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2024 Kansas City Royals Top Prospects

I love what I do for a living.  Watching and writing about young baseball players is awesome.

But I must tell you – writing about the Royals this season was a slog.  Gavin Cross is still a Top 100 player, but my comment about him being a 20-20 player might be over-zealous.  I like Cayden Wallace as a nice complementary player, and maybe in five years, Blake Mitchell provides some fantasy value, but it’s just not a very good system.

It’s been lousy drafting, poor development, and a lack of finding impact players in the international market.  I think the Royals need to do some soul-searching, or Witt Jr. might become the Royals’ version of Mike Trout – a great player who will rarely, if ever, play in a playoff game.

Prospect Snapshot

  • Top Prospect: Gavin Cross
  • Biggest Mover: Cayden Wallace
  • Biggest Disappointment: Frank Mozzicato
  • Emerging Prospect: Ramon Ramirez

The list can be found here.

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2024 Detroit Tigers Top Prospects

It wasn’t all bad for the Tigers in 2023.  Spencer Torkelson woke up and started hitting home runs.  Kerry Carpenter hit 20 home runs.  Tarik Skubal looked great after spending time on the IL to begin the season.  Matt Manning looked good before getting hurt, and I still believe that Riley Greene has All-Star potential.

I loved the Tigers first-round pick last July, Max Clark.  He looks a lot like Riley Greene with a chance to be an impact player. Colt Keith is just about ready, and Jackson Jobe shoved it last season.  You heard me…shoved it.  You can argue that he was among the best pitchers in the minor leagues.  Throw in the likely return of Casey Mize, and I like the nucleus of the team.

Of course, they have to deal with the bad signing of Javier Baez, but on the bright side, Miguel Cabrera will be off the books.  It’s a .500 team with a chance for more in 2024.  Remember, it doesn’t take much to compete in the AL Central.

Prospect Snapshot

  • Top Prospect: Max Clark
  • Biggest Mover: Jackson Jobe
  • Biggest Disappointment: Dillon Dingler
  • Emerging Prospect: Seth Stephenson

The list can be found here.

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2024 Cleveland Guardians Top Prospects

The Guardians continue to remake their organization by developing Steven Kwan-type players.  In other words, athletic players who can hit and play great defense.  Will it work?  I think it will.

It might not be the most exciting thing for fantasy managers, but as a Steven Kwan owner, I’m glad I have him. However, if you have too many of those average players on your team, you’ll likely never finish in the money.

I debated Manzardo vs. Rocchio and had both as the #1 prospect at one point during the editing process.  You can make an argument for both, but I decided on Manzardo as I believe he’s more likely to hit 20 home runs than Rocchio is to steal 25 bags.  I think their BA and OBP will be similar. In either case, they are soft #1s.  High-floor players without the fantasy-friendly tools.  George Valera is the guy who SHOULD be #1, but there’s just too much uncertainty to make that call.  He is our biggest disappointment in the system – not what I wanted to see.  I think it’s well-earned!

We know that the pitching will be there, and if Daniel Espino can ever pitch again, he has a chance to pitch at the top of the rotation.  I also like Joey Cantillo.  The stuff is sneaky good, but he needs to find the plate to succeed at the next level.

Prospect Snapshot

  • Top Prospect: Kyle Manzardo
  • Biggest Mover: Joey Cantillo
  • Biggest Disappointment: George Valera
  • Emerging Prospect: Welbyn Francisca

The list can be found here.

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2024 Chicago White Sox Top Prospects

After the trades the White Sox completed at the deadline, their system is better, but it’s still in the bottom quartile of the league.  Colson Montgomery is the top prospect, and he’s a high-floor player who lacks fantasy-friendly skills.  Noah Shultz can’t stay healthy.  I liked the trade for Nick Nastrini, but until he throws more strikes, he’s more of a number four starter instead of a top-of-the-rotation starter.  Jacob Wilson, their first-round pick last July, is like Colson Montgomery.  He should be able to hit, but I question how much power and speed he will have.

If you’re a White Sox fan, prepare for a drought, as I don’t see a lot of impact players in their system.

Prospect Snapshot

  • Top Prospect: Colson Montgomery
  • Biggest Mover: Noah Schultz
  • Biggest Disappointment: Jacob Gonzalez
  • Emerging Prospect: Abraham Nunez

The list can be found here.

