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It's Week 15 of the MLB season, and while we have seen plenty of rookies called up this season already, there are three more exciting young players set to join (or re-join) their big league teams this week.
We love covering prospects here at RotoBaller, and in this piece, I wanted to highlight three fantasy baseball prospects who could make significant impacts for their teams (and your fantasy teams) this week and for the rest of the season.
I included the availability of each player in Yahoo! leagues with each breakdown. Now, let's take a look at some of the most important prospects in fantasy baseball this week!
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Gavin Williams - SP, Cleveland Guardians
Availability: 58% rostered
2023 MLB Stats: 3-5, 82 IP, 3.29 ERA, 4.53 xFIP, 23.5% K%, 10.7% BB%, 38.1% GB%, .270 BABIP
2024 Triple-A Stats: 0-0, 12 IP, 5.00 ERA, 3.93 xFIP, 34.5% K%, 12.1% BB%, 43.3% GB%, .429 BABIP
Cleveland’s top-ranked pitching prospect has finally got the call and will debut today against the worst team in baseball - the Chicago White Sox. Williams offers immediate fantasy appeal with his high 90s fastball and two plus breaking pitches (curveball and slider).
Good morning, and a happy Gavin Williams bump day to all those who celebrate pic.twitter.com/fUFNUIy0jZ
— Michael (@MichaelHook_CLE) July 3, 2024
The flame-throwing hurler is already rostered in 62% percent of Yahoo leagues, as fantasy managers have been anticipating his debut now for nearly a month. Cleveland took their time with Williams in the minor leagues, making sure he was 100% healthy and stretched out.
The 6-foot-6 24-year-old hurler made five starts at Triple-A Columbus and struck out 20 batters in 12 innings while compiling a 6.00 ERA and walking seven. His control is one area of concern to keep an eye on, as he walked over 10% of hitters last year, too.
Williams's rookie season was viewed as a success as he made 16 starts last year for Cleveland, tossing 82 innings and compiling a 3.29 ERA while striking out 81 hitters.
Many experts believe, however, that Williams was simply scratching the surface of his potential last season. With three pitches graded 50 or higher in his arsenal (fastball, slider, curveball), he has the type of stuff that, with some improved command, could allow him to develop into an ace.
Williams was a popular value pick during drafts this spring, so expectations going into this season were high. He has a ton of potential, and the Guardians have been known to get the most out of their pitchers, too. Run, don't walk to your waiver wire to see if he's still available!
Christian Scott - SP, New York Mets
Availability: 28% rostered
2024 MLB stats: 5 GS, 0-2, 27.2 IP, 3.90 ERA, 4.19 xFIP, 22.3 % K%, 5.4% BB%, 34.5% GB%, .273 BABIP
2024 Triple-A stats: 9 GS, 3-0, 42.1 IP, 2.76 ERA, 3.39 xFIP, 33.5% K%, 7.3% BB%, 45.4% GB%, .218 BABIP
Williams isn't the only major prospect pitching tonight, as Christian Scott is set to return to the Mets rotation for their matchup with the Nationals.
Carlos Mendoza says Christian Scott will start for the Mets on Wednesday vs. the Nationals
"We've been saying he's a big-league pitcher. Now where we're at, especially needing a spot in the rotation, it's his time now" pic.twitter.com/2LBYZepb6v
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 1, 2024
Christian Scott got a brief taste of what it's like to pitch in the major leagues when he made five starts for the Mets earlier this season. Now he returns to the big leagues and attempts to prove that he belongs in the Mets' rotation for the rest of the year.
Scott was a fifth-round pick of the Mets back in 2021 and has been dominant at every level of the minor leagues. The 25-year-old has three pitches that grade as 50 or better (fastball, slider, cutter) and throws a splitter as well, which is something we don't see from a lot of young pitchers (not just the splitter, but the ability to throw a fourth pitch effectively).
HAPPY CHRISTIAN SCOTT DAY! #LGM pic.twitter.com/qWF2zdspb3
— MetCast (@MetCastPod) July 3, 2024
He's been mowing down hitters in the minors this season - both before his promotion and after his demotion. In nine starts at Triple-A Syracuse, Scott has whiffed 55 hitters in just 42 innings and owns a fantastic 2.76 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.
Scott pitched well when up with the Mets, though he didn't dominate like he had against minor-leaguers. He went six innings in three of his five starts and allowed three or fewer runs in all but one. He struck out nearly a batter per inning and posted a strong 1.08 WHIP.
Scott is taking Tylor Megill's spot in the rotation as Megill was demoted to Triple-A after another disappointing outing.
Christian Scott makes his return to the Mets after his 2nd stint in AAA this season
Glad to see him back! https://t.co/YXArOx9tjH pic.twitter.com/JJRK3zF9iu
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) July 1, 2024
Scott is certainly auditioning here for the opportunity to stick in the rotation, and if he pitches well, he would be in line for a two-start week next week against the Pirates and Rockies - two favorable matchups.
Scott is rostered in just 28% of Yahoo! leagues, so the opportunity to add him is there for now. But if he pitches well today, he will surely become a very popular pick-up. Grab him now before another sharp manager does!
Garrett Mitchell - OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Availability: 5% rostered
2023 MLB Stats: 19 G, .246/.315/.446, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 10 R, 1 SB
2024 Triple-A Stats: 12 G, .318/.404/.636, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 4 SB
After missing almost the entire first half of the 2024 season, Garrett Mitchell is finally back with the Milwaukee Brewers and ready to help them on their quest for an NL Central division title.
Mitchell suffered a fractured finger in March and had several setbacks in his recovery that prolonged his return.
But Mitchell looked good in his brief rehab stint in the minors. At Triple-A, he hit .318 with a .404 OBP and four home runs.
The Brewers have decided they want to see what Mitchell can do and he was activated and made his 2024 debut on Monday night, collecting a hit and a walk after entering the game as a pinch hitter.
Mitchell followed that up by going 1-4 last night and drawing a crucial walk in the ninth inning that led to the go-ahead run scoring in the next at-bat.
Nick Mears just got ahead 0-2 on Garrett Mitchell and threw him a bunch of elevated fastballs. He didn't chase one.https://t.co/XTvx7sU834
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) July 3, 2024
Mitchell is a former first-round pick of Milwaukee back in 2020. Before Monday, he had appeared in 47 games for the Brewers between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 128 MLB at-bats, Mitchell has five home runs and nine stolen bases, which is just a sampling of the power and speed combo that he brings to the table.
If Mitchell can lock down an everyday spot in the Brewers lineup, we are talking about a player who could hit 10-15 home runs and swipe 10-15 bases in the second half. However, the outfield situation in Milwaukee is a bit complicated at the moment, with Blake Perkins and Sal Frelick also battling for at-bats.
Mitchell's pedigree is higher than Frelick or Perkins, and he should get a crack at least at being the strong side of a platoon in one of the outfield spots, making starts against RHP.
He's only rostered in 5% of Yahoo! leagues and makes for a great add in deeper formats.
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