We're getting to the point in the season where movement is slowing down, especially on the pitching side. Still some players worth mentioning who are making late season pushes in the rankings.
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Smada
Hitters
Brady House (WSH, AAA) had himself a solid week with 3 HR including a double dong day. He now ranks as the 18th hitter at AAA. The overall profile hasn't changed all that much since the start of the year. Still looking at an elevated K%, low BB% with game power that hasn't yet met his raw power. Still just 21 yrs old, but will need to take a step forward next year or he'll begin to slip down ranks.
Brayden Taylor (TB, AA) increased the most among those at AA after the 2nd week at the level. He had back to back HR games then stole a base the following day. Taylor certainly has an exciting fantasy profile as he's just one of 9 players with a peak projection that exceeds 20 HR, 15 SB and a 10% BB. The rub has been the K%, projected at 28.8%, but he posted a manageable 24.8% K by the end of his time at high-A. The 19th overall pick in the 2023 draft out of TCU, we would have expected him to excel in high-A and the rest of the year at AA will serve as a nice indicator of his value headed into 2025.
The former Dodgers prospect Thayron Liranzo (DET, A+) has long been hyped by PLIVE+ and after a mediocre half-season has turned it on since moving to the DET system in the Flaherty deal. The game power was running so far behind what he did last year that we had to expect a bounce back eventually. Hitting 4 HR in the last 7 games will do that for you and he's back up to the 8th best prospect in high-A, just ahead of Sal Stewart and Walker Jenkins. Still projects at peak as a high OBP (.340) masher (27 HR per 600 PA).
Miguel Rodriguez (BAL, A) increased the most among prospects the last week moving up to 88th overall with a 10 pt jump. Just got called up to A-ball which is the biggest reason for the jump, but had a great week with 22% K, 4.5% K and 2 SB across 22 PA. The 135 wRC+ at CPX was solid as an 18 yr old and he walked more than he struck out there. Just 9 XBH in his 162 PA at CPX leaves something to be desired, but we can take the wait and see approach with an 18 yr old. He's a catcher so I wouldn't consider him outside of deep leagues at this point given the questions around power growth.
Hitter Draftees
Nick Kurtz (OAK, A) has started his career off with a bang and is now up to 4 HR over his 30 PA at A-ball. He's obviously not going to be long for this level and should be in high-A shortly. Basically doing everything he should to maintain his top-half of the 1st FYPD status.
Marshall Toole (NYY, A), drafted in the 15th round out of Wofford, has showed off his wheels with 6 SB in his first 7 games. Additionally he's got a 169 wRC+ through his first 31 PA. Toole nabbed 43 bags over 62 games in his junior year with a .375/.461/.617 slash. A deep FYPD name to keep an eye on.
Pitchers
Logan Henderson (MIL, AAA) is firmly on the the radar for a rotation spot next year after spinning a 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO gem in his second AAA start. He moved himself into the 8th spot in the overall PLIVE+ pitcher ranks sandwiched between breakouts Quinn Mathews and Alejandro Rosario. At this point Henderson should be rostered in leagues with 200+ prospects owned.
Jack Leiter (TEX, AAA) has had his troubles in his big league starts and he has yet to show the improved command needed to make the jump. However in his first start in a couple of weeks, Leiter struck out 11 batters in a 3.2 IP outing, walking just one. When breakers are crisp and he's touching 100 mph, he looks elite. Needs to show he can do it consistently.
Hyun-Seok Jang (LAD, A) improved the most among low-A pitchers, striking out 7 batters in a 3 inning outing. He hasn't been stretched out, his BB% is a mess but you can't ignore a 43% K rate between CPX and A this year. He ranked 306th on our recent Top 500 release and 300 prospects owned is about where I'd begin considering him given he's likely a few years away.
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