2024 Fantasy Baseball: 5 Minor League Pitching Prospects to Watch (April Edition)

The Minor League season is officially underway and that means a chance to watch some of the game’s brightest young pitchers. We’ve already seen several highly-touted arms make their 2024 debuts and dominate, and some could be fantasy baseball options come later in the season. Here’s our April 2024 edition of five pitching prospects to watch for fantasy baseball.

Jose Butto

We start with Mets prospect Jose Butto, who’s technically not a Minor Leaguer as of April 4. Butto didn’t make the Mets roster out of camp despite a strong spring but did get the call as the 27th man during their doubleheader on April 4. Butto pitched well, as he struck out six over six innings and gave up one run against the Tigers.

Despite the shoulder injury to Tylor Megill, Butto wouldn’t have been an option for the Mets due to MLB rules regarding call-ups for pitchers. However, the 26-year-old should play a role in the Mets’ future this season — and in fantasy leagues. He’s got a plus changeup to go along with a mid-90s fastball and Butto’s begun to put it all together.

David Festa

Twins pitching prospect David Festa may be one of the more interesting MLB Draft stories in recent years. A good college pitcher — albeit one with fringe-average stuff at Seton Hall — Festa’s gained velocity and mastered his breaking stuff to turn into a talented prospect. The 24-year-old struck out 119 batters over 92.1 IP last season and notched four over three scoreless frames in his 2024 bow.

The Twins have a good rotation at the MLB level. However, an injury could push Festa, currently in Triple-A, to the Majors. He’s got the stuff to be a strikeout pitcher, making him a name to watch.

Paul Skenes

The Pirates had electric right-hander Jared Jones make his debut in 2024, and it’ll only be a matter of time before Paul Skenes does. Skenes dominated in his first Triple-A outing, as he struck out five over three scoreless frames. He also hit as high as 101.2 MPH on the gun during his first outing of 2024.

Although he’s yet to log heavy workloads every fifth day since turning pro regularly, Skenes’ stuff is polished enough to be in the Majors now. And when he does make it up to Pittsburgh, the righty — regardless of where the Pirates sit in the standings — will be a hot commodity thanks to his strikeout potential.

Ricky Tiedemann

Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Tiedemann didn’t make the Toronto out of camp. However, he did have a solid 2024 bow. The 21-year-old struck out three over 2.1 IP and sat mostly in the 93-96 MPH with his fastball.

Tiedemann missed a healthy chunk of 2023 but did perform very well in the Arizona Fall League. Health and ramping up will be key to Tiedemann’s fantasy potential in 2024.

Carson Whisenhunt

East Carolina has turned into a pitching factory, and Gavin Williams and likely 2024 first-rounder Trey Yesavage are proof of that. Giants prospect Carson Whisenhunt, a 2022 second-round pick, is also another example of the Pirates’ success with developing pitchers.

Whisenhunt put up gaudy numbers last season — he struck out 83 over 58.2 IP and opposing batters hit .177 off him — in the Minors and he’s off to a hot start in 2024. The left-hander struck out six over three innings with Sacramento in his first start, and he could join Kyle Harrison in the Majors at some point.