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We all know the rookies at the top of prospect lists, including Jackson Holliday, Jackson Chourio, Wyatt Langford or Dylan Crews. Let’s dive into a few rookies, not on the top 10 of top prospect lists who may provide significant fantasy value in 2024.
Michael Busch
Michael Busch was drafted in the 1st round back in 2019 out of UNC. He Busch been toiling in the minor leagues with the Dodgers over the past few years due to their depth waiting for an injury but only managed to get 72 total ABs before being traded to the Cubs this offseason. Busch has shown significant ability with the stick in the minor leagues up to this point but has struggled to settle into one position on defense. Busch likely will start the season at 1B and mix into the 2B and 3B mix.
That said, Busch could return excellent value at his current draft spot in the mid to late 300s, even with ample opportunity. Busch has the hit tool to return a 20+ home run season with a good batting average and mid-70s runs and RBI. Busch's upside alone and playing opportunity make him a prospect I will be looking to draft.
Kyle Manzardo
Kyle Manzardo is an interesting prospect as a hit first, lower power first baseman. Manzardo tore up multiple levels of the minors in 2022, pushing for a promotion at the end of the year, but did not quite get the call. Manzardo managed comparable walk and k rates, which is something only Luis Arráez is typically able to put up. Although Manzardo took a small step back in 2023 but was injured with a shoulder injury that may have changed his swing path and affected the second half of his season.
Manzardo was traded to the Guardians midseason in a rare buy for the Rays. After being delt to the Rays, Manzardo went on to post a 123 wRC+ in AAA while walking 13% of the time and only striking out 15%. Manzardo projects to be the Guardians every day 1B and could be a great OBP player to target to even out a player with less on-base prowess. Manzardo is one of those prospects with a high floor and allows you to take a swing on a few higher ceiling lower floor prospects who may give you 25/25 but may hurt you in the average or OBP categories.
Coby Mayo
The Orioles took a chance in 2020 by drafting Heston Kjerstad with an undershot draft bonus in order to save money to attempt to sign a player in a later round who would require more than his bonus slot. Coby Mayo was that player. Drafted in the 5th round due to signability concerns, the Orioles may have gotten a double winner with Kjerstad and Mayo.
Mayo has broken out in recent years and appears to be the power bat he was expected to be. However, Mayo also seems to have far outplayed his hit and improved to the point that he looks like a plus-hit tool. Mayo is a very driven player who appears to be headed to stardom at Camden Yards. He dropped his k rate to 23% last year from the low 30s the previous two seasons, showing significant progress.
The biggest issue with Mayo is where he will play. With Gunnar Henderson sliding over to 3B to provide play time for uber-prospect Jackson Holliday, Mayo may need to move over to 1B, where his bat still plays plus. Mayo will not be a player who starts the year in the bigs but can be a very valuable midseason add.
Luisangel Acuña
Luisangel Acuña is the younger brother of Ronald Acuña Jr, arguably the best player in baseball. Luisangel does not possess the same power potential as big brother but could provide an immediate impact in 2024. Luisangel was traded at the deadline for legend Max Scherzer straight up and will likely find himself playing second base at Citi Field shortly. With the versatile Jeff McNeil in front of him, it will be less of a matter of if and more of a matter of when he will be turning double plays with Francisco Lindor.
Luisangel's calling card is stolen bases, and he has had them in droves over the past few seasons in the minor leagues. With more than 40 each of the past three seasons and no greater than 413 ABs, fantasy players can drool at the 45+ SB potential with quality plate skills and hopes of a .275 or higher average. Luisangel will never become the top pick in fantasy but can provide elite SB potential with low-teens home runs and quality average enough to be a very valuable player by early call-ups.
