2023 MLB Fantasy: Five Minor League Pitching Prospects to Watch (August Edition)

With just less than two months between now and the end of the MLB and fantasy baseball seasons, time is starting to run out. But for those who are either in a late-season push or are looking ahead to next season, there’s still much work to be done from a research standpoint. Here now is a look at several pitching prospects to watch for both the end of the season and in 2024.

Spencer Arrighetti

The Astros have been incredible when it comes to developing homegrown pitching in recent years — Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown are among examples. The next notable pitcher that could come out of the Houston farm is Spencer Arrighetti, a former sixth-round pick back in 2021. Arrighetti struggled with command in the past, but he up consistent numbers (79:23 K:BB ratio, .219 opponent’s AVG over 60.2 IP) in Corpus Christi (AA) before being promoted to AAA.

Arrighetti is more of a name to watch for 2024, but it’s not out of the question that he could get a look in Houston late this season.

Wikelman Gonzalez

Red Sox pitching prospect Wikelman Gonzalez only made four starts above A ball as of August 10, but the young righty’s already made quite the impression. Gonzalez struck out 31 over his first 21 innings with Portland (AA), and opposing hitters have only hit .116 off him.

While he’s had trouble throwing strikes in his short pro career, Gonzalez possesses an electric mid-90s fastball to go along with a curve that’s proven to get whiffs both in and out of the zone. If he can fine tune his mechanics, the 21-year-old could be a factor in the Boston rotation at some point next season.

Jacob Lopez

The Tampa Bay Rays have lost a number of impact arms over the last few months. Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs are done for 2023, and Shane McClanahan‘s season is also likely over. If the Rays lose another pitcher, the next man up could be left-hander Jacob Lopez. The 6’4 lefty has struck out 110 batters across 21 games — most of which he tallied 4-5 innings per game — and over 84.1 IP this season between Montgomery (AA) and Durham (AAA).

Lopez throws from a low slot and with some deception, and scouts do appear to like the 25-year-old’s slider (h/t MLB.com). While Lopez might not be a highly-rated prospect, he is someone to watch should Tampa need an additional starter.

Connor Phillips

Reds right-handed pitching prospect Connor Phillips was on this list in July, and he’s back after a strong month in Louisville (AAA). The 22-year-old struck out 27 over 21 innings with the Bats and posted a tidy 1.71 ERA in July. Phillips’ fortunes have not been great in August, but the right-hander, who was acquired in the Jesse Winker/Eugenio Suarez deal, still owns a strong 3.36 ERA and a 145:49 K:BB ratio in 2023.

The Reds have struck gold with a couple of youngsters this season and Phillips could get a look in Cincinnati very soon.

Mike Vasil

A highly-touted high school prospect that fell to the Mets in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft after a stint at the University of Virginia, Mike Vasil‘s stock has risen over the last two years. Vasil struck 85 over 71 innings in his first pro season in 2022, then followed that up with 102 K over 89.2 IP. While Vasil’s had trouble in Syracuse (AAA) thus far (5.59 ERA, 1.58 WHIP over 38.2 IP), reports do indicate that’s got the potential to work with four average to above-average pitches at the MLB once fully developed.

With Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander out of the picture, the Mets are set to give some of their young starters, including Tylor Megill and David Peterson, a long look between now and the end of the season. If Vasil can settle down in Syracuse, he could also be an option for the Mets as early as September.

Note: All stats as of August 10.