The waiver wire prospect train rolls on as major league teams promote minor league talent to help clinch playoff spots. Dynasty and keeper league owners keep their heads on swivels for the latest drops. Here are five potential prospects for Fantasy Baseball Week 23.
Waiver Wire Prospect Adds For Fantasy Baseball: Week 23
Waiver Wire Prospect #1: Jordan Lawlar
The Arizona Diamondbacks promoted their number one prospect, Jordan Lawlar, ahead of their recent series against the Chicago Cubs. Opening one’s hitting career in calm weather at the legendary Wrigley Field in the heat of a playoff hunt stands to be a tough draw. Lawlar already paid the price, catching a wayward ball on his knuckles.
Lawlar is considered day-to-day and should be back playing shortstop soon. The Diamondbacks needed an upgrade defensively in the infield. But Lawlar also brings a good batting eye and excellent speed to the lineup.
The 21-year-old’s 55 grade Raw Power remains a work in progress. Over 410 plate appearances in Double-A, Lawlar smacked 15 long balls, which underpinned a respectable .211 ISO. Whether that immediately translates at the major league level is the biggest concern.
Only just a month into his 21st year, Lawlar’s power currently manifests in the form of yanking balls to the pull side. As he grows into his athletic build, the power should go to all fields.
However, his elite 60-grade speed can help fantasy managers right away. Batting near the top of the order should also allow the top prospect to score a handful of runs down the stretch.
Prospect #2: Evan Carter
After losing star outfielder Adolis Garcia to an injury, the Texas Rangers have also turned to one of their top prospects to fill in. 21-year-old Evan Carter displays a similar profile to the Diamondbacks’ Lawlar.
Carter’s carrying tool is an exceptional batting eye. This has translated into extraordinary on-base percentages throughout the minor leagues.
Again, similar to Lawler, Carter just turned 21. Therefore, the left-handed hitter could grow into some power. Carter played like an on-base machine this season at Double-A, generating a .411 0BP.
His modest 12-home run power output poses a likely floor going forward in his major league career. Regardless, the wheels are for real. Carter has already swiped a bag in just four plate appearances since being called up to the Show.
Fantasy managers who lost Garcia could snag Carter as a waiver-wire prospect to chip in some steals over the last few weeks of the season.
Prospect #3: Connor Phillips
Cincinnati Reds rookie pitcher Connor Phillips didn’t make splashy headlines with news of his call-up. And the Reds’ top-five-ranked prospect’s actual debut against the Seattle Mariners turned out to be a mixed bag.
The hard-throwing righty gave up five runs over 4 2/3 innings but also struck out seven. Phillips has posted double-digit K/9 throughout the minors, so strikeouts are his forte.
Stuff+ loved the small sample size, rating three of his pitches at elite levels. Eno Sarris’ model anointed his overall pitching with a well-above-average 120 Stuff+.
MLB Pipeline ranks him as the Reds’ number four prospect and 71 overall. The 22-year-old features an upper-90s fastball, which is his bread and butter.
Phillips complements his heater with a slider and curveball pairing, generating gaudy swings and misses. He also keeps a changeup in his back pocket, which could be effective if thrown more often.
The Reds’ rotation has been riddled with injury recently. Phillips could line up for a start against the lowly Detroit Tigers in Week 23. Fantasy managers who need strikeout help could gamble on this unheralded waiver wire prospect.
Prospect #4: Luke Little
Ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Chicago Cubs’ number 25 prospect, lefty Luke Little emerges as the definition of an unheralded prospect. If ironic names were a fantasy category, 6 foot 8 inches, Little would be a first-round pick.
His towering frame has been re-engineered from a starting pitcher’s regimen toward a high-leverage relief role. After converting to the bullpen this season, Little struck 87 batters over 48 innings.
Little possesses a filthy upper 90s fastball, with significant tilt from the left side. He then leans on a nasty sweeper to be his prime punchout weapon.
While the Cubs are entrenched at Closer with Adbert Alzolay, Little’s stuff could make him a contender for that role in the future. For now, fantasy managers in Holds leagues and anyone who needs strikeout ratio boosts could throw a little love toward Luke Little.
Prospect #5: Jackson Holliday
To close out, Baltimore Orioles uber-prospect Jackson Holliday chimes in as a waiver wire prospect many fantasy managers should know. Ranked by some as the top prospect in baseball and certainly the Orioles’ number one, the son of former major-league All-Star Matt Holliday was just promoted to Triple-A.
This promotion came on the heels of Holliday batting .338 in Double-A. While only 19 years old, Holliday is now inches from a major league promotion. The first-place Orioles have every reason to be aggressive as they push toward a playoff run.
Thus far, his age-for-level statistics have been remarkably encouraging. The future superstar can hit for both average and power. This is a no-brainer waiver wire prospect add for those fantasy managers in keeper leagues.
His stay in Norfolk could be short to check off some procedural key performance indicators. For non-keeper fantasy managers in a playoff hunt like the Orioles, Holliday’s potential promotion could provide some speculative payoff.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
