Fantasy Baseball Notes for American League Prospects on Verge of Promotions: Samuel Basallo, Carter Jensen and More

I came across an article on the minor league news section of the MLB's site that highlighted a prospect from each team pushing for a promotion.

I thought it would be fun to discuss the fantasy outlook for those players mentioned in the article. I'll break things down by league, and start with the American League team prospects - check back soon for the National League writeup.

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Blue Jays - Johnny King

King is an 18-year-old pitcher who is playing for the FCL Blue Jays team. He was taken 95th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and has a 2028 ETA.

He's pitched in six games, making five starts and covering 19 1/3 innings. King has a 1.40 earned run average and 34 strikeouts already.

King is turning heads at his current level, and it's only a matter of time before he gets promoted. He might be a few years from the big leagues, but he's worth keeping tabs on in case his stellar pitching continues across tougher levels of play.

Rays - Chandler Simpson

Simpson already got some MLB experience earlier this season and was surprisingly sent down after posting some good numbers. He continues to rake in Triple-A, so it's just a matter of time before he's back in the big leagues.

Simpson had a .285 average and .315 on-base percentage across 35 MLB games earlier this season. He has a .315 average and .343 OBP over 30 AAA games.

Simpson will be worth adding in a good amount of fantasy leagues whenever he gets called back up to the big leagues.

Red Sox - Connelly Early

Early is pitching at Double-A right now. The 23-year-old lefty has a 2026 ETA after being drafted in 2023.

He has a 2.16 ERA over 49 2/3 innings, along with a 5-1 record over eight starts and 11 appearances. Early has struck out 74 batters.

Early is not only up for a promotion to Triple-A, but could reach the big leagues later in the season if Boston sells more pieces before the trade deadline.

Yankees - Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz

Rodriguez-Cruz is at High-A as a 21-year-old and has a 2027 ETA. He was drafted in 2021.

Rodriguez-Cruz has made 11 starts and 12 appearances this season, going 5-2 with a 2.59 ERA over 66 innings. He has 78 strikeouts so far.

He has a 2.60 career ERA in the minor leagues, so he's a dynasty piece who is worth tracking, and could maybe reach the big leagues earlier if he keeps excelling on the mound.

Orioles - Samuel Basallo

Basallo is at Triple-A, so a promotion would mean he makes his MLB debut. The 20-year-old catcher and first baseman was signed in 2021 and is expected to debut in 2025.

He has a .270 average and .374 OBP across 44 games this season. Basallo also has 15 homers and six doubles among his 41 total hits.

Basallo should be called up any day now, especially with Baltimore needing a boost. The team just needs a way for him to get into the lineup daily, otherwise there's no point in calling him up.

Guardians - C.J. Kayfus

Kayfus is in Triple-A, so a call up would be to play for the Guardians. The first baseman and outfielder is 23 years old and was drafted in 2023. Kayfus is expected to debut in 2025.

Kayfus has a .332 average and .414 OBP over 58 games this season. He has 15 doubles and eight triples and homers among his 72 total hits this season.

Like Basallo, Cleveland will call Kayfus up when they know they can get him in the lineup daily. That likely isn't far off.

Royals - Carter Jensen

Jensen is a 21-year-old playing in Double-A. He has a 2026 ETA after being taken in the third round of the 2021 draft.

Jensen is hitting .298 and getting on base at a .368 clip over 64 games this season. He has eight doubles, four triples and five homers among his 77 total knocks this season.

The primary catcher has an outside chance to reach the big leagues this season, so he's a name to keep tabs on.

Tigers - Kevin McGonigle

The middle infielder was the 37th pick in the 2023 draft. He's 20 years old and playing well in High-A, while having a 2027 ETA.

McGonigle has a .382 average and .479 OBP over 27 games so far, so he's definitely due for a promotion. He's got a whopping 18 doubles and three homers over 39 total knocks. McGonigle is a player I could also see debuting before that 2027 prediction.

Twins - Gabriel Gonzalez

Gonzalez is at Double-A as a 21-year-old and has a 2027 ETA. He was signed back in 2021.

He's hitting .320 and getting on base at a .388 clip across High-A and AA, so he looks to be due another promotion. Gonzalez has five homers, three triples and 18 doubles among his 74 total knocks.

I think there's a decent chance he debuts before 2027, and even an outside chance of it coming late this season if he gets promoted to Triple-A and keeps hitting there.

White Sox - Braden Montgomery

Montgomery was the 12th overall pick in last summer's draft. He's at High-A right now, has a 2027 ETA and is 22 years old.

He hit better in Single-A, but also has solid marks at High-A. Montgomery has a .277 average and .357 OBP overall, with 16 doubles, nine homers and a triple among his 64 total hits.

The outfielder is another guy I could see debuting before his ETA, especially seeing what team he's on.

Angels - Samy Natera Jr.

Natera is pitching in Double-A right now. The 2022 17th-round draft pick is 25 years old and is expected to debut by 2026.

Across 21 appearances (all in relief), Netera has a 3-0 record and 3.20 ERA over 25 1/3 innings, with 36 strikeouts to his name.

The Angels like to move prospects through the minor leagues quickly, so it's a bit surprising Netera isn't at least in Triple-A already. I think the Angels could promote him to the big leagues at some point in 2025 yet.

Astros - Brice Matthews

Matthews is the team's No. 1 prospect and is mashing at Triple-A. The 23-year-old was drafted 28th overall in 2023 and has a 2025 ETA.

Matthews has a .269 average and .391 OBP over 57 games this season. He also has seven doubles, four triples and nine homers among his 56 total hits, along with 19 stolen bases.

It should only be a matter of time before the shortstop/third baseman gets called up. Houston just needs to find a daily spot in the lineup for him.

Athletics - Tommy White

White is a 22-year-old third baseman playing in High-A for now. He was drafted 40th overall in 2024.

He has a .291 average and .371 OBP over 39 games this season. White has 13 doubles and seven homers among his 44 total hits this season.

White has a 2027 ETA, but I think he could be a quick riser given his age and strong numbers so far this season. We'll see if he can keep things rolling at more difficult levels of play.

Mariners - Michael Arroyo

Arroyo is a 20-year-old middle infielder who is playing in High-A. He has a 2026 ETA after being signed in 2022.

He has a .274 average and .433 OBP over 61 games this season. Arroyo has popped 14 homers and doubles among his 62 total hits, so I'm not sure why he hasn't already been promoted.

Those are big power numbers and could keep him moving up the minor league system in a hurry. 

Rangers - Mitch Bratt

Bratt is a 21-year-old pitcher already throwing in Double-A. The 2021 fifth-round pick has a 2026 ETA.

He's 4-1 with a 2.18 ERA over 57 2/3 innings across 11 starts this season - he has 66 strikeouts already. Bratt has a 3.02 ERA over 315 2/3 minor league innings overall, yet is still going under the radar.

You can only slow a pitching prospect so much. Bratt continues to deliver big numbers at every level he pitches at, and I think there's a chance he gets a big league call up late in the season. He's a name to keep tabs on, or possibly pick up in some really deep dynasty leagues.