Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report: James Wood, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Heston Kjerstad

Hey friends, welcome to my weekly prospect report at FantasyPros. The goal of this column is to give you the most fantasy-relevant prospect information throughout the last week all in one place. The format of this weekly prospect is by level and analyzes players in order of their placing on my latest Top 150 Prospect Rankings.

I won’t be hit on every prospect every week, but I will focus on the most relevant throughout the week and follow up on other notable players post my top 150. This article will not focus on any AAAA-type players or veterans in the minors who have outlived their prospect status.

NOTE: Rookie status is determined by 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched at the Major League level | All stats as of Saturday, April 27

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Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report

MLB Hitters

• #5 Jackson Chourio (OF – MIL)

• • • Season: .205/.256/.361 | 6.6 BB% / 35.2 K% | 5 XBH, 4 HR, 4 SB
    • This Week: 3/18 | 2 XBH, 1 HR, 1 SB
    • Notes: Jackson Chourio is doing what I expected from him thus far. The power/speed combo is nice, but the batting average drain hurts possibly more than the power and speed net.
• #14 Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF – CHC)
  • • Season (AAA): .203/.241/.392 | 3.6 BB% / 28.9 K% | 9 XBH, 2 HR, 5 SB
    • This Week: 3/7 | 1 XBH, 1 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Pete Crow-Armstrong was putting up some electric numbers in a Chourio-ish batting profile at AAA and was called up after the Cody Bellinger injury to patrol CF. I would not be buying on major offensive upside for 2024, but I like him a lot in the long term.

• #28 Jackson Merrill (SS, OF – SD)

• • • Season: .318/.378/.409 | 9.2 BB% / 16.3 K% | 5 XBH, 1 HR, 4 SB
    • This Week: 6/22 | 1 XBH, 0 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Jackson Merrill missed a game due to a strained groin, so keep that in mind moving forward through the next couple of games.

• #36 Heston Kjerstad (OF – BAL)

• • • Season (AAA): .349/.431/.744 | 11.8 BB% / 21.6 K% | 14 XBH, 10 HR, 1 SB
    • This Week: 0/5 | 0 XBH, 0 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Jackson Holliday going down opened up a roster spot for Heston Kjerstad to come up, but he’s only started one game so far and needs an opportunity for the bat to play. I’d expect him to get at least similar playing time to what Colton Cowser was getting when he first came up. Otherwise, he would be better served getting plate appearances in the minors.

• #49 Colton Cowser (OF – BAL)

• • • Season: .328/.397/.703 | 11 BB% / 32.9 K% | 12 XBH, 6 HR, 3 SB
    • This Week: 3/17 | 2 XBH, 2 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Colton Cowser is likely leading the American League Rookie of the Year race right now. Whoever put money on that one is looking good. Be ready for some regression as he’s running a .429 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) and struck out eight times this week.

• #62 Jonatan Clase (OF – SEA)

• • • Season: .208/.240/.260 | 4 BB% / 28 K% | 1 XBH, 0 HR, 2 SB
    • This Week: 3/13 | 0 XBH, 0 HR, 1 SB
    • Notes: Jonatan Clase got the call for the Mariners much earlier than I had expected. He has nice power/speed tools, but I wouldn’t be betting on the hit tool and wouldn’t expect him to stay in the majors for good.

• #109 Andy Pages (OF – LAD)

• • • Season (AAA): .371/.452/.694 | 11 BB% / 17.8 K% | 9 XBH, 5 HR, 2 SB
    • This Week (MLB): 8/25 | 4 XBH, 2 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Andy Pages had a strong spring to pair with an excellent run at AAA. I was expecting only a short call up until Jason Heyward was ready to go, but he has been so good they can’t afford to send him back down to the minors.

MLB Pitchers

• #31 Mason Miller (RP – OAK)

• • • Season: 12 1/3 IP | 43.7 K-BB%, 22.7% SwStr% | 0.89 SIERA
    • This Week: 3 1/3 IP | 8 Ks, 0 BBs, 31.8% SwStr% | -0.56 SIERA w/ 3 saves
    • Notes: Mason Miller looks like a top-three closer in baseball, behind only Edwin Diaz and maybe a healthy Devin Williams.

• #41 Kyle Harrison (SP – SF)

• • • Season: 33 IP | 19 K-BB%, 8.9% SwStr% | 3.52 SIERA
    • This Week: 10 IP v ARI & v PIT | 12 Ks, 1 BB, 9.6% SwStr% | 2.62 SIERA
    • Notes: Kyle Harrison has been pitching a lot better than many expected. Of course, the ballpark helps, but Harrison looks like a guy who will put up good strikeout-to-walk ratios (the control is much improved this year), but he will get knocked around now and then.

