Ten Prospects To Watch for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

Hurston Waldrep / ETA July

The Atlanta Braves consistently excel at identifying, developing, and maintaining young talent, and they seem to have unearthed another gem who is only improving.

Raising eyebrows in college with a 13.5 K/9 rate, Waldrep has continued to impress, especially with his splitter, which generated significant swing-and-miss results during his tenure as a Florida Gator. While his 99-mph fastball could use more control—a common issue among young pitchers—his potential remains high.

The absence of Spencer Strider for the year boosts Waldrep's chances of breaking into the Braves' rotation. Given Chris Sale's frequent injuries and the uncertainty of how long Reynaldo López can sustain his performance as a reliever-turned-starter, opportunities could arise.

Despite potential competition from Darius Vines, Bryce Elder, and AJ Smith-Shawver (another prospect worth watching), Waldrep's sheer talent makes him a standout. The Braves are likely to give him a shot sometime this summer.

With only 42.1 innings pitched in the minors, Waldrep may need a bit more time to develop. However, post-All-Star break could be a prime time for his promotion, especially when every fantasy team is scrambling for pitching depth. Plus, with the support of Atlanta's potent offense, Waldrep’s potential impact looks promising.

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James Wood / ETA May

James Wood holds the most promise on this list. At just 21 years old, his performance in this year's spring training was exceptional, boasting a 1.213 OPS and nearly securing a spot on the Opening Day roster. However, considering it's the Nationals, who are not contenders this season, it was predictable they would hold off on starting his service time clock. Expect Wood to be a key addition once May rolls around and service time is less of a concern.

Currently, the Nationals lack strong outfield options beyond Lane Thomas, which positions Wood for a significant role once he's called up. With his .306/.412/.472 line and 5 stolen bases at the Triple-A level so far this season, his future looks bright.

Despite his youth, Wood's blend of power and speed, coupled with the potential for everyday play, is a boon for fantasy general managers. Outfielders of his caliber, who can play daily, are rare finds on the waiver wire. His potential not only promises significant contributions but also a substantial reward for those who invest in him.

Chase DeLauter / ETA May

One standout performer who eclipsed Wood during spring training is DeLauter. This budding superstar outfielder is particularly appealing due to the minimal concerns about his playing time. The Cleveland Guardians, who currently have limited outfield choices beyond Steven Kwan, are likely to bring DeLauter up to Progressive Field soon.

While many are tracking various prospects, DeLauter remains somewhat overlooked, possibly because he only appeared in 57 minor league games in 2023 and never played more than 34 games in any college season.

His .520 average and 1.640 OPS across 30 spring training games signal significant potential. Comparing players, DeLauter has a swing reminiscent of James Outman, but his talent and potential soar even higher. Given the Guardians' push for a division title in the AL Central, DeLauter’s major league debut seems imminent and highly anticipated.

Paul Skenes / ETA June

At this early stage of the season, it might be premature to draw conclusions, yet it seems this team, within its division, has the potential to be competitive. So, if the Pirates continue to contend, why not promote the most formidable pitcher from the minors? Skenes could soon make his appearance if Pittsburgh views itself as a contender.

There's a compelling reason why Skenes was drafted before prospects like Dylan Crews and Wyatt Langford; his pitching is powerful. Consider his fastball that averages 98 mph and peaks at 102 mph. His arsenal also includes impressive secondary pitches: a slider that acts as a formidable strikeout weapon and a changeup that hovers in the low 90s.

While we generally steer clear of excessive hype—since it's impossible to truly gauge a young player’s mental state and confidence—Skenes is attracting attention that recalls the buzz around Stephen Strasburg back in 2010. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 235 pounds, this college pitching star has already amassed 27 strikeouts in just 12.2 innings, boasting a 0.71 WHIP. That's impressive by any standard!

Joey Loperfido / ETA April

This Houston team is in need of a spark, and it might just find it down on the farm. In 2023, only a handful of players managed a 25/25 season in the minors, and Loperfido was one of them, achieving this in 124 games while posting a .510 SLG. There are whispers that he could be called up soon, making him a must-add for fantasy managers.

For those in leagues requiring five outfielders, Loperfido presents a valuable and somewhat under-the-radar pick. He's poised to join a potent Astros lineup—despite what their current record might suggest, the quality of this team is undeniable, boasting a roster filled with solid hitters that could offer Loperfido ample lineup protection once he joins.

Loperfido's versatility to play both in the outfield and at second base adds crucial flexibility to fantasy lineups, particularly important during a season riddled with injuries. While his strikeout rate could use some work, his current stats of .260/.359/.688 with 10 home runs in just 92 plate appearances provide more than enough incentive to take a gamble on him.

The post appeared first on Just Baseball.

Christian Scott / ETA May

The early-season resurgence of New York has sparked a wave of optimism around the Mets.

When injuries sidelined Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill, many speculated that Scott would be the next man up. While things haven’t unfolded as predicted, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get his chance soon.

At Triple-A this season, Scott has demonstrated impressive control, boasting a 26:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His ability to strike batters out is clear, with an 11 K/9 rate in 2023.

What sets Scott apart even further is his remarkable discipline in not giving up walks. Last year, over 87 innings in the minors, he issued just 12 walks, averaging one walk per nine innings. Scott’s approach is aggressive—he challenges every hitter he faces. Given the long season ahead and the inevitability of injuries, adding Scott to your roster could significantly strengthen your pitching staff.

Dylan Crews / ETA August

Crews might have seemed overshadowed by Langford and Skenes, but being the number two pick in the 2023 draft, he likely doesn’t mind staying out of the limelight. Importantly, there's a solid reason why the Nationals chose Crews over Langford. Many overlook his stellar college performance after a tepid start in his first 20 games at Double-A last year. But making a snap judgment about a 21-year-old based on such a limited sample size is not fair to the complexities of baseball.

In 2022, Crews posted an impressive 1.153 OPS, which he then surpassed the following year with an even more remarkable 1.280 OPS. During his tenure at Baton Rouge, he demonstrated exceptional plate discipline, leading Division I with 71 walks and reducing his strikeout rate from 18% to 13% within a year.

While he may not have a significant history of stealing bases, this is where many might be underestimating him. Crews possesses the speed and athleticism necessary to potentially steal at least 30 bases annually. With recent rule changes emphasizing that steals are often about effort and motivation, this aspect of his game could shine, especially as the Nationals are currently one of the top teams for stolen bases in the league.

Expect Crews to join James Wood in making their major league debuts later this season, signaling a promising future for the "Nasty Nats."

Cade Horton / ETA June

The leading pitcher in the Cubs' farm system, Horton, has been excelling throughout his minor league tenure. He boasts a 0.98 WHIP and has amassed 129 strikeouts in 99.2 innings, allowing just seven home runs during this period. Horton has proven his dominance at Double-A, and it shouldn't take long for him to make the leap to the majors once he's promoted to Triple-A.

Horton's major league debut seems imminent, especially with Kyle Hendricks struggling and the loss of Justin Steele leaving a gap in Chicago's rotation.

Horton’s primary weapon is a devastating slider, which he pairs effectively with his mid-90s fastball. While he needs to refine some of his secondary pitches to reach the status of an ace, the potential is clearly there. Keep an eye out for when the Cubs promote their former Minor League Pitcher of the Year. His .192 opponent batting average is a promising indicator of what he could bring to Wrigley Field.

Tyler Black / ETA June

For those seeking a player with significant stolen base potential, meet Mr. Black. Last year, he swiped 55 bases in just 123 games across Double-A and Triple-A. Unlike many speedsters, Black also brings power and hitting ability, evidenced by his impressive .930 OPS, 105 runs, and 18 homers.

In 2024, Black has continued to excel, accumulating 23 hits and 11 walks in 19 games, making it increasingly difficult for the Brewers' front office to justify keeping him in the minors, particularly given his versatility. His ability to play any infield position is highly valued in today's game.

Black is poised to make an impact with the young Brewers team soon, although initially, his playing time may be limited. However, as the team embraces a next-man-up approach, having Black on your roster will likely be a decision you won't regret.

Hurston Waldrep / ETA July

The Atlanta Braves consistently excel at identifying, developing, and maintaining young talent, and they seem to have unearthed another gem who is only improving.

Raising eyebrows in college with a 13.5 K/9 rate, Waldrep has continued to impress, especially with his splitter, which generated significant swing-and-miss results during his tenure as a Florida Gator. While his 99-mph fastball could use more control—a common issue among young pitchers—his potential remains high.

The absence of Spencer Strider for the year boosts Waldrep's chances of breaking into the Braves' rotation. Given Chris Sale's frequent injuries and the uncertainty of how long Reynaldo López can sustain his performance as a reliever-turned-starter, opportunities could arise.

Despite potential competition from Darius Vines, Bryce Elder, and AJ Smith-Shawver (another prospect worth watching), Waldrep's sheer talent makes him a standout. The Braves are likely to give him a shot sometime this summer.

With only 42.1 innings pitched in the minors, Waldrep may need a bit more time to develop. However, post-All-Star break could be a prime time for his promotion, especially when every fantasy team is scrambling for pitching depth. Plus, with the support of Atlanta's potent offense, Waldrep’s potential impact looks promising.

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