The Gang is all here, minus Matt Thompson, and in his place is your friend and mine Drew Wheeler!

MLB

Brady Basso, LHP OAK (MLB) 6 IP, 3 H, BB, 6 K

Any 6 IP, 0 ER outing on the back of a 6:1 K:BB should have you taking a closer look at a player. After appearing in 3 games as a reliever back in June, Basso made his 1st career start here against DET. In a fun and unrealistic comp, Pitching Ninja overlaid his curveball against Barry Zito, which Basso threw 24% of the time. Fastball sat at 92.6 mph and he threw that over half the time while also featuring a slider used primarily vs LHB and a changeup that he only threw to RHB. The K-BB% in the minors has been solid, but the HR, particularly at AAA, have been an issue. After getting more balls on the ground in 2023, he’s been a flyball pitcher this year. That’ll work in OAK, but he may have an issue with that in Sacramento in 2025. I’m not saying to rush to grab him, but he should be on your radar. There’s a chance he drops a 9 ER bomb on your ratios before the year is out.

Xavier Edwards, SS MIA (MLB) 2-for-5, 2 R, K, 2 SB

It was a quick stop-over on the IL with a back-related injury and in the 4 games prior to this one since returning had gone 2-for-18 with 0 BB and 0 SB. He finally got a couple of hits to drop in and got back to padding the SB column here where he’s pacing 64 SB per 600 PA.

Connor Norby, 3B MIA (MLB) 2-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBI, 2 K 

The power continues for Norby in his brief tenure with MIA. That’s now 4 HR through 72 PA but the K:BB continues to be lacking. This HR oppo-center was impressive, but everything is pointing to a hot streak right now. The nice part is he’s looking like he’s going to be a second division regular near the top of the lineup next year.

Jack Leiter, RHP TEX (MLB) 5 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR

The start was a lot better than what the line looks like. He got to face one batter in the 6th inning, walking Neto then being removed. Neto would score to put another ER on the ledger for Leiter. The homer was a leadoff jack by Taylor Ward. Overall, LAA isn’t the best lineup, but Leiter induced 20 swings and misses for a 48% whiff in just 86 pitches. This was by far the best MLB game of Leiter’s career and points to the potential.

Tobias Myers, RHP MIL (MLB) 6 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 11 K, HR

A new career high K total for Myers and surprise, surprise, it came against the Rockies outside of COL. Everything still points to Myers being a 4.00+ ERA pitcher, but he’s now 120 IP into a 2.93 ERA while pacing over a full-season 160 IP on a per-start basis. I’m not sure the hype will grow all that much despite the performance making him a usable hold in 15+ team dynasty.

Spencer Horwitz, 1B TOR (MLB) 4-for-5, 2 HR, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI

That’s my boy! A double dong and double for Horwitz, all off of Spencer Schwellenbach! I was hoping the cost would remain low, but at this point he’s going to have some extrapolation hype. It’s pretty easy to double what he’s done to get 618 PA, 22 HR, 82 R, 64 RBI with a .269/.356 BA/OBP. Still profiles as more of a 15 HR full-season guy, but it’s hard to not be interested in a player with such rock solid foundational skills at the plate.

Grant McCray, CF SF (MLB) 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI

The double dong gives McCray 5 HR over 68 PA and he’s added 3 SB as well backed by 90th percentile sprint speed. However, we are looking at peak Javier Baez level swing and miss here. For him to have any hope of a sustained starting spot he’ll need to either lower the BB% or lower the K%.

Andy Pages, LF LAD (MLB) 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, K

After mashing in 9 games back down in AAA, Pages was recalled again but as a bench piece. Despite being up for a week, this was his first start, knocking a 432 ft HR in the 1st inning. With Teoscar becoming a FA this offseason, you have to wonder if that’ll open the spot for Pages to play everyday again in 2025.

Dylan Crews, RF WSH (MLB)

Game 1: 2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SB

Game 2: 0-for-3, BB, RBI

Crews is making the splash that Nats fans and FYPD drafters were hoping for. 3 HR and 5 SB, 127 wRC+ over 50 PA, backed by a 12% BB, 14% K. Pretty easy to envision a full season of 20 HR, 25 SB if the attempt rate keeps up even a smidge.

