With August rapidly approaching, Fantasy teams are deciding if they want to buy or sell. Selling is easier with specific prospects in mind to trade for. Below are some dynasty risers I’d attempt to stash in a rebuild. With rising prospects, comes falling prospects and I’ve outlined a few that I’d avoid or possible trade away.
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 Risers:
Ramon Ramirez, C, KCR:
A top prospect in the Royals system, Ramirez hasn’t had the hype yet. Mostly due to Blake Mitchell, Ramirez isn’t thought of as the top catcher in the system. Ramon Ramirez just turned 19 years old and is thriving in the ACL. After a great 2023 in the DSL, Ramirez has carried his above average power tool with him. With seven home runs in 47 games, Ramirez is able to use his 6-foot, 180-pound frame to his advantage.
A very athletic and quick swing, Ramirez turns on the ball in no time. The power is already there for Ramirez and should continue to be his best tool. A lot of the power comes from a pre-pitch load and his hands starting back. With no hitch or late load, Ramirez pulls the ball almost 50 percent of the time. Another prospect knocking on the door of the top 100, Ramirez should see some time at Low-A to end 2024. If he can continue this output at 19 years old, he should be stashed before 2025.
Pablo Guerrero, 1B, TEX:
The son of Vladimir Guerrero, and younger brother of Vlad Jr., Pablo is making waves. After a sub-par 2023 in the DSL, Pablo has improved in his 2024 season. The strikeout rate is high at 30% but Pablo is 17 years old and hitting .305. While it’s something to monitor, Pablo is still having a great year despite a high BABIP. The age and the success from the Guerrero family is enough to get me on board here. While this may be more of a projection and wishing he becomes Vlad Jr., there is plenty to like about Pablo. A good athlete, Pablo swings the bat with massive power and quickness.
Right now, Guerrero is projection and it could be boom or bust. If the strikeout rate can lower, there is a great chance that Pablo follows the path of his dad and brother. Any video of Guerrero hitting the ball, shows an extremely powerful swing. It’s more of a line drive swing at the moment, but an increased launch angle could provide a plus home run total. With a body type more like his father, there is a lot to dream on here. Not yet in the top 100 range, but Guerrero is climbing at such a young age.
Honorable Mention
Eduardo Tait, C, PHI:
At 17 years old, Eduardo Tait has been one of the more impressive young hitters. A 14.4% strikeout rate and 6.3% walk rate are both on the low end for the young prospect. The Phillies lack star power in their farm and Tait may be the fourth best player in the system. Tait has good size at 6 feet and 175 pounds, and could continue to add some more strength as he matures. After hitting .333 in the DSL in 2023, Tait has carried that into the complex league with an increase in power. Tait is one of the quick rising stars and should be stashed in most fantasy leagues before the end of 2024.
Eric Bitonti, 3B, MIL:
As one of the younger players drafted in 2023, Bitonti struggled in 12 games at the Brewers complex with 15 strikeouts in 39 at-bats. Bitonti has lowered his strikeout rate about four percent but it’s still a bit high at 27%. Repeating his time in the ACL, Bitonti has slashed .322/.441/.569 with seven home runs and nine stolen bases in 2024. Standing 6’4″, Bitonti is a good athlete that could provide solid home run and stolen base numbers. Bitonti has a big swing and has easy power with his large frame and has 30 home run potential per season. Still 18 until November, Bitonti has plenty of time to improve the contact skills but at worst is a power/OBP player.
Dynasty Fallers:
Cam Collier, 3B, CIN:
One of my favorite prospects leading up to draft day in 2022 was Cam Collier. A great mini-debut at the complex after being drafted only solidified the high potential. As one of the younger players in that draft, Collier won’t be 20 until the end of the 2024 season. Coming into 2024, Collier received some hype again and backed it up with a red hot first 20 games. Since the end of April, Collier has hit .188 in May, .228 in June, and .195 in May. After hitting seven home runs in April, the power dropped off with two in May, four in June, and zero in July. Given the young age and streaks of showing potential, it’s hard to write Collier off. However, it appears the profile changed to more of a power hitting third baseman.
Collier has seen his walk rate drop three percent from 2023 to 2024 after making the jump from Low to High A. On the other end, his strikeout rate has jumped three percent. Neither are drastic movements, but it’s worth monitoring in a struggling hitter. Now with a slash of .227/.307/.395, Collier has come down from the early season hot streak. Collier will always have interest as his swing draws comparisons to Rafael Devers. Expectations needed to be brought back down a little after that amazing April, but Collier shouldn’t be written off entirely. He’ll drop out of the top-10 3B prospect rankings for me, but he’s a prospect to watch.
Kevin Parada, C/1B, NYM:
The 11th overall pick in 2022, Parada was praised as being a near ready bat. His 189 MiLB games have proven that not to be the case as he holds a .241 average. Adding on to that low average is an increasing strikeout percentage that is nearing 35 percent in 2024. Nearing his 23rd birthday, Parada is struggling in Double-A this season with a .223 average and 10 home runs. Thought to be the piece that was going to help turn the Mets farm around, Parada needs to improve his contact. The bat was going to carry Parada off catcher and potentially be the long term answer at first base or designated hitter. However after a poor showing at Double-A, Parada may be more destined to platoon against RHP only.
No longer an option to lock down a starting role, Parada needs his bat to succeed against Double-A pitching first. The Mets don’t need to rush Parada, but his dynasty value will continue to decrease in the fantasy world. Real world Kevin Parada is much more valuable compared to fantasy baseball Kevin Parada. With no real plus tool at this point, and a low walk rate, a fantasy owner relies on counting stats. Until the swing and miss improves, his game will struggle to improve as well. The original value from draft day in 2022 is no longer here, but a solid every day player is possible.
Honorable Mention
Myles Naylor, 3B, OAK:
Coming from a baseball family, Naylor is the third brother behind Josh and Bo. Josh was drafted 12th, Bo 29th and Myles was drafted 39th overall in 2023. The professional career has been a bit disappointing to start as he’s hit .210 through 112 games. Tallying 15 home runs and five steals, it seems Naylor is still adjusting to professional pitching. 166 strikeouts to the tune of a 32.6% strikeout rate has been the most glaring issue to start his career. Naylor has held a 17.4% walk rate in 2024 but that is the only promising aspect of his numbers. He’s 19 years old for the rest of 2024, so Naylor has plenty of time to turn it around. Currently trending in the wrong direction, the Athletics need Naylor to turn it around quick.
Thayron Liranzo, C/1B, LAD:
Coming off a 24 home run season in his age 19/20 season, Liranzo was a popular pick in dynasty formats. However, a slow start to his High-A season in 2024 has brought his stock down. Liranzo has seen a drop in average, and power as he’s hitting .220 with seven home runs. With almost no change in his strikeout and walk rate from Low-A, Liranzo is still adjusting to more advanced pitching. There is still a lot to like about Liranzo, and most of that comes when you watch him swing. He’s an imposing left-handed hitter that utilizes a big leg kick to hit monster homer runs. With a mid-20 percent walk rate, Liranzo should be able to maintain a .330-.360 on-base percentage season to season. Liranzo is a prospect that can still provide OBP and power but isn’t on the top 100.
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter)