The start of the baseball season always seems to go by in an instant. Somehow, we are already approaching the All-Star Break. The first couple months of the season have been filled with prospect promotions. For dynasty managers, this can be both exciting and disappointing as expectations are often higher than they should be. With sample sizes small, now can be a great time to buy low or sell high on prospects. This article is here to help with that. The article below takes a look at five recently promoted prospects and evaluates how dynasty managers should be adjusting their expectations
Prospect Performances
Travis Bazzana – 2B, CLE
The Expectation
As a former first overall pick, expectations are always high. The surprising part, though, is that Bazzana was not ranked as a dynasty difference-maker on most prospect ranking lists. Bazzana was quietly productive in the Minor Leagues. In his first full professional season, he posted a 137 wRC+ and followed that up with a 148 wRC+ this year. However, he had totaled only 11 home runs and 20 stolen bases across 108 games. The expectation from many in the dynasty community seemed to be that Bazzana would be a better real-life player than a fantasy asset
The Results
.283/.350/.431/4HR/9SB/19.1 K%/10.8 BB%
Bazzana has been excellent so far for Cleveland and fantasy managers. His raw tools are translating to production with three home runs and eight stolen bases. While his batted-ball data is mediocre, he is showing a strong ability to pull his fly balls and capitalize on pitchers’ mistakes. Bazzana is as polished a prospect as they come, and his presence atop Cleveland’s lineup only adds to his fantasy value.
Dynasty Outlook
Polished, high-floor prospects are far more likely to provide valuable contributions to fantasy teams right away. The most notable aspect of Bazzana’s game since his promotion has been his willingness to run. Reaching 20+ steals while batting leadoff each night is going to provide plenty of value for fantasy managers. His barrel rate and bat speed suggest that his fast start in the home run department is likely to cool off, especially as pitchers adjust. For 2026, fantasy managers should expect strong on-base numbers, a lot of runs, and 20+ steals. Everything else is icing on the cake.
Dynasty managers were concerned that Bazzana would not provide enough fantasy value. That concern is quickly being put to bed. Bazzana, along with many Guardians’ players, is running a ton. His speed and high baseball IQ should give him a floor of 15 steals with the upside for 25 in a single season. This is great news for his long-term outlook when you consider all of the other things Bazzana does well. In OBP leagues, Bazzana’s value is even higher. He has already cemented himself atop Cleveland’s lineup, showing off elite plate discipline for a 23-year-old. Bazzana’s batted ball data does not jump off the screen, but it is all in his approach. Bazzana forces pitchers to make mistakes. He is strategic with when he attacks. When ahead in the count, Bazzana’s bat speed is 1-2mph higher than when he is behind. Bazzana has significant pop. However, his goal is not always to try to drive the ball out of the park. There is 20+ home run power here for dynasty managers to get excited about.
Ryan Waldschmidt – OF, ARI
The Expectation
After posting dominant numbers in 2025 and starting the year in 2026, nobody was questioning whether or not Waldschmidt should be in the Major Leagues. The question in dynasty circles surrounded how well his tools would translate to fantasy value. Waldschmidt hit 18 homers and stole 29 bases last season, proving there is real upside in his bat. However, none of his tools in particular stood out. He has shown above-average speed, above-average pop, and a very solid hit tool. All of that combined makes an exciting dynasty asset, but the key is getting all of those attributes to make the transition to the Major Leagues.
The Results
.278/.327/.371/0 HR/5 SB/33.3 K%/6.7 BB%
The surprising part of Waldschmidt’s slash line has been the 33% strikeout rate. Having never struggled with strikeouts at any other level, this comes as a surprise for fantasy managers. While Waldschmidt adjusts to Major League pitching, fantasy managers can still point to stolen bases as a form of production early in his career. Waldschmidt is showing off strong base-stealing abilities, and with plus bat speed and a great feel for getting to his pull side, the home runs should start coming shortly.
