Fantasy baseball managers are always looking for the next impact prospect before the rest of the league catches on. This week’s prospect discussion covered five names across every level of the minor leagues, from Triple-A all the way down to rookie ball. Some are knocking on the door of the majors, while others are years away but already showing fantasy-friendly tools.
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5 Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Stash Right Now
If you’re playing dynasty leagues, keeper formats, or simply planning ahead, these are five prospects generating plenty of buzz.
Hagen Smith (SP – CHW)
Hagen Smith may not have taken the smooth developmental path some expected, but the recent results suggest he’s starting to find his footing.
The White Sox left-hander owns a 3.78 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 47 innings at Triple-A. Consistency has been the biggest challenge. After a rough May that saw his ERA climb significantly, Smith has responded with two dominant outings, striking out nine batters in each start.
The development of a third pitch has been a major focus throughout his professional career. Smith’s fastball-slider combination has always generated attention, but adding another weapon has been a key part of his progression.
What makes Smith especially intriguing for fantasy managers is opportunity. Chicago appears committed to promoting young talent, and with several prospects already reaching the majors, Smith could soon join that wave. The strikeout upside remains enormous, and the recent improvement in command only strengthens his case.
Josue De Paula (OF – LAD)
Few prospects are helping their fantasy stock more than Josue De Paula right now.
The 21-year-old outfielder is slashing .319/.420/.551 with 10 home runs, 53 RBI, and 16 stolen bases at Double-A. He’s been productive all season and continues to show an impressive blend of power, patience, and speed.
De Paula’s profile is particularly appealing because the offensive production comes across multiple categories. He posted a .340 average in May and has continued hitting in June while maintaining an on-base percentage north of .400.
The biggest obstacle isn’t talent. It’s organizational depth. The Dodgers have several high-end outfield prospects moving through the system, which could delay his path. Still, the discussion highlighted De Paula as a potential top-tier dynasty asset who is separating himself from some of the other highly regarded names in the organization.
Whether he eventually reaches Los Angeles or becomes the centerpiece of a major trade, his fantasy outlook continues to climb.
Tate Southisene (SS – ATL)
Tate Southisene has been one of the fastest-rising prospects in the minors.
Selected in the 2025 draft, the 19-year-old shortstop has wasted no time establishing himself as a player fantasy managers need to monitor closely. After already earning a promotion to High-A, he’s combining speed and power in a way few teenage prospects can match.
Southisene has swiped 36 bases while adding eight home runs and 13 additional extra-base hits. The stolen-base totals grab the headlines, but the power development may be just as important.
His rapid advancement is particularly noteworthy considering he’s been in professional baseball for less than a year. If the current pace continues, another promotion could be waiting before the season ends.
For fantasy purposes, speed-power combinations are gold, and Southisene is quickly building a profile that could make him one of the more exciting middle infield prospects in baseball.
Kayson Cunningham (SS – AZ)
Kayson Cunningham continues to validate the hype surrounding his bat.
The Arizona shortstop is hitting an absurd .381 this season while displaying elite contact skills. Through his first full professional season, Cunningham has collected 30 walks against just 38 strikeouts, demonstrating an advanced approach at the plate.
Power hasn’t fully emerged yet, but the underlying indicators remain encouraging. The discussion emphasized his bat speed and ability to elevate the baseball, suggesting there could be more offensive growth coming as he matures physically.
What stands out today is the hit tool. Cunningham is simply overwhelming A-ball pitching, and a promotion appears inevitable. There’s even optimism that he could reach Double-A before the season ends.
For dynasty managers, the combination of contact ability, plate discipline, and future power potential makes Cunningham one of the more attractive long-term investments in the lower minors.
Cristian Arguelles (LHP – COL)
The youngest player on this list might also be one of the most intriguing.
Cristian Arguelles is currently making noise in rookie ball after previously spending time in the Dominican Summer League. The 18-year-old is hitting .351 with a .456 on-base percentage and five home runs in fewer than 100 at-bats.
What stood out most in the evaluation was the quality of the tools. Arguelles was described as having an easy swing, loud tools, and a physical profile that may be even stronger than his listed measurements suggest.
While rookie-ball breakouts often require patience, the belief is that Arguelles won’t remain at this level for long. His offensive upside and physical traits give him the potential to move quickly through the Rockies’ system.
For deep dynasty leagues, he’s exactly the type of early-stage prospect worth monitoring before his value climbs.
Fantasy Baseball Takeaways
- Hagen Smith‘s recent strikeout surge and improving command make him a potential near-term fantasy contributor.
- Josue De Paula is emerging as one of the premier dynasty outfield prospects thanks to his power, speed, and on-base skills.
- Tate Southisene offers an exciting blend of stolen-base upside and developing power as a 19-year-old middle infielder.
- Kayson Cunningham continues to impress with elite contact skills and strong plate discipline, making him a valuable long-term stash.
- Cristian Arguelles is a deeper dynasty target whose offensive tools are already standing out in rookie ball.
- Dynasty and keeper league managers should prioritize De Paula, Cunningham, and Southisene for long-term upside.
- Smith is the closest player on this list to making a fantasy impact at the major league level.
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