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Welcome back, RotoBallers! September is more than halfway complete. We're heading into Week 25 of the fantasy baseball season, and the minor league season is winding down. It would be foolish to proceed without highlighting the top performances from Week 24.
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.
Fantasy managers should certainly keep an eye on these players over the long haul as they may prove to be excellent waiver wire adds in no time.
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Brett Kerry - SP, Los Angeles Angels
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 25 G, 20 GS, 103.0 IP, 5-7, 4.38 xFIP, .347 BABIP, 10.31 K/9, 2.62 BB/9, 1.66 HR/9
Kerry was a fifth-round pick in 2021. He has spent all of this season at Double-A, continuing to locate his pitches well and strike a balance of fastballs and off-speed pitches in order to record strikeouts. The 23-year-old has struggled with hard contact, but he has also fared quite well in the control department, keeping his walk-to-strikeout ratio at a minimum.
The right-hander had another great outing this past week, striking out a whopping eight batters over six innings of work. He gave up just one hit, zero walks, and zero runs in the process. Between Kerry's great control and the Angels' need for reliable starting pitching, it would come as no surprise to see him reach the majors in 2023.
Will Robertson - OF, Toronto Blue Jays
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 96 G, .227/.399/.433, 15 HR, 46 RBI, 42 R, .282 BABIP, 7.7 BB%, 28.0 K%
Robertson, 24, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He has made a slow but steady ascension in the Jays' farm system, reaching Double-A in 2022. With the New Hampshire affiliate, Robertson has boasted solid power but struggled with discipline, striking out too much and walking too little. This has plagued him in the past; he hit just .235 with a 30.2 K% at High-A last season.
Throughout Robertson's struggles, he has also demonstrated good things. This past week, the outfielder hit an impressive 7-for-16 (.438) with three homers, five RBI, two walks, and just one strikeout. It's unclear if he can sustain this blend of power and discipline, but it's refreshing to see that he is at least capable of boasting offensive prowess from time to time.
Gordon Graceffo - SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 18 GS, 93.2 IP, 7-4, 3.94 ERA, .237 BABIP, 45.3 GB%, 7.98 K/9, 2.31 BB/9, 1.54 HR/9
A 2000s baby, Graceffo was taken with the 151st pick in the 2021 draft. The tall right-hander opened this season in High-A but spent most of the year with the Cardinals' Double-A affiliate. One of the top prospects in St. Louis' system, Graceffo is known for his strong arm, which delivers a fastball in the mid-to-upper-90s range. He also throws a slider, curveball, and changeup. All three are effective and can be good put-away pitches, but his slider is the best of the bunch.
Graceffo put on a show this past Thursday, allowing one hit and zero walks over six fantastic shutout innings. He also struck out a whopping nine batters in the contest, providing evidence of some really impressive control. He may be just 22 years old, but an MLB debut seems to be right around the corner for Graceffo.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand - INF, Cincinnati Reds
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 122 G, .304/.368/.587, 32 HR, 114 RBI, 76 R, 8 SB, .362 BABIP, 7.4 BB%, 25.5 K%
Encarnacion-Strand has been one of the best Minor League Baseball players this season. In fact, he has enjoyed so much success that this is his third time appearing in this article series in 2022. Even after being traded to the Reds midseason, he has kept up his dominance. The corner infielder displays impressive bat-to-ball skills and a really solid power stroke. Defensively, he has strong instincts and enough athleticism to patrol third base, but he could also play first if needed.
Encarnacion-Strand was great this past week, hitting 7-for-21 (.333) with two homers, eight RBI, and two walks. While his eight strikeouts were certainly alarming, he has shown that he is capable of making mechanical adjustments. Without a doubt, he remains one of the most intriguing prospects in baseball.
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