Dynasty Outlook
For 2026, the hit tool is the biggest concern for Ryan Waldschmidt. Waldschmidt’s got a great understanding of the strike zone, but early indications are that he is struggling to make contact on breaking balls. This could cause issues as pitchers move to exploit this weakness. Fantasy managers should not be surprised if Waldschmidt struggles a bit this season, but the batted ball data combined with his stolen base upside should continue to provide plenty of value.
The stolen bases have been the most encouraging signal for Waldschmidt’s dynasty outlook. Cementing himself as a 20+ steal player with above-average bat speed and a great feel for getting to his pull side creates an exciting profile. Although the sample size is small, Waldschmidt’s hit tool is projecting a bit more shakily than it looked in the Minor Leagues. His batting average projection has shifted more from a .280/.290 hitter to a .260/.270 hitter. His combination of power and speed still makes him a strong dynasty asset.
Sam Antonacci – 2B/OF, CHW
The Expectation
The Sam Antonacci hype train was full steam ahead following an excellent Spring Training. Since being drafted in 2024, Antonacci has shown off elite contact skills. These elite on-base skills carried Antonacci to 48 steals last season and helped create a solid base for dynasty managers to project growth off of. That should have been the expectation. However, two home runs in Spring Training, along with two more home runs in Triple-A, had many in the dynasty community projecting a power surge for Antonacci in 2026.
The Results
.286/.386/.379/1 HR/8 SB/14.7 K%/6.3 BB%
For those who have followed Antonacci, the results have been exactly what we have seen throughout his professional career. Antonacci’s contact skills and plate discipline have been excellent. His batting average is his safest tool. The stolen base production (8/12) has been a bit disappointing after stealing 48 bases in the Minor Leagues last season. However, his willingness to run is still of value to fantasy managers. A lack of power production has been the only glaring flaw in his Major League debut.
Dynasty Outlook
Fantasy managers hoping to capitalize on a power breakout are going to be disappointed. Antonacci lacks bat speed and does not pull any of his fly balls. Power is not going to be part of his success, but that does not mean he is invaluable. Antonacci’s hit tool has certainly translated to the Major Leagues, and he should hit for a strong average while continuing to bat at the top of Chicago’s lineup. His track record of stolen bases and speed in the Minor Leagues should also help him reach the 20-stolen-base club, even if his success rate is underwhelming.
Offensively, Antonacci’s first cup of tea at the Major League level is encouraging for his long-term outlook. Antonacci is already showing off elite decision-making at the plate. He swings at pitches he can do damage on, takes pitches out of the zone, and adjusts his approach depending on the count. His bat speed increases to 73mph when the count is 2-0 or 3-1 compared to 70mph on average. This indicates Antonacci has more power than he may show in 2026. As he adjusts and gets more comfortable, dynasty managers should see more of this. Then, Antonacci is also a plus runner who should add 15-20 stolen bases a year.
The only concern with Antonacci is defensively. He does not have the most reliable hands in the infield and has been very bad defensively in the outfield this season. Playing below-average defense as a corner outfielder puts more pressure on his bat to play up. In a small sample, Antonacci is slashing .143/.280/.143 against lefties this year. In the Minor Leagues last year, he slashed .240/.431/.300 against lefties. There is legitimate concern that Antonacci could find himself on the strong side of a platoon due to his defensive woes and struggles against lefties. This is the biggest concern in an otherwise encouraging profile.
Joe Mack – C, MIA
The Expectation
The real expectation for Joe Mack was defensively. However, outside of keeping a player in the lineup, dynasty and fantasy managers do not care about defense. Mack performed well in the Minor Leagues, reaching the 20 home run threshold in both 2024 and 2025. While many have been skeptical of Mack’s hit tool, the hope was that in regular playing time, Mack could provide 20+ homers from the catcher spot. Dynasty managers do not expect Mack to turn into a top-tier option at the position, but they were hoping he would be a reliable bat in two-catcher formats. His glove is seemingly keeping him in the lineup enough to provide valuable counting stats.
