Imaginary Brick Wall

Posted on April 4, 2022April 5, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Spring Dynasty Baseball Rundown (4/4/22)

The regular season is right around the corner, but there are still jobs to be won and last minute fantasy drafts to prepare for. I’ll be running down the action all spring and all season long on my Patreon (free posts on my site are usually on Monday’s). Here is the Spring Dynasty Baseball Rundown (4/4/22):

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INCLUDING:
-OBP TOP 600 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-POINTS/6+ CATS “UNIVERSAL” TOP 600 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-ALL-IN-ONE SPREADSHEET WITH ALL THE RANKINGS
-POSITION BY POSITION TARGET ARTICLES
–TOP 100 2022 REDRAFT PROSPECTS RANKINGS
–PREDICTING THE 2023 TOP 50 DYNASTY BASEBALL PROSPECTS
–STRATEGY/TARGET ARTICLES FOR SHALLOW AND DEEP LEAGUES
–ANALYZING MY 18 TEAM FYPD W/ GENERAL STRATEGY THOUGHTS
-DYNASTY RUNDOWNS AND UPDATED RANKINGS ALL SEASON LONG

Spencer Torkelson DET, 3B/1B, 22.7 – The baseball gods work in mysterious ways, as they tooketh Riley Greene from us for the next 2 months with a broken foot, but they gaveth us Spencer Torkelson as it was announced he will crack the Opening Day roster. Tork celebrated by taking Aaron Nola deep off a well placed pitch on the inside corner. It was the only hit Nola gave up in 5.1 IP. This guy can rake off anybody.

Jeremy Pena HOU, SS, 24.5 – Who needs Carlos Correa when you have Jeremy motherloving Pena?!?! Pena went deep twice yesterday off Josiah Gray for his first 2 homers of the spring, and now has a 1.199 OPS with a 4/1 K/BB in 19 PA. I ranked him 250th overall in my Top 1,000 Dynasty Rankings, and while I’m not expecting him to light the world on fire in his rookie year, he can be a solid across the board contributor.

Byron Buxton MIN, OF, 28.3 – Buxton’s hot spring continued as he went 2 for 3 with 2 doubles, and now has a 1.485 OPS in 33 PA. The doubles were ripped at 114.2 MPH and 109.2 MPH. The power gains he’s made over the past few seasons are very real, so now we just gotta hold our breath for good health … or on second thought, breathing is quite important for health, so maybe we should be focusing on our breath for good health.

Julio Rodriguez SEA, OF, 21.3 – Rodriguez refuses to let Seattle send him down without making them look like cheap idiots, going 3 for 4 with this screaming liner of a dinger to right centerfield. He’s now slashing .419/.471/.839 with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 9/3 K/BB in 34 PA. Please don’t rob baseball fans of seeing this man play on the highest level.

Jarred Kelenic SEA, OF, 22.8 – Kelenic is so yesterday’s news, collecting dust in the corner while everyone plays with the new shiny toy, but he did his best to not be forgotten by ripping a homer off a lefty to deep centerfield. He’s struggled this spring with a .648 OPS, but I still think the breakout is coming this season.

Akil Baddoo DET, OF, 23.7 – Baddoo done did it again, taking a lefty deep to the opposite field. He was just getting started in 2021.

Noah Syndergaard LAA, RHP, 29.7 – On the surface it looks like Thor might have gotten his hammer back, going 5 IP with 2 hits, 1 ER, and a 7/1 K/BB against most of the Dodgers real starting lineup. It’s not as pretty looking at the underlying stats though with his stuff down about 3 MPH on all of his pitches, and his slider and curve didn’t illicit a single swing and miss. It’s nice to see he can be effective with the diminished stuff, and I’m sure it will tick up over time, but I’m hesitant to buy in.

Mitch Keller PIT, RHP, 26.0 – 3.2 IP, 8 hits, 4 ER, 5/2 K/BB. The juiced up stuff was still there with a 96.4 MPH heater, and he put up a respectable 26% whiff% and 88.2 MPH EV against, so the underlying numbers look better than the surface stats. I definitely gave Keller a bump after seeing his stuff tick up, but I’m still not exactly going out of my way to get him.

Drew Rasmussen TBR, RHP, 26.8 – Rasmussen doesn’t get the respect he deserves, but that might not last long if his final spring start is any indication, going 3.1 IP with 5 hits, 1 ER, and a 6/0 K/BB. His fastball sat 97.1 MPH and he put up a 30% whiff% overall. He’s not likely to go deep into games, so ding him a bit in QS leagues, but in wins leagues I would be all over him.

Wander Franco TBR, SS, 21.1 – 3 for 3 with 3 doubles. Nice to see him rounding into form with Opening Day around the corner.

Keibert Ruiz WAS, C, 23.8 – Ruiz did what he does best, which is get the bat on the ball, going 4 for 5 with 0 K’s, including his first spring homer. He’s not going to be a huge power threat early in his career, but a catcher that can actually help you in batting average ain’t too shabby.

Josiah Gray WAS, RHP, 24.3 – 4.2 IP, 7 hits, 5 ER, 6/1 K/BB. The K/BB numbers have been strong all spring with a 13/1 K/BB, but he’s getting hit up when guys do make contact with a 9.31 ERA in 9.2 IP. He’s going to need to improve his command to take the next step.

Sonny Gray MIN, RHP, 32.5 – Gray made his spring debut and went 4 perfect innings with 6 K’s. His velocity was down about 2 MPH on his 4 most used pitches, but at this point you have to assume he is easing himself into things, and considering the 43% whiff%, this start was certainly more of a positive than a negative.

Casey Mize DET, RHP, 24.11 – Mize wasn’t able to keep up the whiff gains he’s shown earlier this spring, going 4.1 IP with 7 hits, 3 ER, and a 1/0 K/BB. It’s only one start, but it would have been nice to see him head into the season on a high note.

Clarke Schmidt NYY, RHP, 26.1 – Schmidt went against Toronto’s vaunted real starting lineup and pitched pretty damn well again, going 4.1 IP with 2 hits, 2 ER, and a 5/1 K/BB. His sinker sat 94.3 MPH and he put up a 38% whiff% overall. He’s becoming one of the more interesting 6th starters if you are looking for pitching in deeper leagues.

Nick Lodolo CIN, LHP, 24.2 – 4 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 3/1 K/BB. Whiff machine Nick Lodolo just keeps missing bats, racking up whiffs with a 31% whiff%. He’s fighting for the last rotation spot, and I’m not sure this start really moved the needle in either direction.

Sean Murphy OAK, C, 27.6 – Murphy has been red hot this spring, and he absolutely decimated a Dinelson Lamet fastball that legitimately landed in the parking lot. He’s now slashing .520/.567/1.000 with 2 homers and a 3/4 K/BB in 30 PA. I loved him as a breakout in 2021, and while I cooled on him a bit this year after it didn’t happen, I’m still relatively high on him.

Ezequiel Duran TEX, 2B/SS, 22.10 – Watching Duran’s swing just gets me excited every time, and he used that explosive swing to jack out his 2nd spring homer. He now has a 1.345 OPS in 14 PA. If he can keep his strikeouts in check, he’s going to explode this year in the upper levels of the minors.

Alexander Canario CHC, OF, 21.11 – The 21 year old Canario already looks the part, smashing his 2nd spring homer out to left center. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say his listed weight of 165 pounds is a tad light.

MacKenzie Gore SDP, LHP, 23.1/Sean Manaea SDP, LHP, 29.2 – The Manaea trade takes Gore out of the running for the opening day roster, although it was already a long shot that he was going to make anyway. Manaea was solid in his debut, going 3.2 IP with 6 hits, 1 ER, and a 4/1 K/BB. Gore closed out the game, going 3 IP with 4 hits, 4 ER, and a 5/2 K/BB. He’s better off at Triple-A anyway as he isn’t a finished product yet.

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

Posted on March 23, 2022March 23, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Top 1,000 Rankings for 2022 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leauges

Welcome to the 4th annual Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings. I make these rankings with a 14-16 team, 5×5 AVG league in mind. My Top 500 2022 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings and Top 100 2022 First Year Player Draft Dynasty Baseball Rankings were released last week. Here are the Top 1,000 Rankings for 2022 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues:

Tier 1

1) Shohei Ohtani LAA, RHP/DH, 27.9 –Tatis has a shoulder issue and now a broken wrist too. Acuna tore up his knee. Soto and Vlad don’t steal a ton, and they sure as hell don’t pitch. Yea, Ohtani’s older than them, but we are talking about a 27 year old, not someone approaching the dreaded 3 – 0 (see Mike Trout). He’s changed the definition of “all category” and “across the board” production in fantasy baseball forever. 2022 Projection: 96/37/98/.261/.365/.541/22 – 8/3.48/1.15/150 in 125 IP

2) Juan Soto WASH, OF, 23.5 – The underlying stats were elite all season, but it took until the 2nd half for the surface stats to catch up, slashing a ridiculous .348/.525/.639 in 72 games post break. He was my top pick in all non 5×5 AVG leagues last year (Those Points/6+ Category “Universal Rankings” can be found on my Patreon), and with his OBP projected to outpace everyone by a large margin, I might actually pick him over Ohtani in those leagues this year too. 5.8 degree launch angle is really the only thing you can quibble with. 2022 Projection: 108/33/103/.318/.460/.575/10

3) Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL, OF, 24.3 – Torn ACL could keep him out for at least a month into 2022, and it will be interesting to see how much he is willing to run when he returns. In the long run, missing a month shouldn’t impact his dynasty value too much, but when we are talking about the elite of the elite, every little bit counts. He would easily slot in at #2 without the injury. 2022 Projection: 99/35/85/.282/.389/.583/19

4) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. TOR, 1B, 23.0 – Vlad raised his launch angle 4.8 degrees to 9.4 degrees and all hell broke loose as he demolished 48 homers. He maintained his near elite K% and also notched a career high 12.3% BB%. This was the breakout we were promised. 2022 Projection: 113/41/110/.298/.385/.590/3

5) Fernando Tatis Jr. SD, SS, 23.3 – Tatis is foregoing surgery on his left shoulder, which after seeing the year Bellinger just had, I don’t blame him. But he couldn’t escape his surgical destiny, as he just underwent surgery in mid March to repair his fractured left wrist which he likely suffered in a motorcycle accident. It does add a layer of risk to an otherwise almost spotless fantasy profile. I say “almost” spotless, because his whiff% jumped up 6.8 percentage points to a pretty dangerous 34.8%. 2022 Projection: 51/19/49/.277/.366/.570/10

Tier 2

6) Bo Bichette TOR, SS, 24.1 – Bichette isn’t really in the same conversation as the guys ranked ahead of him when it comes to real life hitting, but he is a fantasy machine. He hit .298 with 29 homers and 25 steals. If you want to look at it glass half full, as good as he’s been, there is still upside left in the tank if he can raise his 5.8% BB% and 7.3 degree launch angle. 2022 Projection: 105/31/92/.294/.356/.510/20

7) Trea Turner LAD, SS, 28.9 – Turner is the older and faster version of Bichette. He’s not putting up insane xwOBA’s, but he’s a fantasy owner’s best friend, coming up just 2 homers shy of a .300/30/30 season. 2022 Projection: 110/27/84/.309/.361/.512/30

8) Kyle Tucker HOU, OF, 25.2 – Speaking of elite xwOBA’s, Tucker put up a .394 xwOBA which is in the top 6% of the league. He notched career bests in K% (15.9%), whiff% (20.3%), BB% (9.3%), launch angle (17.6 degrees), and Max EV (111.1 MPH). He also chipped in 14 steals. He’s elite. 2022 Projection: 93/33/101/.285/.350/.535/16

9) Ozzie Albies ATL, 2B, 25.3 – Albies power took a step forward as he entered his mid 20’s, notching career highs in exit velocity (89.6 MPH) and launch angle (21.1 degrees), which led to his first 30 homer season. He also ran more on the bases, leading to his first 20 steal season, and considering how successful he’s been on the bases in his career (60 for 73), he should probably run even more. 2022 Projection: 100/29/93/.274/.333/.492/20

10) Luis Robert CHW, OF, 24.8 – Robert played in only 68 games, but the sheer dominance of those games shows he belongs in the land of the elite. His power exploded with 13 homers and a 91.2/96.3 MPH AVG/FB EV, and his contact rates improved dramatically with a 28.2% whiff% and 20.6% K% (41.5% and 32.2% in 2020). He did slow down with a 28 ft/s sprint speed (29.1 in 2020), but some of that is likely due to the torn hip flexor that kept him out. He is also still a very aggressive hitter with a 4.7% BB%, so while it might cap his upside in OBP leagues, all of the ingredients are there for him to have a legitimate shot at finishing as the #1 overall player in 5×5 leagues. 2022 Projection: 91/28/93/.278/.332/.508/18

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

12) Jose Ramirez CLE, 3B, 29.6 – Ramirez has an elite plate approach (13.7%/11.3% K%/BB%) with power (90 MPH EV with a 18.3 degree launch), and speed (28.2 ft/s sprint speed). The sports crime of being almost 30 is the only thing keeping Ramirez outside of the top 10, but in a redraft league (or if you are in all in mode), he has a real argument to be in the 1st overall mix. 2022 Projection: 105/34/94/.277/.368/.531/24

13) Bryce Harper PHI, OF, 29.5 – Harper is also in the almost 30 club, but he just put up the best xwOBA in all of baseball with a .427 mark. He hasn’t really shown any signs of slowing down on the bases. There should be at least a few more years of elite production. 2022 Projection: 103/36/96/.281/.399/.578/14

Shadow13) Shohei Ohtani LAA, DH only/Weekly Leagues, 27.9 –Ohtani is so ridiculous that he is still an elite player even after taking away 9 wins and 156 K’s in 130.1 IP. This is where I would take him as a hitter only or in a weekly lineup league. 2022 Projection: 96/37/98/.261/.365/.541/22

14) Corbin Burnes MIL, RHP, 27.5 – Not only did Burnes not regress a single iota from his 2020 breakout, but he took it up another level with a league leading 30.4% K-BB%. The only other qualified pitchers even close to that mark were Scherzer and Cole. His BB% dropped 4.8 percentage points to 5.2%. He put up a 2.01 xERA which was bested only by deGrom’s 1.55 mark among starters, and deGrom is 33 years old coming off an elbow injury. Burnes is in a class of his own in dynasty. 2022 Projection: 15/2.71/0.98/267 in 195 IP

15) Rafael Devers BOS, 3B, 25.5 – Devers matured at the plate in 2021 with a career best 9.3% BB%, and he also brought his K% back down to 21.5% after jumping to 27% in 2020. He always hit the living crap out of the ball, and putting it all together led to a career best .389 xwOBA with 38 homers in 156 games. 2022 Projection: 95/37/106/.284/.358/.546/6

16) Mike Trout LAA, OF, 30.8 – The injury gods struck Trout down again as a significant tear in his calf limited him to just 22 games. He was elite as ever in those 22 games with a .421 xwOBA, although I think it is worth pointing out his whiff% bloated all the way up to 27.5% (19.5% in 2020) and his launch angle tanked to 12.9 degrees (23.1 in 2020). Considering the small sample, I don’t think it means that much, but it’s worth noting. Along with entering his nursing home years, a lower body injury can’t help the odds he will get back to stealing bases, but all indications are that he will be elite everywhere else assuming he can stay healthy. 2022 Projection: 103/40/101/.293/.405/.620/8

17) Mookie Betts LAD, OF, 29.5 – I originally ranked Betts 14th overall on my Top 100 Sneak Peek of the Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings, but I’ve grown more concerned that his hip injury could be the catalyst for him to stop running as much in the 2nd act of his career. A bone spur in his right hip led to a down season in 122 games where his sprint speed tanked to 27.1 ft/s and he stole only 3 bases in 5 attempts in his final 58 games. I’m more confident in his bat being just fine, because even in a down year he was still damn good with 23 homers and a 131 wRC+ in 122 games. None of his underlying hitting numbers really dropped off from career norms at all. The fear that he will stop running as much even if he does regain his speed, like we see with Trout and Altuve, has him dropping a bit for me. 2022 Projection: 111/30/80/.288/.369/.519/13

18) Yordan Alvarez HOU, OF, 24.9 – The knees look A-OK as Yordan got back to raking after missing almost all of 2020. His 93.2 MPH EV was 8th best in the league and his .386 xwOBA is elite. He also had a 180 wRC+ in 16 playoff games. His sprint speed did drop to 26.2 ft/s (27 ft/s in 2019), so maybe the knees become an issue when he gets older, but it looks like clear sailing for the next several years. 2022 Projection: 94/35/108/.281/.363/.548/1

Tier 3

19) Manny Machado SD, 3B, 29.9 – Machado’s underlying power numbers exploded this year, shattering career highs in exit velocity (93.1 MPH), Max EV (119.6 MPH) and HardHit% (52.2%). The gains didn’t really show up in his surface stats with 28 homers and a .836 OPS, but at the very least it is reminder of how elite Machado can be. He’s been a bit inconsistent in his career, going back and forth between great years and solid years since 2017, so if the trend holds, he is in for one hell of a 2022. 2022 Projection: 94/34/103/.283/.354/.522/10

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

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

22) Cedric Mullins BAL, OF, 27.6 – Welcome to the 30/30 club, Cedric Mullins. He became only the 43rd player to go 30/30, and only the 9th lefty ever. Speaking of being a lefty, Mullins made the ultimate adjustment this season and dropped his righthanded swing. It worked liked gangbusters as he had by far his best season vs. righties (.452 OPS vs. righties in 2018/.243 in 2019/.502 in 202/.788 in 2021). Now the question is, can he do it again? He did outperform his underlying numbers a bit with a .372 wOBA vs. a .343 xwOBA. His 92.4 MPH FB/LD exit velocity also doesn’t leave much room for error. I think the more reasonable expectation for 2022 is a 20/20 type year rather than 30/30. 2022 Projection: 88/25/68/.277/.340/.460/25

23) Francisco Lindor NYM, SS, 28.4 – Baseball players are human beings. When you’ve spent your entire career, from the time you were 17 years old, with one organization, it is going to take time to adjust to a new city, new fans, new teammates, coaches, expectations etc … And that goes doubly when that new city is New York. And even if you don’t buy into all that mumbo jumbo, his underlying numbers in 2021 were almost exactly in line with career norms. He just got a bit unlucky this year. One thing slightly outside of his career norms was that he swung and missed at a career worst rate (23.2% whiff%), but he offset that with a career best 11.1% BB%. Lindor is an easy buy this off-season. 2022 Projection: 93/29/85/.267/.344/.482/17

24) Tim Anderson CHW, SS, 28.9 – Don’t worry about Anderson’s lack of plate approach, he’s been barely walking and putting up strong numbers since 2014. It does look like he may trade some speed for more power as he enters his late 20’s as he put up a career best 89.6 MPH EV and career worst 28 ft/sec sprint speed. 2022 Projection: 92/22/75/.293/.328/.470/17

25) Jacob deGrom NYM, RHP, 33.9 – You almost have to do a double take when looking at deGrom’s season numbers. 1.08 ERA? 0.55 WHIP? 45.1%/3.4% K%/BB%? Give me a second to pick my jaw up off the ground. Of course, in this flawed universe we live in, there always has to be a yang to the yin. He put up those numbers in only 92 IP because of a partial tear in the UCL of his elbow. He’s a full go for 2022 and and is was announced he will be the Mets opening day starter, but it certainly adds a healthy dose of injury risk. 2022 Projection: 13/2.48/0.93/258 in 175 IP

26) Gerrit Cole NYY, RHP, 31.7 – Cole become the face of the spider tack scandal, and it was warranted as his numbers definitely took a hit, putting up a 2.68 ERA pre break and a 4.14 ERA post break. His spin rates did a recover a bit by the end of the season, but not to pre crackdown levels. There is good news for 2022 though, as it was recently announced that the Arizona Fall League has been experimenting with a pre tacked ball, which seems like a good sign MLB will implement them at some point in the future. Either way, I’m betting on the spider tack guys getting their mojo back in 2022. 2022 Projection: 15/3.10/1.03/261 in 195 IP

27) Trevor Story BOS, SS, 29.4 – Story had a slow start to the season but he was back to raking by the end of it, slashing .269/.358/.552 with 12 homers, 3 steals, and a 52/22 K/BB in his final 55 games. Nothing in his underlying numbers are setting off alarm bells, but the big question is how much he should be downgraded leaving Coors. It seems that Coors juices up batting average first and foremost, so I wouldn’t expect a huge drop in homers and steals, but the hits and BA are coming down. His down 2021 might have inadvertently shown us who he will be over the next few seasons. 2022 Projection: 82/28/91/.250/.333/.483/18

28) Pete Alonso NYM, 1B, 27.4 – Alonso quietly took a huge step forward with his contact ability, notching career bests in K% (19.9% vs. 25.5% in 2020) and whiff% (24.9% vs. 30.4% in 2020). He also had a career best 91 MPH EV. And while it led to an excellent season (37 homers and a 133 wRC+ in 152 games), there is now potential for him to put up some truly historic seasons as he enters his peak years. I would buy high on Alonso. 2022 Projection: 94/45/112/.268/.357/.561/2

29) Matt Olson ATL, 1B, 28.0 – Olson made tremendous improvement to his K%, brining it all the way down to 16.8% (31.4% in 2020), and he basically maintained it for the entire season. Hard not to think that won’t regress at least a little in 2022, but power and patience is what you are really buying here anyway. Truly keeping up that hit tool improvement will be the cherry on top. He gets a ballpark improvement too going from Oakland to Atlanta. 2022 Projection: 93/38/106/.262/.363/.541/2

30) Brandon Woodruff MIL, RHP, 29.2 – Burnes may have overshadowed the year Woodruff just had, because he was dominant with a pitching line of 2.56/0.97/211/43 in 179.1 IP. It was the most innings he’s thrown in his career, and he did seem a tire as the season went on as his sinker velocity slowly declined about 1 MPH from start to finish. He had a 2.06 ERA pre break and a 3.41 ERA post break. It does make me wonder, with all these pitchers having huge jumps in innings pitched after the shortened 2020 season, if there will be some type of hangover effect in 2022. 2022 Projection: 14/3.33/1.06/218 in 185 IP

31) Walker Buehler LAD, RHP, 27.8 – Buehler had a spectacular season with a pitching line of 2.47/0.97/212/52 in 207 IP, but there were some red flags. He lost 1.5 MPH on his fastball with a career worst 95.3 MPH mark and he also put up a career worst 26% K%. I’m not downgrading him much because of it, but it is something in the back of my mind. 2022 Projection: 15/3.39/1.02/202 in 190 IP

Tier 4

32) Byron Buxton MIN, OF, 28.3 – With a talent like this, give me all the injury risk. Buxton had a career best 92.5 MPH exit velocity with a max EV that was in the top 4% of the league (115.6 MPH). His 30 ft/s sprint speed is in the top 1% of the league. He hit 19 homers with 9 steals and a 1.005 OPS in 61 games this year. He can legitimately finish as the top fantasy player in baseball, and while the injury risk is very real, I think people are discounting him far too much for it. 2022 Projection: 89/28/81/.271/.326/.518/19

33) Tyler O’Neill STL, OF, 26.9 – Who needs a good plate approach anyway? O’Neill is just a power/speed glutton, smashing 34 homers with a 93 MPH EV, and stealing 15 bags with a 29.7 ft/s sprint speed. There is tons of risk with a 31.3%/7.1% K%/BB% and 34.7% whiff%, but you can’t rule out improvement there with only 892 MLB AB under his belt. The BA is certainly coming down, but the power/speed combo is elite, and I’m willing to take on the risk for that upside 2022 Projection: 85/32/86/.263/.337/.510/13

34) Jarred Kelenic SEA, OF, 22.8 – After a disastrous start to his MLB debut (.360 OPS after his first 30 games), Kelenic slowly got better as the season went along and finished strong in September, slashing .248/.331/.524 with 7 homers, 3 steals, and a 29/12 K/BB in 29 games. He doesn’t have major swing and miss issues with a 26.9% whiff%, and while he struggled against breaking and offspeed pitches, he got much better vs. them as the season progressed. Kelenic was a buy low for me the second he started struggling in the majors, and while his strong finish probably raised the price, there is a still a buying opportunity here. 2022 Projection:76/24/79/.252/.326/.449/10 Prime Projection: 89/28/93/.268/.343/.481/14

35) Freddy Peralta MIL, RHP, 25.10 – A minor shoulder strain and subsequent drop off in production in August and September is the only blemish on an otherwise outstanding season. Even after the shoulder strain his stuff was still excellent and his K/BB numbers were still great, so I wouldn’t be worried. Peralta throws 4 legitimately plus pitches (fastball, slider, curve, change) which led to a 33.6% K% and 2.81 ERA in 144.1 IP. His control wasn’t bad (9.7% BB%), and I wouldn’t be surprised if he keeps improving in that area. Peralta has league winning upside. 2022 Projection: 11/3.22/1.09/235 in 170 IP

36) Freddie Freeman LAD, 1B, 32.6 – Freeman ain’t young but his level of dominance year in and year out deserves at least this ranking. His .411 xwOBA ranked 7th in the league and he has been at the top of those leaderboards since Statcast came on the scene in 2015. 2022 Projection: 103/32/106/.303/.395/.522/6

37) Julio Urias LAD, LHP, 25.8 – I’ve been beating the don’t forget about Urias drum for a few years now and have consistently been the high man on him. It keeps paying off. Urias went next level breakout in 2021 with a pitching line of 2.96/1.02/195/38 in 185.2 IP. He has plus control (5.1% BB%-Top 6% of the league) of a 3 pitch mix that consistently induces weak contact (86 MPH EV against-Top 6% of the league). 2022 Projection: 14/3.42/1.09/193 in 180 IP

38) Trevor Rogers MIA, LHP, 24.5 – Rogers added 0.9 MPH to the fastball (94.5 MPH) and improved his control, leading to the pitch becoming one of the 10 most valuable 4 seamers in the game. The changeup placed 24th best. The slider wasn’t as good, but it was a good enough 3rd pitch with a 40.8% whiff% to put Rogers into elite territory. He’s an ace 2022 Projection: 10/3.31/1.18/196 in 165 IP

39) Aaron Judge NYY, OF, 29.11 – Judge once against led all of baseball with a 95.8 MPH exit velocity. It’s only a matter of staying healthy for Judge as he played in 148 games this season and ripped 39 homers with 148 wRC+. 2022 Projection: 93/40/97/.268/.364/.550/5

40) Teoscar Hernandez TOR, OF, 29.6 – Hernandez drastically improved his K% from 30.4% in 2020 to 24.9% in 2021, and he continued to mash the ball en route to another beastly season, slashing .296/.346/.524 with 32 homers and 12 steals in 143 games. The improved contact numbers give faith he will continue to get to all of his power and speed. 2022 Projection: 88/34/104/.267/.330/.515/11

41) Marcus Semien TEX, SS/2B 31.6 – Saying Semien “bounced back” from a down 2020 would be an understatement. He went insane in 2021 with 45 homer and 15 steals. He notched a career high 89.7 MPH EV, 109.5 MPH Max EV, and 20.3 degree launch angle. The underlying numbers do provide some caution as his .368 wOBA was much better than his .329 xwOBA, but Semien is a fantasy stud. Going from Toronto to Texas is a ballpark and lineup downgrade, but he’s put up big numbers in Oakland too which is also a pitcher’s park, so I wouldn’t downgrade him too much based on the move. 2022 Projection: 92/30/86/.252/.330/.491/13

42) Shane Bieber CLE, RHP, 26.10 – Bieber returned from a strained shoulder at the end of the year and made two 3 inning starts where his velocity was down. It is very possible he was just taking it easy, so I don’t want to panic, but it would have been nice to see his velocity return. In the 96.2 innings he did pitch, he wasn’t able to maintain anything close to his insane 2020, but he was still putting up elite numbers with a 3.17 ERA and 33.1% K%. I would wait until we see him back to 100% during Spring Training before clearing out the farm for him. He is a hold. 2022 Projection: 12/3.35/1.10/226 in 170 IP

43) Lucas Giolito CHW, RHP, 27.9 – Giolito had a rough April with a 5.68 ERA but he pitched like his normal dominant self after that. His K% did drop to a 3 year low to 28% (33.7% in 2020), but his BB% dropped with it to 7.1% (9.7% in 2020). 2022 Projection: 13/3.56/1.13/221 in 183 IP

44) Aaron Nola PHI, RHP, 28.10 – Nola finished with an unsightly 4.63 ERA, but everything in his underlying numbers say he’s the same ace he’s always been. He had a sparkling 223/39 K/BB in 180.2 IP and his xERA was 3.39 (3.37 xFIP). I doubt anyone will be willing to sell low on him, but if you can even get a small discount it is worth pouncing on. 2022 Projection: 14/3.46/1.15/225 in 190 IP

45) Austin Riley ATL, 3B, 25.0 – Seeds of a breakout were already starting to show in 2020 beneath his mediocre surface stats, and that breakout blossomed hardcore in 2021, slashing .303/.367/.531 with 33 homers and a 25.4%/7.9% K%/BB%. He keeps improving his hit tool with a career best 28.3% whiff% and he made major strides against offspeed pitches with a .369 xwOBA against them (.223 in 2020). He’s not a real .300 hitter, but there is real juice in his bat. 2022 Projection: 85/31/98/.275/.340/.511/0

46) Eloy Jimenez CHW, OF, 25.5 – A torn pectoral tendon limited Eloy to 55 games, and he was pretty mediocre in those games with a .740 OPS and 101 wRC+, but none of his underlying numbers were too far off from career norms to cause major concern. There is still room for improvement with his launch angle (8.4 degrees) and BB% (6.9%), but he’s going to mash even if those numbers don’t get significantly better. 2022 Projection: 84/32/103/.267/.327/.510/0

47) Xander Bogaerts BOS, SS, 29.6 – After a dominant first half (.930 OPS pre break), Bogaerts fell off hard in the 2nd half (.761 OPS post break). He ended up having his usual rock steady season with a 130 wRC+. 2022 Projection: 96/26/87/.292/.366/.498/8

48) Ketel Marte ARI, 2B/OF, 28.6 – Playing in only 90 games due to two hamstring injuries (one to each hamstring) has camouflaged how good of a season Marte had. He’s never hit the ball harder with an excellent 91.1/95.1 MPH AVG/FB EV, and it led to a near elite .370 xwOBA. The hamstring injuries slowed him down, putting up a career worst 26.7 ft/sec sprint speed, but that should bounce back with full health. This year proved that Marte is closer to being the guy who had a great 2019, rather than the player who had a down 2020. You can go after him with confidence this off-season. 2022 Projection: 93/24/90/.298/.359/.507/7

49) Corey Seager TEX, SS, 27.11 – A fractured hand after getting hit by a pitch limited Seager to 95 games. He couldn’t fully maintain his 2020 power breakout, but he still showed the power improvements were real with a career high 115.3 Max EV and a 49.3% HardHit% which was the 2nd best mark of his career (55.9% in 2020). The overall offensive numbers were just as dominant as 2020 with a 147 wRC+ (150 wRC+ in 2020). His ascent as an elite hitter in 2020 was not a mirage. 2022 Projection: 91/26/92/.301/.380/.518/1

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

51) Carlos Correa MIN, SS, 27.6 – Correa is an excellent real life hitter but leaves a little something to be desired for fantasy. Maybe he comes into more power as he enters his late 20’s, going from a mid 20 homer guy to mid 30 homer guy, because his days of stealing 10+ bags are long over (he’s stole 6 bags total since 2017). His 116.4 Max EV was in the top 3% of the league, so the juice is definitely in there. 2022 Projection: 94/25/87/.281/.358/.502/2

52) Adalberto Mondesi KC, SS/3B, 26.8 – Two oblique injuries and a hamstring injury limited Mondesi to just 35 games, but he once again showed his tantalizing, league winning upside in those games with 6 homers and 15 steals. His power broke out with a 92.3 MPH exit velocity and 16.1 degree launch angle. Kansas City has announced they are planning on resting him often in 2022, aiming for 120-140 games, but that would have still put him on about a 22 homer and 55 steal pace over 130 games. He’s worth the risk. 2022 Projection: 76/20/74/.253/.296/.455/43

53) Sandy Alcantara MIA, RHP, 26.7 – Alcantara already possessed one of the best sinkers in the game, but he took it up a notch this year, adding 1.4 MPH to the pitch (97.6 MPH) and finished with the 3rd most valuable sinker on the year. He improved both his control and swing and miss ability (22.7%/8.7% K%/BB% in 2020 vs. 24%/6% in 2021). You also shouldn’t underestimate innings pitched, as he threw 205.2 IP this year and 197.1 IP in 2019. He might not have elite bat missing ability, but he keeps the ball on the ground (4.5 degree launch angle) and with his filthy stuff there can definitely be further improvement coming. 2022 Projection: 12/3.39/1.14/193 in 195 IP

Tier 5

54) Nick Castellanos PHI, OF, 30.1 – Great American Ballpark is an insanely great ballpark for homers, and Castellanos immediately started ripping dingers when he got there with 14 homers in 60 games in 2020 and 34 homers in 138 games in 2021. His underlying numbers have been near elite for 6 years now, he just needed the right ballpark to unleash the beast. Philly’s ballpark is not quite as good, but it’s still the 7th best ballpark for righty homers, so this is a great landing spot. 2022 Projection: 88/31/94/.279/.339/.509/2

55) George Springer TOR, OF, 32.6 – Missed most the first half with an oblique and quad injury, playing in only 20 games with a .726 OPS pre-break. He exploded post break, slashing .286/.366/.599 with 17 homers, 3 steals, and a 56/25 K/BB in 58 games. He posted a career best 15.4% barrel% and 116.4 Max EV. His sprint speed was as fast ever, showing there weren’t any lingering effects from the injuries. 2022 Projection: 103/37/88/.263/.350/.545/6

56) Starling Marte NYM, OF, 33.6 – It’s hard for dynasty owners to buy into a player going into his mid 30’s, and that goes doubly for speed first players, but the year Marte just had is going to put that age aversion to the test. He tied his career high with 47 steals and put up a career best by far 8.2% BB%. He has slowed down a bit these past few seasons, but a 28.4 ft/s sprint speed is still plenty fast. If you have the cojones to do it, now could be the ideal time to sell, but I own him in a 12 teamer at $35 and I don’t think I have the nerve to do it. I’m rolling with him for 2022. 2022 Projection: 87/15/71/.286/.360/.450/33

57) Zack Wheeler PHI, RHP, 31.10 – Wheeler had a career year with a pitching line of 2.78/1.01/247/46 in 213.1 IP. His 29.1% K% was higher than his 26.5% whiff%, so I would expect some regression in that area, but both marks were easily career bests, so there was definitely real improvement. He led the league in exit velocity against at 84.6 MPH. Shoulder soreness and the flu has him a bit behind schedule, but he is supposedly past that and should be good to go for 2022, albeit on a strict pitch count early in the season. 2022 Projection: 13/3.21/1.09/214 in 195 IP

58) Robbie Ray SEA, LHP, 30.6 – Ray is the epitome of pitching development being especially non linear. It took him 12 professional seasons to improve his control, but he finally did it, and it was glorious. He notched a career best 6.7% BB% and it catapulted him into elite status with a 2.84 ERA and 248 strikeouts in 193.1 IP. He did lose a bit of that improved control in September with 14 walks in 34 IP, so I would expect some regression, but there is no reason to think he didn’t make real improvement that should carry over into the future. 2022 Projection: 14/3.51/1.18/231 in 180 IP

59) Jorge Polanco MIN, SS, 28.9 – Polanco’s power exploded with career highs in homers (33), exit velocity (89.4 MPH), barrel% (10.1%), launch angle (19.3 degrees), and hardhit% (37.4%). He still made excellent contact (19.7% whiff%) and maintained his speed (28 ft/s sprint speed). The power will likely regress a bit, but even if it does, you are looking at a near elite all category contributor. 2022 Projection: 90/26/83/.272/.329/.480/10

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

61) Jazz Chisholm MIA, SS, 24.2 – Excellent power/speed numbers put Chisholm on a path to be elite even with just a moderate amount of improvement to his plate approach. He smashed 18 homers in 124 games with strong exit velocity numbers to back that up (90.2/94.7 MPH AVG/FB EV). He stole 23 bags with the speed to back it up (29.1 ft/sec sprint speed). 28.6%/6.7% K%/BB% is where the risk lies, but neither of those numbers are truly in the danger zone, and there is no reason to think he won’t be able to improve on those as he gains experience. If you own him, hold on for dear life, and if you don’t, go after him. 2022 Projection: 81/22/69/.253/.318/.448/26

62) Jonathan India CIN, 3B, 25.3 – I stayed high on India even after almost everyone else jumped off the bandwagon, ranking him 75th overall on my off-season prospects rankings. My prime projection for him was 81/22/74/.268/.349/.454/12. His actual season line was 98/21/69/.269/.376/.459/12. Not fucking bad if I don’t say so myself, even though I realize I didn’t expect him to reach that level in his rookie year. Needless to say, India is exactly who I thought he was. He has an advanced plate approach with above average pop and speed. His 87.6 MPH exit velocity is below average, but his 93.1 MPH FB/LD exit velocity was much better. 2022 Projection: 89/24/86/.263/.358/.470/11