• #87 Jared Jones (SP – PIT)

• • • Season: 29 IP | 31.3 K-BB%, 21.3% SwStr% | 2.15 SIERA
    • This Week: 6 IP v MIL | 7 Ks, 2 BBs, 26.4% SwStr% | 2.92 SIERA
    • Notes: Jared Jones has been one of the 5-10 most impressive starters in baseball this season. He is impossible to acquire if you don’t have him.

• #95 Ben Brown (SP, RP – CHC)

• • • Season: 19 1/3 IP | 16 K-BB%, 11.3% SwStr% | 3.61 SIERA
    • This Week: 3 IP | 3 Ks, 0 BB, 17.6% SwStr% | 1.92 SIERA
    • Notes: Ben Brown was pitching out of the pen over the last week, but has moved back into the rotation with Kyle Hendricks getting hurt. I’d look for him to stick if he puts together a couple of good starts. He’s better than John Wicks.

• Landon Knack (SP – LAD)

• • • Season: 11 IP | 11.4 K-BB%, 10.7% SwStr% | 4.34 SIERA
    • This Week: 6 IP @ WAS | 5 Ks, 3 BBs | 11.7 SwStr%, 5.07 SIERA
    • Notes: Landon Knack is old for a prospect; however, he’s finally getting his shot. At his age, you would think even if they didn’t need a starter they would keep him around for the pen. Gavin Stone has been getting his pretty hard lately, so it’s entirely possible Knack will take that rotation spot if he continues to be ok against Stone being bad.

AAA Hitters

• #2 Junior Caminero (3B – TB)

• • • Season: .275/.341/.500 | 9.1 BB% / 25 K% | 5 XBH, 2 HR, 1 SB
    • This Week: 4/14 | 2 XBH, 0 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Junior Caminero was pulled from a game this week and is day-to-day with the same quad injury that put him on the injured list (IL) earlier in the season.

• #6 James Wood (OF – WAS)

• • • Season: .310/.420/.488 | 16 BB% / 23 K% | 11 XBH, 2 HR, 5 SB
    • This Week: 6/26 | 3 XBH, 0 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: The James Wood watch is on, but he didn’t do much this week to force a promotion with Lane Thomas going on the IL. He will need to get hot again to force a call-up.

• #24 Tyler Black (1B, 2B, 3B – MIL) 

• • • Season: .311/.407/.489 | 12 BB% / 13 K% | 7 XBH, 3 HR, 3 SB
    • This Week: 7/25 | 2 XBH, 2 HR, 1 SB
    • Notes: Tyler Black has been hot for two weeks in a row now and is doing his best to force a call-up to the majors. Unfortunately for him, Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz are playing very well right now and Rhys Hoskins is blocking 1B.

• #30 Kyle Manzardo (1B – CLE)

• • • Season: .296/.378/.556 | 13.3 BB% / 19.4 K% | 11 XBH, 5 HR, 0 SB
    • This Week: 8/23 | 4 XBH, 4 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Kyle Manzardo has had three consecutive strong weeks and the power tool is only getting better as it gets warmer. They could use him, even with how well the team has been playing. I think the Guardians would take a few strikeouts for the power trade-off we saw this week.

• #64 Coby Mayo (3B – BAL)

• • • Season: .317/.374/.615 | 7 BB% / 28.7 K% | 15 XBH, 7 HR, 3 SB
    • This Week: 8/23 | 5 XBH, 2 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Coby Mayo is doing damage. Even though the BABIP is over .400, he’s maintaining it by smashing the ball. I would like to see him lower the strikeout rate because it won’t translate well to the majors. In regards to a call-up, the Orioles would need to cut someone off the 40-man team to make room for him, so I doubt he comes up anytime soon as Jackson Holliday will likely be back before Mayo is called up.

• #80 Jordan Beck (OF – COL)

• • • Season: .301/.391/.602 | 13.6 BB% / 20 K% | 16 XBH, 5 HR, 4 SB
    • This Week: 8/28 | 3 XBH, 0 HR, 3 SB
    • Notes: Jordan Beck decided to show off the wheels rather than the power this week as he keeps the fantastic season rolling. I can’t imagine he’s down in June if he keeps this up for another month.

• #82 Joey Loperfido (2B, OF – HOU)

• • • Season: .293/.357/.674 | 11.6 BB% / 31.3 K% | 15 XBH, 12 HR, 3 SB
    • This Week: 5/27 | 2 XBH, 2 HR, 1 SB
    • Notes: Joey Loperfido continues to mash and is now playing 1B in AAA as a possible entry point to replacing Jon Singleton and Bryan Abreu.

