The MLB regular season may be over, but that means Dynasty Leagues are just starting to ramp back up. Leading up to Friday’s special edition of the Razzball Prospect Podcast: First-Year Player Mock Draft, I will be ranking the top draft picks and international free agents who signed with pro teams this season (make sure to also check out Ralph Lifshitz’ Top 30 over at Razzball). Here are the 2016/17 Top 40 Dynasty League First-Year Player Draft Rankings: 31-40:
1-10 – 2016/17 Dynasty League First-Year Player Draft Rankings
11-20 – 2016/17 Dynasty League First-Year Player Draft Rankings
21-30 – 2016/17 Dynasty League First-Year Player Draft Rankings
*All projections are now juiced, like the balls
31) Luis Almanzar SD, SS – The 16-year-old Almanzar signed with San Diego for $4 million. He is your classic toolsy SS who always makes bank during the international signing period, and they probably deserve to get paid even more. All projection and a long way off, but his upside can rival anybody’s. Prime Projection: 87/20/87/.285/.345/.480/10
32) Lazaro Armenteros OAK, OF – The 17-year-old Armenteros signed with Oakland for $3 million. He has dominated in international competitions and has oodles of raw talent. Prime Projection: 80/23/90/.270/.330/.480/18
33) Delvin Perez STL, SS – Almost a sure bet to stick at SS (but not sure how much a bump we should be giving SS in fantasy anymore) and a great real life prospect, but he is still very raw with the bat. He has plus speed and the talent to figure it out at the plate, so the potential to be an impact fantasy hitter is still there. Prime Projection: 84/10/66/.269/.309/.379/24
34) Jordan Sheffield LAD, RHP – Electric stuff with a mid-90’s fastball, but there is size, injury, and bullpen risk here. Prime Projection: 3.68/1.26/170 in 178 IP
35) Joey Wentz ATL, LHP – An uber-talented lefty who throws a low 90’s fastball with an already solid curveball and changeup. Has an athletic, repeatable delivery, and his potential is probably about equal to any pitcher on this list. Prime Projection: 3.56/1.18/191 in 186 IP
36) Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP – 6’7’’, 240-pound beast who has workhorse starter written all over him. Not much projection left, but he already throws a mid-90’s heater and power curveball. Prime Projection: 3.55/1.24/183 in 200 IP
37) Josh Lowe TB, 3B/OF – Showed the power is for real, blasting 5 homers in 54 Rookie ball games, but his .249 AVG and 59 K’s shows there is plenty of improvement left to go. Prime Projection: 83/23/87/.269/.345/.469/9
38) Victor Garcia STL, OF – Might have the most raw power and bat speed of anybody on this entire list, but still very raw. I wrote about him way back in my Week 12 Fantasy Prospect Rundown as one of my favorite international signing period sleepers. Prime Projection: 77/29/93/.250/.315/.490/2
39) Nolan Jones CLE, SS/3B – Mediocre Rookie ball debut, slashing .257/.388/.339 with 0 homers and a 49/23 K/BB in 32 games, but the potential remains the same. Prime Projection: 82/21/85/.267/.348/.460/8
40) Ronnie Dawson HOU, OF– A great power/speed draft sleeper who displayed those same skills upon reaching pro ball (7 homers and 12 steals in 70 games at Low-A), but didn’t do anything to answer the questions about his hit tool (.225 AVG). Prime Projection: 78/15/73/.249/.322/.425/16
*Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Unsigned, SS/OF – Unranked because he hasn’t signed with a Major League team yet. He is a toolsy, but still raw 22-year-old who would probably slot in around the 30-ish range. Prime Projection: 82/18/77/.275/.335/.440/13
You can check out my Top 30 MLB Draft Rankings for more in depth information and scouting reports on most of these players.
By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@ImaginaryBrickW)