It seems like we are getting new major league call-ups several times a week. This makes it so important to watch the waiver wire and pounce on some of these fantasy baseball prospects putting up big numbers at the minor leagues’ top level. In this article, I’m taking a look at the top hitting prospects tearing up Triple-A and potentially in line for an MLB call-up.
More great fantasy baseball advice and analysis: Waiver Wire & FAAB Recommendations | Daily MLB Injury Report | MLB DFS Picks | Line-up Analysis | Dynasty Rankings and Strategy | MLB Bullpen Updates | MLB Player Props | Prospect Rankings & Analysis | Fantasy Baseball Risers and Fallers
Fantasy Baseball Prospects in Line for an MLB Call-Up
International League
Jordan Westburg, SS BAL
It seems like every week I’m checking to see if Jordan Westburg has gotten the call to the Orioles. Every week I’m disappointed but I remain hopeful as Westburg has done everything he needs to get that opportunity. This season Westburg is slashing .309/.387/.588 with 12 home runs, 37 runs scored, 42 RBIs, and four stolen bases in 40 games with the Tides. With Joey Ortiz having mixed results and Adam Frazier offering the flexibility to play second base or outfield it might be getting close to Westburg time in Camden Yards.
💣📣FREE JORDAN WESTBURG! He’s slashing .333/.395/.593 with 8 HR, 29RBI and 4 SB in 26 GP! Might be time to get Gunnar Henderson back on track and let Westburg get his chance! #Birdland @jordan_cw21 @NorfolkTides @Orioles @HailStateBB https://t.co/LQe59NC6Zn
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 8, 2023
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 3B/1B CIN
The future of the Reds announced its arrival to the majors with Matt McLain and now CES and Elly De La Cruz are knocking on the door. Encarnacion-Strand has been on fire since coming off the injured list, slashing .353/.376/.714 while crushing 11 home runs with 24 runs scored and 25 RBIs in 27 games at Triple-A Louisville. Staying true to a high contact low walk guy, CES has an abysmal 2.4% walk rate with a strikeout rate that has ticked up over the last week to 27.2%. Currently, the Reds are running out Spencer Steer at first base who can play all over the diamond. Nick Senzel is at third but has also played outfield, and Kevin Newman with his .639 OPS is taking up space at second.
All of this is to say there is space for CES to get added to the 40-man roster (shocked he’s not already) and get the call to cement his place as the first baseman of the future.
💣 💥 Encarnacion-Strand is going to be fun to watch in the Great American launching pad! Last season CES crushed 32 HR’s I think we will see him in the majors by the end of 2023. @Fantrax @WeeklyStreamer @Reds @LouisvilleBats @c_encarnacion13 https://t.co/29ULFCkoRp
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 15, 2023
David Hamilton, SS BOS
For those who read my articles, David Hamilton is not a new name to my stash candidates. Hamilton has cooled a bit since his blistering start to the season but the numbers are still encouraging. In 41 games Hamilton is slashing .268/.346/.537 with 11 home runs, 32 runs scored, 24 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases in 28 attempts. While known for his speed, Hamilton has been showing more pop with the bat so far this season which is encouraging for dynasty purposes. Currently, Enrique Hernandez is holding down shortstop while slashing .236/.298/.348 with three home runs, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Clearly Hamilton could be an upgrade for the Red Sox at shortstop while Hernandez can flex play all over.
💣 BOS SS David Hamilton is having a great start to the season. Currently slashing .296/.370/.519 with 9XBH 4 HR 16 R & 14 SB in 21 GM. He’s hitting the ball harder this season and the results look good. Time to stash. #dirtywater @WooSox @D_Ham27 @RedSox https://t.co/cvUStaCEhO
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 30, 2023
Pacific Coast League
Dominic Canzone, OF ARI
The Diamondbacks have to be impressed with Dominic Canzone’s performance at Triple-A Reno this season. The 25-year-old Canzone is currently slashing .311/.393/.583 with 10 home runs, 39 runs scored, 41 RBIs, and one stolen base in 41 games. What has been equally impressive has been his identical walk and strikeout rates with both resting at 12.9%. All of these numbers play in line with what Canzone has been producing over the last two seasons. Really it’s just a matter of being ready when the “Need” arises in Arizona. Right now Gurriel and Carroll have been performing well and word is that Jake McCarthy is getting called back up, so Canzone is more of a stash if an injury pops up.
🤫 ARI OF Dominic Canzone is one of my sneaky stashes for deep dynasty leagues. He’s slashing .283/.359/.604 with 9 HR and 31 RBIs in 29 GP. With a 11.4% BB and 13.8% K rate what’s not to love? #arizonaborn @Aces @Dbacks @OhioStateBASE @dacanzone @OhioStAthletics https://t.co/5mKRQxdArN
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 8, 2023
Aaron Schunk, 3B COL
This might be a name that jogs your memory a bit. During the 2020 season, it seemed like Aaron Schunk’s stock was through the roof in deeper dynasty leagues. This was in no small part due to his stellar debut after the draft in 2019 slashing .306/.370/.503 with six home runs and four stolen bases in 46 games played at low-A. Unfortunately, he struggled in 2021 and was so-so last season, leaving most dynasty managers to move on. But this season it seems he has come back to life.
The 25-year-old Schunk is slashing .306/.356/.565 with seven home runs, 20 runs scored, and 27 RBIs all in 32 games played in AAA Albuquerque. This is not meant to say he is back as Albuquerque is a notorious hitter’s haven but to keep him on your radar as a possible call-up for the Rockies if the need should arise.
Nolan Jones, OF COL
The Colorado Rockies are continuing to play games with prospects like Montero and Jones as they continue to crush the ball in AAA Albuquerque. Currently, Jones is slashing .356/.481/.711 with 12 home runs, 42 RBIs, and five stolen bases in 39 games played. Jones is walking at a 17.6% clip while only striking out just 23% of the time. Right now Jones is at or near the top of the Pacific Coast League leaderboards in most categories. He is third in RBIs (42), third in home runs (12), fifth in runs (38), and fourth in doubles (13). Definitely seems like he’s mastered the Triple-A level so let’s see him up in the majors and playing in Colorado already.
Jo Adell, OF LAA
The 24-year-old Jo Adell hasn’t lived up to expectations at the major league level so far in his young career. Although Adell is showing a spark of what we were so excited about in Triple-A. In 45 games, Adell is slashing .300/.394/.665 with 17 home runs, 35 runs scored, 40 RBIs and three stolen bases. These video-game-like numbers are capped off with an 11.6% walk rate as well as his eye-popping 30.7% strikeout rate. It was reported before the season that Adell has made some swing changes and so far they seem to be working out well for him. Hopefully, he will get his chance to come back up and plant his claim in the outfield for the Angels for years to come as he only has one option remaining before being subjected to waivers.
Check out The Hawk’s full archives for more of the very best analysis on the top fantasy baseball prospects in the game.