Ask The Experts: Chris Clegg (The Dynasty Dugout)
Chris Clegg (The Dynasty Dugout) shares his thoughts on the top shortstop prospects that fantasy managers need to know heading into 2025.
We’ve recruited a star-studded lineup of fantasy analysts for the remainder of The Buzz’s ongoing positional preview series to tackle pivotal questions at each position group that include their draft strategy tips, insights on top prospects and favorite sleeper candidates, arming savvy fantasy managers with the insider knowledge required to dominate their leagues.
Chris Clegg — Founder & National Prospect Writer for The Dynasty Dugout — stops by to share his thoughts on the top shortstop prospects in the fantasy landscape heading into next season including Sebastian Walcott, Leodalis De Vries, Kristian Campbell, Carson Williams and Kevin McGonigle.
What does Sebastian Walcott’s ceiling look like based on what you’ve seen from a scouting standpoint?
-Number one overall prospect type player. If you crafted the body of a future star player in a lab, Walcott is what they would look like. Standing at 6’4”/190, Walcott won’t turn 19 until spring training is nearly over, yet he has already reached Double-A. The Rangers have been aggressive with him, sending him from the complex to High-A after he signed in January 2023, and then Walcott spent nearly all of 2024 with High-A Hickory before ending the year in Double-A.
The power and athleticism are off the charts, though. Walcott’s 90th percentile exit velocity of 106 mph was top of the scale for his age, and he paired it with an impressive 116.3 mph max. Nearly 60 percent of Walcott’s batted balls were in the air, and his pull percentage of balls in the air was 90th percentile for all hitters.
From a pure upside standpoint, this is what a number one overall prospect looks like. Will Walcott make enough contact to make the profile work? That is still to be determined, but even if he is a 30-grade hit tool, the rest of the profile will allow him to be an everyday major leaguer. — Chris Clegg
What are your initial impressions of Leodalis De Vries?
The toolsy switch-hitter stands at 6’0”/183, receiving an aggressive assignment to Single-A for a 17-year-old. After a slow start in 2024, and justifiably so given his age, De Vries had an impressive second half, finishing the year with a .238/.361/.422 slash line with 11 home runs and 36 extra-base hits, De Vries also swiped 13 bases. He improved his contact all year and struck out at a 23 percent clip while walking in 14 percent of plate appearances.
He looks natural from both sides of the plate even though the swing can get a big long from the right side. The splits are good, as De Vries posted a .779 OPS from the left side and .865 from the right. Interestingly, De Vries hit seven home runs in 99 right-handed plate appearances. It will be something to watch, but De Vries has shown strong traits from both sides of the plate as a young hitter.
The underlying data looks good, and De Vries posted a solid 102 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, which topped out at 110 mph in the Arizona Fall League. He gets the ball in the air often, having an air percentage of around 67 percent. The ability to pull the ball in the air led to an impressive xwOBAcon north of .400.
We were teased by the star upside of De Vries when he signed, and you never know how it plays out. After the second half of 2024, the upside is clear; De Vries can be one of the best prospects in baseball. — Chris Clegg
What type of fantasy impact will Kristian Campbell make in 2025 and beyond?
Campbell had an extraordinary year, and there is a clear reason why he was named Minor League Player of the Year by multiple big outlets. Ascending from High-A to Triple-A by season end, Campbell slashed .330/.439/.558 in 517 plate appearances. Campbell blasted 20 home runs and had 32 doubles and three triples to have an impressive 55 extra-base hits.
Built like an NFL wide receiver, Campbell is an incredible athlete and leader on and off the field. He is the clubhouse presence that teams want, and given his performance in 2024, he checks nearly every box. His versatility on the field should allow him to find a spot in the Red Sox lineup as soon as opening day 2025, where he should impact the game with power and speed. Seasons with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases should be regular for Campbell. In 2025, maybe temper them a bit but the caliber play here is legit. — Chris Clegg
How concerned should fantasy managers be about Carson Williams’ strikeout rate?
I don't think so. Sure, Seeing rates of 31.4 percent and 28.5 over each of the last two seasons is concerning. The contact rates have sat around 68 percent each of the last two years as well. With that being said, I am not worried about it because the rest of the skillset.
Williams is a 70-grade shortstop which allows him to stay on the field regardless and the exit velocities suggest potential plus game power. He has plus foot speed and steals bases effectively.
Williams can strike out too often and hit .250 and it not be an issue given that he could be a 20 HR/25 SB threat perennially. — Chris Clegg
Are we underestimating Kevin McGonigle from a fantasy standpoint?
Simply put, yes. The hit tool is one of the best in the minors and McGonigle has sneaky power. He hit one out in High-A at 112 mph.
A broken hamate ended his season early, but assuming he comes back next year stronger, McGonigle could surge up rankings even further. He will need to hit the ball at optimal angles more often to turn the hard-hit balls into home runs, but the potential is there. My fear is the hamate zaps power for the first few months of 2025, which could create a good buying opportunity. — Chris Clegg
Who is your favorite breakout prospect at the position that dynasty managers should be targeting?
Welbyn Francisca. — Chris Clegg
What is the biggest thing you look for when scouting a prospect?
There are a ton of things that I look at when at the park. I like to look at what players are doing pre-game, how they carry themselves, and what they do in the dugout, especially after a strikeout.
I like to look for things numbers can't show you. Walcott fights off really tough pitches. Does he still have whiff issues against breaking balls, yes. But he was 18-years-old in High-A. But what I saw from Walcott is good pitch recognition the and the willingness to battle. Picking up on what hitters are seeing out of the pitchers hand is huge.
There are a ton of swing mechanic things to look at, but the reality is, there are plenty of swings that can work. If a hitter has good timing and adjust well in the box to a variety of pitch types, the profile can work.
I certainly look at sizes of prospects because so many have listed height/weights that aren't remotely close. Physicality, effort/hustle, and skills are big from an eye-test standpoint. — Chris Clegg