• #91 Thomas Saggese ( 2B, 3B – STL)

• • • Season: .284/.357/.432 | 7.1 BB% / 23.8 K% | 7 XBH, 2 HR, 4 SB
    • This Week: 5/18 | 3 XBH, 0 HR, 1 SB
    • Notes: Thomas Saggese had his second week in a row of at least three extra-base hits. He also cut down the strikeout rate.

• #105 Connor Norby (2B – BAL)

• • • Season: .288/.364/.519 | 10.2 BB% / 27.1 K% | 12 XBH, 6 HR, 1 SB
    • This Week: 6/23 | 3 XBH, 2 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: The Orioles’ minor league squad is ridiculous between Kjerstad, Mayo and Connor Norby. Who is going to make it up into a starting role? Who is slated for the bench? Who is trade bait? Norby is the Michael Busch of the Orioles.

• #114 Tyler Soderstrom (C, 1B – OAK)

• • • Season: .243/.356/.581 | 11.5 BB% / 26.4 K% | 13 XBH, 6 HR, 0 SB
    • This Week: 7/22 | 3 XBH, 1 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Tyler Soderstrom has a good amount of work to do in the minors after being promoted a year too early in 2023. He’s hitting for power and doing damage, despite a lackluster hit tool. The power is real.

• #146 Ryan Bliss (2B – SEA)

• • • Season: .225/.363/.438 | 16.7 BB% / 26.3 K% | 10 XBH, 3 HR, 13 SB
    • This Week: 5/25 | 4 XBH, 2 HR, 2 SB
    • Notes: Ryan Bliss missed out on a super-utility role with the Mariners to start the season, but if he keeps hitting and running like this week, they won’t be able to hold him down.

• Caleb Durbin (OF – NYY)

• • • Season: .286/.416/.473 | 16.8 BB% / 10.6 K% | 12 XBH, 2 HR, 12 SB
    • This Week: 6/25 | 2 XBH, 1 HR, 2 SB
    • Notes: Caleb Durbin looks like Jon Berti Jr., but could he be more than a super-utility type?

• Orelvis Martinez (SS – TOR)

• • • Season: .307/.365/.636 | 7.3 BB% / 21.9 K% | 15 XBH, 7 HR, 10 SB
    • This Week: 7/25 | 3 XBH, 2 HR, 2 SB
    • Notes: I have never really been an Orelvis Martinez guy since the COVID-19 season; however, he’s playing pretty well despite the ridiculously high swinging strike rate, which I think will catch up to him in a Tyler Soderstrom-like way when he makes it to the majors. The power is real, though.

AAA Pitchers

• #10 Paul Skenes (SP – PIT)

• • • Season: 17 IP | 43.9 K-BB%, 19.6 SwStr% | 0.53 ERA, 0.88 WHIP
    • This Week: 4 1/3 IP | 7 Ks, 1 BBs | 2.08 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
    • Notes: Paul Skenes could be a top-25 starter in baseball per batter faced from the gate. I think it’s hilarious this was the first start he gave up runs. He is rocking a .370 BABIP this season, but the good news is he pitched into the fifth, so we may only be another start or two away from him hitting the bigs.
• #21 Ricky Tiedemann (SP – TOR)
  • • Season: 8 IP | 2.4 K-BB%, 13.2 SwStr% | 5.63 ERA, 2.00 WHIP
    • This Week: N/A
    • Notes: Ricky Tiedemann finally got word back that there’s no ligament damage and he can begin throwing again in 7-10 days.

• #39 Max Meyer (SP – MIA)

• • • MLB Season (MLB): 17 IP | 16.9 K-BB%, 14.2% SwStr% | 3.65 SIERA
    • This Week (AAA): 3 IP | 5 Ks, 1 BBs | 6.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
    • Notes: Max Meyer has made one start since getting demoted. With Jesus Luzardo getting injured, he may be back up next turn through the rotation.

• #59 Carson Whisenhunt (SP – SF)

• • • Season: 14 1/3 IP | 18.1 K-BB%, 13.7 SwStr% | 8.79 ERA, 2.09 WHIP
    • This Week: 3 2/3 IP | 7 Ks, 2 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
    • Notes: Don’t take any pitching ERAs at face value in the Pacific Coast League (PCL). You should even be skeptical of WHIP. The only metric you should look at is K-BB or an absurdly low ERA like that of teammate Mason Black.

• #101 Clayton Beeter (SP, RP – NYY)

• • • Season: 17 1/3 IP | 23.3 K-BB%, 16.8% SwStr% | 3.63 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
    • This Week: 5 IP | 8 Ks, 0 BBs | 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
    • Notes: Clayton Beeter has been showing much better control this season and could make it as a starter. Worst-case scenario he should be an excellent high-leverage pen arm.

