Opening Day is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start releasing some of my rankings on the Brick Wall. We continue today with the 2023 Top 500 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings, which has been on the Patreon since February 1st. Without further ado, here is the Top 500 Prospects Rankings for 2023 Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Leagues:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE & EARLY ACCESS CONTENT ALL YEAR ROUND, INCLUDING:
-TOP 1,000 2023 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKS (will be released for free on Thursday)
-2023 FYPD STRATEGY &TARGET GUIIDE (exclusive)
-OBP TOP 500 2023 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKS (exclusive)
-PTS/6+CAT/OPS “UNIVERSAL” TOP 500 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKS (exclusive)
-POSTION BY POSITION TARGET/SLEEPER/UNDERRATED SERIES (exclusive)
-ALL-IN-ONE RANKINGS SPREADSHEET (partly released this weekend)
-PREDICTING THE 2024 DYNASTY BASEBALL PROSPECTS RANKS (exclusive)
-9 MILD PREDICTIONS FOR 2023 ROOKIES (exclusive)
-DYNASTY RUNDOWNS AND MONTHLY DYNASTY & PROSPECTS RANKINGS UPDATES ALL SEASON (exclusive)

1) Gunnar Henderson BAL, SS/3B, 21.9 – Nothing makes me more comfortable about a prospect than one who gets called up to the majors and immediately puts up elite exit velocity numbers. Henderson smacked the crap outta the ball to the tune of a 92.4/98.1 MPH AVG/FB EV in 132 MLB PA. That would almost be enough for me to love love a player on it’s own, a la Oneil Cruz, but Henderson does just about everything else well too. His hit tool improved majorly this year, dropping his K% from 30.1% in 2021 in mostly the lower minors, to 23.1% in 2022 in the upper minors. The improvements transferred to the majors with a very reasonable 26.6% whiff% and 25.8% K%. He’s put up high walk rates his entire career and he’s also very fast with a 29.1 ft/sec sprint speed. He’s almost a flawless prospect. I say “almost,” because he’s struggled vs. lefties in his career, but he’s still very young, so improvement is almost certainly coming, and it’s also a testament to how badly he decimates righties. 2023 Projection: 82/25/85/.262/.347/.473/14 Prime Projection: 106/32/102/.278/.383/.518/16

2) Corbin Carroll ARI, OF, 22.7 – Gunnar vs. Carroll is like Witt vs. Julio all over again. Julio pulled into the clear lead this year, but you were happy with either and their values could swing back and forth their entire careers. Gunnar and Carroll are on that same path. Arizona pushed Carroll all the way up to Double-A to start the year and he responded with pure across the board domination (166 wRC+ with 20 steals in 58 games). Triple-A didn’t slow him down much at all (135 wRC+ with 11 steals in 33 games), and then last but certainly not least, he kept it going in the majors, slashing .260/.330/.500 with 4 steals, 2 homers, and a 27%/7% K%/BB% in 32 games. He’s the fastest man in baseball with a 30.7 ft/sec sprint speed. His 85.8 MPH EV and .293 xwOBA isn’t optimal, and it’s the reason I have Gunnar as the #1 prospect in baseball, but I wouldn’t harp on that too much considering the guy literally had only 42 professional games under his belt coming into this year. Carroll is setting up to be an elite fantasy player. 2023 Projection: 81/18/65/.256/.332/.430/24 Prime Projection: 103/23/82/.276/.362/.474/33

3) Jackson Chourio MIL, OF, 19.1 – Chourio is on that Acuna/Tatis superstar path, where they didn’t necessarily put up elite plate approach numbers on the come up, but they were so young for the level and the talent is so huge it doesn’t really matter. Chourio had a generational type season, making it all the way to Double-A as an 18 year old to close out the year. Milwaukee knew they had something special, skipping him right over stateside rookie ball, and they were proven right with him destroying Single-A with a 160 wRC+. He then went to High-A and actually improved his K% with it dropping 6.2 percentage points to 21.8%. He got eaten up in 6 games at Double-A with a 42.3% K%, but I wouldn’t even blink an eye at that. He’s an electric ballplayer with a lightning quick, powerful swing to go along with at least plus speed. Now is the time in a superstar’s career where dynasty mistakes are made. Don’t sell Chourio for anything less than an elite return. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 98/29/96/.276/.351/.502/16

4) Anthony Volpe NYY, SS, 21.11 – Volpe got off to a rough start at Double-A with a .647 OPS and 24% K% in his first 37 games, but he came alive after that, slashing .286/.374/.536 with 13 homers, 26 steals, and a 14.4%/10.7% K%/BB% in 72 games. He does it all with a mature plate approach, plus game power, and plus stolen base ability. Despite the 17.7% K% at Double-A on the season, he still hit only .251 because of an extreme 56.9% flyball percentage. If the balls stay dead, it could be an issue because he isn’t a huge raw power guy at 5’11”, 180 pounds. He also struggled when he got the call to Triple-A with his K% spiking to 30.3%, and putting up a 91 wRC+ in 22 games. The profile isn’t flawless, but he has a super fantasy friendly skillset, and he was a 21 year old in the upper minors, so further refinement is surely coming. 2023 Projection: 48/14/45/.243/.318/.435/18 Prime Projection: 89/26/88/.267/.341/.473/21 Update: His brilliant play in Spring could force the Yankees hand to have him break camp with the team, but that is still far from a guarantee

5) Jordan Walker STL, 3B/OF, 20.11 – Nobody smashes the ball as hard as the 6’5”, 220 pound Walker. One thing we don’t have to worry about is him getting to the majors and putting up like an 84 MPH EV. He’s gonna hit it hard. He was a 20 year old at Double-A and ripped 19 homers with 31 doubles in 119 games, good for a 128 wRC+. He then wrecked the AFL with 5 homers, 6 doubles, and a .925 OPS in 21 games. He has some swing and miss in his game, but it’s far from the danger zone with a 21.6%/10.8% K%/BB%, and he has plus speed with 22 steals, although considering his size, you might not want to count on him majorly in that category. He started to transition to the OF, which gives him a path to playing time with Arenado locked in at 3B. He’s my 3rd overall prospect in the Points/6+Category/OPS “Universal” Dynasty Rankings which devalues speed and juices up power , and like Volpe, his complete destruction of spring will make it hard for St. Louis to send him down. 2023 Projection: 64/21/69/.251/.326/.461/10 Prime Projection: 92/33/105/.267/.346/.513/12

6) Elly De La Cruz CIN, SS/3B, 21.3 – Elly De La Cruz might still be a high risk, high reward prospect, but in 2022 the risk got a whole lot less, and the reward got a whole lot more. He put up one of the those stupid good seasons in the minors, slashing .304/.359/.586 with 28 homers, 47 steals, and a 30.8%/7.8% K%/BB% in 120 games split between High-A and Double-A. He ripped up both levels, and most importantly, he didn’t let his K% skyrocket at Double-A. He’s currently playing in the pitcher’s haven Dominican Winter League, which is a grown man’s league (he’s about 8 years younger than average), and it’s great sign that he’s running a 26.7%/15.8% K%/BB% in 101 PA. It sure seems like he will be able to continue to improve the plate approach rather than it going in the opposite direction. The numbers he can potentially put up at Great American Ballpark are scary. 2023 Projection: 32/11/35/.232/.294/.433/12 Prime Projection: 87/30/96/.245/.328/.500/30

7) Jordan Lawlar ARI, SS, 20.8 – Lawlar left everyone from his 2021 FYPD class in the dust in 2022. He slashed .303/.401/.509 with 16 homers, 39 steals, and a 25.1%/12.4% K%/BB% in 100 games split between 3 levels (A, A+, AA). He only had a 65 wRC+ in 20 games at Double-A but he jacked 4 homers and his plate approach didn’t completely collapse or anything (28.9%/10.3%). It was impressive he made it all the way to Double-A at all. He then destroyed the AFL with a .997 OPS in 11 games. He has a smooth and simple righty swing that is geared for power and average to go along with plus speed. He’s an elite prospect. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 92/24/86/.270/.348/.470/26

8) James Wood WAS, OF, 20.6 – Wood was one of my top 2022 FYPD targets and I was able to scoop him in my 18 team First Year Player Draft that I broke down last off-season on Patreon. He surpassed even my expectations as he played like a man amongst boys at 6’7”, 240 pounds, slashing .313/.420/.536 with 12 homers, 20 steals, and a 21.6%/14.4% K%/BB% in 76 games at Single-A. He absolutely smashes the ball and he proved his hit tool isn’t a major red flag, to say the least, it might actually be an asset. Wood is a unicorn athlete in the mold of an Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz. He’s in the “untouchable” category for me. I’m not trading him. ETA: 2024/25 Prime Projection: 88/28/93/.262/.355/.513/14

9) Miguel Vargas LAD, 3B, 23.4 – Vargas made his MLB debut in 2022 and while he only put up a .455 OPS in 50 PA, there is nothing I love more than seeing rookies hit the ball hard. He had a well above average 89.7/94.1 MPH AVG/FB EV. He’s also much faster than advertised with a 29.3 ft/sec sprint speed which in the top 6% of the league. He had no trouble lifting the ball with a 25.7 degree launch angle and has no swing and miss issues with an average 24.3% whiff%. His elite plate approach at Triple-A (14.6%/13.7% K%/BB%) shows better days are likely ahead there too. Speaking of Triple-A, he slashed .304/.304/.511 with 17 homers and 16 steals in 113 games. He’s currently slotted to be LA’s starting 2B in 2023, and the numbers indicate this guy has star potential. I still don’t think he gets the respect he deserves. 2023 Projection: 72/21/75/.258/.327/.445/11 Prime Projection: 93/27/87/.272/.345/.483/15

10) Jasson Dominguez NYY, OF, 20.2 – It felt like everyone was just waiting for Dominguez to fail, the ole build em up so we can tear em down, but Dominguez refused to blink. He’s now officially living up to the hype with a big 2022, slashing .273/.376/.461 with 16 homers, 37 steals, and a 24.2%/13.6% K%/BB% in 120 games mostly at Single-A and High-A. He actually performed better at High-A with a 146 wRC+ and 18.5% K%, and he even made it Double-A for 5 games and wasn’t overmatched with 1 homer, 1 steal, and a 5/3 K/BB (despite a .467 OPS). His tools are still big and they back up the numbers with plus speed and plus power. If he keeps this up at Double-A as a 20 year old, he’ll be in the mix for #1 fantasy prospect in the game very quickly into 2023. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 88/28/93/.261/.345/.491/18

11) Zac Veen COL, OF, 21.4 – It’s a mistake to think more power isn’t coming for Veen. And maybe a lot more. He’s a skinny 6’4” with an explosive lefty swing that is a thing of beauty. He’s guaranteed to put up legit power numbers when he grows into his frame. It reminds me of what I predicted in February 2022 about my #9 prospect, Miguel Vargas, when people were fading him because of his low EV numbers in my Predicting the 2023 Top 50 Dynasty Baseball Prospects: “Vargas’ exit velocity numbers will increase, and the hardhit data will catch up to the surface power numbers, rather than the other way around. I’m hesitant to cap a young prospects power potential just because they don’t put up grown man exit velocities in the minors. It’s almost like people forgot power is often the last thing to come for prospects, especially ones who don’t sell out for it and have really strong contact numbers and plate approaches.” Vargas EV numbers looked damn good in his MLB debut this year. The power is coming for Veen too, and when it does, it will be combined with plus speed and a strong plate approach. That is star potential playing at Coors Field. He did struggle in his callup to Double-A (42 wRC+ with a 29.8% K% in 34 games) after handling his business at High-A (126 wRC+ with a 22.5%/12.% K%/BB% and 50 steals in 92 games), but a ton of super talented 20 year olds struggled considerably at Double-A this year, so I wouldn’t let it completely tank your opinion of him. There is still more work to be done, but I’m willing to stay patient for it, and it creates a buying opportunity this off-season that will likely disappear very quickly into 2023. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 93/25/86/.273/.345/.477/23  Update: It was reported Veen put on 25 pounds of muscle this off-season, and he already ripped a 115+ MPH double this spring. It certainly seems like the power will level up this year

12) Druw Jones ARI, OF, 19.4 – Selected 2nd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Jones has that classic tall and projectable build that screams upside, and he has elite bloodlines with Andruw Jones being his father. He has near elite speed (6.31 60 yard dash) and truly elite bat speed (99.42 percentile-besting some marks put up by bat speed monster Harry Ford last year). His power has also exploded this year, with him launching some homers that blew up on Twitter (Will Hoefer). He hurt his shoulder during BP before he was able to debut and underwent surgery to repair it, but I dropped Lawlar from the #1 slot in my first year player draft rankings last year after his shoulder injury, and I’m not making the same mistake with Jones ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 93/30/104/.274/.355/.515/20

13) Jackson Holliday BAL, SS, 19.4 – Baseball is starting to feel like it is a hereditary monarchy, where all star games are passed down based on bloodlines like it’s the 1300’s. Jackson is the son of Matt, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son. Husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the ne … my bad, lost myself there 🙂 … Like many plus bloodline kids, Jackson is an advanced hitter, and he combines that with plus athleticism and a plus power/speed combo. He truly wields the bat like it’s a samurai sword, gracefully killing the ball with a smooth and powerful lefty swing. He stepped right into pro ball and was far too advanced for rookie ball (220 wRC+ with a 6.1%/30.3% K%/BB% in 8 rookie ball games) before performing well in 12 games at Single-A (130 wRC+ with a 17.5%/26.3% K%/BB%). Druw Jones and Holliday are in a tier of their own on my First Year Player Draft Rankings. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 96/25/88/.278/.357/.491/14

14) Grayson Rodriguez BAL, RHP, 23.5 – Rodriguez is my #1 pitching prospect in baseball and is a good bet to break camp with the team. He really shouldn’t be considered a prospect anymore. He should have graduated. But he did what pitching prospects do and missed 3 months with a lat strain. He was a bit rusty when he returned in September with a 4.12 ERA and 29/14 K/BB in 19.2 IP. He had a 2.09 ERA with a 80/14 K/BB in 56 IP at Triple-A before going down with the injury. When completely healthy he has plus control of a devastating 4 pitch mix, all of which have the potential to be at least plus. It’s true ace upside.  2023 Projection: 10/3.73/1.22/161 in 150 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.15/1.05/240 in 200 IP

15) Eury Perez MIA, RHP, 20.0 – Perez is a tall drink of water at 6’8”, 220 pounds (interestingly, or not so interestingly, “tall drink of water” was originally used as a derogatory term for a flavorless weakling, but mysteriously evolved into a compliment in the mid 1900’s), and he uses that frame to fire a mid to upper 90’s fastball with an easy, athletic delivery. He combines that with 3 potentially plus secondaries in his changeup, curve, and slider, to go along with plus control. It’s a flawless profile. The production is there too with a 34.1%/8.1% K%/BB% in 75 IP as a 19 year old at Double-A. A rough patch at the end of July (10.64 ERA in 11 IP) marred his end of season ERA at the level (4.08), and it resulted in him hitting the IL with a shoulder issue that kept him out until mid September. It’s a reminder of how risky all pitching prospects are, no matter how can’t miss they seem. 2023 Projection: 3/3.85/1.23/47 in 45 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.26/1.08/210 in 180 IP

16) Ricky Tiedemann TOR, LHP, 20.8 – Tiedemann checks almost every box for a potential young ace. He has prototypical size at 6’4”, 220 pounds, with a nearly side arm lefty delivery that he uses to fire a mid 90’s fastball and 2 devastating secondaries in his slider and change. Minor league hitters had no chance. He put up a pitching line of 2.17/0.86/117/29 in 78.2 IP split across 3 levels (A, A+, AA). Maybe the only quibble is that he doesn’t have pinpoint control, but it’s not an issue or anything. He’s the top lefty pitching prospect in the game, and considering Toronto’s relatively depleted organizational pitching depth, don’t be surprised if he gets a ton of MLB innings in 2023.. 2023 Projection: 3/3.88/1.29/54 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.31/1.11/220 in 190 IP

17) Francisco Alvarez NYM, C, 21.4 – Alvarez is a 5’10”, 233 pound ball of muscle who walloped 27 homers in 112 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He then got a cup of coffee, or more like a sip of coffee in the majors and it took him only 14 PA to get his first MLB dinger. He had a 101.5 MPH FB/LD EV in that obviously very small sample, but it drives home the point that Alvarez has near elite power potential, especially for a catcher. He has some swing and miss in his game (24.8% K%), but he’s an OBP machine with a 14.1% BB%. Adley is the darling of the catcher world right now, but Alvarez’s superior over the fence power could easily make him the more valuable catcher not too far into the future. The Mets starting catcher job is wide open for the taking at the moment, but it seems they want him to get more defensive seasoning before handing the reins over to him. 2023 Projection: 47/20/61/.240/.331/.457/2 Prime Projection: 84/33/96/.254/.361/.520/3

18) Ezequiel Tovar COL, SS, 21.8 – In yet another testament to Colorado’s odd prospect developmental strategy, to put it nicely, Tovar went down with a hip/groin injury on June 29th at Double-A, and Colorado decided it would be best to have him return directly to Triple-A on September 15th before rushing him to the majors after just 5 games at that level. It’s almost as if they had a preset plan for Tovar’s season which they didn’t adjust at all based on what was actually happening. Regardless, Tovar is a good enough prospect to overcome Colorado’s brain trust. He’s not the type to jump off the screen, but he has a plus hit tool with developing power and base stealing skills. He slashed .319/.387/.540 with 14 homers, 17 steals, and a 66/27 K/BB in 71 games at mostly Double-A. I’m not sure the power/speed numbers will pop as much in the majors, but Coors should juice his best skill, batting average, and the SS job is his for the taking. 2023 Projection: 72/16/64/.261/.317/.402/13 Prime Projection: 86/22/71/.278/.332/.434/15

19) Kyle Manzardo TBR, 1B, 22.9 – I nicknamed Manzardo “Italian Lunch” in my in-season Dynasty Rundowns for a reason, because if you liked Italian Breakfast (Vinnie P), you’re going to love the next Italian meal (Manzardo). Like Vinnie, Manzardo has an elite plate approach with plus power. He slashed .327/.426/.617 with 22 homers and a 65/59 K/BB in 93 games split between High-A and Double-A. He barely dropped off at Double-A with 9 homers and a 148 wRC+ in 30 games. His path to playing time isn’t crystal clear with Tampa’s never ending depth (Aranda, Mead, and more), but that’s just the game with Tampa. If he produces when he gets his shot, they will find a spot for him. 2023 Projection: 19/5/23/.268/.334/.447/0 Prime Projection: 86/27/91/.281/.363/.488/1

20) Hunter Brown HOU, RHP, 24.8 – Houston still has a full rotation even with Verlander leaving, but Brown will inevitably get his shot eventually (see below for the update), and I have no doubt he will thrive when he does. He throws a 96.6 MPH fastball that put up a .167 BA against in his 20.1 IP MLB debut, to go along with a plus slider (.246 xwOBA) and curve (.167 xwOBA). It led to a 0.89 ERA and 22/7 K/BB. He dominated at Triple-A too with a 2.55 ERA and 31.5%/10.6% K%/BB% in 106 IP. He’s likely a mid rotation fantasy starter as is, and if he can improve his control and/or his splitter/changeup, he has legitimate top of the rotation upside, especially in Houston’s pitching factory. He’s a major off-season target as he doesn’t get the hype that other top pitching prospects receive. 2023 Projection: 9/3.85/1.28/139 in 130 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.55/1.23/190 in 175 IP Update: The McCullers injury opens up a rotation spot for Brown early in the season

21) Andrew Painter PHI, RHP, 19.5 – In a Mock First Year Player Draft last off-season for Baseball Prospectus, I drafted Andrew Painter 21st overall and wrote, “I generally lean toward hitting prospects in dynasty, but I’m not afraid to take a shot on a couple of pitchers. Painter is a big dude who checks a lot of boxes. My plan is to sell him when he hits his peak on prospect lists—before he goes all Forrest Whitley on us at Triple-A” … but now that Painter has hit his peak on prospect lists, it’s so damn hard to sell. It’s so easy to fall in love with pitching prospects, but some do actually stay healthy and pan out, right? Painter seems like he is going to be one of those that do. He had a silly pitching line of 1.56/0.89/155/25 in 103.2 IP spread across 3 levels (A, A+, AA). He’s 6’7”, 215 pounds with plus control of an upper 90’s fastball, plus slider, potentially plus change, and an average curve. He just seems can’t miss … but if he does miss, my 2021/22 off-season self will just be shaking his head and laughing at me. 2023 Projection: 4/3.79/1.24/63 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.18/1.06/235 in 200 IP Update: Lo and behold, Painter felt elbow tenderness after his spring debut and was diagnosed with a UCL sprain. I saw the future, and I still couldn’t bring myself to believe it. He’s hoping to avoid Tommy John surgery and will try to ramp back up towards the end of March, so while Tommy John is certainly still on the table, it’s far from a guarantee.

22) Shane Baz TBR, RHP, 23.10 – Baz underwent Tommy John surgery in late September and will miss all of 2023. His elbow problems started in Spring when he underwent arthroscopic surgery. He was able to make it back for a month in June-July, and the stuff was still huge, but he eventually succumbed to the Tommy John. Like Buehler, I would optimally wait until next off-season to target him, but if you’re a rebuilding team he’s a great target. 2023 Projection: OUT Prime Projection: 13/3.38/1.09/198 in 170 IP

23) Triston Casas BOS, 1B, 23.3 – Casas is an OBP machine. He has a career .374 OBP in 284 minor league games and then he put up a .358 OBP with a 20% BB% in his 95 PA MLB debut. In an OBP league, he has a chance to be a real difference maker. It’s not so cut and dry in a 5×5 BA league. He’s never hit for high BA’s in the minors (career .269 BA) and he hit .197 (.193 xBA) in the majors. He’s a huge man with huge raw power, but he’s never really put up monster home run totals (11 homers in 72 Triple-A games). He doesn’t sell out for power. Boston’s hitter’s park should juice up all of his numbers, and I like Casas a lot regardless of league type, but I might curb your enthusiasm a little bit in a 5×5 BA. 2023 Projection: 78/24/81/.249/.334/.462/1 Prime Projection: 89/29/94/.263/.368/.510/2

24) Royce Lewis MIN, SS, 23.10 – I named Lewis a to player target last off-season, imploring you to buy the dip coming off a torn ACL. Now it’s deja vu all over again with Lewis once again down with a torn ACL, and once again I’m imploring you to buy the dip. He was in the midst of fully living up to his 1st pick overall hype, majorly improving his plate approach with a 20.9%/11.8% K%/BB% in 34 games at Triple-A. His power took a step forward as well with 5 homers and he maintained his plus speed with 12 steals. He quickly got called up to the majors and impressed with a 90.7 MPH EV, 12.2% K% and 146 wRC+ in 41 PA before going down with the injury in late May. I can’t deny that a 2nd torn ACL in the same knee is concerning, but Lewis has youth, and athleticism to spare on his side. He was blowing up to such a high level that I think downgrading Lewis too much based on the injury risk would be a mistake. 2023 Projection: 33/8/28/.258/.319/.423/5 Prime Projection: 84/24/82/.273/.335/.463/13

25) Pete Crow-Armstrong CHC, OF, 21.0 – Armstrong had the power breakout I predicted in my Predicting the 2023 Top 50 Dynasty Baseball Prospects from last off-season, writing, “Armstrong will not only pick up where he left off before he underwent shoulder surgery, he will show power potential many people doubt he has.” He ended up jacking 16 homers in 101 games split between Single-A and High-A. His speed wasn’t undersold either as he nabbed 32 bases. His plus CF defense will get him on the field, he has a good feel to hit, plus speed, and developing power. That is a beautiful fantasy profile. He’s not a finished product as his plate approach took a step back at the more age appropriate High-A with a mediocre 24%/4.9% K%/BB% in 63 games, but he could explode to elite prospect status if he performs in the upper minors in 2023. There is still a small buy window. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 88/18/66/.273/.335/.431/26

26) Bobby Miller LAD, RHP, 24.0 – Miller is 6’5”, 220 pounds with ace level stuff. He throws a fastball that sits in the upper 90’s, a filthy upper 80’s MPH changeup that gets about 10 MPH separation from the fastball, and 2 plus breaking balls in his slider and curve. His 4.25 ERA in 112.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A was surprisingly underwhelming considering the stuff. Part of it is because his fastball is relatively hittable, and while he doesn’t have major control problems, he’s no Greg Maddux. The other part of it is likely bad luck as his 30.5%/8.1% K%/BB% and 3.47 xFIP at Double-A looks much better than the 4.45 ERA he put up at the level. He has ace upside, and with the Dodgers’ pitching development prowess, mid-rotation might be his floor. 2023 Projection: 5/3.85/1.26/82 in 80 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.48/1.18/202 in 180 IP

27) Curtis Mead TBR, 3B, 22.6 – Mead is a safe bet to be a very good MLB hitter, but there are a few snafu’s keeping me from going too crazy for him. He’s not a good defensive player, which could be a problem with Tampa’s never ending depth. He’s not a huge base stealer and he has a line drive approach, so he might not put up huge power/speed numbers. His season also ended with a sore elbow, which I wouldn’t be too concerned about, but it is one more thing to tack on. I don’t mean to sound the alarm bells, because I do like him a ton. He hits the ball very hard, he has an excellent plate approach with an 18.1%/10.9% K%/BB%, and he crushed the upper minors with a 146 wRC+ at Double-A and 129 wRC+ at Triple-A. Carlos Correa over the last few years could be a good ceiling comp offensively. 2023 Projection: 36/10/39/.265/.327/.433/3 Prime Projection: 91/24/86/.282/.351/.473/5

28) Brett Baty NYM, 3B, 23.5 – There is little doubt that the 6’3”, 210 pound lefty Baty is going to be a very good real life hitter. He smokes the ball with a 91.1 MPH EV and he has an excellent plate approach with a 24.8%/11.7% K%/BB%, leading to a .943 OPS in 95 games at mostly Double-A. He got called up to the majors and while he only put up a .586 OPS in 11 games, his .332 xwOBA was much better and a 19% K% is a good sign his K% isn’t going to explode. It’s a line drive approach (10 degree launch) with below average speed (26.8 ft/sec sprint), making him a very safe bet to be an impact bat, but likely without monster upside in a 5×5 BA league. He tore the UCL in his thumb in late August which required surgery, but he’ll be good to go for 2023, and with Correa not signing, the path to playing time is much more open now. 2023 Projection: 51/15/54/.253/.332/.440/2 Prime Projection: 84/25/86/.267/.349/.472/2

29) Josh Jung TEX, 3B, 25.2 – Jung returned from shoulder surgery in late July and he must have been rusty because his plate approach was uncharacteristically horrific. He put up a 28.3%/3.8% K%/BB% in 23 games at Triple-A and a 38.2%/3.9% K%/BB% in 26 games in his MLB debut. It’s so out of pocket from the rest of his career. He had a 22.2%/9.1% K%/BB% in 78 games in the upper minors in 2021, so I’m inclined to cut him some slack. Shoulder injuries can sometimes sap power, but he was just fine in that category, jacking 9 homers in 31 minor league games and 5 homers in 26 MLB games. His 85.5 MPH EV and .287 xwOBA wasn’t great, but there was no guarantee he was even going to play in 2022 considering he underwent surgery in late February, so everything should look much better after a normal off-season and as he gets further away from the injury. 2023 Projection: 70/25/83/.252/.326/.462/3 Prime Projection: 84/29/91/.268/.343/.497/3

30) Noelvi Marte CIN, SS, 21.5 – There is nothing scouts hate more than when players start to fill out before they want them to fill out, and I think scouts overestimate their ability to predict when players will lose their athleticism in general. Having said that, Marte filled out in 2022 and he’s definitely starting to look more like a thick, power hitting corner infielder than a wiry strong SS. It’s going to hurt his ranking on real life lists, but I would be careful about discounting him too much for fantasy. He has big time power (19 homers in 115 games at High-A), speed (23 steals), and while his hit tool isn’t great, he has a strong plate approach (20.1%/11.3% K%/BB%). He’s not a finished product, and I wouldn’t expect huge steal totals, but he can be mighty dangerous in the friendly confines of Great American Ballpark. He wouldn’t be untouchable for me (I recently traded him away in my 12 teamer for Cristian Javier), but I would need a very exciting win now piece to deal him. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 84/27/89/.263/.338/.484/12

31) Marcelo Mayer BOS, SS, 20.4 – One look at Mayer’s controlled and explosive lefty swing really says it all. He used that swing to dominate Single-A in every facet of the game (150 wRC+ in 66 games), and then mostly did the same to close out the season at High-A (127 wRC+ in 25 games). His 25.2% K% is maybe slightly higher than you would like to see, but he mitigated that with a 16% BB%, and he was also a perfect 17 for 17 on the bases. He’s not a burner, but with the new stolen bases rules coming to the majors, maybe he’ll be able to nab more than we are expecting. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 94/25/87/.271/.363/.484/10

32) Oswald Peraza NYY, SS/2B, 22.10 – Like Volpe, Peraza started the year cold with a .583 OPS and 25.6% in his first 46 games at Triple-A before turning it around. He slashed .316/.382/.560 with 14 homers, 22 steals, and a 21.4% K% in his final 53 games at the level. He got called up to the majors in September and thrived, slashing .306/.404/.429 with 1 homer, 2 steals, and a 15.8%/10.5% K%/BB% in 57 PA. Statcast backs up the numbers with a well above average .343 xwOBA and 28.9 ft/sec sprint speed. The one red flag is his 81.6/84.0 MPH AVG/FB EV. That is quite low on 40 batted balls. It’s a small sample and he obviously has more power than that, but the power numbers he put up in the minors in 2021-22 could be misleading for what he will do in the majors. 2023 Projection: 58/14/59/.246/.303/.400/16 Prime Projection: 81/21/77/.269/.327/.441/22

33) Emmanuel Rodriguez MIN, OF, 20.1 – I nicknamed Rodriguez Baby Bonds in the early season Dynasty Baseball Rundowns for a reason. He’s an OBP monster with a 28.6% BB% and .492 OBP, to go along with a plus power (9 homers) and speed (11 steals) in 49 games at Single-A. Granted he doesn’t have nearly Bonds’ hit tool with a 26.1% K%, but 3 outta 4 ain’t bad. In an OBP league, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say he has elite upside. His season ended early when he tore his meniscus sliding into a base, but in my professional opinion a meniscus tear isn’t as bad as an ACL tear. I wouldn’t let the injury scare you off him too much. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 88/26/82/.251/.357/.485/12

34) Evan Carter TEX, OF, 20.7 – Carter was chugging along with a very good season at High-A, slashing .287/.388/.476 with 11 homers, 26 steals, and a 16.8%/13.2% K%/BB% in 100 games, and then he closed out the year with a bang at Double-A, slashing .429/.536/.714 with 1 homer, 2 steals, and a 6/5 K/BB in 6 games. His elite plate approach is made even more impressive by how  young he has been at every level he’s played at. He has plus speed, and at 6’4”, 190 pounds, he should naturally grow into more power, although his short and quick lefty swing is geared more for line drives. He could be a difference maker in OBP leagues, and in 5×5 BA he’s setting up to be a solid across the board type. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 89/20/77/.276/.365/.449/15

35) Taj Bradley TBR, RHP, 22.0 – Bradley is a similar pitching prospect to what Logan Gilbert and George Kirby were. He heavily relies on an at least plus, mid 90’s fastball which he has plus control over, but the secondaries aren’t really standout. He’s also not as big as Gilbert and Kirby, which I don’t like to harp on, but it does factor in. He destroyed Double-A with a 1.70 ERA and 88/18 K/BB in 74.1 IP before taking a small step back at Triple-A with a 3.66 ERA and 53/15 K/BB in 59 IP. If his secondaries take a big jump, he can be a fantasy ace, but he’s more likely to settle into that 2/3 area. 2023 Projection: 3/3.83/1.23/47 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.41/1.08/176 in 170 IP

36) Tink Hence STL, RHP, 20.8 – Say hello to the 2024 top pitching prospect in baseball. Hence was treated with kid gloves in 2022, never going over 4 IP, but he checked literally every other box. His stuff is straight filthy with 4 potentially plus pitches (mid 90’s fastball, curve, slider, change), he has an extremely athletic delivery with insane arm speed that reminds me a bit of Pedro Martinez, and his numbers were lights out with a pitching line of 2.16/0.96/81/15 in 52.1 IP at Single-A. He’s certainly getting plenty of hype right now, but it’s going to look like nothing compared to the hype explosion that’s coming in 2023. I was just able to nab him at 44th overall in the Toolshed Prospect Mock with other prospect writers/podcasters, so I think his price could still be relatively reasonable this off-season. He’s a buy high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 14/3.29/1.09/205 in 180 IP

37) Kyle Harrison SFG, LHP, 21.8 – Harrison is almost guaranteed to be an impact fantasy starter because this guy is going to rack up K’s no matter what. He had a stupid 50% K% in 29 IP at High-A (1.55 ERA) and a 36.4% K% in 84 IP at Double-A (3.11 ERA) on the back of an elite fastball/slider combo from a 3 quarters lefty delivery. He mixes in a legitimate changeup as well. The only question is how high his WHIP will get on the MLB level, because his control is still knocking on the door of the danger zone with an 11.2% BB% at Double-A. It’s not so bad to get very concerned, but it’s bad enough to keep him from ascending to the true elite pitching prospect tier. From a numbers standpoint, Blake Snell is not the worst comp. 2023 Projection: 3/3.88/1.33/34 in 30 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.41/1.25/191 in 165 IP

38) Colton Cowser BAL, OF, 23.0 – Cowser’s hit tool got exposed this year, putting up a 28.4% K% at High-A, 25.4% K% at Double-A, and 30.6% K% at Triple-A. It’s a little concerning considering that was supposed to be his best skill, but it’s not like he’s chopped liver everywhere else. He walked a ton with a 15% BB%, and he displayed an above average power/speed combo with 19 homers and 18 steals in 138 games. Even with the high strikeout rates he still put up a .278 BA. He showed more risk than optimal in 2022, but it was still a positive year overall with a .874 OPS. His strong across the board profile remains intact. 2023 Projection: 20/4/18/.248/.319/.405/4 Prime Projection: 85/20/77/.264/.343/.442/15

39) Robert Hassell WAS, OF, 21.8 – Hassell is becoming quite the divisive prospect, and it all comes down to his upside. His groundball rates were over 50% and he hit only 11 homers in 112 games split between High-A and Double-A. He’s fast, but he’s not an absolute burner, stealing only 1 bag in 27 games at Double-A (23 steals in 85 games at High-A). He has a potentially plus hit tool, and while a 19.9% K% at High-A is good, it’s not close to being elite, and it jumped to 28.7% at Double-A. He doesn’t have that one truly impressive tool. Having said that, the guy is just a damn good all around ballplayer, and there is still room to pack on muscle to his 6’2” frame. You don’t have to squint all that hard to see a future where he goes 20/20 with a good BA and high OBP hitting atop Washington’s lineup. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 87/18/72/.273/.348/.425/18

40) Endy Rodriguez PIT, C, 22.10 – In the year of the catcher breakout, Rodriguez may be the biggest breakout of them all. He managed to improve at each new level, putting up a 151 wRC+ in 88 games at High-A, a 199 wRC+ in 31 games at Double-A and a 208 wRC+ in 6 games at Triple-A. He’s put up plus contact and walk rates his entire career (19.0%/11.3% K%/BB% in 2022) and now his power is ticking up with 25 homers in 125 games. He played 18 games at 2B, 16 games in the OF, and 3 games at 1B, so Pitt is clearly planning for a future where both him and Henry Davis can co-exist. It will help both of their longevities to not catch so many games and will also maximize their per year plate attempts. 2023 Projection: 38/10/39/.259/.330/.442/3 Prime Projection: 81/24/79/.283/.358/.476/4

41) Oscar Colas CHW, OF, 24.6 – I really dug Colas’ powerful lefty swing last off-season and bought in when many were fading him. It paid off as he smashed 23 homers with a .314 BA in 117 games. He started the year at High-A where he put up a .845 OPS in 59 games, but he really took off in the upper minors with a .928 OPS in 51 games at Double-A and a 182 wRC+ in 7 games at Triple-A. The plate approach isn’t great (24%/6.2% K%/BB% at Double-A), and the GB rates are on the high side (45% at Double-A), but neither are so bad it is concerning. He’s setting up to be a good, but not necessarily great power bat with a BA that shouldn’t hurt you, and it looks likely he’ll break camp with the team. 2023 Projection: 66/22/78/.253/.312/.441/6 Prime Projection: 75/28/88/.262/.326/.474/7

42) Masyn Winn STL, SS, 21.0 – The risk with Winn is that he just doesn’t hit the ball hard enough, and while he has a good hit tool, a 20.1% K% isn’t close to elite. If he puts up an 86 MPH EV with a 25% K% in his MLB debut it wouldn’t be all that surprising. Power is often the last tool to come with prospects though, so you don’t want to dismiss plus hit/speed combos who don’t have big power at 20 years old. This could be a mid 20’s breakout scenario rather than a guy who steps into the bigs and immediately sets the world on fire. An Andres Gimenez type come up would be the optimal path. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 81/15/63/.270/.333/.421/24 Update: He’s been hitting the ball really hard all spring. It certainly looks like that hard hit data is going to trend up this year 

43) George Valera CLE, OF, 22.5 – Valera’s Robinson Cano-like, smooth as silk lefty swing unsurprisingly had no trouble against upper minors pitching, smashing 24 homers in 132 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. His 25.6% K% proved his K rate won’t get out of hand after putting up a 30% K% at Double-A in 2021, and he remained an OBP machine with a 13.1% BB%. He’s a near elite prospect in an OBP league, and he’ll be an impact 5×5 BA player too. He did get off-season wrist surgery and had a setback this spring, so the start to his season could be delayed. 2023 Projection: 34/10/38/.238/.323/.435/1 Prime Projection: 89/28/92/.257/.348/.487/4

44) Luisangel Acuna TEX, SS/2B, 21.1 – This off-season is going to be your last chance to acquire Acuna at anything resembling a reasonable price. The fact he is overshadowed by his older brother is a hinderance to his hype right now, but when he comes out guns a blazing in the upper minors in 2023, the fact he is Ronald Acuna’s younger bro will add fuel to the hype fire. He destroyed High-A, slashing .317/.417/.483 with 8 homers, 28 steals, and a 25%/14.2% in 54 games. He only put up a 68 wRC+ in 37 games at Double-A, but he was only 20 years old and he wasn’t overmatched at the level with a 21.3%/10.1% K%/BB%. He’s currently hitting well in the AFL with a .822 OPS in 10 games. He’s not big at 5’10”, but he hits the ball hard with plus speed and has a mature plate approach. His profile is not that far off from Corbin Carroll’s honestly, although I’m not saying he will be as good as Carroll. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 84/20/75/.262/.338/.440/25

45) Marco Luciano SFG, SS, 21.7 – The dreaded prospect fatigue seems to have hit Luciano. Injuries and the lack of truly standout numbers are the cause, but his profile remains the same as a potential double plus power bat with a good feel to hit and strong plate approach. He hit 10 homers with a 22.2%/9.6% K%/BB% and 121 wRC+ in 57 games at High-A. He’s a projectable 6’2”, 178 pounds with a powerful righty swing. Don’t let the fatigue completely overcome you, fight it, because a strong showing at Double-A in his 21 year old season could get the hype really popping off again. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 87/29/90/.262/.337/.489/3

