Welcome to Fantasy Baseball Prospect Watch! This weekly feature will list and give updates on the best minor-league prospects who are trending up with a chance to make an impact in the MLB – and for your fantasy baseball teams – sooner rather than later.
Fantasy Baseball Prospect Watch
SS/2B Jackson Holliday, Baltimore Orioles
After a sizzling Spring Training, numerous fantasy owners were disappointed when Holliday did not make Baltimore’s Opening Day roster. He made a strong case, but there is no rush for Baltimore to get him to the Majors. Just over three months removed from his 20th birthday, Holliday has given everyone a glimpse of his bright future and starting the 2024 season with AAA Norfolk will only better acclimate him with Major League-ready pitching. Holliday finished the 2023 season slashing .323/.442/.499 with 12 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases across all levels of minor league baseball. Early into this season, Holliday hit a home run in his first at-bat. Again, there is no rush for Baltimore to rush him to the Majors, but should he scorch AAA pitching there is no reason to believe he will not get his call to Baltimore by June. Once called up, he will be a mainstay in all fantasy lineups regardless of league type.
OF Dylan Crews, Washington Nationals
The 2nd overall pick in last year’s draft will start the season at AA, but he could quickly jump to AAA and to Washington should he show he’s ready for a Major League promotion. After the draft, Crews featured in Rookie, A, and AA ball while posting a .292/.377/.467 slash line with five home runs and 29 RBIs. His peripherals were desirable, but he does have room for growth with his 27% strikeout rate. There were times he was overmatched when behind in the count, and this was apparent during this Spring Training, as he recorded 12 strikeouts in 32 at-bats. Washington is in no rush to get Crews to the Majors, and the 2023 Golden Spikes Award winner has more than enough time to iron out any flaws in his approach at the plate. The sky’s the limit for Crews, and given his pure hitting ability, he will be a mainstay in fantasy lineups for years to come.
RHP Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies
Painter looked headed for a spot in the Phillies’ rotation a season ago, but an elbow injury derailed his chances and ultimately led to Tommy John surgery. Fast-forward to this season, and the Phillies are being extra cautious with their promising right-hander, stating he probably will not pitch during the 2024 season. A little over a week from his 21st birthday, Painter has time to completely recover from elbow surgery and many times it takes two seasons for pitchers to get back to pre-surgery form. While fantasy managers are a year or two away from Painter finally cracking the Phillies’ rotation, they should still monitor his recovery/progression as his high-90s fastball, which frequently reaches triple digits, wipeout slider, and pro-ready changeup will make him one of the most sought-after pitchers in the game. It was not long ago that Painter finished the 2022 season with nearly two strikeouts per inning pitched.
RHP Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs
The Cubs’ 2022 first-round pick had a breakout 2023 campaign, posting a 2.65 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and 117 strikeouts in 88.1 IP. Horton will start the 2024 season with AA Tennessee, but there is reason to believe he could find himself with the Cubs, either in the rotation or out of the bullpen, during this season. The Cubs are playing for a division crown, and pitching will be the deciding factor in the team’s success. Depending on where the Cubs see Horton’s fit when he receives his call, he will undoubtedly be a rotation mainstay in the upcoming seasons. A projected #2 starter, Horton’s mid-90s fastball carries late life and his slider/curve combination has proven to keep hitters off balance when behind in the count. Fantasy players who will be looking for a shot in the arm as the season reaches the All-Star Game and later should look to Horton to be the fix once he receives his call to Chicago.