We all know that amassing talent in dynasty leagues is important. The best way to do this is by being early to the party and picking a player before they break out. Just because a player is highly touted, does not mean they are a lock for success. For example, players such as Junior Caminero and Jackson Chourio were lesser-known prospects. Now they reside in the top 10 of many top 100 MLB prospect lists. This article will focus on 10 potential breakout prospects of the National League East.
Breakout Prospects in the NL East
Cristhian Vaquero OF Washington Nationals
Christian Vaquero was the Washington Nationals’ biggest international prospect in 2022, signing for $4,925,000. Vaquero made his stateside debut in 2023. Currently, he has shown little power, hitting two home runs between rookie level and low-A. There is reason to believe there will be more power to come as his 6’3”, 180-pound frame fills out. He has exhibited a good eye at the plate, walking 41 times compared to 53 strikeouts.
Vaquero is a speedster who stole 22 bases in 30 attempts and showed impressive range in centerfield. Vaquero will need to work on his mechanics as he currently hits a lot of ground balls. If Vaquero can quiet his leg kick and improve his timing it will allow him to drive the ball with more authority. There are people in the Nationals organization who believe he will be a future star but will need time to develop.
Starlyn Caba SS Philadelphia Phillies
Starlyn Caba was signed by the Phillies in 2023. He quickly made an impression with a stat line of .301/.423/.346 and 16 stolen bases. Caba controlled the strike zone well by walking 28 times compared to 16 strikeouts. There will be skeptics because the production came from the Dominican Summer League. A league with historically bloated numbers, leading to regressions as players come stateside. The numbers are impressive as he played the full season at seventeen years old.
Being only 5’10” and 160 pounds, Caba did not hit any home runs. Caba does not project to hit for a lot of power, but he offers plus bat-to-ball skills. He plays excellent defense at shortstop grading as a plus defender. It is easy to see Caba as a table setter, leading off and stealing 20-plus bases, all while playing elite defense. There has been a comp of Francisco Lindor floating around, which may be unfair. But it gives dynasty owners something to dream about.
Thomas White LHP Miami Marlins
Thomas White was drafted with the 35th overall pick, signing for $4.1 million, two times what his slot projected. White did not have a good debut in 2023 with an elevated ERA of 6.23 across just four innings. Those numbers are not indicative of White’s skill level. He possesses three potential plus pitches, a mid-90s fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. In his senior season at Phillips Academy in Massachusetts, White struck out an impressive 95 batters in just 42 innings.
White may need time to develop as he did not get many reps being from a cold weather state. Being 6’5” also means he may need extra time to learn how to keep his long limbs in sync for a repeatable delivery. White falls to an organization that has done an excellent job producing starting pitching. I do not see White being any different. White will start the 2024 season at low-A and expect a jump to high-A before year-end. I am buying and stashing White in any dynasty league first year player draft I can.
Aiden Miller 3B Philadelphia Phillies
Falling to the Phillies at pick 27, Aiden Miller is widely considered one of the biggest steals in the 2023 draft. Playing for three different USA teams, 12U, 15U, and 18U, Miller has proven he can hit against the best competition. Drafted as a high school prep, he started at the rookie level and was promoted to low-A after ten games. Miller walked nearly as much as he struck out, 12 BB/ 15 K.
He will likely start at low-A in 2024 but should be in line for a quick promotion with his expected production. Miller possesses a solid hit tool with a plus power potential. Winning the prep summer showcase home run derby. Miller has enough plate discipline that will allow him to reach his power potential. Batting .270 with 25 plus home runs annually is a foreseeable future projection. His assent starts in 2024.
Eduardo Tait C Philadelphia Phillies
We have yet another Phillie on the list. Eduardo Tait signed for $90,000 in 2023 as an international signee. Tait spent last season in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) showing that he was ready for the challenge. He produced a stat line of .333/.400/.517 along with 12 doubles, three triples, and three home runs. His batted ball exit velocity ranked near the top of the DSL.
Tait is a bat-first catcher who will need to improve his defensive skills if he wants to stay at catcher. He will start the season at low-A in 2024 and face tougher competition. Tait has a good feel for hitting and has shown flashes of the plus power. He will only be 17 when he starts next season. There is optimism within the organization that he will continue to grow his tools with a chance of being their catcher of the future.
Marco Vargas SS New York Mets
Marco Vargas was signed by the Miami Marlins in 2022 for just $17,500. The Mets acquired Vargas in the summer of 2023. He has a selective approach at the plate leading to more walks 53 than strikeouts 38 in 2023. After the Mets acquired Vargas, they promoted him to low-A after just 15 games in the Dominican Summer League. He did not disappoint in the six games at low-A to end the season.
Vargas hit .308/.419/.308, while getting a hit in every game but one he played in. He will start the season at low-A and should see high-A by the season’s end. Vargas has not hit more than two home runs in any season but should hit double digits as his body develops. A move to second base where his defense would play best may be in the cards. Vargas should hit for a high average, high on-base percentage with sneaky power because he controls the strike zone so well.
Drue Hackenberg RHP Atlanta Braves
Hackenberg was drafted in the second round in 2023 by the Braves. Hackenberg possesses a three-pitch mix of a fastball, slider, and change-up. His fastball runs toward right-handed hitters and induces a fair amount of ground balls. Hackenberg’s slider continues to improve and has the chance to grade out as plus if it continues to develop. There are a lot of similarities to fellow Brave Bryce Elder. After signing, Hackenberg started at low-A where he dominated. Pitching five and two-thirds innings across two games, Hackenberg struck out 12 batters while not giving up a run. He did not fare so well in his only start at double-A after his promotion. Hackenberg had control issues, walking four in just two-thirds of an inning. Coming from an athletic family, there is reason to believe he will be able to repeat his delivery enough to remain a starter.
Cade Kuehler SP Atlanta Braves
Cade Kuehler was drafted in the second round by the Atlanta Braves in 2023. Kuehler uses a four-pitch mix that consists of a mid to high 90’s fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. In college, Kuehler worked as a relief pitcher and a starter. The Braves feel they can develop him into a starter, possessing two potential plus pitches, the fastball and slider. His delivery will need some refinement, but I believe he can be a middle-of-the-rotation starter or at worst a high-leverage reliever.
Colin Houck SS New York Mets
Colin Houck was drafted in the supplemental first round by the Mets in 2023. Houck is aggressive at the plate, taking big hacks, which should lead to plus power. He did a respectable job of walking nearly as much as he struck out in his first taste of rookie ball. Strikeouts may be a problem as he had a strikeout rate of 28% against rookie league pitching. Houck will need to make adjustments, but I see Houck as a potential middle-of-the-order bat.
Travis Sykora RHP Washington Nationals
Travis Sykora was drafted in the third round by the Washington Nationals in 2023. Sykora may have had the best fastball in the draft, reaching 101 mph. He has a three-pitch mix, a fastball, a slider, and a splitter. Sykora understands how to locate his pitches and repeats his delivery. Dynasty leaguers should rush to add Sykora before his rise in popularity as he has not pitched in the minors yet. There is a high ceiling here.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.