Andres Chaparro, DH WSH (MLB)

Game 1: 1-for-4

Game 2: 3-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBI, 2 K

Chaparro’s 4th HR of the season and they have all come over the last 10 games. Just such loud contact. Check the pitcher’s reaction in the highlights for a good laugh.

DJ Herz, LHP WSH (MLB) 5 IP, 3 BB, 5K

Herz continues his stellar performance with 5 no-hit innings in this one. The pitch count has been limited and you’ve got to think he’ll get closer to 100 per outing in 2025.

Triple-A - Drew Wheeler

Angel Martinez, 2B CLE (Triple-A) 2-for-5, R, 3 RBI, K, 2B, SB

Raynel Delgado, 3B CLE (Triple-A) 2-for-3, 2 R, BB, K, 3 SB

Martinez’ 15th double and fourth steal and Delgado’s 17th, 18th, and 19th swipes of the AAA campaign. They will join the horde of hoarded infielders in Cleveland’s org. Ten thousand infielders succeeding in sub-Cleveland, the sky is blue, grass is green…what else is new? (Thought I’d also include my Top 500 Rank, the team’s, and the player’s PLive +/- score here for context. Martinez – DR, 289 TR, 126 PL+ / Delgado – DR, NR, 99 PL+)

Scott Kingery, SS PHI (Triple-A) 4-for-5, R, K, 2 2B, SB

Leave the memories alone. (NR, NR, NL)

Eddy Alvarez, LF BOS (Triple-A) 3-for-5, 3 R, 6 RBI, 3 HR

Aghast! The fabled throng of dongs for the 34-year-old Alvarez. Tip of the cap to my second favorite guy whose name is spelled E-D-D-Y. (NR, NR, 106 PL+)

Jasson Dominguez, CF NYY (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 3 R, BB, 2 K

Ben Rice, 1B NYY (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 K

The RailRiders went supernova in a 19-0 thrashing of the Syracuse Mets in a mini-Subway Series. Rice’s bomb (his third one in as many days) was his sixth at the level, a three-run shot. Both of these guys are major leaguers and should be with the Yankees, but I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. (Dominguez – 3 DR, 4 TR, 149 PL+ / Rice – NR, NR, NL)

Samuel Basallo, DH BAL (Triple-A) 1-for-4, 3 R, RBI, BB, K, HR

Basallo’s second homer in his Triple-A career. I may be the first to tell you this, but…he’s good. Is he “number-one-prospect” good? I can’t really say no… (6 DR, 5 TR, 164 PL+)

Cooper Hummel, DH HOU (Triple-A) 4-for-4, RBI, 2B, 3B, SB, CS

The slight, switch-hitting, 29-year-old had a big day at the plate, coming a homer short of the Mondo Meal (is this a thing? Do we have a cute name here?) – a cycle and steal. [22nd double, third triple, 15th steal of the year, BTW] Why isn’t this guy chumming it up on the bench for the Astros? (NR, NR, NL)

A.J. Blubaugh, RHP HOU (Triple-A) 6 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 9 K

I really need to move Blubaugh up in my rankings. The righty earned 21 swing-and-misses on 91 pitches, averaged 92.5 on the fastball and had high spin-rates all day long. In fact, over his 23 starts this season, only three have been blowups. I kinda like it. (474 DW, NR, 90 PL-)

Drake Baldwin, C ATL (Triple-A) 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, K, HR

Baldwin’s 11th homer at the level was of the two-run variety; I don’t really see a world where Drake isn’t playing in Atlanta next year. Greg recently named Baldwin to his “All-2024 Prospect Pop-Up Team” and we talked about said team with Chris Clegg for this week’s Dynasty Podcast. How’s that for an under-the-radar teaser? – it drops tomorrow, friends. (81 DR, 250 TR, 126 PL+)

AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP ATL (Triple-A) 7 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 11 K

It was all going so good. Wes Clarke’s grand slam accounted for all the damage against Smith-Shawver, who presented a microcosm of his prospectdom in this contest. There’s obvious talent and gross stuff, but he’s a bit wild yet – and sometimes it costs him big. (129 DR, 81 TR, 75 PL-)

Matt Mervis, 1B CHC (Triple-A) 3-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR

I still love you, Mash Mervis. Something about this profile feels like Eric Thames to me – maybe all we need is a stint abroad? (NR, NR, 117 PL+)

Tristan English, 1B ARI (Triple-A) 4-for-5, R, 2B

Give the 27-year-old his flowers for a four-hit day, the only thing 6,074 folks could truly appreciate in a dreadful-looking game. (NR, NR, 95 PL+)

Blaine Crim, 1B TEX (Triple-A) 3-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 HR

You know the rules. High five, Blaine. (NR, NR, 108 PL+)

Max Scherzer, RHP TEX (Triple-A) 4 IP, BB, 8 K

Mad Max walked Logan Davidson to sully four perfect innings. This is the literal only reason I wrote this blurb. Guy’s an animal. (NR, NR, NL)

Emmanuel Rodriguez, CF MIN (Triple-A) 1-for-3, R, 4 RBI, 2 BB, K, HR

Welcome back to the stat-sheet, king. My favorite player in the minor leagues (probably?) hit an inside-the-park grand slam when a collision allowed everyone to score. Passive, schmassive – ERod is going to be a stud. (4 DR, 7 TR, 154 PL+)

Double-A - Tom Gates

Mikey Romero, SS BOS (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI

The power barrage seemed to have started right when I questioned it. He has five home runs since being called up to Double-A and it’s only been 10 games. Power projections do give him at least an average rating. 

Bryce Eldridge, 1B SF (Double-A) 3-for-4, HR, R, RBI, SB

Now, you want to talk power? Here ya go. You have to get Spencer Jones vibes just by the look of him in the box. Eldridge really started to take off in High-A before he got promoted. It took him about a 100 or so plate appearances before he hit his stride. He’s looking pretty comfortable in Double-A in a short sample. He might be a big mover in the rankings this off-season.

Spencer Jones, DH NYY (Double-A) 2-for-5, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI, K

109 mph off the bat and over the scoreboard. Reminds me of when Schwarber was on the Cubs and put it up on the scoreboard. This is why Jones is so polarizing. 

Ryan Clifford, 1B NYM (Double-A) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI, BB

He’s shown some in-zone contact improvement but really I don’t think he could have gotten worse. 

Termarr Johnson, SS PIT (Double-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2 R, RBI

All the big names are coming out today. Johnson hasn’t really gotten it going yet at Double-A, but he’s also not been overmatched. The 7 strikeouts to 5 walks is a good sign. The power will come like it did today. We are just wondering if we see some improvement in contact, especially in the zone.

Cameron Weston, RHP BAL (Double-A) 6 IP, 2 H, BB, 9 K

The Michigan alum must have been all fired up after watching Texas whoop up on the Wolverines yesterday. 20 swings and misses. An impressive 31% CSW. Weston has been great this season, posting a 23% K-BB%, thanks to a career best 6.5% walk rate. The numbers are great but the O’s have really limited his innings this year, so we haven’t seen how he would do against the line up multiple times. But, he’s one to watch.

Chase Petty, RHP CIN (Double-A) 7 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB, 7 K

Four of his last five games he’s completed at least seven innings. The Reds are really letting him go deep into games. The strikeouts are still lacking overall and the walks are way too high. I’d rather not take a chance on him, especially with his home ballpark. 

Noah Schultz, LHP CHW (Double-A) 3.2 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 5 K

Probably not going out on a limb here, but Schultz will be the number one pitching prospect by mid-season next year if he’s healthy. Part of that prediction is thinking Jobe and Painter will be in the Majors. This year the White Sox just seemed to focus on getting Schultz the innings. He hasn’t gone past 4 innings in a start but I have no doubt his stuff will play the third time through the order.

