6 Fantasy Baseball Prospects Rising in Value (2026)

Fantasy baseball dynasty managers are always searching for the next breakout fantasy baseball prospect before the rest of the market catches up. This week’s FantasyPros “Prospecting with the Welsh” segment focused on exactly that: scorching-hot minor leaguers whose stock is climbing rapidly across dynasty formats.

Some of these names are close to the majors. Others are still deep in the lower minors. But every player discussed carries significant long-term fantasy intrigue.

Fantasy Baseball Prospects Rising in Value

From Lazaro Montes‘ power explosion in Seattle’s system to Braden Montgomery‘s fast-moving ascent toward Chicago, these are the prospects fantasy managers should be tracking aggressively right now.

Lazaro Montes (OF – SEA) Is Heating Up Fast

Lazaro Montes entered 2026 as one of the better power-hitting prospects in baseball, but his early-season production in Double-A looked relatively underwhelming on the surface.

That changed quickly.

Over a recent six-game stretch, Montes launched six home runs, including a three-homer game that immediately put him back on dynasty radars in a major way. The FantasyPros crew noted that his batting average has jumped nearly 40 points since late April, signaling that the adjustments may finally be kicking in.

The profile here is straightforward: massive raw power with the potential for middle-of-the-order production.

Seattle has shown patience with Montes’ development, but if he continues hitting at this pace, Triple-A could come sooner than expected. There is even some speculation that a late-season MLB debut could become realistic if the power surge continues.

For dynasty players, this is exactly the type of buying window that disappears quickly. The slow start gave some managers pause, but the recent breakout may end that discount fast.

Jhonny Level (SS – SF) Looks Like the Giants’ Next Fast-Rising Prospect

The Giants continue to build one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, and Jhonny Level is becoming one of the most intriguing names in that pipeline.

Still just 19 years old, Level has dominated Low-A pitching with a .330 batting average, four home runs, seven stolen bases, and an OPS approaching 1.000. More importantly, his plate skills stand out immediately. He rarely swings and misses and already shows advanced bat-to-ball ability for his age.

That contact profile is driving a rapid rise in dynasty value.

The FantasyPros discussion emphasized that public prospect rankings may still be lagging behind where evaluators inside dynasty circles already view him. There is growing belief that Level could climb aggressively through the system over the next year.

San Francisco has quietly become one of baseball’s better player-development organizations, and Level appears to be the next beneficiary.

If your dynasty league competitors are unfamiliar with him now, that likely will not last much longer.

Edward Florentino (OF – PIT) Has Future No. 1 Overall Fantasy Prospect Potential

The Pirates have assembled one of the more exciting collections of young talent in baseball, and Edward Florentino may be the crown jewel.

After beginning the year delayed by extended spring training work, Florentino has returned and immediately started destroying High-A pitching. Through his early sample, he’s hitting over .300 with a massive OBP near .500 and an OPS north of 1.200.

The production is impressive enough, but the long-term ceiling is what really stands out.

Welsh described Florentino as a potential future No. 1 overall fantasy prospect, which is not praise handed out lightly. The Pirates have already shown a willingness to challenge him aggressively despite his age, and another promotion later this summer would not be surprising at all.

For dynasty managers in deeper keeper formats, Florentino should already be untouchable.

If he somehow remains available in shallower dynasty leagues, that window may close very quickly.

Seth Hernandez (RHP – PIT) Is Becoming a Truly Elite Pitching Prospect

Pitching prospects rarely generate unanimous excitement because of the volatility attached to young arms.

Seth Hernandez might become the exception.

The Pirates right-hander is producing video-game strikeout numbers in Low-A and already forcing conversations about whether he could become the best pitching prospect in baseball. According to the discussion, Hernandez currently ranks among the minor league leaders in strikeouts while barely allowing hitters to make meaningful contact.

What makes Hernandez especially intriguing is the age-adjusted dominance.

This is not an older college arm carving through inexperienced hitters. Hernandez is doing this while still incredibly young for the level, which makes the performance even more impressive.

The FantasyPros crew even floated the possibility that Hernandez could eventually challenge for overall top prospect status in fantasy baseball, something dynasty managers rarely say about pitchers.

That alone tells you how special the upside could be.

Braden Montgomery (OF – CWS) Could Reach Chicago Quickly

Braden Montgomery continues looking like one of the biggest long-term winners from last year’s blockbuster trade market.

After crushing Double-A pitching with a .313/.429/.606 slash line, Montgomery earned a promotion to Triple-A and now sits just one step from the majors.

The profile is extremely fantasy friendly.

Montgomery combines huge exit velocities, legitimate 30-home run upside, and enough athleticism to contribute double-digit steals. While strikeouts remain part of the profile, his strong walk rates help offset some of the swing-and-miss concerns.

The White Sox are also entering a phase where roster turnover could accelerate his timetable significantly. Once veterans begin moving at the trade deadline, Montgomery could find himself with a direct path to everyday at-bats in Chicago during the second half.

For fantasy managers with NA or prospect stash spots, this is exactly the kind of player worth prioritizing now before the call-up hype begins.

Jaison Chourio (OF – CLE) Is Back on the Radar After an Injury-Plagued Year

The younger brother of Jackson Chourio endured a brutal 2025 season filled with injuries and developmental setbacks.

Now healthy again, Jaison Chourio looks like a completely different player.

Through his first stretch of games this season, Chourio has posted a batting average above .320 with strong OBP skills, double-digit stolen bases, and nearly as many walks as strikeouts.

The underlying profile remains extremely attractive for fantasy.

Chourio projects as a high-contact hitter capable of contributing batting average, runs scored, and speed from the top of a lineup. The power may never become elite, but there is enough extra-base-hit potential to keep fantasy managers interested.

Most importantly, he finally looks healthy again.

After falling off many dynasty radars last season, Chourio now appears firmly back in the long-term conversation.

Fantasy Baseball Takeaways

Lazaro Montes (OF – SEA) is re-establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier power-hitting prospects after a massive recent surge.
Jhonny Level (SS – SF) may be one of the best under-the-radar dynasty buys in the lower minors right now.
Edward Florentino (OF – PIT) has legitimate future No. 1 overall fantasy prospect upside.
Seth Hernandez (RHP – PIT) is rapidly entering elite-tier pitching prospect territory because of his strikeout dominance.
Braden Montgomery (OF – CWS) looks like a likely second-half MLB call-up with significant fantasy upside.
Jaison Chourio (OF – CLE) is healthy again and rebuilding his dynasty value quickly.
Dynasty managers should aggressively monitor lower-level breakout prospects before mainstream rankings fully adjust.