• #113 Mason Black (SP – SF)

• • • Season: 22 2/3 IP | 23 K-BB%, 10.8 SwStr% | 1.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP
    • This Week: 5 IP | 5 Ks, 1 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP
    • Notes: Mason Black is dominating the PCL and should jump up to fill the Blake Snell void in the rotation unless they wait for a longer absence before starting the clock.

• #141 Christian Scott (SP – NYM)

• • • Season: 20 2/3 IP | 39 K-BB%, 14.2 SwStr% | 3.48 ERA, 0.73 WHIP
    • This Week: 6 1/3 IP | 8 Ks, 1 BBs | 2.84 ERA, 0.32 WHIP
    • Notes: Christian Scott should not make another start in the minors at this point. It’s just wasting bullets.

• Cade Povich (SP – BAL)

• • • Season: 26 1/3 IP | 31.2 K-BB%, 13.7 SwStr% | 1.03 ERA, 0.76 WHIP
    • This Week: 4 2/3 IP | 7 Ks, 1 BBs | 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
    • Notes: Kyle Bradish is supposed to return to the Orioles’ rotation next week. Cade Povich will likely be held down as insurance for another injury or in case John Means doesn’t bounce back as he hasn’t looked great in his rehab stint.

• Jack Leiter (SP – TEX) 

• • • Season (AAA): 20 1/3 IP | 34.2 K-BB%, 17.6 SwStr% | 2.66 ERA, 0.89 WHIP
    • This Week: 6 IP | 8 Ks, 3 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP
    • Notes: Jack Leiter bounced back for a strong start after his romping in the majors. I think the bad majors start at this point may have been nerves more than lack of stuff, because he has been excellent in AAA this season.

• Sem Robberese ( SP – STL)

• • • Season: 29 2/3 IP | 20.5 K-BB%, 13.9 SwStr% | 1.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP
    • This Week: 7 IP | 6 Ks, 0 BBs | 2.57 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
    • Notes: Sem Robberese is putting up some nice numbers at AAA and going deep into games. With the fastball under 91 miles per hour (MPH), I wouldn’t expect him to hold up as a starter. I watched him a couple of times this spring out of the pen and I saw him get rocked once, though the stuff does look faster coming out of his hand than the velo. I would need more Statcast data to figure out why his arsenal works so well, but the changeup is a plus pitch and he’s generating an over 50% groundball rate.

• Robert Gasser (SP – MIL)

• • • Season: N/A
    • This Week: 4 IP | 5 Ks, 1 BBs | 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
    • Notes: Robert Gasser was activated this week for his first start after a very strong spring. With Wade Miley needing Tommy John, DL Hall on the IL and the Brewers’ rotation being pretty bad, there’s a good chance we see Gasser sooner rather than later.

AA Hitters

• #17 Adael Amador (2B, SS – COL) 

• • • Season: .167/.365/.188 | 22.2 BB% / 9.5 K% | 1 XBH, 0 HR, 10 SB
    • This Week: 5/18 | 1 XBH, 0 HR, 4 SB
    • Notes: Adael Amador has a .190 BABIP dragging him down, but he’s showing off some nice wheels this year.

• #34 Matt Shaw (SS, 3B – CHC)

• • • Season: .250/.394/.446 | 16.9 BB% / 25.4 K% | 4 XBH, 3 HR, 7 SB
    • This Week: 3/22 | 2 XBH, 0 HR, 3 SB
    • Notes: Matt Shaw is off to a killer start to the season and we should see him up in the bigs by the end of the year.

• #43 Jakob Marsee (OF – SD)

• • • Season: .181/.326/.292 | 15.4 BB% / 23.1 K% | 6 XBH, 1 HR, 10 SB
    • This Week: 6/21 | 1 XBH, 0 HR, 2 SB
    • Notes: Jakob Marsee is fighting a .235 BABIP and still letting the skills fly when he gets on base. As soon as Jurickson Profar cools off, Marsee will be the likely replacement.

• #70 Spencer Jones (OF – NY)

• • • Season: .350/.422/.575 | 11.1 BB% / 26.7 K% | 5 XBH, 2 HR, 3 SB
    • This Week: 11/27 | 4 XBH, 2 HR, 3 SB
    • Notes: Spencer Jones should probably be in AAA at this point. What will the Yankees do if they re-sign Juan Soto while having him, Jasson Dominguez and Aaron Judge blocking Jones in the outfield for the next five-plus years? Someone is moving to 1B or Soto to DH.