46) Gavin Stone LAD, RHP, 24.6 – Stone put up a miniscule 1.48 ERA in 121.2 IP spread across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA), and he thoroughly dominated each level equally with his 1.16 ERA in 23.1 IP at Triple-A being his best mark. It’s all about the elite changeup which is extremely hard for batters to pick up and dives at the last second. He combines that with mid 90’s heat while mixing in a slider, cutter, and sinker. He’ll be right in the mix for that 5th starter job. 2023 Projection: 6/3.93/1.28/91 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.55/1.19/189 in 170 IP

47) Harry Ford SEA, C, 20.1 – Harry Ford and Logan O’Hoppe were my top 2 prospect catcher targets for 2022, and both were big hits. Granted, you could have thrown a rock and hit a catcher prospect breakout with Endy Rodriguez, Bo Naylor, Edgar Quero, Diego Cartaya, Ford, O’Hoppe etc … all having big seasons. Ford used his lightning quick bat, plus speed, and mature plate approach to put up a 132 wRC+ in 104 games at Single-A. He slashed .274/.425/.439 with 11 homers, 23 steals, and a 23%/17.6% K%/BB%. The power didn’t pop, but his home ballpark is one of the worst for homers, and I have no doubts about his long term power as he doesn’t have any groundball issues. He hit 8 homers in 53 games on the road and 3 in 51 games at home. He’s a plus athlete who could play other position, so he could be the type to retain catcher eligibility while still playing 150+ games. He’s still a major buy for me in 2023. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 89/26/86/.268/.350/.479/16

48) Coby Mayo BAL, 3B, 21.4 – Mayo is a 6’5”, 215 pound power hitting bull with an electric, lightning quick swing. He drilled 19 homers in 104 games split between High-A and Double-A. His hit tool took a step back when he got to Double-A with it spiking to 34.5% in 34 games (21.5% at High-A), but he was only 20 and I don’t think he has major hit tool issues. He likely won’t hit for a high average in the majors, but he has legitimate 40 homer upside at peak. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 80/32/91/.256/.338/.515/8

49) Zach Neto LAA, SS, 22.2 – Selected 13th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, LA put any concerns to rest real early about Neto not playing in the toughest college conference (Big South), quickly moving him to Double-A where he thrived, slashing .320/.382/.492 with 4 homers, 4 steals, and a 21.3%/5.9% K%/BB% in 30 games. I loved him even before the big pro debut, writing around draft time, “Maybe I’ve been watching so much Spencer Steer lately that I’m just seeing him in everywhere, but I’m seeing a lot of Steer in Neto’s game. I think they are both taking a page out of Alex Bregman’s book.” He did what he was supposed to do against the inferior college competition with total across the board destruction, and he also proved it in the Cape League with a 1.026 OPS and an 8/8 K/BB in 16 games. He might not win you any one category, but he can make an impact in all of them. He’s ranked 3rd overall on my First Year Player Draft Rankings. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 87/23/81/.276/.342/.458/13

50) Elijah Green WAS, OF, 19.4 – Selected 5th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Green is the ultimate high risk, high reward prospect. He is a fully grown man at 6’3”, 225 pounds and his father, Eric Green, is a former 1st round pick, Pro Bowl NFL Tight End. He has truly elite speed (6.16 60 yard dash) and exit velocity numbers, but it comes with major hit tool risk. He showed the upside and risk in all it’s glory in his MLB debut with a 156 wRC+ and 40.4% K% in 12 games in rookie ball. If you want to shoot for the moon in off-season first year player drafts, Green is your guy. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 81/32/92/.248/.330/.509/17

51) Spencer Jones NYY, OF, 21.11 – Selected 25th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, the 6’7”, 225 pound Jones is the lefty version of Aaron Judge, even down to the fact they each hit “only” 12 homers in their draft year. It’s the hacky comp, but it’s also one that cuts through all the BS. He had some K issues in college with 64 K’s in 61 SEC games, and a high GB% kept the homers in check. His pro debut tamped down some of those concerns though as he played like a man amongst boys, slashing .344/.425/.538 with 4 homers, 12 steals, and a 18.9%/10.4% K%/BB% in 25 games at mostly Single-A. His power is huge enough to overcome a high GB% and he’s a good athlete with stolen base skills. He’ll get plenty of love in first year player drafts, but I suspect it won’t be enough. He’s currently 6th overall in my First Year Player Draft Rankings and is pushing Top 50 overall prospect status. Go after him. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/27/86/.248/.333/.480/9

52) Termarr Johnson PIT, 2B/SS, 18.10 – Selected 4th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Johnson looks like a seasoned MLB vet at the dish, spitting at pitches out of the zone and making excellent contact when he does swing. His swing looks geared more for contact than power at the moment, but he clearly showed his power potential in the 2021 Home Run Derby at Coors where he crushed 24 homers, one of which went 501 feet. He’s currently in the 98.22 percentile in his class for bat speed too. He’s not a burner, but a 6.65 60 yard dash (Perfect Game) is pretty damn good and he stole 9 bags in 8 Team USA games (he slashed .375/.483/.542 in those games), so his speed might be getting undersold. The only hiccup is his pro debut. He had a 27.6% K% in 9 games at rookie ball and a 24.5% K% in 14 games at Single-A. Both marks are far off from elite contact, but he walked a lot at each level and stole 6 bags total. He also put up a 139 wRC+ at Single-A. The guy can play. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 91/23/86/.277/.355/.478/12

53) Cam Collier CIN, 3B, 18.4 – Selected 18th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Collier is one of the youngest players in the class and is already pretty built up, although it looks like there is room for more. He also has the bloodlines with his father, Lou Collier, playing in the majors for 8 years. He played JUCO ball this year as a 17 year old and was hitting bombs with an extremely fast and powerful lefty swing, slashing .333/.419/.537. He then destroyed rookie ball with a 203 wRC+ in 9 games. His plus hit/power combo was made for Great American Ballpark. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 86/28/94/.271/.346/.496/4

54) Kodai Senga NYM, RHP, 30.2 – It’s never easy valuing veteran players from overseas in relation to teenagers in the minors, which is why I don’t think Senga (and Yoshida) should be included in First Year Player Drafts. He should be included in the MLB portion of your off-season festivities with the rest of the 30 year olds. Including him in a prospect draft completely defeats the purpose of having a separate prospect draft, but I know these guys will be included in prospect drafts in most leagues, so let’s get down to business. In general, my strategy at the top of First Year Player Drafts and off-season prospects drafts is to strike gold on the next Julio/Acuna/Soto etc … This is your chance to hit on future superstars or future top 5 prospects who you can trade for current superstars. It’s not really the place to go after a mid rotation starter like Senga. He signed for 5 years, $75 million, which tells you the type of production MLB executives expect him out of him. Good, but not great. His control is solid, but not standout, and his 8.6% BB% was actually below average. He’s not an innings eater type at 6’0, 178 pounds, and he’s only eclipsed 148 IP once since 2017. I say that to show he isn’t a slam dunk, but there are definitely skills here to get excited about. He throws in the mid to upper 90’s and his splitter is a devastating pitch. He also throws an above average slider and average curve. It’s a #2 starter at best, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him struggle a bit. 2023 Projection: 11/3.82/1.26/164 in 160 IP

55) Brandon Pfaadt ARI, RHP, 24.6 – While Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson got eaten up at Reno and the PCL, Pfaadt did nothing but thrive. He put up a pitching line of 2.63/0.99/74/14 in 61.2 IP (4.53 ERA with a 144/19 K/BB in 105.1 IP at Double-A). He throws a high spin, 93+ MPH fastball to go along with a potentially plus slider and changeup as his most used secondaries. He has that juicy combination of near elite control (4.8% BB%) and swing and miss ability (31.6% K%). He’s a definite target of mine in off-season prospect drafts. 2023 Projection: 8/4.18/1.26/146 in 150 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.68/1.17/188 in 180 IP

56) Wilmer Flores DET, RHP, 22.1 – Flores dominates with plus control of a heavily used mid 90’s fastball that gets whiffs in the mold of a George Kirby or Logan Gilbert. He combines that with two potentially plus breaking balls in his slider and curve. High-A hitters didn’t stand a chance with a 1.83 ERA and 35/2 K/BB in 19.2 IP, and while he couldn’t maintain that at Double-A, he was still damn good with a line of 3.01/1.05/95/21 in 83.2 IP. Tack on Detroit being one of the best pitcher’s parks in the league, along with the fact they had the 8th best defense in baseball according to Statcast, and Flores might not be getting nearly the respect he deserves. 2023 Projection: 4/4.08/1.25/66 in 70 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.67/1.15/183 in 178 IP

57) Tanner Bibee CLE, RHP, 24.1 – Bibee’s fastball exploded into the mid 90’s and all hell broke loose. He dominated High-A with a 2.59 ERA and 86/13 K/BB in 59 IP and then pitched even better at Double-A with a 1.83 ERA and 81/14 K/BB in 73.2 IP. He’s always had excellent control, and the bump in stuff took his game to another level. Along with the mid 90’s heat he throws a plus slider, a changeup that flashes plus, and he’ll mix in a curve as well. His name value still isn’t close to his actual value and is a target everywhere. 2023 Projection: 2/4.21/1.28/29 in 30 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.68/1.17/181 in 175 IP

58) Gavin Williams CLE, RHP, 23.8 – Everything plays off the double plus mid 90’s fastball for Williams, and he used that devastating to pitch to rip through the minors in 2022. He had a 1.40 ERA with a 67/14 K/BB in 45 IP at High-A, and then went to Double-A and put up a 2.31 ERA with a 82/26 K/BB in 70 IP. He combines the double plus fastball with 3 quality secondaries in his slider, curve, and change. If he can continue to refine his secondaries and control, he has top of the rotation upside, and he’ll likely settle in as a mid rotation starter if he can’t. 2023 Projection: 2/4.17/1.33/31 in 30 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.63/1.22/178 in 170 IP

59) Diego Cartaya LAD, C, 21.7 – Cartaya is neck and neck with Francisco Alvarez for the most power from a prospect catcher, and at 6’3”, 219 pounds, he might surpass him at peak. He jacked 22 homers in 95 games split between Single-A and High-A. Just look at this whip quick swing from the big man. He looks the part of a major leaguer already. He’s an OBP machine with a 14.1% BB%, but the batting average is likely to remain low with some swing and miss issues (26.7% K%). ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 69/32/84/.245/.338/.508/1

60) Mick Abel PHI, RHP, 21.8 – Abel’s 6’5”, 190 pound build, combined with a 4 pitch mix led by a mid to upper 90’s fastball, screams ace upside, but the numbers and command say more mid rotation starter. He put up a 3.90 ERA with a 130/50 K/BB in 108.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A. Maybe the immediate and unquestioned dominance of Painter put the expectations too high for the still very young Abel. It seems reasonable to expect continued refinement of his command and secondaries in his age 21 year old season. If he can take those steps, his value will skyrocket, but even as is, he’s a damn exciting prospect. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 11/3.71/1.24/181 in 170 IP

61) Daniel Espino CLE, RHP, 22.3 – Espino was on his way to an insane season before falling off the face of the earth. He had a 2.45 ERA with a 35/4 K/BB in 18.1 IP at Double-A in April and then he never pitched again. It started as a knee issue and then turned into a shoulder issue too. The stuff is so nasty with a 5 pitch mix led by an upper 90’s fastball and plus slider, but it was recently reported he is still having problems with his shoulder and is months away from ramping up. In line with how secretive Cleveland was about the injury that shut him down in 2022, it’s still not entirely clear what is going on with his current shoulder injury. The upside is still sky high, but a shoulder injury for a pitcher is especially scary. There is a ton of risk here. 2023 Projection: 1/3.83/1.30/13 in 10 IP Prime Projection:  10/3.51/1.19/188 in 160 IP

62) Logan O’Hoppe LAA, C, 23.2 – I named O’Hoppe “easily the most underrated catcher in the minors” in last off-season’s Targets Series, and while he ended up having some competition for that crown, I didn’t steer you wrong. He slashed .283/.416/.544 with 26 homers, 7 steals, and a 16.6%/15.7% K%/BB% in 104 games at Double-A. He has a real chance at plus hit and plus power, although above average hit/power is probably a more fair expectation. The trade to LA gives him a clear path to playing time, and it looks like he could break camp with the team. 2023 Projection: 48/14/53/.253/.331/.440/2 Prime Projection: 74/24/80/.271/.343/.462/4

63) Gabriel Moreno ARI, C, 23.1 – Trade to Arizona opens up a very clear path to playing time. Moreno experienced a power outage in 2022 with only 3 homers in 62 games at Triple-A, and while he’s shown more power in the past, and some of that was injury related, he’s not a big power hitter. He had a 5.9 degree launch angle with an 89 MPH FB/LD EV in his 25 game MLB debut. What he does do well is get the bat on the ball, putting up an 11% K% in the majors, and his 89.2 MPH AVG EV shows he can hit the ball the hard. His 27.4 ft/sec sprint speed shows he’s a pretty good athlete as well. Moreno is as safe as they come and it’s always nice to have a catcher who can actually help your BA. 2023 Projection: 53/11/47/.270/.328/.420/3 Prime Projection: 78/19/74/.285/.342/.450/3

64) Garrett Mitchell MIL, OF, 24.7 – Milwaukee gave Mitchell the first shot out of their many minor league OF options, and both his risk and upside were on full display. He had a 92.9 MPH EV with a 30.2 ft/sec sprint speed, which led to 2 homers, 8 steals, and a .832 OPS in 68 PA, but it came with a horrific 41.2% whiff% and .266 xwOBA. His 31.5% whiff% wasn’t as bad as the K rate, and while his minor league K numbers were high, they weren’t high to an extreme level (25.6%). His groundball rates were extreme in the minors, but a 9.5 degree launch in the majors is just fine. The profile reminds me of Randy Arozarena. Good things tend to happen if you hit the ball hard, are fast, and can get on base (8.8% BB% in the majors). He mostly played CF and played it well with a 2.3 defensive value. I’m starting to really talk myself into Mitchell, and it seems like he’ll get the first shot at that CF job. I’ll definitely be scooping him up late in a few dynasty leagues this off-season. 2023 Projection: 58/10/42/.229/.301/.392/18 Prime Projection: 78/16/70/.248/.323/.418/28

65) Matt Mervis CHC, 1B, 25.0 – The Marvelous Mr. Mervis set the baseball world on fire with his AFL performance, smashing 6 homers with a .914 OPS in 17 games, but being brutally honest, the .262 BA and .324 OBP isn’t super impressive for a 24 year old who was almost 2 years older than the average player. It’s also an extreme offensive environment. I always caution against putting too much stock into the AFL numbers, but in Mervis’ case, it wasn’t just the AFL, he ripped up the upper minors too, slashing .309/.379/.606 with 36 homers and a 18.5%/8.7% K%/BB% in 137 games split between 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). There is some platoon risk as he hits righties much better than lefties, and this was definitely the best year of his career by far with massive gains to both his power and contact, so there is some “career year” type risk here too. Chicago just signed Hosmer and Mancini, which shows they aren’t ready to just hand the 1B to Mervis, but long term, I think it’s just a road block. 2023 Projection: 49/17/56/.252/.317/.458/1 Prime Projection: 77/29/89/.264/.329/.482/

66) Ceddanne Rafaela BOS, OF, 22.0 – Rafaela is a small (5’8”), electric player who seems to be taking a page out of another small electric player’s playbook, Mookie Betts. Both of their swings start upright before bending into hitting position and exploding on the baseball. Boston obviously has a plan on developing these smaller ballplayers. Rafaela isn’t as good as Betts, but he had an eye opening season, slashing .299/.342/.539 with 21 homers, 28 steals, and a 113/26 K/BB split between High-A (156 wRC+ in 45 games) and Double-A (119 wRC+ in 71 games). He’s a plus defensive centerfielder which should help keep him on the field and mitigates the risk of his low walk rate (5% BB%). Take a star away in OBP leagues, but he could be a 5×5 BA beast in the mold of Cedric Mullins. 2023 Projection: 7/1/4/.245/.293/.390/2 Prime Projection: 84/17/68/.261/.314/.423/22

67) Tyler Soderstrom OAK, C/1B, 21.4 – Soderstrom’s plate approach was not as good as hoped in 2022 with a 26.1%/7.2% K%/BB% in 139 games spread across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA), but the power was huge with 29 bombs. The numbers dropped off when he got to the upper minors (126 wRC+ in 89 games at High-A vs. 101 wRC+ in 36 games at Double-A), but considering how badly some other 20 years olds struggled at Double-A, Soderstrom performed well in comparison. He’s 6’2”, 200 pounds with a powerful lefty swing, so while the groundball rate is high, he’s the type who can still hit for power despite that, and it should keep the BA high especially with the new shift rules. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 72/25/79/.264/.328/.468/1

68) Bo Naylor CLE, C, 23.1 – Naylor just put up a 20/20 season in the upper minors with 26 homers and 20 steals in 118 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. His hit tool was much improved this year too with a 23.7%/16.1% K%/BB%, although the K% spiked to 25.9% at Triple-A and he was a strikeout machine in his very brief MLB cameo with 5 strikeouts in 8 PA. He hit the ball very hard in the 3 at bats he put the ball in play with a 93.9 MPH EV, which shows he has some real juice in his bat. The batting average might hurt you, but his contributions in steals should make up for it, and the starting Cleveland catcher job is his for the taking at the moment. 2023 Projection: 44/16/48/.226/.305/.413/7 Prime Projection: 67/23/76/.240/.325/.448/12

69) Bryan Ramos CHW, 3B, 21.1 – I named Ramos as one of my top targets last off-season as a prospect who was getting zero hype, writing, “This guy just looks like a player to me. It seems likely he will have plus power at peak, and he knows what he’s doing in the batter’s box. His numbers don’t jump out at you (109 wRC+ at Single-A), so that probably keeps him underrated (I think I’m guilty of underrating him myself), but the more I think about Ramos, the more I like him.” That evaluation was right on point as Ramos’ power exploded with 22 homers in 120 games and he maintained his excellent plate approach with a 16.6%/8.7% K%/BB%. He did most of his damage at High-A, and while his numbers dropped off at Double-A (70 wRC+ in 21 games), he was far from overmatched with 3 homers and a 17.4% K%. Even with his great year, he still doesn’t get the love he deserves. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 84/25/86/.277/.340/.469/4

70) Samuel Zavala SDP, OF, 18.9 – In Zavala’s 17 year old season he made it to full season ball and ripped 7 homers with a 118 wRC+ in 33 games. That is quite ridiculous, and it really doesn’t get the hype it deserves. He has a mature plate approach well beyond his years with a 13.5% BB%, and while the strikeout rate is high at 26.2%, it’s not in the danger zone. It’s even better considering how young he was. He’s a good athlete, and at 6’1”, 190 pounds without any groundball issues, there should only be more power coming from here. He’s a major target in off-season prospect drafts before his hype inevitably explodes in 2023. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 88/25/84/.269/.348/.462/8

71) Jackson Merrill SDP, SS, 19.11 – Merrill most certainly looks the part at 6’3”, 195 pounds with a beautiful lefty swing that oozes potential. He used that swing to hit very well at Single-A with a 125 wRC+ and 19.2%/8.7% K%/BB% in 45 games. The problem is that he has an extremely high 59.6% GB%. It was 59.2% in 31 rookie ball games in 2021, so it’s not an aberration. He’s not a burner, going 8 for 13 on the bases, so the power is going to be very important. He has the raw talent to make an adjustment to unlock more power, but I don’t want to go higher than this until he does. We’ve seen plenty of super talented, high groundball prospects never able to make that adjustment and end up better real life hitters than fantasy. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 86/22/77/.278/.346/.442/8

72) Sal Frelick MIL, OF, 23.0 – Frelick flew though 3 levels of the minors (A+, AA, AAA), and his elite plate approach (11.2%/9.6% K%/BB%) shined at each level. He’s one of the safest prospects in the minors. His upside is the issue as he has high groundball rates and limited power (11 homers). He has plus speed, but he didn’t exactly run like crazy with 24 steals in 32 attempts over 119 games. Steven Kwan is a perfect comp really, so if you want safety, I can see ranking him higher. 2023 Projection: 41/7/32/.271/.329/.398/12 Prime Projection: 86/13/59/.282/.350/.407/19

73) Kyle Stowers BAL, OF, 25.3 – Stowers seems to be the forgotten prospect in Baltimore, but his power hitting upside is very real. He cracked 19 homers in 95 games at Triple-A and then got called up to the majors and put up a 91.1 MPH EV with a 107 wRC+ in 98 PA. He’s a lefty that might actually hit lefties better than righties, so there isn’t major platoon risk. He only had a 92.6 MPH FB/LD EV, and there are hit tool concerns with a 29.6% K%, but he will be an excellent later round shot to take in the majority of dynasty leagues. 2023 Projection: 69/24/76/.242/.317/.448/2 Prime Projection: 75/28/84/.253/.326/.470/3

74) Jordan Westburg BAL, SS, 24.1 – Wesburg’s power exploded this year, jacking 27 homers in 138 games split between Double-A and Triple-A after hitting 15 homers in 112 games in 2021. He’s a former 1st round pick who’s an excellent athlete at 6’3”, 203 pounds and has a mature plate approach with a 23.6%/11.3% K%/BB%. He was actually better at Triple-A (129 wRC+ in 91 games) than he was at Double-A (122 wRC+ in 47 games). He’s a big part of the season why I’m concerned Mateo ends up in a super utility role. 2023 Projection: 47/12/51/.246/.312/.408/6 Prime Projection: 74/24/79/.261/.328/.443/11

75) Colson Montgomery CHW, SS, 21.1 – Montgomery most certainly looks the part at 6’4”, 200 pounds with a strong and steady lefty swing that is geared for power and average. He destroyed Single-A with a 152 wRC+ in 45 games, and he performed well at the more age appropriate High-A with a 125 wRC+ and 15.9%/15.9% K%/BB% in 37 games. Like many 20 year olds, he struggled hard when he got to Double-A with a 28.8% K% and 19 wRC+ in 14 games. He doesn’t steal any bases and his 11 homers in 96 games doesn’t jump off the page, so this is more of a scouting bet than anything. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 86/23/78/.269/.346/.454/3

76) Esteury Ruiz OAK, OF, 24.2 – Many a prospect has ripped up the minors only to struggle hard in the majors because they just don’t hit the ball hard enough. It’s like a 5’10” point guard in college basketball who can dominate in college, but gets eaten up in the NBA. That is the risk with Ruiz. He went nuclear in the upper minors, slashing .332/.447/.526 with 16 homers, 85 steals (that isn’t a typo), and a 94/66 K/BB in 114 games, but his EV numbers weren’t good and he put up a 73 MPH EV, 100.2 MPH MAX EV and a .452 OPS in his 36 PA MLB debut. The reason he is ranked this high, is because this man stole 85 bases. That just isn’t done these days. He also has more raw power than is showing up in the EV numbers and he should only get stronger as he matures. Jorge Mateo is a reasonable floor comp, and I think he ends up a level above Mateo. The trade to Oakland gives him a clear path to playing time. 2023 Projection: 53/9/44/.226/.292/.365/25 Prime Projection: 75/13/58/.242/.316/.397/36

77) Joey Wiemer MIL, OF, 24.2 – Wiemer is such at freak athlete at 6’5”, 215 pounds, there is zero question that his power/speed combo will translate no matter what level of competition. He had a rough go of it at Double-A in 84 games with a 30.2%/9.1% K%/BB% and 98 wRC+, but it still didn’t stop him from cracking 15 homers and stealing 25 bags. He then got promoted to Triple-A and proved his hit tool wasn’t a lost cause, slashing .287/.368/.520 with 6 homers, 6 steals, and a 19.5%/12.1% K%/BB% in 43 games. He won’t hit for a high average in the majors, but he only has to get to below average to be a fantasy baseball difference maker. 2023 Projection: 28/8/36/.227/.304/.428/6 Prime Projection: 69/25/79/.238/.314/.455/15

78) Brennen Davis CHC, OF, 23.5 – 2022 was the first speed bump in Davis’ career, and you can’t completely jump ship at the very first sign of struggle with a prospect as talented as Davis. You have to give him a chance to overcome adversity. He underwent back surgery and struggled at Triple-A both before and after the injury with a 77 wRC+ in 44 games at Triple-A. He played in the AFL where he teased his huge potential with a 1.048 OPS in 5 games, but was then shutdown with “general soreness” which they claim is unrelated to the back injury. No two ways about it, it was a disaster year, but years like this happen in baseball. He’s still an elite athlete at 6’4”, 210 pounds. I would be surprised if he didn’t come back with a big year in 2023. 2023 Projection: 29/9/33/.229/.304/.430/4 Prime Projection: 79/27/82/.253/.332/.470/8

79) Dustin Harris TEX, OF/1B, 23.9 – Harris only had a 107 wRC+ in 85 games at Double-A, but the individual components looked even better with 17 homers, 19 steals, and a 19.4%/11% K%/BB%. He hit the ball in the air a ton with a 29.1% GB%, which is great for homers, but also means his .257 BA was not only the result of bad luck. He’s getting surprisingly little hype considering he doesn’t have many weaknesses, including being a lefty who hits lefties well. Well, I guess he does have one weakness, defense, and that could be his biggest hurdle to playing time. 2023 Projection: 17/5/19/.244/.309/.429/3 Prime Projection: 78/26/83/.258/.335/.472/12

80) Everson Pereira NYY, OF, 22.0 – Pereira was not able to maintain his insane power surge in 2021 (20 homers in 49 games), hitting 14 homers with a 49.5% GB% in 102 games split between High-A and Double-A. The strikeout rate remained high as well with a 26.8% K% at High-A and 30.1% K% at Double-A. A high strikeout rate with a high groundball rate is not the best combo, but he has the type of raw power and speed (21 steals) to make it work a la Randy Arozarena. He still put up a 120 wRC+ and 128 wRC+ at High-A and Double-A, respectively. It’s a high risk, high reward profile who has still has a wide range of outcomes despite being 21 years old with a taste of the upper minors. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/23/77/.251/.332/.447/15

81) Luis Ortiz PIT, RHP, 24.2 – Ortiz had an eye opening MLB debut in September. He came up firing a 98.4 MPH fastball with a plus slider that put up a 47.3% whiff%. The stuff is straight filthy. It only led to a 4.50 ERA in 16 IP because his control is shaky (14.5% BB%) and he needs to improve his changeup (5.1% usage). His 4.56 ERA in 124.1 IP at mostly Double-A also isn’t that impressive, but the 138/38 K/BB looks much better. There is plenty of reliver risk, but Pitt has no reason not to give him every opportunity to start. There is ace upside ceiling if everything truly comes together, but mid rotation starter with high K rates is a more realistic good outcome scenario. 2023 Projection: 6/3.98/1.33/103 in 100 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.55/1.22/181 in 165 IP

82) Adael Amador COL, SS, 20.0 – Amador put up truly elite contact (12.1%) and walk (15.7% BB%) rates in 115 games at Single-A, making him one of the safest lower minor prospects in the game. There is little doubt this guy will be a major leaguer, the only question is how high his upside is. He doesn’t have huge raw power and he put up a 53.8% GB%, although 15 homers in 115 games ain’t bad. He’s fast, but he’s been a low percentage base stealer in his career (36 for 55 in 162 games). Some guys in this bucket do explode to elite status like Jose Ramirez, so I’m hesitant to cap his upside, but I don’t think it’s a fair expectation. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 91/18/70/.282/.356/.429/14

83) Henry Davis PIT, C, 23.6 – Davis was limited to just 59 games battling a recurring wrist injury and it certainly seemed to negatively impact his performance with a 97 wRC+ in 31 games once he got to Double-A. He’s in the AFL and while he’s hitting well overall with a .875 OPS, it’s come with only 1 homer in 17 games. He destroyed High-A before the injury with a 181 wRC+ in 22 games, and his contact rates were above average all season, so I’m betting on his power being just fine in the long run. Even with the Endy Rodriguez breakout, there is nothing but opportunity in Pittsburgh. 2023 Projection: 28/8/32/.246/.318/.424/2 Prime Projection: 72/25/82/.263/.332/.470/6

84) Michael Busch LAD, 2B/OF, 25.5 – Busch is as easy as it comes to evaluate. He’s a lefty masher with high strikeout and walk rates. He crushed 32 homers with a 167/74 K/BB in 142 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s a poor defensive player, but LA knew that when they took him 31st overall in the 2019 Draft. If he hits, they’ll find a spot for him, and I think he’s gonna hit. 2023 Projection: 34/11/36/.237/.318/.441/2 Prime Projection: 87/28/87/.251/.343/.488/3

85) Kevin Alcantara CHC, OF, 20.9 – Alcantara didn’t have the huge statistical breakout, but he still hit damn well, slashing .273/.360/.451 with 15 homers, 14 steals, and a 24.8%/11.1% K%/BB% in 112 games at Single-A. He’s a physical specimen at 6’6”, 188 pounds and is an excellent athlete, playing mostly in CF. He’s extremely easy to dream on with upside for days. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/26/81/.250/.327/.466/11

86) Brooks Lee MIN, SS, 22.1 – Selected 8th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Lee is a switch hitter with a very simple and easy swing from both sides of the plate. He’s an advanced hitter who has hit for high averages everywhere he’s been in his amateur career (.354 BA with 117/98 K/BB in 209 games, including the Cape), and he took his power to the next level this year with 15 homers in 58 games. He then stepped into pro ball and didn’t miss a beat with a 15.8%/14% K%/BB% and 4 homers in 25 games at High-A. He got a small taste of Triple-A and went 3 for 8 in 2 games. Lee could be the safest bat in this year’s First Year Player Draft. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 89/22/77/.278/.346/.464/5

87) DL Hall BAL, LHP, 24.7 – Hall’s had major control issues his entire career and it really didn’t take a step forward this year with a 14.2% BB% and 1.45 WHIP in 76.2 IP at Triple-A. His stuff is utter filth, so he can be effectively wild with a whiff inducing 96.2 MPH fastball to go along with a potentially plus slider, change, and curve. The stuff translated against MLB hitters with a 29.7%/9.4% K%/BB% in 13.2 IP mostly coming out the pen, albeit with a 5.93 ERA (2.57 ERA). Baltimore’s rotation is so weak at the moment, there is no reason they wouldn’t give him every opportunity to start, and he has legitimate ace upside if the control takes a step or two forward. 2023 Projection: 7/3.95/1.37/130 in 120 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.65/1.32/195 in 172 IP

88) Austin Wells NYY, C, 23.8 – The Yankees took their sweet old time getting Wells to Double-A, but he didn’t disappoint when he got there, maintaining his mature plate approach with a 23.5%/11.7% K%/BB%, hitting for power with 12 homers, and showing some base stealing skills too with 7 steals in 7 attempts over 55 games. He’s kept the ball off the ground his entire career, so he’s bound to do damage with the Yanks short porch. He’s also yet to play any position other than catcher, which could indicate the Yanks are dedicated to him behind the plate. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/24/79/.258/.336/.457/8

89) Connor Norby BAL, 2B, 22.10 – Norby must have been bored at High-A because he lifted off when he got to the upper minors. He put a 99 wRC+ in 48 games at High-A, a 158 wRC+ in 64 games at Double-A, and a 190 wRC+ in 9 games at Triple-A. It resulted in 29 dingers, 16 steals, and a 20.8%/10.1% K%/BB% in 121 games. It’s a do it all profile and it shouldn’t be long before he gets his first shot at the bigs. 2023 Projection: 58/14/61/.258/.324/.427/7 Prime Projection: 82/22/78/.275/.339/.450/10

90) Gavin Cross KC, OF, 22.2 – Selected 9th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Cross is a big hulking slugger at 6’3”, 215 pounds, and he lived up to his stature with 17 homers and a .660 SLG in 57 ACC games before hitting pro ball and jacking 8 homers in 29 games at mostly Single-A. He’s also a pretty good athlete with the ability to play CF and nab a few bags. There is a little swing and miss in his game evidenced by a 25.2% K% in 26 games at Single-A, but he’s the type who could maintain a good BA regardless. His very strong pro debut (174 wRC+) makes it easy to buy in. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/26/83/.260/.337/.469/7

91) Masataka Yoshida BOS, OF, 29.9 – If you’re in a 30 teamer or super deep roster 20+ team league, I can see taking Yoshida as high as 3rd overall. In those leagues there are sometimes (or almost always) zero players who get more than like 300 PA on the waiver wire. It makes securing a player like Yoshida valuable. Yoshida’s game is elite contact rates (8.1% K%) with an elite plate approach (15.7% BB%) and some power (21 homers in 121 games). He’s only 5’8”, 176 pounds, and Fenway Park is below average for lefty homers, so I would hesitate to expect big homer totals. He also isn’t a big base stealer. The upside isn’t huge, he’s already pushing 30, and there is risk with that inherent unknown of moving to a new league in a new country, but I’m definitely betting on Yoshida being a legit MLB hitter. 2023 Projection: 83/16/65/.281/.342/.428/5

92) Junior Caminero TBR, 3B, 19.9 – Caminero has ran roughshod with a plus hit/power combo over every league he’s played in. He put up a .914 OPS in the DSL in 2021, a .895 OPS in stateside rookie ball in 2022, a .864 OPS at Single-A in 2022, and a .895 OPS in the ABL (Australia) in 2022/23. It’s good for a .302 BA with 27 homers and a 17.5%/9.7% K%/BB% in 129 career games across all levels. He’s not a huge guy at 5’11’, but he has a quick and athletic righty swing that is geared for power and average. He could end up with plus hit and plus power, although I think above average in each is a more fair projection. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 82/26/88/.276/.338/.475/5

93) Alex Ramirez NYM, OF, 20.6 – The super projectable Ramirez remains super projectable at a skinny 6’3”, so even though he hit only 11 homers in 121 games, there is much more coming down the road. The more encouraging thing is that he started to refine his game in 2022 with a very good 22.9%/9.2% K%/BB% in 67 games at Single-A and a 22%/6.5% K%/BB% in 54 games at High-A. It led to a 129 wRC+ at the age appropriate Single-A and a 109 wRC+ at High-A. He’s a poor base stealer, going 21 for 37 on the bases (4 for 11 at High-A), so he’ll probably only contribute a handful at peak especially as he slows down, but Ramirez has the type of skillset that could explode into elite prospect territory in short order. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 84/23/78/.268/.333/.458/11

94) Miguel Bleis BOS, OF, 19.1 – Bleis is a scout’s dream. He’s a long and lean 6’3”, 170 pounds with a quick and athletic swing. The high priced international signing played well in 2021 in the DSL, but he really exploded this year at stateside rookie ball, slashing .301/.353/.543 with 5 homers, 18 steals, and a 26.9%/6.9% K%/BB% in 40 games. He’s not a finished product as evidenced by his plate approach numbers, but if you’re looking for the type who could be an elite prospect very quickly into 2023, Bleis is your guy. ETA: 2025/26 Prime Projection: 75/22/80/.252/.317/465/14

95) Hayden Wesneski CHC, RHP, 25.4 – Wesneski impressed in his MLB debut with a pitching line of 2.18/0.94/33/7 in 33 IP. He did it on the back of near elite control (5.3% BB%) and weak contact (84.5 MPH EV against). I’m still staying a bit hesitant because he didn’t show this level of control or production at Triple-A with a 3.92 ERA and 106/33 K/BB in 110.1 IP, and his stuff isn’t exactly overpowering with a 93.1 MPH fastball and a slider that put up a decent, but not elite 33.3% whiff%. He throws a 5 pitch mix and he understands the art of the pitching, so I think he’ll be a solid MLB starter, but I’m not sure he’s going to be a fantasy difference maker. 2023 Projection: 8/4.15/1.28/136 in 145 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.86/1.22/171 in 170 IP

96) Spencer Steer CIN, SS/2B/3B, 25.4 – Low EV numbers in a prospects MLB debut are a bit scary to me, and Steer’s 84.7 MPH EV in 108 PA put a halt to his hype train from the destruction he laid in the upper minors. He slashed .274/.364/.515 with 23 homers, 4 steals, and a 89/51 K/BB in 106 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He hit the ball harder in the minors, but he’s no Aaron Judge, and at 25 years old already, it’s hard to say there is much more power coming. It wasn’t all bad in the majors as he showed a strong plate approach with a 24.1%/10.2% K%/BB% and an above average 24.8% Chase%. His 90.1 MPH FB/LD EV also isn’t as hopeless as his average, and I don’t want to put too much weight on the small sample. He’s in a great ballpark and I’m betting on those EV numbers coming up enough for Steer to do damage. I would buy his poor MLB debut. 2023 Projection: 44/14/42/.250/.316/.419/3 Prime Projection: 77/23/76/.267/.334/.446/5

97) Christian Encarnacion-Strand CIN, 1B/3B, 23.4 – Strand has destroyed every level he’s been at, putting up a 1.103 OPS in 2021 in the Big 12, a 1.022 OPS at Single-A in 2021, a .986 OPS at High-A in 2022, and a .934 OPS at Double-A in 2022. He has big time power, smashing 32 homers in 122 games split between High-A and Double-A this year. The plate approach isn’t great with a 25.0%/4.8% K%/BB% at Double-A, and he’s not a good defensive player, so he will likely have to scratch and claw for playing time. The trade to Cincinnati from Minnesota gives him both a major ballpark upgrade and also an opportunity upgrade. 2023 Projection: 11/4/13/.233/.298/.425/0 Prime Projection: 68/26/81/.247/.316/.462/3

98) Will Benson CIN, OF, 24.10 – Benson’s trade to Cincinnati is an absolute boon for his value. It is very possible, and maybe likely, that Cincinnati does not have a single legitimate MLB starting OF on their roster. I’ll take it a step further and say it is possible they don’t even have a single future MLB starting OF in their entire organization. Odds are that someone emerges from the fringe options they have at all levels, but that is exactly the point, because if it’s Benson who emerges, you are not going to want to see him on another person’s dynasty team. He was always trending towards being a late career breakout type. A guy whose elite athleticism would be patiently waiting for his baseball skills to catch up. And those baseball skills caught up in a big way last year with him drastically cutting his strikeout rate to a very reasonable 22.7%. He has a near elite power/speed combo and now will be hitting in an amazing hitter’s park with nothing but opportunity. He’s a buy in all league types. 2023 Projection: 46/14/42/.231/.310/.429/11 Prime Projection: 79/24/78/.240/.321/.443/16

99) Pedro Leon HOU, OF/2B, 24.10 – Leon underwent sports hernia surgery which will likely delay the start of his season. He has huge fantasy upside with a plus power/speed combo that led to 17 homers and 38 steals in 115 games at Triple-A, but his 28.8% K% and .228 BA creates major risk. He’s also already 24 years old, so it will likely be an issue his entire career. He walks a ton with a 14.1% BB%, and he’s a premium athlete, so he has the talent to overcome a low batting average. 2023 Projection: 29/9/32/.218/.302/.403/10 Prime Projection: 78/24/74/.233/.320/.435/18

100) Brayan Rocchio CLE, SS/2B, 22.3 – Rocchio is a safe prospect who is a plus defensive player and has plus contact rates, but I’m worried about his fantasy upside. He doesn’t have big raw power at 5’10”, 170 pounds, and while he has plus speed, he’s a poor base stealer going 14 for 23. His numbers in the upper levels of the minors were solid, but not standout, slashing .257/.336/.420 with 18 homers, 14 steals, and a 102/54 K/BB in 132 games. He’s not a target of mine, and because he has strong name value, if I owned him I would be willing to put him on the block for win now production. 2023 Projection: 16/3/13/.252/.301/.393/3 Prime Projection:  81/18/68/.273/.330/.431/12

