C/1B Samuel Basallo – Baltimore Orioles
This season, Baltimore’s first basemen are slashing .178/.277/.263 with four home runs and 24 RBI. Production has been obsolete, and with the team 14 games back, top prospect Samuel Basallo could provide a spark in the lineup. In 42 games with AAA Norfolk, Basallo is slashing .264/.374/.597 with 14 home runs and 30 RBI. His left-handed, power swing is ready for the Majors, and his plate discipline has led to a respectable 28% strikeout rate and 17% walk rate. The 20-year-old moved quickly through the minors, and now is the time for Baltimore to give their top prospect the call and boost production from the first base position.
2B Max Anderson – Detroit Tigers
Detroit has successfully implemented a system for developing homegrown talent, and second base prospect Max Anderson is starting to hit his stride. In 52 games with AA Erie, Anderson is slashing .343/.384/.582 with 11 home runs and 42 RBI. His plate discipline and quality of contact are plus tools leading to a 16% strikeout rate. The prospect hasn’t tapped into his power potential, which saw him finish his 2023 senior year at the University of Nebraska with 21 home runs. However, his ability to hit for a high average is positive, and the power will arrive sooner rather than later. He was one of the best collegiate hitters in his senior year at Nebraska, and the former 2nd-round pick will be a fantasy mainstay when he reaches the Majors.
RHP Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates
The #2 overall prospect’s anticipated call is close, and Bubba Chandler should provide an immediate impact to fantasy baseball rosters. In 13 starts with AAA Indianapolis, the righty has a 2.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts in 51.1 innings. While his 26 walks are a concern, he currently posts a 12.3 K/9 and has only surrendered two home runs. His elite fastball averages nearly 97 MPH, but Chandler made a giant leap when he became more effective with his slider. This led Chandler to become a pitcher rather than a thrower. Pittsburgh is 13.5 games out of first and will not be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot. Current Pittsburgh starter Paul Skenes has dominated Major League hitters, and Bubba Chandler is ready to give the Pirates a second ace in the starting rotation.
LHP Noah Schultz, Chicago White Sox
The White Sox did a tremendous job developing Chris Sale and Garrett Crochet, and left-hander Noah Schultz is on his way to being the next dominant southpaw for the White Sox. On Saturday, Schultz was promoted to AAA Charlotte after posting a 3.34 ERA with 58 strikeouts for AA Birmingham. The lefty hasn’t slowed down after finishing last season with 115 strikeouts in 88.1 innings. His mid-to-high 90s fastball has been highly effective given the deception and movement out of his three-quarter arm slot. Schultz’s focus will be on polishing his slider and changeup. Having reliable secondary pitches will see him reach the Majors quicker, as his elevated fastball, which touches 99 MPH, is already an elite strikeout pitch. Noah Schultz may get a call in the final month of the season, and he will be a highly sought-after draft target in 2026 fantasy baseball drafts.
