Josh Lowe – Imaginary Brick Wall

Posted on July 11, 2022July 13, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Monday Morning Dynasty Baseball Rundown (7/11/22)

I’ll be running down everything that caught my eye in the Dynasty Baseball world on most Mondays throughout the season. Here is the Monday Morning Dynasty Baseball Rundown (7/11/22):

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INCLUDING:
-TOP 10 TRADE NEGOTIATION TACTICS (one of my favorite things I’ve ever written)
-TOP 10 MID-SEASON TRADE TARGETS
-MID-SEASON OBP TOP 447 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-MID-SEASON POINTS/6+CATS/OPS “UNIVERSAL” TOP 430 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-JUNE 2022 TOP 350 DYNASTY PROSPECTS RANKINGS
-JUNE 2022 TOP 445 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS

Kyle Manzardo TBR, 1B, 22.0 – If you overslept for Italian Breakfast, Italian Lunch is just around the corner and they’re running a special where you get half a shrimp parm hero, a slice of pizza and Italian Ices for $10. Vinnie P 2.0 went 3 for 4 with his 11th homer in 48 games at High-A, and it comes with a near elite 36/34 K/BB. He was known for his at least plus hit tool, and the power has been better than expected with a 35.1% GB%. It’s all good for a 160 wRC+ at the level. Don’t wait until Manzardo’s crushing it in the upper levels of the minors and the hype makes it impossible to acquire him, enter in your coupon code and get in now.

Vinnie Pasquantino KCR, 1B, 24.9 – Speaking of Vinnie, he went 0 for 4 and his OPS is now down to .556, but the underlying numbers are mouth watering with a 94.4 MPH EV, 12.2%/14.3% K%/BB%, and .396 xwOBA. I would much rather have this start than if he had a 1.000 OPS and the underlying numbers looked like trash. His value is actually up in my mind, and on the off chance this creates a buying opportunity I would be all over it.

Oneil Cruz PIT, SS, 23.9 – 2 for 4 with a 416 foot bomb for his 4th homer in 20 games. Cruz is living up to his scouting report to a T with a 91.6 MPH EV, 30.1 ft/sec sprint speed and 34.2% K%. Even with the risk I’m all in on him, ranking him 36th overall on the Mid-Season OBP Dynasty Rankings over on Patreon. I simply don’t trade these potential core offensive pieces even if I was all in for a championship. Just keep dodging all the trade offers you’re inevitably getting like you’re Joey Gallo trying to hit a baseball.

Corbin Carroll ARI, OF, 21.10 – Carroll is the only prospect still in the minors that I have ranked over Cruz, and he made himself at home real quick with a homer in his first game at Triple-A. He also made a beautiful diving catcher in center. Kid knows how to make an entrance.

Noelvi Marte SEA, SS, 20.8 – Marte has been a man on a mission since the whispers started about his value dropping, going 1 for 3 with a homer yesterday and now has 7 homers with a 1.401 OPS in his last 14 games at High-A. Granted, he is starting to look a little thick, which is where some of the worry has stemmed, but the power isn’t a question.

Pete Crow-Armstrong CHC, OF, 20.3 – 3 for 3 with a steal and an absolute rocket out to center for his 10th homer in 60 games and 3rd homer in 22 games at High-A. He has a .978 OPS with 1 homer, 3 steals and a 13/2 K/BB in his last 11 games at the level. The strikeout to walk rate has taken a step back, but it’s a small sample and everything else looks great. I called him the less hyped version of Robert Hassell this off-season, and he’s lived up to the moniker.

Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP, 24.9 – 1.2 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 1/0 K/BB at Triple-A. Whitley returned from Tommy John surgery in mid June and it’s been ugly with a 7.15 ERA in 11.1 IP. It got uglier yesterday as he had to leave the start with shoulder inflammation. Sad to say, but he’s probably droppable in many leagues, and even in deeper leagues I’m not sure he’s a must hold if there are more enticing options out there on the wire. This is just the life of a pitching prospect.

Bobby Miller LAD, RHP, 23.3 – 5 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 9/1 K/BB at Double-A. This was Miller’s 2nd straight gem as I guess he got sick of Gavin Stone getting all the hype. Here is an edit of all his strikeouts. You can’t not be excited about this guy, especially considering the organization.

Quinn Priester PIT, RHP, 21.9 – 5 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 6/0 K/BB at Double-A. His breaking balls were dominating all day, and he now has a pitching line of 2.81/1.25/18/4 in 16 IP. When you watch him he looks like he has top of the rotation upside, but his numbers indicate more of a mid-rotation guy.

Josh Lowe TBR, OF, 24.5 – Lowe remined us all he still exists, having his best day in the majors, going 2 for 4 with a 418 foot homer and 0 K’s. He still has a rough .557 OPS in 139 PA, but the underlying numbers aren’t hopeless with a not horrific 31.2% whiff% and an above average 88.9 MPH EV. His value has definitely dropped for me, especially considering the 31.2% K% he put up at Triple-A this year too, but it’s far too early to give up on him.

Jonathan India CIN, 3B, 25.6 – I was a little worried about India’s below average 87.6 MPH EV from 2021, and it’s gotten even worse so far this year, dropping all the way down to 83.4 MPH. The new balls aren’t doing any favors to guys who don’t crush the ball. He went 1 for 5 with a homer yesterday, but even the homer wasn’t hit all that hard at 95.8 MPH. Granted it was a nice piece of hitting where he really had to stretch down and away to even get to the pitch. Really no choice but to remain patient and assume he just hasn’t been able to find his rhythm yet this year fighting through a couple injuries.

Taijuan Walker NYM, RHP, 29.11 – 7 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 7/1 K/BB vs. MIA. We all blinked and Walker decided to turn into an ace with a 1.85 ERA and 43/8 K/BB in his last 39 IP. He uses a 6 pitch mix with his splitter really standing out this year with a .172 xOBA. Overall, while I think he can be a solid starter, this just looks like a hot streak to me. None of his pitches are whiff machines and his 3.56 xERA is much worse than his 2.63 ERA. I wouldn’t be willing to pay up for him in a trade.

Michael Kopech CHW, RHP, 26.2 – 5.1 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 4/3 K/BB vs. DET. Kopech started the year with his velocity down from 2021, and then it’s just kept declining with it hitting rock bottom yesterday at a paltry 92.1 MPH. He already dropped a bit in my latest Mid-Season OBP Dynasty Rankings to #139, and while I don’t want to drop him much further than that, it’s legitimately concerning.

Ke’Bryan Hayes PIT, 3B, 25.5 – Hayes snapped an extended slump with a big day, going 3 for 4 with a double and a homer. The only thing he doesn’t do well is lift the ball with a 6.6 degree launch angle, and he hasn’t shown any indications he is looking to change that throughout his career. He’s good as is, especially in a 5×5 league, but if he’s ever going to take it to another level he will have to make an adjustment to unlock more homer power.

Nelson Velazquez CHC, OF, 23.6 – Velazquez destroyed the most nonchalant 109.1 MPH, 428 foot homer I might have ever seen off David Price. His swing and miss is a major concern with a 41% whiff%, and his K% was 36.2% at Triple-A, so this isn’t an MLB adjustment period thing or anything. He looks like the younger version of Patrick Wisdom.

Deyvison De Los Santos ARI, 3B, 19.1 – 2 for 4 with his 12th homer in 73 games at Single-A. De Los Santos has been unconscious over the last couple months, slashing .370/.399/.574 with 9 homers in his last 41 games at Single-A. The 56.3% GB% and 6% BB% still isn’t great, but his power is so huge he will rip homers even with a high GB%. I wrote in the off-season he could end up with a Franmil Reyes like profile, and that remains accurate.

Warming Bernabel COL, 3B, 20.1 – Bernabel got the call to High-A and has been crushing the level just as easily as he crushed Single-A, jacking out his 2nd homer in 5 games and now has a 1.000 OPS at the level. He’s had elite contact rates with a high FB% his entire career, and his power naturally taking a step forward this year has propelled him to the next level. I think he’s the real deal and is pushing top 100 status if he’s not already there.

Hunter Bishop SFG, OF, 24.0 – Bishop is getting his career back on track, going 2 for 4 with a homer yesterday and now has 12 homers and 17 steals in 70 games. There are still some red flags as he’s only doing it at High-A, and a 34.3% K% is extreme. The power/speed numbers clearly show the talent is still there, so while there is still a long way to go, he’s a late career breakout candidate.

Cristian Mena CHW, RHP, 19.7 – Mena tore through Single-A and he’s now doing the same at High-A, going 5 IP with 1 hit, 0 ER, and a 6/3 K/BB. He has a pitching line of 1.89/1.11/17/8 in 19 IP at the level. He has an athletic delivery with a filthy breaking ball and is one of the more underrated pitching prospects in the minors. Now is the time to grab him if he’s still out there in your league.

Jack Leiter TEX, RHP, 22.2 – 1.1 IP, 6 hits, 6 ER, 2/2 K/BB at Double-A. He missed his last 2 starts before this one with arm fatigue. It just keeps getting worse.

By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@DynastyHalp)

Posted on January 24, 2022January 26, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Patreon Post: 2022 Top 100 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings

I’m dropping rankings galore on my patreon as I lead up to the release of the 2022 Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings. Here is the 2022 Top 100 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE AND TONS OF CONTENT ALL OFF-SEASON, INCLUDING:
–A Top 413 Sneak Peek of my 2022 Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings with more early releases coming all off-season
–Positional Dynasty Baseball Rankings (Top 278 SP/Top 256 OF/Top 122 SS/Top 88 3B/Top 90 2B/Top 78 1B/Top 56 C)
–Top 50 First Year Player Draft Rankings (full Top 100 coming out with the Top 1,000 Rankings)
-Dynasty Team Reports for every team (Top 10 Prospects/Interesting MLB guys/Strategy Talk)

Tier 1

1) Bobby Witt Jr. KC, SS, 21.9 – Bobby Witt showed out so much in Spring Training that there were whispers he would make the opening day roster, and he probably should have because Double-A and Triple-A proved no match for him. He slashed .290/.361/.575 with 33 homers, 29 steals, and a 23.2%/9.0% K%/BB% in 123 games. It will be ridiculous if he doesn’t break camp with the team in 2022. 2022 Projection: 78/26/84/.260/.329/.472/18 Prime Projection: 94/33/101/.277/.351/.541/23

2) Julio Rodriguez SEA, OF, 21.3 – Rodriguez did it all in 2021. He brought his BB% up to 12.6% (6.8% in 2019), he stole 21 bases (in 26 attempts) in just 74 games, and he obliterated the upper levels of the minors, slashing .362/.461/.546 with 7 homers, 16 steals, and a 37/29 K/BB in 46 games at Double-A. He’s in a two man race with Bobby Witt for the #1 overall prospect in baseball. 2022 Projection:59/17/63/.277/.342/.472/6 Prime Projection: 98/35/110/.291/.378/.575/11

Tier 2

3) Spencer Torkelson DET, 3B/1B, 22.7 – Tork is a 6’1”, 220 pound bull with a swing geared towards launching bombs. And that is all he’s done in his baseball career, crushing 25 homers in 55 games as a freshman in the Pac 12, ripping 23 homers as a sophomore, and now smashing 30 bombs in his pro debut over 121 games split pretty evenly across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). He does all this with an advanced plate approach (13% BB% at Triple-A) and without any major strikeout worries (20.3% K% at Triple-A). 2022 Projection: 72/27/74/.252/.337/.485/3 Prime Projection: 96/35/105/.275/.372/.533/3

4) Riley Greene DET, OF, 21.6 – Greene is 6’3”, 200 pounds with a smooth lefty swing that is geared for power and average. He just steamrolled through the upper levels of the minors as a 20 year old, slashing .301/.387/.534 with 24 homers, 16 steals (in 17 attempts), and a 27.4%/11.3% K%/BB% split between Double-A and Triple-A. Stolen bases weren’t supposed to be a major part of his game, but he obviously is a very savvy base stealer as he is 21 for 22 on the bases in his pro career. The K% is high, but I’m betting on that coming down as he gains more experience. 2022 Projection: 49/14/45/.255/.330/.462/5 Prime Projection: 102/30/98/.281/.364/.518/10

5) Brennen Davis CHC, OF, 22.5 – Davis is 6’4”, 210 pounds with easy power and no problems keeping the ball off the ground. He smacked 19 homers in 99 games split across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). Like many guys this tall, he has some strikeout issues with a 28.7% K%, and while he will definitely chip in with steals, he went 6 for 10 in 76 Double-A games and he didn’t attempt a steal in 15 Triple-A games. The upside is very high, but there is still some risk here too. 2022 Projection:48/17/55/.242/.313/.441/7 Prime Projection: 88/33/99/.261/.338/.510/11

6) CJ Abrams SD, SS, 21.6 – A fractured tibia and sprained MCL ended Abrams season after just 42 games. He proved his plus hit tool and speed will transfer against advanced competition at Double-A, slashing .296/.363/.420 with 2 homers, 13 steals (in 15 attempts), and a 19.7%/8.2% K%/BB%. His power isn’t there yet, and there is a chance it will never be a major part of his game, but he still looks pretty skinny to me at 6’2”, 185 pounds and don’t think those man muscles have come in yet. The power will tick up in time. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 95/18/75/.288/.342/.437/27

7) Grayson Rodriguez BAL, RHP, 22.4 – Rodriguez is the total package with the potential for 4 plus pitches and above average control. He put up a 45.5%/5.7% K%/BB% in 23.1 IP at High-A and then followed that up with a 39%/7.1% K%/BB% in 79.2 IP at Double-A. He’s the #1 pitching prospect in the game. 2022 Projection: 4/3.88/1.21/77 in 69 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.32/1.08/228 in 195 IP

8) Shane Baz TBR, RHP, 22.10 – Baz’ control took two huge steps forward, going from well below average to near elite with a 1.7% BB% at Double-A, 6.2% at Triple-A, and 6.1% in the majors. He sacrificed nothing to do it, throwing an elite 97 MPH fastball that put up 30.4% whiff%. He combines that with two plus breaking balls in his slider (40.7% whiff%) and curve (50% whiff%), while his changeup lags behind. He’s in a two man race with Grayson Rodriguez for the top pitching prospect in baseball. 2022 Projection: 9/3.78/1.20/148 in 130 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.35/1.07/220 in 187 IP

9) Adley Rutschman BAL, C, 24.2 – Rutschman dominated the upper levels of the minors with an elite plate approach (90/79 K/BB in 123 games) and plus power (23 homers). He has an argument to be the #1 overall prospect in real baseball because of his at least plus catcher defense, but in fantasy, being a catcher only causes more problems with wear and tear and more days off. He should open the 2022 season as Baltimore’s starting catcher, but service time manipulation might also come into play. 2022 Projection: 69/22/63/.262/.341/.449/2 Prime Projection: 86/27/84/.276/.364/.493/3

Tier 3

10) Zac Veen COL, OF, 20.4 – Veen is 6’4”, 190 pounds with a violent lefty swing that is made to hit rockets. He’s pretty skinny now, so if he puts on weight, his power upside is scary. He backed up the hype in his pro debut, slashing .301/.399/.501 with 15 homers, 36 steals in 53 attempts, and a 26.3%/13.4% K%/BB% in 106 games at Single-A. You have to throw out the steal numbers because of the Single-A rule changes, and he also wasn’t very successful, but seeing he loves to run this much is a good sign. He has elite fantasy upside, especially in Coors. I’m buying high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 99/32/103/.277/.358/.519/13

11) Oneil Cruz PIT, SS, 23.6 – It took only 2 MLB games for Cruz to put the entire league on notice. He went 3 for 9 with 1 homer and 4/0 K/BB, but it was the elite exit velocity readings that really popped. He had a silly 100.5 MPH average exit velocity, and he hit a 118.2 MPH line drive single that was the 7th hardest hit ball all season. At 6’7”, 210 pounds, Cruz’ raw power is in rarified air. He’s had high groundball rates his entire career, but he’s slowly been improving them, putting up a 47.3% GB% in 62 games at Double-A and a 31.3% GB% in 6 games at Triple-A. Speaking of his 6 game taste of Triple-A, he went nuclear with 5 homers and a 5/8 K/BB. Oh yea, he also has plus speed with 19 steals in 22 attempts. There will inevitably be some swing and miss to his game, and I don’t think he is completely out of the woods with his high groundball rates, but Cruz very well might have the highest pure upside of anybody in the minors. 2022 Projection:72/24/81/.257/.320/.468/17 Prime Projection: 92/30/101/.272/.335/.518/16

12) Anthony Volpe NYY, SS, 20.11 – The power breakout came well before schedule as Volpe cranked 27 homers in 109 games split between Single-A and High-A. The Yankees drafted Volpe 30th overall in 2019 based on his hit hit tool, speed, and defense, so the power explosion puts Volpe in elite prospect territory. If you play in a shallow to medium sized league where you can’t pick up prospects during the season, Volpe should very likely be the top pick in your off-season prospect draft. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 92/26/89/.278/.352/.481/15

13) Noelvi Marte SEA, SS, 20.5 – Marte has a powerful righty swing that is both under control and lightening quick. It reminds me a bit of Manny Machado. He showed a mature plate approach (22.2%/12.1% K%/BB%), plus power (17 homers in 99 games), and speed (23 for 30 on the bases) in his full season debut as a 19 year old. He has the upside to be a perennial first rounder in fantasy. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 91/33/103/.276/.362/.547/12

14) Corbin Carroll ARI, OF, 21.7 – Shoulder surgery ended Carroll’s season after just 7 games, but he managed to make such a great impression in those games, along with strong reports from the 2020 alt site, that he should still be considered a near elite prospect. He’s an explosive player with an at least plus contact/speed combo. His power has been underrated even from before he was drafted because he is only 5’10”, but he puts a sting into the baseball. Shoulder injuries are known to sap power, but he is young enough that you have to assume a full recovery. As high as his value is now, it might shoot through the roof not far into 2022. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 89/20/78/.283/.367/.463/28

15) Robert Hassell SDP, OF, 20.7 – Hassell dominated Single-A (139 wRC+) with a plus plate approach (17.2%/13.3% K%/BB%) and speed (31 steals), but he only hit 7 homers in 92 games with a 52.1% GB%. He then went to High-A for 18 games and proved he has the ability to make adjustments to get to his power, jacking 2 homers with a 32.7% GB%. The K% rose with the power to 28.7%, but it’s still a good sign he will eventually be able to put it all together. He’s 6’2’’, 195 pounds, so while he is expected to be a hit tool, speed guy, I wouldn’t rule out a power explosion. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 93/18/74/.277/.358/.446/23

16) Triston Casas BOS, 1B, 22.2 – Casas in 6’4”, 252 pounds with double plus raw power and a mature approach at the plate. He put up a 19.1%/15.4% in 86 games at mostly Double-A (9 games at Triple-A). He has a textbook lefty swing with very little movement, and he rarely sells out to get to his power. His homer totals don’t jump out at you with only 14 homers, but he doesn’t have any major groundball issues with a 42.8% GB% (34.6% GB% at Triple-A), so even if he doesn’t make adjustments to unlock more power, he will still hit plenty of homers while maintaining a high BA. He’s in the mold of a Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt if he hits his ceiling. 2022 Projection: 36/10/41/.253/.334/.469/2 Prime Projection: 96/32/102/.276/.365/.515/4

17) Hunter Greene CIN, RHP, 22.8 – Greene is a mountain of a man at 6’5”, 230 pounds and he puts that frame to good use by consistently pumping in upper 90’s fastballs that reach 100+ MPH often. Even his changeup is 90+ MPH and it has the potential to be a nasty pitch with good drop and tail action. The slider was much improved this year and has the potential to be a plus pitch. He used all of those weapons to put up a pitching line of 3.30/1.18/139/38 in 106.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s not a finished product, but Greene truly has the upside to be the best pitcher in baseball one day. 2022 Projection: 6/3.88/1.32/112 in 100 IPPrime Projection: 14/3.39/1.12/222 in 185 IP

