Hot MLB Prospects to Watch for Fantasy Baseball - Week 8

Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're heading into Week 8 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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James Wood - OF, Washington Nationals

Level: Triple-A
2024 stats: 35 G, .346/.444/.581, Seven HR, 23 RBI, 33 R, Nine SB, 15.4% BB%, 19.8% K%, .408 BABIP, .452 wOBA, 167 wRC+

Wood is a former second-round pick who was flipped from the Padres to the Nationals as part of the return package for Juan Soto. At 6-foot-7, he's a big-bodied prospect capable of producing impressive power. He's also a very good runner, both on the basepaths and as a defender in the outfield. He rounds out his profile with a solid hit tool, reliable glovework, and a strong arm. Wood has legitimate five-tool potential, though he needs to cut down on strikeouts. He went down on strikes 173 times in 2023.

Last week, Wood went 10-for-22 with five homers, 12 RBI, four walks, and four strikeouts. He also stole a base. The Nationals have plenty of young talent in their farm system, but Wood might be the best of the bunch. He should make his MLB debut sometime this season.

James Wood (@nationals) continues to sizzle with a 3-hit, 2-RBI night that extends his hitting streak to 10 games!

MLB's No. 5 prospect is slashing .357/.455/.586 for the @RocRedWings. pic.twitter.com/uDVxXCCjHm

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 15, 2024

Trenton Denholm - SP, Cleveland Guardians

Level: High-A
2024 stats: Six G, Six GS, 3-0, 32.1 IP, 2.51 ERA, 2.60 xFIP, 10.02 K/9, 0.84 BB/9, 1.67 HR/9, 47.1% GB%, .217 BABIP

Denholm was the Guardians' 14th-round pick in 2021. At 24, he's on the older side for High-A prospects, but there's still plenty to like about his profile. His fastball velocity has fluctuated over the past few years, but he has ultimately shown that he can throw it in the mid-90s. He also gets plenty of breaking action on his curveball. There are concerns about his control, especially given that he's had difficulty locating his curveball. However, his 10.02 K/9 and 0.84 BB/9 this year are both great signs.

Last week, Denholm tossed a seven-inning complete-game shutout. He held his opponent scoreless while surrendering just two hits and one walk. He also showed an ability to find the strike zone and miss bats, racking up an impressive nine strikeouts over seven frames.

that’s 6 Ks for Trenton Denholm in 4 scoreless innings ⛽️😳 pic.twitter.com/Hds5q5jFmw

— Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) May 10, 2024

Hao-Yu Lee - 2B, Detroit Tigers

Level: Double-A
2024 stats: 28 G, .273/.357/.436, Three HR, 18 RBI, 18 R, Four SB, 11.1% BB%, 20.6% K%, .329 BABIP, .366 wOBA, 128 wRC+

Lee is a former international signing from Taiwan who was acquired from the Phillies at last summer's trade deadline. He was swapped for Michael Lorenzen in a one-for-one trade, and so far, it looks like Detroit won that swap. Lee is a very polished hitter who gets good speed and strength behind his swings, works counts effectively, and hits to all parts of the field. There are also some indications that he may have some untapped (sneaky) pop. Finally, he's an above-average defender with good baseball IQ and reaction time. He'll likely play second base long-term, though he's looked solid on the left side of the infield before, too.

Last week, Lee went 7-for-18 with two homers, 10 RBI, four walks, and four strikeouts. There aren't too many prospects who can hit for power while maintaining a respectable K/BB rate, but Lee is one of those players. He'll likely make his MLB debut in 2025.

Hao-Yu Lee crushes a 3-run bomb to center to put Erie up 7-0. It’s his 2nd home run of the day and his 3rd of the year. @SamLebo14 calls it. pic.twitter.com/8x7XBzz1AN

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) May 12, 2024

Andrew Sears - SP, Detroit Tigers

Level: Single-A
2024 stats: Six G, Five GS, 1-1, 10.1 IP, 3.10 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 9.74 K/9, 5.75 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 50.0% GB%, .294 BABIP

The Tigers plucked Sears from the University of Connecticut during the 10th round of last year's MLB Draft. He's struggled with walks in the past but generally induces weak contact. His pitch repertoire is headlined by an effective fastball that clocks around 95 mph.

Last week, Sears twirled five shutout innings. He allowed one hit, walked one batter, and hit one batter, all while recording a whopping nine strikeouts. It was his best outing of the 2024 season and also gave him a two-game streak with zero runs allowed. Don't be surprised if he gets elevated to High-A or Double-A soon.

Andrew Sears is your Florida State League Pitcher of the Week!

On May 11 he pitched 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K

He retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced including striking out the final 4 and did not allow a runner past first base! pic.twitter.com/KDKZXO2Fja

— Lakeland Flying Tigers (@LkdFlyingTigers) May 13, 2024

Henry Bolte - OF, Oakland Athletics

Level: High-A
2024 stats: 31 G, .246/.366/.434, Five HR, 24 RBI, 27 R, 13 SB, 13.1% BB%, 36.6% K%, .391 BABIP, .376 wOBA, 127 wRC+

The Athletics made Bolte their second-round pick in 2022 and convinced him to sign an over-slot deal rather than attend the University of Texas. Bolte offers a rare blend of power and speed, using the latter trait to swipe plenty of bases and hold down the fort in center field. He also has a strong glove and a decent hit tool, though he definitely needs to cut down on strikeouts.

Last week, Bolte went 7-for-24. While .292 isn't an elite batting average, Bolte worked to complement his hit total with an impressive two home runs, nine RBI, and two stolen bases. If the young outfielder can reduce his strikeout total, he could be shuttled through the minors and to the majors by this time next year.

#Athletics No. 10 prospect Henry Bolte has homered in back-to-back games and driven in nine runs over his last five contests.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/ajjfiRVBOI

— Lansing Lugnuts (@LansingLugnuts) May 14, 2024

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