101) Yanquiel Fernandez COL, OF, 19.8 – Fernandez could be the most underrated prospect in the minors. He has a sweet lefty swing that screams impact MLB player. It’s quick and powerful from a 6’2”, 200 pound frame. It led to 21 homers in 112 games at Triple-A. It also doesn’t come with any hit tool issues as he had a 21.8% K% and .284 BA. This is a very legitimate middle of the order bat profile, and he’s being valued at ridiculously dirt cheap prices right now. I would jump all over Fernandez this off-season. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/30/93/.261/.328/.487/4

102) Carson Williams TBR, SS, 19.9 – Williams is a long and lean 6’2”, 180 pounds with plus speed and an explosive righty swing that screams upside. He smacked 19 homers with 28 steals and a 124 wRC+ in 113 games at Single-A. The one holdup is that he stuck out 32.1% of the time. That is firmly in the danger zone, but considering his athleticism and the fact he is very young for his class, I’m betting on that coming down enough to let his other tools shine. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/24/79/.243/.322/.447/14

103) Edwin Arroyo CIN, SS, 19.7 – Arroyo had a huge start to the season, cracking 12 homers in his first 63 games, but he hit only 2 homers in 53 games the rest of the way. His K% took a step back too, putting up a 22.8% K% in 87 games with Seattle and a 28.4% K% in 27 games after getting traded to Cincinnati. He had a high BABIP and a mediocre 8.5% BB%. He’s not some insane athlete, the hit tool has risk, and there isn’t big raw power. I say all this to just give some caution, because he had a damn exciting triple slash of .293/.366/.480 with 14 homers and 27 steals at Single-A. The upside isn’t huge, but it’s hard not to be impressed by this level of performance from someone who was 18 years old for most of the year. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/18/72/.258/.320/.427/18

104) Alexander Canario CHC, OF, 22.11 – Canario has one of the most visually explosive swings in the minors. If a bazooka played baseball, it would swing like Canario. He demolished 37 homers in 125 games split across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). He has speed too with 23 steals. It’s the hit tool that is the issue. He had a 27.5% K% overall, and his BA tanked to .248 at Double-A, .231 at Triple-A, and .172 in the Dominican Winter League. Speaking of the Dominican Winter League, he suffered a serious injury on the bases which required surgery for a broken ankle and dislocated shoulder, although he seems to be good to go for 2023. When healthy, I have no doubt he’ll do damage against any level of pitcher, but it just might come with a batting average that flirts with the Gallo line. 2023 Projection: 28/10/33/.219/.297/.431/5 Prime Projection: 71/27/79/.232/.314/.458/10

105) Max Meyer MIA, RHP, 24.1 – Meyer underwent Tommy John surgery on August 9th which will likely keep him out for all of 2023. When you own young flame throwing prospects, you just have to factor in 1-2 missed years with Tommy John, it’s only a matter of when. Before going down with the injury he was having a good but not dominant season at Triple-A with a 3.72 ERA and 28.4%/8.3% K%/BB% in 58 IP. He got a taste of the majors where he proved his plus slider would play with a .256 xwOBA, 42.1% whiff%, and 46.1% usage in 6 IP, but both his 94.8 MPH fastball and changeup got crushed. A high end mid-rotation starter is looking like his reasonable upside, and I still think there is some bullpen risk. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 12/3.68/1.19/167 in 160 IP

106) Cody Morris CLE, RHP, 26.5 – Morris put up a 51.7% K% with a 2.35 ERA in 15.1 IP at Triple-A, and then he made his MLB debut and put up a 2.28 ERA with a 28.7% whiff% in 23.2 IP. He’s racked up K’s his entire career led by a high spin, swing and miss mid 90’s fastball. He rounds out his repertoire with a cutter, change and curve. The changeup is his best secondary and it dominated in the majors with a .223 xwOBA and 47.6% whiff%. He got a late start to the year because of a shoulder injury, and he battled a shoulder injury in 2021 as well, so the injury risk is high. He also mostly pitched short outings in 2022, so the bullpen risk might be high too. Regardless of where he ends up, Morris has undeniable fantasy upside and his hype does not match his upside. Go after him. 2023 Projection: 4/3.55/1.28/64 in 60 IP (out of the pen) Prime Projection: 10/3.75/1.26/169 in 155 IP

107) Jarlin Susana WASH, RHP, 19.0 – If you’re looking for the next rocket ship pitching prospect, Susana is your guy. He’s 6’6”, 235 pounds with a fastball that can hit over 100 MPH to go along with a 90+ MPH potentially plus slider and 90+ MPH developing changeup. It’s basically the Hunter Greene starter pack. He put up a 2.40 ERA with a 66/20 K/BB in 45 IP split between rookie ball and Single-A. There are some control problems and those 45 innings are the extent of his pro career, so there is plenty of risk here. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 13/3.55/1.24/195 in 175 IP

108) Aaron Zavala TEX, OF, 22.9 – Zavala is strong and thick at 6’0”, 193 pounds with a thunderous lefty swing that produces tons of hard contact. He combines that with an excellent plate approach that led to an excellent season split between High-A (144 wRC+) and Double-A (133 wRC+), slashing .277/.420/.453 with 16 homers, 14 steals, and a 108/89 K/BB in 111 games. He’s never put up huge homer totals, and he’s not a burner with average speed, so he’ll probably be a more rock solid MLB hitter than league winning fantasy hitter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 82/22/77/.267/.345/.416/9

109) Will Brennan CLE, OF, 25.2 – Brennan is basically Steven Kwan 2.0. In 129 games split between Double-A and Triple-A he displayed an elite plate approach (11.7%/8.8% K%/BB%) with some pop (13 homers) and speed (20 steals). He made his MLB debut and showed the skills will completely transfer, slashing .357/.400/.500 with 1 homer, 2 steals, and a 8.9%/4.4% K%/BB% in 45 PA. His 89.8 MPH EV was very encouraging and while his 27.4 ft/sec sprint speed is only average, he has good base running instincts. He has major platoon splits (.909 OPS vs. righties and .647 OPS vs. lefties), so he’s shaping up to be a strong side of a platoon bat starting as early as Opening Day 2023. 2023 Projection: 59/10/53/.281/.338/.410/11 Prime Projection: 84/15/68/.290/.354/.421/16

110) Andy Pages LAD, OF, 22.4 – Pages 102 wRC+ at Double-A doesn’t jump off the page, but he was only 21 year old at the advanced level, and his profile remains the same as a low BA, high OBP slugger. He cracked 26 homers with a 24.9%/10.9% K%/BB% in 132 games. The reason I have Busch ranked over him is that Busch has a launch angle conducive to power and BA, but Pages has an extreme 50.4% flyball percentage which led to a .236 BA. There is very real batting average risk especially if the balls remain dead. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 83/28/87/.241/.330/.479/6

111) Orelvis Martinez TOR, SS, 21.4 – I think it will be a mistake to judge Martinez’ relatively weak year at Double-A too harshly. So many hyped 20 year olds who dominated the lower minors struggled hard when they got promoted to Double-A during the year. Veen, Soderstrom, Lawlar, and Hassell all had a rough go of it. Martinez played at the level all season and his 96 wRC+ easily beat all of those guys. The .203 BA looks ugly, but his 28.5%/8.1% K%/BB% isn’t really that horrific considering his age. And the kid jacked 30 homers, which almost gets taken for granted. The plate appraoch was improving towards the end of the season, and it looks good this spring too. He’s a buy for me. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/31/87/.241/.318/.474/5

112) Kevin Parada NYM, C, 21.8 – If you liked Henry Davis, you are going to love Keven Parada. Selected 11th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Parada looks the part of a catcher with two tree trunks for legs. He used that power base to have an insane power explosion this season, going from 9 homers in 2021, to 26 homers in 2022 over 60 ACC games. He also has a strong hit tool with a .361 BA and 32/30 K/BB. His value held serve in his pro debut, hitting the ball hard and putting up a .880 OPS in 13 games at mostly Single-A. I wouldn’t be too worried about New York already having Francisco Alvarez as they can both catch a ton of games and then DH on the other days. It will also preserve their careers in the long run. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 78/25/81/.268/.339/.475/3

113) Nolan Jones COL, OF, 24.11 – Jones Statcast numbers were already super interesting with a 95.4 MPH FB/LD EV and 14.5% Barrel% in 94 PA, and now with the trade to Coors, it’s hard to not be in on Jones. Colorado has been known to mess around with their young hitters, but none of those young hitters really forced the issue. Jones has the goods to force the issue with high walk rates and plus power. He struck out 33% of the time, but his 29.9% whiff% tells me not to be overly concerned with the K’s. Rodgers shoulder injury now gives him an even better chance of finding playing time. 2023 Projection: 51/14/49/.247/.328/.430/3 Prime Projection: 82/24/79/.260/.345/.453/5

114) Chase DeLauter CLE, OF, 20.9 – Selected 16th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, DeLauter is a big, slugging lefty who destroyed the lesser Colonial Conference, and then really exploded on the scene when he wrecked the wood bat Cape League, slashing .298/.397/.589 with 9 homers, 5 steals, and a 18/21 K/BB in 34 games. He was in the midst of going absolutely bonkos this year (1.404 OPS in 24 games) before breaking his foot. Assuming full health, he has the potential for at least plus power with plus speed and an advanced plate approach. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 80/26/84/.252/.333/.470/13 Update: Delauter underwent surgery for his broken foot on January 10th and is expected to miss 4-5 months. This doesn’t tank his value, but it does drop him down a bit

115) Blaze Jordan BOS, 3B/1B, 20.4 – Blaze clearly came into 2022 with a plan to not just be an all or nothing slugger, and he accomplished that plan with a 16.1%/8.9% K%/BB% in 95 games at Single-A. It came with a low FB% and only 8 homers, but he’s been known for his prodigious power for years now so it’s more important for his development to establish his hit tool. He then closed out the season at High-A where he put up a 128 wRC+ with 4 homers in 25 games. The bat is legit. The issue is on the other side of the ball as Blaze played a lot of 1B this year. He’s not a lock to move off 3B, but it’s clearly a possibility, and that puts all of the pressure on his bat to hit it’s ceiling. ETA: 2024/25 Prime Projection: 77/26/86/.260/.324/.475/3

116) Jose Salas MIN, SS/2B/SS, 19.9 – Salas started the year as an 18 year old in full season ball, and while he didn’t go full breakout, he laid the foundation for it in 2023 and beyond. He’s 6’2”, 191 pounds with a whip quick swing from both sides of the plate (he’s better from the left) that is both short and powerful. He hit only 9 homers in 109 games split between Single-A and High-A, but there is no doubt in my mind he will add more power as he ages. His plus hit tool and base running are his best skills right now, putting up a 20%/9% K%/BB% with 33 steals in 34 attempts against competition that was 2 to 3 years older than him on average. It was good for a 123 wRC+ at Single-A in 61 games and a 88 wRC+ in 48 games at High-A. His plate approach was actually a little better at High-A with a 18.9%/9.2% K%/BB%, so he was hardly overmatched. He has legitimate star potential, and the strong hit tool gives him a safe floor. He doesn’t get nearly the respect he deserves. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 88/24/82/.277/.346/.471/16

117) Ken Waldichuk OAK, LHP, 25.3 – Waldichuk destroyed the upper levels of the minors with a 2.84 ERA and 137/36 K/BB in 95 IP, but he wasn’t able to keep it up when Oakland gave him his shot in the majors with a 4.93 ERA and 33/10 K/BB in 34.2 IP. He throws a traditional 4 pitch mix and while none are truly standout, all of them are legitimate major league pitches. His 94.1 MPH fastball is the money maker and his above average slider is his best secondary. His 25.2% whiff% and 6.8% BB% shows there is potential to round into a solid mid rotation arm. 2023 Projection: 7/4.28/1.29/145 in 150 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.82/1.24/170 in 170 IP

118) Ronny Mauricio NYM, SS, 22.0 – The good news is that Mauricio is fully realizing his power potential, crushing 26 homers in 123 games at Double-A, but the bad news is that he just can’t seem to refine his plate approach with a 23.1%/4.4% K%/BB%. It makes it tough to buy into him in OBP leagues, but I wouldn’t be too scared off in 5×5 BA leagues because his defense should be able to keep him on the field. He’s been young for every level he’s played at, and he played damn well in the Dominican Winter League with 5 homers, 10 steals, an .803 OPS and a 43/10 K/BB in 47 games, so don’t let the plate approach scare you off too much. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/25/82/.264/.317/.455/9

119) Gabriel Gonzalez SEA, OF, 19.3 – Gonzalez might not have the highest upside as he’s not a huge tools guy. He doesn’t have monster power or speed, and he’s not a hulking human being at about 5’11”, but what he does have is monster baseball skills. He destroyed the DSL in 2021 with a 141 wRC+ in 54 games, then he crushed stateside rookie ball in 2022 with a 164 wRC+ in 35 games, before making his full season debut and barely slowing down with a 14%/8.7% K%/BB% and 116 wRC+ in 32 games at Single-A. He has a plus hit tool with near elite contact rates his entire career, and there is plus power potential especially considering the quality of contact. He’s not a burner but he should be able to nab a handful of steals as well. He’s one of the safest teenage prospects in the game and it’s not like there isn’t some upside in here either. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 85/25/85/.278/.343/.473/9

120) Anthony Gutierrez TEX, OF, 18.4 – Gutierrez is one of the top answers to the popular question, “what prospect outside the Top 100 can fly up the rankings in 2023?” He’ll be inside my Top 100, but you get my point. Gutierrez is a projectable 6’3”, 180 pounds with a super smooth and quick righty swing. He so quickly impressed the Rangers in his pro debut in the DSL (150 wRC+ in 23 games), they quickly promoted him to stateside rookie ball where he held his own with an 18.4% K% and 91 wRC+. He has the potential to hit for average and power, to go along with plus athleticism. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 80/25/86/.272/.336/.470/12

121) Luis Matos SFG, OF, 21.2 – Matos was one of the biggest prospect fallers of 2022. He put up a 73 wRC+ with a career worst 16% K% and a still bad 6.6% BB% in 91 games at High-A. It seems to me he was trying to become a more patient hitter, and he did walk a lot more in the 1st half with an 8.3% BB% in his first 63 games, but it came with a terrible .567 OPS. He went back to his more free swinging ways when the calendar turned to August and it went much better, slashing .283/.312/.462 with 5 homers, 7 steals, and a 3.2% BB% in his last 33 games. Still not exactly lighting the world on fire, and it’s not a great sign that he was unsuccessful in his attempt to improve. He’s very young, and the profile is still exciting as a guy who gets the bat on the ball, hits it in the air, has developing power, and is fast, so don’t completely give up on him. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 83/21/70/.272/.318/.439/14

122) Deyvison De Los Santos ARI, 3B, 19.9 – De Los Santos has the frame of an NFL fullback with 2 tree trunks for legs. He has double plus raw power that led to him smashing 22 homers in 126 games at mostly Single-A and High-A, and he did it while being 18 years old for a large portion of the season. He made it all the way up to Double-A for 10 games to close out the season (83 wRC+). Power is his only plus skill though. He has a poor plate approach (26.3%/6.1% K%/BB%), an over 50% GB%, and not much speed. Power can cure a lot of ills, and he’ll still be only 19 years old next season, so he could easily blow up to be an elite power hitting prospect with further refinement. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/28/88/.252/.328/.488/3

123) Josue De Paula LAD, OF, 17.10 – De Paula might be my favorite DSL breakout. He’s in a great organization, has athletic bloodlines (Stephon Marbury is his cousin), has great size (6’3”, 185), and great production (162 wRC+ with a 13.9%/14.3% K%/BB% in 53 DSL games). He made his first appearance on my in-season Top 300+ Monthly Prospects Rankings in July (257th overall), and rose all the way to 139th overall on my Top 360 End of Season Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings over on Patreon. DSL prospects are as high risk as they come, but he has a legitimate chance to become one of the next big things. Buy now. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/25/84/.271/.336/.473/12

124) Jose Rodriguez CHW, SS/2B, 21.11 – Rodriguez absolutely exploded when everyone already turned their head on him, slashing .333/.399/.544 with 10 homers, 28 steals, and a 29/24 K/BB in his final 54 games at Double-A. He had a rough 1st half with 1 homer and a .582 OPS in 50 games. Opinions tend to cement in the prospect world during the 1st half, and 2nd half breakouts are almost invariably underrated the next off-season, especially early on. His season ended early on August 20th when he needed hamate bone surgery after an awkward swing, but it’s not a long term concern. Rodriguez will be a great value in off-season prospect drafts. 2023 Projection: 15/2/9/.263/.308/.388/6 Prime Projection: 82/16/68/.281/.331/.416/23

125) Zack Gelof OAK, 2B/3B, 23.6 – Gelof’s 2022 was a bit of a mixed bag. He showed big time power potential with 18 homers in 96 games in the upper minors. He went particularly bonkos when he got to Triple-A with 5 homers in 9 games. He’s also a good athlete and nabbed 10 bags. On the flip side, he showed more swing and miss than optimal with a 27.5% K%, and he also didn’t hit all that well in the AFL with a .683 OPS in 21 games. I pegged him as a rock solid MLB bat before the year, and his value held serve in 2022. Add a star for proximity as Oakland has no reason not to promote him very quickly into 2023. 2023 Projection: 48/13/53/.237/.308/.422/7 Prime Projection: 74/24/81/.252/.325/.451/10

126) Drey Jameson ARI, RHP, 25.8 – Jameson was in the midst of a disaster season at Triple-A with a 6.95 ERA and 21.2% K% in 114 IP before his impressive MLB debut saved his season. He put up a pitching line of 1.48/1.11/24/7 in 24.1 IP. The 4-seamer averaged 95.9 MPH and his devastating slider transferred to the majors with a 46% whiff% and .232 xwOBA. He used a 94.4 MPH sinker to keep the ball on the ground and it led to a 3.2 degree launch angle. He started the year at Double-A where he put up a 2.41 ERA and 23/4 K/BB in 18.2 IP, so it seems he just couldn’t get right at Reno and the PCL. I’m inclined to give him a pass, but it’s also hard to ignore completely how terrible he was. The nasty stuff is undeniable, but I’m still staying a little hesitant. 2023 Projection: 7/4.28/1.30/161 in 160 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.87/1.29/172 in 165 IP

127) Mark Vientos NYM, 3B/1B, 23.4 – Vientos is 6’4”, 185 pounds with a big righty hack that is made to hit dingers. He jacked 24 homers in 101 games games at Triple-A and then hit the majors and put up a 93.3 MPH EV in 41 PA. On the flip side, he has major hit tool concerns which could tank him with a 28.6% K% at Triple-A and a 29.3% K% (.167 BA) in the majors. He also isn’t a great defensive player and he had pretty major splits this year (.734 vs righties/1.094 vs lefties). The risk is that he becomes a short side of a platoon DH/bench bat, but the upside is a 30+ homer bat. 2023 Projection: 29/10/38/.228/.297/.425/0 Prime Projection: 68/26/79/.248/.327/.488/1

128) Jhonkensy Noel CLE, 1B/3B, 21.9 – Power, power, and more power. The 6’1”, 250 pound Noel has power for days as he crushed 32 homers mostly split between High-A and Double-A. He actually performed better at Double-A, bringing his K% down 9 percentage points to 22.7% and his BB% up 3.7 percentage points to 10.8%. He’s definitely a batting average risk with a .229 BA, but his K rates haven’t been out of control throughout his career, so I don’t think it’s a deal breaker. What could be the deal breaker is that he’s not a good defensive player and he’s not a particularly high OBP guy either, so playing time could be hard to come by. His bat will have to hit it’s ceiling to see full time at bats. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 63/23/77/.241/.320/.478/2

129) Kerry Carpenter DET, OF, 25.7 – Carpenter is a lefty with a relatively high launch angle (14.5 degrees), poor plate approach (28.3%/5.3% K%/BB%) and good but not huge EV numbers (87.2 MPH AVG, 93.9 MPH FB/LD, 107.3 MAX) who plays in a ballpark that is horrific for lefty homers (although they changed the park dimensions this-offseason). That is a recipe for an extremely low batting average. The surface stats were strong in his debut, slashing .252/.310/.485 with 6 homers in 31 games, but the underlying numbers mirror my concerns with a .209 xBA and .292 xwOBA. He tore up the upper minors with a 164 wRC+ in 63 games at Double-A and 176 wRC+ in 35 games at Triple-A, and he put up a 126 wRC+ in the majors, so I don’t want to overthink it too much, but he’s still in the flier/late round target area for me. He’s not someone I’m getting super excited about yet. 2023 Projection: 63/20/77/.235/.302/.443/2

130) Brice Turang MIL, SS, 23.4 – Turang quietly put together a strong season at Triple-A, slashing .286/.360/.412 with 13 homers, 34 steals, and a 19.6%/10.8% K%/BB% in 131 games. He has above average contact rates, but they aren’t exactly elite, and he’s never been a big home run hitter with high groundball rates and decent raw power. You could say it’s a top of the order profile with his plus speed, but I suspect it will end up more of a bottom of the order profile. He seems to have a path to the 2B job at the moment. 2023 Projection: 46/7/38/.252/.309/.381/10 Prime Projection: 77/14/62/.268/.330/.397/22

131) Addison Barger TOR, 3B/SS, 23.5 – Barger has one of those fun batting stances that I would have loved to emulate at a kid, and he uses that stance to unleash an uppercut lefty swing that is all bad intentions. It’s pretty vicious. He smashed 26 homers with a .933 OPS at A+, AA, and AAA, destroying all 3 levels. There is swing and miss in his game with a 24.9%/9.1% K%/BB%, and the swing is a bit wild, so the hit tool could tank him, but if he does get a beat on MLB pitching, he’s going to do damage. 2023 Projection: Prime Projection: 73/27/85/.239/.317/.460/6

132) Warming Bernabel COL, 3B, 20.10 – Bernabel has just been quietly chugging along in the minors with an unheralded above average hit/power combo. He slashed .313/.370/.499 with 14 homers, 23 steals, and a 13.7%/7.6% K%/BB% in 91 games split between Single-A and High-A. The stolen bases are likely a mirage and he might not have star upside, but he’s trending towards being a rock solid MLB bat. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/81/.275/.330/.448/6

133) Benny Montgomery COL, OF, 20.7 – Montgomery had an up and down season battling a few injuries, but he came on hard at the end and put up very strong numbers when it was all said and done. He slashed .310/.385/.494 with 6 homers, 9 steals, and a 26.9%/7.3% K%/BB% in 62 games at mostly Single-A. He’s 6’4”, 200 pounds of just raw unfiltered upside with plus power and at least plus speed. The plate approach isn’t great and the groundball rates are high (51.3%), so he is still a bit of a project. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/23/79/.250/.321/.442/18

134) Jonatan Clase SEA, OF, 20.10 – Clase had a big time breakout season, but nobody seemed to notice. He slashed .267/.374/.463 with 13 homers, 55 steals, and a 26.7%/13% K%/BB% in 107 games at Single-A. He has elite speed and there is some real juice in his bat with him crushing some absolute bombs. He’s only 5’8”, 150 pounds, so he’s not going to be a huge power hitter, but there should be enough to let his speed shine. The high K% adds risk which prevents his value from really exploding, but he mitigates that with high a walk rate. Clase is the type I hope falls right into my lap late in off-season prospect drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/14/60/.246/.328/.398/31

135) Carlos Jorge CIN, 2B, 19.6 – Jorge completely backed up his big 2021 in the DSL, slashing .261/.405/.529 with 7 homers, 27 steals, and a 26.6%/16.2% K%/BB% in 42 games in stateside rookie ball. He’s not an imposing figure at 5’10”, 160 pounds, but he can certainly put a charge into the ball in the mold of a Jose Ramirez, and he’s an excellent base runner with plus speed. The strikeout rate is a little higher than optimal, but don’t let his diminutive stature fool you, Jorge has legitimate upside and could explode up rankings in 2023. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 86/18/68/.263/.337/.423/25

136) Justin Crawford PHI, OF, 18.6 – Son of Carl Crawford. I could honestly end the blurb right there and you will know exactly the type of player Justin is. 6.11 second 60 yard dash is in the elite of the elite, and he has shown a good feel to hit. The power hasn’t fully developed yet, and he hit 0 homers with very, very high groundball rates in his 16 game pro debut, so he’s not only going to have to get stronger, he’s also going to have to make a swing adjustment to tap into more power. His upside is as high as anyone’s in a 5×5 BA, but he’s not as refined as the high school hitters ranked above him. He was selected 17th overall. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 86/16/69/.270/.337/.426/31

137) Jett Williams NYM, SS, 19.5 – Selected 14th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Williams is a small but explosive player with strong EV numbers and plus speed. The hit tool is his calling card, which makes him relatively safe, and it’s possible his upside isn’t being respected enough because the discrimination against small guys (5’8”, 175 pounds). He’s definitely not a slap hitter. He displayed all of those skills in his pro debut, slashing .250/.366/.437 with 1 homer, 6 steals, and a 14.6%/9.8% K%/BB% in 10 games. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 87/17/71/.278/.343/.438/24

138) Dalton Rushing LAD, C/1B, 22.1 – Selected 40th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Rushing gets the biggest post draft after the destruction he left in his wake in pro ball. He slashed .404/.522/.740 with 8 homers and a 16.4%/16.4% K%/BB% in 28 games at Single-A. It’s not like this came out of nowhere either as he jacked 23 homers with a 1.156 OPS in 64 games in the ACC. Tack on the fact he got drafted by one of the best organizations in baseball who have recently developed 2 prospects with a very similar profile (Andy Pages and Michael Busch), and it makes Rushing a no brainer FYPD target. He’s not a lock to stick behind the plate, but the bat will play anywhere, and LA values versatility. He’ll get plenty of hype this off-season, but I suspect he will still go for a great value in the majority of leagues. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 78/26/81/.253/.337/.461/2

139) Colt Keith DET, 3B/2B, 21.8 – A shoulder injury ended Keith’s regular season on June 9th, which put a halt to what was a full breakout year. He slashed .301/.370/.544 with 9 homers, 4 steals, and a 19.4%/10.2% K%/BB% in 48 games at High-A. He was able to return for the Fall League, and he proved the shoulder is just fine, decimating the league with a .992 OPS and 9/13 K/BB in 14 games. He’s a big, strong dude at 6’3”, 211 pounds and he hits the ball very hard. It might not be a league winning fantasy profile as he doesn’t sell out for homers and he doesn’t have much speed, but he’s a great bet to be a really good MLB hitter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 82/24/87/.273/.341/.463/4

140) Bryce Miller SEA, RHP, 24.7 – Miller showed major control problems in 2021 in the SEC in his first year as a starter with a 5.9 BB/9 in 56.2 IP, but Seattle took a shot on his big stuff in the 4th round, and it paid off in 2022. He put up a pitching line of 3.16/1.04/163/46 in 133.2 IP at mostly High-A and Double-A. He pitched just as well at each level. He throws gas with a mid 90’s fastball and has 3 quality secondaries in his slider, change, and curve. He certainly still has some reliever risk, but there is real fantasy upside here, especially considering this was only his 2nd year as a starter. 2023 Projection: 3/4.19/1.34/51 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.76/1.30/168 in 160 IP

141) Owen White TEX, RHP, 23.8 – White really turned heads in the AFL last year, and he kept the momentum going into 2022 with a pitching line of 3.59/1.16/104/23 in 80.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A. He was even better in Double-A with a 2.49 ERA and 23/4 K/BB in 21.1 IP. He has a deep pitch mix (4-seamer, 2-seamer, curve, slider, change), he throws gas with a mid 90’s fastball, and he has plus control/command. It’s at least a mid rotation profile. 2023 Projection: 3/4.15/1.29/60 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.74/1.20/185 in 170 IP

142) Reese Olson DET, RHP, 23.8 – It was a tale of two half’s for Olson. He had a 3.24 ERA with a 90/15 K/BB in his first 58.1 IP and a 4.99 ERA with a 78/23 K/BB in his last 61.1 IP. All of it came at Double-A. Put all together it was still a great year with a 33.1%/7.5% K%/BB% and 4.14 ERA (3.08 xFIP) in 119.2 IP. It’s a pleasure to watch him pitch as he commands the mound and understands the art of pitching. The stuff is legit with an electric 4 pitch mix (fastball, curve, slider, change), all of which have plus potential. It’s probably a mid-rotation profile on the MLB level, but I always get overly excited whenever I watch one of his starts. 2023 Projection: 4/4.17/1.31/91 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.76/1.21/183 in 170 IP

143) Jace Jung DET, 2B, 22.6 – Selected 12th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Jung has a weird, almost Mickey Tettleton like batting stance where his bat starts near horizontal rather than vertical. It clearly works for him as he’s put up over a 1.000 OPS in all 3 years of college. He has the potential for plus hit and plus power from the left side, and he is an absolute walk machine with a 42/59 K/BB in 61 games this year. His older brother, Josh Jung, has already ran roughshod over the minor leagues. Detroit aggressively assigned him to High-A for his pro debut, and while he didn’t dominate, he hit well with a 106 wRC+, 20.9%/18.7%, and a 35.4% GB%. A lefty bat in Detroit isn’t my favorite target, but Jung is one of the safest bats in First Year Player Drafts, and add a star in OBP leagues. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 84/25/85/.264/.349/.471/4

144) Jacob Berry MIA, OF/3B/1B, 21.11 – Selected 6th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Berry’s power wasn’t exactly what you would want to see in his wood bat pro debut with only 3 homers in 37 games at mostly Single-A. He hit for a lot of power with metal bats in college (32 homers in 116 games), so I’m too concerned, but he may not end up a power hitting beast. His strong hit tool can easily make up for it though with a 15.5%/8.8% K%/BB% at Single-A and a 8.9%/10.9% K%/BB% in 53 games in the SEC. I think it all adds up to a strong MLB hitter, but maybe not a fantasy difference maker, especially in Miami’s ballpark which is not great for homers. He’s also not great on defense, but I don’t think you draft someone 6th overall if you don’t have every intention to give him a real shot. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/24/81/.275/.338/.457/3

145) Drew Gilbert HOU, OF, 22.6 – Selected 28th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Gilbert is only 5’9”, 185 pounds, but he has a physicality at the dish that makes him look 6’1”, 215. He has a vicious lefty swing that is hard not to love, and while his fantasy numbers aren’t huge, being one of the best hitters in the best conference is nothing to sneeze at, slashing .362/.455/.673 with 11 homers, 4 steals, and a 32/33 K/BB in 58 games in the SEC. He played only 10 games in his pro debut split between rookie and Single-A, and he quickly proved his elite contact rates will transfer with a 2/4 K/BB. He also knocked out 2 dingers and 6 steals, although most of the damage came in rookie (79 wRC+ in 6 games at Single-A). He’s a safe prospect who will contribute in every category, and it’s not like he’s devoid of upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 84/20/76/.281/.345/.448/11

146) Rayne Doncon LAD, 2B/SS, 19.7 – Doncon is a wiry 6’2”, 176 pounds with a powerful righty swing that is reminiscent of Alfonso Soriano. He hit up rookie ball with 9 homers and a 17.7% K% in 51 games, and then he went to Single-A and jacked 3 homers with an 11.6% K% in 11 games. He doesn’t have Soriano’s speed, and his 7% BB% is on the low side, but it’s easy to fall for that swing, contact rate and power projection. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/25/83/.272/.327/.468/7

147) Elehuris Montero COL, 3B/1B, 24.8 – I’ll just start by saying who the hell knows if Colorado has any intention of giving Montero a full shot. They have a history of not giving guys of Montero’s prospect ilk a real shot, but to be fair, most (or all) of them haven’t turned out to be very good. Although on third thought maybe that is an indictment of Colorado’s ability to properly develop prospects. Montero has no doubt power that led to 15 homers in 65 games at Triple-A and 6 homers in 185 PA in the majors. His plate approach completely fell apart in the majors though with a 32.4%/4.3% K%/BB% (21.2%/9.1% K%/BB% at Double-A), he has below average speed, and short side of a platoon splits. Even with Rodgers’ injury, there still isn’t a guarantee he gets a ton of at bats with Moose and Nolan Jones to compete with. 2023 Projection: 47/16/54/.248/.304/.433/2

148) Edouard Julien MIN, 2B, 23.11 – Julien’s 98 walks in 113 games at Double-A was the 6th best mark in all of the minors (his teammate, Matt Wallner, was 1 behind him with 97). He has a quick and simple lefty swing which produces good but not great power (17 homers), and he’s always had some swing and miss in his game with a 24.6% K%. I’m not sure I see a fantasy difference maker here, especially in a 5×5 BA league, and Minnesota doesn’t have the best ballpark to take shots on guys like this, but I definitely think he can be a good MLB bat. And obviously add a star in an OBP league. 2023 Projection: 15/3/11/.238/.318/.402/1 Prime Projection: 78/19/71/.253/.338/.430/7

149) Ryne Nelson ARI, RHP, 25.2 – Nelson had a bumpy season at Triple-A in the PCL with a 5.43 ERA and 21.6% K% in 136 IP. His velocity was down into the low 90’s for much of the season. It was looking like a complete disaster year, but he managed to turn it around before the clock struck midnight. He brought his velocity back up to the mid 90’s in the 2nd half, and then he impressed in his MLB debut with a 1.47 ERA and 16/6 K/BB in 18.1 IP. His fastball averaged 94.8 MPH and he used it heavily with a 69.6% usage and .244 xwOBA against.. He combines that with 2 potentially plus breaking balls in his slider and curve to go along with a lesser used changeup. It’s a mid rotation profile if it all comes together. 2023 Projection: 7/4.38/1.31/154 in 160 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.90/1.27/177 in 175 IP

150) Brandon Walter BOS, LHP, 26.7 – Walter was shutdown in early June with a neck strain. If not for the injury, he very likely would have ended up higher on the list. He obliterated Double-A with a 2.88 ERA and 34.7%/1.5% K%/BB% in 57.2 IP. He got roughed up a bit in his 2 start Triple-A cup of coffee with a 8.22 ERA and 7/4 K/BB in 7.2 IP before going down with the injury, so he was never given the opportunity to right the ship there. He’s old for a prospect, but you can’t fake good stuff, and Walter’s stuff is on point. He uses a funky, herky jerky lefty delivery to fire a low to mid 90’s fastball, plus slider, and above average changeup. Toss in plus control and it adds up to a relatively safe profile with some upside evidenced by the high K rate. 2023 Projection: 5/3.97/1.22/79 in 75 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.81/1.18/169 in 160 IP Update: Walter has looked healthy in spring, and he was one of my 9 Mild Predictions for 2023 Rookies where I wrote, “Boston’s entire rotation is filled with risk, whether it be age, injury, performance or experience. It runs the risk gamut. That’s why Walter is sure to rack up plenty of innings this season, and he puts up the kind of insane K/BB numbers where you simply have to force yourself not to overthink it. He had a 75/7 K/BB in 57.2 IP in 2022. He had a 8/0 K/BB in 5 IP this spring. He had a 132/20 K/BB in 89.1 IP in 2021. You can nit pick the low velocity, or the injuries, or the age, but like I mentioned above, let’s not overcomplicate things, this guy obviously knows what he’s doing on the mound. It reminds me of Joe Ryan’s career path a bit. Mild Prediction: Like Ryan, Walter’s strong K/BB numbers will immediately transfer to the majors despite the low 90’s velocity, and he’ll put up a 79/19 K/BB in 75 IP in 2023.