18) Josh Lowe TBR, OF, 24.2 – Lowe blew up at Triple-A, slashing .291/.381/.535 with 22 homers, 26 steals (in 26 attempts), and a 26.2%/13% K%/BB% in 111 games. I’ve been high on him since his 2019 breakout because he is a premium athlete at 6’4”, 205 pounds with a plus power/speed combo and high walk rates. Even though his K% remained high, his hit tool took a step forward this year, which is the one thing that could hold him back. 2022 Projection: 23/7/21/.237/.310/.428/6 Prime Projection: 84/24/76/.256/.338/.467/16

19) Francisco Alvarez NYM, C, 20.4 – Alvarez is a bulldog at the plate at 5’10”, 233 pounds with massive raw power and a precocious plate approach. He put up a silly 227 wRC+ with a 10.4%/22.4% K%/BB% in 15 games at the age appropriate Single-A before he went to High-A and bashed 22 homers in 82 games. This is a do it all, middle of the order bat who has a good chance of sticking at catcher. Rutschman is going to have some competition for that top spot in a couple years. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/30/92/.272/.355/.495/4

20) Josh Jung TEX, 3B, 24.2 – A stress fracture in his foot delayed the start of Jung’s season, but he came back angry, demolishing the upper levels of the minors. He slashed .326/.398/.592 with 19 homers and a 22.2%/9.1% K%/BB% in 78 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. Both of his home ballparks juice up homers, but he was even more dominant on the road. He has at least plus power and he should be able to hit for a pretty good average too. Texas might play team control games with him, but he deserves to be their starting 3B out the gate. 2022 Projection:68/22/77/.258/.327/.455/2 Prime Projection: 86/29/90/.272/.344/.496/3

By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@DynastyHalp)

Posted on November 15, 2021December 26, 2021 by Michael Halpern

Tampa Bay Rays 2022 Dynasty Baseball Report (Top 10 Prospects/Interesting MLB guys/Strategy Talk)

Along with a Top 10 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Ranking, I wanted to highlight some interesting MLB guys and talk some team specific strategy for every team to give a more complete Dynasty Team Report. Like during the regular season, I’m still going to be posting a few articles a month for free on my website. This is one of those articles. Here is the Tampa Bay Rays 2022 Dynasty Baseball Report (Top 10 Prospects/Interesting MLB guys/Strategy Talk):

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF CONTENT ALL OFF-SEASON, INCLUDING:
–A Top 100 Sneak Peek of my 2022 Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings with more early releases coming all off-season
-Dynasty Team Reports for every team (Top 10 Prospects/Interesting MLB guys/Strategy Talk)
–Positional Dynasty Rankings
-End of Season 2021 Top 466 Dynasty Baseball Rankings
-End of Season 2021 Top 322 Dynasty Prospects Rankings

Hitters

Wander Franco TBR, SS, 21.1 – I ranked Franco 14th overall on my 2021 Top 1,000 Dynasty Rankings, writing, “the floor is so high due to that innate hitting ability that he doesn’t have the normal risks associated with prospects.” Kelenic was my #2 overall prospect, but I ranked him 52nd on the dynasty list because he simply didn’t have that elite floor. And that is exactly how it played out in 2021 with Franco putting up a 12% K% en route to a solid MLB debut, slashing .288/.347/.463 with 7 homers and 2 steals in 70 games (he also knocked out 2 homers in 4 playoff games). The underlying skills are there for a homer/steal breakout as he notched a 28.5 ft/sec sprint speed, 88.2 MPH EV and 9.7 degree launch angle. The arrow is only pointing way up from here. 2022 Projection: 101/23/83/.302/.360/.484/11 Prime Projection: 116/31/111/.320/.392/.555/13

Brandon Lowe TBR, OF/2B, 27.9 – Lowe went bonkos in the 2nd half, slashing .289/.376/.638 with 26 homers and 3 steals in 80 games (.689 OPS in first 69 games). He brought his K% all the way down to 21.1% in 67 games post-break (32.2% in 82 games pre-break). The power was never in question, so if those K% gains are real, it takes Lowe to the next level. 2022 Projection: 89/36/95/.263/.355/.519/6

Randy Arozarena TBR, OF, 27.1 – Arozarena went 20/20 on the dot in 2021, but the underlying numbers are a mixed bag. He had a below average .302 xwOBA (.350 wOBA), 32.4% whiff%, and 7.6 degree launch angle. On the other hand, he had an above average exit velocity (89.9 MPH), BB% (9.3%) and sprint speed (28.8 ft/sec). If you can hit it hard, get on base, and run fast, good things generally happen. I’m more excited for the things he can do well than scared off by the things he doesn’t. 2022 Projection: 88/22/75/.268/.347/.462/17

Austin Meadows TBR, OF, 26.11 – As expected, Meadows bounced back from a Covid induced down 2020 with 27 homers and 106 RBI. He brought his K% down 12.3 percentage points to a career best 20.6%, but he still had a low .234 BA, partly because of bad luck (.249 BABIP) and partly because of a high launch angle (21.7 degrees) mixed with a low FB/LD exit velocity (91.9 MPH). Even in his down 2020, his FB/LD EV was 94.2 MPH, so I’m betting on that bouncing back. There is a Max Kepler-ish vibe that is starting to come from Meadows (and I still think Kepler can have that monster year!), so I’m not as high as I once was on him, but he has the plate approach and power skills to put up a truly big season. 2022 Projection: 82/30/95/.259/.338/.482/6

Pitchers

Shane McClanahan TBR, LHP, 24.11 – I love McClanahan as much as anyone. I’ve been touting him all year and put him in my July 1st, 10 Dynasty Baseball Players to Target article (he put up a 2.97 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 72.2 IP after that). But there is no denying that when batters did made contact, they hit him very hard with a 91.7 MPH EV against (bottom 2% of the league) and 45.7% Hardhit% (bottom 6% of league). Most of the damage comes off his 96.7 MPH fastball, and it brings back to mind helpless little league coaches who had nothing else to say but, “the harder it comes in, the farther it goes out,” as some over grown 12 year old blows like 80 MPH fastballs passed everyone. Those hard hit numbers are the reason for the disparity between his 4.57 xERA and 3.23 xFIP. So which xStat will prevail? I’m betting on it landing somewhere in the middle, leaning more toward xFIP because his ability to miss bats (32% whiff%) and throw the ball over the plate (7.2% BB%) are more important skills to me. 2022 Projection: 12/3.67/1.25/178 in 160 IP

Luis Patino TBR, RHP, 22.5 – Patino held his own as a 21 year old in the majors with a pitching line of 4.31/1.27/74/29 in 77.1 IP on the back of his plus fastball/slider combo. His strikeout and walk rates were about average, and he wasn’t able to develop his changeup very much throwing it only 5% of the time, so on the surface the year wasn’t very exciting, but taking age into account, this is him basically establishing his floor. Upside is still high, even if it might take him a couple years to hit it. 2022 Projection: 8/4.02/1.28/145 in 140 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.62/1.19/190 in 170 IP

Tampa Bay Rays Top 10 Dynasty Baseball Prospects

1) Shane Baz TBR, RHP, 22.10 – Baz’ control took two huge steps forward, going from well below average to near elite with a 1.7% BB% at Double-A, 6.2% at Triple-A, and 6.1% in the majors. He sacrificed nothing to do it, throwing an elite 97 MPH fastball that put up 30.4% whiff%. He combines that with two plus breaking balls in his slider (40.7% whiff%) and curve (50% whiff%), while his changeup lags behind. He’s in a two man race with Grayson Rodriguez for the top pitching prospect in baseball. 2022 Projection: 9/3.78/1.20/148 in 130 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.35/1.07/220 in 187 IP

2) Vidal Brujan TBR, 2B/OF, 24.2 – Brujan couldn’t maintain his early season power surge of 7 homers in his first 16 games (12 homers in 103 games at Triple-A), but his power definitely took a step forward this year. He combines that uptick in power with an elite plate approach (15.4%/11.1% K%/BB%) and plus speed (44 for 52 on the bases). He played all over the field (2B, SS, 3B, OF), and Tampa loves to move guys around, so Brujan is setting up to be the ultimate multi-position eligibility player who will see the field almost everyday at peak. 2022 Projection: 48/7/39/.262/.326/.398/16 Prime Projection: 92/14/66/.283/.355/.423/30

3) Josh Lowe TBR, OF, 24.2 – Lowe blew up at Triple-A, slashing .291/.381/.535 with 22 homers, 26 steals (in 26 attempts), and a 26.2%/13% K%/BB% in 111 games. I’ve been high on him since his 2019 breakout because he is a premium athlete at 6’4”, 205 pounds with a plus power/speed combo and high walk rates. Even though his K% remained high, his hit tool took a step forward this year, which is the one thing that could hold him back. 2022 Projection: 23/7/21/.237/.310/.428/6 Prime Projection: 84/24/76/.256/.338/.467/16

4) Curtis Mead TBR, 3B, 21.5 – Mead has baseball bloodlines with his dad playing professional baseball in Australia. His swing reminds me of my stickball swing, staying upright and loose in the box before ripping liners all over the parking lot, er, baseball field. He hits the ball very hard and makes great contact (15.5% K%), and even though his swing is geared for line drives he still hit 15 homers in 104 games at mostly Single-A (163 wRC+ in 47 games) and High-A (117 wRC+ in 53 games). He is now destroying the AFL, slashing .324/.368/.577 with 3 homers in 18 games. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/22/85/.276/.332/.457/7

5) Greg Jones TBR, SS, 24.1 – Jones is all about that pure, uncut upside with double plus speed and plus raw power. He knocked 14 homers and was 34 for 36 on the bases in 72 games split between High-A (144 wRC+ in 72 games) and Double-A (60 wRC+ in 16 games). He was a perfect for 7 for 7 on the bases at Double-A, so the stolen base prowess is definitely real. His strikeout rates are in the danger zone (29.2% at High-A and 35% at Double-A), and he’s on the older side, so the risk is very high, but the upside is worth chasing. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 75/16/61/.242/.318/.428/24

6) Taj Bradley TBR, RHP, 21.0 – Bradley relies heavily on his plus mid 90’s fastball which he has above average control of and gets plenty of whiffs with. He combines that with a breaking ball that flashes plus, but is still inconsistent, and a lesser used developing changeup. He rolled right through the lower minors with a pitching line of 1.83/0.93/123/31 in 103.1 IP split between Single-A and High-A. Good control of a plus fastball makes him relatively safe, and his ceiling will be determined by how much he can improve his secondaries. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.98/1.25/163 in 160 IP

7) Carson Williams TBR, SS, 18.9 – Selected 28th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Williams was one of the youngest players in his class and still stepped right into pro ball and performed well with a 130 wRC+ in 11 games. He has a good feel to hit with quick bat speed, and at 6’2”, 180 pounds more power is definitely coming as he matures. He also has some speed. He’s shaping up to be an above average all category contributor. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 79/22/80/.268/.333/.447/9

8) Heriberto Hernandez TBR, OF, 22.4 – Hernandez is your classic 3 true outcome slugger with a 28.1%/15.3% K%/BB% and 44.2% FB% in 73 games at Single-A. He’s always been old for his level and he isn’t good on defense, so playing time could always be a struggle, especially in Tampa’s stacked organization. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/25/77/.251/.335/.467/4

9) Carlos Colmenarez TBR, SS, 18.3 – A hamate injury limited Colmenarez to 26 games, and he didn’t do much in those games with 0 homers, a 26.3%/7.0% K%/BB% and a 79 wRC+ in the DSL, but it’s too early to go off him. He did manage to lift the ball with a 45.7% FB%, so when the raw power inevitably comes, he won’t have any trouble getting to it in games. He still has that same above average across the board potential which made him a very high priced international signing. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 79/20/76/.270/.330/.440/10

10) Ian Seymour TBR, LHP, 23.4 – An elbow injury delayed the start of Seymour’s season until July and limited him to only 55.1 IP, but he quickly proved too advanced for minor league hitters in his pro debut with a pitching line of 1.95/0.81/87/19 split across 3 levels (A, A+, AAA). He doesn’t have huge stuff but he has above average control of a low 90’s fastball and two potentially plus secondaries in his slider and change. He also mixes in a cutter and curve. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.08/1.29/154 in 155 IP

Just Missed

11) Xavier Edwards TBR, 2B, 22.8

12) Cole Wilcox TBR, RHP, 22.9

13) Seth Johnson TBR, RHP, 23.6

Strategy

Tampa Bay can be a nightmare for fantasy owners. They pull their pitchers early and sometimes they don’t even start their starters, they use them as followers. They also use their entire bench and impressive depth to give plenty of days off to all of their position players. While frustrating, there is a method to their madness. They are trying to put their players in the best position to succeed and stay healthy throughout the season, so you can’t be too mad at them. Regardless, it makes me hesitant to go after their pitchers in quality start leagues, and you can’t count on them to rack up innings for you.

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Arizona Diamondbacks–Baltimore Orioles-Chicago White Sox–Cincinnati Reds–Colorado Rockies–Detroit Tigers–Houston Astros–Miami Marlins–Milwaukee Brewers–Minnesota Twins–New York Mets–New York Yankees–Oakland Athletics–Philadelphia Phillies–Seattle Mariners–San Francisco Giants–St. Louis Cardinals–Toronto Blue Jays

By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@DynastyHalp)

Posted on January 12, 2020January 14, 2020 by Michael Halpern

Top 100 Prospects Rankings for 2020 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues

This is technically the final post in my Sneak Peek Series for the 2020 Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings (full Top 1,000 dropping in early February), but a top 100 prospects list must stand on its own. Here is the Top 100 Prospects Rankings for 2020 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues:

1) Wander Franco TB, SS, 19.1 – Recently signed international prospects are the best class of prospect to invest in for upside value. The top owners in your dynasty league have been able to reap massive rewards by acquiring prospects like Juan Soto, Vlad Jr., Ronald Acuna, Victor Robles and Wander Franco within a few years of their signing at bargain rates that were not commensurate with their universally agreed upon elite talent (I know, I know … Kevin Maitan exists too). High School players selected in the MLB Draft don’t get that same risk baked into their ranking. It’s too late to get Franco, and rankings are starting to catch up, but there is still value to be found. 2020 Projection: September-13/4/9/.277/.341/.445/4 Prime Projection: 114/33/113/.316/.405/.595/17

2) Luis Robert CHW, OF, 22.8 – New $50 million contract has Robert’s hype skyrocketing. I already had him ranked #2 overall because of the elite power/speed combo, but a 24.7% K% and 4.9% BB% at Triple-A is almost all you need to know to realize the road to fantasy glory might not be a completely straight line. 2020 Projection: 72/27/83/.254/.306/.471/19 Prime Projection: 94/34/101/.277/.339/.521/25

3) Jo Adell LAA, OF, 21.0 – Elite athlete with double plus power. 32.6% K% and 0 homers in 27 games at Triple-A likely ensures at least a couple months of development time there in 2020. 2020 Projection: July-39/13/45/.250/.301/.459/6 Prime Projection: 101/37/108/.271/.353/.538/13

4) Gavin Lux LAD, 2B/SS, 22.4 – I tried to tell you last off-season that Lux was being underrated, writing, “Me thinks Lux is still being a bit underrated right now.” He isn’t underrated anymore. 2020 Projection: July-42/11/39/.272/.334/.451/7 Prime Projection: 98/28/93/.283/.356/.495/14

5) Julio Rodriguez SEA, OF, 19.3 – Advanced beyond his years feel to hit which he displayed at Full-A (.293 BA), High-A (.462 BA), and the Fall League (.288 BA). Add to that at least plus raw power and you have one of the most coveted prospects in baseball. ETA: Late 2021 Prime Projection: 96/35/109/.290/.368/.550/8

6) MacKenzie Gore SD, LHP, 21.1 – Potential for 4 plus pitches with plus control. Destroyed Hi-A with a silly pitching line of 1.02/0.71/110/20/ in 79.1 IP. 2020 Projection: June-8/3.82/1.26/118 in 108 IP Prime Projection: 17/3.22/1.03/240 in 200 IP

7) Jarred Kelenic SEA, OF, 20.8 – Performed well across 3 levels of the minors in his first full season of pro ball, culminating with a 133 wRC+ at Double-A. Above average to plus potential in every category. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 96/25/87/.283/.351/.485/16

8) Jesus Luzardo OAK, LHP, 22.6 – Shoulder injury limited Luzardo to just 58 IP at a variety of levels (Rk, Hi-A, Triple-A, MLB playoffs), but he dominated at each stop with 3 plus pitches (mid 90’s fastball, curve, and change). He has a chance to be special, but with a career high of 109 IP, it remains to be seen if he can stay healthy and produce for 180+ IP. 2020 Projection: 10/3.68/1.19/160 in 142 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.39/1.11/213 in 183 IP

9) Dylan Carlson STL, OF, 21.6 – Major power breakout (26 homers) while maintaining a strong plate approach (116/58 K/BB in 126 games) in the upper levels of the minors. He’s likely the Cardinals best outfielder right now (save for maybe Tommy Edman). 2020 Projection: June-51/13/48/.262/.333/.447/8 Prime Projection: 94/27/91/.277/.352/.488/12

10) Jasson Dominguez NYY, OF, 17.2 – When you get the opportunity to draft at the top of a first year player draft, you just don’t pass on this type of generational talent. Double plus power/speed combo with a good feel to hit. Upside is #1 player in fantasy. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 109/32/101/.287/.373/.532/25

11) Marco Luciano SF, SS, 18.7 – Knocked 10 homers in 47 games in his first season of pro ball. Lightening quick bat speed with potential for double plus power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 91/33/99/.277/.350/.520/9

12) Andrew Vaughn CHW, 1B, 22.0 – If drafting a 17 year old without a single pro plate attempt is just more risk than you are able to handle, Vaughn is your safe alternative for the top pick in a FYPD. Patient hitter with plus contact rates and plus power. Type of college bat who should move fast. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 92/31/103/.285/.370/.518/2

13) Carter Kieboom WASH, SS/2B, 22.7 – Patient hitter with a swing geared towards both average and power. If you can buy low based off his .128 BA and 37.2% K% in his small sample MLB debut, do it. 2020 Projection: May-64/18/68/.268/.339/.440/3 Prime Projection: 93/26/92/.281/.359/.486/7

14) Brendan Rodgers COL, 2B, 23.8 – Season ending labrum surgery in July makes it unlikely for Rodgers to wrestle the starting 2B job from Ryan McMahon early in the season, but his plus hit, plus power ceiling still makes him the favorite long term. Or Colorado trades Arenado and there is room for both. 2020 Projection: June-45/15/52/.266/.316/.451/4 Prime Projection: 85/29/96/.279/.335/.492/5

15) Adley Rutschman BAL, C, 22.2 – Selected 1st overall in the 2019 draft, Rutschman is a plus defensive catcher with a middle of the order offensive profile. Just keep in mind that catchers inherently get more days off during the season, are at a greater risk of injury, and just generally get worn down over the course of a season and career. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 85/27/91/.282/.368/.508/2

16) Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP, 22.6 – Missed seven weeks with shoulder inflammation and battled command issues all season (7.99 ERA and 86/44 K/BB in 59.2 IP). He got back on track in the Fall League with a 2.88 ERA and 32/9 K/BB in 25 IP. The ace upside is still there, but the risk is evident. 2020 Projection: July-5/4.15/1.31/83 in 76 IP Prime Projection: 16/3.44/1.18/211 in 188 IP

17) Casey Mize DET, RHP, 22.11 – Plus command of a 4 pitch mix with a nasty splitter as the money pitch. Wasn’t the same after missing a month with shoulder inflammation in June, which is yet another reminder of how risky pitching prospects are. 2020 Projection: July-5/3.82/1.26/78 in 82 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.51/1.16/191 in 182 IP

18) Royce Lewis MIN, SS, 20.10 – Salvaged a down year at High-A and Double-A (.236/.290/.371) by destroying the Arizona Fall League (.353/.411/.565) and taking home MVP honors. Regardless, spike in strikeout rate across all levels calls into question how much average he will ultimately hit for. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 84/25/89/.273/.332/.461/22

19) Kristian Robinson ARI, OF, 19.4 – High strikeout rates are a legitimate concern, but he has been among the youngest players at every level, and the elite power/speed combo has you dreaming of a Fernando Tatis like breakout. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 84/30/95/.262/.347/.503/18

20) Nate Pearson TOR, RHP, 23.7 – 6’6”, 245 pound beast who crushed 3 levels of the minors (A+, AA, AAA) with an upper 90’s fastball and plus slider. 2020 Projection: July-4/3.88/1.29/74 in 70 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.48/1.19/192 in 178 IP