63) Cody Bellinger LAD, OF/1B, 26.9 – I’m blaming the off-season shoulder surgery. It’s gotta be. I know pitchers started exploiting him up in the zone more too, but there is no other reasonable explanation for how insanely he fell off. There is no guarantee his shoulder ever truly goes back to what it was, and he was inconsistent even before the injury, so I’m not buying back in at elite level prices, but I’m certainly willing to take him on at a buy low price. 2022 Projection: 86/28/89/.251/.338/.494/10

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

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

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

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

68) Javier Baez DET, SS, 29.4 – If you looked up “grip it and rip it” in the dictionary you would see Baez’ face. He had a 33.6%/5.1% K%/BB%, but it didn’t stop him from slapping 31 homers with 18 steals in 138 games. His 116.7 MPH Max EV was in the top 2% of the league, and his plate approach numbers were much better in the 2nd half. Take a star away in an OBP league, and his batting average floor is low too. 2022 Projection: 82/30/89/.252/.305/.482/14

69) Dylan Cease CHW, RHP, 26.3 – The breakout we were promised fully materialized with Cease putting up career bests in BB% (9.6%) and K% (31.9%). His fastball averaged 96.7 MPH and his 3 secondaries were utterly dominant (Slider-.214 xwOBA with a 50.1% whiff%/Curve-.186 and 40.5%/Change-.193 and 47.7%). He was even better in the 2nd half than the first half, and put up a career high 165.2 IP. I would buy in with confidence. 2022 Projection: 14/3.52/1.21/238 in 178 IP

70) Logan Webb SFG, LHP, 25.5 – Webb changed his pitch mix in 2021 and it could not have worked out better. He threw his sinker more than ever and it led to a career best negative 0.5 degree launch angle. His slider also took a step forward into near elite territory with a 47.1% whiff%, while his changeup remained a plus pitch. His control improved too with a career best 6% BB%. More groundballs, more strikeouts, and less walks. There is literally nothing else you can ask for. 2022 Projection: 13/3.55/1.18/189 in 177 IP

71) Alex Bregman HOU, 3B, 28.0 – Bregman underwent wrist surgery on Nov. 8th. The wrist issue can maybe explain the down power season, but his power was down in 2020 as well and he was never a huge exit velocity guy to begin with. He also completely stopped running over the past two seasons, with his sprint speed dropping to a career low 25.6 ft/sec which was almost surely due to a quad injury that kept him out for two months. On the plus side, his plate approach is elite (13.3%/11% K%/BB%), and he gets the ball in the air (15.9 degree launch angle). It’s hard to expect the stolen bases to come back, but a power resurgence is at least still in the cards. 2022 Projection: 92/26/89/.277/.370/.482/5

72) Max Scherzer NYM, RHP, 37.8 – Scherzer proved his down 2020 was just a bad year, and not the start of decline by being as elite as he ever was in 2021. He had a 2.46 ERA with a 34.1%/5.2% K%/BB%. His days of throwing 220 IP might be over, but he’s the type of elite outlier who I wouldn’t want to bet against pitching well even into his 40’s. 2022 Projection: 15/3.28/1.00/230 in 180 IP

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

74) Shane Baz TBR, RHP, 22.10 – Baz’ control took two huge steps forward, going from well below average to near elite with a 1.7% BB% at Double-A, 6.2% at Triple-A, and 6.1% in the majors. He sacrificed nothing to do it, throwing an elite 97 MPH fastball that put up 30.4% whiff%. He combines that with two plus breaking balls in his slider (40.7% whiff%) and curve (50% whiff%), while his changeup lags behind. He underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow and won’t resume throwing until sometime in April. It’s just a reminder of how risky pitching prospects are in general. 2022 Projection: 9/3.78/1.20/148 in 130 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.35/1.07/220 in 187 IP

75) Whit Merrifield KC, 2B/OF, 33.2 – Merrifield is not letting age slow him down as he stole 40 bases in 44 attempts and he played in all 162 games. It’s the 3rd year in a row he has played in every game. Relying on aging speed guys is dicey, but it doesn’t look like the drop off is imminent. 2022 Projection: 93/14/71/.280/.324/.429/30

76) Jesse Winker SEA, OF, 28.7 – An intercoastal strain essentially ended Winker’s season in mid August after 110 games. He was elite in those 110 games though with 24 homers, a 15.5%/10.9% K%/BB% and a .388 xwOBA (Top 7% of the league). It proves his 2020 breakout was 100% real. The move to Seattle is a major ballpark downgrade, and his numbers will surely take a hit, but I think he is good enough to excel in any ballpark. Don’t panic sell. 2022 Projection: 88/25/84/.270/.363/.488/1

77) Christian Yelich MIL, OF, 30.4 – Lingering back issues tanked Yelich’s season relative to his career norms, but he still actually performed pretty well overall. He had an above average .334 xwOBA and he was slightly faster than he was in 2020. He seemed to revert to a more contact oriented approach which he had earlier in his career, bringing his whiff% down to 24.9% (33.6% in 2020 and 28.2% in 2019). I’m no back doctor, so I can’t tell you if his back will get better, worse, or stay the same, but he definitely still has the potential to be a league winner if he figures out a better treatment plan in 2022. I wouldn’t mind grabbing some discounted Yelich shares at all. 2022 Projection: 91/24/83/.275/.381/.487/13

78) Franmil Reyes CLE, OF, 26.9 – Reyes has the nickname “Franimal” for a reason. He is a beast at the plate at 6’5”, 265 pounds, and he’s jacked 92 homers in just 411 career games. He put up a career best 16.9% barrel% this year and cracked 30 homers in 115 games (he missed over a month with an oblique injury). His K% did hit a career worst 32%, but his whiff% actually dropped 4.8 percentage points, so I wouldn’t be too concerned with that. As an added bonus, he was 4 for 5 on the bases after not attempting a single steal in his career before this year. 2022 Projection: 76/35/89/.258/.330/.510/2

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

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

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

82) Kris Bryant COL, 3B, 30.3 – Bryant’s career reminds me of Evan Longoria’s. They both have great careers, but it still seems like they have been a little disappointing after coming on so strong earlier in their career. Bryant raised his exit velocity up to a 5 year high 88.2 MPH, but that is still only about average, leading to a solid 25 homers in 144 games. He did chip in with 10 steals, and he is pretty fast with a 27.9 ft/sec sprint speed, so if he can keep that up, that will go a long way to make up for the slightly disappointing power output. 2022 Projection: 92/28/86/.283/.366/.501/8

83) Jose Berrios TOR, RHP, 27.10 – Berrios notched a career best 26.1% K% and 5.8% BB%, which led to a beautiful pitching line of 3.52/1.06/204/45. The underlying stats aren’t buying in quite as much with a 4.12 xERA and a below average 23.7% whiff%. His improved control does look real though as he maintained it the entire season. so I think he did level up, or maybe he half a leveled up. 2022 Projection: 13/3.72/1.18/200 in 190 IP

84) Salvador Perez KC, C, 31.11 – Perez broke the all time record for home runs by a catcher with 48. He became only the 5th catcher in history to hit more than 40. He notched career highs in Barrel%, EV, Max EV and Hardhit%. His K% did hit a career worst 25.6%, but even bringing that up seems silly. Buying into an almost 32 year old catcher coming off a career season seems destined to fail, although his 2020 season was elite too with a .401 xwOBA. He’s also the only catcher to get full time at-bats. I’m getting suckered in, ha. 2022 Projection: 78/36/96/.265/.308/.503/1

85) Joe Musgrove SD, RHP, 29.4 – Musgrove proved his small sample 2020 breakout was for real, putting up a pitching line of 3.18/1.08/203/54 in 181.1 IP, although he did give back some of his strikeout gains (27.1% K% in 2021 vs. 33.1% K% in 2020). His slider and curve are his two best pitches and he went to them a combined 51.5% of the time. 2022 Projection: 13/3.65/1.15/211 in 185 IP

86) Carlos Rodon SFG, LHP, 29.4 – Rodon’s monster breakout season was marred down the stretch when he experienced shoulder fatigue and arm soreness, leading to a sharp velocity decline. He did ramp his velocity back up in his one playoff start with a 95.8 MPH fastball, but he didn’t pitch very well regardless. It feels like a complete crapshoot on whether Rodon will be able to maintain anything close to the true ace level production he put up over 132.2 IP (34.6%/6.7% K%/BB% with a 2.37 ERA), and the injury risk is in the danger zone. It is a very good sign that San Francisco was willing to bet so much money on him though (2 year for $44 million), and that gives me more confidence to not sell low. 2022 Projection: 9/3.42/1.16/183 in 150 IP

87) Blake Snell SD, LHP, 29.4 – It took Snell until August to find his groove, but it was a sight to behold when he did with a 1.83 ERA and 65/14 K/BB in 44.1 IP. A left adductor strain (groin), ended his season in mid September, but that shouldn’t be a concern moving forward. He got lit up with a 5.44 ERA in 84.1 IP before that because he completely lost his control 55 walks. Robbie Ray is a good reminder to never give up on strikeout machines with control problems. 2022 Projection: 11/3.58/1.26/204 in 160 IP

88) Michael Kopech CHW, RHP, 25.11 – Kopech has the premium stuff to become a top of the rotation arm. His fastball is elite, averaging 97.3 MPH with a 31.7% whiff%, and he pairs that with a plus slider. He didn’t throw his curveball or changeup very much, but they were effective when he did go to them. Most importantly, he didn’t show any major control issues with a 8.4% BB%. I would go after him everywhere while the price is semi reasonable. 2022 Projection: 8/3.84/1.27/172 in 145 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.45/1.20/231 in 185 IP

89) Andrew Vaughn CHW, 1B, 24.0 – The surface stats didn’t pop with a .705 OPS in his MLB debut, but the underlying numbers looked much better with an above average .330 xwOBA, 91.1 MPH EV and a 21.5%/8.7% K%/BB%. It points to a power hitter who should hit for a good average too. He’s still in a scrum for playing time in Chicago, but I have to think Vaughn has first dibs on playing time if he’s hitting well. 2022 Projection: 79/25/83/.263/.333/.469/2 Prime Projection: 91/29/96/.274/.352/.501/3

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

91) Kevin Gausman TOR, RHP, 31.3 – Gausman fell apart a bit on the 2nd half, putting up a pitching line of 4.42/1.37/94/20 in 77.1 IP post break. Some of that could be contributed to the spider tack ban, but considering the strong K/BB numbers, and the fact MLB could pivot to a pre tacked ball in the future, the poor 2nd half wouldn’t scare me off too much for 2022. And while his spin rates did drop significantly after the ban, he figured something out towards the end of the season because they bounced back to almost, but not quite, pre ban levels. What does scare me off a little is the ballpark and division downgrade going from San Francisco to Toronto. I’m not going completely off him, but he would have ranked about 15 spots higher if he stayed with San Francisco. 2022 Projection: 14/3.62/1.16/200 in 185 IP

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

93) Kyle Schwarber PHI, OF, 29.1 – Schwarber’s down 2020 proved to be an aberration as he had a career year in 2021. He notched career highs in barrel% (17.5%), Hardhit% (52.5%), xwOBA (.398), and OPS (.928). That puts him in rarified air. A hamstring injury limited him to 113 games, but he was just as good when he came back as before he went down with the injury. He’s always hit for power, but he’s been really tearing the cover off the ball since 2019, so it’s well within the realm of possibility he can keep this up. 2022 Projection: 88/37/92/.257/.350/.532/2

94) Tyler Mahle CIN, RHP, 27.6 – Great American Ball Park kicked Mahle’s ass. He put up a 5.63 ERA at home and 2.30 ERA on the road. Cincy was actively setting up their rotation so Mahle wouldn’t have to start at home towards the end of the season. Even with his home park problems, I still love Mahle as he throws 3 plus pitches (fastball, slider, splitter), with strong strikeout numbers (27.7% K%) and weak contact numbers (87.8 MPH EV against). 2022 Projection: 11/3.70/1.20/205 in 175 IP

95) Dansby Swanson ATL, SS, 28.1 – Swanson will give you average to above average production across the board with little discrepancy between his surface stats and underlying stats. It’s kinda remarkable how consistently rock solid he is everywhere you look. 2022 Projection: 81/25/83/.259/.329/.450/10

96) Giancarlo Stanton NYY, OF, 32.5 – Like Judge, it is about health with Stanton as there isn’t a single year of his career that he didn’t rake. He actually hit the ball harder than ever in 2021 with the tied for 2nd best exit velocity in the league (95.1 MPH). He did put up a career worst24.7 ft/sec sprint speed, so he does seem to be declining athletically. 2022 Projection: 80/37/95/.264/.353/.525/1

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

98) Nolan Arenado STL, 3B, 31.0 – Arenado kept up his power production outside of Coors with 34 homers, although it is less than the about 40 he was hitting year in and year out. Most of the damage came to his batting average which dropped to .255 (career .288 BA). 2022 Projection: 84/32/93/.260/.324/.485/2

99) Trent Grisham SD, OF, 25.5 – Grisham couldn’t maintain his 2020 power breakout with his HardHit% dropping 5 percentage points to 36.8%, his Max EV dropping 2.5 MPH to 109.4 MPH and his launch angle dropping 1.2 degrees to 12.3 degrees. He’s still showing a plus plate approach with plus speed, so if the power ticks back up as he enters his man muscle years, he can be an above average all category contributor. I’m buying low if I can. 2022 Projection: 84/22/81/.257/.354/.445/15

100) Luis Castillo CIN, RHP, 29.4 – Castillo had a rough first half with a pitching line of 4.65/1.41/96/45 in 102.2 IP, but he bounced back somewhat after the break (3.18/1.31/96/30 in 85 IP). The biggest culprit for the down-ish year was his best pitch, the changeup, which put up a career low 32.6% whiff% (40.1% whiff% in 2020). It was still an excellent pitch with a .243 xwOBA, so I wouldn’t be too worried, but the K% on that pitch didn’t really jump up that much in the 2nd half either. Someone with Castillo’s level of stuff is always in play for a next level breakout, but as of now he seems to be settling in as more of a strong number 2 than a true ace. He has also been shutdown with shoulder soreness and will likely not be ready for opening day. 2022 Projection: 10/3.80/1.23/172 in 160 IP

101) Jack Flaherty STL, RHP, 26.6 – Here is what I wrote about Flaherty when I originally released these rankings on Patreon, before Flaherty was shut down with a small tear in his shoulder, “I’m starting to grow a bit concerned with Flaherty. He put up a 5.07 xERA in 2020 and a 4.83 xERA in 2021. He missed time with an oblique strain earlier in the year and then with a shoulder strain later in the year, and his velocity was down a bit when he returned from those injuries. I guess you can look at this as a buying opportunity, but I would be hesitant to buy at name value price right now. If you can get a discount, then by all means.” He will now start the season on the IL with an indeterminate timetable, although the team is staying optimistic. 2022 Projection: 8/3.90/1.20/150 in 140 IP

102) Zac Gallen ARI, RHP, 26.8 – Gallen suffered a hairline stress fracture in March and then had a Tommy John scare when he sprained his UCL in May. He managed to pitch relatively well in spite of these injuries with a 3.89 xERA (4.30 ERA) and a 26.6%/9.4% K%/BB%, but his whiff% did plummet to 23.3% (30.2% in 2020). He now has been dealing with shoulder bursitis that has him behind schedule and could require a short IL stint the start the year. While the hope that he would ascend into ace status has dissipated a bit, he should be able to settle into that 2nd tier if he can get healthy. 2022 Projection: 8/3.79/1.26/161 in 145 IP

103) Ian Anderson ATL, RHP, 23.11 – Shoulder inflammation limited Anderson to 128.1 IP. He wasn’t able to maintain his excellent 2020 strikeout numbers (29.7 K% in 2020 vs. 23.2% in 2021), but his 28.5% whiff% was much better (28.9% in 2020), and his seconadaries were still getting plenty of whiffs. He kept the ball on the ground with a 6.4 degree launch angle. It all led to a solid season with a pitching line of 3.58/1.23/124/53. I still all in on Anderson. His best years are ahead of him. 2022 Projection: 11/3.48/1.19/175 in 160 IP

104) Pablo Lopez MIA, RHP, 26.1 – A shoulder injury limited Lopez to 102.2 IP, and he has had a history of shoulder problems going back to 2018-19, but he made it back for the last day of the season and his velocity was actually up on all of his pitches. He has plus control (6.2% BB%) of a plus 4-seamer/changeup combo. He also uses a cutter, sinker, and curve. He notched a career high 27.5% whiff%, but his 25.7% whiff% dropped half a percent, so I wouldn’t bank on him being able to maintain that. Without the shoulder problems, Lopez would rank at least 30 spots higher. 2022 Projection: 9/3.59/1.16/156 in 150 IP

105) Alek Manoah TOR, RHP, 24.3 – Manoah’s 4 seamer put up the 2nd best whiff% among starters with at least 100 PA against with a 32.5% mark. Darvish led the way at 34.3%. He combines that with a plus slider, a groundball inducing sinker and a lesser used changeup. It was good for a pitching line of 3.22/1.05/127/40 in his 111.2 IP MLB debut. Improving his changeup can take him to the next level, but he’s damn good as is. 2022 Projection: 10/3.72/1.22/175 in 155 IP

106) Will Smith LAD, C, 27.0 – Smith went ballistic post all star break, smashing 15 homers with a .936 OPS in 56 games. He was good pre break too (.800 OPS in 74 games). He has an advanced plate approach (20.2%/11/6% K%/BB%) with an above average exit velocity (90.1 MPH) and a high launch angle (19.4 degrees). The NL DH should keep his bat in the lineup more often. 2022 Projection: 80/28/86/.267/.370/.500/2

107) Bryan Reynolds PIT, OF, 27.2 – Reynolds not only bounced back from a down 2020 (.632 OPS), but he took his game up a notch with a career best 13.4 degree launch angle, 18.4% K%, and 11.6% BB%. It led to an elite slash line of .302/.390/.522 with 24 homers and 5 steals. He’s basically a discounted Ketel Marte with a tad less contact ability and hard hit ability, but with more walks. 2022 Projection: 88/22/81/.287/.370/.473/4

108) Tyler Glasnow TB, RHP, 28.0 – Glasnow underwent Tommy John surgery in August and will likely be out until 2023. He’s a true ace with an upper 90’s fastball and one of the best curveballs in baseball, putting up a ridiculous 0.80 xwOBA. He added a slider to his arsenal this year and it immediately put up a 46.6% whiff%. It all led to a career high 37% whiff%. He’s worth the wait. 2022 Projection: OUT 2023 Projection: 11/3.37/1.14/200 in 150 IP

109) Dustin May LAD, RHP, 24.7 – May underwent Tommy John surgery in May (what are the odds? … I guess the odds are 1 in 12). That puts him on pace to return at some point in the 2nd half of 2022 assuming there are no setbacks, but as we saw with Luis Severino and Noah Syndergaard, you can’t assume there will be no setbacks. I would consider any 2022 production from him as gravy, but I wouldn’t plan for it. Regardless, he was in the process of ascending to ace-hood before getting injured with a 2.74 ERA and a 38.0%/5.4% K%/BB% in 23 IP. He reduced his sinker usage and upped his 4-seam and curveball usage to successfully unlock more strikeouts from his filthy stuff (98.3 MPH fastball). 2021 Projection: 2/3.41/1.11/30in 25 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.22/1.04/230 in 190 IP

110) Paul Goldschmidt STL, 1B, 34.7 – Goldy somehow managed to unlock more power at the ripe old age of 33/34, notching career bests in exit velocity (92.6 MPH) and launch angle (17.1 degrees). He did this while maintaining strong contact rates (20% K%) and running as much as he has since 2017, going a perfect 12 for 12 on the bases. He did most of his damage in the 2nd half (1.020 post break vs. .767 pre-break), but the underlying numbers were elite all season. He’s posted an elite .395 xwOBA for the past two seasons. 2022 Projection: 94/30/92/.285/.363/.502/7

111) Lance Lynn CHW, RHP, 34.11 – Lynn doesn’t have the name value but he keeps churning out ace numbers for the last 3 years now. He wasn’t as good post break (3.66 ERA) as he was prebreak (1.99 ERA), so I don’t think he can repeat his 2.69 ERA (2.62 xERA), but the guy is a stud. 2022 Projection: 14/3.42/1.12/210 in 190 IP

Tier 6

112) Max Muncy LAD, 1B/2B, 31.7 – It was revealed that Muncy has a torn UCL in his left elbow which he suffered after a collision at 1B on the last day of the season. He’s not expected to undergo Tommy John surgery, and he seems on pace for opening day, but is is still an added risk. In 2021, he brought his K% down 3.9 percentage points to an excellent 20.3%, but by the 2nd half he was striking out at his normal pace, so not sure if any of the gains are sustainable. Not only did he hit the ball more often, but he also hit it harder than ever with a career best 91.2 MPH EV, and those gains he did maintain all season. At the end of the day his season numbers were identical to his career numbers, so it looks like all roads lead back to a low average, high OBP slugger. 2022 Projection: 87/31/83/.253/.375/.513/2

113) Rhys Hoskins PHI, 1B, 29.0 – Hoskins underwent abdominal surgery which ended his season in late August, but he should be fully healthy for 2022. He has quietly leveled up these past two seasons, notching a career best 91.2 MPH exit velocity and 17% barrel% this year. It was good for a .376 xwOBA which was in the top 10% of the league. He’s made an attempt to be a more aggressive hitter, and while his BB% dropped to a career low 10.6%, you can see the gains in those quality of contact numbers. If he can stay healthy in 2022, he’s setting up to have a beastly season. I’d go after him. 2022 Projection: 86/33/95/.252/.348/.518/3

114) Yoan Moncada CHW, 3B, 26.10 – Moncada experienced a power outage in 2021 with only 14 homers in 144 games, and looking back at his career, it actually isn’t all that out of character. In his career he’s averaging 19.5 homers over a 150 game pace. He’s also almost completely stopped running with only 3 steals in 5 attempts. He did improve his plate approach with a career best 25.5% K% and 13.6% BB%, leading to a 122 wRC+, so he had a good year in real life. The raw power is certainly in there to level up as he reaches his late 20’s with a 113.8 Max EV (top 9% of the league), and he did hit 9 homers in 66 games post break, but as of now he doesn’t look like a big time homer hitter. 2022 Projection: 81/23/77/.260/.352/.456/8

115) Jose Altuve HOU, 2B, 31.11 – Altuve’s power bounced back after hitting only five homers in 48 games in 2020 by raising his launch angle 6.4 degrees to a career high 15.7 degrees. It led to 31 dingers in 146 games even though his exit velocity remained below average. He also improved his plate approach with a career high 9.7% BB% and stopped the downward trend of his K%, notching a 3 year best 13.4% K%. His days of running are long gone, but he should provide strong production in every other category. 2022 Projection: 96/25/75/.273/.344/.472/5

116) Luis Garcia HOU, RHP, 25.4 – Garcia fires a 5 pitch mix, and all 4 of his secondaries were above average to plus pitches (cutter, slider, change, curve) with legitimately high whiff rates. That is quite impressive. His 93.3 MPH fastball gets hit up a bit and he throws that pitch the most (44.7% of the time). It all led to a great year with a pitching line of 3.30/1.18/167/50 in 155.1 IP. He tired in September and during the playoffs after throwing the most innings in his career by far, so I think there is only upside from here as he builds up his stamina. I’m a huge Garcia fan. 2022 Projection: 13/3.65/1.20/197 in 175 IP

117) Luis Severino NYY, RHP, 28.1 – Severino only made it back for 4 appearances out of the pen, but he looked damn good in those appearances with 0 ER and a 8/1 K/BB in 6 IP. His fastball sat 95.4 MPH and he put up a 34.1% whiff%. There is still injury risk, but that risk could leave the door open to acquire him at a reasonable price this off-season. 2022 Projection: 10/3.71/1.19/161 in 152 IP

118) Logan Gilbert SEA, RHP, 24.11 – Gilbert thrives on elite command (5.6% BB%) of his plus 95.2 MPH fastball. He went to it 61.5% of the time and it was the 4th most valuable 4 seamer in the game after just 119.1 IP. The secondaries aren’t nearly as effective. His slider was one of the least valuable sliders in baseball, ranking 511th overall with a negative 10 run value, and he didn’t go to his curve or changeup very often. It balances out to a mid rotation starter with above average strikeout rates and a low WHIP. 2022 Projection: 10/3.93/1.19/185 in 170 IP

119) Chris Sale BOS, LHP, 33.0 – Sale returned in mid August from Tommy John surgery and looked about, I would say, like 80% of himself. He had a pitching line of 3.16/1.34/52/12 in 42.2 IP. He had a 4 year low 28.4% K% and a 10 year low 6.6% BB%. His changeup was particularly ineffective with a .667 slugging against and a 23.8% whiff% (33% whiff% in 2019). His fastball sat 93.6 MPH, which is on the low side, but not out of character for his career, and it averaged 95.1 MPH against Houston in his 5.1 playoff start against them. He’s now dealing with a stress fracture in his rib cage which will shut him down for weeks. He doesn’t have a timetable to return. 2022 Projection: 8/3.54/1.18/170 in 140 IP

120) Tommy Edman STL, 2B/OF, 26.11 – After going only 2 for 6 on the bases in 2020, Edman exploded in 2021 with 30 steals in 35 attempts. He also brough his K% down to a career best 13.7%. He’s a Whit Merrifield doppelganger. 2022 Projection: 87/13/61/.274/.320/.409/26

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

122) Ke’Bryan Hayes PIT, 3B, 25.2 – A wrist injury in early April that kept Hayes’ out for 2 months sabotaged his season before it could even really get going. He battled wrist soreness all season and it led to a down year with only 6 homers and a 88 wRC+ in 96 games. He was absolutely smoking the ball in Spring Training before the injury. Even with the injury he still showed strong contact rates (20.4% whiff%) and speed (9 steals), so if he can get back to crushing the ball after getting fully healthy this off-season, he is in for a big 2022. I would buy low if you can. 2022 Projection: 84/20/75/.276/.335/.452/13

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

124) Dylan Carlson STL, OF, 23.5 – Carlson is the anti Tyler O’Neill, putting together a yawner of a year, but sometimes boring can be good. He put up a 113 wRC+ in his rookie year which is quite good, he showed a mature plate approach with a 24.6%/9.2% K%/BB%, and he showed the ability to lift the ball with a 15.1 degree launch angle. He also popped off in his final 16 games with 5 homers and a 1.157 OPS to show what could be in store for the future. Carlson is a major buy this off-season. 2022 Projection: 89/23/79/.273/.350/.468/5

125) Ramon Laureano OAK, OF, 27.9 – Laureano was suspended 80 games for PED’s in early August, which means he is going to miss the first 27 games of 2022. He underwent core surgery in the off-season but he should be healthy by the time he is eligible to play. He has an above average power/speed combo and has been a consistently above average hitter with xwOBA’s ranging from .343 to .333 over his 4 year career. 2022 Projection: 75/21/70/.252/.328/.450/13

126) Yu Darvish SD, RHP, 35.5 – Darvish fell apart post spider tack ban with a 6.72 ERA and 76/20 K/BB in 64.1 IP. His spin rates didn’t really decline, so maybe it had less to do with spider tack, and more to do with the hip and back injury he battled through this season. The K/BB numbers were also still good over that time and some of it was bad luck, so I wouldn’t go full panic mode. I’m expecting a bounceback, but at 35 years old I think you also need to have some caution. 2022 Projection: 12/3.69/1.10/210 in 175 IP

127) Frankie Montas OAK, RHP, 29.0 – Montas bounced back from a down 2020 (5.60 ERA) with a pitching line of 3.37/1.18/207/57 in 187 IP. He was particularly great post break with a 2.17 ERA. His splitter is the money pitch which led the league among starters with a 51.4% whiff%. 2022 Projection: 3.81/1.21/191 in 175 IP

128) Max Fried ATL, LHP, 28.2 – Fried doesn’t have big strikeout numbers with about slightly above league average K rates, but he has plus command of a 5 pitch mix that induces weak contact (86.5 MPH EV against), and all 5 pitches are positive value pitches. 2022 Projection: 13/3.53/1.19/168 in 170 IP

129) Clayton Kershaw LAD, LHP, 34.0 – A flexor tendon issue in his elbow limited Kershaw to 121.2 IP. He got a PRP injection in October and should be healthy for 2022. When on the mound, he was an ace as usual and he actually put up a career best 34.6% whiff% because he threw his slider more than ever with a 47.6% usage. Age and injury risk are the only things keeping his ranking down. 2022 Projection: 12/3.33/1.06/181 in 165 IP

130) Mike Clevinger SD, RHP, 31.3 – Clevinger underwent Tommy John surgery in November 2020 and should be a full go for spring training. When healthy, he throws a 5 pitch mix with mid 90’s heat and a plus slider as his best secondary. His whiff rates have flirted in elite range since 2017. 2022 Projection: 10/3.59/1.21/160 in 150 IP

131) Willy Adames MIL, SS, 26.7 – Adames went from one of the least homer friendly ballparks for righties in the majors to one of the most homer friendly parks for righties and immediately caught fire, putting up a .625 OPS in 41 games with Tampa and a .886 OPS in 99 games with Milwaukee. He notched a career high in exit velocity, launch angle, BB%, barrel% and hardhit%. His .285 BA with Milwaukee is certainly coming down because of the swing and miss in his game (32.6% whiff%), but the homers should keep coming. 2022 Projection: 86/26/84/.258/.335/.477/6

132) Akil Baddoo DET, OF, 23.7 – Baddoo made Minnesota regret giving up on the talented outfielder by exposing him to the Rule 5 Draft. In hindsight, Baddoo’s success on the MLB level isn’t all that surprising considering the things he did well in the minors is what he did well in the majors. He’s put up high walk rates with plus speed his entire career, and that continued in the majors with a 9.8% BB% (.330 OBP) and 28.9 ft/sec sprint speed (18 for 22 on the bases). He kept his strikeouts in check with a 26.5% K%. His ultimate upside will depend on how much power he can add, as his 86 MPH EV was in the bottom 6% of the league, but considering how young he is, a power breakout is far from out of the question. 2022 Projection: 78/17/72/.251/.331/.428/20

133) Josh Hader MIL, Closer, 28.0 – I didn’t think it would be possible, but Hader somehow got even better at missing bats, raising his whiff% 6.7 percentage points to a career high 45.2%. His slider put up a silly 57.3% whiff%. He’s in a class of his own. 2022 Projection: 3/2.51/0.90/108/35 in 65 IP

134) J.T. Realmuto PHI, C, 31.1 – Realmuto notched a career high 13 stolen bases in 2021, and it’s a good thing he started running more because nothing else in his profile stands out anymore. He hit .263 with 17 homers, 64 runs and 73 RBI. Banking on stolen bases to be the separator on an aging catcher doesn’t seem like a great bet to me. There could be a couple more years sitting atop the catcher rankings (he finished 2nd this year according the Razzball Player Rater), but I wouldn’t hesitate to trade him if someone comes after him hard. 2022 Projection: 69/21/77/.265/.339/.457/10

135) Jo Adell LAA, OF, 23.0 – Do you want the good news, or the bad news first? …. The good news is that Adell significantly improved his K%, bringing it all the way down to 22.9% from 41.7% in 2020. The bad news is that his exit velocity fell off a cliff with it, tanking to a well below average 86.2 MPH (90.6 MPH in 2020). The huge raw power is obviously still in there, and his 29.9 ft/s sprint speed is in the top 2% of the league, so showing that he has the ability to make reasonable contact on the MLB level is a major step forward. Now he just has to put it all together. 2022 Projection: 68/22/77/.236/.302/.444/11 Prime Projection: 78/27/91/.249/.316/.476/15

136) Lance McCullers Jr. HOU, RHP, 28.6 – McCullers started throwing a slider this year and it immediately become a plus pitch with a .236 xwOBA. That gives him three plus, swing and miss secondaries (slider, curve, change), to go along with a his groundball inducing 93.9 MPH sinker. His 3.39 xERA was the best of his career and he threw a career high 162.1 IP. On the downside, a forearm strain ended his season during the playoffs, and he reportedly got PRP and stem cell treatments this off-season. He’s behind schedule and hasn’t even started throwing yet. It’s pretty concerning. 2022 Projection: 8/3.62/1.23/156 in 140 IP

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

138) Tanner Houck BOS, RHP, 25.9 – Houck thrived in relatively short outings, putting up a 3.52 ERA with a 30.5%/7.4% K%/BB% in 69 IP. He averaged 3.8 IP per outing and never went more than 5.1 IP. His fastball exploded to 94.5 MPH and his slider was truly elite with a .194 xwOBA. He might not rack up innings, but he’s proven his fastball/slider combo can do real damage in the majors. 2022 Projection: 10/3.75/1.25/166 in 145 IP

139) Ryan McMahon COL, 2B/3B, 27.4 – McMahon had a solid season with 23 homers and a .779 OPS, but he sneakily has a chance for a monster breakout next year that I don’t think is being baked into his price. He brought his K% down 9.5 percentage points to 24.7% and raised his launch angle 5.5 degrees to 14.3 degrees. He did all this while maintaining his excellent 90.5 MPH exit velocity and 9.9% BB%. His 23 homers don’t do him justice for the type of power season he is now capable of, to go along with a very strong plate approach. McMahon is a great buy this off-season. 2022 Projection: 85/26/92/.262/.344/.473/5

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

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

142) Ryan Mountcastle BAL, OF/1B, 25.1 –Mountcastle’s power exploded with 33 homers on the back of significant exit velocity and launch angle gains. His 114.6 MPH max EV was in the top 7% of the league. His plate approach still needs work (27.5%/7% K%/BB%), but he’s always been a good natural hitter throughout his pro career even if he is not very patient. 2022 Projection: 79/28/85/.264/.311/.482/3

143) J.D. Martinez BOS, OF, 34.7 – Martinez put up a 1.175 OPS in April, but he came back down to earth the rest of the season and had a .787 OPS post break. Overall, it was still a major bounce back from his down 2020. His 92.1 MPH EV was the 2nd best mark of his career, and his .374 xwOBA is near elite. He does seem to have entered a decline phase, but even in his decline I think he can be a very, very good hitter. 2022 Projection: 88/30/95/.280/.342/.508/1

144) Matt Chapman TOR, 3B, 28.11 – Chapman seems like one of the easiest bounce back calls in baseball for 2022. One of those picks that will look obvious in hindsight. He underwent surgery to repair a hip labrum that brought his rehab right up to the start of the 2021 season. Even with the down year he still jacked 27 homers, put up a career best 12.9% BB%, and had an above average .320 xwOBA. With a normal off-season and being further removed from that serious surgery there is almost no doubt he will perform much closer to his career numbers. 2022 Projection: 92/31/88/.240/.335/.500/2

145) Gleyber Torres NYY, SS, 25.4 – It was a down year for Gleyber with a 94 wRC+, but he hit much better in the 2nd half, slashing .289/.338/.456 with 6 homers, 8 steals and a 20.3%/7.1% K%/BB% in his final 53 games. He notched a career best 26.3% whiff% and ran much more than he ever has with 14 steals in 127 games. He’s had a bit of an up and down career over 4 seasons from a surface stat perspective, but his xwOBA has actually been remarkably consistent (.335/.337/.332/.330). Gleyber is starting to hit those man muscle years and the power should only tick up from here. I love him as a trade target this off-season. 2022 Projection: 86/24/88/.269/.341/.461/10

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

147) Brendan Rodgers COL, 2B, 25.8 – I started writing this blurb with every intention to get really hyped for Rodgers in 2022, and talk about never giving up on top prospects, but the more I dove in, the more caution I found myself having. He didn’t attempt a single steal and had a below average 26.8 ft/sec sprint speed. A lot of that was likely due to a hamstring injury that kept him out until late May, but he’s been banged up a lot in his career so not sure that is a great excuse. His .309 xwOBA was much worse than his .341 wOBA. His 6.3 degree launch angle is low, and his slightly above average exit velocity isn’t quite good enough to make up for it. His 4.6% BB% was in the bottom 3% of the league. On the plus side he has above average contact and strike out rates (20.2% K%). Coors Field can mask a lot of weaknesses, and Rodgers has the raw power for a power breakout, so don’t get me wrong, I still like him a lot, but there is a lot of work left to be done. 2022 Projection: 75/22/81/.279/.323/.457/2

148) Sonny Gray MIN, RHP, 32.5 – A rib cage strain limited Gray to 135.1 IP, and while there were some small performance declines (K% down 3.6 percentage points to 27% and velocity down 0.7 MPH to 92.3 MPH), there really isn’t anything setting off alarm bells. He had a 3.24 xERA (4.19 ERA) and was in the top 9% of the league at inducing weak contact (32.1% Hardhit%). 2022 Projection: 11/3.77/1.20/187 in 168 IP