151) Jonathan Aranda TBR, 1B/2B/3B, 24.10 – Trying to figure out Tampa Bay playing time can be like trying to figure out a Rubik’s cube. There are like 90 million different variations they can go with. They have several guys who can all play several positions. Aranda, Lowe, Yandy, Brujan, Harold Ramirez, Paredes, Mead, Manzardo, Bethancourt, Walls, etc … are all in play in the infield. That depth is why it seems like a long shot that Aranda will end up with full time at bats in the near future, especially because he isn’t a particularly good defense player. What he can do though, is hit. He put up a 142 wRC+ with 18 homers and a 21.5% K% in 104 games at Triple-A, and while he only had a .596 OPS in 87 MLB PA, his 22.4% whiff% and 91.1 MPH EV leads me to believe he’ll be just fine in the majors too. 2023 Projection: 37/9/34/.260/.322/.424/2 Prime Projection: 79/22/77/.275/.336/.452/3

152) Alec Burleson STL, OF, 24.4 – Burleson is a St. Louis special. An underrated hitter who has quietly been raking forever. St. Louis’ ability to produce these types of prospects is likely a combo of superior scouting and superior development. He put up a 137 wRC+ with 20 homers and a 14.3% K% in 109 games at Triple-A. He made his MLB debut and while the surface stats didn’t look good with a .535 OPS in 53 PA, the underlying numbers looked good with a 91.7 MPH EV, 17.9%/9.4% K%/BB%, and .322 xwOBA. The upside might not be huge with a line drive approach, and he’ll have to scratch and claw for playing time, but I’m pretty confident in saying this guy is going to be a legit MLB hitter. 2023 Projection: 29/9/33/.262/.311/.430/1 Prime Projection: 76/23/81/.277/.330/.451/2

153) Owen Caissie CHC, OF, 20.9 – Caissie didn’t have a huge statistical season with a 113 wRC+ and 11 homers in 105 games, but taking into account Chicago gave him an aggressive assignment to High-A as a 19 year old, it’s not bad at all. He’s the same age as Kevin Alcantara who they sent to Single-A for comparison. Caissie’s 6’4”, 190 pounds with a smooth lefty swing that is a geared for both power and average, but he’ll have to cut down on the K’s to maximize both with a 28.6% K%. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/25/78/.248/.332/.452/4

154) Jake Eder MIA, LHP, 24.6 – Eder missed all of 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery but he should be good to go for 2023. When healthy, he throws a mid 90’s fastball with a plus curve that put up a dominant pitching line of 1.77/0.98/99/27 in 71.1 IP at Double-A in 2021. He has prototypical starter size at 6’4”, 215 pounds with a repeatable lefty delivery and good control. It’s a mid rotation profile with #2 upside, but there is added risk because of the surgery. 2023 Projection: 1/4.30/1.35/21 in 25 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.87/1.25/171 in 165 IP

155) Ryan Pepiot LAD, RHP, 25.7 – Pepiot has had control problems throughout his career and it hit a crescendo in his MLB debut with a 16.9% BB% in 36.1 IP. All 3 of his pitches get whiffs (fastball, change, slider), but none put up over a 30% whiff%. The fall off the table changeup is the money maker with a .227 xwOBA, which he combines with a 93.9 MPH that he threw 56.2% of the time and an average slider. LA’s depth, his control issues, and his limited repertoire has me leaning towards him being used out of the bullpen long term, but he does seem to be the favorite for the 5th starter with Gonsolin slated to start the year on the IL. 2023 Projection: 7/3.92/1.32/101 in 95 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.87/1.29/168 in 160 IP

156) Joey Ortiz BAL, SS/2B, 24.9 – Baltimore has a ton of infield options for both this year and the future, but Ortiz is a dark horse candidate to win at bats considering his plus glove, and trades are always in play. He had a strong year in the upper levels of the minors, slashing .284/.349/.477 with 19 homers, 8 steals, and a 16.3%/8.3% K%/BB% in 137 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He got better as the year went on, finishing with a bang at Triple-A with a 154 wRC+ in 26 games. He’s always displayed a strong hit tool and his power ticked up this year. It’s a potential above average hit/power combo who is knocking on the door of the bigs. 2023 Projection: 12/3/15/.258/.316/.408/1 Prime Projection: 78/20/74/.269/.331/.430/7

157) Nate Pearson TOR, RHP, 26.7 – Don’t completely forget about Pearson. The guy just can’t stay healthy (15 IP in 2022), but the stuff is always nasty when he can take the mound. He pitched in the Dominican Winter League and put up a 0.00 ERA with a 16/4 K/BB in 12 IP out of the pen. His elite fastball/slider combo is made to be a late inning weapon. He’s on the delayed breakout path that AJ Puk just took, finally breaking out at 27. Maybe it won’t happen for them in the rotation, but they can be elite out of the pen. 2023 Projection: 4/3.41/1.19/73 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 4/3.12/1.11/85/33 saves in 65 IP Update: He’s looked elite out of the pen this spring with an upper 90’s fastball

158) Chase Silseth LAA, RHP, 22.10 – Silseth’s poor, rushed MLB debut has him going for a very reasonable price this off-season, because his stuff and minor league performance would have pushed his value much higher if he hadn’t debuted. He put up a 6.59 ERA with a 24/12 K/BB in 28.2 IP in the majors as LA just didn’t have the rotation depth to properly nurture Silseth in the minors before throwing him in the fire. Conversely, he embarrassed Double-A hitters with a pitching line of 2.28/0.95/110/27 in 83 IP. He throws 95.4 MPH heat with a splitter and slider as his best secondaries, both of which held their own in the majors with a .301 xwOBA and .275 xwOBA, respectively. He also mixed in a sinker and curve. The stuff is big, he keeps the ball out of the air (7.5 degree launch), he misses bats, and his control has been pretty good going back to college. Use the poor MLB debut as a buying opportunity. 2023 Projection: 4/4.29/1.33/77 in 80 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.82/1.25/174 in 170 IP

159) Kyle Muller OAK, LHP, 25.6 – Oakland has a very shaky rotation to say the least, so Muller should get a real shot this year. He slings a 94.2 MPH fastball with a slider and curve that have both racked up whiffs against MLB hitters, but haven’t been that effective vs. them in general. He also mixes in a lesser used change. His minor league track is good, but not truly standout, and while his control took a step forward this year at Triple-A with a 7.4% BB%, it fell apart in the majors with a 13.6% K% in 12.1 IP. There is certainly some upside here, but he’s shaping up to be #4 starter at this point. 2023 Projection: 4/4.27/1.36/96 in 100 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.32/169 in 160 IP

160) Michael Burrows PIT, RHP, 23.5 – Burrows has a filthy fastball/curve combo which he has good control over. He put up a 2.94 ERA with a 69/19 K/BB at Double-A before scuffling a bit at Triple-A with a 5.31 ERA and 42/12 K/BB in 42.1 IP. His changeup took a step forward this year, although it will need to continue to improve if he wants to remain a starter. He’s knocking on the door of the bigs and could be a sneaky pick to have a big impact in 2023. 2023 Projection: 3/4.22/1.30/59 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.91/1.25/165 in 160 IP

161) Nick Nastrini LAD, RHP, 23.1 – Nastrini has an electric mid 90’s fastball which he combines with 3 effective secondaries in his slider, change, and curve. The stuff put up huge strikeout numbers with a 35.1% K% in 116.2 IP split between High-A and Double-A. On the downside, his control is shaky at best with an 11.4% BB%, and he walked 38 batters in 31.1 IP in 2021 in the Pac 12. The delivery isn’t particularly athletic either. It seems like he’s destined for a multi inning pen for the first few years of his career unless LA trades him, which is certainly in play. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/3.81/1.26/172 in 155 IP

162) Griff McGarry PHI, RHP, 23.10 – McGarry has a mid to upper 90’s fastball that literally looks like it is swimming through the air. Hitters have had some ugly swings trying to square that thing up. The secondaries are nasty too with a plus slider, plus cutter, a changeup that flashes plus, and a curve as well. It led to a 35.7% K% in 87.1 IP split between 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). It’s top of the rotation stuff. The one snafu is that his control is very bad. He had a 14.6% BB%. His 3.71 ERA and 1.21 WHIP doesn’t exactly pop. His control issues were actually much worse than this in college (42 walks in 43 IP in the ACC in 2021), so this is improvement. I’m not sure if that means there could be continued improvement coming, or if this is the top of his ability. He very well could end up in the bullpen, and that is likely the most likely outcome, but if his control can take just one more step forward, he’s going to be a major problem. 2023 Projection: 2/4.21/1.36/45 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.67/1.28/172 in 150 IP

163) James Outman LAD, OF, 25.10 – I’m a little scared by Outman’s big strikeout rates, but he has undeniable talent and there is a non zero chance he works his way into a large share of playing time in 2023. The close to the majors upside is worth the shot at this point in the rankings. He’s 6’3”, 205 pounds with a powerful lefty swing that cracked 31 homers in 125 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s also a good athlete, nabbing 13 bags. The aforementioned K rate is the issue as it sat at 29% at Double-A and 25% at Triple-A, before spiking to 43.8% in his 16 PA MLB debut. If he didn’t smoke the ball with a 99.6 MPH EV (1.409 OPS) in 6 batted ball events, I might not have been as high on him, and while it’s a small sample, you can’t really fake your way into hitting the ball that hard. I fear he’ll top out as a bench bat, but I’ll grab him if the price is right. 2023 Projection: 42/14/46/.228/.309/.431/5 Prime Projection: 65/19/68/.239/.320/.447/7

164) Lenyn Sosa CHW, SS/2B, 22.7 – I’m not completely buying into the numbers, but Sosa had an incredible statistical breakout in 2022, slashing .315/.369/.511 with 23 homers, 3 steals, and a 15.5%/7.6% K%/BB% in 119 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. His 118 wRC+ at Triple-A is probably more indicative of his true talent level. He also struggled in his MLB debut with a 33.3%/2.8% K%/BB% and .368 OPS in 36 PA. Jonathan Schoop is a realistic good outcome scenario for Sosa. 2023 Projection: 23/4/28/.252/.306/.401/1 Prime Projection: 75/21/75/.268/.324/.432/3

165) Justin Foscue TEX, 2B/3B, 24.1 – Foscue drastically improved his contact rates, bringing it down from 27% in 2021 to 14.3% in 101 games at Double-A in 2022. He hit only 15 homers, but he was much better in the power department in the 2nd half with 11 homers in his last 45 games. He’s not going to be a fantasy star, but he’s a very legitimate MLB bat. 2023 Projection: Prime Projection: 76/23/82/.267/.330/.454/3

166) Max Muncy OAK, SS, 20.8 – Muncy is a bat speed monster with a dangerous righty swing that led to 19 homers in 123 games split between Single-A (106 wRC+ in 81 games) and High-A (90 wRC+ in 42 games). He combines that with above average speed and a willingness to run with 19 stolen bases. The hit tool is the issue as he has high strikeout rates (30.4% K%) and a low batting average (.229 BA). He’s also in a bad situation in Oakland, and it’s not like there is a massive wave of hitting talent ready to pop. Even with the hit tool risk and situation, there is legitimate fantasy friendly upside that isn’t getting the respect it deserves. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/25/84/.243/.326/.458/13

167) Yiddi Cappe MIA, SS/3B, 20.6 – The 19 year old Cappe ripped up inferior competition in rookie ball with a 139 wRC+ in 30 games, but his numbers dropped off at the more age appropriate Single-A with a 91 wRC+ in 37 games. Regardless of the drop off, it’s still a very exciting profile. He’s a scout’s dream at a projectable 6’3”, 175 pounds and he’s put up elite contact rates his entire career (14.4% K% at Single-A and 13.2% K% at High-A). He doesn’t have any groundball issues (38.1% GB%), so the power will certainly tick up, and he ripped 9 homers in 67 games this year. He has some speed, but he’s likely to slow down as he gains weight, and he isn’t a good baserunner, going 22 for 35 on steal attempts in his career. It’s a profile that can go in any number of different directions with both upside and a safe floor. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/22/74/.278/.333/.441/9

168) Xavier Isaac TBR, 1B, 19.3 – Selected 29th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Isaac is a first base only prospect, so that tells you how much the smart Tampa organization believes in his bat to take him this high. He has huge raw power and it also comes with a plus plate approach and good feel to hit to all fields. He has the foundation to be one of those do everything big lefty power hitting 1B in the mold of Yordan or Freeman if you are looking for absolute ceiling comps. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/28/84/.263/.345/.492/2

169) Brady House WAS, SS, 19.10 – House simply didn’t live up to the hype in his first full pro season. In 45 games at Single-A he struck out too much (29.1% K%), he didn’t walk enough (5.9% BB%), he didn’t hit for power (3 homers with a 50.9% GB%), and he stole a single base. A back injury ended his season on June 11th. The fact he was still able to put up a 108 wRC+ shows just how talented he is at an athletic 6’4”, 215 pounds, and almost all of those games came as an 18-year-old, so the ceiling is still very high with continued refinement. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection; 77/25/84/.257/.328/.476/7

170) Jack Leiter TEX, RHP, 22.11 – It was nothing short of a disaster season for Leiter. He put up a pitching line of 5.54/1.55/109/56 in 92.2 IP at Double-A. Frisco leaned toward being a pitcher’s park too, so he doesn’t have that excuse to use either. The only excuse he does have is that making his pro debut at Double-A was an aggressive assignment, and one he pretty clearly wasn’t ready for. I mentioned in a previous Dynasty Team Report that it can be easy to write minor leaguers off after having a bad year, even though baseball players have bad years all the time. It’s just the way the cookie crumble sometimes. He still has the top level stuff that made him the 2nd overall pick in the draft, and I’m expecting him to have a much better year in 2023. 2023 Projection: 2/4.32/1.39/37 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.88/1.26/175 in 170 IP

171) Cade Horton CHC, RHP, 21.7 – Selected 7th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Horton underwent Tommy John surgery in February 2021, so he was just rounding into form during the 2nd half of 2022, resulting in him peaking during the College World Series with dominant outing after dominant outing. Plus mid 90’s heat with an at least plus slider is his game, and that combo gives him high upside with the floor of a high leverage reliever. He also throws a curve and change, and he hasn’t shown any major control issues in the short time he’s pitched in college (53.2 IP in his college career all coming this year). Chicago is clearly taking advantage of the lack of track record and betting on the upside. It’s your call if you want to do the same. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/3.82/1.27/180 in 163 IP

172) Cooper Hjerpe STL, LHP, 21.7 – Selected 22nd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Hjerpe is a classic Cardinals pick of a rock solid, safe starter who might be better in real life than fantasy. I say “might be,” because he has that funky lefty delivery that I am an absolute sucker for, but I’m also staying conservative on his ranking because the stuff says more 3/4 type starter with a low 90’s fastball, and I’m concerned more advanced hitters won’t be quite as thrown off by the delivery. Regardless, he dominated the Pac12 with a 2.53 ERA and 161/23 K/BB in 103.1 IP, and he’s in a great developmental organization. If you play in a deep league or league where good real life pitchers get bumps, I can definitely see targeting Hjerpe and drafting him much higher than this. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 12/3.87/1.24/ 172 in 172 IP

173) Dylan Lesko SD, LHP, 19.7 – Selected 15th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Lesko underwent Tommy John surgery in late April, but I like him so much I would still grab him high. Here’s what I wrote about Lesko before the injury: “Lesko is the best pitcher in the draft with plus control of a mid 90’s fastball, a filthy changeup that has over 10 MPH of separation, and a still developing but potentially plus breaking ball. High school pitchers aren’t necessarily the best investment, especially in dynasty, but this guy already looks relatively polished on the mound and advanced beyond his years.” And that is one of the main reasons why high school pitchers are generally not good investments. You need to prepare for a solid 1-2 years where they are out with Tommy John. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 13/3.62/1.18/192 in 175 IP

174) Yainer Diaz HOU, C, 24.6 – The Astros have just been begging for someone to step up and take ahold of their catcher job, and Diaz seems next in line to get his shot. He ran roughshod over the upper minors with a plus contact/raw power profile, putting up a 16.3% K% with 25 homers in 105 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. Good things happen when you make lots of hard contact. The things that are keeping me hesitant are that he’s a free swinger with low walk rates, and he doesn’t hit many flyballs with a high GB%. The previous presumed catcher of the future, Korey Lee, didn’t have a great year (90 wRC+ at Triple-A), but he’s also still firmly in the mix for the job. 2023 Projection: 33/9/39/.251/.307/.428/1 Prime Projection: 57/21/72/.268/.320/.453/2

175) Edgar Quero LAA, C, 20.0 – Quero destroyed rookie ball in 2021 with a 151 wRC+ and he looked even better in many respects at Single-A in 2022, slashing .312/.435/.530 with 17 homers, 12 steals and a 17.7%/14.2% K%/BB% in 111 games. His hit tool and power both leveled up at the more advanced level, and it’s easy to see why as he swings such a quick bat if you blink, you’ll miss it. He’s not a monster raw power guy at 5’11 and he’s not fast either, so I don’t think the upside is huge. An above average hit/power projection is fair, but that bat speed could easily end up beating that projection. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/23/79/.272/.345/.467/5

176) James Triantos CHC, 3B, 20.2 – Triantos has a short and quick righty swing that is made for contact. He had a 16.1%/7.7% K%/BB% with a .272 BA in 113 games at Single-A. The power just isn’t here yet with only 7 homers and a .386 slugging, and quite frankly, he’s already pretty thick. I’m sure he will add more power considering he’s barely 20 years old, but he’s definitely a hit tool first player. He’s not a burner, but he does have some speed, nabbing 20 bags in 23 attempts. It’s not my favorite profile to go after in fantasy, but he’s a safe prospect with solid across the board potential. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 84/18/66/.281/.342/.429/11

177) Austin Martin MIN, SS, 24.0 – Coming off a 2021 where Martin hit 5 homers in 93 games at Double-A, the power had nowhere to go but up … or so we thought. It actually got even worse this year with only 2 homers in 92 games. It’s almost impressive. He had a near elite 13.3% K%, but he did so little damage when he made contact he still hit only .241. The one saving grace to his profile is his speed as he nabbed 34 bases, and he also had a very good 11.6% BB%. He gets the bat on the ball, gets on base, and is a good baserunner. You also can’t rule out a mid 20’s power breakout. And while I cautioned against putting too much stock on AFL numbers in the Nationals Team Report, it’s good to see him ripping up the league with a .936 OPS in 21 games. I’m not ready to give up on Martin completely. 2023 Projection: 18/1/11/.243/.301/.378/4 Prime Projection: 77/14/65/.260/.329/.417/18

178) Cole Young SEA, SS, 19.8 – Selected 21st overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Young is kinda similar to Edwin Arroyo (selected 48th by Seattle in 2021) in the sense he doesn’t necessarily jump off the screen, but there is still an exciting set of tools led by the plus hit. He did damage in his pro debut, slashing .367/.423/.517 with 2 homers, 4 steals, and a 8/8 K/BB in 17 games split between rookie ball and Single-A (he actually performed better at Single-A than rookie). He’s a very solid 6’0”, 180 pounds with above average speed and the ability to put a sting into the ball, although his well over 50% GB% will limit his power. It’s not the highest upside profile, but it’s a safe one with the potential to contribute in every category ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 87/17/62/.274/.340/.428/15

179) Anthony Solometo PIT, LHP, 20.4 – I was a big Solometo fan coming out of the 2021 Draft, and he did nothing to take me off that stance in his pro debut in 2022 with a 2.64 ERA and 51/19 K/BB in 47.2 IP at Single-A. He has a funky, sidearm lefty delivery which Single-A hitters had nightmares picking up. His low 90’s sinker is a plus pitch and his changeup is potentially plus. His control isn’t great and he needs to improve his slider, but there is a foundation here to be an impact MLB starter. If he falls short of that, he has a backup plan of a high leverage reliever. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/3.88/1.27/168 in 160 IP

180) Yasser Mercedes MIN, OF, 18.5 – I mentioned in the Red Sox Team Report that Miguel Bleis has a chance to be an elite prospect very quickly into 2023, and Mercedes is setting up to be the 2023 version of the 2022 Bleis. Mercedes is a high priced international signing with a long and projectable frame who performed well in his first year of pro ball in the DSL, slashing .355/.421/.555 with 4 homers, 30 steals, and a 19.9%/10.2% K%/BB% in 41 games. I ranked Mercedes 322nd overall in last year’s Top 500 because I liked his “silky smooth righty swing.” The risk is still very high, but he has a chance to be that rocket ship prospect. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 74/23/79/.253/.325/.452/16

181) Lazaro Montes SEA, OF, 18.6 – I fell in love with Montes’ graceful lefty swing from a 6’3”, 210 pound frame last off-season, and he didn’t disappoint in 2022, slashing .284/.422/.585 with 10 homers, 3 steals, and a 33.2%/15.7% K%/BB% in 55 games in the DSL. It’s legitimate 40+ homer potential, but I can’t deny the 33.2% K% against the very weak DSL pitching isn’t concerning. The high walk rate shows that some of that was because of his extreme patience, but it gives him major hit tool risk, and as a corner outfielder, his bat will have to hit close to it’s ceiling to lock in playing time. I’m still betting on the talent long term, but not as much as I would have with better K rates. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/34/84/.238/.320/.502/4

182) Sixto Sanchez MIA, RHP, 24.8 – Sanchez underwent his 2nd shoulder surgery in as many years in early October. I get completely throwing in the towel on Sanchez, but he’s expected to be ready to go for Spring, and I find it hard to just throw away such a talented pitcher who had a great MLB debut in 2020. I don’t own him anywhere, but if I did, I am stashing him on my bench (or in my farm system) for one more year to see what I have. Maybe he’s never the same, but it would kill me to see him bounce back on someone else’s team after I dropped him. He’s a total mystery right now, and the odds might not be looking great for him, but I’m giving him one final shot. 2023 Projection: 3/4.31/1.36/51 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 8/3.98/1.26/134 in 140 IP

183) Gordon Graceffo STL, RHP, 23.0 – Graceffo has big stuff with a fastball he can get into the upper 90’s, and he has plus control with a 6.3% BB% at Double-A, but the strikeout numbers leave something to be desired. He put up a pitching line of 3.94/1.07/83/24 in 93.2 IP at Double-A. It was good for a 4.63 xFIP. He didn’t put up big K numbers in college either, although he was able to destroy High-A with a 33.9% K% in 45.2 IP, so there could be more in the tank. He’s a big dude at 6’4”, 210 pounds with a herky jerky righty delivery that doesn’t exactly scream upside. He strikes me as a #4 type starter who could play up with St. Louis’ excellent defense behind him. 2023 Projection: 1/4.38/1.31/12 in 15 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.94/1.24/161 in 175 IP

184) Matthew Liberatore STL, LHP, 23.5 – Liberatore managed to get worse his 2nd run through Triple-A. He put up a 4.04 ERA in 124.2 IP in 2021, and then a 5.17 ERA in 115 IP in 2022. His MLB debut didn’t go much better with a 5.97 ERA and 17.4%/11.2% K%/BB% in 34.2 IP. The numbers don’t look great, but he has the stuff and repertoire to be a mid to back end starter. He throws a 5 pitch mix led by a beautiful plus curveball that is a plus pitch, putting up a .259 xwOBA and 35.2% whiff%. He combines that with a 93.7 MPH fastball that is his most used pitch, a 92.8 MPH sinker that was not effective at inducing grounders (14 degree launch), a 85.9 MPH changeup that got destroyed, and a 86 MPH slider that is his least used pitch but was excellent when he went to it (.176 xwOBA). Even watching him in the minors I thought it was clear he has to go to his curve more (and slider more too). He’s not a finished product, but the ingredients are there for him to turn into a solid MLB starter if he can find the right pitch mix. 2023 Projection: 4/4.25/1.31/77 in 80 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.26/166 in 170 IP Update:  Liberatore looks like he could be taking the next step with his spring performance. In his last outing, the fastball sat 94.8 MPH (up 1.1 MPH), the sinker was up to 95.2 MPH (up 2.5 MPH) and the spin on the curveball was up 124 rpm to 2861. The curve notched a 60% whiff%. This is a pretty legit development, and it makes it much more likely for Liberatore to reach his mid rotation upside

185) Quinn Priester PIT, RHP, 22.7 – Priester definitely looks the part when you watch him at 6’3”, 195 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and deep pitch repertoire. The curve is his best secondary and he generally throws the ball over the plate. The problem is that the numbers just aren’t all that standout with a pitching line of 3.29/1.21/89/30 in 90.1 IP. It’s good, but doesn’t scream truly impact fantasy starter. He also got hit up in the AFL with a 6.26 ERA in 23 IP. Mid-rotation is a reasonable upside, and back end starter could be more likely. 2023 Projection: 2/4.52/1.42/43 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.93/1.27/156 in 165 IP

186) Felnin Celesten SEA, SS, 17.6 – Expected to sign for over $4 million, Celesten has that super smooth lefty swing (he also hits righty) in the mold of a Marcelo Mayer, George Valera, and Zac Veen. It just screams offensive potential. He’s also an excellent athlete with plus speed. We’ve seen plenty of international prospects with smooth swings just not hit enough against more advanced competition, but it’s hard not to fall in love with the swing and tools. Considering the last couple international classes haven’t really popped, Celesten could come at a very reasonable price in 2023 First Year Player Drafts. This could be the year to dive back into this market. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 83/26/87/.268/.336/.470/18

187) Emmanuel Valdez BOS, 2B/3B, 24.3 – Valdez is not a big man at 5’9”, 191 pounds, but he puts up big man power numbers with 26 homers in 91 games split between High-A and Double-A in 2021, which he followed up with 28 homers in 126 games split between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022. He’s not a big base stealer, his hit tool is solid but not standout, and he’s not great on defense, so a lot is riding on that power from a small frame. 2023 Projection: 34/7/31/.243/.319/.427/2 Prime Projection: 76/22/74/.253/.335/.452/7

188) Kyren Paris LAA, 2B/SS, 21.5 – Paris is one of my favorite underrated prospects in the minors. He had a rough start to the season at High-A, but he picked it up majorly in the 2nd half, slashing .272/.394/.496 with 12 homers, 17 steals, and a 24,5%/13.5% K%/BB% in his final 64 games. 14 of those games came at Double-A where he dominated with a 205 wRC+. He has blazing speed and there is definitely some legit power in here too at 6’0”, 180 pounds with a pretty vicious righty swing. Only more power is coming from here. The K rates have been too high his entire career, and while he mitigates that with a high walk rate, it’s still a legitimate concern. He’s a high risk, high reward prospect, and for the sweetheart price he will go for this off-season, I’ll take that upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/18/66/.237/.321/.420/24

189) Angel Martinez CLE, SS, 20.8 – Martinez is a solid across the board type with a strong plate approach (17.5%/12% K%/BB%), emerging pop (13 homers in 101 games) and some speed (12 steals in 19 attempts). Most of the damage came at High-A, but he more than held his own as a 20 year old at Triple-A with a 120 wRC+ in 24 games. A power explosion would take his profile to the next level, but not sure you can really bet on that. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 78/17/63/.274/.341/.424/13

190) Axel Sanchez SEA, SS, 20.4 – Sanchez looks cool as a cucumber in the box before exploding on the ball. He has easy athleticism and was known more for his glove than his bat prior to this year. The bat really shined in 2022 though, slashing .283/.365/.510 with 10 homers, 13 steals, and a 24.9%/9.1% K%/BB% split between rookie (117 wRC+ in 27 games), Single-A (155 wRC+ in 33 games), and High-A (38 wRC+ in 8 games). There is still plenty of refinement needed, but he reminds me a bit of Jeremy Pena. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/20/72/.250/.322/.428/13

191) Cristian Hernandez CHC, SS, 19.3 – Hernandez is still a super talented, tooled up teenager with plenty of reasons to be excited about his future, but there are a lot of super talented, tooled up teenagers in the minors who performed better than Hernandez in 2022. He put up a .677 OPS with 3 homers, 6 steals, and a 30.3%/7.4% K%/BB% in 44 games. He’s still a projectable 6’2”, 175 pounds with an explosive righty swing that does damage on contact, but plenty of refinement is still needed. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/23/78/.252/.326/.453/12

192) Nick Frasso LAD, RHP, 24.5 – LA targeted Frasso in a trade for Mitch White mid-season, which shows the smart LA organization are believers. Frasso has an electric arm action which spits fire with a plus mid 90’s fastball. His slider and changeup are also pretty nasty at their best. It led to a 1.83 ERA with a 76/17 K/BB in 54 IP spread across 3 levels (A, A+. AA). He wasn’t as good at Double-A (5.40 ERA in 11.2 IP), he never pitched more than 4 IP, and he’s on the old side, but it’s hard not to get excited when you watch him pitch. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/3.85/1.26/156in 150 IP

193) Emmet Sheehan LAD, RHP, 22.4 – The Dodgers seem to grow these guys on trees. Sheehan is another underrated Dodgers arm with a plus mid to upper 90’s fastball and plus changeup (he throws a curve and slider too) that he used to dominate High-A. He had a 2.91 ERA with a 106/31 K/BB in 68 IP. It was mostly in short outings, and his control isn’t great, so the bullpen risk is high, but the upside is legit. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.28/161 in 145 IP

194) Kumar Rocker TEX, RHP, 23.4 – After the Mets gave Rocker the hatchet job, he re-entered the draft this year and shoved it in the Mets face after he got drafted 3rd overall. High heat and then burying the low slider is his game, and his game racks up strikeouts with a 179/39 K/BB in 122 IP (2.73 ERA) in the SEC in 2021. He had shoulder surgery in September but returned in time to pitch 30 innings in Indy Ball where he looked back to full health. Now he’s in the AFL and looking a little rusty with a 5.40 ERA and 5/7 K/BB in 5 IP. The delivery isn’t super athletic, his control has never been pinpoint, and his changeup could use some improvement. Objectively there seems to be some bullpen risk, but his track record as a starter is long, and we gotta cut him some slack with everything that happened with him over the last year. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 11/3.93/1.29/179 in 168 IP

195) Brock Porter TEX, RHP, 19.10 – Selected 109th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Porter is a bit old for the class and he looks it as he’s already pretty filled out. The delivery also looks a bit unrefined and raw to me, but the stuff is undeniable with a fastball that has hit 100 MPH and a dive bombing changeup. The curve and slider look pretty damn good too and should only get better from here. The upside is considerable, but there are a few red flags that keep me from going all in on him. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 11/3.78/1.25/186 in 172 IP

196) Landon Sims ARI, RHP, 22.3 – Selected 34th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Sims underwent Tommy John surgery on March 15th, just 3 starts into his 2022 season. He has an elite fastball/slider combo which led to a 100/15 K/BB in 56.1 IP coming out of the pen in 2021, and a 27/2 K/BB in 15.2 IP in his 3 starts this year. The changeup is still a bit of a question mark, he has a very limited track record as a starter, and the surgery adds risk, but the upside is definitely exciting. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/3.78/1.25/175 in 155 IP

197) Noah Schultz CHW, LHP, 19.8 – Selected 26th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Schultz is the high school version of Cooper Hjerpe if you added on 6 inches. He has a very similar funky lefty delivery which he uses to throw a low to mid 90’s fastball, a potentially plus slider, and a developing change. The size and delivery is exciting, and can make you dream on his potential, but I’m not sure the current stuff is fair to really project at the top of the rotation quite yet. Maybe it ends up there though. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.26/182 in 174 IP

198) Brandon Barriera TOR, LHP, 19.1 – Selected 23rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Barriera isn’t a physical specimen or someone with jaw dropping stuff. He does a lot of things well though with a bat sawing sinking fastball that he can consistently get into the mid 90’s, a slider that flashes plus but still needs refinement, a curve and change that both have potential, and good control. Mid rotation starter is a reasonable projection for him. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 11/3.83/1.21/178 in 170 IP

199) Eric Brown MIL, SS, 22.3 – Selected 27th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Brown is a good athlete (12 steals in 57 games) with an elite plate approach (28/39 K/BB) and some pop (7 homers), but it didn’t come against the strongest competition (Coastal Carolina). He proved he wasn’t a product of inferior competition when he got to pro ball though, slashing .268/.385/.454 with 3 homers, 19 steals, and a 21/15 K/BB in 27 games at mostly Single-A. He has that classic solid across the board profile. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/17/71/.265/.337/.418/17

200) Matthew Lugo BOS, 3B/SS, 21.11 – Lugo’s power exploded in 2022, going from 4 homers in 105 games at Single-A in 2021 to 18 homers in 114 games at High-A in 2022. He did so without his hit tool or speed taking a step back, maintaining a strong .288 BA and 19.5% K% along with 20 steals. He might not have a standout tool, but he’s shaping up to be a solid across the board contributor. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/22/78/.265/.330/.445/11

201) Colin Barber HOU, OF, 22.4 – Barber has a smooth and easy slightly upper cut lefty swing that is easy to fall in love with, and he combines that with an excellent plate approach and above average speed. He slashed .298/.408/.450 with 7 homers, 7 steals, and a 21.9%/11.5% K%/BB% in 63 games at High-A. It was good for a 140 wRC+. He’s not a huge raw power guy and he’s not a great base stealer, so he could end up a better real life hitter than fantasy, but Barber’s swing, all around tools, and 2022 production makes him on of the more underrated prospects in the minors. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 82/22/79/.273/.342/.455/9

202) Gunnar Hoglund OAK, RHP, 23.4 – Hoglund returned from Tommy John surgery in late July to make his pro debut and pitched all of 8 innings before being shut down with a biceps issue. He didn’t give up a single run in those outings and put up an 8/1 K/BB, which is true to his plus control profile. I’m sure Oakland was acting out of an abundance of caution and there was no reason to try to rush him back. I haven’t seen an update on his injury, but no news is good news. When healthy, he uses an easy, rhythmic delivery that produces high spin rates and plus control/command over a 3 pitch mix (fastball, slider, change). All of his pitches have the potential to be above average and play up because of his command. It’s an easy profile to fall in love with, but obviously the Tommy John surgery and subsequent setback is not easily ignored. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 11/3.86/1.19/163 in 160 IP

203) Jacob Melton HOU, OF, 22.7 – Selected 64th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, the 6’3”, 208 pound Melton has a slightly odd lefty swing where it looks like he’s hitting a slice shot in tennis. That backspin must be helping though because he destroyed the Big12, slashing .360/.424/.671 with 17 homers, 21 steals, and a 51/26 K/BB in 63 games. He then stepped into pro ball and destroyed Single-A with a 172 wRC+ in 19 games. There is definitely hit tool risk, but the power/speed combo could be special. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/79/.248/.319/.444/14

204) Ryan Clifford HOU, OF, 19.9 – Clifford was selected 343rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, but he signed a $1,256,530 signing bonus which shows you the level of talent we are dealing with. He’s 6’3”, 200 pounds with an athletic and power lefty swing that has monster potential written all over it. He used that swing to put up a 145 wRC+ in 13 games at rookie ball and a 133 wRC+ in 12 games at Single-A in his pro debut. He had a barely over 30% GB% at each level, again foreshadowing huge potential. His 30.1% K% shows the rawness in his game, but some of that was the result of his extreme patience (21.8% BB%). There’s risk, but Clifford truly has the potential to be one of the premier power hitting prospects not too far into the future. He’s a major FYPD target. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 73/25/84/.244/.329/.460/6

205) Peyton Graham DET, SS, 22.2 – Selected 51st overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Graham is still projectable at a skinny 6’3”, and he has legit power as is with 20 homers in 67 games in the Big12. The swing is athletic, and he has some speed with good stolen base skills, going 34 for 36 on the bases. He does have some swing and miss in his game, but I really like the swing, projectability, and production. His pro debut didn’t really move the needle in either direction with a 108 wRC+ in 27 games at Single-A, although a 25.7% K% is maybe a little higher than you would like to see. He’s a definite target of mine, and considering how late he got drafted, he should come at a good value. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/22/74/.253/.326/.443/16

206) Jordan Beck COL, OF, 21.11 – Selected 38th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Beck is a high risk, high reward college hitter with a dangerous powerhouse righty swing at 6’3”, 225 pounds. He jacked 33 homers over 133 games in his last 2 years in the SEC, but it comes with a high K rate and hit tool concerns. His pro debut was very encouraging, showing an advanced plate approach with an 18.3%/19.3% K%/BB% to go along with 3 homers and a .909 OPS in 26 games split between rookie ball and Single-A. He’s an excellent later round FYPD pick with fantasy friendly upside, especially at Coors. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 71/25/79/.248/.319/.451/8

207) Dylan Beavers BAL, OF, 21.8 – Selected 33rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Beavers is tooled up with big power numbers in the Pac12, jacking out 35 homers in 111 games over the past 2 seasons. The lefty swing is kinda abrupt and choppy, definitely not a sweet swinging lefty, and it gives him some legitimate hit tool risk that could tank the whole profile, although he didn’t have much trouble hitting for average in his pro debug with a .322 BA in 23 split between rookie, Single-A, and High-A. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 73/24/79/.244/.326/.448/9

208) Nick Gonzales PIT, 2B, 23.10 – Gonzales finally played in a ballpark that wasn’t an extreme hitter’s environment, and his numbers looked mighty pedestrian, slashing .263/.383/.429 with 7 homers, 5 steals, and a 28.5%/13.6% K%/BB% in 71 games. The strikeout rate is concerning, especially because he doesn’t have nearly the power or speed to make up for it. His high draft selection (7th overall) and former prospect hype is buoying his value right now, because a cold sober look at his 2022 is severely lacking in fantasy upside. 2023 Projection: 24/6/21/.242/.308/.401/4 Prime Projection: 76/22/71/.268/.336/.436/10

209) Cade Cavalli WAS, RHP, 24.8 – Cavalli’s had an up and down pro career. He dominated Double-A in 2021 before closing out the season getting dominated at Triple-A. His start to 2022 was a disaster with a 7.62 ERA in 28.1 at Triple-A before turning it around with a 2.10 ERA and 77/25 K/BB in 68.2 IP, but then it all concluded with him giving up 7 earned in 4.1 IP in his MLB debut, getting shutdown right afterward with a non serious shoulder injury. He’s had control problems going back to his college days, which could explain the inconsistency. What isn’t inconsistent though is the the big time stuff with a 95.6 MPH fastball and 3 quality secondaries in his curve, changeup, and slider. Pitching development is notoriously non linear, and Cavalli has the stuff and size (6’4”, 240 pounds) to really explode if his control/command can take a step forward. 2023 Projection: OUT Prime Projection: 12/3.81/1.30/180 in 175 IP Update: Cavalli felt elbow pain in his last start and will undergo Tommy John surgery which will keep him out for all of 2023. This is just another day in the life of a pitching prospect

210) Izaac Pacheco DET, SS, 20.4 – Pacheco is one of my favorite underrated prospects in the minors. I traded for him at the deadline in my 18 team league as a consolation prize after botching the Trevor Story on a expiring contract negotiations. Basically, Story got hurt while I was haggling over adding 1 year of Max Kepler into the deal, and I ended up missing out on grabbing Noelvi Marte because of it. I had to settle for Pacheco and a pick one month later while Story was still hurt. I guess the lesson here is to never look a gift horse in the mouth (I don’t have the slightest clue what this means, but it sounds good). Back to Pacheco. He’s 6’4”, 225 pounds with a beautiful lefty swing reminiscent of many beautiful lefty swings from big lefties throughout MLB history. He hit only 11 homers in 106 games split between Single-A and High-A, but he doesn’t have any groundball issues and I have no doubts about the power. What got me so excited was the major contact gains he made from 2021. He had an excellent 21.8%/10.6% K%/BB% after putting up a 34.4% K% in 20 games in rookie ball in 2021. He’s also a good athlete as evidenced by his 12 steals in 12 attempts. He should come very cheap this off-season. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/27/85/.257/.334/.466/6

211) Nick Yorke BOS, 2B, 21.0 – Yorke had a worst case scenario 2022. He hit .231 with 11 homers, 8 steals, and a 25.2% K% in 80 games at High-A. He battled through injuries which definitely contributed to how bad it was, but the power/speed combo isn’t very big, which puts a lot of pressure on his hit tool. He struck out 22.9% of the time at High-A last year too. He’s off to a hot start in the AFL (.368 BA with a 3/5 K/BB in 5 games), and I definitely think he will have a much better 2023, but he lacks high end upside which prevents me from going any higher on him than this. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 83/18/70/.276/.338/.435/10

212) Cristian Santana DET, SS/2B, 19.4 – Detroit was super aggressive with Santana, skipping him right over stateside rookie ball and debuting in full season ball as an 18 year old. He understandably struggled in his first 37 games at the level with a .179 BA, but he got comfortable when the calendar turned to July, slashing .245/.412/.429 with 6 homers and a 23.1%/15.6% K%/BB% in his final 45 games. It resulted in a 123 wRC+ in 80 games at Single-A, which is super impressive for an 18 year old. He’s a good athlete, playing up the middle on defense and swiping 10 bags. He also keeps the ball off the ground with a 36.7% GB%. Santana certainly has the potential to explode up the rankings in 2023. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 82/25/81/.255/.340/.476/8

213) Gleider Figuereo TEX, 3B, 18.9 – The 18 year old Figuereo is already a pretty thick and strong 6’0”, and he has a powerful lefty swing that crushed 9 homers in 25 games at stateside rookie ball. He stole 7 bags too, and while I think he’s likely to slow down as he ages, it shows he’s a good athlete. The 22.6%/10.3% K%/BB% was good, but it’s maybe slightly on the high side and his 30.8% K% in his 6 game cameo at Single-A could foreshadow a higher K rate when he goes against more advanced pitching. Figuereo has the potential to be a truly impact bat. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 77/27/88/.255/.331/.475/8

214) Danyer Cueva TEX, SS, 18.10 – Cueva is 6’1” with a vicious lefty swing that has offensive potential written all over it. He handled his business in stateside rookie ball, slashing .330/.376/.483 with 5 homers, 3 steals, and a 21.2%/5.3% K%/BB% in 44 games. There is still plenty of refinement needed, but you are buying that nasty lefty swing from a projectable frame and hoping the rest works itself out. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/25/83/.266/.325/.456/5

215) Oswaldo Osorio LAD, SS/3B, 18.0 – Osorio was a DSL standout, slashing .239/.428/.471 with 6 homers, 11 steals, and a 23.5%/20.9% K%/BB% in 44 games. It was good for a 145 wRC+. He has a mature plate approach, hits the ball hard, and has speed, although a 23.5% K% is a bit higher than you would like to see in the DSL. He’s the type that could explode to elite prospect status is everything goes well stateside. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 75/23/79/.251/.335/.448/10

216) Cristhian Vaquero WAS, OF, 18.7 – The hyped up, uber talented Vaquero didn’t go full breakout in his 44 game pro debut in the DSL, but he held his own with a 104 wRC+, 17 steals, and a 17.6%/15.3% K%/BB%. Power was the only thing missing with only 1 homer, but establishing a strong plate approach is more important at this point in his development. The power will uptick naturally as he adds muscle to his 6’3”, 180 pound frame. I was fading Vaquero a bit last off-season, but his non spectacular season could have him falling into a price range I’m more comfortable with this off-season. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 84/23/78/.262/.337/.454/14

217) Jaison Chourio CLE, OF, 17.10 – Big bro Jackson just exploded up the rankings in 2022, and little bro Jaison is primed to do the same in 2023. He was a DSL standout, slashing .280/.446/.402 with 1 homer, 14 steals, and a 12.6%/22.9% K%/BB% in 40 games. He’s a switch hitter who is much better from the left side, and while he probably doesn’t have quite his brother’s power potential, there is certainly more raw power coming at a lean 6’1”. Here he is cracking a homer at instructs in October which drew very loud “ooooohhhhs and aaaahhhhs” from the on lookers. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 84/18/71/.273/.344/.432/16