21) Luis Patino SD, RHP, 20.5 – Double plus mid to upper 90’s fastball with a slider that flashes plus and developing changeup. Patino is a player I’m targeting in trades considering the hype hasn’t quite matched his top of the rotation upside. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 15/3.41/1.16/195 in 177 IP

22) Matt Manning DET, RHP, 22.3 – Improvements to changeup and control led to a huge year at Triple-A, putting up a pitching line of 2.56/0.98/148/38 in 133.2 IP. Adding a tick or two to his low 90’s fastball could take him to the next level. 2020 Projection: August-4/3.96/1.30/61 in 54 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.62/1.21/212 in 192 IP

23) Jeter Downs LAD, SS, 21.8 – I was high on Downs coming into 2019, ranking him 45th overall on my 2019 Top 472 Prospects Ranking. He continued to show off the same skills at High-A and Double-A that made me so high on him, which is a good feel to hit, the ability to lift the ball, and base stealing skills. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 87/26/83/.274/.347/.469/14

24) Brennen Davis CHC, OF, 20.5 – At an athletic 6’4”, 175 pounds, Davis has a plus power/speed combo with a good feel to hit. He slashed .305/.381/.525 with 8 homers, 4 steals, and a 38/18 K/BB in 50 games at Full-A. He’s still not getting his due respect. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 86/28/93/.274/.340/.495/13

25) CJ Abrams SD, SS, 19.6 – Plus hit tool and plus speed shined through in his pro debut, slashing .401/.442/.662 with 14 steals and a 9% K% in 32 rookie ball games. 3 homers shows he has decent pop, and at 6’2”, 185 pounds, there is room to grow into more. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 93/16/72/.287/.349/.439/30

26) Alec Bohm PHI, 3B, 23.9 – Contact ability translated to pro ball with a 14.1% K% at Double-A, to go along with 14 homers and a 10.4% walk rate in 63 games. He then went to the AFL and put up a .925 OPS in 19 games. 2020 Projection: September-8/3/11/.259/.321/.441/0 Prime Projection: 83/26/94/.278/.344/.486/3

27) Drew Waters ATL, OF, 21.3 – Took home MVP honors in the Southern League with a .319 BA, 35 doubles, 9 triples, 5 homers, and 13 steals in 108 games, although he did struggle with contact (26.7% K% in Double-A and 36.1% K% in Triple-A). 2020 Projection: August-25/5/21/.259/.309/.413/6 Prime Projection: 87/24/83/.278/.341/.470/18

28) Alex Kirilloff MIN, 1B/OF, 22.5 – Wrist injury kept Kirilloff out for the first month and a half of the season and likely contributed to sapping his power when he returned. He came on in the second half with 13 homers in final 76 games including the playoffs. 2020 Projection: July-32/11/43/.265/.320/.443/2 Prime Projection: 88/26/93/.283/.335/.485/5

29) Bobby Witt Jr. KC, SS, 19.10 – Mediocre pro debut (.670 OPS), but he still showed a good feel to hit (19.4% K%) and speed (9 steals), which is promising considering the power is definitely in there. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/26/88/.271/.338/.476/19

30) Michael Kopech CHW, RHP, 23.11 – Hit 100 MPH in an instructional league start in October, proving the elite raw stuff is back after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2018. Brent Honeywell’s complications post Tommy John still forces me to bake in some added risk with Kopech’s rank. 2020 Projection: July-5/4.21/1.35/87 in 72 IP Prime Projection: 16/3.45/1.21/230 in 192 IP

31) A.J. Puk OAK, LHP, 24.11 – The stuff is all the way back after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2018, displaying a 97.5 MPH fastball and 90 MPH slider coming out of the pen for Oakland down the stretch. 2020 Projection: May-8/3.83/1.32/131 in 115 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.52/1.26/199 in 176 IP

32) Vidal Brujan TB, 2B, 22.2 – Double plus speed and he loves to run with 103 stolen bases in 221 games over the past two seasons. Prototypical leadoff hitter with near elite contact ability and a good plate approach, although he struggles vs. lefties. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 87/13/51/.281/.340/.418/37

33) Spencer Howard PHI, RHP, 23.8 – Shoulder stiffness in April limited Howard to 71 IP, but he dominated in those innings with a pitching line of 2.03/0.83/94/16. Mid 90’s heat and three potentially above average secondaries gives Howard legitimate top of the rotation potential. 2020 Projection: August-3/4.01/1.31/55 in 51 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.58/1.20/192 in 175 IP

34) Dustin May LAD, RHP, 22.7 – Strong MLB debut with a pitching line of 3.63/1.10/32/5 in 34.2 IP. Has plus control over a nasty 96.2 MPH sinker and 90.9 MPH cutter, while also mixing in a curve and change. 2020 Projection: June-7/3.91/1.24/86 in 93 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.61/1.18/186 in 191 IP

35) Sixto Sanchez MIA, RHP, 21.8 – Dominates with a fastball that can hit 100+ MPH to go along with 2 plus secondaries (changeup, slider) and plus control. 8.48 K/9 isn’t very impressive, but has the elite stuff to produce more K’s down the line. 2020 Projection: August-3/3.72/1.23/51 in 56 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.63/1.13/181 in 179 IP

36) Cristian Pache ATL, OF, 21.5 – Power and patience took a step forward, but the mainstream list prospect hype is still centered around his double plus center field defense. 2020 Projection: September-8/1/5/.251/.295/.394/2 Prime Projection: 86/21/79/.273/.338/.455/17

37) Taylor Trammell SD, OF, 22.6 – Down year at Double-A but remains a great athlete and 20/20 threat if he can make the proper adjustments to unlock more power. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 86/21/77/.266/.344/.451/21

38) Corbin Carroll ARI, OF, 19.7 – Drafted 16th overall, Carroll has double plus speed with a strong plate approach and sneaky pop, posting a 91 MPH average exit velocity in his pro debut. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 92/18/76/.276/.344/.455/29

39) Aaron Bracho CLE, SS, 18.11 – Bracho is one of those players I was talking about in the Wander blurb (along with Noelvi Marte, Orelvis Martinez, Luis Matos, and Liover Peguero to name a few). He signed for $1.5 million in 2017 and then missed all of 2018 with a broken arm which kept the hype in check. He had his coming out party in 2019 in stateside rookie ball, showing a great feel to hit (15.3% K%), an advanced plate approach (16.8% BB%) and plus power (6 homers and a 51.8% FB% in 30 games). Limited defensive value will keep his ranking on real life lists down. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/28/92/.278/.354/.487/9

40) Noelvi Marte SEA, SS, 18.6 – Signed for $1.5 million in 2018, Marte showed off his plus power/speed combo in the Dominican League, slashing .309/371/.511 with 9 homers, 17 steals and a 55/29 K/BB in 65 games. Now is the last chance to buy before he comes stateside and the price skyrockets. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/25/86/.272/.341/.478/18

41) Brendan McKay TB, LHP, 24.4 – Plus command of a 4 pitch arsenal, but none of his pitches are dominant, which led to MLB hitters teeing off in his 49.2 IP debut with a 90.5 MPH exit velocity against, 93.4 MPH FB/LD, and 16.7 degree launch angle. 2020 Projection: June-7/4.13/1.28/108 in 104 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.68/1.17/189 in 183 IP

42) Ian Anderson ATL, RHP, 21.11 – Crushed Double-A with a 2.68 ERA and 147/47 K/BB in 111 IP before struggling at Triple-A over 24.2 IP. Potential for 3 plus pitches but will have to improve command and/or add MPH to the fastball to become a top of the rotation starter. 2020 Projection: August-2/4.21/1.34/33 in 30 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.60/1.26/210 in 190 IP

43) Jordan Groshans TOR, SS, 20.5 – In the midst of a great full-season debut (.337/.427/.482 in 23 games) when a left foot injury shut him down for the season. Excellent all around hitter with plus raw power and average speed. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 86/26/90/.278/.355/.485/8

44) Orelvis Martinez TOR, SS, 18.7 – Lived up to his $3.5 million price tag, jumping straight to stateside ball (Gulf) and slashed .275/.352/.549 with 7 homers and a 29/14 K/BB in 40 games. Potential for plus hit and plus power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/30/95/.276/.343/.518/4

45) Alek Thomas ARI, OF, 19.11 – Advanced beyond his years plate approach with plus speed and an excellent 90 MPH average exit velocity. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 89/20/74/.279/.358/.450/21

46) Nick Madrigal CHW, 2B, 23.1 – Incredible 16/44 K/BB in 120 games spread across 3 levels of the minors (A+, AA, AAA), but his power upside is nonexistent. 2020 Projection: May-69/5/41/.278/.329/.390/19 Prime Projection: 91/10/56/.292/.343/.409/27

47) Xavier Edwards TB, 2B, 20.8 – Elite contact numbers translated to full-season ball with a 10.2% K% at Full-A and a 8.8% K% at High-A, as did his speed with 34 stolen bases in 123 games. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 92/10/48/.289/.342/.405/34

48) JJ Bleday MIA, OF, 22.5 – Power broke out with 26 homers in 65 games at Vanderbilt. Then went straight to High-A and displayed a good feel to hit (19.2% K%) and ability to lift the ball (34.9% GB%) despite the mediocre overall numbers (.690 OPS). ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 79/27/88/.274/.341/.484/5

49) Heliot Ramos SF, OF, 20.7 – Continues to be pushed aggressively through the minors, and he responded this year with a 143 wRC+ at High-A and 119 wRC+ in 25 games at Double-A. Big time power will be his calling card. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 83/28/86/.264/.341/.482/10

50) Nolan Gorman STL, 3B, 19.11 – Mediocre numbers at Full-A and High-A, but the power, patience and strikeout profile remains unchanged. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 83/33/92/.253/.336/.508/2

51) Triston Casas BOS, 1B, 20.3 – Reasonable 23.5% K% in full season debut to go along with 19 homers. At 6’4”, 238 pounds the power was never in question, so the relative contact ability is very encouraging. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 79/31/88/.268/.347/.503/3

52) Brailyn Marquez CHC, LHP, 21.2 – Big lefty at 6’4”, 185 pounds, Marquez throws an upper 90’s fastball with a potentially plus slider and developing changeup. Still needs to improve control/command, but this is the type of high upside arm I love taking a chance on. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 14/3.55/1.23/187 in 174 IP

53) Jazz Chisholm MIA, SS, 22.3 – Career high 11.4% BB% at Double-A while continuing to hit the ball in the air with plus speed. Upside is high, but 32.1% K% gives him a very low batting average floor. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 83/28/81/.244/.328/.462/15

54) Riley Greene DET, OF, 19.6 – Drafted 5th overall, the only blemish on Greene’s otherwise great pro debut is that his strikeout rate was a little on the high side at 25%. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 84/25/89/.280/.352/.475/9

55) George Valera CLE, OF, 19.5 – Hit tool was not as good as expected (27.7% K% at Short-A) but the power showed out with 8 homers in 46 games, and the sweet lefty swing still impressed. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 84/26/88/.276/.360/.478/9

56) Nolan Jones CLE, 3B, 21.11 – Lefty slugger with legitimate strikeout issues (31 K’s and 4 homers in 15 games at the Arizona Fall League) but some of that is due to his passive plate approach and sky high walk rates. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 85/29/85/.251/.369/.478/2

57) Josh Lowe TB, OF, 22.2 – Power broke out at Double-A with 18 homers in 121 games to go along with 30 steals and a 132/59 K/BB. The hit tool still needs improvement, but Lowe’s stock took a huge jump last season. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 82/25/80/.250/.332/.468/19

58) Trevor Larnach MIN, OF, 23.1 – Game power didn’t show up as hoped (13 homers in 127 games split between High-A and Double-A) with high ground ball rates, although he improved at the end of the season with 6 homers in final 28 games. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 77/27/87/.265/.340/.470/5

59) Joey Bart SF, C, 23.3 – Power hitting catcher whose home ballpark suppresses power, although San Francisco is moving the fences in this year. Suffered two broken hands from being hit by pitches, once in April and then again in October in the AFL. 2020 Projection: August-15/7/22/.247/.302/.436/1 Prime Projection: 69/25/81/.262/.330/.467/3

60) Evan White SEA, 1B, 24.1 – Carried over the power gains he made towards the end of 2018 into 2019 with 18 homers and a career low 42.4% GB% in 92 games at Double-A. Is a sure bet to spend most, if not all of 2020 in the majors with a newly signed 6 year, $24 million contract. 2020 Projection: 78/22/73/.264/.325/.450/5 Prime Projection: 81/27/86/.276/.338/.473/6

61) Hunter Bishop SF, OF, 21.9 – Drafted 10th overall, Bishop has one of the best power/speed combos in the draft, but has racked up strikeouts in every league he has played in. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 82/28/78/.247/.332/.471/14

62) Grayson Rodriguez BAL, RHP, 20.4 – Impressed in his full season debut with a pitching line of 2.68/0.99/129/36 in 94 IP. The scouting report backs up the production with mid 90’s heat, 3 potentially plus secondaries, and plus control/command. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 14/3.69/1.20/196 in 180 IP

63) Nico Hoerner CHC, SS, 22.11 – Plus contact/speed profile who has to learn how to fully tap into his moderate raw power. Suffered a hairline fracture in his wrist in May which likely further depressed his power. 2020 Projection: 67/9/43/.279/.321/.411/11 Prime Projection: 88/16/72/.288/.340/.432/16

64) Nick Solak TEX, 2B/3B/OF, 25.2 – Excellent MLB debut, slashing .293/.393/.491 with 5 homers, 2 steals, and a 29/15 K/BB in 33 games. Has been a ground ball hitter throughout his career, but exit velocity and sprint speed are strong. 2020 Projection: 79/20/74/.271/.339/.452/10

65) Jonathan India CIN, 3B, 23.3 – Hasn’t gotten to as much of his plus raw power as hoped, hitting only 11 homers in 121 games, but has showed an advanced approach with a good feel to hit and some speed. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 85/24/79/.272/.349/.461/12

66) Mitch Keller PIT, RHP, 24.0 – 7.13 ERA in 48 IP MLB debut but it came with a 12.19 K/9 and 3.19 FIP, which makes the debut more encouraging than discouraging. Relies heavily on a 95.4 MPH fastball with a plus slider being his best secondary. 2020 Projection: 10/4.02/1.30/167 in 161 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.77/1.25/191 in 182 IP

67) Tarik Skubal DET, LHP, 23.4 – Scout the stat line ace with a pitching line of 2.42/1.01/179/37 in 122.2 IP split between High-A and Double-A, Stuff profiles more as a mid-rotation starter, but it’s hard to argue with those results. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 13/3.71/1.23/195 in 181 IP

68) Josiah Gray LAD, RHP, 22.3 – Decimated 3 levels of the minors (A, A+, AA) with a plus fastball/slider combo and plus command. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 14/3.63/1.18/183 in 176 IP

69) Logan Gilbert SEA, RHP, 22.11 – Dominated his first year of pro ball just as easily as he did the Atlantic Sun Conference, putting up a pitching line of 2.13/0.95/165/33 in 135 IP split between A, A+, and AA. Relies heavily on his plus fastball but slider, curve, and change all have the potential to develop into quality secondaries. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 14/3.66/1.21/196 in 185 IP

70) Simeon Woods Richardson TOR, RHP, 19.6 – Impressive 18-year-old season in Full-A and High-A with a 126/24 K/BB in 106.2 IP. He displayed an advanced four pitch mix headlined by a plus fastball/slider combo. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 14/3.64/1.16/198 in 183 IP

71) Oneil Cruz PIT, SS, 21.6 – Fly ball percentage jumped up 8.9% to 38.1% after his promotion to Double-A. If he can maintain those gains, the double plus raw power will definitely start to shine through. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 78/28/86/.252/.323/.474/9

72) Brandon Marsh LAA, OF, 22.4 – Lowered strikeout rate to 22.3% at Double-A (27.7% at High-A in 2018), which is very encouraging. Next step is hitting fewer ground balls (52.6%). 2020 Projection: September-12/2/9/.252/.327/.413/3 Prime Projection: 83/22/78/.271/.350/.457/16

73) Greg Jones TB, SS, 22.1 – Drafted 22nd overall, Jones is a great athlete with double plus speed and developing power. He’s had strikeout issues in his career (25.7% at Short-A), but the upside is considerable. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 86/16/62/.268/.349/.421/32

74) Sean Murphy OAK, C, 25.6 – It’s a small sample but he knocked 4 homers with a 90.7 MPH exit velocity and 96.6 MPH FB/LD exit velocity in his 20 game MLB debut. This after hitting 10 homes in 31 games at Triple-A. If he can raise his launch angle a bit, and with his already strong plate approach, Murphy has the potential to be one of the better hitting catchers in baseball. 2020 Projection: 56/18/52/.255/.338/.441/0 Prime Projection: 73/24/82/.268/.357/.468/1

75) Edward Cabrera MIA, RHP, 22.0 – Much improved secondaries and control combined with his electric mid 90’s fastball made Cabrera one of the biggest pitching breakouts in the minors, posting a pitching line of 2.23/0.99/116/31 in 96.2 IP split between High-A and Double-A. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 13/3.76/1.23/191 in 182 IP

76) Brusdar Graterol MIN, RHP, 21.7 – 99 MPH fastball with a plus slider and developing change. 2020 Projection: June-7/4.09/1.32/91 in 88 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.78/1.23/176 in 170 IP

77) Robert Puason OAK, SS, 17.5 – Signed for $5.1 million, Pauson is a projectable 6’3”, 165 pounds with plus speed, a good feel to hit and developing power. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 88/23/82/.275/.346/.462/26

78) Matthew Liberatore STL, LHP, 20.5 – Strong full season debut with a 3.10 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 76/31 K/BB in 78.1 IP. Advanced for his age with a 4 pitch mix and plus command. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 13/3.72/1.21/182 in 175 IP

79) Brent Honeywell TB, RHP, 25.0 – Had surgery in June to repair a fractured right elbow which he suffered while rehabbing from 2017 Tommy John surgery. It’s a reminder not to just assume a pitcher will return seamlessly from Tommy John. 2020 Projection: August-2/4.31/1.34/46 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.71/1.22/175 in 163 IP

80) Deivi Garcia NYY, RHP, 20.10 – Added a slider this year to give him a chance at 4 plus pitches at peak. At 5’9”, 163 pounds, how much you buy into Garcia might depend on how much you buy into the prejudice against small righties. 2020 Projection: August-3/4.15/1.33/57 in 51 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.78/1.27/193 in 177 IP

81) Ke’Bryan Hayes PIT, 3B, 23.2 – Hasn’t made any attempts to unlock more power, but has maintained his strong plate approach, good feel to hit, and ability to use the entire field at every minor league level. Plus glove at 3B will buy him time until the power ticks up. 2020 Projection: July-39/9/32/.253/.317/.406/6 Prime Projection: 88/22/79/.276/.348/.460/13

82) Daniel Lynch KC, LHP, 23.4 – 6’6”, 190 pounds with a 4 pitch mix headlined by a plus fastball/slider combo and good control. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 12/3.81/1.24/179 in 171 IP

83) DL Hall BALT, LHP, 21.6 – Plus fastball/curve combo with a developing slider and changeup. Control needs to take a step forward with a 6.0 BB/9 at High-A. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 12/3.76/1.32/187 in 174 IP

84) Jesus Sanchez MIA, OF, 22.6 – Two straight years of modest production has dimmed Sanchez’ prospect hype a bit, but his plus raw power and good feel to hit haven’t gone anywhere. 2020 Projection: September-7/2/8/.254/.308/.410/1 Prime Projection: 77/24/86/.275/.339/.470/7

85) Erick Pena KC, OF, 17.1 – Signed for $3.8 million, Pena is 6’3” with a smooth and powerful left handed swing. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 86/28/93/.274/.355/.491/5

86) Hunter Greene CIN, RHP, 20.8 – Underwent Tommy John surgery on April 9th. When healthy, fastball sits in the upper 90’s and has stirkeout stuff with 89 K’s in 68.1 IP in 2018. Secondaries are still raw. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 14/3.58/1.19/191 in 177 IP

