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Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 20 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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Matt Shaw - INF, Chicago Cubs
Level: Double-A
2024 stats: 86 G, .279/.373/.468, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 60 R, 25 SB, 12.1% BB%, 17.5% K%, .304 BABIP, .385 wOBA, 147 wRC+
Shaw was a 2023 first-round pick who has blossomed into one of the most well-rounded prospects — not just in the Cubs' system, but in all of pro baseball. He has a strong, explosive swing and is capable of hitting for both contact and power. Defensively, he has smooth hands and a strong arm. He also runs well, though his speed doesn't quite translate to elite range on defense. As a result, the Cubs have experimented with Shaw at both second and third base. While he's earned reps at shortstop, too, that doesn't seem like his long-term home.
Last week, Shaw went 14-for-27 with one homer and one triple. He also drove in three runs, drew three walks, and struck out twice. The talented 22-year-old has put together an impressive nine-game hitting streak, making him one of the hottest hitters in all of Minor League Baseball. Shaw's big stretch of games was rewarded earlier this week as the Cubs promoted him from Double-A to Triple-A. He's one step closer to making his MLB debut.
In his past 18 Double-A games, Cubs prospect Matt Shaw posted a 1.027 OPS with 4 home runs and 15 RBIs🔥
He now heads to Triple-A alongside teammates Kevin Alcantara and James Tristanos. pic.twitter.com/d4eYcRflnL
— The Call Up | An MLB Prospect Podcast (@The_CallUpPod) August 5, 2024
Brandon Sproat - SP, New York Mets
Level: Triple-A
2024 stats: 17 G, 16 GS, 6-2, 87.2 IP, 2.05 ERA, 3.08 FIP, 11.29 K/9, 3.18 BB/9, 0.72 HR/9, .238 BABIP
The Mets drafted Sproat in 2022, and when he didn't sign, they waited a year and then selected him again in 2023. The second-round pick has an advanced repertoire that could allow him to remain a starter; he throws a fastball, slider, curveball, changeup, and cutter. He gets good velocity behind his fastball, often touching the upper 90s with his heater. His best secondary offering is the changeup, but he's made significant improvements to his slider since being drafted, too.
Sproat tossed five scoreless innings last Friday, allowing just two hits and zero walks along the way. Most impressive, however, were his 13 strikeouts. Not only was Sproat nearly unhittable, but he generated plenty of punchouts against the New Hampshire lineup. In fact, he struck out 11 consecutive batters, which is a rare feat in Minor League Baseball and has never been accomplished before in the majors.
Brandon Sproat cannot be stopped ... or hit!
The @Mets' No. 5 prospect strikes out ELEVEN batters in a row -- something that's never been done in MLB history -- for @RumblePoniesBB. pic.twitter.com/ZqO61LtqJr
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 3, 2024
Dalton Rushing - C, Los Angeles Dodgers
Level: Double-A
2024 stats: 77 G, .270/.378/.512, 17 HR, 59 RBI, 44 R, 0 SB, 11.4% BB%, 20.7% K%, .299 BABIP, .402 wOBA, 147 wRC+
Rushing was the Dodgers' second-round pick in 2022. He has spent all of 2024 in Double-A, putting together a terrific season at the plate and behind the dish. A step behind Diego Cartaya in his development (but perhaps superior in terms of talent), Rushing has decent contact skills and the potential for major power. There have also been reports about his plate discipline, which is reflected in his double-digit walk rate but perhaps not his 20.7 percent strikeout rate. Defensively, his blocking and receiving are still a work in progress, but his pop time and throwing accuracy rank near the upper echelon of catching prospects.
Last week, Rushing went 9-for-23 with four home runs, nine RBI, three walks, and nine strikeouts. He continued to show solid power but concerning strikeout potential, going down on strikes in one-third of his trips to the plate. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Rushing, but it's unlikely he'll reach the majors until 2026 (or perhaps late in 2025, as the best-case scenario).
Dalton Rushing is hitting .309/.406/.745 with 7 HR over his last 15 games. pic.twitter.com/oYyGPuy755
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) August 5, 2024
Travis Sykora - SP, Washington Nationals
Level: Single-A
2024 stats: 14 G, 14 GS, 2-3, 57.1 IP, 2.67 ERA, 2.26 FIP, 13.50 K/9, 3.30 BB/9, 0.31 HR/9, .274 BABIP, 40.2% GB%
With Cade Cavalli reaching the majors, Sykora is vying to be the best pitching prospect in Washington's farm system. The right-hander was the Nats' third-round pick in 2023, but he's already exceeded expectations after just one year with the organization. Perhaps unsurprisingly given his 6-foot-6, 220-pound frame, Sykora has touched triple-digits with his fastball, showing incredible velocity for a 20-year-old. His complementary slider and splitter aren't nearly as elite, but they're still solid secondary offerings.
Sykora has been no stranger to scoreless outings this season, and he repeated his magic last Friday versus Lynchburg. He allowed zero runs and zero hits over five innings of work, surrendering just one walk along the way. He also mowed down batters at an impressive clip, finishing the day with eight strikeouts. It's been an impressive season for Sykora who now has five scoreless appearances under his belt in 2024. Without a doubt, he's a player to watch moving forward.
Words don't do Travis Sykora justice. He's the real deal and he's been DEALING for the FredNats over the past several months.
Five hitless innings tonight w/ 8 Ks and he's got a 2.67 ERA now this seasonpic.twitter.com/4kFbcWAXx0
— Alex Murphy (@AlexMurphyJour) August 3, 2024
Mikey Romero - SS, Boston Red Sox
Level: High-A
2024 stats: 53 G, .289/.332/.534, 10 HR, 37 RBI, 39 R, 1 SB, 4.8% BB%, 18.8% K%, .322 BABIP, .383 wOBA, 136 wRC+
The Red Sox have been suckers for prep shortstops with high draft capital in recent years, and it seems they made the right call with Romero, the 24th overall selection in 2022. Romero skipped his LSU commitment to sign with the Red Sox, and he's been remarkable in their system. The 20-year-old has an aggressive mindset at the plate, fighting off challenging pitches and putting plenty of baseballs in play. While his K/BB ratio is high and his home run total isn't excessive, the Red Sox have to like what they've seen in his production at the plate. There's a little less confidence defensively; Romero has played both second base and shortstop without any extraordinary results.
Last week, Romero went 12-for-25 with three home runs, two doubles, and 11 RBI. He also drew one walk and struck out four times, which falls in line with his K/BB ratio this season. He currently owns a six-game hitting streak, during which he's clubbed five homers. He has also reached base safely in 23 consecutive contests, solidifying him as one of Boston's hottest prospects currently.
Boston Red Sox prospect Mikey Romero with his 10th home run in High-A this season pic.twitter.com/SrWIHX9pOC
— Hunter Noll (@Hunter_Noll) August 4, 2024
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