Opening Day is literally right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start releasing some of my rankings on the Brick Wall. We start with the Top 146 2025 FYPD Rankings, which has been on the Patreon since early January (there is an accompanying FYPD Target and Strategy Guide up on the Patreon as well). The Top 500 2025 Prospects Rankings will drop on Thursday, and the Top 1,000 2025 Dynasty Baseball Rankings will drop next week. Without further ado, here is the Top 146 2025 Dynasty Baseball First Year Player Draft Rankings:

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1) Roki Sasaki – LAD, RHP, 23.5 – Sasaki and his people pulled whatever back room deals that needed to be pulled and got him coming stateside this season, which is insanely exciting, because there is little doubt that he will be a true ace right from the get go, and possibly the best pitcher in all the land. He’s better than Yamamoto, and you saw Yamamoto’s seamless transition, other than the shoulder injury. But that injury might have pushed LA to a six man rotation, which works just fine for Sasaki. His fastball sits in the upper 90’s and regularly hits over 100 MPH. The splitter is truly elite and the slider is plus. He has prototypical size at a projectable and athletic 6’2”, 187 pounds, and he has plus control/command of his stuff. He’s been so insanely dominant in Japan that he has basically already hit legend status with so many crazy feats, and he’s only 23 years old. He put up a 2.35 ERA with a 28.7/7.1 K%/BB% in 111 IP this year. He was even better in 2023 with a 1.78 ERA and 39.1%/4.9% K%/BB% in 91 IP. As you can see, the biggest and only red flag is injuries, as he has a career high of 129.1 IP. He battled an oblique injury in 2023 and right arm discomfort in 2024. The right arm discomfort is particularly concerning because his stuff was actually down a tick or two this year. It was still beastly, but would any of us be surprised if Tommy John/internal brace surgery was right around the corner? You can’t be too scared off by that, because even if he needs it, he should still return as an ace. He’s so easily the top pick in First Year Player Drafts, and while I don’t think he’s a no brainer for #1 overall prospect in the game, how can you not put a ready made ace in the top spot, injury risk be damned. – 2025 Projection: 12/3.06/1.04/175 in 150 IP Prime Projection: 16/2.72/0.92/240 in 185 IP

2) Travis Bazzana – CLE, 2B, 22.7 – Selected 1st overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Bazzana looks like a tightly wound ball of kinetic energy that is just ready to explode in the box (I think ball of “Potential” energy is actually the correct scientific term, but I felt like “Kinetic” just hit harder … There is toe tapping and bat wiggling before he absolutely uncoils on the baseball, jacking 28 homers in 60 games in the Pac 12 this year, and also smoking 6 homers with a 1.037 OPS in the wood bat cape cod league in 2023. He’s “only” 6 feet tall, but there is easy plus power in here at the least. He combines the plus power with a near elite plate approach/hit tool (12.5%/25.7% K%/BB%), and speed (16 steals). He didn’t standout in his pro debut, but he did enough to feel confident about him fulfilling his upside with 3 homers, 5 steals, a 126 wRC+ and 25.4/13.9 K%/BB% in 27 games at High-A. He’s the total offensive package, and there is a reason he got taken #1 overall by a very smart franchise despite limited defensive value. The only thing that can stop him seems to be his parents. His parents almost ended his career before it started when celebrating. His dad tried to rip his arm out of his socket, and then his mom put him in some kind of neck hold into a tripping maneuver. Travis almost looked like he was about to square up with his mom for a second there. I guess they do things differently Down Under in Australia. – 2025 Projection: 31/7/31/.247/.319/.420/8 Prime Projection: 91/24/79/.271/.349/.455/25

3) JJ Wetherholt – STL, 2B, 22.7 – Selected 7th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Wetherholt might not have quite the ceiling of Bazzana, but even that is highly debatable, and he’s establishing that he most probably has the floor edge with a 11.9% K% at Single-A vs. Bazzana’s 25.4% K% at High-A. Different levels, but that is a pretty stark difference. He hit the ball on the ground a lot more than Bazzana, which is where some of that upside edge comes in, but he did it with a 91.9 MPH EV, so don’t cap his power upside too much. He’s two inches smaller than Bazzana at 5’10”, but he rocks that little man leg kick that I’ve always loved, and always seems to get the most out of smaller guys raw power. He slid in the draft a bit after getting a lot of #1 overall buzz, likely due to missing about half of the season with a hamstring injury and still not being fully healthy when he returned. It was his 2nd major hamstring injury within the year. His 16 homer pace was also not that impressive when everyone else was hitting like 30+. What he does better than maybe anyone else in the draft though is hit. He put up a 10.4%/18.3% K%/BB% in 2024 and had a 8.2% K% in 2023. He’s a complete hitter who uses the entire field with a quick and simple lefty swing. Tack on plus speed (57 steals in 145 career games), and you have a damn enticing fantasy player even if his power upside doesn’t quite match some of the other bats in the class. I have Bazzana ranked over him, but I don’t think it’s some no brainer decision. JJ is right there. – 2025 Projection: 18/3/16/.259/.321/.401/5 Prime Projection: 96/19/73/.287/.353/.438/23

4) Chase Burns – CIN, RHP, 22.3 – Selected 2nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, dynasty managers owe a huge debt of gratitude to Cincinnati for going Burns over Condon. It would have made me legitimately sad to see Burns going to the Rockies. I know Cincinnati is no cake walk for pitchers themselves, but they just have a small ballpark, they don’t have different air. And we’ve seen plenty of pitchers have excellent seasons in Cincy (Castillo, Gray, Greene, Lodolo), so I wouldn’t let this landing spot move you off Burns at all. He has legit ace upside at a strong 6’3”, 210 pounds with a double plus fastball that sits in the upper 90’s and a double plus slider that put up elite whiff rates. It led to a 2.70 ERA with a ridiculous 48.8%/7.7% K%/BB% in 100 IP in the ACC. He’s inevitably going to get compared to Skenes, and Skenes put up a 1.69 ERA with a 45.2%/4.3% K%/BB% in 122.2 IP in the SEC. Skenes was in the tougher conference (although Burns pitched well in the SEC in 2022-23 before transferring to the ACC) with a better ERA, better walk rate and more IP. Burns isn’t as good as Skenes, but not many pitchers are better than Skenes, so that isn’t much of a knock. Burns also throws a curve and changeup to give him a legit starters pitch mix, and how well he can develop those pitches could dictate whether he becomes a true ace or a high K, #2/3 type. If your dynasty team is stacked with hitting, I don’t think taking Burns #1 overall should be ruled out. The teams that took Skenes over Langford and Crews in 2024 aren’t complaining too much right now, and while I already noted that Burns isn’t Skenes, the college hitting class also aren’t Langford/Crews. – 2025 Projection: 4/3.73/1.20/87 in 75 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.23/1.08/237 in 190 IP

5) Christian Moore – LAA, 2B, 22.5 – Selected 8th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Angels don’t fuck around when it comes to promoting advanced college hitters to the majors, so you know Moore is going to be a contributor on your fantasy team real quick, possibly as soon as Opening Day. Shit, he almost made his MLB debut in 2024 with his absolute destruction of pro ball, slashing .322/.378/.533 with 5 homers, 2 steals, and a 29.6/8.2 K%/BB% in 23 games at Double-A. A knee injury (meniscus) is likely the only thing that stopped that from happening, but he returned to Double-A before the season ended and went 3 for 4 with a double and 4 RBI, so I wouldn’t be worried about the knee. I fell in love with his personality during his Draft Day interview. It was the perfect mix of confident, cocky, thoughtful, playful and mature. That just seems like the type of infectious attitude I want on my team. He wasn’t kidding when he said he had Champion in his blood. And of course, he was an absolute beast in the SEC, smashing 34 homers with a 1.248 OPS and 14.5%/11.3% K%/BB% in 72 games. He has a very strong righty swing at 6’1”, 210 pounds, producing at least plus power with average speed on the bases. In his freshman year in 2022, he put up a 1.062 OPS with 10 homers in 149 PA to give you an idea of the type of natural talent this is. As you saw with his K rate at Double-A, there are definitely some hit tool issues, which I’m not ignoring, but I’m also not letting it scare me off. I was high on Moore before his pro debut, and now I am over the moon for him. – 2025 Projection: 70/23/77/.242/.310/.437/8 Prime Projection: 83/28/91/.260/.331/.472/11

6) Nick Kurtz – OAK, 1B, 22.1 – Selected 4th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Kurtz had one of the best pro debuts in his draft class with 4 homers in 7 games at Single-A, and a 129 wRC+ with a 20.0/13.3 K%/BB% in 5 games at Double-A. It was a just a continuation of the 3 years of dominance in the ACC. He’s a large man at 6’5”, 240 pounds in the mold of a Jim Thome, country strong type. But he’s not just brute strength, he has electric bat speed that led to 61 homers in 164 career games in college. He combines the at least plus power with an extremely patient plate approach and good feel to hit (16.2%/30% K%/BB%). He also has some sneaky athleticism, evidenced by a perfect 11 for 11 on the bases in his college career. The ceiling here is your classic complete hitting first baseman with power and patience. And it looks like the Athletics intend to fly him through the minors, so it might not even be crazy to see him break camp with the team, even if I wouldn’t bet on that. The biggest downside is that his season ended on August 24th with a hamstring injury, and injuries have plagued him throughout his career, so I think it’s something that has to be taken into account unfortunately. He returned in time to decimate the AFL with a 1.058 OPS in 13 games, so I don’t think you should overrate the injury risk too much, but it’s worth noting. – 2025 Projection: 48/16/57/.247/.323/.439/4 Prime Projection: 89/28/93/.266/.351/.488/6

7) Konnor Griffin – PIT, OF, 18.11 – Selected 9th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Griffin has the highest pure upside in this entire class, and that includes Roki Sasaki. He’s 6’4”, 215 pounds and has the look of a #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft as a QB. He has the neck of a football player too. He also has the athleticism of a football player with legit potential to put up 30/30 seasons with a plus to double plus power/speed combo. He’s shown a good feel to hit with a good plate approach in his high school career, but like I mentioned back in February 2024 when I did a very early Top 10 FYPD Ranking, the swing isn’t necessarily the smoothest thing in the world, although it actually looks much better to me now than it did then. Plus you can tack on electric bat speed and bank on continued refinement considering how young he is for the class. Pitt obviously wasn’t worried enough about the hit tool to let him slip by them at #9, and for fantasy especially, I wouldn’t let it scare you off him either. This is legit elite dynasty asset potential, and there is chance you are kicking yourself 1-2 years from now for taking a good but not great college bat, over this potentially elite dynasty player. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 89/25/92/.261/.337/.470/33

8) Cam Smith – HOU, 3B, 22.1 – Selected 14th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the 6’3”, 224 pound Smith generates a tremendous amount of power with very little movement in his swing. It is quick, powerful and short to the ball. It is straight up one of the quietest swings from one of the biggest men I’ve ever seen. The swing is geared more for a line drive, all fields approach rather than pull and lift, which is why he didn’t put up the gaudy homer totals as some of his other college hitting brethren with only 16 homers in 66 games in the ACC. But he has the raw power to make that profile work, and the upside is that it can come with a high BA. We saw what this profile can look like at it’s best in his dominant pro debut, slashing .313/.396/.609 with 7 homers, 2 steals, and a 17.9/11.2 K%/BB% in 32 games split between Single-A, High-A, and Double-A. He put up a 122 wRC+ in 5 games at Double-A, so the profile was transferring to the upper minors, and he clearly had no problems ripping dingers to all fields with the wood bat. He very well might have the top hit/power combo in the FYPD class, and it’s why Houston targeted him in the Kyle Tucker trade. The trade doesn’t really change his value at all, but he will definitely get a nice ballpark upgrade even if he doesn’t have the type of profile that necessarily needs it. – 2025 Projection: 62/16/67/.258/.322/.429/2 Prime Projection: 84/24/89/.273/.340/.466/4 Update: He’s been a man possessed this spring and might just break camp with the team

9) Jac Caglianone – KCR, 1B, 22.2 – Selected 6th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Caglianone’s pro debut was on the disappointing side, and with how tightly packed the talent is in the FYPD Top 12, he’s sliding down my rankings to the bottom of that Top 12 tier. He had hit tool and chase questions coming out of the draft, and hitting .241 with a 20.6/5.6 K%/BB% in his 29 game pro debut at High-A did nothing to quell those issues. He put up a lowly 94 wRC+ with 2 homers, which isn’t what you want to see from an elite college bat in the lower minors. He then went to the AFL where the pitching was so bad this year, they are actively trying to figure out how to improve the pitchers in that league in future years, and he still couldn’t dominate with a .749 OPS in 21 games. Tons of hitters were putting up just wacky numbers in that extreme offensive environment. He did jack 5 homers, and there is zero doubt about his massive power, so there is no doubt he has a carrying tool even if the hit tool and plate approach take time to adjust to pro pitching. He’s built like an NFL tight end at 6’5”, 250 pounds, and he obliterated the SEC with 75 homers in 165 career games. It took him some time to improve his plate skills in college as well, making big improvements his junior year with a 8.2/18.4 K%/BB% (18.2/5.3 K%/BB% his sophomore year), so the hope is that he can do the same in the majors. KC’s ballpark is death to lefty homers, and while I am factoring that in a bit, he has the type of power to not get too hung up on it. Even though the pro debut does have him sliding down the rankings a bit, it’s almost more because of how much comparable college talent there is at the top of this class to begin with. He’s still a very exciting power bat. 2025 Projection: 51/17/63/.232/.308/.449/4 Prime Projection: 81/31/92/.248/.329/.479/6  Update: Like Smith, he’s been a man possessed this spring and deserved to slide up the rankings. The Top 11 FYPD prospects were already very close

10) Hagen Smith – CHW, LHP, 21.7 – Selected 6th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the White Sox know a thing or two about developing vicious lefty starters with funky deliveries and some control risk. They’ve done just fine with Chris Sale, Garrett Crochet, and Noah Schultz. The 6’3”, 225 pound Hagen Smith is next on that list with a three quarter arm slot delivery that he uses to fire a double plus mid 90’s fastball and double plus slider. Both pitches are whiff machines, leading to a 2.04 ERA with a 48.6%/10.3% K%/BB% in 84 IP in the SEC. He also mixes in a splitter, and while he doesn’t throw it that often, it’s a good pitch when he goes to it. The walk rate is on the high side, and it was worse in his freshman and sophomore seasons with a 13.4% BB% in 148.3 IP. Improving his control/command and turning his splitter into a higher usage 3rd weapon can turn Smith into a true ace. If he can’t improve in those areas, a high K, mid-rotation starter is within the range of outcomes (and I guess the bullpen is too, but you don’t take a guy 6th overall to use him in the bullpen long term). I’m surprised that Smith was allowed to debut in 2024, but Chicago marches to the beat of their own drum. He more than held his own at High-A with a 3.52 ERA and 21.2/6.1 K%/BB% in 7.2 IP over 3 outings. The filthy stuff was as advertised, and while the K numbers weren’t off the charts, it’s nice to see that clean walk rate. Add a star for being young for the class, but take a star away for already undergoing Tommy John when he was 16 years old. – 2025 Projection: 2/3.91/1.28/50 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.48/1.17/203 in 175 IP

11) Charlie Condon – COL, 3B/1B/OF, 21.11 – Let me just start by saying that I’ve been valuing pro debuts extremely high from the second I started writing back in 2015/16, and it has served me extremely well in both directions (moving guys both up and down). It was back before any other outlet would even consider changing their evaluation or ranking of a player based on their pro debut. When asked, they would just hand wave it away and say something like “small sample,” even though the sample was often actually bigger in pro ball than it was in their Junior year of college (back when the draft was in early June). It made no sense to me why the pro debut with wood bats and more advanced pitching wouldn’t be weighed more heavily. And now, you see basically every outlet change their ranking at least somewhat based on the pro debuts, which is the right move. That brings us to Charlie Condon, who just had the type of pro debut you have nightmares over. Despite all of his pre draft hype, he did have some hit tool questions at 6’6” with relatively high K rates throughout his college career. And the hit tool immediately didn’t transfer to pro ball with a .180 BA and 31.2/3.7 K%/BB% in 25 games at High-A. That isn’t just bad, that is atrocious. Completely lost. It’s not great that the only question he had coming out of the draft was immediately answered, and not in a good way. This was a 21 year old in the lower minors. You need a high FYPD college bat to dominate in the majors by like 23 years old, let alone High-A. Jacob Berry and Chase Davis were the last two hyped college bats to have poor pro debuts, and neither of their values are anywhere close to where you wanted them to be. Condon is a better prospect than both of those guys, and I’m not dropping him as far down as those guys at all, but I do believe he does deserve a real drop. This draft class was already really tightly packed at the top with a lot of really, really good college talent, but no one true standout. So based on Condon’s poor debut, I don’t see how it doesn’t make complete sense to drop him under those guys. He has a clear carrying tool in his power, and of course I do factor in that the pro debut was at the end of a long season, draft process, new team, new coach, new everything etc …, so he’s still a Top 10 FYPD pick for me. I still like him as a power bat who will get to hit in Coors (but also gets their developmental team, and it looks like he still needs development). I just wouldn’t be able to pull the trigger on him until the other similarly talented college players with better debuts were off the board first. I feel like that’s reasonable. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 77/30/88/.241/.322/.472/8

12) Braden Montgomery – CHW, OF, 22.0 – Selected 12th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, there was a lot of talk about Montgomery dropping his righty swing to hit exclusively lefty. That doesn’t really seem like what you want to hear from a highly drafted college bat, but the lefty swing is so smooth and powerful I get why it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal overall. He also had a 20% K% which is substantially higher than the college bats drafted before him. Maybe that is partly why he slipped a bit to 12th overall, and also why Boston was willing to include him in the Crochet trade. The broken ankle which he suffered pre draft on June 8th was also likely a major reason for the drop. So he certainly has some risk with hit tool, platooning and injury, but he also has very major power upside. He’s 6’2”, 220 pounds and he smashed 27 homers with a 1.187 OPS in 61 games in the SEC. He’s been smashing homers his entire career with 62 homers in 187 games split between the Pac 12 and SEC. He absolutely destroys the baseball with huge exit velocities. That gives him a no doubt carrying tool that will make him a fantasy force. As for the trade, it really doesn’t change his value at all. The path to playing time is clearer, but it’s an organization downgrade and a future lineup downgrade. It’s also a ballpark downgrade. If anything, it makes me like him slightly less, but again, this really shouldn’t change his value too much. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 81/28/89/.251/.333/.475/6

13) Bryce Rainer – DET, SS, 19.9 – Selected 11th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Rainer is your classic “looks the part” prospect at 6’3”, 195 pounds with a smooth lefty swing, plus power potential, plus athleticism, and a good glove at SS. Corey Seager and Kyle Tucker would be the absolute ceiling comps, while Colson Montgomery would be a more recent comp. Like Montgomery, Rainer is older for his class at 19 years old already, and his hit tool isn’t a slam dunk either quite yet. Come to think of it, Riley Greene might actually be the perfect comp here, and Detroit has done a great job developing Greene. Detroit got their SS version of Greene (although Greene was a slightly more touted prospect in his draft year, so he would be close to a ceiling comp as well). – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/25/86/.263/.336/.465/12

14) Braylon Payne – MIL, OF, 18.8 – When a smart franchise sticks their neck out and selects a high school bat higher than expected, you should take notice. I took notice when it happened with Xavier Isaac and Tampa, and then Ralphy Velazquez with Cleveland. I ranked both very high and named them targets. And now I’m going to do the same with Payne after the Brewers selected him 17th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. The book on the 6’2”, 186 pound Payne coming into the draft was that he had big time talent and upside, but was still on the raw side. Which is why it was so exciting to see his electric pro debut where he slashed .438/.526/.625 with 0 homers, 4 steals, and a 15.8/15.8 K%/BB% in 4 games at Single-A. It’s only 4 games, and the swing isn’t geared towards power right now, but there is definitely raw power in there with a 110 MPH shot already to his name, and he has game breaking speed. He’s also young for the class and will be 18 years old for most of 2025. Payne is the type of target you stick your neck out for in off-season prospect drafts, and after the consensus Top group is off the board, Payne is my next target. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 89/18/63/.267/.334/.436/38

15) Theo Gillen – TBR, SS, 19.7 – Selected 18th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Gillen has near elite dynasty upside at 6’3”, 200 pounds with electric bat speed, potentially plus power, plus speed, and a good feel to hit. He still needs to learn how to fully tap into his raw power, and he underwent shoulder surgery from a torn labrum in 2022, so he’s not a finished product, and he’s not without risk. His pro debut underscored that with a  41.2% K%, .154 BA, and 86 wRC+ in 8 games at Single-A, but the 23.5% BB% mitigates that K rate a bit, it was only 8 games, and in the past, high schoolers debuted in rookie ball. Now they are thrown right into the fire in full season ball. I would give a lot of leeway for all of these high school bats, but I gotta be honest, the 41.2% K% is sticking in my craw right now. You can try to project the hit tool of these high school hitters all you want, but you really don’t know if they will be able to hit pro pitching until they get there. I’m not panicking at all over the super small sample, and I still like him a ton, but I do think that extremely high K rate could be a harbinger of things to come. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 82/20/76/.252/.331/.441/20

16) Seaver King – WAS, SS, 21.11 – You know how I often say that if you hit it hard, hit if often, and are fast that good things tend to happen, well, that is King’s game to a T. Selected 10th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the 6’0”, 195 pound King has a lightning quick swing that is very powerful, controlled and produces very hard contact. He can spray hard liners all over the field. He combines that with plus to double plus speed with 31 steals in 33 attempts in 149 career college games. And finally, tack on tons of contact with a 12% K% in 60 games in the SEC. That is a profile that consistently makes things happen on a baseball field. There isn’t a ton of game power because of his hitting profile, but he still jacked out 16 homers in college, and he’s an aggressive hitter with high chase rates. That profile completely transferred to Single-A, both the good (.295 BA, 14.4% K%, and 10 steals in 20 games), and the bad (0 homers with a 53.8% GB%). The hit tool and speed give him a high floor, and if he can raise his launch, the raw power is in there to give him some legit upside too. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 87/16/69/.274/.330/.422/26

17) Slade Caldwell – ARI, OF, 18.9 – Selected 29th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, of course it was the Diamondbacks to jump on the 5’6” Caldwell at the end of the first round. They were also the team to jump on the undersized Corbin Carroll when he fell in his draft year. Little guys falling in the draft is a tale as old as time, and Arizona recognizes a good thing in a small package when they see one. Caldwell is basically the exact replica of Jett Williams from the 2022 draft, except he’s a lefty. He may be short, but he is not weak with a very built up frame and the ability to hit the ball pretty damn hard. He unleashes some explosive lefty swings, but as you can tell from the comps, what you are buying is the elite hit/speed combo. The plate approach is top of the class, he makes tons of contact, and the speed is double plus. He’s also super young for the class. Buy the little man discount. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 89/14/68/.284/.355/.423/30

18) Trey Yesavage – TOR, RHP, 21.8 – Selected 20th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the 6’4”, 225 pound Yesavage has been beating up on inferior competition in the American Athletic Conference for 2 years now, putting up a 2.03 ERA with a 40.4%/8.9% K%/BB% in 93.1 IP in 2024. But he’s not just the product of his competition with 3 potentially plus pitches in his mid 90’s fastball, hard slider, and nasty splitter. He has weapons to get guys out from both sides of the plate and his control is solid. He likely slid to 20th in the draft because of a collapsed lung that he suffered in May, which I guess does add some unknown long term risk, but all signs seem to indicate that he is okay now. There is definitely potential for him to become an impact mid rotation fantasy starter. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 12/3.76/1.22/175 in 170 IP

19) Jurrangelo Cijntje – SEA, RHP/LHP, 21.10 – Selected 15th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Cijntje is a switch pitcher who will most likely pitch exclusively righty in the majors. He’s only 5’11”, 200 pounds but he has a very easy and athletic delivery. The ball effortlessly explodes out of his hand with mid to upper 90’s heat. He combines the juice with a bat missing slider and solid changeup. It all resulted in a 3.67 ERA with a 29.9%/7.9% K%/BB% in 90.2 IP in the SEC. Seattle has been a machine of late in developing impact fantasy starters (their impossible to hit in ballpark does a lot of that heavy lifting too), so you have to love this landing spot for him, and it shows how much they liked him by passing up Yesavage for him. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 11/3.84/1.25/170 in 170 IP

20) Ryan Waldschmidt – ARI, OF, 22.6 – Selected 31st overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Waldschmidt is a rock solid 6’2”, 205 pounds with a howitzer of a righty upper cut swing. He hits the ball hard, he’s a good athlete who loves to run, and he has a strong plate approach. He slashed .333/.469/.610 with 14 homers, 25 steals, and a 16.5%/15.0% K%/BB% in 59 games in the SEC. It’s probably more of a solid across the board profile rather than a truly standout one on the MLB level, but he’s yet another really enticing college bat in a class full of really enticing college bats. And his strong pro debut made me like him even more with a 142 wRC+, 4 steals, and 13.6/22.7 K%/BB% in 14 games at Single-A. It’s a good sign that the solid across the board profile will play, and while it came with 0 homers, the 36.1% GB% and 51.4% Pull% shows the power should be fine. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 80/18/76/.265/.339/.438/19

21) Carson Benge – NYM, OF, 22.2 – Selected 19th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the 6’1”, 181 pound Benge is lean, loose and mean at the dish with a quick and athletic lefty swing that most certainly looks the part. He slashed .335/.444/.665 with 18 homers, 10 steals, and a 16.8%/16.1% K%/BB% in 61 games in the Big 12. He then stepped right into pro ball and impressed with 2 homers, 3 steals, a 20.3/15.9 K%/BB% and a 152 wRC+ in 15 games at Single-A. It came with a solid 88.3 MPH EV and a 51.2 GB%, so a bit of a mixed bag there. He’s the type that does everything well on a baseball field with bouncy athleticism, bat speed, power, mature plate approach, and he even pitches too. He profiles as an average to above average across the board player with the upside to beat that projection. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 79/19/79/.267/.334/.438/15