87) Ronny Mauricio NYM, SS, 19.0 – Mediocre full-season debut as an 18 year old (.665 OPS), but still possess all the tools that made him one of the top international signings in 2017. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/26/88/.277/.335/.471/5

88) Geraldo Perdomo ARI, SS, 20.5 – Elite plate approach transferred to full season ball with a 67/70 K/BB in 116 games split between Full-A and High-A. Power hasn’t shown up yet, but at 6’3”, 184 pounds there is certainly more to come. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 91/18/73/.289/372/.448/16

89) Daulton Varsho ARI, C, 23.9 – With Carson Kelly establishing himself in 2019, Varsho might have to find playing time at positions other than catcher. He has an above average power/speed combo and a good feel to hit, so it might be better off for his fantasy value anyway. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 84/23/77/.275/.340/.460/14

90) Tyler Freeman CLE, SS, 20.10 – Elite contact rates transferred to full season ball with a 10.3% K% at Full-A and 9.1% at High-A. He doesn’t have an overly high ground ball rate, so when he inevitably gains strength as he matures, the home runs will come. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 88/15/52/.291/.338/.431/17

91) Luis Campusano SD, C, 21.6 – Everything took a step forward at High-A. As long as he can keep his launch angle up, Campusano’s plus hitting ability and hard contact ensures a true impact fantasy catcher. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 68/22/79/.281/.343/.457/0

92) Brayan Rocchio CLE, SS, 19.4 – Plus contact rates (13.6% K% at Short-A) with plus speed (14 steals in 69 games) and developing power (5 homers). ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 85/16/69/.283/.338/.435/23

93) Liover Peguero ARI, SS, 19.3 – Advanced feel to hit with above average speed and power. Slashed .364/.410/.559 with 5 homers, 8 steals and a 21.8% K% in 38 games in the Pioneer League. Will need to start lifting the ball more to reach full potential. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 84/20/72/.278/.332/.448/20

94) Luis Matos SF, OF, 18.2 – Signed for $725,000 in 2018, Matos immediately raised his stock in the DSL, showing more power than expected (7 homers in 55 games) to go along with speed (20 steals) and a good feel to hit (11.1% K%). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/22/81/.278/.335/.455/14

95) Daniel Espino CLE, RHP, 19.3 – Drafted 24th overall, Espino has a four pitch mix headlined by an explosive upper 90’s fastball and potentially plus slider. Improvements in control/command and changeup will dictate how good he can become. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 13/3.75/1.26/190 in 178 IP

96) Austin Hays BAL, OF, 24.9 – Strong September in the majors (.947 OPS in 75 PA), although his minor league numbers weren’t as strong (.758 OPS at Triple-A). Inside track to win the Orioles opening day starting CF job. 2020 Projection: 78/24/75/.265/.312/.456/10

97) Seth Beer ARI, 1B, 23.7 – Trade to the NL hurts considering he is a poor defensive player, but the production continues to be strong with 26 homers and a 21% K% at High-A and Double-A. 2020 Projection: August-14/8/22/.248/.312/.468/0 Prime Projection: 68/30/81/.268/.342/.491/1

98) Ryan Mountcastle BAL, 1B/OF, 23.1 – Hit every year of his career and power started to really blossom this season. Poor defense is the biggest hurdle to playing time, but Baltimore isn’t exactly overflowing with talent right now. 2020 Projection: July-36/12/41/.262/.301/.441/1 Prime Projection: 77/26/85/.274/.318/.472/3

99) Bobby Dalbec BOS, 3B, 24.9 – Improved strikeout rate to a respectable 24.7% but infield fly ball rate spiked to 24.8% at Double-A and 30.3% at Triple-A. The huge power will certainly translate with 32 homers in 2018 and 27 homers in 2019. 2020 Projection: August-15/8/21/.233/.315/.446/1 Prime Projection: 78/33/87/.248/.342/.488/4

100) Jose Urquidy HOU, RHP, 24.11 – There are a bunch of higher upside prospects I could have went with here, but that is the reason why I chose the more unique Urquidy with the final spot. Unique in the sense that he already has a rotation spot, has some MLB success under his belt (including a great 10 IP in the playoffs), and is in an organization known for their excellent development of pitchers. He throws a 4 pitch mix with a 93.2 MPH fastball and an 84.3 MPH changeup as his best/most used secondary with plus control. 2020 Projection: 10/4.02/1.23/169 in 172 IP

By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@DynastyHalp)

Posted on February 13, 2017February 26, 2017 by Michael Halpern

2017 Top 200 Dynasty/Fantasy Baseball Prospects Rankings: 1-200

Prospects season is finally here, and I am ramping it up to a top 200 this year. I took a breath after 100, and put out a traditional top 100 list, but then I continued on. There were just too many legitimately exciting prospects to stop at 100. Without further ado, here is the Complete 2017 Top 200 Dynasty/Fantasy Baseball Prospects Rankings:

*Prime Projection: R/HR/RBI/AVG/OBP/SLG/SB – These projections are meant to give you a general idea of what I think about a prospect’s future stat profile in a relatively good outcome scenario.

1) Yoan Moncada CHW, 2B/3B – The betting man’s #1 prospect in baseball. Power/speed combo is unmatched, but feel free to ignore the 30% K rate at Double-A. Prime Projection: 102/22/89/.275/.360/.479/32 ETA: Mid 2017

2) Andrew Benintendi BOS, OF – The safe choice. Triple-slashed .295/.359/.476 with 2 homers and 1 steal in his first 118 MLB PA. Prime Projection: 93/21/97/.300/.362/.477/11 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

3) Austin Meadows PIT, OF – Across the board production with both a high floor and a high ceiling. Prime Projection: 96/20/86/.293/.351/.470/14 ETA: Late 2017

4) Brendan Rodgers COL, SS/2B – Middle infielder with a plus hit tool and plus power playing in Coors Field. Worth the wait. Prime Projections: 89/27/103/.281/.338/.495/7 ETA: 2018/19

5) Dansby Swanson ATL, SS – Not the highest upside, but safe and MLB ready at a premium position. Prime Projection: 94/17/78/.282/.342/.451/17 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

6) Victor Robles WASH, OF – 5-category stud. Just might be the top prospect in baseball by this time next year. Prime Projection: 96/16/77/.289/.339/.449/30 ETA: 2018/19

7) Raimel Tapia COL, OF – Excellent prospect on his own merits, and Coors Field could turn him into a perennial batting champ. Prime Projection: 92/15/70/.308/.335/.442/18 ETA: Late 2017

8) Lewis Brinson MIL, OF – Upside rivals any of the guys ranked above him, but plate approach is still raw. Prime Projection: 84/24/89/.262/.329/.473/17 ETA: Late 2017

9) Nick Senzel CIN, 3B – First college hitter selected in the 2016 draft, and completely destroyed full season pro ball. Safe 5-category production going to a great hitter’s ballpark. Prime Projection: 90/20/90/.282/.354/.469/14 ETA: 2018

10) Kyle Tucker HOU, OF – Austin Meadows 2.0. Prime Projection: 94/21/86/.286/.357/.482/16 ETA: 2018/19

11) Eloy Jimenez CHC, OF – Nobody had scouts buzzing like the 6’4’’, 205-pound Jimenez did this year. Highest upside of any power hitting prospect in the game. Prime Projection: 85/29/96/.278/.332/.496/8 ETA: 2019

12) Tyler Glasnow PIT, RHP – Stuff is unhittable, but the red flags are getting harder to ignore (control/command, third pitch, repeating delivery). Prime Projection: 3.27/1.20/216 in 200 IP ETA: Mid 2017

13) J.P. Crawford PHI, SS – Advanced plate approach against older competition is impressive even without the fantasy friendly numbers. High floor and the ceiling isn’t too bad either. Prime Projection: 96/14/62/.282/.371/.410/17 ETA: Late 2017

14) Lucas Giolito CHW, RHP – Rough MLB debut had people questioning his “elite” fastball. Trade to the AL didn’t do him any favors, either. Prime Projection: 3.36/1.18/214 in 209 IP ETA: Mid 2017

15) A.J. Reed HOU, 1B – I hope to see Spring Training reports that Reed “is in the best shape of his life,” because poor conditioning didn’t help his bat speed or lower body injuries last year. Prime Projection: 79/31/95/.266/.351/.496/1 ETA: Mid 2017

16) Brad Zimmer CLE, OF – Strikeouts got worse, but excellent plate approach and power/speed combo still shined. Prime Projection: 87/20/80/.255/.340/.453/24 ETA: Mid 2017

17) Derek Fisher HOU, OF – Very similar fantasy profile to Zimmer, except he can hit lefties too. Prime Projection: 81/23/85/.259/.342/.459/17 ETA: Late 2017

18) Josh Hader MIL, LHP – Ignore the Colorado Springs inflated Triple-A numbers, and focus on the nasty stuff and ridiculous Double-A numbers. Miller Park is no picnic, but it is much worse on righties. Prime Projection: 3.38/1.18/196 in 185 IP. ETA: Mid 2017

19) Tom Murphy COL, C – Raked for two years in a row in his September cups of coffee. This is the year he gets fully unleashed at Coors. Prime Projection: 70/27/85/.256/.312/.467/2 ETA 2017 Opening Day

20) Willie Calhoun LAD, 2B – Elite power and contact numbers, but lack of position leaves his MLB future murky. Wrote about Willie (and a bunch of other sleepers I hit on last off-season) in Reviewing My 2016 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty League Prospect Sleepers Post. Prime Projection: 79/28/91/.280/.324/.484/2 ETA: 2018

21) Tyler O’Neill SEA, OF – Developed a solid plate approach at Double-A to go along with his prodigious power. One of the hardest workers in the minors. Prime Projection: 80/27/90/.265/.323/.482/9 ETA: 2017/18

22) Zack Collins CHW, C – Top college bat who immediately put up a triple-slash of .258/.418/.467 with 6 homers and a 39/33 K/BB in 36 games at High-A. If he has any chance to stick at catcher, Chicago will be the team that lets him. Prime Projection: 78/26/87/.269/.364/.485/2 ETA: 2018

23) Aaron Judge NYY, OF – Ranked Judge #1 in my 2017 Top 10 New York Yankees Fantasy Prospect Rankings. Prime Projection: 80/28/90/.254/.336/.474/6 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

24) Clint Frazier NYY, OF – Nothing to say other than watch this badass 45 second video of Frazier working out. I’m just gonna assume his epic bat speed comes from throwing humongous balls against the wall. Prime Projection: 84/23/86/.280/.343/.479/10 ETA: Late 2017

25) Gleyber Torres NYY, SS – Dominant AFL performance has him rocketing up top 100’s. Doesn’t have a true elite fantasy skill, but should be a legitimate 5-category producer. Prime Projection: 85/21/84/.282/.346/.467/12 ETA: 2018/19

26) Cody Bellinger LAD, 1B/OF – Improved walk and strikeout rates while maintaining power at Double-A. Extreme uppercut swing still gives me some caution. Prime Projection: 77/27/93/.263/.354/.486/7 ETA: 2017/18

27) Franklin Barreto OAK, SS/2B – Looked like toast in the AFL, but had a very strong season as a 20-year-old at Double-A. May not be long for the shortstop position. Prime Projection: 89/17/80/.285/.337/.450/19 ETA: 2018

28) Hunter Renfroe SD, OF – Triple-slashed .371/.389/.800 with 4 homers in his 11 game MLB game debut. Destroyed the PCL too, but look for pitchers to exploit his 3.9% walk rate. Prime Projection: 74/26/91/.260/.304/.470/5 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

29) Dominic Smith NYM, 1B – Went from sneakily overrated last year to sneakily underrated this year. In final 63 games, he slashed .348/.419/.554 with 10 homers and a 29/29 K/BB at Double-A. Just look at that one more time. Prime Projection: 80/22/95/.294/.360/.488/2 ETA: Late 2017

30) Rafael Devers BOS, 3B – Hit tool and hard contact are elite for his age group, but still needs work on getting to his plus raw power in games without selling out for homers. Prime Projection: 83/23/98/.287/.332/.483/7 ETA: 2018/19

31) Ozzie Albies ATL, SS/2B – Jose Altuve is the ceiling, and Jacoby Ellsbury as a middle infielder is … another ceiling comp. Prime Projection: 94/9/59/.292/.369/.438/27 ETA: 2017/18

32) Josh Bell PIT, 1B/OF – Dropped 23 pounds this off-season with the help of Yoga. Honestly not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Prime Projection: 79/19/88/.288/.345/.458/4 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

33) Alex Reyes STL, RHP – Tommy John surgery puts a major damper on the previously near unanimous #1 pitching prospect in baseball. Adds more risk to a profile that already had some risk baked in with his shaky control and command. Prime Projection: 3.36/1.22/200 in 183 IP ETA: 2018

34) Jose De Leon TB, RHP – Fly-ball pitcher with one of the best fastball/changeup combos in the minors. Gopheritis is the biggest risk. Prime Projection: 3.55/1.18/199 in 188 IP ETA: Mid 2017

35) Ian Happ CHC, 2B/OF – All he’s done is rake since his Freshman year of college (.934 OPS in the Big East). Who knows where or if he fits in with the Cubs, but he should be a solid 5-category contributor wherever he plays. Prime Projection: 85/19/76/.277/.358/.447/13 ETA: Late 2017

36) Bobby Bradley CLE, 1B – MVP of the Carolina League with a league leading 29 homers and 102 RBI’s. And no, he didn’t lead the league in strikeouts too … he was tied for second. Prime Projection: 83/32/99/.250/.361/.501/3 ETA: 2019

37) Jesse Winker CIN, OF – Easy left handed swing is currently geared for contact. Smart hitter with a great approach, so at 6’3’’, 215 pounds, I’m betting on him to make the proper adjustments to unlock more power. Prime Projection: 82/19/85/.290/.371/.480/4 ETA: Mid 2017

38) Kyle Lewis SEA, OF – Would have ranked at least 20 spots higher if not for the devastating knee injury. Tireless worker who has been continuously updating his progress on Twitter, so it is easy to give him the benefit of the doubt. Prime Projection: 83/24/87/.275/.346/.487/7 ETA: 2018

39) Amed Rosario NYM, SS – Took off after his promotion to Double-A with a .341 AVG, but it also came with a 21.5% K rate (12.4% at High-A) and .443 BABIP (.345 at High-A). Plus SS defense will push him higher on traditional lists. Prime Projection: 90/13/70/.288/.338/.435/18 ETA: 2018

40) Harrison Bader STL, OF – Bat speed and hard contact are as impressive as anyone’s in the minors. Still needs to work on his plate approach. Prime Projection: 84/21/80/.271/.320/.471/12 ETA: Late 2017

41) Manuel Margot SD, OF – Homerun power has yet to develop, but maintained plus contact and speed at every level. Prime Projection: 89/11/63/.286/.328/.436/26 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

42) Corey Ray MIL, OF – Top power/speed combo in the draft, but hit tool is a legitimate question mark. Tearing meniscus in instructional league wasn’t great either. Prime Projection: 86/16/71/.261/.328/.443/20 ETA: 2018

43) Ronald Acuna ATL, OF – Demolished Winter Ball in Australia, and also had a strong showing in full season A-Ball as an 18-year-old. Might be a consensus top 10 prospect next year. Prime Projection: 90/20/83/.290/.340/.474/15 ETA: 2019

44) Yadier Alvarez LAD, RHP – Pro debut exceeded the hype for the flame throwing, $16 million bonus baby. Put up a pitching line of 2.29/1.07/55/11 in 39.1 IP at Single-A. Prime Projection: 3.35/1.19/194 in I82 IP ETA: 2018

45) Michael Kopech CHW, RHP – Control improved in the AFL, and had a jaw dropping Fall Stars Game performance. Bullpen risk is still present, and also yet to eclipse 74.1 IP in a season. Prime Projection: 3.41/1.22/197 in 183 IP ETA: 2018

46) Willy Adames TB, SS – Improved his K rate, BB rate, and ISO as a 20-year-old at Double-A. Doesn’t have one standout fantasy skill, and may not stick at short. Prime Projection: 84/18/78/.281/.347/.447/11 ETA: 2018

47) Matt Chapman OAK, 3B – Three true outcome slugger. Plus 3B defense should keep his bat in the lineup. Prime Projection: 76/29/88/.248/.341/.463/4 ETA: Late 2017

48) Christin Stewart DET, OF – Led the Florida State League with 24 homers and tacked on another 6 in his 24-game promotion to Double-A. Hopefully his horrible OF defense doesn’t keep his bat out of the lineup. Prime Projection: 79/28/93/.262/.350/.478/3 ETA: 2018

49) Francisco Mejia CLE, C – Elite hit tool with a little pop at the catcher position. Prime Projection: 78/17/86/.291/.332/.450/2 ETA: 2019

50) Anderson Espinoza SD, RHP – Teenage pitchers who are a few years off aren’t my favorite fantasy investments, but Espinoza has superstar raw talent. Prime Projection: 3.34/1.13/200 in 193 IP ETA: 2020

51) Robert Gsellman NYM, RHP – MLB ready with a high floor in a pitcher’s park. Some sneaky deGrom-like upside too. Prime Projection: 3.42/1.21/180 in 194 IP ETA: 2017

52) Anthony Alford TOR, OF – Shook off an injury plagued first half and slashed .266/.389/.464 with 8 homers, 13 steals, and a 61/39 K/BB in final 57 games at High-A (and very similar numbers in the AFL too). That raw power is starting to translate to games. Prime Projection: 81/18/81/.270/.338/.459/17 ETA: 2018

53) Mickey Moniak PHI, OF – Loved to see the report he tacked on 20 pounds of muscle this off-season, because he already had the best hit tool in the draft. This might sound weird, but don’t sleep on the #1 overall pick in the real draft in fantasy drafts. Prime Projection: 91/15/68/.290/.357/.440/19 ETA: 2020

54) Ramon Laureano HOU, OF – Burst onto the scene this year with one of the more exciting power/speed combos in the minors. Made hard contact all season, first at High-A (.945 OPS), then at Double-A (.981 OPS), and finally in the AFL (.817 OPS). Prime Projection: 86/14/74/.273/.341/.444/20 ETA: 2018

55) Luke Weaver STL, RHP – Elite fastball/changeup combo, but is homer prone and needs to develop the curve. 45/12 K/BB in 36.1 MLB IP shows his upside. Prime Projection: 3.54/1.18/187 in 193 IP ETA: Mid 2017

56) Isan Diaz MIL, SS/2B – It seems like small second baseman are finally starting to get some mainstream list love. Diaz has a quick, powerful swing that led the Midwest League with 20 homers. Prime Projection: 82/20/79/.263/.337/.464/9 ETA: 2019

57) Kolby Allard ATL, LHP – Proved back injury is behind him by throwing 12 shutout innings during the minor league playoffs while reaching a career high of 99.2 IP. Can bury plus curve wherever he wants. Prime Projection: 3.35/1.11/185 in 185 IP ETA: 2019

58) Jorge Mateo NYY, SS/2B – Named “Player Most Likely To Have His Dad Threaten To Turn This Car Right Around If He Doesn’t Stop Whining In The Backseat” in my 2016 MiLB Player Superlatives/Awards. Other than the suspension and down statistical season, still flashed his double plus speed and plus bat speed. Prime Projection: 87/10/60/.275/.320/.410/33 ETA: 2018/19

59) Brent Honeywell TB, RHP – I can only rank an AL East pitcher with good but not great strikeout upside so high, although it is hard not to like a guy who features the endangered screwball. Prime Projection: 3.49/1.14/179 in 190 IP ETA: 2018

60) Francis Martes HOU, RHP – Great stuff but control and command still raw. Looked winded in the AFL with a 4.91 ERA. Prime Projection: 3.45/1.20/183 in 187 IP ETA: 2017/18

61) Alex Verdugo LAD, OF – 12.7% K rate, 8.3% BB rate, and .134 ISO at Double-A while being the same age as the incoming 2017 college draft class. Plus bat speed is his most impressive physical skill. Prime Projection: 80/18/80/.286/.350/.463/6 ETA: 2018

62) Jorge Alfaro PHI, C – Plate approach hasn’t improved at all in 7 years of pro ball, but athleticism, raw power, and bat speed have been enough at every level. Has worked diligently on catcher defense, so like many catchers, refinement at the plate may come later. Prime Projection: 64/20/76/.252/.303/.447/5 ETA: 2017

