C/1B Moises Ballesteros, Chicago Cubs
An international signing during the 2020-2021 window, Ballesteros has quickly moved through the Cubs minor league system. The 20-year-old finished the 2023 season, slashing a combined .285/.375/.440 with 14 home runs and 64 RBI between A+, A, and AA. Known for his smooth left-handed swing and power, the young prospect received his call to AAA Iowa on June 18. Starting the 2024 season at AA Tennessee, Ballesteros slashed .299/.372/.495 with nine home runs and 43 RBI. In 18 games with AAA Iowa, the young catcher has not skipped a beat, slashing .301/.338/.452 with two home runs and six RBI. At 5’11”, 215lbs, he neither has the reflexes nor movement one would expect from a catcher. He will end up at first base, but his bat can make him a top option in fantasy baseball. Comparisons have been made to Alejandro Kirk due to their left-handed bat and size, as the back of Kirk’s baseball card reads 5’8”, 245lbs. Should Ballesteros continue to hit AAA pitching, he has a real chance of receiving his call to Chicago by late August.
C Daniel Susac, Oakland Athletics
The 2022 1st round (19th overall) pick is a season away from being behind the plate for the Athletics. Finishing a stellar 2023 campaign slashing .301/.365/.428 with eight home runs and 62 RBI, Susac is well on his way to setting career-best numbers currently slashing .300/.341/.462 with six home runs and 30 RBI at AA Midland. At 6’4” and 218 lbs, Susac carries not only size but athleticism, allowing him to have success with his bat and glove. He has yet to tap into his full power potential, but his high contact is reminiscent of former MLB catcher Joe Mauer. If Susac never reaches his full power potential, like Mauer, he will still be an ideal catcher in fantasy baseball as early as the 2025 season.
RHP Chase Dollander, Colorado Rockies
Selected 9th overall in the 2023 draft, the former Tennessee Volunteer is feasting on A pitching, posting a 2.83 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 111 strikeouts in 70 innings. Averaging around 96 MPH and touching 99 MPH, his electric fastball draws numerous swings and misses. His plus slider is his best second offering, but his curve/changeup continues to develop, and an arsenal of four premium pitches would make Dollander a high-end #1 starting pitcher. As with numerous young, flame-throwing pitchers, Dollander will need to monitor his walks as he progresses in the minor leagues. He did not have an issue in college but has allowed 28 bases on balls in his 70 innings. Fantasy baseball players tend not to be as high on pitchers that play their home games in Denver, but Dollander has the makeup of a truly dominant starting pitcher.
RHP C.J. Culpepper, Minnesota Twins
A mid-round sleeper in the 2022 draft, C.J. Culpepper has moved up the Twins prospect rankings and is currently ranked ninth. The right-handed starter finished the 2023 season with high praise, positing a 3.56 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts in 86 innings at A+ and A. Through seven starts for A+ Cedar Rapids, Culpepper owns a 3.26 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts in 30.1 innings. His numbers are not eye-popping, and his 26 hits surrendered are a concern, but he is a developmental project learning how not only to throw but pitch. His fastball sits in the mid-90s while touching 97 MPH through the middle innings, and his two-seam fastball registers almost identical velocity. His slider and cutter are both above-average pitches, and he relies on them at any given count. The focus for Culpepper will be maneuvering the strike zone as he has been burned getting too much of the plate. Fantasy baseball players should expect to see the young righty reach the Majors towards the middle of next season, and he is the type of pitcher who can be a waiver-wire gem.
