We as baseball fans have had the pleasure of watching big-time prospects make their debuts lately, seemingly a lot more this season than others.

Some of these young studs were picked up in fantasy leagues a couple weeks ago as owners in deeper formats may have planned on their arrival. With all the avenues of information out there, prospects are more known commodities and fantasy owners are doing research to find the gems. There are also yearly leagues out there that allow you to roster a player in the Minor Leagues.

With all that being said, let’s take a look at what these players have to offer this year and beyond. Some of you may still find one or two of them available on the waiver wire in your league.

Fantasy Baseball Rookies and Prospects

Carlos Correa, Hou SS

Houston’s top prospect got called up to the Big Leagues on Monday and went 1-for-4 in his debut with an infield single and run batted in off of the White Sox’ Chris Sale. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft is still just 20-years-old, so it has been a relatively quick climb to the Show. Correa hit .313 with 126 extra-base hits (28 were homeruns) and 199 runs batted in in 282 Minor League games.

The youngster’s power is developing as evidenced by hitting his first Major League big fly on Tuesday against the White Sox. Correa also swiped a bag in that game and he was fairly active on the base paths in the Minors as well. He has all the tools to be a great player for a long time, but understand he is still very young and a ways away from his prime still.

Joey Gallo, Tex 3B

Joey Gallo
Photo credit: Tracy Proffitt
There is no denying the immense power possessed by this left-handed hitting slugger as we saw him launch to big flies in back-to-back games to start his career. Gallo bashed a combined 80 homeruns over the past three seasons in which he played Single-A, High-A and Double-A ball. Since making his debut though, the third baseman has fanned in almost half his at-bats and that could continue throughout his rookie season.

It was an injury to Adrian Beltre that opened the door for Gallo’s promotion and the former isn’t likely to return for another couple weeks with a sprained left thumb. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Gallo stick with the big club and see action in the outfield or designated hitter even when Beltre returns. At age 21, expect Gallo to scuffle at times like he did with four strikeouts in a game last week while also displaying his power in a feast or famine-type situation.

Maikel Franco, Phi 3B

Franco’s season debut was more under the radar than Correa and Gallo’s, but this kid has been clutch with some timely hits for the Phillies over the past month. The 22-year-old from the Dominican Republic is hitting close to .290 with six homeruns and 16 RBIs since being called up on May 15th. That is a far better than he faired last September when he hit .179 with no homeruns and only five RBIs in 58 plate appearances.

Fantasy owners in deeper leagues might find him available on the wire and scoop him up if you need help at third base or corner infield. He should fair pretty well the rest of the season and he continues to build off his good start in 2015. Franco isn’t as heralded as Correa and Gallo, but make no mistake he can hit for average and power.

Carlos Correa top banner photo credit: Arturo Pardavila III

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