It's time to look at some of the latest standouts in the minor leagues in dynasty baseball under the radar prospects 6-1-23.
The Arizona and Florida Complex Leagues get started on Monday, along with the Dominican Summer League. Next week will be the first chance to get ahead of some of the fast risers who pop up over the summer.
If you missed last week's report, you can read it here. Or maybe just go find my earlier write-ups that highlighted better players. Since I wrote that May 25 rundown, Ryan Clifford is batting .053, Jeferson Quero is hitting .150, and Noah Cameron posted a 6.75 ERA in his last start. Ouch.
But better things are surely ahead. Below is a rundown of five dynasty baseball prospects who are owned in 12% or fewer of Fantrax leagues, and the majority have under 5% ownership. All of these prospects should be on your radar going forward in 2023.
Dynasty Baseball Under the Radar Prospects 6-1-23
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.
Alberto Rodriguez, OF, Seattle Mariners
In the past week, Rodriguez hit 5 HRs with 12 RBIs and a .462 average. That's good enough for some video game-like numbers with a 320 wRC+ and 1.731 OPS in that span.
Alberto Rodriguez continues to crush Eugene. 4th HR of the series. pic.twitter.com/WbQLYJxBXu
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) May 27, 2023
Rodriguez’s journey has been quite the rollercoaster over the past year or so. The Mariners added him to their 40-man roster after a promising 2021. Then his struggles in 2022 led Seattle to remove him from that list, and he went unclaimed on waivers.
This excellent article from Kate Preusser at Lookout Landing details what could’ve put him on that decline. The Mariners shipped Rodriguez’s best friend Noelvi Marte to Cincinnati, he struggled with his conditioning and became unfocused overall.
It’s promising to see him return to his former ways this season. He's now hitting .329 on the season with 8 HRs and 32 RBIs this season.
Rodriguez is only owned in 2% of Fantrax leagues. That number will surely climb if he keeps hitting five homers a week. It might be a good time to invest in this Mariners outfielder.
Maddux Bruns, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s time for the weekly Dodgers pitching prospect installment.
Bruns hasn’t lived up to his hype since being drafted in the first round in 2021. He posted 20%+ walk rates in his first two seasons with the Dodgers. Maybe that’s worse than not living up to the hype.
However, he might be turning things around in 2023. He already earned a promotion after posting a 1.29 ERA through six starts at Single-A to begin the season.
Maddux Bruns was dominant today giving up no runs with 6 Ks and no walks . @madduxbruns7 was landing his off speed & when that happens, it's gonna be a bad day for the hitters. His ERA is 2.87, WHIP 1.15, Avg. against .151 and he has 48 Ks in 36.2 innings. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/5noz9H3lic
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) May 29, 2023
He walked five batters in his May 17 start with the Great Lakes Loons, and he’s still sitting on a 15.2% walk rate for the year. But Bruns only allowed one walk in each of his last two starts. That’s the Bruns we need to see.
He might be a good sell-high candidate if he puts together a few more solid starts. It could be a while before we see him in the majors as the Dodgers continue to develop his control. The stuff is obviously there, though.
Chris Newell, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Maybe we’ll have a weekly installment for Dodgers hitters, too.
Newell is unstoppable right now. In 41 games at Single-A, he slugged 14 homers with 38 RBI, 180 wRC+ and a 1.088 OPS. The Dodgers just promoted him to High-A, and he enjoyed quite a debut.
Make that TWO homeruns, TEN total bases, and FIVE RBI... we see you @C_Newell20 👀 pic.twitter.com/bZgtGBFQku
— Great Lakes Loons (@greatlakesloons) May 31, 2023
He’s also a former pitcher who could throw in the low 90s, and he’s shown above-average arm strength and speed for center field. The hit tool will be the determining factor for his value. His 27.7% strikeout rate at Rancho Cucamonga was already higher than you’d like to see.
But among all qualified hitters in the minor leagues, Newell ranks No. 8 overall in wRC+ this season. That's tough to ignore.
Newell is only owned in 1% of Fantrax leagues. You probably don’t need to rush to acquire him, but this power surge is putting him on dynasty radars.
Spencer Arrighetti, RHP, Houston Astros
His overall body of work in the minors isn’t eye-popping, but Arrighetti might be in the midst of a breakout at Double-A. After giving up 18 runs in his first four starts, he posted a 0.67 ERA over 27 IP in the month of May.
Now he’s coming off his most dominant outing.
Spencer Arrighetti strikes out a career-best 12 batters over 5 dominant innings at Arvest Ballpark! pic.twitter.com/grOaFDamtq
— Corpus Christi Hooks (@cchooks) May 31, 2023
He generated 19 whiffs with a 46% CSW in that start. His stock is certainly on the rise.
Like so many of the pitchers I highlight in this series, command is the biggest concern for Arrighetti’s long-term potential. Baseball America said his “fringy command may push him to the bullpen.” He’s on the right track for now, though.
Arrighetti is only owned in 4% of Fantrax leagues. The Astros know how to develop pitchers. This might be one to bet on.
Creed Willems, C, Baltimore Orioles
It feels like we should have talked about Williams sooner. He's been on a tear at Single-A this season, and the Orioles just moved him up to High-A.
First start ✅
First home run ✅Creed Willems is settling in just fine in Aberdeen. pic.twitter.com/aaEGo6AHF8
— Orioles Player Development (@OsPlayerDev) May 31, 2023
Looks like that's already going well.
Through 30 games at Single-A, Willems slashed .302/.442/.615 with 8 HRs, 28 RBIs and a 196 wRC+. He ranks No. 3 overall among all minor league hitters in wRC+. He's also only 19 years old.
Also, Adley Rutschman loves him. It's good to get a vote of confidence from one of Baltimore's biggest stars. But speaking of the Orioles catcher for the future, it's worth remembering this is a crowded organization filled with young talent.
Willems still has plenty to prove as he works his way up Baltimore's system. He's only owned in 4% of Fantrax leagues. If he keeps up his torrid pace at High-A, he's worth an add.
Be sure to check out more Fantasy Baseball content from the F6P team!
