1. Brayan Bello, RHP, Boston Red Sox
2022 stats: 14 G, 79.2 IP, 2.49 ERA, 30 BB, 106 SO at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester.
This is easily, without question, more words that suggest hyperbole, the most difficult choice of a top prospect for the rest of the season in my time doing it. It’s not an insult to the names below -- although this is far from the most talented group I’ve ranked, that’s for sure -- but more of a compliment to how many guys have been promoted, including the top three last week. Enough about that, let’s talk about Bello. The right-hander has been outstanding in his work at two levels, and has the stuff to miss bats once given a chance by the Red Sox. He’s absolutely worth a roster stash right now.
2. Esteury Ruiz, OF, San Diego Padres
2022 stats: 66 G, .349/.478/.610, 13 HR, 48 SB, 42 BB, 57 SO at Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A El Paso.
Ruiz has slowed down a bit as of late, but his version of slowing down in 2022 is only getting one hit a game and not stealing a base. The amount of hitters that would do bad things to “slow down” to a .300/.451/.450 slash over their last 10 games is considerable. As I mentioned in the previous update I’m skeptical of him being able to put up numbers like this at the highest level, but he doesn’t have to in order to help fantasy rosters. The Padres need to see how real this is, and fantasy managers should do the same when they do -- if not sooner.
3. Nick Lodolo, LHP, Cincinnati Reds
2022 stats: 3 G, 8 IP, 3.38 ERA, 2 BB, 13 SO at short-season ACL and Triple-A Louisville; 3 G, 14.2 IP, 5.52 ERA, 5 BB, 19 SO at Cincinnati.
Lodolo was outstanding over four innings in his latest rehab start with Louisville; throwing four scoreless innings with five strikeouts and no walks. The 24-year-old was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list, but that was a procedural move that won’t play any part in Lodolo’s timeline. This is not an elite option, but the southpaw is capable of missing bats and throwing all of his pitches for strikes. Lodolo should be up in the coming weeks, and will be worth adding in most formats for those who need help with pitching.
4. Ryan Pepiot, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
2022 stats: 11 G, 51.1 IP, 1.74 ERA, 22 BB, 70 SO at Triple-A Oklahoma City; 3 G, 11.1 IP, 3.18 ERA, 11 BB, 13 SO at Los Angeles (NL).
Pepiot made a pair of starts over the week with the Dodgers, and the reason to be excited -- and the reason for concern -- was on display. The good: 11 innings, two runs allowed, 15 strikeouts including 10 in his last outing of the week. The bad: six walks, and he’s now put on three via base-on-balls in four of his last five outings. Simply put, Pepiot’s stuff is fantastic, and he’s well worth considering in leagues when the Dodgers call him up again. His command is not, and those who are lean on WHIP will need to consider that before making that call.
5. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B, Kansas City Royals
2022 stats: 69 G, .280/.372/.576, 18 HR, 3 SB, 37 BB, 36 SO at Triple-A Omaha.
The hits aren’t dropping for Pasquantino like they were earlier in the season, but it’s tough to be too harsh on a player that still has ridiculous numbers on the 2022 campaign, and it hasn’t affected his approach with seven free passes over his last 10 contests. Pasquantino can flat-out hit, and represents a marked upgrade over what Kansas City is putting out there right now. Whenever the Royals do the right thing and promote Pasquantino, fantasy managers should make him a part of their roster, too.
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6. Max Meyer, RHP, Miami Marlins
2022 stats: 10 G, 46.2 IP, 4.24 ERA, 14 BB, 53 SO at Triple-A Jacksonville.
Welcome back to the list, Max. After missing a month with injury, the right-hander made his return to Triple-A on Wednesday with four innings of one-run baseball along with five strikeouts against Durham. Ranking Meyer is a bit tough because the Marlins are likely to treat him with kid gloves for the rest of the season, but he also has some of the best stuff in the minors. There’s just as good of a chance he makes his debut in 2023 as he does in 2022, but it’s easy to see fantasy potential if Miami gives him the opportunity.
7. Gunnar Henderson, INF, Baltimore Orioles
2022 stats: 65 G, .305/.443/.556, 12 HR, 14 SB, 56 BB, 55 SO at Triple-A Norfolk.
It’d be much easier to rank Henderson higher on this list if there was a guarantee that he was going to be promoted. In terms of just pure talent, he belongs in the top position, with all due respect to the names above him. He has more than held his own since his promotion to Triple-A with a slash of .288/.422/.515 in 18 games with four homers and two steals. He’s one of the most underrated prospects in baseball, and if the Orioles decide to give Henderson a chance this season -- unlikely, but possible since he’s a step away -- fantasy managers would do well to give him a shot, too.
8. Miguel Vargas, INF, Los Angeles Dodgers
2022 stats: 70 G, .285/.381/.491, 12 HR, 8 SB, 40 BB, 52 SO at Triple-A Norfolk.
If Vargas played for any other team -- literally, any other team -- Vargas might rank in the top spot. This is an infielder capable of hitting for both average and power from the right side, and he’s looked outstanding for most of the 2022 season with the Triple-A Dodgers. Unfortunately, he does play for this team, and that makes things a bit more complicated. All that being said, Vargas’s talent is impressive, and at the very least someone worth monitoring in redraft formats. If he were to change organizations in a blockbuster trade? Quick escalation.
9. Matthew Liberatore, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals
2022 stats: 10 G, 58 IP, 4.03 ERA, 17 BB, 61 SO at Triple-A Memphis; 4 G, 18 IP, 4.00 ERA, 10 BB, 15 SO at St. Louis.
Liberatore was a candidate for this spot anyways, but a development on Sunday cemented his spot. Jack Flaherty left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, and unfortunately, a trip to the injured list seems like a real possibility -- if not probability -- at this point. Liberatore would be the next person up, and while he doesn’t project to be a fantasy stalwart, he has enough stuff and command to help rosters if St. Louis goes that route.
10. Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
2022 stats: 58 G, .313/.430/.643, 16 HR, 20 SB, 41 BB, 68 SO at Double-A Amarillo.
The crazy thing is that Carroll has “scuffled’ over the past few games. Imagine scuffling to the tune of .308/.404/.692 slash over the last 10 games. The only reason Carroll ranks at the bottom of this list is that it’s much more likely that he’s going to debut in 2023 than 2022. He’s simply too good -- and options too limited behind him -- to not belong here, however. He now ranks as my top overall prospect in the minors.
Next in line: Shea Langeliers, C, Oakland Athletics; Cade Cavalli, RHP, Washington Nationals; Ezequiel Duran, INF, Texas Rangers; DL Hall, LHP, Baltimore Orioles