Roansy Contreras, who jumped into the RotoProspects Top 300 at #257, is fifth in the entire minor leagues in strikeouts with 64 in 45 innings after the Pirates right-hander had 7 Ks in 5 innings on Tuesday for Double-A Altoona against Harrisburg. Contreras was part of the four-prospect haul the Pirates got from the Yankees for Jameson Taillon in January. Contreras has been dominant in Double-A this season, posting a 2.00 ERA and 0.84 WHIP over eight starts. Contreras, who was an international signing by the Yankees in 2016 out of the Dominican Republic, has a mid-90s fastball that can touch 97 and a solid mid-80s changeup with heavy sink to go with a developing curve. Contreras should get a promotion to Triple-A soon and could be in Pittsburgh by season’s end.
Sam Hentges is getting a shot in the injury-ravaged Indians rotation and moves into the rankings at #278 as the 6-foot-8, 245-pound lefty has turned a corner of late with 11 strikeouts in 8 scoreless innings over his last 3 appearances. He complements his 95-mph fastball with a hard slider and a curve. He has struggled with his control throughout the minors and his 4.5 BB/9 this season with Cleveland matches the rate he had in Double-A in 2019. But over his last three appearances, including one start, Hentges’ 11-1 K-BB gives hope that he is figuring it out. The stuff is here for a breakout if he can keep the control gains, so fantasy owners should take notice.
Curtis Terry cruised into the rankings at #281 as the all-bat prospect just keeps crushing in Triple-A Round Round with a .306/.382/.994, 12 homers and 33 RBIs. The 6-foot-2, 258-pound “first baseman” could get a look at DH soon for the Rangers, who have been going with Willie Calhoun and his .386 SLG there. Since his lack of prospect status is partially due to his non-existent defensive ability, he’s going overlooked as a potential Adolis Garcia-type breakout in the second half for Texas.
Lars Nootbaar was called up for his MLB debut on Tuesday and moves into the rankings at #297. The Cardinals outfielder was putting up big numbers in Triple-A with a .329/.430/.557 and 5 homers in 93 plate appearances. His plate discipline (14.0 BB%, 18.3 K% in Triple-A) and power give him a chance to earn a spot in the Cardinals outfield alongside Dylan Carlson and Tyler O’Neill.
Luke Williams moves into the rankings at #298 as the unheralded utilityman has continued to hit for the Phillies since announcing his presence with a walk-off homer in his first career start. Williams has made 4 appearances at second base, 3 at shortstop, 3 in the outfield and 2 at third base since getting called up on June 8 and is batting .344 with a homer after hitting .352 with 3 steals in 18 games at Triple-A. He had 11 homers and 30 steals in Double-A in 2019, so he could be a fantasy contributor if he keeps on earning more playing time with Philly.