218) Ben Joyce LAA, RHP (Closer), 22.7 – I don’t normally like relief pitching prospects, preferring to find my relief pitchers from the never ending supply of pop up MLB guys, but LA’s bullpen is wide open at the moment, and Joyce is damn exciting. He was selected 89th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft on the back of his 100+ MPH fastball and plus slider from a funky righty arm angle. It’s basically the elite closer recipe. He debuted at Double-A and immediately dominated with a 2.08 ERA and 35.1%/7.0% K%/BB% in 13 IP. He has a chance to be LA’s closer not far into 2023, and maybe even on opening day. 2023 Projection: 3/3.72/1.23/59/15 saves in 50 IP Prime Projection: 4/3.34/1.13/80/30 saves in 60 IP

219) Casey Schmitt SFG, 3B/SS, 23.5 – Schmitt’s power took a big step forward in 2022, smacking 21 homers in 126 games split between High-A (93 games), Double-A (29 games), and Triple-A (4 games). He never showed this level of game power going back to college, but the raw power was always in there at 6’2”, 215 pounds. He did most of his damage at High-A with a 132 wRC+, and while he had a 144 wRC+ at Double-A, a lot of that was the result of good luck (.432 BABIP) as his power dropped off and so did his walk rate. He strikes me as more of a good real life hitter than fantasy hitter, especially in San Francisco. He’s been especially impressive this spring, and it looks like he might take over the Giants 3B job before the year is out 2023 Projection: 27/6/31/.247/.308/.410/2 Prime Projection: 73/21/81/.264/.325/.437/4

220) Emerson Hancock SEA, RHP, 23.10 – Hancock was art of pitching his way through Double-A with a 2.19 ERA and 64/21 K/BB in his first 70 IP, but the lack strikeouts caught up with him in the end with a 7.62 ERA and 28/17 K/BB in his final 28.1 IP. His 3.75 ERA was still solid overall, but the 22.3%/9.2% K%/BB% and 5.43 xFIP doesn’t look as good. He has the pedigree as the former 6th overall pick in the draft, and he looks the part when you watch him with 3 electric pitches (mid 90’s heat, change, slider), but the numbers say back end starter. I’ll split the difference and put a #4 starter tag on him. 2023 Projection: 2/4.42/1.38/56 in 65 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.93/1.27/158 in 170 IP

221) Ty Madden DET, RHP, 23.1 – Detroit is on their way to building a killer rotation, and most of their top pitching prospects get underhype. Madden quietly put together an excellent season with a pitching line of 3.01/1.10/133/38 in 122.2 IP split between High-A and Double-A. He used to have an over the top delivery, but Detroit shortened it up this year which helps add spin and movement. It also helps it play up in the zone. He combines the improved fastball with a potentially plus slider as his most used secondary. The curve and change can also be quality pitches, and he added a cutter to the mix as well. It’s a mid rotation profile. 2023 Projection: Prime Projection: 10/3.90/1.25/170 in 170 IP

222) Ben Brown CHC, RHP, 23.7 – Brown is 6’6”, 210 pounds with good control over a mid 90’s heat and 2 potentially plus secondaries in his curve and slider. It racked up K’s in the minors with a 3.38 ERA and 149/36 K/BB in 104 IP split between High-A and Double-A (4.06 ERA at Double-A). The delivery isn’t particularly athletic, the change isn’t very good, and he’s had injury issues in the past, so there is definitely bullpen risk, but the upside is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 8/3.87/1.26/151 in 140 IP

223) Bryan Woo SEA, RHP, 23.2 – Woo returned from Tommy John surgery in June and immediately showed the big stuff is back with a mid 90’s fastball, plus slider, and a changeup that flashes plus. He was a strikeout machine in the lower minors with a 85/22 K/BB (4.11 ERA) in 57 IP spread across 3 levels (rookie, A, A+). He’s now destroying the AFL with a 0.84 ERA and 16/4 K/BB in 10.2 IP. I generally discount AFL performance, but one of the exceptions is from a pitcher who was out for most of the season. You can’t fake big time stuff, and Woo certainly has big time stuff. This off-season is definitely the time to get in on Woo before his value explodes in 2023. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/3.94/1.32/161 in 155 IP

224) Michael Toglia COL, 1B/OF, 24.7 – Toglia has big power with big hit tool issues. He jacked 30 homers in 114 games split between Double-A and Triple-A, but it came with a .249 BA and 30.1% K%. He got called up to the bigs and hit .216 with a 36.7% K% in 31 games. He only hit 2 homers with a 89.6 MPH FB/LD EV, but he’s 6’5”, 226 pounds with a 17 degree launch angle, so the power isn’t really a question. He’s also a good athlete (28.3 ft/sec sprint speed) who is an excellent defender at 1B and could play some OF too. I might be hesitant to go after him in 5×5 BA leagues, but in other setups he has a very fantasy friendly profile. 2023 Projection: 27/7/29/.220/.296/.418/2 Prime Projection: 72/26/78/.235/.316/.440/7

225) Ji-Hwan Bae PIT, 2B/SS/OF, 23.8 – Pitt’s 2B job is wide open for the taking, and Bae makes for a very interesting fantasy option if he can win it. He has plus speed, with a plus hit tool tool and some pop. He slashed .289/.362/.430 with 8 homers, 30 steals, and a 16.9%/10.15 K%/BB% in 108 games at Triple-A, and then he made his MLB debut in September and proved the skills will translate. He slashed .333/.405/.424 with 0 homers, 3 steals, and a 16.2%/5.4% K%/BB% in 10 games. His 83.2 MPH EV and zero barrels concerns me, and his .272 xwOBA shows he got lucky. He’s not going to be a league winner, but he could be a cheap source of steals on a team that needs all the young offensive talent they can get. 2023 Projection: 39/5/31/.260/.319/.389/11 Prime Projection: 74/14/57/.277/.334/.413/24

226) Dax Fulton MIA, LHP, 21.6 – Fulton makes for an extremely uncomfortable at bat at 6’7”, 225 pounds with a bit of a herky jerky lefty delivery. He ran into some bad BABIP luck at High-A with a 4.07 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 97.1 IP, but his 28.4%/8.3% K%/BB% and and 3.31 xFIP shows his true talent level. He then went to Double-A and crushed it with a 2.57 ERA and 30/7 K/BB in 21 IP. He’s a groundball pitcher with a heavy, low to mid 90’s fastball to go along with a potentially plus breaker and change. It’s a #4 starter profile with upside for more if his fastball ticks up. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/3.92/1.31/172 in 170 IP

227) Cade Marlowe SEA, OF, 25.9 – Marlowe is in that Joey Wiemer class of prospect. He’s an older prospect with a plus power/speed combo and major hit tool issues. He slashed .287/.377/.487 with 23 homers, 42 steals, and a 27.0%/10.7% K%/BB% in 133 games at mostly Double-A. He made it to Triple-A for 13 games and his K% spiked to 38.3%, which isn’t a great sign. He’s older than Wiemer and the power/speed combo isn’t as big as Wiemer, but these types of prospects give you legitimate upside without having to draft a teenager who is likely at least 3-4 years away. I doubt Seattle will just hand him a starting job, so he will have to scratch and claw for playing time with a very short leash when he does get his shot. He also hits righties significantly better than lefties, so a platoon role is in play. 2023 Projection: 19/5/20/.221/.290/.398/6 Prime Projection: 51/16/60/.236/.316/.431/12

228) Jordan Diaz OAK, 1B/2B, 22.8 – Diaz has a plus hit tool with elite contact rates, notching a .326 BA and 14.4% K% in 120 games in the upper minors. He had a 13.7% K% with a .265 BA in his 15 game MLB debut. That is just about all he has going for him though. He has very low walk rates (5.3% BB%), over 50% groundball rates, no speed, and is a poor defensive player. Getting the bat on the ball to go along with Oakland’s depleted roster makes him relatively safe, but he’s pretty devoid of upside. 2023 Projection: 45/10/48/.268/.307/.411/1 Prime Projection: 69/18/75/.283/.328/.436/2

229) Andres Chaparro NYY, 3B, 23.11 – Chaparro displayed an impressive hit/power combo at Double-A, smashing 19 homers with a 19.9%/9.2% K%/BB% in just 64 games. Steamer loves him, already giving him a 121 wRC+ projection for 2023. He’s a thick 6’1” and hits the ball very hard, so the power is most certainly for real, and he’s always shown a good feel to hit throughout his minor league career. He was a bit older for the level than you want to see, and he doesn’t have that long and lean build that screams upside, but nothing he did looks like a fluke. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/24/79/.262/.325/.454/2

230) Vaun Brown SFG, OF, 24.9 – Brown is your classic lower minors, old for the level standout. His numbers are off the charts, slashing .346/.437/.623 with 23 homers, 44 steals, and a 26%/10.3% K%/BB% in 103 split between Single-A and High-A, dominating each league equally. He played 1 game at Double-A and went 0 for 2. He played 5 years in the weak SSC conference in college, and he didn’t breakout until his 4th year, so he’s always been an old for the level, inferior competition type guy. It wouldn’t be surprising to see his already weak-ish K% skyrocket when he finally faces advanced pitchers. He also has an unorthodox batting stance where he keeps his hands low and almost looks like he is lurching. It doesn’t look all that smooth, but plenty of guys have thrived with an unorthodox stance. What isn’t in doubt is his power/speed combo as he’s an excellent athlete and he hits the ball hard. If the K rate doesn’t get too far out of control, the homers and steals will be there. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 71/23/77/.240/.312/.434/18

231) Parker Meadows DET, OF, 23.5 – Meadows was a former favorite of mine who I moved off after he struggled for a couple years in full season ball, but he had his breakout in 2022. He slashed .270/.346/.473 with 20 homers, 17 steals, and a 19.4%/10.1% K%/BB% in 113 games at mostly Double-A. He has the bloodlines (Austin is his brother), he looks the part (6’5”, 205) and now the production is there too. I’m not going too crazy for him, but I’m definitely getting back in. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/23/78/.247/.318/.435/13

232) Justyn-Henry Malloy DET, 3B/OF, 23.2 – You have to be a little concerned that Atlanta was willing to deal Malloy for Joe Jimenez. They have been excellent at knowing which prospects to keep and which to trade. Malloy is 6’3”, 212 pounds with a bit of an awkward righty swing that has a lot of movement. It didn’t stop him from decimating 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA), slashing .289/.408/.454 with 17 homers and a 138/97 K/BB in 133 games. He hits the ball hard with a mostly line drive approach and huge walk rates. The Tigers below average ballpark for righties will not help his fantasy upside, but there is playing time to be won with their depleted roster. I wouldn’t expect huge fantasy impact in a 5×5 BA league, but he can be solid, and add a star in OBP leagues 2023 Projection: 19/4/17/.243/.322/.412/1 Prime Projection: 78/20/74/.258/.339/.442/4

233) Gabriel Martinez TOR, OF, 20.8 – The unheralded Martinez quietly had one of the most impressive hit/power combo seasons for a 19 year old. He slashed .293/.355/.477 with 14 homers and a 64/32 K/BB in 96 games at Single-A (135 wRC+) and High-A (141 wRC+). The raw tools aren’t huge at 6’0”, 170 pounds, which is the reason for the unheraldedness, but there is still plenty of room for him to tack on mass. The power should only tick up from here. It’s a potentially above average hit/power combo at peak. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/22/74/.273/.331/.445/5

234) Blade Tidwell NYM, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 52nd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Tidwell throws gas with a fastball that can consistently reach the upper 90’s. He combines that with a potentially plus slider and developing changeup. He was limited to only 39 IP in the SEC due to shoulder soreness, but he pitched well in those innings with a 3.00 ERA and 51/11 K/BB. He then stepped into pro ball and proved the shoulder is just fine by dominating in the Single-A playoffs, going 9.2 IP with 5 hits, 0 ER and a 13/2 K/BB over 2 outings. He makes for a great later round FYPD target if you stack up on hitters early. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/3.85/1.28/165 in 160 IP

235) Shintaro Fujinami OAK, RHP, 29.0 – Oakland is an organization that has to exhaust every avenue and be very savvy to find upside on the cheap (Fuginami signed for a mere $3.25 million), and if your fantasy team is in the same position, Fujinami could be a good target for you too.  He has great size at 6’6”, 180 pounds (maybe a little too skinny), and his stuff is legitimately very filthy (mid 90’s fastball, plus splitter, and solid slider). He’s been used mostly out of the pen in a bulk innings role, but he came up as a starter and has actually thrown 199 IP in a season before (2015). He threw 107.1 IP this season in 25 appearances, so it’s not like he’s a one inning guy. There is a real chance he can be a beast in Oakland’s rotation, but there is a still a lot of bullpen risk. 2023 Projection: 7/3.98/1.32/141 in 135 IP

236) Tyler Gentry KCR, OF, 23.7 – KC’s farm system is completely stripped with how much talent graduated to the majors this year, but it does allow some under the radar guys to get some light, and Gentry is someone who definitely deserves more light. He went nuclear in 2022, slashing .326/.422/.542 with 21 homers, 10 steals, and a 21.7%/12.4% in 108 games at mostly Double-A. That is thorough across the board production everywhere you look. He’s 6’2”, 210 with a powerful and under control righty swing. KC’s OF is far from locked down, so if you’re looking for a close to the majors prospect with real upside at a very cheap price, Gentry is your guy. 2023 Projection: 38/9/41/.242/.314/.418/4 Prime Projection: 73/21/78/.257/.328/.446/8

237) Maikel Garcia KCR, SS, 23.1 – Garcia’s power popped a little bit this year, going from basically nothing to merely below average with 11 homers in 118 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He combines that with a mature plate approach (18.4%/10.5% K%/BB%) and baserunning skills (39 steals). He got some at bats in the majors throughout the year and showed the hit tool (15.4% whiff% with a .318 BA) and speed (28.5 ft/sec sprint speed) in 23 PA could transfer to the majors. He’s a plus defensive SS, so his glove should keep him on the field. 2023 Projection: 39/6/28/.255/.308/.350/8 Prime Projection: 76/14/58/.268/.326/.374/19

238) Drew Waters KCR, OF, 24.3 – The very talented Waters has just never been able to refine his game, which is why Atlanta finally decided to cut ties in 2022. He had his usual good but not standout year in the minors, putting up a .805 OPS with a 27.8% K% and 18 steals in 83 games in Triple-A. The Royals called him up in late August, and while the surface stats looked good with 5 homers and a .803 OPS in 109 PA, the underlying numbers looked very bad with a 36.7% K%, 84.1 MPH EV, and .293 xwOBA. His 28.4 ft/sec sprint is fast, but it’s not lightning speed. It’s a 4th outfielder profile, but KC’s roster is depleted and he could get a shot at the starting CF job. 2023 Projection: 59/12/50/.228/.299/.397/9

239) Jacob Misiorowski MIL, RHP, 21.0 – If you want to bet on just pure, uncut stuff, Misiorowski is your guy. He was selected 63rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft and was given a big $2.35 million signing bonus. He’s 6’7”, 190 pounds with a high spin upper 90’s fastball and a potentially plus low 90’s slider. He had a 3/7 K/BB with 1 ER in his 1.2 IP MLB debut, which gives you an idea of where his control is at. He’s a two pitch pitcher with control issues, which leads to extreme bullpen risk, but Milwaukee also knows a thing or two about developing elite relievers. It’s the ultimate high risk, high reward profile. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 4/3.33/1.14/91/33 saves in 65 IP

240) Blake Walston ARI, LHP, 21.9 – I like to see how guys without big fastballs particularly perform against upper minors hitters before flying them up my rankings, and Walston is the perfect example of why as he struggled hard when he got to Double-A (2.55 ERA in 17.2 IP at High-A vs. 5.16 ERA in 106.1 IP at Double-A). He was much better in the 2nd half with a 2.89 ERA and 60/17 K/BB in 56 IP, and he was very young for the level, so I see it as more of a bump in the road than a major issue, but Walston’s going to have to work hard adding velocity this off-season. If he can start pumping mid 90’s heat, his 4 pitch mix from a 6’5” lefty frame gives him very high upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection:  11/3.98/1.31/182 in 175 IP

241) Ky Bush LAA, LHP, 23.5 – I liked Bush as a low key FYPD target in 2022, and he had a low key good year at Double-A with a pitching line of 3.67/1.18/101/29 in 103 IP. He’s a big 6’6”, 240 pound lefty who hides the ball well and throws a strong 4 pitch mix (mid 90’s heat, slider, curve, change). He just screams mid rotation MLB starter whenever I watch him. 2023 Projection: 2/4.38/1.35/43 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.27/161 in 170 IP

242) Yeison Morrobel TEX, OF, 19.4 – Morrobel is one of my favorite underrated prospects in the minors. He’s a projectable 6’2”, 170 pounds with an athletic lefty swing and excellent bat control. He didn’t put up eye popping power/speed numbers with 3 homers and 5 steals in 41 games in stateside rookie ball, but he slashed an excellent .329/.405/.487 with a 19.7%/9.8% K%/BB%. He made it to Single-A to close out the year and held his own with a 20.7%/10.3% K%/BB% in 8 games, although it came with a 70 wRC+. The profile reminds me a bit of where Jose Salas was last year. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 81/21/73/.275/.337/.446/11

243) Grant McCray SFG, OF, 22.4 – McCray is a high risk, high reward prospect with a plus power/speed combo (23 homers with 43 steals) and a high strikeout rate (29.9% K%). He did most of his damage at Single-A with a .908 OPS in 106 games, and he hit well at High-A too with a .810 OPS in 14 games, although his K% spiked to 35.5%. His high 11.8% BB% somewhat balances out the high K rates. His groundball rates are a little on the high side, and he was a bit older for the level than optimal, but there is a lot to like from a fantasy perspective especially. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/20/77/.245/.321/.426/15

244) Robert Gasser MIL, LHP, 23.10 – Ruiz got all the hype in the Hader trade, but Gasser might end up the best player in that deal when it’s all said and done, especially in terms of real life value. Gasser is a slingin’ lefty with a 3 quarters arm slot and good stuff. He has a high spin (to my eye) fastball that he can get into the mid 90’s, to go along with a potentially plus slider and an at least average changeup. While he doesn’t necessarily have pinpoint control, he generally hits his spots. It led to a 3.94 ERA with a 172/52 K/BB in 137 IP split between 3 levels (A+. AA, AAA). It’s a safe #4 starter profile with upside for more. 2023 Projection: 2/4.45/1.39/56 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 9/3.99/1.30/163 in 165 IP

245) Jeferson Quero MIL, C, 20.6 – Quero’s elite plate approach from rookie ball in 2021 (12%/14.5% K%/BB%) couldn’t quite transfer to full season ball (18.8%/7.4% in 95 games split between Single-A and High-A). He hit .286 with 10 homers and 10 steals. He projects for an above average hit/power combo, but with the amount of catcher talent that is about to hit the majors, and with catcher prospects not being a great target for fantasy in general, Quero isn’t someone I’m exactly going after. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/19/74/.272/.335/.438/5

246) Moises Ballesteros CHC, C, 19.5 – Most of the 2022 catcher breakouts are getting the full hype treatment, but Ballesteros is just chillin in corner waiting to get his fair due. Ballesteros is built like a slightly taller, lefty swinging version of Alejandro Kirk, and his profile isn’t that far off from Kirk’s, except the hit tool isn’t quite on that level. He was a former high priced international signing who handled his business in 2021 in the DSL with a 128 wRC+ and 12.8%/16.6% K%/BB% in 48 games. He debuted in stateside rookie ball in 2022 with added power, jacking 7 homers in 32 games, while proving the plus plate approach is for real with a 17.3%/11.8% K%/BB%. He put the cherry on top of his season by making his full season debut and putting up a 109 wRC+ with a 21.7%/14% K%/BB% in 31 games as an 18 year old. The other catcher breakouts overshadowing Ballesteros’ impressive season creates a buying opportunity, making him one of my top prospect catcher targets for 2023. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 69/23/76/.270/.342/.462/1

247) Heston Kjerstad BAL, OF, 24.2 – It’s been a long road for Kjerstad battling myocarditis, but he finally made his pro debut in 2022. He destroyed Single-A with a 228 wRC+ in 22 games before struggling hard at High-A with a 86 wRC+ in 43 games. He impressed in the AFL with 5 homers and a 1.007 OPS, but the 31/5 K/BB in 22 games really overshadows the production. You can’t help but root for him, but the loss of development time has really hurt him. It puts him in a late career breakout type bucket as a high risk power bat. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 48/17/58/.237/.305/.441/2

248) Jose Rodriguez MIN, OF, 17.10 – The 17 year old Rodriguez is already a big and strong dude at 6’2”, 196 pounds. He led the DSL with 13 homers in 55 games. As impressive as Lazaro Montes is, Rodriguez has a legitimate claim to the top power hitter in his class, and he was also one of the youngest players in the league. The 23.7%/9.6% K%/BB% isn’t all that impressive, and likely portends some plate approach issues against better pitching, but Rodriguez is a great pick if you’re looking for a high upside power hitting prospect. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 71/28/85/.245/.322/.492/6

249) Jackson Jobe DET, RHP, 20.8 – The hyped up, highly drafted Jobe didn’t put up eye popping numbers in his pro debut with a pitching line of 3.84/1.28/81/30 in 77.1 IP split between Single-A and High-A, but the stuff was certainly as advertised. He throws a mid 90’s fastball with a high spin slider that almost doesn’t even look real. He also throws a high spin plus curveball and changeup that have plus potential. He’s not a finished product as evidenced by the mediocre results, but the ingredients are there for him to turn into a top of the rotation starter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection:  11/3.87/1.24/173 in 165 IP Update: Jobe will be shutdown for 3-6 months with lumbar spine inflammation. Certainly doesn’t sound good. There is already tons of risk with high school pitchers, and this just takes the risk up to the max

250) Logan Allen CLE, LHP, 24.7 – Allen is a deception lefty with a low 90’s fastball, a changeup which flashes plus, and a solid slider. He carved up Double-A with a 3.33 ERA and 104/22 K/BB in 73 IP before getting hit up at Triple-A with a 6.49 ERA and 73/29 K/BB in 59.2 IP. Getting drilled a Triple-A doesn’t give me huge confidence his stuff will really be able to make an impact against MLB hitters. He has mid rotation upside, but I think he’s more of a back end guy, and Cleveland has a ton of arms. 2023 Projection: 2/4.32/1.35/34 in 35 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.10/1.28/166 in 160 IP

251) Jordan Wicks CHC, LHP, 23.7 – Wicks had a solid but unspectacular season in his first full year in pro ball with a pitching line of 3.80/1.25/121/28 in 94.2 IP split between High-A and Double-A. A plus changeup is his moneymaker and he combines that with a low 90’s fastball and a solid slider. It looks like a back end profile with mid rotation upside to me. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/4.12/1.28/167 in 165 IP

252) Malcom Nunez PIT, 1B/3B, 22.1 – Nunez burst on the scene in 2018 with a beastly pro debut in the DSL (238 wRC+ in 44 games). He wasn’t able to keep up that production stateside from 2019-2021, but he came back with a vengeance in 2022, slashing .262/.367/.466 with 23 homers and a 20.9%/14.0% K%/BB% in 119 games a mostly Double-A. He’s a strong and stout 5’11” and has an explosive swing that reminds me a little of Francisco Alvarez’ swing. He’s not a good defensive player, but Pitt is desperate for young offensive talent, so if he hits, he’ll play. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 66/23/77/.258/.327/.459/3

253) Wenceel Perez DET, 2B, 23.6 – Perez put up plus to elite contact rates his entire career (15%/10.3% K%/BB% in 2022), we were just waiting for the power to tick up, and it did just that in 2022. He cranked 14 homers in 94 games split between High-A and Double-A on the back of a much improved GB%, bringing it from over 50% to around 35%. He had a 143 wRC+ at both levels. He has plus speed, and he’s improved his base running skills over the past 2 years, going 40 for 7 on the bases in 207 games. It’s a classic top of the order profile, and with Schoop’s contract running out after the 2023 season, he could be given the first shot at taking the job. 2023 Projection: 19/3/13/.2 Prime Projection: 76/14/59/.275/.337/.412/17

254) Eguy Rosario SDP, 2B/3B, 23.8 – Here’s what I wrote in my in-season Dynasty Baseball Rundown on July 4th, “First there was Esports, and now there are Eguys. When will it end? Like Esports, Eguy is taking over, going 3 for 3 with 2 homers and a steal yesterday, and now has 13 homers, 13 steals, and a 21.8%/11.2% K%/BB% in 72 games at Triple-A. He also made one of the best catches I’ve ever seen. Eguys are just built different I guess.” I just thought that was a fun blurb, and Eguy kept it going since then, finishing the year with a 20/20 season (22/21) and an excellent 19.3%/10.5% K%/BB% in 124 games at Triple-A. He got a small taste of the bigs and went 1 for 5. He doesn’t really have any truly standout tools and San Diego’s pitcher’s park won’t do him any favors, but he has the potential to chip in a little bit everywhere. 2023 Projection: 33/5/36/.246/.309/.395/6 Prime Projection: 76/18/72/.262/.327/.435/13

255) Aeverson Arteaga SFG, SS, 19.11 – Arteaga didn’t go full breakout in essentially his full season debut at Single-A, but he still had a solid season with a 101 wRC+ in 122 games as a very young 19 year old. He didn’t let his strikeout rate get out of control with a 27.4% K%, and he still hits for a relatively good BA despite the high strikeout numbers with a .270 BA. He hit 14 homers with a 33.4% GB%, meaning he has some real home run potential when his power inevitably ticks up. He also has plus speed, although a 11 for 17 success rate on the bases is not extremely encouraging. His plus glove will get him on the field, he’s very young, and there is fantasy friendly upside if it all comes together. I’m staying patient. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/22/75/.255/.329/.436/12

256) Kahlil Watson MIA, SS, 20.0 – Watson had a rough year both baseball related and maturity related. He got benched earlier in the year for spiking his bat and having a poor attitude, and then he essentially got suspended a little later on for pointing his bat at an umpire like it was a rifle. As for his baseball skills, he struck out 35.5% of the time in 83 games at Single-A. He closed the year out on a strong note, slashing .292/.370/.528 with 1 homer, 3 steals, and a 19/8 K/BB in his final 18 games. I also refuse to write off a 19 year old as a hopeless case. He deserves a 2nd chance to get his head on straight as enters his 20’s and becomes more comfortable being a professional. His value has certainly fallen this year, but he’s still a super talented prospect with fantasy friendly upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/21/71/.242/.314/.427/15

257) Chase Petty CIN, RHP, 20.0 – Petty’s stuff wasn’t as big as advertised with his fastball sitting around 93-94 MPH rather than the mid to upper 90’s we were expecting/hoping for. Maybe he was taking a little bit off to help his control/command, because he was better than expected there with a 7.7% BB%. He put up a 3.48 ERA with a 23.7% K%. We thought he was high risk/high reward coming into 2022, and he ended up being the opposite of that. He’s now relatively safe but the upside seems limited, especially with Great American Ballpark waiting for him. Maybe he’ll start airing it out more in 2023 to reclaim his upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/4.05/1.28/153 in 160 IP

258) Trey Sweeney NYY, SS, 22.11 – Sweeney didn’t have a huge year, which would have been nice to see considering his competition in college wasn’t that strong in the Ohio Valley Conference, but it was still solid, slashing .240/.349/.413 with 16 homers, 31 steals, and a 23.2%/13.0 K%/BB% in 111 games split between High-A (100 games) and Double-A (11 games). He’s 6’4”, 200 pounds with a pretty viscous lefty swing, so there is more power in here to unlock, and he doesn’t have any major strikeout or groundball issues. He’s not that fast, so the stolen bases are likely a mirage, but it’s a good sign that he can contribute there. I’m very happy with my evaluation of him last off-season, as I liked him, but didn’t go crazy over him at 16th overall in my 2022 FYPD ranks. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/22/81/.253/.327/.448/7

259) Joshua Baez STL, OF, 19.9 – The 6’4”, 220 pound Baez has big time power with big time strikeout issues. He hit 3 homers with a 170 wRC+ in 20 games at Single-A, but it came with a 38% K%. He had a 32.6% in 12 games at rookie ball too. He’s not just a hulking slugger, he’s a good athlete with some speed, stealing 10 bags in 32 games. He’ll still be firmly 19 years old when the 2023 starts, which is a similar age to the incoming rookie class, so he’s ahead of the game. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/25/82/.242/.324/.472/8

260) Rosman Verdugo SDP, 2B/3B/SS, 18.2 – Verdugo was one of the youngest players in stateside rookie ball, and while striking out 35.4% of the time is worrisome, it didn’t stop him from putting up a 116 wRC+ with 7 homers in 52 games. He has an athletic and explosive righty swing that reminds me a bit of Noelvi Marte, although he doesn’t have Marte’s speed with only 3 steals in 7 attempts. There is a lot of risk here, but the power upside is legit. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 75/27/80/.242/.320/.453/5

261) Ian Lewis MIA, 2B, 20.2 – Lewis got a late start to the season because of a personal issue and then his season ended in mid July with a broken hamate bone. He didn’t have a standout season between all the missed time with a 106 wRC+ in 51 games at Single-A, but he still showed the same exciting skills that popped in 2021. He has a strong plate approach with a 21.1%/10.3% K%/BB%, he hits the ball hard, and he has at least plus speed with 16 steals in 17 attempts. His 55.9% GB% is a little disappointing, and shows he will have to make adjustments to get to his raw power as he hit only 2 homers. It’s an exciting fantasy profile with a safe floor because of the plus hit tool. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/16/69/.274/.332/.447/23

262) Matt McLain CIN, 2B/SS, 23.8 – McLain had a big power/speed season at Double-A with 17 homers and 27 steals in 103 games at Double-A, but his .232 BA and 28.1% K% is concerning, and he tanked in the AFL with a .657 OPS and 31.2% K%. He’s not a big raw power guy at 5’11”, 180 pounds, so the hit tool trouble is particularly troubling. 2023 Projection: 9/2/11/.223/.291/.403/3 Prime Projection: 69/18/73/.238/.317/.421/16

263) Keiner Delgado NYY, 2B/3B, 19.3 – Delgado was an 18 year old in the DSL, and he’s only 5’8”, 145 pounds, but everything else looks so good I just couldn’t leave him off this list. He slashed .310/.504/.506 with 3 homers, 34 steals, and an 11.8%/24.4% K%/BB% in 52 games. He’s an excellent athlete who hits the ball hard and has a 47.7% FB%, so he’ll get the most out of his raw power. Jose Altuve is the dream outcome, but there are lesser outcomes that would still make him an impact fantasy player. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 81/15/66/.268/.339/.420/19

264) Brandon Mayea NYY, OF, 17.5 – Mayea is my #2 overall international prospect behind Felnin Celesten. He might not be physically imposing at 5’11”, 170 pounds, but he’s far from weak with the ball exploding off his bat in every video I’ve seen. He has a good feel to hit with an easy and athletic righty swing to go along with plus speed. He’s expected to sign for over $4 million. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 82/22/76/.275/.345/.458/15

265) Ethan Salas SDP, C, 16.10 – Salas adds to the bloodline parade as the younger brother of Jose Salas who is currently having a great year in full season ball as a 19 year old. Salas has played in a bunch of Perfect Game events and has been on the radar playing against advanced competition for a long time. All of that to say he is safer than typical of international prospects because of how well he’s played against that competition. He has a quick and powerful lefty swing that has the potential for plus hit and plus power. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 74/24/76/.270/.340/.460/5

266) Travis Swaggerty PIT, OF, 25.8 – Swaggerty has been crushing the ball this spring, drilling 2 homers with a 1.129 OPS and tons of hard hit balls in 21 PA. He crushed the ball in his MLB debut last year too with a 92.1 MPH EV in 5 batted ball events. With a depleted roster and Bryan Reynolds on the trade block, they are almost certain to give Swaggerty a real shot this year, and he has a damn fun power/speed fantasy profile that managers in every league should take a flier on when he does. If you can’t stash him, at least be quick to jump on him when you see him getting his shot. This is similar to my Jake McCarthy call last off-season. 2023 Projection: 56/12/51/.238/.309/.410/14 Prime Projection: 78/18/67/.252/318/.428/18

267) David Hensley HOU, SS/2B/3B, 27.0 – Hensley’s an older prospect, but he looked impressive in his MLB debut with a 194 wRC+ in 34 PA. He had a 90.3 MPH EV, 28.5 ft/sec sprint, and a 17.6%/14.7% K%/BB%. He destroyed Triple-A with that same skillset, putting up a 130 wRC+ with 10 homers and 20 steals in 104 games. He’s a super utility player right now, even getting some time in the OF, and Houston’s doesn’t have the best offensive depth at the moment, so there is a real chance he ends up providing real fantasy value this season. 2023 Projection: 49/9/45/.248/.326/.403/11 Update: Jose Altuve broke his thump and is expected to be out for 8-10 months. This is the opening Hensley needed, and like I wrote in the original blurb, he can now provide legit fantasy value this season.

268) David Festa MIN, RHP, 23.1 – The 6’6”, 185 pound Festa was drafted in the 13th round of the 2021 Draft as a raw project, and Minnesota quickly turned that ball of clay into a legitimately exciting pitching prospect. He destroyed Single-A in 24 IP before quickly getting the call to High-A where he put up a pitching line of 2.71/1.19/75/28 in 79.2 IP. His one start in the High-A playoffs was a gem, going 6 IP with 2 hits, 0 ER, and a 10/0 K/BB. He throws a mid 90’s fastball with 2 potentially plus secondaries in his slider and change. He should go very late in every off-season prospect draft and is a perfect last round pitcher to grab if you focus on hitting early. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/3.94/1.27/174 in 170 IP

269) Jared Shuster ATL, LHP, 24.8 – Shuster has a back end starter profile with a low 90’s fastball, plus changeup, and decent slider. It led to a 3.29 ERA and 145/38 K/BB in 139.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. He’ll need to either gain a few ticks on the fastball or turn into a truly elite command guy if he wants to beat that back end projection. 2023 Projection: 5/4.34/1.33/109 in 120 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.02/1.28/153 in 160 IP Update: Shuster has been dominant in Spring and now looks like the favorite for the 5th starter, at least until Soroka is ready to return. #3/4 starter is his reasonable upside

270) Matt Sauer NYY, RHP, 24.2 – Sauer’s 4.54 ERA in 109 IP at High-A (88.1 IP) and Double-A (20.2 IP) is not indicative of how good he looked. He has no joke stuff with a plus mid 90’s fastball that moves, a plus slider, and a lesser used quality changeup. Here is he striking out 17 batters in his 3rd game at Double-A to give you an idea of the upside we are talking about. He had a 26.5%/9.3% K%/BB% at High-A and 37%/7.6% K%/BB% at Double-A. His control/command is below average and he has an injury history (he left his final start of the year with an undisclosed injury), so the bullpen risk is high, but he’s a no doubt target of mine in the later rounds of off-season prospect drafts, especially because New York traded so much of their pitching depth at the deadline. He could also be nasty out of the pen. 2023 Projection: 2/4.21/1.34/32 in 30 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.81/1.28/169 in 155 IP

271) Mason Montgomery TB, LHP, 22.9 – Montgomery is a deception type lefty with a low 90’s fastball he relies on heavily. He combines that with an average slider and lesser used changeup. The skills were good enough to dominate minor league hitters with a 2.10 ERA and 171/43 K/BB in 124 IP split between High-A and Double-A. The strikeouts fell off at Double-A with a 24.3% K%, which shows more advanced hitters are not going to struggle as much with the deception as lower minors guy. A Joe Ryan type is the upside, but the more likely scenario is probably a #4 type starter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/3.91/1.28/145 in 150 IP

272) Robby Snelling SDP, RHP, 19.3 – Selected 39th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Snelling is a big boy at 6’3”, 220 pounds, and befitting his size was also a 4 star football recruit. He chose baseball where he has plus control over one of the best curveballs in his class, to go along with a fastball he can get up into the mid 90’s and a lesser used developing changeup. It’s a relatively safe mid rotation profile with upside if his fastball ticks up and/or he develops truly elite control. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 11/3.84/1.22/172 in 170 IP

273) Owen Murphy ATL, RHP, 19.6 – Selected 20th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Murphy isn’t a huge projection guy at 6’1”, 190 pounds and he doesn’t have a huge fastball with low 90’s heat. He also showed some control issues in his pro debut with 6 walks in 12 IP, although he isn’t expected to have major control issues and all of those walks came at the advanced for his age Single-A. On the flip side, he’s a good athlete who definitely has the ability to add velocity as he matures, and he produces high spin rates. His curve is potentially plus to go along with a developing slider and change. Mid rotation upside seems fair to me. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 11/3.89/1.26/161 in 165 IP

274) Jud Fabian BAL, OF, 22.6 – Selected 40th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Fabian’s hype almost completely disappeared after he decided to return to college for his senior year, even though he is still the same age as many juniors. His strong pro debut has people talking again though with a 1.070 OPS and 21/19 K/BB in 22 games at mostly Single-A. He did improve his swing and miss issues this year in college, but a .239 BA with a 22.3 K% isn’t exactly great. It’s a 3 true outcome slugger profile, except he has speed and defensive ability to go with it. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/26/74/.232/.315/.435/8

275) Sterlin Thompson COL, 2B/OF, 21.9 – Selected 31st overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Thompson’s been a consistently strong performer in his 2 years in the SEC (.948 OPS in his 121 game college career), he has good size at 6’4”, 200 pounds, and he has a pretty sweet lefty swing that is easy to foresee another level of power coming in the future. He had a solid but unspectacular pro debut with a .787 OPS in 26 games split between rookie ball and Single-A, showing a bit more swing and miss than optimal with a 25.2% K%. It’s a solid across the board profile with power upside and hit tool downside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/21/76/.260/.326/.430/9

276) Luis Campusano SD, C, 24.6 – The Padres just don’t want to give Campusano a real shot, and his defense is probably the main reason for it. He’s still young and catchers are notorious for taking a long time to develop, but if he can’t stick at catcher, I’m not sure the bat is good enough to really make a fantasy impact. He’s put up plus contact rates in the minors, but he’s been a whiff machine in the majors with a 37.5% whiff% in 2020, 37.9% whiff% in 2021, and 31.7% whiff% in 2022, albeit in very small samples. He has plus power potential, but he’s been mostly a groundball hitter throughout his career. San Diego is also one of the worst hitter’s parks in the majors. I do think Campusano eventually gets a full shot, but he’s the type I might pick up when he finally does, rather than hold and wait for it. 2023 Projection: 23/6/27/.240/.299/.404/0 Prime Projection: 51/18/57/.252/.321/.443/0

277) Bryan Mata BOS, RHP, 23.11 – Mata returned from Tommy John surgery in June and quickly established the nasty stuff is fully back with him regularly sitting in the upper 90’s with his 4-seamer. He combines that with a diverse pitch mix that features a potentially plus slider, a nasty 2 seamer, a curve, and a change. He touched every level of the minors this year other than rookie ball and racked up K’s at every level with 105 strikeouts in 83 IP which led to a 2.49 ERA. The problem is that he has major control issues, putting up a 14.7% BB% in 23.1 IP at Triple-A. It’s a high risk, high reward profile with major bullpen risk. 2023 Projection: 3/4.10/1.34/71/4 saves in 65 IP Prime Projection: 5/3.28/1.18/85/28 saves in 70 IP

