It's time to look at who's climbing the rankings this summer in dynasty baseball under the radar prospects 7-6-23.
The All-Star Futures Game is this Saturday, July 8. There are several prospects on the American and National League rosters that have been mentioned in this series so far in 2023. There's also a new name in today's article who will make an appearance, so you'll have to stick around for more.
Below is a rundown of five dynasty baseball prospects who are rostered in 12% or fewer of Fantrax leagues All of these prospects should be on your radar going forward in 2023.
Dynasty Baseball Under the Radar Prospects 7-6-23
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Abimelec Ortiz, 1B, Texas Rangers
I’m not sure what revelation Ortiz experienced this season, but he is now a force to be reckoned with at the plate. It’s an incredible step forward from a lackluster 2022. Take a look at these numbers.
Last season: .226/.308/.380 with 11 HRs, 39 RBI, and a 92 wRC+ in 93 games at Single-A.
This season: .325/.403/.665 with 18 HRs, 54 RBI, and 184 wRC+ in 58 games between Single-A and High-A.
This is quite an offensive explosion for a guy who’s not even among the top 30 Rangers prospects on MLB Pipeline. Ortiz was on a 15-game hitting streak prior to his 0-for-6 performance on July 4.
Congrats to Abimelec Ortiz & Josh Stephan of @HickoryCrawdads on being named South Atlantic Player and Pitcher of the Week! pic.twitter.com/rbg9rZd6Ob
— Rangers Player Development (@TEXPlayerDev) July 3, 2023
The strikeouts are definitely a concern. His 26.1% strikeout rate for the season is high. But he’s dropped that rate to 22.7% at High-A, and he’s walking at a 12.4% clip, so the approach has some potential.
He’s one of the most added prospects on Fantrax right now, but he’s still only rostered in 7% of leagues. Despite the lack of a track record, it’s hard to ignore how he’s playing right now.
Dyan Jorge, SS, Colorado Rockies
Here’s a player who could really explode up prospect rankings if he keeps up the same pace the rest of the season. Jorge recently got a call-up after posting some gaudy numbers in the Arizona Complex League.
Dyan Jorge has been called up to A Fresno!
Through 21 games with the ACL Rockies Dyan has a:
.370/.495/.644
3 HR
9 SB
178 wRC+.Dyan Jorge is one of the most intriguing prospects in all the Minor Leagues. Get excited folks!@17_dyan
— Rockies MiLB Report (@roxmilbreport) July 3, 2023
Last season he batted .320 and showed an advanced plate approach in 53 Dominican Summer League games. This year he’s improved with a 19.2% walk rate and 12.5% strikeout rate while adding more power.
The 20-year-old Cuban is listed at 6’3”, 170 lbs. Scouts project him to add some weight and at least develop average power on top of his advanced hitting approach and plus speed. Fangraphs recently wrote that Jorge “is an athletic marvel with as much physical projection as you’ll currently find in the minors.”
The Rockies handed Jorge a club-record signing bonus at $2.8 million after he defected from Cuba. He was a bit old for the complex level, so it’s good to see Colorado give him a tougher test after 21 games.
Jorge is rostered in 7% of Fantrax leagues. He’s an exciting prospect to monitor closely at this new level.
Mason Black, RHP, San Francisco Giants
Earlier this season I named Carson Whisenhunt as a Giants pitching prospect to pick up. Now it looks like you should be investing in his teammate, too.
Black has 15 starts this season at Double-A. Through 59.0 IP he’s posted a 3.66 ERA (3.47 FIP), 74 strikeouts, and just 20 walks. Opposing batters are hitting .196 against him.
He’s also been on quite a hot streak recently.
All 15 outs from Mason Black's five perfect innings tonight against Reading. The fastball's up to 97 mph and his impressive run of form could not go any better than this.
Over his past five outings:
22.1 IP | 8 H | 0 R | 2 HBP | 5 BB | 29 K(I hope you guys can still see this) pic.twitter.com/UgsMGzmIY5
— Giant Prospective (@giantprospectiv) July 2, 2023
He struggled in his May 27 start against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (what a name), giving up six runs and walking four batters in just 3.1 IP. Since then, he’s been locked in. Black has not allowed a run since June 2.
With a fastball that reminds some of Bryan Woo’s and a plus slider, Black really just needs to bring his changeup along and round up a solid arsenal. He has good enough command to keep him on track to be a mid-to-back of the rotation starter long-term.
He’s rostered in 12% of Fantrax leagues, and that number continues to climb. If you missed out on Whisenhunt, maybe Black can bolster your pitching prospects.
Wade Meckler, OF, San Francisco Giants
Sticking with Giants prospects, Meckler is showing a good hit tool and possibly a 70-grade mustache. His stats throughout his minor league career are making a case for more attention from dynasty owners.
In 42 games this season between High-A and Double-A, Meckler is hitting .425 with a 1.070 OPS and a 192 wRC+. Just absurd numbers. His walk and strikeout rates are almost even at just over 11% for each.
Baseball America says Meckler has “nearly plus-plus speed,” but we’re not really seeing much for steals – he has 7 SB through 65 minor league games. There’s not a ton of power either with just 5 HRs in that span. But the hit tool is proving to be better than expected.
Steven Kwan and Nick Madrigal both went to Oregon State and have elite hit tool skills. Wade Meckler (SF OF AA Age 23) was a 2022 eighth-round pick out of OSU that is in the same mold. In 22 AA games, Meckler has a .398/.485/534 line with 15 walks and 13 strikeouts.
— Michael Schneider (@mikecschneider) July 5, 2023
Scout the Statline ranks Meckler as their No. 6 hitter right now. Now, their projections are purely based on their data model, but that’s still a major flag to plant on a mostly unknown name.
Meckler is only rostered in 2% of Fantrax leagues if you’re looking to invest in the potential next Kwan.
Ryan Bliss, 2B/SS, Arizona Diamondbacks
Don’t let the small stature fool you. Bliss has some loud tools that could make him a solid fantasy contributor one day.
Listed at 5’6” (5’9” on Fangraphs), Bliss is showing he has more power than expected with 12 HRs in 66 games at Double-A this season. He’s showing major improvement in 2023 with a .360 batting average, 29 steals, a .238 ISO, and a 163 wRC+.
You’ll see him soon with his teammate Jordan Lawlar at the All-Star Futures Game.
Ryan Bliss and Jordan Lawlar made the National League Roster for the All-Star Futures game! They have been amazing here in Amarillo, they both are going to have great careers in the MLB. pic.twitter.com/CpPd5xBlAt
— Isaac Galan (@galan_graphics) June 27, 2023
Bliss is getting some help from his .407 BABIP, but he’s also enjoying an 81.4% contact rate. And he’s cut his strikeout rate down to 16.9% this season while maintaining his power surge.
Bliss is rostered in 9% of Fantrax leagues. That number will surely increase as he receives more attention as an all-star.
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