SS JJ Wetherholt – St. Louis Cardinals
Wetherholt is ready for his Major League call-up and could reach St. Louis by early August. Last year’s 7th overall draft pick is slashing .303/.425/.487 with eight home runs, 36 RBI, and 14 stolen bases between AA and AAA. The left-handed hitter possesses one of the best bat-to-ball skills in the minors, which has contributed to his high on-base percentage. His keen sense of the strike zone has seen him register 45 walks to 42 strikeouts. Masyn Winn is St. Louis’s shortstop of the future, but Wetherholt will become a fantasy commodity at second base.
OF Lazaro Montes – Seattle Mariners
In 2024, the 20-year-old set career-best marks slashing .288/.397/.484 with 21 home runs, 105 RBI, and five stolen bases between A+ and A. This season, he’s on the path to bypass those totals, slashing .269/.387/.584 with 23 home runs, 61 RBI, and four stolen bases between A+ and AA. At 6’5” 210lbs, the left-handed hitter possesses phenomenal raw power. Montes can reach Seattle next season, but he must lower his 33% strikeout percentage. If he is successful, he can become a desirable power bat in fantasy baseball.
RHP JR Ritchie – Atlanta Braves
Ritchie is two years removed from Tommy John surgery and is nearly back to pre-surgery form. Between A+ and AA, the right-hander has a 2.35 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts in 80.1 innings. His velocity is returning to the mid-90s, and his promotion to AAA will rely on his continued development of his slider and changeup. Ritchie should reach the Majors in late 2026. Ritchie’s ceiling is a third or fourth starter in the Majors, and a fifth or sixth starting pitcher in fantasy baseball.
RHP Brody Hopkins – Tampa Bay Rays
Part of the return in the Randy Arozarena deal, Brody Hopkins has become the top pitching prospect in Tampa Bay’s minor league system. The 6’4” 210lb righty has started 17 games for AA-Montgomery, posting a 3.35 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts in 80.2 innings. His fastball sits in the mid-90s while reaching 99 MPH, and his slider is developing into an elite-level swing-and-miss pitch. The development of his cutter and changeup will allow him to become a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Hopkins will be Tampa’s first pitching prospect called up next season, and another strong month could prove enough for a call this season.