• #79 Edgar Quero (C – CWS) 

• • • Season: .286/.373/.589 | 7.5 BB% / 20.9 K% | 7 XBH, 5 HR, 1 SB
    • This Week: 6/22 | 3 XBH, 1 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Edgar Quero is barely 21 in his second year of AA putting up numbers like this as a catcher. What a stud.

• #98 Emmanuel Rodriguez (OF – MIN) 

• • • Season: .294/.507/.686 | 30.1 BB% / 28.8 K% | 11 XBH, 4 HR, 9 SB
    • This Week: 4/13 (w/ 5 BBs) | 3 XBH, 0 HR, 3 SB
    • Notes: This dude walks so much that it’s ridiculous. He’s going to be a stud in points and OBP formats. The worst-case scenario might be a Kyle Schwarber-type career with steals.

• #103 Kevin Alcantara (OF – CHC)

• • • Season: .262/.308/.492 | 6.2 BB% / 24.6 K% | 6 XBH, 4 HR, 2 SB
    • This Week: 8/18 | 4 XBH, 3 HR, 1 SB
    • Notes: Kevin Alcantara got off to a miserable start (too many groundballs), but had a strong week to bring his numbers back up.

• #104 James Triantos (2B, 3B – CHC) 

• • • Season: .308/.347/.538 | 6.9 BB% / 9.7 K% | 8 XBH, 3 HR, 6 SB
    • This Week: 9/19 | 5 XBH, 2 HR, 3 SB
    • Notes: The two Cubs, James Triantos and Alcantra, had insane weeks, even though they only played a few games.

• Deyvison De Los Santos (OF – ARI)

• • • Season: .375/.438/.639 | 8.8 BB% / 23.8 K% | 8 XBH, 5 HR, 1 SB
    • This Week: 9/20 | 1 XBH, 1 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Deyvison De Los Santos returned to Arizona with a vengeance after being a Guardians’ Rule 5 and not making the cut.
• Alex Ramirez (OF – NYM) 
  • • Season: .338/.397/.492 | 9.5 BB% / 23 K% | 7 XBH, 1 HR, 11 SB
    • This Week: 9/23 | 3 XBH, 0 HR, 6 SB
    • Notes: Six steals in a week and a big cut in strikeouts. No bombs but it was a great week from Alex Ramirez.

• Agustin Ramirez (C -NYY)

• • • Season: .246/.380/.631 | 16.5 BB% / 17.7 K% | 9 XBH, 8 HR, 4 SB
    • This Week: 5/20 | 2 XBH, 1 HR, 2 SB
    • Notes: Augustin Ramirez is putting up this line even with a .186 BABIP pulling him down.

• Colby Thomas (OF – OAK) 

• • • Season: .324/.395/.592 | 6.2 BB% / 21 K% | 9 XBH, 5 HR, 8 SB
    • This Week: 6/22 | 3 XBH, 1 HR, 5 SB
    • Notes: Colby Thomas had a strong season last year, but needed to cut down on the strikeout rate to maximize his skills. He has done that and is lifting the ball a lot more this year. He looks like a potential stud.

• Jacob Wilson (SS – OAK)

• • • Season: .429/.450/.661 | 1.7 BB% / 13.3 K% | 9 XBH, 2 HR, 2 SB
    • This Week: 11/21 | 5 XBH, 0 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: I’m not a Jacob Wilson guy, but you have to credit him for hitting this well. He’s almost in the Steven Kwan mold the way he plays.

• Dylan Beavers (OF – BAL) 

• • • Season: .345/.443/.517 | 15.5 BB% / 21.1 K% | 6 XBH, 2 HR, 4 SB
    • This Week: 6/16 | 2 XBH, 1 HR, 1 SB
    • Notes: Dylan Beavers has a .429 BABIP helping him out. He is showing good plate skills and above-average tools

• Joe Mack (C – MIA) 

• • Season: .300/.333/.550 | 4.8 BB% / 9.5 K% | 3 XBH, 1 HR, 0 SB
  • This Week: 5/20 | 3 XBH, 1 HR, 0 SB
  • Notes: Joe Mack is a former first-rounder who was just promoted from High-A to AA.

AA Pitchers

• #26 Drew Thorpe (SP – CWS) 

• • • Season: 24 IP | 18.2 K-BB%, 16.6 SwStr% | 0.75 ERA, 0.88 WHIP
    • This Week: 6 IP | 3 Ks, 1 BBs | 1.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
    • Notes: Drew Thorpe should be up in the majors sooner rather than later. My assumption on why he’s in AA instead of AAA is that they want him throwing to Edgar Quero.

