As we roll out our latest update to the RotoProspects Top 700 Prospect fantasy baseball rankings, let’s dive into the key updates surrounding the top-ranked prospects this week.

Noah Schultz jumps into the Top 50 after his White Sox debut

The wait for the 6-foot-10 left-hander is officially over. Schultz (pictured above) made his MLB debut on April 14 against the Tampa Bay Rays, becoming the youngest White Sox starter to debut since Michael Kopech. While the box score showed some “uneven” rookie jitters (4.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 BB), the underlying data remains elite.

Despite the nerves, Schultz flashed his top-of-the-rotation potential, sitting at 98.3 mph with his four-seamer and showcasing a sweeper that generated a 40% whiff rate during his time in Triple-A.

Before the call-up, he dominated Charlotte with a 1.29 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 14 innings. Now inside our Top 50, he is no longer a “future” asset—he is a high-strikeout rotation staple whose stock will only rise as he settles into the major league strike zone.

Tanner Franklin jumps into the Top 150 with his dominant start

Franklin is making the Cardinals’ decision to run him out as a starter look like a stroke of genius. On April 4, he fanned a pro-best nine batters over just 3.2 innings for High-A Peoria, striking out six of the first seven Kernels he faced. He has struck out 22 batters in his first three outings and has allowed just four earned runs in his six starts as a pro.

His four-seamer is a true 70-grade weapon, averaging 94-98 mph and touching 102 with an elite 18.5 inches of induced vertical break. This “tremendous ride” allows the ball to explode over barrels in the top of the zone.

Beyond the gas, he features a heavy 89-92 mph cutter and a mid-80s sweeping slider. After slicing his walk rate to 6% during his final collegiate season at Tennessee, the big 6-foot-5 righty is proving he has the control to stick in a rotation long-term.

The Helium Brigade: Minor League Risers

Ryan Sloan, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Up to No. 18)

Sloan is cementing his status as the premier pitching prospect of the 2024 class. In his Double-A debut, he sat mid-90s with a “sky-high” ceiling and is holding his own against older competition. His aggressive promotion path and high floor make him a priority dynasty target.

Kade Anderson, LHP, Seattle Mariners (Up to No. 30)

Anderson has been virtually unhittable, carrying a scoreless streak through his first nine innings at Double-A. With 17 strikeouts and a 0.89 WHIP, he has transitioned from a college standout to a pitcher who looks ready for a big-league challenge in months rather than years.

Didier Fuentes, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Up to No. 46)

Fuentes recently spun 3.2 scoreless frames with seven strikeouts for Gwinnett. His improved fastball/slider combo earned him a 40-man spot, and his high-strikeout floor makes him a primary “helium” candidate for early MLB innings.

JR Ritchie, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Up to No. 79)

Ritchie followed up a seven-inning one-hitter on April 8 with another clinical performance on April 12, fanning five over 5.2 scoreless frames. Now sporting a microscopic ERA through four starts at Triple-A, his elite command suggest he is the next arm in line for a rotation spot.

Theo Gillen, 2B/SS, Tampa Bay Rays (Up to No. 98)

Gillen has officially hit his way into the Top 100. After a scorching start at High-A, which included back-to-back two-homer games last week, his consensus rank among scouts is skyrocketing. His 60-grade hit tool and defensive versatility across the dirt make him an ideal “buy high” candidate in dynasty formats.

Hendry Mendez, OF, Minnesota Twins (Up to No. 177)

The “post-hype sleeper” is back. Now 22 and thriving at Double-A, Mendez is an OBP machine, slashing .333/.396/.595 with six extra-base hits in his first 11 games. His improved ability to impact the ball consistently has him back on the fantasy radar in a major way.

The Top 25 players in this week’s updated RotoProspects Top 700 Prospect Rankings

The Top 50 can be found HERE (no subscription required). For the complete list, CLICK HERE (subscription required).

No.NamePosTeamB/TLevelAge
1Konnor GriffinOFPITR/RMLB20
2Kevin McGonigle2B/SSDETL/RMLB21
3Jesus MadeSSMILS/RAA19
4JJ WetherholtSSSTLL/RMLB23
5Sal Stewart1BCINR/RMLB22
6Walker JenkinsOFMINL/RAAA21
7Leo De VriesSSATHS/RAA19
8Chase DeLauterOFCLEL/LMLB24
9Max ClarkOFDETL/LAA21
10Aidan Miller3BPHIR/RAAA (IL)22
11Colt EmersonSSSEAL/RAAA (IL)20
12Carson BengeOFNYML/RMLB23
13Bubba ChandlerSPPITS/RMLB23
14Trey YesavageSPTORR/RMLB (rehab)22
15Joshua BaezOFSTLR/RAAA23
16Sebastian WalcottSSTEXR/RAA20
17Thomas WhiteSPMIAL/LAA (rehab)21
18Ryan SloanSPSEAR/RAA20
19Josue De PaulaOFLADL/LAA21
20Edward Florentino1B/OFPITL/RHigh-A19
21Bryce RainerSSDETL/RSingle-A20
22Rainiel RodriguezCSTLR/RHigh-A19
23Bryce Eldridge1BSFL/RAAA21
24Travis Bazzana2BCLEL/RAAA23
25Carter JensenCKCL/RMLB22