Skip to Sidebar Skip to Content
Prospects Live
Anonymous

  • Sign in
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • What We Do
  • - Articles
  • Dynasty
  • MLB Draft
  • MiLB
  • Cards
  • - Popular
  • PLIVE+ App Suite
  • Fantasy Lists
  • Draft Lists
  • Hobby+
  • Top 100 Prospects
  • Team Top 20s
  • Podcasts
  • Our Team
  • Contact
  • X
  • Notifications
© 2025 Prospects Live - Published with Ghost & Aspect
Sunday Smoke: Breakout, Buy-Low and a Waiver-Wire Ace?
Dynasty, Sunday Smoke, Adley Rutschman

Sunday Smoke: Breakout, Buy-Low and a Waiver-Wire Ace?

A weekly column where Darren "Doc" Eisenhauer (@DocEisenhauer) provides dynasty + redraft insight at the Major League level.

  • Darren Eisenhauer by Darren Eisenhauer
    Darren Eisenhauer Darren Eisenhauer
    • May 11, 2025
    • •
    • 6 min read
    Please check your inbox and click the confirmation link.
    • Share on X
    • Share on Facebook
    • Share on LinkedIn
    • Share on Pinterest
    • Email

    Howdy, folks!

    We're getting to a part of the season where we still have a long way to go, but I also feel a lot safer on the stability of my analysis.

    What do I mean?

    Well, we are past the "Kyren Paris is the next fantasy superstar" phase, and Tyler Soderstrom doesn't seem as much of a lock for 50+ HR now that his last bomb was mashed on April 17th.

    Those were fun days, but also made hot takes a little tricky based on limited data and games to watch. We are now entering a world where we can start entertaining Maikel Garcia as a legitimate budding star, we can start questioning who Adley Rutschman really is...and we just might be able to see Ryan Weathers pitch in a MLB game again.


    Maikel Garcia - Superstar Upside?

    Maikel Garcia, 2B/3B (+OF in some formats), KC

    I keep hearing about how Maikel Garcia "did this to us last year" as if he's some 31 year old on his last shot in the bigs, and there's just no way he could develop or improve at this point.

    Let's get some facts straight.

    For a start, the kid is still a kid - he just turned 25 years old. Secondly, it seems like the doubters are all having collective amnesia on what really happened in 2024.

    You see, he actually had a cruddy April to the tune of a .280 OBP. What people are remembering is the opening week (yes, one week) where he crushed 3 home runs and it seems like he may have fixed his poor launch angle.

    The reason people have such strong memories about that week is because Maikel Garcia absolutely hammers the ball (consistently averaging 90+ EVs) despite low home run totals to this point in his career.

    GMs thought they had a fantasy superstar in the making, so it makes sense they are a little wary after being so severely disappointed.

    If our expectations were kept in check, it actually wasn't a terrible year, especially if you played in Batting Average formats. He nearly grabbed 40 stolen bases, and showed an elite ability to not chase or whiff at pitches - his xBA was 30 points higher than his actual batting average!

    In other words, it was a rotten-luck season for a 24 year old, and he still provided fantasy utility.

    We're also forgetting that he showed a solid floor in his rookie season back in 2023, dropping a sturdy .272 BA along with a .323 OBP. Not flashy, but completely respectable from a 23 year old rookie.

    But in 2025, it sure looks like the kid is putting it all together. Let's throw some stats your way courtesy of TJ Stats:

    Maikel has always excelled at being a great bat-to-ball pure hitter, but his profile was limited by essentially refusing to take a walk. It's the plight of a talented young hitter who makes hard contact: it can feel like a loss to be patient and take your base.

    However, Mr. Garcia appears to have taken that critical step forward so far in 2025. His walk rate is way up, he's still barely ever striking out, and this increased selectivity has allowed him to wait on better pitches to mash!

    The result is an absurd .316/.386/.493 slash line, which is actually backed up by a .316 expected BA (as well as the stats in the graphic).

    I still don't know if it's in Maikel Garcia's game to ever be a big-time home run bat, but I don't know if it really matters.

    What he's doing right now is establishing a floor as an elite hitter who will steal 30+ bases every year. If he keeps hitting baseballs as often as he is, with the power that he has you’ve gotta think more are gonna find themselves in the stands.

    If Maikel Garcia ever decides optimize his swing for power, it would be the key that unlocks the door to superstardom.

    Oh, and in case you've missed me posting about it on X: Garcia comes from a rich baseball bloodline, featuring:

    • Ronald Acuna Jr.
    • Luisangel Acuna
    • Alcides Escobar
    • Kelvim Escobar (throwback!)

    All in all, crazier things have happened than seeing Maikel mash 25 HR one day.

    This post is for subscribers on the 55 Tier (Everyday Regular), 60 Tier (All-Star), 70 Tier (MVP), 80 Tier (Hall of Fame) and MLB Teams & Agencies only

    Become a subscriber now and gain access to articles, tools, and stay updated with Prospects Live.

    Become a member

    Already have an account? Sign in

    Darren Eisenhauer Darren Eisenhauer
      Darren Eisenhauer Darren Eisenhauer
        On this page
        Unlock full content
        Please check your inbox and click the confirmation link.