• #40 Jackson Jobe (SP – DET) 

• • • Season: 13 2/3 IP | 17.2 K-BB%, 16.7 SwStr% | 2.63 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
    • This Week: 4 IP | 6 Ks, 1 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.25 WHIP
    • Notes: Jackson Jobe has back-to-back nice starts. Based on the limited workload, it looks like they may be planning for him to be up at some point this season.

• #42 Jacob Misiorowski (SP – SD)

• • • Season: 14 2/3 IP | 15.6 K-BB%, 15.5 SwStr% | 3.68 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
    • This Week: 4 1/3 IP | 7 Ks, 1 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.46 WHIP
    • Notes: Jacob Misiorowski will be volatile because of his control issues, but if he can reign his control, he will be unhittable like his last outing.

• #47 Tekoah Roby (SP – STL) 

• • • Season: 19 IP | 23.5 K-BB%, 14.3 SwStr% | 5.68 ERA, 1.32 WHIP
    • This Week: 4 IP | 8 Ks, 0 BBs | 4.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
    • Notes: Tekoah Roby has been good this year, but the ERA is not necessarily showing it.

• #84 Ty Madden (SP – DET)

• • • Season: 17 2/3 IP | 27.9 K-BB%, 17.2 SwStr% | 2.55 ERA, 0.79 WHIP
    • This Week: 5 IP | 7 Ks, 1 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP
    • Notes: Ty Madden is continuing his excellent 2023 season. I expect him to be up in AAA within the next couple of months. The interesting thing to consider is with Sawyer Gibson-Long out, is Madden next up behind Matt Manning or is it Jobe? He’s insanely underrated.

• Adam Mazur (SP – SD)

• • • Season: 20 1/3 IP | 28.9 K-BB%, 14.2 SwStr% | 3.10 ERA, 0.93 WHIP
    • This Week: 4 1/3 IP | 8 Ks, 0 BBs | 12.46 ERA, 2.08 WHIP
    • Notes: Adam Mazur improved his K-BB rate and underlying metrics last start out, despite the terrible ERA. It seems like he’s dealing with bad luck (.643 BABIP).

• Ian Seymour (SP – TB)

• • • Season: 20 IP | 31.1 K-BB%, 16.4 SwStr% | 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
    • This Week: 5 IP | 5 Ks, 2 BBs | 5.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP
    • Notes: Ian Seymour is older for the level, but he’s destroying and is a name to watch with the Rays in case Tyler Alexander doesn’t work out as a starter or they run into more injuries before Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen return in the second half.

• Carson Palmquist (SP – COL)

• • • Season: 22 IP | 28 K-BB%, 16.9 SwStr% | 1.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP
    • This Week: 6 IP | 7 Ks, 2 BBs | 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
    • Notes: Carson Palmquist has always carried some nice strikeout numbers and it’s interesting to think the Rockies’ organization might have Chase Dollander, Sean Sullivan and Palmquist in a couple of years.

• Caden Dana (SP – LAA)

• • • Season: 18 1/3 IP | 23.9 K-BB%, 9.8 SwStr% | 1.47 ERA, 0.60 WHIP
    • This Week: 7 IP | 8 Ks, 1 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.43 WHIP
    • Notes: The Angels are always a team to prompt players quickly, but Caden Dana’s swinging strike rate reminds me of AJ Smith-Shawver last year and that he might not be ready yet.

• Royber Salinas (SP – OAK)

• • • Season: 21 1/3 IP | 19.3 K-BB%, 15.8 SwStr% | 2.11 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
    • This Week: 12 IP | 14 Ks, 6 BBs | 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP
    • Notes: Royber Salinas has a high strikeout upside, but he does seem more like a high-end reliever than a starter. He should be in AAA at this point.

A+ Hitters

• #81 Gabriel Gonzalez (OF – MIN)

• • • Season: .262/.308/.426 | 6.2 BB% / 10.8 K% | 8 XBH, 1 HR, 2 SB
    • This Week: 6/17 | 5 XBH, 1 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Gabriel Gonzalez had a nice bounceback week with four doubles and a homer.

• #122 Justin Crawford (OF – PHI)

• • • Season: .346/.452/.519 | 14.5 BB% / 27.4 K% | 4 XBH, 2 HR, 8 SB
    • This Week: 7/15 | 1 XBH, 0 HR, 2 SB
    • Notes: Justin Crawford is breaking out this year and is showing increased plate skills and power to go along with the hit tool and speed.