149) Alex Kirilloff MIN, 1B/OF, 24.4 – Surgery on his right wrist ended his season in July. When healthy, Kirilloff showed the ability to crush the ball (91/96.2 MPH AVG/FB EV) and make consistent contact (26.9% whiff%). It was good for a near all star level .366 xwOBA. I would be pretty shocked if this guy didn’t become a damn good MLB hitter, and if he does a better job of lifting the ball (7 degree launch angle), he can be a star. 2022 Projection: 74/23/87/.273/.328/.473/3 Prime Projection: 87/27/98/.284/.342/.506/4

150) Jose Abreu CHW, 1B, 35.2 – Abreu notched a career best 9.3% BB%, which helps counteract his whiff% creeping up these past two seasons (30.1% in 2020 and 27.7% in 2021). He’s still crushing the ball with 30 homers and a 92 MPH exit velocity in 152 games. 2022 Projection: 84/31/109/.268/.347/.500/1

151) Jake Cronenworth SD, SS/2B/1B, 28.2 – Cronenworth is in the Ketel Marte/Bryan Reynolds bucket of players, but he hits the ball the weakest out of the 3. His 88.6 MPH EV is about average. He’s a line drive hitter (12.5 degree launch angle) with plus contact rates (14% K%) and speed (28.5 f/s sprint speed), but he only attempted 7 steals in 152 games last year. Batting average and multi-position eligibility is what you are paying up for here. 2022 Projection: 89/20/75/.277/.349/.450/6

152) Eduardo Rodriguez DET, LHP, 29.0 – Rodriguez has been a major buy for me for months now because his underlying numbers (3.50 xERA) were much better than his surface stats (4.74 ERA), and now he is an even bigger target of mine with him getting a huge ballpark upgrade. He misses bats (27.4% K%), throws the ball over the plate (7% BB%) and induces weak contact (86.5 MPH EV against). That is literally everything you can ask for of a pitcher. 2022 Projection: 12/3.73/1.26/200 in 180 IP

153) Joey Gallo NYY, OF, 28.4 – Gallo made gains to his K% with Texas with a career best 32.2% K%, but it spiked back up to 38.6% after his trade to the Yankees. He had a .160 BA in his last 58 games of the season. He is the ultimate three true outcome slugger. 2022 Projection: 87/39/85/.203/.337/.490/5

154) Alex Verdugo BOS, OF, 25.11 – Verdugo hit only 13 homers in 146 games, partly because Fenway Park puts a damper on homers from left handed hitters. His underlying numbers probably puts him in the high teens, low 20’s, but he’s not leaving Fenway anytime soon. He hits the ball very hard (90 MPH EV) with plus contact rates (15.9% K%) and a high groundball rate (49.7% GB%). He’s going to have to lift the ball more to get to his plus raw power, especially at Fenway. 2022 Projection: 85/16/73/.282/.345/.445/7

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

156) Sean Manaea OAK, LHP, 29.2 – Manaea upped the velocity on all of his pitches (up 1.7 MPH to 92.1 MPH on his fastball), and it led to a strikeout breakout with 194 K’s in 179.1 IP. His control remained excellent with a 5.4% BB%. He won’t come super cheap, but the price shouldn’t be too extreme either, making him a nice mid level target if you don’t want to pay up majorly for the top tier of pitchers. 2022 Projection: 12/3.88/1.20/180 in 175 IP

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

158) Lourdes Gurriel Jr. TOR, OF, 28.7 – For the 2nd year in a row, Gurriel had a poor start to the season that had many giving up on him, but once again he turned it on in the 2nd half with a .889 OPS post break. He doesn’t walk very much (5.9% BB%), which might contribute to the streakiness, but he significantly improved his plate approach in the 2nd half with a 9.8% BB% in his final 66 games. He hits the ball hard and has above average strikeout numbers, so if those BB% gains hold, he could take the next step. 2022 Projection: 78/26/89/.272/.328/.469/2

159) Mitch Haniger SEA, OF, 31.3 – Haniger ripped 39 dingers in 157 games, and while that is likely a career year, the power is definitely legit. He was a more aggressive hitter in 2021 with a career high 46.6% Swing%, and it helped keep his K% down (24.5% K%) even though his whiff% hit a career worst 29.8%. The downside to swinging more is that his BB% drop 2.8 percentage points to 7.8%, so he takes a small hit in OBP leagues. 2022 Projection: 88/33/91/.256/.320/.480/3

160) Jorge Soler MIA, OF, 30.1 – Soler’s underlying numbers were strong all year, but he didn’t breakout until getting to Atlanta, putting up a .882 OPS in 55 games with Atlanta after disappointing with a .658 OPS in 94 games with KC. He had a career best 23.6% K% and 29.2% whiff% while still absolutely smoking the ball with a 117.9 Max EV that was in the top 1% of the league. He’s horrible on defense, which is the one thing that could impact his playing time. 2022 Projection: 81/34/88/.252/.339/.484/0

161) Ty France SEA, 1B/2B, 27.9 – France injured his wrist in late April and it led to a terrible May (.510 OPS), but he was very good in every other month. He slashed .321/.393/.480 with 10 homers and a 46/20 K/BB in 71 games post break. He’s hit over power with an excellent 16.3% K% and a league average 88.5 MPH EV, and he is one of the slowest players in the league, so his game isn’t exactly tailored for fantasy, but he’s a damn good real life hitter. 2022 Projection: 86/21/82/.285/.351/.460/0

Tier 7

162) Jesus Sanchez MIA, OF, 24.6 – Sanchez closed the year out by absolutely smashing baseballs, drilling 10 homers in his final 29 MLB games. It brought his season wRC+ up to a quite good 116 in 64 games. 31.1% K% is high because he struggled with breaking balls, but his 29.2% whiff% overall and his 18.3% K% throughout his minor league career shows the high K% shouldn’t scare you off. 90.2/95.3 MPH AVG/FB exit velocity means this guy should keep mashing. 2022 Projection: 68/25/82/.258/.321/.461/4

163) Josh Jung TEX, 3B, 24.2 – A stress fracture in his foot delayed the start of Jung’s season, but he came back angry, demolishing the upper levels of the minors. He slashed .326/.398/.592 with 19 homers and a 22.2%/9.1% K%/BB% in 78 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. Both of his home ballparks juice up homers, but he was even more dominant on the road. He has at least plus power and he should be able to hit for a pretty good average too. He underwent shoulder surgery in late February is expected to be out until at least mid August. 2022 Projection: 7/2/9/.255/.328/.461/0 Prime Projection: 86/29/90/.272/.344/.496/3

164) George Valera CLE, OF, 21.5 – Valera’s lefty swing is so sweet it could give a guy diabetes, and he used it to abuse High-A pitchers with 19 homers and a .910 OPS in 86 games. He also put up an excellent 22.1%/20.9% K%/BB% that led to a .405 OBP. He met his match at Double-A with a 30% K%, but he still walked at a good clip (11% BB%) and ended up with an above average 104 wRC+ in 23 games. He has average speed too and nabbed 11 bags on the year, so he should contribute in every category. He’s a near elite stud who I don’t think is being valued quite that way, although he surely gets a lot of love. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 92/28/91/.271/.362/.497/7

165) Nick Gonzales PIT, 2B/SS, 22.10 – Gonzalez went from an extremely hitter friendly environment in college to an extremely hitter friendly environment in the pros. Pitt’s High-A ballpark and the AFL are both extreme hitter’s havens. He unsurprisingly beat up on inferior competition in these parks with a .950 OPS in 80 games at High-A and a 1.032 OPS in 19 AFL games. His 27.4% K% at High-A is really the only thing to quibble with. Gonzales’ .950 OPS is actually the worst he’s ever done in any league going back to his freshman year (including the Cape Cod League), which is remarkable. All this guy has done is dominate. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 93/25/82/.273/.344/.479/11

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

167) Nolan Gorman STL, 3B/2B, 21.11 – Gorman’s hit tool took a huge step forward this year. He brought his K% down to 22% in the upper levels of the minors (29.7% in 2019), and he didn’t sacrifice much power with 25 homers in 119 games. The ingredients are there for him to become a complete middle of the order masher. 2022 Projection: 38/12/36/.248/.312/.445/2 Prime Projection: 83/28/90/.266/.339/.491/4

168) Jordan Walker STL, 3B, 19.10 – Walker has huge raw power at 6’5”, 220 pounds, and he got to a lot of it in his pro debut with 25 doubles, 4 triples, and 14 homers in 82 games split between Single-A and High-A. He’s also a good athlete for his size as he snagged 14 bags. While his plate approach regressed at High-A (27%/6.1% K%/BB%), it looked more advanced than expected at the age appropriate Single-A (17.2%/14.8% K%/BB%). He’s far from a finished product, but there is star upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 86/29/93/.262/.344/.502/8

169) George Kirby SEA, RHP, 24.2 – Kirby battled shoulder fatigue during the season which limited him to 67.2 IP, but he cruised in those innings with a pitching line of 2.53/1.08/80/15 split between High-A and Double-A. He dominates with a double plus upper 90’s fastball that he has elite control over. He throws 3 secondaries (slider, change, curve) that are all about average right now, and he’ll need one of them to tick up to plus in order to reach his top of the rotation ceiling. 2022 Projection:5/4.08/1.22/93 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.69/1.13/202 in 183 IP

170) Josh Bell WAS, 1B, 29.8 – Bell had a horrific first 23 games of the season with a .487 OPS, but he was excellent the rest of the way, slashing .287/.375/.513 with 24 ho9mers and a 17.6%/12.4% K%/BB% in 121 games. He had more walks than strikeouts in his final 88 games (48/49 K/BB), and had a 13.3% K% over that time. He absolutely smacks the hell out of the ball with a 92.5 MPH exit velocity, but he hits it on the ground too much with a 4.9 degree launch angle to truly become a top power hitter. He’s a better real life hitter than fantasy, but he’s still damn good for fantasy and will probably come at a discount because of the boring profile. 2022 Projection: 83/28/92/.266/.354/.485/0

171) Jared Walsh LAA, 1B, 28.8 – I’m not too keen on paying up big for Walsh. He drilled 22 homers in 87 games pre break, but hit only 7 in 57 games post break, and with only a 7.8 degree launch angle, the 2nd half numbers look more “real.” He does hit the ball hard (94 MPH FB/LD EV), and he has reasonable contact rates (26% whiff%), but if I can’t count on big time power because of the launch angle, I don’t love sticking my neck out for him. 2022 Projection: 73/26/87/.265/.332/.480/2

172) Marcell Ozuna ATL, OF, 31.5 – It was announced that Ozuna’s suspension will be applied retroactively, so unless Atlanta decides they don’t want him on their team, it seems like it will be all systems go for him. 2022 Projection: 77/27/91/.267/.335/.473/5

173) Anthony Rendon LAA, 3B, 31.10 – Rendon underwent surgery in August for a right hip Impingement and is expected to be ready for spring training. He had the worst year of his career in 2021 with a 95 wRC+ and only 6 homers in 58 games. He battled a variety of injuries all season, so I get if you want to give him a pass, but also battling a variety of injuries as you get deeper into your 30’s is not a great sign. 2022 Projection: 80/24/88/.274/.352/.478/2

174) Yasmani Grandal CHW, C, 33.5 – Grandal would jump Realmuto in an OBP ranking and I was close to ranking him higher in a 5×5 too. He missed almost two months with a torn tendon in his left knee that required surgery, but he was scary good when he returned, slashing .337/.481/.673 with 9 homers and an 18/27 K/BB in 30 games. I don’t know what the hell that doctor put in his knee, but I wouldn’t mind some of that myself. He shattered his career highs in exit velocity (up 2.8 MPH to 93.1 MPH), xwOBA (.413), HardHit% (53.2%), and BB% (23.3%). He was legitimately elite. I feel like it’s 2001 all over again where it was normal for 30+ year old hitters to hit a next level, 2nd prime. 2022 Projection: 76/29/82/.248/.367/.478/1

175) Nathan Eovaldi BOS, RHP, 32.3 – Eovaldi maintained most of the strikeout gains he made in 2020 with an above average 25.5% K% in 2021. He does it with plus control (4.6% BB%) of a legitimate 5 pitch mix, headlined by a 96.8 MPH fastball that he throws 42.3% of the time. 2022 Projection: 12/3.82/1.23/186 in 175 IP

176) Noah Syndergaard LAA, RHP, 29.7 – Syndergaard was supposed to come back mid-season in 2021, but setbacks only allowed him to pitch 2 innings at the end of the season. His 4 seamer was down 3.8 MPH to 94.3 MPH and he wasn’t able to throw his slider at all. He signed a 1 year deal for $21 million with Los Angeles, so teams were not willing to trust him with a lucrative long term contract. He’s going to have to prove it in 2022. 2022 Projection: 10/3.92/1.27/161 in 165 IP

177) Michael Conforto FRA, OF, 29.1 – Conforto got off to a slow start to the season and also missed a month and a half with a hamstring injury in May and June. It led to a down season with a .729 OPS. He was better post break with a .792 OPS in 72 games (.639 OPS in 53 games pre break), and his underlying numbers were better than his surface stats with a .349 xwOBA (.322 wOBA). He’s an easy buy low in an OBP league especially. 2022 Projection: 82/26/85/.258/.362/.465/2

178) Marcus Stroman CHC, RHP, 30.11 – Stroman’s been doing a lot of chirping on Twitter recently, but he’s backed up the trash talk with production. He put up a pitching line of 3.02/1.15/158/44 in 179 IP. He keeps the ball on the ground with a 91.9 MPH sinker and with a worm killing splitter that he added this season. He’s been slowly improving his strikeout rates throughout his career, and it reached a career best 21.7% K% in 2021, although that is still below average. He’s a better real life pitcher than fantasy one because of the strikeout numbers, but maybe the trend will hold and he will continue to unlock more K’s in the future. 2022 Projection: 11/3.54/1.26/161 in 180 IP

Shadow178) Shohei Ohtani LAA, RHP, 27.9 – This is Ohtani’s pitcher only rank. With pitcher’s throwing fewer and fewer innings these days, a max of about 130 IP isn’t really all that bad. 2022 Projection: 8/3.48/1.15/150 in 125 IP

179) Tarik Skubal DET, LHP, 25.4 – Statcast hates Skubal. His 13.9% barrel% against was dead last in the league by a long shot among qualified pitchers. Next highest was JA Happ at 11.6%. He had a 4.34 ERA but his xERA was 5.51. The biggest culprit is his 94.2 MPH fastball which had a .611 Slugging against. The good news is that Skubal realized all this and made adjustments as the season progressed. His 4-seamer usage came way down over the course of the year, and by the end of the season he was throwing his much better sinker almost as much. His slider and changeup were both positive value pitches with his changeup putting up a 50% whiff%. His control also took a step forward in the 2nd half with a pristine 59/9 K/BB with a 1.09 WHIP post break in 60.2 IP (4.30 ERA). The Statcast numbers do give me pause, but the ingredients are there for Skubal to become an impact fantasy starter if he can find the right pitch mix. 2022 Projection: 9/4.02/1.22/185 in 170 IP

180) Ian Happ CHC, OF, 27.8 – Happ couldn’t hit his way out of a paper bag (grumpy high school baseball coach idioms are my favorite) all the way through August 15th with a triple-slash of .176/.284/.321 in 368 PA, and he couldn’t run his way out of said bag either with 1 steal in 2 attempts. But from then on he ripped that damn bag to shreds, slashing .333/.407/.680 with 13 homers, 8 steals, and a 41/17 K/BB in 167 PA. He brought his K% down to a more reasonable 24.6%, he started lifting the ball more, and he ran more than he has since 2018. The stolen bases are the true X factor for his value going forward, because with a 32.3% whiff% he’s not going to hit for a high average, and while he hits the ball hard, a 46% GB% caps his power upside a bit. 27 years old was always the classic age for a breakout season, and maybe Happ’s last month and a half surge was foreshadowing what is to come. I’m willing to take that shot. 2022 Projection: 78/28/84/.245/.341/.475/7

181) Luis Matos SFG, OF, 20.2 – Matos has that perfect combination of floor and upside. His 12.4% K% in 109 games at Single-A is elite, and he combines that with plus speed (21 steals) and developing power (15 homers). At worst we are looking at a moderate power/speed combo with a good average, and at best there is a next level power breakout which will put him in the land of the elite. His plate approach does still need some refinement with a 5.7% BB%. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 93/21/77/.285/.333/.455/16

182) Charlie Morton ATL, RHP, 38.6 – Morton underwent surgery to repair a fractured right fibula in late October and is expected to be ready for spring. His velocity hit a 3 year high of 95.5 MPH and his curveball was as dominant as ever with a .227 xwOBA. Not only weren’t there any signs of age related decline, he actually got stronger. 2022 Projection: 14/3.49/1.13/206 in 180 IP

183) Justin Verlander HOU, RHP, 39.1 – Verlander’s stuff looked atll the way back in his first spring training start coming back from Tommy John surgery, which is great to see, but it doesn’t exaclty eliminate all risk. He’s one of the all time greats, so even like 80% of prime Verlander can still be effective, and the upside that he does truly return to full health makes him too good to pass up at this point. 2022 Projection: 13/3.45/1.10/202 in 170 IP

184) Triston McKenzie CLE, RHP, 24.8 – McKenzie has shown plus control his entire career, but it completely disappeared on him in the first half of the season with 39 walks in his first 42.1 IP. He got back on the track in the 2nd half and put up a 4.17 ERA with a 77/19 K.BB in 77.2 IP. He finished the season with a very good 1.18 WHIP in 120 IP. Considering that first half was an outlier from the rest of his career, I trust his 2nd half numbers as being more “real.” He doesn’t have a huge stuff with a 92.1 MPH fastball that he throws 61.9% of the time, but both of his breaking balls are bat missing machines in his slider (45.6% whiff%) and curve (42.7% whiff%). He mostly ditched his changeup which has gotten shelled in the majors. He ended up with a 3.92 xERA, which was much better than his 4.95 ERA. The bloated ERA and out of character 1st half control problems makes him an excellent buy low candidate in 2022. 2022 Projection: 9/4.06/1.22/166 in 150 IP

185) Marco Luciano SFG, SS, 20.6 – It was an up and down season for Luciano for with more downs than ups. He started off by struggling hard in Spring Training with a .374 OPS in 29 AB which he carried over into the first few weeks of the season at Single-A. We then thought he put those struggles behind him when he started destroying the level, finishing with 18 homers, a .930 OPS and a 22.1%/12.3% K%/BB% in 70 games, but the struggles returned at High-A which has bled into the Fall League. He had a 37.2%/6.9% K%/BB% with a .577 OPS in 36 games at High-A and now has a 32.2% K% with a .730 OPS in 21 Fall games. His numbers at the age appropriate Single-A take precedence, which is why I still consider him an elite prospect, but he is obviously not close to a finished product right now. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 86/33/94/.269/.345/.526/7

186) Jasson Dominguez NYY, OF, 19.2 – Dominguez didn’t exactly blow the doors off in his pro debut, but he held serve with a 105 wRC+ in 49 games in full season ball. And putting up a .346 OBP is actually pretty damn impressive considering his age and the fact he had zero pro experience before this season. I’m still all in on the upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 94/28/93/.269/.362/.503/16

187) Orelvis Martinez TOR, SS, 20.4 – I’ve been high on Martinez for a few years now and it paid off big time in 2021 with a power explosion. He cracked 28 homers in 98 games split between Single-A and High-A. He performed better at the age appropriate Single-A (149 wRC+) than he did at High-A (99 wRC+), but he actually improved his K% after jumping levels from 26.1% to 22.4%, which is a great sign. Martinez has the upside to become a slugging middle the order bat. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 86/32/98/.263/.338/.508/5

188) Tyler Soderstrom OAK, C, 20.4 – A back injury ended Soderstrom’s season after just 57 games, but it was a damn good 57 games, slashing .306/.390/.568 with 12 homers, 2 steals, and a 24%/10.6% K%/BB% at Single-A. He’s a complete hitter with a simple and powerful lefthanded swing. There is no guarantee he sticks behind the plate, but that would probably be better off for fantasy. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 82/25/88/.276/.352/.487/4

189) Liam Hendriks CHW, Closer, 33.2 – Hendriks put up a ridiculous 42.3%/2.6% K%/BB% in 71 IP. ‘Nuff said. 2022 Projection: 5/2.62/0.92/104/35 in 69 IP

190) Alek Thomas ARI, OF, 21.11 – Thomas was putting together a damn fine season at Double-A with a 134 wRC+, 10 homers and 8 steals in 72 games before going nuclear at Triple-A with a 168 wRC+, 8 homers, and 5 steals in 34 games. In spite of the great numbers and age relative to level success, I’m still a little concerned about his ultimate power/speed upside. His stolen base success rate has been very poor (40 for 65 in 276 career games), and he hits the ball on the ground a lot (55.5% GB% at Double-A and 50.4% at Triple-A). He’s shaping up to be a guy who will contribute in every category, but the upside seems a little capped to me right now. 2022 Projection: 39/7/33/.265/.318/.412/7 Prime Projection: 82/18/68/.285/.343/.441/16

191) Oswald Peraza NYY, SS, SS, 21.10 – Peraza started lifting the ball much more in 2022 and it led to a power breakout with 18 homers in 115 games. He did progressively get worse as he climbed the minor league ladder (.917 OPS in High-A/.815 in Double-A/.715 in Triple-A), and his stolen base percentage and BB% also plummeted when he got into the upper levels, but the ingredients are there for him to be an impact player in 5×5 AVG leagues in particular. 2022 Projection: 23/2/18/.258/.301/.409/4 Prime Projection: 86/20/81/.272/.331/.444/18

192) Brandon Marsh LAA, OF, 24.4 – Marsh showed both his upside and risk in his MLB debut. He smashed the ball with a 51.7% HardHit% and showed elite speed with a 29.1 ft/sec sprint speed, but his 35% K% is dangerously high and his 7.9 degree launch angle is capping his power. Randy Arozarena showed this kind of profile can still do damage, but Marsh needs to bring his K% down to even get into Arozarena territory. 2022 Projection: 76/18/65/.256/.328/.413/14 Prime Projection: 85/23/81/.266/.340/.451/15

193) Josiah Gray WAS, RHP, 24.3 – I love Gray’s 5.48 ERA this year because it should allow us to buy in cheap. He throws 94.6 MPH heat with two breaking balls (curve/slider) that were absolutely whiff machines (47.8% and 45% whiff%). It led to a 30.2% whiff% and a 4.54 xERA in his 70.2 IP MLB debut. His 10.7% BB% was high, but he’s been much better than that every other year of his career in the minors so that should only improve. If he’s buried on a contending teams roster, now is the time to pounce. 2022 Projection: 8/4.22/1.31/160 in 150 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.78/1.23/189 in 175 IP

194) Luis Urias MIL, SS/2B/3B, 24.10 – Urias had a power breakout with 23 homers in 150 games. He underlying numbers back it up with a career high 14.2 degree launch angle, 111.5 MPH Max EV, and 40.5% Hardhit%. He did so while maintaining his excellent plate approach with a 20.4%/11.1% K%/BB%. Even with strong contact rates, he has career .239 BA in 992 PA, and his xBA unfortunately backs that up with a .233 mark. 2022 Projection: 84/22/79/.258/.342/.440/5

195) Chris Bassitt NYM, RHP, 33.1 – Bassitt thrives with plus control (6.1% BB%) of a legitimate 6 pitch mix. Strikeouts were the only questionable part of his game, and he answer those questions by raising his K% 3.9 percentage points to a career high 25%. 2022 Projection: 13/3.70/1.14/166 in 170 IP

Tier 8

196) Andrew Benintendi KCR, OF, 27.9 – Benintendi bounced back from a mostly lost 2020 where he played in only 14 games with a .442 OPS. He became a more aggressive hitter at the plate with a career high 52.5% Swing%, and it worked wonders for his hard hit numbers, posting career bests in Barrel% (8.9%), EV (89.6 MPH), and HardHit% (43.2%). While he hit only 17 homers, the underlying numbers give hope he can consistently hit 20+ as he enters his late 20’s. His walk rate tanked as a by product with a career low 6.7% BB%, but that is easily a trade off you will take, especially in BA leagues (maybe not so much for OBP leagues). He stole 8 bases, but he got caught 9 times, and his 4.39 home plate to 1B runtime was the worst of his career, so I wouldn’t count on more than a handful of steals. 2022 Projection: 76/20/79/.268/.331/.447/7

197) Robbie Grossman DET, OF, 32.7 – Grossman has sneakily been pretty damn good since 2016 with an advanced plate approach, and now his power/speed numbers have broken out over the past two seasons. He hasn’t gotten any faster, but he’s become a much better base stealer with 28 steals in 34 attempts in his last 207 games. He put up a career high 37.5% HardHit% in 2020 and 7.6% barrel% in 2021. He was on pace for a 24/24 season in 2020 and just went 23/20 in 2021. He’s on the older side, so you can’t expect this level of production for several years into the future, but he’s a great win now target who should come at a very reasonable price, especially in an OBP league. 2022 Projection: 85/22/69/.246/.360/.438/18

198) C.J. Cron COL, 1B, 32.3 – Cron just re-signed with Colorado for two more seasons and that is all dynasty owners need to see to keep buying in. He had the best year of his career in 2021, slashing .281/.375/.530 with 28 homers, 92 RBI, and a 21.4%/11% K%/BB% in 142 games. He’s consistently towards the top of the league in Max EV, and his BB% improved tremendously with a career best 11% mark (6.6% career BB%). Man, if only I played my high school games in Colorado I might have actually been able to do something at the plate (I was a glove guy). 2022 Projection: 79/29/89/.271/.349/.505/1

199) Gavin Lux LAD, 2B, 24.4 – Lux significantly improved his plate approach in 2021 with a career best 21.8% K% and 10.8% BB%, and he notched a career high 89.8 MPH EV. But it’s homers and steals that rule in dynasty, and he’s still lacking there. He hits the ball on the ground too much (47.2% GB%), and while he put up a career best 92.6 MPH FB/LD EV, it’s still not great. He’s fast with a 29.1 ft/s sprint speed, but he’s only attempted 8 steals in his 144 game career. He did enough in 2021 to still be enticing in dynasty leagues, but not quite enough to get really excited. With the Freddie Freeman signing, Lux is buried again 2022 Projection: 58/14/53/.265/.340/.428/7

200) Marcelo Mayer BOS, SS, 19.4 – Selected 4th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mayer stays loose and easy in his stance before unleashing a vicious lefty swing that has monster offensive potential written all over it. He did show some swing and miss in his pro debut with a 25.2% K% in 26 games, but he has a mature plate approach (14% BB%) and a swing that is geared for both power and average. He put up a 121 wRC+. Lack of speed is the only issue for fantasy, and it is the reason he is far from a lock for the top pick in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 89/25/88/.274/.346/.478/8

201) Kahlil Watson MIA, SS, 18.11 – Drafted 16th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Watson’s upside is high as anyone’s in the draft with lightening quick bat speed and a plus power/speed combo from the left side. He only fell to 16th overall due to signing bonus demands (he ended up with the 10th highest bonus). While he didn’t show much power in his 9 game pro debut (60% GB% with 0 homers), he did steal 4 bags and had an excellent 16.7%/19% K%/BB% in an obviously very small sample. This is the type of upside you look for when drafting at the top of first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 88/23/83/.268/.342/.458/18

202) Patrick Sandoval LAA, LHP, 25.6 – Sandoval was in the midst of a breakout season when a stress fracture in his back ended his year in mid August after 87 IP. He throws two plus swing and miss secondaries in his changeup (.221 xwOBA with a 51.4% whiff%) and slider (.240 xwOBA with a 38.3% whiff%), and he heavily reduced the usage of his worst pitch (4-seamer) by adding a sinker to the arsenal. He now has a legitimate 5 pitch mix that led to a 3.55 xERA, 85.4 EV against, 6.3 degree launch, and 33.9% whiff%. The back injury is a little concerning, but if you want to assume full health, he could explode in 2022. 2022 Projection: 8/3.78/1.27/144 in 135 IP

203) Jack Leiter TEX, RHP, 21.11 – Selected 2nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Leiter can dominate with just his mid 90’s fastball, but he also has a deep repertoire of pitches, throwing a 4-seamer, 2-seamer, cutter, curve (best secondary), slider and change. He understands the art of pitching which is no surprise considering his dad is Al Leiter. He’s only 6 feet, and his control can waver, but it didn’t stop him from putting up a dominant pitching line of 2.13/0.85/179/45 in 110 IP in the SEC. In a year where there isn’t a clear cut top pick in first year player drafts, Leiter’s claim to that top spot is as good as anyone’s. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 15/3.48/1.17/218 in 185 IP

204) Eugenio Suarez SEA, 3B/SS, 29.7 – Suarez’ batting average bottomed out these past two seasons, hitting .202 in 2020 and then .198 in 2021. Some of that is likely due to bad luck (.215 xBA in 2021), and he hit much better in the 2nd half (.238 BA post break vs. .175 pre break). His strikeout rate isn’t even really that bad at 29.8%, so I would be surprised if he didn’t have a nice bounce back in that category in 2022. 2022 Projection: 75/31/85/.234/.322/.460/1

205) Rowdy Tellez MIL, 1B, 27.0 – I got burned buying into Tellez in 2021, and there are still playing time concerns (less so with the DH now), but I’m going back for more in 2022. He gets the bat on the ball (20% K%), he hits it hard (92.2/96.6 MPH AVG/FB EV), and he keeps it off the ground (13.4 degree launch angle). He also doesn’t have huge platoon splits as a lefty (.755 OPS career vs. lefties and .775 OPS vs. righties), hitting better vs. lefties than righties last year. 2022 Projection: 76/25/83/.268/.330/.472/0

206) Daulton Varsho ARI, C/OF, 25.9 – Varsho does a lot of stuff pretty well. He has an advanced plate approach (21.3%/9.5% K%/BB%), with plus speed (28.5 ft/sec sprint) and a high launch angle (18 degrees). I wished he hit the ball a little harder, as his exit velocity is slightly below average (87.7/92.1 MPH AVG/FB EV), so while the high launch angle will help his power play up, it also hurts his batting average. His biggest weapon right now is that he has catcher eligibility, so hopefully Arizona finds another 20+ games to get him behind the plate. 2022 Projection: 77/20/72/.253/.328/.435/11

207) MJ Melendez KCR, C, 23.4 – To say Melendez’ power broke out this year would be a massive understatement, it completely detonated with 41 homers in 123 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He has a lightening quick, uppercut lefty swing that looks designed to smack homers. Maybe even more impressive than the power, he brought his K% all the way down to 21.7% after he put up a 39.4% at High-A in 2019. To top it all off he had a 14.1% BB%. Kansas City started playing Melendez at 3B a little bit just to find a way to get his bat into the lineup with Perez holding down the catcher spot in Kansas City. 2022 Projection: 28/10/31/.246/.325/.452/1 Prime Projection: 73/30/81/.257/.338/.476/2

208) Nick Pratto KCR, 1B, 23.6 – The zombie apocalypse might be coming because Nick Pratto was dead and buried after putting up a .588 OPS in 2019, but here he is running roughshod over the upper levels of the minors in 2021, slashing .265/.385/.602 with 36 homers, 12 steals (in 17 attempts), and a 28.8%/15.2% K%/BB%. He has an explosive, uppercut lefty swing that produces tons of flyballs, and while he’s not that fast, he’s ran a lot throughout his career. The flyball and high strikeout rates give him a very low batting average floor, but the power and patience is worth that risk. 2022 Projection:44/14/47/.236/.318/.467/4 Prime Projection: 86/29/91/.250/.340/.500/7

209) Tony Gonsolin LAD, RHP, 27.11 – Right shoulder inflammation limited Gonsolin to 55.2 IP. He has two nasty secondaries in his slider and splitter, which put up a 47.8% and 41.4% whiff%, respectively. I would love him more if he was able to maintain the 95.1 MPH fastball he had in 2020, but it dropped down to 93.8 MPH this year. The pitch plays much better at the higher velocity. He also lost his control with a career worst 14.2% BB%. All together he is an above average strikeout pitcher with a career pitching line of 2.85/1.09/148/56 in 142.1 IP. LA acquired a bunch of back end rotation options, so he isn’t a lock for the rotation to start the year, but between injuries and ineffectiveness he’ll get his shot. 2022 Projection: 7/3.86/1.27/129 in 120 IP

210) Austin Martin MIN, OF, 23.0 – Martin went straight to Double-A in his pro debut and proved the advanced plate approach will transfer with a 19.9%/14.4% K%/BB% in 93 games. His lack of power is the talk of the town, but his HR/FB ratio raised to a more normal level after the trade to Minnesota with a 10.3% mark compared to a 4.5% pre trade, and I don’t see any reason why he won’t improve that area of his game as he matures and gains more experience in pro ball. I never considered him a big power hitter anyway, and he still seems on track to be a strong across the board contributor at peak. I would buy his dip in value. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 87/21/79/.277/.354/.453/12

211) Hedbert Perez MIL, OF, 19.0 – Perez smashed through rookie ball in 32 games with 6 homers and a 148 wRC+ before his raw plate approach got the best of him after being promoted to full season ball for 16 games (25/1 K/BB). He has a quick and powerful lefthanded swing that is oozing with upside. He’s fast, but he didn’t run all that much, stealing only 2 bags on 2 attempts in 48 games. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 83/30/91/.264/.337/.502/12

212) Royce Lewis MIN, SS, 22.10 – Missed all of 2021 after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL in February. When healthy, Lewis is an explosive player with a plus power/speed combo and good contact rates, but needs to work on his plate approach. Considering how young he is, I would bet on him returning to full health and use the injury as a buying opportunity. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/23/77/.266/.326/.450/14

213) Cristian Hernandez CHC, SS, 18.4 – Hernandez was my #1 international prospect heading into 2021, and he lived up to the hype in his pro debut, slashing .285/.398/.424 with 5 homers, 21 steals, and a 20.4%/15.7% K%/BB% in 47 games in the DSL. I fell in love with his explosive swing from Youtube videos, and at 6’2”, 175 pounds, he’s a good bet to grow into plus power, although he will have to raise his 56.5% GB% to get to all it (he has plenty of time to do that). He also has plus speed and showed a very mature approach at the plate. He has star upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 88/26/88/.274/.353/.483/16

214) Brady House WAS, SS, 18.10 – Selected 11th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, House is a big physical hitter at 6’4”, 215 pounds who has double plus raw power and takes monster hacks at the dish with quick bat speed. He ripped 4 homers in his 16 game pro debut. He also has a mature plate approach and is a good athlete. There is a legitimate argument for him to go 1st overall in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/28/92/.268/.339/.492/7

215) Jordan Lawlar ARI, SS, 19.8 – Drafted 6th overall, Lawlar has a relatively simple, quick swing that he uses to make tons of contact with the ability to lift the ball. He has plus speed and the power should develop naturally to above average at the least. A shoulder injury that required surgery ended his pro debut after just two games, which is just enough of a bump in the road for me to move him down a few spots on my draft board. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 87/21/79/.268/.335/.448/17

216) Josh Donaldson NYY, 3B, 36.4 – Donaldson’s surface stats give the impression he is in decline with a .827 OPS, which is among one of his worst seasons since 2012, but the underlying numbers tell a different story. His .387 xwOBA was in the top 8% of the league and his 94.1 MPH EV was a career best. His 21% K% was also his best mark since 2016. He’s dealt with injuries and he isn’t getting any younger, so I’m not exactly buying a bounce back to his prime days, but the underlying numbers show that isn’t out of the question. 2022 Projection: 85/31/83/.252/.355/.503/1

217) Brandon Belt SFG, 1B, 33.11 – Belt has sneakily become a near elite hitter with his power ticking up the last two seasons. He’s always had a great plate approach, but he’s now combined that with an elite barrel% (16.8% in 2020 and 17% in 2021) and career highs in EV and max EV. He crushed 9 homers in 51 games in 2020 and 29 homers in 97 games in 2021, which is good for a combined 38 homers in his last 148 games. His advanced age and general reputation as a boring fantasy player should keep the price well below his actual value, making him a great target for a win now team. 2022 Projection: 88/32/91/.265/.362/.529/3

218) Joey Votto CIN, 1B, 38.7 – Who says an old dog can’t learn new tricks? Votto overhauled his batting stance to adjust to the modern game, and it worked like gangbusters with him jacking 36 homers (.938 OPS) in 129 games. His 18.2 degree launch angle and 23.8% K% were both career highs. He shattered his career bests in EV (92.9 MPH), Barrel% (17.2%), and Hardhit% (53.2%). Votto is the type of generational outlier who just might be able to keep playing at a high level into his 40’s. 2022 Projection: 79/33/92/.262/.367/.503/1

