Your favorite ragtag group of heroes is all at their respective levels.

MLB

Rhett Lowder, RHP CIN (MLB) 6.1 IP, 4 H, 4 BB, 3 K

Lowder has now gone 10.1 IP only allowing a single ER. The 4 BB in each game is concerning though. The stuff looks like it plays, but like many young SP he’ll need to harness his command before he solidifies his rotation spot. Just be careful looking at the ERA and deciding to stream him over the remainder of the season.

Taj Bradley, RHP TB (MLB) 7 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, BB, 10 K, 2 HR

Yes he gave up a couple HR here, but the 10:1 K:BB and 7 IP gives you some confidence back after the rough stretch.

Andres Chaparro, DH WSH (MLB) 1-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI

Since being recalled Chaparro has been an XBH machine. His 3 HR are buoyed by 8 doubles over 79 PA. In doing some preliminary 2025 PA projections, Chaparro could end up running with a full slate of playing time between 1B and DH. The 16.5% K is encouraging and he really just needs to tread water through the rest of the season.

Dylan Crews, RF WSH (MLB) 1-for-4, R, BB, SB

Through 9 games Crews has swiped 3 bags and been caught once, mostly out of the leadoff spot. He looks like a potential 30 SB threat over a full season. Nationals must have a front office that plays fantasy baseball 🙂

Michael Toglia, 1B COL (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB

I’ve definitely underestimated Toglia. He’s gotten a lot more patient, lowering his Swing% significantly which has helped him increase walks and decrease strikeouts from an unmanageable place. COL certainly believes in him as he’s been playing literally everyday since early June. I’m still slightly concerned about the long term outlook, but I’m not disinterested like I was back in July.

Jack Kochanowicz, RHP LAA (MLB) 6 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, BB, HR

That’s 5 straight QS for Jack K. I’m honestly at a bit of a loss here. He’s running a 2.5% K-BB. However, I read one time, somewhere, that GB% is stickier than K% and here he is with a 57.7% GB after a 62.3% GB at AA. For context, his 7 start sample would put him in the top 5 of GB% among the full season leaders (Framber, Christopher Sanchez, Fried, Webb). Kochanowicz is  the definition of “can’t keep getting away with it”, but… if the K% can increase to even slightly below average while maintaining an elite GB% there is a pathway to a usable big league starter.

Cody Bradford, LHP TEX (MLB) 6 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Bradford got some early season hype with 3 straight good outings to start the year before being sidelined with a back and then rib issue through July. It was thought that he’d return as a RP but ended up getting stretched back out. Bradford has now turned in 5 straight QS and holds a 3.05 ERA on the year. He has been able to limit walks over his entire career, so that part looks legit. The part that might not legit is the HR suppression as he is a flyball pitcher and soft tosser with a larger HR% in the minors. I kind of want to believe in him headed into 2025 and I’m going to punt my official stance until the year is over.

Parker Meadows, CF DET (MLB) 2-for-4, HR, R, 4 RBI

How about a WALK OFF GRAND SLAM for his 6th HR of the year. Since coming back on 8/3 he’s had 108 PA of .301/.333/.524 slash, 139 wRC+ and a lowered 18.5% K. The hype is back.

Triple-A

Colson Montgomery, SS CWS (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K

Montgomery could use a strong finish as it’s been a rough year. He’s been playing through a nagging injury which would certainly explain the struggles, but he was a guy I expected more from. Looking at his track record though perhaps he’s a bit overrated from a fantasy sense with the lack of speed and the hit tool concerns. 

Roman Anthony, OF BOS (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K, SB

He’s probably my top fantasy guy that hasn’t debuted as of now. I still have time as our next update has a little bit of time but yeah, he’s been impressive. 

Trevor Story, SS BOS (Triple-A) 4-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, K, SB

Man, the last time Story seemed relevant gas cost like $1.88. Ok that’s probably not true but I’m not optimistic he gets back to a must roster fantasy guy. 

Kristian Campbell, 3B-SS BOS (Triple-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, K

I’m ready to put Campbell in the same tier as the big three. He hits and I’m probably going to have him inside the top 20 on a fantasy list.