63) Mitch Keller PIT, RHP – Groundball pitcher with advanced control and command. Effortlessly mowed down Single-A hitters using a hard, tailing fastball, plus curve, and developing change. Prime Projection: 3.45/1.15/173 in 182 IP ETA: 2019

64) Vlad Guerrero Jr. TOR, 3B – True 17-year-old who went straight to advanced, stateside Rookie Ball and slashed .295/.366/.500 with 5 homers and a 14/15 K/BB in his final 31 games of the season. Is a dead ringer for his dad at the plate, so you don’t have to search very hard for a good comp. Prime Projection: 80/30/100/.277/.338/.500/7ETA: 2021

65) David Paulino HOU, RHP – Major injury risk, but legitimate top of the rotation upside. One of the more uncomfortable at-bats in the minors coming in at a long 6’7”, 215 pounds. Prime Projection: 3.38/1.16/177 in 172 IP ETA: Mid 2017

66) Yohander Mendez TEX, LHP – Recently converted reliever with prototypical size (6’5’’, 200 pounds) and a plus fastball/changeup combo. Knocking on the door of the bigs. Prime Projection: 3.40/1.17/179 in 185 IP ETA: Late 2017

67) Kevin Maitan ATL, SS – Some guys are just worth the wait. Could be used as a valuable trade chip in only a few short years too. Prime Projection: 85/27/98/.273/.345/.507/6 ETA: 2021/22

68) Will Craig PIT, 3B – Triple-slashed .379/.520/.731 with 16 homers and a 35/47 K/BB in 55 games in the ACC, and then slashed .280/.419/.362 with 2 homers and a 37/41 K/BB in 63 at Low-A. One of the toughest outs in the minors, but has yet to show power with wood bats. Prime Projection: 79/21/88/.284/.360/.472/3 ETA: 2018/19

69) Triston McKenzie CLE, RHP – Calling him a string bean would an understatement. Has advanced feel for pitching with 3 plus pitches and projection to get the fastball into the mid 90’s. Prime Projection: 3.44/1.13/205 in 195 IP ETA: 2020

70) Juan Soto WASH, OF – Tore through Rookie Ball as a 17-year-old (.361/.410/.550), and then went 9 for 21 in his 6 game Low-A cameo. Smooth lefty swing projects for plus hit and at least above average power. Prime Projection: 80/21/90/.293/.340/.465/7 ETA: 2021

71) Thomas Szapucki NYM, LHP – Classic high upside lefty with a plus fastball, plus curve, and raw control/command. Prime Projection: 3.44/1.23/193 in 180 IP ETA: 2019

72) Jharel Cotton OAK, RHP – Would have ranked in my top 100 last off-season but the Dodgers pitching depth kept him on the outside looking in. That is no longer an issue in Oakland, where he will unleash his plus changeup and various fastballs in their spacious home ballpark. Prime Projection: 3.50/1.22/173 in 180 IP ETA: 2017

73) Erick Fedde WASH, RHP – After a rough start to the season, put up a pitching line of 1.76/1.13/88/20 in 87 IP. Looks like that is the full recovery from Tommy John surgery Washington expected when they took him 18^th overall in 2014. Prime Projection: 3.53/1.19/175 in 186 IP ETA: 2017/18

74) Travis Demeritte ATL, 2B – Strikeouts are getting untenably high (33% at High-A) even for my taste, but athleticism, bat speed, power, and speed is too exciting to ignore. Prime Projection: 75/24/83/.243/.322/.449/10 ETA: 2018/19

75) A.J. Puk OAK, LHP – Still raw for a top 10 draft pick out of the SEC, but 6’7’’ lefties with mid 90’s heat and wipeout sliders are a rare breed. There is definitely bullpen risk, but Oakland will give him every opportunity to start. Prime Projection: 3.51/1.26/195 in 185 IP ETA: 2018/19

76) Ian Anderson ATL, RHP – May not have that obscene strikeout upside, but already has solid control with three pitches that flash plus. At a projectable 6’3’’, 170 pounds, there could be a higher ceiling than many are giving him credit for. Prime Projection: 3.39/1.16/184 in 190 IP ETA: 2020

77) Jason Groome BOS, LHP – The inherent risks and development time of high school pitchers, mixed with pitching in Fenway Park and AL East, leads me to be a bit cautious on Groome for fantasy. The 12-to-6 curveball is undoubtedly a beast though. Prime Projection: 3.45/1.20/195 in 190 IP ETA: 2020

78) Mauricio Dubon MIL, SS/2B – Elite contact numbers, plus speed, and emerging power. Seems to be underrated by everyone but Milwaukee. Prime Projection: 85/12/65/.281/.328/.417/18 ETA: 2018

79) Matt Thaiss LAA, 1B/C – If I was confident he could retain catcher eligibility, he would slot in right around Francisco Mejia’s spot as a safer, less upsidey version of him. As a first baseman, the profile just isn’t as exciting. Prime Projection: 78/18/84/.288/.347/.452/4 ETA: 2018

80) Cal Quantrill SD, RHP – Hasn’t pitched a full season since his freshman year of college, but stuff looked nasty upon his return from Tommy John surgery in pro ball, throwing mid-90’s with a double plus changeup and average curveball. Prime Projection: 3.50/1.22/180 in 180 IP ETA: 2018

81) Jahmai Jones LAA, OF – Built like an NFL cornerback at 6’0’’, 215 pounds, which is no coincidence because he comes from a football family. Plus speed with a quick and powerful line drive swing. Prime Projection: 89/15/71/.283/.341/.437/21 ETA: 2020

82) Desmond Lindsay NYM, OF – Has the swing and raw tools to become an impact 5-category contributor, but hamstring injuries have kept the hype in check. Slashed .297/.418/.450 with 4 homers, 3 steals, and a 26/20 K/BB in 32 games at Low-A as a 19-year-old. Now is the time to buy in. Prime Projection: 84/17/78/.278/.337/.449/17 ETA: 2019/20

83) Heath Quinn SF, OF – Destroyed the Southern Conference for 3 years and then did exactly the same in Low-A. Power hitter with underrated athleticism, but strikeouts and AT&T Park hold him back from ranking higher. Prime Projection: 79/23/85/.263/.339/.468/6 ETA: 2019

84) Bobby Dalbec BOS, 3B – Boston took advantage of Dalbec’s down junior season and stole him in the 4^th round. After triple-slashing .386/.427/.647 with 7 homers and a 33/9 K/BB in 34 games at Low-A, nobody should be sleeping on him anymore. Prime Projection: 76/25/86/.250/.322/.454/6 ETA: 2019

85) Max Fried ATL, LHP – Last 4 starts had everyone buzzing, striking out 44 batters in 25.1 IP. Considering his pedigree (7^th overall pick in 2012) and that it was his first year back from Tommy John surgery, those 4 starts could mean more than the small sample would normally suggest. Prime Projection: 3.53/1.24/181 in 183 IP ETA: 2018

86) Bryan Reynolds SF, OF – Consider him kinda like a poor man’s Ian Happ, except he won’t have a chance at 2B eligibility and AT&T Park can put a serious damper on offensive upside. Prime Projection: 83/18/77/.265/.340/.442/13 ETA: 2019

87) Taylor Trammell CIN, OF – Another football prospect who spurned the pigskin for the horsehide. Yes, baseballs are actually made of horsehide or cowhide. And no, footballs are no longer made of pigskin. Where were we? Oh yea, Trammel is a great athlete with plus speed and viscous bat speed that leads me to believe more power is coming. Prime Projection: 88/14/74/.273/.340/.434/26 ETA: 2021

88) Blake Rutherford NYY, OF – Being old for his high school class and lack of a standout tool are why I’m not completely buying in, but there is no denying the sweet lefty swing that put up a .986 OPS in his pro debut at Rookie Ball. Prime Projection: 86/18/82/.280/.333/.453/13 ETA: 2020

89) Dylan Cease CHC, RHP – Easy mid-90’s heat that he can dial up over 100 with a curve that flashes plus. 2.22 ERA and a 66/25 K/BB in 44.2 IP at Low-A. Prime Projection: 3.48/1.24/190 in 180 IP ETA: 2020

90) Justus Sheffield NYY, LHP – My favorite part of Sheffield’s season was him going into Double-A Reading’s wind tunnel of a stadium for his final start and spinning 4 IP, 2 Hits, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, shutting down their fearsome middle of the order (Alfaro, Cozens, Hoskins). Prime Projection: 3.54/1.23/182 in 188 IP ETA: 2018/19

91) Sean Newcomb ATL, LHP – Control/command hasn’t improved in 3 years of pro ball, but strikeouts and homer suppression are still an enticing combo. Prime Projection: 3.53/1.28/191 in 186 IP ETA: Late 2017

92) Stephen Gonsalves MIN, LHP – The rare pitching prospect who doesn’t try to light up the radar gun, but focuses on high spin rates instead with an extremely easy left-handed delivery. It’s been working for him so far, putting up a pitching line of 2.06/1.02/155/57 in 140 IP split between High-A and Double-A. Prime Projection: 3.59/1.25/187 in 195 IP ETA: 2018

93) Alex Kirilloff MIN, OF – Graduating from the Pennsylvania Cyber School, the home schooled Kirilloff was raised to be a major league hitter, taking batting practice in the afternoons at his dad’s indoor training facility while other kids were suffering through Calculus. It is no wonder he is mature beyond his years at the plate. In other words, he’s a Malcolm Gladwell, 10,000 hours prototype. Prime Projection: 81/22/87/.277/.330/.466/8 ETA: 2020/21

94) Chance Sisco BAL, C – Plus hit tool at the catcher position with not much else. More raw power than game power, so banking on at least average power down the line isn’t the worst bet. Prime Projection: 76/13/74/.282/.350/.420/5 ETA: 2018

95) Renato Nunez OAK, 3B/1B – Great to see him kill it in Winter League after putting up a decent, but still disappointing season in the PCL. This is a former $2.2 million international signing who has displayed power and a solid hit tool at every level. Prime Projection: 78/24/87/.266/.320/.466/2 ETA: 2017

96) Rowdy Tellez TOR, 1B – As my Razzball Prospect Podcast co-host Ralph Lifshitz once said to me, “You’re kinda a bat speed whore,” and while Tellez doesn’t have that explosive bat speed, he checks just about every other box. Prime Projection: 74/22/86/.274/.335/.470/2 ETA: 2018

97) Austin Riley ATL, 3B – Has shown some of the best raw power in his class, hitting 20 homers at Single-A as a 19-year-old, but it comes with average bat speed and mediocre K and BB rates (27.1% and 7.1%, respectively). Prime Projection: 77/25/87/.258/.331/.460/2 ETA: 2020

98) Chase Vallot KC, C – Now this is more my style. Raw power and bat speed leads to Vallot hitting absolute moon shots that have received such gripping Youtube titles such as, “Chase Vallot KILLS this Baseball” and “Chase Vallot just obliterated that baseball.” Ability to stick at catcher is a coin flip at best. Prime Projection: 73/27/84/.253/.339/.466/1 ETA: 2020

99) Leody Taveras TEX, OF – Let’s close out the top 100 with a couple lottery tickets. The production isn’t quite there yet, and they are a long way off, but the upside is elite. Prime Projection: 93/13/72/.287/.332/.435/23 ETA: 2021

100) Fernando Tatis Jr. SD, SS – Hopefully these two lottery tickets turn out better than the one sitting on my coffee table right now. Prime Projection: 83/20/84/.280/.330/.460/11 ETA: 2021

101) James Kaprielian NYY, RHP – Could be ranked higher based on pure scouting reports and video. Velocity ticked up in pro ball, but was shut down for the season with elbow inflammation after his first 3 starts. He did return for 27 IP in the AFL. Prime Projection: 3.57/1.24/171 in 175 IP ETA: 2018

102) Braxton Garrett MIA, LHP – One of the best curveballs in the 2016 draft class. Doesn’t have the huge fastball, but has advanced control and command. Prime Projection: 3.42/1.17/180 in 190 IP ETA: 2020

103) Adrian Morejon SD, LHP – Another pitcher who could be ranked higher based on scouting reports and video, but still too young and too many unknowns to have a clear idea of his future. Prime Projection: 3.43/1.19/185 in 185 IP ETA: 2021

104) Roman Quinn PHI, OF – Brett Gardner is the ceiling. 4^th outfielder is the floor. Prime Projection: 81/9/57/.266/.338/.392/31 ETA: 2017

105) Mitch Haniger SEA, OF – Former 1^st round pick in 2012 who was slowed down by injuries. Broke out in 2016 with 25 homers and a .999 OPS split between Double-A and Triple-A, and then 5 homers in 109 MLB at-bats. Trade to Seattle dampens the excitement a bit. Prime Projection: 68/22/80/.257/.319/.461/7 ETA: 2017

106) Dan Vogelbach SEA, 1B – Trade to Seattle opened up a path to playing time, but won’t help the power play up. Should be a solid hitting first baseman. Prime Projection: 76/21/84/.280/.355/.468/1 ETA: 2017

107) Max Schrock OAK, 2B – Struck out an absurdly low 7.3% of the time in his first full year of pro ball. It comes with some speed and pop, as well. He did the exact same thing in his 3 years in the SEC, so this didn’t exactly come out of nowhere. Prime Projection: 85/10/68/.283/.324/.423/15 ETA: 2018

108) Shedric Long CIN, 2B – Great find by Eric Longenhagen at Fangraphs. Played solid in part time duty working for Keith Law at ESPN, and then put it into another gear in his full time gig at Fangr … oh wait, we are supposed to be talking about Long here. Just read Longenhagen’s take on him. Prime Projection: 78/18/72/.265/.325/.441/18 ETA: 2019

109) Dustin Fowler NYY, OF – Ranked Fowler 7^th in my 2017 Top 10 New York Yankees Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings. Prime Projection: 76/15/70/.273/.306/.420/18 ETA: 2018

110) Rhys Hoskins PHI, 1B – Triple-slashed .281/.377/.566 with 38 homers and a 125/71 K/BB in 135 games at Double-A. He was 23 years old and in one of the best hitting ballparks in the minors, so I’m not quite ready to jump in with both feet. Prime Projection: 72/23/86/.273/.341/.466/3 ETA: 2018

111) Brett Phillips MIL, OF – Strikeout rate jumped to 30% at Double-A without adding any power. Did more of the same in the AFL. Still showed a good plate approach, so don’t mind me hanging off the end of the bandwagon here. Prime Projection: 76/18/72/.255/.323/.414/11 ETA: 2018

112) Tyler Beede SF, RHP – Groundball pitcher with some control/command issues. 1.58 ERA with a 51/21 K/BB in final 45.2 IP. Any starter in AT&T Park will get the benefit of the doubt with me. Prime Projection: 3.69/1.26/167 in 184 IP ETA: Late 2017

113) Walker Buehler LAD, RHP – Flashed ace stuff in his brief return from Tommy John surgery, but only time will tell if he can keep that up for 180+ innings. Prime Projection: 3.51/1.22/175 in 175 IP ETA: 2018/19

114) Jack Flaherty STL, RHP – Just a very solid, unexciting season at High-A. Didn’t add the extra mile per hour or two on the fastball, but showed the same advanced pitchability and room for projection that he flashed last season. Prime Projection: 3.55/1.20/172 in 190 IP ETA: 2019

115) Yu-Cheng Chang CLE, SS – Wrote a Yu-Cheng Chang, 2016 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper/Breakout Post for him mid-season, and nothing has changed since then. Prime Projection: 84/16/78/.271/.330/.443/12 ETA: 2019

116) Luis Alexander Basabe CHW, OF – Overshadowed in the Chris Sale trade by Kopech’s 100+ MPH fastball and Moncada’s 30/30 upside, but Basabe is an exciting prospect in his own right. Good athlete with power and plus bat speed. Prime Projection: 83/18/77/.263/.330/.451/16 ETA: 2019

117) Reynaldo Lopez CHW, RHP – Strikeout totals started to match the stuff this season, striking out 10.4 per nine in 109.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. Might ultimately end up in the pen, but Chicago will almost certainly give him every opportunity to start. Prime Projection: 3.70/1.27/169 in 176 IP ETA: 2017

118) Luis Ortiz MIL, RHP – Solid mid-rotation starter headed for a park that is death on righties. Also has injury concerns. Prime Projection: 3.68/1.23/172 in 185 IP ETA: 2018

119) Lucas Erceg MIL, 3B – One of those non 1^st round pick, pro debut breakout guys. Smacked 7 homers with a .281 average in 42 games at Single-A. Prime Projection: 72/19/83/.277/.314/.448/7 ETA: 2019

120) Michael Gettys SD, OF – Contact and plate approach still raw, but looks like a star when he does get the bat on the ball. Volatility is very high on this projection. Prime Projection: 75/15/67/.254/.303/.408/21 ETA: 2019

121) Cody Reed CIN, LHP – Underwhelming at Triple-A with a 3.08/1.25/65/20 pithing line in 73 IP, and then atrocious in the majors with a 7.36 ERA and 12 homers against in 47.2 IP. Upside is more of a mid-rotation type, and you just saw the downside. Prime Projection: 3.77/1.27/167 in 183 IP ETA: 2017

122) Yusniel Diaz LAD, OF – Shoulder injury kept the season numbers in check, but closed out the year slashing .295/.336/.500 in his final 27 games at High-A as a 19-year-old. Prime Projection: 77/16/74/.279/.327/.438/14 ETA: 2019

123) Jorge Ona SD, OF – Swing looked oh so sweet in his 2014 Youtube clips, but not quite as good in Instructional League a few months ago. Still has a quick, powerful swing, and hopefully he was just working the rust off. San Diego paid him $7 million for a reason. Prime Projection: 74/24/90/.260/.330/.476/5 ETA: 2019

124) Matt Manning DET, RHP – Prototypical starter build with an athletic delivery and huge fastball. Everything else is in its infancy. Prime Projection: 3.72/1.28/200 in 187 IP ETA: 2020

125) Sean Reid-Foley TOR, RHP – I want to rank him higher, but the SkyDome (Rogers Centre) and the AL East scares me. Maybe I’m dinging him too much, because he has a workhorse build with an electric fastball/slider combo. Prime Projection: 3.80/1.28/190 in 184 IP ETA: 2019

126) Nick Williams PHI, OF – The improvements he made in 2015 with contact and plate approach completely vanished in 2016. Raw tools are still there, so not completely giving up. Prime Projection: 71/18/78/.248/.293/.408/9 ETA: 2017

127) Ryan McMahon COL, 1B/3B – Struggled on the road, slashing .242/.325/.399 with a 30% K rate and .157 ISO, but hitters do most of their damage at home anyway, where McMahon slashed .000/.000/.000 with 0 homers and a 0/0 K/BB in 0 games. Prime Projection: 73/21/81/.262/.320/.458/5 ETA: 2018

128) Delvin Perez STL, SS – Has a chance to be a special and extremely entertaining SS. While the bat is still raw, showed more refinement than expected in his pro debut. Prime Projection: 84/10/66/.269/.309/.381/24 ETA: 2020/21

129) Jake Bauers TB, 1B/OF – Power is the only thing lacking, which isn’t great for a 1B, but everything else is above average. Prime Projection: 75/19/78/.280/.337/.443/6 ETA: 2018

130) Ronald Guzman TEX, 1B – Former $3.5 million international signing who broke out at Double-A, hitting .288 with 15 homers in 102 games. Sweet lefty swing, but at a long 6’5’’, 205 pounds, there are some holes for pitchers to exploit. Prime Projection: 69/20/81/.275/.322/.447/2 ETA: 2018

131) Josh Naylor SD, 1B – Huge raw power but has focused on contact early in his career. Could take a similar developmental path to Dominic Smith. Prime Projection: 76/23/90/.276/.330/.472/4 ETA: 2020

132) Mike Soroka ATL, RHP – Probable mid-rotation starter who is still a few years off. Pretty safe as far as 19 year olds go. Prime Projection: 3.56/1.23/168 in 186 IP ETA: 2019/20

133) Dylan Cozens PHI, OF – Got into a scuffle with his Winter Ball teammate, Boog Powell, after getting made fun of for his inability to hit a breaking ball. He does have some serious raw power though, so if this whole baseball thing doesn’t work out, he should give MMA a try. Prime Projection: 70/23/76/.236/.311/.430/9 ETA: 2018