22) Griffin Burkholder – PHI, OF, 19.7 – Selected 63rd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Burkholder is a strong and physical 6’2”, 195 pounds with double plus speed, potentially plus power, and a good feel to hit. He’s definitely the type of explosive athlete to jump off the screen with electric bat speed, and that explosiveness shined through in just one single game in his pro debut. He went 1 for 2 with a triple, and tell me you don’t get exited just watching that. He still needs to learn to tap into his raw power and there are still questions on just how good the hit tool will be, but this is a very enticing high school bat with legit upside. He’s a definite target. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 84/20/76/.257/.328/.443/28

23) Hye-seong Kim – LAD, 2B, 26.2 – It’s funny that I just had Kim and Lux ranked back to back in the 2B rankings, with Kim one spot ahead, and it looks like the Dodgers agreed with me. They preferred Kim to Lux at 2B too after they signed Kim and shipped out Lux to Cincinnati. Kim signed a 3 year, $12.5 million contract with the Dodgers, but he got better offers elsewhere. Smart move going to the best situation rather than taking the best offer. Kim’s contact/speed/defense profile is one that plenty of starting 2B have, and I think it will play in the majors. He slashed .326/.383/.458 with 11 homers, 30 steals, and a 10.9/8.3 K%/BB% in 127 games in the KBO. We can look at Jung Hoo Lee as a comp who just came over last year. Both are lefties and the same age with similar profiles. Lee is 2 inches taller, had much better contact rates, much better walk rates, and much better power numbers. He didn’t run nearly as much though, and steals are a huge part of fantasy, so that is a nice edge to Kim. Kim isn’t as good as Lee overall, but Lee’s skills more or less transferred to the bigs, so I don’t see why Kim’s couldn’t too. Just check out this homer he hit in 2023. I would say that swing could play. It seems like he has a full time job at the moment (although nothing is certain until the off-season is over), and as I wrote in the 2B rankings, if he ended up with a full time job, I’m apt to go after him. Even better that he ended up with one on the Dodgers – 2025 Projection: 41/5/33/.260/.307/.372/14 Prime Projection: 77/10/61/.273/.321/.398/26 Update: The Dodgers decided to change Kim’s swing to add more power, and they are going to start him at Triple-A to get more used to it. I still really like Kim long term, but part of his original ranking was that he could be their starting 2B out of camp, and that clearly isn’t happening

24) Kellon Lindsey – LAD, SS, 19.6 – Selected 23rd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, elite speed is the the 6’0”, 175 pound Lindsey’s calling card, and it comes with a good glove at SS and a good feel to hit. There isn’t big power in here, and while that should tick up over time, he doesn’t really project for big power down the line either. The hit tool is solid, but it’s not really in that near elite range and there is some risk with how it will perform against more advanced pitching. He’s an excellent athlete who played QB and DB in high school, so there is plenty of upside in here, but going after a speed first guy without huge power and with a good but not great hit tool I think warrants some caution. I know getting drafted by LA and getting Trea Turner comps is exciting, but I’m not sure I’m reaching for Lindsey quite yet. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 82/15/66/.270/.328/.420/31

25) Josuar Gonzalez – SFG, SS, 17.6 – Gonzalez is expected to sign for one of the top bonuses in the class, and he earned that bonus by being a great athlete and doing everything well on the baseball field. He’s not a huge guy at 5’11”, 175 pounds, so he’s more in the mold of a Jesus Made than a Emil Morales to use two comps from last years class. Of course, that is if everything goes right. If everything doesn’t go right, he’s more in the mold of a Fernando Cruz or Brando Mayea. He’s a switch hitter who looks super smooth, explosive and locked in at the dish. He has a good feel to hit, approach, he can hit it hard, he’s fast, and he has a good glove. He’s not one of those overtly physical prospects that I really love sticking my neck out for, so I’m not going to fly him up my rankings, but he’s definitely exciting. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 88/18/62/.277/.342/.421/28

26) Cam Caminiti – ATL, LHP, 18.8 – Selected 24th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Caminiti has a lot of things working in his favor to give him the best chance at success. He has baseball bloodlines as the nephew of Ken Caminiti, he got drafted into one of the best pitching development organizations in baseball, and he’s young for his class. He’s not just narrative though, he has a strong foundation for Atlanta to build on at 6’2”, 205 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball that is a whiff machine and has double plus potential. The secondaries aren’t as refined, but he has a traditional starters pitch mix (slider, curve, change), and he also looked really good in his pro debut. He went 3 IP with 3 hits, 1 ER and a 4/0 K/BB at Single-A. The fastball sat low to mid 90’s and the slider looked good. He threw the ball over the plate. I think #2/3 starter upside is fair to put on him right now, but he’s so young with so much development time ahead, his range of outcomes is wide. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 12/3.71/1.18/190 in 180 IP

27) Tyson Lewis – CIN, SS, 19.3 –  Selected 51st overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the 6’2”, 195 pound Lewis is a high upside high school bat with at least plus speed, plus power potential, and a quick and powerful lefty swing. He’s not the most refined high school bat, just recently undergoing a swing overhaul, and there are also some hit tool questions as he faces more advanced pitching. On pure upside, he rivals anyone not named Konnor Griffin in the high school class, but more refinement is needed. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 80/20/78/.259/.322/.438/23

28) Caleb Bonemer – CHW, SS, 19.6 – Selected 39th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Bonemer has one of the top power/speed combos in the high school class with plus run times and electric bat speed. He’s performed against advanced competition and has a good feel to hit. He doesn’t have the smoothest batting stance/swing, which adds some hit tool risk, and he’s not one of those obvious giant human beings with a 6’1”, 195 pound frame, but he’s far from small. He’s a big, physical guy. He’s an excellent upside pick who should come at a reasonable price. I like Bonemer a lot – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 80/20/80/.256/.325/.440/20

29) Kaelen Culpepper – MIN, SS, 22.3 –  Selected 21st overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the 6’0”, 185 pound Culpepper is a proven college performer with solid across the board skills. He slashed .328/.419/.547 with 11 homers, 17 steals, and a 14.1%/12.0% K%/BB% in 61 games in the Big 12. He reminds me a lot of Minnesota’s 2nd round pick in 2023, Luke Keaschall, who has similar size, speed, and feel to hit. Nothing jumps off the screen, but they get the job done in all facets of the game. Minnesota has had a lot of success with Keaschall, and Culpepper looks to be next with his strong pro debut. He cracked 3 homers with 4 steals, and a 13.4/9.8 K%/BB% in 26 games split between Single-A and High-A. He’s a nice little “let him come to you” target in off-season prospect drafts right now. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 81/16/72/.268/.330/.420/18

30) Vance Honeycutt – BAL, OF, 21.10 – Selected 22nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Honeycutt is an elite athlete at 6’3”, 205 pounds with a plus to double plus power/speed combo (he went 28/28 in 62 games in the ACC) and plus CF defense. The only reason he even fell to 22nd, was because he is a strikeout machine with a 27.5% K%, and unfortunately, that risk was at the forefront in his pro debut with a 36.1% K% in 8 games at Single-A and a 55% K% in 5 games at High-A. The odds that he simply won’t be able to hit MLB pitching nearly well enough to let his tools shine are quite high, but expecting the hit tool to be magically fixed in his first taste of pro ball was unrealistic. It was also a small sample. Let’s see what Baltimore can do with him over a full off-season and season, because his upside is tremendously exciting. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/20/71/.223/.302/.428/17

31) James Tibbs III – SFG, OF, 22.6 – Selected 13th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, James Tibbs the Third sounds like he comes from generational wealth, in a family that can trace their lineage back to pre Revolutionary War times. I think his great great great great great great grandfather led the charge at Bunker Hill. He straight up even looks like one of those old timey pictures of a Civil War general. His bloodlines are so refined that he steps up to the plate with his pinkie up, and it’s no surprise that he has one of the more refined plate approaches in the draft with a 11.6%/18.1% K%/BB% in 66 games. He’s not a super tooled up guy at 6’0”, 200 pounds, but he has a powerful lefty swing that produced 28 homers in the ACC this year and 55 homers in 176 games in his career. He can definitely hit it hard. San Francisco is just about the worst landing spot for him as I’m not sure he has the no doubt raw juice to make him ballpark proof, which is why I’m lower on him than his draft slot. His mediocre pro debut also didn’t assuage my fears about his lack of upside with a .636 OPS and 31/6.9 K%/BB% in 26 games split between Single-A and High-A. The only scenario I would honestly see myself drafting him is in like a 30 team league, or if he falls so far I simply don’t have a choice (and even then I might keep on passing). Maybe this ranking is too low, but he’s just not my guy. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/20/75/.261/.330/.432/8

32) Yorger Bautista – SEA, OF, 17.6 – Bautista looks like he was born with a bat in his hands when you watch him swing. He moves that bat in a totally controlled way like a samurai warrior, coolly crushing everything that comes his way with both power and contact. He was always known for his good feel to hit, and then he got much bigger and stronger at a rock solid 6’1”, 175 pounds, so he can end up with a truly potent hit/power combo. Then tack on the fact he also has plus speed, and you have one of, if not the most enticing prospects in the international class. I have Gonzalez #1 one right now, but Bautista is 1A for me. It’s a coin flip with the tie going to Gonzalez’ superior perceived value. I don’t think you are going to have to go even close to this high to grab Bautista. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 91/25/93/.277/.351/.473/21

33) Ben Hess – NYY, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 26th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Hess is a high floor real life arm at 6’5”, 255 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and 3 legit secondaries in his slider, curve and changeup. He didn’t pitch particularly well this year with a 5.80 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 68.1 IP in the SEC, but the 34.8%/11.5% K%/BB% looks much better. I call him a “high floor real life arm” because as a college starter with his size, velocity and pitch mix, there is a very high probability he will be a major league arm in some capacity. But for fantasy, there is risk he ends up in the bullpen, or a back end starter if his control can’t improve. I’m apt to bet on the size and stuff here, and his price should be very reasonable in First Year Players Drafts. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/3.95/1.32/165 in 160 IP

34) Jonathan Santucci – NYM, LHP, 22.3 – Selected 46th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Santucci had the type of talent to be in position to possibly be a top 10 pick with a huge season, but inconsistency dropped him into the 2nd round. He shows flashes of being a potentially impact MLB starter, but the control/command isn’t there and 58 IP in his career high due to injuries. The stuff is filthy enough to thrive without great command, putting up a 3.41 ERA with a 35.0%/14.0% K%/BB% in 58 IP in the ACC. He’s 6’2”, 205 pounds with an athletic lefty delivery, mid 90’s fastball, plus slider, and average to above average change. There is a lot of risk here, both injury and control, but he’s a high upside college arm who should come at a very reasonable price in drafts. I don’t mind him as a “let him come to you” target in drafts. Don’t reach. Let him fall into your lap. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/3.81/1.32/168 in 155 IP

35) Ryan Sloan – SEA, RHP, 19.2 – Selected 55th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Seattle went for a safer college starter in the first round, and then turned around and went for an upside high school starter in the 2nd. As I talked about in the June Mailbag Podcast, it made all the sense in the world for Seattle to focus on arms, and their entire draft was extremely arm heavy. Well done, Seattle. Sloan reminds me of Blake Wolters from the 2023 Draft, in that he looks the part and checks a lot of boxes. He’s 6’4”, 225 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball, potentially plus slider, and solid changeup. He controls all of his pitches relatively well. And you have to love Seattle as his landing spot. He’s a very enticing high school arm. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 12/3.83/1.24/178 in 170 IP

36) Kale Fountain – SDP, 3B, 19.8 – Selected 151st in the 2024 MLB Draft, Fountain is a mountain of a man at 6’5”, 225 pounds, and he has the type of power befitting of his size with monster homer totals in high school. He’s also a sneaky good athlete with above average run times. He was drafted in the 5th round but signed for $1.7 million, so this was a highly sought after prospect. There is definite hit tool risk, and he’s on the old side for his class, but there is tons to like for fantasy. He reminds me of the Brandon Winokur of this year’s draft, and Winokur just cracked my Top 100. Fountain is a definite target. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 73/25/81/.240/.315/.462/9

37) Luke Dickerson – WAS, SS, 19.8 – Selected 44th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the 6’0”, 190 Dickerson is a strong kid who won a state championship as as hockey player. You can see that toughness in the box with a powerful righty swing, and he combines that with good athleticism and speed. He signed for $3.8 million, which was the 21st highest signing bonus in the class and tells you how much Washington loved this kid. I do prefer a few other high school bats that got drafted in that 2nd round area over Dickerson, but it’s hard to argue with that signing bonus, and his talent is right there with them. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 76/20/79/.260/.330/.440/15

38) PJ Morlando – MIA, OF, 19.11 – Morlando was selected 16th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, and if he was picked by a team who I respected (like Xavier Isaac in 2022, or Ralphy Velazquez in 2023 (or Braylon Payne this year), I might be inclined to go after him as a potentially plus hit/power bat at 6’3”, 200 pounds without much defensive value, but I just don’t trust the Marlins with hitters. Morlando getting picked this high by them just doesn’t warrant a bump in my book. But having said that, he certainly has big talent at the dish with big raw power and a great feel to hit. The wide and low batting stance just isn’t my favorite type of swing and it isn’t conducive to big game power, so he’ll likely need a swing change to fully tap into that raw power. He’s also old for the class, while the previously mentioned Isaac, Ralphy, and Payne were all young for the class. He got one plate attempt at Single-A before his season ended with a lumbar stress reaction in his back. Bit of a bummer to see a back injury so early into his career, but you can’t read too much into it at this point. There is appeal, but despite the high draft slot, I’m not going out of my way to get Morlando. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 76/23/82/.262/.333/.458/5

39) Elian Pena – NYM, SS, 17.6 – Pena is expected to sign for the top bonus in the class (non Roki Sasaki division), and when you watch his lefty swing, it’s easy to see why. He has a potentially very exciting hit/power combo. He’s only 5’11”, but he already has that sturdy trunk and hard hit ability that portends him being a bruiser in the box. And he combines that power potential with a good feel to hit and excellent approach. I definitely see the middle of the order masher potential, but like the #1 player in the international class, Josuar Gonzalez, I’m not sure I’m so blown away that I really want to stick my neck out for him. I’ll take him if the price is right, but I’m not going to reach. Maybe I’m being too conservative at the moment, but that is how I would play it right now. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 86/26/91/.273/.348/.475/10

40) Kash Mayfield – SDP, LHP, 20.3 – Selected 25th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Mayfield has prototypical size at 6’4”, 200 pounds with a deceptive lefty delivery that hides the ball well, before releasing it with a short arm action and 3 quarter arm slot. The deception and movement on the fastball allows the low to mid 90’s pitch play up. He combines the heater with two potentially plus secondaries in his slider and changeup, to go along with potentially plus control/command. He’s old for the class and seems a bit more floor over upside at the moment, but there is plenty here for San Diego to work with. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.22/160 in 165 IP

41) Tomoyuki Sugano – BAL, RHP, 35.6 – Sugana is a 35 year old who just put up an 18.3% K% in 156.2 IP in Japan, so we aren’t talking about big dynasty value here, but he can easily end up a solid win now piece. Here is Sugano himself talking about his arsenal and strategy in an MLB.com article by Adam Berry, “Obviously not a guy that throws 100 mph, but I’m very confident in my control, command, my pitch mix. That’s why I’ve had a lot of success in Japan. I’m not looking to really change anything now. I want to use my pitch selection, my pitch mix, my command to pitch in the States and see where it takes me from there.” That says it all as Sugano art of pitching’d his way to a 1.67 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 2024, and a 2.43 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in his 1,873.1 IP career. The guy knows how to pitch, and while he’s not going to be an under 3 guy in MLB, I don’t see why his profile wouldn’t transfer. Baltimore wouldn’t have paid him $13 million if they didn’t think he could be effective. I would expect a #3/4 type starter with a high 3 ERA and low WHIP, but the lack of K’s and age still blunts his dynasty value. Putting him on a list like this is kinda pointless, because your league size and whether you are in win now mode will drive his value. – 2025 Projection: 9/3.88/1.18/120 in 150 IP

42) Billy Amick – MIN, 3B, 22.5 – Selected 60th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the reason Amick isn’t grouped on the FYPD Rankings with the higher end college hitter prospects, and didn’t get drafted as highly as that group of hitting prospects either, is because of his 18.2%/9.9% K%/BB% in 65 games in the SEC. That is both too much swing and miss and too much chasing. He can definitely mash with 23 homers and a 1.026 OPS, and he’s a proven SEC hitter, so I still like the bat a lot, and he had a strong pro debut to back up the strong college production. He ripped 3 homers with an 88.5 MPH EV and 19.5/15.6 K%/BB% in 18 gamest at Single-A. It came with a .222 BA and 53.2% GB%, so it wasn’t all roses, but it was nice to see the strong plate skills. He’s a solid but unspectacular power bat. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/21/77/.253/.320/.440/5

43) Tommy White – OAK, 3B, 22.1 – Selected 40th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the 6’1”, 228 pound White has that low and wide batting stance which I’ve always disliked since I started writing, and now it seems like teams and mainstream scouts are also open about not liking. It’s all about the upright batting stance into a leg kick these days. He fell to 40th overall despite ripping up the SEC and ACC all 3 years he was in college, hitting 75 homers with a 14.5%/8.2% K%/BB% in 187 games. And his poor pro debut (2 homers with a 67 wRC+ in 25 games at Single-A) did nothing to change the lukewarm attitude I have (and MLB seems to have had) towards him. A poor defensive player with no speed and low walk rates is a recipe for scratching and clawing for playing time. Having said all that, the contact/power combo from a proven major college performer is good enough to take a shot on at this point of the rankings, and while “Oakland” is getting more crowded, you have to think there will be playing time available if he hits. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 66/21/76/.253/.310/.438/2

44) Blake Burke – MIL, 1B, 21.10 – Burke was selected 34th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, which is relatively high for a DH/1B bat to get drafted, which means Milwaukee really believes in Burke’s bat. And why not, as Burke is a 6’3”, 240 pound masher who hit 50 homers in 182 career games in the SEC (20 homers in 72 games this season). He’s had hit tool and chase issues throughout his career, but a 14.9/10.8 K%/BB% this year shows he’s capable of improvement. He played in only 5 games at High-A in his pro debut for reasons I am unsure of. He didn’t hit a homer, but a 22.2/11.1 K%/BB% is a good sign that the hit tool won’t blow up in a bad way in pro ball, and we know the power is in there. He’s not a good defensive 1B, so there is a ton of pressure on his bat to become more than a part time power hitter, but for fantasy especially, why not take the shot here. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 67/23/79/.250/.322/456/2

45) Dante Nori – PHI, OF, 20.6 – Selected 27th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the first thing that jumps out about Nori is that he’s already an old man at 20.6 years old on Opening Day 2024. I thought he was going to need a walker to get to the podium. Being old for your high school class is so 2008, when Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers book came out. These days it’s all about being 17 years old. But Philly isn’t afraid to take old high schoolers, like they did with Aidan Miller last year, and they went back to that well in 2024 with Nori. Nori might be old, but his tools are undeniable with a built up 5’11” frame, elite speed, a good feel to hit, a good glove in CF, and above average raw power. His grandfather was an assistant college baseball coach and his father is an assistant coach in the NBA. He has coaches’ son in his veins. The profile also mostly transferred to pro ball with 0 homers (55.4% GB%), 4 steals, a 123 wRC+ and 21.2/24.1 K%/BB% in 14 games at Single-A. I’m usually scared off by old high school bats, and they don’t get any older than Nori, but I’m intrigued enough by Nori’s combination of floor and upside to not get too hung up on it. I like him. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 83/15/62/.264/.332/.418/30

46) Wyatt Sanford – PIT, SS, 19.4 – Selected 47th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Sanford has baseball bloodlines with his dad playing 19 games in the bigs, and like most baseball bloodlines kids, you can tell. He has a plus SS glove with a natural lefty swing, good feel to hit, and plus speed. While the swing is smooth, the stance isn’t all that smooth and is geared more for contact than power. The 6’1”, 185 pound frame definitely has room to tack on more mass, but he’s not expected to be a big power hitter down the line. There is a nice combination of floor and upside here, but both the floor and upside aren’t quite high enough for me to rank higher than this. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 77/17/70/.268/.331/.4247/25

47) Ryan Johnson – LAA, RHP, 22.8 – Selected 74th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Johnson’s delivery is so unique and weird, and not necessarily in a good way, but I think the true uniqueness gives him some extra intrigue to me. Different can add some unknown upside, and while most teams are probably risk averse and shy away from different, I go towards it when it comes at a steep discount. And weirdness is far from the only thing going for Johnson. He has the size, production and elite K/BB to back it up at 6’6”, 215 pounds with a 2.21 ERA and 35.9%/3.3% K%/BB% in 106 IP in Conference USA. The fastball sits 92-95 but can hit the upper 90’s and the sweeper is a devastating pitch that he goes to often and racks up whiffs. He also throws a curve and change. If the Rays drafted him, I would feel so confident about naming Johnson a major target, but it’s definitely a red flag that he lasted until 74th and got picked by the Angels. I always say you can’t be too much of a slave to organization, so I’m not going to let it scare me off too much. I really really really like Johnson as a FYPD sleeper pick. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/3.95/1.26/165 in 160 IP

48) Jared Thomas – COL, OF/1B, 21.9 – Selected 42nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Thomas gets the Coors bump, and he has enticing fantasy upside, but he also feels like the type of guy that Colorado never really gives a full chance to become a full time player. He performed well in his two years in the Big 12, slashing .349/.435/.635 with 16 homers, 18 steals, and a 20.6%/10.7% K%/BB% in 60 games in 2024. He’s 6’2”, 190 pounds with room to tack on some more muscle, and he’s a good athlete with above average speed and plus defense at 1B (he also can play CF, again showing off his athleticism). Add a star for being young for the class, and another another star for having a strong pro debut with 2 homers, 1 steal, a 19.4% K% and 146 wRC+ in 8 games at Single-A. 15/15 with 20/20 upside is in the cards here, and the hit tool will get as much help as possible in Coors. I like him relative to his lack of hype. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 74/16/71/.254/.325/.428/16

49) Tytus Cissell – ARI, SS, 19.0 – Selected 132nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and signing for $800,000, Cissell was a late riser in the draft process, and sometimes those guys that pop up later in the process can have a lag on their value, which is what Arizona is hoping for after they swiped him in the 4th round. He’s 6’2”, 185 pounds with an absolutely vicious swing. He’s a switch hitter and the swing is smoother from the left, but it’s truly vicious from both sides. He’s also a plus runner and athlete with a good up the middle glove. The hit tool isn’t a lock, but if he manages solid contact rates in pro ball, his stock could fly in a hurry. He’s someone you might be able to get super late, and his talent could be right there with those high upside 2nd round bats. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 77/19/72/.250/.322/.427/21

50) Cris Rodriguez – DET, OF, 17.2 – Rodriguez has some of the highest pure upside in the class, but he’s not quite refined enough to really go after him too hard. He’s 6’4”, 200 pounds with present power and more coming down the line. He’s also a really good athlete with speed. The swing is definitely fast and powerful, but it’s not really that natural or smooth, and he’s had some hit tool issues. I like him, and he could easily emerge as a Julio Rodriguez type if it really all clicks, but that doesn’t seem like the most likely outcome, to say the least. Still a really good upside pick. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 79/26/86/.251/.322/.461/16

51) Dorian Soto – BOS, SS, 17.1 – Soto is the type of international prospect that I love to target. He’s not the most hyped guy in his class, but he has that prototypical size at a projectable 6’3”, 185 pounds, and his swing jumps off the screen as uber quick and powerful. He already has big time power and it could end up double plus at peak depending on how he fills out. He’s a good athlete but isn’t considered a burner, and while he’s known to have a solid hit tool and approach, I’m thinking there could be some hit tool risk in here looking at the swing. If he were faster, I might really, really love him, but as is I still really like him as an upside target. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 79/28/88/.250/.322/.469/13

52) JD Dix – ARI, SS, 19.6 – Selected 35th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Dix is a 6’2”, 180 pound SS with a simple and quick swing from both sides of the plate, developing power, and some speed. The hit tool is the most standout tool right now, profiling as a solid across the board type at peak. There really isn’t anything too remarkable about his profile. Just your classic really good high school prospect with good size, good feel to hit, and good overall athleticism. He’s good. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 79/18/72/.273/.338/.429/16

53) Malcolm Moore – TEX, C, 21.8 – This is a very weak class for catchers, and in shallower leagues, you might want to ignore the catcher position completely in this draft. But in medium to deeper leagues, Moore is your best option if you need a long term catcher. He immediately becomes the best catcher in Texas’ system by a long shot, and he could be in the starter mix as soon as 2027 with Jonah Heim and Kyle Higashioka  hitting free agency after the 2026 season. Texas selected him with the last pick in the first round at 30th overall for his prowess with the bat more than his process behind the plate, which is perfect for fantasy. He’s a 6’2”, 215 pound bruiser who has a squared up batting stance that looks more like he’s ready the beat the shit out of the pitcher rather than hit a baseball off him. It’s kinda intimidating, and he’s raked over two years in the Pac 12 with 31 homers and a .958 OPS in 118 games. The plate approach also took a big step forward this year with a 14.3%/18.0% K%/BB%. He’s not likely to become a star, but he can become an above average hitting catcher. He didn’t have the best pro debut with a 94 wRC+ and 27.9/7.7 K%/BB% in 25 games, but he was thrown right into High-A, and he also jacked 3 dingers, so I have his value as mostly holding steady. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 60/19/71/.247/.319/.433/2

