Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects Ready To Shine: Hurston Waldrep, Kyle Manzardo, Jordan Lawlar

Jarod Rupp analyzes three top fantasy baseball prospects - Hurston Waldrep, Kyle Manzardo, Jordan Lawlar - who could make big impacts this season. These MLB prospects are potential waiver wire pick-ups or stashes.

We are closing in on the final weeks of the fantasy baseball season and there are still some players in the minors who could help out for fantasy purposes were they to get the call tomorrow.

Even if they do not get the call this season, these prospects could have big impacts next season, so redraft and dynasty managers alike should know their names.

After a few years in the majors, most of the time, we know who a player is and likely will become. Prospects, on the other hand, still have incredible potential to one day be fantasy studs (and sometimes duds, too!). Let's look at three prospects we should be keeping an eye on.

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Hurston Waldrep - SP, Atlanta Braves

Current Level: Triple-A Gwinnett
Availability: 2% rostered
2024 AA stats: 9 GS, 49 1/3 IP, 3-4 W-L, 2.92 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 22.4% K%, 7.9% BB%
2024 AAA stats: 5 GS, 23 IP, 1-1 W-L, 5.09 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 28.4% K%, 15.7% BB%

After having been selected in the 2023 MLB Draft, Hurston Waldrep rocketed through the Braves farm system, ascending all the way to the big leagues by June 2024.

Waldrep was roughed up in his two starts with the Braves, allowing 13 earned runs on nine hits and eight walks while striking out just three batters over a total of seven innings pitched.

The 22-year-old then required an IL stint due to elbow inflammation. Since being reinstated, the righty has made four starts at Triple-A, and the results have been uninspiring, to say the least. He's allowed 10 earned runs on 14 hits and an unacceptable 15 walks while striking out 18 over 17 IP.

With Spencer Schwellenbach performing admirably as the Braves' fifth starter, there isn't any urgency to get Waldrep back up to the bigs, but the injury bug could bite at any moment, so Waldrep will want to get his command issues under control.

Hurston Waldrep's day is complete
6IP 5H 3ER 1BB 11K

He was fantastic - generating 22 whiffs to just 3 hard hit balls. pic.twitter.com/ciCxrlhC19

— Gaurav (@gvedak) June 2, 2024

Once he does, the University of Florida product offers "an unhittable splitter" per MLB.com's scouting report, an upper 90's fastball, and a good slider with the potential to be a frontline starter, although if command issues persist he could be relegated to a high-leverage bullpen role.

There is no need to stash Waldrep in redraft leagues at this point, as he may not even get a shot again this season with Bryce Elder or even Ian Anderson, who is available in Gwinnett and already has postseason experience on their resume.

Even if he doesn't see the Show again this season, fantasy managers should know who he is, as he's expected to be a solid fantasy contributor (likely as a starter but potentially as a reliever) for many years to come.

Kyle Manzardo - OF, Cleveland Guardians

Current Level: Triple-A Columbus
Availability: 3% rostered
2024 AAA stats: 80 G, .262/.397/.530, 18 HR, 45 RBI, 61 R, 3 SB, 18.3% K%, 17.1% BB%
2024 MLB stats: 30 G, .207/.241/.329, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 0 SB, 26.4% K%, 3.4% BB%

Kyle Manzardo began 2024 at Triple-A and slashed .303/.375/.642 with nine home runs over 29 games, and his success earned him a promotion to the Guardians in early May.

The left-handed hitter did not enjoy the same success in his 30-game cup of coffee, slashing .207/.241/.329 with zero home runs, resulting in a trip back to the minors.

Looking at his batting average alone, you might think he hasn't been very good since his return to Columbus, as the 24-year-old is batting a meager .235 over his last 51 games.

However, he's slugging .459 with 19 of his 40 hits going for extra bases (9 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR) and he boasts a .410 OBP thanks to an incredible 20.3% walk rate, which is better than his strikeout rate of 18.9%.

104 off the bat of Kyle Manzardo, 385 feet for #18 pic.twitter.com/kxxBbe4iCY

— Next Year in Cleveland (@NextYearInCle) August 21, 2024

He's not much of a runner at all, but all three of his steals on the season have come since his return to Triple-A as well.

For the season, the former second round pick is hitting .262 with a .928 OPS, blasting 19 doubles and 18 home runs, while posting a 60:64 BB:K.

There is no path to playing time at first base for Manzardo with Josh Naylor there. However, there could be an opportunity for DH with Cleveland's current designated hitter's bat going cold.

David Fry played so well in the first half that he was an All-Star selection, but the 28-year-old hasn't recorded an multi-hit game since July 26, and in the 25 games since that day he is batting a woeful .173 (13-for-75).

Manzardo's keen eye should translate in the majors, although it didn't in his first go-round, walking at just a 3.4% rate. The product out of Washington State University owns a career 14.7% BB% and 17.7% K% in the minors, both of which are well above average.

Look for an improved approach the next time he gets the call to the Show. When he does, MLB's 52nd-ranked prospect (Cleveland No.3) should offer solid on-base skills and decent pop.

Jordan Lawlar - SS, Arizona Diamondbacks

Level: Triple-A Reno (IL)
Availability: 8% rostered
2024 AAA stats: 4 G, .400/.429/.750, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, 0 SB

After making his major league debut last season at the age of 21, there were high hopes and expectations for Jordan Lawlar in 2024, however, it has been more of a season to forget.

Lawlar has been limited to just four games at Triple-A this season due to thumb and hamstring injuries. There really hasn't been an update on his status since reaggravating the hamstring injury, so there is supposedly still a shot he makes a September return.

Even still, the 22-year-old will likely require a rehab assignment before rejoining Reno, so hopes of a 2024 return to the Diamondbacks seems like a very long shot.

Despite a lack of playing time, Lawlar's name has been resilient each time MLB.com has refreshed its Top 100 Prospects list, remaining near the top of the list.

That is because of his tantalizing skill set that offers both power and speed, both of which would make him a highly sought after fantasy asset.

Jordan Lawlar returned tonight and is 2-for-2 with a homer and a double.

The vibes are immaculate.
pic.twitter.com/WMv70Jvvhh

— PHNX Diamondbacks (@PHNX_Dbacks) June 12, 2024

With a full season of playing time, MLB's ninth-ranked prospect projects for at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases, so if it looks like he is nearing a return, whether it be this season or next, you'll want to make sure he is on your roster.

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