With the major league season moving right along and injuries continuing to mount, it’s important to have your finger on the pulse of the minor leagues to see who is coming next. This is a small look into the hitting prospects that are currently standing out in A+ and could be pushing for a promotion to AA or better by year’s end.
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
High-A Hitting Prospects to Watch
Jonatan Clase, OF SEA
In deep leagues, Jonatan Clase has been a name on dynasty managers’ lists to watch for some time now. With big “raw” power and speed, Clase checks off most of the boxes as a prospect to stash and ride to the majors. In 2022 the Mariners assigned Clase to A- Modesto where he put together a strong season in a hitter-friendly division. At Modesto in 107 games, Clase slashed .267/.373/.463 with 13 home runs, 91 runs scored, and 55 stolen bases in 65 attempts. No doubt the speed was on full display for Clase in A- but what was more encouraging was his 13% walk rate, leading me to believe he can be a strong OBP contributor long term.
💥💣No doubt about this one! SEA 3B Jonatan Clase is a name to 🎯. At A+ Everett Clase is slashing .337/.455/.723 with 7HR and 16 SB in 19 attempts all in 20 GP. 16.8% BB is 💪 for the 21 year old! #SeaUsRise @ClaseJonatan @EverettAquaSox @Mariners @MiLBMariners https://t.co/KTK3a5ScVU
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 1, 2023
The Mariners sent the now 21-year-old Clase to A+ Everett, another very good hitter’s park and league for the 2023 season. So far in 20 games, Clase has slashed .337/.455/.723 with seven home runs, 22 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases in 19 attempts.
The strikeout rate has remained the same as it has been for the last three seasons sitting at 26.7%. While the walk rate has risen to 16.8%, a good 3.8% over last season. No doubt the numbers have been solid for Clase and the only reason I bring up the ballparks and leagues is to build context that he is in a favorable environment for hitters. Regardless, Clase is still a solid grab in 15-team leagues and up with deep minors as a player that profiles as a top-of-the-order power speed threat.
Junior Caminero, 3B TBR
When talking about hot hitting prospects, how can you not talk about Junior Caminero? This is the question going through my mind as I gawk at the league-leading numbers he is putting up in the South Atlantic League. Caminero is currently either first or tied for first in hits, home runs, runs, wRC, and batting average. Currently with the A+ Hot Rods the 19-year-old Caminero is slashing .392/.438/.743 in 18 games played. The counting stats are just as impressive at seven home runs, 23 RBIs, and one stolen base in 80 plate appearances.
🔥🚀TBR 3B Junior Caminero continues his blistering hot start to the season with this crushing HR. On the season Junior is slashing .381/.426/.683 with 5 HR, 18 RBI & 1 SB in 15 GM. The 19 year old looks ready for AA. #RaysUp @BGHotRods @RaysBaseball https://t.co/M4nNMlMCYC
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 29, 2023
The high OBP numbers by Caminero are mainly from making a ton of contact throughout his minor league career. Currently, he is sitting at a 5% walk rate which leaves room for improvement. The strikeout rate is the highest it has been in his young career but still solid at 22.5%. Caminero is exciting to watch right now and should be on your dynasty radar as he continues to make his case for a promotion to AA Montgomery.
Joe Lampe, OF CLE
The Guardians’ player development appears to be still working as it’s hard not to be impressed with their ability to develop prospects and get the full potential out of them. Currently fifth in the midwest league in hitting, 22-year-old Joe Lampe won’t be in A+ Lake County for long.
Cleveland selected Joe Lampe out of Arizona State in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Now I will admit I’ve become skeptical of players coming out of Arizona State here recently but Lampe is so far proving to be the exception.
CLE OF Joe Lampe has impressed so far at A+ this season slashing .348/.416/.593 with 2HR, 9R, 11RBI and 4SB in his first 18 GM of 2023. The Arizona St outfielder could be on his way to AA soon! #ForTheLand @LCCaptains @joelampe5 @306ASUBaseball https://t.co/8R47ay9caF
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 1, 2023
Joe is slashing .348/.416/.493 with two home runs, nine runs scored, 11 RBIs, and four stolen bases in 18 games. As seems to be the case with most of these Guardians prospects, plate discipline has been solid with Lampe so far. In 77 plate appearances, Lampe has a 10.4% walk rate and a 14.3% strikeout rate which currently ranks 10th in the Midwest League. Keep your eyes on Joe Lampe this season as he will more than likely get the bump to AA here soon where we should see how he fairs against better pitching.
Are you digging on these hitting prospects? Then you’ll also want to check out the 3 pitching prospects to watch in high-A ball.