• #136 Jack Brannigan (2B, 3B – PIT)

• • • Season: .246/.377/.456 | 14.5 BB% / 20.3 K% | 6 XBH, 3 HR, 2 SB
    • This Week: 5/22 | 4 XBH, 2 HR, 1 SB
    • Notes: Jack Brannigan is repeating High-A and the increased plate skills should get him bumped up to AA quickly. The hit tool is below average, but the plate skills and ability to hit for damage are doing nicely.

• Chandler Simpson (OF – TB)

• • • Season: .383/.493/.383 | 17.6 BB% / 10.8 K% | 0 XBH, 0 HR, 18 SB
    • This Week: 6/20 | 0 XBH, 0 HR, 6 SB
    • Notes: For those who don’t know, Chandler Simpson is very good friends with Victor Scott II. They had a stolen bases competition last year. He is ready for AA as he continues the foot race.

• Cam Collier (1B – CIN)

• • • Season: .289/.313/.579 | 3.8 BB% / 20 K% | 10 XBH, 6 HR, 0 SB
    • This Week: 6/25 | 2 XBH, 0 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Cam Collier is looking to rebound in 2024 after a lackluster 2023 that saw him drop off my Top 150. He’s coming back with a vengeance.

• Jefferson Rojas (2B, SS – CIN)

• • • Season: .333/.372/.472 | 6.4 BB% / 15.4 K% | 7 XBH, 2 HR, 4 SB
    • This Week: 7/19 | 0 XBH, 0 HR, 1 SB
    • Notes: Jefferson Rojas is showing increased power in 2024, but it’s a small sample size, so let’s see if it’s real after a few more weeks.

• Carter Jensen (C – KC)

• • • Season: .324/.446/.515 | 16.9 BB% / 20.5 K% | 7 XBH, 2 HR, 6 SB
    • This Week: 6/20 | 1 XBH, 0 HR, 2 SB

A+ Pitchers

• #99 Rhett Lowder (SP – CIN)

• • • Season: 19 1/3 IP | 17.9 K-BB%, 12.8 SwStr% | 1.86 ERA, 0.98 WHIP
    • This Week: 6 IP | 9 Ks, 1 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP
    • Notes: Rhett Lowder should be in AA after his last start. Keep an eye on a promotion.

• #133 Frank Mozzicato (SP – KC)

• • • Season: 14 IP | 22.9 K-BB%, 14.3 SwStr% | 0.00 ERA, 0.64 WHIP
    • This Week: 10 IP | 13 Ks, 3 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP
    • Notes: Frank Mozzicato made his first start of the season this week.

• #140 Hunter Barco (SP – PIT)

• • • Season: 15 IP | 26.7 K-BB%, 14 SwStr% | 1.80 ERA, 1.07 WHIP
    • This Week: 4 IP | 7 Ks, 2 BBs | 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
    • Notes: Hunter Barco will move up a level pretty quickly and should already be in AA based on his age.

• SP Andrew Morris (Twins):

• • • Season: 19 2/3 IP | 24.7 K-BB%, 14.7 SwStr% | 2.75 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
    • This Week: 6 IP | 5 Ks, 1 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
    • Notes: Andrew Morris is old for the level as a 2022 draftee and is a breaking ball, command guy more than killer stuff. I’m interested to see what he would be doing in AA.

• SP Ben Kudrna (Royals):

• • • Season: 19 2/3 IP | 24.7 K-BB%, 13.9 SwStr% | 1.37 ERA, 0.92 WHIP
    • This Week: 5 IP | 6 Ks, 2 BBs | 1.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP
    • Notes: Ben Kurdna has been stellar to start his season after popping on the scene last year. He was a second-round pick. If he continues striking guys out at this rate, he could rise the levels quickly this year for a 2025 debut.

• SP Owen Murphy (Braves):

• • • Season: 24 IP | 34.8 K-BB%, 13.5 SwStr% | 1.13 ERA, 0.63 WHIP
    • This Week: 7 IP | 10 Ks, 0 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.14 WHIP
    • Notes: Owen Murphy is a former first-rounder popping this year after a strong run at A ball last year and a rough entrance to High-A.

• SP Jaden Hamm (Tigers):

• • • Season: 16 1/3 IP | 36.4 K-BB%, 17.4 SwStr% | 1.65 ERA, 0.98 WHIP
    • This Week: 5 IP | 5 Ks, 0 BBs | 3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
    • Notes: Jaden Hamm was a fifth-round pick; however, he has been dominant throughout his entire minor league career and should be highlighted as a riser.

• Andry Lara (SP – WAS)

• • • Season: 17 2/3 IP | 30.7 K-BB%, 17.4 SwStr% | 2.26 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
    • This Week: 5 IP | 9 Ks, 3 BBs | 5.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP
    • Notes: Andry Lara is off to a strong start on a strikeout rate basis and doesn’t have much of a pedigree, but I’m curious to see more of him.

