RADIO
Unlike your typical fantasy baseball league, a dynasty league requires planning for the present and future. The overall goal is to foster a team capable of consistent success over the long term. With that in mind, having current superstars on your roster is imperative, but so is remembering how Father Time is undefeated. Thus, you will eventually need reinforcements.
The prospects you stash in your dynasty league can make or break your squad for years -- maybe even a decade. The problem is that it's impossible to know which players will and won't pan out in big leagues. Despite the inherent uncertainty behind prospect evaluation, there are ways to gain the upper hand.
This article will cover some of the best prospects to prioritize in your dynasty league. Whether it's a specific set of abilities that generally translate well to the majors and indicate a high floor or a set of hyperathletic tools that indicate a relatively high ceiling, these players will likely provide your dynasty team with solid production.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball draft tools and resources:- Fantasy baseball draft kit
- Fantasy baseball rankings
- Team Sync platform and Draft Assistant
- Fantasy baseball mock draft simulator
- Fantasy baseball draft cheat sheets
- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
- Fantasy baseball prospects
Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics
Age: 21 years old
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 65 | Run: 40
2024 MiLB Stats (12 G): .368/.520/.763 (230 OPS+), 3 2B, 4 HR, 12:10 BB/SO
Perhaps the most refined hitter to come out of the 2024 draft, Kurtz demonstrated exceptional contact, slugging, and discipline with Wake Forest. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Kurtz is undoubtedly an imposing presence at the plate.
Combine that with a smooth left-handed swing capable of gaudy power, and you've got the looks of a future star at first base.
After being drafted fourth overall by the Athletics, Kurtz was limited to just 12 minor league games in 2024. Though it's a small sample size, it's certainly good to see that he had no trouble adjusting to the improved competition (not to mention his monstrous performance in the Arizona Fall League).
Also, the fact that he's already in Double-A suggests the A's expect Kurtz to join their big league roster relatively soon.
According to his scouting report on MLB.com, "If [Kurtz is] as good as scouts believe he is, he could turn into Jim Thome with defensive value."
Those are quite lofty expectations, given Thome's prolific career. If he can put up similar numbers to Thome, Kurtz will be one of the best players in fantasy for a long time.
Two-run 🚀 for @Athletics No. 2 prospect Nick Kurtz!
The 2024 No. 4 overall pick now has a 1.103 OPS in the AFL. pic.twitter.com/ltOhu7KMy5
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 12, 2024
Cam Smith, 3B, Houston Astros
Age: 22 years old
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45
2024 MiLB Stats (32 G): .313/.396/.609 (179 OPS+), 5 2B, 7 HR, 15:24 BB/SO
One of the best college baseball players of 2024, Cam Smith, was drafted in the first round by the Cubs. He followed up with 32 impressive minor league games (including a home run in six straight). Then, just a few months later, he was traded to the Astros for Kyle Tucker.
All things considered, moving to Houston could be great for Smith's career. With Tucker and (seemingly) Alex Bregman leaving the team, the Astros appear to be reloading on talent and planning for the future. And it seems like they got a nice return for Tucker; Smith is the kind of player who will seemingly thrive in Daikin Park.
He looks to be an essential part of Houston's transition with a powerful swing from the right-hand side.
Overall, Smith has all the qualities of a solid big-league hitter. Remember that it may be a while before he sees everyday playing time, given how the Astros infield is rather crowded at the moment. Nonetheless, you'll want Smith on your roster when he makes the jump to MLB.
Hey, @astros fans, did you know Cam Smith homered in SIX STRAIGHT GAMES?
How's that to start your pro career 😏 pic.twitter.com/2CfuNmCvVa
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) December 13, 2024
Quinn Mathews, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Age: 24 years old
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50
2024 MiLB Stats (143 1/3 IP): 2.76 ERA (2.59 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, 202:49 K/BB
Just the second minor league pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts in a season since 2011, Mathews surged through the Cardinals farm system. A fourth-round pick by St. Louis in 2023, Mathews has shown noticeable improvements since making the jump from amateur to professional.
His four-seam fastball (which averaged 91.5 mph in college) consistently reached the mid-90s in 2024.
Along with his fastball, Mathews has an impressive slider that can reach the upper-80s and a nasty low-80s changeup. Even though his pitch arsenal is undoubtedly impressive, the most intriguing thing about Mathews is his durability.
Few minor leaguers surpass 140 innings in their first full season. In a time where starters throw less and less, Mathews could further stand out by maintaining longevity.
Overall, Mathews is undoubtedly among the top pitching prospects in baseball. There may be other young hurlers with more velocity and nastier breaking balls, but that shouldn't detract from what Mathews can do. At the end of the day, he's a tried-and-true pitcher who could make a serious difference in fantasy leagues.
Final line for Quinn Mathews tonight: 7.2 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 12 K. He retired the first 19 batters he faced in order. pic.twitter.com/gbWMog3Mlb
— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) August 24, 2024
Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Minnesota Twins
Age: 21 years old
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 55
2024 Double-A Stats (37 G): .298/479/.621 (203 OPS+), 12 2B, 8 HR, 9 SB, 42:46
There is currently a plethora of talented outfield prospects. When looking through MLB's prospect rankings, you'll quickly find names like Dylan Crews (No. 1 overall), Walker Jenkins (No. 2 overall), and Roman Anthony (No. 3 overall).
However, if you scroll a bit further, you will find EmManuel Rodriguez (No. 29). Despite a lower prospect pedigree, few minor leaguers have more upside.
Over the last four seasons, Rodriguez has been one of the most dynamic players in the minor leagues. Through 230 professional games, he is slashing .250/.422/.510 with 37 doubles, 44 home runs, 49 steals, and 223/304 BB:K. Many of the best minds in fantasy baseball consider him a top-tier talent.
It is worth noting that Rodriguez has struggled with injuries throughout his time in Minnesota's farm system. Regardless, his incredible patience, gaudy power, and blazing speed make him an attractive fantasy option. If Rodriguez can stay healthy, he could be one of the game's best outfielders in just a few short years.
Emmanuel Rodriguez onto the berm!
MLB's No. 32 prospect (@Twins) swats his sixth homer of the year -- second of the series -- for the @WindSurgeICT. pic.twitter.com/oRNo8WVPzH
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 19, 2024
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!