        Read Next

        AFL Daily Sheet 10/6/2025: AFL Day 1 4 min read

        AFL Daily Sheet 10/6/2025: AFL Day 1

        Rhys White Rhys White
        Rhys White Rhys White
        As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
          Oct 7, 2025 • MiLB • Daily Sheet • Sean Paul Linan
          2026 Dynasty Outlooks: Washington Nationals 35 min read

          2026 Dynasty Outlooks: Washington Nationals

          Tom Gates Tom Gates
          Tom Gates Tom Gates
          Drew Wheeler's favorite men's softball outfielder.
          • X
          Greg Hoogkamp
          Greg Hoogkamp Greg Hoogkamp
          Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
          • X
          Greg Hoogkamp Greg Hoogkamp Drew Wheeler Drew Wheeler Kyle Sonntag Kyle Sonntag
          Oct 7, 2025 • Dynasty • 2026 Dynasty Outlooks • Washington Nationals
          Washington Nationals 2026 Top 20 Prospects 27 min read

          Washington Nationals 2026 Top 20 Prospects

          Prospects Live Staff Prospects Live Staff
          Prospects Live Staff Prospects Live Staff
          • X
          Rhys White
          Rhys White Rhys White
          As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
            Rhys White Rhys White Matt Seese Matt Seese Trevor Hooth Trevor Hooth Jackson Shelton Jackson Shelton Grant Carver Grant Carver Gabriel Estevez Gabriel Estevez
            Oct 6, 2025 • MiLB • 2026 Team Prospect Lists • Washington Nationals
            2025 Bowman Chrome: The 1st Bowman Chrome Prospect Price Tracking 6 min read

            2025 Bowman Chrome: The 1st Bowman Chrome Prospect Price Tracking

            Andrew Dahl Andrew Dahl
            Andrew Dahl Andrew Dahl
              Oct 6, 2025 • Cards • Bowman • 2025 Bowman Chrome
              Washington Nationals 2028 Lineup 6 min read

              Washington Nationals 2028 Lineup

              Kyle Sonntag Kyle Sonntag
              Kyle Sonntag Kyle Sonntag
              Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
              • X
              Oct 6, 2025 • 2028 Lineups • Dynasty • Dynasty Articles
              Top 50 NCAA Prospects for 2026 MLB Draft - College Baseball Now #1

              Top 50 NCAA Prospects for 2026 MLB Draft - College Baseball Now #1

              Drew Wheeler Drew Wheeler
              Drew Wheeler Drew Wheeler
              Watch Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live & Stadium! | Amateur and Dynasty Team Writer/Podcaster | I love the Tennessee Volunteers, milk, pitchers, catchers, & you <3 P4:13
              • X
              Jake Bargery
              Jake Bargery Jake Bargery
              College Daily Sheet & MLB Draft evaluator
              • X
              Jake Bargery Jake Bargery
              Oct 5, 2025 • Podcast • College Baseball Now • Roch Cholowsky
              Dynasty Podcast Episode #86 - White Sox and Rockies Dynasty Outlooks 3 min read

              Dynasty Podcast Episode #86 - White Sox and Rockies Dynasty Outlooks

              Greg Hoogkamp Greg Hoogkamp
              Greg Hoogkamp Greg Hoogkamp
              Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
              • X
              Raj Mehta
              Raj Mehta Raj Mehta
                Raj Mehta Raj Mehta Drew Wheeler Drew Wheeler
                Oct 3, 2025 • The Dynasty Podcast • podcasts • Dynasty
                Trading Cards and Trading Stories: Position Players Pitching 19 min read

                Trading Cards and Trading Stories: Position Players Pitching

                Joe Lowry Joe Lowry
                Joe Lowry Joe Lowry
                Hobby Lead
                • X
                Oct 3, 2025 • Cards • Baseball Cards • Trading Cards Trading Stories
                Wild Card Madness - On Deck 39

                Wild Card Madness - On Deck 39

                Nate Rasmussen Nate Rasmussen
                Nate Rasmussen Nate Rasmussen
                Director of Amateur Scouting, On Deck podcast, Pro-Side Evaluator, and more. Former college pitcher, current college coach. PNW guy.
                • X
                Rhys White
                Rhys White Rhys White
                As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
                  Rhys White Rhys White
                  Oct 2, 2025 • On Deck Podcast • Podcast • Anthony Volpe
                  2026 Dynasty Outlooks: Colorado Rockies 43 min read

                  2026 Dynasty Outlooks: Colorado Rockies

                  Drew Wheeler Drew Wheeler
                  Drew Wheeler Drew Wheeler
                  Watch Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live & Stadium! | Amateur and Dynasty Team Writer/Podcaster | I love the Tennessee Volunteers, milk, pitchers, catchers, & you <3 P4:13
                  • X
                  Smada
                  Smada Smada
                  Prospects Live President
                  • X
                  Smada Smada Kyle Sonntag Kyle Sonntag Tom Gates Tom Gates
                  Oct 2, 2025 • Dynasty • 2026 Dynasty Outlooks • Colorado Rockies

                  Subscribe to Prospects Live

                  Prospect goodness, straight to your inbox

                  Please check your inbox and click the confirmation link.
                  Prospects Live
                  • Home
                  • Subscribe
                  • What We Do
                  • - Articles
                  • Dynasty
                  • MLB Draft
                  • MiLB
                  • Cards
                  • - Popular
                  • PLIVE+ App Suite
                  • Fantasy Lists
                  • Draft Lists
                  • Hobby+
                  • Top 100 Prospects
                  • Team Top 20s
                  • Podcasts
                  • Our Team
                  • Contact
                  • X
                  • Notifications
                  © 2025 Prospects Live - Published with Ghost & Aspect