It's time to look at who's moving up prospect rankings this summer in dynasty baseball under the radar prospects 8-24-23.
The rookie season is coming to a close soon. Maybe that's for the best so dynasty players won't have to worry about the ever-changing list of Dominican Summer League (DSL) and complex league standouts.
Fantasy playoffs should start for most leagues over the next few weeks. This is a good time to check up on the latest prospect rankings and see who's been overlooked as some owners are setting their sights on the short-term instead.
Below is a rundown of five dynasty baseball prospects who are rostered in 16% or fewer of Fantrax leagues All of these prospects should be on your radar going forward in 2023.
Dynasty Baseball Under the Radar Prospects 8-24-23
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.
Graham Pauley, 3B, San Diego Padres
Pauley finished strong in 2022 at Single-A, posting a 154 wRC+ in 17 games with Lake Elsinore. He kept a similar pace to start 2023, but then he absolutely destroyed High-A after getting a promotion in late June.
Through 45 games with Fort Wayne, Pauley slashed .300/.358/.629 with 16 HRs, 46 RBI, and a 169 wRC+. That performance just earned him another promotion to Double-A.
Since joining High-A, Graham Pauley has 15 HR/7 SB over 43 games in an extreme Pitcher friendly park. Slashing .290/.352/.611 with strong data: 80% con/88% Z-Con/21% Chase.
Ideal launch angles and high barrel rates
?#BringTheGold
pic.twitter.com/dICApQjHLz— Chris Clegg (@RotoClegg) August 19, 2023
His walk rate was cut in half after the jump to High-A, and the strikeout rate jumped more than 7%. But that came with some major power games as he posted a .329 ISO.
The Padres have tried Pauley out at second base and corner outfield. Reports indicate he’s most comfortable at third, though. He’ll have to continue his torrid pace at the plate to stick there long-term.
He’s only rostered in 5% of Fantrax leagues. He’s worth a stash in deeper leagues to at least see where things go in Double-A.
Eduardo Quintero, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s time for the weekly addition of another Dodgers prospect to pick up. Quintero is just 17 years old, but he shows plenty of promise after dominating the DSL this summer.
Through 49 games, he’s hitting .359 with 5 HRs, 42 RBI and 22 SBs. His wRC+ is up to 180 after 212 plate appearances.
The plate approach is also impressive for the teenager. He’s walking at 15.1% clip while striking out 16.0% of the time.
He’s rostered in just 4% of Fantrax leagues. It’s an early investment for the converted catcher, plus, it’s smart to bet on this organization churning out fast-rising prospects.
Cole Carrigg, C/SS/OF, Colorado Rockies
The classic catcher slash shortstop slash outfielder combo. Carrigg has only played in 19 minor league games so far, but the results are eye-popping.
He began this season in complex ball and slashed .396/.464/.688 with 2 HRs, 13 RBI, 7 SBs, and a 176 wRC+ in 13 games. Colorado moved him up to Single-A, and he’s posting even more ridiculous numbers there.
Grizzlies drop a 6-1 game to the Ports. @CarriggCole continues to crush the ball, reaching base 4 times with 3 hits! Carrigg is batting .556 in 6 games with Fresno. ?⚾️ pic.twitter.com/7p8jq4CLnA
— Fresno Grizzlies (@FresnoGrizzlies) August 23, 2023
Obviously it’s a small sample, but the upside with Carrigg shouldn’t be overlooked. When discussing Carrigg’s speed, Baseball America recently noted, “In the majors this year, only Corbin Carroll and Elly De La Cruz have been faster.”
He’s still a bit raw for a three-year college player, which is part of the reason he was a second-round pick this year. You might not be able to add him yet since he’s a first-year player, but keep him on your radar for your FYPD drafts.
Sterlin Thompson, OF, Colorado Rockies
We’ll stick with Rockies prospects. I talked about Thompson way back in May, and he hasn’t slowed down at all since then.
Thompson batted .323 in 60 games at High-A before Colorado moved him up earlier this month. The power has picked up since then. Thomspon hit seven home runs in 60 games with Spokane, and he’s not far off that mark with five homers in 13 games at Double-A.
That puts the 22-year-old at a .320 batting average for the season with a 150 wRC+ and .216 ISO. He’s known for his hit tool, but dynasty players will hope the 6-foot-4 outfielder shows more power as he ages.
Despite his performance this season – and plenty of prospect rankings bumping him up – Thompson is still rostered in 16% of Fantrax leagues which lags many other rising names. Maybe the hype will catch up next season, but now is the time to buy.
Blake Dunn, OF, Cincinnati Reds
I’d have to go back and count, but the Reds might have the most prospects highlighted in this series this season. And here’s another one to add to the list.
Dunn showed promise at Single-A last year posting a 179 wRC+ in 33 games. He began 2023 at High-A and continued to impress, and now he’s outperforming all expectations at Double-A.
In 58 games with the Lookouts, Dunn is hitting .342 with 9 HRs, 27 SBs and a 154 wRC+. Yes, he’s 24 years old, but he’s quietly put together quite a minor league career since 2021.
Blake Dunn:
Career: .303/.420/.486, 22 HR, 89 RBI, 114 R & 71 SB in 525 AB’s
He’s improved his triple slash this season to .315/.421/.501 w/ 17 HR, 67 RBI, 89 R & 46 SB
Could be looking at a future 20 HR/40 SB guy with 50-60 SB upside that can hit near .300 w/ elite OBP skills
— KAS (@dynastyinfo411) August 23, 2023
Some have compared him to Giants prospect Vaun Brown, who shined in the lower levels of the minor leagues last season at age 24. But Brown hit a wall at Double-A. Dunn is proving he could handle the tougher competition.
Now riding a seven-game hitting streak, Dunn continues to heat up in the midst of summer. He’s rostered in 3% of Fantrax leagues. Deeper leagues should certainly take a shot at him.
Be sure to check out more Fantasy Baseball content from the F6P team!
2 comments
Eduardo Quintero has moved off catcher. This year he’s played 46 games in CF, hasn’t played catcher. Seems like a good move, and should allow a quicker ascension.
yup – thanks for the heads up – fixed!