The first week of school is in the rearview, and the baseball landscape looks different than when it started. I’m sad about Shohei and wondering whether we’ll ever hear another word about Wander. I’m happy to see Seattle surge back into the division lead. The game would benefit from having a young star like Julio Rodriguez in the playoffs. Baltimore has young stars, too, but it’s hard to root for the bank account of a guy like John Angelos, who’s using his team’s season in the spotlight to call attention to himself, relishing his nepo-baby summer.
With nine home runs in 15 Triple-A games, Rockies C Hunter Goodman has pushed his season total up to 34 bombs in 106 games across two levels. He’ll be a popular sleeper pick in draft and hold leagues this winter and could quickly assert himself as a top ten fantasy option if he’s given enough time to get acclimated to the major league level.
Cubs LHP Luke Little is a ludicrously large human. Listed at 6’8” 220 lbs, the ironically named Little has been trouncing his competition at Triple-A. He gave up two runs in his debut but has reeled off seven scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts since then, good for a 2.25 ERA at the level. Should be a weapon in Saves/Holds leagues soon.
Cubs OF Alexander Canario is hitting .372 with six home runs in his last ten games. Nice to see him back in action and on his game.
In 30 games at Double-A, Blue Jays OF Alan Roden has slashed .327/.447/.514 with five home runs and four stolen bases. A third-round pick out of Creighton in 2022, Roden has slashed .305/.426/.443 in 124 games across three professional levels. A thick lefty with a compact cut, he’s struck out just 64 times in 465 at bats. It’s hard for me to imagine he won’t play some kind of role in 2024.
Reds OF Rece Hinds was moved to the outfield to maximize his considerable athleticism, and the returns have been excellent in 2023. In 55 games since June 1, Hinds is slashing .340/.408/.695 with a 27.5 percent strikeout rate, his best pro stretch as a hitter. His 16 home runs and 11 steals offer a glimpse at his upside for our game, especially if he finds a playing-time lane in that comfy home ballpark.
Cardinals SS Thomas Saggesse is among baseball’s hottest hitters, slashing .375/.456/.761 with nine home runs and three stolen bases in his last 24 games. In 120 Double-A games, he’s racked up 25 home runs and 11 steals, hitting well over .300 the whole time he’s been there. Great get for the club at the deadline. Here’s hoping he makes the main stage soon.
A 29th round pick in 2019, Twins C Alex Isola has produced positive offensive outcomes at every level and is turning it up a notch in Double-A, slashing .382/.461/.658 with six home runs over his last 20 games, bringing his season-long total to 18 homers in 90 games. He draws his walks (11 percent) and doesn’t strike out a whole lot (22 percent). If he can replicate this success at Triple-A, he’ll enter the major league catching picture early next year.
19-year-old Mets SS Jett Williams is charging toward a top ten prospect list near you, slugging .638 with five homers, nine steals and a 19 percent walk rate in 22 High-A games.
The Red Sox have promoted 18-year-old OF Natanael Yuten to Low-A. He struggled in his first few games but appears to be adapting in a hurry, slashing .308/.357/.538 over his last three games.
Rangers 18-year-old 3B Echedry Vargas may have played his final game on the complex, where he slashed .315/.387/.569 with 11 home runs and 17 steals in 52 games.
Thanks for reading!