A Hitters

• #58 Max Clark (OF – DET)

• • • Season: .279/.378/.377 | 14.9 BB% / 24.3 K% | 3 XBH, 1 HR, 4 SB
    • This Week: 4/16 | 2 XBH, 1 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Max Clark has done well the last week and a half.

• #137 Josue De Paula (OF – LAD)

• • • Season: .267/.333/.417 | 6.1 BB% / 25.8 K% | 5 XBH, 0 HR, 3 SB
    • This Week: 7/14 | 5 XBH, 0 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Small sample size. This dude is going to be a stud.

• Jaison Chourio (OF – CLE)

• • • Season: .260/.479/.480 | 26.8 BB% / 15.5 K% | 7 XBH, 2 HR, 7 SB
    • This Week: 3/15 (w/ 8 BBs) | 3 XBH, 1 HR, 2 SB
    • Notes: Jaison Chourio is only a year younger than his brother and could be close to as good but the Guardians are an organization that promotes slowly. It’s unlikely we see a jump similar to what the Brewers did with Jackson Chourio.

• Ricardo Cabrera (SS, 3B – CIN)

• • • Season: .310/.403/.500 | 10.4 BB% / 19.4 K% | 7 XBH, 2 HR, 2 SB
    • This Week: 6/21 | 2 XBH, 0 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Ricardo Cabrera has come in hot mostly playing in the Arizona Complex League (ACL) and in the Dominic Summer League (DSL) last season. He’s a name to watch.

• Jeral Perez (2B, SS, 3B – LAD)

• • • Season: .344/.474/.639 | 17.1 BB% / 18.4 K% | 10 XBH, 4 HR, 2 SB
    • This Week: 10/28 | 2 XBH, 0 HR, 1 SB
    • Notes: Jeerel Perez has great plate skills and is now coming into some power.

• Rayne Doncon (2B, 3B, SS – MIN)

• • • Season: .297/.385/.500 | 12.8 BB% / 17.9 K% | 9 XBH, 2 HR, 1 SB
    • This Week: 5/21 | 2 XBH, 1 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Rayne Doncon is a former Dodger with a ton of upside. Hopefully, the Twins training staff doesn’t fail here.

• Dillon Head (OF – SD)

• • • Season: .278/.366/.417 | 9.8 BB% / 22 K% | 7 XBH, 1 HR, 3 SB
    • This Week: 9/22 | 3 XBH, 1 HR, 0 SB
    • Notes: Dillon Head has some swing and miss in his game, but he does damage.

A Pitchers

• Quinn Mathews (SP – STL)

• • • Season: 18 IP | 40.8 K-BB%, 20.3 SwStr% | 0.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP
    • This Week: 6 IP | 13 Ks, 0 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP
    • Notes: Quinn Mathews is known as a college guy who pitched a ton of innings and should probably have started in High-A, but the Cardinals have been passive about promotions (annoyingly). He should be in A+, at least, at this point.

• George Klassen (SP – PHI) 

• • • Season: 21 IP | 36.5 K-BB%, 17.6 SwStr% | 0.00 ERA, 0.57 WHIP
    • This Week: 6 IP | 8 Ks, 1 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP
    • Notes: George Klassen, like Mathews, is too old for the Low-A level and needs to be bumped up soon. While the numbers are eye-popping, the age level is not fair.

• Jonah Tong (SP – NYM)

• • • Season: 18 2/3 IP | 45.6 K-BB%, 21.9 SwStr% | 0.00 ERA, 0.64 WHIP
    • This Week: 6 IP | 9 Ks, 0 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP
    • Notes: Unlike Mathews and Klassen, Jonah Tong is only 20 and is striking all these guys out. If he continues playing with guys like this in Low-A, though, he should be brought up sooner rather than later.

• Yujanyer Herrera (SP – MIL)

• • • Season: 17 IP | 32.8 K-BB%, 20.2 SwStr% | 2.12 ERA, 0.94 WHIP
    • This Week: 4 1/3 IP | 6 Ks, 1 BBs | 2.08 ERA, 0.46 WHIP
    • Notes: Yujanyer Herrera has no pedigree and is popping this year out of nowhere. He is worth watching moving forward as a 20-year-old.

• Juan Salas (SP – STL)

• • • Season: 17 IP | 30.6 K-BB%, 17.1 SwStr% | 0.53 ERA, 0.71 WHIP
    • This Week: 6 IP | 9 Ks, 1 BBs | 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP
    • Notes: Juan Salas showed some strong swing-and-miss stuff last year, but he is really putting things together this year.

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