RADIO
Welcome back RotoBallers, the All-Star break is in the rearview mirror. We're heading into Week 17 of the fantasy baseball season, and the minor league season rages on. It would be foolish to proceed without highlighting the top performances from Week 16.
It's imperative to monitor the top fantasy baseball prospects who have turned heads thus far. The players listed here are not only coming off dominant weeks but have also impressed over the entire season. Don't be surprised when these exact names are painting corners, mashing homers, and swiping bags at the big-league level soon.
Fantasy managers should certainly keep an eye on these players over the long haul as they may prove to be excellent waiver wire adds in no time.
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Orelvis Martinez - SS, Toronto Blue Jays
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 78 G, .214/.280/.483, 22 HR, 53 RBI, 42 R, .230 BABIP, .329 wOBA, 6.0 BB%, 29.8 K%
Signed for $3.5 million in 2018, Martinez is regarded as one of Toronto's top prospects. He boasts good bat speed and more power than you would expect out of an undersized shortstop. Although his home run totals continue to garner plenty of attention, there's no denying that Martinez's discipline needs to improve.
He chases far too many pitches out of the zone, especially ones that miss outside. The 20-year-old has spent most of his time at shortstop but could transition to third base pretty seamlessly if needed.
Martinez's second half of the season got off to a hot start this past week. He went 0-for-4 in his first game back but then proceeded to go 6-for-8 with three homers, one double, and five RBI over the course of his last two contests.
The right-hander scored five runs in the process and also managed to increase his slugging percentage by 43 points. Anticipate a mid-2023 MLB debut for the Dominican Republic native.
Michael Toglia - 1B, Colorado Rockies
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 85 G, .220/.325/.447, 19 HR, 57 RBI, 55 R, .279 BABIP, .340 wOBA, 13.1 BB%, 32.2 K%
Toglia found his way to the Rockies in the first round of the 2019 draft. Mainly known for his power, Toglia is a talented switch-hitter who can launch the ball over the fence in all parts of the field. Discipline-wise, Toglia has solid vision at the plate but has still shown a tendency to swing and miss due to his power-heavy approach.
Defensively, the first baseman looks very strong at his position with smooth glovework and an overall natural feel. He could shift to a role in left field if needed, but the expectation is that first base will be Toglia's long-term home.
The 23-year-old has looked great since returning from the All-Star Break, going 4-for-10 with two home runs and three RBI. He scored four times in the process and has emerged as a player whose future fantasy value will be boosted by his power output. Look for Toglia to grace Coors Field sometime next season.
Kyle Harrison - SP, San Francisco Giants
Level: Double-A
2022 stats: 16 GS, 74.1 IP, 3-2, 2.42 ERA, .294 BABIP, 15.50 K/9, 4.00 BB/9
Harrison, 20, is a talented southpaw who was selected in the third round of the shortened 2020 MLB Draft. One of the draft's most impressive prep pitching prospects, Harrison signed a well-over-slot $2.5 million deal and has since given the Giants plenty of reason to be optimistic about his future.
He has historically sat around the mid-90s with his fastball, though it was clocked at 98 mph more recently. He also throws a deceiving changeup and a sharp slider with good horizontal break. He has solid command and has done a good job striking out opponents, though there should be some concern about his walk rate.
Harrison had a phenomenal outing against the Bowie Baysox this past week. After walking the first batter he faced, the hurler went on to strike out each of his next nine batters in order. When all was said and done, Harrison's line boasted zero hits, zero runs, one walk, and a whopping nine strikeouts through three frames.
Endy Rodriguez - C, Pittsburgh Pirates
Level: High-A
2022 stats: 78 G, .285/.370/.518, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 51 R, .338 BABIP, .391 wOBA, 136 wRC+, 10.4 BB%, 22.3 K%
Rodriguez is primarily a catcher, though he has spent time at first base, second base, and left field this season. He signed with the New York Mets for just $10,000 in 2018 and found his way to Pittsburgh in the three-team trade that sent Joe Musgrove to the San Diego Padres.
Rodriguez bats from both sides of the plate but has looked better as a lefty, producing more power and drawing more walks. So far, he has not sacrificed discipline (strikeouts, in particular) in order to hit home runs.
Defensively, Rodriguez has great receiving and throwing skills, so there's no doubt that he offers the most value behind the dish. Though No. 1 prospect Henry Davis might get first dibs at the catcher position, Rodriguez boasts plenty of upside there, too.
Rodriguez has looked great with High-A Greensboro this season. In fact, in three games since the All-Star Break, he's 6-for-12 with four homers, seven RBI, two walks, and just one strikeout. His contributions have certainly not gone unnoticed, and it's fair to wonder if he's nearing a promotion to Double-A. His biggest obstacle? The aforementioned Davis, who was called up to Double-A in early June.
Alex Ramirez - OF, New York Mets
Level: High-A
2022 stats: 81 G, .287/.359/.454, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 47 R, 19 SB, .355 BABIP, 8.7 BB%, 21.7 K%
Currently 19 years old, Ramirez was the Mets' biggest international singing in 2019, agreeing to a $2.05 million deal. The Dominican Republic native continues to be viewed as one of New York's top prospects, boasting impressive running skills that bode well for his production on the basepaths and in center field.
He has a solid glove and an above-average arm, meaning he could play right field if needed. Offensively, Ramirez's biggest flaw is his inability to make consistent contact. His strikeout rate is higher than ideal, and he has yet to develop the power that many people anticipated. Of course, there's still time considering he's just a teenager and will fill out his 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame.
Although Ramirez's offensive production has been far from perfect this season, he certainly caught everyone's attention this past week. In three games since the All-Star Break, he is 8-for-13 with two homers, one double, and five RBI. He walked once, struck out twice, and stole a base during that span.
Ramirez projects as someone who could be a well-rounded player in the future, which bodes well for his fantasy baseball value. However, he needs to improve his swing-and-miss factor going forward.
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