134) Eric Lauer SD, LHP – Possibly the safest starter from the 2016 draft class. Lack of a huge fastball or devastating off-speed pitch has kept the bandwagon from filling up, but at 6’3’’, 205 pounds, let’s see what a full off-season with professional trainers can do before capping his ceiling. Prime Projection: 3.73/1.25/175 in 190 IP ETA: 2018/19

135) Dakota Hudson STL, RHP – Fast moving college starter with electric stuff and a reliever-ish delivery. Has the build to start, but it might be tempting for St. Louis to use him out of the pen for at least a couple years. Prime Projection: 3.79/1.27/174 in 182 IP ETA: 2018/19

136) Luiz Gohara ATL, LHP – The fact that a deal with Cincinnati fell through due to what team doctors saw in Gohara’s shoulder isn’t a great sign, but if you want to take the leap of faith, there is frontline starter potential here. Prime Projection: 3.53/1.22/165 in 165 IP ETA: 2019

137) Lourdes Gourriel Jr. TOR, INF/OF – Started off hyped to death, then got shit on everywhere, and now seems to have settled in somewhere in between. Prime Projection: 77/17/67/.272/.329/.431/12 ETA: 2018

138) Jacob Faria TB, RHP – Couldn’t quite maintain his 2015 breakout, but the plus fastball/changeup combo still managed a 9.4 K/9 in the upper levels of the minors. Prime Projection: 3.82/1.24/176 in 178 IP ETA: 2017

139) Wladimir Galindo CHC, 3B – Wrote a Wladimir Galindo, 2017 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Sleeper post. Prime Projection: 73/24/86/.257/.331/.464/3 ETA: 2020

140) Garrett Stubbs HOU, C – Wrote a Garrett Stubbs, 2017 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Sleeper post. Prime Projection: 74/10/54/.273/.338/.388/11 ETA: 2018

141) Peter Alonso NYM, 1B – Dominated the SEC and then did more of the same in Low-A. I don’t see a spot for him in New York with Dominic Smith in town, so hopefully he gets traded rather than being used as a pinch-hitting bench bat. Prime Projection: 75/21/84/.271/.329/.452/2 ETA: 2019

142) Fernando Romero MIN, RHP – Flashes some of the nastiest stuff in the minors, but delivery carries some reliever risk, and has yet to eclipse 90.1 IP in a season due to Tommy John surgery in 2014. Prime Projection: 3.59/1.23/167 in 171 IP ETA: 2018

143) Justin Dunn NYM, RHP – Upside is high with a mid-90’s fastball and potentially 3 average+ off speed pitches, but there are a lot of unknowns considering he has barely pitched as a starter for any extended period of time. Prime Projection: 3.61/1.24/173 in 180 IP ETA: 2019

144) Greg Allen CLE, OF – Reminds me a lot of Rajai Davis in both how he looks at the plate, and how he profiles as a player. Speed and contact are his game. Prime Projection: 78/9/57/.271/.323/.387/26 ETA: 2018

145) Franklin Perez HOU, RHP – Impressive full season debut as an 18-year-old, putting up a pitching line of 2.84/1.23/75 in 66.2 IP. Has protypical starter size and build at a broad 6’3’’, 197 pounds, and a delivery that is reminiscent of Freddy Garcia. Prime Projection: 3.67/1.25/181 in 190 IP ETA: 2020

146) Sandy Alcantara STL, RHP – Can ramp the heat up to over 100 MPH, which he used to strike out 11.2 per nine in Single-A and High-A. Everything else is still raw. Prime Projection: 3.71/1.29/187 in 176 IP ETA: 2019

147) Richard Urena TOR, SS – These next two shortstops seem destined to become fringe 12-team starter types for the next decade. Urena will be the guy you take late in redrafts if you need some extra power … Prime Projection: 73/17/65/.268/.311/.420/9 ETA: 2019

148) Nick Gordon MIN, SS – … and you’ll scoop Gordon if you need average. Prime Projection: 78/7/51/.278/.318/.377/14 ETA: 2019

149) Chris Paddack SD, RHP – Here is your chance to “Washington Nationals” your Dynasty League prospect draft by taking a high upside pitcher who just underwent the Tommy John knife. Prime Projection: 3.60/1.18/184 in 175 ETA: 2020

150) Hunter Harvey BAL, RHP – Look up one inch. Although, he has probably been owned in your league for at least 2 years. Prime Projection: 3.48/1.22/153 in 150 IP ETA: 2018/19

151) Tyler Jay MIN, LHP – Stuff wasn’t as electric as hoped after his transition from the bullpen to a starter, but still had a very solid year at High-A with a 2.84 ERA and a 68/21 K/BB in 69.2 IP. Prime Projection: 3.69/1.27/166 in 173 IP ETA: 2018

152) Brock Stewart LAD, RHP – Came out of nowhere in 2016, making his MLB debut after rolling through all three levels of the minors. Rumor has it he is the guy Los Angeles was unwilling to include to close the Brian Dozier deal. Prime Projection: 3.78/1.25/167 in 179 IP ETA: 2017

153) Matt Strahm KC, LHP – Chances of starting this year plummeted when Kansas City signed Jason Hammel. Starters have a way of dropping like flies, though, and he can always transition from the pen in a year or two. Prime Projection: 3.67/1.26/167 in 174 IP ETA: 2017

154) Sam Travis BOS, 1B – Boston’s long term 1B/DH job is wide open, and if Travis can fully recover from a torn ACL, he has a chance to position himself to be the front runner for the position by 2018, if not late 2017. Prime Projection: 68/18/76/.277/.328/.453/3 ETA: 2017/18

155) Amir Garrett CIN, LHP – I’ve scouted Garrett in person multiple times. He has no range on the jumper and poor court vision. They say he has mid-rotation upside as a pitcher, though. We are looking at an elite BASEketball prospect here apparently. Prime Projection: 3.84/1.28/161 in 178 IP ETA: 2017

156) Andrew Toles LAD, OF – Seemed to finally put his off-the-field problems behind him and broke out in 2016, slashing .314/.365/.505 in 105 MLB at-bats. Has a chance to be an almost everyday player for Los Angeles right out of the gate. Prime Projection: 76/11/64/.273/.319/.418/17 ETA: 2017

157) Hunter Dozier KC, 1B/3B/OF – Short of a surprise playoff push, Kansas City almost has to sell off their valuable expiring contracts to replenish a depleted farm system. When that happens, we will find out if the former 8^th overall pick is a late bloomer, or an older dude putting up inflated minor league numbers. Prime Projection: 66/19/74/.252/.318/.436/6 ETA: 2017

158) Jose Albertos CHC, RHP – Started one game in Rookie Ball where he spun 4 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hit, 1 BB, 7 K, touching 98 MPH with a plus breaking ball and change-up. Then was shadily shut down with “arm soreness,” aka, please don’t ask about him in a trade. Prime Projection: 3.63/1.22/175 in 175 IP ETA: 2021

159) Patrick Weigel ATL, RHP – Overshadowed by the higher profile arms in Atlanta’s system, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Weigel ended up better than all of them. He is built like a rock, hides the ball well, and can pump the heat into the upper 90’s. Only reason I’m hesitant to rank him higher is that he was far more physically advanced than the A-Ball hitters he was facing, and wasn’t quite as impressive in his brief Double-A debut, although he was at a career high IP. Prime Projection: 3.80/1.27/158 in 172 IP ETA: 2018

160) Norge Ruiz OAK, RHP – Thrives by commanding his off-speed pitches and is a true artist on the mound. One of those guys who just owns the rubber (the 13-year-old in me tells me I should probably rephrase that). Prime Projection: 3.76/1.24/149 in 171 IP ETA: 2018

161) Robert Stephenson CIN, RHP – The results weren’t there but the stuff still was. Prime Projection: 3.92/1.31/167 in 173 IP ETA: 2017

162) Chris Iriart OAK, 1B – Wrote a Chris Iriart, 2017 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Sleeper post. Prime Projection: 68/23/79/.253/.317/.450/1 ETA: 2019

163) Randy Arozarena STL, INF/OF – The soon to be 22-year-old Arozarena signed with St. Louis for $1.25 million, and if you are going to trust one team’s scouting department, it is St. Louis’. He profiles as a prototypical leadoff man. Prime Projection: 79/9/57/.273/.334/.382/20 ETA: 2018/19

164) Grant Holmes OAK, RHP – Basically the same pitcher he was when he was drafted 22^nd overall in 2014. As is, he can be a groundball back-end starter, but the raw stuff leaves room for more. Prime Projection: 3.86/1.30/159 in 171 IP ETA: 2019

165) Miguel Andujar NYY, 3B – Ranked Andujar 10^th in my 2017 Top 10 New York Yankees Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings. Prime Projection: 68/19/74/.277/.330/.434/5 ETA: 2018

166) Ke’Bryan Hayes PIT, 3B – Hayes was the guy Weigel was facing in that video I linked to above. He has a mature approach at the plate and should develop into a solid overall hitter. Plus, how can I not root for the kid that came from this guy’s loins. Prime Projection: 73/18/77/.282/.334/.440/4 ETA: 2020

167) Casey Gillaspie TB, 1B – 1^st round pick in 2014 who has hit well every year in pro ball. The power and hit tool aren’t super exciting for a first baseman, but I can see him sitting in someone’s second UTIL spot in a few years. Prime Projection: 69/20/77/.265/.338/.450/3 ETA: Late 2017

168) Trey Mancini BAL, 1B – MLB ready with a legitimate shot to be an average-ish hitting first baseman. Just doesn’t have a spot right now. Prime Projection: 63/20/77/.267/.320/.448/2 ETA: 2017

169) Phil Bickford MIL, RHP – The fastball velocity dropping into the low 90’s is more concerning than the 50-game suspension. Prime Projection: 3.75/1.27/153 in 161 IP ETA: 2018/19

170) Chance Adams NYY, RHP – My prospector in crime, Ralph Lifshitz, just loves his small righties, so I’ll let him wax poetic about Adams for you. And while you’re at it, you can read his take on the rest of the Yankees prospects, because Yanks prospects just never get the hype they deserve 😉 Prime Projection: 3.93/1.29/163 in 166 IP ETA: 2017/18

171) Frankie Montas OAK, RHP – 6’2’’, 255 pounds with an elite fastball/slider combo. Bullpen risk is considerable, although Oakland consistently gives pitchers like him a chance to start. Prime Projection: 3.76/1.32/159 in 162 IP ETA: 2017/18

172) Carson Fulmer CHW, RHP – High tempo, violent delivery which Chicago tried to calm down to disastrous results. Looked better after ditching the new delivery, but there is a reason Chicago tried to change it in the first place. Prime Projection: 3.99/1.34/163 in 164 IP ETA: 2017

173) Kevin Newman PIT, SS – Solid defensive SS with excellent contact numbers and not much else. Prime Projection: 81/9/58/.288/.342/.394/13 ETA: 2018

174) Trent Clark MIL, OF – I’m obviously not that high on Clark, but I’m willing to blame his poor 2016 on injuries. Still has enticing 5-category upside if it all comes together. Prime Projection: 80/15/70/.269/.338/.436/15 ETA: 2019

175) Brady Aiken CLE, LHP – Stuff didn’t look the same after returning from Tommy John surgery, but next season will be the true barometer of his future potential. Prime Projection: 3.75/1.25/165 in 165 IP ETA: 2019/20

176) Ryan O’Hearn KC, 1B – Sweet lefty swing with power and strikeouts. Prime Projection: 60/20/76/.254/.324/.432/2 ETA: 2018

177) Dillon Tate NYY, RHP – Yanks bought low on Tate in the Carlos Beltran trade, and while his stuff looked much better in the AFL, it was still a long way off from what he showed in 2015. Prime Projection: 3.94/1.28/162 in 175 IP ETA: 2018

178) Anfernee Grier ARI, OF – One of my favorite pre-draft sleepers, but pro debut exposed how raw he still is. Legitimate power/speed combo is worth taking a chance on. Prime Projection: 76/15/68/.257/.313/.426/17 ETA: 2019

179) Will Benson CLE, OF – A very raw blend of bat speed, power, and athleticism. Like many guys ranked in the back of this top 200, he is high risk, high reward. Prime Projection: 77/25/82/.244/.326/.462/11 ETA: 2021

180) Joey Wentz ATL, LHP – The epitome of a risky, high upside teenage pitcher. Stuff, velocity, and health have all been inconsistent, but at his best, flashes top of the rotation upside. Prime Projection: 3.66/1.23/179 in 177 IP ETA: 2020

181) Magneuris Sierra STL, OF – Plus contact and speed, but will need to improve his plate approach to hit at the top of a MLB lineup. Prime Projection: 78/10/54/.273/.320/.397/21 ETA: 2019

182) Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP – I was going to make a Forrest Gump joke here, but then I realized I haven’t seen a Forrest Gump joke in like a decade, so I’m not gonna be the one to open up that box of chocolates. Prime Projection: 3.77/1.29/173 in 190 IP ETA: 2020

183) Chris Shaw SF, 1B – Hopefully he gets traded away from AT&T Park, and considering Brandon Belt is locked up until 2021, it’s not a bad bet to make. Prime Projection: 65/22/79/.260/.321/.462/0 ETA: 2018

184) Vladimir Gutierrez CIN, RHP – Signed for $4.75 million with Cincinnati. Prototypical starter size at an athletic 6’3’’, 173 pounds, and has the fastball/curveball combo that scouts love to dream on. Prime Projection: 3.78/1.26/167 in 174 IP ETA: 2019

185) Domingo Acevedo NYY, RHP – Fastball can rival Kopech’s, but a delivery that will very likely lead to the bullpen. Prime Projection: 3.93/1.31/146 in 151 IP ETA: 2018/19

186) Jordan Sheffield LAD, RHP – Electric stuff with mid 90’s heat, but there is size, injury, and bullpen risk. Prime Projection: 3.83/1.32/158 in 168 IP ETA: 2018/19

187) Teoscar Hernandez HOU, OF – Solid power/speed combo with nowhere to play. Not the type of guy I would hold, but has fantasy friendly skills if he can force his way into the lineup. Prime Projection: 71/15/63/.255/.316/.431/12 ETA: 2017

188) Jeimer Candelario CHC, 3B – Smart hitter without quite enough power to get really excited about him. Nowhere to play in Chicago either. Prime Projection: 58/17/72/.276/.332/.438/1 ETA: 2017

189) Luis Almanzar SD, SS – Almanzar is so raw and toolsy, it even extends to his Twitter game. He has only 112 followers, but if his profile picture is any indication, that will only rise. Prime Projection: 80/20/80/.279/.334/.461/10 ETA: 2022

190) Lazaro Armenteros OAK, OF – Armenteros and Almanzar have so many tools, it would make Tim “The Toolman” Taylor jealous. Yea, I just dropped a 90’s Home Improvement reference on you. Prime Projection: 78/22/85/.270/.330/.468/15 ETA: 2022

191) Freudys Nova HOU, SS – Bat first SS with quick bat speed and natural loft in his swing. Has drawn comparisons to Hanley Ramirez. Prime Projection: 76/22/84/.265/.327/.465/13 ETA: 2022

192) Chris Okey CIN, C – Underrated first year player draft target. Has legitimate power and almost certain to stick at catcher. Prime Projection: 67/19/75/.258/.319/.447/4 ETA: 2019

193) Sixto Sanchez PHI, RHP – Short but thick righty who sits mid-90’s with raw secondaries. Just started pitching about 2 years and is only 18 years old, so there is plenty of room and time for further refinement. Prime Projection: 3.70/1.20/155 in 170 IP ETA: 2020

194) Jose Almonte TEX, OF – Wrote about Almonte in my 2017 Deep Dynasty Prospect Sleepers post. Prime Projection: 73/23/87/.240/.302/.454/7 ETA: 2020

195) Josh Lowe TB, 3B – 13^th overall pick in the 2016 draft. All raw power and strikeouts right now. Prime Projection: 79/23/82/.269/.345/.466/9 ETA: 2021

196) Nolan Jones CLE, 3B – 36.6% K rate in Rookie Ball is concerning considering he was known for his hit tool in high school, especially when it comes with 0 homers. I don’t want to ding an 18-year-old too much for a poor pro debut, though, and he did have a .388 OBP. Prime Projection: 76/21/81/.267/.348/.460/8 ETA: 2021

197) Aristides Aquino CIN, OF – Should be nicknamed, “Double-A, Awesome Aristedes,” for all my old-school Howard Stern fans out there. With all these 90’s references, maybe I’m starting to get nostalgic about nearing the end of this top 200. Prime Projection: 71/22/78/.249/.294/.448/14 ETA: 2018

198) Oscar De La Cruz CHC, RHP – Power pitcher with big time strikeout upside, but missed over half the season with forearm soreness, and still hasn’t pitched above Single-A as a soon to be 22-year-old. Prime Projection: 3.93/1.26/166 in 162 IP ETA: 2019

199) Cionel Perez HOU, LHP – Plus fastball and curve with an athletic delivery, but signing bonus was cut by more than half when the medicals didn’t come back great on his left arm. Prime Projection: 3.88/1.27/150 in 160 IP ETA: 2019

200) Victor Garcia STL, OF – Bat speed and raw power are mesmerizing in batting practice, but hit tool is a major question mark. With strikeouts exploding around MLB and pitchers throwing harder than ever, elite bat speed prospects like Garcia become more and more valuable. Prime Projection: 74/27/91/.250/.315/.484/2 ETA: 2022

By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@ImaginaryBrickW)

Posted on October 12, 2016October 17, 2016 by Michael Halpern

2016/17 Top 40 Dynasty League First-Year Player Draft Rankings: 31-40

The MLB regular season may be over, but that means Dynasty Leagues are just starting to ramp back up. Leading up to Friday’s special edition of the Razzball Prospect Podcast: First-Year Player Mock Draft, I will be ranking the top draft picks and international free agents who signed with pro teams this season (make sure to also check out Ralph Lifshitz’ Top 30 over at Razzball). Here are the 2016/17 Top 40 Dynasty League First-Year Player Draft Rankings: 31-40:

1-10 – 2016/17 Dynasty League First-Year Player Draft Rankings
11-20 – 2016/17 Dynasty League First-Year Player Draft Rankings
21-30 – 2016/17 Dynasty League First-Year Player Draft Rankings

*All projections are now juiced, like the balls

31) Luis Almanzar SD, SS – The 16-year-old Almanzar signed with San Diego for $4 million. He is your classic toolsy SS who always makes bank during the international signing period, and they probably deserve to get paid even more. All projection and a long way off, but his upside can rival anybody’s. Prime Projection: 87/20/87/.285/.345/.480/10

32) Lazaro Armenteros OAK, OF – The 17-year-old Armenteros signed with Oakland for $3 million. He has dominated in international competitions and has oodles of raw talent. Prime Projection: 80/23/90/.270/.330/.480/18

33) Delvin Perez STL, SS – Almost a sure bet to stick at SS (but not sure how much a bump we should be giving SS in fantasy anymore) and a great real life prospect, but he is still very raw with the bat. He has plus speed and the talent to figure it out at the plate, so the potential to be an impact fantasy hitter is still there. Prime Projection: 84/10/66/.269/.309/.379/24

34) Jordan Sheffield LAD, RHP – Electric stuff with a mid-90’s fastball, but there is size, injury, and bullpen risk here. Prime Projection: 3.68/1.26/170 in 178 IP

35) Joey Wentz ATL, LHP – An uber-talented lefty who throws a low 90’s fastball with an already solid curveball and changeup. Has an athletic, repeatable delivery, and his potential is probably about equal to any pitcher on this list. Prime Projection: 3.56/1.18/191 in 186 IP

36) Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP – 6’7’’, 240-pound beast who has workhorse starter written all over him. Not much projection left, but he already throws a mid-90’s heater and power curveball. Prime Projection: 3.55/1.24/183 in 200 IP

37) Josh Lowe TB, 3B/OF – Showed the power is for real, blasting 5 homers in 54 Rookie ball games, but his .249 AVG and 59 K’s shows there is plenty of improvement left to go. Prime Projection: 83/23/87/.269/.345/.469/9

38) Victor Garcia STL, OF – Might have the most raw power and bat speed of anybody on this entire list, but still very raw. I wrote about him way back in my Week 12 Fantasy Prospect Rundown as one of my favorite international signing period sleepers. Prime Projection: 77/29/93/.250/.315/.490/2

39) Nolan Jones CLE, SS/3B – Mediocre Rookie ball debut, slashing .257/.388/.339 with 0 homers and a 49/23 K/BB in 32 games, but the potential remains the same. Prime Projection: 82/21/85/.267/.348/.460/8

40) Ronnie Dawson HOU, OF– A great power/speed draft sleeper who displayed those same skills upon reaching pro ball (7 homers and 12 steals in 70 games at Low-A), but didn’t do anything to answer the questions about his hit tool (.225 AVG). Prime Projection: 78/15/73/.249/.322/.425/16

*Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Unsigned, SS/OF – Unranked because he hasn’t signed with a Major League team yet. He is a toolsy, but still raw 22-year-old who would probably slot in around the 30-ish range. Prime Projection: 82/18/77/.275/.335/.440/13

You can check out my Top 30 MLB Draft Rankings for more in depth information and scouting reports on most of these players.

