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Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 19 of the fantasy baseball season. There were plenty of big plays and impressive prospect performances throughout Minor League Baseball during last week's action.
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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Dillon Dingler - C, Detroit Tigers
Level: Triple-A
2024 stats: 71 G, .308/.379/.559, 17 HR, 52 RBI, 44 R, 5 SB, 10.0% BB%, 20.3% K%, .337 BABIP, .404 wOBA, 137 wRC+
Dingler is a former second-round pick who has blossomed into one of the Tigers' top prospects. Although he has traditionally been viewed as a defense-first catcher with a phenomenal throwing arm, you'll notice that he's put together a phenomenal stat line with the bat in his hands this year. Not only is he putting the ball in play, but he's also demonstrating some real power.
Last week, Dingler went 9-for-15 with four homers, two doubles, and eight RBI. He also drew five walks while striking out just once. This impressive stretch of games earned Dingler a promotion to the majors, where he debuted on Monday. In his first game with the big league club, Dingler doubled and walked.
There seems to be an opening in Detroit.@tigers top catching prospect Dillon Dingler is knocking at the door with five homers in his past five games for the Triple-A @MudHens. pic.twitter.com/1Ymlt0ay5o
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 29, 2024
Sean Sullivan - SP, Colorado Rockies
Level: High-A
2024 stats: 15 G, 13 GS, 2-5, 72.2 IP, 3.84 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 7.06 K/9, 2.72 BB/9, 0.74 HR/9, .294 BABIP, 34.8% GB%
Sullivan is a talented lefty with an effective three-pitch mix. His fastball, slider, and changeup all grade around average (or slightly above), and he's demonstrated solid control throughout his minor league career. His pitches have real deception, but his 2024 stats show strikeout and ground-ball rates a bit lower than we'd like to see.
Sullivan is coming off an excellent week at High-A, during which he threw a pair of gems. On both occasions, he threw five shutout innings and struck out 10 batters. Between the two outings, he amassed 10 innings and 20 strikeouts while allowing zero runs, one walk, one hit batsman, and five base hits.
Sean Sullivan this week.
10 IP
5 H
0 ER
20 K
1 BBCALL THIS MAN UP! pic.twitter.com/nHYCw9KrWW
— Blake Street Banter ⚾🌮 (@blakestbanter) July 29, 2024
Cooper Bowman - 2B, Oakland Athletics
Level: Double-A
2024 stats: 80 G, .281/.378/.466, 12 HR, 53 RBI, 62 R, 35 SB, 12.4% BB%, 20.2% K%, .330 BABIP, .386 wOBA, 135 wRC+
Bowman has a short, right-handed swing that allows him to make plenty of contact while keeping his strikeout rate in check. He's not a major power threat but rather will attack teams with his ability to get on base and swipe bags. His excellent run tool not only helps him on the basepaths but could also allow him to succeed in the outfield should Oakland look to move him off second base (or at least experiment with him at numerous positions).
Last week, Bowman went 9-for-20 with three homers, five RBI, four walks, and just two strikeouts. In addition to his advanced results at the plate, he swiped three bags on three attempts. At age 24, Bowman could be pushing for a promotion to Triple-A sometime in August.
COOPER BOWMAN INTO THE BULLPEN!!
That is his 10th HR and 50th RBI on the year! pic.twitter.com/KlQtGaOc7E
— Midland RockHounds (@RockHounds) July 25, 2024
Dominic Perachi - SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Level: High-A
2024 stats: 18 G, 10 GS, 6-3, 2 SV, 79.2 IP, 2.37 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 9.26 K/9, 2.94 BB/9, 0.11 HR/9, .248 BABIP
Perachi boasts a three-pitch mix, headlined by a low-90s fastball. He also deploys a low-80s slider and a loopy curveball. The left-hander has had trouble locating his breaking ball, but he can afford to have a little less control given that he's generated plenty of swings and misses on his curveball out of the zone. Batters also tend to chase at his fastball in the upper portion of the zone.
Last Thursday, the southpaw went six full innings, allowing zero runs, zero walks, and just one hit. He supported his impressive shutout appearance with a career-high 11 strikeouts on the day. The jury is still out on whether Perachi will be a starter or reliever, but last week's outing confirms that he at least deserves a chance to pitch in the rotation.
Dominic Perachi with his own version of 7-11.
The @Pirates southpaw fans 7 consecutive batters en route to a career-high 11 over 6 one-hit frames for the @GSOHoppers! pic.twitter.com/SlCnlNB4MJ
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 26, 2024
Carlos Jimenez - OF, Seattle Mariners
Level: Single-A
2024 stats: 56 G, .338/.449/.562, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 55 R, 16 SB, 15.5% BB%, 24.5% K%, .449 BABIP, .467 wOBA, 162 wRC+
The COVID-19 pandemic and injuries delayed Jimenez's ascension to prominence in the Seattle farm system, but he finally showed flashes in 2023 and has now come on very strong in 2024. The left-handed outfielder is capable of hitting baseballs in all parts of the zone, though he could benefit from improving his plate discipline and cutting down on his strikeout rate.
On a positive note, he draws plenty of walks and has above-average baserunning skills. He's reached base in nearly 45 percent of his trips to the plate this year, and once he gets on, he's immediately a threat to steal.
Last week, Jimenez went 11-for-18 with one homer, two triples, and three doubles. He ultimately drove in six runs, drew four walks, struck out twice, and went 1-for-2 on the basepaths. He's only spent 28 games at Single-A so far, but we can't rule out Jimenez being promoted to High-A by year's end.
Carlos Jimenez triples home Jose Caguana. 4-2 Nuts. pic.twitter.com/DXGqyhnaVe
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) July 27, 2024
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