Jacob Gonzalez, SS CHW (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI

He’s getting unlucky in a sense of a guy hitting 25% line drives and 40% of his balls on the ground and he only has a .225 average to show for it. He should chip in at every category but also won’t win you any of them. More likely to keep you from falling behind. Good bat to ball skills and a good defender should keep him in the line up. 

Chase Davis, LF STL (Double-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB, K

Car-Go Jr. reminded us all why we were initially excited about him by blasting one out to right field. When reports came out last year that he had been struggling with the wood bat, his stock sank but I think it’s starting to rebound. Of course, he has the curse of being an outfielder on the Cardinals. 

Denzel Clarke, CF OAK (Double-A) 3-for-4, 2 R, 3 SB

He really showed some improvement this year. I had run him off my top 300 after a horrible month but his in-zone contact has been on the rise over his last 300 swings. Overall, his metrics look poor but he might be finally figuring it out. I’ll buy back in this off-season for a low, low price.

Alejandro Osuna, CF TEX (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI, K

Just snuck his low line-drive over the 335 sign in right-field. You know I love this guy and I feel the Rangers do too. I’ve tempered back on my power expectations for him and now my hopes are that he turns into a .280 10/20 guy with tons of doubles. 

Jacob deGrom, RHP TEX (Double-A) 4 IP, H, 5 K

Just in time for the Rangers postseason run….No, but if he comes into 2025 healthy, he might be a borderline 2nd rounder in redrafts again. 

High-A - Grant Carver

Alex Mooney, 3B CLE (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI

Home run number 12 on the season for Mooney, who is flashing more power than I thought he had pre pre-season. The problem is in the hit tool, and the contact rates are just not good enough right now. Needs an improvement there.

Nate Baez, C MIN (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, K

Baez is a strong guy with some thump in his bat, as he showed here. He strikes out a ton and the hit tool is a huge red flag, so lots of work needed.

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, SS OAK (High-A) 3-for-5, 3 1B

The 75th overall pick in this past draft has had a nice start to his pro career thanks to his impressive hit tool. He runs insanely impressive contact rates and plays a sturdy shortstop, so it’s a profile that I like. The upside is extremely limited because there’s almost no power and he might be better at second, but if can stick at shortstop I’m in. His plus speed is another tool that makes it an attractive profile.

Spencer Nivens, LF KCR (High-A) 2-for-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB

20 home runs on the season now and the power is just undeniable. He does have some hit tool concerns, but if he keeps up these power numbers he can survive with a below average hit tool. 

Yordanny Monegro, RHP BOS (High-A) 5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

Impressive season continues for Monegro. He has a four pitch mix and all four have promising traits, so combined with the solid command he does have starter potential. High variance guy but he has what it takes to stick in the rotation for sure.

Sebastian Walcott, SS TEX (High-A) 2-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, K, 2 SB

Just a ridiculous season for Walcott and I cannot buy into it enough. Looking forward to seeing how the hit tool develops and how he does against higher level pitching next year.

Brody Hopkins, RHP TBR (High-A) 6 IP, H, 0 ER, BB, 7 K

Boy did the Rays add a lot of interesting guys to their farm this past trade deadline. He might end up being the best of the bunch and the fastball/slider combination gives him a high end relief floor. I have faith in the command improving and him sticking as a starter, though.

Colt Emerson, SS SEA (High-A) 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 K

Nice game for Emerson, who is still adjusting to High-A. He makes lots of contact and the plate discipline looks great, so just have patience on the impact. He’s barely 19 so no surprise it’s yet to show yet here.

Cole Carrigg, CF COL (High-A) 3-for-5, 2B, HR, K, SB

16 home runs on the season now for Carrigg and has had a nice stretch power wise the past week or so. I’ve written about him so many times and everyone knows how much I love this profile. 

Single-A - Rhys White

Sammy Stafura, SS CIN (Single-A) 2-for-3, R, SB 

Sammy Scrambles showed off his speed. He is one of my favorite prospects that I’ll be targeting this offseason because he has everything I want in a young middle infielder. He makes good swing decisions, has a solid approach, and also brings some solid power and speed to the table.