219) Raisel Iglesias LAA, Closer, 32.3 – Iglesias leveled up in 2020 and then leveled up again in 2021, putting up a career best 37.7% whiff% and 4.4% BB%. His fastball, slider and changeup all notched career highs in whiff% at 31.1%, 51% whiff%, and 48.8%, respectively. Hader and Hendriks are in a league of their own, but Iglesias is trying his darndest to join that top tier. 2022 Projection: 4/2.88/1.02/98/33 in 69 IP

220) Edwin Diaz NYM, Closer, 28.0 – Diaz’ ERA jumped to 3.45, but everything in his underlying numbers shows he is still elite with a 2.63 xERA. His 4 seamer and slider both hit a career high in velocity at 98.8 MPH and 90.6 MPH. His strikeouts did dip a bit, but with a 35.1% whiff% and 34.6% K%, he is still in rarified air. 2022 Projection: 3/2.76/1.10/94/34 saves in 61 IP

221) Emmanuel Clase CLE, Closer, 24.0 – With James Karinchak’s self implosion, Clase stepped into the full time closer role and never looked back. His stuff is silly filthy with a 100.2 MPH cutter and a 91.9 MPH slider that batters have a tough time squaring up. His 1.6% Barrel% against was the best in all of baseball (50 BBE min). He also did a better job of missing bats with an above average 26.5% K%, and his 33% whiff% shows there could be even more in the tank. 2022 Projection: 3/2.68/1.02/74/31 in 65 IP

222) Ryan Pressly HOU, Closer, 33.4 – Pressly has been elite for 4 years now and that continued with a pristine 32.4%/5.2% K%/BB% and 2.25 ERA in 64 IP. He throws 95.4 MPH heat with two plus secondaries in his curve and slider. 2022 Projection: 3/2.93/1.07/84 in 65 IP

223) Aaron Ashby MIL, LHP, 23.9 – Ashby showed completely devastating stuff in his MLB debut with a 96.5 MPH sinker, a slider that put up a 42% whiff% (.159 xwOBA), and changeup that put up a 34.6% whiff% (.275 xwOBA). His control actually improved in the majors with a 9% BB% (11.6% at Triple-A). There is definitely reliever risk, but even in a relief role Ashby could be a major help to your fantasy team. 2022 Projection: 6/3.73/1.31/115 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.61/1.28/195 in 165 IP

224) Jesus Luzardo MIA, LHP, 24.6 – Luzardo ended the season with a bang, striking out 11 batters in 5.1 IP vs. PHI, but on the whole it was an up and down season with a lot more downs. The ingredients are still there for a breakout though. His curveball was excellent with a .227 xwOBA and 42.4% whiff%, and his explosive stuff is still there with a 95.1 MPH sinker. He also got a bit unlucky (6.33 ERA vs. 5.33 xERA), so maybe he wasn’t quite as bad as it seemed. I wouldn’t exactly stick my neck out to get him, but I would keep an eye open to see if an opportunity presents itself. 2022 Projection:7/4.32/1.34/134 in 130 IP

225) Roansy Contreras PIT, RHP, 22.5 – Contreras came into 2021 with a low 90’s fastball and was known for his advanced feel for pitching. His fastball then exploded this year, averaging 96.3 MPH in his 3 IP MLB debut. He combines that mid 90’s fastball with two potentially plus breaking balls and a lesser used developing changeup. It led to a strikeout explosion with a 34.9% K% in 54.1 IP at Double-A. He did all this while maintaining his plus control with 5.5% BB%. He was just as dominant in his 1 start at Triple-A and his 1 start in the majors. A forearm strain kept him out for 2 months, which is just a reminder of how risky pitching prospects are. 2022 Projection: 6/4.03/1.28/124 in 120 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.65/1.18/201 in 175 IP

226) Daniel Espino CLE, RHP, 21.3 – Strikeouts are king in fantasy, and Espino’s strikeout numbers are off the charts. Well, maybe they are still on the charts because virtual charts are infinite I guess. He had a 45.1% K% in 49 IP at High-A (35.6% in 42.2 IP at Single-A). He throws a 4 and 2 seam fastball that both can hit triple digits and uses a plus slider as his best secondary. He also mixes in a curve and change that flash plus. This is a strong dude who just deadlifted 545 pounds. He needs to improve his control and overall consistently, but he’s a near elite prospect who gets a lot of love, but not quite enough. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 13/3.58/1.23/205 in 175 IP

227) Eury Perez MIA, RHP, 19.0 – Perez is nothing short of a phenom as he dominated full season ball pitching as an 18 year old with a pitching line of 1.96/0.86/108/26 in 78 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He’s 6’8”, 200 pounds with mid 90’s heat and two potentially plus secondaries (slider, change). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 13/3.51/1.18/202 in 185 IP

228) Cade Cavalli WAS, RHP, 23.8 – Cavalli is 6’4”, 230 pounds with a fastball that consistently hits the upper 90’s. All three of his secondaries (curve, slider, change) flash plus and are potentially plus pitches. Minor league hitters were no match for his filthy repertoire with 175 strikeouts in 123.1 IP split between 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). His control isn’t great (4.4 BB/9), and will likely have to improve to reach his ace upside. He also ran into some trouble at Triple-A with a 7.30 ERA in 24.2 IP, but considering he had long passed his career high in IP, that is forgivable. 2022 Projection: 5/4.27/1.32/91 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.64/1.26/206 in 182 IP

229) Garrett Whitlock BOS, RHP, 25.10 – Whitlock’s role for 2022 is still up in the air as he could find his way into the rotation. He’s a groundball pitcher (7.5 degree launch angle) with above average strikeout rates (27.2% K%) and plus control (5.7% BB%). That is a hell of a combination that led to a 1.96 ERA and 81/17 K/BB in 73.1 IP. He also has plus stuff with a 95.8 MPH sinker (96.3 MPH 4-seamer) and two plus secondaries in his changeup (.226 xwOBA) and slider (.229 xwOBA). He pitched mostly short outings (1-2 IP), so those numbers will likely drop back as a starter, but he’s a great target regardless of what role he ends up in. 2022 Projection: 8/3.63/1.23/124 in 120 IP

230) Nate Pearson TOR, RHP, 25.7 – Pearson dealt with a sports hernia in 2021 with the last update in early October talking about the possibility of off-season surgery. Surgery or not, it definitely adds extra risk to an already risky profile. Off-setting that risk is legitimate top of the rotation potential as Pearson fires a 97.8 MPH fastball that put up an excellent 30.7% whiff%, to go along with a plus slider that notched a 43.6% whiff%. He needs to improve his control and his changeup to reach that upside, and the Kikuchi signing means he won’t win a rotation spot out of spring. 2022 Projection: 7/4.08/1.32/145 in 130 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.68/1.26/190 in 160 IP

231) Nick Lodolo CIN, LHP, 24.2 – Lodolo is 6’6”, 205 pounds with an almost sidearm lefty delivery that he uses to throw mid 90’s heat, a plus slider, and average change. He destroyed Double-A with a pitching line of 1.84/0.91/68/9 in 44 IP. He went over 4 IP in just 3 of his 13 starts, and a left shoulder strain ended his season in August after 50.2 IP. He also battled blisters that kept him out in June. So while the K/BB numbers look great, he didn’t pitch very much and was never able to get going at Triple-A (5.40 ERA with a 10/2 K/BB in 6.2 IP over 3 appearances). 2022 Projection:4/4.14/1.28/77 in 70 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.74/1.22/191 in 173 IP

232) Seiya Suzuki CHC, OF, 27.7 – Suzuki has dominated in Japan since 2016 with a righty swing that is both easy and explosive. He ripped a career high 38 homers in 2021, and he combines the power with an advanced plate approach (16.5%/16.4% K%/BB%) and some speed (9 steals in 13 attempts). I’m not expecting him to step into the majors and be a star, but he looks like a great bet to be a damn good overall hitter. He’s in consideration for the 1st pick in first year players drafts this off-season, especially if you are planning to compete in 2022. 2022 Projection: 77/24/81/.264/.336/.463/7

233) Nelson Cruz WAS, DH, 41.9 – Nelson Cruz is the poster boy for older players getting undervalued in dynasty leagues (and redraft leagues too). Any dip in performance will cause fear the decline has started and retirement could come at any moment, although he has mentioned that retiring is not on his mind. Having said that, Cruz’ numbers did take a dive when he got traded to Tampa with a .725 OPS in 55 games. He was still hitting for power but his plate approach dropped off with a 26.5%/6.7% K%/BB%. I’m leaning towards it just being a normal performance fluctuation throughout a season, but if he does drop off in 2022, there will be a red flag to point to. 2022 Projection: 77/33/91/.261/.336/.505/2

234) Justin Turner LAD, 3B, 37.4 – Turner’s underlying numbers have been remarkably consistent since 2015, and while his xwOBA dropped to a 5 year low of .356, there doesn’t seem to be anything setting off alarm bells. He strikes me as a very nice target for a win now team who should come at a relatively reasonable price. 2022 Projection: 84/26/82/.284/.363/.481/2

235) Framber Valdez HOU, LHP, 28.4 – Valdez was not able to come close to maintaining the control gains he made in 2020 with his BB% rising 4.5 percentage points to 10.1%, but it’s still much better than the walk rates he put up in 2018 (15.6%) and 2019 (13.4%). He also couldn’t maintain his K% gains (26.4% in 2020 and 21.9% in 2021), but he made up for some of those losses by keeping the ball on the ground even more with a career best 70.3% GB%. 2022 Projection: 12/3.78/1.28/150 in 160 IP

236) Aroldis Chapman NYY, Closer, 34.1 – There was concern after a mid-season meltdown saw Chapman give up 14 ER in 5.2 IP from June 10th to July 4th, but he recovered and closed the season strong with a 1.95 ERA and 48/18 K/BB in his final 27.2 IP. He unleashed his splitter more than ever (11.2% usage) and it dominated with a 66.7% whiff%. Overall, he still ended up with a career worst 3.35 ERA, 3.87 xERA, and 15.6% BB%. He’s also not getting younger, but considering the stuff is still filthy, there should be a few more elite seasons in him. 2022 Projection: 3/3.12/1.18/92/31 in 55 IP

237) Kenley Jansen ATL, Closer, 34.6 – Jansen signed a 1 year, $16 million contract to close for Atlanta. His velocity bounced back this year and hit a 4 year high of 92.5 MPH on his cutter. His BB% is in a 4 year decline and bottomed out at 12.2%, but he was better in the 2nd half and it hasn’t affected his performance at all. xFIP hates him (2.22 ERA vs. 4.04 xFIP), but it’s clearly undervaluing his ability to induce weak contact (84 MPH EV against was in the top 1% of the league). 2022 Projection: 4/3.22/1.10/80/32 in 65 IP

238) Gabriel Moreno TOR, C, 22.1 – Before going down with a broken thumb, Moreno was blowing up at Double-A, slashing .373/.441/.651 with 8 homers and a 22/14 K/BB in 32 games. He has always shown plus contact rates, and he’s now combined that with a more mature approach and developing power. He returned from the thumb injury in time for the Arizona Fall League, and he’s picked up right where he left off, slashing .329/.410/.494 with 11 doubles, 1 homer and a 13/13 K/BB in 22 games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/24/83/.282/.348/.474/1

239) Alejandro Kirk TOR, C, 23.5 – I love Kirk’s bat but I’m putting Moreno ahead of him because I’m betting Moreno is Toronto’s catcher of the future. Kirk’s surface stats were decent with a 106 wRC+, but the underlying numbers were near elite with a 92.3 MPH EV, 14.7 degree launch, 11.6% K%, 10.1% BB%, and .373 xwOBA. That is the total hitting package right there, and he barely gets any hype. The biggest issue is playing time, but Toronto won’t be able to keep him off the field if he hits like he is capable of. 2022 Projection: 71/23/81/.273/.345/.474/0

240) Trevor Bauer LAD, RHP, 31.2 – Bauer is easily a top 100 player and maybe even top 50 if he was guaranteed to play the entire season, but there is still so much unknown with the allegations against him. I’m not sure there is much for me to add here, as my guess is as good as yours as to when/if he will resume his career, or if you even want to roster him at all regardless. 2022 Projection: ???

241) Jose Urquidy HOU, RHP, 26.11 – Urquidy relies on elite control (4.5% BB%) of an above average 4 pitch mix. He throws his 92.5 MPH 4-seamer 54.9% of the time and it was the 34th most valuable 4-seamer in the game after just 107 IP. He doesn’t put up big strikeout numbers (21.3% K%), and he doesn’t induce particularly weak contact, making me a bit hesitant to buy in, but it’s pretty clear this guy knows how to get batters out with a career pitching line of 3.55/1.02/147/34 in 177.2 IP. 2022 Projection: 10/3.93/1.12/134 in 150 IP

242) Ranger Suarez PHI, LHP, 26.7 – Suarez was transitioned to the rotation in August and it went better than anyone could have expected, putting up a 2.24 ERA with a 60/15 K/BB in 60 IP once he was fully stretched out. He feasted on weak contact, notching a 2.6% barrel% against (top 2% of the league), a well above average 86.7 MPH EV against, and a 4.4 degree launch angle. His changeup was his go to strikeout pitch, throwing it 24.2% of the time with a 39.8% whiff%, but his slider was also effective when he went to it with a 40.9% whiff% and 7.8% usage rate. He’s obviously not going to be able to maintain what he did in 2021, but he looks legit to me. 2022 Projection: 11/3.76/1.24/156 in 160 IP

243) Alec Bohm PHI, 3B, 25.9 – It’s going to be very tempting to give up on Bohm, but I think that will be a mistake. His 92 MPH exit velocity was ranked 34th best out of players with at least 100 batted balls, and his 49.5% HardHit% was in the top 10% of the league. His .313 xwOBA was about average and he even got a hair faster with a 27.8 ft/s sprint speed. His launch angle was weak at 5.6 degrees, but baseball is a game of adjustments, and after his excellent rookie season in 2020 there was no reason to change anything going into 2021. Now he has a reason to make an adjustment to get to more of his plus raw power. 2022 Projection: 77/22/81/.273/.336/.453/7

244) Nathaniel Lowe TEX, 1B, 26.9 – Lowe jacked 6 homers in his first 23 games and then hit 12 in his next 134 games. He needs to raise his 5 degree launch angle to get to more of his plus raw power (90.8 MPH exit velocity). On the plus side, he improved his whiff% 5.9 percentage points to an above average 23.5%, and he is an OBP beast with a 12.5% BB% (.357 OBP). He was also a perfect 8 for 8 on the bases, which came out of nowhere after he had never stolen more than a single base in any other season going back to the minors. 2022 Projection: 78/22/81/.254/.342/.438/4

245) Henry Davis PIT, C, 22.7 – Selected 1st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Davis’ power breakout happened in the shortened 2020 season, and it carried over into 2021 with Davis slashing .370/.482/.663 with 15 homers, 10 steals, and a 24/31 K/BB in 50 games. He’s got a thick build and absolutely scorches the ball. He stepped right into pro ball and ripped 3 homers in 8 games at mostly High-A before an oblique injury ended his season. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/26/89/.268/.337/.481/6

246) Max Meyer MIA, RHP, 22.11 – Meyer jumped straight to Double-A in his pro debut and proved the plus fastball/slider combo will work against advanced competition, putting up a pitching line of 2.41/1.23/113/40 in 101 IP. He then closed the season out in grand fashion at Triple-A with 1 earned and a 17/2 K/BB in 10 IP. He still needs to refine his changeup, but Meyer was as advertised after being drafted 3rd overall in 2020. 2022 Projection: 5/4.21/1.32/101 in 100 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.62/1.20/186 in 177 IP

247) Avisail Garcia MIA, OF, 30.10 – Garcia has had an up and down career, but he had the best fantasy year of his career with 29 homers and 8 steals in 135 games. He put up a career best 46.4% HardHit%, and his exit velocity bounced back from a down 2020 (87.4 MPH EV) to 90.4 MPH. There are a few things making my hesitant to buy in even more though. His 9.3 degree launch angle isn’t great, and he’s going from the 6th best homer park for righties to the 8th worst. It will be hard for him to hit 29 homers again. He’ll steal a handful of bases, but without being confident in big homer totals, this is as high as I can rank him. 2022 Projection: 71/24/81/.267/.330/.452/8

248) Jordan Montgomery NYY, LHP, 29.4 – To say Montgomery bounced back from a down 2020 (5.11 ERA) wouldn’t really be accurate because his 3.93 xERA more or less predicted a good 2021 for Montgomery. He lived up to those underlying numbers with a pitching line of 3.83/1.28/162/51 in 157.1 IP. He put up a career best 29% whiff% on the back of his plus changeup (39.2%) and curveball (42.9%). 2022 Projection: 12/3.92/1.30/175 in 170 IP

249) Eddie Rosario ATL, OF, 30.6 – Rosario is a poor defensive player who doesn’t walk that much (6.7% BB%) and hits much better vs righties than he does lefties (.702 career OPS). That isn’t a recipe to lock down a full time job as he enters his 30’s, but him resigning Atlanta makes me much more comfortable about his playing time. On the flip side, he finished the year very strong when he got traded to Atlanta (.903 OPS in 33 games and a 183 wRC+ in 16 playoff games), and his contact/power profile with a little speed is still enticing for fantasy. 2022 Projection: 73/24/87/.260/.310/.461/8

250) Jeremy Pena HOU, SS, 24.5 – Pena got a little forgotten about after undergoing wrist surgery in April 2021, but he made all of us remember in a hurry when he returned with 10 homers and 5 steals in 30 games at Triple-A. He also ripped a homer in the Dominican Winter League a few days ago. This is the power breakout we were waiting for. The plate approach wasn’t great at Triple-A with a 26.3%/4.5% K%/BB%, and his 48.8% GB% is high, but Pena has the ingredients to be a strong all category contributor. He is on track to be Houston’s opening day shortstop. 2022 Projection: 74/20/77/.246/.309/.417/10 Prime Projection: 83/24/86/.270/.339/.468/12

251) Jose Miranda MIN, 3B/2B, 23.8 – Miranda had one of the premier contact/power seasons in the minors, drilling 30 homers with a 12.5% K% in 127 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s been a strong contact hitter his entire career, and the power breakout looks legit as the ball explodes off his bat. On the downside, he hasn’t been especially patient in his career (7.1% BB% in 2021), which MLB pitchers can sometimes exploit better than minor league pitchers. 2022 Projection:33/8/36/.269/.318/.442/1 Prime Projection: 79/26/87/.279/.330/.481/3

252) Coby Mayo BAL, 3B, 20.4 – I’m targeting Mayo everywhere this off-season. He’s 6’5”, 215 pounds and his swing brings both the lightening and the thunder as it is quick and powerful. The plate approach was damn good too as he notched a 20.8%/12.8% K%/BB% in his 27 game full season debut. His bat has a chance to be special. ETA: 2023/24 Prime Projection: 84/25/86/.272/.346/.477/7

253) Everson Pereira NYY, OF, 21.0 – Pereira is lurking on the outskirts of elite prospect status after utterly destroying the lower levels of the minors with 20 homers and 9 steals in 49 games (14 homers in 27 games at High-A). The K% was high (29.9% at High-A), but had he played the entire season, the hype might be through the roof right now. I would stick my neck out to grab Pereira in off-season drafts. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 81/25/89/.252/.332/.492/13

254) Nick Yorke BOS, 2B, 20.0 – Boston drafting Nick Yorke 17th overall in 2020 drew some head scratches, but they obviously knew what they were doing because Yorke went off in his pro debut. He slashed .325/.412/.516 with 14 homers, 13 steals (in 22 attempts), and a 15.6%/11.8% K%/BB% in 97 games at mostly Single-A. His K% jumped up to 22.9% at High-A, but he actually put up a better wRC+ at the level (158 wRC+) than he did in Single-A (146 wRC+). He has a double plus hit tool with a mature plate approach and no major groundball issues, so he should hit for solid power on quality of contact alone. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 94/20/75/.288/.366/.463/8

255) Joe Ryan MIN, RHP, 25.10 – Ryan looks like a better version of Bailey Ober. Like Ober, he showed elite control (5% BB%) of a solid 4 pitch mix that has put up strong strikeout rates throughout his career. He threw his 91.2 MPH fastball 65.8% of the time in his MLB debut and it graded out as 5.8 runs above average in just 26.2 IP according Fangraphs. His slider and curve were also both effective swing and miss pitches when he went to them with a 35.3% and 50% whiff%, respectively. 2022 Projection: 9/3.87/1.20/167 in 160 IP

256) Miguel Vargas LAD, 3B, 22.4 – Vargas is 6’3”, 205 pounds with potentially plus power that he naturally grew into more of this season. He doesn’t have to sell out to get to it, using the entire field and putting up excellent contact numbers. He slashed .319/.380/.526 with 23 homers, 11 steals, and a 16.4%/8.3% K%/BB% in 120 games at mostly Double-A. He’s not a burner but he’s been very successful on the bases in his minor league career (31 for 37 in 297 games), so at the least he won’t be a zero in that category. Vargas has started to get more love this off-season, but he’s still considerably underrated. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/26/88/.278/.344/.492/7

257) Austin Hays BAL, OF, 26.9 – Mullins must have stolen Hays thunder as Hays was the one with more hype coming into 2021, but Hays’ bat didn’t really come alive until the end of the year. But boy did it come alive, slashing .314/.373/.606 with 9 homers, 1 steal and a 28/8 K/BB in his final 37 games (150 PA). He doesn’t walk much (5.3% BB%), but he gets the bat on the ball (20.2% K%), will knock out some homers (22 homers in 131 games), and should chip in some steals too (although his sprint speed has declined every season). 2022 Projection: 76/24/81/.268/.317/.451/7

258) Reid Detmers LAA, LHP, 22.9 – Detmers destroyed the upper levels of the minors with a 108/19 K/BB in 62 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A, but the major leagues ate him up with a 7.40 ERA and 19/11 K/BB in 20.2 IP. This was his first year of pro ball, so making it all the way to majors is impressive regardless of results. His fastball ticked up this year, but it still averaged only 92.8 MPH in the majors. He combines that with two plus breaking balls in his curveball and a new slider, while his developing changeup lags behind. Unless his fastball can truly sit in the mid 90’s, he strikes me as a mid rotation guy. 2022 Projection:7/4.22/1.32/122 in 120 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.83/1.23/189 in 177 IP

259) John Means BAL, RHP, 28.11 – Means wasn’t able to fully maintain his 2020 velocity spike with it dropping 1 MPH to 92.8 MPH, but he was able to maintain his elite control with a 4.4 BB% (Top 4% of the league). He throws a four pitch mix with about average strikeout rates, and has now produced excellent WHIPs for 3 years running (1.14 in 2019/0.98 in 2020/1.03 in 2021). 2022 Projection: 9/3.77/1.11/147 in 160 IP

260) Jose Barrero CIN, SS, 24.0 – Barrero had a major power breakout in the upper levels of the minors, cracking 19 homers in 85 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He didn’t have much more success in his MLB cup of coffee this year than he did in 2020, but his Statcast numbers looked better with an above average 89.3 MPH exit velocity and 20.6 degree launch angle. His plate approach also took a step forward with a career best 9.5% BB% while maintaining his good feel to hit. He’s not a true burner, but he has above average speed and should contribute in stolen bases. A hamate injury will keep him out for 6 weeks into 2022. 2022 Projection: 46/12/41/.248/.301/.417/6 Prime Projection: 81/24/81/.265/.327/.453/10

261) Jordan Romano TOR, Closer, 28.11 – Romano solidified himself as a near elite closer option with a 97.6 MPH fastball and plus slider. It was good for a 2.14 ERA and a 33.6%/9.9% K%/BB%. He’s had some recent arm problems, so there is injury risk, but he could put up elite numbers without the brand name price. 2022 Projection: 4/3.12/1.11/80/31 in 60 IP

262) Taylor Rogers MIN, Closer, 31.4 – A finger injury ended Rogers season in late July after 40.1 IP. Hee is the favorite for the lion’s share of the closer job with Minnesota. He has an elite sinker/slider combo that led to an elite 35.5%/4.8% K%/BB%. 2022 Projection: 3/3.20/1.11/85/25 in 65 IP

263) Jonathan Villar CHC, 3B/SS, 30.11 – Villar is a dangerous fantasy player with a truly impact power/speed combo (18 homers and 14 steals in 505 PA), but he generally hits towards the bottom of the order with low-ish OBP’s (.322 OBP). He seems to have a full time job now with Chicago, although there is some competition. 2022 Projection: 78/17/61/.255/.323/.405/23

264) Blake Treinen LAD, Closer Committee, 33.9 – Treinen is the epitome of the volatile reliever with ERA’s all over the map in his 8 year career. 2021 was a great one, and he made real changes which gives hope this one is actually sustainable. He heavily reduced the use of his sinker and went to his slider and cutter more than ever. It led to a strikeout resurgence with a 29.7% K%. His 83.3 MPH EV against lead the league (150 BBE cutoff), with Loaisiga coming in 2nd and Jansen placing 3rd. LA is planning on going with a committee for saves, but Treinen is the favorite to lead the way. 2022 Projection: 5/3.30/1.18/71/25 in 65 IP

265) Adolis Garcia TEX, OF, 29.1 – Garcia did his best Javy Baez impression this year with 31 homers, 16 steals, and a 31.2%/5.1% K%/BB%. It went much better in the 1st half (.840 OPS in 80 games) than it did in the 2nd half (.626 OPS in 69 games). While the plate approach makes him high risk, the power and speed are very real with a 96.3 MPH FB/LD exit velocity and 28.4 ft/sec sprint speed. Whether I buy into Garcia will depend on the league. I can see someone being really high on him based on the power/speed numbers, or I can also see him falling because of the poor 2nd half and plate approach. 2022 Projection: 70/27/83/.238/.285/.446/13

266) Willson Contreras CHC, C, 29.11 – There was hope earlier in his career that Contreras would be able to maintain a high batting average, but that hope has dissipated by now. He had a .237 BA with a career worst 28.6% K% and 34.5% whiff% in 2021. On the plus side, he did have a little power breakout this season with a career best 91.8 MPH EV and 9.6 degree launch angle. His 10.8% BB% was also a career high. 2022 Projection: 62/23/66/.247/.350/.452/3

267) Trey Mancini BAL, 1B/OF, 30.0 – Mancini fought off colon cancer and got his career right back on track in 2021. He put up a well above average .340 xwOBA and his 113.9 MPH Max EV was in the top 9% of the league. He even managed to raise his launch angle a bit to a career high 9.7 degrees. He only hit 21 homers in 147 games, but he likely got a little unlucky in that category. He’s back. 2022 Projection: 74/25/81/.261/.332/.470/0

268) Anthony Rizzo NYY, 1B, 32.8 – Rizzo wasn’t really able to bounce back from a down 2020, and while he now pretty definitely looks to be in the back nine of his career, there were some positive developments. His 90.1 MPH EV tied the best mark of his career and his 115.2 MPH Max EV was a career high. He’s hitting the ball harder than ever, even though it only resulted in 22 homers in 141 games. He also continues to have plus contact rates with a 15.1% K%, so there was some bad luck in play with a .248 BA this year. He has a bad back which flares up every year, so it’s hard to buy in too hard as he gets deeper into his 30’s, but there is still some juice left in the bat. 2022 Projection: 78/26/83/.260/.350/.465/5

269) Hunter Renfroe MIL, OF, 30.2 – Renfroe got traded to Milwaukee this off-season and will replace the role Avisail Garcia played of a power hitting, corner OF righty bat. Other than his small sample rookie year, he put up a career best 22.7% K% and 25.9% whiff%. He also notched career bests in barrel% (14.4%), EV (90.1 MPH), and Max EV (116.4 MPH). He hit the ball more and he hit it harder … not bad. 2022 Projection: 74/30/84/.251/.313/.491/2

270) Luke Voit SDP, 1B, 31.1 – Voit wasn’t able to maintain the gains he made to his hit tool in 2020 (career best 27.6% whiff%), dropping all the way back with a terrible 40.5% whiff%, but his power isn’t in question with an elite 52.2% Hardhit%. He missed the first month+ of the season because of off-season hernia surgery, then he missed another month during the year with a knee injury, and then he lost his job when the Yanks traded for Anthony Rizzo, so to be fair to him, he never was able to get in a rhythm. Trade to San Diego opens up a full time job for him. 2022 Projection: 77/28/89/.253/.336/.479/0

271) Amed Rosario CLE, SS, 26.4 – Rosario bounced back from a down 2020 (.643 OPS in 2020 vs. .731 OPS in 2021), but the level he bounced back too is still pretty uninspiring. His 2.8% Barrel% is in the bottom 8% of the league and his .298 xwOBA is well below average. He doesn’t hit the ball in the air nearly enough (5.6 degree launch), and while his 5.3% BB% was a career high, it’s still in the bottom 8% of the league. He can get the bat on the ball (20.4% K%) and he’s fast (13 steals with a 29.5 ft/sec sprint speed), but other areas of his game have to improve for him to become an impact hitter. 2022 Projection: 79/16/65/.273/.319/.421/16

272) Charlie Blackmon COL, OF, 35.9 – Blackmon had the worst year of his career since 2012 with 13 homers a .761 OPS in 150 games, but he was much better in the 2nd half (.809 OPS with 9 homers in 66 games), and he underperformed his underlying numbers by a good amount (.333 wOBA vs. .361 xwOBA). His days of stealing tons of bags seem to be over, and there is certainly some age related decline, but I think he is going to have a much better year in 2022. 2022 Projection: 86/22/86/.284/.352/.466/5

273) Michael Brantley HOU, OF, 34.11 – The stolen bases seem to have dried up completely with Brantley stealing only 1 base in 2021. The homer totals also tanked with 8 homers in 122 games, but unlike steals, I’m betting on a bounceback there as he put up a career best 42.9% HardHit%. The contact is still in prime form with a .311 BA and 10.4% K%. Without him chipping in with steals and considering his age, Brantley’s dynasty value takes a hit, but he’s in a strong lineup and he could be entering that sweet spot for win now teams where he provides great value at a fraction of the cost. 2022 Projection: 81/16/74/.294/.353/.450/5

274) Hyun Jin Ryu TOR, LHP, 35.0 – Ryu fell apart after the all star break with a 5.50 ERA vs. a 3.56 ERA pre break, and ended the year with a mediocre 4.37 ERA in 169 IP. His 22.6% whiff% was the worst he’s done since Statcast came on the scene in 2015, and his changeup, his best pitch, had the worst pitch value since 2016 (0.3 rating vs. 22.2 in 2019). Toronto and the AL East is not a very forgiving pitching environment either. Having said all that, he is a solid vet with a strong history of production and is in good position to rack up wins, so I’m not shying away from him too much. 2022 Projection: 13/3.72/1.20/148 in 165 IP

275) Myles Straw CLE, OF, 26.5 – Straw finally got his shot at a full time job and he delivered, slashing .271/.349/.348 with 4 homers, 30 steals, and a 19%/10.5% K%/BB%. in 158 games. His 30 steals were tied for 4th best in baseball. His 87.1 MPH EV isn’t horrific, and he notched a career best by far 109.8 MPH, although his 88 MPH FB/LD EV shows there isn’t much power in the tank. If you have a very power heavy team, Straw is the perfect target later in drafts, especially in OBP leagues. 2022 Projection: 77/5/43/.264/.340/.358/26

276) Giovanny Gallegos STL, Closer, 30.9 – Gallegos took over the closer job from Alex Reyes at the end of August, and he looks like favorite for the lion’s share of the role for 2022. He has plus control (6.5% BB%) with a plus fastball/slider combo (.291 xwOBA on fastball and 45.6% whiff% on slider). 2022 Projection: 4/3.40/0.98/90/28 in 73 IP

277) Cal Quantrill CLE, RHP, 27.2 – Fantasy managers have maybe been a little too eager chasing that Cleveland pitching development dragon with Civale, Pleasac, and McKenzie all disappointing to certain degrees after their initial breakout. Next up is Quantrill. He had a sparkling pitching line of 2.89/1.18/121/47 in 149.1 IP, but his 3.97 xERA is probably more telling of his true talent level. Both his 19.6% K% and 21.9% whiff% were below average, although he was much better in the 2nd half after getting stretched out in the rotation with 71 strikeouts in his final 77 IP. He throws a 5 pitch mix, and none of his pitches are a true elite swing and miss weapon, but he has induced weak contact for 3 straight years now, so he knows how to get outs. I wouldn’t get in a bidding war for Quantrill if someone falls in love with that ERA, but I would be happy to grab him for the right price. 2022 Projection: 10/3.91/1.26/140 in 160 IP

278) Max Kepler MIN, OF, 29.2 – Outside of 2019 Kepler’s surface stats have been so mediocre, but his underlying stats are mouth watering. He has an above average EV (89.8 MPH) with a plus plate approach (19.6%/11% K%/BB%) and a high launch angle (16.3 degrees). Everything is there for a big year, but he’s only done it once. He had a slightly below average .309 wOBA and a well above average .347 xwOBA in 2021. His 10.8% barrel% is a career best and he stole a career high 10 bases. He mentioned he wants to pull the ball more in 2022, which is a good plan because his pull% in 2019 was by far his career high (53.4% vs. 42.5% in 2021). I’m not ready to give up on him. 2022 Projection: 79/26/82/.248/.338/.460/8

279) Anthony Santander BAL, OF, 27.5 – Santander put up only a 92 wRC+, but that was likely due to bad luck as he put up a career best 90.7 MPH EV and 43.5% HardHit%. He had a .307 wOBA vs. a .328 xwOBA. He’s a power hitter who makes good contact (23.1%) and gets the ball in the air (18 degree launch angle), but he has low walk rates with a low OBP (5.3% BB% and .286 OBP). 2022 Projection: 72/28/81/.257/.308/.472/2

280) Miguel Sano MIN, 1B, 28.11 – Sano’s extreme swing and miss (38.2% whiff%) makes for wild swings in batting average. He hit .196 with 15 homers in 68 games pre break and .250 with 15 homers in 67 games post break. That is just part of the deal when you own these types of sluggers. He played in 135 games, which is actually a career high for him, and he still smokes the ball as hard as anybody (93.4 MPH EV). 2022 Projection: 74/32/82/.220/.310/.475/1

281) Bobby Dalbec BOS, 1B, 26.9 – After struggling pre break (.673 OPS), Dalbec went off in the 2nd half, slashing .269/.344/.611 with 15 homers and a 61/16 K/BB in 61 games. It all comes down to plate approach with him (34.4%/6/2% K%/BB%), because he smashes the ball with a 92.4 MPH EV. I would be higher on him if Triston Casas wasn’t breathing down his neck. He has about as short of a leash as you can get. 2022 Projection: 71/30/85/.240/.309/.491/2

282) DJ LeMahieu NYY, 1B/2B/3B, 33.9 – LeMahieu’s 2019-20 power explosion came to a screeching halt in 2021 with only 10 homers in 150 games. A 5 degree launch angle makes it hard to count on that power coming back, but 10 homers seems more like a floor for him at this point. He still makes excellent contact (13.8% K%), hits the ball hard (90.6 MPH EV), and his 10.8% BB% was a career best. 2022 Projection: 91/15/71/.286/.350/.430/5

283) Harrison Bader STL, OF, 27.10 – Bader was one of my favorite sleeper prospects back in the day and remains one of the my favorite players in general. He showed some seeds in 2021 of a breakout with a career best 21.2% K% (32% in 2020) and had the best year of his career vs. offspeed pitches with a .297 xwOBA. He still doesn’t hit the ball hard enough with a 86.2 MPH EV, and while he’s lightening fast with good stolen base totals throughout his career, he’s not racking up steals to the point he can carry you in that category. He also overperformed his xStats with a .331 wOBA vs. a .295 xwOBA. There is nobody who wants to get more excited for Bader than me, but the numbers tell me he is still more a later round upside pick than someone to go after. 2022 Projection: 69/18/73/.253/.328/.432/14

284) Jon Gray TEX, RHP, 30.5 – Getting drafted by Colorado must be a nightmare for pitchers. Granted, it’s the best kind of nightmare where you get a lot of money and get to live out your dream of being a professional baseball player, but still. Gray is as free as Willy now, and I’m buying into the 2nd act of his career. He throws a 94.9 MPH fastball to go along with a plus slider that put up a 38.8% whiff% (.234 xwOBA). His curveball is good too although he doesn’t go to it often, and his changeup has gotten hit up throughout his career, so it’s not all roses, but the fastball/slider combo gives him the strikeout upside we love. 2022 Projection: 10/3.90/1.27/178 in 165 IP

Tier 9

285) Cavan Biggio TOR, 3B/2B, 27.0 – A neck/back injury and also a sprained elbow contributed to a down season for Biggio with a .678 OPS. If you want to look for some silver linings, he notched a career best 89 MPH EV and 109.6 MPH Max EV, so a mini power breakout could be in the cards assuming full health. The injuries also didn’t seem to impact his speed with a 28.3 ft/s sprint speed. He’s a nice buy low target in OBP leagues, but his batting average floor is very low, so I wouldn’t go too far out of my way to acquire him in 5×5 BA leagues. 2022 Projection: 77/21/74/.242/.351/.437/10

