Atlanta Braves shortstop prospect Luke Waddell continued his hot hitting to begin the year, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday. The 26-year-old is now 9-for-20 (.450) through five games for the Stripers. The former fifth-rounddraft pick spent all of 2024 at Triple-A, slashing .235/.317/.322, but has always struck out at a better-than-average rate while walking at an above-average rate, registering at 13.1 percent and 11.8 percent respectively for his minor league career. The GeorgiaTech product offers some speed as well, tallying as many as 29 steals in 2023. Perhaps this is the year he puts it all together, and with the Braves struggling for offense, maybe they shake things up and give the left-handed hitter a shot at some point. The 5-foot-7 infielder is not a stash candidate for fantasy, however.

Second baseman Niko Goodrum signed a minor-league contract with the New York Mets on Wednesday. He spent spring training with the Padres but didn't make the Opening Day roster, so now he'll give things a shot with the Mets. He only appeared in 13 games for the Angels and Rays in 2024, slashing a measly .103/.188/.103. He did enjoy some success in the KBO in 2023, batting .295 in 50 games, but hasn't been able to find his footing back in major league baseball. He'll provide depth as a utility man in the minors for the Mets but could find himself on the major league roster if injuries open up some spots.

Athletics first baseman prospect Nick Kurtz demolished his third home run of the young season on Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored for Triple-A Las Vegas. The left-handed slugger is now 10-for-21 (.476) with five extra-base hits, nine RBI, and six runs scored over the first five games of 2025. The 2024 first-rounder didn't disappoint in his limited action last season between Single and Double-A, slashing .368/.520/.763 with four home runs and a 12:10 BB:K in 12 games. With Jacob Wilson about to graduate from prospect status, Kurtz will likely sit atop the organization's prospect ranks in the near future, and while MLB.com's Top Prospects list gives him an ETA of 2026, it would not be a surprise to see him in the big leagues later this year as fellow 2024 draftee Cam Smith has already debuted with the Astros, as has the Angels' Ryan Johnson. Kurtz has the potential to be a star and would be a stash candidate for fantasy if there were rumblings of a promotion at any point this year.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto went 2-for-2 with a homer, two walks, an RBI, and three runs scored on Wednesday in a 6-5 win over the Braves. This was his first home run and first multi-hit game of the season, and he is now slashing .368/.500/.737 through 24 plate appearances. He batted in the cleanup spot in this game against a right-handed pitcher, following the great trio of Ohtani, Betts, and Hernandez. He should see plenty of RBI opportunities hitting behind the Dodgers' plethora of elite hitters, even if he takes a spot on the bench some days when a left-handed starter is on the mound. He launched 20 homers with 66 RBI for the Giants last season, two numbers he should be able to improve upon now that he is in a better park and a better lineup.

Detroit Tigers third baseman prospect Jace Jung smacked his second home run of 2025 in a 2-for-4 day at the plate for Triple-A Toledo. The 24-year-old also tripled and drew a walk in the contest. The left-handed slugger is 5-for-15 (.333) to begin the 2025 campaign, with four of his five hits going for extra bases. The Texas Tech product has also walked seven times, compared to six strikeouts, giving him a .545 OBP. The Tigers' seventh-ranked prospect debuted with the club last year and held his own, slashing .241/.362/.304, but with no home runs. With a career 15.7 percent walk rate in the minors, Jung would be viable for fantasy if he can get the power to come aroundthe next time he gets the call to the majors, however, he'll be a zero in the stolenbase department, and a high strikeout rate may limit any upside. Regardless, look for him to be back with Detroit in 2025.