54) Shotaro Morii – OAK, SS/RHP, 18.4 – Morii is the rare Japanese player to come stateside right out of high school, which I think adds some extra intrigue to his profile. He’s a two way player with upside on both the mound and at the plate, so it’s hard to say where he’s going to end up. I’ll start with the bat, which I’m pretty damn excited about. He has a vicious lefty swing with quickness, power, and barrel control from a pretty built 6’1”, 180 pound frame. He hit 45 homers in high school. He reminds me a bit of Hideki Matsui if you are looking for a ceiling comp. On the mound he gets up to 95 MPH with a splitter, slider and curve that all need more development. I hope he sticks as a bat, but he has two real paths to be an impact prospect. I’m a fan. – ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 78/24/83/.268/.333/.445/9

55) Mike Sirota – LAD, OF, 21.10 – Selected 87th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Sirota was a potential first round pick coming into the season, but instead of having the big junior year breakout, he took a step back. He went from hitting 18 homers his sophomore year to just 7 homers in 51 games in the Colonial Athletic Conference his junior year. The hit tool isn’t good enough to see the power take a step back with a 18.8% K%, and considering he’s not from a major conference, the profile needed to be pretty bulletproof. But having said that, it could create a buying opportunity for our purposes. He’s 6’3”, 188 pounds with plus speed and good raw power. The swing and stance is geared more for average than power, but he’s young for the class, and hopefully pro instruction can get the most out of his raw power (I wrote this blurb just minutes before he got traded to the Dodgers, and now you have to feel even better about the Dodgers unlocking his power). He also has an excellent plate approach with a 23% BB%. He’s most likely a 4th outfielder, but joining the Dodgers gives him the best chance possible of beating that projection. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 69/16/57/.246/.319/.418/19

56) Chase Harlan – LAD, 3B, 18.9 – Most of the high school hitting class, except for Morlando and Fountain, are speed over power prospects at the moment, so if you are looking for an upside power bat later in the draft, Harlan is your guy. Selected 98th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Harlan is a 6’3”, 205 pound bruiser putting up some of the best exit velocities in the class. He’s also young for the class and will still be 18 years old for half of the 2025 season. If you squint hard enough, you see an Austin Riley clone down the line. And equally as exciting as his profile is that he landed with the Dodgers. If anyone can figure out the best batting stance for him, and get his hit tool to a good enough level for the power to shine, it’s the Dodgers. I really like him and he’s definitely underrated. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 74/26/82/.243/.326/.465/5

57) Rodney Green – OAK, OF, 22.0 – Selected 104th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Green is a high risk/high reward college bat, and with Oakland’s relative success with a very similar bat in Denzel Clarke, Green could be next in line. Granted, Clarke is both a bigger and better athlete, and he didn’t strikeout as much as Green in college, so even Clarke could be a low percentage outcome. Regardless of comps, I like Green a lot at 6’3”, 190 pounds with a plus power/speed combo. And his strong pro debut made me like him even more, slashing .289/.368/.464 with 3 homers, 9 steals, and a 26.1/11.4 K%/BB% in 24 games. He put up a 28% K% his junior year, but he walked a ton, and he cracked 14 homers with 15 steals in 55 games. Seeing the hit tool remain solid at Single-A is a good first step. He lasted to 104th overall, so it’s clear most teams don’t think he will hit enough (although he did sign for almost $300K above slot at $1 million, so the threat of returning for his senior season also likely contributed to the drop), but if he does, the upside is substantial. He’s a good later round upside in fantasy drafts if you don’t want to draft a teenager. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 73/18/69/.228/.310/.423/18

58) Braylin Antunez – MIL, OF, 17.4 –  At 6’0”, 194 pounds, Antunez’ build, movements and type of athleticism remind me of an NBA point guard. He has present power, he’s fast, and he has a good feel to hit. There might not be as much projection as some of the other long and lean builds in this class, but there is some Jasson Dominguez vibes in the sense he might be pretty filled out already, but it’s the type of athleticism that he will maintain. Some of these guys could fill out and slow down considerably, while Antunez has already proven he can do both. I like him a lot, and how can you not trust Milwaukee after Chourio and Made. He’s a major international target. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 89/20/72/.266/.335/.434/28

59) Levi Sterling – PIT, RHP, 18.6 – Selected 37th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Sterling is maybe the most “projection” pitcher in the draft. I mean that in the sense that this could be like buying 2025’s top high school arm a year early. The last time I said that, I said that about Walter Ford, and Ford has yet to live up to that promise. So the downside is that the projection you are hoping to see never materializes, or doesn’t materialize on the timeline that you would like. What gives Sterling that projection is that he was very young for his class at 17 years old at the time of the draft, and he’s very projectable at 6’5”, 200 pounds with an athletic righty delivery. If the fastball can tick up from the low 90’s into the mid 90’s, he has a chance to explode with plus control and 3 legit secondaries in his change, curve, and slider (change is the best secondary). Something like a Logan Gilbert/George Kirby/Bryce Miller would be a dream outcome here. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 10/4.10/1.25/170 in 170 IP

60) Boston Bateman – SDP, LHP, 19.7 – Selected 57th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, you know I love me some monster human beings who are good athletes and have some funk in their deliveries. Enter Boston Bateman, who is a 6’8”, 240 pound beast with an athletic lefty delivery that features a pretty high leg kick and deception by almost keeping his back to the hitter. I absolutely love it. The stuff is there too with a low to mid 90’s fastball and a filthy curve, to go along with a slider and change. He’s far from a finished product, needing continued refinement to his delivery and control/command, but I love the ingredients and will be targeting Bateman everywhere. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 12/3.72/1.28/175 in 170 IP

61) Blake Larson – CHW, LHP, 19.1 – Selected 68th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Larson has that raw, uncut nastiness that I am just drawn to. Of course the White Sox were the team to pick him, they love this profile almost as much as I do. And that profile is a projectable 6’3”, 185 pound lefty with a funky delivery and filthy stuff. The fastball sits low to mid 90’s with tailing action, and the slider is a sharp breaker with at least plus potential. He has a developing changeup as well. He is still raw, he needs to improve his control/command and he needs to refine his changeup, but you know this is a profile I love betting on, and I will bet on it again with Larson. Chicago knows what they are doing with these guys too. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 10/3.74/1.31/173 in 160 IP

62) Gage Jump – OAK, LHP, 22.0 – Selected 73rd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Jump was a pretty hyped high school lefty in the 2021 Draft class, but he decided to go to UCLA where Tommy John surgery essentially wiped out his freshman and sophomore years. He stayed healthy in 2024 though, and he showed why he was such an exciting high school arm with a 3.47 ERA and 29.8/6.5 K%/BB% in 83 IP in the SEC. He throws a low to mid 90’s fastball that is a bat missing weapon, along with 2 good breaking balls and a decent, lesser used changeup. He’s not a particularly big guy at 6’0”, the delivery seems a bit reliever-ish to me (not to say it can’t work in the rotation though), and there is still injury risk, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t move very quickly through Oakland’s farm system, and Oakland is desperate for impact starters, so the opportunity will be there. I think a #4 starter projection is reasonable for him right now. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 8/4.03/1.31/140 in 145 IP

63) Carter Johnson – MIA, SS, 19.1 – Selected 56th overall, Johnson is a safe high school bat with plus hit as his best tool. Watching his super easy and smooth lefty swing reminds me of when I was evaluating Mickey Moniak in his draft year (Moniak went first overall, but I didn’t have him even close to 1st overall on my FYPD Rankings). Let’s hope he ends up better than Moniak though, whose hit tool immediately didn’t transfer to pro ball … and spoiler alert (I wrote that above blurb before Johnson debuted), the hit tool immediately didn’t transfer to pro ball with a .221 BA and a 33.1% K% in 28 games at Single-A. He was thrown into the deep end at Single-A as an 18 year old, so I don’t want to overrate that small sample, but considering I got visions of Moniak before the debut, it doesn’t add confidence. Then tack on the fact that that he doesn’t have a big power/speed combo (although at 6’2”, 180 pounds, the hope is that he can get to average power) and I don’t trust the Marlins to develop him at all, it’s just not the type of profile I like going after. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 76/17/68/.270/.325/.421/9

64) Joey Oakie – CLE, RHP, 18.11 – Selected 84th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the 6’3”, 205 pound Oakie is a sidearming righty with stuff that dashes and dives in every direction. The fastball sits low to mid 90’s with tons of movement, the slider is a vicious pitch with at least plus potential, and he also has a developing changeup. The stuff is almost too nasty for his own good in that he doesn’t seem to always know where it is going, so he will need to refine his control/command to remain a starter, but I love me a funky righty (Zander Mueth last year), and I like Oakie a ton this year. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 10/3.88/1.33/175 in 160 IP

65) Braylon Doughty – CLE, RHP, 19.4 –  Selected 36th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Doughty is a short righty at 6’0”, 196 pounds with a very easy and athletic delivery. He only throws low to mid 90’s, and he isn’t that projectable, but he can break off some absolutely nasty sliders and curves. The delivery also seems conducive to potentially plus control down the line. You gotta trust Cleveland when it comes to pitcher development, and while this doesn’t seem like the highest upside arm, he has some of the best and crispest breaking stuff in the class. Adding more velocity and/or improving his control/command to plus or better can make him a legitimate impact starter. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 9/4.09/1.29/146 in 150 IP

66) Kyle DeBarge – MIN, SS, 21.9 – Selected 33rd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, DeBarge gets the little man discount at 5’9”, 175 pounds, and he gets the non major conference discount playing in the Sun Belt Conference, but he’s a legitimately electric player with a lot to be excited about. He has an explosive righty swing that jacked out 21 homers in 62 games, he has a potentially plus hit tool with a 10.3% K%, he’s got speed with 10 steals, and he’s young for the class. I wish he had a better pro debut, because I might have went after him this off-season, but I was a little underwhelmed by the hit tool (.235 BA with a 24.3% K%) and power (1 homer in 26 games at Single-A). He wasn’t a great base stealer in college, he didn’t walk a ton, and his size does limit his ultimate power projection (0 homers in 25 games in the wood bat Cape Cod league as well), so it might not be a huge upside profile, but maybe I’m falling into the little man trap as well. Minnesota took him 33rd overall for a reason. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/16/69/.261/.321/.414/16

67) Nate Dohm – NYM, RHP, 22.3 – Selected 82nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Dohm looks like a nice little college sleeper arm right now with his budding 3rd year breakout cut way short with a forearm strain. But he returned in May with his stuff all the way back, and the results were back to full form in shorter outings as well. He dominated in the innings he did pitch on the season with a 1.23 ERA and 32.7%/3.5% K%/BB% in 29.1 IP. He’s a big boy at 6’4”, 210 pounds, and he has legit stuff with mid 90’s heat, a nasty breaking ball, and a changeup which flashes nasty. He fills up the zone as well. The injury adds risk, but it also tanked Dohm’s value to almost non existent levels. He might even be a sleeper for 30 teamers, and I see legit impact potential in here. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 9/4.03/1.30/146 in 150 IP

68) Deivid Coronil – SDP, SS, 17.6 – Coronil could sneakily be my favorite international prospect in the SS class relative to hype. He has that nearly perfect long, lean, and projectable frame at 6’3”, 175 pounds, and he has that smooth and athletic lefty swing that is easy to dream on. If he tacks on more mass while retaining that athleticism, we could be talking about a prototypical hyped prospect here with power, speed and feel to hit. Lastly, he has one of the best SS gloves in the class, which will be a big help to his real life hype. He’s definitely one of my top targets in the international class. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 80/20/80/.255/.328/.436/20

69) Kenny Fenelon – MIL, OF, 17.6 – If Antunez (ranked above) isn’t the next Milwaukee success story, it could be Fenelon. The 6’0”, 180 pound Fenelon might not be a particularly huge guy, but he’s absolutely explosive on the field with both power and speed. He has a strong righty swing that already produces big power, and he’s a good centerfielder with excellent athleticism. The hit tool has some risk to it, which is why he isn’t getting hyped with the top guys in the class, and while I generally like taking shots on like a 6’3” guy, Fenelon just looks explosive out there.  – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 73/22/77/.247/.318/.439/26

70) Cobb Hightower – SDP, SS, 20.0 – Selected 88th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the pretty skinny 6’0” Cobb swings a quick righty bat that has some thump behind it already. When he starts to fill out, he can definitely end up with some legitimate power. He’s a good athlete with plus run times, he has a good feel to hit, and he has the ability to play up the middle. He was a late riser before the draft and San Diego popped him pretty early despite little pre draft hype, which tells you how much they like him. He’s old for the class, and the upside doesn’t seem huge, but like San Diego thought, he could be a sneaky pick late in first year player drafts. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 74/15/63/.262/.320/.415/18

71) Andrew Salas – MIA, SS/OF, 17.1 – I can’t deny that I’m starting to feel a little worn out/underwhelmed with the Salas family. I was a fan of Andrew’s oldest brother, Jose Salas, and liked him as a breakout candidate, but he bottomed out hard in 2023 and 2024. His middle brother, Ethan, has been so insanely hyped for a while now, and his 2024 was underwhelming to say the least. And now here comes Andrew, who is is hit tool/plate approach first prospect with a moderate power/speed combo, which isn’t my favorite profile to begin with. He’s 6’2”, 185 pounds with a quick and controlled swing from both sides of the dish. With those bloodlines, we know he has an advanced feel for the game too. He’s a floor over upside type, but it’s not like he’s devoid of upside, and his floor seems higher than your typical international prospect due to those bloodlines. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 74/21/77/.262/.326/.423/10

72) Aaron Parker – TOR, C, 22.3 – Searching for pro debut breakouts coming out of the draft has been one of my favorite things to do since I started writing back in 2015/16. Back then, nobody else was really doing it, and now I’m happy to see the prospect hounds out there giving great pro debuts the respect they deserve. Harrison Bader and Willie Calhoun were two of my favorite players from this bucket way back in the day, and both still hold a warm place in my heart to this day. Alex Freeland, Luke Adams and Nacho Alverez were 3 guys I named targets in this bucket in their draft year. And just this past season, CJ Kayfus, Tre Morgan, and Jonathan Long were three guys who cracked my off-season rankings on the back of their excellent pro debuts. Now moving onto this season, Aaron Parker, who was selected 187th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, is someone that is demanding recognition for his pro debut. The dude absolutely smashed the ball with a 93.9 MPH EV, and it resulted in 5 homers and a 154 wRC+ in 24 games. The 27% K% is too high, but he’s shown a good feel to hit throughout his amateur career, and it comes with a 17% BB%. He was a 6th round pick known for a good bat and decent catcher defense. Catcher definitely isn’t my favorite position to stash for fantasy, but Morgan and Kayfus were 1B without huge power, which also isn’t my favorite thing to stash, but look how that turned out. He’s my favorite pro debut breakout in this year’s class, and is a definite target later in first year player drafts. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 64/18/69/.246/.319/.427/1

73) Cole Messina – COL, C, 21.11 – Selected 77th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, after Aaron Parker, Messina is my top later round catcher target in First Year Player Drafts, and based purely on path to playing time, maybe he should be my top later round target. He has a chance to be a good defensive catcher, Colorado’s organizational depth chart at catcher is terrible, and of course, he will get to hit in Colorado. He also has the big power I generally like to target with my catchers, smoking 21 homers in 59 SEC games with the hard hit ability to back it up at 6’0”, 230 pounds. There are hit tool concerns with a 23.4% K% his junior year, but he had a 16.8% K% his sophomore year, and he had a 19.6% K% in his pro debut (17 games at High-A). Granted, he didn’t hit well in his pro debut with a 33 wRC+, but in this year’s catcher class, you take what you can get. He has the ability to stick behind the plate, the path to playing time, the excellent home park, and power upside. Messina and Parker are my top targets for a late round FYPD catcher in deeper leagues. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 57/18/69/.237/.312/.433/4

74) Carson DeMartini – PHI, 3B/SS, 22.3 – Selected 130th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, DeMartini was a pro debut breakout, and you know how much I love my pro debut breakouts. He slashed .315/.385/.478 with 2 homers, 8 steals, and a 13.5/8.7 K%/BB% in 24 games at Single-A. And it’s not like he wasn’t an absolute beast in his amateur career too. He put up a 1.110 OPS his freshman year in the ACC, a 1.048 OPS his sophomore year, and a 1.072 OPS with 21 homers in 54 games his junior year. He’s not a huge guy at 6’0”, 197 pounds, but he can hit it hard enough, and he knows how to lift and pull it. He’s also not a burner, but he knows how to steal a bag. The reason he got drafted so late is that he had a 27.7% K% this year in college, but it came with a 16.8% BB%, and it was much better his sophomore year with a 17.1% K%, so it’s not like he has some definite fatal flaw there. The fact that he had a 13.5% K% in his pro debut is also a great sign. He might not be a world beater, but DeMartini is a very, very interesting later round college bat for deeper leagues. He’s a definite target late in the draft. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 77/18/69/.253/.321/.422/12

75) Dylan Dreiling – TEX, OF, 21.11 – Selected 65th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Dreiling is a proven SEC performer from the second he stepped on campus and is a complete hitter, slashing .342/.459/.715 with 23 homers, 4 steals, and a 20.5%/17.5% K%/BB% in 71 games at Tennessee. He hits the ball hard and he’s a disciplined hitter. He’s likely a corner outfielder, he’s not a huge guy at 5’11”, 197 pounds, the K rate is a bit high, and he doesn’t run much, so I’m not sure the upside is super high, but it’s a testament to how deep this year’s college bat class is that you can get a guy with these kind of numbers this late. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 68/18/74/.248/.324/.423/7

76) Dakota Jordan – SFG, OF, 21.11 – Selected 116th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft but signing for $2 million, Jordan is a beast at the dish at a rock solid 6’0”, 220 pounds, and he has the big power to back up the build with 20 homers in 63 games. I don’t love the crouched batting stance, but he kinda rises up as the pitch comes, and it’s an athletic swing, so I’m not holding it against him. The hit tool is the biggest issue with a 29% K%, and he also hits the ball on the ground a lot. That is not the best combo of skills to have, but hard hit ability can conquer all, and Jordan has done nothing but hit the ball hard and produce his entire career. If he landed somewhere other than SF, I could maybe see liking him more, but I just can’t come around on him being one of my guys. Love the obvious huge power, but too many other things are going against him (contact, grounders, ballpark). – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 67/21/74/.226/.311/.434/4

77) Cole Mathis – CHC, 1B, 21.8 – Selected 54th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Mathis is 6’1”, 210 pounds and he looks big and physical in the box with a strong and controlled righty swing. He didn’t play in a major conference (CAA), but he dominated the competition put in front of him, slashing .335/.472/.650 with 14 homers, 14 steals, and a 12.6/18.1 K%/BB% in 52 games. Maybe most impressively, he obliterated the wood bat Cape league too, slashing .318/.381/.667 with 11 homers, 0 steals, and a 17.0/8.2 K%/BB% in 38 games. He’s a really good all around hitter with the ability to hit for power and average, and while he’s not a burner, he’s definitely a good athlete. He’s a good pitcher too, and while his future is likely with the bat, I wouldn’t rule out a return to pitching if he doesn’t develop as hoped. He didn’t make his pro debut yet, he didn’t face the toughest competition in college, and I prefer my 1B bats to have big time game power already, but there is plenty to like here. And despite those negatives, a smart organization took him pretty high, although I suspect part of that reason is because pitching might not end up on as much of the back burner as we think, which isn’t great for fantasy. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 71/18/73/.263/.329/.427/9

78) Eddie Rynders – PIT, 3B, 19.5 – Selected 229th overall (and signed for slot value) in the 2024 Draft, the best way I can describe Rynders’ lefty swing is that it’s a bit gangly, but it’s definitely big and powerful at 6’2”, 195 pounds. He has legit power upside and he’s a good athlete too. He struck out 7 times in 13 PA in the 2024 MLB Draft League, and while that is clearly a very small sample, I think it does foreshadow some possible hit tool issues in pro ball. He’s a power first high risk, high reward high school bat. – ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 66/23/78.241/.313/.435/9

79) Khal Stephen – TOR, RHP, 22.3 – Selected 59th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Stephen reminds me of a classic Seattle Mariners type pitcher. He’s a big guy at 6’4”, 225 pounds with good control of a good low to mid 90’s fastball as his bread and butter. The slider is also pretty good and he’ll use a decent change against lefties. It all resulted in a 3.28 ERA with a 27.9/5.5 K%/BB% in 96 IP in the SEC. It’s probably more #4 type upside right now, but I think there are multiple paths for him to bump that up to a #3 in a best case scenario. Pitching in Seattle would have been one of those best case scenarios, but obviously he got drafted by Toronto, so he will not have that advantage. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/4.09/1.25/149 in 160 IP

80) David Shields – KCR, LHP, 18.7 – Selected 41st overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Shields is a very athletic 6’2”, 210 pounds who was an excellent high school quarterback as well. He has a smooth lefty swing too even though his future is definitely on the mound, but it does show the type of athlete he is. You can see that athleticism on the mound with a lefty delivery that is easy to dream on, especially since he was one of the youngest players in the draft. The stuff isn’t quite as exciting yet with a low 90’s fastball and 3 still developing secondaries (slider, curve, changeup), but he throws a ton of strikes, and it’s so easy to project improvement on all of his pitches. There is definitely nice upside in here if the velocity ticks up and he refines the secondaries, but there is also a long way to go. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 9/4.16/1.27/145 in 150 IP

81) Dasan Hill – MIN, LHP, 19.3 – Selected 69th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Hill is a thin and lanky 6’4”, 170 pounds who reminds me a bit of Brandon Williamson (Williamson was even lankier at 6’6”). He should theoretically put on weight and gain velocity, but he also might just stay skinny and lanky with low to mid 90’s heat. He combines the fastball with a potentially plus slider, potentially above average change, and good control with an athletic lefty delivery. He’s not my favorite high school arm drafted in this area, but his talent is right there with them. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 8/4.12/1.31/145 in 155 IP

82) Payton Tolle – BOS, LHP, 22.5 – Selected 50th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, when you think of Tolle, think something like a Joey Cantillo type. The fastball might not be huge, the control might be not be great, but he’s a big lefty (6’6”, 250 pounds) with an effective low 90’s fastball and a diverse pitch mix. He’ll never likely get the big prospect hype, but before you know it he’ll be knocking on the door of the bigs while continuing to pitch effectively at every level. He put up a 3.21 ERA with a 37.1/11.0 K%/BB% in 81.1 IP his junior year. He was a two way player in college, so that gives you an idea of his general athleticism. He doesn’t have the highest upside, and there is also risk, but like Cantillo, he just feels like a guy who will keep getting the job done. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/3.91/1.30/158 in 160 IP

83) Ryan Forcucci – HOU, RHP, 22.4 – Selected 101st overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Astros took the Tommy John discount in the 3rd round on Forcucci as he was in the running to be a first round pick before his season ended just 5 starts into the season. He hurt his elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery in June, which will likely delay his pro debut until mid-season 2025 at the earliest. He was in the midst of a Junior year breakout before going down with the injury with a 2.16 ERA and 37/6 K/BB in 25 IP. The fastball sits mid 90’s and is a bat missing weapon, which he combines with a plus slider as he his best secondary. He also mixes in a curve and changeup to give him a starter’s pitch mix. The righty delivery is controlled, athletic and pretty explosive. I wouldn’t say he’s generally my type to take the Tommy John discount on, but he shouldn’t be very expensive, so if I wanted a more advanced arm later in the draft, and Forcucci was sitting there, I could see taking that shot. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 9/4.05/1.28/145 in 150 IP

84) Bryce Cunningham – NYY, RHP, 22.3 – Selected 53rd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Cunningham is a built up 6’5”, 230 pounds with the big mid 90’s fastball to match. He combines the heat with a slider and changeup that can both miss bats, giving him 3 legit pitches with bat missing ability. There is a reason the Yanks selected him relatively high despite pretty lackluster college production. He has a career 4.95 ERA in 160 IP in the SEC, and while 2024 was his best season, it wasn’t exactly dominant with a 4.36 ERA and 26.6/9.4 K%/BB% in 84.2 IP. The stuff gives him a high real life floor as a potentially impact reliever, and there is rotation upside too if he can improve his control/command and continue to refine his pitch arsenal. He’s not the worst option if you are looking for a college arm in the mid to late rounds of your First Year Player Draft, but he’s not exactly a target for me either. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 9/4.22/1.33/146 in 150 IP

85) Chase Mobley – CLE, RHP, 18.10 – Selected 295th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft but signing for $1.8 million, Mobley’s talent backs up that signing bonus at 6’5”, 205 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball that he fires from a funky, low slot arm angle. That pitch is a straight nightmare for high school hitters, and he combines that with a potentially plus changeup and two breaking balls that need refinement. He generally throws the ball over the plate and the delivery is athletic. Cleveland is an excellent organization for pitcher development, and there are so many things to like here (size, athleticism, strike throwing). Mobley is a definite later round pitcher target. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 11/3.73/1.21/166 in 160 IP

86) Johnny King – TOR, LHP, 18.7 – Selected 95th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft but signing for $1.25 million, King is one of the youngest players in the class, and he also has the size and stuff to get pretty excited. He’s 6’3”, 210 pounds with an athletic three quarters arm slot delivery that fires off a low to mid 90’s fastball to go along with two damn nasty breaking balls. He has to refine all aspects of his game, and the velocity likely has to tick up to reach his upside, but at only 18 years old, all of that could be coming down the line. He’s damn electric out there. I like King as a later round upside pitcher. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 11/3.82/1.29/169 in 160 IP

