Introduction
Every fantasy manager knows the names at the top of prospect rankings.
The harder part is identifying the next wave before everyone else.
Rather than focusing on overall prospect status, I wanted to look at one of the best indicators of underlying offensive performance: Triple-A xwOBA .
Using Prospect Savant's expected metrics, I filtered for hitters 24 years old or younger with at least 100 plate appearances in Triple-A during 2026. The goal wasn't simply to find the best prospects—it was to identify hitters whose underlying quality of contact suggests they're ready for the next step.
Of course, talent alone doesn't earn promotions. Opportunity matters just as much.
Here are five hitters whose production, underlying metrics, and organizational situations make them worth monitoring in dynasty and deep fantasy leagues.
Statcast and expected hitting data courtesy of Prospect Savant.
Drew Cavanaugh (San Francisco Giants)
Fantrax Rostered: 2%
If you're looking for the biggest stash on this list, it's probably Drew Cavanaugh.
His Triple-A profile has been outstanding.
• .415 xwOBA
• .524 xSLG
• 165 wRC+
• 96th percentile xwOBA
• 95th percentile xBA
Even more encouraging is how complete the profile looks. Cavanaugh controls the strike zone, barrels baseballs consistently, and owns one of the better expected offensive profiles among young Triple-A hitters.
The path to playing time is also there.
San Francisco's catching situation has been underwhelming, with Joey Bart long gone and neither Carson Susac nor Eric Haase firmly locking down the position. If the Giants decide they need more offense behind the plate, Cavanaugh could quickly force the conversation.
Fantasy Verdict: Elite deep-league stash.
Sean Keys (Toronto Blue Jays)
Fantrax Rostered: 17%
Sean Keys may have the best offensive profile on this list.
His Triple-A metrics jump off the page.
• .409 xwOBA
• .557 xSLG
• 179 wRC+
• 95th percentile xwOBA
• 96th percentile xSLG
The only thing keeping him in Triple-A right now is opportunity.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. owns first base, while Tomoyuki Okamoto has handled third. But Okamoto has struggled defensively (-1 Outs Above Average) and doesn't possess an elite throwing arm, making a future move across the diamond or into more DH appearances a realistic possibility.
There's another factor worth monitoring.
If Toronto decides to buy at the deadline, Keys could become a valuable trade chip. If they're sellers, he could simply play his way onto the major-league roster.
Either way, there's a legitimate path.
Fantasy Verdict: One of the better speculative dynasty stashes.
Jimmy Crooks (St. Louis Cardinals)
Fantrax Rostered: 16%
Jimmy Crooks has done everything you could ask from an offensive standpoint.
His Triple-A expected metrics remain among the best in baseball.
• .404 xwOBA
• .534 xSLG
• 150 wRC+
• 95th percentile xSLG
The only obstacle is Ivan Herrera.
As long as Herrera remains healthy and productive, consistent catching opportunities will be difficult to find.
Still, organizations rarely keep this type of offensive production in Triple-A forever.
Whether it's through an injury, added DH opportunities, or another roster move, Crooks feels close.
Catchers with legitimate offensive upside are difficult to find in fantasy baseball.
Fantasy Verdict: Worth stashing now before the promotion comes.
James Tibbs III (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Fantrax Rostered: 45%
James Tibbs III is probably the biggest name on this list.
His Triple-A numbers have been outstanding.
• .397 xwOBA
• .531 xSLG
• 148 wRC+
• 94th percentile xwOBA
• 96th percentile Hard-Hit Rate
The challenge isn't talent.
It's the Dodgers.
Los Angeles has one of the deepest rosters in baseball, making immediate playing time difficult to project.
That said, contenders routinely use prospect depth to improve at the trade deadline.
If Tibbs isn't contributing for the Dodgers later this summer, there's a very real chance he's included in a deal where he immediately receives everyday at-bats elsewhere.
Either outcome makes him interesting.
Fantasy Verdict: Already rostered in many dynasty leagues, but he's still worth targeting anywhere he's available.
Luke Adams (Milwaukee Brewers)
Fantrax Rostered: 15%
Luke Adams quietly owns one of the strongest underlying offensive profiles in Triple-A.
The expected metrics are excellent.
• .396 xwOBA
• .470 xSLG
• 146 wRC+
• 98th percentile Prospect Savant Score
• 94th percentile xwOBA
He consistently controls the strike zone, avoids empty swings, and continues producing quality contact.
Milwaukee has never been afraid to reward hitters who force the issue.
If Adams keeps hitting, it becomes increasingly difficult to justify leaving him in Triple-A.
He may not carry the national hype of other prospects, but the underlying numbers suggest he's much closer than most fantasy managers realize.
Fantasy Verdict: One of the best dynasty waiver adds before his value jumps.
Final Fantasy Takeaway
Fantasy championships are often won by adding players before they're promoted—not after the news breaks.
These five hitters all share three important traits:
• Elite Triple-A expected metrics
• Age-appropriate production
• A realistic path to MLB playing time
Will every player on this list become a fantasy star?
Probably not.
But if you're looking to stay one step ahead of your league, these are exactly the types of hitters worth adding before everyone else notices.