286) Kolten Wong MIL, 2B, 31.6 – Wong hit the ball harder than ever in 2021 with career bests in exit velocity (88.3 MPH), Barrel% (5.5%), and HardHit% (34.7%). It led to a modest power breakout with 14 homers in 116 games. He combines those power gains with plus contact rates (16.9% K%) and solid base stealing skills (12 for 17 on the bases). 2022 Projection: 79/16/64/.269/.343/.420/14

287) Chris Taylor LAD, 2B/SS/OF, 31.7 – Taylor is back with LA in his super utility role. He put up a career best 17.3 degree launch angle, helping his average power play up, and while his HP to 1B runtimes do show some signs of slowing down these past two seasons, he’s still fast and effective on the bases. The batting average floor is low with a 28.7% K%. 2022 Projection: 86/19/69/.250/.340/.440/8

288) Lane Thomas WAS, OF, 26.7 – Thomas got traded to Washington mid season and they unleashed him. He slashed .270/.364/.489 with 7 homers, 4 steals, and a 22.3%/13.1% K%/BB% in 45 games. Statcast loves him too with a 91 MPH exit velocity and 29 ft/sec sprint speed. He’s put up big power/speed numbers in the minors from 2018-2019, so none of this came out of nowhere. He was just another victim of St. Louis’ never ending logjam. He doesn’t have major swing and miss issues with an above average 21.1% whiff%, he gets on base with a 14% BB%, and a starting OF job is his to lose. 2022 Projection: 77/20/76/.252/.331/.436/10

289) Brayan Rocchio CLE, SS, 21.3 – Rocchio turned his game up a notch when he got to Double-A, putting up a .765 OPS in 64 games at High-A before dropping a .865 OPS at Double-A. He’s also destroying the Venezuelan Winter League with a 1.034 OPS. His power ticked up this year, smacking 15 homers in 108 games, and he combines that with plus speed and a good feel to hit. On the downside, he doesn’t walk very much (6.7% BB%) and his stolen bases percentage is poor (21 for 31). He’s also a switch hitter who hits lefties better than righties. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 87/20/78/.278/.336/.465/14

290) Jeimer Candelario DET, 1B/3B, 28.4 – Candelario is a rock solid real life hitter, slashing .271/.351/.443 in 149 games, but he doesn’t steal bases (0 steals) and he has average power (16 homers). His power did tick up post break with 11 homers in 68 games, but his EV and launch didn’t significantly change over that time. 2022 Projection: 81/20/75/.268/.344/.448/1

291) Tylor Megill NYM, RHP, 26.8 – Megill quickly cruised through the upper levels of the minors before immediately impressing in his MLB debut, putting up a 26.1%/7.1% K%/BB% and 3.87 xERA in 89.2 IP. He has the stuff to back up the numbers with an above average 3 pitch mix led by his 94.6 MPH fastball. His 4.52 ERA should keep the hype in check, and while I’m planning on grabbing Megill for cheap in every size league I play in this off-season, he is likely the Mets 6th starter when everyone is healthy. 2022 Projection: 8/3.90/1.27/161 in 155 IP

292) Nick Senzel CIN, OF, 26.8 – Senzel just can’t shake the injury bug as a knee injury limited him to 36 games, and he lost his starting job in the process. He put up a lowly .638 OPS in the majors, but his xwOBA was actually really good at ..357 (.286 wOBA). He improved his K% by 7 percentage points to an elite 12.9%, and he’s very fast with a 29.1 ft/sec sprint speed. He has only average power (88.9 EV with a 10.5 degree launch), so unlocking more of that will be key to unlocking more upside. 2022 Projection: 78/19/71/.272/.336/.427/14

293) German Marquez COL, RHP, 27.1 – Marquez is under contract with Colorado through 2024, so he’s not getting out anytime soon. He’s managed to hold his own against the Coors beast with a career 4.28 ERA by keeping the ball on the ground (career best 5.2 degree launch angle in 2021). His slider and curve put up a 40.1% and 42.7% whiff%, making me think he could go bonkers with another team, but we’ll have to settle for solid until 2025. I also realize that Marquez and Gray both pitched better at home than on the road, but part of the mind fuck that is pitching at Coors is that it can ruin you on the road too. 2022 Projection: 12/4.04/1.26/185 in 185 IP

294) Camilo Doval SFG, Closer-ish, 24.9 – Doval was straight fire in his MLB debut with a 98.6 MPH fastball and a plus slider that put up a 40.3% whiff%. It led to a pitching line of 3.00/1.04/37/9 in 27 IP, and he seemed to gain control of the closer job at the end of the season. His control has been a major issue in the minors with a 16.7% BB% in 30.2 IP at Triple-A, and Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers are still lurking over his shoulder, but this is the type of young, electric back end bullpen arm you take a shot on. 2022 Projection: 3/3.59/1.26/82/20 in 61 IP

295) Bobby Miller LAD, RHP, 23.0 – Miller is 6’5”, 220 pounds with good control over a premium, MLB ready 5 pitch mix. His 4 seamer consistently reaches the upper 90’s and his 2 seamer has that nasty tailing action. The slider is plus, the changeup is potentially plus, and his curve can be an effective pitch too. It led to a pitching line of 2.40/0.94/70/13 in 56.1 IP at mostly High-A. He missed 6 weeks with an undisclosed injury and he rarely went more than 4 IP. He also got mashed in the AFL (9.90 ERA), but he mentioned he was specifically working on his curveball, so I wouldn’t be too concerned. Miller still has to prove it over longer outings and for more than 56.1 innings, but he has legitimate ace upside. 2022 Projection: 1/4.21/1.33/22 in 20 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.66/1.23/195 in 170 IP

296) DL Hall BAL, LHP, 23.6 – Stress reaction in his left elbow ended his season in June after just 7 starts. He was in the midst of a possible breakout with a 43.8%/12.5% K%/BB% in 31.2 IP at Double-A. The stuff is premium giving him ace upside, but the control will have to take a step forward to get there. 2022 Projection: 2/4.38/1.39/73 in 65 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.66/1.29/205 in 177 IP

297) Willie Calhoun TEX, OF, 27.5 – A groin strain delayed the start of his season and then a broken forearm after getting hit by a pitch knocked him out for almost 3 months in late June. When healthy he did his thing at the dish with plus contact rates (12% K%), a 14.9 degree launch angle, and strong EV numbers (94 MPH FB/LD EV), but his barrel percentages have been consistently low (3.5% in 2021), so while his culminative Statcast numbers look great, he hasn’t been able to hit the ball on the screws on enough. The ingredients are there for that plus contact/power profile to breakout, and I’m willing to give him one more year in his age 27 season to figure it out. 2022 Projection: 70/23/77/.260/.320/.447/0

298) Kyle Lewis SEA, OF, 26.9 – Lewis just can’t shake these knee injuries as he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee which ended his season after only 36 games. When healthy he’s been a dangerous hitter with well above average xwOBA’s all 3 years of his career (.356 in 2019/.343 in 2020/.350 in 2021). He notched career bests in K% (25.2%) and launch angle (16.8%) this year. It’s a shame his career has been derailed, because he would have almost certainly been an all star by now. He’s not expected to be ready for opening day. 2022 Projection: 62/19/64/.252/.339/.450/6

299) Jarren Duran BOS, OF, 25.7 – Duran’s power breakout in 2020 at the alt side carried over into real games in 2021 with 16 homers and a 37.5% GB% in 60 games at Triple-A, but everything crumbled when he got to the majors. He put up a .578 OPS with a 35.7%/3.6% K%/BB% and a 49.3% GB% in 112 PA. The good news is that he hit the ball pretty hard with an above average 89.6/93.6 MPH AVG/FB EV and he’s lightening fast with a 29.3 ft/sec sprint speed. Even with the new flyball approach in Triple-A he was able to maintain a strong 23.3%/10.6% K%/BB%, and he’s been a strong contact hitter his entire career, so those numbers should improve his 2nd time through the majors. 2022 Projection: 46/12/41/.243/.301/.418/14 Prime Projection: 77/18/73/.258/.319/.433/19

300) Michael Harris ATL, OF, 21.1 – Harris is an explosive player who hits the ball hard with above average contact rates (18.1% K%) and plus speed (27 steals in 101 games at High-A). He hit only 7 homers because of a high 50.3% GB% and his home ballpark is an extreme pitcher’s park, so he has more power than he showed. He will have to raise his launch angle if he wants to unlock more it though. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/18/71/.273/.330/.423/18

301) Drew Rasmussen TBR, RHP, 26.8 – Rasmussen transitioned into a starting role with Tampa and he responded with a 1.46 ERA and 23/6 K/BB in 37 IP. Tampa helped him improve his control (5.7% BB% with Tamps vs. 15.6% BB% with Milwaukee), but his strikeout rate plummeted (20.9% vs. 32.5%). His 4 seamer is a beast of a pitch at 97.1 MPH (more like 95-96 as a starter), and his slider is a plus pitch too. If he can figure out a way to marry the improved control and previous strikeout skills, he can be an impact fantasy starter, but I would like to see him do it first before jumping in full throttle. 2022 Projection: 7/3.87/1.26/124 in 130 IP

302) Bailey Ober MIN, RHP, 26.9 – Ober is 6’9”, 260 pounds with elite control (5% BB%) of a solid 4 pitch mix that has put up strong strikeout rates throughout his career. His stuff isn’t flashy, but he had an above average 25.3% K% in 92.1 IP in his MLB debut. He can be nice innings eater towards the back (or middle depending on league size) of your fantasy rotation who provides sneaky value in WHIP. 2022 Projection: 8/4.10/1.22/146 in 150 IP

303) Huascar Ynoa ATL, RHP, 23.10 – Ynoa missed 3 months of the season after punching the dugout and breaking his hand in May, but the more concerning injury is the shoulder inflammation that shut him down in the playoffs. Even with the injury risk he makes for an enticing target with a plus slider (.240 xwOBA) that he threw 48.2% of the time. It led to a 26.9%/6.7% K%/BB% with a 4.05 ERA. He didn’t go to the changeup often (7% usage), although it was effective when he did go to it (42.9% whiff%), and while he fires an electric 96.5 MPH fastball, it was quite hittable with a 92.6 MPH EV against and 14.6% whiff%. He’s also never displayed this level of control before, so there is some regression risk. 2022 Projection: 9/4.11/1.31/155 in 145 IP

304) Alex Wood SFG, LHP, 31.3 – Wood went to the pitcher’s paradise of San Francisco to get his groove back, and it worked with a pitching line of 3.83/1.18/152/39 in 138.1 IP. His sinker hit a 4 year high of 91.8 MPH and his slider became a plus pitch with a .253 xwOBA and 39.9% whiff%. I’ve been burned at least twice buying into Wood throughout my fantasy career, so my brain is telling me to stay away, but my heart is telling me let’s do this one more time. 2022 Projection: 11/3.95/1.22/161 in 155 IP

305) Aaron Civale CLE, RHP, 26.10 – Civale was not able to maintain the strikeout gains he made in 2020 with his K% dropping 3.5 percentage points to 21.4%. His hard hit against numbers also took a hit with a career worst 39.3% HardHit%. His 3.84 ERA looks solid, but his 4.83 ERA looks much worse, and considering the mediocre at best strikeout numbers, I don’t envision myself acquiring Civale this off-season. 2022 Projection: 10/4.09/1.25/131 in 150 IP

306) Anthony DeSclafani SFG, RHP, 32.0 – An unsustainable .265 BABIP fueled DeSclafani’s 3.17 ERA, but his 3.95 xERA is likely more accurate of his true talent level. He throws a 5 pitch mix with his slider leading the way with a 35.7% usage rate and .290 xwOBA. 2022 Projection: 11/3.85/1.24/154 in 165 IP

307) Alex Cobb SFG, RHP, 34.6 – Right wrist inflammation limited Cobb to 93.1 IP. He notched career bests (in the Statcast Era) in Barrel% (4.2%), launch angle (3 degrees), K% (24.9%), and xERA (3.98). Even if there is some regression, his move to San Francisco should mitigate some of that. 2022 Projection: 11/3.81/1.25/139 in 150 IP

308) AJ Pollock LAD, OF, 34.4 – Pollock has had injury issues throughout his career and his 117 games played this year was the most he’s played in since 2015. A hamstring and ankle injury plagued him this year. He performs when he’s on the field though with an approach geared for power and average. He also ran more than he had since 2018 with 9 steals in 10 attempts. 2020 Projection: 70/22/76/.270/.330/.482/8

309) Victor Robles WAS, OF, 24.10 – It’s really hard to buy into a Robles breakout because of how weakly he hits the ball. Tons of pitchers hit the ball harder than him. He was in the bottom 1% of the league in exit velocity the past two seasons. He also isn’t an elite burner anymore. His sprint speed is still well above average, but it’s not in the elite territory like it was earlier in his career. His contact rates are also about average, so we aren’t talking about a precocious hitter. Robles did rake when he got sent back down to Triple-A, so seeing him dominate a level at least gives some hope, but I’m not buying back in unless I can get in at a bargain bin price. 2022 Projection: 75/12/59/.252/.328/.396/14

310) Pedro Leon HOU, OF/SS, 23.10 – Leon had a up and down season in his first year playing stateside ball, which is understandable considering the long layoff coming over from Cuba, and then suffering a broken pinky finger in late July. There was a 37 game stretch though, after he shook off the rust from a poor May, and before he broke his finger, where he looked like a stud, slashing .292/.414/.515 with 7 homers, 12 steals, and a 40/23 K/BB in 37 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He wasn’t the same after returning from the injury with 5 hits in 50 AB at mostly Triple-A. and he then put up a .639 OPS in 15 Arizona Fall League games. He flashed both his upside and his risk this year, and I think it is reasonable to expect a much more stable season in year 2. 2022 Projection:27/6/23/.232/.308/.410/5 Prime Projection: 81/22/76/.254/.331/.453/13

311) Gunnar Henderson BAL, SS, 20.9 –Henderson has a real chance of being a special player too with power and speed, but his bat comes with more risk as he had a 29.3% K% at Single-A, 30.1% K% at Double-A, and then struck out 10 times in 17 AB in his Double-A cup of coffee. ETA: 2023/24 Prime Projection: 77/23/80/.259/.332/.461/10

312) Bryson Stott PHI, SS, 24.6 – Stott performed exactly like expected in 2021 with solid numbers across the board, slashing .299/.390/.486 with 16 homers, 10 steals and a 108/65 K/BB in 112 at mostly Double-A. He finished the season strong in 10 games at Triple-A (.833 OPS with a 8/8 K/BB), and then raked in the Arizona Fall League with .934 OPS in 26 games. He doesn’t have the highest upside, but if you want to go the safe route I can see ranking him higher. 2022 Projection:43/9/38/.252/.313/.427/4 Prime Projection: 83/21/77/.269/.337/.442/9

313) Mitch Garver TEX, C, 31.2 – Garver was limited to just 68 games with a variety of injuries, the most concerning one being the debilitating back injury that kept him out towards end of the season. Even battling through all the injuries, he proved his terrible 2020 (.511 OPS) was an aberration, putting up an elite EV (92.3 MPH), HardHit% (53.6%), Barrel% (17.4%) and xwOBA (.384). The one thing that didn’t fully recover back to his monster 2019 season was contact rates. He had a 29.2% (24.2% K% in 2019) and 30% whiff%, although his 12.8% BB% was a career high. Injuries are a concern, but the potential is in there to put up a huge power season again. 2022 Projection: 67/24/69/.246/.332/.462/0

314) Andy Pages LAD, OF, 21.4 – Pages had the 8th highest flyball percentage in all of the minor leagues among qualified hitters with a 55.3% FB%. It led to 31 homers in 120 games at High-A. He walks a ton with a 14.3% BB% and he has reasonable contact rates too with a 24.5% K%. LA’s High-A ballpark is a pitcher’s park that reduces homers, so he was actually much better on the road (1.016 OPS) than he was at home (.846 OPS). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/32/89/.255/.345/.503/4

315) Pete Crow-Armstrong CHC, OF, 20.0 – Armstrong was my favorite target in last year’s first year player drafts, ranking him 7th overall, and he got off to a glorious start with 10 hits in his first 24 at bats, but it all came to a screeching halt when he tore his labrum (shoulder), which required season ending surgery. He’s already back in the batting cages, so he should be good to go for 2022. He has a plus hit, speed, and a defense profile, but I think there is more power in the tank than he is getting credit for. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 91/16/66/.278/.355/.434/22

316) Keibert Ruiz WAS, C, 23.8 – Ruiz ripped up Triple-A with strong contact rates but he doesn’t hit the ball hard enough to get really excited. He had a 9.4%/6/3% K%/BB% with a 86 MPH exit velocity in 29 MLB games. He does lift the ball with an 18.6 degree launch, and his contact numbers are truly elite, so even with a low HR/FB rate he should still be able to get plenty of balls over the fence. 2022 Projection: 58/18/64/.267/.323/.420/0 Prime Projection: 73/23/79/.277/.340/.445/0

317) Edward Cabrera MIA, RHP, 23.11 – Cabrera’s control completely left him once he hit Triple-A as he put up a 14.7% BB% in 29.1 IP. Those problems followed him to the majors, notching a 15.8% BB% in 26.1 IP. He throws a legitimate 4 pitch mix with his fastball averaging 96.7 MPH, and he never showed this level of control problems in the past, so I would be buying this off-season. 2022 Projection: 6/4.18/1.35/121 in 115 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.73/1.28/191 in 175 IP

318) Casey Mize DET, RHP, 24.11 – Statcast hates Mize too. His 4.96 ERA is much worse than his 3.71 ERA, and unlike Skubal, Mize doesn’t have the above average strikeout rate to fall back on. He is actually well below average with a 19.3% K%. He does show plus control (6.7% BB%) of a 5 pitch mix, so the guy knows how to pitch, but his strikeout rates in pro ball, even going back to his time in the minors, are hard to get excited about. 2022 Projection: 8/4.28/1.27/151 in 170 IP

319) Michael Busch LAD, 2B, 24.4 – Busch was unable to carry over his plus contact rates from college (26.1% K% in 107 games at Double-A), but he was able to carry over the power (20 homers) and walks (14.1% BB%). He’s your classic power, patience, and K’s slugger whose future playing time is in much better shape with the NL DH because he’s not a great defensive player. 2022 Projection: 11/3/9/.236/.313/.416/0 Prime Projection: 84/25/84/.260/.347/.481/2

320) Mark Vientos NYM, 3B, 22.4 – Vientos is 6’4, 185 pounds and was a power breakout waiting to happen. It happened. He crushed 22 homers in 72 games at Double-A and then he cracked 3 homers in 11 games at Triple-A to close the season. His strikeout rate spiked with the power to 28.4% at Double-A (30.2% at Triple-A), so there is risk, but his power has true elite potential. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 76/32/88/.248/.327/.502/1

321) Steven Matz STL, LHP, 30.10 – Matz had a 3.82 ERA with Toronto, and he pitched better on the road (1.27 WHIP with 93 K’s in 88.1 IP) than he did at home (1.43 WHIP with 51 K’s in 62.1 IP), so his move to St. Louis should give him a nice boost. The underlying numbers aren’t very impressive though with a below average 22.3% whiff%, and he doesn’t have a true elite K pitch. 2022 Projection: 11/3.95/1.30/150 in 155 IP

322) Jameson Taillon NYY, RHP, 30.4 – Underwent surgery on his ankle in late October to repair a partially torn tendon that will keep him out for about 5 months. He seems on pace to by ready by Opening Day. Taillon successfully executed his plan to ditch his sinker (5.7% usage) and use his 4 seamer more (49.4% usage) to unlock more strikeouts with a career high 23.2% K% and 26.4% whiff%. The 4-seamer put up an excellent 28.1% whiff%. He was better post break (3.50 ERA) than he was pre break (4.90 ERA), but the underlying numbers were strong all year. 2022 Projection: 9/3.98/1.26/150 in 150 IP

323) Stephen Strasburg WASH, RHP, 33.8 – Make it two straight lost years for Strasburg. He pitched 5 innings in 2020 because of carpel tunnel syndrome which required surgery, and in 2021 he pitched 21.2 innings before needing thoracic outlet surgery in late July. He is expected to be healthy for 2022, but it’s anyone’s guess what that means exactly. On top of performance risk he is a major injury risk. I would let him be someone else’s headache for 2022. 2022 Projection: 7/4.04/1.28/144 in 140 IP

324) Sean Murphy OAK, C, 27.6 – I was pumped for Murphy coming into 2021 with his exit velocity sitting at near elite levels in 2020, but he wasn’t able to keep it up as they dropped to merely above average. His .710 OPS isn’t impressive, but there was some bad luck in play with a .257 BABIP and an xwOBA (.335) that was much better than his wOBA (.309). Muphy isn’t the middle of the order power hitter I hoped he could develop into, but he’s better than he showed in 2021. 2022 Projection: 58/23/67/.240/.328/.447/0

325) Craig Kimbrel CHW, Setup, 33.10 – There are rumors Chicago is looking to trade Kimbrel, but there is no guarantee a deal gets done. He fell apart after being traded to Chicago with a 5.09 ERA, but he was dominant overall with a 42.6% K% and 2.26 ERA. Until he officially has a closer role, he is major risk in saves leagues, but I’m less concerned about his expected performance. 2022 Projection: 3/3.15/1.10/99/20 in 65 IP

326) David Bednar PIT, Closer Committee, 27.6 – Finally a Pittsburgh pitcher we can get a little excited about. Bednar was near elite in 2021 with a 32.5% K% and 2.23 ERA (2.53 xERA) in 60.2 IP. His fastball averaged a career high 96.7 MPH, and his two secondaries were straight fire. His curveball put up a 46.8% whiff% and his splitter put up a .217 xwOBA. All 3 of his pitches are plus. He does have Chris Stratton to contend with for saves, so he’s most valuable in a SV/HLD league. 2022 Projection: 4/3.37/1.11/87/20 in 65 IP

327) Corey Knebel PHI, Closer, 30.3 – Knebel is the favorite to win Philadelphia’s closer job after signing a 1 year, $10 million contract. He throws a 96.3 MPH fastball that put up an excellent 32.8% whiff% to go along with a plus curve that had a .216 xwOBA. There’s injury risk as he threw only 25.2 IP in 2021 with an arm injury, and he missed all of 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. 2022 Projection: 4/3.45/1.19/67/28 in 55 IP

328) Lucas Sims CIN, Closer Committee, 27.11 – I have no idea if Sims will be named Cincinnati’s closer in 2022, or if Cincy will even name a closer at all and just go with a committee, but I do know Sims is the guy that gets me most excited. He upped the velocity on all of his pitches to career highs (up 1.2 MPH on his fastball to 95.1 MPH), and was a strikeout machine with a 39% K%. He’s been racking up K’s for 3 years now, so you don’t have to worry if he can completely maintain the velocity bump. He had a 4.40 ERA but his 2.55 xERA is much more telling of his true skill level. In 11.2 IP in September and October he put up a 21/0 K/BB with 2 ER and 7 hits. There is injury risk as he battled elbow problems in the off-season and again during the year, but the upside is an elite fantasy closer. 2022 Projection: 4/3.38/1.10/76/20 in 55 IP

329) Jesus Aguilar MIA, 1B, 31.9 – Aguilar has been a very consistent, firmly above average hitter for the past 5 seasons. His 18.2% K% and 19 degree launch angle were both career bests. He doesn’t exactly crush the ball when he hits it in the air, so I wouldn’t expect huge homer totals, but he is a very good, well rounded hitter. 2022 Projection: 68/24/83/.260/.334/.460/0

330) Elieser Hernandez MIA, RHP, 26.11 – A biceps injury and then a quad strain limited Hernandez to 51.2 IP. He has above average control (6.2% BB%) of a solid 3 pitch mix (fastball, slider, change). The underlying numbers on his 3 pitches have been a bit all over the map in his 4 year career, with his slider being his only consistent plus pitch (.253 xwOBA). There is potential for Hernandez to have a damn good season, but there are injury issues and consistently issues. 2022 Projection: 8/3.91/1.26/132 in 130 IP

331) Nick Pivetta BOS, RHP, 29.2 – Everybody’s favorite sleeper in 2019 put himself back on the map in 2021 with a pitching line of 4.53/1.30/175/65 in 155 IP. He had a 3.84 xERA, but he’s underperformed his xStats basically every year of his career because of how homer prone he is, so it’s hard to buy into that being his “true” talent level. He had an above average 26.5% K%, but his whiff% was an average 24.6% and none of his pitches standout as elite K pitches with his slider and curve putting up a 26.4% and 31.1% whiff%, respectively. He’s also in a very challenging pitching environment at Fenway in the AL East. He did enough to 2021 to be an interesting back end rotation option, but I’m still not comfortable going out of my way to target him. 2022 Projection: 10/4.27/1.32/169 in 160 IP

332) Eric Lauer MIL, LHP, 26.10 – Lauer was a favorite of mine coming out of his draft year, and as pitching prospects tend to do, he broke out after I already moved on from him. He put up a pitching line of 3.19/1.14/117/41 in 118.2 IP. His fastball ticked up 1.1 MPH to 92.6 MPH which he threw 43.9% of the time with a very good 26.5% whiff%. His K/BB numbers were about MLB average, and I think MLB average is a fair expectation as he enters his prime. 2022 Projection: 9/4.03/1.28/155 in 160 IP

333) Andrew McCutchen MIL, OF, 35.5 – McCutchen seems to be completely forgotten about despite having another strong season. He has a plus plate approach (23%/14.1% K%/BB%) with above average power (93.4 MPH FB/LD EV with a 14.6 degree launch angle) and plus speed (28.7 ft/sec spring speed). A career low .242 BABIP is the only thing keeping the surface stats in check (.778 OPS), as he jacked 27 homers in 144 games. If you are a win now team, he seems to be going for almost nothing and is a no brainer target. 2022 Projection: 81/24/81/.251/.348/.448/8

334) Adam Duvall ATL, OF, 33.7 – Duvall has a below average plate approach (31.4%/6.3% K%/BB%) and is getting up there in age, but he puts a charge into the ball with a 16.1% barrel% and 23.6 degree launch angle. It led to .228 BA, .281 OBP, and 38 homers. It’s who he’s been his entire career and there were no signs of decline last year. 2022 Projection: 69/33/91/.227/.293/.488/3

335) Mark Canha NYM, OF, 33.1 – The power numbers have been mediocre now for two years with 5 homers in 59 games in 2020 and 17 homers in 141 games in 2021, but he’s made up for it by running more, going 16 for 18 on the bases over those two seasons. It’s hard to count on those steals as he gets deeper into his 30’s though, and he’s not a very good average hitter either with a career .244 BA (.231 in 2021). Add a star in OBP leagues because he high walk rates (12.3%), but I’m less excited for him in 5×5 AVG leagues. 2022 Projection: 78/20/76/.245/.368/.427/9

336) Brandon Nimmo NYM, OF, 29.0 – Various injuries limited Nimmo to 92 games with a finger injury keeping him out for 2 months. OBP is his best skill with a career .393 OBP, and he’s made hit tool gains the last two years with a 19.1% K% in 2020 and 20.3% K% in 2021 (28% in 2019). His power is average at best, and while he’s fast, he’s not a very good base stealer. 2022 Projection: 84/17/57/.264/.390/.436/6

337) Gary Sanchez MIN, C, 29.4 – Sanchez traded some power for more contact in 2021, notching a career worst 89.5 MPH exit velocity, but also bringing his K% back down to earth (36% in 2020 vs. 27.5% in 2021). His 95.1 MPH FB/LD EV and 20.5 degree launch angle shows there is still plenty of juice left in the bat. 2022 Projection: 56/25/64/.223/.317/.445/0

338) Leody Taveras TEX, OF, 23.7 – Taveras was a definite miss for me. I got excited over the tooled up former top prospect after his strong 2020 MLB debut, but this year his exit velocity dropped from above average to below average, his BB% fell off a cliff, and so did his launch angle. There are still some things to like. His 29.7 ft/sec sprint speed is elite and he went 10 for 11 on the bases in 49 games, so he is a legit stolen base asset. He improved his whiff% 3.5 percentage points to 26.3%, even though his K% remained high (32.4%). He also hit 17 homers in 87 games after getting demoted to Triple-A, so the power stroke is definitely in there. He’s currently destroying LIDOM, slashing .354/.419/.523 with 2 homers, 3 steals and a 12/7 K/BB in 17 games. The high upside is still in there, but it might take a few years for him to get there. 2022 Projection: 63/14/51/.234/.298/.395/18

339) Heliot Ramos SFG, OF, 22.6 – I learned the hard way that trying to trade Ramos for anything close to fair value is near impossible, and I don’t blame people because his numbers have just been so mediocre (107 wRC+ at Double-A and 80 wRC+ at Triple-A), but he’s always been very young for his level and the explosive tools are still in there. His value has been so discounted that he might be a buy at this point. 2022 Projection:18/5/22/.234/.298/.427/3 Prime Projection: 76/24/85/.257/.328/.469/11

340) Kevin Alcantara CHC, OF, 19.9 – Alcantara is 6’6”, 188 pounds and has potential written all over him. He is an excellent athlete with plenty of room on his frame to fill out and end up with at least plus power at peak. There is some swing and miss to his game, but it’s not expected to be an extreme problem. He showed out in rookie ball this year, slashing .345/.423/.588 with 5 homers, 5 steals, and a 26.1%/12.3% K%/BB% in 34 games. He’s a great high upside shot to take, and his price should remain very reasonable this off-season. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/27/85/.250/.325/.473/11

341) Harry Ford SEA, C, 19.2 – Selected 12th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Ford generates plus power with one of the quickest bats in the draft, notching an 80.8 MPH max barrel speed which is in the 98.86 percentile of his high school class (stats from Perfect Game). He also had plus speed with a 6.5 second 60 yard dash. He used those skills to rake in his pro debut, slashing .291/.400/.582 with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 21.5%/13.8% K%/BB% in 19 games. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/27/85/.262/.338/.486/10

342) Dustin Harris TEX, 1B, 22.9 – Harris’ power exploded in 2021, bringing his GB% down from over 50% in his 2019 pro debut to 33.8% at Single-A (42.6% at High-A). He jacked 20 homers in 110 games, and as long as he keeps the ball off the ground, the power is definitely real as he’s a built up 6’2”, 185 pounds. He’s always had a good feel to hit with an advanced plate approach, and the power breakout didn’t change that at all with a 15.7%/10.1% K%/BB%. The cherry on top is that he has some speed too with 25 steals in 27 attempts. There is a whole lot to like here. Proving it against more advanced pitching is the last step. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 76/26/83/.267/.328/.462/9

343) Joey Wiemer MIL, OF, 23.1 – Wiemer is an impressive dude at 6’5”, 215 pounds with big raw power and above average speed. He put up a dominant statistical season split between Single-A and High-A, slashing .295/.403/.566 with 27 homers, 30 homers, and a 105/63 K/BB in 109 games. He is a bit old for the lower levels of the minors, and there are some hit tool concerns, but the upside is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/25/81/.247/.321/.466/13

344) Cole Winn TEX, RHP, 22.4 – Winn’s best pitch is a big breaking curveball that he goes to often. It’s an effective pitch both in and out of the zone. He combines that with a mid 90’s fastball and an average-ish slider and changeup. He used that advanced repertoire to befuddle upper minors hitters with a pitching line of 2.41/0.86/107/31 in 86 IP. I wouldn’t put top of the rotation upside on him, but he has the chance to be a legitimately impact fantasy pitcher. 2022 Projection:3/4.41/1.36/67 in 70 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.88/1.27/177 in 171 IP

345) Colton Cowser BAL, OF, 22.0 – Selected 5th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Cowser’s power exploded this season with 16 homers in 55 games in the Southland Conference. That was the final piece to the puzzle as he has shown a good feel to hit with an advanced plate approach from the second he stepped on campus. He then followed that up with a strong pro debut, putting up a 158 wRC+ with a 15.3%/17.7% K%/BB% in 25 games at Single-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 85/22/80/.278/.350/.458/8

346) MacKenzie Gore SDP, LHP, 23.1 – Gore’s alt site reports in 2020 were mediocre at best, and we saw those problems play out in 2021 with a pitching line of 3.93/1.47/61/28 in 50.1 IP (6.35 ERA with a 8/6 K/BB in 11.1 IP in the AFL). He showed control issues, delivery issues, and inconsistent stuff. At his best he still flashed 4 plus pitches from the left side, so he is far form a lost cause, but he is also far from a finished product. 2022 Projection: 2/4.42/1.37/42 in 45 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.88/1.32/168 in 155 IP

347) Tommy Pham FRA, OF, 34.1 – Pham mentioned he couldn’t get right all year after getting stabbed outside of a strip club last off-season, which … yea … that checks out. His underlying numbers have been much better than his surface stats for the last two years (.353 xwOBA vs. .318 wOBA in 2021), and the only sign of decline is a career worst 4.54 HP to 1B runtime, although he still has above average speed. I would give him one more shot in 2022 to prove his down 2020-21 was the result of injuries. 2022 Projection: 76/19/68/.260/.356/.437/16

348) Vinnie Pasquantino KCR, 1B, 24.6 – Pasquantino certainly looks the part of a big time slugger at 6’4”, 245 pounds with an under control and powerful lefty swing. Along with cracking 24 homers in 116 games, he had an elite 12.5%/12.5% K%/BB% split between High-A and Double-A. He was old for the level, but he dominated Double-A just as easily as he did High-A. Steamer is all on him, giving him a 117 wRC+ for 2022. Between Pratto, Pasquantino, Melendez and Witt, KC is about to get an explosion of talent, and the battle for playing time could be fierce. 2022 Projection:9/3/12/.253/.320/.441/0 Prime Projection: 79/26/81/.268/.340/.477/2

349) Juan Yepez STL, 1B/3B/OF, 24.0 – Yepez completely destroyed the upper levels of the minors, slashing .286/.383/.586 with 27 homers and a 18.9%/11.8% K%/BB% in 111 games at mostly Triple-A. He carried that right over to the Arizona Fall League with 7 homers and a 1.028 OPS. He’s always made solid contact throughout his minor league career and was showing seeds of a power breakout in 2019 before exploding in 2021. He’s not great on defense and he doesn’t exactly have a position, but you can’t ignore those offensive numbers. 2022 Projection: 21/5/25/.241/.303/.434/1 Prime Projection: 73/24/81/.258/.325/.470/3

350) Jhonkensy Noel CLE, 1B/3B, 20.9 – Noel has had no issues getting to his monster raw power throughout his career, and that didn’t change in full season ball as he smacked 19 homers in just 70 games split between Single-A and High-A. His plate approach needs refinement, putting up a 16.7%/4.3% K%/BB% at Single-A and 27.9%/8.1% K%/BB% at High-A, but he’s not just an all or nothing slugger, he does have a good feel to hit. Defense might be his biggest hurdle, so he’ll go as far as his bat will take him. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/28/87/.258/.325/.489/3

351) Emerson Hancock SEA, RHP, 22.9 – Hancock understands the art of pitching, showing good control of a legitimate 5 pitch mix (4-seam, 2-seam, slider, change, curve). His 4 seamer can reach the upper 90’s, his 2 seamer is nasty, and his slider and change are both potentially plus. He pitched very well in his pro debut with a 2.62 ERA split between High-A and Double-A, but he was shut down in late August after just 44.2 IP due to a minor shoulder issue. 2022 Projection: 3/4.13/1.30/56 in 60 IPPrime Projection: 13/3.78/1.21/183 in 178 IP

352) Jackson Jobe DET, RHP, 19.8 – Selected 3rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Jobe has a devastating slider that is an elite pitch with high spin rates. He pairs that with a mid 90’s fastball and a changeup that flashes plus. The delivery is athletic, and while he still needs some refinement, he is the highest upside high school arm in the class. He’s a two way prospect, but his future is on the mound. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 14/3.55/1.19/195 in 177 IP

353) Blaze Jordan BOS, 3B, 19.3 – Jordan has been well known for his impressive power for years now at 6’2”, 220 pounds with a lightening quick righty swing, and he didn’t disappoint in his pro debut with 6 homers in 28 games split between rookie ball and Single-A. He destroyed rookie ball with a 1.075 OPS in 19 games, and while his plate approach got exposed in full season ball (.289 OBP), he still ripped 2 quick homers in 9 games. He’s not great on defense and he needs to refine his plate approach, but his prodigious power gives him a very high floor for fantasy. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/33/89/.252/.318/.508/3

354) Scott Barlow KC, Closer, 29.3 – The only thing that could trip Barlow up is his control (9.2% BB%), because he’s basically elite everywhere else. He put up a 29.7% K%, backed up by a 35% whiff%. His swing and miss numbers have been in that elite-ish territory for 3 years now. He throws 3 plus pitches, going to his slider the most with a 46.4% usage rate and 44.2% whiff%. His fastball sits 95.3 MPH and his curveball is devastating with an elite .153 xwOBA. Guys like this are why you wait on saves. 2022 Projection: 4/3.48/1.22/83/30 in 65 IP