87) Owen Hall – DET, RHP, 19.5 – Selected 49th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Hall is 6’3”, 185 pounds with an explosive arm action that fires a low to mid 90’s fastball that blows right by hitters. He combines that with two good breaking balls in his slider and curve, and he rounds out the arsenal with a developing changeup. While the ball explodes out of his hand, the delivery does look a bit relievery, and he does have some control risk, so there is definitely bullpen risk here if he can’t improve his control and/or develop the changeup more. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 10/3.95/1.32/155 in 150 IP

88) Kannon Kemp – SDP, RHP, 20.7 – Selected 251st overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, but signing for a well over slot deal, Kannon Kemp cracks this list on name alone. Come to think of it, the Padres drafted Boston Bateman, Kale Fountain, Kash Mayfield, Kannon Kemp, Tyson Neighbors, Kavares Tears, Cobb Hightower, and Brandon Butterworth. Are they just picking guys based on cool names? But Kemp is not just a cool name, he also cracks this list for potential at a projectable 6’6”, 225 pounds with a low to mid 90’s fastball that has he good control over and has the potential to be a plus pitch. He combines the fastball with good feel for a slider and changeup, but both pitches still need more refinement. His path can still take many directions, but plus control of a really good fastball with 2 solid secondaries and a beastly frame is a really good profile to bet on. I like Kemp a lot. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 10/3.93/1.24/160 in 160 IP

89) Kevin Alvarez – HOU, OF, 17.2 – I love the guys where the bat looks like an absolute twig when they swing it, and that applies to the 6’4”, 185 pound Alvarez who has an easy, but lightning fast lefty swing. He’s known for his advanced approach and good feel to hit, so when he adds more power onto on his projectable frame, this could end up a truly potent hit/power combo masher from a corner outfield spot. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 79/24/84/.263/.342/.451/8

90) Brody Brecht – COL, RHP, 22.6 – Okay, I guess I’ll put a Coors pitcher on here. Maybe it’s the Dollander afterglow that is easing me up, even if Dollander hasn’t proven anything yet really. We all already knew he was a really good prospect (granted, he’s been better than really good, he’s been great), but it was Coors Field that is the looming problem that he’s yet to truly conquer. Either way, Brecht was selected 38th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, and he deserves to crack this list. He’s 6’4”, 235 pounds and is an elite athlete who also played wide receiver for Iowa. I’m gonna be honest, his delivery doesn’t really look all that athletic to me, and maybe that is why he put up a 14.2% BB% in 78.1 IP, which is simply way too high. The hope is that by focusing solely on baseball, that can improve, and he did have his best season after dropping football, putting up a 3.33 ERA with a 37.2% K%. The stuff is also legit with a mid to upper 90’s fastball, two heavily used, bat missing sliders, and a developing split change. The upside is very obviously quite big, but his control issues, and getting drafted by Colorado prevents me from buying. I’m just not in the market for Coors pitchers. It’s as simple as that. It’s hard enough being a pitching prospect, and I only like to roster a small percentage of pitching prospects anyway, so a Coors pitcher is just never going to be one of them for me. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 9/4.15/1.33/169 in 160 IP

91) Luke Holman – CIN, RHP, 22.3 – Selected 71st overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Holman is a safety over upside arm with a strong history of production in the toughest conference in college baseball (SEC). He put up a 2.75 ERA with a 33.7/8.8 K%/BB% in 91.2 IP this year. The stuff isn’t off the charts, but the low to mid 90’s fastball is a good pitch with good life and bat missing ability. The slider is his best secondary and it misses a ton of bats, and he has a good curve too. The control/command is about average. It’s not the most enticing profile, but it’s why he will be available pretty late in first year player drafts, and he’s not a bad option if you are looking for a fast moving college arm. It’s also not like he’s completely devoid of upside at 6’4”, 200 pounds, so there is certainly room to tack on a MPH or two on the fastball. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 8/4.12/1.32/128 in 150 IP

92) Trey Gregory-Alford – LAA, RHP, 18.11 – Selected 322nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, but signing for $1.96 million, Alford has the size and stuff to match that big signing bonus. He’s a built up 6’5”, 235 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball that has been up to 101.4 in a bullpen session, which he combines with a potentially plus, but still developing slider. It’s a reliever profile as is with below average control and without a third pitch, but he’ll still be just 18 years old on Opening Day, so there is plenty of time for him to refine his arsenal and command. There is obviously a ton of risk here, but the upside is high too. He’s likely to be one of the more interesting true upside arms that you will be able to get very late in first year player drafts. At the very least, keep an eye on him early in 2025, because his loud stuff will get people’s attention quickly if he’s pitching well. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 9/3.93/1.30/156 in 150 IP

93) Teilon Serrano – MIN, OF, 16.10 – Betting on Serrano was just as big of a bet on the Dodgers as it was on Serrano, so I can’t say I like him as much with the Twins as I did with the Dodgers (the Dodgers had to decommit to him after signing Roki). But I still love me a prospect with such a visually fast and explosive swing at 6’0”, 185 pounds. Combine that with double plus speed and I think he could have some of the best speed first upside in this class. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 83/16/64/.259/.328/.413/30

94) Royel Strop – STL, OF, 16.10 – Strop has baseball bloodlines with his father, Pedro Strop, just finishing his MLB reliever career in 2021. And now his father is turning to the training/coaching game as he coached his son, Royel, to be one of the best international prospects in the class. Strop is a strong and still projectable 6’1”, 165 pounds, and he has a controlled and powerful lefty swing that is geared for both power and average. Tack on plus speed, and you have a very enticing international prospect. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 78/18/69/.265/.328/.426/18

95) Maykel Coret – TBR, OF, 17.6 – Coret has one of the highest upsides in the class at 6’4”, 190 pounds with a potentially plus power/speed combo. The swing is athletic and powerful, and while it’s not the shortest swing, I like that he’s trying to do real damage. He can already hit the ball very hard. He’s also an excellent athlete who certainly looks the part on the field with smooth and explosive movements. If the hit tool is at least solid in the DSL, he definitely has potential to get some real hype very quickly. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 76/25/81/.254/.329/.453/21

96) Caleb Lomavita – WAS, C, 22.5 – Selected 39th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, taking Lomavita might be an indication that Washington is not locked into Keibert Ruiz as their long term catcher despite Ruiz being under contract until 2032. They are also light on organizational catcher depth, so maybe it has nothing to do with that, but point being, Lomavita could start competing for that catcher job in the next few seasons. And he has enough fantasy upside stemming from his speed to be an interesting deep league option. He stole 12 bags in 55 games in the Pac 12 this year and has stolen 36 in 158 games in his career. He combines the well above average athleticism for a catcher with above average power (15 homers). The downside is that his plate approach is well below average with a 16.7%/4.7% K%/BB%, so he simply just might not be a very good hitter against more advanced competition. And we saw that downside play out in his pro debut with 0 homers, a .213 BA, and a 76 wRC+ in 17 games at Single-A. The 18.3/7.0 K%/BB% wasn’t too bad though, so it’s not like he was completely overmatched or anything, and he stole 3 bags. He’s a deep league FYPD option for a catcher needy team. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 49/14/53/.247/.307/.412/9

97) Jakob Christian – SFG, OF, 22.6 – Selected 149th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Christian is 6’5”, 225 pounds with big power and good athleticism. I love betting on a big dude who is also a good athlete, and while Christian has plenty of flaws, there is plenty to like for fantasy. He’s done nothing but rip homers in his college career starting from his freshman year, crushing 67 homers in 160 career games. He definitely has hit tool risk, but a 20% K% isn’t too bad, and he was good in his pro debut, slashing .267/.378/.500 with 1 homer and a 21.6/13.5 K%/BB% in 9 games at Single-A.. He’s a high risk, high reward power hitting college bat. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 58/16/66/.233/.301/.429/6

98) Kavares Tears – SDP, OF, 22.7 – Selected 134th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Tears is proven SEC power bat with hit tool risk. He’s a strong 6’0” with a powerful lefty swing that is made to do damage. He cracked 20 homers in 71 games at Tennessee. He’s also a good athlete with some speed, and while he’s not a huge base stealer, he should still contribute a handful. The problem is that it came with a 25.3% K%, and while the 15.4% BB% mitigates that a bit, it’s still not good. His bat has a high bar to clear as a mostly corner outfielder, and you can see by him getting drafted 134th overall, teams aren’t fully convinced he can clear it. He’s still worth the shot late in first player drafts if you want a good college bat rather than a 17 year old mystery. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 66/18/74/.240/.314/.420/7

99) Wilfri De La Cruz – CHC, SS/3B, 17.6 – De La Cruz certainly looks the part at a very projectable and relatively broad 6’2” with a smooth lefty swing that is geared for both average and power. The righty swing isn’t as smooth, but you can see he’s trying to drive the ball with that one too, not just slap it. He’s known to have a good feel to hit and a solid plate approach, but it seems likely to me that this will end up power over hit at peak. He’s also a good athlete who should at the very least contribute in steals as he fills out, and maybe more than that. Feel to hit/approach, size, athleticism, projection … that is basically what you look for in an international prospect. De La Cruz is a good one. – ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/23/79/.257/.338/.449/12

100) Alejandro Cruz – CHW, 3B, 18.3 – Cruz will already be 18 years old when he enters pro ball, which is a bit on the older side for the international class, although he’s from Cuba and they don’t seem to stick with that 17 year old timeline that other areas mostly do, so I wouldn’t hold it against him too much. He’s already a relatively imposing 6’3”, 180 pounds, and it certainly looks like he could end up being a real bruiser at the dish at peak. He’s fast too though, so maybe he keeps a more a athletic physique to keep his speed. These are the type of guesses you have to make when talking about such young players. No matter how his body fills out though, his righty swing is damn fast and it’s quick and short too, so he could have a pretty potent hit/power combo if it all comes together. Tack on that speed, and Cruz has plenty of upside to be a fun late FYPD lotto ticket. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 72/21/76/.253/.326/.438/14

101) Harold Rivas – BOS, OF, 16.11 – Rivas is visually super explosive at the dish with an athletic and powerful righty swing that definitely has power potential as he continues to fill out his 6’2”, 170 pound frame. He’s also a plus runner who plays a good CF. The hit tool isn’t bulletproof, and he’s not necessarily the broadest guy, but he’s on the young side for the class, so who knows how his body ends up. Either way, he’s got the power/speed combo we like for fantasy, so the upside is definitely in here. – ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/18/63/.248/.313/.427/22

102) Manny Cedeno – NYY, SS, 16.8 – Cedeno is one of the youngest players in the class (you are drafting a full child here basically), but you already see the seeds of a grown man righty swing that can potentially punish baseballs. His righty swing is powerful and fast, and he makes it look easy. He also has one of the best hit tools in the class and is a good athlete. He’s currently 5’11”, but I guess at his age he could easily grow more, which would make him even more dangerous. I like him. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 72/23/81/.268/.333/.451/9

103) Cristopher Polanco – TOR, SS, 17.3 – Polanco has one of, if not my favorite pure swing in the class. It is a super sweet and smooth lefty swing that is easy and under control. And when he wants to put his back into one, he can really crank it with that same smooth motion. I love it. He’s not a particularly big guy at 5’11”, 180 pounds, but I think he’s going to have the ability to hit the ball pretty hard at peak, and he’s already known for a good hit tool. If he was a bit bigger, I would really love him, but even at his size I think he can be damn good. I’m a big fan. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 77/18/74/.277/.346/.429/16

104) Nieves Izaguirre – PHI, SS, 17.3 – Izaguirre is Acuna’s cousin, so how could I leave him off this list. He’s more Luisangel than Ronald though, but that ain’t bad either as I like Luisangel a lot. Like Luisangel, he’s not a big guy, but he has a big righty swing that looks pretty damn electric, and he combines that with a good hit tool and speed. I think he can definitely follow in Luisangel’s footsteps. Don’t expect Ronald’s footsteps though. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 81/14/57/.266/.331/.388/28

105) Conrad Cason – BOS, SS/RHP, 18.8 – Selected 237th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and signing for $1.25 million, Cason is a two way player whose future is likely on the mound. He was a multi sport star as well, so this is a guy who can do just about anything athletically at a high level, and the hope is that when he finally focuses fully on one thing, he can really thrive. That one thing seems to be pitching as his fastball already sits mid 90’s and can touch upper 90’s, to go along with a changeup that flashes plus and a solid slider. He’s 6’2”, 185 pounds with an athletic delivery, and while all areas of his game still needs refinement, he’s still just 18 years old. If pitching doesn’t work out, he can give hitting a go with plus speed, above average power potential, a good glove, and decent hit tool. He also needs refinement in all areas of his hitting, so that is why it seems his pitching is a bit farther ahead, and where the most upside lies. You are basically drafting the athlete here, and seeing where the chips fall, just like the Sox did. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 9/4.13/1.29/141 in 150 IP

106) Griff O’Ferrall – BAL, SS, 22.2 – Selected 32nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Baltimore followed up their super risky pick of Honeycutt, with a super safe pick of O’Ferrall. Griff is a low upside college bat without much power, so while the real life profile of up the middle defense, contact, and some speed is enticing, it’s less so for fantasy. He hit only 5 homers in 63 games in the ACC this year, and he hit only 8 homers in 186 career college games. He didn’t hit a single homer in his 20 game pro debut in the lower minors. He did make a lot of contact with a 14.4% K% and he ran a bit with 2 steals in 6 attempts. The deeper the league, the more enticing he becomes, but even in deeper leagues I’m not super excited. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/9/58/.268/.324/.392/21

107) Walker Janek – HOU, C, 22.7 – Selected 28th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Janek was the first catcher taken in the draft, but he’s known more for his defense than his offense. He has an excellent glove and excellent arm, so there is zero doubt that he sticks behind the plate. The only question is how much offense he will provide with an average hit/power combo at 6’0”, 190 pounds. He has hit for both average and power all 3 years of his college career in the WAC and CUSA with 37 homers and .325 BA in 166 games, and maybe most notably, he’s done the same in the wood bat Cape Cod League with 5 homers and a .281 BA in 30 games. But he had an awful pro debut with 1 homer, a 29.1/3.9 K%/BB% and 42 wRC+ in 25 games, which really dampens any excitement I might have had for him. I’m projecting him as a light hitting, defense first catcher, and Yainer Diaz isn’t a free agnet until 2029. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 42/14/51/.235/.306/.402/5

108) Johan De Los Santos – PIT, SS, 17.5 – De Los Santos is the brother of Yordany De Los Santos, who went through this process only a few years ago and also signed with Pitt. Yordany was one of the first misses for overall prospect list, but his younger brother cracks it, because the name of this game is finding the lotto ticket that pays off big, not the one you have to hold for 7 years in order to get a utility infielder out of it (not saying Yordany is doomed to that fate, it’s just the long and slow development process is not what you are looking for when you draft a 17 year old). De Los Santos could easily end up in the same bucket as his older brother, but his bonus is expected to double his brother’s, so maybe he has a cleaner path in pro ball too. His lefty swing definitely looks the part. It looks super natural with both feel to hit and the intent to do damage. As he adds more strength at 6’0”, 175 pounds, the hope is that the power comes. And like most of these kids, he has a good feel to hit and speed. He’s pretty electric though, and that electricity does stand out a bit amongst his peers. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 76/17/68/.258/.319/.413/24

109) Jose Pena – BAL, SS, 16.8 – I can’t find any video of Pena, probably because he has such a common name, which is a shame because it seems like he could be someone I really like. I will keep an eye out though and I’m sure I’ll find a video that pops up eventually, in which time I could change his ranking here. He’s one of the youngest players in the class and has one of the best frames at a projectable 6’2”, 155 pounds. He supposedly swings a quick and explosive bat (which I haven’t seen) and he’s fast. I know you could say that seeing a few swings isn’t that big of a deal, but I don’t know, I’ve had a ton of success picking out my favorite international prospects based on watching their swings and movements, so without seeing that, I can’t really say he’s a target for me yet. I’m just going to keep my eye out for that video, which I know is clearly out there somewhere. I just can’t find it. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 78/18/72/.260/.320/.425/28

110) Ayden Johnson – OAK, SS, 17.2 – It’s always a little crazy to me watching some 14 year olds workout video and evaluating them for dynasty baseball, hah, but here we are, and Johnson put together a fire training video. He also shows a body transformation of going from a chubby kid to ripped. At one point his trainer says, “Can you believe this kid is just 14 years old?” … hah, and I mean, you can’t help but laugh and say, “no.” … but I’m just being tongue in cheek, I already talked about not going down that path of disbelieving everyone’s age. It is what it is. He already speaks perfect English, which I guess is considered a good thing? Does that really matter though? I’m not so sure. Okay, on to things that really matter, which is that he has a ton of the traits you look for in a hyped international prospect. He’s a rock solid 6’2”, 180 pounds with a quick and powerful righty swing that should have plenty of power potential at peak. He’s also a good athlete and has a good feel to hit. And he’s quite clearly a hard worker. It seems to me his future is as a power hitting bruiser if it all works out. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 74/24/79/.259/.324/.456/9

111) Brian Holiday – STL, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 80th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Holiday is a small and athletic righty with a plus control profile. He put up a 2.95 ERA with a 28.6/4.2 K%/BB% in 113 IP in the Big West. The fastball only sits in the low 90’s, but it’s a bat missing weapon because of it’s movement profile from a low release point. He also mixes in three secondaries (slider, curve, change) with his slider being his best swing and miss secondary. There could be some little man, and low velocity discrimination going on here, so there might be some more upside in here than he gets credit for. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 9/4.05/1.26/138 in 150 IP

112) Ethan Anderson – BAL, C/1B, 21.6 – Selected 61st overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Anderson cracks this list more on the back of how weak of a catcher class it is in first year player drafts this year. I have to grade the position on a curve, and while staying away from it completely even in deep leagues is reasonable, it’s nice to know your best options. Anderson is one of those options after raking all 3 years he’s played in the ACC with a good feel to hit and good pop. He hit .341 with 28 homers in 178 career college games, and then he stepped into pro ball and kept on producing there too. He put up a 125 wRC+ in 14 games at Single-A and a 155 wRC+ in 5 games at High-A. He’s a switch hitter and he’s young for the class, two things that can portend a bit more potential than a typical college selection, and he’s got good size at 6’2”, 215 pounds with a swing geared towards lift. There is no guarantee he can stick at catcher, but there are definitely things to like about Anderson. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 55/14/55/.263/.329/.411/4

113) Jacob Cozart – CLE, C, 22.3 – Selected 48th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Cozart is a big dude at 6’3”, 222 pounds, and he has the big lefty swing and plus power to match. He cracked 19 homers with a 1.038 OPS in 61 games in the ACC. The hit tool was considered a risk coming into the draft, and that unfortunately played out in his pro debut with a 36.7% K% and 26 wRC+ in 13 games at High-A. He’s not a bad defensive player who has a chance to stick behind the plate. He has the upside to be a classic low BA, slugging catcher, but it might take until his mid to late 20’s for him to realistically have a shot at reaching that ceiling with a full time job. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 46/15/54/.227/.301/.418/0

114) Gabriel Davalillo – LAA, C, 17.5 – Francisco Alvarez is really the very easy and perfect ceiling comp here with an almost identical profile. Davalillo is a 5’11”, 215 pound bull with plus power, but the hit tool isn’t bulletproof and neither is his defense at catcher. He’s the top international catcher in the class, and he has real power, but considering I already don’t love rostering a bunch of catcher prospects in dynasty, Davalillo has enough warts to make me hesitant to really fly him up the rankings. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 66/22/78/.252/.321/.443/3

115) Bryce Meccage – MIL, RHP, 19.0 – Selected 57th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Meccage is similar to Josh Knoth, who Milwaukee took 33rd overall in 2023, so they clearly have a type. And Milwaukee has done well with pitching development, so they are a good team to bet on. Meccage is 6’4”, 210 pounds with a low to mid 90’s fastball, two breaking balls (slider, curve), and a developing changeup. He can spin all of his pitches, like Knoth, and he has a solidly athletic right delivery with a good idea of where the ball is going. Not the flashiest profile, but there is plenty to like. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 9/4.02/1.27/160 in 160 IP

116) Drew Beam – KCR, RHP, 22.1 – Selected 76th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Beam is a floor over upside college starter who should move through the system quickly. Plus control is his best attribute, putting up a 6.5% BB% in his 262.2 IP college career in the SEC, and he was throwing strikes the second he stepped on campus as a freshman. He also most certainly looks the part at an athletic 6’4′, 208 pounds. The career 3.60 ERA and 22.7% K% isn’t as impressive as the size and walk rates, and his stuff is more in the average to above average category than truly standout with two 94 MPH fastballs, a curve and a changeup. It’s a #4 upside type profile, as you can see from falling to 76th overall in the draft, and the lack of strikeouts subdues his upside for fantasy too. The deeper the league, the more value he has. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 8/4.21/1.29/130 in 150 IP

117) Emelien Pitre – TBR, 2B, 22.6 – Selected 58th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Pitre is a lower upside infielder who is probably a better real life prospect than fantasy, but that’s not to say there is no fantasy intrigue. He’s 5’11” with some room to tack on a bit more mass, and he had a power breakout his junior year with 10 dingers in 62 games in the SEC (1 was his previous career high). A strong plate approach and speed is what you are buying, and that immediately transferred to pro ball, slashing .299/.402/.403 with 0 homers, 7 steals, and a 12.0/13.0 K%/BB% in 21 games at Single-A. He can hit the ball hard, but it’s geared more for all fields line drives, so there isn’t big upside in here. He likely profiles as one of Tampa’s many moving parts, part time players down the line. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 66/10/51/.262/.323/.393/15

118) Aiden May – MIA, RHP, 21.11 – Selected 70th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, May has that quick, fast moving delivery that has the look of guy that is hungry to attack hitters and is confident in his stuff. And I get it, because he has really good stuff with a 94 MPH sinker that can keep the ball on the ground to go along with a legitimately nasty, plus slider and a lesser used changeup. It all led to a 3.05 ERA with a 27.0/7.4 K%/BB% in 73.2 IP in the Pac 12. It’s probably a back end or a reliever profile, but if he can develop the changeup, or improve his control/command, he could beat that projection. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 8/4.18/1.34/126 in 140 IP

119) Joshua Kuroda-Grauer – OAK, SS, 22.2 – Selected 75th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Grauer has been a contact machine everywhere he’s played, putting up a .428 BA with a 7% K% in 53 games in the Big Ten his Junior year, and then stepping right into pro ball and doing the same with a .324 BA and 7.1% K% in 28 games at Single-A, High-A, and Triple-A. Even the fact he made it to Triple-A shows how fast Oakland thinks he can contribute. He combines the elite contact rates with speed (5 steals in pro ball and 24 steals in college), a solid plate approach, and decent hard hit ability. He won’t hit many homers with very high groundball rates (5 homers his junior year and 0 homers in pro ball), but he doesn’t need to aim for homers with his profile. He’s probably best suited for a utility role on a good team, but his contact/speed profile can definitely make an impact if he works his way into an everyday job. – ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 66/7/42/.268/.327/.376/19

120) Brendan Tunink – LAD, OF, 19.6 – Selected 250th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Tunink is a high upside high schooler drafted by the Dodgers. That is an excellent foundation right there. He’s a strong 6’0”, 185 pounds with an absolutely vicious lefty swing that is looking to do damage, and it’s a short and controlled swing too. He combines that with plus speed and a good feel to hit. This is a bet on the Dodgers just as much as it’s a bet on Tunink. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 76/17/68/.252/.321/.421/17

121) Ty Southisene – CHC, SS, 19.9 – Selected 120th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and signed for $1 million, Southisene is a small guy at 5’9”, 160 pounds, and he’s on the older side for the class, but Chicago didn’t pay him over slot for nothing. He’s the quintessential little man discount as he’s raked and been a standout performer everywhere he’s been. There isn’t much power potential in the bat, but he has a potentially plus hit/speed combo which can certainly be impactful for fantasy. Utility infielder is probably the most likely relatively good outcome scenario, but if you love betting on the underdog who just keeps on raking while not getting enough love (although he just made one million dollars at 19 years old, so he’s doing just fine ;), that’s Southisene. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/9/48/.268/.323/.372/24

122) Ethan Schiefelbein – DET, LHP, 19.0 – Selected 72nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Schiefelbein’s delivery reminds me of Cole Hamels as a 6’2”, 180 pound lefty (Hamels was two inches taller than him, and much better than him, obviously), and he’s known to have some of the best command in his class. The fastball only sits low 90’s and he doesn’t necessarily have any electric secondaries (slider, curve, change), but he’ll rip off some sweet looking curveballs. If he gains velocity and just refines his pitches all around, there is real elite command type upside in here. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 9/3.96/1.22/139 in 150 IP

123) Juan Sanchez – TOR, SS, 17.7 – Sanchez is another one I can’t find video on (see Jose Pena above too), again probably because his name is just too common, but I will continue to keep my eye out and I’m sure I’ll find some eventually. He definitely has the build and tools you are looking for though at 6’3”, 200 pounds with power and speed. That’s a big boy with athleticism. When I find the video, I will add more. Not much more I can say until then. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 71/23/79/.245/.317/.448/10

124) Larry Suero – COL, 2B/3B, 17.0 – Suero is 6’2”, 182 pounds with a sweet lefty swing, a good feel to hit, and good athleticism. Signing with Colorado is a double edged sword, as you get their ballpark at the end of the road, but you also get their poor development on the way to that. There isn’t a ton of video out there on him, and he seems probably 14/15 years old in the video I have seen, but even the younger version of him had an athletic and sweet lefty swing, so it’s not hard to envision legit offensive upside at 6’2”. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 77/22/79/.268/.334/.447/10