Esmerlyn Valdez, 1B PIT (Single-A) 2-for-2, HR, R, 3 RBI 

Jhonny Severino, 3B PT (Single-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI 

A pair of homers for these Pirates prospects! Severino is on a bit of a tear as the season comes to an end — seems like every other day I see he's blasted another homer. Not a bad return for Carlos Santana. Valdez has hit his fair share of homers this season, but I’m not rushing to pick him up; I’m not really in on him, as he’s a first-base prospect and not a great one at that.

JJ Wetherholt, DH STL (Single-A) 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI 

Wetherholt is showing off his elite hit tool; as things stand, he might be the second-best bat in this FYPD class. Condon’s struggles are alarming, especially since he isn’t facing great arms in High-A. Wetherholt should probably have been sent straight to High-A like most of the other elite college bats in this class. His elite bat-to-ball skills give him such a high floor.

Carter Johnson, SS MIA (Single-A) 1-for-5, 3B, R

I'm not saying he's the next Gunnar Henderson, but my heart is saying he's not not the next Gunnar Henderson. He has shown enough for me to want to target him as early as the back end of the first half of my 30-team league. Unless my league mates see this — Matt Thompson is in this league — then I definitely don't want Carter Johnson.

Franklin Arias, SS BOS (Single-A) 2-for-5, 2B, R, RBI

He is steadily falling down some people’s lists, dropping from a top 5 prospect to now only a top 15 prospect. How ever will Franklin Arias recover? I would sell him this offseason if used car salesmen want to keep hyping him up the way they are now. The value he has might be at the apex of his fantasy potential.

Trevor Harrison, RHP TB (Single-A) 5 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 5 K 

Velo goggles, baby! Trevor Harrison is one of the most underrated arms in the game. His stuff is pretty nasty, and his command has taken some strides. The Rays keep finding these arms out of nowhere. The goal here is for him to become the next SP4 they unearth.

Yophery Rodriguez, CF MIL (Single-A) 2-for-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Braylon Payne, RF MIL (Single-A) 4-for-4, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 4 SB

Big day for those of us who love the Brewers farm system. The Yophery-hive is alive and well! The thing with him is that his swing decisions give me the willies at times and are probably scarier than any movie not named Alien Romulus. Payne with four steals in a game is frankly bonkers, and I am here for it. I hope he’s more Chandler Simpson than Kendall George and is able to just run absolutely wild in the Brewers organization.

Carson Benge, CF NYM (Single-A) 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB

Benge has been steady since becoming a Met. His blend of contact and some power gives him such a high floor. The dream is a 25-homer bat who steals 12-15 bags a season. He should be a solid, if unsexy, pick in an FYPD draft. I’d like him as my second selection in an FYPD because I’d prefer someone with a bit more upside to headline my crop.

Jackson Humphries, LHP CIN (Single-A) 5 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 9 K 

Everything has been coming up Guardians lately. They got the number 1 overall pick, and they didn’t mess it up. The major league team is competitive, and they just keep churning out good pitching prospects. Humphries' emergence probably helped ease the pain of moving Alex Clemmey, whom they just figured out how to get to throw a passable amount of strikes.

Rodney Green, CF OAK (Single-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI 

I love Rodney Green. His blend of power and speed gives him a high ceiling. Plus, the A’s have been doing a good job with these sorts of tooled-up prospects—I mean, Lawrence Butler single-handedly got a team into the playoffs in one of my leagues.

Tai Peete, LF SEA (Single-A) 2-for-5, 3B, 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB

NBA Jam voice He’s on fire!

Walter Ford, RHP SEA (Single-A) 6 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, BB, 4 K, HR Allowed

This should be a cautionary tale about not giving yourself your own nickname—it's not cool. But anyway, Walter Ford should be good; there's a lot of Bryce Miller in him. They have a very similar frame, good fastballs, and the hope that the rest of the arsenal comes together.