The last of the MiLB risers and fallers is here. With most of the MiLB season complete, here are some players that are risers to the top 10 overall range. Also mentioned are some prospects that are slightly disappointing and easy avoids for 2025. Check out the corner infield and catching prospects to watch below!
Be sure to head over to the Pitcher List dynasty page to check out other helpful articles such as the dynasty performance report for outfielders!
Dynasty Buys:
Bryce Eldridge, 1B, SFG:
Eldridge is one of the highest rising, if not the highest rising prospect from the 2024 season. 19 years old, Eldridge reached Triple-A to end the season. While it may have been a fluke promotion to continue to see live pitching, Eldridge handled himself well. After a run of 6-23 at Triple-A, with a 7K:4BB ratio, Eldridge may be pushing to start 2025 in Triple-A. Only getting a cup of coffee in Double-A as well, Eldridge went 10-37, with one home run and an 8K:3BB ratio. Much of the same from the two advanced promotions for a 19-year-old, the Giants have to like what they see. An honorable mention previously, Eldridge deserves to be highlighted as he is pushing to enter the top 10 prospect range.
The raw power is the calling card for the 6-foot-7 kid. With 23 home runs in his first professional season and 29 in his 145 MiLB games, Eldridge has 30+ homerun power potential. The strikeout rate is something to keep an eye on as it nears 30% at times. Combatting that, Eldridge is able to maintain a decent walk rate. The path is there for a four-category fantasy player as he’ll most likely slot in the middle of an MLB lineup. Consistent contact and a slightly lower strikeout rate are the two changes that Eldridge will need to make early in 2025. The Giants could choose to be aggressive with Eldridge and give him a shot out of spring training in 2025 to make the team. It is far more likely Eldridge reports to Double-A for the first 40 games of the season, and if the success continues he’ll be on the fast track to San Francisco.
Matt Shaw, 3B, CHC:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Matt Shaw is my favorite prospect bat from the 2023 draft class. The swing similarities remind me of Dustin Pedroia with a large leg kick. Shaw will have the ability to play third base, shortstop, and second base, but will most likely debut at third base. The former 13th overall pick out of Maryland has been phenomenal in his MiLB career. A slash of .303/.383./523 with 29 home runs and 45 steals over 157 games is a lot to dream on. Nearly a full season, Shaw has showcased all of the tools that could make him a five-category player. Able to hit anywhere in a lineup, Shaw fits great in the 2 spot due to his speed. Arguably ready for an MLB promotion, Shaw has dominated both Double-A and Triple-A in 2024.
The addition of Isaac Paredes allowed the Cubs to send Shaw to Triple-A. In 33 Triple-A games, Shaw has slashed .295/.390/.541, with seven home runs and five stolen bases. With Patrick Wisdom and Michael Busch platooning at first base, Paredes is able to play third base every day. While none of those three players are lighting it up, the Cubs are in no rush to promote Shaw. Most likely going to miss the playoffs, the Cubs should be trying to get Shaw some MLB at-bats in the final weeks. Outside of an injury to Shaw, he’ll be given every opportunity to win an everyday role in 2025 for the Cubs. Even a bad 2025 spring training shouldn’t be enough to keep Matt Shaw from starting the season at Wrigley Field.
Honorable Mention
Xavier Isaac, 1B, TBR:
Another major rising prospect in 2024, Isaac hit a bit of a roadblock at his first go in Double-A. Still just 20 years old until December, Isaac should spend the majority of 2025 at his second shot at Double-A. Being in one of the most frustrating organizations for prospect bats, the Rays will take plenty of time with promotions. Given his size, Isaac has been showing off his advanced ability to steal bases with 10+ in his last two seasons. While it may not be an eye-popping number, 10+ from a first baseman is a great addition to an already promising profile. A potential 4.5-category player, Isaac adds something to each category at a decent level. The hype has died down a bit, but I expect a rebound in Double-A next season and Isaac to solidify himself as a top-15 prospect.