125) Raymer Medina – TBR, SS, 17.5 – The thing that stands out about Medina to me is that the ball jumps off his bat from a very controlled and powerful swing from both sides of the plate. He’s not a huge guy at 5’11”, but he’s got the right kind of strength/thickness, and he definitely packs a punch with that swing. I think more power is coming, which he can combine with a good feel to hit and athleticism. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 74/20/77.255/.316/.433/12

126) Warel Soriano – TBR, SS, 17.7 – Soriano has a vicious righty swing that is fast and made to do damage, which is what I love to see from these prospects, and he’s also fast and projectable at a skinny 6’0”, 165 pounds. It’s so hard to say how these kids are going to mature and end up physically, but there is definitely a path for him to develop a truly impact power/speed combo down the line. It’s not like he’s 6’3”, so I’m not going to say it’s super high upside, but this is definitely an upside pick, and the hit tool is solid too. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 71/22/77.251/.314/.442/16

127) Trey Snyder – NYM, SS, 19.6 – Selected 144th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and signing for $1.32 million, the first thing that jumps out about Snyder is how much bat speed he can generate from such a simple swing, and at a solid 6’2”, 195 pounds, there is power behind it too. The swing is more geared for average than power right now, but he has plus speed too, so that profile can work even if he doesn’t try to lift and pull more down the line. He made his pro debut in 2024, and while he didn’t perform well with a 58 wRC+ in 6 games, he was thrown right into Single-A, and the 23.1/15.4 K%/BB% was actually pretty encouraging. He has the potential to be a solid across the board contributor. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 79/16/61/.264/.329/.416/18

128) Ronny Cruz – CHC, SS, 18.8 – Selected 90th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and signing for an under slot $620,000, Cruz is 6’1”, 170 pounds with a big righty swing that has power potential written all over it. The swing mechanics are still raw, there is hit tool risk, and he’s not a burner, so I wouldn’t necessarily circle him as a later round target right now, but he’s young for the class, and the Cubs popped him relatively early, so they obviously like him even if part of the reason was the under slot bonus. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 71/23/78/.244/.317/.441/8

129) Juan Cabata – CHC, SS, 16.11 – Luis Pena of the Brewers is what you hope that Cabata can duplicate in 2025. He has one of the best hit tools in the class with a very smooth, easy and fast lefty swing. He’s not a big guy at 5’11”, 165 pounds, so power likely isn’t going to be a big part of his game, but the hope is that it can get to average. And he’s got some speed and base stealing ability. He could be one of the top hit/speed combo coming out of the DSL if things go right. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 77/14/59/.266/.325/.412/23

130) Brayan Cortesia – WSH, SS, 17.4 – Cortesia hit a growth spurt of late, which yes, that is what boys do from the ages of 13 years old to 16 years old ha, growing to 6’1”, and those extra inches gives him that added boost of upside to combine with his good feel to hit, good glove, and plus speed. If the power really starts to come down the line, there is potential for him to be a complete prospect, and his righty swing definitely looks the part (quick, powerful, athletic, launch). – ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 79/18/69/.266/.326/.423/24

131) Ramcell Medina – KCR, SS, 17.5 – Medina has a perfect combination of refinement, history of production, and now size/projection. He’s grown to 6’2”, 180 pounds, and he looks pretty damn physical in the box already. He could end up with real power to go along with an advanced feel at the plate and solid athleticism. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 77/22/77/.262/.334/.434/7

132) Juan Tomas – CHC, SS, 17.4 – Tomas has that prototypical build you are looking for at a projectable 6’3”, and he’s a switch hitter with a quick and powerful swing from both sides of the dish. He has that Alonso Soriano type athleticism, and like Soriano, he has the potential for an impact power/speed combo if it all comes together. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 76/20/74/.250/.318/.436/20

133) Diego Tornes – ATL, OF, 16.9 – Tornes is one of the youngest players in the class but he’s also already one of the most physically mature at 6’4”, 200 pounds. This is a big boy already with big boy power from a quick and powerful swing. He’s a switch who hits better lefty than righty, and he’s a good athlete despite his already impressive size. He has some of the best power upside in the class. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 74/25/83/.250/.320/.450/9

134) Darwin Ozuna – OAK, OF, 17.0 – Ozuna has big time power upside at a broad and still projectable 6’3”, 195 pounds with a powerful righty swing that already does damage. He’s a good athlete but he’s not a burner, and there are some hit tool questions, so it’s a power first profile with some risk. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 68/23/77/.245/.317/.446/8

135) Nick McLain – CHW, OF, 22.4 – How could I not put little Matty McLain’s little brother, Nicky McLain, on this list. The McLain’s are not big people (Nick is also 5’10”), but they are damn good baseball players. Nick was selected 78th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft coming off a very productive college career in the Pac 12. He slashed .342/.457/.663 with 12 homers, 6 steals, and a 11.7/14.4 K%/BB% in 48 games his junior year. He’s not quite as good of an athlete as his brother with an average power/speed combo, and he’s a corner outfielder, so if he wasn’t a McLain, he might not have cracked this list. But plus bloodlines matter, and he has then. And he also has a good feel to hit. So I wouldn’t bet against him becoming a solid all around baseball player, it just might come as a bench bat. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 65/14/59/.258/.319/.413/8

136) Casey Saucke – CHW, OF, 21.8 – Selected 107th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Saucke was a big time major conference performer his entire career, culminating in a junior year where he slashed .344/.407/.578 with 14 homers, 9 steals, and a 18.2/9.5 K%/BB% in 62 games in the ACC. He also  looks the part at a rock solid 6’3”, 210 pounds with a pretty athletic and controlled righty swing. He’s a corner outfielder, and the bat probably isn’t going to be good enough to clear that bar, which is why he lasted until 107th overall, but the size and production are there, so there is some potential here to become an impact fantasy bat if it all works out. He’s also very young for the class, and he hit decently at the age appropriate High-A with a 110 wRC+, 2 homers, 2 steals, and a 26.3/6.1 K%/BB% in 24 games. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 41/12/46/.238/.301/.413/5

137) Gage Miller – MIA, 3B/2B, 22.1 – Selected 92nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Miller was a standout Junior College player in his freshman and sophomore years, and then he transferred into the SEC and kept on raking, slashing .381/.474/.702 with 18 homers, 0 steals, and a 24/27 K/BB in 55 games. If he had a good pro debut, I could see liking him more, but his debut was rough, slashing .240/.305/.298 with 0 homers, 2 steals, and a 16.9/5.9 K%/BB% in 26 games split between Single-A and High-A. He’s not a particularly toolsy guy and he’s not particularly physical at 6’0”, 200 pounds. His strong amateur production and decent draft slot gets him on the list, but he’s not a very interesting fantasy prospect right now. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 45/12/45/.253/.318/.402/4

138) Eli Lovich – CHC, OF, 19.7 – Selected 332nd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft but signing $650K, Lovich has the size (6’4”), projection (a skinny-ish 185 pounds), and athleticism (above average speed) you look for in an enticing fantasy prospect. He can already hit the ball hard, and while the swing isn’t really all that smooth or pretty, it’s definitely fast and powerful. There could be hit tool issues in here, but there is upside as well. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 62/16/66/.244/.315/.426/7

139) Dylan Jordan – LAA, RHP, 19.6 – Selected 143rd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, but signing for $1.25 million, Jordan has prototypical size at 6’3”, 200 pounds, and he has that three quarters arm slot, funky righty delivery which I definitely love, similar to Zander Mueth. It hasn’t worked out fully for Mueth so far, but he still has plenty of time. As for Jordan, the fastball currently sits low to mid 90’s which he combines with a potentially plus slider, but he needs to improve his changeup and control/command. Back end starter/reliever might be the most likely outcome, but there is obviously so much development time to go. – ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 8/4.24/1.33/126 in 140 IP

140) Kevin Bazzell – WAS, C, 22.0 – Selected 79th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Bazzell is a hit over power catcher who is new to the position. He played mostly 3B before his junior year, but his bat is only interesting as a catcher, so whether he can stick behind the dish will make or break his profile. His bat to ball skills are impressive, putting up a 10.1% K% in 49 games in the Big 12, and then putting up a 16.7/18.3 K%/BB% with a 148 wRC+ in 14 games at Single-A. He didn’t hit a homer in pro ball with a 51.4% GB%, and he hit only 6 his junior year. There isn’t big power upside in here, which makes him a safety over upside option. – ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 37/8/41/.268/.324/.392/3

141) Warren Calcano – KCR, SS, 17.6 – Calcano simply checks a lot of boxes as a switch hitting SS with projection (6’1”) and an ease about all aspects of his game. He looks like a natural at the dish and in the field with good athleticism. Nothing really sticks out too much in his profile, but he seems to have a high floor (relative to the international class), and there is definitely some upside in here too. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 78/15/63/.265/.335/.415/15

142) Elian De La Cruz – ARI, OF, 17.6 – Cruz checks plenty of the international prospect boxes. He’s projectable at 6’1”, 180 pounds, he has a quick righty swing, he has a good feel to hit, and he has speed. Nothing particularly stands out too much, but he definitely has the talent to pop with a strong showing in the DSL. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 76/17/67/.250/.320/.418/18

143) Carlos Taveras – MIN, OF, 16.10 – Taveras has a smooth and controlled lefty swing that is geared for both power and average, and at 6’1”, 213 pounds, it’s not hard to envision a potent hit/power combo at peak. He’s also a good runner despite his size, so this is a good athlete too. The swing isn’t super explosive and he’s not quite as generally explosive as a lot of the other kids in this class, but he’s a still a good one. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 81/20/76/.267/.333/.440/10

144) Liberts Aponte – CIN, SS, 17.5 – You are hoping for a Starlyn Caba type rise for Aponte. He has a standout glove at SS, so if the contact rates are strong and he steals some bags, the real life hype can be the driver of his value. His BP is pretty unimpressive, but he’s obviously young, so if he gets stronger and bigger as he ages, combined with his other skills, there can definitely be some hype coming down the line on the back of the glove. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 73/10/51/.262/.323/.365/21

145) Kenly Hunter – STL, OF, 16.11 – Hunter has a history of production against international competition, he has a good feel to hit, he’s got speed, and he’s projectable at 6’0”, 160 pounds. I can’t find video on him, but that seems to be a pretty good floor/upside combo, and one worthy of being on the radar. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 76/15/61/.268/.324/.409/21

146) Ruben Castillo – NYY, OF, 17.3 – Castillo has a damn smooth and powerful lefty swing that is fun to watch, and while he’s not a huge guy, there is definitely power projection at 6’0”, 165 pounds. He also has a good feel to hit and speed, giving him plenty of ingredients to be a quick performer in the DSL. – ETA: 2030 Prime Projection: 76/18/71/.263/.323/.427/18

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By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@DynastyHalp)
Blue Sky: Dynasty Halp (@ImaginaryBrickWall)

Opening Day is literally right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start releasing some of my rankings on the Brick Wall. We start with the Top 132 2024 FYPD Rankings, which has been on the Patreon since January 3rd (there is an accompanying FYPD Target and Strategy Guide up on the Patreon as well). The Top 582 2024 Prospects Rankings will drop on Thursday, and the Top 1,145 2024 Dynasty Baseball Rankings will drop next Monday. Without further ado, here is the Top 132 2024 Dynasty Baseball First Year Player Draft Rankings:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ALL SEASON, INCLUDING:
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-DYNASTY RUNDOWNS AND MONTHLY DYNASTY & PROSPECTS RANKINGS UPDATES ALL SEASON (exclusive)

1) Wyatt Langford TEX, OF, 22.5 – I know that taking the ready made ace in Yamamoto is extremely enticing, but there is no better asset in dynasty baseball than the young, impact all category beast, and Langford has a very good chance to become that. Building your team around a young pitcher is so much more risky. Just look at Ohtani who already had 2 major elbow surgeries that will knock out 3 of his 7 MLB seasons, but he’s been able to hit like a beast through it all. Unlike Ohtani, Yamamoto doesn’t hit. Langford was selected 4th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft on the back of elite production in the SEC, slashing .373/.498/.784 with 21 homers, 9 steals, and a 44/56 K/BB in 64 games. He clearly separated himself from Dylan Crews in his pro debut, slashing .360/.480/.677 with 10 homers, 12 steals, and a 17.0%/18.0% K%/BB% in 44 games, and he was equally as dominant in the upper minors as he was the lower minors. He’s the total package. I have Chourio, Holliday, and Langford in a tier of their own atop my Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings. The only reason Langford is 3rd is because Chourio/Holliday have a longer professional track record and more impressive age to level production. But his power, speed, hit tool, plate approach, and production can rival anyone’s, and if you wanted to rank him 1st overall on prospects rankings, I wouldn’t argue with you. 2024 Projection: 81/26/77/.262/.338/.479/16 Prime Projection: 103/34/109/.277/.364/.535/20

2) Yoshinobu Yamamoto LAD, RHP, 25.7 – The Dodgers made Yamamoto the highest paid pitcher in history with a 12 year, $325 million contract (plus a $50 million posting fee). That is really all you need to know. He’s expected to be a true ace right from the get go, and signing with the best developmental team in the game also takes a lot of the risk out of his transition to a new ball, new country, new league etc … He’s been a true ace in Japan for years now, and that continued this year with a pitching line of 1.16/0.86/176/28 in 171 IP. He pitched 193 innings in both 2021 and 2022, so there also isn’t any concern of how many innings he can pitch. The fastball sits mid 90’s and regularly hits the upper 90’s. A nasty splitter is his most used secondary, and he also throws a very good curve, 2-seamer, and cutter. He has elite command over all of his pitches, and he has an unique, oddly athletic delivery which he varies constantly to mess with hitters timing. He’s a straight up nightmare to face, and looks like a ready made ace. 2024 Projection: 12/3.42/1.11/173 in 160 IP

3) Dylan Crews WAS, OF, 22.1 – Starting this blurb with anything other than the 73 wRC+ and 0 homers Crews put up in 85 PA at Double-A would be beating around the bush, and you know me, I don’t beat around the bush. The performance was bad enough to have Wyatt Langford clearly pass him for the top spot in first year players drafts (Wyatt’s dominance also had something to do with that), and also for me to prefer the newly minted highest paid pitcher in baseball history (Yamamoto), but that is where it ends. 85 PA isn’t enough to sour me on the 2nd overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Crews is built like a solid rock at 6’0”, 203 pounds, and he swings the bat so fast and powerfully it almost looks like he’s using an illegally light bat (he’s not, at least I don’t think he is ha). The ball explodes off it on contact. He obliterated the SEC from the second he stepped on campus as a freshman, and he kept on improving through his junior year, slashing .380/.498/.689 with 58 homers, 23 steals, and a 146/152 K/BB in 196 career games. He also destroyed the lower minors with a 192 wRC+ in 71 PA at Single-A. His floor feels like a 30+ homer bat without the best BA or tons of steals, but the ceiling is that of a truly elite dynasty player. 2024 Projection: 55/16/61/.251/.327/.458/9 Prime Projection: 89/29/97/.268/.347/.489/16

4) Walker Jenkins MIN, OF, 19.1 – Selected 5th overall, the 6’3”, 215 pounds Jenkins has that sweet lefty swing that just oozes offensive potential. It’s athletic, quick, under control, powerful, smooth … I can go on and on. It’s hard to watch this guy hit and not completely fall in love. It has the potential for at least plus hit and plus power at peak, and he’s also a good athlete with above average run times. But we don’t have to only dream on the potential, as Jenkins’ showed it to us clear as day in his pro debut, slashing .362/.417/.571 with 3 homers, 6 steals, and a 12.2%/7.8% K%/BB% in 26 games split evenly between rookie ball (138 wRC+) and Single-A (182 wRC+). It’s the type of profile that can be an elite dynasty asset a la Kyle Tucker. Langford, Yamamoto, and Crews are locked in as my top 3 FYPD picks, and while there are good arguments for Skenes or even Matt Shaw at #4, I don’t think I can pass up on the truly “generational” (or maybe nearly generational would be more accurate) upside of Jenkins. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 94/31/102/.273/.345/.510/16

5) Paul Skenes PIT, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 1st overall, Skenes’ season was nothing short of jaw dropping with a pitching line of 1.69/0.75/209/20 in 122.2 IP in the SEC. His fastball sits in the upper 90’s and routinely hits over 100 MPH. His slider is elite, and while he didn’t go to his changeup as much, that pitch is also nasty. He also displayed plus control of his entire arsenal. He’s 6’6”, 235 pounds with a relatively athletic delivery and he’s a good athlete in general as evidenced by the fact he is also an excellent hitter. He had a career 1.121 OPS in 119 games in the Mountain West before transferring into the SEC. There were some whispers about poor fastball shape in his 6.2 IP pro debut, but I wouldn’t let that sour you on a generational type pitching prospect. He’ll still be just 21 years old on Opening Day, so plenty of refinement, tinkering, new pitches etc … are coming down the road. 2024 Projection: 8/3.80/1.27/133 in 120 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.28/1.06/237 in 190 IP

6) Matt Shaw CHC, 2B/SS, 22.5 – Selected 13th overall, Shaw is only 5’11”, but he’s a thick dude who has real power, and he combines that with above average speed and excellent base stealing skills. He has that little man leg kick (which Chicago toned down a hair in pro ball) that I absolutely love in the mold of a Alex Bregman, Spencer Steer, and Zach Neto. It seems to be working for these slightly undersized guys, and it’s certainly working for Shaw. He smashed 24 homers with 18 steals and a 1.142 OPS in 62 Big Ten games. He also impressed in the wood bat Cape Cod League with 5 homers, 21 steals, and a 1.006 OPS in 36 games. He then ran through pro ball like it was nothing, finishing the year at Double-A slashing .292/.329/.523 with 3 homers, 6 steals, and a 17.1%/4.3% K%/BB% in 15 games at the level. Shaw was my top draft target pre-draft (I actually pointed out Shaw as my top target back in February before the season even started), but now that he absolutely blew up in pro ball, there is no chance you get great value on him. He’s worth his very high draft price though. 2024 Projection: 36/10/43/.253/.312/.432/11 Prime Projection: 85/25/89/.271/.337/.469/21

7) Max Clark DET, OF, 19.4 –  Clark is the 2023 draft version of Pete Crow Armstrong and Corbin Carroll, two guys who I was the high man on in their first year player draft class, although Clark actually got the respect he deserved by getting selected 3rd overall. Maybe the success of those aforementioned players paved the way for a guy like Clark to get valued correctly. As you can tell from the comps, double plus speed with a plus hit tool and developing power is what you are buying. He’s a pretty thick and muscular 6’1”, 190 pounds, so I don’t think you have to squint too hard to see legitimate power developing down the line, even if he’s more a line drive hitter currently. After dominating rookie ball with a 146 wRC+ in 12 games, he got slowed down a bit at Single-A with a 73 wRC+ and 29.4% K% in 11 games, but he still had a .353 OBP, so it’s not like he was completely overmatched or anything. 5×5 BA leagues are going to be his bread and butter, but like Carroll, he can be a beast regardless of league type. He has elite dynasty asset upside. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 93/18/72/.278/.347/.433/33

8) Colt Emerson SEA, SS, 18.8 – Selected 22nd overall, the 6’1”, 195 pound Emerson had an electric pro debut, both statistically and visually. He slashed .374/.496/.550 with 2 homers, 8 steals, and a 17.5%/14.9% K%/BB% in 24 games at rookie ball (251 wRC+) and Single-A (147 wRC+). He has an athletic, lightning quick lefty swing that the ball absolutely rockets off of. It’s geared for both power and average. He’s not a true burner, but he has speed and he was perfect on the bases. He’ll also be 18 years old for most of the 2024 season. He checks off almost every box that you look for in a potential elite prospect coming out of the draft (size, power, average, speed, age, sweet swing, production). If you’re drafting in the mid to late 1st round, and all the buzzy names are off the board, you can confidently take Emerson knowing he can easily end up amongst the best in the class. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 93/26/86/.277/.356/.475/15

9) Jung Hoo Lee SFG, OF, 25.7 – San Francisco signed Lee to a 6 year, $113 million contract, which is definitely an eye opening amount, but he earned that contract for his real life baseball value, and not for his fantasy value. He had extremely high groundball rates in Korea with a 59.2% GB% in 2023, and he doesn’t hit the ball particularly hard. He hit only 6 homers in 86 games. He has speed, but he’s not a true burner, and he hasn’t been a good base stealer. He was 6 for 9 in 2023 and has a career high of 13 steals in 20 attempts. He also fractured his ankle in July which required season ending surgery, so that adds even more risk to his future steal projections. And to top it all off, he landed in one of the very worst hitter’s parks in the league. He’s truly elite at what he does well though, and that is hit for average. He had a 5.9%/12.7% K%/BB% in 2023, and he has a career .340 BA. He was a baseball prodigy with baseball bloodlines, dominating the KBO from the time he was 18 years old with a sweet lefty swing. He’s not a small guy at 6’0”, and there is most certainly room to tack on mass at a relatively skinny 171 pounds. He has a little bit of that Ichiro feel to him, where if he wanted to hit for more power, he would, and he did crack 23 homers in 142 games in 2022, so it’s not like he’s been some light hitter in his career. It’s also possible he runs a lot more with the new stolen base rules in MLB. It might take him a couple years to get fully acclimated like it has Ha-Seong Kim, but once he does, a .300/15/15 season looks well within reach, and it wouldn’t shock me if he got to 20/20. He might be more valuable in real life than fantasy, but that doesn’t mean he still can’t be a very good fantasy player. 2024 Projection: 81/11/51/.285/.341/.401/12 Prime Projection: 93/15/62/.305/.371/.437/15

10) Tommy Troy ARI, 3B/2B, 21.8 – Selected 12th overall, the first thing that pops out when watching Troy is his absolute vicious bat speed and rotation. It’s controlled violence at it’s finest. He used that explosive swing to have a monster junior year, slashing .394/.478/.699 with 17 homers, 17 steals, and a 42/35 K/BB in 58 Pac12 games. He’s not a huge tools guy at 5’10”, 197 pounds, so the power/speed combo might not be huge on the Major League level, but he at least proved it will transfer to wood bats in pro ball, slashing .247/.343/.447 with 4 homers, 8 steals, and a 26.3%/12.1% K%/BB% in 23 games at High-A. His hit tool is good, but there is still some swing and miss in his game which popped up in his pro debut. There is definitely a chance the upside might not end up being very high, but he does a lot of things well, and like I highlighted above, the swing is truly impressive to me. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 82/20/76/.255/.330/.441/20

11) Brock Wilken MIL, 3B, 21.10 – Selected 18th overall, the 6’4”, 225 pound Wilken is almost the exact definition of a lurking slugger. He quite literally lurks over the plate with an eerily calm and foreboding batting stance which he used to unleash 31 homers in 66 ACC games. He then stepped right into pro ball and raked with a .887 OPS in 47 games split between rookie, High-A, and Double-A. He has the huge EV’s to back up the power. The hit tool and plate approach made big jumps this year with a .345 BA and 58/69 K/BB in college, but he still isn’t expected to hit for much average, and a 36% K% in 6 games at Double-A hints at the hit tool risk. You are buying the monster power here. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/31/87/.247/.332/.495/3

12) Leodalis De Vries SDP, SS, 17.6 – Last year in the Felnin Celesten blurb, I wrote, “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.” … obviously Celesten didn’t have the opportunity to pop, but I nailed my observation that 2023 was the year to jump back into the international player pool market with Ethan Salas and Sebastian Walcott exploding (along with Joendry Vargas and others). But now that we are coming off that international prospect explosion, prices are going to be much higher this year. And that starts with the top player in the 2024 international class, Leodalis De Vries. He has almost everything you look for in a potentially elite prospect. He’s a switch hitter at projectable 6’2”, 175 pounds with an extremely quick, loose, and athletic swing. He’s known for his mature plate approach and good feel to hit, and there is certainly plus power potential in here at peak. He’s also an excellent athlete with above average speed. The plate skills give him as high of a floor as you can get for a 17 year old international prospect, and the upside is considerable as well. International prospects are definitely the most mysterious and risky class of prospect to shop in, but when they hit, they hit in a huge way. De Vries is worth taking on the risk, an if you want the pure upside, I can seeing ranking him with Emerson and Clark. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 89/24/86/.276/.352/.462/18

13) Shota Imanaga CHC, LHP, 30.7 – Imanaga’s stuff isn’t as big as Yamamoto’s, mostly sitting in the low 90’s with the fastball, but he’s a damn good pitcher in his own right. The fastball gets whiffs despite the mediocre velocity, and he combines that with a plus splitter as his main secondary. The slider is solid and he throws a curve too. He pitched against a stacked USA lineup in the WBC and the stuff was good enough to notch a 33% whiff%. The fastball sat 93.5 MPH and the slider and splitter racked up whiffs. He’s been an ace in Japan for years and put up a 2.66 ERA with a 188/24 K/BB in 159 IP this year. I wouldn’t put top of the rotation upside on him, but all signs points towards him being a good MLB starter, and the strikeout upside is high enough to be an impact fantasy starter as well. If you want the win now pitcher, I can see ranking him as high as 9th overall. 2024 Projection: 11/3.91/1.22/175 in 160 IP

14) Hurston Waldrep ATL, RHP, 22.1 – Pitcher’s don’t usually make big moves in either direction in their pro debut, but Waldrep bucked that trend. His double plus mid to upper 90’s fastball/splitter combo put up a 33.3% K% and 1.53 ERA in 29.1 IP spread across 4 levels (A, A+, AA, AAA). He also throws a curve and slider that both have plus potential. There is zero doubt about the strikeout ability with a 34.7% K% in 101.2 IP in the SEC in 2023 as well. The reason he only got selected 24th overall though, is that there is definitely some risk in his profile. The control is well below average with a 12.7% BB% at college and a 13.0% BB% in pro ball. He also had a mediocre college season with a 4.16 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, and the K/BB numbers weren’t quite as impressive in the upper minors with a 16/10 K/BB in 14.1 IP at Double-A and Triple-A. Ending up in Atlanta is a great landing spot as they know what they are doing when it comes to pitching, so I’m more apt to go after him now than I would have been if he went to a lesser organization. And if you go K chasing in fantasy, which I do, Waldrep is mighty enticing despite the risk. 2024 Projection: 3/4.13/1.35/75 in 70 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.71/1.28/185 in 165 IP