By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@ImaginaryBrickW)

Posted on June 10, 2016June 15, 2016 by Michael Halpern

Thoughts Following Day 1 of the 2016 MLB Draft and Re-Ranking the Top 30

1) You are dead to me Riley Pint. Pint was my top fantasy pitching prospect coming into the draft, but after being picked by the Colorado Rockies 4^th overall, I wouldn’t touch him. Just check out his face after finding out he was going to Colorado. I feel for the kid, but he still falls completely out of my top 30.

2) I guess it wasn’t enough that my top pitching prospect got drafted by Colorado. My top hitting prospect, Kyle Lewis, got drafted by the Seattle Mariners, a team who has left a graveyard full of failed hitting prospects in their wake. My boy Tyler O’Neill has taken a step forward this year in Double-A, and the Mariners were smart enough to jump on Lewis when he fell to #11, so maybe they are actually starting to figure things out. Lewis remains my top overall prospect.

3) I was not the biggest fan of Blake Rutherford, a 19-year-old high school player, so of course my beloved Yankees were the team to pick him. When I was 19 years old, I was a junior in college at Penn State, and I would have ripped up high school baseball then too 😉 I’m still not a huge fan of Rutherford for fantasy, but I’m all aboard the hype train in real life. Sometimes you just gotta buy in when it is your favorite team.

4) I was already relatively high on Ian Anderson (#9) before the draft, but I was tempted to rank him even higher, and I should have. Anderson was drafted #3 overall to the Atlanta Braves, which is obviously a great situation for pitchers. He jumps Jason Groome, who got drafted 12^th overall by the Boston Red Sox, and he is neck and neck with A.J. Puk, who went 6^th overall to the Oakland Athletics. Braxton Garrett (#22) also moves up in the rankings after being scooped by the Miami Marlins at #7.

5) I’m still concerned about Mickey Moniak’s ultimate power potential, but I can’t deny that being the #1 overall pick puts some extra shine on him. At the very least, his trade value will be very high right from the start. I bumped him from #11 to #6.

6) As expected, my top 30 looks nothing like how the draft actually played out. Drafting for fantasy is obviously much different than drafting for real life, and in some cases, I just straight disagreed with the pick. Anfernee Grier (#10) went 39^th overall to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Nolan Jones (#12) went 55^th overall to the Cleveland Indians, Taylor Trammell (#13) went 35^th overall to the Cincinnati Reds, Bryan Reynolds (#17) went 59^th overall to the San Francisco Giants, Chris Okey (#19) went 43^rd overall to the Cincinnati Reds, Ronnie Dawson (#25) went 61^st overall to the Houston Astros, and Heath Quinn (#14) went 95^th overall to the San Francisco Giants. These are my favorite sleepers right now before we learn a lot more about all of these guys in pro ball.

Post-Draft 2016 Top 30 MLB Draft Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings:
(You can click here for a more detailed analysis of each player)

1) Kyle Lewis SEA, OF
2) Corey Ray MIL, OF
3) Will Craig PIT, 1B/3B
4) Zack Collins CHW, C
5) Nick Senzel CIN, 3B
6) Mickey Moniak PHI, OF
7) A.J. Puk OAK, LHP
8) Ian Anderson ATL, RHP
9) Jason Groome BOS, LHP
10) Anfernee Grier ARI, OF
11) Nolan Jones CLE, SS/3B
12) Taylor Trammell CIN, OF
13) Eric Lauer SD, LHP
14) Braxton Garrett MIA, LHP
15) Matt Thaiss LAA, C
16) Heath Quinn SFG, OF
17) Dakota Hudson STL, RHP
18) Chris Okey CIN, C
19) Bryan Reynolds SFG, OF
20) Cal Quantrill SD, RHP
21) Justin Dunn NYM, RHP
22) Blake Rutherford NYY, OF
23) Jordan Sheffield LAD, RHP
24) Delvin Perez STL, SS
25) Matt Manning DET, RHP
26) William Benson CLE, OF
27) Ronnie Dawson HOU, OF
28) Alex Kirilloff MIN, OF
29) Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP
30) Josh Lowe TB, 3B/OF
31) Joey Wentz ATL, LHP

By Michael Halpern
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@ImaginaryBrickW)

Posted on June 9, 2016October 8, 2016 by Michael Halpern

Final Updated 2016 Top 30 MLB Draft Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings

The 2016 MLB Draft will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2016, and for fantasy baseball, that means a huge influx of talent is about to join the player pool. For fantasy, I generally prefer college over high school players, because most fantasy leagues have limited space for minor leaguers and there is a greater incentive for them to quickly reach the big leagues. Value can also change post-draft depending on what team/ballpark a player gets drafted to. For example, you should upgrade hitters drafted by Colorado and downgrade pitchers. How players perform once reaching pro ball can also have a big impact on their value. With that in mind, here are the 2016 Top 30 MLB Draft Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings:

Update: Thoughts Following the 2016 MLB Draft and Re-Ranking the Top 30

1) Kyle Lewis Mercer, OF – Elite bat speed, power, and athleticism is just about all that you can ask for in a top fantasy prospect, and Lewis possesses all three. The 6’4’’, 195-pound Lewis jacked 20 homers this year (17 last year), and he is triple-slashing .395/.535/.731 in 61 games in the Southern Conference this season, a middle of the pack D1 conference. I wouldn’t be surprised if that 195-pound weight is outdated, though, because Lewis is built like a solid rock, and when he steps up to the plate, he does so with bad intentions. Just check out this quick video to see the talent we are dealing with here. There are a lot of moving parts in his swing, and he is still a bit raw, but I don’t even think those things are negatives. He is only 20 years old, and if he is this good already, imagine how scary good he can be with continued refinement and improvement. Lewis is the guy I want with the top pick in fantasy drafts.

2) Corey Ray Louisville, OF – Ray presents the best power/speed combo in the draft, as he is slashing .319/.396/.562, with 15 homers, and 44 steals in 62 games in the ACC, one of the best conferences in D1. He has top end bat speed, athleticism, and base running ability, and he is a 5-category producer who is bound to hit atop a Major League lineup in a few short years. He doesn’t have the physicality of Lewis, but considering the tougher competition he has faced, and more well-rounded production, I can see a case for Ray being #1 overall, as well.

3) Will Craig Wake Forrest, 1B/3B – Craig is an “unathletic,” poor defensive player who just destroys the highest levels of D1. He has blindingly fast bat speed, and is triple-slashing .379/.520/.731 with 16 homers in 55 games in the ACC. At 6’3’’, 235 pounds, Craig has been criticized for his soft body and speed that you can time with a sundial, but actually being able to hit is much more important than just looking the part; Craig is in the mold a Lance Berkman. Ignore his relatively low ranking on real draft lists due to his defensive concerns, Craig should be treated as one of the top hitters in this draft class for fantasy baseball.

4) Zack Collins Miami, C – Collins smashed 11 homers as a 19-year-old freshman in the ACC in 2014, and he has kept raking since then. He is slashing a ridiculous .358/.534/.631, with 13 homers in 57 games this season, and there are no questions about his advanced bat. The only question is if the 6’3’’, 225 pound Collins can stick at catcher, but for fantasy, that would just be icing on the cake. Being able to mash is much more important, and he can obviously mash. Once again, ignore his relatively low ranking on real baseball draft lists, Collins is the type of fast moving college hitter who can pay dividends for your fantasy team very quickly.

5) Nick Senzel Tennessee, 3B – Senzel would rank even higher if not for his moderate home run power, but he is still one of the most advanced college hitters in the draft, and he has some speed, as well. He is currently dominating the best conference in D1, slashing .352/.456/.595, with 8 homers, and 25 steals in 57 games in the SEC. He has displayed more raw power in batting practice than in games (don’t we all), and he has a good chance of sticking at 3B. If you want a fast moving, safe college bat who should provide solid numbers across the board, Senzel is your man.

6) Riley Pint HS, RHP – If I’m taking a risky high schooler, I’m going all the way, and taking the riskiest of them all. Pint has by far the most electrifying stuff in the draft (skip to the 45 second mark), and it is not just his upper 90’s heater with great movement, but also his excellent, deceptive changeup. His biggest problems are that his delivery is a bit of a mess, and his control and command are all over the place, but safe high school pitcher is an oxymoron to me, anyway. The 6’4’’, 210-pound Pint has raw ability that you can’t teach, and after the top college bats are off the board, I want the player with the highest upside and most freakish talent.

7) A.J. Puk Florida, LHP – A.J. Puk sounds like the name of a bad guy in a Mighty Ducks movie, and he has the size to fit the role too, standing a gangly 6’7’’, 230 pounds. His best pitch is a mid-90’s fastball that has good deception and swing and miss ability, and he pairs that with an inconsistent slider and changeup. He strikes out a ton of batters (12.21 K/9), but it comes with serious control and command issues (3.99 BB/9). Puk is a high risk, high reward college pitcher who tops out as a strong #2 fantasy starter, and bottoms out as a guy who just can’t command his pitches well enough to remain an effective starter.

8) Jason Groome HS, LHP – The 6’6’’, 220-pound Groome is known for his devastating curveball that he already has good command over. He also throws an effortless low 90’s heater that he can dial up to the mid-90’s at times, along with a still developing changeup. There is no denying that if you were going to build a pitcher from scratch, he would look something like Groome, but without the no doubt upper 90’s heater, and considering the development time and inherent risks with high school pitchers, I can’t place him higher than 8^th.

9) Ian Anderson HS, RHP – Anderson doesn’t have the upper 90’s fastball, either, sitting 91-95, but he has an advanced feel for pitching and can already throw 3 above average pitches in any count (fastball, changeup, curveball). This video at the 25 second mark is a great example of his easy, repeatable delivery, and how he can throw all of his pitches with the same arm speed and arm angle. He has a projectable frame, and if he gains velocity as he ages, he can become a legitimate fantasy ace. I actually really like Anderson a lot and I’m tempted to bump him up over Puk and Groome.

10) Anfernee Grier Auburn, OF – Grier looks like he has two tree branches for arms, and he uses that power to absolutely crush the baseball. He is the breakout college player of the 2016 class, and is slashing .366/.457/.576, with 12 homers, and 19 steals in 56 games in the SEC so far this year. There are some strikeouts in his profile, but the power/speed combo is too much to ignore, and Grier has the potential to be a fantasy stud. He is also almost a full year younger than many of the other college prospects, as he is not turning 21 until mid-October.

11) Mickey Moniak HS, OF – Moniak is considered the best pure high school hitter in the draft. He has a loose and easy swing that sprays line drives all over the field, and he pairs that with plus speed. While his slight build leads to some questions about his ultimate power potential, Moniak is a good bet to hit for high average with 15+ steals. If he bulks up and adds more power down the line, he can truly be a special player.

12) Nolan Jones HS, SS/3B – The 6’,4’’, 200-pound Jones has a quick swing that is geared for both average and power. He is one of the best athletes in the pool, and he recently gained 30 pounds of muscle. He is likely to end up at 3B long term, but the bat profiles just fine there. If you are looking for an upside power hitting corner infielder, Jones is your guy.

13) Taylor Trammell HS, OF – Trammel very well may be the best pure athlete in the draft. He could have played college football after rushing for 2,479 yards and 36 touchdowns on route to winning Georgia’s Offensive Player of the Year Award this season, but he chose baseball instead. His best tool is plus, plus speed, but the bat has potential too, displaying vicious bat speed (54 second mark) and the ability to hit for both average and power. He is higher risk than even your typical high school player, because he is still raw after splitting his focus between football and baseball, but he has the potential to end up the best player in this draft. I’ll take the risk at this point in the rankings.

14) Heath Quinn Samford, OF – The 6’3’’, 220 pound Quinn can flat out hit. He loads his hands well and creates excellent bat speed with his swing. It has resulted in him absolutely dominating the Southern Conference for 3 straight years, doing his best work this season, slashing .343/.452/.682 with 21 homers in 61 games. While the Southern Conference is only a middling D1 conference, Quinn also performed very well in the Cape Cod League last year, slashing .317/.384/.486 with 4 homers in 39 games. He might not be able to completely keep up his mammoth homerun power on the next level, but he has some to spare, and I might actually be a little too low on him at #14.

15) Eric Lauer KENT ST, LHP – Lauer might be the safest college pitcher in the draft. He has absolutely dominated the MAC, putting up a pitching line of 0.69/0.74/125 in 104 IP. He throws a traditional 4 pitch mix, but his fastball sits in the low 90’s, and he doesn’t have a real put away pitch. If he threw his fastball in the 93-96 MPH range, he might be the top pitcher in the draft, but without that big fastball and/or put away pitch, I can’t justify ranking him higher. If you hear reports of added velocity at any point before the draft or into his professional career, I would jump on Lauer very quickly.

16) Dakota Hudson MISS ST, RHP – Hudson is your typical low risk college starter who can reach the Big Leagues in a hurry. He is a sturdy 6’5’’, 205 pounds, with a 92-96 MPH fastball, and a MLB ready hard curveball/slider. There isn’t even much projection left to see a mid-rotation starter with some strikeout ability, but don’t expect a true difference making fantasy starter.

17) Bryan Reynolds Vanderbilt, OF – Reynolds is a high floor, low ceiling college bat who hit very well in the SEC this year, slashing .330/.461/.603, with 13 homers, and 8 steals in 62 games. He strikes out a bit too much, and while he does have opportunistic speed, he is far from a burner. Reynolds is a nice college bat to scoop up at this point in the rankings.

18) Matt Thaiss Virginia, C – Thaiss is an elite contact hitter, striking out only 16 times and walking 39 times in 60 games in the ACC. He has some power too, hitting 10 homers last season and 10 this season playing his home games in a pitcher’s park. There is some concern that he won’t be able to stick behind the plate, but he has one of the most advanced bats in the draft, and should be a fast mover.

19) Chris Okey Clemson, C – Okey is a good bet to stick at catcher, and he has a strong bat as well, slashing .339/.465/.611 with 15 homers in 64 games in the ACC. He is a strong dude, and while he doesn’t project to be a star, it is not hard to imagine him becoming a top 12 fantasy catcher in what has become an especially weak offensive position.

20) Justin Dunn Boston College, RHP – Dunn has only 7 starts on the year after being converted to a starter mid-season, but he has seriously impressed in those outings, and even with the short track record, he deserves a spot in the top 20. His best pitch is a mid 90’s fastball which he pairs with a plus slider, average curveball, and developing changeup. He’s on the small side at 6’1’’, 170 pounds, but he has electric stuff and should reach the big leagues relatively quickly.

21) Blake Rutherford HS, OF – I have to admit that I am not the biggest Rutherford fan. He is a year older than many other players from his high school class and he did not take a step forward in the power department this year. He is obviously immensely talented and the guy can hit, so I readily admit that I might end up being too low on him.

22) Braxton Garrett HS, LHP – Garrett is like the less advanced version of Lauer, except with higher upside being that he is 2 years younger. He throws a low 90’s heater that he pairs with a plus curveball and developing changeup. If you prefer the upside of Braxton over the safety and proximity to the majors of Lauer, I can see swapping them in the rankings.

23) Jordan Sheffield Vanderbilt, RHP – Sheffield is a small right handed pitcher with nasty stuff and a high effort delivery. He is dominating the best conference in D1 right now, putting up a pitching line of 3.01/1.20/113 in 101.2 IP. He has a strong 3-pitch mix and baseball bloodlines (Gary Sheffield is his Uncle – Update: Turns out that is a false internet rumor. Gary Sheffield is not his Uncle). I might be falling into the same trap that many others have in undervaluing small right handed pitchers, but he has some control issues (3.28 BB/9) and there is injury and bullpen risk, as well.

24) Delvin Perez HS, SS – Perez looks like a sure bet to be an exciting, above average shortstop, but there are questions surrounding his bat, which is not what fantasy owners like to hear. He has plus speed and he does have the raw talent to figure it out at the plate, so Perez still cracks the Top 25.

25) Matt Manning HS, RHP – The 6’6’’, 185-pound Manning is the son of former NBA player Rich Manning. His best pitch a big fastball that sits in the mid 90’s, with recent reports having it all the way up into the upper 90’s. He pairs that with an inconsistent curveball and changeup. Manning is your prototypical projectable high school starter, and I can see wanting to bet on his big frame and big fastball.

26) Ronnie Dawson Ohio St, OF – Dawson has an intriguing power/speed combo, slashing .331/.419/.611, with 13 homers, and 21 steals in 65 games in the Big 10. He hit well from his very first year in college, and with his power explosion this season, I would prefer to take a shot on him rather than one of the many upside high schoolers still on the board.

27) Alex Kirilloff HS, OF – His best tool is his plus raw power, which is exactly what fantasy owners like to hear. He won the 2015 Home Run Derby at the Perfect Game All-American Classic, and if you are looking for a lottery ticket power bat, Kirilloff if your guy.

28) Forrest Whitley HS, RHP – The 6’7’’, 250-pound Whitley throws a low 90’s heater, power curveball, and developing changeup. There isn’t much projection left, but he already has the build of a workhorse starter, and the raw stuff to go with it, too.

29) Josh Lowe HS, 3B/OF – Lowe is one of the best athletes in the draft and he displays plus raw power and speed. The skills aren’t completely refined yet, but his upside is as high as anybody’s.

30) Joey Wentz HS, LHP – Wentz is another high upside high school pitcher in a draft jammed packed with them. He has an easy, athletic delivery which he fires a 90-95 MPH fastball from, and he pairs that with an above average curveball and changeup. He is also a good enough power hitting first baseman that he is considered a legitimate prospect there too. In other words, the guy is an elite athlete who can do anything on a baseball field. There is some risk here as with any high school pitcher (Update: And that risk has already reared its ugly head, as reports have Wentz’s fastball sitting in the high 80’s now), but Wentz has the potential to be a top of the rotation starter.

31) William Benson HS, OF – Nothing to say other than watch this video of Benson hitting. High risk, very high reward.

* Cal Quantrill Stanford, RHP – Quantrill might have been the top pitcher chosen in the draft if not for needing Tommy John surgery in March 2015. Before the surgery, he threw a traditional 4-pitch mix with his plus changeup being his most dangerous weapon. His dad is longtime Major Leaguer Paul Quantrill. If you want to bet that Quantrill can fully recover from the surgery, I can see slotting him as high as #15.

By Michael Halpern
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@ImaginaryBrickW)

Posted on June 3, 2016June 15, 2016 by Michael Halpern

Updated 2016 Top 30 MLB Draft Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings

June 9, 2016 – Final Updated 2016 Top 30 MLB Draft Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings
June 10, 2016 – Thoughts Following Day 1 of the 2016 MLB Draft and Re-Ranking the Top 30

Update – Updates will be in italics in places where the rankings have changed. All stats have been updated, as well.

2) Corey Ray Louisville, OF – Ray presents the best power/speed combo in the draft, as he is slashing .320/.396/.575, with 15 homers, and 39 steals in 59 games in the ACC, one of the best conferences in D1. He has top end bat speed, athleticism, and base running ability, and he is a 5-category producer who is bound to hit atop a Major League lineup in a few short years. He doesn’t have the physicality of Lewis, but considering the tougher competition he has faced, and more well-rounded production, I can see a case for Ray being #1 overall, as well.

