Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report – Samuel Basallo Gets His Shot

Many of the fantasy baseball prospect notes below focus on players finally making their debut after successful minor league careers. As the fantasy baseball season winds down, the temptation is strong to add these stud prospects in redraft leagues because we always hope the hype matches the production.

In many cases, it won’t (think about Jackson Holliday last season). These decisions of who to pick up in the last month of the season are crucial, so trade lightly when thinking you will pick up all the hot rookies to bolster your batting roster or pitching rotation.

As players graduate to the Major Leagues, new names will always take their place as the season goes along, but for now, some prospects are just starting to get their first shots. All stats are as of games completed on August 17th. Today’s piece will focus on the most relevant prospect news from around the minor leagues, focusing on the biggest names in the 2025 Top 100 list and those who have been moved up in a series of moves made by teams this weekend.

Now, with just about 35 games left for most teams in MLB, let’s take a look at some of the Top 100 prospects on the move in minor league ball right now.

Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report

Owen Caissie, CHC, OF

After the first game of a planned doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers, rookie Owen Caissie is just 1-for-8 with a single in his young Major League career. His upside is certainly apparent, but his playing time might be in question when all of the Cubs’ pieces are ready. But he should be on the field for the next couple of games while Kyle Tucker gets a mental break.

Samuel Basallo, BAL, C/DH

Major League Baseball’s eighth-best prospect (according to the MLB Top 100 list) made his debut on Sunday in Houston. Samuel Basallo, the 20-year-old DH/Catcher for Baltimore, made his first appearance in the majors. He ended the day going 1-for-4 with a single, a hit by pitch, and two RBI. However, it could have been a much better day.

One of the two home runs that Jesus Sanchez robbed on Sunday afternoon was a laser hit by Basallo. It ended up being a sacrifice fly, but this one batted ball showed the potential Basallo has, even at a young age.

Chase DeLauter, CLE, OF

Chase DeLauter finally got some good news since his wrist surgery on July 23. He is cleared to resume some baseball activities while he finishes the next two to four weeks of recovery. There is a chance DeLauter could return to AAA in time to play some games in September and set him up for an appearance with the big club in the spring 2026 camp.

Leo De Vries, ATH, SS

The number three prospect on the MLB Top 100 list, Leo De Vries, was moved up to Double-A for the Athletics organization, despite being just 18 years old. He has played well in Low-A and High-A this season, and De Vries’ new team wanted to give him the challenge of playing against tougher competition before the end of the season.

Konnor Griffin, PIT, SS

Konnor Griffin is now the top prospect on the MLB Top 100 list as a 19-year-old who plays shortstop and outfield. Griffin was promoted to Double-A because he was absolutely crushing the High-A level he had been in for 234 plate appearances. He was hitting .325/.432/.510 with seven home runs and 33 stolen bases at that level, and was making it very clear he was ready to move up.

Nolan McLean, NYM, SP

Nolan McLean – a top pitching prospect for the New York Mets – won his Major League debut on Saturday. He pitched 5.1 innings, did not allow a run, and struck out eight batters. The four walks are a little concerning, but he did not allow a runner on base to score. For now, Nolan McLean pitched well enough to keep a spot in the rotation, at least until Tylor Megill is back from the injured list.

Hurston Waldrep, ATL, SP

How about a 3-0 start for the talented rookie pitcher for the Atlanta Braves? Hurston Waldrep continues to blow everyone away, including six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts on Friday. Through those brief appearances, he has a sparkling 1.02 ERA, 0.7 WHIP, and a more than three-to-one strikeout to walk ratio.

Dylan Beavers, BAL, OF

Dylan Beavers broke out in a big way on Monday night, going 2-for-2 with two walks and a run. He had been 1-for-5 in each of his first two games in the Major Leagues. He entered as one of the top prospects in the entire Baltimore system. He proved that by going .304/.420/.515 in AAA this season, to go along with 18 homers and 23 stolen bases. The Orioles are giving the young players a chance to get out there on a Major League field, and like Samuel Basallo, Beavers should be given plenty of leeway the rest of the season.

Jordan Lawlar, ARI, SS

Jordan Lawlar spent almost two months on the minor league injured list due to a severe hamstring strain, but returned to action on Thursday. In that game, he hit 2-for-5 with a double and was looking back to his old self. This is a player who was supposed to take over at shortstop this year, but Geraldo Perdomo has been so good, Lawlar was allowed to take his time with the rehab.

Kevin McGonigle, DET, SS

We will end with a report on two young, talented Detroit Tigers’ prospects who were both recently moved up to Double-A. Kevin McGonigle has five home runs and a 1.082 OPS in 12 games for Erie. He will get a quick promotion to AAA if this trend continues, just so they can find a level that challenges him.

Max Clark, DET, OF

Max Clark has been in Double-A a little longer than McGonigle (26 games now), and he is hitting .274/.371/.481 with four home runs and 10 RBI. In addition to the nice power and run production, Clark also has six steals for Erie in those 26 games. Like McGonigle, Max Clark will likely get a bump up to AAA for the last month of the season, just to see how he handles that level of competition before next spring’s camp.