Kyle Teel, C BOS (Triple-A) 2-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB, K

He’s starting to hit now in Triple-A. I just love this profile and might make him the starting catcher in 2025 right off the bat. I don’t like changing your starting catcher mid season if you can avoid it, just a personal 

Double-A

Spencer Jones, CF NYY (Double-A) 0-for-4, 4 K

Well, the hot streak was fun while it lasted.

Jonah Tong, RHP NYM (Double-A) 6 IP, 9 K

Making it look easy in his Double-A debut. If you’ve been with us all year, you know I’m a huge fan of the Mets pitching development. So many guys taking a step forward this year and Tong is one of them. Big time strikeout upside here. 

Bryce Eldridge, 1B SF (Double-A) 1-for-3, 2B, R, 2 BB, K

He’s been on fire and that’s why he up in my level so quickly. Only 19. I’d expect him to be in Double-A for the majority of the year next year. In-zone contract rate is below where we would like it but he’s a guy that does major damage when he does make contact.

Jackson Jobe, RHP DET (Double-A) 7 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 8 K

Ran into some trouble in the bottom of the second but got back to back strikeouts to get out of it. Only 81 strikeouts in 75.2 innings this year. We could say that the hamstring injury in the middle of his season derailed him a bit because we all think he’s better than that. 

Chase Dollander, RHP COL (Double-A) 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 7 K

Make sure you check out the podcast this week with Drew Wheeler and guest Mario Delgado from Baseball Prospectus. They nerd out on some Rockies pitching talk and it’s good stuff. There are some organizations, like the Braves, who are very aggressive with their arms. I like that mentality. Get them to the bigs and let’s use their bullets there. Obviously, if they look ready. Hopefully, Dollander can show us how to conquer Coors next year.

Xavier Isaac, 1B TB (Double-A) 1-for-3, R, 2 BB, 2 K

It’s been a challenge for Isaac at Double-A and hopefully he can show signs of figuring it out before the end of the season. 41% strikeout rate and in-zone contact well below league average.

Mason Auer, RF TB (Double-A) 2-for-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, BB, K, SB

A double dong from an unlikely source. Auer is a defensive first player who has great speed but has struggled putting it all together offensively. 

K.C. Hunt, RHP MLW (Double-A) 4 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K

Not a typical outing for Hunt who couldn’t find the strike zone. A little over 50% of his pitches were strikes. You wonder down the stretch how tired some of these arms are. He logged about 50 innings between college and rookie ball last year. He’s in the 90’s now. So, this is not something I’m concerned about.

Abimelec Ortiz, 1B TEX (Double-A) 1-for-4, 3B, R, 2 RBI, BB, K

More Prospects Live promoting…Check out Taylor Corso’s Mid-Week Dynasty Baseball Pickups 9/5 for more of an in-depth look at Ortiz. We do good work here! And Ortiz has been doing some good work lately. I never understood the struggle at the start of the year. Could have been battling an injury…could have been working on something…could have just been a slow starter. But, regardless, he’s back.

Gino Groover, 3B AZ (Double-A) 

Game 1: 3-for-5, 2 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI

Game 2: 1-for-3, R, SB

The double-G was a hot FYPD name. A line shot over the fence for his first Double-A home run. He’s been killing it at every level, racking up hits and walking as much as he’s striking out. In High-A, he had an in-zone contact of 88% and overall only swung and missed 16% of the time. 

High-A

Walker Jenkins, DH MIN (High-A) 3-for-4, 2B, R, BB, 2 BB

It’s impossible to not be in on this bat. The guy is running great contact rates, showing advanced discipline and producing power in High-A. And he is still 19 years old. It’s one of the absolute best bats in the minors and there’s a reason he’s trending closer to T5 prospect status for me.

Chase Davis, DH STL (High-A) 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI

Davis has been looking good in High-A, but the power has yet to really come up to this level. There’s above average power in there and it will come consistently soon enough.

Thomas White, LHP MIA (High-A) 5 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K

Good recovery from a bit of a command blip in his last outing. White has been a sheet staple and everyone knows where I stand on him. Arrow only going up.

