As fantasy baseball enthusiasts prepare for Week 15, several prospects have emerged as prime candidates to stash on benches or NA spots. Notable promotions from the minors include Colby Thomas, Harry Ford, and Colson Montgomery, all making their major league debuts recently.

Among the top prospects to watch, Samuel Basallo of the Baltimore Orioles has continued to shine, boasting a 147 WRC+ with 16 home runs. Despite injuries plaguing the Orioles' catcher position, Basallo remains uncalled. Meanwhile, Carson Williams of the Tampa Bay Rays is showing promise with 14 home runs and 14 stolen bases but is still working through adjustments at Triple-A. Moises Ballesteros of the Cubs has shown flashes of potential but needs opportunities to cement his role. Lastly, Chase DeLauter and Kristian Campbell are making strong cases for call-ups, with the Guardians and Red Sox potentially in need of their offensive contributions soon.

The Knoxville Smokies are currently holding a .500 record in the Southern League North at 4-4, following a series split against the Birmingham Barons. The team is preparing to face the Rocket City Trash Pandas after a recent 3-1 victory, but suffered a heavy 9-1 loss the next day. The Smokies' roster has seen minimal changes since the season began, with their offensive performance improving in recent games, which contrasts their earlier season reliance on strong pitching.

In the Cubs organization, the Chicago Cubs are leading the NL Central at 51-35, eyeing postseason play. The Iowa Cubs, however, are struggling, having lost a recent series against Columbus. Meanwhile, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans have surged with a 9-2 record in the second half of the season, showcasing promising talent like Shōta Imanaga, who has returned from rehab. Notably, Brayden Risedorph at South Bend has been a standout reliever, showing great potential for future call-ups.

In a thrilling end to a tightly contested game, Matt Shaw delivered a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning, leading the Chicago Cubs to a walk-off victory over the Cleveland Guardians, completing a three-game sweep. Shaw's rookie performance, while lacking a hit, showcased his ability to manage pressure moments. Cubs' rookie pitcher Cade Horton also shined, throwing seven scoreless innings, demonstrating a significant turnaround after a rough patch in previous outings. The team's bullpen continued its stellar work, setting the stage for Shaw's dramatic winning play.

The Cubs, who finished June with a .500 record, have now kicked off July on a high note. Manager Craig Counsell noted the importance of this sweep for the team's confidence amidst a challenging schedule ahead, especially with tough rivals like the St. Louis Cardinals looming. The Cubs' pitching staff has shown resilience, with Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga also contributing solid performances in the series. In a notable base-running blunder, Pete Crow-Armstrong's overreach at third base could have proved costly, but it ultimately didn’t affect the outcome, emphasizing the importance of execution on the field.

Kevin Alcantara is making waves in the Chicago Cubs organization, showcasing the potential that made him a top prospect after joining the team in the Anthony Rizzo trade. The Iowa Cubs outfielder has recently found his rhythm, boasting a .306 batting average in June and hitting ten homers this season, including a dramatic 408-foot home run against the Columbus Clippers. His manager, Marty Pevey, highlights Alcantara's raw talent and his recent adjustments at the plate that have led to a surge in performance.

Entering July, Alcantara has hit safely in ten of his last eleven games, becoming a key player for the Iowa Cubs. As discussions heat up around trade deadlines, questions loom about his future with the Cubs. Will he remain a vital part of the roster, or is he a potential trade asset? Either way, Alcantara's recent success raises optimism about his trajectory in the majors.

The Cleveland Guardians were swept by the Chicago Cubs in a tightly contested series, culminating in a 1-0 loss in 10 innings on July 3. Matt Shaw's sacrifice fly clinched the victory for the Cubs, who managed only three hits but capitalized on a pivotal error by the Guardians. Cleveland's struggles continued as they recorded their seventh consecutive loss, having scored only 12 runs in that span.

Joey Cantillo put forth a commendable effort for the Guardians, pitching 3⅓ scoreless innings with five strikeouts in his season debut. However, the Guardians failed to capitalize on their opportunities, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranding eight runners. This lack of offensive production highlights the team's ongoing struggles as they aim to turn things around.