Cam Smith, 3B, CHC:
One of the hotter bats from the 2024 MLB Draft, Cam Smith has shown off the power. Matt Shaw may have some competition for the hot corner and fast. Cam Smith reached Double-A in his short debut after being drafted just a few months ago. Smith homered in 6 straight games for High-A, which capitulated him to a Double-A promotion. With 2025 being his first full season, we could see a path similar to Matt Shaw. The Cubs have Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner under contract, which could push Smith to first base or Matt Shaw to the outfield. An infield of Cam Smith, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Matt Shaw would be fun to watch around mid-2025.
Dynasty Sells:
Brock Wilken, 3B, MIL:
One of the top college bats in the 2023 MLB Draft, Wilken has struggled since being drafted. True plus-plus raw power, Wilken has yet to see the translate to home run power. With just 22 home runs in his first 156 MiLB games, Wilken was profiled as a 30 to 30+ third base power bat. Along with the power not reaching his top potential, Wilken hit just .199 in 2024 at Double-A. The 133 strikeouts in 108 games is an alarming concern to add on. Wilken was hit by a pitch in the face during the 2024 season and could still be getting comfortable again in the box.
The 18th overall pick in 2023, Wilken looked to be on the fast track when he ended 2023 at Double-A. Since starting 2024 at the Double-A level, Wilken hasn’t been able to find his groove. A near 30% strikeout rate is where the struggle begins. Wilken has still been able to draw walks at a 13.4% clip in 2024. With the medium power and good walk rate, Wilken could easily rebound in 2025. That being said, he isn’t a top-100 prospect at the moment and will need improvements across the board to get back to that level. If the profile drops down to a power bat with a decent OBP, Wilken still has some value. Overall, Wilken has dropped significantly in dynasty rankings but could still be a .330 OBP bat with 25 home runs per season.
J.D. Gonzalez, C, TBR:
Still just 18 years old, Gonzalez was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2023 MLB Draft by San Diego. Traded to the Rays in the Jason Adam deal, Gonzalez has had a rough start to his Rays career. Reporting to Low-A, he went 6 for his first 81, with just 1 home run and 40 strikeouts. A defensive catcher, the Rays were willing to take a chance on developing the bat at such a young age. Still plenty of time to improve, Gonzalez is nearly off the radar for dynasty leagues due to the lack of offense.
Prior to being dealt to the Rays, there wasn’t much to dream on with the Padres. The bat just didn’t play to any category. The obvious factor here is the youth of Gonzalez with plenty of time on his side. Now a non-factor for fantasy leagues, Gonzalez will have a lot of work to do to get the bat relevant. The lack of contact and power is concerning, but the high strikeout rate is worse. If Gonzalez can at least turn into an OBP catcher, he can play every day due to his elite defense. Gonzalez is a name I’ve seen as a “sleeper” but is an easy avoid for me at the moment.
Honorable Mention
Brady House, 3B, WSH:
House turned 21 years old in 2024 and reached Triple-A in the same season. While a “dynasty faller” may be a bit unfair, House is still a top 100 prospect. Somewhere in the 50-100 range, House has yet to showcase a plus ability. The power is there at a decent clip, as is the speed and hit tool but none are elite. House hit for a better average than expected until his 2024 season, but the power has been in the 18-25 home run range. At third base, we’re looking for 25+ home runs a year. While that is still possible, I’d like to see the average creep back up at an advanced level. The walk rate has never been remotely high for House and that will need to improve to get him back into the top 50 prospect range for me.
Jack Brannigan, 3B, PIT:
A bit of an older prospect, Brannigan has both the power and speed tool. With 19 home runs and 24 steals in 87 games in 2o23, Brannigan needs to see higher levels of competition. That didn’t happen in 2024 as he spent the entire year at High-A. The hit tool and speed both declined significantly in nearly the same amount of games. 24 years old for the 2025 season, promotions will happen in 2025 regardless. Not reaching Double-A or Triple-A in 2024 is disappointing but he only played 77 games. The Pirates should have Brannigan high on the list of promotions to see what he can do.