355) Seth Beer ARI, 1B, 25.8 – Beer dislocated his shoulder and required surgery after just 5 games into his MLB debut. Inopportune injuries like this for an older prospect can sometimes be the kiss of death for finding a path to playing time, but he hit well in those 5 games (1.389 OPS), and now with the NL DH he will be in much better position going forward. He’s hit well every single year of his career going back to his freshman year of college, and I’m betting on that to continue in the Majors if given the opportunity. 2022 Projection: 55/16/63/.257/.325/.449/0 Prime Projection: 75/24/83/.268/.335/.472/0

356) Gio Urshela MIN, 3B/SS, 30.6 – I straight missed on Urshela this year. Exit velocity, launch angle, K%, and BB% all declined rather significantly. Maybe you can blame the elbow surgery he underwent last off-season, but it would be hard to just write off this season where he regressed closer to his career norms. If he is completely forgotten about in 2022 drafts, I will take a shot late, but I’m not going after him this year. 2022 Projection: 72/22/79/.276/.318/.449/1

357) Jonathan Schoop DET, 1B/2B, 30.6 – Schoop jacked 16 homers in 87 games pre break, but only knocked out 6 in his final 69 games. With a 48% GB% this year (51.2% in 2020), and only a 91.7 MPH FB/EV, I would keep my homerun expectations in check. His 19.7% K% was a career best and his 88.1 MPH AVG EV was his best mark since 2015, so while he isn’t very exciting, I wouldn’t completely forget about him. 2022 Projection: 74/23/78/.266/.317/.448/1

358) Eduardo Escobar NYM, 2B/3B, 33.3 – Escobar continues to thrive with not very impressive exit velocity numbers (87 MPH EV), knocking out 28 homers in 146 games. Nothing particularly sticks out in his underlying numbers, but he makes good contact (20.7% K%) and he lifts the ball (20.7 degree launch angle), showing that if you hit enough balls in the air, good things can happen. 2022 Projection: 75/25/86/.257/.319/.465/2

359) Clint Frazier CHC, OF, 27.7 – Frazier will try to resurrect his career with Chicago after concussion like symptoms derailed his career in 2021. When healthy, Frazier has put up an above average .323 xwOBA in his career with high walk rates, high strikeout rates, and above average to plus power. He’s a poor defensive outfielder, so the DH is a major boom for his playing time outlook. 2022 Projection: 66/23/71/.249/.334/.441/5

360) Luis Garcia WAS, 2B, 21.10 – After putting up an 83.5 MPH exit velocity in his MLB debut in 2020, Garcia was able to raise it to 86.8 MPH in 2021, but that is still well below average and it comes with a very low 4.1 degree launch angle. He isn’t fast and he also doesn’t walk. He does get the bat on the ball (17.4% K%) and he’s young, but Garcia is a lot of improvement away from being an impact fantasy player. He’s a sell for me if someone likes him based on his Triple-A production and age. 2022 Projection: 58/13/51/.264/.303/.415/3 Prime Projection: 84/21/76/.281/.330/.441/5

361) Garrett Mitchell MIL, OF, 23.7 – Mitchell has a very similar profile to Bradley Zimmer, for better or worse. They are explosive players with a plus speed/power combo, but their high K% and GB% holds them back. Mitchell’s over 60% GB% is even worse than Zimmer’s. The upside is still very high for fantasy, but he is going to have to make an adjustment to reach it. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/16/71/.256/.324/.429/22

362) Aeverson Arteaga SFG, SS, 19.1 – Arteaga is one of my favorite rookie ball breakouts, slashing .294/.367/.503 with 9 homers, 8 steals, and a 69/23 K/BB in 56 games. He keeps the ball off the ground with a 36% GB% and there is even more power coming in his 6’1”, 170 pound frame. His 30.5% K% is a bit high for comfort, but he has a better feel to hit than that indicates. I believe there is star upside in here, and his potentially plus SS defense should give him every opportunity to reach it. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/23/79/.264/.337/.462/13

363) Jordan Groshans TOR, SS, 22.4 – Groshans had a solid but unspectacular season at Double-A with 7 homers and a 124 wRC+ in 75 games. His advanced plate approach (19.3%/10.8% K%/BB%) is impressive, especially considering his age relative to level, and he kept the ball off the ground with a 39.7% GB%, which led to 23 doubles. He had some injury issues with a sore back earlier in the year and then missed the last month of the year for undisclosed reasons. Because of the limited games and non splashy surface stats, Groshans makes for a nice dynasty target this off-season. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 84/25/84/.274/.352/.481/2

364) Brett Baty NYM, 3B, 22.4 – Baty personifies the proverbial “professional at-bat.” He slashed .292/.382/.473 with 12 homers and a 25.5%/11.9% K%/BB% in 91 games split between High-A and Double-A. There is some swing and miss to his game (30.4% K% in 25 AFL games) and while he has at least plus power, his groundball percentage is way too high to take advantage of it (61.2% at Double-A). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/25/81/.269/.353/.477/4

365) Reginald Preciado CHC, SS, 18.11 – Preciado is a sinewy and projectable 6’4”, 185 pounds, and he got off to a strong start in his pro career, slashing .333/.383/.511 with 3 homers, 7 steals, and a 22.7%/7.1% K%/BB% in 34 games in rookie ball. He’s a switch hitter with a quick and simple swing that is geared for both power and average. While he stole 7 bags, he’s not a burner and will likely be more of a power hitter as he ages. He will still be 18 years old when the 2022 season starts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/25/83/.267/.332/.472/7

366) Benny Montgomery COL, OF, 19.7 – Selected 8th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Montgomery is possibly the highest upside bat in the class, putting up a 103 MPH exit velocity and a 6.32 60 yard dash time. That puts him at the top of the class in power and speed. His hit tool was supposed to be raw, but it actually looked pretty good in his pro debut, slashing .340/.404/.383 with 0 homers, 5 steals and a 17.3%/9.6% K%/BB% in 14 games. He wasn’t able to get to any of his power with a 55.6% groundball percentage, but seeing the strong K% is almost more important at this stage of the game. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/24/83/.258/.332/.460/15

367) Jay Allen CIN, OF, 19.4 – Selected 30th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Allen is a 3 sport star and is one of the best athletes in the class. He’s 6’3”, 190 pounds and takes some vicious hacks at the dish, foreshadowing much more power is coming. Even without concentrating on baseball full time he has shown a good feel to hit with the potential for a plus power/speed combo. He impressed right out of the gate in his pro debut, slashing .328/.440/.557 with 3 homers, 14 steals (in 15 attempts) and a 16%/10.7% K%/BB% in 19 games. He’s a major target of mine in off-season prospect drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 89/20/74/.273/.335/.446/20

368) James Wood SDP, OF, 19.7 – Selected 62nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Wood is a big and athletic lefty at 6’7”, 240 pounds with plus power and above average run times. He dominated rookie ball in his pro debut, slashing .372/.465/.535 with 3 homers, 10 steals and a 31.7%/12.9% K%/BB% in 26 games. Like any player this tall, he has some hit tool concerns, and his GB% was a bit high at 49%. This is basically the Oneil Cruz starter kit. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/24/81/.247/.326/.458/9

369) Matthew Liberatore STL, LHP, 22.5 – Liberatore was given an aggressive assignment, jumping straight from Single-A in 2019 to Triple-A in 2021. He was a bit up and down in the first half, but he finished the season strong with a 2.55 ERA and 53/14 K/BB in his final 53 IP, which is a great sign. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he has plus command of a 4 pitch mix and he knows how to pitch. The stuff ticked up in his first spring start, which could be a sign he is ready to take the next step 2022 Projection: 4/4.37/1.32/73 in 80 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.91/1.22/182 in 190 IP

370) Mike Soroka ATL, RHP, 24.8 – Soroka tore his right Achilles twice and is expected to be out until June or July of 2022. When healthy he was a plus control, groundball pitcher who had the potential to unlock more strikeouts with a slider and changeup that put up pretty good whiff rates. If he can return to full health, and if he can stay healthy is anyone’s guess. 2022 Projection: 4/4.03/1.27/58 in 70 IP

371) Matt Brash SEA, RHP, 23.10 – Brash put up eye popping numbers in 97.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A with a pitching line of 2.87/1.14/142/48. He uses a plus fastball/slider combo to rack up strikeouts while mixing in a potentially plus change and average curve. Improving his control will be the last step to unlocking his considerable upside. 2022 Projection: 4/4.21/1.34/85 in 80 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.85/1.26/194 in 171 IP

372) Zack Greinke KCR, RHP, 38.5 – Greinke’s age might finally be starting to catch up with him as his strikeout rate tanked 7.3 percentage points to 17.2%. It led to a 4.16 ERA which comes off a 2020 where he put up a 4.16 ERA. He still has plus control (5.2% BB%) and a strong 1.17 WHIP, so it’s not like he completely fell off a cliff. Any decline with players this age will almost definitely be seen as age related decline, but it is very possible it was just a down year strikeout wise and it will bounce back in 2022. 2022 Projection: 12/3.72/1.19/142 in 165 IP

373) Cristian Javier HOU, RHP, 25.0 – Javier lost his starting job through no fault of his own after 9 starts, and there is no guarantee he finds his way back into the rotation. Regardless of role, Javier has the strikeout upside fantasy managers love, mostly due to his truly elite slider. The pitch up up a ridiculous 49% whiff% with a .156 xwOBA. He also has a high spin rate fastball that put up a strong 26.4% whiff%. There are control problems with a 12.5% BB%, but Javier is a high upside arm worth grabbing late even if he stays in the pen. 2022 Projection: 5/4.06/1.29/118 in 90 IP

374) Garrett Crochet CHW, LHP, 22.9 – Crochet will be used out of the pen for at least one more season, and I would put it at about 50/50 right now as to whether Chicago will use him in the rotation long term. He couldn’t come close to maintaining the 100.1 MPH fastball he showed in 2020, but the 96.7 MPH he average in 2021 ain’t too shabby. He combines that with a plus slider that put up a 44.8% whiff% and a much lesser used change (7.9% usage) that was quite good when he went to it (.208 xwOBA). Improving his control (11.7% BB%) would take him to the next level. 2022 Projection: 4/3.39/1.23/80 in 65 IP

Tier 10

375) Zach Eflin PHI, LHP, 28.0 – Eflin underwent knee surgery in September with a 6-8 month timetable, so he might not be ready for the start of 2022. He’s been solid as a rock in his career with plus control (3.6% BB%) of an average to above average 5 pitch mix. His xERA has ranged from 3.35 to 3.88 over the last 4 years. 2022 Projection: 9/3.97/1.28/135 in 145 IP

376) Marco Gonzales SEA, LHP, 30.1 – Gonzales’ ratios were strong with a 3.96 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, but his 18.5% K% is just not very enticing for fantasy. He also massively outperformed his underlying numbers in 2021 with a 5.09 xERA. He’s a fine option to round out the back of your rotation, but I wouldn’t expect much more than that. 2022 Projection: 11/4.10/1.24/140 in 165 IP

377) Zach Plesac CLE, RHP, 27.2 – Plesac’s strikeout rate tanked 11 percentage points to a well below average 16.7% and his EV against spiked 2.8 MPH to 90.6 MPH. It led to a 4.67 ERA. His whiff% didn’t tank as bad to a slightly below average 23.1% (29.8% whiff% in 2020), so he should bounce back somewhat in that category, and he still has showed plus control with a 5.7% BB%. His 2020 was obviously a mirage/career year/small sample, but he has the skills to do better than he did in 2021. 2022 Projection: 10/4.25/1.22/137 in 160 IP

378) Kyle Hendricks CHC, RHP, 32.4 – Hendricks was never a big strikeout pitcher, but his K numbers tanked even more with a 16.7% K%. It led to a 4.77 ERA (4.99 xERA). He was particularly bad post break with a 6.16 ERA and 51/24 K/BB in 76 IP. He will likely bounce back somewhat, but considering his low K upside even at peak, he would have to fall for me to grab him. 2022 Projection: 11/4.20/1.24/145 in 175 IP

379) Andrew Heaney LAD, LHP, 30.10 – Heaney continues to put up enticing K/BB numbers with a 26.9%/7.3% K%/BB%, but the ERA remains inflated with a 5.83 ERA in 2021 (4.04 xERA). He’s homer prone with a high launch angle against, which is why he consistently underperforms his underlying stats. The Dodgers took a shot on him for $8.5 million, and because of the consistently strong K rates, I would take a shot on him for fantasy as well if the price is right. 2022 Projection: 8/4.20/1.30/155 in 140 IP

380) Carlos Carrasco NYM, RHP, 35.0 – Elbow discomfort and then a hamstring injury delayed the start of Carrasco’s season until July 30th and limited him to 53.2 IP. He also underwent “minor” surgery to remove bone fragments from his elbow in October with the expectation he will be fully healthy for spring. He had a 6.04 ERA with a below average 21.1% K%, and while the underlying numbers weren’t quite as bad (4.73 xERA with an above average 27.1% whiff%), there were definitely signs of decline. His two most used secondaries (slider and change) were both below average pitches, and the spin rate on his fastball and slider were both down rather significantly, especially the slider. Considering his age, he’s not someone I’m going after if his name value juices up his price. 2022 Projection: 9/4.12/1.29/145 in 140 IP

381) Nestor Cortes NYY, LHP, 26.10 – You can’t deny the great season Cortes just had with a pitching line of 2.90/1.08/103/25 in 93 IP, but there are a few things that make me hesitant to buy in. For one, it seems likely that he won’t have a rotation spot after the dust settles on off-season moves. His 90.7 MPH fastball notched an excellent .265 xwOBA, but I have a hard time believing he can repeat that. While his 27.5% K% was well above average, his 23.6% whiff% was slightly below average. 2022 Projection: 9/4.07/1.31/140 in 140 IP

382) Justin Foscue TEX, 2B/3B, 23.1 – Foscue went off against inferior competition at High-A (189 wRC+ in 33 games) and the AFL (.956 OPS in 18 games), but he struggled at the more age appropriate Double-A (89 wRC+ in 26 games). Overall, he showed more power and strikeouts than was expected with 17 homers and a 27% K%. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/24/81/.261/.323/.450/3

383) Tyler Stephenson CIN, C, 25.8 – With Tucker Barnhart traded to the Tigers, Stephenson has the catcher job all to himself. He has excellent contact rates with a 19.2% whiff% and 18.7% K% which led to a .286 BA. His power numbers aren’t as impressive with an average exit velocity and below average launch angle, and while he is a big dude at 6’4”, 225 pounds, he’s never hit for much power in his career. 2022 Projection: 63/14/57/.271/.342/.416/0

384) Carson Kelly ARI, C, 27.9 – Kelly started the season red hot with 6 homers in his first 17 games, but he slowly cooled off as the season went along and hit just 7 in his next 81 games. Put all together, it was still a solid season, and he proved his 2019 breakout (.826 OPS) was more real than his down 2020 season (.649 OPS). 2022 Projection: 52/17/56/.250/.338/.425/0

385) Travis Swaggerty PIT, OF, 24.7 – A shoulder injury which required surgery ended Swaggerty’s season after just 12 games at Triple-A. He played real well in those 12 games with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 8/6 K/BB. He was reportedly showing more power in 2020 at the alt site, so the 3 quick homers back up that report. He projects as a solid all category contributor at peak, and there is very little competition for at-bats in Pitt’s outfield. 2022 Projection: 52/13/45/.242/.306/.403/10 Prime Projection: 79/18/71/.258/.330/.425/16

386) Alex Ramirez NYM, OF, 19.2 – I fell in love with Ramirez the second I saw his Youtube international prospect hype videos a few years ago. He remains a high upside lottery ticket who the Mets thought enough of to send straight to full season ball for his pro debut. He managed to hold his own with a near average 96 wRC+ and a respectable triple-slash of .258/.326/..384 with 5 homers, 16 steals and a 31.1%/6.9% K%/BB% in 76 games. He’s a projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with a wicked righty swing and a potentially plus power/speed combo. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/23/81/.263/.331/.452/17

387) Nick Madrigal CHC, 2B, 25.1 – The man is simply not running in the majors, and now that he underwent season ending surgery to repair multiple torn tendons in his right hamstring, I find it hard to buy into that changing anytime soon. He also has little to no power. The contact numbers are elite, and he could be an asset in runs, so he’s looking like a 2 category player right now with the hope he starts running again. 2022 Projection: 78/5/61/.293/.338/.402/12

388) Jeff McNeil NYM, OF/2B, 30.0 – McNeil’s career low .280 BABIP led to a down year with a .251 BA. He had never hit below .311 prior to this season, but the underlying numbers show he was likely getting lucky from 2018-2020. The 23 homers he hit in 2019 turned out to be a mirage as he’s hit only 11 in 172 games from 2020-21. He was named the Mets starting 2B, but he is going to have to earn it every step of the way. 2022 Projection: 79/14/72/.286/.349/.430/6

389) Andrew Kittredge TBR, Closer Committee, 32.0 – Tampa is a total wild card when it comes to the bullpen, but Kittredge seems to be in the pole position for the lion’s share of the closer job after racking up 6 saves from August 24 through the end of the season. He has a dominant slider which he used 45% of the time and put up a .206 xwOBA with a 40.8% whiff%. He combines that with a 95.4 MPH groundball inducing sinker. 2022 Projection: 5/3.22/1.15/70/25 in 65 IP

390) Yuli Gurriel HOU, 1B, 37.10 – Gurriel proved his down 2020 (.658 OPS), was due to bad BABIP luck (.235 BABIP), and not the start of an age decline. He raised his BB% 4.6 percentage points to a career best 9.8% in 2021, while maintaining his elite 11.2% K%. His 134 wRC+ was the best of his career. He’s not gonna hit a ton of homers, so the upside is limited, but the runs and RBI production should be there in a good Houston lineup. 2022 Projection: 80/18/83/.284/.342/.451/1

391) Dinelson Lamet SDP, RHP, 29.8 – Lamet can’t shake the injury bug as elbow/forerm problems limited him to 47 IP and he was moved to the bullpen in September. The fastball/slider combo wasn’t as elite as it was in 2020, but it was still good with a 95.5 MPH fastball and a slider that put up a .204 xwOBA. His role for 2022 is undetermined, and it is possible he ends up as San Diego’s closer. 2022 Projection: 5/3.71/1.23/105 in 85 IP

392) Chris Paddack SDP, RHP, 26.3 – Paddack wasn’t able to bounceback from a down 2020, notching a 5.07 ERA in 108.1 IP. His K% dropped to a career low 21.6% and batters hit him hard with a 90.5 MPH EV against. Even his changeup regressed this year with a slightly below average .315 xwOBA. Along with performance issues, his rotation spot is far from guaranteed. 2022 Projection: 7/4.23/1.25/116 in 120 IP

393) Eric Hosmer SD, 1B, 32.5 – After raising his launch angle to a career best 8.7 degrees in 2020 (only 30 games), it plummeted back down to 3.3 degrees in 2021. He hit only 12 homers in 151 games to go along with a lowly 53 runs and 65 RBI. He hits the ball hard and has above average contact rates, but his 55.5% GB% is killing him. 2022 Projection: 73/20/78/.271/.330/.437/4

394) Frank Schwindel CHC, 1B, 29.9 – Schwindel’s been raking in the minor leagues since 2012, he just needed someone to give him his shot. Chicago gave him that shot and he took advantage of it, slashing .342/.389/.613 with 13 homers and a 36/16 K/BB in 56 games. He’s had plus contact rates with plus power his entire career, and that carried over into the majors. There are some red flags however. His 86.9/91.5 MPH AVG/FB EV is well below average, and so is his 6.2% BB%. He doesn’t currently have any competition for the job, but I’m concerned about his playing time long term. 2022 Projection: 67/24/79/.267/.318/.462/1

395) Mick Abel PHI, RHP, 20.7 – Shoulder tendonitis ended Abel’s season in late July after just 44.2 IP. When healthy, he showed a potentially plus 4 pitch mix headlined by a fastball that can consistently reach the upper 90’s. His control/command needs major work as he put up a 14.3% BB%, and the shoulder injury isn’t great, but there is top of the rotation upside here. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 13/3.61/1.30/205 in 171 IP

396) Owen Caissie CHC, OF, 19.9 – Caissie is a 6’4”, 190 pound lefty masher who looks a bit like Joey Gallo at the dish. He performed a bit like Joey Gallo at the dish too with a 29.6%/18.6% K%/BB% to go along with 7 homers in 54 games split between rookie ball and Single-A. He decimated rookie ball with a 179 wRC+ in 32 games, but when he got to the more age appropriate Single-A, his numbers took a dive (.695 OPS). He’s your classic power and patience slugger who gets a big boost in OBP leagues. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 81/29/85/.243/.335/.486/2

397) Curtis Mead TBR, 3B, 21.5 – Mead has baseball bloodlines with his dad playing professional baseball in Australia. His swing reminds me of my stickball swing, staying upright and loose in the box before ripping liners all over the parking lot, er, baseball field. He hits the ball very hard and makes great contact (15.5% K%), and even though his swing is geared for line drives he still hit 15 homers in 104 games at mostly Single-A (163 wRC+ in 47 games) and High-A (117 wRC+ in 53 games). He is now destroying the AFL, slashing .313/.360/.530 with 3 homers in 20 games. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/22/85/.276/.332/.457/7

398) Jairo Pomares SFG, OF, 21.8 – I love the way Pomares stays relaxed and as cool as the other side of the pillow (RIP Stuart Scott) in the box before absolutely unleashing violence on the baseball. He cracked 20 homers in only 77 games split between Single-A and High-A, but his plate approach needs work as he had a 26.5%/4.9% K%/BB%. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/25/81/.263/.317/.465/4

399) Ronny Mauricio NYM, SS, 21.0 – The power breakout arrived for the 6’3” Mauricio as he ripped 20 homers in 108 games at mostly High-A (1 homer in 8 games at Triple-A). He also cranked out this bomb a few days ago in LIDOM (Dominican Winter League). The plate approach is still raw with a 24.7%/5.7% K%/BB%, but 2021 was a step in the right direction to reaching his considerable upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/24/81/.261/.323/.465/7

400) Elly De La Cruz CIN, SS/3B, 20.3 – Cruz is an explosive player with massive raw power and plus speed. He demolished a ball at 117.5 MPH in an instructional league game in early October. He is still very raw, putting up a 31%/4.8% K%/BB% in 50 games at Single-A, and he hasn’t completely tapped into his raw power yet with 8 homers. He also got caught stealing a lot, going 8 for 13 on the bases. The upside is off the charts, but so is the risk. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/21/81/.253/.311/.453/12

401) Victor Acosta SDP, SS, 17.10 – Acosta signed for $1.8 million in last years international class and he impressed right out of the gate in pro ball, slashing .285/.431/.484 with 5 homers, 26 steals, and a 18.8%/15.8% K%/BB% in 56 games in the DSL. He’s a switch hitter who hits well from both sides of the plate, but his lefty swing looks particularly dangerous to me. If his power fully develops, he has superstar upside, and even if it doesn’t his hit tool and speed are enough to make him a truly impact player. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 87/20/78/.274/.352/.445/24

402) Diego Cartaya LAD, C, 20.7 – Cartaya is a big man at 6’3”, 219 pounds, and he had no trouble getting to his at least plus raw power with 10 homers and a 39.2% GB% in just 31 games at Single-A (a passport issue and then a hamstring injury ended his season early). Here he is smoking a 97 MPH fastball for a dinger in June. His 27% K% was high, but he was still able to show a good feel to hit with a .298 BA, and he also had a high 13.1% BB%. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 69/26/77/.260/.336/.472/0

403) Austin Wells NYY, C, 22.9 – Wells more or less lived up to his scouting report in his pro debut with high walk rates and good power numbers. Low groundball rates is a good sign that more power should be coming, and he showed a willingness to run with 16 steals (on 16 attempts). Steals aren’t going to be a major part of his game, but it shows he should at least contribute in the category. The only red flag was a 32.4% K% in 38 games at Single-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 84/22/81/.262/.348/.469/6

404) Landon Knack LAD, RHP, 24.8 – If you’re going to trust just one minor league stat, K/BB rate is a great one to trust, and Knack is elite in that category with an 82/8 K/BB in 62.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A. He throws a mid 90’s fastball up in the zone with 3 secondaries that flash plus (slider, curve, change). He doesn’t go to the change that often and his slider is more consistent than his curve. I’m not necessarily seeing top of the rotation upside, but a low WHIP, high K mid-rotation starter plays up in fantasy. 2022 Projection:1/4.40/1.30/15 in 15 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.90/1.21/175 in 165 IP

405) Hunter Brown HOU, RHP, 23.7 – Brown has premium stuff with a mid 90’s fastball and two potentially plus breaking balls in his slider and curve. He also throws a lesser used average-ish changeup. When his control is on, he is nearly unhittable, and that area of his game got better as the season went on, improving his BB% from 13.4% in 49.1 IP at Double-A to 9.7% in 51 IP at Triple-A. His overall numbers on the year don’t jump out at you with a pitching line of 4.04/1.42/131/50 in 100.1 IP, and he can be inconsistent, but this is the type of high upside arm to take a shot on. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 11/3.88/1.30/190 in 170 IP

406) Matt Manning DET, RHP, 24.3 – Like Skubal and Mize, Statcast also hates Manning, except this time the surface stats are in agreement. None of his 5 pitches were able to miss bats or induce weak contact. He was among the worst in baseball in both of those categories. There really aren’t any silver linings, it was a complete and utter disaster in both the majors (5.80 ERA in 85.1 IP) and the minors (8.07 ERA in 32.1 IP). His 2020 alt site reports were also bad, so this is a two year down trend for Manning. He has the general talent for something to click in the future, and pitching development is notoriously fickle, so I wouldn’t completely give up on him. 2022 Projection: 7/4.38/1.35/131 in 135 IP

407) Liover Peguero PIT, SS, 21.3 – Peguero jumped straight to High-A in his first year of full season ball and was one of the youngest players in the league. It didn’t stop him from putting up a very respectable triple slash of .270/.332/.444 with 14 homers, 28 steals (6 caught stealing), and a 25.2%/7.9% K%/BB% in 90 games. He has plus speed and his power ticked up this year with room for more as he continues to fill out. His plate approach is still raw, which will be the key to his ultimate upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/18/75/.268/.325/.431/18

408) Luis Campusano SD, C, 23.6 – Campusano unlocked his power in 2021 with a career best 40.2% GB, leading to 15 homers in 81 games at Triple-A. He had a 52.2% HardHit% on 23 batted balls in his MLB cup of coffee this year. He couldn’t keep up the elite 11.7% K% he put up at High-A in 2019 with a 20.2% K% in 2021 (37.9% whiff% in the majors), so I think his ultimate batting average is more of a question than his power at this point. 2022 Projection: 25/7/28/.248/.308/.424/0 Prime Projection: 69/22/76/.266/.327/.462/0

409) Joey Bart SFG, C, 25.3 – Buster Posey’s surprise retirement leaves the door wide open for Bart to take hold of the starting catcher job. He continued to show big power with 10 homers in 67 games at Triple-A, but his K% spiked to 29.4% and he’s never walked a ton with 7.5% BB% this year. He also will be playing in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in the league. 2022 Projection: 39/12/45/.228/.282/.411/0 Prime Projection: 62/24/78/.247/.310/.451/1

410) Wil Myers SD, OF, 31.4 – Myers power took a significant dip with 17 homers and a career worst 88 MPH EV (also a career worst 107.8 MPH Max EV) in 146 games. It led to a career worst .295 xwOBA even though his surface stats were better (.330 wOBA) He’s not in a platoon but he gets plenty of time off vs. righties who he hits solidly against, but not great. Considering the possible cap on plate attempts, and the decline in power, Myers would have to fall to me to take a shot on him. 2022 Projection: 69/21/69/.247/.329/.430/8

411) Christian Walker ARI, 1B, 31.0 – Walker’s power tanked in 2021 with only 10 homers and a 3 year low 88.8 MPH EV in 115 games. He hit only 7 homers in 57 games in 2020, so his this is a two year funk. He has an average plate approach with little defensive value, so the power needs to rebound to keep his job even with the NL DH. 2022 Projection: 77/22/74/.256/.328/.434/0

412) Darin Ruf SFG, 1B/OF, 35.8 – The DH spot will do wonders for Ruf because he might be in the pole position to win that job for the Giants. He put up an eye popping 93.1 MPH exit velocity, 14.2% Barrel%, and 54.9% Hardhit%. It led to a 16 homers with a .904 OPS in 312 PA. He hit well in 2020 too (.887 OPS), so it is not like this came out of nowhere. He hits lefties better than righties, but he hits righties real well too, so he isn’t an automatic platoon guy. 2022 Projection: 64/23/71/.261/.348/.476/2

413) Mike Moustakas CIN, 3B, 33.6 – Moustakas lost his starting job and was headed for a platoon role, but the DH and Cincy’s trades now gives him a shot at near full time AB. His contact rates have been steadily declining for 5 years now and reached a career worst 27.8% whiff%. He’s never been a guy with monster exit velocity numbers, so the loss of contact skills is no good, but he still gets the ball in the air (18.6 degree launch angle), ensuring strong homer totals. 2022 Projection: 68/25/73/.235/.316/.456/1

414) Patrick Wisdom CHC, 3B/OF, 30.7 – Wisdom was cracking eggs of knowledge all over everyone’s faces (shoutout Always Sunny fans), putting up near elite hard hit numbers with a 15.7% Barrel% (top 9%), 96.2 MPH FB/LD EV, 114.2 MPH Max EV (top 8%), and a 51.6% HardHit% (top 8%). It led to 28 homers in 106 games. He’s mashed his entire career going back to his freshman year at St. Mary’s in 2011, so the power is for real. He’s also struck out a lot in his career, and the K’s ballooned in 2021 with a 41.3% whiff% and 40.8% K%. He’s going to hit homers, but there is a real chance he also hits under the Mendoza Line. 2022 Projection: 64/26/75/.208/.298/.447/6

415) Elehuris Montero COL, 1B/OF, 23.7 – Montero seems like exactly the type of prospect that Colorado will never give extended playing time to, but on the off chance they do, he has a chance to be a beast in Coors. He’s 6’3”, 235 pounds with plus power that fully broke out this season, slashing .278/.360/.529 with 28 homers and a 22%/10.6% K%/BB% in 120 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He has a career 21.2% K% in 480 minor league games, so he’s never had major issues making contact. All he needs is the chance. 2022 Projection:11/4/15/.255/.312/.451/0 Prime Projection: 72/25/79/.272/.330/.483/1

416) Sal Frelick MIL, OF, 22.0 – Selected 15th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Frelick has a plus hit, plus speed profile. He’s undersized, and while he doesn’t project for big power numbers, the ball jumps off his bat. He has a strong history of production in the ACC, slashing .345/.435/.521 with 12 homers, 38 steals, and a 50/60 K/BB in 102 games, and he proved those skills will transfer in his pro debut. He has the type of profile that should move through the minors quickly. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 81/14/65/.276/.339/.412/17

417) Jeter Downs BOS, 2B, 23.8 – After playing only 12 games in the upper minors (Double-A) prior to this season, Boston sent Downs straight to Triple-A and he simply wasn’t ready. His K% skyrocketed to 32.3% and he put up a 62 wRC+ in 99 games. He was better against inferior competition in the AFL with a .880 OPS, but he still had only a .228 BA with 18 K’s in 16 games. The above average power/speed combo is still there, and this was the first time he has really struggled in his career, so hopefully he can make the necessary adjustments this off-season. 2022 Projection: 17/4/21/.221/.298/.395/3 Prime Projection: 76/23/76/.245/.318/.433/11

418) Jordan Westburg BAL, SS, 23.1 – After Mayo, Westburg provides the next best value compared to price in Baltimore’s system. He quietly put together a strong season across 3 levels of the minors (Single-A, High-A, Double-A), slashing .285/.389/.479 with 15 homers, 17 steals, and a 25.1%/12.1% K%/BB% in 112 games. He may not win you any one category, but he can be a solid across the board contributor. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 82/17/71/.266/.334/.432/18

419) Matt McLain CIN, SS, 22.8 – Selected 17th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, McLain is a safe college bat with a good feel to hit, some pop, and plus speed, but doesn’t stand out in any one category. He slashed .333/.434/.579 with 9 homers, 9 steals, and a 34/34 K/BB in 47 games at UCLA, and then performed well in his pro debut at High-A, slashing .273/.387/.424 with 3 homers, 10 steals, and a 20.2%/14.3% K%/BB% in 29 games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/18/71/.274/.343/.425/15

420) Trey Sweeney NYY, SS, 21.11 – Selected 20th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Sweeney was a bat first prospect who absolutely raked in college this year, slashing .382/.522/.712 with 14 homers and a 24/46 K/BB in 48 games. He immediately showed his power is legit with 7 homers in 32 games in his pro debut at mostly Single-A. Coming out of the Ohio Valley Conference, he has still yet to face top level competition, but the Yankees are clearly believers, and his pro debut did nothing to prove them wrong. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/23/82/.261/.337/.457/5

421) Cristian Santana DET, SS, 18.4 – I was relatively high on Santana coming into the year, ranking him 263rd overall on my off-season Top 473 prospects list, and he lived up to the expectations in his pro debut, slashing .269/.421/.520 with 9 homers, 12 steals, and a 21.3%/13.9% K%/BB%. He had a 58.8% flyball percentage, which is almost too high, but there isn’t any concern with him getting to all of his power, and he combines that with an advanced plate approach and some speed. I love Santana as a high upside target with a decent floor. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 86/26/81/.268/.342/.473/8

422) Gabriel Gonzalez SEA, OF, 18.2 – Gonzalez is a high signing bonus ($1.1 million) international prospect who was one of the top breakouts in the Dominican Summer League, slashing .287/.371/.521 with 7 homers, 9 steals, and a 15.8%/9.5% K%/BB% in 54 games. He’s only 5’10, but he packs a punch with plenty of power projection to go along with above average speed and a good feel to hit. DSL stats are the least reliable, but he’s a great high upside target. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/24/81/.271/.337/.470/12

423) Asa Lacy KCR, LHP, 22.10 – Lacy’s control was atrocious in his pro debut with a 17.3% BB% in 52 IP at High-A. He also pitched in the AFL and the control was just as bad with 6 walks in 7.2 IP. He wasn’t exactly a control artist in college either with a career 4.0 BB/9 (3.0 BB/9 his junior year), but it was never this bad, so I do think it is reasonable to assume that will regress closer to what he’s shown in the past. He shouldn’t have any fear about throwing the ball over the plate, because the stuff is elite with an upper 90’s fastball and plus slider that led to a 33.3% K% (15 K’s in the AFL). His changeup and curve also flash plus. He’s an ace if he improves his control. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/3.78/1.33/186 in 163 IP

424) Andres Gimenez CLE, 2B/SS, 23.7 – Gimenez was not able to build on a strong 2020 MLB debut with his K% rising 5.1 percentage points to 25.7%, leading to a .218 BA in 68 games. While he’s lowered his GB% to unlock more power as he climbed the minor league ladder, his K% rose with it, and he notched a career worst 23.6% mark in 52 games at Triple-A. His walk rates have been low his entire career (5.2% BB% in 2021), and he doesn’t have enough raw power to make up for any of this. He’s a speedster with a 29 ft/s sprint speed and he was a perfect 11 for 11 on the bases in the majors, so if he can hit enough to stay on the field, he should steal enough bases to have value. 2022 Projection: 58/10/49/.259/.312/.410/14

425) Jose Suarez LAA, LHP, 24.3 – Suarez has a killer changeup which put up a .235 xwOBA with a 38.2% whiff%. He combines that with a 92.9 MPH fastball and an above curve. He had a below average 20.6% K%, but his whiff% was above average at 25.8%. It all led to a pitching line of 3.75/1.23/85/36 in 98.1 IP, although his numbers weren’t quite as good after moving into the rotation mid season (4.44 ERA in 71 IP). Regardless, he is flying way under the radar is someone I like taking a late round flier on. 2022 Projection: 7/4.03/1.29/121in 130 IP

426) James Kaprielian OAK, RHP, 28.1 – Kap was one of the feel good stories of the season, finally fighting back from a 2016 elbow injury that derailed his career. His fastball averaged 93 MPH over 119.1 IP and was actually up a little in the 2nd half of his season. His surface stats dropped off in the 2nd half (2.90 ERA pre break and 5.34 ERA post break), with his 4.42 ERA probably being a true measure of his talent. There’s injury risk, and he is already behind schedule with AC joint irritation. 2022 Projection: 7/4.29/1.30/142 in 140 IP

427) Spencer Howard PHI, RHP, 25.8 – Howard got shelled again in 2021 with a 7.43 ERA in 49.2 IP (5.92 ERA in 24.1 IP in 2020). I don’t think it is quite as bad as it looks though as his 4.63 xERA (4.27 xERA in 2020) was much better. He has a plus 94.2 MPH fastball that put up a respectable 24.8% whiff%, but everything after that is a question. His slider is his best swing and miss pitch but he decided to barely throw it this year in favor of a cutter that got destroyed. He also has a curve and change that have been inconsistent. The potential is still there for an above average 4+ pitch mix, but he needs to improve his control and figure out his pitch mix to get there. 2022 Projection: 5/4.42/1.36/116 in 115 IP

