RADIO
It's Week 14 of the fantasy baseball season, and while that may be hard to believe, there is still plenty of time to shape up those fantasy rosters in hopes of taking down a championship in the 2024 campaign.
While the waiver wire rolls on, there's still plenty of young talent either just making their way to The Show or earning their first taste of big-league action this season. Indeed, these players could boast the ability to be game-changers for fantasy managers this season and beyond. Whether it be at the plate or on the mound, managers would be wise to keep an eye on the game's future right here and now.
Let's check out a trio of names that managers should keep an eye on as they get their feet wet at the major-league level.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and weekly lineup resources:- Fantasy baseball injury reports
- Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
- Daily MLB starting lineups for fantasy baseball
- Fantasy baseball BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
- Fantasy baseball PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
- Who should I start? Fantasy baseball player comparisons
- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts, bullpens, saves
- Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard, daily leaderboards
Drew Thorpe, SP, Chicago White Sox
Current Level: Chicago White Sox, MLB
Availability: 15% rostered
2024 stats: 3 GS, 1-1, 14 1/3 IP, 5.02 ERA, 5.11 FIP, 13.6% K%, 16.7 BB%, 40.9% GB%, .222 BABIP
Okay, Thorpe's middling stats through his first three big-league starts are hardly considered a sample size. So, let's also consider his 1.35 ERA and 17.4% K-BB% in 11 Triple-A starts this season and it's easy to see the type of upside this guy boasts. After all, you don't get included in deals for the likes of Juan Soto and Dylan Cease for no reason.
Drafted in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, the changeup machine has certainly battled control issues in his young big-league career while struggling to put hitters away. Such issues haven't been present during his brief minor-league tenure and it's worth noting that the 23-year-old put forth strong K-BB% in the minors.
Also of note is the fact Thorpe allowed seven earned runs on the back of six hits and five walks in his second major-league start but has otherwise tossed 11 innings of one-run ball across his other two big-league outings. Again, small samples can wreak havoc on our ability to gauge a prospect's upside at the game's highest level.
Drew Thorpe picks up his first MLB win ✅
6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 K
pic.twitter.com/ExERuUgyCb— Sox On Tap (@SoxOnTap) June 22, 2024
Thorpe may not boast the high-strikeout upside fantasy managers crave coming out of the minors and his early returns in the bigs haven't been great. His current value for redraft managers in the 2024 season isn't quite there but dynasty managers should certainly allow for his sample size in the majors to increase before making any long-term decisions.
Christian Scott, SP, New York Mets
Current Level: New York Mets, MLB
Availability: 16% rostered
2024 stats: 5 GS, 0-2, 27 2/3 IP, 3.90 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 22.3% K%, 5.4% BB%, 34.2% GB%, .273 BABIP
Like Thorpe, Scott doesn't have a sizeable MLB sample size under his belt but his early returns have been far more encouraging. The 25-year-old has entered the Mets rotation and put forth solid numbers that also include a 3.93 SIERA through his first five big-league starts. He hasn't recorded a ton of strikeouts early on but his reliable control from the minors has indeed translated into the big leagues.
We'll also note that Scott punched out a hefty 33.5% of the hitters he faced in nine starts at Triple-A this season, even if he allowed 10 homers in his 42 1/3 innings in the minors this season, good for a 2.13 HR/9. Strikeouts have been his calling card since turning pro in the 2021 season after the Mets snagged him in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
Christian Scott lookin’ pretty comfortable in his MLB debut#LGMpic.twitter.com/JJ0HaUTFGG
— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) May 5, 2024
Certainly, the minor-league strikeout numbers have put the fantasy community on watch. He has made a rather smooth translation to the big leagues as both redraft and dynasty league managers certainly stand to extract some value out of the promising youngster in the 2024 season.
Spencer Horwitz, 1B/2B, Toronto Blue Jays
Level: Toronto Blue Jays, MLB
Availability: 25% rostered
2024 stats: 60 PA, .340 ABG, 2 HR, 9 R, 6 RBI, 18.3% BB%, 10% K%, .994 OPS, .439 wOBA
The Blue Jays designated homegrown talent Cavan Biggio for assignment in early June, paving the way for Spencer Horwitz to make his mark in the big leagues. After appearing in 15 games for the big club in 2023, Horwitz has come out of the gate hot in 2024, showing a keen eye at the plate, helping lead him to a sturdy 1.83 BB/K across his first 60 plate appearances in the bigs this season.
While a .302 average through 104 big-league plate appearances is enticing, Horwitz's power is not of the home run variety. Hit hit just four homers in 57 games with Triple-A Buffalo this season but also slugged 22 doubles after doubling 30 times in 107 Triple-A contests last season. He is also without a stolen base through 31 MLB contests and has just 28 swipes across 447 career minor-league appearances.
"Sometimes you just have to applaud at what a guy does." 👏@BlueJays No. 16 prospect Spencer Horwitz collects his third 5-hit game as a pro and drives in 6 runs for the Triple-A @BuffaloBisons: pic.twitter.com/DYs9YdAQUG
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 2, 2024
The hit tool is solid, especially with second-base eligibility. However, fantasy managers shouldn't expect a ton of home run upside for a player who hasn't put much of it on display despite playing against youngster competition in his minor-league tenure.
A fine streaming option against favorable right-handed pitchers, Horwitz doesn't appear to have game-breaking upside for fantasy managers in 2024 and beyond.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
