At this point in the fantasy season, you know what direction you are going. It's either downhill, looking at next year, or trying to climb to the top in the last couple of weeks. The first player in the 3 Up section of the article this week might be someone who could give you a boost at the end of this season if he finds his way onto the Major League roster. The other players listed are deep league stashes that you hope to finish out the year with, continuing their hot streak. I've mixed in some interesting buy-low targets in the 3 Down portion. There is now concern with their performances, although they have shown promise in the past.

3 Up, 3 Down - Prospects Live
Prospects LiveTom Gates

If you find yourself in a position where you conclude that this isn't your year, I believe taking a stab at who could potentially find themselves in a closer situation next year is a good choice if you have an open roster spot. Last year, I was able to pick up Ryan Pressley and Jordan Roman in my league. I proceeded to flip this at the start of this year for better long-term pieces, and it worked out. While I don't have any suggestions for you in this article, I recommend you check out Nate Rasmussen's Closer Hierarchy articles.

🔥 3 Up

Nick Schnell, OF, WSH (Triple-A)

.263/.348/.544, 18 HR, 18 SB, 7.4% BB, 29% K

History
The Rays selected Schnell 32nd overall in the 2018 draft. His development was slow; he spent several years in rookie ball and Single-A before finally reaching High-A in 2023. Throughout that time, Schnell struggled with contact, often posting a contact rate below 70%.

In 2024, he had one of his best seasons, spending most of the year in Double-A. Over 81 games, Schnell hit nine home runs, stole nine bases, and trimmed his strikeout rate to 24%. He earned a late-season promotion to Triple-A, where the swing-and-miss issues reappeared. After the season, the Nationals signed him to a minor league deal.

Today
Schnell still has contact concerns, but when he does connect, it’s loud. Sound familiar? Think Spencer Jones-lite.

At Triple-A, Schnell boasts a 51% hard-hit rate, 91.7 mph average exit velocity, 107 mph 90th percentile EV, and a 113 mph max. All above average.

Now the bad:

  • K-rate north of 30%
  • Whiff rate of 43%
  • Zone contact is poor
  • Walk rate at just 8%

Let’s stack him up next to Spencer Jones at Triple-A:

  • Jones: 62% hard-hit, 94 mph average EV, 109.6 mph 90th EV, 113 max
  • Jones whiff rate: 36%, in-zone contact: 70%

Clearly, Jones is the superior player, but there are some similarities—namely, both are hard-contact machines with big swing-and-miss. Schnell is a deep-league version of that profile, and he’s also a runner (18 SB on the year).

July was monstrous: In 107 plate appearances, Schnell hit 11 home runs, stole 9 bases, and batted .385 with a manageable 26% strikeout rate and an uptick in walks. His plate discipline has improved—chasing less, whiffing less, and making better in-zone contact.

Projection & Rankings Update
Schnell didn’t crack our July top 600. If his surge had started earlier, he might’ve snuck onto a few lists. He’s not on the Nationals’ 40-man roster, but given his age, Triple-A performance, and Washington’s rebuild, a late-season call-up is possible.

Fantasy-wise, he reminds me of a Tim Elko type—he might help in spurts, but he’s not someone you lock into a lineup long-term.