MLB

Covered by Smada

Garrett Mitchell, CF MIL (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI, 3 K

I’ve been avoiding writing up Mitchell because he’s a guy that’s often hurt that I don’t have a great read on. After missing half the season he’s been able to amass 205 PA, giving him 342 PA across his three short big league stints in three different seasons. He was a popular FYPD pick out of the 2020 draft because of some loud tools, especially the speed, which has translated into a nearly 30 SB pace per 600 PA in his career, backed by a 96th percentile sprint speed. The power also translates when he’s able to get the ball in the air, but he’s historically run a high GB% which is still the case this year. The whiffs have also been a problem and he’s running a 31.2% K in 2024 (33.6% career). Additionally he’s doing it in a CF/RF platoon role opposite Blake Perkins (they prefer Perkins defensively). All that said, Mitchell has a more than solid 129 wRC+ this year with 8 HR, 11 doubles and 3 triples, to go with 8 SB. I’m not sure what the value temperature is on Mitchell headed into 2025, but I’d continue to assume he’ll platoon and if he stays healthy, put up a line of 15 HR, 20 SB with a .240 BA, .325 OBP.

Jack Leiter, RHP TEX (MLB) 5 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HR

Leiter followed deGrom, and Julio Rodriguez was especially happy to see him as he deposited fly balls over the left and right field walls. The price on Leiter will be low and I’m considering it a buying opportunity. He continues to show flashes of brilliance and maybe an offseason will help put it together. Unlike Rocker, I don’t know if Leiter is guaranteed an opening day rotation spot next year.

Richard Fitts, RHP BOS (MLB) 5 IP, 5 H, BB, 3 K

Fitts might end up being the most over-drafted SP in 2025. Three starts to begin the career without an ER, but has yet to finish the 6th inning, nor K more than 3 in a start. I could be wrong, but I don’t think this is it.

Colton Cowser, 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

A high BABIP and BB% have helped mask what has been a bit of a rough patch for Cowser. Just 2 HR, 0 SB over the previous 30 days with a 35.9% K. A double dong is a hell of a way to snap out of the dry spell. He’ll cost a pretty penny next year, but I’ll probably be paying the price, especially in OBP or points leagues with walks.

Jackson Holliday, 2B BAL (MLB) 0-for-3, 3 K

After 5 HR in a 10 game span, Holliday has been homerless over the last 115 PA with a 5.2% BB and 32.2% K. He’s chipped in 4 SB, but that’s not much of a consolation for those that hoped to eke out some value. Am I concerned? I mean, yeah kind of. Not long term, but the kid needs to improve against big league fastballs. Will he be able to make the needed adjustments in the offseason? It wouldn’t surprise me. But the 2025 profile is now dependent on HR and SB and that was all supposed to be buoyed by the BA/OBP. Will be interesting to see the redraft price, because I could see buying or fading completely.  

Nick Martinez, RHP CIN (MLB) 6 IP, 2 H, 9 K

Not a young guy by any stretch, but didn’t want the end of his season to go unnoticed. Since getting back into the starting rotation on 8/5, Martinez has been really solid. He’s thrown 55.1 IP of a 20% K-BB, allowing just 1 ER over his last three outings, all QS. Since getting back from Japan in 2022, he’s yet to have a team commit to him as a starter throughout the year. The 15 starts he’s completed this year will be the high water mark. The changeup has been remarkable and generated 10 whiffs on 18 swings in this start. He has a player option for 2025 for 13 mil and I’m curious if he declines that? He could strike a deal where he finally gets the full time SP for a little bit more money? I’m pretty interested in deeper leagues. Don’t just ignore him.

James Wood, LF WSH (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI

Absent some HR power the season slash looks fantastic at .267/.362/.427, 12.3% BB, 28.6% K, 8 HR and 14 SB over 301 PA. Extrapolators will double it and get to a 16 HR, 80 R, 80, RBI 28 SB season, then imagine he’ll add more power in year 2, and exceed 600 PA out of the 3 hole and get to something like 25 HR, 90 R, 100 RBI, 30 SB. I wouldn’t put that expectation on him (especially the SB), but Wood undeniably has the makings of a superstar.

Triple-A

Covered by Matt Thompson

Brad Lord, RHP WSH (Triple-A) 6 IP, 6 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Lord is a sneaky arm that has put together a very nice season split between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s a sinker-heavy dude who actually gets whiffs on the pitch. It’s a good one that touches 95. His slider and changeup are average or better, and he also throws in a four-seamer. He’s going to be a big league backend starter next year and while he won’t get as many strikeouts in the big leagues, he will still be a solid ratio play.

