2025 Fantasy Baseball: Minor League Player Updates (5/30)

Catchers

Kyle Teel, CWS

Teel has a hit or more in 28 of his last 32 starts at AAA, leading to success in five categories (.331/24/5/19/4 over 118 at-bats). Despite his upward path, the White Sox promoted Korey Lee over him this week. Edgar Quero only has four hits over his last 24 at-bats, suggesting a trip back to AAA and a window for Teel in the majors.

Endy Rodriguez, Pittsburgh Pirates

A concussion injury to Joey Bart led to the Pirates recalling Rodriguez this week. His bat has been empty over his last five games at AAA (1-for-16 with one run), putting him in the uninspiring category. He must hit to earn starting at-bats for Pittsburgh, either at catcher or first base.

Henry Davis flashed over his last two starts (4-for-8 with three runs, one home run, and three RBIs), which raises a roadblock sign for Rodriguez in the majors. He continues to distance himself from his best minor league season (2022 – .323/92/25/95/4 over 458 at-bats).

First Basemen

Jac Caglianone, Kansas City Royals

Caglianone slumped over his last three games at AAA (3-for-11 with two walks and three strikeouts), ending his home run streak at four games (.353/5/5/10 over 17 at-bats). Since April 18th, he’s hitting .363 over 135 at-bats with 25 runs, 11 home runs, 39 RBIs, and two stolen bases. Hopefully, the Royals come to their senses soon, as his bat continues to show difference-maker upside.

Buddy Kennedy, Philadelphia Phillies

Over his last 22 games at AAA, Kennedy had a hit in 21 matchups, creating an edge in his production (.376/16/5/23/2 over 85 at-bats). His journeyman profile led to him stalling at AAA over four seasons (.286 over 1,255 at-bats with 233 runs, 31 home runs, 171 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases). The Diamondbacks, Phillies, and Tigers gave him only 128 at-bats of experience in the majors (.203/14/2/19/1).

Second Basemen

Jordan Lawlar, Arizona Diamondbacks

Over the past 15 days, the Diamondbacks gave Lawlar 19 at-bats, but he didn’t record a hit while striking out nine times. The big league lights have dimmed his bat so far in his career (4-for-50 with three runs, one steal, and 20 stolen bases). When in his comfort zone at AAA, Lawlar has been a beast (.336/69/13/70/22 over 304 at-bats).

A lack of major league opportunity and confidence has been his downfall in Arizona. When Lawlar gets kicked to the free agent curb this week, he is the type of player to chase on the waiver wire for fantasy teams looking for a home run swing. A major roster can change on a dime, so I wouldn’t write off this future stud just yet.

Shortstops

Ryan Ritter, Colorado Rockies

Ritter has been on a hitting tear over the past two weeks, resulting in a 14-game hitting streak (29-for-65 ~ .446 with 19 runs, eight home runs, and 22 RBIs). He’s still looking for his first major league at-bats. Over his uptick in play, Ritter had five walks and 12 strikeouts. Colorado continues to have issues at second base, a position he’s played three times in his minor league career.

Third Basemen

Otto Kemp, Philadelphia Phillies

Over his last eight games, Kemp went 8-for-28 with seven runs, two home runs, eight RBIs, and two stolen bases despite striking out nine times. He’s hitting .318 over his first 198 at-bats with 42 runs, 12 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 10 steals. Pitchers hit him 15 times (29 in 2024 over 455 at-bats).

Tommy White, Athletics

After a slow start at High A over nine games (4-for-35 with four runs and two RBIs), White is trying his best to get a promotion to AA. He has 35 hits over his last 90 at-bats (.389), leading to 20 runs, six home runs, 12 RBIs, and two stolen bases.

Over three seasons in college, White hit .355 with 179 runs, 75 home runs, 249 RBIs over 787 at-bats. He cut down his strikeouts each year (50, 41, and 38), even with an increase in at-bats (235, 273, and 279). The A’s should promote him to AA at some time this season.

Outfielders

Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles

Weather cost Cowser some rehab at-bats this week, but he made up for it on Thursday afternoon. He smashed three doubles off Andrew Painter, leading to a 3-for-4 day with a run and one RBI. Over his four games at AAA, Cowser hit .357 over his 14 at-bats with four runs, one home run, and two RBIs. Baltimore is trending toward being activated this week.

Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox

Heading into Thursday (0-5 with three strikeouts), Anthony had a four-game hitting streak (5-for-15 with five runs, two home runs, and five RBIs. His May stats (.326/19/3/9/1 over 92 at-bats) had lower overall value compared to his first 25 games (.292 over 89 at-bats with 21 runs, five home runs, 14 RBIs, and two stolen bases). Anthony has almost the same number of walks (75) as strikeouts (80) at AAA. The Red Sox will be forced to call him up when more balls start landing in the seats.

Justin Crawford, Philadelphia Phillies

Batting average (.323) has been an asset for Crawford over his last 998 at-bats in the minors, with 185 runs, 13 home runs, 143 RBIs, and 106 stolen bases. His 12-game hitting streak at AAA (.362/12/1/5/4 over 47 at-bats) ended in the second game (0-4) of a doubleheader on Thursday. Crawford played in left (13) and center (124) field over the past two seasons.

Esteury Ruiz, Los Angeles Dodgers

Over his last 11 games at AAA, Ruiz went 14-for-49 (.286) with 12 runs, one home run, four RBIs, and six stolen bases. His 2025 stats (.268/32/3/17/25 over 157 at-bats) projected over 550 at-bats come to 112 runs, 11 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 88 steals. His walk rate (12.0) is favorable while controlling his damage in strikeouts (16.9%). Ruiz offers difference-maker speed with some power, but he lacks a path to major league at-bats.

Evan Carter, Texas Rangers

The Rangers will ship Carter back to AAA this weekend to begin his road back to Texas. Over 11 games with the Rangers, he had value in runs (5), home runs (1), RBIs (3), and stolen bases (3), showcasing his potential value in four categories.

Despite his improving direction, Carter hit only .197 over his last 254 at-bats (AAA and the majors) with 41 runs, nine home runs, 27 RBIs, and 11 steals. The fantasy market still doesn’t know if his bat offers stud upside and dud risk. On the positive side, he won’t turn 23 until late August.

Starting Pitchers

Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies gave Painter his fifth AAA start on Thursday afternoon, and he pitched five shutout innings with two runs, five hits, one walk, and five strikeouts while tossing 81 pitches (49 strikes). Over his 28.1 combined innings in the minors (A and AAA), he posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.129 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts. His fastball sat between 95.0 and 96.5 mph on most of his pitches.

Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers

Over his eight rehab starts, the Brewers have jockeyed Woodruff between High A and AAA. He opened May with three starts at Nashville, leading to a 2.38 ERA, 1.324 WHIP, and .279 BAA over 11.1 innings with 12 strikeouts. Milwaukee dropped him down in class in his last outing (no runs, five hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts) while tossing a season-high 71 pitches. Woodruff is closer to returning to the Brewers’ starting rotation.

Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates

In his last start at AAA (5/24), Chandler battled his command again (walks over 6.1 innings – 13 in his previous four starts covering 18.1 innings), but he only allowed two runs and one hit with five strikeouts. The Pirates have given him 10 starts at AAA, resulting in a 2.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 61 strikeouts over 43.2 innings. Pittsburgh has him lined up to start on May 30th at AAA.

Eury Perez, Miami Marlins

The Marlins pushed Perez to 68 pitches in his second outing at AAA. He allowed no runs, one hit, and one walk over five innings with four strikeouts. His fastball (98.0 mph) was a season high. Perez has a 1.96 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts over 18.1 innings between A and AAA. Miami should promote him to the majors soon.

Joe Boyle, Tampa Bay Rays

The excitement of Boyle helping the Rays was slowed down after leaving his last outing after two innings (no runs, three walks, and three strikeouts). His fastball was down to 95.6 mph, compared to 98.1 this season. Tampa suggested that Boyle didn’t come out of his previous start due to an injury, which should be a positive sign for his future fantasy value.

JR Ritchie, Atlanta Braves

AJ Smith-Shawver left his start on Thursday (5/29) after 2.2 innings due to being hit on his right calf by a batted ball. He appeared to escape a significant injury, but the Braves may need a replacement for him in his next start.

Ritchie regained his High A form (1.30 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts over 41.2 innings) in his second start at AA. He allowed two runs, three hits, and a walk over 6.1 innings with five strikeouts while throwing 87 pitches.

In the past, Atlanta has demonstrated a willingness to promote pitchers from AA, and Ritchie was expected to pitch on Thursday in one of their two games against Chattanooga (rained out), putting him on the same rotation time as Smith-Shawver.