15) Nolan Schanuel LAA, 1B, 22.1 – Selected 11th overall, Schanuel is a classic Angels first round pick as a safe, fast moving college bat. And boy did he move fast as they sped him through the minors, jumping straight from Double-A to the majors on August 18th. To their credit, Schanuel was ready for the challenge with a 14.5%/15.2% K%/BB% and 112 wRC+ in 29 games. He put up a 14/71 K/BB in 59 games in Conference USA, and a 9/16 K/BB in 17 games at Double-A, so the plate approach certainly looks to be in the elite range. The problem is that the power/speed combo is majorly lacking. He put up a lowly 85.4 MPH EV with a 6.5 degree launch and 26.8 ft/sec sprint speed in the majors. It resulted only 1 homer and 0 steals. He hit the ball very weakly in the minors too with a 10.3% Hard Hit% and only 1 homer in 22 games. He did hit for more power in college with 19 homers this year, and he’s 6’4”, 220 pounds, so there is certainly more in the tank, but it doesn’t look like power is going to be a major part of his game. Buying a hit tool first 1B isn’t my optimal strategy, so I’m not overly high on Schanuel, but calling him the safest, most proximiest (I know that isn’t a word) bat in first year player drafts is an understatement. 2024 Projection: 80/15/70/.270/.355/.400/5 Prime Projection: 92/18/73/.291/.382/.437/6

16) Bryce Eldridge SFG, OF, 19.5 – Selected 16th overall, Eldridge is a 6’7”, 220 pound unicorn type power hitter with monster raw power from the left side of the dish. He smashed pro pitchers in his pro debut with 5 homers and a 139 wRC+ in 16 games in rookie ball, and then he got the call up to Single-A and put up a 123 wRC+ in 15 games. There isn’t much speed and there is some swing and miss in his game with a 26.2% K%, but that’s balanced out by a 15.4% BB%, and he also had a .293 BA. He got drafted as a pitcher too, but it’s clear his future is as a power hitting beast. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 84/32/97/.251/.344/.512/5

17) Noble Meyer MIA, RHP, 19.3 – Selected 10th overall, Meyer has elite pitching prospect written all over him. He’s a loose and athletic 6’5”, 200 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball that he can get into the upper 90’s, an absolutely filthy slider that could be double plus, and a changeup that flashes plus. He also displays good control of all 3 pitches, although he struggled with his control in his pro debut with a 13.7% BB% in 11 IP. He had a 29.4% K% as well, and it was a small sample, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about the control right now. He speaks like he’s a physics professor with a well beyond his years understanding of the art of pitching. At the draft, the ESPN guys literally called him a nerd right to his face (in an endearing way) in their pre draft interview with him. Right handed high school pitchers are treacherous waters to wade in, but sometimes you make exceptions, and Meyer is that exception. I wouldn’t fade him at all and have no issue going out and reaching for him. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 14/3.48/1.16/205 in 180 IP

18) Kyle Teel BOS, C, 22.1 – Selected 14th overall, Teel is a better real life prospect than fantasy prospect like most prospect catchers. He has a hit over power profile, slashing .407/.475/.655 with 13 homers, 5 steals, and a 36/32 K/BB in 65 ACC games. He backed up that profile in pro ball, slashing .363/.483/.495 with 2 homers, 3 steals, and a 19.3%/18.4% K%/BB% in 26 games split between 3 levels (rookie, High-A, Double-A). He’s a good athlete, so he could nab a few bases which is nice for a catcher, and he immediately becomes Boston’s best catcher prospect, so he could move relatively fast through the system. Fenway is a great hitter’s park too which should help his profile play up. If you’re not looking for safe proximity, I would drop Schanuel and Teel lower in the rankings, so your team, league, and strategy is a major factor in this area. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/16/71/.281/.352/.433/8

19) Rhett Lowder CIN, RHP, 22.1 –  Selected 7th overall, Lowder is a relatively safe, quick moving college arm. None of his stuff is jaw dropping, but he has plus control of 3 above average to plus pitches in his 93-94 MPH fastball, slider and changeup. It led to a pitching line of 1.87/0.95/143/24 in 120.1 IP in the ACC. He’s 6’2”, 200 pounds with an athletic delivery, he works fast, and he throws strikes with good stuff. Take a star away for landing in Cincy’s hitter’s haven, but I wouldn’t let the landing spot completely spoil you on him. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 13/3.78/1.18/185 in 180 IP

20) Brice Matthews HOU, SS, 22.0 – Selected 28th overall, Matthews is a major first year player draft target considering his upside vs. his hype. And if Houston trusts his hit tool enough to take him in the first round, that is good enough for me to go all in on him. He’s a top notch athlete with plus power and plus speed that led to 20 homers and 20 steals in 54 games in the Big 10. He’s a rock solid 6’0” with a swing that reminds me a bit of Tommy Pham’s. In fact, his entire game reminds me of Tommy Pham as a guy who hits the ball very hard with speed and some swing and miss. He lived up to his scouting report in his pro debut with 4 homers, 16 steals, a 120 wRC+ and a 26.7%/16% K%/BB% in 33 games at Single-A. The K rate was also coming down at the end of the year with a 15.2% K% in his final 11 games. Like Pham, maybe it takes him a couple extra years to figure it out, but the breakout will be loud when he does. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 78/21/74/.242/.320/.442/23

21) Ralphy Velazquez CLE, C, 18.10 – Selected 23rd overall, Velazquez is not a good defensive catcher, which tells you how much Cleveland loves his bat picking him this high. He rewarded their faith immediately with 2 homers and a 5/3 K/BB in 6 games in rookie ball. He’s a 6’3”, 215 pound bruiser with a smooth lefty swing that is geared for both power and average. He’s also young for his draft class as he’ll still be 18 years old at the start of 2024. I’m extremely high on him, and he strikes me as the Xavier Isaac of this draft class, who I was also high on. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 82/28/91/.267/.342/.491/3

22) Brayden Taylor TBR, 3B, 21.10 – Selected 19th overall, Taylor’s power took a jump this year with a career high 23 homers in 67 games in the Big 12. He’s not a huge raw power guy, but he hits the ball in the air and he knows how to barrel a baseball. Adding more power was the final step, because he’s an excellent all around hitter with an advanced plate approach. He has a career 146/158 K/BB with a 1.038 OPS in 184 Big 12 games. He’s not a particularly great athlete and he doesn’t have big speed, but he still stole 39 bases in 40 career attempts, so there certainly seems to be some stolen base skills here too. As for his pro debut, the 32.3% K% in 22 games at Single-A is a little scary, considering like I mentioned, he’s not some beastly athlete. On the flip side, he had 5 homers, 9 steals, a 141 wRC+, and is in one of the best organizations in baseball. One the flip side of the flip side, dealing with Tampa’s never ending logjam can be exhausting. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 81/23/76/.250/.335/.441/16

23) Tai Peete SEA, SS/3B, 18.7 – Selected 30th overall, Peete’s upside is considerable at a projectable 6’3”, 190 pounds with at least plus power potential and above average speed. He has a quick and vicious lefty swing with offensive potential written all over it, but the hit tool and plate approach are still on the raw side. He showed off both the upside and downside in his pro debut. The strikeout rates were on the high side with a 26.2% K% in 10 games in rookie ball and a 28.4% K% in 14 games at Single-A, but the huge talent was shining through with a 125 wRC+ in rookie, and 2 homers with 3 steals at Single-A. He’s also one of the youngest players in the class and won’t turn 19 years old until mid-August. He has a chance to be a truly special player. Don’t underrate him. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 79/26/86/.248/.326/.464/12

24) Dillon Head SDP, OF, 19.6 – Selected 25th overall, Head is the discount Max Clark. He has double plus speed with a good feel to hit and developing power from the left side. He’s an elite athlete at 5’11”, 180 pounds with room to tack on more muscle, and he’s hit some beastly pull side homers which flashes more power coming in the future. He also handled his business in pro ball, slashing .294/.413/.471 with 1 homer, 3 steals, and a 14.3%/17.5% K%/BB% in 14 games at rookie ball. He didn’t hit as well at Single-A with a 78 wRC+ in 13 games, but the 16.4% K% shows the skills are going to transfer in the future. If we’re debating Clark vs. Head by this time next year I wouldn’t be completely shocked. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 86/15/57/.274/.338/.428/27

25) Walker Martin SFG, SS, 20.1 – Selected 52nd overall, Martin only slipped that far because of signing bonus demands, and he has the talent to back up his demands. He’s a pretty solid 6’2”, 188 pounds with room to add more muscle. He was also a star quarterback in high school to give you an idea of the type of all around athleticism we are talking here. He has plus power potential at peak with above average speed and a good feel to hit from a smooth lefty swing. He checks a ton of boxes. He’s not a completely finished product, and the biggest red flag might be that he will be 20 years old already on Opening Day 2024, which is a year older for his class. 19 year old high school kids aren’t my favorite group to buy from, but every player has to be evaluated on his own merits, and Martin has the type of skills and upside to overlook the age. He’s the Colson Montgomery of this year’s draft. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 78/25/83/.266/.337/.467/14

26) Aidan Miller PHI, SS, 19.10 – Selected 27th overall, like Martin above, Miller was drafted as a 19 year old high school bat. It’s one of the major reasons I stayed away from Blake Rutherford in 2017 FYPD’s when he was getting lots of hype, but on the other hand, Colson Montgomery was also an older high school bat and he’s doing just fine. It’s a case by case basis, and Miller has the talent to ignore the age. He has one of the top hit/power combos in the high school class. He’s 6’2”, 205 pounds with a lightning quick and powerful righty swing that already generates big exit velocities. He combines that with a mature plate approach, good feel to hit, and a history of performance. He was far too advanced for rookie ball with a 179 wRC+ in 10 games, but he slowed down considerably at the more age appropriate Single-A with a 86 wRC+ in 10 games. He also hit 0 homers in 20 games, although he hit a monster shot in the Single-A playoffs, so I’m not too concerned with his ultimate power. He’s not really a target for me specifically, but the talent is pretty obvious, so I have no issues with being much higher on him. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 82/25/86/.269/.342/.468/7

27) Paulino Santana TEX, OF, 17.5 – Santana is the top international OF prospect, and when you watch his swing, you get it immediately. He has a blink of an eye righty swing that is absolutely electric. He combines that with a supremely athletic and projectable 6’2”, 180 pound frame. He has at least plus potential across the board. Texas just did a masterful job on the getting the hype machine overflowing with Sebastian Walcott (Santana isn’t as athletic as the truly insanely athletic Walcott), and they’re about to do the same with Santana. He’s the type of talent to stick your neck out for in first year player drafts. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 91/24/88/.270/.340/.477/23

28) Jacob Wilson OAK, SS, 22.0 – Selected 6th overall, Wilson has one of the safest profiles in the draft. He’s a plus defensive SS with baseball bloodlines and truly elite bat to ball skills. He had a ridiculous 5/19 K/BB and .412 BA in 49 games in the WAC, and then he went to High-A and put up a 10.1% K% with a .318 BA. The power is minimal with only 6 homers this year in college and 1 homer in 26 pro games, but he’s a projectable 6’3”, 190 pounds, so Oakland is clearly betting on more power coming down the line. He’s not a burner, but he does like to run a bit with 12 steals in 14 attempts in 75 combined games. It’s not a very fantasy friendly profile as even with power gains he doesn’t expect to ever be a big home run hitter. It’s just not the profile I love going after, but in very deep leagues, I can see giving him a bump, and he should be up with Oakland in no time. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 84/14/59/.288/.347/.407/15

29) Arjun Nimmala TOR, SS, 18.6 –  Selected 20th overall, Nimmala is one of the youngest players in the class by far, and he’s already showing some of the best power potential with a recorded 103 MPH EV at a Perfect Game Event, which is elite for his age range. He has all the trademarks of being an elite power bat with a projectable 6’1”, 170 pound frame, to go along with a viciously quick and athletic righty swing. He also recorded a 6.54 60 yard dash time which is firmly above average. The hit tool still needs refinement which adds risk, but his age gives him a little extra breathing room there, and the upside is tantalizing. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/26/84/.248/.327/.469/12

30) George Lombard NYY, SS, 18.10 – Selected 26th overall, Lombard has baseball bloodlines with his father playing 6 years in the big leagues, and like most plus bloodlines kids, his game is mature beyond his years. He stepped right into pro ball and put up a 202 wRC+ with a 2/5 K/BB in 4 games at rookie ball, and then he closed the year out at Single-A with a 114 wRC+ and 10/8 K/BB in 9 games. He combines the high baseball IQ with plus athleticism at 6’3”, 190 pounds, and has the potential for an at least above average power/speed combo at peak. This is a really nice blend of safety and upside. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 83/22/77/.268/.341/.450/16

31) Jonny Farmelo SEA, OF, 19.7 – Selected 29th overall, the lefty Farmelo is 6’2”, 200 pounds with double plus speed, a good feel to hit and below average power. He’s already pretty built up, and while there is clearly still room for more muscle at only 19 years old, his swing is geared more towards line drives. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as he’s a true speedster, and he knows how to get the bat on the ball. He has a very nice blend of safety and ceiling. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 79/16/68/.266/.329/.427/23

32) Thomas White MIA, LHP, 19.6 – Selected 35th overall, White is a big lefty with big stuff who is really easy to dream on. He’s 6’5”, 210 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and two potentially plus secondaries in his curve and change that he fires from an almost sidearm lefty delivery. The delivery is very easy and repeatable. He doesn’t have pinpoint command, and he walked 6 batters in his 4.1 IP pro debut, so it’s possible control will be an issue early in his career. He has legitimate top of the rotation upside, but he obviously still has a lot to prove. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 12/3.66/1.24/190 in 170 IP

33) Hyun-Seok Jang LAD, RHP, 20.0 – When the Dodgers aggressively go after somebody (they made a trade for international moola right before signing Jang), you take notice, and you also jump aboard knowing how good they are at development. The 6’4”, 200 pound Jang was expected to be the #1 overall pick in the Korea League Draft before signing with LA, and after watching every video I could find of him, it’s very easy to see why. His stuff is genuinely explosive with a plus to double plus 4 pitch mix. He throws a mid 90’s fastball that rockets out of his hand, a knee buckling curve that looks like it could be double plus, a plus slider, and a potentially plus change. He is also way mature beyond his years on the mound with an athletic delivery and relatively solid control. I think he has legit ace upside and isn’t going to be ranked even close to where he deserves to be. Go after Jang hard in first year player drafts, and I’m tempted to go even higher on him, but you likely won’t have to reach too far to grab him in your drafts  based on his current hype. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 13/3.56/1.18/185 in 170 IP

34) Enrique Bradfield BAL, OF, 22.4 –  If Willie Mays Hayes were a real person, he would be Enrique Bradfield. Selected 17th overall, Bradfield is an absolute terror on the bases with 37 steals in 62 games at Vandy. He then literally stole a base a game in pro ball with 25 steals in 25 games at mostly Single-A. He has a legit shot of stealing over 50 bags with the new rules, and can maybe even approach Esteury Ruiz levels, but like Ruiz, the other parts of his hitting profile leave something to be desired. He has well below average power and the hit tool really isn’t that great either. He had a .279 BA this year in college and he hit 0 homers in his pro debut with the wood bats (he also had 0 homers in 11 games in the wood bat Cape League in 2022). He’s purely a speed play, but that speed can carry your fantasy team. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/8/49/.263/.331/.378/41

35) Chase Davis STL, OF, 22.4 – Selected 21st overall, Davis went full Jacob Berry on us in his pro debut, and we saw Berry go from bad to worse in 2023. Davis’ pro debut was actually even worse than Berry’s with 0 homers, a 26% K% and .212 BA in 36 games at Single-A. It was good for a below average 91 wRC+ (Berry had a 118 wRC+). The most concerning thing was the lack of power with an 84.9 MPH EV. He also struggled to hit for power in the wood bat Cape Cod League in 2022 with 0 homers and a .629 OPS in 15 games. Those are scary numbers for a guy you are drafting for basically only his power. If you don’t want to put so much weight on the pro debut, Davis had a damn exciting junior year that got everyone excited going into the draft. He was a lefty power hitting beast who is a smooth operator in the box. I can honestly watch him crush homers all day. He cracked 21 homers in 57 Pac12 games this year. He’s not a particularly huge guy at 6’1”, but he’s a muscled up 216 pounds and the EV’s were legit in college. The swing is also very athletic, and he improved his hit tool this year (.362 BA with a 40/43 K/BB) after struggling with swing and miss in the past, but the struggles in pro ball show he still has a long way to go there too. I understand if you want to put more weight on the larger sample college production, but that would have been a mistake with Jacob Berry, and Davis seems to be headed down that same path. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/22/78/.242/.321/.437/7

36) Mac Horvath BAL, 2B/3B/OF, 22.8 – Selected 53rd overall, Horvath is a high risk, high reward college bat with a big power/speed combo and hit tool issues. He’s a great athlete at a strong 6’1”, 195 pounds with a quick and powerful righty swing. He cracked 24 homers with 25 steals in 60 games in the ACC, and then he obliterated pro ball with a 323 wRC+ in 3 games in rookie ball, 160 wRC+ in 14 games at Single-A, and 184 wRC+ in 5 games at High-A. It was good for 5 homers and 14 steals in 22 games overall. He’s on the older side, the 26.3% K% shows the hit tool risk, and Baltimore is stacked, so the path to playing time isn’t clear, but he’s the type of prospect you buy when you want big upside from someone who isn’t a teenager. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 71/23/76/.237/.318/.448/18

37) Yohandy Morales WAS, 3B, 22.6 –  Selected 40th overall, Morales is a big man at an athletic 6’4”, 225 pounds with a big righty hack that jacked 20 homers in 61 ACC games. The problem is, he didn’t hit a single homer in his 182 PA pro debut, and he also didn’t hit a single homer in 65 PA in the wood bat cape cod league in 2021. His strikeout rates were relatively high throughout his college career, and he’s not a big threat on the bases, so I’m a little scared of buying a power prospect who hasn’t hit for power with wood bats. Having said that, his pro debut was still quite good with a .349 BA and .917 OPS at mostly Single-A and High-A, and considering his size and how hard he hits the ball, there has to be much more homer power coming than he’s showed with wood bats so far. He also has a clear path to playing time with only Nick Senzel standing in his way at 3B. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/23/79/.250/.325/.450/5

38) George Wolkow CHW, OF, 18.3 – Selected 209th overall, Wolkow screams upside everywhere you look. He’s 6’7”, 225 pounds with double plus power potential and he’s also an above average runner. That is James Wood type territory we are talking about. He’s super young for his class, and despite getting drafted so late, he landed a $1 million signing bonus. Like Wood, there is swing and miss concerns with a 33.3% K% in his 13 game pro debut, but it came with 1 homer, 3 steals, and a .392 OBP. The ingredients are here to truly explode. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/27/84/.242/.329/.464/11

39) Cooper Pratt MIL, SS, 19.7 – Selected 182nd overall, Pratt most certainly looks the part at an athletic 6’4”, 195 pounds with a quick and powerful righty swing. He had a strong pro debut in rookie ball, slashing .356/.426/.444 with 0 homers, 4 steals, and a 20.4%/9.3% K%/BB% in 12 games. A lot of that was good BABIP luck, but he still showed a good feel to hit and no groundball issues (30.3% GB%). He has above average speed and should have at least plus power at peak, so that is a strong foundation to set, although it was only in 12 games, the K/BB numbers weren’t particularly great, he’s a bit old for his high school class, and he still needs to prove it against advanced competition. He’s already a buzzy name in FYPD circles, but considering how late he got drafted, he should still go for good value in most drafts, and he definitely has the upside to pay off. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/24/83/.253/.327/.451/10

40) Josh Knoth MIL, RHP, 18.8 – Selected 33rd overall, the 6’1”, 190 pound Knoth throws two high spin, devastating breaking balls in his slider and curve. He combines that with a fastball that has ticked up into the mid 90’s and a developing changeup. He also commands his entire arsenal very well. He’s still only 18 years old and I really like Milwaukee’s pitching development. He’s the type of pitcher I would hope falls in first year player drafts to scoop up at a great price. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 11/3.72/1.26/185 in 170 IP

41) Zander Mueth PIT, RHP, 18.8 – Mueth was selected 67th overall and signed for an over slot $1.8 million deal. I immediately fell in love after watching every video of him I could find. He’s 6’6”, 205 pounds with an athletic, deceptive, and funky righty delivery that he uses to throw filthy stuff. The fastball sits mid 90’s and the secondaries (slider, change) both have plus potential. He’s also young for the draft class. He needs to improve his control/command and more refinement is needed all around, but I’m very giddy about his upside. He’s going to be a major later round FYPD target for me. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 11/3.85/1.28/190 in 170 IP

42) Emil Morales LAD, SS, 17.6 – When taking a shot on raw international prospects, the team they sign with is a big deal. There is so much development that is needed, and I trust the teams with a long track record of development successes. All of that to say, the Dodgers signing Morales give him a bump in my book. And even without the Dodgers, his physicality in the box stands out immediately. He is a grown man at 6’3”, 180 pounds with a big righty swing that can punish a baseball. He combines that with a mature plate approach and a good feel to hit. It certainly looks like he can be a middle of the order beast, and he has the right team to get it out of him. He’s a definite target. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 86/28/91/.263/.346/.488/7

43) Kendall George LAD, OF, 19.5 – Selected 36th overall, George is a pure speed play. He has 80 grade speed with legitimately elite run times. He also makes a ton of contact and is a plus defensive centerfielder. That profile will play on the major league level, and it certainly played in the lower minors, slashing .370/.458/.420 with 0 homers, 17 steals, and a 20/17 K/BB in 28 games split between rookie and Single-A. He has below average power with extremely high groundball rates, and while it does project to tick up from here, it’s not expected to be a major part of his game. He’s the high school version of Enrique Bradfield. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 84/10/52/.284/.348/.390/41

44) Ty Floyd CIN, RHP, 22.7 – Selected 38th overall, the 6’2”, 200 pound Floyd has a plus to double plus mid 90’s fastball that he leans on heavily. It led to a 4.35 ERA with a 31% K% in 91 IP. There are more than a few heavy fastball usage pitchers who are doing well in the majors right now, but those guys generally have plus control and/or better secondaries than Floyd. Floyd’s control is below average with a 9.6% BB%, but it was improving as the year went on, and his slider, curve and change are about average at best. If the secondaries and/or control take a step forward, there is very real upside here, and I don’t mind targeting him at all as a later round arm if you focus on offense with your earlier picks. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/3.95/1.27/165 in 160 IP

45) Alex Clemmey CLE, LHP, 18.8 – Selected 58th overall, Clemmey is a high risk, high reward high school arm who landed in a perfect organization. He’s a 6’6”, 205 pound lefty with fire stuff led by a mid 90’s fastball and a filthy breaking ball. He also has a developing changeup. He still needs plenty of refinement and the control is below average, so he could ultimately land in the bullpen, but if you want to shoot for the moon, Clemmey is your guy. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 10/3.79/1.32/183 in 160 IP

46) Colin Houck NYM, SS, 19.6 – Selected 32nd overall, the 6’2”, 190 pound Houck is an excellent all around athlete who was also a heavily recruited star quarterback in high school. He’s not just raw tools though, he also has a good feel to hit with a mature approach at the plate. His value held serve in his pro debut with a dead average 100 wRC+, 0 homers, 0 steals, and a 22.2%/19.4% K%/BB% in 9 games. The power isn’t plus quite yet, and while he’s fast, he’s not lightning fast, so it all might project to an above average across the board profile. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 81/22/79/.272/.338/.453/14

47) Jose Perdomo ATL, SS, 17.6 – Perdomo is expected to land the highest signing bonus in the class at over $5 million. He has a very quick, simple, and controlled righty swing that makes a ton of contact. His size doesn’t necessarily jump off the screen, and he doesn’t really have that visual explosion I like going after, but he hits the ball hard and has plus speed. When going after risky international prospects, I lean towards prototypical size first, so I hesitate to really reach for Perdomo, but his combo of hit, power, speed, and signing bonus is hard to deny. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 84/20/77/.271/.337/.441/20

48) Fernando Cruz CHC, SS, 17.5 – Starlin Castro is Fernando Cruz’ cousin, which doesn’t necessarily give me the warm and fuzzies with Castro’s relatively disappointing career. But “disappointing” is relative as he racked up 22 WAR in his 12 year MLB career. Not a bad outcome at all. As for the 6’0”, 180 pound Cruz, his tools jump out immediately with a chiseled and athletic frame. The swing and hit tool aren’t as refined as Perdomo’s, but it looks like it has more upside to me. There is definitely plus power potential in here and he also has plus speed. Tack on the baseball bloodlines, and Cruz makes for a very enticing target. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 78/23/81/.261/.328/.447/22

49) Jake Gelof LAD, 3B, 22.1 – Selected 60th overall, Gelof has the baseball bloodlines with his older brother, Zack, breaking out in the majors this year. Jake is a thick 6’1”, 200 pounds with a powerful righty swing that is made to hit dingers. He popped 21 homers in 2022 and then followed that up with a 23 homer season in 2023. That continued in pro ball with him cracking 6 homers in 30 games at mostly Single-A. It might not be truly elite power, but it’s easy plus power. He has below average speed, and there is hit tool risk too which already reared it’s ugly head with a .225 BA and 29.9 K% at Single-A, but we’ve seen the Gelof’s thrive with high K rates (hello, Zack) You are buying the power here, and after getting drafted by the Dodgers, you are also buying the great developmental organization. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 74/27/83/.243/.326/.468/6

