Between Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Walker, and Corbin Carrol, there were several rookies last year who made an impact on fantasy baseball players. But now that 2024, it’s time to look ahead toward which rookie hitters could be impact players in fantasy baseball this year. And, there’s a lot of high-end hitting talent that could shine this upcoming season. With that said, here’s a look at 10 MLB rookie hitters that could make an impact in fantasy baseball in 2024.
Related: The 10 MLB Players That Need to Rebound in 2024
Junior Caminero
The Rays acquired infielder Junior Caminero in the winter of 2021 from the Guardians for Minor League pitcher Tobias Myers. Thus far, the trade’s been a steal for Tampa. Caminero exploded in 2023, as he hit 31 home runs and 55 extra-base hits across two levels (A+ and AA) last season and ended the year with the Rays. The young infielder’s got plenty of strength and bat speed, which could turn him into an above-average power hitter in the Majors.
Caminero projects better as a better third baseman long term but it’s quite possible that the 20-year-old — who did see some time at short in the Minors — could be an option for the Rays at short come 2024. Tampa did acquire Jose Caballero this past winter and Taylor Walls be an option there once he’s healthy. Caminero, though, has the better bat and higher ceiling.
Evan Carter
The Rangers surprised some when Texas took Evan Carter in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft. Carter wasn’t a big name that year but his plus-plus eye and bat turned him into an elite prospect. And when Adolis Garcia went down in September for a brief time, the Rangers called up Carter and he didn’t disappoint. The 21-year-old batted .306/.413/.645 (1.058 OPS) with five home runs in 23 regular season games and racked up 18 hits over 17 games for the World Series champions.
The Rangers protected Carter in the playoffs, as Texas often used Robbie Grossman against lefties. But with experience under his belt, Carter’s got a real chance to do significant damage against pitchers and be a true impact rookie hitter for fantasy baseball players in 2024 — just months after he was one of the more valuable hitters last September.
Jackson Chourio
Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio blazed through the Minors over the last two years. The 19-year-old belted 20 home runs and swiped 16 bases in full-season ball as an 18-year-old and hit .280/.336/.467 with 22 home runs and 43 stolen bases in Double-A last year. Chourio’s got the power and speed to be an impact player not just at the MLB level but in fantasy, as well.
It’s essentially a given that Chourio will start the year with the Brewers after the young outfielder inked a long-term extension this past winter. Chourio has 30-30 potential and we’ve seen young players hit that mark before. But, it’ll be interesting to see how much contact he can make in his first run in the Majors.
Dylan Crews
Nationals prospect Dylan Crews entered 2023 as the consensus top prospect available in the MLB Draft but fell to Washington at #2. Crews looked awfully good in 35 games in the Minors last year, as he belted five home runs and 14 extra-base hits. The 21-year-old projects to be a plus hitter with at least above-average power.
Given Crews’ relative inexperience at the pro level and other factors, it’s more likely that the former LSU star begins the year either at Double or Triple-A. However, it’s hard to envision Crews being down there for long. Crews’ bat looked very polished both at the college level and in brief time down on the farm.
Jackson Holliday
Orioles prospect Jackson Holliday stormed up the Minor League ladder in 2023. Holliday started the year in Low-A but finished it with Norfolk (AAA) in what was a terrific campaign. The 20-year-old batted .323/.442/.499 with 12 home runs and 51 extra-base hits, along with 24 stolen bases in 125 games last year.
Holliday has the chance to be a five-tool player at the MLB level. He may not be with the O’s on Opening Day, as Baltimore does have Jorge Mateo, Jordan Westburg, and 3B/SS Gunnar Henderson, all of whom can handle the middle infield. However, he should be in Baltimore at some point in 2024.
Heston Kjerstad
Orioles prospect Heston Kjerstad made his MLB debut three years after being selected by Baltimore in the first round. It was an uneven road to the Majors for Kjerstad but that had little to do with his performance. The 24-year-old’s exceptional eye helped him net a career MiLB on-base percentage of .382 and he hit .303 with 21 home runs last season between Double and Triple-A.
Like with Holliday, the Orioles will need to figure out where Kjerstad slots in at the MLB level. Between Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander, and Austin Hays in the outfield and Ryan Mountcastle at first, there’s not a ton of room for him at this moment. But, talent always finds a way to force itself up to the MLB level.
Wyatt Langford
Former Florida star Wyatt Langford destroyed college pitching over his final two seasons in Gainsville. Langford hit 47 home runs with the University of Florida between 2022-23 and added 10 more across 44 pro games. Langford, who can hit for both contact and power, hit .360 with 10 home runs and 29 extra-base hits and also tallied 12 steals between three levels (A+, AA, and AAA).
The Rangers have an embarrassment of riches up in the Majors and Langford’s getting close to joining them. The former Gator will likely start 2024 in Triple-A but don’t expect Langford to be there long if he hits like he did in 2023.
Jordan Lawlar
Diamondbacks infield prospect Jordan Lawlar struggled in the early goings of 2023 but got it going once June rolled around. Lawlar batted .278/.378/.496 with 20 home runs and 47 extra-base hits and added in 36 stolen bases. The 21-year-old prospect, a former first-round pick in 2021, earned a late-season call-up to Arizona last year.
Lawlar will have to fight for time at the MLB level in 2024. The 21-year-old has experience both at third and short. However, the presence of Geraldo Perdomo and newcomer Eugenio Suarez may mean Lawlar starts 2024 back in the Minors.
Noelvi Marte
Reds prospect Noelvi Marte joined a young and deep infield that included Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz in August. Marte impressed for much of his MiLB career and that remained true when he was with the Reds. The 22-year-old, a shortstop by trade but saw most of his time at third in Cincinnati, hit .316 with three home runs and six stolen bases over 35 games.
Marte has the potential to be at least a 20-home run hitter and be a base stealer, as well. And given the strong early returns from Marte in 2023, he’s one of the safer rookies to target in 2024.
Orelvis Martinez
Blue Jays infield prospect Orelvis Martinez has some of the loudest raw power in the Minors. Martinez will hit 28 home runs in 2021 and 2023, and a career-high 30 two years ago. The 22-year-old will strike out a good amount and isn’t a burner on the basepaths but the righty can be an impact infielder.
Martinez saw time at second, short, and third last year in Buffalo. At 5’11’’ and 200 lbs., Martinez is a better fit defensively at third. Since Matt Chapman, a free agent as of this writing, may not be a Blue Jay in 2024, Martinez may very well get a look at the hot corner in Toronto.