Tommy Troy SS/2B – Arizona Diamondbacks
Selected 12th overall in the 2023 draft, the former Stanford standout made a name for himself for his ability to produce high contact. Entering his first full season in the minors, Troy has shown his high contact ability while flashing elite-level defensive ability. Adversity is evident as Troy has slashed .213/.275/.309 with one home run, 16 RBI, and six stolen bases in 35 games. His slow start can be attributed to a left hamstring strain suffered at the end of April. However, Troy is fully healthy and made the jump from Rookie to A+ ball. Entering last season’s draft, the Stanford shortstop finished the season slashing .394/.478/.699 with 17 home runs, 58 RBI, and 17 RBI. Fantasy baseball managers should look for Troy to end the 2024 season on a high note, especially after getting a late start after suffering a hamstring injury. Should he get off to a hot start in 2025, he could receive his call to the Majors as early as June.
Stanley Tucker 2B/OF – Boston Red Sox
Drafted in the 19th round of the 2023 draft, Stanley Tucker is an under-the-radar prospect who has a strikingly similar resemblance to former Red Sox Mookie Betts. Both players are 5’9” and 170lbs, and Betts once possessed the plus speed of Tucker. Yet to crack the Red Sox prospect rankings list, Tucker has put his speed on display at Single-A Salem, stealing 21 bases in 58 games. He has shown a bit of power with two home runs, but strikeouts have been his Achille’s heal, accumulating 52 in 58 games. There will be a learning curve as he adjusts to better pitching, but the potential is there for him to be an adequate hitter while using his phenomenal speed to do damage at the Major League level. Fantasy baseball players looking for an under-the-radar prospect to follow should start keeping tabs on Boston’s Stanley Tucker.
Brandon Sproat RHP – New York Mets
Sproat is not only moving quickly through New York’s minor league system but becoming the prospect fantasy baseball players are about to hear a lot about. Sitting in the mid-to-high 90s while reaching 101 MPH, Sproat has relied heavily on his electric fastball. Through 15 appearances (14 GS) for A+ Brooklyn and AA Binghamton, Sproat posts a 1.97 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts in 77.1 innings. His changeup has been as impressive as his fastball, as it has generated numerous swings and misses. His plus slider gives him a third pitch that can become elite. A few more strong starts at AA would increase his chances of reaching AAA by the season’s end. Sproat will reach the Mets as early as June 2025, and now is the time for all fantasy baseball players to become acclimated with the future Mets star.
Brandon Birdsell RHP – Chicago Cubs
Close to getting his call to the Majors, and the 2022 5th-round pick saw his promotion to AAA Iowa two weeks ago. Through 17 games (16 GS), Birdsell owns a 3.93 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts in 84.2 innings. His most eye-popping stat is his just 17 walks surrendered. His command of the strike zone is impressive, given his fastball that sits in the mid-to-high 90s while reaching 99 MPH. Birdsell’s slider has been his go-to pitch for strikeouts, and his curve is adequate. The development of his changeup will be the deciding factor should he be a high-end #2 or a back-end starter. The righty has made two starts for Iowa, but should he continue to have success as he makes more starts, he has a chance of ending 2024 in Chicago.