278) Spencer Arrighetti HOU, RHP, 23.3 – Arrighetti strikes me as the classic (or at least of recent times) underrated Astros pitcher. We just saw them turn Cristian Javier into an ace who was in a similar bucket as a high K, poor control guy. Bryan Abreu also had an excellent year out of the pen. Arrighetti is similar with a 152/52 K/BB in 106.2 IP split between High-A and Double-A. The 4.73 ERA isn’t great, but he was actually better at Double-A with a 3.43 ERA. He has an athletic delivery with a mid 90’s fastball and plus slider. He’ll likely break in as a pen arm, but he has upside in that role and they could eventually give him a shot in the rotation. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 7/3.81/1.29/131 in 120 IP

279) Ryan Kreidler DET, 3B/SS, 25.4 – Kreidler couldn’t build on his breakout 2022 with his wRC+ at Triple-A dropping from 147 to 106, and his K% jumping from 24.1% to 28.8%. His MLB debut went even worse with a .477 OPS in 84 PA. The underlying numbers weren’t quite as bad though, and showed seeds of hope with a reasonable 27.6% whiff% and an average 88.2 MPH EV. He’s pretty fast too with a 28.3 ft/sec sprint speed, and he stole 17 bases in 18 attempts in 60 games at Triple-A. He’s currently in the mix for Detroit at 3B, and while I wouldn’t expect big production, there is a potentially moderate power/speed combo in here. 2023 Projection: 56/14/51/.227/.298/.401/10

280) Tyler Freeman CLE, SS, 23.10 – Freeman just never developed beyond a plus contact, weak hitting middle infielder. He put up a mediocre .735 OPS and 104 wRC+ in 72 games at Triple-A, and then he made his MLB debut and put up a .600 OPS with an 85.9 MPH EV in 86 PA. He has some speed, but he’s not a big base stealer with only 7 steals between the 2 levels. The elite contact rates fully transferred to the majors with a 12.8% K%, but this is a bottom of the order profile even if he does work his way into full time at bats. 2023 Projection: 21/3/14/.266/.318/.388/4 Prime Projection: 74/13/62/.276/.332/.405/11

281) Alejandro Osuna TEX, OF, 20.6 – Osuna reminds me a whole lot of Melky Cabrera. He has a quick and firm lefty swing that should be able to produce at least average power at peak (8 homers in 76 games at Single-A), and he combines that with a good feel to hit (15.9%/11.3% K%/BB%) and speed (32 steals in 47 attempts). If the power really ticks up, he could be the roided up version of Melky, but he’s more likely the non roided version. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/18/69/.272/.334/.426/14

282) T.J. White WAS, OF, 19.8 – White was one of my favorite deep sleepers last off-season, and that will remain true for this off-season. He was 18 years old for most of the season at Single-A and put up a 118 wRC+ in 92 games. He’s a switch hitter with a powerful bat at 6’2”, 210 pounds, and he’s a good athlete too, nabbing 8 bags in 9 attempts. There are some swing and miss issues (27.2% K%), and he’s a corner outfielder, but White has a real chance to be an impact fantasy player. He’s seriously underrated. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 72/23/79/.246/.326/.450/7

283) Cade Doughty TOR, 2B/3B, 22.0 – Selected 78th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Doughty had a big time pro debut, jacking out 6 homers with a 147 wRC+ in 26 games at Single-A, although the 24.4%/8.4% K%/BB% is a bit mediocre. He’s raked in the SEC all 3 years he’s played there, slashing .301/.379/.541 with 30 homers, 9 steals, and an 89/56 K/BB in 133 career games. A guy who rips it up in the toughest conference in baseball and then has an excellent pro debut is a very enticing underrated FYPD pick. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/79/.258/.326/.441/4

284) Tyler Locklear SEA, 1B/3B, 22.4 –  Selected 58th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Locklear put up video game numbers in the Atlantic 10, slashing .402/.542/.799 with 20 homers, 6 steals, and a 25/47 K/BB in 62 games. He smashed in pro ball too with 7 homers and a 21.8% K% in 29 games at Single-A. The power is very real at 6’3”, 210 pounds and he also has a good feel to hit with a relatively short righty swing. The swing isn’t particularly athletic, he has below average speed and he’s likely a 1B long term, so the bat will have to hit it’s absolute ceiling to hold down a full time job. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 64/22/77/.254/.321/.466/2

285) Niko Kavadas BOS, 1B, 24.5 – The lefty Kavadas wrecked the lower level of the minors with 24 homers in 96 games split between Single-A and High-A, but his swing and miss issues caught up with him when he got to Double-A, putting up a 40% K% with only 2 homers in 24 games. For an older player, that isn’t a great sign. He’s also a 1B only guy, which causes another road block to playing time. He’s a walk machine and the power is legit, so I could see him chiseling out some kind of platoon role on the MLB level a la Dan Vogelbach. 2023 Projection: 9/3/12/.219/.305/.410/0  Prime Projection: 48/18/57/.232/.328/.430/1

286) Ivan Melendez ARI, 1B, 23.4 –  Selected 43rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Melendez is a big man who hits for big power, banging out 32 homers in 67 Big12 games. There are K’s present in his game, but he isn’t a homer or nothing type player, so he could keep the average respectable, and he isn’t a bad athlete either. I’m a little concerned that he is old for his draft class at 22, and then those concerns were exacerbated when he didn’t have a very good pro debut with a 94 wRC+ in 25 games at Single-A. Regardless, if you are looking for a big power bat who should move through the minors relatively quickly, Melendez should come at a reasonable price in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 69/24/76/.245/.328/.468/1

287) Brock Jones TBR, OF, 22.0 – Selected 65th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Jones is an elite athlete who also played safety for Stanford’s football team his freshman year before giving football up to focus solely on baseball. It was a smart decision, because his numbers exploded after that, drilling 39 homers with 30 steals in 121 Pac12 games. It would have been nice to see the strikeout rate improve this year, but that wasn’t the case with 78 K’s in 65 games. On the bright side, he’s a walk machine with 55 walks, so add a star in OBP leagues. His pro debut went exactly as expected showing both the big tools and big risk, slashing .265/.407/.529 with 4 homers, 11 steals, and a 31.4%/19.8% K%/BB% in 19 games split between rookie and Single-A ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/22/74/.243/.328/.451/10

288) Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP, 25.7 – It’s important to be cutthroat in fantasy regarding prospects, which is why Whitley’s days of being a highly valued prospect are over, but I also don’t love just throwing a former elite guy away for nothing as he’s knocking on the door of the bigs. He underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2021, and was understandably rusty when he returned to Triple-A in July with a 7.09 ERA and 22.8%/15.8% K%/BB% in 33 IP. The stuff was still big with a mid 90’s fastball and three potentially plus secondaries in his slider, change, and curve. You might as well give him one more year to get fully healthy and see if he can recapture some of his former magic, because the stuff is there to do it. He looks almost certain to start his career in the pen because of his control issues, injuries, and Houston’s depth, but he can make an impact there and it’s probably the best way for him to break into the bigs regardless. 2023 Projection: 2/4.31/1.39/51 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.15/1.34/157 in 150 IP

289) Sal Stewart CIN, 3B, 19.4 – Selected 32nd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Stewart is 6’3”, 215 pounds with the potential to hit for both power and average. He put up a 5/4 K/BB with 4 doubles and a 135 wRC+ in 8 games in his pro debut at rookie ball, and he didn’t show any major groundball issues with a 42.1% GB%. He might end up moving to 1B, but he has the bat to profile anywhere. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 78/25/83/.268/.341/.476/4

290) Reggie Crawford SFG, LHP/1B, 22.4 – Selected 30th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Crawford underwent Tommy John surgery in late 2021 and missed all of the 2022 season. He’s a 2 way player whose future is likely on the mound, even though he has pitched a total of 8 IP in college. All of that to say there are a ton of unknowns. The reason he still got drafted so highly is because the skills and build are undeniable. He’s a ripped 6’4”, 235 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and potentially plus slider. He also had a .908 OPS in his 64 game minor league career, although the plate approach is weak, and he didn’t look all that good in his pro debut in rookie ball with a .396 OPS and 9/2 K/BB in 6 games. It’s basically a complete shot in the dark, but the San Francisco brain trust are obviously believers, and the upside is high. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 4/3.44/1.21/85/25 saves in 65 IP or 9/4.03/1.33/160 in 150 IP

291) Axiel Plaz PIT, C, 17.8 – Plaz was one of the youngest players in the DSL at 16 years old for most of the season and was one of the best performers with a 210 wRC+. He slashed .382/.500/.706 with 3 homers, 2 steals, and a 18.6%/15.1% K%/BB% in 32 games. He was known for his strong glove when he signed, and the bat is obviously advanced as well. He’s not a huge guy at 5’11”, 160 pounds, but there could be another inch or two in here as we are talking about a 16/17 old. 17 year old catchers are not the best investment for fantasy baseball, but Plaz is the top catcher target for his class/age group. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 67/20/73/.268/.334/.447/3

292) Jackson Ferris CHC, LHP, 19.3 – Selected 47th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Ferris can still be inconsistent, but all of the components are really exciting. He’s a big lefty with prototypical size and projection. He has a fairly athletic delivery that he uses to fire a fastball he can get into the mid 90’s to go along with two potentially impact secondaries in his curve and change. The control can come and go, but he’s a nice high upside pitcher to take a shot on. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 9/3.87/1.31/169 in 154 IP

293) Hendry Mendez MIL, OF, 19.5 – Mendez was an 18 year old in full season ball and he put up an impressive 15.7%/13.9% K%/BB% in 105 games. It came with only 5 homers and a 62.5% GB% which resulted in a below average 98 wRC+. He’s 6’2”, 175 pounds with a vicious lefty swing, but that groundball rate is very extreme. He’ll need to make a major adjustment to unlock more of his raw power. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 82/15/68/.282/.348/.423/8

294) Jay Allen CIN, OF, 20.4 – Allen’s power was much worse than anticipated. He hit only 3 homers in 91 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. There was tons of weak contact that led to a .225 BA. His contact rates weren’t all that good either with a 24% K%. He’s a great athlete with plus speed (43 steals) and more raw power in the tank at 6’2”, 190 pounds, so the upside is still high, but the lack of power was extreme enough for me to shy away from him. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 71/14/62/.240/.317/.418/22

295) Jose Gerardo MIA, OF, 17.10 – Gerardo was your classic long and lean projectable international signing, and he showed off that talent in his pro debut with 11 homers, 18 steals, and a 156 wRC+ in 50 games in the DSL. The catch is that it came with a 30.3% K% (and 15.1% BB%). That is a lot of swing and miss against the lowest level of pitchers, and he’s not necessarily a beast like Lazaro Montes where it is easier to overlook. He’s a guy who will either skyrocket up rankings, or will disappear if the hit tool looks even worse against advanced pitchers. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/23/76/.241/.317/.440/11

296) Justin Campbell CLE, RHP, 22.1 – Selected 37th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Campbell is 6’7”, 220 pounds with an easy and athletic delivery. Sometimes guys this tall can have an awkward delivery, but not Campbell. His dive bombing changeup in his best pitch, to go along with a low to mid 90’s fastball which gets plenty of whiffs, and 2 effective breaking balls in his curve and slider. His 3.82 ERA was a little inflated, but the 141/25 K/BB in 101.1 IP is much more indicative of his talent. Cleveland knows a thing or two about pitching development, and Campbell is legitimately exciting, especially if his fastball can tick up. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/3.95/1.25/168 in 165 IP

297) Carson Whisenhunt SFG, LHP, 22.5 – Selected 66th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Whisenhunt was suspended for the entire 2022 season for a positive drug test he claimed stemmed from some supplements he took. He debuted in pro ball though and looked good with a 0.00 ERA and 19/1 K/BB in 9.2 IP split between rookie, Single-A, and the Fall League. His bread and butter is an absolutely filthy changeup that he goes to often. He combines that with a low to mid 90’s fastball and a potentially plus curve. If the fastball ticks up, he could be especially dangerous, and he’s a strong pitching prospect as is. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/3.92/1.28/163 in 160 IP

298) DJ Herz CHC, LHP, 22.3 – Herz dominated High-A with a 2.26 ERA and 99/37 K/BB in 63.2 IP, but he fell apart at Double-A with a 8.24 ERA and 42/33 K/BB in 31.2 IP. His control wasn’t good at either stop, and it got horrific at Double-A. It’s not a great sign for his future as a starter, and likely pushes him closer to a bullpen role. I love his stuff, delivery and upside, but the bullpen risk is now very, very high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 4/3.26/1.18/88/15 saves in 65 IP

299) Roderick Arias NYY, SS, 18.7 – The highly touted Arias showed major hit tool concern in his pro debut with a .194 BA and 32.9% K% in 31 DSL games, but at least his other tools shined. He hit the ball hard with 3 homers, 6 doubles, and 2 triples, he walked a ton with at 20% BB%, and he stole 10 bags. Even with the terrible BA he still had an above average 113 wRC+. The hit tool adds risk, but the upside is considerable. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/22/75/.253/.334/.442/13

300) Johan Rojas PHI, OF, 22.8 – Rojas is a speedster who nabbed 62 bags in 67 attempts in 130 games split between High-A and Double-A. He has above average, but not elite contact rates with a 17.8% K%, and his power is lacking with only 7 homers. We’ve seen enough of these types of prospects struggle hard when they hit the majors, but he has an elite skill in his speed, and the power should hopefully tick up in time. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 73/13/57/.252/.318/.396/27

301) Liover Peguero PIT, SS, 22.3 – Peguero is going to need to hit the ball a lot harder to start doing damage. He’s still a relatively thin 6’2”, 200 pounds, so there should be another level of power to unlock here. As is, he put up a 88 wRC+ with 10 homers in 121 games at Double-A. He has speed with 28 steals, but his plate approach is mediocre with a 21.3%/5.6% K%/BB%. There is an exciting blend of tools here, but it hasn’t all come together yet. 2023 Projection: 18/4/14/.242/.294/.378/6 Prime Projection: 76/16/62/.262/.318/.417/19

302) Yoelqui Cespedes CHW, OF, 25.6 – Cespedes showed off both his upside and risk this year in 119 games at Double-A with 17 homers, 33 steals, and a 30.1%/5.7% K%/BB%. Considering he was 24 years old, the terrible plate approach clearly overshadows the exciting power/speed combo, but I would be hesitant to completely write him off. He’s in the potential late career breakout bucket. It won’t be smooth sailing, but there could be some good years from like his age 27-32 year old seasons. 2023 Projection: 9/1/6/.217/.278/.379/3 Prime Projection: 75/17/61/.237/.302/.400/20

303) Matt Wallner MIN, OF, 25.4 – Wallner is a mountain of a man at 6’5”, 220 pounds with huge power and patience, jacking 27 homers with a 17% BB% in 128 games split between Double-A and Triple-A, but it comes with an equally huge strikeout issue (29.8% K%). He got an MLB cup of coffee in September and the K% spiked to 38.5% in 18 games. Considering the BA risk and defense risk as well (he’s a poor corner outfielder), I have Wallner in flier territory only, even in an OBP league. 2023 Projection: 20/7/26/.213/.305/.410/1 Prime Projection: 46/16/49/.221/.318/.428/3

304) Hunter Goodman COL, C/1B, 23.6 – Goodman cracked my 2022 “Top 1,000” Rankings at #1,002 because of his huge power, and pro ball didn’t slow him down at all in that regard with 36 homers in 134 games split between Single-A (137 wRC+ in 73 games), High-A (153 wRC+ in 49 games), and Double-A (74 wRC+ in 12 games). On the downside, the plate approach isn’t good with a 26.1%/6.9% K%/BB%. The profile reminds me of a former Colorado Rockies catcher prospect, Tom Murphy. Murphy is also a fair comp for Goodman’s future. He will hit for power with a low BA and will likely always have to battle for playing time. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 54/20/68/.241/.308/.449/3

305) Michael Arroyo SEA, SS/3B, 18.5 – Arroyo was a high priced international signing who was known for his plus hit tool and mature approach. He came exactly as advertised in his pro debut, slashing .314/.457/.484 with 4 homers, 4 steals, and a 16.6%/13.6% K%/BB% in 49 DSL games. He’s similar to Gabriel Gonzalez in that he isn’t a huge tools guy at 5’10”, 160 pounds, although his power potential probably doesn’t rise quite to Gonzalez’ level. I want to love Arroyo even more, but it’s hard for me to fly a guy up my rankings who doesn’t have huge upside, is a long way off from the majors, and hasn’t even debuted stateside. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 83/21/73/.273/.339/.447/6

306) AJ Vukovich ARI, 3B, 21.9 – Vukovich is a big man at 6’5”, 210 pounds with big raw power and excellent athleticism. His stats haven’t really popped in his 2 year pro career with a .766 OPS in 2021 and a .757 OPS in 2022 at High-A, and his mediocre plate approach (23.4%/4% K%/BB% at High-A) shows he is still a bit of a project, so this is a bet on the talent. With continued refinement, he has a legitimate chance to blow up. He’s being slept on a bit too much for my liking. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection:  72/23/78/.251/.314/.448/8

307) Jeremy De La Rosa WAS, OF, 21.3 – De La Rosa is an explosive ballplayer with plus speed (39 steals in 101 games) and developing power (11 homers). He was really cooking at Single-A with a 148 wRC+ in 69 games, but he fell off a cliff when he got to the age appropriate High-A with a 53 wRC+ in 32 games. He’s also had strikeout issues throughout his career, putting up a 27.8% K% at High-A. It’s a high risk, high reward profile. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/17/72/.248/.323/.428/18

308) Estiven Florial NYY, OF, 25.4 – Florial burst on the scene in 2017 as the ultimate high risk, high reward prospect, and 6 years later he remains that way, although neither the risk nor the reward are quite as high. He had a strong season at Triple-A with a 124 wRC+ in 101 games, but the 30.4% K% is still in the danger zone and his power has yet to fully breakout with 15 homers. He got some run in the majors and the K% spiked to 37.1% with a negative 7 wRC+ in 35 PA. He’s a plus defensive centerfielder, so it seems he will be used as a bench outfielder earlier in his career, with the hope he continues to grow into his considerable raw offensive talent as a later career breakout. 2023 Projection: 19/5/22/.222/.294/.389/7 Prime Projection: 73/18/61/.238/.311/.413/16

309) Daniel Susac OAK, C, 21.11 – Selected 19th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Susac certainly looks the part at an athletic 6’4”, 218 pounds with plus raw power. He tore up the Pac12 with 24 homers and a .999 OPS in his 125 game college career. The reason I don’t have him ranked higher is because his plate approach isn’t great with a 23.4%/6.5% K%/BB% in his 25 game pro debut in Single-A, and he doesn’t have a high launch angle with a 56.3% GB%. There is upside here with further refinement, but a catcher prospect who will hit in Oakland’s pitcher’s park and still needs to make adjustments is not my favorite investment. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 61/18/67/.267/.322/.434/1

310) Leonardo Balcazar CIN, SS, 18.9 – Balcazar ripped up the DSL in 2021 with a 135 wRC+, and he did the same stateside in 2022 with a 144 wRC+ in 42 games. His 25% K% is on the high side, but he has an exciting blend of tools with emerging power (4 homers in 42 games), speed (13 steals), and a mature plate approach (10.7% BB%). He’s flying too far under the radar. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 77/21/74/.263/.334/.432/14

311) Manuel Beltre TOR, SS, 18.10 – Beltre hasn’t had the big statistical breakout yet, but the ingredients for it are still bubbling right under the surface. He has a strong plate approach (19.7%/10.7% K%/BB%) with a low GB% (33.1%) and some speed (9 steals). It only led to 1 homer and a 96 wRC+ in 49 games at rookie ball, but when the power ticks up, it could lead to an offensive explosion. He got a 5 game cup of coffee at Single-A and wasn’t fazed by the advanced competition with a 13.6% K%, 1 homer, and 178 wRC+. He’s slowly being forgotten about, but he’s a sneaky good later round target in prospect drafts.  ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 84/21/76/.268/.336/.441/12

312) Mason Auer TBR, OF, 22.1 – Auer was 21 years old in the lower minors, which is a little older than you would like, but he handled his business at both Single-A (135 wRC+ in 60 games) and High-A (133 wRC+ in 55 games). Plus speed is his best skill right now and he used it to jack 48 bases in 55 games. He was a considered a raw prospect when drafted in 2021, and his swing looks it for sure as it is quite awkward to my eye. The rawness gives him some untapped upside, but there is a lot more refinement needed and he’s yet to face advanced competition. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 64/13/52/.250/.322/.413/16

313) Jonathan Mejia STL, SS, 18.0 – The switch hitting Mejia cracked my 2022 Top 1,000 Dynasty Rankings at #999, and he proved he deserved to be on the list with a strong pro debut in the DSL, slashing .267/.418/.479 with 5 homers, 3 steals, and a 23.1%/15.9% K%/BB% in 45 games. It was good for a 145 wRC+. He’s not the type who is likely to explode to elite prospect status, but there is potential for an above average hit/power combo at peak. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 75/21/78/.268/.331/.444/6

314) Denzel Clarke OAK, OF, 22.11 – The 6’5”, 220 pound Clarke lived up to his billing as a high risk, high reward prospect, slashing .248/.365/.469 with 15 homers, 30 steals, and a 32.8%/13.6% K%/BB% in 93 games split between Single-A (147 wRC+ in 42 games) and High-A (102 wRC+ in 51 games). His K% spiked to 36.2% at High-A which underscores his risk. He didn’t come from a big time college program, so considering this was his first real taste of advanced competition, there will hopefully be more room for improvement than your typical 22/23 year old prospect in the lower minors. He’s likely setting up to be a late career breakout type. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/23/75/.233/.309/.435/16

315) Lawrence Butler OAK, 1B/OF, 22.9 – Butler’s power/speed numbers were far more modest in 2022 vs. 2021, putting up a 19/29 season in 102 games split between Single-A and High-A in 2021 vs. a 11/13 season in 84 games at High-A in 2022. And it wasn’t because he made any hit tool gains because his K% remained high at a 31.5%. It was still good for a 129 wRC+ and he hit well in the AFL too with a .833 OPS and 15/15 K/BB in 19 games. For a high risk prospect, it would have been nice to see the power/speed numbers really popping in the lower minors, but it doesn’t really change his ultimate profile. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 62/21/68/.232/.307/.434/10

316) Kristian Robinson ARI, OF, 22.4 – Robinson is a total wild card. He hasn’t played since 2019 and it is unclear when he will be able to resume his career. I don’t think he is a must hold if you have a minor league roster crunch and there is someone more enticing out there for the picking. He’s a pure flier at this point. ETA: ??? Prime Projection: ???

317) Lonnie White PIT, OF, 20.3 – White debuted for 2 games in July, put up a 42.9%/0.0% K%/BB%, and then disappeared again. He struck out 42.4% of the time in 9 games in 2021. He seemed to be dealing with an elbow and hamstring injury, both of which they deemed minor, but it seems odd to me he only played in 2 games. It’s not a great sign and there is tons of lost development time here. He’s an elite athlete at 6’3”, 212 pounds, but he’s basically all unknowns. He’s a high risk shot in the dark. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 48/14/54/.232/.304/.424/9

318) Mikey Romero BOS, SS, 19.3 – Selected 24th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Romero is a classic better in real life than fantasy hitter. He has a plus hit tool, and he showed it off in his pro debut with a 9.3%/16.3% K%/BB% in 10 games in rookie ball. He then went to Single-A and hit .349 in 9 games. There isn’t enough power or speed to get really excited for fantasy though with a potentially average power/speed combo at best probably. It’s a safe profile that is more enticing the deeper the league is. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 78/16/69/.278/.341/.417/9

319) Roman Anthony BOS, OF, 18.11 – Selected 79th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Anthony is a projectable 6’3”, 200 pounds with a big lefty swing that generates big time power to go along with above average run times. The hit tool was a concern coming into the draft, but his pro debut eased some of those concerns with a 8/9 K/BB in 20 games split between rookie and Single-A, although it came with an about 60% GB%, 0 homers, and 1 steal. There is a lot of refinement needed, but this is a high upside bat who could explode up rankings if everything comes together. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 73/21/76/.258/.327/.445/8

320) Sebastian Walcott TEX, SS, 17.1 – Walcott has as much upside as anyone in the international class, including Celesten. He’s 6’3”, 170 pounds with huge bat speed that portends plus power potential, a good feel to hit, and speed. Saying he jumps off the screen doesn’t even do him justice, he explodes off the screen. Watching him reminds me of the excitement I had with Alexander Ramirez, except with Walcott it is even more obvious. Love him as a late round FYPD target. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 76/25/83/.256/.331/.458/12

321) Joendry Vargas LAD, SS, 17.5 – Vargas is expected to sign with the Dodgers, and when we’re dealing with the rawest of prospects, I’ll give a big lean to a guy in a great developmental organization. It’s not just the organization with Vargas though, he’s a projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with all the requisite skills you look for in a high priced international signing. He’s a great athlete with a good fell to hit, power projection, and speed. He could be the righty version of what Josue De Paula did this year for the Dodgers. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 78/23/81/.263/.335/.446/8

322) Jun-seok Shim PIT, RHP, 19.0 – Shim has an innings eater build at 6’4”, 215 pounds and he has the big fastball befitting of his stature with mid to upper 90’s heat. He has good control over his entire 4 pitch arsenal, with his big curveball as his best secondary. He’ll need to improve his secondaries to really enter elite pitching prospect range. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.23/170 in 170 IP

323) Walter Ford SEA, RHP, 18.3 – Selected 74th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Ford is one of the youngest players in the draft, which contributes to making him one of the most projectable as well. He’s 6’3”, 198 pounds with a low to mid 90’s fastball, potentially plus slider, and developing change. If you can project anybody to gain a tick or two on their fastball, it’s the 18 year old Ford. He has a quick twitch, athletic and explosive delivery that jumps off the screen and underlies his upside. He could have been one of the top pitchers off the board if he stuck with his original 2023 class. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 12/3.78/1.23/173 in 160 IP

324) Connor Prielipp MIN, LHP, 22.3 – Selected 43rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Prielipp pitched just 7 innings in 2021 before tearing his UCL and requiring Tommy John surgery. He missed all of 2022. When healthy, he throws a low 90’s fastball with an at least plus slider and above average changeup. The surgery adds risk and he’s pitched just 28 innings in his college career, but the ingredients are there for him to be a mid rotation starter. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/3.98/1.25/165 in 160 IP

325) Prelander Berroa SEA, RHP, 23.0 – Berroa has a typical back end reliever profile with an upper 90’s fastball, plus slider and very poor control. He had a 2.86 ERA with a 150/63 K/BB in 100.2 IP split between High-A and Double-A. His control would need to take a huge step forward to remain a starter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 4/3.28/1.16/89 in 65 IP

326) Marco Raya MIN, RHP, 20.8 – Raya has big stuff with a mid 90’s fastball and 3 quality secondaries in his slider, curve and change. It led to a 3.05 ERA with a 76/23 K/BB in 65 IP at Single-A. He missed all of 2021 with shoulder fatigue, he mostly pitched in short 3-4 IP outings, and he’s not a particularly big guy at 6’1”, 170 pounds. There is a long way to go, but you can’t argue that level of stuff. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/3.86/1.27/152 in 150 IP

327) Cristian Mena CHW, RHP, 20.3 – Mena dominated in Single-A with a 2.68 ERA in 53.2 IP, but he got hit harder as he climbed the ladder with a 4.65 ERA in 40.2 IP at High-A and a 6.30 ERA in 10 IP at Double-A. He has average control and missed bats at every level with a 126/38 K/BB in 104.1 IP total. He has a strong frame at 6’2, 200 pounds with a low to mid 90’s fastball, plus curve, solid slider, and developing changeup. There is some real upside here, but more refinement is needed is multiple areas of his game. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/3.96/1.26/178 in 165 IP

328) AJ Smith-Shawver ATL, RHP, 20.4 – AJ is a high upside, high risk arm who fires a mid to upper 90’s plus fastball to go along with a plus slider and developing changeup. He’s still pretty raw overall with below average control (13% BB%), and he got hit up at Single-A with a 5.11 ERA in 68.2 IP, but the killer stuff led to a 34.4% K%. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/3.94/1.34/161 in 150 IP

329) Royber Salinas OAK, RHP, 22.0 – Salinas has huge stuff with a plus mid 90’s fastball and two potentially plus secondaries in his slider and curve. All of his pitches rack up whiffs, but his poor control could limit him to a bullpen role. He put up a 3.55 ERA with a 175/63 K/BB in 109 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He’s still young, so I wouldn’t count out improved control down the line, but the risk is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/3.91/1.33/164 in 150 IP

330) Cayden Wallace KC, 3B, 21.8 – Selected 49th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Wallace impressed with a strong MLB debut, slashing .293/.379/.466 with 2 homers, 8 steals, and a 23/15 K/BB in 30 games at mostly Single-A. He’s one of the youngest players in his college class and he ripped up the SEC in his 2 years playing there with 30 homers and a .907 OPS in 127 games. The dude has done nothing but hit well everywhere he’s played, including the wood bat Cape Cod league (.820 OPS), although his over the fence power hasn’t been as big with a wood bat (2 homers in 18 Cape games). He’s a safe bet to be an MLB bat, but it doesn’t look like he has the highest upside at the moment. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 67/19/75/.252/.320/.419/7

331) Tucker Toman TOR, 3B, 19.4 – Selected 77th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Toman is a switch hitter with big power potential. He hit well in his pro debut with a 119 wRC+ in 11 games at rookie ball, but his 26.1% K% and 53.8% GB% is not the best combo, albeit in a small sample. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 73/22/77/.242/.326/.446/5

332) Emmanuel Bonilla TOR, OF, 17.2 – Bonilla is already a big dude with major power at 6’3”, 200 pounds, but he also has a good feel to hit which should allow him to get to all of his power. He’s the Lazaro Montes of this year’s draft, but I liked Montas more last year than I do Bonilla this year. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 72/28/86/.254/.331/.502/5

333) Bubba Chandler PIT, RHP, 20.0 – Chandler plays both SS and pitcher, but his future is very clearly on the mound. He’s a great athlete with no joke stuff. He throws a plus, mid 90’s fastball with 2 secondaries that flash plus in his changeup and slider. He’s still very raw as evidenced by a 1.46 WHIP and 33/18 K/BB in 26 IP at Single-A, but he’s a very high upside ball of clay. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/3.97/1.34/157 in 150 IP

334) Freddy Tarnok OAK, RHP, 24.4 – Oakland’s rotation is wide open, and they have a pitcher’s park, so Oakland is a great team to pick up fringy prospect pitchers for hopefully solid back end fantasy rotation production. He was solid in the upper levels of the minors with a 4.05 ERA and 124/44 K/BB in 106.2 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. A mid 90’s fastball with a potentially plus curve is what he thrives with. 2023 Projection: 3/4.47/1.38/55 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.13/1.34/142 in 150 IP

335) Mason Miller OAK, RHP, 24.3 – Miller missed most of 2022 with a shoulder injury, but he was seriously impressive when he returned in August and also in the AFL. He only worked in short outings, but his fastball sat in the upper 90’s to go along with a plus slider. He had a 3.24 ERA with a 20/4 K/BB in 16.2 AFL IP. There is a lot to prove to remain a starter, namely staying healthy and developing a 3rd pitch, and he isn’t that young, but he could be terror out of the bullpen very shortly as a fallback plan. 2023 Projection: 2/3.88/1.31/27 in 25 IP Prime Projection: 6/3.73/1.29/129 in 120 IP

336) Drew Romo COL, C, 21.7 – Romo is a plus defensive catcher with a good feel to hit (19.3% K%). It makes him a very good real life prospect and a very safe prospect in general. His upside is questionable though as he hit only 5 homers and put up a below average 95 wRC+ in 101 games at High-A. He’s a switch hitter who hits better vs. lefties than righties. There is certainly more power in the tank, and he’s an effective base stealer (18 for 21) even though he doesn’t have big speed, so there is definitely a real path to fantasy impact. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 73/17/71/.269/.337/.426/6

337) Joe Mack MIA, C, 20.3 – A hamstring injury limited Mack to just 44 games, but his season continued in the AFL, and his ultimate profile is starting to cement. He’s a high OBP, low BA slugger who put up a 26.3%/19.1% K%/BB% with 3 homers in 35 game at Single-A. He’s 6’1”, 210 pounds with a powerful lefty swing, and the dingers started to come in the AFL, slashing .230/.347/.459 with 4 homers and a 31.9%/13.9% K%/BB% in 18 games. OBP leagues will be his bread and butter, and the hit tool should improve as he gains more experience. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 59/20/64/.241/.330/.443/1

338) Alfredo Duno CIN, C, 17.3 – The 2nd best catcher in the international class, Duno is a power hitting beast in the mold of Diego Cartaya. He’s already built like a man with a strong base (3:25 mark of the video). He’s a good athlete and swings a quick bat. He’s not far off from Ethan Salas, and might have more fantasy upside especially if he stays in Cincy. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 68/27/81/.251/.326/.472/3

339) Drew Rucinski OAK, RHP, 34.3 – Rucinski left the states for Korea and he become one of the best pitchers in the KBO with a 2.97 ERA and 194/34 K/BB in 193.2 IP in 2022. He’s dominated in all 4 years he played there. His fastball ticked up in Korea to around 92-93 MPH, so there was some real improvement, but it’s likely he’s a back end guy in line with his $3 million contract. 2023 Projection: 8/4.31/1.33/135 in 160 IP

340) Justin Dirden HOU, OF, 25.9 – Dirden is an older prospect who is knocking on the door of the bigs in an organization whose outfield is currently far from locked down. He’s 6’3”, 209 pounds with an ugly but powerful lefty swing that led to 24 homers in 124 games split between Double-A (157 wRC+ in 92 games) and Triple-A (73 wRC+ in 32 games). He’s a good defensive player who has some speed too (12 steals). Steamer is actually projecting him for a 109 wRC+ in the majors in 2023, highlighting it’s not far fetched for him to work his way into a major role in 2023. Strikeouts are the thing that can tank it all as his K% spiked to 28.2% at Triple-A (23.1% at Double-A), but his mix of proximity, upside, and opportunity is very interesting in deeper leagues. 2023 Projection: 22/6/25/.232/.304/.407/3 Prime Projection: 52/15/56/.241/.318/.435/7

341) Osleivis Basabe TBR, 2B/3B/SS, 22.7 – Basabe has a quick righty bat that can make contact all over the zone. He was 21 years old at Double-A and looked advanced, slashing .333/.339/.461 with 0 homers, 14 steals, and a 9.7%/9.3% K%/BB% in 55 games. As you can see, he’s not a big power hitter, but his power should definitely tick up in time, and he has plus speed. He’s destined to be a super utility player with Tampa unless the power really has an explosion. In another organization I can see being higher on him, but I just don’t see a path to playing time, or the need for Tampa to trade him. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/13/61/.283/.340/.418/17

342) Spencer Horwitz TOR, 1B/OF, 25.5 – Horwitz is a rock solid hitter with an excellent plate approach (19.7%/15.1% K%/BB%), but he doesn’t hit for huge power (12 homers in 114 games in the upper minors), he doesn’t have much speed, and he’s already 25 years old. His numbers also dropped off when he got to Triple-A with a 101 wRC+ in 44 games (154 wRC+ in 70 games at Double-A). 2023 Projection: 9/2/7/.249/.323/.398/0 Prime Projection: 53/14/48/.264/.337/.428/4

343) Hudson Haskin BAL, OF, 24.3 – Haskin continues to quietly produce with little fanfare. He put up a 126 wRC+ with 15 homers and a 21.7%/9.2% K%/BB% in 109 games at Double-A. He’s a relatively big dude at 6’2”, 200 pounds with a good feel to hit, power, and speed. Baltimore is stacked with young talent, but it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see Haskin emerge as one of the best of the bunch. 2023 Projection: 16/5/19/.243/.303/.402/2 Prime Projection: 66/19/73/.252/.320/.434/6

344) Stone Garrett WAS, OF, 27.5 – Garrett crushes the ball with a 92.9 MPH EV and has speed with a 28.6 ft/sec sprint, but his plate approach is bad with a 32.1%/3.6% K%/BB% and his 93.6 MPH FB/LD EV is not as eye popping. He had an impressive MLB debut with a 131 wRC+ in 84 PA, but he’ll still have to earn at bats even with Washington’s terrible roster. 2023 Projection: 37/12/42/.232/.287/.442/8

345) Allan Cerda CIN, OF, 23.4 – The 6’3”, 170 pound Cerda has no joke power with a big righty swing that does damage. He hits the ball damn hard and ended up with 24 homers in 124 games split between High-A and Double-A. The hit tool is a major issue though as the power came with a .208 BA and 33.2% K%. Cincy’s current OF is a dumpster and there really isn’t any help on the way in the minors, so Cerda is in the perfect organization and ballpark to get the most of his profile. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/24/75/.222/.314/.456/5

346) Roberto Campos DET, OF, 19.10 – Campos didn’t show the game power he showed in 2021 with only 5 homers and a 51.5% GB% in 112 games, but on the bright side, his contact rates improved with a pretty good 21.9% K%. It all resulted in a 103 wRC+. We know the raw power is in there, so seeing the solid contact rates is almost more encouraging. He’ll have to put it all together in 2023 to really explode up the rankings though. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 71/22/78/.258/.324/.432/4

347) Werner Blakely LAA, 3B, 21.1 – Blakely is extremely easy to dream on. He is a long and lean 6’3”, 185 pounds with plus power potential and plus speed. The risk is very high though with high strikeout rates, and he’s been older than optimal for the level for the past 2 years. He slashed .295/.447/.470 with 5 homers, 24 steals, and a 29.8%/19.1% K%/BB% in 55 games. He struggled hard in the AFL though with a .617 OPS and a horrific 41.1% K% in 18 games. LA has had nothing but trouble developing these high risk, high reward prospects in the recent past (Adell, Jordyn Adams, Jeremiah Jackson, Alexander Ramirez), but if Blakely figures it out, he could be a league winner. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 54/16/56/.233/.317/.433/13

348) Luis Guanipa ATL, OF, 17.4 – Guanipa is not a big guy at 5’10”, but he has a viciously quick and explosive righty swing that looks like it belongs at the top of an MLB order. He combines that with plus speed and a good feel to hit, making him a very enticing 5×5 BA fantasy player in particular. Not every player who hits for a lot of power is 6’3”, so if he can prove his power will play in pro ball, his value could quickly soar. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 82/18/68/.268/.335/.424/24

349) Brailer Guerrero TBR, OF, 16.9 – Power is Guerrero’s game as he’s already very powerfully built at 6’2”, 190 pounds, giving him the chance for at least plus power at peak. He’s a corner outfielder who doesn’t project for big speed, so his bat will have to hit close to it’s ceiling to lock in a full time job, but the power upside is worth the shot. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 74/28/85/.253/.325/.488/4

350) Conner Capel OAK, OF, 25.10 – A former underrated Cardinals prospect who they give up for little or nothing and then ends up being a valuable piece on another team? It’s a tale as old as time, and it’s happening again. Capel was cut by the Cardinals in September. Oakland claimed him off waivers and he then almost immediately put up a 149 wRC+ in 59 MLB PA. He’s been very productive across the board at Triple-A in 2021-22. He has a moderate power/speed combo with a good feel to hit, and he very well might be Oakland’s 2nd best outfielder right now. I’d love him in a 30 teamer, but he can make an impact in shallower leagues too. 2023 Projection: 52/13/48/.259/.327/.410/11

