
Nick Kurtz - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups and Prospect Stashes (Week 4)
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 31% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After weeks of wondering when the Athletics would call up their top prospect, they are finally expected to promote first baseman Nick Kurtz to their major league roster on Monday evening. Kurtz was drafted fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and is currently MLB […]
Logan Henderson - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups and Prospect Stashes (Week 4)
BALLER MOVE: Monitor in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 3% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Milwaukee Brewers called up their No. 12 prospect, Logan Henderson, earlier this week to give the team another fresh arm. The Brewers are dealing with injuries to Nestor Cortes (elbow), Aaron Civale (hamstring), Brandon Woodruff (shoulder), and Tobias Myers (oblique) early in the […]
Edgar Quero - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups and Prospect Stashes (Week 4)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team / Two-Catcher Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Chicago White Sox called up their No. 6 prospect, Edgar Quero, on Thursday afternoon to make his MLB debut. Quero was acquired by the White Sox at the 2023 trade deadline in the deal that sent both Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo […]
Caleb Durbin - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups and Prospect Stashes (Week 4)
BALLER MOVE: Consider in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 6% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Milwaukee Brewers have promoted infielder Caleb Durbin, who MLB Pipeline ranked as their No. 21 prospect coming into the season. Durbin will make his MLB debut on Friday night, batting ninth against J.T. Ginn and the Athletics. Before the game, manager Pat […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
