We’re almost halfway through May, so now is a good time to take a look at which prospects are making a case to provide some (potential) value to fantasy baseball players down the line in 2026. Starting with a red-hot shortstop in the Reds’ system.
Edwin Arroyo
After a down 2025 season in Double-A, Edwin Arroyo is having one of the best seasons among prospects at the Triple-A level this season. But more specifically, in May, he’s been one of the best players at the level, period. Five home runs, a 14.6% Barrel%, and a 1.456 OPS in his first 10 games so far in the month.
In what has been a strong month as far as peripherals are concerned, the advanced numbers also paint a rosy picture for Arroyo. The switch-hitting middle infielder has just a 12.5% Whiff% on four-seamers. However, the one number that hasn’t been great is the walks. Arroyo walked twice and posted a Chase% just south of 37%.
Arroyo put himself in a fine position for a future call-up. And with Matt McLain in the midst of another down season, it could come sooner than later.
Cole Carrigg
Rockies infield/outfield prospect Cole Carrigg has torn up Triple-A this month. Across his first nine games, Carrigg hit .442 with three home runs and eight extra-base hits, plus six stolen bases.
Swing-and-miss was a problem for Carrigg last season, as well as an aggressive approach. But after he sported a Whiff% well north of 30% last season in Hartford, that’s down to 13.7% as of May 13, good for the top 20 of all Triple-A hitters (min. 40 swings). However, that aggressive approach (31.5%) isn’t going anywhere.
That latter point isn’t much of a concern right now, although it might if the 45% Chase% this month on fastballs keeps up. What is more prudent is the fact that Carrigg, an interesting prospect with power and speed, makes him someone to watch, especially in Colorado. And he’s not the only Isotope to watch, either.
Colt Emerson
Mariners infielder Colt Emerson is going to see MLB action at some point. It’s just a matter of when, not if.
Emerson, who signed a long-term extension in May, has put up impressive numbers across May to this point. The shortstop slashed .289/.327/.467 with 13 hits, two of which were home runs, plus two stolen bases. Like Carrigg, he’s been aggressive (40.7% Chase%) on velocity,
There’s been some swing-and-miss (28% in May) from Emerson in Tacoma but the upside is there, even though he may wind up providing more value with his glove than the bat.
Denzer Guzman
Denzer Guzman is the only player on this month’s list with MLB experience, although it isn’t much. Guzman only has 42 at-bats to his name, all of which came in 13 contests last season.
Back in Triple-A this season, May has been a good month for Guzman. As of May 13, Guzman slashed .410/.489/.692 with three home runs in Triple-A Salt Lake.
Like Emerson and Carrigg, Guzman’s in-zone swing-and-miss is quite low in May. It’s 9.7% this month, a sign that bodes well for whenever he comes back to the Majors. He’s also seen time at third this season, something that could open up a different avenue given that Zach Neto is at short.
Jett Williams
Lastly, we should take a minute and give you some notes on Jett Williams.
Williams, acquired alongside Brandon Sproat in the Freddy Peralta trade, batted .324 with 10 walks in the first 10 games this month for Triple-A Nashville. He’s long been a highly disciplined batter, and that 20% Chase% as of writing in May is certainly proof of that. The 22-year-old also has 10 stolen bases this year.
He has to be added to the 40-man roster by the end of the year, so the chances of Williams making at least a cameo can’t be ruled out. And if he does, Williams should carry value in all formats.
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