Update – Craig gets bumped up over Collins because I like his bat a little bit more. He strikes out less, has a higher ISO the past two seasons, and is out OPS’ing Collins 1.303 to 1.170 this season. My only reservation is that Collins has a chance of sticking at catcher, so if you highly value positional scarcity, I can see sticking with Collins at #3.

3) Will Craig Wake Forrest, 1B/3B – Craig is an “unathletic,” poor defensive player who just destroys the highest levels of D1. He has blindingly fast bat speed, and is triple-slashing .392/.537/.766 with 16 homers in 52 games in the ACC. At 6’3’’, 235 pounds, Craig has been criticized for his soft body and speed that you can time with a sundial, but actually being able to hit is much more important than just looking the part; Craig is in the mold a Lance Berkman. Ignore his relatively low ranking on real draft lists due to his defensive concerns, Craig should be treated as one of the top hitters in this draft class for fantasy baseball.

4) Zack Collins Miami, C – Collins smashed 11 homers as a 19-year-old freshman in the ACC in 2014, and he has kept raking since then. He is slashing a ridiculous .364/.540/.630, with 12 homers in 54 games this season, and there are no questions about his advanced bat. The only question is if the 6’3’’, 225 pound Collins can stick at catcher, but for fantasy, that would just be icing on the cake. Being able to mash is much more important, and he can obviously mash. Once again, ignore his relatively low ranking on real baseball draft lists, Collins is the type of fast moving college hitter who can pay dividends for your fantasy team very quickly.

7) A.J. Puk Florida, LHP – A.J. Puk sounds like the name of a bad guy in a Mighty Ducks movie, and he has the size to fit the role too, standing a gangly 6’7’’, 230 pounds. His best pitch is a mid-90’s fastball that has good deception and swing and miss ability, and he pairs that with an inconsistent slider and changeup. He strikes out a ton of batters (12.34 K/9), but it comes with serious control and command issues (4.25 BB/9). Puk is a high risk, high reward college pitcher who tops out as a strong #2 fantasy starter, and bottoms out as a guy who just can’t command his pitches well enough to remain an effective starter.

9) Anfernee Grier Auburn, OF – Grier looks like he has two tree branches for arms, and he uses that power to absolutely crush the baseball. He is the breakout college player of the 2016 class, and is slashing .366/.457/.576, with 12 homers, and 19 steals in 56 games in the SEC so far this year. There are some strikeouts in his profile, but the power/speed combo is too much to ignore, and Grier has the potential to be a fantasy stud. He is also almost a full year younger than many of the other college prospects, as he is not turning 21 until mid-October.

Update – The two best high school bats in the draft each move up two spots, and a third, Trammell, moves up 5 spots to come join them. I’m very cautious when it comes to high school hitters, but at some point you have to take a shot on that enormous upside.

10) Mickey Moniak HS, OF – Moniak is considered the best pure high school hitter in the draft. He has a loose and easy swing that sprays line drives all over the field, and he pairs that with plus speed. While his slight build leads to some questions about his ultimate power potential, Moniak is a good bet to hit for high average with 15+ steals. If he bulks up and adds more power down the line, he can truly be a special player.

11) Nolan Jones HS, SS/3B – The 6’,4’’, 200-pound Jones has a quick swing that is geared for both average and power. He is one of the best athletes in the pool, and he recently gained 30 pounds of muscle. He is likely to end up at 3B long term, but the bat profiles just fine there. If you are looking for an upside power hitting corner infielder, Jones is your guy.

12) Taylor Trammell HS, OF – Trammel very well may be the best pure athlete in the draft. He could have played college football after rushing for 2,479 yards and 36 touchdowns on route to winning Georgia’s Offensive Player of the Year Award this season, but he chose baseball instead. His best tool is plus, plus speed, but the bat has potential too, displaying vicious bat speed (54 second mark) and the ability to hit for both average and power. He is higher risk than even your typical high school player, because he is still raw after splitting his focus between football and baseball, but he has the potential to end up the best player in this draft. I’ll take the risk at this point in the rankings.

13) Ian Anderson HS, RHP – Anderson doesn’t have the upper 90’s fastball, either, sitting 91-95, but he has an advanced feel for pitching and can already throw 3 above average pitches in any count (fastball, changeup, curveball). This video at the 25 second mark is a great example of his easy, repeatable delivery, and how he can throw all of his pitches with the same arm speed and arm angle. He has a projectable frame, and if he gains velocity as he ages, he can become a legitimate fantasy ace.

14) Dakota Hudson MISS ST, RHP – Hudson is your typical low risk college starter who can reach the Big Leagues in a hurry. He is a sturdy 6’5’’, 205 pounds, with a 92-96 MPH fastball, and a MLB ready hard curveball/slider. There isn’t even much projection left to see a mid-rotation starter with some strikeout ability, but don’t expect a true difference making fantasy starter.

15) Heath Quinn Samford, OF – The 6’3’’, 220 pound Quinn can flat out hit. He loads his hands well and creates excellent bat speed with his swing. It has resulted in him absolutely dominating the Southern Conference for 3 straight years, doing his best work this season, slashing .343/.452/.682 with 21 homers in 61 games. While the Southern Conference is only a middling D1 conference, Quinn also performed very well in the Cape Cod League last year, slashing .317/.384/.486 with 4 homers in 39 games. He might not be able to completely keep up his mammoth homerun power on the next level, but he has some to spare, and I might actually be a little too low on him at #15.

16) Eric Lauer KENT ST, LHP – Lauer might be the safest college pitcher in the draft. He has absolutely dominated the MAC, putting up a pitching line of 0.69/0.74/125 in 104 IP. He throws a traditional 4 pitch mix, but his fastball sits in the low 90’s, and he doesn’t have a real put away pitch. If he threw his fastball in the 93-96 MPH range, he might be the top pitcher in the draft, but without that big fastball and/or put away pitch, I can’t justify ranking him higher. If you hear reports of added velocity at any point before the draft or into his professional career, I would jump on Lauer very quickly.

Update – Three rock solid college bats move from #21-23 to #17-19. I don’t think any of these guys are going to turn into stars, but you know I love me those fast moving college hitters. I couldn’t resist.

17) Bryan Reynolds Vanderbilt, OF – Reynolds is a high floor, low ceiling college bat who hit very well in the SEC this year, slashing .335/.462/.615, with 13 homers, and 7 steals in 60 games. He strikes out a bit too much, and while he does have opportunistic speed, he is far from a burner. Reynolds is a nice college bat to scoop up at this point in the rankings.

18) Matt Thaiss Virginia, C – Thaiss is an elite contact hitter, striking out only 14 times and walking 36 times in 57 games in the ACC. He has some power too, hitting 10 homers last season and 10 this season playing his home games in a pitcher’s park. There is some concern that he won’t be able to stick behind the plate, but he has one of the most advanced bats in the draft, and should be a fast mover.

19) Chris Okey Clemson, C – Okey is a good bet to stick at catcher, and he has a strong bat as well, slashing .330/.450/.577 with 12 homers in 60 games in the ACC. He is a strong dude, and while he doesn’t project to be a star, it is not hard to imagine him becoming a top 12 fantasy catcher in what has become an especially weak offensive position.

Update – Perez cracks the top 20. He is a sure bet to stick at SS, has elite speed, and the raw potential is there for him to become a good hitter. The risk is worth it at this point.

20) Delvin Perez HS, SS – Perez looks like a sure bet to be an exciting, above average shortstop, but there are questions surrounding his bat, which is not what fantasy owners like to hear. He has plus, plus speed and he does have the raw talent to figure it out at the plate, so Perez still cracks the Top 20.

Update – Sheffield falls from #16 to #23. Carson Fulmer’s struggles might be jading my opinion of Sheffield too much, but they are both small right handed pitchers from Vanderbilt with a high effort delivery and some control problems. I still like him (and Fulmer too) but there is definitely risk here despite his dominate college stats.

23) Jordan Sheffield Vanderbilt, RHP – Sheffield is a small right handed pitcher with nasty stuff and a high effort delivery. He is dominating the best conference in D1 right now, putting up a pitching line of 2.73/1.17/107 in 95.2 IP. He has a strong 3-pitch mix and baseball bloodlines (Gary Sheffield is his Uncle). I might be falling into the same trap that many others have in undervaluing small right handed pitchers, but he has some control issues (3.28 BB/9) and there is injury and bullpen risk, as well.

Update – One of my favorite deep league fantasy sleepers in this draft, Dawson turned it on even more of late, and I can’t help but to bump him up to #24.

24) Ronnie Dawson Ohio St, OF – Dawson has an intriguing power/speed combo, slashing .329/.423/.617, with 13 homers, and 20 steals in 62 games in the Big 10. He hit well from his very first year in college, and with his power explosion this season, I would prefer to take a shot on him rather than one of the many upside high schoolers still on the board.

26) Alex Kirilloff HS, OF – His best tool is his plus raw power, which is exactly what fantasy owners like to hear. He won the 2015 Home Run Derby at the Perfect Game All-American Classic, and if you are looking for a lottery ticket power bat, Kirilloff if your guy.

Update – Wentz was not able to hold the added velocity he displayed earlier this year, and reports have him sitting in the high 80’s now. This is just a reminder of how volatile these high school pitchers are. He drops to #27.

27) Joey Wentz HS, LHP – Wentz is another high upside high school pitcher in a draft jammed packed with them. He has an easy, athletic delivery which he fires a 90-95 MPH fastball from, and he pairs that with an above average curveball and changeup. He is also a good enough power hitting first baseman that he is considered a legitimate prospect there too. In other words, the guy is an elite athlete who can do anything on a baseball field. There is some risk here as with any high school pitcher, but Wentz has the potential to be a top of the rotation starter.

Update – I was already low on Lowe, but he keeps dropping to #29 because he isn’t as consistent as some of the high school players ranked above him.

30) William Benson HS, OF – Nothing to say other than watch this video of Benson hitting. High risk, very high reward.

By Michael Halpern
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@ImaginaryBrickW)

Posted on May 25, 2016June 15, 2016 by Michael Halpern

2016 Top 30 MLB Draft Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings

The 2016 MLB Draft will be held on June 9, 2016, and for fantasy baseball, that means a huge influx of talent is about to join the player pool. For fantasy, I generally prefer college over high school players, because most fantasy leagues have limited space for minor leaguers and there is a greater incentive for them to quickly reach the big leagues. Value can also change post-draft depending on what team/ballpark a player gets drafted to. For example, you should upgrade hitters drafted by Colorado and downgrade pitchers. How players perform once reaching pro ball can also have a big impact on their value. With that in mind, here are the 2016 Top 30 MLB Draft Fantasy Baseball Prospects:

Updated 2016 Top 30 MLB Draft Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings

1) Kyle Lewis Mercer, OF – Elite bat speed, power, and athleticism is just about all that you can ask for in a top fantasy prospect, and Lewis possesses all three. The 6’4’’, 195-pound Lewis has jacked 17 homers in back-to-back years, and he is triple-slashing .411/.545/.729 in 56 games in the Southern Conference this season, a middle of the pack D1 conference. I wouldn’t be surprised if that 195-pound weight is outdated, though, because Lewis is built like a solid rock, and when he steps up to the plate, he does so with bad intentions. Just check out this quick video to see the talent we are dealing with here. There are a lot of moving parts in his swing, and he is still a bit raw, but I don’t even think those things are negatives. He is only 20 years old, and if he is this good already, imagine how scary good he can be with continued refinement and improvement. Lewis is the guy I want with the top pick in fantasy drafts.

2) Corey Ray Louisville, OF – Ray presents the best power/speed combo in the draft, as he is slashing .326/.398/.581, with 14 homers, and 37 steals in 56 games in the ACC, one of the best conferences in D1. He has top end bat speed, athleticism, and base running ability, and he is a 5-category producer who is bound to hit atop a Major League lineup in a few short years. He doesn’t have the physicality of Lewis, but considering the tougher competition he has faced, and more well-rounded production, I can see a case for Ray being #1 overall, as well.

3) Zack Collins Miami, C – Collins smashed 11 homers as a 19-year-old freshman in the ACC in 2014, and he has kept raking since then. He is slashing a ridiculous .381/.552/.645, with 11 homers in 51 games this season, and there are no questions about his advanced bat. The only question is if the 6’3’’, 225 pound Collins can stick at catcher, but for fantasy, that would just be icing on the cake. Being able to mash is much more important, and he can obviously mash. Ignore his relatively low ranking on real baseball draft lists, because defense actually matters in real baseball, but in fantasy, not so much. Collins is the type of fast moving college hitter who can pay dividends for your fantasy team very quickly.

4) Will Craig Wake Forrest, 1B/3B – Craig is another “unathletic,” poor defensive player who just destroys the highest levels of D1. He has blindingly fast bat speed, and is triple-slashing .385/.532/.758 with 15 homers in 49 games in the ACC. At 6’3’’, 235 pounds, Craig has been criticized for his soft body and speed that you can time with a sundial, but actually being able to hit is much more important than just looking the part; Craig is in the mold a Lance Berkman. Once again, ignore the low ranking on real draft lists due to his defensive concerns, Craig should be treated as one of the top hitters in this draft class for fantasy baseball.

7) A.J. Puk Florida, LHP – A.J. Puk sounds like the name of a bad guy in a Mighty Ducks movie, and he has the size to fit the role too, standing a gangly 6’7’’, 230 pounds. His best pitch is a mid-90’s fastball that has good deception and swing and miss ability, and he pairs that with an inconsistent slider and changeup. He strikes out a ton of batters (12.81 K/9), but it comes with serious control and command issues (4.47 BB/9). Puk is a high risk, high reward college pitcher who tops out as a strong #2 fantasy starter, and bottoms out as a guy who just can’t command his pitches well enough to remain an effective starter.

10) Ian Anderson HS, RHP – Anderson doesn’t have the upper 90’s fastball, either, sitting 91-95, but he has an advanced feel for pitching and can already throw 3 above average pitches in any count (fastball, changeup, curveball). This video at the 25 second mark is a great example of his easy, repeatable delivery, and how he can throw all of his pitches with the same arm speed and arm angle. He has a projectable frame, and if he gains velocity as he ages, he can become a legitimate fantasy ace.

11) Dakota Hudson MISS ST, RHP – Hudson is your typical low risk college starter who can reach the Big Leagues in a hurry. He is a sturdy 6’5’’, 205 pounds, with a 92-96 MPH fastball, and a MLB ready hard curveball/slider. There isn’t even much projection left to see a mid-rotation starter with some strikeout ability, but don’t expect a true difference making fantasy starter.

12) Mickey Moniak HS, OF – Moniak is considered the best pure high school hitter in the draft. He has a loose and easy swing that sprays line drives all over the field, and he pairs that with plus speed. While his slight build leads to some questions about his ultimate power potential, Moniak is a good bet to hit for high average with 15+ steals. If he bulks up and adds more power down the line, he can truly be a special player.

13) Nolan Jones HS, SS/3B – The 6’,4’’, 200-pound Jones has a quick swing that is geared for both average and power. He is one of the best athletes in the pool, and he recently gained 30 pounds of muscle. He is likely to end up at 3B long term, but the bat profiles just fine there. If you are looking for an upside power hitting corner infielder, Jones is your guy.

14) Heath Quinn Samford, OF – The 6’3’’, 220 pound Quinn can flat out hit. He loads his hands well and creates excellent bat speed with his swing. It has resulted in him absolutely dominating the Southern Conference for 3 straight years, doing his best work this season, slashing .345/.459/.682 with 19 homers in 56 games. While the Southern Conference is only a middling D1 conference, Quinn also performed very well in the Cape Cod League last year, slashing .317/.384/.486 with 4 homers in 39 games. He might not be able to completely keep up his mammoth homerun power on the next level, but he has some to spare, and I might actually be a little too low on him at #14.

15) Eric Lauer KENT ST, LHP – Lauer might be the safest college pitcher in the draft. He has absolutely dominated the MAC, putting up a pitching line of 0.76/0.74/116 in 95 IP. He throws a traditional 4 pitch mix, but his fastball sits in the low 90’s, and he doesn’t have a real put away pitch. If he threw his fastball in the 93-96 MPH range, he might be the top pitcher in the draft, but without that big fastball and/or put away pitch, I can’t justify ranking him higher. If you hear reports of added velocity at any point before the draft or into his professional career, I would jump on Lauer very quickly.

16) Jordan Sheffield Vanderbilt, RHP – Sheffield is a small right handed pitcher with nasty stuff and a high effort delivery. He is dominating the best conference in D1 right now, putting up a pitching line of 2.38/1.14/101 in 90.2 IP. He has a strong 3-pitch mix and baseball bloodlines (Gary Sheffield is his Uncle). I might be falling into the same trap that many others have in undervaluing small right handed pitchers, but he has some control issues (3.28 BB/9) and there is injury and bullpen risk, as well.

17) Taylor Trammell HS, OF – Trammel very well may be the best pure athlete in the draft. He could have played college football after rushing for 2,479 yards and 36 touchdowns on route to winning Georgia’s Offensive Player of the Year Award this season, but he chose baseball instead. His best tool is plus, plus speed, but the bat has potential too, displaying vicious bat speed (54 second mark) and the ability to hit for both average and power. He is higher risk than even your typical high school player, because he is still raw after splitting his focus between football and baseball, but he has the potential to end up the best player in this draft. I’ll take the risk at this point in the rankings.

18) Braxton Garrett HS, LHP – Garrett is like the less advanced version of Lauer, except with higher upside being that he is 2 years younger. He throws a low 90’s heater that he pairs with a plus curveball and developing changeup. If you prefer the upside of Braxton over the safety and proximity to the majors of Lauer, I can see swapping them in the rankings.

19) Joey Wentz HS, LHP – Wentz is another high upside high school pitcher in a draft jammed packed with them. He has an easy, athletic delivery which he fires a 90-95 MPH fastball from, and he pairs that with an above average curveball and changeup. He is also a good enough power hitting first baseman that he is considered a legitimate prospect there too. In other words, the guy is an elite athlete who can do anything on a baseball field. There is some risk here as with any high school pitcher, but Wentz has the potential to be a top of the rotation starter.

20) Blake Rutherford HS, OF – I have to admit that I am not the biggest Rutherford fan. He is a year older than many other players from his high school class and he did not take a step forward in the power department this year. He is obviously immensely talented and the guy can hit, so I readily admit that I might end up being too low on him.

21) Bryan Reynolds Vanderbilt, OF – Reynolds is a high floor, low ceiling college bat who hit very well in the SEC this year, slashing .330/.460/.612, with 12 homers, and 7 steals in 57 games. He strikes out a bit too much, and while he does have opportunistic speed, he is far from a burner. Reynolds is a nice college bat to scoop up at this point in the rankings.

22) Matt Thaiss Virginia, C – Thaiss is an elite contact hitter, striking out only 11 times and walking 34 times in 54 games in the ACC. He has some power too, hitting 10 homers last season and 9 this season playing his home games in a pitcher’s park. There is some concern that he won’t be able to stick behind the plate, but he has one of the most advanced bats in the draft, and should be a fast mover.

23) Chris Okey Clemson, C – Okey is a good bet to stick at catcher, and he has a strong bat as well, slashing .341/.459/.592 with 12 homers in 56 games in the ACC. He is a strong dude, and while he doesn’t project to be a star, it is not hard to imagine him becoming a top 12 fantasy catcher in what has become an especially weak offensive position.

24) Delvin Perez HS, SS – Perez looks like a sure bet to be an exciting, above average shortstop, but there are questions surrounding his bat, which is not what fantasy owners like to hear. He has plus, plus speed and he does have the raw talent to figure it out at the plate, so Perez still cracks the Top 30.

26) Josh Lowe HS, 3B/OF – Lowe is one of the best athletes in the draft and he displays plus raw power and speed. The skills aren’t completely refined yet, but his upside is as high as anybody’s.

29) William Benson HS, OF – Nothing to say other than watch this video of Benson hitting. High risk, very high reward.

30) Ronnie Dawson Ohio St, OF – Dawson has an intriguing power/speed combo, slashing .300/.398/.581, with 12 homers, and 16 steals in 56 games in the Big 10. He hit well from his very first year in college, and with his power explosion this season, I would prefer to take a shot on him rather than one of the many upside high schoolers still on the board.

By Michael Halpern
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@ImaginaryBrickW)