Josue De Paula, DH LAD (High-A) 3-for-5, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI, K

Another 19 year old corner bat that I think is one of the best in the minors. I will continue to beat the De Paula drum and be the high man. The bat is that impressive.

Keaton Anthony, 1B PHI (High-A) 4-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K

Former undrafted free agent having himself a nice little year and a great night here. He makes a ton of contact, but he does not have the thump you would expect from someone with his size. He would need to find a lot more impact to stick as a right handed first baseman.

Edgar Alvarez, 1B CHC (High-A) 3-for-5, 2B, HR, 4 RBI

Underslot 8th rounder in this past draft with an impressive game here. It’s been a rough pro start mostly due to some big contact issues, so this one probably felt extra good. Not a particularly interesting profile but hopefully he can improve on what he’s showing at least. 

Nick Morabito, RF NYM (High-A) 3-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, K

Morabito continues to show that speed on the bases. Just continues to scream 4th outfielder for me and the potential for a really good one.

Drew Compton, 1B ATL (High-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 6 RBI, BB, K

Another undrafted guy that had a nice game tonight, this one with a Double-Dong. He’s got a huge frame and is 23 years old, so it would be nice to see the power more developed. Again, right handed first base profile is hard with little power.

George Lombard, SS NYY (High-A) 3-for-5, 2 2B, R, RBI, SB

Lombard has been much improved the last ten days or so and we all knew he was coming at some point. He struggled big time at the start, but the guy is insanely talented. Combination of hit and power for a guy that should stick at short is legit.

Jackson Baumeister, RHP TBR (High-A) 5 IP, H, ER, BB, 9 K

Has just been flat out dominant since the trade to Tampa. Out of all the guys the Orioles traded away at the deadline, Baumesiter probably has the biggest chance at biting them. I believe in the fastball and breaking ball, and if the changeup continues to develop I see a mid rotation guy. The stuff looks legit.

Single-A 

Nick Mitchell, CF TOR (Single-A) 1-for-5, HR, R, RBI

The former Indiana Hoosier has had a good start to his professional career, hitting .329/.393/.539 in a very limited sample. My guy Alex in Florida has seen him a few times now, and he’s admittedly not a fan. There aren’t a lot of tools here to get excited about, and it’s not like there are any you can project upon. He’s a solid performer, but he probably maxes out as nothing more than a 40 OFP type.

JJ Wetherholt, SS STL (Single-A) 3-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI 

109 off the bat for his homer. I’m bought in on Wetherholt as the second-best bat in this FYPD class, followed by Cam Smith. Wetherholt just provides a level of safety that I’m in on. He could be a high-average sort of player who chips in with 20 homers and 15-20 steals. He might be the last of the top college bats to reach the majors because of the Cardinals' conservative nature with prospects—although that could be changing…

Chen-Wei Lin, RHP STL (Single-A) 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 K 

The fastball was, well, fastballing in this outing. His average velocity has steadily declined, and so have the swings and misses, but it's the end of the season, so maybe we give this guy a pass. That changeup, and the velocity separation he can get on it, is hellacious. I still think he’s ultimately a reliever, but he could be a damn good one at the end of the day.

Braylon Payne, DH MIL (Single-A) 1-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI 

His first career hit, and he gets to show off those elite wheels! You love to see it. I’m in on Payne because, at worst, he is a speed merchant, but I think the Brewers can unlock some more power in him. Even if it’s just 12-15 homers during his peak years, he could be a fantasy star. The likelihood of this happening is low, but he could be a 15-homer, 30-steal threat if it all comes together.

Connor Hujsak, LF TB (Single-A) 3-for-4, 3 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI 

A throng of dongs for Mr. Hujsak, lmao. 

Zyhir Hope, CF LAD (Single-A) 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB 

Hope is going to get so much helium this offseason, and rightfully so. His power potential is among the best in the low minors, and he is a non-zero on the basepaths. The upside with him is legitimately a top 3-round pick in redraft leagues. Next season, I want to see him be more aggressive on the basepaths.

Walker Martin, SS SF (Single-A) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI, 2 BB

His first homer at this level—how special. His hit tool still scares me, but he could have some pretty extreme peaks and valleys because of it. Could he just be Trevor Story playing in San Francisco? That’s a little less exciting.