428) Daniel Lynch KC, LHP, 25.4 – Lynch’s MLB debut was a disaster with a 5.69 ERA and 17.7%/10% K%/BB% in 68 IP. He wasn’t much better at Triple-A with a 5.84 ERA and 24.1%/7% K%/BB% in 57 IP. His 4 seamer averaged 93.8 MPH, which is good, but isn’t so great to completely overlook the results. He threw the pitch 40.7% of the time with a terrible .451 xwOBA and 12.2% whiff%. His two most used secondaries weren’t too bad with his slider notching a 41.8% whiff% and his change notching a .273 xwOBA. His stuff is obviously good enough to succeed at the MLB level, but the terrible debut makes me think his ceiling isn’t as high as I thought it was prior to this year. 2022 Projection: 4/4.46/1.34/81 in 85 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.08/1.29/164 in 160 IP

429) Shea Langeliers ATL, C, 24.5 – Langeliers’ answered the questions about his ultimate power potential this year after hitting just 2 homers in his 54 game pro debut in 2019. He brought his GB% down 9.7 percentage points to 30.7% and jacked out 22 homers in 97 games at mostly Double-A. It does come with some swing and miss, striking out 26.2% of the time at Double-A and 42.9% at Triple-A (in 14 PA). 2022 Projection:12/3/15/.236/.302/.417/0 Prime Projection: 62/23/69/.252/.321/.444/1

430) Tyler Freeman CLE, SS, 22.10 – Left shoulder surgery ended Freeman’s season after just 41 games. He wasn’t able to tap into that extra power that was reported from the alt site in 2020, hitting only 2 homers at Double-A. He was able to carry over his elite contact rates though with a 11.7% K%. He doesn’t walk much (4.4% BB%), and while he has some speed, he was only 4 for 6 on the bases this year. The elite contact rates and the hope he will come into more power is what you are buying here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/16/65/.286/.339/.430/11

431) Devin Williams MIL, Setup, 27.6 – Williams had a relatively rough first half with a 1.32 WHIP and 20 walks in 33.1 IP, but he was lights out in the 2nd half with a 1.74 ERA and 35/8 K/BB in 20.2 IP. His fastball/change combo wasn’t quite as good as it was in 2020, but it is still plenty good with a 95.3 MPH fastball (96.5 MPH in 2020) and 47.2% whiff% on the change (61.1% in 2020). 2022 Projection: 4/2.80/1.07/100 in 62 IP

432) Luisangel Acuna TEX, SS/2B, 20.1 – Luisangel is smaller than his brother and doesn’t have his brother’s power, but he’s a good ballplayer in his own right with the chance for across the board production. He shows a mature plate approach with a 23.3%/10.4% K%/BB% and plus speed with 44 steals in 55 attempts. He also jacked 12 homers with a 49.7% GB%, so if he can lower that groundball rate and get stronger as he matures, he may end up with some real pop. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 84/17/70/.266/.335/.423/19

433) Adrian Morejon SDP, LHP, 23.1 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in late April 2021 and will likely be out until mid-season 2022. Morejon was one of my favorite targets last off-season with a 96.3 MPH fastball and 3 potentially plus, swing and miss secondaries in his changeup, curve and slider. He added a sinker to the mix this year and the extremely small sample results were positive with a 30.8% whiff% and negative 3 degree launch angle. He seems mostly forgotten about, but he has the kind of premium stuff that is worth waiting on. He is an easy flier that you can probably get for close to nothing at this point. 2022 Projection:3/4.12/1.31/62 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.79/1.24/177 in 162 IP

434) AJ Puk OAK, LHP, 26.11 – Puk is starting to look pretty locked into being a bullpen arm, at least for the next few seasons. He has the classic high leverage reliever profile with a 95.4 MPH fastball and a plus slider that put up a 46.4% whiff%. 2022 Projection: 4/3.93/1.33/81 in 73 IP

435) Lou Trivino OAK, Closer, 30.6 – Trivino has sole possession of Oakland’s closer job, but there is definitely risk he gets traded before the trade deadline. He throws hard with 3 different fastballs, and his change and curve both rack up whiffs, but he doesn’t go to them enough to rack up K’s. He had a 21.6%/11% K%/BB%. 2022 Projection: 4/3.67/1.26/65/25 in 65 IP

Tier 11

436) Luis Arraez MIN, 2B/3B/OF, 25.0 – It’s almost impressive how few homers and steals Arraez managed to produce with only 2 homers and 2 steals in 121 games. His contact rates are elite (10% K%), and he actually hits the ball pretty hard (88.4 MPH EV), so maybe there is some untapped power in here as he enters his mid 20’s. 2022 Projection: 75/7/62/.308/.361/.410/3

437) Jean Segura PHI, 2B, 32.0 – After going only 2 for 4 on the bases in 54 games in 2020, Segura got back to running a bit with 9 steals in 12 attempts this year. His days of stealing 20+ bags are long gone, and his 4.33 HP to 1B runtime was the worst of his career, so I wouldn’t count on more than a handful of steals moving forward. His plate approach also regressed back to career norms (13.8%/6.9% K%/BB%) after putting up an outlier K%/BB% of 20.7%/10.6% in 2020. 2022 Projection: 82/13/64/.281/.338/.428/8

438) Adam Frazier SEA, 2B, 30.3 – Frazier improved his already elite K% with a career best 10.8% mark and it led to a career best .305 BA. He also ran more than he ever has with 10 steals in 15 attempts. Keeping up that pace will add a little spice to an otherwise boring profile. 2022 Projection: 80/10/57/.287/.350/.417/7

439) David Fletcher LAA, SS/2B, 27.10 – Fletcher barreled the baseball exactly 0.0 times in 665 PA. I repeat, the man did not barrel a single ball. I feel like that deserves some kind of reward. His batting average dropped to .262 and his BB% dropped off too at 4.7%. The good news is that he started running with 15 steals in 18 attempts, and he’s still making elite contact with a 9% K%. 2022 Projection: 76/6/51/.283/.330/.385/10

440) Kristian Robinson ARI, OF, 21.4 – Robinson’s career is up in the air after he was sentenced to 18 months probation for assaulting a police officer during a mental breakdown. There is no clear answer on when he will be allowed to continue his career. He was already a high risk player due to hit tool concerns, and this latest development pushes the risk off the charts. I completely get if you want to cut bait, but his potentially elite power/speed combo is worth hanging onto until there is at least a little more clarity on his future. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/25/81/.233/.308/.465/14

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

442) Ezequiel Duran TEX, 2B/SS, 22.10 – Duran is an explosive player with a powerful righty swing. He cracked 19 homers in 105 games at High-A and is now ripping up the AFL with a .942 OPS. His plate approach still needs refinement (27.6%/8.5% K%/BB%), and while he stole 19 bags, he got caught 9 times and isn’t a burner. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/25/79/.253/.318/.458/7

443) Kyle Muller ATL, LHP, 24.6 – Muller has plus stuff with a 93.4 fastball and two swing and miss secondaries in his slider (34.6% whiff%) and curve (48.1% whiff%). It resulted in a 30.8% whiff% on the MLB level and a 27% K% at Triple-A, but his poor control makes him high risk with a 12.9% BB% (12.2% at Triple-A). There is plenty of competition in Atlanta for rotation spots, so he could end up in the pen, especially early in his career. 2022 Projection: 3/4.03/1.35/71 in 65 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.83/1.32/169 in 155 IP

444) Blake Walston ARI, LHP, 20.9 – Walston is a big lefty at 6’5”, 175 pounds with a legitimate 4 pitch mix (fastball, curve, slider, change). All four of his pitches have the potential to be at least above average, with his curveball as his money pitch. He pitched well in his first taste of full season ball with a pitching line of 3.76/1.24/117/33 split between Single-A and High-A, and he’s shaping up to be a high K mid rotation guy. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.88/1.27/189 in 177 IP

445) Sam Bachman LAA, RHP, 22.6 – Selected 9th overall, Bachman has an aggressive, attacking delivery that he uses to fire upper 90’s heat with a nasty plus slider. He had some shoulder soreness early in the year, but was lights out when on the mound with a pitching line of 1.81/0.77/93/17 in 59.2 IP. There is some reliever risk, but the stuff is electric. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.78/1.21/179 in 163 IP

446) Andrew Painter PHI, RHP, 19.0 – Selected 13th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Painter is a big dude at 6’7”, 215 pounds and throws a 4 pitch mix (fastball, slider, curve, change) with an easy repeatable delivery. He’s displayed good control and all of his pitches have the potential to be above average at least. He dominated in his pro debut with 0 ER and a 12/0 K/BB over 6 IP in rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 14/3.71/1.18/198 in 183 IP

447) James Triantos CHC, 2B/SS, 19.2 – Selected 56th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Triantos had an eye opening pro debut, slashing .327/.376/.594 with 6 homers, 3 steals, and a 16.5%/6.4% K%/BB% in 25 games in rookie ball. He has a textbook righty swing and a great feel to hit. He doesn’t project for huge power, but he should be able to get to all of the power he has through quality of contact. The hype has started to percolate for him, but he should still come at a good value in off-season drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 85/23/78/.283/.341/.462/6

448) Jose Salas MIA, SS, 18.11 – If your thing is finding high upside prospects who can fly up prospects lists in a hurry, Salas is your guy. He proved too advanced for stateside rookie ball as a young 18 year old, putting up a 163 wRC+ with a 21.5%/10.3% K%/BB% in 28 games. Miami was impressed enough to send him to full season for 27 games and he was able to hold his own there too with a .333 OBP and a very reasonable 22.8%. He stole 14 bags on the season and while his power didn’t show up with only 2 homers, there is definitely more coming as his 6’2”, 191 pound frame continues to mature. Now is the time to get in. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 84/23/80/.273/.348/.461/12

449) Eddys Leonard LAD, 2B/SS, 21.4 – Leonard isn’t physically imposing at 6’0”, 160 pounds (probably heavier than that now), but the ball definitely jumps off his bat. He whacked 22 homers in 107 games split between Single-A and High-A. His plate approach was solid with a 23.6%/10.4% K%/BB%, and he has some speed too with 9 steals. He isn’t likely to win you any one category, but he can be a damn good overall hitter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/21/76/.265/.339/.446/7

450) Roderick Arias NYY, SS, 17.7 – The crown jewel of this year’s international free agent class, Arias is a switch hitter with an all around skillset that could develop in any number of directions. He’s shown a good feel to hit with the ability to hit it hard and has above average speed. Defense might be his best tool at the moment. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 83/21/81/.268/.335/.453/12

451) Cristian Vaquero WAS, OF, 17.8 – Vaquero is expected to sign for the top signing bonus in the international class and has the requisite upside to back that up. He’s an elite athlete at 6’3”, 185 pounds with a plus power/speed combo and the frame to tack on more muscle. The hit tool is still raw, so the risk is high. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 77/24/85/.258/.331/.462/14

452) Mark Melancon ARI, Closer, 37.0 – Melancon isn’t a big strikeout pitcher with a 22.3% K%, but he keeps the ball on the ground with a negative 0.5 degree launch and he induces weak contact with a 86.6 MPH EV against. His value depends purely if you are going for it this year or not. 2022 Projection: 4/3.55/1.27/55/31 in 65 IP

453) Enrique Hernandez BOS, 2B/OF, 30.7 – Hernandez put up the best xwOBA of his career with a .334 mark, and he did it on the back of a career high 90.8 MPH EV and 8.4% Barrel%. He brought his BB% back up to 10.4% after it tanked in 2020 to 4.1%. He’s not going to be a league winner, but he can be a rock solid contributor in medium to deep leagues. 2022 Projection: 78/23/74/.248/.330/.451/2

454) Joc Pederson SFG, OF, 29.11 – Pederson had his 2nd down season in a row (.732 OPS in 2021) but it mostly looks like bad luck as his underlying numbers are right in line with career norms. He’s still hitting the ball very hard with a 91 MPH EV and he notched a career best 47.6% HardHit%. He’s very likely to be in a platoon and he’s never hit for a high average, but he should go back to hitting for big power in 2022. 2022 Projection: 67/25/72/.242/.320/.452/2

455) Mike Yastrzemski SF, OF, 31.7 – Yastrzemski is a power hitting platoon bat with a high launch angle (19.4 degrees) and an above average EV (89.5 MPH). He has a strong plate approach with a 24.6%/9.6% K%/BB%, but the high launch angle keeps his batting average projection in check. 2022 Projection: 73/23/69/.245/.330/.455/4

456) Josh Rojas ARI, OF/SS/2B, 27.9 – Rojas put together a very solid season with a triple-slash of .264/.341/.411, but the underlying numbers tell a different story. He had good fortune with a .345 BABIP, and his xwOBA was a well below average .296. A 91.6 MPH FB/LD EV with an 8.4 degree launch does not give much hope for a big power outbreak. I don’t doubt that he can put together a similarly solid season, but I’m seeing more downside risk than I am upside. 2022 Projection: 76/14/61/.252/.321/.400/8

457) Aaron Hicks NYY, OF, 32.6 – A torn tendon in his left wrist which required surgery ended Hicks season after 32 games. He should be fully healthy for 2022. He was struggling with a .627 OPS before the injury, but his underlying numbers were within career norms (.333 xwOBA) and a .224 BABIP was the lowest of his career. He didn’t attempt any steals and his 4.47 HP to 1B runtime was by far the worst of his career (4.19 in 2020), so his days of chipping in with steals could be over. 2022 Projection: 76/22/72/.230/.330/.428/4

458) Randal Grichuk TOR, OF, 30.8 – Grichuk isn’t a particularly good defensive player and he has very low OBP’s (5% BB%), which makes me concerned for his playing time in the future, but as of now he seems to have a lock on the starting job. He had a down year with an 85 wRC+, but his 20.9% K% was a career best and his 113.8 MPH Max EV was in the top 9% of the league. 2022 Projection: 62/24/73/.248/.304/.460/1

459) Brandon Crawford SFG, SS, 35.2 – Crawford must have made the mother of all swing adjustments, because his new swing resulted in a career year, slashing .298/.373/.522 with 24 homers, 11 steals and a 105/56 K/BB in 138 games. There wasn’t one major thing he got better at, he was just a little bit better in every hitting category, and he also had some good fortune as well. With the great years Belt, Crawford, and Posey just had in their mid 30’s, you would think it is 2001 all over again with Victor Conte rubbing “The Clear” all over everyone. 2022 Projection: 77/20/81/.260/.338/.448/6

460) Isiah Kiner Falefa NYY, SS, 27.0 – Trade to NY opens up a full time job for now, but there is still risk long term. He has elite contact rates (13.3% K%), but he’s not a very good real life hitter with a low OBP and a 1.8% Barrel%. He’s a better fantasy hitter because of his speed (20 steals with a 28 ft/s sprint speed). If he re-gains catcher eligibility, that could be a game changer for his value. 2022 Projection: 74/12/62/.269/.320/.375/16

461) Ha-Seong Kim SD, SS/3B/2B, 26.5 – Kim was put in position to fail. He is a young player who needs full time at-bats to be given the chance to adjust to MLB pitching. He never really got that shot and he struggled all season with a .622 OPS. The underlying numbers aren’t hopeless though with a solid 23.8%/7.4% K%/BB%, plus runtimes (28.4 ft/s sprint speed), and the ability to lift the ball (13 degree launch angle). He’ll need to hit the ball harder in 2022 (86.8/91 MPH AVG/FB EV) to convince San Diego he deserves a full time job when Tatis returns. 2022 Projection: 62/15/54/.241/.310/.412/13

462) Paul DeJong STL, SS, 28.8 – DeJong had his 2nd down season in a row and Edmundo Sosa started to steal more and more of his playing time in August and September. I still prefer DeJong between the two because he has more power upside with a 93.5 MPH FB/LD EV and 16.4 degree launch angle. He underperformed his xwOBA in both 2020 and 2021 (.293 wOBA in 2021 vs. 312 xwOBA), and he was able to bring his whiff% back down to a reasonable 27.9% this year. 2022 Projection: 60/22/64/.243/.318/.430/4

463) Connor Joe COL, 1B/OF, 29.7 – Trying to figure out the playing time situation in Colorado is a complete shit show. It is so tempting to take shots on Coors fringe starters, but they rarely give one guy enough playing time for it to really pay off (see, Hilliard and Hampson). Joe doesn’t have flashy power or speed, but he has a very strong plate approach (19.4%/12.4% K%/BB%) that led to an impressive .370 xwOBA in 63 games. He was playing almost everyday in August before a hamstring injury ended his season. He’s a strong play in OBP leagues if he does get the playing time. 2022 Projection: 62/18/66/.274/.358/.453/1

464) Evan Longoria SFG, 3B, 36.6 – Longoria was in the midst of an out of nowhere power breakout with a career best by far 94.3 MPH EV (Statcast numbers only go back to 2015), but a shoulder injury cost him two months and he wasn’t as good when he returned in September. He also raised his walk rate considerably to 12%. He’s too old to buy into this being a new level of production, but it makes him much more interesting than he has been for the last several years. 2022 Projection: 76/22/79/.258/.328/.446/2

465) Seth Brown OAK, OF, 29.9 – Brown has a swing geared for power with a 20.9 degree launch angle and 95.3 MPH FB/LD EV, but it comes with lots of swing and miss (32.4% whiff%). He’s projected for plenty of at bats on Oakland’s depleted roster. 2022 Projection: 68/24/75/.229/.294/.448/6

466) Chad Pinder OAK, OF, 30.0 – Oakland has plenty of playing time to be won, and Pinder is in prime position to take advantage. He’s underperformed his underlying stats every year of his career (career .337 xwOBA vs. .311 xOBA), so I don’t want to get too excited here, but the underlying numbers are enticing. He put up career highs with a 16.3% Barrel%, 92.6% EV, and 54.2% HardHit% in 2021. The plate approach isn’t great (26.6%/6.9% K%/BB%), he has below average speed, and his GB% is high (48.4%), so I would keep expectations in check. 2022 Projection: 64/20/68/.251/.311/.435/1

467) Jurickson Profar SD, 1B/OF, 29.1 – Profar never hit the ball hard, but his exit velocity dropped off even more to 85.3 MPH, leading to only 4 homers in 412 PA. He nabbed 10 bags, but he got caught 5 times and he has below average speed. The contact rates are still plus, and his 11.9% BB% was the 2nd best mark of his career, so he can provide some decent across the board value if given enough at bats. 2022 Projection: 68/13/59/.258/.336/.405/10

468) Tyler Naquin CIN, OF, 30.11 – Naquin is a strong side of a platoon bat hitting in the best ballpark for homers, and with Cincy shipping out Winker, he could be in line for more at bats. He doesn’t have a particularly high launch angle (9.6 degrees), so that could cap his upside a bit, but it helps his BA. 2022 Projection: 65/23/73/.263/.316/.455/5

469) Jake Fraley CIN, OF, 26.10 – Fraley is in a strong side of a platoon role at best and is a bench outfielder at worst, but the trade to Cincy helps his chances of playing time. He strikes out a lot with a 26.8% K% and he doesn’t hit the ball hard with a 85.3 MPH EV. He’s a good base stealer (10 steals in 78 games), and he can hit some homers despite the poor EV numbers (9 homers). 2022 Projection: 38/10/42/.230/.318/.401/10

470) Kevin Smith OAK, SS/3B, 25.9 – Smith’s terrible 2019 put a screeching halt to his prospect hype, but he bounced back in a big way in 2021, slashing .285/.370/.561 with 21 homers, 18 steals, and a 23.7%/11.2% K%/BB% in 94 games at Triple-A. It earned him a promotion to the majors where he struggled in 36 PA. The hit tool is still a risk, but his trade to Oakland opens up a full time job for him. 2022 Projection: 67/21/73/.231/.293/.420/11 Prime Projection: 66/19/72/.242/.308/.441/10

471) Sam Hilliard COL, OF, 28.1 – Hilliard has mouth watering power/speed upside playing at Coors, but he has major playing time and batting average risk. He put up a career worst 41.5% whiff% (36.6% K%), so you can’t even say he is improving in that area, and Colorado could easily sign a free agent or two to steal at bats away in the OF. 2022 Projection: 63/21/65/.227/.303/.446/8

472) Jake Meyers HOU, OF, 25.9 – Houston’s CF job is up in the air right now with Meyers, McCormick, and Siri the current frontrunners to compete for the job, but they could also sign a SS or CF that could change that equation. Meyer’s power broke out at Triple-A with 16 homers in 68 games, and he carried over that success in his MLB debut with an above average .321 xwOBA. He put up a strong 89.5 MPH EV with a 10.1% barrel% and 29.2 ft/sec sprint speed. His plate approach fell apart a bit with a 30.7%/6.1% K%/BB%, but he’s had a strong plate approach in the minors, so it’s reasonable to assume that will improve with more experience. I don’t think Meyers is ever going to be a fantasy difference maker, but he can be a solid across the board contributor if he wins a full time job. 2022 Projection: 55/16/55/.254/.320/.418/9

473) Yoshi Tsutsugo PIT, 1B/OF, 30.4 – Tsutsugo’s transition to MLB has not been smooth with a career .697 OPS in 447 AB, but he showed signs of figuring it out when he got to Pittsburgh in the 2nd half of the season, slashing .268/.347/.535 with 8 homers and a 22.9%/10.4% K%/BB% in 43 games. Pittsburgh just signed him to a $4 million contract and designated Colin Moran for assignment, so they are hoping he can lock down 1B for them. 2022 Projection: 65/21/72/.239/.330/.435/0

474) Abraham Toro SEA, 2B/3B, 25.4 – Toro doesn’t hit the ball hard enough to do real damage with an 86.8/90.1 MPH AVG/FB EV that led to a .688 OPS in 95 games. He has an advanced plate approach that carried over into the majors with a 14.4%/8.3% K%/BB%, but the upside looks pretty low to me, and there is no guarantee he has a starting job. 2022 Projection: 64/17/67/.255/.333/.418/6

475) Heston Kjerstad BAL, OF, 23.2 – Heart inflammation has kept Kjerstad out all year but he recently started taking BP. If you are negotiating a trade this off-season with a team that has Kjerstad in their system, seeing if you can get him tacked on for cheap wouldn’t be the worst idea. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/26/81/.252/.320/.472/3

476) Nolan Jones CLE, 3B/OF, 23.9 – Jones feels like he’s been around forever, and he has the requisite prospect fatigue that goes along with that, but he still has the potential to be an excellent power and patience bat. He put up a 14.5% BB% in 99 games at Triple-A, and while he hit only 13 homers, it was likely due to a cold streak to start the year. He hit 12 homers in his final 66 games. The strikeouts have climbed as he climbed the minor league leaguer, culminating with a 30% K% this year, so he’s a better target in OBP leagues. 2022 Projection: 37/9/32/.226/.317/.435/2 Prime Projection: 84/27/81/.242/.343/.471/3

477) Graham Ashcraft CIN, RHP, 24.1 – Ashcraft broke out in 2021 with a pitching line of 3.00/1.11/129/37 in 111 IP split between High-A and Double-A. He misses bats and induces lots of groundballs (60.5% GB% in 72.1 IP at Double-A), which is a great combination. His bread and butter is a mid to upper 90’s fastball that has hit 100 MPH with good cutting action. He combines that with a filthy breaking ball and developing changeup. He’s one of my favorite pop up pitching prospects this year and while there is reliever risk, I still think he is being undervalued. 2022 Projection:2/4.19/1.33/47 in 45 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.89/1.28/178 in 165 IP

478) Bryce Jarvis ARI, RHP, 24.3 – Jarvis is an advanced pitcher with an above average 4 pitch mix. His fastball sits in the mid 90’s and his changeup is his best secondary. He ran into some trouble at Double-A in his pro debut with a 5.66 ERA in 35 IP, but he was still getting strikeouts with a 40/17 K/BB. I loved him coming out of the draft and I’m still on board.2022 Projection: 2/4.46/1.35/40 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.98/1.29/175 in 170 IP

479) Steven Kwan CLE, OF, 24.7 – Kwan’s had elite contact rates with an elite plate approach his entire career going back to college, and that continued in the upper levels of the minors with a 9.1%/10.6% K%/BB% in 77 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. And this year to power ticked up, cracking 12 homers in those 77 games as he started to pull the ball more. He’s only 5’9”, 170 pounds, and he’s already 24, so the power potential probably isn’t huge, and he’s not a big base stealer either, although he will nab a handful. Proximity also plays a role in this ranking as he should compete for a starting job in spring. 2022 Projection: 52/11/41/.272/.338/.423/5 Prime Projection: 84/19/71/.285/.346/.448/8

480) Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP, 24.6 – Whitley underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2021 and is expected to be out until the middle of next season. He also battled shoulder inflammation in 2019 which contributed to an awful season. Assuming his stuff returns completely, the upside is still there, but he was far from a finished product even before all of the injuries over the last 3 seasons. The risk is starting to overshadow the reward. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 8/3.98/1.33/155 in 140 IP

481) Matt Allan NYM, RHP, 20.11 – Allan underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2021 which may keep him out until towards the end of the 2022 season. When healthy, he throws a mid 90’s fastball with a plus, high spin rate curveball and a changeup that was getting rave reviews at the alt site in 2020. He’s only pitched 10.1 professional innings in his career, and is now undergoing major arm surgery, so the risk is high, but so is the upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 12/3.83/1.25/175 in 160 IP

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

483) DJ Herz CHC, LHP, 21.3 – Herz has a bit of a funky lefty delivery which always wrecks havoc on hitter’s ability to pick up pitches. It can add some injury risk and control problems (4.8 BB/9), so it’s a give and take. He used that delivery to fire 3 potentially plus pitches in his mid 90’s fastball, curve, and changeup. The stuff is nasty and it led to a pitching line of 3.31/1.05/131/41 in 81.2 IP split between Single-A and High-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/3.76/1.28/180 in 160 IP

484) Gunnar Hoglund OAK, RHP, 22.4 – Selected 19th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Hoglund underwent Tommy John surgery and is expected to be out until mid-season 2022. When healthy, he uses an easy, rhythmic delivery that produces high spin rates and plus control/command over a 3 pitch mix (fastball, slider, change). All of his pitches have the potential to be above average and play up because of his command. He dominated before the injury with a pristine 13.8 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 (2.87 ERA). Fastball ticking up into the mid 90’s could be the last piece to top of the rotation potential. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 13/3.77/1.19/185 in 171 IP

485) Taijuan Walker NYM, RHP, 29.8 – Walker wasn’t able to repeat his very small sample success in 2020 (1.37 ERA in 26.1 IP), with his ERA rising to 4.47. He throws a 5 pitch mix but none of his pitches are truly standout and none get tons of swings and misses. He’ll eat up some solid innings for you, but he probably won’t make a true impact. 2022 Projection: 9/4.29/1.28/140 in 150 IP

486) Quinn Priester PIT, RHP, 21.6 – Priester’s fastball was sitting in the low 90’s by the end of the year, and even registered some in the high 80’s. He was in the mid 90’s earlier in the year, so the hope is that he will be able to maintain those numbers as he builds innings and gains strength. His 97.2 IP at High-A was by far the most of his career. He put up a solid 3.04 ERA, but his 24.1%/9.6% K%/BB% was less impressive. He throws a legitimate 5 pitch mix with his curveball as his best secondary. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/4.08/1.31/166 in 170 IP

487) Corey Kluber TBR, RHP, 36.0 – A strained shoulder knocked Kluber out for 3 months and limited him to 80 IP. The days of prime Kluber are very likely over, but he proved he can still be effective in his twilight years by inducing weak contact with a well above average 86.9 MPH EV against. His curve is plus with a 39.1% whiff% and he used his changeup more than ever to great results with a .213 xwOBA and 40.2% whiff%. 2022 Projection: 9/3.78/1.28/145 in 140 IP

488) Ryne Nelson ARI, RHP, 24.2 – Nelson’s moneymaker is an at least plus, mid 90’s fastball which hitters have major trouble picking up. It’s a swing and miss pitch. He combines that with a potentially plus curveball, average slider, and a developing change. His control took a big step forward this year, putting up a respectable 8.2% BB% at Double-A. It all led to a 3.51 ERA with a 104/26 K/BB in 77 IP at Double-A (2.52 ERA in 39.1 IP at High-A). 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 10/3.95/1.31/165 in 155 IP

489) Drey Jameson ARI, RHP, 24.7 – Jameson has electric stuff with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and a plus, put away slider. His fastball command isn’t great, and when he wants to locate it the velocity can drop into the low 90’s. He seems to throw 3 variations of the slider (upper 80’s, mid 80’s, lower 80’s) and all 3 of the pitches are plus. He also mixes in a curve and change, but he mostly goes to his fastball/slider combo. It all led to a pitching line of 3.98/1.21/145/36 in 110.2 IP. He’s only 6’0”, 165 pounds and he looks a bit reliever-ish to me, but hard to argue with the great stuff and strikeout numbers. 2022 Projection:2/4.32/1.36/47 in 45 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.92/1.32/168 in 150 IP

490) Brayan Bello BOS, RHP, 22.10 – Bello rolled through High-A with a 2.27 ERA and 45/7 K/BB in 31.2 IP before meeting his match in Double-A with a 4.66 ERA, but his strikeout rate was still excellent (31.1%) and he had a 3.33 xFIP, so he pitched better than his surface stats. He has big stuff with a mid 90’s fastball that he can regularly get into the upper 90’s and the potential for 2 plus secondaries in his slider and change. He has solid control, but his command can waver and he doesn’t necessarily consistently hit his spots. If he can improve his control/command, he has legitimate top of the rotation upside, but he’ll more likely top out as a mid rotation guy with high K rates. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/3.89/1.30/175 in 165 IP

491) Brian Anderson MIA, 3B, 28.10 – A shoulder injury tanked Anderson’s season and required season ending surgery in September. He is hoping to to be ready for 2022, but off-season shoulder surgeries are not a recipe for success (see Cody Bellinger). When healthy, he is a low upside hitter with average power and a solid plate approach. He was a perfect 5 for 5 on the bases in 67 games last year, his best stolen base pace of his career by far, so there is some hope he can do a better job of contributing in that category in the future. 2022 Projection: 72/20/76/.249/.334/.436/6

492) Hunter Dozier KCR, OF/3B, 30.7 – Dozier has really had only one good year in his career in 2019 and has been mediocre at best other than that. Above average power (94.1 MPH FB/LD EV) is his best asset, but that is just about all he does well. 2022 Projection: 64/19/66/.238/.312/.421/6

493) Carlos Hernandez KCR, RHP, 25.1 – Hernandez broke out in the 2nd half of the season when he transitioned into the rotation, putting up a pitching line of 3.23/1.16/44/26 in 64 IP (4.98 ERA pre break). As you can see with the K/BB numbers, some of that was smoke and mirrors, but I wouldn’t write him off so quick due to how nasty his stuff is. His 4-seamer averaged 97.1 MPH, his slider had a 37.9% whiff%, and his curve, change and sinker all had above average xwOBA’s. He had a below average 20.7% K%, but his 25.8% whiff% was above average. I’m not sure he is going to figure it all out next season, but maybe he can Nathan Eovaldi it and be decent over the next few years before really hitting his stride in his late 20’s/early 30’s. 2022 Projection: 8/4.31/1.35/128 in 145 IP

494) Adbert Alzolay CHC, RHP, 27.1 – Alzolay threw his relatively new slider more than ever in 2021 (39.8% usage), and it proved to be an excellent pitch with a 37.4% whiff% and .256 xwOBA. He combines that with a groundball inducing 93.8 MPH sinker and a 94 MPH fastball that put up a very respectable 26.8% whiff% (he also mixes in a changeup, cutter, and curveball). The K/BB numbers were excellent with a 128/34 K/BB in 125.2 IP. He was placed on the 60 day IL with a shoulder injury, which is unfortunate because he was shaping up to be a nice late round rotation option. 2022 Projection: 5/4.14/1.28/82 in 80 IP

495) Raimel Tapia COL, OF, 28.2 – Tapis has plus contact rates with a career best 13.1% K% and plus speed with 20 steals, but he doesn’t do anything else well enough to ensure continued playing time, and that includes defense where he is only average. His 2.1% barrel% was in the bottom 4% of the league and he had a negative 4.4 degree launch angle. He also has below average walk rates even with a career best 7.4% BB%. There is no guarantee he will be able to accumulate 533 PA ever again, but if does he will certainly contribute in average and steals. 2022 Projection: 66/8/57/.275/.325/.398/20

496) Carlos Santana KCR, 1B, 36.0 – Santana had the worst year of his career by far with an 83 wRC+. The 2nd worst year of his career was last year with a 99 wRC+. That is not a great sign for a 36 year old, but looking under the hood, it actually looked to be mostly bad luck. His .334 xwOBA was well above average and most of the underlying numbers were within career norms. Even if he can bounce back, KC’s deluge of MLB ready prospect talent is a threat to his playing time. 2022 Projection: 73/24/78/.233/.335/.420/1

497) Bobby Bradley CLE, 1B, 25.10 – Bradley has been putting up some of the best power numbers in the minors since 2014, and that unsurprisingly continued in the majors with 16 homers and a 96.3 MPH FB/LD EV in 74 games. On the flip side, his strikeout problems are extreme with a 40.3% whiff% and 35.5% K%. He’s penciled in as the starting 1B for now, but Cleveland could turn to other options like Nolan Jones. 2022 Projection: 58/22/71/.224/.303/.443/0

498) Dane Dunning TEX, RHP, 27.3 – Dunning couldn’t follow up his strong 2020 MLB debut because he wasn’t able to induce weak contact like he did last year. His EV against went from above average to below average, and his 118.5 Max EV against was in the bottom 2% of the league. The velocity fell on all of his pitches (down 1.5 MPH on his sinker to 90.4 MPH), and his K% and whiff% also took a step back. I don’t think the upside is high enough to go after him as anything more than a back end type. 2022 Projection: 8/4.31/1.34/156 in 160 IP

499) Adam Wainwright STL, RHP, 40.7 – Wainwright is a reminder that age can be such a dominating factor for dynasty owners, that older players can consistently get undervalued. He was a major reason why the eventual champion in my 12 team QS Dynasty League pulled away from the pack in the 2nd half of the season after I stupidly turned down multiple opportunities to trade for him myself before the deadline (I snuck into 2nd place on the final day of the season). He’s outperformed his xERA, xFIP, and FIP for the last 3 years, so I’m not exactly going after him, but I’m not going to completely dismiss him either. 2022 Projection: 11/3.95/1.27/156 in 175 IP

500) Tyrone Taylor MIL, OF, 28.2 – Taylor would be a really fun fantasy player if he had a full time job, but the McCutchen signing likely keeps him in a 4th outfielder role. His exit velocity doesn’t jump out (88.6 MPH EV), but he gets the ball in the air (16 degree launch angle) and is in a great ballpark for homers, so the power production will be there. He also has a good feel to hit (21.8% K%) and some speed (28.6 ft/sec sprint speed). He’s an interesting bench piece in daily leagues when he gets the start. 2022 Projection: 61/19/68/.253/.325/.448/9

501) Yoelqui Cespedes CHW, OF, 24.7 – Cespedes came as advertised with a plus power/speed combo (8 homers and 18 stolen bases in 72 games split between High-A and Double-A) and a raw plate plate approach (83/16 K/BB). He is so talented that even with the poor plate approach he still managed to put up a 127 wRC+ at High-A (.278 BA) and 108 wRC+ at Double-A (.298 BA). There is also often an adjustment period when Cuban players come stateside. He is one of those players that is likely overrated in more casual leagues because of name value, and underrated in more serious leagues. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/19/73/.252/.316/.424/16

502) Austin Hendrick CIN, OF, 20.9 – Hendrick was an extreme 3 true outcome slugger in his pro debut, slashing .211/.380/.388 with 7 homers, 4 steals, a 28.4% GB%, and a 37.6%/19.2% K%/BB% in 63 games at Single-A. This is likely who he will always be with a big uppercut lefty swing, although I doubt it will always be to this extreme level. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/28/85/.240/.332/.473/6

503) Johan Rojas PHI, OF, 21.8 – Rojas is an explosive player with strong contact rates, plus speed, and plus raw power, but he still hasn’t put it all together with high groundball rates. He struggled at Single-A in 78 games with a 86 wRC+ before catching fire in his 17 game High-A debut with 3 homers and a 161 wRC+. He has a nice blend of upside due to his power/speed combo and floor due to his contact rates. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/17/73/.278/.326/.426/18

504) Mitch Keller PIT, RHP, 26.0 – The post hype breakout will have to wait at least another year as Keller got smoked again in 2021 with a 6.17 ERA in 100.2 IP. His stuff just isn’t good enough to get MLB hitters out with a 19.6% K% and 91.5 MPH EV against (bottom 3% of the league). His fastball was down to 93.8 MPH after sitting 95.4 MPH in 2019, but the fastball velocity was hitting career highs in his first spring start, so a bounce back could be in order 2022 Projection: 8/4.34/1.37/128 in 140 IP