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2024 St. Louis Cardinals Top Prospects

I’m not sure about the Cardinals.  I love Jordan Walker, Maysn Winn, and Tink Hence.  I believe all three have a chance to be impact players.  Thomas Sagesse will be better than people think, but after that, I’m not sure there is enough for them to be considered a championship-level team two to three years down the road.  Sure, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arendo are still very good, but let’s face it: Goldy will be 37, and Arendo will be 33 next season.  I’m still not sold on Gorman being a star.  It feels like a good team – an 85-win team, but not more.

I know they can dip into free agency, but that has proven a challenge for teams trying to build core pieces with 30+ year-old free agents.

In the end, it all feels a tad light to me.

Prospect Snapshot

  • Top Prospect: Maysn Winn
  • Biggest Mover: Thomas Saggese
  • Biggest Disappointment: Gordon Graceffo
  • Emerging Prospect: Reiner Lopez

The list can be found here.

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2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Top Prospects

For the past several years, I’ve liked the Pirates farm system.  I thought Ke’Bryan Hayes was going to be a 20-20 guy.  I’ve also liked Liover Peguero and Henry Davis – a lot.  Loved Endy Rodriguez.  Don’t get me started on Mitch Keller.  And yet, the team is terrible, and each player hasn’t lived up to what I thought they could become.

So, with some trepidation, I have to say I like their farm system – A LOT!  Sure, Paul Skenes doesn’t have great spin on his fastball, but the dude throws 100 MPH.  I think Bubba Chandler has the upside of a #1 starter.  Termarr Johnson will hit, with a chance to hit 20 home runs.  I could go on.

I think they are only a couple of years away from finally competing.  Am I going to bet the farm on it?  Absolutely not!

Prospect Snapshot

  • Top Prospect: Paul Skenes
  • Biggest Mover: Bubba Chandler
  • Biggest Disappointment: Nick Gonzales
  • Emerging Prospect: Jun-Seok Shim

 The list can be found here.

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2024 Milwaukee Brewers Top Prospects

Any organization that has Jackson Chourio in it is strong.  But, throw in Tyler Black and his 50+ stolen bases, a potential front-line starter in Jacob Misiorowski, a great young catcher in Jefferson Quero, and one of my personal favorites from the DSL, Yophery Rodriguez, and WOW, there’s a lot to like.

Prospect Snapshot

  • Top Prospect: Jackson Chourio
  • Biggest Mover: Jacob Misiorowski
  • Biggest Disappointment: Robert Gasser
  • Emerging Prospect: Filippo Di Turi

The list can be found here.

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2024 Cincinnati Reds Top Prospects

After years of rebuilding, stopping short, and rebuilding again, the Reds are finally on the right path.  Their young players are emerging, and now they have a core at the Major League level.  The best news is that several high-end prospects remain that should help the team over the next few years.

Noelvi Marte should be the starting third baseman to begin 2024 and join a young and extremely talented infield.  A little further away are some high-end pitching prospects, including 2023 first-round pick Rhett Lowder.  Don’t sleep on Chase Petty or Julian Aguiar.  Both have mid-rotation ceilings.

The playoff window officially opened in 2023 but should get into high gear starting next season.

Prospect Snapshot

  • Top Prospect: Noelvi Marte
  • Biggest Mover: Ricardo Cabrera
  • Biggest Disappointment: Cam Collier – yes, I said it!
  • Emerging Prospect: Alfredo Duno

The list can be found here.

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2024 Chicago Cubs Top Prospects

The Cubs are on the rise.  Not only did their Major League team take a step up in 2023, but so did their minor league system.  We even saw Pete Crow-Armstrong make his big league debut in mid-September.  I love their number one pick last July in Matt Shaw and believe he will be a fast riser, and if Alcantara can make enough contact, he could be the best of the lot.

It’s a strong system, and with the financial resources of the Major League club, it appears that the Cubs are poised for an extended run.

Prospect Snapshot

  • Top Prospect: Pete Crow-Armstrong
  • Biggest Mover: Owen Caissie
  • Biggest Disappointment: Brennen Davis
  • Emerging Prospect: Derniche Valdez

 

The list can be found here.

