It's time to look at more potential fast risers in our dynasty baseball under the radar prospects 5-11-23.
A few of last week's recommended targets continue to build their cases for higher prospect rankings. Jordan Beck is still destroying the ball in High-A Spokane, Louie Varland just posted his best line with the Twins, and Carson Whisenhunt is probably ready for another test at Double-A.
It's worth keeping in mind that while this series is meant to highlight guys you can probably pick up in most of your leagues right now, plenty of them are likely strong sell-high candidates. If you're holding a win-now roster, go ahead and deal some of these players who won't debut in the majors until several years down the road.
Below is a rundown of five dynasty baseball prospects who are worth adding or possibly trading for right now. They are all owned in 15% or fewer of Fantrax leagues. All of these prospects should be on your radar going forward in 2023.
Dynasty Baseball Under the Radar Prospects 5-11-23
Become an All-Access Member to get access to our award-winning rankings, draft tools and more.
If you're already a member, sign in.
Justin Dirden, OF, Houston Astros
I’m not sure exactly how “under the radar” Dirden is after winning Minor League Player of the Week in the Pacific Coast League, but he is well down the list of most prospect rankings. That could change if he keeps this up.
Over the past week he hit .560 with 4 HRs and 15 RBIs in 26 plate appearances. There’s no question the power is real. The approach is the main concern.
Dirden is striking out 29.5% of the time at Triple-A. He has consistently struck out at a 25% or higher clip through the minors. He’s also about to turn 26 years old in July.
With all that in mind, he’s probably more of a deeper league asset long-term. But all leagues should be keeping an eye on his progress as he gets closer to Houston.
Tyler Black, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers
Black hit his sixth home run of the season last night. He’s now batting .278 with 17 SBs, a 1.012 OPS and 172 wRC+ through 24 games at Double-A.
Tyler Black with a 💣 for his 6th of the year
Lifts his average to .286 and his OPS to 1.030 🔥📈
For the season, Black has 23 walks to 18 strikeouts in 24 games 👀
He is absolutely crushing AA#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/xlh3J4sSjw
— ProspectTilt (@Prospect_Tilt) May 10, 2023
We’re witnessing quite a breakout. He walks more (21.9%) than he strikes out (17.1%). His FB% is up more than 15% from last season. And his hard hit rate has nearly doubled since 2022.
His defense is the one aspect of his game that could hold him back, so the bat really needs to stand out. Points league owners should buy in while the price is still low, but he’s looking like a good target for most leagues.
Sterlin Thompson, OF, Colorado Rockies
If you read any scouting report on Thompson, you’ll immediately see a mention of his hit tool and his patient approach at the plate. Those skills are paying off this season at High-A.
Our April MiLB Player of the Month is Sterlin Thompson!
In 18 games with High-A Spokane, Thompson slashed .463/.513/.746.
Thompson logged 31 hits in April, including eight doubles, one triple, and three home runs, along with 18 RBI and five stolen bases. pic.twitter.com/4iV17xuCIY
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) May 3, 2023
On top of the stats mentioned above, Thompson has a 1.259 OPS, 233 wRC+ and a 7.7% strikeout rate. He’s walking more than he’s striking out, a massive improvement from 2022. The power is slowly coming along, but he’s projected to at least be an average contributor there.
Spokane did place Thompson on the 7-day IL on May 3, so that’s something to monitor. But maybe this is an even better time to buy. He’s slowly working his way into the teens in ownership on Fantrax.
Ben Brown, SP, Chicago Cubs
Brown is dominating the upper levels of the minor leagues this season. After four starts at Double-A, the Cubs decided he could use a tougher test in Iowa. Brown hasn’t slowed down there.
Ben Brown K'd 10 over 5 shutout innings with @IowaCubs today. Now has a 0.59 ERA this year.
Said Jed Hoyer: "I think when he’s pitching in Iowa, he believes he’s a big league pitcher. And that’s the makeup and the confidence that I think is going to serve him really well."
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) May 10, 2023
Over six starts and 30.2 IP, Brown has 47 strikeouts and just two runs allowed. Two. His 1.97 xFIP backs up this ridiculous campaign he’s on. He’s also sitting on a 39.5% strikeout rate.
Health is the main reason Brown isn’t higher in prospect rankings. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019, struggled with an elbow injury in 2021, and dealt with some Covid issues, too. But he’s looking at a call-up to Chicago at some point this season if he keeps up this pace.
Andrés Chaparro, 3B, New York Yankees
Chaparro made some noise in spring training, and after a slow start at Triple-A, he’s really turning things around.
Andrés Chaparro went 5 for 5 on Tuesday with his 10th homer and a double and is up to .281/.351/.587 after starting out 0 for 24. https://t.co/RKU37kSW7P
— Michael Schneider (@mikecschneider) May 10, 2023
He posted a .305 ISO at Double-A last season. This year through 32 games, he’s beating that mark with a .306 ISO. Chaparro is now slashing .282/.355/.589 with 130 wRC+.
With 21 home runs in his last 66 games across the two levels, the power is getting tough to ignore. He’s also only striking out 19.5% of the time in that span. While Yankee Stadium is more generous to lefties, it still ranks No. 10 for homers over the past three seasons.
You’ll have to scroll way down to find Chaparro on prospect rankings – he might not even appear on many – but he’s going to get a shot eventually. Deep leagues should stash him.
Be sure to check out more Fantasy Baseball content from the F6P team!
