MLB Top Prospect Check-In: How are Top 10 Players Performing this Season?

Discussing the seasons so far for the top-10 prospects in the MLB.

We’re about a month into the MLB season now, and the minor league teams are also at least about three weeks into action, so there’s enough data to form early opinions on every player.

Today, I thought it’d be fun to look at how the top 10 MLB prospects are performing so far this season.

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Jackson Holliday Fantasy Outlook

Holliday surprisingly started the season in the minor leagues, but got called up after raking in 10 Triple-A games.

Holliday hit for a .333 average and got on base at a .482 clip across those 10 games and 42 at-bats. He had five doubles and two homers while there, and drove in nine runs while scoring 18 times. Holliday struck out just eight times, while walking 12 times.

In his first 10 MLB games, things have been a struggle for the youngster. Holliday has just two hits (both singles) across 34 at-bats. He’s driven in one and scored five times. Holliday has walked just twice, while striking out 18 times.

When Holliday got called up, I warned fantasy owners to be patient with him. I didn’t think he’d struggle this much and wouldn’t be surprised if he’s sent back down soon. I’d still hang on to Holliday until that happens though, stashing him at the end of my bench for the time being. 

He’s too big a prospect to give up on after just 10 games. I get not wanting to play him, but I expect things to click at some point, and you don’t want to miss out on that.

Jackson Chourio Fantasy Outlook

Chourio has played in 20 games with the Brewers so far this season. He’s got a .218 average and .271 on-base percentage, but has four homers, 13 RBIs and 10 runs scored. Chourio has also stolen four bases.

Chourio was a career .286 hitter in the minor leagues, but has struggled to consistently hit so far this season. Like Holliday, strikeouts are an issue for Chourio - he’s got 28 Ks to just six walks. 

There’s a chance Chourio could also be sent down when Christian Yelich returns from injury and if Blake Perkins and Sal Frelick continue to hit, but until that happens, Chourio should play nearly everyday.

I’d probably try to avoid him in my lineup most days, but also wouldn’t want to drop Chourio. The league is adjusting to these youngsters, and now it’s time for guys like Chourio to adapt. Just be patient with him.

Paul Skenes Fantasy Outlook

Skenes had been electric through his first four Triple-A starts of the season, not allowing an earned run. Skenes had 27 strikeouts across four games, but had only covered 12 2/3 innings.

It appears the Pirates are trying to limit the workload for Skenes, and might do the same thing all season. That doesn’t mean that he won’t ever get a call up, or be a fantasy asset, but his ceiling is probably going to be pretty capped.

It looks like Skenes is ready to make the jump, so keep a close eye on news surrounding the talented righty.

Junior Caminero Fantasy Outlook

Caminero has only appeared in eight AAA games this season after an early-season injury. He’s been solid when he’s been out there, with a .265 average and .342 OBP.

Caminero has two doubles and homers among his nine total hits, has driven in nine runs and scored seven times. He’s also walked four times, struck out on nine occasions and stolen one base.

The Rays’ youngster got seven MLB games in last season, so I was surprised that he opened the year in the minor leagues, especially with all the injuries the Rays have been dealing with. 

Tampa Bay is getting closer to full health now, which will make it tougher for Caminero to get called up. If the team’s regular hitters are all thriving at the plate, that could make Caminero a trade piece, but I think it’s more likely that Caminero gets a callup with Tampa Bay over the next month or two. He’s proved to be a strong hitter in the minor leagues, and if he continues to do that as he builds back up after his injury, there’s really not much reason to keep him in the minors any longer.

Wyatt Langford Fantasy Outlook

Langford has played in 22 games for the Rangers this season, sitting with a .235 average and .313 OBP. He’s doubled twice and tripled once among his 20 total hits. Langford has nine RBIs and 10 runs scored, along with 21 strikeouts and nine walks.

Langford was rushed through the minor leagues after being drafted in 2023, and made the big league team right out of spring training. Early results haven’t been great for Langford, but he also hasn’t looked super overwhelmed much either - his OBP shows that he can get on base in other ways aside from just hits.

He’s playing pretty much everyday, and is probably part of start/sit decisions daily for fantasy owners. His best ball is ahead of him, and he should be owned in just about every league out there.

Dylan Crews Fantasy Outlook

Crews has appeared in 10 games this season because of a minor injury. He’s hitting .244 with a .326 OBP. Crews has two homers and a double among his 10 total hits, has driven in 11 runs and scored seven times. He’s struck out 13 times, walked three times and stole two bases.

Crews is another prospect being pushed through the minor leagues quickly. Assuming the injury doesn’t hold him back for long, I’m interested to see if he can improve his average and OBP as he gets more games in. 

He’s just 22 years old, but should be called up at some point this season. Keep a close eye on his progress and news of a callup.

Ethan Salas Fantasy Outlook

Salas has played 12 games in High-A so far this season. He’s hitting .222 with a .345 OBP. Salas has four doubles among his 10 total hits, has driven in six, but scored just once. The 17-year-old has 13 strikeouts, nine walks and two stolen bases.

Being so young, some growing pains are expected along the way for Salas. He’s shown pretty good plate discipline, which I’d pay more attention to than the average right now. 

He’s likely a season away from debuting, so he should only be owned in dynasty/keeper leagues.

Colson Montgomery Fantasy Outlook

Montgomery is also struggling a bit with his average in his first 18 games at Triple-A. He’s hitting .219, but does have a .305 OBP. Montgomery has three doubles and two homers among his 16 total hits, has driven in seven and scored 10 times. He’s been a strikeout victim 31 times in 73 at-bats, while walking seven times - he’s also stolen three bases.

The high strikeout number is definitely not great, but it’s not something he’s done much in the minor leagues, so it could just be a product of being a young hitter in AAA. 

I’d assume he needs a couple more months of minor league seasoning, but given the status of the White Sox, a call up could really happen at any time.

Walker Jenkins Fantasy Outlook

Jenkins appeared in just one minor league game before going down with a hamstring injury.

Last season, he hit .362 and got on base at a .417 clip between a couple levels. He started in A ball this season, but could be a very quick riser once he’s back on the field.

Many sites estimate Jenkins as a callup option in 2026, and being only 19, that sounds fair right now. He needs some minor league seasoning, and hopefully will get that going soon again.

Jordan Lawlar Fantasy Outlook

Lawlar hasn’t played this season because of a thumb injury.

Lawlar appeared in 14 games for the D-Backs in 2023, so it might not take too long after he returns to the field to get a call up. He’s raked in the minor leagues at every level, so there’s not much left for him to prove.

The injury was expected to keep him out a couple months, meaning he should return in late May/early June if his rehab goes well.

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