These prospects rankings are for the pure, uncut prospects only. If you were tainted with MLB at bats/IP, even 1, you’ve lost your prospect virginity, and are ineligible for this list. The goal is to make a list with fresh names, and allow everyone to be evaluated on an even playing field of 0 MLB experience. Top 20 free here on the Brick Wall. Here is the Top 301 May 2024 Dynasty Baseball Pure Prospects Rankings:
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1) (9) James Wood – WAS, OF, 21.8 – When you eliminate every player who has already made their MLB debut, Wood rises to the #1 pure prospect in the game. And he did it on the back of much improved contact rates at Triple-A with a 20.7% K%. He combines that with elite power (93.8 MPH EV), speed (8 steals), and OBP (15.6% BB%). He’s going to be scary good.
2) (16) Paul Skenes – PIT, RHP, 21.10 – Remember all that hand wringing about his fastball shape? Yea, neither do I as he’s been wrecking Triple-A with a 0.99 ERA and 42.9%/7.6% K%/BB% in 27.1 IP. The fastball averages 100 MPH and the secondaries (slider, splitter, change) rack up whiffs. This is what a true ace should do against minor league hitters, and he’s doing it. Let’s be honest, he shouldn’t be on this list at all. Call him up, Pitt.
3) (19) Matt Shaw – CHC, 3B, 22.6 – 3 homers, 7 steals, 23.2%/17.2% K%/BB% and 132 wRC+ in 24 games at Double-A. After the low walk rates in 2023, he’s clearly working on being more patient
4) (25) Emmanuel Rodriguez – MIN, OF, 21.2 – Baby Bonds is now officially an elite prospect with his destruction of Double-A, slashing .281/.500/.625 with 4 homers, 9 steals, a 28.3%/29.3% K%/BB% and 203 wRC+ in 20 games
5) (18) Spencer Jones – NYY, OF, 23.0 – Hit tool issues aren’t in the rear view mirror yet with a 32.4% K% in 16 games at Double-A, but it only needs to sit around 30% in the majors for him to be an absolute menace, and I’m betting on him being able to do that
6) (15) Jackson Jobe – DET, RHP, 21.9 – It took him a minute to find a rhythm, but he’s been back to his dominant self in his last 3 outings with a 16/3 K/BB in 11 IP at Double-A. Skenes might have separated himself a bit, but both of them are going to be aces. Unfortunately he did land on the IL with a hamstring strain during his latest start
7) (23) Coby Mayo – BAL, 1B/3B, 22.5 – Destined to be one of the top power hitters in baseball with 11 homers in 33 games at Triple-A, and the cherry on top is that he runs a bit too with 3 steals
8) (12) Walker Jenkins – MIN, OF, 19.2 – Limited to just 1 AB with a hamstring injury, but I wouldn’t let that change his outlook at all. His rise to uber prospect status has been delayed, but it’s still coming
9) (10) Dylan Crews – WAS, OF, 22.1 – Are we concerned yet? Crews followed up his poor Double-A debut in 2023 with a terrible spring, and now another poor showing at Double-A. He has a 34.3%/7.1% K%/BB% in 16 games. The 106 wRC+ isn’t terrible, but this isn’t the no doubt superstar college bat that we thought we were getting. That much is becoming pretty clear.
10) (14) Roman Anthony – BOS, OF, 20.0 – 33.3% K% and .225 BA is showing the hit tool risk, but considering he’s not quite 20 yet, and he has a 105 wRC+, I’m not overly concerned. He’s also clearly been working on keeping the ball off the ground with a 34.6% GB%, so some growing pains are normal
11) (27) Samuel Basallo – BAL, C/1B, 19.9 – Isn’t destroying the upper minors like he did the lower minors, but he’s still showing off the prodigious power with 5 homers in 24 games at Double-A as a 19 year old
12) (35) Colt Emerson – SEA, SS, 18.8 – Backing up his strong pro debut with a 131 wRC+ in 12 games at Single-A
13) (50) Lazaro Montes – SEA, OF, 19.6 – Going full Yordan Alvarez glow up with a 14.4%/13.6% K%/BB% and 6 homers in 24 games at Single-A. He’s a truly elite prospect
14) (30) Cade Horton – CHC, RHP, 22.9 – 1.77 ERA with a 24/6 K/BB in 20.1 IP in the upper minors. Fastball sat 93.7 MPH in his first start at Tripe-A, which isn’t overpowering, but maybe that is better off for his long term health considering 88.1 IP is his career high. I feel comfortable with my #2 starter evaluation of him from this off-season.
15) (58) Carson Williams – TBR, SS, 20.10 – Hit tool issues aren’t completely behind him with a 28%/5% K%/BB% in 22 games at Double-A, but he’s only 20, and he’s obliterating the level with 4 homers, 7 steals, and a 178 wRC+. Tack on a plus glove which locks him in as Tampa’s SS of the future, and you have a nearly elite fantasy prospect.
16) (59) Jacob Melton – HOU, OF, 23.8 – 20.2% K% is huge to see, because we know he has the power/speed combo with 4 homers and 6 steals in 23 games at Double-A. He’s a legit elite athlete. Melton continues to be very underrated.
17) (36) Andrew Painter – PHI, RHP, 21.1 – Painter underwent Tommy John surgery in late July 2023, which will keep him out for all of 2024
18) (64) Noah Schultz – CHW, LHP, 20.8 – Back to his silly dominance with a 41.8%/7.6% K%/BB% in 19.1 IP at High-A. When Skenes/Jobe/Horton graduate, we are looking at a contender for the top pitching prospect in the game
19) (68) Tink Hence – STL, RHP, 21.8 – Hence was a buy low, bounce back target of mine, and he’s bouncing back with a 2.10 ERA and 32.6%/6.3% K%/BB% in 25.2 IP at Double-A. His ace ascension is back on
20) (195) Adam Mazur – SDP, RHP, 22.11 – Mazur was one of my top targets this off-season, and he’s showing why with a 2.39 ERA and 29.3%/4% K%/BB% in 26.1 IP at AA. I called him the discount Christian Scott, and he remains the discount Christian Scott. I’m all in
CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR THE REST OF THESE RANKINGS & TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ALL SEASON, INCLUDING:
-APRIL TOP 427 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKS (4/19/24)
-MAY TOP 301 PROSPECTS RANKS
-HALP’S DYNASTY BASEBALL PODCAST: APRIL MAILBAG! (4/24/24)
-TONS OF DYNASTY RUNDOWNS
-TOP 42 PROSPECTS TO STACH FOR 2024 ONLY (May Update coming soon)
-MAY DYNASTY TARGETS COMING SOON
-SPREADSHEETS
By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@DynastyHalp)