Dioris De La Rosa RHP – Los Angeles Angels
Dioris De La Rosa is a name that should immediately be added to any fantasy baseball player’s shortlist. The international prospect will become a household name following his strong 2024 Dominican Summer League season. At 17-years-old, de la Rosa has three to four years before he reaches the Majors, but he was one of the best players this season. The international free agent signed January 15th and is quickly making the Angels organization eager for their future. Already reaching 96 MPH, de la Rosa has feasted on Dominican League hitters, posting a 2.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 4512 innings. The young right-hander does not walk many batters, having surrendered only 20 free passes, and the only knock is his fastball being flat at times, allowing hitters to get soft base hits to the outfield. In the top of Dominican Summer League rankings, de la Rosa has earned a pitcher of the week award and owns two starts throwing five innings of no-hit baseball. Fantasy baseball players looking for a list of prospects to monitor for the future should see Dioris de la Rosa penciled atop their prospect rankings that have an MLB ETA of three to four seasons.
German Nunez RHP – Texas Rangers
Signed in March of 2022, Nunez led the DSL with 74 strikeouts in 53 innings. 2024 was the best season of the 22-year-old’s minor league career, finishing with a 2.89 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and finishing with a perfect 6-0 record in 11 games started. At 6’3” 155lbs, the Rangers will look for Nunez to add strength and mass to his frame. His fastball sits in the mid-90s showing late life, and his developing slider can become an elite-level out pitch in the next few seasons. Given his high strikeout ability, there is a chance Texas sees Nunez destined to be their closer of the future. Whether he is starting or in a closer role, German Nunez is a name that will carry fantasy relevance soon.
Davidxon Lara RHP – Los Angeles Angels
The 20-year-old Venezuelan finished the 2024 DSL season as league’s stop closer. Saving 11 of 12 games, Lara ended the season with a 0.55 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts in 33 innings. His fastball currently sits in the low-to-mid 90s, but his plus-changeup makes his fastball look deceivingly faster. Once Lara makes his move to the Angels minor league system in the US, mechanical adjustments should allow his fastball to add a few more ticks of velocity. Lara’s breaking ball shows potential as a third pitch, but its feel is a bit behind that of his changeup. At 5’10” 165lbs, Lara’s future is in a relief role, and should his fastball reach the mid-to-high 90s, fantasy baseball players should see similar characteristics to former Major League closer Billy Wagner.
Yhoiker Fajardo RHP – Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have one of the worst farm systems in Major League Baseball, but there are a handful of bright spots, most notably from the mound. Signed in February 2024, 17-year-old Venezuelan prospect Yhoiker Fajardo is an under-the-radar White Sox prospect that had one of the better 2024 DSL seasons. Through 13 starts, Fajardo finished with a 3.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts in 50.2 innings. At 6’3” 181lbs, the righty will only add to his already solid frame. He has the ideal size for a starting pitcher, and mechanical adjustments will only see an uptick in his fastball velocity that sits in the mid-90s. A two-pitch repertoire, Fajardo’s mid-80s slider is on its way to being an elite secondary pitch. Again, the White Sox have few bright spots in their minor league system, but at 17-years-old Fajardo has the chance to not only become the top prospect in the White Sox system, but a front-line fantasy baseball starting pitcher.
