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Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 10 of the fantasy baseball season. The minor league baseball season is off to a hot start, providing 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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Adael Amador - 2B, Colorado Rockies
Level: Double-A
2024 stats: 39 G, .179/.339/.271, Four HR, 16 RBI, 26 R, 18 SB, 17.8% BB%, 18.4% K%, .202 BABIP, .306 wOBA, 88 wRC+
Amador is one of the best hitters in minor league baseball, making terrific pure contact. He combines his bat-to-ball skills with plus speed, making him a threat to leg out extra-base hits and swipe bags. He also has a phenomenal 1.03 K/BB ratio this season, confirming that he has great zone awareness, works walks, and cuts down on strikeouts. The biggest void in his offensive profile is his power; Amador won't slug more than 12 to 20 homers in a season. Defensively, he possesses average glovework but will likely patrol second base long-term.
Amador went on a tear against Portland last week, going 10-for-31 (.323) with four homers, 10 RBI, seven walks, and eight strikeouts. He also continued to show his ability on the basepaths, swiping three bags. His best game came on Saturday as he went 5-for-6 with two homers, three singles, five RBI, and four runs scored. He's had subpar numbers for much of this year, but this hot week might be enough for a promotion to Triple-A in the near future.
Make that 3 dingers in his last 7 at-bats for Adael Amador🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/92swxtHpAj
— The Call Up | An MLB Prospect Podcast (@The_CallUpPod) May 26, 2024
Felipe De La Cruz - SP, New York Mets
Level: High-A
2024 stats: Nine G, Nine GS, 3-4, 40.1 IP, 2.68 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 11.16 K/9, 3.57 BB/9, 0.45 HR/9, 43.0% GB%, .340 BABIP
De La Cruz is a hard-throwing left-hander who has flirted with landing his fastball in the upper 90s. He records plenty of strikeouts and typically keeps his walk rate at a reasonable level. At the moment, though, his high velocity and limited repertoire project best out of the bullpen. Unless he can add a strong second (or third) offering, his ceiling is likely a mid-range MLB reliever.
With that said, De La Cruz showcased his skills and stamina last week. He struck out a whopping 13 batters over six innings on Saturday, allowing just two hits, one walk, and zero runs along the way. He earned his second consecutive win and continues pushing for a promotion to Double-A.
No bad luck here!@Mets prospect Felipe De La Cruz racks up a career-high 1⃣3⃣ K's for the @BKCyclones: pic.twitter.com/zLINHr4W4y
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 26, 2024
Jadher Areinamo - 2B, Milwaukee Brewers
Level: High-A
2024 stats: 32 G, .346/.426/.631, Seven HR, 20 RBI, 34 R, 10 SB, 10.8% BB%, 24.3% K%, .437 BABIP, .481 wOBA, 218 wRC+
The Brewers signed Areinamo out of Venezuela in 2021. He's a talented hitter with an aggressive mentality at the plate. As a result, he draws very few walks, but he has also kept his strikeout rate relatively low. On a less positive note, his power is nearly nonexistent; he's averaging just one homer in every 37 games since starting his pro career in the United States.
He doesn't have a lot of speed but is still a threat to steal bases with his baseball IQ. Defensively, he has an average arm but possesses the adequate glovework needed to play second base, third base, or shortstop. He'll likely wind up at the keystone long-term, but his versatility is valuable nonetheless.
Areinamo looked great at the plate last week, going 11-for-23 (.478) with one homer, 10 RBI, two walks, and two strikeouts. He also continued to be a threat on the basepaths, swiping five bags on five attempts. The Brewers have to be pleased about the 20-year-old's contributions at the plate so far this season.
We're on the board! Jadher Areinamo rips an RBI double to left.
Top 4
Sky Carp 2 | T-Rats 1#tratnation pic.twitter.com/dek06Psqwg— Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (@TimberRattlers) May 18, 2024
Javi Rivera - SP, Cincinnati Reds
Level: High-A
2024 stats: Eight G, Eight GS, 2-2, 29.0 IP, 6.21 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 12.41 K/9, 3.41 BB/9, 0.62 HR/9, 31.9% GB%, .338 BABIP
Rivera has shown some struggles on the mound this season, allowing 85 percent of his earned runs over just 50 percent of his outings. He has a very average repertoire consisting of a fastball, slider, and changeup. None of these pitches are overpowering, but they can get the job done from time to time.
He's flashed impressive control, too, maintaining a high K/9 and low BB/9. His biggest flaw is allowing loud contact, as evidenced by his low ground-ball rate. He needs to cut down on allowing explosive hits and big innings before he can be trusted at the next level.
With all that said, Rivera has shown tremendous progress over his last two outings. He hasn't allowed a run over his last 11 innings, which includes a terrific outing last Thursday in which he struck out 11 batters over six shutout frames. He held his opponent to just one hit and zero walks, securing his second consecutive win. Perhaps this is a sign that Rivera is trending in the right direction.
Dragons win! Starting pitcher Javi Rivera struck out 11 over 6 near-perfect innings, most strikeouts by a Dayton pitcher since Connor Phillips had 13 in May, 2022. Rivera allowed 1 hit, 0 walks, 0 runs. Yan Contreras with 2 doubles, 2 RBI to lead the offense. pic.twitter.com/ejCIMgopXB
— Dayton Dragons (@DragonsBaseball) May 24, 2024
Derlin Figueroa - 1B/3B, Kansas City Royals
Level: Single-A
2024 stats: 40 G, .284/.347/.458, Six HR, 27 RBI, 20 R, Six SB, 8.6% BB%, 22.3% K%, .339 BABIP, .378 wOBA, 132 wRC+
Figueroa is a young corner infielder who was traded from the Dodgers to the Royals in last summer's Ryan Yarbrough trade. At the time of the trade, he was widely viewed as a long-term first baseman. However, he's spent more time at the hot corner than any other position so far in 2024.
The 20-year-old has an advanced swing and is capable of producing plenty of power. He does have a slightly higher strikeout total due to his aggressive offensive style, but he's historically been capable of drawing a decent amount of walks, too.
Last week, Figueroa went 11-for-24 (.458) with two homers, four RBI, three walks, and seven strikeouts. He also swiped two bases on four attempts. Don't be surprised if his bat carries him to High-A sooner rather than later.
The #Royals acquired Derlin Figueroa last summer. He rose from #59 to #29 in my most recent prospect update. He generates good power while walking a healthy amount and limiting strikeouts.
Here he is hitting a big HR to CF, along with two doubles. pic.twitter.com/7Cgw4ZmA8Z
— Preston Farr (@royalsminors) February 10, 2024
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