The Results
.217/.261/.301/1 HR/0 SB/31.1 K%/5.6 BB%
Through his first 46 plate appearances, Mack was batting .205 with a 39.1% strikeout rate. Since May 21, Mack has kept his strikeout rate below 23% and has seen subtle improvements across the board. The hit tool is raw, but Miami is committed to keeping his bat in the lineup. His 74.4 mph bat speed speaks to his potential to hit for power; it is just about putting everything together.
Dynasty Outlook
Fantasy managers should not be relying on Joe Mack for 2026. Part of the issue is Mack’s production. The concern about Mack’s hit tool has been justified early in his professional career. His struggles, combined with Agustín Ramírez sitting down in Triple-A, make it very realistic that Mack finds himself back in the Minor Leagues. He has not flashed enough upside in his first taste of Major League action to hold fantasy value.
Overreacting to a small sample size is not wise. However, when the concerns from a prospect’s Minor League career come to fruition following his Major League promotion, that is not an overreaction. Mack is not going to contribute much in terms of batting average. Strikeouts have been a theme throughout his professional career, and that is not changing at the Major League level. This puts pressure on his power to reach its full potential. While Mack has excellent bat speed, his swing lacks polish and consistency. He gets to his pull side well, but 44.7%, he is pulling the ball on the ground. Dynasty managers should expect Mack to struggle with inconsistency over the next couple of seasons. Even as an astute defender, Mack is still learning to catch at the Major League level for the first time, while making adjustments to his swing. This is a tall task and something that is unlikely to lead to reliable fantasy results in 2026 or 2027.
AJ Ewing – OF, NYM
The Expectation
AJ Ewing was playing so well in the Minor Leagues that the expectation for his performance in the Major Leagues might have been skewed. Before his promotion, Ewing was batting .339 with two home runs and 17 stolen bases. Ewing has a ton of speed, strong contact skills, and great plate discipline. Ewing projects as an extremely safe player. His on-base numbers should be excellent, and his speed will provide valuable contributions in one key area. The one area that dynasty managers were not expecting much production from was power. Ewing has never hit more than 10 home runs in a season, and his approach is designed to drive balls into the gaps as opposed to over the fence.
The Results
.259/.340/.329/1 HR/7SB/31.3 K%/11.1 BB%
Ewing got off to a fast start, but has slowed down considerably. Although the contact skills and chase rate remain strong, his strikeout rate has spiked. While this is likely nothing more than a young player working through adjusting to Major League pitching, this does impact his 2026 value. The stolen base success rate is also much lower than it was in the Minor Leagues. Considering the fact that Ewing started 2026 in Double-A, fantasy managers should be patient with his Major League production.
Dynasty Outlook
One part of the transition from the Minor Leagues to the Major Leagues that is not discussed enough is the increased difficulty of stealing bases. Ewing has 95th percentile speed and an elite track record of stealing bases, but is struggling to find consistent success since his promotion. Ewing’s speed makes it likely he still runs into 15-20 steals this year, but fantasy managers should not expect 30+ yet. For the rest of 2026, fantasy managers should expect a strong batting average thanks to his plus hit tool. His value this year is similar to Antonacci’s, with more upside, but also a bit more variability.
The long-term outlook for Ewing has not shifted much. He is still showing off elite speed and strong contact skills. This creates a stable floor for dynasty managers to rely on over the next several seasons. Dynasty managers can pencil in .260 as the floor, with .300 upside. Ewing’s sprint speed also gives him a floor of 15 steals with upside for 30+. Even in the power department, Ewing is not a “zero” like some other contact-speed players are. While Ewing does not prioritize pulling the ball, he still barrels the ball up and has decent pop. Ewing may lack the upside some other prospects have, but reliability is an asset in and of itself. Ewing will be a reliable player for dynasty managers over the next several seasons.