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Waiver Wire September 17, 2023

Jarred Kelenic, OF, SEA (CBS: 56 % rostered, ESPN: 17% rostered): He’s back and healthy after the IL stint for taking his frustrations out on a water cooler. Here’s hoping he picks up where he left off, as the Mariners could use his five-category production as they duke it out with Houston, Texas, and the Jays for a playoff berth.

Heston Kjerstad, OF, BAL (CBS: 22% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): In daily move Leagues, give him a look. He won’t play every day, not with Ryan O’Hearn at the ready, but still could provide an excellent opportunity to boost your power numbers over the last two weeks of the season.

Sawyer Gipson-Long, SP, DET (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): We’ve now seen two starts from Gipson-Long and one win with solid peripherals, is now in the books, which, if not for Alex Lange turning victory into defeat last night, could very well be two victories. Toss in the 11 strikeouts, and with Oakland next on the schedule, he should be added in all formats. The fastball isn’t fooling anyone, but the off-speed stuff sure is!

Elehuris Montero, 1B/3B, COL (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): After a rather dismal August, Montero has bounced back nicely, posting a two-homer, 7 RBI, 11 runs, scored .992 OPS in September. It’s a good time for Montero to get hot as the Rockies look to 2024.

Gabriel Moreno, C, ARZ (CBS: 38% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): A great August has morphed into an equally good September for the young backstop. In 95 second-half at-bats, he is posting a great .989 OPS with five homers and 18 RBI. Is this a harbinger of things to come moving into 2024?

Rene Pinto, C, TBR (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered): In 35 September at-bats, Pinto has now hit 4 home runs while driving in 8 runs. As a #2 catcher in two-catcher formats, one could do much worse.

Cal Quantrill, SP, CLE (CBS: 34% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered): In his three starts since coming off the IL, Quantrill has tossed three consecutive quality starts while allowing only a miserly three runs. The rest appears to have done him a world of good, and with the Royals (Brady Singer) and O’s (John Means) next on the agenda in a two-start week, he should be considered a must-add in all formats.

JP Sears, SP, OAK (CBS: 32% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered): In three September starts, Sears has posted a 1.59 ERA. and is looking at three starts (Seattle, Detroit, and the Angels) over the last two weeks of the season. He’s an option that shouldn’t be overlooked for those looking to stream starting pitching. There might still be a future for Sears!

Matt Vierling, 3B/OF, DET (CBS: 7% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered): No, he’s not an everyday player, but he sure is taking advantage of every opportunity he has received. Out of the leadoff slot, Vierling has recorded 2 home runs and 12 runs scored in only 40 at-bats thus far in September. If one is looking at chasing runs scored in the last couple of weeks of the season, he’s worthy of our attention.

Closer Report

Chris Martin, RP, BOS (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered): Kenley Jansen has been placed on the Covid IL and could be lost for an extended period. Chris Martin becomes the principal closer in his Hunter Harvey, RP, WAS (CBS: 18% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered) absence and should prove to be very capable of getting the job done in Jansen’s absence.  Kyle Finnegan has been struggling……again. How much longer do the Nat’s stick with him before turning the ninth inning over to Hunter Harvey?

Tyler Kinley, RP, COL (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered): Justin Lawrence has not enjoyed a good September, capping it off with a rolled ankle last week. It hasn’t sent him to the IL, but he has struggled to a second-half 6.35 ERA and opened the door for Tyler Kinley. Kinley has posted a 2.57 ERA in September with four saves and appears to be solidly in the driver’s seat for save opps at this time.

Julian Merryweather, RP, CHC (CBS: 13% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered): Adbert Alzolay has hit the IL with a right forearm strain, necessitating a move to a committee for the hot Cubbies. I’ll go with Julian Merryweather as the favorite to earn saves during Alzolay’s absence, but wouldn’t rule out Mark Leiter Jr. or even Marcus Stroman ending up in the mix for saves.

Two-start Pitchers

Cal Quantrill, CLE (CBS: 34% rostered) @Jordan Lyles, KCR and vs. Dean Kremer, BAL.

Reese Olson, DET (CBS: 28% rostered) @Ryan Pepiot, LAD and @TBD, OAK.

Jose Butto, NYM (CBS: 6% rostered) @Edward Cabrera, MIA and @Michael Lorenzen, PHI.