Hot MLB Prospects to Watch for Fantasy Baseball - Week 7

Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 7 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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Robert Hassell III - OF, Washington Nationals

Level: Double-A
2024 stats: 22 G, .341/.434/.471, Two HR, 10 RBI, 16 R, Eight SB, 12.0% BB%, 20.0% K%, .429 BABIP, .421 wOBA, 163 wRC+

Hassell is a former first-round pick who was flipped to Washington during the trade that made Juan Soto a Padre. The talented left-hander gets good speed behind each of his swings while still making sure to keep his swing under control, perfect his timing, and put the bat on the ball. Concerns about his tendency to strike out seem to have dissipated recently. He's also a good defender, showcasing the potential to play center field for a long time thanks to his range and glovework. He has the arm strength to shift to right field as necessary.

Hassell enjoyed plenty of success last week, going 12-for-24 (.500) with two homers, five RBI, one walk, and three strikeouts. He was also a thief on the basepaths, swiping three bags on three attempts. He closed out the week with a three-game stolen base streak that would ultimately be snapped on Tuesday, May 7. Nevertheless, keep an eye on Hassell as he pushes for a spot in Triple-A.

Robert Hassell III has homered in 2️⃣ games in a row 🔥

Start a streak yeah? pic.twitter.com/WvafxAViMI

— Harrisburg Senators (@HbgSenators) May 2, 2024

Chayce McDermott - SP, Baltimore Orioles

Level: Triple-A
2024 stats: Seven G, Six GS, 1-1, 28.0 IP, 2.89 ERA, 4.16 FIP, 13.18 K/9, 8.04 BB/9, 0.32 HR/9, 40.4% GB%, .293 BABIP

The Orioles seem to have struck gold again with yet another talented prospect on the verge of making their major league debut. McDermott, dealt from Houston to Baltimore in the Trey Mancini trade, is a former fourth-round pick who gets good velocity behind his fastball, slider, and curveball. The jury is still out on whether McDermott will be a starter or reliever in Baltimore, but he can help his case by developing a fourth offering (changeup) and drastically improving his control.

Pitching last Friday, McDermott went 6.2 innings, allowing zero runs, zero hits, and just two walks. He also attacked the strike zone, finishing his outing with a whopping 11 strikeouts, good for an average of 1.65 per inning.

Chayce McDermott (BAL) is keeping things interesting in the pitching call-up race in Baltimore. Control has been a notable issue but he had by far his best start of the year last time out.

6.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K in a combined NH.

🎥: @TidesNotespic.twitter.com/CdJe12HkqV

— Beck (@Upper_Beck) May 7, 2024

E.J. Exposito - 2B, Atlanta Braves

Level: High-A
2024 stats: 18 G, .277/.351/.631, Six HR, 12 RBI, 13 R, Eight SB, 10.8% BB%, 28.4% K%, .308 BABIP, .438 wOBA, 171 wRC+

Exposito is a former 16th-round pick who played college ball at Long Island University. He has decent contact and power skills, continuing to spray the ball to all parts of the field and showing legitimate pop. Defensively, he offers the Braves versatility in the infield. While he'll likely play second base long-term, he's already seen plenty of action at first base, third base, and shortstop, too.

Last week was huge for Exposito as he ultimately hit 11-for-23 (.478) with three home runs and five RBI. He also contributed plenty of value on the basepaths by stealing five bases on five attempts last week. The 23-year-old's biggest weakness is his tendency to strike out (3.0 K/BB last week), which he'll need to address before any potential promotion.

This morning, EJ Exposito bought everyone on the staff donuts.

Today, he’s tied for the league lead in homers. 🍩 #RuleTheLand 🐧 pic.twitter.com/e2MZiVCm9y

— Rome Emperors (@GoEmperors) May 5, 2024

Will Schomberg - SP, Seattle Mariners

Level: Single-A
2024 stats: Five G, Five GS, 2-1, 24.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 11.25 K/9, 5.25 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 29.4% GB%, .259 BABIP

Schomberg signed with the Mariners as a non-drafted free agent out of Davidson in 2022 and is already making waves as an impactful prospect in the depths of the farm system. The right-handed hurler has flashed decent velocity with his fastball and gets good movement on his slider. One of his biggest weaknesses is allowing fly balls and other loud contact. In fact, he owns a measly 29.4 percent walk rate so far this season.

This past week, Schomberg was quite effective. He tossed six full innings, allowing zero runs, zero hits, and just one walk. He also found the zone quite often, finishing his day with double-digit strikeouts. If Schomberg can continue to grow his K/BB rate while keeping his ERA in check, he'll earn a promotion very quickly.

Masterful pitching performance from Will Schomberg.

6 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K pic.twitter.com/AAIIrSjWkD

— Mariners Player Development (@MsPlayerDev) May 3, 2024

Lazaro Montes - OF, Seattle Mariners

Level: Single-A
2024 stats: 24 G, .313/.415/.566, Six HR, 36 RBI, 22 R, Zero SB, 13.6% BB%, 14.4% K%, .325 BABIP, .456 wOBA, 159 wRC+

We round out this week's edition of the Hot Prospects series with one more Mariner. Montes was once a highly regarded international prospect who ultimately signed with the Mariners in 2022. He possesses solid discipline and awareness at the plate, but he really makes his mark in the power department, slugging homers left and right. On the other hand, his defense is holding him back and will likely require him to play left field, first base, or designated hitter long-term.

Montes went on a tear last week, hitting 10-for-22 (.454) with three homers, 14 RBI, four walks, and three strikeouts. These statistics are amazing, and even if Montes can't quite replicate them again going forward, he has certainly shown the Mariners organization that he could be a superstar hitter someday. For now, don't be surprised if Montes earns a promotion to Double-A.

Lazaro Montes crushes a 3-run HR!
13-0 Nuts. pic.twitter.com/8OEXU4AxHu

— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) April 28, 2024

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