Riley Thompson, RHP CHC (Triple-A) 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K

Thompson has been moved back and forth between the Iowa bullpen and rotation and has found his footing in his new role. He’s been really good in September getting more than a strikeout per inning and limiting his walks. This was his best start.

Jett Williams, SS NYM (Triple-A) 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, K

He is still waiting on the power; otherwise, his first Triple-A experience is going well. He’s a good player and I’m not as worried about it. Go get him where you can as a speed and OBP type asset.

Drew Gilbert, OF NYM (Triple-A) 3-for-5, HR, 5 RBI, BB

It’s been a bit of a lost season for Gilbert. His Triple-A slashline is a frustrating .213/.305/.382 and the secondary stats aren’t there as he only has nine homers and three steals. He’s going to tumble out of my top 100. 

Jackson Jobe, RHP DET (Triple-A) 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

The first Triple-A win for Jobe in his career. The fastball is a big pitch, getting up to 98 and he mixes in a cutter, change and a sweeper. He’s one of the top prospects in our sport and we will see him for most of the 2025 season in the bigs.

Robby Snelling, LHP MIA (Triple-A) 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 7 K

This was Snelling’s Triple-A debut as well. The lefty has average stuff, and above-average command and athleticism. He’s probably a backend starter but the slider has a chance to be the difference maker for him. I’m not all that high on Snelling if you couldn’t tell.

Roman Anthony, OF BOS (Triple-A) 1-for-1, 2B, R, 4 BB, SB

Love weird stat lines like this. Anthony gets on base five times and chips in an extra base knock and a steal. I’m more and more convinced he’s the top dog.

Chase Petty, RHP CIN (Triple-A) 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 4 K

I’m convinced Petty is a reliever long term which is a bummer as he was someone I’ve been excited about in the past. The fastball touches 98 but he’s a two-pitch guy with some questions about how deep he can go in games. Just make him a backend pen arm and be done with it. He can be a big league pen piece next year.

Marco Raya, RHP MIN (Triple-A) 5 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Another Triple-A debut. Raya has dealt with injuries but he has an interesting five-pitch mix led by his cutter. I like the arsenal and how it all works together. Command and injuries have been the biggest issues here but I’m confident in his ability to stick in a rotation. 

Ryan Gusto, RHP HOU (Triple-A) 6 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

I’ve covered Gusto a lot this year on the sheet. He’s a big league ready backend starter for the Astros that should be up next year. 

Double-A

Covered by Tom Gates

Liam Hicks, C DET (Double-A) 2-for-2, R, RBI, 2 BB

Hicks provided the offense here for their 2-1 playoff win. Not a really impressive fantasy season for him, so for fantasy purposes, just ignore. 

Milan Tolentino, 2B CLE (Double-A) 1-for-2, HR, R, RBI, BB

The 22-year old was a 4th round pick in the 2020 draft. He hit a bit of a hot streak about a month ago but has cooled down a bit. Below average contact numbers and a higher than average chase rate. 

Cole Young, SS SEA (Double-A) 3-for-5, 2 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K

Him and Roman Anthony are similar where they are so YOUNG for the level and having moderate success. Anthony got the promotion and now is being talked about as the #1 overall prospect. I think Young is a little underrated and has a chance to shoot up into the top 10 prospect conversation soon. Seattle was slow to promote Harry Ford, so we’ll see where Young starts out next year. He’s never looked overmatched in the minors and the power seems to be developing more.

Victor Labrada, DH SEA (Double-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI

The 24-year old racked up 49 stolen bases this year. The strikeout rate and 0-contact were way too high.

Chandler Simpson, CF TB (Double-A) 4-for-5, 2B, 3 R, RBI, SB

Xavier Isaac, DH TB (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, 3 K

Tanner Murray, 2B TB (Double-A) 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, R, 4 RBI, BB, K

Murray is having an excellent post season. He double-donged earlier this year. Simpson is doing his thing. I think he’s a bench bat in deep leagues you plug in to help out with average and stolen bases. Isaac has been surprisingly struggling with strikeouts this year. Good time to buy low on him this off-season.

Duncan Davitt, RHP TB (Double-A) 5 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K

The Rays have a pitching factory in the minors. They need it with all the arm injuries that have happened. Davitt had a 9.3 K/9 in the regular season with a good WHIP.

Abimelec Ortiz, 1B TEX (Double-A) 2-for-3, HR, R, RBI, BB, K

17 homers since July. Batting average is way up too. Just got off to a slow start. This is who we thought he was.