50) Dawal Joseph SEA, SS, 16.11 – The first thing that jumps out about Joseph is an explosive and athletic righty swing at 6’2”, 175 pounds. He’s looking to do damage at the dish. His easy and smooth athleticism looks on par with Leo De Vries, although De Vries is known as the more mature hitter. Joseph is one of the top players in the class with the potential for a plus power/speed combo at peak, and he’s also one of the youngest. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 76/22/78/.253/.324/.442/18

51) Victor Hurtado WAS, OF, 16.10 – Hurtado is a long and lean 6’4”, 180 pounds with a quick and powerful lefty swing that is made for launching baseballs. He’s also known for his good feel to hit. This is the type of profile that can turn into one of those EV hype beasts with eye popping dingers. The hit/power combo can be good enough for elite prospect status at peak if it all comes together, and even if he ends up with hit tool issues, the power is big enough to carry him. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 81/28/89/.262/.341/.481/8

52) Brandon Sproat NYM, RHP, 23.6 – Selected 56th overall, Sproat got drafted as a college senior, but with pitchers, it’s more about stuff than age, and Sproat most certainly has the stuff. He throws everything hard with a mid to upper mid 90’s fastball, an upper 80’s to low 90’s changeup, and an upper 80’s to low 90’s slider. Both his secondaries have plus potential. He also throws a slower curve. He didn’t exactly have the best statistical senior year with a 4.66 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 106.1 IP, but the 134/48 K/BB looks much better. The control is below average and like I mentioned, he’s never really had that dominant season, but he has the frame (6’3”, 210) and stuff to get excited even if he ends up in the pen. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.05/1.33/156 in 155 IP

53) Blake Wolters KCR, RHP, 19.5 -, Selected 44th overall, Wolters is your typical big, power pitching high school prospect that doesn’t take much of a discerning eye to see his talent. He’s 6’4”, 215 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball, a slider that flashes plus and a developing changeup. He has good control over all of his stuff. The ingredients are there to be a top pitching prospect with continued refinement. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 12/3.93/1.28/175 in 170 IP

54) Charlee Soto MIN, RHP, 18.7 – Selected 34th overall, Soto is a 6’5”, 200 pound power pitcher who is still on the raw side, but that is understandable considering he was only 17 years old at the draft and he only recently got transitioned from shortstop. The fastball sits in the mid 90’s which he combines with a filthy changeup and potentially plus slider. There is still some inconsistency in his game and he has to tighten up his command, but the ingredients are there for him to be an elite pitching prospect with continued refinement. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 10/3.88/1.33/178 in 165 IP

55) Hiro Wyatt KCR, RHP, 19.7 – Selected 75th overall, Wyatt has a truly nasty fastball/slider combo with both pitches displaying that quick twitch movement that is a nightmare to face. The fastball sits mid 90’s with tight tailing action and the slider gets vicious horizontal movement. He also throws a cutter and change, and how good he can develop those pitches will play a major factor in how high his upside could be as a starter. He also needs to refine his control/command. He’s not a huge guy at 6’1”, 185 pounds, but he’s not small either and I wouldn’t worry about his size at all. He has considerable upside with the floor of a high leverage reliever. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 10/3.82/1.27/165 in 155 IP

56) Homer Bush Jr. SDP, OF, 22.6 – Selected 128th overall, Bush has plus bloodlines (Former Yankee Homer Bush is his father), great size (6’3”, 200 pounds), and an excellent pro debut with a plus contact/speed profile. He slashed .325/.422/.440 with 3 homers, 22 steals, and a 12.8%/10.7% K%/BB% in 44 games split between 3 levels (rookie, A, AA). His production didn’t drop off at all at Double-A with a 149 wRC+ and 6.9% K% in 8 games. I’m planning on grabbing him for cheap in every FYPD I’m in this off-season. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 80/12/52/.271/.331/.405/25

57) Adrian Santana TBR, SS, 18.9 – Selected 31st overall, Santana is a plus defensive SS with elite speed, a good feel to hit and developing power. He’s not big at 5’11”, 160 pounds, so power will likely never be a big part of his game, but it’s not like he’s just a slap hitter with 11 homers in his senior year. The 73 wRC+ in 10 games in stateside rookie in his pro debut isn’t great, but the 19.1%/14.9% K%/BB%, 3 steals, and 42.9% GB% looks just fine. The glove should get him on the field, and the hit/speed combo should get him in your fantasy lineup. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 81/13/53/.269/.338/.403/33

58) Luke Keaschall MIN, 2B, 21.8 – Selected 49th overall, Keaschall is young for his college class, and he’s put up big production everywhere he’s played and every single year of his amateur career. He then stepped into pro ball and didn’t miss a beat, slashing .288/.414/.478 with 3 homers, 11 steals, and a 25/19 K/BB in 31 games at mostly Single-A. The raw power isn’t huge, but the 89.1 MPH EV he put up at Single-A shows he can make an impact, and the speed is plus. He might not be an upside league winner type, but he can be a speed first, legit all category producer. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/17/67/.261/.323/.410/22

59) Joe Whitman SFG, LHP, 22.7 – Selected 69th overall, Whitman is a 6’5”, 200 pound lefty with an extremely high spin, double plus slider as his standout pitch. It’s the type of filthy offering that can carry you straight into the majors. He heavily used that pitch to have a dominant Junior year at Kent State with a 2.56 ERA and 100/29 K/BB in 81 IP, and then he stepped into pro ball and did exactly the same with a 1.86 ERA and 13/3 K/BB in 9.2 IP at rookie ball and Single-A. If the fastball sat mid 90’s, we might have been talking about a top 10 pick, but it only sits in the low 90’s. Regardless, he spins that pitch well too and commands it well which allows it to miss bats and play above it’s velocity. He also flashes a potentially above average changeup. If the velocity ticks up, Whitman could be a truly hype beast pitching prospects by mid-season, and even if it doesn’t, the ingredients are there to be an impact fantasy starter. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.27/165 in 160 IP

60) Yuki Matsui SDP, Closer Committee, 28.5 – Matsui has been one of the top closers in Japan for years, and he signed with a team (5 years, $28 million) who has an opening at closer. Robert Suarez might be the favorite for the job at the moment, and the recently signed Woo Suk Go will also be in the mix, so you can’t draft Matsui expecting him to win it, but he could easily end up the guy. He’s coming off an excellent season in 2023 with a pitching line of 1.57/0.89/72/13 in 57.1 IP. He doesn’t really have prototypical closer stuff with a low to mid 90’s fastball, but he has a plus splitter which gets whiffs and a good slider as well. Without the huge fastball, I wouldn’t expect an elite closer even if he wins the job, but he’s worth taking a shot on in deeper leagues and/or leagues where you are desperate for saves. 2024 Projection: 4/3.45/1.15/69/15 saves in 60 IP

61) Kevin McGonigle DET, SS, 19.7 – Selected 37th overall, McGonigle is a hit tool play with one of the most advanced bats in the high school class. He has a simple and quick left handed swing that has racked up hits everywhere he’s played, and includes both stateside rookie (135 wRC+) and Single-A (151 wRC+) in his pro debut. He slashed .315/.452/.411 with 1 homer, 8 steals (in 13 attempts) and a 10.9%/19.4% K%BB% in 21 games. He’s only 5’11’, 185 pounds and the power/speed combo isn’t big, but it’s not like he doesn’t have any athleticism. He’s definitely a good athlete. Hit tool first high school prospects aren’t my favorite aisle to shop in, but McGonigle has enough upside to go after. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 86/15/59/.283/.354/.418/12

62) Myles Naylor OAK, SS, 19.0 – Selected 39th overall, Myles Naylor is your last chance to get in on the Naylor family without having to pay through the nose (Josh and Bo are his older brothers). The youngest Naylor is 6’2”, 195 pounds with a quick and powerful righty swing that jacked out 6 homers in 32 games at Single-A in his pro debut. He wasn’t expected to have major hit tool issues when he was drafted, but his 39.4% K% ended up being scary, and he struck out 3 times in 6 AB in rookie ball too. I want to give him a pass because of his plus bloodlines, aggressive assignment, and track record as an amateur, but the cold hard numbers without any narrative are a little hard to stomach. The high strikeout rate prevents me from flying him up FYPD rankings, but the swing is exciting, and his power is so sincere. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 74/28/85/.241/.323/.473/5

63) Cole Carrigg COL, C/SS/OF, 21.11 – Selected 65th overall, Carrigg was one of the top pro debut breakouts in his class. After destroying rookie ball (176 wRC+ in 13 games), he kept it going at Single-A, slashing .326/.376/.554 with 3 homers, 6 steals, and a 19.8%/6.9% K%/BB% in 23 games. It’s nice to see that level of production considering he didn’t play in one of the toughest conferences (Mountain West). He doesn’t have big power with only 7 homers in his 133 game college career, but at 6’3”, 200 pounds, you don’t have to squint too hard to see his ability to develop more as he ages. He also got caught stealing more than optimal in college and doesn’t walk a ton, but he can be a fun jack of all trades type who plays all over the field. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/14/68/.263/.319/.411/16

64) AJ Ewing NYM, 2B, 19.8 – Selected 134th overall, Ewing got dinged because of questionable power potential, but he’s not a small guy at a relatively strong 6’0”, and he hits the ball hard with a vicious lefty swing, so I’m not sure why that got put on him. He had a strong pro debut with a 161 wRC+, 0 homers (14.3% GB%), 1 steal, and a 28.6%/23.8% K%/BB% in 7 games. He has a good feel to hit, mature approach, above average speed, and more power than he is given credit for. He has a chance to be quite good. He makes for a great underrated FYPD target. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/20/79/.265/.336/.438/1

65) Nazzan Zanetello BOS, SS, 18.10 – Selected 50th overall, Zanetello had the type of rough pro debut that gives me some pause. He slashed .139/.311/.222 with 0 homers, 5 steals, and a 33.3%/20.0% K%/BB% in 12 games at rookie ball. It’s not so bad where I’m taking him off my draft list, but it’s bad enough where he would have to fall to me. The upside is most certainly there at a long and lean 6’2”, 190 pounds with double plus athleticism and a potentially plus power/speed combo. His upside is up there with almost anyone’s in this draft. He was already on the risky side when he got drafted, and the pro debut made him a whole lot riskier. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 73/18/71/.238/319/.427/21

66) Brandon Winokur MIN, SS/OF, 19.3 – Selected 82nd overall, the 6’5”, 210 pound Winokur has double plus power potential, and he’s also an excellent athlete with plus run times. He had no issue showing off the big power in his pro debut with 4 homers in 17 games in rookie ball, but it came with a terrible 32.4%/5.6% K%/BB%. He also had very high groundball rates with a 53.5% GB%, and despite the speed, he was 0 for 1 on the bases, so considering his size, I’m not sure we should expect big steal totals. There is very clearly still rawness in his game, but the upside is considerable. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 67/24/79/.236/.312/.442/7

67) Yariel Rodriguez TOR, RHP, 27.3 – Toronto signed Rodriguez to a 4 year, $32 million contract, which is definitely a big enough commitment where they are expecting him to be an impact pitcher, but the only question is what role he will pitch in. It seems to me he will most likely pitch in a bullpen role, which limits his fantasy appeal. He was used as a reliever in Japan, and he dominated in that role with a 1.15 ERA and 60/18 K/BB in 54.2 IP. He has prototypical high leverage reliever stuff with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and plus slider. He also has the below average control of a typical late inning reliever, and the lack of a true third pitch, which makes the pen his most likely role. 2024 Projection: 4/3.51/1.23/65 in 60 IP

68) Alonzo Tredwell HOU, RHP, 21.11 – Selected 61st overall, Tredwell is 6’8”, 230 pounds with an athletic delivery and plus control. Just those 3 combination of skills makes him an unique and intriguing pitching prospect. He put up a 2.11 ERA with a 62/6 K/BB in 47 innings out of the pen in 2022 at UCLA, and then he was transitioned into the rotation this year where he put up a 3.57 ERA with a 51/12 K/BB in 45.1 IP before getting shutdown with back and rib injuries. The stuff doesn’t necessarily jump off the screen with a low to mid 90’s fastball, but he throws a legitimate 4 pitch mix (slider, curve, change), and everything plays up because of his control. If it all comes together, think something like Bailey Ober (not a direct comp). ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 9/4.16/1.20/150 in 150 IP

69) Caden Grice ARI, LHP, 21.10 – Selected 64th overall, Grice is a supreme athlete at 6’6”, 250 pounds with potential as both a pitcher and hitter (he put up a 1.029 OPS in 60 games in the ACC), but his future is very likely on the mound. He has all the makings of that prototypical mid rotation workhorse with a relatively athletic delivery, but he probably needs the fastball to tick up to get there. He currently sits in the low 90’s, and while it’s hard to predict a velocity increase, his two way player status and build seems to point towards a bump if he focuses solely on pitching. He also throws a good slider and changeup. It all led to a 3.35 ERA and 31.4%/10.2% K%/BB% in 78 IP. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 10/4.05/1.29/164 in 170 IP

70) Blake Mitchell KCR, C, 19.2 – Selected 8th overall, Mitchell got drafted so highly mostly because of his defensive prowess. He’s a good defensive catcher with an elite arm. He’s not chopped liver at the dish either with a powerful lefty swing at 6’1”. 200 pounds that projects for plus power at peak, but it comes with plenty of swing and miss. His 13 game pro debut in rookie ball showed the rawness of his offensive game with 0 homers, a .147 BA, and 26.9% K%, but the 32.7% BB% saved the debut from being a complete disaster. He projects to be that classic plus defense, low BA slugging catcher. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/21/69/.244/.330/.443/4

71) Jacob Gonzalez CHW, SS, 21.10 – Selected 15th overall, Gonzalez is a safe, quick moving college bat who doesn’t have big upside. He’s a SS who has an excellent plate approach and bat to ball skills. He had a .327 BA with a 28/35 K/BB in 54 SEC games. An up the middle defender who gets the bat on the ball is probably the safest profile there is. He has a bit of an awkward lefty swing, and while he’s 6’2”, 200 pounds, there isn’t big power with only 10 homers this year. He also has below average speed. His lack of upside was on full display in his pro debut, slashing .207/.308/.261 with 1 homer, 1 steal, and a 16.8%/14.6% K%/BB% in 30 games at Single-A. He should move fast through the system and is a high probability big leaguer, but he’s not a fantasy target. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 75/17/67/.263/.332/.418/4

72) Colton Ledbetter TBR, OF, 22.5 – Selected 55th overall, the 6’2”, 205 pound Ledbetter has that classic solid across the board profile. He transferred into the SEC from the Southern League for his junior year and he had no issues against the superior competition, slashing .320/.452/.574 with 12 homers, 17 steals, and a 36/47 K/BB in 53 games. The profile also completely transferred into pro ball with 2 homers, 3 steals, and a 21.6%/13.5% K%/BB% in 18 games at Single-A. The raw power/speed combo is only about average, which caps his upside, but Ledbetter can do a little bit of everything on the baseball field. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 78/15/69/.267/.334/.422/15

73) Travis Honeyman STL, OF, 22.6 – Selected 90th overall, the 6’2”, 190 pound Honeyman makes a ton of contact, hits the ball fairly hard, and has above average speed. That is a strong combination of skills, and it led to an excellent season in the ACC, slashing .304/.383/.534 with 6 homers, 10 steals, and a 11.5% 7.1% K%/BB% in 39 games. He’s never been a big home run hitter in college, but his frame definitely has room to add power, and he also hit 4 homers with a .930 OPS in 24 games in the wood bat Cape Cod League in 2022. I like Honeyman a lot, and he makes for an excellent underrated FYPD target. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/18/73/.264/.321/.422/17

74) Carson Rucker DET, 3B/SS, 19.7 – Selected 107th overall, Rucker is 6’2”, 193 pounds with a big righty swing that should produce plus power at peak, and he’s a good athlete with above average speed. The hit tool was a bit of a question coming into the draft, but it looked solid in his pro debut with a 22.0%/14.6% K%/BB% in 9 games at stateside rookie. He also hit 1 homer with 4 steals, which was good for a 110 wRC+. He has the upside to become a legit hyped prospect. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 74/22/78/.256/.330/.446/10

75) Adolfo Sanchez CIN, OF, 17.6 – The 6’2”, 175 pound Sanchez has one of those sweet lefty swings that just oozes offensive potential. He’s known for his great feel to hit, and when his power naturally ticks up, it’s going to be easy above average power at the very least. He’s a good athlete, but he’s not a burner, so something like Marcelo Mayer is the prospect ceiling here. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 84/24/86/.273/.345/.462/9

76) Joswa Lugo LAA, SS, 17.2 – Lugo is already a relatively physical presence in the box at 6’2”, 175 pounds, and he’s still only 16 years old as of this writing. He has easy plus power at peak, and he does it with a smooth, effortless, and controlled righty swing. The hit/power combo has plus potential at peak, and he’s a good athlete too. He definitely has middle of the order, complete hitter potential. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 82/26/86/.273/.341/.471/8

77) Luis Cova MIA, OF, 17.2 – I didn’t really love Cova’s swing in my first run through the international prospects rankings, and with so many toolsy prospects, I had him as one of the just misses on my FYPD rankings, but that was a mistake. His athleticism stands out with double plus speed, and he’s grown as well with a projectable 6’2”, 175 pound frame. I’m still not quite as high on him as others, but there is obviously a ton of potential in here. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 79/18/73/.262/.328/.435/26

78) Eric Bitonti MIL, 3B, 18.4 – Selected 87th overall, Bitonti just turned 18 in mid November. He’s the same age or younger as many of the DSL prospects, and he started his career in stateside rookie ball. He’s 6’4”, 218 pounds with a big lefty swing that could have double plus power at peak. He already cracked 2 homers in 12 games in his pro debut. The hit tool is still very raw with a .179 BA and 31.1% K%, but the 18.8% BB% mitigates that a bit, and so does his young age. He has a chance to be a premier power hitter at peak. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 68/26/79/.240/.324/.457/3

79) Yovanny Rodriguez NYM, C, 17.5 – The 5’11”, 180 pound Rodriguez is the top catcher in the 2024 international class. A lot of that has to do with his potentially plus defense, but he’s no slouch with the bat either. He has a quick twitch swing with easy bat speed. He’s already pretty strong with more power coming, and he has a good feel to hit. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 72/21/76/.268/.336/.447/6

80) Chase Dollander COL, RHP, 21.9 – Selected 9th overall, Dollander was picked by Colorado, which could honestly end the blurb right there. I’m just not in the business of going after Rockies prospect pitchers, no matter how highly touted they are. Jon Gray is probably pretty close to the best case scenario. Dollander is 6’2”, 200 pounds with a plus to double plus mid 90’s fastball which he didn’t command as well in 2023 as he did in 2022. He had a 2.39 ERA with a 108/13 K/BB in 79 IP in 2022 vs. a 4.75 ERA with a 120/30 K/BB in 89 IP in 2023. The slider is his best secondary and while it’s good, it’s not really in the elite filth area. He also mixes in a good curveball and changeup. If he were drafted by another team, I could see overlooking the step back he took in 2023, but in Coors Field, I’m staying far away  ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/4.15/1.31/173 in 170 IP

81) Travis Sykora WAS, RHP, 19.11 – Selected 71st overall, Sykora is a 6’6”, 230 pound righty with a huge fastball that has eclipsed 100 MPH. Those two things alone make Sykora an interesting later round option in first year player drafts. There is a reason he didn’t get drafted higher though. The delivery looks a bit gangly to me, the control isn’t great, he’s on the older side for his high school class, and his secondaries (slider & split changeup) need plenty of refinement. Washington went way over slot to sign him ($2.6 million), and the upside is certainly there for him to explode. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 9/3.94/1.34/160 in 150 IP

82) Eduardo Herrera CHW, 3B, 17.6 – Herrera is an already built up 6’2”, 215 pounds with an extremely quick and powerful righty bat that crushes baseballs. He looks like a grown man out there and will have easy plus power at peak. He also has a good feel to hit and is a good athlete. He has a chance to be a complete, middle of the order bat. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 81/26/86/.263/.345/.478/8

83) Mitch Jebb PIT, 2B/SS, 21.11 – Selected 42nd overall, Jebb has a traditional leadoff hitter profile with plus hit, plus approach, double plus speed, and well below average power. He slashed .337/.438/.495 with 1 homer, 14 steals, and a 11.6%/13.3% K%/BB% in 50 games in the Big Ten. The skills completely transferred to pro ball, slashing .297/.382/.398 with 1 homer, 11 steals, and a 7.2%/11.1% K%/BB% in 34 games at Single-A. He’s 6’1”, 185 pounds, so the raw power can certainly tick up from here, but it’s still a spray hitting, contact oriented approach. Even with the limited power, I like him as a later round speed target in medium to deeper leagues. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection:79/10/47/.257/.330/.391/24

84) Yandel Ricardo KCR, SS, 17.6 – The 6’2”, 185 pound Ricardo is a switch hitter with projectable size, plus athleticism, a good feel to hit, and a quick swing. Nothing is truly standout in his profile, but he does a lot of things very well and is expected to get one of the biggest bonuses in the class. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 77/20/77/.262/.331/.440/16

85) Stiven Martinez BAL, OF, 16.10 – Martinez is a very projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with a vicious righty swing that has monster power potential written all over it. He’s also an excellent athlete with speed and the ability to play CF. This is the type of plus power/speed combo that fantasy managers drool over. The hit tool and plate approach are still unrefined, so there is a lot of risk here, but the upside is considerable. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 73/23/79/.244/.317/.449/16

86) Juaron Watts-Brown TOR, RHP, 22.1 – Selected 89th overall, Watts-Brown didn’t have the best year in college (5.03 ERA in 82.1 IP) with a low 90’s fastball, but he’s an excellent athlete and he still has room on his 6’3”, 190 pound frame to level up again in pro ball. His plus slider is a true out pitch that he goes to often, and despite the low velocity on the fastball, it looks pretty electric coming out of his hand. He also throws a curve and change. He missed a ton of bats with a 33% K%, so the ERA is certainly inflated. If he can improve his control (12.8% BB%) and/or add a tick or two to the fastball, he has some real upside in the tank. As is, he might be more of a #4 type. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.08/1.33/155 in 150 IP

87) Max Anderson DET, 2B, 22.1 – Selected 45th overall, Anderson had an absolutely beastly junior year, slashing .414/.461/.771 with 21 homers, 0 steals, and a 29/20 K/BB in 57 games. He doesn’t necessarily look the part at a wide 6’0”, 215 pounds with little to no speed, and he has an aggressive plate approach, but he has legitimate all fields power with plus contact rates. I would have liked to see more power in his pro debut with only 2 homers in 32 games at Single-A, but he generally hit well with a 17.9% K%, .790 OPS, and 112 wRC+. The hit/power combo from a fast moving college bat is worth a later round pick in deeper leagues. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 67/20/74/.263/.322/.437/2

88) Gino Groover ARI, 3B, 22.0 – Selected 48th overall, Groover is a complete hitter and rock solid college bat, but the power/speed combo leaves a little something to be desired. He slashed .332/.430/.546 with 13 homers, 2 steals, and a 26/36 K/BB in 57 games in the ACC. He then stepped into pro ball and showed off those same excellent hitting skills with a 9.0%/8.0% K%/BB% in 23 games at High-A, but it came with only 1 homer and 1 steal. It was good for a below average 97 wRC+. He’s 6’2”, 212 pounds, so there is more raw power in the tank, but it’s not like there aren’t a million “not small” guys who just don’t hit for big power, so I’m not really assuming some big power jump in the future. The deeper the league, the more I would like him. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 72/18/75/.263/.332/.421/4

89) Matthew Etzel BAL, OF, 21.11 – Selected 301st overall, Etzel’s college numbers don’t jump off the screen with 7 homers, 23 steals, and a .853 OPS in 66 games in the non major Sun Belt Conference, but he has the type of skills that can produce everywhere he plays, rather than the type that will dominate levels. He hits the ball hard with above average speed, a solid feel to hit, and good CF defense. He played well in pro ball, slashing .323/.455/.510 with 2 homers, 21 steals, and a 23/21 K/BB in 30 games at mostly Single-A. He hasn’t completely tapped into his raw power yet, but he doesn’t have any major groundball issues, and at 6’2”, 211 pounds, he certainly has the size. He’s much better than his draft selection would indicate. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 74/15/65/.261/.324/.421/17

90) Carson Roccaforte KCR, OF, 22.0 – Selected 66th overall, Roccaforte has a very similar profile to Matthew Etzel. They both came from the Sun Belt Conference, and they both hit the ball hard with above average speed and a solid feel to hit. He didn’t blow the doors off in his pro debut, but he was solid, slashing .257/.377/.356 with 0 homers, 11 steals, and a 25.4%/15.6% K%/BB% in 21 games at Single-A. He hit 24 homers in 123 games over his last 2 years in college, but he struggled in the wood bat Cape Cod league in 2022 with 0 homers in 22 games, and then he again hit 0 homers with wood bats in his pro debut, so homer power is concern. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/14/61/.255/.320/.412/15

91) Jack Hurley ARI, OF, 22.0 – Selected 80th overall, the 6’0”, 185 pound Hurley’s power ticked up this year with 17 homers in just 45 games in the ACC, but the plate approach didn’t follow suit with a mediocre 40/20 K/BB. Those plate approach issues reared their ugly head in pro ball too with a 28.5%/5.7% K%/BB% in 20 games at High-A, and the power wasn’t as big either with 1 homer. The profile is fantasy friendly with a potentially above average power/speed combo (10 steals in his pro debut), but the plate approach needs to take a big step forward. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 73/17/73/.244/.317/.420/13

