MLB Players to Debut of Late with Possible Fantasy Baseball Upside: Warming Bernabel, Alex Freeland and More
Taking a look at several players who made their MLB debuts over the past several days.
Lost in the shuffle of the MLB trade deadline was several young players making their debuts of late.
Let's go over a few of the players to debut in the past several days and then identify some possible waiver wire pickups and how to assess those players individually.
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Warming Bernabel - Rockies
A couple days before the trade deadline, the Rockies called up Bernabel. The 23-year-old has been super impressive in his short time in the big leagues, and is already rostered in 48% of leagues.
He's been a waiver wire target of fantasy owners already, and that goes for deeper leagues and now standard leagues. Bernabel has 14 hits across 33 plate appearances, with three homers, a triple and four doubles already. Bernabel also has eight RBIs, six runs scored, a walk and four strikeouts.
Bernabel has a chance to stick in the lineup for the rest of the season seeing what team he's playing for. Hitting for the Rockies isn't a favorable spot for a fantasy hitter, but that hasn't stopped Bernabel so far.
He's a good add in deeper leagues, and could be a fun short-term add in standard leagues. Bernabel is going to cool off eventually, but you might as well ride this wave while you can.
Carson Whisenhunt - Giants
Whisenhunt is the No. 3 prospect for San Francisco, so he's expected to become a decent fantasy asset in time, at least.
He made his debut on July 28, working five innings against the Pirates. Whisenhunt allowed four runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out three batters.
Whisenhunt earned a win against the Mets on August 3 after working 5 1/3 innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks, while striking out four batters.
He's rostered in 11% of leagues right now, but is slightly trending up now. Whisenhunt should be on the rise after the start he just made, but he needs to show that kind of effort every time out to be a deep-league keeper option.
For now, I'd treat him as a deep-league streaming option. More strong starts could eventually see him being streamed in standard leagues.
He could regain some of the dynasty/keeper value he lost with a good finish to this season. Again, we're talking about a prospect with some decent expectations, so Whisenhunt could become a good fantasy asset in time.
Pierson Ohl - Twins
Ohl has made a pair of three-inning appearances to kick off his big league career.
He made his debut on July 29, allowing four runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out four against the Red Sox. Ohl took the loss in that one, and also got a loss on August 2. He gave up a run on two hits and a walk, while striking out two against Cleveland in that one.
Ohl is barely owned in any fantasy leagues, but I wanted to point him out after the Twins gutted their roster at the trade deadline. Ohl will have a chance to eat some innings down the stretch, and he could have some deep-league value if he sticks in that role.
There's not much upside unless he starts working longer, but he showed improvement in his second outing and is one to keep in mind going forward. Utilizing him in the right matchups could give your fantasy team a few extra fantasy points, and those are never a bad thing.
Alex Freeland - Dodgers
Freeland is the No. 35 prospect in baseball, so there's some expectations with his callup for sure.
He's providing Los Angeles with some infield depth as Max Muncy works his way back from an injury. Muncy is expected back soon, so Freeland might be sent back to the minor leagues until another injury occurs, or September hits.
Freeland made his debut on July 30, collecting a single and a walk, and also getting hit by a pitch.
He had two singles and an RBI in his second game, and then a single in his third appearance. Freeland went hitless on Sunday and struck out twice - he also struck out twice on Saturday and Friday.
Freeland is only rostered in 3% of leagues right now, and that's mostly because fantasy owners know that Muncy is returning soon, and then Freeland's playing time will take a hit (and he might get sent back down).
He has a bright future ahead of him, he just needs regular MLB playing time. Freeland could get that in 2026, so he's a player to keep in mind for drafts next spring.
For now though, Freeland is probably just worth a roster spot in deep, deep redraft leagues, but more so in dynasty/keeper leagues. Another injury could thrust the 23-year-old into a bigger role, so keep an eye on him.
Luis Curvelo - Rangers
Curvelo has made a pair of relief appearances so far.
He covered two scoreless innings in his debut on August 31. Curvelo allowed a hit and struck out three Mariners.
Curvelo worked 1 1/3 innings on August 2, not allowing a hit or walk. He struck out one in that contest and got the win.
You might be wondering why I am writing about a reliever. Well, the Rangers' closer situation has been a mess of late, and someone needs to take that role eventually.
Curvelo could eventually land that role. He appears to have the strikeout work to get the job done, and hasn't been hit hard yet.
I'm pointing Curvelo out in case more relievers keep struggling to put away wins for Texas. Maybe Curvelo could be the next in line for save chances?
Only add him in the deepest of fantasy leagues out there. Just flag him and watch his progress and the innings he's covering as the season moves along.
C.J. Kayfus - Guardians
Kayfus is the No. 66 prospect in baseball, so he comes to the big leagues with some decent expectations.
He made his debut on Saturday, driving in a run and striking out once over four at-bats. Kayfus doubled for his first MLB hit on Sunday, while also scoring once and striking out again.
Kayfus could have a regular role for the Guardians down the stretch, so in time, he could gain fantasy relevance. He's owned in 4% of leagues for now.
Kayfus is a name to keep tabs on as well. He's worth an add in some deeper redraft leagues, and maybe could get to standard league relevance later this season.
His dynasty/keeper value is higher than anything else, and now his fantasy owners get to see a glimpse of him in the big leagues. We'll see if Kayfus can live up to the hype.
Jeremiah Jackson - Orioles
The 25-year-old Jackson made his MLB debut on August 1.
He had a single and strikeout in his first game, and was also caught stealing. Jackson had two singles in his second game and then walked in his third contest.
Jackson isn't a highly-regarded prospect, but he could work into a regular role after Baltimore sold some hitters at the trade deadline. He isn't owned in any fantasy leagues right now, but could get a little deep-league love if he keeps playing and producing a bit.
Jakob Marsee - Marlins
Marsee is the team's No. 10 prospect, so there's some expectations that he could become an average-or-better fantasy hitter.
Marsee also made his debut on the first of this month. He had a double, three walks, two runs scored and a strikeout in his first game.
Marsee had a double, walk and strikeout in game two - he also was caught stealing. He then had a double and triple, an RBI and a strikeout in game three.
It's been a solid start to Marsee's MLB career, and it's grown his own mark to 5%. He could become a decent deep-league asset in time, so those in really deep leagues could benefit from adding Marsee now.
He's likely to top out as a deep-league keeper, but you just never know, so it's worth keeping an eye on Marsee to see how he fares as he gets integrated to the big league level.
Luis Morales - Athletics
Morales is the team's No. 3 prospect and is No. 80 overall, so he's worth tracking a bit closer.
He made a two-inning appearance on August 1 against the Diamondbacks. Morales allowed a run on three hits and one walk, while failing to record a strikeout.
Morales could earn a spot in the team's rotation in time, or be a long reliever. He'll at least have some deep-league streaming potential if he remains in the big leagues.
He's got more dynasty/keeper value and is someone to possibly target in drafts going into the 2026 season. We'll see if Morales can put his name on the map with a good finish to the 2025 season.