351) Louie Varland MIN, RHP, 25.4 – Varland had his first crack at the upper minors this year and performed well with a pitching line of 3.06/1.26/146/42 in 126.1 IP at mostly Double-A (1.69 ERA with a 27/3 K/BB in 21.1 IP at Triple-A). He then got called up to the bigs in September and put up a 3.81 ERA with a 21/6 K/BB in 26 IP. The underlying numbers didn’t look quite as good with a below average 19.8% whiff% and 4.56 xERA. None of his 4 pitch mix are really standout offerings. He has the potential to be a solid MLB starter, but I’m not seeing big upside, and he’ll have to fight for a rotation spot in 2023. 2023 Projection: 5/4.37/1.34/94 in 100 IP Prime Projection: 8/4.10/1.29/160 in 160 IP

352) Frank Mozzicato KC, LHP, 19.10 – The surprise 7th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, Mozzicato made his pro debut in 2022 and showed major control issues with a 16.7% BB% in 69 IP at Single-A. It led to a 4.30 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. The fastball only sits in the low 90’s and he’s mostly still a project, but he’s a project with some upside at a projectable 6’3”, 175 pounds with good feel for a breaking ball that led to a 29.1% K%. He wasn’t a favorite of mine in his draft class, and he’s still not really a target of mine, but he certainly has plenty of appeal with much more refinement likely coming down the road. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/4.13/1.34/166 in 160 IP

353) Joe Perez HOU, 3B, 23.8 – Perez didn’t have a particularly bad season with a .776 OPS in 83 games at mostly Double-A, but it’s hard not to feel let down by hitting only 7 homers with a high GB%. His hit tool isn’t particularly great either, so without big power or a plus hit tool, the upside isn’t there. There is more power in the tank to unlock, and Houston is a great organization, so I don’t want to give up on him completely, but his value took a hit for me this year. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 72/22/76/.251/.323/.438/3

354) Tyler Black MIL, 2B, 22.8 – Black’s regular season ended in July when he fractured his scapula, but he was able to make it back for the AFL where he promptly broke his thumb after 17 games. He’s a safe, low upside bat with a plus plate approach (15.5%/15.9% K%/BB% in 64 games at High-A), but there’s not much power (4 homers), and he’s not a burner either (13 steals in 19 attempts). He’s also yet to face truly advanced competition having played in the Horizon league in college. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 72/14/62/.271/.330/.415/13

355) Cooper Kinney TBR, 2B/3B, 20.2 – Kinney missed all of 2022 after undergoing shoulder surgery. His hit tool got him drafted 34th overall in 2021, and he showed it off in his pro debut with a .286 BA and 19.1%/21.3% K%/BB% in 11 games. He doesn’t have big power or speed, but at 6’3”, 200 pounds, he certainly has the frame to grow into more power. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/18/72/.275/.347/.420/5

356) Eddinson Paulino BOS, SS/3B/2B, 20.9 – Paulino has a damn smooth lefty swing that he used to slash .266/.359/.469 with 13 homers, 27 steals, and a 19.5%/11.9% K%/BB% in 114 games at Single-A. He’s not a huge guy at 5’10”, and he doesn’t have a standout tool/skill, but he does a lot of things well. He’s a potential solid across the board type. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/18/78/.259/.327/.428/15

357) Nick Loftin KC, SS/2B/OF, 24.6 – Loftin was having a solid year at Double-A with a 100 wRC+, but things fell apart when he got to Triple-A with his K% jumping 10 percentage points to 24.4% and his wRC+ tanking to 69 in 38 games. His upside was already limited, and he’s not that young, so seeing his numbers fall off a cliff when he got promoted isn’t great. He has a long history of excellent contact rates and plus speed, and his power took a jump this year with 17 homers in 128 games, so I don’t want to put too much weight on the small sample Triple-A debut. KC’s 2B job is up for grabs, and he can play multiple positions, so he should compete for MLB at bats very early into 2023. 2023 Projection: 36/5/23/.253/.312/.388/7 Prime Projection: 76/14/59/.262/.327/.405/15

358) Jorbit Vivas LAD, 2B/3B, 22.1 – Speed is the thing holding Vivas back from big time fantasy value. He has an elite plate approach (10.2%/11.2% K%/BB%) with some pop (10 homers), leading to a 120 wRC+ in 128 games at High-A, but with only 2 steals it’s going to be hard to put up big fantasy seasons. He can still be valuable hitting atop the order and racking up runs, but the upside is limited. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 81/16/54/.284/.346/.427/6

359) Michael McGreevy STL, RHP, 22.9 – McGreevy is the classic arm who holds more value in very deep leagues. He doesn’t have big stuff with a low 90’s fastball, and he isn’t a strikeout pitcher with a measly 18.4% K% in 99 IP at Double-A. It led to a 4.64 ERA. He’s a back end starter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.21/1.32/140 in 165 IP

360) Ben Kudrna KC, RHP, 20.4 – Kudrna didn’t exactly dominate in his pro debut with a pitching line of 3.48/1.36/61/32 in 72.1 IP at Single-A, but there is still a lot to like. He throws a low to mid 90’s fastball to go along with a filthy changeup and an above average breaking ball. A lot more refinement is needed, but the ingredients are there to turn into an impact MLB starter. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/3.95/1.34/161 in 165 IP

361) Simeon Woods Richardson MIN, RHP, 22.6 – Richardson bounced back from a disaster 2021 with a pitching line of 2.77/1.05/115/36 in 107.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. He got one start in the bigs to close out the season where he gave up 2 ER with a 3/2 K/BB in 5 IP. The stuff isn’t big with a 90.8 MPH fastball and he isn’t an elite control guy either. It’s a back end starter profile. 2023 Projection: 3/4.57/1.40/59 in 65 IP Prime Projection: 7/4.28/1.32/147 in 150 IP

362) Sean Burke CHW, RHP, 23.3 – Burke has beyond prototypical starter’s size at a very solid 6’6”, 230 pounds, and he uses that power to fire a mid 90’s fastball which he pairs with 2 potentially quality secondaries in his slider and curve. He’s struggled with control his entire career, although he’s not a wild child, and he also got hit up in the upper minors with a 4.81 ERA in 73 IP at Double-A (11.57 ERA in 7 IP at Triple-A). He dominated lesser competition at High-A with a 2.89 ERA in 28 IP and even in the upper minors his 106/33 K/BB in 80 IP is pretty damn good. It’s a #4-ish starter profile. 2023 Projection: 2/4.48/1.41/46 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.06/1.31/172 in 170 IP

363) Taylor Dollard SEA, RHP, 24.1 – Dollard isn’t a big velocity guy with a low 90’s fastball, but he mitigates that by going to his plus slider very often (he also throws a curve and change) and by hitting his spots with at least plus control (5.4% BB%). He put up a pitching line of 2.25/0.95/131/31 in 144 IP at Double-A. He’s not a big strikeout guy, and his .248 BABIP with a 4.66 xFIP shows he needed some luck to put up those numbers. Despite his age, he’s still relatively projectable at 6’3”, 195 pounds, so if he’s able to add velocity in his mid 20’s, he could easily beat his current back to mid rotation projection: 2023 Projection: 1/4.46/1.31/23 in 30 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.12/1.26/152 in 165 IP

364) Brandon Williamson CIN, LHP, 25.0 – Williamson was getting hyped up pretty hard last off-season, and I’m quite happy I held strong with my evaluation of him as more of a #4 type starter. He was bad in 2022 with a pitching line of 4.11/1.56/123/77 in 122.2 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. His fastball sits in the low 90’s and his control was terrible with a 13.9% BB%. He’s a skinny 6’6” lefty with a starter’s pitch mix, so even at 25 years old there is room for improvement, but it’s a back end starter’s profile right now. 2023 Projection: 2/4.55/1.42/40 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.17/1.33/162 in 165 IP

365) Cade Povich BAL, LHP, 23.0 – Povich is likely a back end starter with solid control of a low 90’s fastball and a starter’s pitch mix. He had a 4.50 ERA in 114 IP split between High-A and Double-A, but his 148/39 K/BB looked much better. He also got destroyed at Double-A with a 6.94 ERA in 23.1 IP. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.21/1.32/156 in 160 IP

366) Seth Johnson BAL, RHP, 24.7 – Johnson underwent Tommy John surgery in August and will likely miss all of 2023. His stuff is worth the wait with a plus mid 90’s fastball and 2 potentially plus breaking balls. He had a 3.00 ERA with a 41/11 K/BB in 27 IP at High-A before going down the injury. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 8/3.88/1.27/148 in 140 IP

367) Cole Wilcox TBR, RHP, 23.9 – Wilcox returned in August from Tommy John surgery and while his stuff was down a bit with his fastball in the low 90’s, he pitched well with a 3.94 ERA and 24/4 K/BB in 16 IP split between rookie and Single-A. It’s nice to see the improved control stick because he had struggled with it his first 2 years of college. If his mid 90’s fastball returns next season, he could be a big riser. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 8/4.09/1.26/136 in 140 IP

368) Yosver Zulueta TOR, RHP, 25.2 – It seems highly likely that Zulueta will end up in the bullpen, but he can be an elite pen option. He throws an upper 90’s fastball with a plus slider, and it struck out everyone in sight with 85 K’s in 55.2 IP spread across all the levels (A, A+, AA, AAA). He mostly pitched in short outings and he has major control issues (along with an injury history), which leaves me to believe he’s a pen arm, but it’s not set in stone yet. He’s a high risk, high reward arm who still has a wide range of outcomes despite his relatively advanced age. 2023 Projection: 3/3.99/1.34/61 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 4/3.48/1.19/89 in 65 IP

369) Connor Phillips CIN, RHP, 21.11 – Phillips has major bullpen risk, but he can be an elite back end guy even if he does end up there. He has big time stuff with a mid to upper 90’s fastball, plus slider, and above average curve. It led to 150 K’s in 109.2 IP split between High-A and Double-A. The bullpen risk comes from his poor control (66 walks) and weak changeup. He also performed much worse at Double-A (4.93 ERA in 45.2 IP) than at High-A (2.95 ERA in 64 IP). ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 4/3.43/1.19/83/25 saves in 65 IP

370) JR Ritchie ATL, RHP, 19.9 – Selected 35th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Ritchie is a relatively safe high school arm with good control of a solid 3 pitch mix (low to mid 90’s heat, slider, change). He showed his advanced pitchability with a strong pro debut, putting up a pitching line of 1.88/0.97/14/5 in 14.1 IP at rookie and High-A. It’s likely a back end profile with mid rotation upside. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/4.03/1.27/150 in 160 IP

371) Darell Hernaiz OAK, SS/2B/3B, 21.8 – Hernaiz is a solid across the board type with a quick righty swing and good feel to hit. He proved too advanced for the lower minors, slashing .298/.364/.476 with 11 homers, 31 steals, and a 16.5%/7.6% K%/BB% in 92 games split between Single-A and High-A, before meeting his match at Double-A with a 4 wRC+ in 13 games. There isn’t huge raw power and he’s not a true burner, so the upside isn’t huge. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 66/15/62/.265/.316/.414/12

372) Eddys Leonard LAD, SS, 22.5 – Coming off a 22 homer season in 107 games in 2021, Leonard’s power took a step back in 2022 with 15 homers in 127 games at High-A. His plate approach is solid, but nothing to write home about with a 21%/8% K%/BB%, and he doesn’t have much speed with 4 steals. He doesn’t have huge raw power to tap into either at 5’11”, 195 pounds. He still put up a 119 wRC+ at an age appropriate level, so the guy can play, but there isn’t big fantasy upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 67/20/72/.261/.328/.434/5

373) Lizandro Rodriguez KCR, 2B, 20.5 – Rodriguez had complete across the board destruction of the DSL in 2021 (177 wRC+), then did the same in stateside rookie ball this year (159 wRC+), before finally getting to a more age appropriate level to close out the year at Single-A where he continued to perform well, slashing .290/.389/.436 with 1 homer, 1 steal, and a 15.3%/11.1% K%/BB% in 18 games. He’s a switch hitter with a whip quick swing, especially from the right side. He’s more slappy from the left. He’s not a particularly big guy at 5’11”, but there is plenty of room to tack on mass, and he’s displayed an advanced plate approach with plus contact rates and speed at every level. ETA: 79/18/69/.272/.336/.418/12

374) Yohendrick Pinango CHC, OF, 20.11 – Pinango’s power took a step forward in 2022 with 13 homers in 115 games at High-A (5 homers in 108 games in 2021). He combines that with a good feel to hit (17.8% K%) and some speed (14 steals). It’s a solid across the board profile, and he has a pretty electric lefty swing that gives him upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/18/74/.267/.322/.421/11

375) Wilderd Patino ARI, OF, 21.9 – Plus speed and baserunning in his Patino’s game with 67 steals in 76 attempts in 94 games split between Single-A and High-A. His power ticked up this year with 9 homers, and his 6’1” frame has the ability to add more. The problem is that the hit tool and plate approach are both poor. He had a 26.1%/6.5% K%/BB%. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 57/10/41/.243/.305/.395/18

376) Caleb Kilian CHC, RHP, 25.10 – Kilian’s plus control disappeared this year. He walked 13 batters in 100.1 IP in 2021 and then walked 59 batters in 106.2 IP this year. He was also horrific in the majors with a 10.32 ERA and 9/12 K/BB in 11.1 IP. The stuff is good 94.6 MPH 4-seamer, plus cutter, and a groundball inducing sinker, but without the plus control, he’s a back end starter at best. He looked good early in spring, so there is a hope a bounce back is on tap. 2023 Projection: 2/4.59/1.39/38 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.28/1.32/145 in 150 IP

377) Jairo Pomares SFG, OF, 22.5 – Pomares was able to become a more patient hitter in 2022 with a career best 9.3% BB% in 95 games at High-A, but it hurt every other part of his game. He had a terrible 32.9% K% and his power dropped back with 14 homers. Unlike Matos who scrapped being patient, Pomares stuck with it and it might have started to click in his final 30 games, slashing .336/.419/.527 with 5 homers and a 29.5%/11.4% K%/BB%. The strikeout rate is still too high to really fly him up the rankings, but we have to expect some growing pains from young kids trying to make improvements on the fly. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/22/76/.246/.314/.431/2

378) Clayton Beeter NYY, RHP, 24.6 – Beeter has huge stuff with a mid 90’s fastball and two bat missing secondaries in his slider and curve, but he has some legitimate control issues. He put up a 14.3% BB% at Double-A with LA. After getting traded to the Yanks though, he brought his BB% down to 10.6%, and it resulted in straight dominance with a 2.13 ERA and 41/11 K/BB in 25.1 IP. If the control gains hold, he has a chance to be a high K, mid rotation starter, but if they don’t, he can be a weapon out of the bullpen. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 7/3.71/1.25/135 in 120 IP

379) Porter Hodge CHC, RHP, 22.1 – Hodge had a breakout year in the lower minors with a 2.63 ERA and 141/55 K/BB in 109.1 IP split between Single-A and High-A. His velocity ticked up into the mid 90’s which he combines with a potentially plus slider and developing changeup. He has an innings eater build at 6’4”, 230 pounds and while his control isn’t great, he’s generally around the plate. He’s definitely underrated. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/3.96/1.31/155 in 150 IP

380) Tom Harrington PIT, RHP, 21.9 – Selected 36th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Harrington put up a sterling 30%/4.9% BB% with a 2.53 ERA in 92.2 IP in the Big South on the back of excellent control of starter’s pitch mix (low 90’s heat, slider, change, curve). He didn’t come from a major conference, so it’s easier to pound the strike zone against inferior competition, and he doesn’t have the huge fastball, which is why I’m a little hesitant of buying too hard into the K/BB numbers. Back end starter is a safe projection, but there is certainly room for more. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/4.11/1.25/152 in 160 IP

381) Drew Thorpe NYY, RHP, 22.6 – Selected 61st in the 2022 MLB Draft, Thorpe is a bit of a junk baller type, going to his at least plus changeup and above average slider as much as possible. His low 90’s fastball induces grounders, and he has plus control of his entire arsenal. He looks the part at a rock solid 6’4”, 190 pounds, and he handled his business in the Big West with a 2.32 ERA and 149/25 K/BB in 104.2 IP. The only thing missing is the big fastball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/4.06/1.26/154 in 160 IP

382) Adam Mazur SDP, RHP, 21.11 – Selected 53rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Mazur is a pretty skinny 6’2”, 180 pounds with a very athletic and repeatable righty delivery. He commands the mound with a 5 pitch mix led by a plus slider, to go along with a low to mid 90’s 4 seamer, a low 90’s 2 seamer, curve, and changeup. His control/command took a big step forward this year and it led to a breakout season in the Big 12 with a pitching line of 3.07/0.96/98/30. Back end starter might be his most likely outcome, but there is certainly projection and upside for more. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.10/1.29/152 in 160 IP

383) Luis Morales OAK, RHP, 20.6 – Morales has a lot of traits you look for in a potential top of the rotation starter. He’s 6’3”, 176 pounds with an athletic delivery, mid to upper 90’s fastball, and 4 pitch mix. The secondaries still need plenty of refinement, and while he dominated the U18 Cuba League, he put up a 5.95 ERA with a 58/30 K/BB in the CNS (Cuba) in 2021, so there is a lot of risk here. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.09/1.34/158 in 150 IP

384) Jake Bennett WAS, LHP, 22.4 – Selected 45th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Bennett is a 6’6”, 234 pound lefty who pounds the zone with a solid 3 pitch mix (low 90’s fastball, slider, change). His numbers don’t jump out at your in the Big 12 with a 3.69 ERA, but his 133/22 K/BB in 117 IP looks much better. There are some things about him that remind me of David Peterson, but that isn’t a comp, and Peterson was much more dominant in college. It’s a back end starter profile. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/4.14/1.31/153 in 170 IP

385) Henry Bolte OAK, OF, 18.11, 6’3”, 195 – Here’s what I wrote about Bolte right after the draft, “Selected 56th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Bolte is the type of prospect whose value is going to swing wildly in either direction based on how much contact he makes in his pro debut. He has a plus power/speed combo with a swing that definitely looks the part when he makes contact, but he has plenty of swing and miss in his game. Sometimes these types of high school prospects come into pro ball and show the hit tool question were overstated, and other times they strikeout 40% of the time. We’ll see what Bolte can do when he gets the chance.” … Bolte got his chance  and he was one of the the types to strikeout 40% of the time. Actually, 48.7% of the time to be exact. He put up a 70 wRC+ with 0 homers and 0 steals in 11 games in rookie ball. It’s a very small sample, and the upside is still big, but so is the risk. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 62/18/69/.228/.304/.431/10

386) Jack Leftwich CLE, RHP, 24.6 – Leftwich is 6’4”, 220 pounds with some eye popping K/BB numbers in the low minors. He put up a 2.72 ERA with a 140/24 K/BB in 109.1 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He was much older than the competition, and while the stuff is good it’s not really truly standout. He’s likely a back end guy with some mid rotation upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.11/1.28/148 in 150 IP

387) Joey Cantillo CLE, LHP, 23.4 – Cantillo’s season ended in late July with a shoulder injury, but he was in the midst of breaking out before going down with the injury with a 1.93 ERA and 87/28 K/BB in 60.2 IP at Double-A. His changeup is his go to pitch which he combines with a low 90’s fastball and solid curve. It’s a back end profile with injury risk. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.15/1.33/151 in 150 IP

388) Victor Lizarraga SDP, RHP, 19.3 – The 6’3”, 180 pound Lizarraga was an 18 year old in full season ball and put up a pitching line of 3.43/1.28/95/34 in 94.1 IP at Single-A. He signed for $1 million in the 2021 international class, so the pedigree is there. He throws a low 90’s fastball with the potential for 2 quality secondaries in his curve and change. He’s needs more refinement all around and could use a few extra MPH on the fastball, but his excellent numbers against older competition shows the upside if he can refine his overall game as he matures. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 9/4.19/1.31/144 in 155 IP

389) Max Wagner BAL, 3B, 21.8 – Selected 42nd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Wagner went insane in the ACC with 27 homers in 58 games, and he did it with a strong 19.7%/17.4% K%/BB%. It was good for a 1.348 OPS. His MLB debut didn’t go quite as well with only 1 homer and a .739 OPS in 19 games at mostly Single-A, and he doesn’t jump off the screen at 6’0”, 215 pounds, so I would be careful to expect those kind of homer totals in pro ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 65/18/71/.245/.316/.437/2

390) Peyton Burdick MIA, OF, 26.1 – Burdick was a below average hitter at Triple-A with a 97 wRC+ and 27.9% K% as a 25 year old. He made his MLB debut and his K% jumped to 34.3%, but he was able to show off the power/speed combo with a 90 MPH EV and 28.1 ft/sec sprint. Miami’s OF is currently filled with unproven and declining players, and they have no stud OF prospects in the pipeline, so you don’t have to squint all that hard to see a path to playing time. He’s not the worst target in a deep league as an upside play. 2023 Projection: 23/7/25/.218/.298/.392/4 Prime Projection: 46/13/47/.227/.309/.413/6

391) Samad Taylor KCR, 2B/OF, 24.9 – Taylor seems to be trending towards being a bench piece. He has a below average hit tool with high strikeout rates and not nearly enough power to make up for it. He put up a mediocre 101 wRC+ in 70 games at Triple-A. Plus speed is his game, stealing 23 bags, and he gets on base with high walk rates, but his power will need to tick up to hold down a full time job. He’s currently struggling in the AFL with a .571 OPS, 0 homers, and 10 K’s in 9 games. 2023 Projection: 15/2/8/.219/.289/.366/5 Prime Projection: 55/12/47/.234/.308/.391/16

392) Robert Perez Jr. SEA, 1B, 22.9 – Perez has a little Gary Sheffield in his game with a little bat wiggle from a powerful 6’1” frame. His big time raw power was put to good use by smacking 27 homers in 127 games split between Single-A and High-A. He hit better at High-A, improving his plate approach with a strong 22.2%/15% K%/BB%, leading to a 193 wRC+ in 35 games. He’s had strikeout and plate approach issues throughout his career, and has yet to face advanced competition, but the power is very real. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 43/16/49/.232/.316/.447/3

393) Mairoshendrick Martinus LAD, SS/3B, 18.2 – Martinus is a Dodgers prospect with a projectable 6’3”, 161 pound frame, great athleticism, solid production (110 wRC+ in 52 DSL games), and a disgusting righty swing in a good way. He jacked 7 homers with 10 steals and a 22.3%/9% K%/BB%. He’s still raw but the upside is not hard to spot. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 68/23/76/.242/.315/.440/9

394) Alex Binelas BOS, 3B/1B, 22.10 – The lefty Binelas wants to hit the ball hard. Check out this excellent interview by David Laurila over on Fangraphs about how much emphasis he puts on exit velocity. It certainly shows as Binelas jacked 25 homers in 113 games split between High-A and Double-A. Like Kavadas, the problem is that his hit tool fell apart when he got to Double-A with a .166 BA and 32.4% K% in 55 games, and he also doesn’t have much defensive value. Part time power bat might be the most likely outcome. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 43/16/51/.238/.323/.430/2

395) Hao Yu Lee PHI, SS/3B/2B, 20.2 – Lee had a strong season in the lower minors, slashing .284/.386/.438 with 9 homers, 14 steals, and a 67/43 K/BB in 79 games at mostly Single-A, but he just doesn’t hit the ball hard enough to get excited. He was only 19 years old, but he’s not that projectable at 5’10”, 190 pounds, and he’s not a burner either. It’s a low upside profile with risk too due to the lack of power upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/15/62/.253/.323/.417/6

396) Felix Valerio MIL, 2B, 22.3 – Valerio had a big 1st half of the season at Double-A, but he dropped off a cliff in the 2nd half with a .181 BA and .517 OPS in his final 54 games. He ended up with a poor 78 wRC+ in 113 games. He still showed a plus plate approach (16.7%/10% K%/BB%) with base stealing skills (30 steals), but he’s going to need to impact the ball better to get the most out of his skills, and he’s not projectable at a decently thick 5’7”. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 72/13/57/.255/.321/.403/18

397) Pedro Ramirez CHC, 2B, 19.0 – Ramirez was a hit machine in DSL in 2021 with a .359 BA, and he not only showed the hit tool will transfer stateside with a .329 BA and 16%/10.4% K%/BB%, but the power ticked up too with 4 homers in 43 games. He got a small taste of Single-A and had a 13% K% in 10 games. The guy can hit. He’s only 5’9”, 165 pounds, so power isn’t likely to be a huge part of his game, but he has speed (15 steals), giving him a classic top of the order profile. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 78/14/62/.276/.337/.412/16

398) Gerarldo Quintero ATL, 2B/3B, 21.6 – Quintero is a switch hitter with a calm and easy energy at the dish. He has a mature plate approach (17.7%/11.3% K%/BB%) with plus speed (34 steals), and a little pop (8 homers) in 113 games split between Single-A and High-A. He’s only 5’8”, 155 pounds, so his lack of power could sink him, but it’s a solid top of the order profile. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/12/53/.254/.321/.407/16

399) Thomas Saggese TEX, 2B/3B, 21.0 – Saggese has done nothing but hit since getting drafted in the 5th round in 2020. He put up 127 wRC+ in 73 games at Single-A in 2021 and then put up a 127 wRC+ in 98 games at High-A in 2022. He got a 5 game cup of coffee at Double-A and put up a 1.266 OPS. He’s not super imposing at 5’11”, 175 pounds, but he has a quick and controlled righty swing, and he looks like a pro in the box. There are some plate approach issues as he went from having a 29.5%/14.6% K%/BB% in 2021 to a 22.4%/6.9% K%/BB% in 2022, so he’s still trying to figure out how to attack pro pitching. It seems like the more aggressive approach is winning out right now. There isn’t a standout tool or skill, but the guy definitely looks like a player. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 61/16/66/.253/.318/.426/7

400) Korey Lee HOU, C, 24.8 – Yanier Diaz seemed to pull ahead of Lee for Houston’s catcher of the future job, but Lee is certainly still in the mix. He had a poor year at Triple-A with a 28.5%/8.1% K%/BB% and 90 wRC+ in 104 games, and then made his MLB debut and put up a 34.6%/3.8% K%/BB%, 83.6 MPH EV and .432 OPS in 26 PA. He jacked 25 homers at Triple-A, so his season wasn’t all bad, and he played in a poor hitter’s park which tanked his home stats (.667 OPS at home vs. .861 on the road). He also has some speed with 12 stolen bases and a 28.1 ft/sec sprint speed. He’s in a scrum for playing time, and he’s probably a few years away from a breakout regardless. 2023 Projection: 21/7/24/.218/.287/.396/2 Prime Projection: 56/19/64/.232/.310/.432/4

401) Nikau Pouaka-Grego PHI, 2B/3B, 18.7 – Pouaka-Grego was 17 years old playing in stateside rookie ball and he excelled, slashing .301/.424/.466 with 3 homers, 2 steals, and a 16/16 K/BB in 35 games. He has a smooth lefty uppercut swing that is made to hit flyballs (36.1% GB%), and he combines that with an advanced plate approach. He’s not a big raw power or speed guy, so the upside might not be huge. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/18/73/.273/.344/.432/6

402) Gabriel Rincones PHI, OF, 22.1 – Selected 93rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Rincones is 6’4″, 225 pounds with a quick lefty swing that produces all fields power. He destroyed Conference USA, slashing .346/.451/.658 with 19 homers, 2 steals, and a 51/42 K/BB in 58 games. He hasn’t faced the best competition and there is some swing and miss in his game, but the power is for real. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 58/18/63/.244/.322/.448/2

403) Juan Brito CLE, 2B, 21.6 – Brito was Cleveland’s return for Nolan Jones, so they obviously like something they see. And what they see is his plus hit tool and advanced plate approach. He slashed .286/.407/.470 with 11 homers, 17 steals, and a 14.3%/15.7% K%/BB% in 107 games at Single-A. He doesn’t have big power or speed, but I think there’s enough room to fill out his 5’11” frame to get to average power. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 66/17/64/.272/.335/.426/6

404) Willy Vasquez TBR, 3B, 21.7 – Vasquez didn’t have a particularly good season at Single-A with a 99 wRC+ and mediocre 25.6%/7.3% K%/BB%, but there are some exciting tools here that jump off the screen. He has a powerful righty swing that makes tons of hard contact, and he’s fast with 25 steals in 28 attempts. His 48.1% GB% is too high to take full advantage of his power, but with his speed it might not make sense to raise it too much. There is still a lot of refinement needed and it was not a strong statistical year, but there is fantasy upside here. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/15/66/.253/.315/.417/16

405) Hunter Barco PIT, LHP, 22.4 – Selected 44th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Barco was in the midst of an excellent season in the SEC with a 2.50 ERA and 69/11 K/BB in 50.1 IP before going down with Tommy John surgery in May. It will likely keep him out until the 2nd half of 2023 at the least. He was hyped coming out of high school because of his projectable 6’4” frame with an almost sidearm lefty delivery, but he’s yet to add any big velocity, sitting in the low 90’s. His slider and change are both good, but not necessarily elite pitches. If the fastball ticks up in pro ball he will be a major problem, but the low velocity and surgery keeps me from going higher on him. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/4.13/1.30/158 in 160 IP

406) Parker Messick CLE, LHP, 22.6 – Selected 54th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Messick’s stuff doesn’t really standout, but his K/BB numbers do with a 144/18 K/BB in 98.2 IP in the ACC. He has a fan favorite build, delivery, and demeaner on the mound at a thick 6’0”, 225 pounds with a funky lefty delivery and excitable attitude. His changeup is his best pitch which he combines with a low 90’s fastball and an effective slider. It’s a back end profile, but there’s something about him you have to love, and Cleveland is a great organization to bet on. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.10/1.22/153 in 150 IP

407) Peyton Pallette CHW, RHP, 21.11 – Selected 62nd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Pallette had his presumed Junior year breakout wiped out with Tommy John surgery, but he should be good to go for 2023. When healthy, he throws a curveball that he has on a string. That’s his money maker. He combines that with a fastball that consistently gets in the mid 90’s and a developing changeup. He has a very short track record in college with only 61.2 IP (3.79 ERA with a 70/23 K/BB), and there is obviously injury risk as well, but those conditions also create a buying opportunity if you want to take a risk on some unknown upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 8/3.95/1.27/142 in 145 IP

408) Nick Biddison LAD, OF, 22.8 – Selected 135th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, leave it to the Dodgers to draft another guy who had a strong pro debut. Biddison slashed .276/.371/.455 with 4 homers, 6 steals, and a 22.4%/11.2% K%/BB% in 31 games at Single-A. Granted, Rancho Cucamonga juices up offense, but he ripped up the ACC too, slashing .351/.434/.598 with 14 homers, 21 steals, and a 48/33 K/BB in 59 games. He played literally all over the field as a true super utility player, which will likely be his ultimate role on the MLB level. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 44/10/44/.246/.318/.418/7

409) Wes Kath CHW, 3B, 20.8 – Kath is 6’3”, 200 pounds with a smooth lefty swing and plus power, but his hit tool is a major problem. He hit .238 with a 33% K% and 13 homers in 99 games at Single-A. A 33% K% isn’t hopeless, and he was still just 19 years old, so there is big offensive potential if he can take a stop forward with his hit tool in 2023. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 63/20/67/.236/.321/.446/3

410) Moises Gomez STL, OF, 24.7 – It’s hard to ignore a guy who cranked 39 homers in the upper minors and was more or less age appropriate for the levels, but a 34.7% K% is equally hard to ignore. Gomez is a corner OF bat without a clear path to playing time and major hit tool risk. The huge power season puts him back on the map, but he’s trending towards a bench power bat. 2023 Projection: 9/3/11/.211/.290/.417/1 Prime Projection: 42/15/47/.226/.305/.437/3

411) Denzer Guzman LAA, SS, 19.2 – Guzman signed for $2 million in the 2020/21 international signing class, and while he hasn’t gone full breakout yet, he’s still displaying the skills that made him a high priced signing He’s 6’1”, 180 pounds with a smooth and powerful righty swing that creates tons of flyballs (44.3% FB%). He has the potential for plus power at peak, although he’s still a long way off from that with only 3 homers in 52 games at stateside rookie ball. He hit well regardless with a 109 wRC+, and the hit tool is solid with a .286 BA and 20.9%/7.1% K%/BB%. I’m not necessarily targeting him, but at the very least I will be keeping a close eye on him in 2023. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 74/21/78/.266/.331/.438/6

412) Nelson Rada LAA, OF, 17.8 – Rada was a 16 year old in pro ball, which is kinda wild when you think about it, but not only that, he dominated with a 148 wRC+. He slashed .311/.446/.439 with 1 homer, 27 steals, and a 12.6%/12.6% K%/BB% in 50 games. He doesn’t have huge raw power at 5’10” 160 pounds with high groundball rates, but he has a top of the order profile with plus speed, hit, and patience. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 78/14/63/.274/.338/.405/20

413) Jacob Reimer NYM, 3B, 19.1 – Selected 119th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Reimer is already physically mature at 6’2”, 205 pounds, and he has the requisite plus raw power to go with the frame. But he’s not just a slugger, he’s also a good athlete with a good feel to hit. He had a strong 7 game pro debut at rookie ball, slashing .261/.414/.478 with 1 homer and a 10.3%/20.7% K%/BB%. He’s an intriguing late round pick in deep leagues. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 67/20/73/.263/.327/.431/5

414) Enmanuel Tejeda NYY, SS, 18.3 – Tejeda was one of the top 17 year old performers in the DSL, slashing .289/.463/.493 with 3 homers, 11 steals, and a 13.3%/21.8% K%/BB% in 46 games. It was good for a 162 wRC+. He’s a good athlete with a whip quick righty swing and mature plate approach. He’s only 5’11”, so he’s not a obvious projection type, but there real tools here. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/18/71/.273/.339/.427/10

415) William Bergolla Jr. PHI, SS, 18.5 – Bergolla was a favorite of mine from the 2022 international class and he was a hit machine in his pro debut with a .380 BA and 3.6%/13.3% K%/BB% in 24 games in the DSL. It was good for a 150 wRC+. He didn’t hit a single homer and he only stole 2 bags, so I’m a little concerned about the upside, but he’s one of the safest bats coming out of the DSL. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/14/66/.281/.343/.414/16

416) Cristofer Torin ARI, SS/2B, 17.10 – Torin is a similar age to some of the incoming international class, and he already handled his business in the DSL with a 153 wRC+. He makes elite contact (9.9%), with a mature plate approach (18.3% BB%), and plus speed (21 steals in 50 games). He didn’t hit a single homer and he doesn’t project for big power, but he’s one of the better plus hit/speed combos coming out of the DSL. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 74/13/59/.273/.337/.408/19

417) Hendry Chivilli MIN, SS, 17.7 – When diving into the unknown of international prospects, I’ll lean into upside as much as possible, as all of these prospects have risk, so why not shoot for the moon. Chivilli has that scout’s dream frame at 6’3”, 165 pounds with plus speed and plus bat speed. If it all comes together, he’ll be an elite prospect. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 72/21/76/.251/.323/.436/14

418) Jose Ramos LAD, OF, 22.3 – Ramos has beastly raw power that he used to jack out 25 homers in 123 games between Single-A and High-A, but he let his swing and miss get away from him a bit after getting to the more age appropriate High-A with a 32.7% K%. He’s yet to face upper minors pitching, and he’s not all that young, so he’s a high risk power bat. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 55/17/61/.236/.312/.436/4

419) Hector Rodriguez CIN, OF, 19.1 – Rodriguez is a little guy at 5’8” with a plus hit tool. He hit .359 with a 7.1% K% in rookie ball. There is little to no power projection (3 homers in 49 total games), and he’s not that fast, so it’s not a high upside profile. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/13/63/.278/.332/.411/7

420) Ariel Almonte CIN, OF, 19.4 – Almonte has good size at 6’1”, 170 pounds (he’s heavier than that now) with a damn sweet lefty swing that put up a 141 wRC+ with 6 homers at stateside rookie ball. The 29.9% K% is too high, but he can be a no joke power bat if he can bring that K% down at higher levels. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 66/22/71/.238/.315/.436/4

421) Yeiner Fernandez LAD, C/2B, 20.7 – Fernandez has that Jose Altuve look to him at 5’9”, 170 pounds with a swing that looks much bigger than his build. He slashed .292/.383/.430 with 10 homers, 3 steals, and a 13.0%/10.9% K%/BB% in 89 games at Single-A. He definitely looks pretty electric on the field, but he doesn’t have big raw power and he’s not a base stealer, so the fantasy upside is capped. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 44/9/38/.266/.323/.416/4

422) Angel Mateo TBR, OF, 18.2 – Mateo had a strong pro debut in the DSL with 7 homers, 10 steals, and a 17.1%/12.9% K%/BB% in 52 games. He’s still raw but he has a projectable 6’2” frame with loads of talent. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 68/18/68/.247/.319/.424/10

423) Samuel Munoz LAD, OF, 18.7 – Munoz was a high priced international signing in 2022 with that classic tall and projectable frame at 6’3”, 190 pounds. He performed well in his pro debut in the DSL, slashing .347/.429/.491 with 1 homer, 4 steals, and a 16.2%/12.4% K%/BB% in 47 games. Still a long way to go, but he set the foundation for a future breakout. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 74/23/79/.272/.331/.442/7

424) Daniel Montesino SDP, 1B/OF, 19.2 – Montesino missed all of 2022 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he was looking like one of the more exciting DSL prospects before going under the knife. He got a million bucks in 2021’s international class and then slashed .316/.444/.489 with 4 homers, 8 steals, and a 21.8%/17.7% K%/BB% in 56 games in the DSL. He could have been knocking on the door of the Top 100 with a strong 2022 performance stateside. He’s a bat first prospect with the potential to hit for both power and average at peak. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 69/24/78/.254/.331/.450/4

425) Randy Vasquez NYY, RHP, 24.5 – It’s all about the nasty breaking ball for Vasquez, which he combines with a few fastballs that sit in the low to mid 90’s and a lesser used change. He pitched decently at Double-A with a 3.90 ERA and 24.2%/8.3% K%/BB% in 115.1 IP. He’ll need to improve his command in order to stay in the rotation, but that breaking ball could be a lethal weapon out of the bullpen especially if the fastball can play up in shorter stints. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 6/3.83/1.32/122 in 120 IP

426) Miguel Ullola HOU, RHP, 20.10 – Ullola has a beastly mid 90’s fastball that racked up K’s at Single-A with 38.3% K% in 72 IP, but his control is horrible with a 17.6% BB%. The secondaries are still very raw too. He’s likely a reliever, but he’s still very young, and the upside is high if he can refine his game. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 4/3.36/1.19/87 in 65 IP

427) Cole Henry WASH, RHP, 23.9 – Henry has done nothing but pitch well in his college and pro career. It’s been 4 years of dominance which culminated with him putting up a 1.71 ERA and 34/11 K/BB in 31.2 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A this year. The stuff is nasty with 3 potentially plus pitches in his mid 90’s fastball, curve, and changeup. Unfortunately it all came screeching to a halt when he went down with a shoulder injury. He ended up needing the dreaded thoracic outlet surgery in August. It’s a very serious surgery and there is no guarantee he ever gets back to previous levels. I don’t want to completely give up on him, but the massive risk prevents me from going any higher. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 7/4.14/1.34/107 in 110 IP

428) Hedbert Perez MIL, OF, 20.0 – Perez was not able to carry over his success from rookie ball into full season ball. He put up a 29.9%/6.8% K%/BB% with a 82 wRC+ in 105 games. He did crack 15 homers, showing off the big power, but there is a lot of refinement needed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 42/15/51/.236/.303/.433/7

