Promotions are handed out left and right in the minor leagues this time of year. With the playoff push in the minor leagues, some teams will promote prospects to get a leg up. In this article, I’m breaking down six Low-A prospects to target in your dynasty leagues this coming off-season. The grind for a dynasty manager can not stop after the trade deadline and building up a list of potential targets for the off-season will only stand to push your team over the edge of competition. Let’s dive into Low-A.
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Top Hitters In Low-A
Diego Velasquez, 2B/SS SFG
(99 GP, .312/.395/.447, 7 HR, 69 R, 64 RBI, 21 SB)
Holding rock steady in San Jose this season has been Diego Velasquez, the 19-year-old middle infield prospect who has impressed in his 99 games played. Velasquez is slashing .312/.395/.447 with seven home runs, 69 runs scored, 64 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases in 464 plate appearances. With these solid numbers, the plate discipline follows suit as Velasquez has a 10.3% walk rate and a 16.6% strikeout rate. With his performance, it’s possible to see Diego Velasquez bumped up to High-A Eugene to finish the season, and with him going largely under the radar this season industry-wide he could be a solid stash.
📝📈SFG SS/2B Diego Velasquez has quietly had a fantastic season in Low-A San Jose.
• 99 GP
• .312/.395/.447
• 7 HR
• 69 R
• 64 RBI
• 21 SBThis season Velasquez has maintained an 10.3% BB and a 16.6% K in 464 AB. #SFGiants @Fantrax @SFGiants https://t.co/GbmBRmzg1M
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) August 23, 2023
Luke Adams, 3B MIL
(89 GP, .242/.412/.427, 11 HR, 65 R, 53 RBI, 28 SB)
One of the most underrated players in Low-A this season has got to be Luke Adams. The 19-year-old slugger has been tearing it up in the Carolina Mudcats lineup. In 89 games played Adams is slashing .242/.412/.427 with 11 home runs, 65 runs scored, 53 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases. Don’t let the .242 average deter you from this prospect as he has shown an advanced plate approach walking 18.2% while only striking out 21.7% of the time. With massive OBP upside and big raw power, it’s easy to get excited about Luke Adams. Frankly, I believe he has been getting a bit unlucky this season with the .297 BABIP and could easily be a .260-.270 hitter.
🔥📝MIL 3B Luke Adams seems to be a weekly topic for me. He continues to put up impressive numbers @CarolinaMudcats.
• 89 GP
• .242/.412/.427
• 11 HR
• 65 R
• 53 RBI
• 28 SBWith a 18.2% BB and a 21.7% K there is a ton to like with Luke Adams. #ThisIsMyCrew @Fantrax https://t.co/WEFuieoLvo
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) August 23, 2023
If there is one prospect in this article I’m suggesting go out and get its got to be Luke Adams, Go and get him before it is too late.
Hector Rodriguez, OF CIN
(101 GP, .293/.347/.510, 16 HR, 85 R, 56 RBI, 18 SB)
The Reds farm system continues to develop and produce top-tier talent and it seems Hector Rodriguez is on track to be one of the next “top prospects”. In 101 games played this season in Low-A Rodriguez is slashing .293/.347/.510 with 16 home runs, 85 runs scored, 56 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in 23 attempts. Rodriguez has been solid at the plate this season as he has walked 6.1% while only striking out 18.9% of the time. The blend of power and speed is exciting for Hector Rodriguez who could profile as a 25-30 home run bat with 30-plus stolen base potential as he develops. Keep Hector Rodriguez on your dynast radars going into the off-season in 12-team leagues and up.
📝📈CIN OF Hector Rodriguez has been fantastic in Low-A this season
• 101 GP
• .293/.347/.510
• 16 HR
• 85 R
• 56 RBI
• 18 SBThese solid numbers paired with a 6.1% BB and a 18.9% K rate makes this prospect a must watch. #ATOBTTR @Fantrax https://t.co/MXWm7qWrPu
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) August 23, 2023
Top Pittchers In Low-A
Payton Martin, RHP LAD
(14 GP, 12 GS, 39.2 IP, 48 K, .210 AVG, 2.04 ERA)
Full disclosure Payton Martin is currently on the “Development List” with the Dodgers and has not pitched since July 7. Regardless of this Payton Martin has put together an impressive season in Low-A Rancho Cucamonga. The 19-year-old right-hander was drafted by the Dodgers in the 17th round of the 2022 MLB draft out of high school and features a plus curveball that plays off of a four-seam fastball and change-up. In 39.2 innings pitched, Martin has 48 strikeouts good for a 10.89 K/9. He does a good job of keeping the ball on the ground as he has had a 57% ground ball rate this season and has limited the home run to flyball rate to just 3.8% in his 14 appearances.
📝📈LAD RHP Payton Martin has put together a solid season in Low-A this year.
• 12 GS
• 39.2 IP
• 48 K
• .210 AVG
• 2.04 ERATouching high 90’s at only 19 years old. Currently on the development list since July 7th. Oh and drafted in the 17th round 😱#HereToPlay @Fantrax https://t.co/Uu6v9zGWbI
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) August 23, 2023
One part of Martin’s game that will need some refining as he continues to climb the ladder is command and control. On the season Martin did have a 3.40 BB/9, this might just be nit-picking but the early results are encouraging for Martin and should be considered in deeper dynasty leagues.
Joseph Montalvo, RHP TEX
(19 GP, 14 GS, 82.2 IP, 98 K, .207 AVG, 2.83 ERA)
The Texas Rangers continue to improve player development with prospects popping off the page every time I dive in. Joseph Montalvo has impressed me this season as he has logged 82.2 innings pitched striking out out 98 in his 19 appearances this season (14 starts) with a .207 average against and a 2.83 ERA. Although Montalvo has been a fly ball pitcher he has not been stung by the long ball this season if there is room for improvement it’s got to be with the walk rate. Currently, Montalvo has a 3.92 BB/9 a far cry from the 1.16 BB/9 he put up in 23.1 innings pitched in complex ball in 2022.
Montalvo was drafted in the 20th round of the 2021 MLB draft out of high school and didn’t make his professional debut till 2022 giving us a small sample size to go off of but an intriguing one all the same.
Pete Hansen, LHP STL
(21 GS, 103 IP, 114 K, .218 AVG, 3.32 ERA)
The Cardinals have two of the top 5 strikeout performers currently in Low-A right-now one of them being Pete Hansen. Selected in the third round of the 2022 MLB draft Hansen features a four-pitch mix with the slider profiling as his plus offering. Across 21 games started Hansen has struck out 114 batters in 103 innings pitched (9.96 K/9) with a .218 average against and a 3.32 ERA. Hansen has proven to be a perfect fit for what a Cardinals pitching prospect has been over the last decade. He is an innings eater who keeps the ball on the ground and limits hard contact, I suspect the strikeouts per nine will go down as he continues to climb the organizational ladder.
At 23 years old he is old for the current level. Regardless this seems like a solid prospect to bolster your dynasty farm system in 20-team leagues and up.