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It's Week 21 of the MLB season, and we have seen several top prospects come up to the major leagues and have a mixed bag of results.
Some top prospects are enjoying a successful rookie season and leading fantasy teams to the playoffs like Jackson Merrill and Paul Skenes.
In this piece, we will look at three elite bats who are performing at an elite level in the minor leagues and are making a strong case to see the final weeks of the season in the major leagues. These prospects have high potential and could be the final piece your team needs to secure a championship.
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Junior Caminero - 3B, Tampa Bay Rays
Level: Triple-A Durham
Availability: 31% rostered
2024 AAA stats: 50 G, .270/.327/.490, 12 HRs, 33 RBI, 31 R, 1 SB
Since returning from a quadriceps injury in late July, the top prospect in Tampa Bay has returned to Triple-A action and is once again showcasing his elite power.
In his past 13 games, the infielder has held a .333/.362/.556 slash line with three home runs, eight RBI, and a 2:8 BB:K ratio. In this span, Caminero has posted two three-hit games and four two-hit games.
Junior Caminero kicks off August in style, skying a three-run homer for the Triple-A @DurhamBulls ☄️
MLB's No. 3 prospect (@RaysBaseball) delivered a .900 OPS last month with 8 of his 14 hits going for extra bases. pic.twitter.com/j5rXGZg8SM
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 1, 2024
Caminero got a brief taste of the big leagues last summer as he launched three home runs across a seven-game stint. With the Rays trading starting third baseman Isaac Paredes and the many struggling bats that are still getting everyday playing time, Caminero could be days away at this point.
He possesses elite power upside, that is worth stashing in all leagues at this point.
Colby Thomas, OF, Oakland Athletics
Current Level: Triple-A Las Vegas
Availability: 1% rostered
2024 AA/AAA stats: 97 G, 293/.357/.589/, 24 HRs, 76 RBI, 54 R, 14 SB
Thomas opened the season by making his Double-A debut. The former third-round pick needed just 59 games to provide he was ready to move up to the top level of the minor leagues. In this stretch, the 21-year-old posted a .282 AVG with 14 round-trippers.
Then at Triple-A Las Vegas, the Mercer product looked just as comfortable as he currently sits with a stellar .311/.385/.622 line with 10 home runs and 29 RBI through his first 38 games. Since July 21, he has only posted three games where he has not tallied at least one hit.
Colby Thomas with an inside the park homer!!
What else could this team do in this game?#AviatorsLV pic.twitter.com/MAjFNHB7WT
— Las Vegas Aviators (@AviatorsLV) August 5, 2024
With the Athletics out of playoff contention they may opt to give one of their budding young bats a brief taste of the big leagues come September. Thomas has shown no signs of slowing down and fantasy managers should plan on an immediate impact when given the call.
Jace Jung, 2B/3B, Detroit Tigers
Level: Triple-A Toledo
Availability: 2% rostered
2024 AAA stats: 85 G, .260/.382/.467, 14 HRs, 56 RBI, 47 R, 2 SB
The third-ranked prospect in the Detroit system made his Triple-A debut this summer and has continued to perform very well in the minor leagues. Last season splitting between High and Double-A, the former first-round pick holds a similar .265/.376/.502.
However, last summer he showcased much more power with 28 long balls compared to just 14 so far this summer.
More impressive, despite the challenge of facing the toughest pitchers in the minor leagues, the infielder only saw his monthly average drop below .250 once this summer. This occurred in July when he held a .222 AVG.
MLB's No. 47 prospect Jace Jung (@tigers) clubs his eighth homer of the year and second big fly in the past three games for the @MudHens. pic.twitter.com/xahxn5T5VK
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 19, 2024
Despite the slump last month, Jung has already responded well in August holding a .304 AVG.
The Texas Tech product has proven that he could hold up at Triple-A which should bode well for a late-season debut. Currently at the hot corner in the Motor City, Gio Urshela (5-for-30) and Matt Vierling (13-for-49) have not been performing at a high level which should open the door for Jung sooner rather than later.
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