92) Sabin Ceballos ATL, 3B, 21.7 – Selected 94th overall, Ceballos is 6’3”, 225 pounds with plus power. He ripped 18 homers in 59 games in the Pac12, and he did it with an excellent 14.1%/13.3% K%/BB%. He’s also an excellent defense player at 3B with a big arm. He showed some hit tool risk in his pro debut with a 31.4% K% in 9 games at Single-A, and he doesn’t have speed, but he’s an excellent underrated FYPD college power bat. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 67/23/78/.250/.320/.439/2

93) Jace Bohrofen TOR, OF, 22.5 – Selected 184th overall, Bohrofen has an easy and quick lefty swing that produces plus power from his strong 6’2”, 205 pound frame. He crushed 16 homers in 60 games in the SEC, and then he crushed 6 homers in 17 games at Single-A. The hit tool is risky with a 23.6% K% in college, but it’s a good sign it didn’t get out of control in pro ball with a 23.4%/19.5% K%/BB%. He destroyed pro ball in general with a 189 wRC+. He won’t really be tested until he faces upper minors competition, but Bohrofen has a chance to be a legit impact power bat. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/23/77/.245/.322/.438/3

94) Nehomar Ochoa HOU, OF, 18.8 – Selected 344th overall, Ochoa is 6’4”, 210 pounds with big raw power, and he showed that off immediately in pro ball with 3 homers and a 29.2% GB% in 12 games in rookie ball. He also showed a good feel to hit with a 16.7% K%, and he’s very young for his class. He’s playing in the Australian Winter League right now where he’s over 7 years younger than average, and he’s not embarrassing himself with a .648 OPS in 24 games. His bat looks legit. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/24/81/.263/.321/.445/4

95) Kemp Alderman MIA, OF, 21.7 – Selected 47th overall, Alderman’s pro debut was bad enough to completely scare me away. He put up a 68 wRC+ with a 29.3%/5.3% K%/BB% in 34 games at Single-A. That is a level he should have handled easily. I really liked him before the debut, so I don’t want to completely ignore him either though. He is 6’3”, 250 pounds, but it’s not a sloppy 250, it’s an edge rushing linebacker type 250. He swings the bat like it’s a tooth pick with double plus power that led to 19 homers in 54 games in the SEC. Considering he’s relatively young for his class, his size, athleticism, and power, I can overlook some of that pro debut, but not all of it. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 51/18/63/.242/.314/.448/5

96) Sammy Stafura CIN, SS, 19.4 – Selected 43rd overall, Stafura had one of those disaster pro debuts that makes you want to stay away in first year player drafts. He put a 43.4% K%, .071 BA and 7 wRC+ in 12 games. It’s a small sample and I’m sure he’ll be better in the future, but when past high school bats put up such extreme K rates in their debuts, they usually continue to have hit tool risk to some degree going forward. He’s a toolsy SS at 6’0”, 187 pounds, but he doesn’t necessarily knock your socks off when watching him, so the extreme hit tool problems are extra worrisome. There is plus speed and the potential for average to above average power in the future, but he was supposed to also have a good feel to hit, and he clearly has a long way to go in that department. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/16/66/.241/.316/.416/19

97) Chase Jaworksy HOU, SS, 19.8 – Selected 164th overall, Jaworsky is a projectable and athletic 6’1, 170 pounds with a potentially plus power/speed combo. He showed a strong plate approach in his pro debut with a 15.8%/15.8% K%/BB% in 9 games, and he has a big lefty swing that can definitely do damage to go along with plus speed. It’s nice when you can piggyback a strong organization like Houston for a prospect like this. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/20/76/.253/.326/.440/10

98) Aidan Smith SEA, OF, 19.8 – Selected 124th overall and signed for $1.2 million, Smith is a great athlete at 6’3”, 190 pounds with plus power potential and plus run times, but his swing isn’t geared for homers right now and he also has hit tool risk. He had a strong pro debut in rookie ball with a 128 wRC+, but it mostly came on the back of a .400 BABIP and 20% BB% in 8 games. He then went to Single-A and struggled with a 60 wRC+ and 29.6%/7.4% K%/BB% in 12 games. There is a lot of refinement needed to his launch and hit tool, but you are betting on the athlete that he makes those improvements. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 67/18/71/.247/.319/.426/11

99) Brady Smith LAD, RHP, 19.2 – Selected 95th overall, Smith is almost purely a bet on the Dodgers. He’s a projectable 6’2”, 170 pounds with a low 90’s fastball and 3 secondaries that all flash well in his slider, curve and changeup. If you’re going to take a shot on a toolsy high school pitcher, why not let the Dodgers do the development for you. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 10/3.91/1.29/160 in 160 IP

100) Cole Schoenwetter CIN, RHP, 19.6 – Selected 105th overall, Schoenwetter is 6’3”, 190 pounds with an easy and repeatable delivery that he coolly fires a plus fastball/curve combo with. The fastball sits mid 90’s and the curve is a beauty with traditional curve shape. He needs a ton of refinement in basically all areas of pitching (control/command, changeup, holding his stuff deeper into starts, consistency etc …), but if it all comes together, he can become a hyped pitching prospect. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 9/3.95/1.32/158 in 155 IP

101) Paul Wilson DET, LHP, 19.4 – Selected 76th overall, the 6’3”, 197 pound Wilson has a bit of a funky lefty delivery and fires the baseball from a 3 quarters arm slot. He’s definitely tough to pick up. He uses that delivery to throw a low to mid 90’s fastball that is a bat missing weapon and a plus slider. He also mixes in a curve and change. The delivery still looks on the raw side and he needs to improve his control/command, so plenty of refinement is needed all around. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 10/3.94/1.31/168 in 160 IP

102) Barrett Kent LAA, RHP, 19.7 – Selected 234th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft and signed for an over slot $1 million, the 6’4”, 215 pound Kent leads with a mid 90’s fastball that he pairs with two potentially plus secondaries in his slider and changeup. The changeup actually might have double plus potential with nasty diving and tailing action. He dominated in his pro debut with a 0.00 ERA and 27.8%/11.1% K%/BB% in 8.2 IP at rookie and Single-A. The delivery isn’t particularly athletic, he doesn’t consistently maintain his velocity, and his secondaries need refinement, so plenty of improvement is needed all around. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 9/4.19/1.32/150 in 150 IP

103) Landen Maroudis TOR, RHP, 19.4 – Selected 121st overall and signed for $1.5 million, Maroudis’ signature pitch is a plus changeup that is already nasty, to go along with a low to mid 90’s fastball and decent slider. He’s 6’3”, 195 pounds and his athleticism is evident in that he is also a good hitter. More refinement is needed all around, but there is a reason he got such a high signing bonus. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.27/160 in 160 IP

104) Steven Echavarria OAK, RHP, 18.8 – Selected 72nd overall, Echavarria doesn’t have the pure electricity as some of the other high school starters ranked above him, but he has a really strong combination of skills. He’s 6’2”, 180 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and good control over all of his stuff. None of his secondaries standout, but he throws a slider, curve, and changeup that all have above average potential. It’s likely mid-rotation upside. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 9/4.14/1.29/150 in 160 IP

105) TJayy Watson PHI, OF, 19.2 – Selected 130th overall, Watson is a 6’3”, 225 pound power hitting beast who is already putting up big exit velocities with a powerful and controlled righty swing. And he’s not just big raw power and nothing else. He also has a mature plate approach and average speed. He had a strong pro debut with a 211 wRC+ on the back a .714 BABIP and 17.6% BB%, but he had 0 homers and a 35.3% K% in 5 games. If it all comes together, he can be a middle of the order slugger, but there is plenty of risk. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 74/23/77/.244/.328/.441/7

106) Antonio Anderson BOS, 3B, 18.9 – Selected 83rd, Anderson had a rough pro debut with a 41 wRC+ and 33.3% K% in 5 games in rookie ball, and a 26 wRC+ with a 32.1% K% in 7 games at Single-A. It’s only a small sample, and he’s on the young side for his class, but considering he was supposed to be a relatively advanced hitter, that isn’t a great sign. If advanced hitting was his only skill, I would be out, but he’s much more than that. He hits the ball hard at 6’3”, 205 pounds with a controlled lefty swing, and he’s a good athlete with average to above average run times. The poor debut means I’m not going out of my way for him, but if I’m looking for upside in the later rounds of a deeper league, I can see popping Anderson. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 62/19/69/.246/.324/.437/8

107) Jesus Made MIL, SS, 16.11 – Stop me if you heard this one before, but the switch hitting Made is a projectable and toolsy 6’1”, 165 pounds with a swing geared towards launching the ball. He has a mature plate approach and he has the potential to be a very good defensive SS. I know these international prospect blurbs can get repetitive especially as we get deep into the class, but these are the prospects that can blow up if you want upside. Embrace the mystery. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 76/24/81/.258/.334/.449/12

108) Francisco Vilorio NYY, OF, 17.5 – The 6’2” Vilorio sure looks good in the box with a big righty swing that is made for launch. He’s already hitting for power and it’s not hard to envision much more coming in the future. He also has speed and a good feel to hit. He looks the part of a damn exciting prospect, so if the production is there, he’ll blow up fast. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 76/24/81/.255/.336/.453/14

109) Daiber De Los Santos MIN, SS, 17.6 – The 6’1”, 160 pound De Los Santos is an excellent all around athlete with the potential for a plus SS glove. He has good size, power potential, speed, and feel to hit. A lot of refinement is needed and he’s not a physical beast, but the ingredients are there to be a good one down the line. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 78/20/78/.260/.325/.430/15

110) Jorge Quintana CLE, SS, 17.0 – Quintana is a projectable 6’2”, 170 pounds with a strong all around skillset. Based on his scouting report, he’s kinda the George Lombard of the international class with plus plate skills and a potentially above average power/speed combo. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 79/20/76/.265/.335/.430/14

111) Ashley Andujar COL, SS, 16.8 – Andujar is one of the youngest players in the class and is expected to sign with Colorado. The Rockies obviously play in a great ballpark, but talking about what ballpark a 16 year old might hit in 6+ year from now is a bit silly as that is the least of our concerns. What is our concern is Colorado’s lack of developmental prowess and lack of commitment to their non elite prospects, so signing with them is probably more of a negative than anything. As for Andujar, he’s a projectable and toolsy 6’1”, 160 pounds with a great feel to hit and aggression on the bases. A low K% and lots of steals in the DSL will definitely put you on the deep dynasty league map, and Andujar has the potential to put up that kind of stat line in 2024. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 73/18/76/.267/.323/.422/21

112) Roberto Arias CLE, OF, 17.6 – Arias has a vicious and controlled lefty swing that makes a ton of contact and can start to do real damage when he grows into his skinny 6’1” frame. He’s also a premium athlete with plus speed potential. If he grows into plus raw power, that swing and his athleticism will do the rest. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 79/21/77/.269/.328/.437/19

113) Tre’ Morgan TBR, 1B/OF, 21.8 – Selected 88th overall, Morgan isn’t your prototypical power hitting first baseman with only 9 homers in 69 games in the SEC, but all of his other skills/traits are good enough to crack this list. He’s young for his college class, his excellent plate approach transferred to pro ball with a 4.5%/18.2% K%/BB% in 11 games at Single-A, he has speed with 4 steals at the level, and he’s an excellent defensive 1B who can also play OF. The upside isn’t super high, but Tampa is a great organization for him to work his way into playing time a few years from now. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 58/12/42/.262/.328/.414/10

114) Zach Levenson STL, OF, 22.1 – Selected 158th overall, Levenson has done nothing but hit in his amateur career, never putting up an OPS under .938 at any of his 4 stops, and that continued right into pro ball, slashing .268/.331/.480 with 6 homers, 2 steals, and a 23%/8.6% K%/BB% in 34 games at Single-A. He hits the ball hard at 6’2”, 210 pounds and the plate approach is generally solid. Solid big league bat is probably his ceiling, but the Cardinals churn these types out all the time. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 61/17/66/.253/.324/.429/3

115) Leonardo Pineda TBR, OF, 17.0 – Pineda is only 5’11”, but he’s a strong 5’11” with a powerful swing that can hit a baseball hard. He also has speed and a good feel to hit. His prospect upside is in the mold of a Corbin Carroll, Dillon Head, and Max Clark. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 84/17/59/.273/.338/.420/22

116) Mike Boeve MIL, 2B/3B, 21.11 – Selected 54th overall, Boeve is a plus hitter who put up an eye popping 9/32 K/BB and .401 BA in 47 games in the Summit League. The power/speed combo is average at best with only 4 homers and 6 steals, and the hit tool didn’t look nearly as impressive when he got to High-A with a .250 BA and 22.6%/11.7% K%/BB% in 19 games. He’s a relatively safe, low upside college bat. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 47/10/42/.262/.330/.416/7

117) Ryan Birchard MIL, RHP, 20.9 – Selected 155th overall, Birchard is a big boy at a thick 6’0” with legit stuff. He throws a mid 90’s fastball with 2 potentially plus breaking balls in his slider and curve. He also throws a developing changeup. He dominated the MLB Draft League with a 1.00 ERA and 16/1 K/BB in 9 IP. A power reliever might be his most likely role, but he’s only 20 years old, and if he continues working on his body and refining his command, I wouldn’t rule out him remaining a starter. Milwaukee is also a great organization for him regardless of what role he ends up in. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 4/3.45/1.21/80 in 65 IP

118) Zyhir Hope LAD, OF, 19.2 – Selected 326th overall, Hope is the hit tool risk version of Dillon Head. He has a carrying tool in his double plus speed, and he had a strong pro debut, slashing .286/.491/.543 with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 30.2%/18.6% K%/BB% in 11 games at stateside rookie. Like Head, he has good raw power but hits the ball on the ground way too much to fully tap into it. Unlike Head, he has hit tool risk, but the high walk rate mitigates that a bit. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 66/13/51/.252/.326/.416/21

119) CJ Kayfus CLE, 1B, 22.5 – Selected 93rd overall, Kayfus is another 1B prospect who doesn’t have that prototypical power you want to see, but his supporting skills are good enough to crack this list. He has a good feel to hit with a strong plate approach and some speed. He slashed .348/.464/.581 with 13 homers, 8 steals, and a 44/46 K/BB in 62 games in the ACC, and then he excelled in pro ball, slashing .271/.429/.542 with 4 homers, 5 steals, and a 15.6%/19.5% K%/BB% in 17 games at Single-A. After hitting only 1 homer in the wood bat Cape Cod league in 2022, it was nice to see him pop 4 in his pro debut. He still looks like there is some room to tack on muscle, so if he takes a step forward in raw power, he could be a very interesting prospect. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 49/10/39/.254/.324/.422/8

120) Jonathon Long CHI, 1B/3B, 22.2 – Selected 226th overall, Long makes for an interesting late round target in deeper leagues. He had a big Junior year in the Big West, slashing .312/.404/600 with 15 homers and a 44/29 K/BB in 55 games, and then he proved he’s not just a product of a weaker conference, slashing .260/.380/.533 with 6 homers and a 19.6%/12.0% K%/BB% in 23 games at Single-A. He has a very quick and powerful swing that looks relatively legit to me, and he hits the ball hard. Obviously don’t expect a league winner, but I think he’s a real prospect. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 56/18/69/.245/.317/.441/1

121) Christian Knapczyk CLE, SS, 22.4 – Selected 161st overall, Knapczyk is likely a utility infielder with a plus hit/speed combo, but the skills are there to make a fantasy impact if he does end up with a full time job. He slashed .331/.455/.408 with 1 homer, 19 steals, and a 19/21 K/BB in 45 games. He has a quick lefty swing that sprays hits all over the field, but the power is very, very minimal. For a guy like this, the hit tool needs to be in the elite range to really get excited about him, but it’s a very safe profile and he should move fast through the minors. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 34/2/21/.266/.324/.355/13

122) Trevor Werner KCR, 3B, 23.6 – Selected 199th overall, Werner is old for the class as a Senior, and his college numbers weren’t that great, but his off the charts pro debut should put him on your radar. He slashed .354/.459/.699 with 8 homers, 8 steals, and a 23.0%/15.6% K%/BB% in 31 games at Single-A. He’s 6’3”, 225 pounds with big power and he’s also a good athlete. The hit tool likely stalls him against upper minors pitching, but if you’re in a deep league and want upside from someone who isn’t 17 years, Werner isn’t a bad pick. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 35/10/43/.232/.310/.416/6

123) Brian Kalmer CHC, 1B/3B, 23.7 – Selected 536th overall, Kalmer had an absolutely beastly pro debut, slashing .358/.423/.683 with 10 homers and a 20.3%/9.4% K%/BB% in 32 games at Single-A. He transferred out of the Pac12 after his sophomore season because he wasn’t getting any run, and then he went on to destroy Junior college in his junior year, and dominate for Gonzaga in his senior year. He’s 6’2”, 215 pounds with a pretty beastly righty swing that hits the ball hard. The hit tool and plate approach both still need work, and he was obviously far too old for the lower minors, but why not take a chance on a kid who was never given a shot, and then when he found his own path, has done nothing but rake. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 33/10/37/.236/.309/.421/1

124) Angel Feliz COL, 3B, 17.6 – Feliz is an athletic and projectable 6’3”, 190 pounds with plus power potential. He has solid barrel control and a good feel to hit, but he doesn’t exactly looked refined at the dish right now. He’s a ball of clay lotto ticket, but at this point in the draft, I prefer taking guys like this who could turn into truly coveted prospects, rather than low upside college bats who will likely never make a true impact. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 64/17/61/.252/.321/.436/11

125) Ben Williamson SEA, 3B, 23.5 – Selected 57th overall, Williamson was a college senior from a non major conference who had a shaky pro debut. He was known for his excellent plate approach with a 22/40 K/BB in 55 games in college, but that immediately didn’t transfer to Single-A with a 10/2 K/BB in 10 games. He hits the ball fairly hard, but he didn’t put up big homer totals in college. I’m honestly not sure how he got picked so high or why so many people seem to particularly like him. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 35/7/31/.245/.321/.410/4

126) Jalvin Arias PHI, OF, 17.6 – Arias is 6’3”, 210 pounds with easy plus power potential. The swing doesn’t necessarily look super smooth, but it’s quick and powerful. The plate approach and athleticism are both good as well. A strong showing in the DSL will have his stock quickly rising. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 72/23/76/.251/.323/.436/9

127) Andres Arias TOR, OF, 17.6 – Arias is a physical specimen at 6’4”, 180 pounds who is known for his big power potential. There isn’t any video of him I can find, so I can’t see how sweet the swing is, but he projects as a corner bat, so you know the offensive potential is legit if he’s landing a big signing bonus. He’s a shot in the dark power upside bat, and I’ll continue to be on the lookout for more video. ETA: 2029 Prime Projection: 72/25/81/.245/.325/.450/7

128) Jackson Baumeister BAL, RHP, 21.9 – Selected 63rd overall, Baumeister put up a 5.09 ERA in 69 IP in the ACC, and he also put up mediocre ERA’s his freshman year (5.60 ERA) and in the Cape (4.29 ERA). He was a draft eligible sophomore though, so this upcoming season was going to presumably be his breakout year, and he’s always missed a ton of bats. He put up a 30.9%/9.4% K%/BB% this year on the back of an above average, bat missing low to mid 90’s fastball. He combines that with a potentially above average curve and a developing slider and change. He needs to improve his command and his secondaries to take the next step. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 9/4.18/1.31/150 in 155 IP

129) Cade Kuehler ATL, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 70th overall, Kuehler has good, but not great stuff, he has below average control, he’s from a non major conference, and he hasn’t thrown that many innings. He did have an excellent season in the Big South with a 2.71 ERA and 29.4%/8.4% K%/BB% in 73 IP. His 94 MPH fastball is his best pitch and it’s a bat missing weapon. He combines that with a decent slider and curve. I see him as a #4 type, but he gets the bump for being drafted by Atlanta. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 6/4.21/1.32/123 in 130 IP

130) Isaiah Drake ATL, OF, 18.9 – Selected 162nd overall, Drake is very raw with a 64 wRC+ and a 37.7% K%/BB% in his 18 game pro debut, but his upside is worth taking a shot on this late. He has elite speed and plus raw power potential, and he is very young for his draft class, so some of that extreme rawness is mitigated. It’s a complete lotto ticket, but it’s one of those $1 billion jackpots if it hits. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 38/8/32/.231/.304/.416/19

131) Grant Taylor CHW, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 51st overall, Taylor is a Tommy John surgery discount pick, but after getting burned by Landon Sims last year, I’m hesitant to go in on Taylor as he was far from established before going down with the injury. What Chicago is so excited about him is that he looked great in the Cape with a 2.14 ERA and 30/2 K/BB in 21 IP before the injury wiped out his junior year at LSU. He’s 6’3”, 230 with a mid 90’s fastball and a potentially plus breaker as his best pitches. He has high spin rates on all of his pitches. There is reliever risk and there is injury risk, but there is certainly upside too. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 4/3.68/1.24/78 in 65 IP

132) Drue Hackenburg ATL, RHP, 22.0 – Maybe it’s because I’m both a Penn State fan and a Jets fan that I want to keep Drue, the brother of infamous QB bust Christian Hackenburg which everyone but the Jets saw coming from a mile away, off this list, but that would make him the only 2nd rounder to not make the list. Selected 59th overall and signed for $2 million, Hackenburg seems like an unlikely 2nd round pick even keeping the emotions out of play. He put up a mediocre 5.80 ERA with a 24.8%/6.5% K%/BB% in 85.1 IP in the ACC. He throws a mid 90’s fastball which induces grounders to go along with a bat missing slider and good control. He also put up a 3.30 ERA in 2022, so it’s not like he hasn’t had success in college. Based on draft slot, signing bonus, and the team that drafted him, he deserved to crack this list. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 9/4.26/1.32/145 in 155 IP

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ALL SEASON, INCLUDING:
-TOP 1,000 2024 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS (released here next Monday)
-TOP 500 2024 PROSPECTS RANKINGS (released here Thursday)
-2024 FYPD Target & Strategy Guide (exclusive)
-POSITION BY POSTION TARGET ARTICLES (exclusive)
-OBP TOP 450 DYNASTY RANKS (exclusive)
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-DYNASTY RUNDOWNS AND MONTHLY DYNASTY & PROSPECTS RANKINGS UPDATES ALL SEASON (exclusive)

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

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 start with the Top 110 FYPD Rankings, which has been on the Patreon since January 4th (there is an accompanying FYPD Target and Strategy Guide up on the Patreon as well). Without further ado, here is the 2023 Top 110 Dynasty Baseball First Year Player Draft Rankings:

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 in about 2 weeks)
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-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 in about 2 weeks)
-PREDICTING THE 2024 DYNASTY BASEBALL PROSPECTS RANKS (exclusive)
-DYNASTY RUNDOWNS AND MONTHLY DYNASTY & PROSPECTS RANKINGS UPDATES ALL SEASON (exclusive)

Tier 1

1) 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

2) 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. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 96/25/88/.283/.362/.491/14

Tier 2

3) Zach Neto LAA, SS, 22.2 – Selected 12th 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. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 87/23/81/.276/.342/.458/13

4) 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

5) 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. Go after him. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/27/86/.248/.333/.480/10

6) 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

7) 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

8) 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

Tier 3

9) 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 didn’t miss a beat in pro ball with a 15.8%/14% K%/BB% and 4 homers in 25 games at High-A, although it came with a 57% GB%. 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

10) 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

11) 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

12) 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

13) 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

14) 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

15) 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: 87/15/71/.278/.343/.438/26

16) Dalton Rushing LAD, C/1B, 22.1 – Selected 40th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Rushing gets the biggest post draft bump 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

17) 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

18) 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 with 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/.275/.340/.448/11

19) 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

20) 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

21) 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

22) 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

23) Dylan Lesko SD, LHP, 19.7 – Selected 15th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Lesko underwent Tommy John surgery in late April. 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

24) 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

Tier 4

25) 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

26) 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 4.50 ERA and 18/12 K/BB in 14 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

27) 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

28) 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: 9/3.78/1.25/170 in 150 IP

29) 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: 11/3.88/1.25/185 in 174 IP

30) 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

31) 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

32) 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 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

33) 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

34) 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

35) 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

36) 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

37) 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

38) 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

39) 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 pro 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

40) 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

41) 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

42) 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

43) 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

44) 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

45) 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

46) 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

47) 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

48) 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

49) 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

50) 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

51) 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

Tier 5

52) 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

53) 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

54) 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

55) 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

56) 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

57) 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

58) 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

59) 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

60) 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

61) 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

62) 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

63) 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

64) 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

65) 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

66) Emmanuel Bonilla TOR, OF, 16.6, 6’3”, 200 – Bonilla is already a big dude with major power, 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 a bit more last year than I do Bonilla this year. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 77/30/91/.260/.330/.500/6

67) 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

68) 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

69) 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

70) 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

71) 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 in 93.2 IP. 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

72) 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

73) 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

74) 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

75) 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

76) 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

77) 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

78) 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

79) 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

80) 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

81) 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

82) 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

83) 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

84) 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

85) 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

86) 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

87) 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

88) 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

89) 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

90) 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

Tier 6

91) 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

92) 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

93) 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

94) 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

95) 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

96) 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

97) 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

98) 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

99) 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

100) Brenner Cox WAS, OF, 18.11 – Selected 111th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Cox siined 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

101) 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

102) 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

103) 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

104) 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

105) 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

106) 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

107) 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

108) 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

109) 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

110) 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

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-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 in about 2 weeks)
-PREDICTING THE 2024 DYNASTY BASEBALL PROSPECTS RANKS (exclusive)
-DYNASTY RUNDOWNS AND MONTHLY DYNASTY & PROSPECTS RANKINGS UPDATES ALL SEASON (exclusive)

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