429) Kameron Misner TBR, OF, 25.3 – Misner was 24 years old at Double-A with a 30.4% K%. He’s an elite athlete at 6’4”, 218 pounds with a plus power/speed combo, plus patience, and plus defense, but betting on him winning a full time job in the near future doesn’t seem wise. He’ll be a depth piece for Tampa early in his career and will have to earn every AB he gets. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 48/13/44/.228/.311/.421/11

430) Heriberto Hernandez TBR, OF, 23.4 – Hernandez’ K rate has started to get out of control as he climbs the minor league ladder, and he was only at High-A as a 22 year old. He put up a a 31.4% K%. He still has power and patience with 24 homers and a 13.6% BB%, but defense and K’s are working against him. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 66/20/64/.243/.325/.443/3

431) Wilyer Abreu BOS, OF, 23.9 – Abreu gets on base (.399 OBP in 129 games at Double-A), hits it hard (19 homers), hits it in the air (over 40% FB%) and has speed (31 steals. The K rate is high at 26.4% and the hit tool is weak with a .247 BA, but he has a lefty swing made to do damage. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 48/14/44/.232/.319/.422/7

432) Jace Avina MIL, OF, 19.10 – Avina is jam packed with potential at 6’2”, 180 pounds with a powerful righty swing that he used to crank 15 homers in 64 games split between rookie ball and Single-A. The swing looks a bit unrefined to me, and he struck out a ton at both levels with a 34.7% K%, so the risk is sky high. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 44/16/49/.228/.302/.437/3

433) Nathan Hickey BOS, C, 23.4 – Hickey was a strong offensive performer in the SEC in 2021 with a .958 OPS, and he brought that offensive prowess with him to pro ball in 2022, slashing .263/.414/.522 with 16 homers and a 23.4%/19.2% K%/BB% in 75 games split between Single-A and High-A. He was old for the levels, and he might not stick behind he plate, but it’s a bat first profile that could make a fantasy impact if he finds the playing time. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 46/15/51/.244/.321/.437/1

434) Dillon Dingler DET, C, 24.3 – Dingler struggled majorly with contact once he hit pro ball, and it hit a crescendo in 2022 with a 31.9% K% and .238 BA in 107 games at Double-A. His power isn’t big enough to make up for it either with 14 homers, and he’ll be entering a terrible ballpark for homers in Detroit. Everything still seems to setup for him to be their catcher of the future, but it doesn’t look like he will produce impact fantasy numbers. 2023 Projection: 12/4/12/.214/.288/.385/0 Prime Projection: 48/15/53/.230/.308/.402/1

435) Jordan Groshans MIA, 3B/SS, 23.4 – Groshans just never developed any power, and in fact, his power actually regressed with only 4 homers in 120 games across all levels including the majors. He has plus contact rates with a mature plate approach, but neither of those rise to elite levels, and he’s also slow. It’s not the profile of an MLB starter, but at only 23 years old, there is still hope he can add more power at 6’3”, 200 pounds. 2023 Projection: 36/4/28/.252/.310/.354/1

436) Ivan Herrera STL, C, 22.10 – Contreras signing with St. Louis makes Herrera a back up for the foreseeable future. He hit 6 homers with a 50.8% GB% in 65 games at Triple-A and then put up a 85.2 MPH EV with 0 barrels in 22 PA in his MLB debut. He has a strong plate approach with above average contact rates and plus walk rates throughout his minor league career, so while he could be a solid real life hitter, he’s not a fantasy target. 2023 Projection: 6/1/8/.242/.308/.388/0 Prime Projection: 61/16/65/.265/.337/.421/2

437) Samuel Basallo BAL, C/1B, 18.9 – Basallo is a 6’3”, 180 pound beast who hit for power in 2021 in the DSL, and then did the same in stateside rookie ball with 6 homers and a 20.6% K% in 43 games. He’s not a lock to stick behind the plate, and while he was more physically mature than his competition, he was very young for the level, starting the year at 17 years old. He definitely has the potential to be in the next wave of hyped catcher prospects. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 57/19/64/.260/.323/.442/2

438) Ryan Noda OAK, 1B, 27.0 – Noda is your classic Quad-A slugger, which fits perfectly with Oakland’s Quad-A team. They selected him in the Rule 5 Draft, which means Oakland has to keep him on the MLB roster all year if they don’t want to send him back to LA. He cracked 25 homers with a 28.2%/16% K%/BB% in 135 games at Triple-A. He also has some speed, swiping 20 bags. He’ll still need to compete for at bats with Seth Brown and Jesus Aguilar in town, but he’s worth a flier now that he is with Oakland. 2023 Projection: 33/11/36/.228/.307/.413/4

439) Jacob Miller MIA, RHP, 19.8 – Selected 46th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Miller’s 2 inning outing at Single-A in his pro debut was in a Statcast stadium. His 4-seamer and sinker averaged 94 MPH, which he combined with 2 potentially plus breaking balls in his 85.6 MPH slider and 79.4 MPH curve. The fastballs both got hit hard while the breaking balls induced weak contact. He also has a developing changeup in his bag of tricks. He has a starter’s build at 6’2”, 180 and is in a great organization for pitching. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/4.03/1.29/162 in 160 IP

440) Cutter Coffey BOS, SS, 18.10 – Selected 41st overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Coffey is an excellent overall athlete at 6’2”, 190 pounds who is a legit prospect as both a hitter and pitcher, although his future is likely as a hitter. He has a quick and explosive righty swing with natural loft that could produce plus power at peak, but the hit tool needs to take a big step forward to get there. He struggled in his pro debut with a 53 wRC+ and 27.5% K% in 40 PA which showed the rawness still present in his game. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/22/76/.243/.319/.438/8

441) Gabriel Arias CLE, SS, 23.1 – Arias continues to be a talented but raw prospect. He hits the ball hard (88.8 MPH EV) and he has speed (28 ft/sec sprint), but his plate approach is mediocre at best. He struggled at Triple-A with a 89 wRC+ and 24.1%/7.7% K%/BB%, and then hit .192 in his 57 PA MLB debut. He’s a good defensive player, which should give him a role in the majors, but I’m not sure it’s going to be a full time role anytime soon. Maybe he can begin to refine his game in his mid 20’s. 2023 Projection: 13/4/16/.225/.292/.394/3 Prime Projection: 51/16/58/.238/.309/.426/5

442) Jacob Amaya MIA, SS, 24.7 – Amaya started the year on fire (1.134 OPS in first 32 games) and ended the season on fire (1.008 OPS in final 31 games), but was ice cold in between (.543 OPS in middle 70 games). He’s had a plus plate approach his entire career (21.6%/14.3% K%/BB% in 133 games split between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022), and his power took a step forward this year with 17 dingers. He’s 6’0”, 180 pounds with a big righty swing that looks pretty dangerous to my eye, and while he doesn’t steal a ton, he’s a good athlete. 2023 Projection: 9/3/11/.242/.314/.401/1 Prime Projection: 69/16/69/.258/.332/.423/6

443) Blaze Alexander ARI, SS, 23.10 – Alexander went full breakout in 2022. He made big hit tool improvements, bringing his K% down from 32.4% at High-A in 2021 to 25.1% at mostly Double-A in 2022. His power also ticked up with 17 homers in 98 games. I lean towards him ending up a utility infielder with a below average hit tool and average power, but he has that talent to beat that projection. 2023 Projection: Prime Projection: 51/14/56/.242/.316/.418/8

444) Brainer Bonaci BOS, SS/2B, 20.9 – Bonaci’s plate approach stood out in full season ball with a 18%/18% K%/BB% which led to a 125 wRC+. He hit only only 6 homers in 108 games, and he’s not a big guy at 5’10”, but he takes big hacks that is sure to get the most of his raw power. He’s not super fast, but stealing 28 bags in 34 attempts shows he has some base stealing skills. He might top out as a utility infielder, but between the plate approach, swing, and base stealing, there seems to be a few paths to fantasy success. ETA: 2025 Prime Prime Projection: 74/16/66/.265/.340/.418/10

445) Jack Brannigan PIT, 3B, 22.1 – Selected 83rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Brannigan is a high risk, high reward college bat. He’s an athletic player with a plus power/speed combo, but there is still a rawness to his game. His pro debut showed both sides of the coin, slashing .211/.330/.337 with 3 homers (47.7% FB%), 6 steals, and a 25%/13.4% K%/BB% in 26 games at Single-A. If he can improve the hit tool (famous last works), there is fantasy friendly upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 42/11/44/.232/.302/.418/9

446) Victor Acosta CIN, SS, 18.10 – Acosta couldn’t build on his standout DSL performance in 2021. His OPS dropped to .707 and he went 5 for 12 on the bases in 42 games stateside. It wasn’t a complete disaster with a 22.4%/12.7% K%/BB% that led to a slightly above average wRC+, but his value took a big hit. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 70/14/61/.253/.324/.410/11

447) Angel Genao CLE, SS, 18.10 – Genao followed up a strong pro debut in 2021 in the DSL (133 wRC+) with another strong showing stateside in 2022, slashing .322/.394/.416 with 2 homers, 6 steals, and a 23.4%/9.4% K%/BB% in 38 games. He’s not a big dude at 5’9”, 150 pounds, and he’s not a speed guy, but he signed for over one million dollars in January 2021 and has done nothing but produce in pro ball. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 73/14/62/.267/.329/.413/12

448) Ignacio Alvarez ATL, 3B/SS, 20.0 – Selected 155th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Alvarez had an impressive pro debut, slashing .287/.451/.394 with 1 homer, 8 steals, and a 12.3%/21.3% K%/BB% in 30 games split between rookie and Single-A. This was coming off a big year in Junior College where he hit .370 with 5 homers and 9 steals in 48 games. He doesn’t jump off the screen, but he’s not small at 6’0”, 190 pounds, and he looks like a player out there. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 56/13/51/.261/.332/.421/8

449) Luke Adams MIL, 3B, 18.11 – Selected 372nd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Adams is 6’4”, 210 pounds with plus raw power, a good feel to hit, and good athleticism. He dominated in his pro debut, slashing .375/.512/.563 with 1 homer, 9 steals, and a 19.5%/17.1% K%/BB% in 11 games in rookie ball. He’s not a great defensive player, putting a lot of pressure on the bat, but there is legitimate upside here. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 44/14/47/.252/.325/.432/6

450) Jonny DeLuca LAD, OF, 24.9 – DeLuca was a 23 year old at High-A to start the year, so his 133 wRC+ in 73 games wasn’t necessarily super exciting, but he actually took it up a notch when he got promoted to Double-A, slashing .298/.359/.606 with 7 homers, 5 steals, and a 14.3%/6.7% K%/BB% in 25 games. He’s already pretty built up at a thick 6’0” with a powerful righty swing, and he combines that with plus speed and an improving hit tool. He’s already on the older side and he’s struggled with his hit tool in the past, so he’s likely a bench bat. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 54/14/51/.243/.317/.424/8

451) Daiverson Gutierrez NYM, C, 17.7 – The MLB Draft was pretty weak with catcher talent this year, but the international class makes up for it with a strong class. While I don’t love buying 16/17 year old catchers, if you want upside in first year player drafts, this where you will have to find it. Gutierrez is an excellent athlete with a good feel to hit and emerging power. The upside is there to be one of the top catcher prospects in the game if he produces. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 66/20/73/.263/.331/.440/4

452) Hunter Bishop SFG, OF, 24.9 – Bishop got his career back on track after a shoulder injury wiped out almost his entire 2021 with 13 homers and 20 steals in 85 games at High-A, but he was old for the level and it came with a 32.7%/8.7% K%/BB%. He’s an elite athlete at 6’5”, 210 pounds with a plus power/speed combo, so he’s setting up to be a late career breakout type. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 48/14/51/.232/.306/.421/11

453) Maximo Acosta TEX, SS/2B, 20.5 – Acosta’s international prospect hype proved to be overblown, but he at least re-established some of his prospect value after a poor 2021 pro debut that eventually led to thoracic outlet surgery. He held his own in full season ball, slashing .262/.341/.361 with 4 homers, 44 steals, and a 19.1%/8.8% K%/BB% in 107 games. The hit tool is solid but far from elite, there isn’t a ton of power projection, and he’s not a speedster. Without a standout offensive tool, there isn’t a ton to get excited about for fantasy. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 71/15/65/.258/.323/.416/15

454) Carlos Colmenarez TBR, SS, 19.5 – Colmenarez hasn’t lived up to his international signing hype, but he managed to put together a decent season in stateside rookie ball with a 120 wRC+ in 35 games. He hit only 1 homer with a 51.2% GB%, and he struck out 26.8% of the time, so it’s not really a season to get excited about. He still has the electric swing and above average across the board tools, but it seems a lot of his value is still hanging on where he got ranked when he was 16 years old. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 68/16/72/.251/.322/.424/14

455) Mason Black SFG, RHP, 23.4 – Black’s a bit old for the lower minors, but he handled his business there with a 3.21 ERA and 136/36 K/BB in 112 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He also has very good stuff with a mid 90’s fastball, plus slider, and developing changeup. The profile would work excellent as a reliever, but he definitely still has a solid chance of remaining a starter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.10/1.30/141 in 150 IP

456) Nelson Quiroz LAD, C, 21.5 – Quiroz is a sneaky very deep league catcher target. He missed most of 2022 with injury, but he smashed in the 12 games he did play in with 4 homers, a 10%/12% K%/BB%, and 1.079 OPS at Single-A. He’s a switch hitter who always had a good feel to hit, and while he doesn’t have huge power, it certainly seems to have taken a step forward this year. Here is an article with video about him showing out in a home run derby in October. He’s also in a great organization to develop his talent. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 33/9/35/.258/.324/.412/1

457) Chandler Simpson TBR, SS/2B, 22.4 – Selected 70th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Simpson’s game is elite speed with elite contact rates. He hit .434 with 27 steals and a 16/31 K/BB in 47 games in the ACC, but he doesn’t hit the ball hard at all with only 1 homer in his 208 game career across all levels. He’s a skinny 6’2”, 170 pounds, so the power should hopefully tick up in time, but it’s not likely to ever be a big part of his game. He’s a light hitting speed play. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 66/7/49/.256/.318/.389/19

458) Ryan Cermak TBR, OF, 21.10 – Selected 71st overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Cermak is 6’1”, 205 pounds with an aggressive righty swing that jacked out 19 homers in 48 games in the Missouri Valley Conference. He also hit 2 homers in 7 games in his pro debut in rookie ball. He combines that power with above average speed, but the hit tool is a bit of a question mark. He’s had some swing and miss issues in college and then put up a 37.5%/4.2% K%/BB% in his small sample pro debut. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 61/18/65/.239/.311/.428/8

459) Kevin Made CHC, SS, 20.7 – Made had a strong showing at Single-A with a 123 wRC+ in 57 games, but his numbers dropped off a cliff at High-A with a 50 wRC+ in 37 games. He has a solid plate approach with about average power potential, so considering he’s only attempted 6 steals in his 152 game career, the upside isn’t that high. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/18/71/.262/.328/.421/5

460) Drew Rom BAL, LHP, 23.4 – Rom is a plus deception lefty with a low 90’s fastball and two bat missing secondaries in his slider and change. The 4.43 ERA in 120 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A isn’t great, but the 144/47 K/BB looks much better, and he’s knocking on the door of the bigs in an organization who has a weak MLB rotation. He’s a better option the deeper the league is. 2023 Projection: 2/4.55/1.41/37 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.25/1.33/148 in 150 IP

461) Jared Jones PIT, RHP, 21.8 – Jones fires an upper 90’s fastball which gives his loads of upside, but everything else is still raw with below average control and inconsistent secondaries. He had a mediocre year at High-A with a 4.62 ERA and 26.7%/9.6% K%/BB% in 122.2 IP. It’s likely a reliever profile, but he’s still young and the upside is high. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 4/3.41/1.18/76 in 65 IP

462) Jackson Rutledge WAS, RHP, 24.0 – Betting on Rutledge is a bet on stuff and size. He’s 6’8”, 250 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and plus slider. He’s struggled with the control in the past, but it was good this year with a 6.9% BB%, although everything else was underwhelming with a 4.90 ERA and 23.4% K% in 97.1 IP at Single-A. It’s likely he ends up in the bullpen considering his age, but I wouldn’t rule out a starter role with the improved control. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 7/3.92/1.32/123 in 120 IP

463) Norge Vera CHW, RHP, 22.10 – Vera didn’t have the breakout we were hoping for, but he still showed the filthy stuff that got us so excited last off-season. A lat strain delayed the start of his season until June and shoulder stiffness knocked out a few weeks of his season in August. He just never really found his rhythm on the mound, only pitching short outings and showing major control issues with a 7.9 BB/9 in 35.1 IP spread across levels (A, A+, AA). He still had a 3.31 ERA with a 13.2 K/9 because his mid to upper 90’s fastball, which he relies on heavily, is a devastating pitch. He combines that with a potentially plus slider, average curve and a much lesser used changeup. He’s a still a project, but a high upside one. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.10/1.32/168 in 160 IP

264) Andrew Abbott CIN, LHP, 23.10 – Abbott destroyed High-A with a 0.67 ERA in 27 IP, but he struggled when he got to Double-A with a 4.75 ERA in 91 IP. His curveball is the moneymaker and it racks up strikeouts, leading a 159/44 K/BB in 118 total IP. He combines that with a low to mid 90’s fastball and lesser used changeup. He’ll need to either add another tick or two on his fastball or improve his control to be more than a back end guy. He’s also headed for a terrible ballpark. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.25/1.34/167 in 160 IP

465) Dahian Santos TOR, RHP, 20.1 – Santos put up some eye popping K numbers in the lower minors with 142 K’s in 86 IP on the back of a plus slider and potentially plus change. He only throws in the low 90’s, he’s not a big guy, and he has control issues, so there are plenty of red flags, but he’s only 19 and you gotta love those K numbers. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 7/4.19/1.33/133 in 120 IP

466) River Ryan LAD, RHP, 24.7 – Ryan started to focus solely on pitching in 2022 and immediately saw a jump in stuff with his fastball sitting in the mid 90’s. It led to a 2.45 ERA with a 70/21 K/BB in 47.2 IP at Single-A and High-A. The secondaries are legit too, but he has control issues and is 24 years old with a career high of 51.2 IP. I lean towards him ending up in the pen. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 4/3.63/1.21/74 in 65 IP

467) Won-Bin Cho STL, OF, 19.8 – Cho put up a 118 wRC+ on the back of a 20% BB% in 26 games in rookie ball, but he hit only 1 homer with a 27% K%. He’s a projectable 6’3” with plus power potential, but there is a long way to go. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 57/17/61/.246/.328/.430/5

468) Carlos Sanchez CIN, 3B/OF, 18.3 – Sanchez was a DSL standout, slashing .355/.505/.442 with 2 homers, 14 steals, and a 15.4%/22% K%/BB%. It was good for a 169 wRC+. There isn’t much info out there on him, but I don’t care what level you’re playing at, if you get on base more than 50% of the time, that is impressive. He’s at least worth being on your radar to see what he can do stateside. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 68/14/54/.267/.334/.409/8

469) Luis Serna NYY, RHP, 18.9 – Serna pitched well in the DSL in 2021, and he kept it going in stateside rookie ball in 2022 with a 1.96 ERA and 56/17 K/BB in 41.1 IP. A plus changeup is his best pitch which he combines with low 90’s heat, and 2 effective breaking balls in his slider and curve. He’s not a huge guy at 5’11”, 162 pounds, so while he’s not a huge projection guy, there is certainly room to add more velocity. He’s generally around the plate without any major control issues. He has mid rotation upside. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/4.06/1.27/150 in 150 IP

470) Tanner Schobel MIN, SS/2B, 21.10 – Selected 68th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Schobel is a relatively little guy at 5’10”, 170 pounds who showed big power in college with 19 homers in 59 ACC games, but it didn’t translate to pro ball with only 1 homer in 32 games at mostly Single-A. He has a strong plate approach and speed, so he’s not totally reliant on the power, but if you can’t trust the power, he might be trending more towards a utility role. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 55/14/52/.253/.324/.421/8

471) Alex Freeland LAD, SS, 21.7 – Selected 105th overall in the 2022 Draft, Freeland was drafted by the Dodgers, and if you’re going to take a shot on a late round dart throw, why not align yourself with LA. And true to form, Freeland had a big time pro debut with 3 homers and a 152 wRC+ in 8 games at Single-A, albeit with a 30.6%/5.6% K%/BB%. He came from the non major American Athletic Conference, and while he’s hit well in his career, he hasn’t really blown the doors off, although you have to take into account he was very young for his class. He’s a switch hitter with some pop at 6’2”, 200 pounds. This is a bet on the Dodgers as much as anything. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 51/15/57/.243/.315/.432/4

472) Yoelin Cespedes BOS, SS, 17.7 – Let’s go with bloodlines on this one as Cespedes is half brothers with Yeonis Cespedes. Like most bloodline prospects, Cespedes is advanced at the dish with a potentially plus hit tool. He’s only 5’11”, 150 pounds, so while he doesn’t have huge power projection, he can put a charge into the ball. He’s not a burner either. The upside might not be huge, but why not take a dart throw on a Cespedes at this point in the rankings. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 77/18/69/.273/.338/.424/11

473) Dyan Jorge COL, SS, 20.0 – Jorge hit well in his pro debut in the DSL, slashing .320/.402/.452 with 4 homers, 13 steals, and a 35/22 K/BB in 53 games, but he was 19 years old, so you have to take his strong statistical year with a grain of salt. Regardless, he’s a projectable, tooled up player who signed for $2.8 million in last years international class. He’s more someone to keep an eye on in 2023 than someone to go after this off-season. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 63/15/61/.243/.313/.415/11

274) Jake Alu WAS, OF, 26.0 – Alu is old for a prospect, he has a solid but not standout hit tool/plate approach, he doesn’t have big power, and he doesn’t have big speed. As you can tell, I’m not the biggest Alu fan, but you can’t deny the good numbers he put up in the upper minors (.871 OPS with 20 homers and 15 steals), and you can’t deny there is opportunity in Washington. I look at him as more of a good flier in deeper leagues, rather than anybody to really go after. 2023 Projection: 28/5/25/.243/.305/.397/4

475) Greg Jones TBR, SS, 25.1 – Jones stole 37 bases in 79 games at Double-A, and that is where the positives stop. He hit 8 homers with a 52.7% GB% and a 35.8%/7.5% K%/BB%. I’m not sure he should even crack this list, but maybe he can be a speed guy who steals like 15 bags as a part time player. Or maybe something clicks with his hit tool at some point. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 36/7/31/.225/.293/.390/14

476) Christopher Paciolla CHC, 2B/3B/SS, 19.0 – Selected 86th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Paciolla is a projectable 6’2”, 185 pounds with a lightning quick and powerful righty swing. He’s still raw with a 66 wRC+ and 28%/8% K%/BB% in his 7 game pro debut, so you’re mostly buying a ball of power hitting clay here. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 64/20/69/.241/.315/.430/5

477) Ricardo Cabrera CIN, SS, 18.5 – Coming off signing for $2.7 million, Cabrera didn’t exactly stand out in the DSL with only 1 homer, 5 steals, and a mediocre 22.2%/7.2% K%/BB% in 45 games, but it was still good for an above average 108 wRC+. I don’t think it’s a good idea to give too long of a leash on hyped international prospects who struggle their first year or two in pro ball, but I also don’t have to pull the rip cord completely too early. Gotta give them at least a year to get acclimated. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/20/74/.258/.324/.434/11

478) Diego Benitez ATL, SS, 18.4 – Benitez was one of the top 2022 international signings ($2.5 million), so I want to give him one more year before really jumping ship. He didn’t perform well in the DSL with a 92 wRC+, 2 homers, and 3 steals in 43 games, but it’s not like he was completely overmatched with a 20.3%/15.9% K%/BB%. The poor year was probably a combo of bad luck and not being strong enough yet. Let’s see what he can do when he starts to fill out more. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 71/22/75/.255/.327/.444/8

479) Welbyn Francisca CLE, SS, 16.11 – Francisca is not a huge projection guy at 5’11”, 150 pounds, but he’s known for his precocious feel for hitting with some speed. Taking 16 year old hit tool guys is not my favorite thing to do, but putting a power cap on a 16 year old seems silly, so if the power ticks up he could be a dangerous all around fantasy player. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 79/14/63/.277/.343/410/17

480) Derniche Valdez CHC, SS, 17.0 – Valdez doesn’t have the projectability of some of the other top international prospects at 6’1”, 180, but he ain’t small and he has a powerful righty swing that gets the most out of his raw power. He probably doesn’t have elite prospect upside even if it all clicks, but he can be a damn good across the board player. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 74/20/76/.255/.326/.428/13

481) Josh Kasevich TOR, SS/3B, 22.3 – Selected 60th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Kasevich is a plus hit tool guy who put up a 16/24 K/BB in 61 games in the Pac 12, and then proved the elite contact rates will transfer to pro ball with a 7.4%/9.0% K%/BB% in 25 games at Single-A. He didn’t hit a single homer with a 59.6% GB% or steal a single bag (he’s not a great baserunner) in those pro games, which shows the power/speed combo just isn’t there. He’s 6’2”, 200 pounds, so hopefully he tries to lift the ball a bit more to make the most of his raw power. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/14/64/.268/.324/.416/7

482) Cade Hunter CIN, C, 22.4 – Selected 153rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Hunter makes for an interesting late round pick considering how weak the draft was at catcher. He’s 6’2”, 200 pounds with a very quick lefty swing that should produce plus power at peak. He knocked out 17 homers in 58 ACC games and then knocked out 3 dingers in his 14 game pro debut at rookie and Single-A. The hit tool isn’t great with a 22.9% K% in college, but beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to this year’s catcher class. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 39/14/44/.235/.312/.426/4

483) Brenner Cox WAS, OF, 18.11 – Selected 111th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Cox signed for above slot with a cool one million dollar bonus. He’s a projectable 6’3”, 195 pounds with plus speed and plus power potential. He hit well in his pro debut with a 116 wRC+, 1 homer and 2 steals in 10 rookie ball games, but a 33.3% K% and 63.6% GB% shows his risk. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 46/12/41/.236/.309/.417/9

484) Ariel Castro MIN, OF, 17.1 – Castro is 6’2”, 180 pounds with a smooth and easy lefty swing that has natural loft and plus power potential. He doesn’t have as good of a hit tool as the international prospects ranked over him, but on swing alone he is up there with anyone. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 68/23/77.248/.321/.435/7

485) Rayner Arias SFG, OF, 16.11 – Arias has baseball bloodlines, and like usual, that results in a prospect who is more mature in baseball terms than some of his contemporaries. He combines that maturity at the dish with a projectable 6’1”, 180 pound frame and a big righty swing that has clear power potential. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 76/21/78/.266/.338/.440/5

486) Karson Milbrandt MIA, RHP, 18.11 – Selected 85th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Milbrandt signed for an over slot $1.5 million. He throws a high spin, low to mid 90’s fastball to go along with 3 secondaries that all have potential in his curve, slider, and change. There is plenty of refinement needed, but the upside is high. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/4.02/1.30/156 in 160 IP

487) Danny Serretti DET, SS, 22.11 – Selected 177th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Serretti had a hell of an MLB debut with a .946 OPS in 27 games, making it all the way to Double-A. He showed his strong plate approach will transfer with a 18.1%/20.7% K%/BB%, and he has moderate pop (2 homers) and speed (7 steals). It’s not a high upside profile and I’m not sure it’s a starter’s profile, but you gotta respect that pro debut. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 41/8/41/.252/.319/.417/4

488) Echedry Vargas TEX, SS, 18.1 – Vargas put up elite contact rates (12.1% K%) with some pop (4 homers) and speed (13 steals) in 54 games in the DSL. He’s not a big singing bonus guy or a huge human being (5’11”, 170), but there is still an exciting set of tools here. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 62/16/66/.260/.316/.434/9

489) Alex Isola MIN, C/1B, 24.8 – Isola has an excellent plate approach (18.2%/13.0% K%/BB%) with the ability to lift the ball (44.9% FB%). It’s a great combo and it led to 10 homers with a .282 BA in 58 games at Double-A. He has a quick righty swing at 6’1”, 215 pounds that can definitely do some damage. He might top out as a back up catcher, and he’s already 24 years old, but there’s some interesting close to the majors upside here. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 36/9/38/.254/.321/.420/0

490) Wes Clarke MIL, 1B/C, 23.6 – Clarke was a big time performer in SEC, and he had a strong first full year of pro ball with a 115 wRC+ in 83 games at High-A and a 121 wRC+ in 16 games at Double-A. He hit only .229 with 14 homers in 99 games overall, so he didn’t exactly light the world on fire, but he hits the ball hard and in the air with strong walk rates (.356 OBP). There’s also a chance he could get enough games in catcher to retain eligibility there. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 38/12/41/.233/.318/.428/0

491) Joe Naranjo CLE, 1B, 21.11 – Naranjo has a very smooth lefty swing with natural loft, and after his raw power ticked up this year, it led to 18 homers with 120 wRC+ in 119 games at High-A. He’s always been a high OBP guy, and he took it to another level with a 16% BB% and .364 OBP. The K rate is on the high side (25.5%) and he’s a career .241 hitter in 276 MiLB games, so he’s a better OBP target than 5×5 BA. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 61/16/58/.244/.328/.427/3

492) Mason Martin PIT, 1B, 23.10 –  Pitt just signed like 3 fringy 1B, but at some point I imagine they will want to see what they have with Martin, and he has the potential to go on a power binge real quick. He had a bad year with a 79 wRC+ in 134 games at Triple-A, but it doesn’t really change his profile as an extremely risky power hitter. He had a 35.9% K% which isn’t out of line for what he’s done in his career. 2023 Projection: Prime Projection: 32/10/39/.223/.291/.425/3

493) Nathan Martorella SDP, 1B, 22.1 – Selected 150th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Marorella is more of a John Olerud than a Jim Thome, to bring it back to my childhood. Meaning he’s more of a good all around hitter rather than a power hitting beast. He put up a .977 OPS with 11 homers and a 29/34 K/BB in 55 Pac 12 games, and then put up a .932 OPS with 3 homers and a 21/16 K/BB in 28 games split between rookie and Single-A. He has a bit of an awkward lefty swing and has a different batting stance in just about every video I’ve seen. The ones of him in pro ball definitely look the best to me though. He’s not the type of upside bat you look for at 1B, but he can be solid. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 56/14/51/.267/.332/.427/1

494) Brenton Doyle COL, OF, 24.10 – Doyle is a proximity upside play in Coors with a plus power (26 homers in 132 games in the upper minors)/speed (23 steals) combo, but his plate approach is atrocious with a 171/28 K/BB. 2023 Projection: 7/2/9/.210/.272/.367/3 Prime Projection: 39/8/37/.223/.288/.403/6

495) Shane Sasaki TBR, OF, 22.9 – Sasaki was too old for Single-A, but he handled his business there, slashing .324/.410/.497 with 9 homers, 47 steals, and a 22.9%/12.2% K%/BB% in 89 games. He’s still a very thin 6 feet, so the power should tick up in time. He’ll probably top out as a bench OF, but there is an interesting set of skills here. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 39/6/31/.243/.314/.391/11

496) Austin Hendrick CIN, OF, 21.9 – Hendrick struck out 40% of the time in 36 games at Single-A and 35.8% of the time in 73 games at High-A. That is just too extreme. His flyball rate is very extreme too at well over 50%, which will result in plenty of homers, but will crater his batting average. It’s still a high upside profile, but the risk is impossible to ignore. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 45/17/51/.221/.304/.431/7

497) Daylen Lile WAS, OF, 20.4 – Lile underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2022. He was selected 47th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft on the back of his plus hit tool, which is generally not my favorite type of player to go after in fantasy. Power and speed could end up about average. His pro debut wasn’t great, slashing .219/.363/.250 with 0 homers, 2 steals, and a 25%/18.8% K%/BB% in 19 games at rookie ball. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 73/13/64/.266/.327/.410/6

498) Clark Elliott OAK, OF, 22.5 – Selected 69th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Elliott has a solid across the board profile with pop, speed, and a high OBP. He put up big numbers in the Big Ten, slashing .337/.460/.630 with 16 homers, 19 steals, and a 56/49 K/BB in 61 games. There is a little more strikeouts than you would like, but he has a strong lefty swing that is geared for power and average. Landing with Oakland gives him opportunity, but everything else there is a negative. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 55/14/52/.242/.325/.426/9

499) Daniel Palencia CHC, RHP, 23.2 – Palencia always had the huge upper 90’s fastball, and in 2022 he was able to refine his control just enough to have a breakout year with a 3.94 ERA and 98/35 K/BB in 75.1 IP. There is still tons of reliever risk as the control is still below average, he pitched in mostly short 3-4 IP outings, and his change is still a work in progress. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 4/3.45/1.15/73 in 65 IP

500) Cole Phillips ATL, RHP, 19.10 – Selected 57th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery in April, which puts a damper on his FYPD stock, but he’s a nice high upside arm to stash late. He’s 6’3”, 200 pounds with an athletic delivery that he uses to fire a mid to upper 90’s fastball. The secondaries aren’t as refined, but the slider is potentially plus and the changeup can be solid too. The upside is worth the risk as this point in the draft. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 9/4.15/1.29/155 in 150 IP

501) JJ Matijevic HOU, 1B/OF, 27.5 – Matijevic has hit well basically everywhere he’s been since his freshman year of college, and he really raked in 2022 with 16 homers and a .933 OPS in 64 games at Triple-A. The problem is that he’s a high strikeout hitter (24.1% K%) with a high groundball rate (50% GB%). Those are the weaknesses that tanked his MLB debut with a .582 OPS, 35.2% K%, and 8.9 degree launch. He’s very likely a bench bat, especially if he remains with Houston. 2023 Projection: 23/7/27/.236/.306/.418/2

502) Matt Gorski PIT, OF, 25.4 – Gorski is tooled up with power (24 homers in 81 split between High-A and Double-A) and speed (21 steals), but he has major hit tool issues (28.6% K%). He’s a good defender and is in the perfect organization, so if you’re going to take a shot on this type of prospect, might as well do it with ones who have some semblance of a path to playing time. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 33/8/36/.224/.296/.412/6

503) Jerar Encarnacion MIA, OF, 25.6 – Encarnacion has huge power with a 90.5/96.8 MPH AVG/FB EV in 81 PA in his MLB debut, but it comes with equally huge strikeouts with a 39.5% K%. He jacked 14 homers with a 29.3% K% in Triple-A. The power and proximity is enough to keep him interesting. 2023 Projection: 12/4/15/.217/.288/.407/0 Prime Projection: 41/18/52/.231/.305/.437/3

504) Seth Beer ARI, 1B, 26.8 – These bat first guys just don’t get any type of leash. Beer struggled in what was essentially his MLB debut with a .521 OPS in 126 PA and was then sent back down to Triple-A for most of the year. He didn’t hit all that well at Triple-A either with a 101 wRC+ in 90 games. There is no guarantee he ever really gets another real shot. 2023 Projection: 18/6/21/.248/.321/.426/0

505) Will Warren NYY, RHP, 23.3 – Warren is a groundball pitcher with a heavy sinking fastball and diverse pitch mix. His stuff is good but not standout, and his 20.6%/8.2% K%/BB% with a 4.02 ERA in 94 IP at Double-A doesn’t really pop. It’s likely a swingman/back end starter type profile. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 8/4.02/1.33/124 in 140 IP

506) Darius Vines ATL, RHP, 24.11 – Vines had a strong season in the upper levels of the minors with a 3.77 ERA and 156/44 K/BB in 140.2 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. He only throws in the low 90’s but he has a nasty changeup to go along with a solid slider. Back end profile. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.29/1.32/140 in 150 IP

507) Dominic Hamel NYM, RHP, 24.1 – Hamel is a spin monster with basically his entire arsenal putting up high spin rates (fastball, curve, slider). It led to a 3.25 ERA and 145/54 K/BB in 119 IP split between Single-A and High-A. The fastball only sits in the low 90’s, his control isn’t great, and he’s old for the lower minors, so it’s probably more of a back end profile with mid-rotation upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/4.10/1.32/171 in 165 IP

508) Leandro Cedeno ARI, 1B, 24.8 – Cedeno is built like a tank and he has the power of a tank. He crushed 32 homers in 123 games at mostly Double-A. Here he is destroying a 527 foot homer. The plate approach hasn’t been great throughout his career with relatively low walk rates and high strikeout rates, and there isn’t much defensive value, so he’s trending as a power bench bat. 2023 Projection: Prime Projection: 37/14/45/.246/.308/.442/0

509) Leonardo Bernal STL, C, 19.2 – Bernal was 18 in full season ball and more than held his own with a 117 wRC+, 7 homers and 18.7%/7% K%/BB% in 45 games. He’s already a pretty thick 6’0” and he hits the ball relatively hard for his age. The upside might not be huge, but he’s one of the stronger teenage catchers in the game. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 51/16/56/.262/.321/.425/1

510) Bryant Betancourt COL, C/1B, 19.6 – Betancourt repeated the DSL as an 18 year old and did what he was supposed to do, smashing the level with 11 homers, a 12%/15.4% K%/BB% and 190 wRC+ in 44 games. He was known for his bat when he signed, and it’s not like he performed poorly in 2021 with a 108 wRC+, it’s just that the power wasn’t there yet with 1 homer in 39 games. The power clearly showed up this year. There is no guarantee he sticks behind the plate and he obviously has a long way to go, but he’s a good upside flier in very deep leagues. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 34/9/39/.245/.322/.423/1

511) Sonny DiChiara LAA, 1B, 23.8 – Selected 148th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, LA sent DiChiara straight to Double-A for his pro debut, and he understandably struggled with 1 homer, a 36.9% K% and a .600 OPS in 36 games. On the other hand, he was already 23 years old, so the extreme struggles is not a great sign. He’s built like Dan Vogelbach at 6’1”, 263 pounds, and has the requisite power to match his size, crushing 63 homers in 187 games in his college career in the relatively weak Southern Conference. He’s going to have to rake to get playing time, and the Double-A debut does not give much hope he will be able to do that on the MLB level. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 28/8/31/.220/.307/.417/0

512) Griffin Doersching SDP, 1B, 24.8 – Selected 240th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Doersching is a 6’4”, 250 pound hulking slugger who smashed 15 homers in 42 Big 12 games, and then stepped into pro ball and cranked 9 homers in 30 games at mostly Single-A. He was a 5th year senior with strikeout issues, but he’ll clearly be able to hit for power no matter what the level is, it’s just a question of how low the batting average will get. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 32/12/34/.218/.304/.431/1

513) Sandro Gaston HOU, C/1B, 20.4 – Gaston was a 19 year old in the DSL, so you really have to take his stats with a grain of salt, but nevertheless he decimated the level with 12 homers, a 24.3%/13% K%/BB% and 180 wRC+ in 47 games. He’s a big man at 6’3”, 210 pounds and his nickname is EL Tanke. The power is most certainly real. The 24.3% K% is scary especially considering his age, and he might not stick at catcher, but he’s a power hitting prospect to at least keep an eye on. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 28/10/31/.221/.292/.410/1

514) Ronny Hernandez CHW, C, 18.5 –  Hernandez had one of the best age appropriate seasons from a catcher in the DSL, slashing .268/.383/.526 with 6 homers and a 17.5%/15% K%/BB% in 34 games. There is very little out there on him, and he wasn’t a hyped signing, but he’s 6’1”, 200 pounds with a 55.4% flyball percentage, so the power is likely for real. This is a complete shot in the dark based on number scouting only. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 42/16/47/.243/.317/.421/1

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