505) Hunter Bishop SFG, OF, 23.9 – Bishop missed almost the entire season with a shoulder injury, but he returned in time for the Arizona Fall League where he’s slashing .269/.345/.462 with 5 doubles, 0 homers, 0 steals, and a 12/1 K/BB in 8 games. The athleticism and plus power/speed combo are still there, but he’s missed a lot of development time and the hit tool is a question. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 81/23/74/.250/.340/.450/9

506) Lorenzo Cain MIL, OF, 36.0 – Cain played in only 78 games due to a variety of ailments, and while he is certainly in decline, he still has some juice left in his bat and legs. His 28.7 ft/sec sprint speed was his best mark since 2017 and he stole 13 bags. His plate approach was right in line with his career numbers with a 16.8%/9.1% K%/BB% and his power was also right in line with his career with 8 homers. He is shaping up to be a nice win now option who should come very, very cheap, but even if he stays fully healthy I expect he will get plenty of rest. 2022 Projection: 72/13/58/.268/.331/.409/18

507) Manuel Margot TBR, OF, 27.6 – It seems highly unlikely that Margot will get full time at bats with how much talent is on Tampa’s roster. He did put up career bests in Barrel% (5.1%), xwOBA (.317), and HardHit% (40.2%), so there is potential for an uptick in homers as he enters his late 20’s. 2022 Projection: 62/15/58/.264/.325/.408/15

508) Rafael Ortega CHC, OF, 30.11 – I would like Orgega more if I knew he was locked into a full time role, but I fear he will end up a 4th outfielder at some point during the season. He has a solid all around skillset that should lead to modest production across the board with a 21.2%/9.1% K%/BB%, 88.3/90.5 MPH AVG/FB EV, 18.3 degree launch angle, and a 27.5 ft/sec sprint speed. 2022 Projection: 71/16/54/.257/.329/.424/12

509) Bradley Zimmer CLE, OF, 29.4 – Zimmer is an even deeper speed target than Straw, but he comes with a lot more risk. He had a 35.1% K% and a .559 OPS vs. lefties, so he’s likely looking at a platoon role. It’s still hard to not be at least a little enticed by his power/speed combo though. He notched a career best 90.6 MPH EV and had a 113.9 Max EV that was in the top 9% of the league. His 29.4 ft/sec sprint speed was in the top 3% and he used it to steal 15 bases in 99 games. He’s probably only a deep league option, but I like grabbing him for almost nothing at the end of drafts. 2022 Projection: 52/10/43/.233/.315/.388/18

510) Hendry Mendez MIL, OF, 18.5 – Mendez was one of the most advanced hitters in the Dominican Summer League with a 3.1%/10.9% K%/BB% in 21 games. He was then promoted to stateside rookie ball and raked there too with a 138 wRC+ and 13.5%/13.5% K%/BB%. He only hit 1 homer in 40 games, but he is a projectable 6’2”, 175 pounds with plenty of power projection. He has the potential for plus hit and power at peak. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/22/79/.280/.350/.480/9

511) Jackson Chourio MIL, OF, 18.1 – Chourio checked in at #922 on my 2021 Top 1,000 after signing for $1.8 million, and he delivered on that promise in his pro debut, slashing, .296/.386/.447 with 5 homers, 8 steals, and a 14.8%/12.2% K%/BB% in 45 games in the DSL. He’s an advanced hitter with plus speed, and at a projectable 6’1”, 165 pounds, he has the chance to develop above average power at least. He’s a great high upside shot to take. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 78/20/76/.268/.339/.437/14

512) Kyle Harrison SFG, LHP, 20.8 – Harrison uses a funky, almost sidearm lefty delivery to rack up strikeouts (35.7% K% in 98.2 IP at Single-A), but it also comes with command issues (11.8% BB%). His fastball is a plus pitch and he combines that with a potentially plus slider and much improved changeup. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 11/3.93/1.32/191 in 170 IP

513) Manuel Beltre TOR, SS, 17.10 – Beltre was known for his advanced plate approach and plus contact rates coming into pro ball, and he lived up to his scouting report to a T with a 13.9%/17.6% K%/BB%. His 46.9% flyball percentage was likely part of the reason for his low .225 BA, but when his power inevitable ticks up, that high flyball rate will lead to plenty of dingers. Now is the time to buy into Beltre. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 88/21/81/.281/.359/.462/11

514) Colson Montgomery CHW, SS, 20.4 – Selected 22nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Montgomery is a big lefty with big power potential. He’s not fast, but he’s not a lumbering slugger either as he was a standout basketball player too. On the downside, he’s old for the high school class and there are swing and miss concerns. He had a solid but unspectacular pro debut, slashing .287/.396/.362 with 0 homers, a 59.4% GB%, 0 steals and a 19.8%/11.7% K%/BB% in 26 games in rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/23/80/.263/.335/.457/6

515) Spencer Strider ATL, RHP, 23.5 – Strider made his pro debut in 2021 and made it all the way to the majors for 2.1. IP. He racked up strikeouts in the minors with a plus fastball/slider combo, putting up a 153/40 K/BB with a 3.64 ERA in 94 IP at mostly Double-A. His fastball consistently hits the upper 90’s, and the slider is potentially plus, but without a real third pitch there is a reliever risk. 2022 Projection: 2/4.25/1.33/45 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.01/1.30/162 in 150 IP

516) Cole Henry WASH, RHP, 22.9 – Henry’s been one of the most impressive pitchers in the AFL with a pitching line of 3.32/1.11/30/9 in 19 IP. This coming off his utter domination of High-A (1.88/0.79/63/11 in 43 IP). He’s 6’4”, 225 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and two potentially plus secondaries in his changeup and curve. He has good control over all of his pitches. I like him a ton. This off-season is definitely a great time to buy in while the price is low. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.86/1.27/189 in 174 IP

517) Brailyn Marquez CHC, LHP, 23.2 – It was a lost season for Marquez as he never got on the mound in 2021 due to getting Covid in the spring and then suffering a shoulder strain when he was ramping back up. The stuff is too nasty to just forget about though with an upper 90’s fastball, plus slider, and a changeup that supposedly showed improvement at the alt site in 2020. He needs to improve his control and the shoulder injury adds more risk, but I still love taking a shot on his upside. 2022 Projection: 4/4.15/1.33/76 in 70 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.76/1.29/175 in 155 IP

518) Sixto Sanchez MIA, RHP, 23.0 – On talent alone, Sanchez has an argument to be #1 on this list, but a shoulder injury that required season ending surgery in July adds a healthy dose of risk. He is expected to be healthy for 2022, and if you want to bet he picks up from where he left off in 2020 I completely get it, but I am going to remain a little more cautious until he looks healthy in Spring with no setbacks. 2022 Projection: 5/3.95/1.27/100 in 110 IP

519) Ryan Murphy SFG, RHP, 22.6 – Murphy steamrolled through the lower levels of the minors with pitching line of 2.52/0.91/164/26 in 107.1 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He shows good control of a traditional 4 pitch mix with a low 90’s fastball, plus curveball, above average slider, and developing change. If he can add a few MPH to his fastball, watch out. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.89/1.23/188 in 175 IP

520) Will Bednar SFG, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 14th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Bednar has MLB bloodlines with his brother, David, breaking out in Pittsburgh’s pen. Will throws low to mid 90’s heat with a plus slider and a developing changeup. His numbers in the SEC have been very good with a pitching line of 3.22/1.14/136/26 in 89.1 IP over 2020-21. There isn’t huge upside, but landing in San Francisco is the best possible spot for a pitching prospect. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.96/1.29/173 in 165 IP

521) J.P. Crawford SEA, SS, 27.3 – Crawford is a plus defender with a plus plate approach (16.6%/8.4% K%/BB%), but he’s a poor base stealer (3 for 6) and doesn’t hit the ball hard (86.3 MPH EV). His value is heavily tied to where he is hitting in the order, as he scored 89 runs last year hitting atop Seattle’s lineup. 2022 Projection: 83/10/59/.267/.342/.388/5

522) Lars Nootbaar STL, OF, 24.7 – Nootbaar is going bonkers in Arizona, slashing .314/.437/.643 with 5 homers and a 15/14 K/BB in 18 games. He held his own in his MLB debut with a 101 wRC+, an above average 89.1 MPH exit velocity and an advanced plate approach (22.6%/10/5% K%/BB%). He’s never stolen many bases, but he does have speed with a 28.4 ft/sec sprint speed. I’m worried he’s only a part time player, but the DH will help him. 2022 Projection: 41/10/38/.258/.327/.420/2 Prime Projection: 74/19/68/.272/.338/.448/4

523) Nico Hoerner CHC, 2B/SS, 24.11 – Hoerne has an advanced plate approach with a 14.7%/10% K%/BB% and plus speed with a 28.8 ft/sec sprint speed, but he hasn’t been able to tap into any power at all with 0 homers a 1.6% Barrel%. An oblique injury limited him to just 44 games in mostly the first half, so he wasn’t able to take advantage of Chicago’s sell off in 2021. The Jonathan Villar signing seems to relegate him to a bench role. 2022 Projection: 55/5/48/.276/.342/.381/9

524) Jorge Mateo BAL, OF/2B/SS, 26.9 – There is playing time to be won in Baltimore’s infield so Mateo could easily work himself into a ton of at bats. He hit well when he arrived in Baltimore with a 102 wRC+, and he is one of the fastest players in the game with a 30.4 ft/sec sprint speed. There isn’t very much power in the bat with a 85.4 MPH EV and his plate approach is poor with a 26.3%/4.3% K%/BB%, so you are banking that he will be the best of a bunch of bad options and chip in with steals. 2022 Projection: 41/9/34/.244/.299/.381/14

525) Ezequiel Tovar COL, SS, 20.9 – Tovar is a plus contact (12.2% K%), plus speed (24 for 30 on the bases) ballplayer who showed more power than expected in 2021 with 15 homers in 104 games split between Single-A and High-A. He didn’t walk much with a 3.6% BB%, but maybe he can end up something like Raimel Tapia with a little more power. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/14/63/.280/.325/.410/18

526) Peyton Battenfield CLE, RHP, 24.8 – Battenfield is 6’4”, 224 pounds with an overhand delivery that causes some uncomfortable at bats. His fastball is plus and can regularly hit the mid 90’s. He combines that with a slower, loopy-ish curveball, a lesser used changeup that flashes plus, and a hard cutter/slider. Everything played up because of his elite control, leading to a 2.53 ERA with a 131/19 K/BB in 103 IP at mostly Double-A, although he has never shown that level of control before, so it will be interesting to see if he can truly maintain that level. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 11/4.04/1.24/178 in 174 IP

527) Logan Allen CLE, LHP, 23.7 – Allen has pitched well at every stop of his career going back to 2018. He made quick work of High-A in his pro debut with a 1.58 ERA and 67/13 K/BB in 55.1 IP before getting promoted to Double-A and more or less doing the same with a 2.85 ERA and 76/13 K/BB in 60 IP. He throws low 90’s heat with a plus changeup and average curve, so the stuff doesn’t necessarily jump out at you. He also isn’t exactly an intimidating presence on the mound at 6’0”, 190 pounds. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.10/1.25/171 in 168 IP

528) Joshua Baez STL, OF, 18.9 – Selected 54th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Baez was one of the youngest players in the draft and has one of the best power projections, notching a 102 MPH exit velocity at a Perfect Game event. He’s also relatively fast with a 6.67 60 yard dash time, showing he is not just a lumbering slugger. He doesn’t project for major strikeout issues, but there is some swing and miss to his game. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/25/84/.253/.336/.473/8

529) Oscar Colas CHW, OF, 23.5 – Expected to sign with Chicago in the upcoming international free agent period for $2.7 million. Colas used to be a two way player, but is now focusing solely on hitting. He’s a built up 6’1”, 209 pounds with a smooth and powerful lefty swing that is reminiscent of many successful lefthanded power hitters. He has a strong history of production in Cuba and Japan professional leagues, showing present plus power. There is plenty of inherent, unknown risks, but I would be willing to take a shot on him. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/26/83/.262/.331/.483/6

530) Lazaro Montes SEA, OF, 17.6 – Montes is a 6’4”, 205 pound power hitting beast with good athleticism. Just check out this videoof him demolishing the ball, and listen to the sound off the bat. The power hitting upside is obvious. He’s one of my favorite FYPD targets this year. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/27/85/.258/.336/.482/5

531) Wilman Diaz LAD, SS, 18.5 – Diaz struggled in his first taste of pro ball with an 89 wRC+ and 27.7% K% in 24 games in the DSL. He was getting better as the season went along, and 24 games is a very small sample, so I wouldn’t panic based onthe slow start to his career. He still has all the tools that made him a high priced international signing, but he obviously has a long way to go. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 82/23/76/.267/.333/.450/12

Tier 12

532) Brady Singer KC, RHP, 25.9 – Singer is basically a two pitch pitcher and neither pitch is good enough to really carry him with his sinker notching a .347 xwOBA and his slider putting up a 29.1% whiff% and .302 xwOBA. He keeps the ball on the ground with a 7 degree launch angle, and his strikeout/whiff rates were a hair above average, so if he can find a third pitch and/or improve the two he has, there is some potential. 2022 Projection: 8/4.11/1.33/150 in 155 IP

533) Domingo German NYY, RHP, 29.8 – Right shoulder inflammation limited German to 98.2 IP and he was only able to make it back for 1.1 IP in October. He was placed on tehe 60 day IL and will miss about the first two months of the season at least. He has plus control (6.6 BB%) of a 4 pitch mix with his curve as the moneymaker (.248 xwOBA with a 42.8% whiff%). His change also took a step forward with a .276 xwOBA. 2022 Projection: 5/4.19/1.23/81 in 80 IP

534) Dylan Floro MIA, Closer, 31.3 – Miami could easily add a few relievers this off-season, turning this into a committee situation, but as of now, the job is Floro’s. He’s been a rock solid pitcher since 2018 with strong ERA’s and xERA’s. He’s been in the top 5% of the league the last 2 years for exit velocity against. He’s not a K machine, and the stuff is merely good (not great), but he’s gotten the job done for a little while now. 2022 Projection: 3/3.62/1.25/58/25 in 61 IP

535) Rowan Wick CHC, Closer, 29.5 – Wick has Chicago’s closer job by default as he should be solid but is far from dominant. He relies heavily on a 94.5 MPH fastball which put up a respectable .307 xwOBA and 26.1% whiff%. A plus curve is his best secondary, but it’s not a huge whiff pitch with a 27.8% whiff%. 2022 Projection: 3/3.79/1.31/69/25 in 60 IP

536) J.D. Davis NYM, 3B, 28.11 – Davis is currently a part time player and that might not change even with the NL adding the DH, but it will surely help. His K% and whiff% skyrocketed in 2021 with a 32.2% and 41% mark, respectively, but he continued to make consistent hard contact with a career best 12.4% barrel%. He hasn’t been a huge homer hitter (11 homers in 129 games over the last 2 seasons), but he’s a damn good hitter who would rank much higher if he was guaranteed a full time job. 2022 Projection: 58/18/62/.248/.333/.442/1

537) Dominic Smith NYM, 1B/OF, 26.10 – Dom played 15 games at 1B in 2021, so check your local listings for 1B availability. The Mets off-season spending spree makes him a part time player, even if with NL adding a DH. He isn’t as bad as he showed in 2021 (.667 OPS), but a poor defensive player with a career 6.8% BB%, only slightly above average power and no speed is going to struggle to hold down a job. 2022 Projection: 48/14/57/.259/.318/.440/1

538) Garrett Hampson COL, OF/2B, 27.6 – Hampson moves back into a utility role with the signing on Jose Iglesias. He’s one of the fastest players in baseball with a 29.9 ft/s sprint speed (top 2%), but that is just about all he does well. He makes weak contact (4.7% Barrel%), and his plate approach isn’t great (23.9%/6.7% K%/BB%). 2022 Projection: 59/9/46/.245/.308/.396/15

539) Luis Gil NYY, RHP, 23.10 – Gil made his MLB debut in 2021 and he held his own, showing off a nasty fastball/slider combo. The fastball sat 96.1 MPH and the slider put up a .234 xwOBA with a 37.5% whiff% in 29.1 IP. He’s still wild with a 5.1 BB/9 in 79.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A, and the changeup wasn’t much of a weapon in the majors with a 7.3% usage rate and .529 xwOBA, but this is a bet on the stuff. 2022 Projection: 3/4.31/1.38/87 in 72 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.81/1.34/184 in 168 IP

540) Jake Eder MIA, LHP, 23.4 – Eder underwent Tommy John surgery and will likely miss all of 2022. It was a really disappointing end to what was otherwise an eye opening season for the young lefty. He was cruising right through Double-A with his mid 90’s heat and at least plus curve, putting up a pitching line of 1.77/0.98/99/27 in 71.1 IP. If not for the injury, he very well could have competed for #2 overall on this list, but missing an entire year and the added injury risk has him dropping a bit for me. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.82/1.27/179 in 165 IP

541) Matt Barnes BOS, Closer-ish, 31.10 – Barnes imploded in the 2nd half with a 6.48 ERA in 16.2 IP, this coming off a spotless first half where he had a 63/11 K/BB in 38 IP. He didn’t register a save after August 4th. Garrett Whitlock could easily win the closer job if he doesn’t win a rotation spot. 2022 Projection: 4/3.70/1.24/92/15 in 62 IP

542) Ken Giles SEA, Closer Committee, 31.6 – Giles underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2020 and should be healthy for 2022, but there is no guarantee he is handed the closer job. When healthy, he throws upper 90’s heat with a truly elite slider that results in elite K rates, but you have to factor in some injury/performance risk. 2022 Projection: 3/3.52/1.20/68/22 in 50 IP

543) Paul Sewald SEA, Closer Committee, 31.10 – Sewald’s fastball ticked up to a career high 92.3 MPH and the whiff% on the pitch exploded to 33%. His slider broke out too with a career best 43.2% whiff%. It led to an explosion in his K% to an elite 39.4%. It’s hard not to expect some regression, and he doesn’t have the closer role to himself, so I would be hesitant to buy in too hard. 2022 Projection: 5/3.42/1.13/83 in 61 IP

544) Jordan Wicks CHC, LHP, 22.7 – Selected 21st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Wicks is a safe pick that is more appealing the deeper the league is. His money maker is a double plus changeup that he relies on heavily. The fastball sits in the low 90’s and he has two average-ish breaking balls with his slider being the better of the two pitches. He had a pitching line of 3.70/1.28/118/28 in 92.1 IP in the Big 12, so while that is solid, he hasn’t exactly been lights out. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/4.09/1.28/176 in 173 IP

545) Gavin Williams CLE, RHP, 22.8 – Selected 23rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Williams always had the big fastball which can now reach 100 MPH, and in 2021 his control (2.3 BB/9) and secondaries (curve, slider, change) took big steps forward en route to a pitching line of 1.88/0.96/130/21 in 81.1 IP. He’s old for the class and has major reliever risk, but the stuff is exciting. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.03/1.34/164 in 151 IP

546) Zack Gelof OAK, 3B, 22.5 – Selected 60th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Gelof is 6’3”, 205 pounds with plus power to all fields. He hit only 9 homers in 63 games in the ACC this year, but Virginia’s home ballpark is notorious for suppressing power. He proved the power was real in his pro debut, smashing 7 homers with a 143 wRC+ in 32 games at Single-A before going 7 for 12 in his 3 game Triple-A cup of coffee. He’s also a good athlete with a very successful career on the bases in college which carried over into pro ball (13 steals in 15 attempts). He’s one of my favorite under the radar first year player draft targets. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/24/79/.261/.326/.462/8

547) Ty Madden DET, RHP, 22.1 – Selected 32nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Madden uses an overhead delivery that vaguely reminds me a bit of Ian Anderson to throw a traditional 4-pitch mix highlighted by mid-90’s heat. He struggled with control in 2019, but was much better in 2020 and that was carried over somewhat in 2021 with a pitching line of 2.41/1.05/119/39 in 100.2 IP. He’s a relatively safe starter with some upside still in the tank. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.97/1.29/175 in 175 IP

548) Michael McGreevy STL, RHP, 21.9 – Selected 18th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, McGreevy is a control artist who had a 1.5 BB/9 in his college career over 189.1 IP. The stuff isn’t huge with a low 90’s sinker and 3 secondaries (curve-best secondary, slider, change), but he’s young for his class and there could be more in the tank. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.18/1.26/158 in 170 IP

549) Keston Hiura MIL, 1B, 25.8 – Hiura was rightfully distracted in 2021 by his mother’s cancer diagnoses, so I don’t think we should be too hard on him. He had a terrible season with a .557 OPS and 39.1% K% in 61 games. He struck out 33.5% of the time in 51 games at Triple-A too. The power stroke is still in there, and I think he deserves a redo on trying to get that strikeout rate down in 2022. 2022 Projection: 33/11/35/.230/.300/.430/5

550) Kyle Isbel KCR, OF, 25.1 – Isbel put up a .772 OPS in his 83 PA MLB debut, but his xStats were terrible with a well below average .251 xwOBA. His best skill is his plus speed (28.2 ft/sec sprint speed), and he’s been a very successful base stealer through he minor league career (57 for 72 in 228 games). He’s made contact his entire career and that continued in the majors with a slightly above average 23.9% whiff%. He doesn’t hit the ball hard enough to really do damage, but his exit velocity numbers were merely below average (87.3 MPH EV), they weren’t terrible. He definitely has the skills for some moderate across the board production. 2022 Projection: 58/12/53/.252/.321/.406/15

551) Nick Solak TEX, 2B, 27.2 – Solak got off to a scorching start in April with 7 homers and a .910 OPS, but his numbers completely tanked over the next 3 months before getting demoted to Triple-A. He got called back up at the end of August and finished the year strong with a .754 OPS, but it didn’t come with much power or speed. He’s going to have to raise his 7 degree launch angle to really start doing damage, and now that Texas signed Seager and Semien, he’s going to have to earn his at bats in the outfield. 2022 Projection: 53/11/46/.267/.329/.413/9

552) Mike Zunino TBR, C, 31.0 – Zunino swung and missed at a ton of pitches as usual (35.2% K%), but he made perfect contact a whole lot when he did actually get the bat on the ball with a league leading 24.3% Barrel%. It led to 33 homers with a .216 BA. This looks more like a career-ish year to me than something he can maintain moving forward. 2022 Projection: 53/26/57/.208/.290/.434/0

553) Evan Carter TEX, OF, 19.7 – A stress fracture in his back ended what was shaping up to be an excellent pro debut for Carter. He was an 18 year old in full season ball and he walked more than he struck out with a 19.2%/23.3% K%/BB%. He hit only two homers, but at 6’4”, 190 pounds and with a 37.2% GB%, more power is definitely coming. He also has plus speed with 12 steals in 32 games. The advanced plate approach gives him a safe floor, and the upside is high if he can get stronger as he matures, which seems like a good bet to make. If he didn’t get hurt, he would have likely placed much higher on this list. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/21/74/.274/.345/.441/13

554) Caleb Kilian CHC, RHP, 24.10 – Kilian is 6’4”, 180 pounds with an advanced feel for pitching and elite control. He put up a 112/13 K/BB with a 2.42 ERA at mostly Double-A. The stuff isn’t necessarily that great with a low 90’s fastball that he can ramp up into the mid 90’s, a potentially plus curve, and average change. He projects as a mid to back end starter who should have a strong WHIP which helps for fantasy. 2022 Projection; Prime Projection: 10/4.18/1.23/157 in 165 IP

555) Tommy Romero TBR, RHP, 24.9 – Romero dominated the upper levels of the minors with a pitching of 2.61/0.96/145/31 in 110.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. Romero does most of his damage with a plus fastball that can reach the mid 90’s, and he combines that with two solid secondaries in his curve and change. Plus command helps everything play up. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 9/3.92/1.26/155 in 153

556) Owen White TEX, RHP, 22.8 – White broke his hand during his first start of the season in Single-A didn’t return until August, limiting him to 63.2 IP including the AFL. He was one of the most impressive pitchers in the AFL, showing off a dominant mid 90’s fastball and 3 quality secondaries in his curve, slider, and change. This was his first year pitching pro ball and he hasn’t faced advanced competition, so the track record is short, but the plus stuff gives him legitimate upside. He’s a great pitcher to take a shot on in off-season prospect drafts, and depending on the league you should be able to get pretty late. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.02/1.28/178 in 165 IP

557) Michael Toglia COL, 1B, 23.8 – Toglia is a 6’5”, 226 pound switch hitter with plus power (22 homers in 115 games split between High-A and Double-A), but his strikeout rates have been very high even going back to his college days (28.5% K% in 2021). I’m also not sure his power is quite big enough to make up for the strikeout problems, although Coors can obviously mask some of these problems. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/25/79/.246/.323/.464/5

558) Brandon Williamson CIN, LHP, 24.0 – Williamson is a tall and lanky 6’6”, 210 pounds which always makes for an uncomfortable at-bat. His stuff isn’t huge with a low 90’s fastball, potentially plus breaking ball and developing change, but it was mighty effective vs. Double-A batters with a 3.48 ERA and 33%/8.1% K%/BB%. 2022 Projection: 3/4.31/1.36/53 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.10/1.31/174 in 166 IP

559) Vaughn Grissom ATL, SS, 21.3 – Grissom’s advanced plate approach transferred to full season ball with a 14.2%/11.8% K%/BB% in 87 games split between Single-A and High-A. He hit only 7 homers and his GB% was high, but at 6’3”, 180 pounds there should be more in the tank. He was 16 for 19 on the bases, and while he’s not a true burner and it’s hard to trust stolen base numbers in the lower minors, he should contribute in steals. He has average to above average across the board potential. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 83/20/76/.273/.347/.448/9

560) Christian Vazquez BOS, C, 31.7 – Vazquez’ out of nowhere 2019-2020 power breakout disappeared as fast as it came on, dropping all the way back to just 6 homers with a 86.3 MPH exit velocity in 138 games this year. He has plus contact rates and contributes in stolen bases too (career high 8 steals), so he has value even if the power doesn’t come back. 2022 Projection: 53/12/53/.266/.314/.404/5

561) Travis d’Arnaud ATL, C, 33.2 – d’Arnaud tore ligaments in his left thumb and it limited him to only 60 games. He wasn’t able to repeat his insane 2020 (.919 OPS) with his exit velocity falling from 93.4 MPH to 89.9 MPH. He still hits the ball hard with an about average plate approach, so if his career low 5.9 degree launch angle regresses closer to his 12.1 degree career average, he could bounce back to have a very nice season. 2022 Projection: 51/15/59/.249/.318/.427/0

562) Gregory Soto DET, Closer, 27.2 – I guess Soto is the favorite for the closer job, but Michael Fulmer could easily take it from him or at least take a share of it. Soto has major control problems (14.5% BB%) and it makes him very high risk. His 27.5% K% is good, but it’s not in elite territory where it can make up for all the walks. The pure stuff is nasty though with a 98.2 MPH sinker and plus slider. 2022 Projection: 5/3.92/1.34/79/22 in 65 IP

563) Joe Barlow TEX, Closer, 26.6 – Barlow has a plus fastball/slider combo, but has had major control problems his entire pro career. His control improved in 2021, putting up a 10.8% BB% in his 29 IP MLB debut, but there is definitely blow up potential here. With Texas ramping up to compete, their bullpen is an area they could look to improve this off-season and/or during the season, so Barlow doesn’t have much job security either. 2022 Projection: 3/3.88/1.29/63/20 in 58 IP

564) Omar Narvaez MIL, C, 30.2 – Narvaez’ 2019 power breakout (22 homers) proved to be an illusion, which isn’t a surprise considering how bad his exit velocity is (84.6 MPH in 2021 which is in the bottom 2% of the league). He has a good plate approach and hits the ball in the air, but with such consistently low hard hit numbers the upside is limited. 2022 Projection: 58/10/53/.262/.342/.408/0

565) Carter Kieboom WAS, 3B, 24.7 – Kieboom just hasn’t been able to develop any power with an 85.3 MPH EV. The plate approach is solid with a 24.9%/10% K%/BB%, but he doesn’t steal at all and he doesn’t do enough damage when he hits the ball. His power should theoretically only tick up from here as he enters his mid 20’s, but there hasn’t been any signs of it yet, and he is now out with a forearm injury with no timetable. 2022 Projection: 61/14/56/.240/.322/.402/2

566) Ramon Urias BAL, 2B/SS, 27.10 – Urias is currently penciled in as Baltimore’s starting SS. He’s been a rock solid hitter in the majors with a .790 OPS in 323 MLB PA (296 PA in 2021) . The underlying numbers back up the production with an 89.6/94 MPH AVG/FB EV and .340 xwOBA. He doesn’t lift the ball enough for big power with a 5.3 degree launch angle, and he doesn’t have speed, so the upside is limited.. 2022 Projection: 73/19/77/.257/.329/.423/4

567) Masyn Winn STL, SS/RHP, 20.0 – Winn didn’t show much power in his pro debut with only 5 homers in 97 games split between Single-A and High-A, but there is more power coming down the line, and he had the wheels working with 32 steals in 37 attempts (obligatory disclaimer: rule changes made stealing bases easier at Single-A and High-A). He put up a 112 wRC+ in 61 games at Single-A before struggling at High-A with a 48 wRC+ in 36 games. As a pitcher, St. Louis gave him one inning towards the end of the season to show his stuff, and he impressed with a mid 90’s fastball and a nasty breaking ball, but he is expected to focus on hitting only this year. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/15/62/.261/.320/.415/17

568) Nicky Lopez KCR, SS, 27.1 – Lopez is a tempting target with a plus contact/speed profile, but the underlying numbers show it might be fool’s gold. His .347 BABIP buoyed a .300 BA, but he makes so much weak contact that is very likely unsustainable. He had a 0.7% barrel%, which was the 2nd worst in all of baseball, his xBA was .239, and his xwOBA was .282 (bottom 6% of the league). He stole 22 bases in 23 attempts, but he’s never had that type of success rate on the bases even going back to the minors, so that likely isn’t sustainable either. He’s at risk of falling back into a utility role, and even if he does hold a starting job, you can only really count on him for some steals. I would avoid unless he really drops in drafts or you are desperate for steals. 2022 Projection: 71/5/45/.261/.326/.370/16

569) Trevor Larnach MIN, OF, 25.1 – Larnach showed big power potential with a 90 MPH EV and a 116 MPH max EV, which is in the top 3% of the league, but his swing and miss was in the danger zone with a 34.6% K% and 39% whiff%. He also got eaten up vs. lefties with a .525 OPS and is a poor defensive player. He’s looking like a strong side of a platoon bat with a short leash, at least early in his career. 2022 Projection: 52/13/50/.237/.329/.424/1

570) Taylor Trammell SEA, OF, 24.6 – Trammell’s MLB debut was a disaster with a 42.1% K%, 85.9 MPH EV, and a .233 xwOBA. He was better in Triple-A, but he didn’t exactly dominate the level with a 104 wRC+. He has plus speed with a 28 ft/sec sprint speed, but that isn’t lightening fast and he was only 2 for 5 on the bases in the majors. He had his chance to lock down a full time job and couldn’t get it done. It will be even harder to win playing time with Julio Rodriguez on the way. 2022 Projection: 27/7/24/.223/.306/.387/4 Prime Projection: 65/17/61/.247/.321/.435/9

571) Pedro Pineda OAK, OF, 18.7 – The scouting report didn’t change much on Pineda this season. He’s a high risk/high reward prospect with a plus power/speed combo and hit tool concerns. He performed very well as a 17 year old in stateside rookie ball with a 121 wRC+ in 23 games, but he also struck out a lot in both the Dominican League (32.5% K% in 10 games) and the Arizona Complex League (36.4%). ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/23/82/.245/.332/.452/14

572) Max Muncy OAK, SS, 19.6 – Selected 25th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Muncy is in the 99th percentile of the high school class for exit velocity and in the 95th percentile for bat speed (according to Perfect Game). He projects for only average speed and he also has some hit tool risk, evidenced by a 35.3% K% in his 11 game pro debut, but the dude can put a charge into the ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/22/84/.258/.330/.447/9

573) Chase Petty MIN, RHP, 19.0 – Selected 26th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Petty slings a mid 90’s fastball that has hit over 100 MPH from a 3/4 arm slot. His slider and changeup are both a work in progress but both flash above average potential. There is some reliever risk, but Petty has the upside to end up the top prep pitcher in this draft class. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 12/3.87/1.28/183 in 171 IP

574) Ryan Cusick ATL, RHP, 22.5 – Selected 24th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, the ball absolutely explodes out of Cusick’s hand with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and a plus curve. He racks up strikeouts with 108 K’s in 70 IP, but control is a major issue with 32 walks, and his 4.24 ERA (1.39 WHIP) isn’t exactly great. His control looked better in his small sample pro debut with 4 walks in 16.1 IP at Single-A, and it didn’t impact his K rate at all with 34 strikeouts. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.33/169 in 158 IP

575) Geraldo Perdomo ARI, SS, 22.5 – It was a tale of 2 halves for Perdomo who had a .482 OPS in his first 53 games, and then put up a .986 in his final 43 games. The truth is probably somewhere in between as Perdomo projects for solid across the board production. He’ll need a power breakout to really become an impact player. 2022 Projection:22/2/16/.242/.303/.373/3 Prime Projection: 78/17/62/.275/.342/.422/11

576) Xzavion Curry CLE, RHP, 23.8 – Curry’s breaking balls (curve, slider) are a thing of beauty and are at least plus pitches. His fastball sits in the low 90’s but it is a very effective pitch. He pounds the strike zone and it led to pitching line of 2.30/0.89/123/16 in 97.2 IP at mostly High-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.94/1.24/169 in 165 IP

577) Josh Winder MIN, RHP, 25.5 – Right shoulder impingement ended Winder’s season in late July after 72 IP. When healthy, he showed good control of a mid 90’s fastball with his best secondary being a nasty hard changeup that he throws around 90 MPH (he also throws a mid 80’s change). Both of his breaking balls are solid pitches too. 2022 Projection: 3/4.35/1.34/62 in 65 IP Prime Projection: 11/4.00/1.28/176 in 173 IP

578) Matt Canterino MIN, RHP, 24.3 – A right elbow strain limited Canterino to just 23 IP at mostly High-A, but boy did look dominant in those innings with a 0.78 ERA and a 45/4 K/BB. He throws a plus fastball/slider combo with a changeup that has shown improvement and solid curve too. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.12/1.31/175 in 167 IP

579) Jordan Balazovic MIN, RHP, 23.6 – Balazovic’s best pitch is his mid 90’s fastball which he does an excellent job of commanding, but the secondaries leave something to be desired. The curveball is average and he completely scrapped his changeup towards the end of the year for a splitter. The splitter shows some promise but it’s far from a proven pitch. He had a solid season at Double-A with a pitching line of 3.62/1.40/102/38 in 97 IP, but the secondaries will need to improve if he wants to be an impact MLB starter. 2022 Projection: 1/4.58/1.40/41 in 45 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.24/1.33/155 in 161 IP

580) Garrett Cooper MIA, 1B/OF, 31.3 – Cooper’s season ended after 71 games due to season ending surgery to repair a torn UCL (elbow). He’s a bat first part time player who has hit very well in his MLB career (119 wRC+ in 887 PA). He put up a 133 wRC+ in 2020 and a 134 wRC+ in 2021. Dude will hit when he plays, and the NL DH gives him a chance to play a lot more. 2022 Projection: 59/18/65/.270/.337/.463/1

581) Richie Palacios CLE, 2B, 24.11 – Palacios opened some eyes in the AFL, slashing .269/.387/.513 with 3 homers, 4 steals and a 15/13 K/BB in 20 games. It is a continuation of what he did at Double-A and Triple-A this year with a plus plate approach, plus speed and some pop. He has a big, fun lefty swing that is geared to rack up doubles, but at 5’10”, 180 pounds, and already at 24 years old, I’m not sure how much more over the fence power we can project. Either way, he definitely has the potential to chip in a little bit in every category if given the playing time. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 76/14/63/.266/.332/.416/18

582) Oswaldo Cabrera NYY, 2B/SS/3B, 23.1 –Cabrera was quietly having an excellent season at Double-A with a 114 wRC+, 24 homers and 20 steals in 109 games, but his season got a lot louder when he went to Triple-A to close out the year, ripping 5 homers in 9 games. The tools aren’t necessarily huge and the Yanks have been playing him all over the infield which seems to point to a utility role, but it’s hard to ignore those power/speed numbers. 2022 Projection: 15/2/11/.243/.294/.393/2 Prime Projection: 78/19/74/.268/.318/.431/12

583) Madison Bumgarner ARI, LHP, 32.8 – Bumgarner missed a month and a half with shoulder inflammation which limited him to 146.1 IP. His fastball velocity bounced back from a career worst 88.4 MPH in 2020 to 90.4 MPH in 2021, but it didn’t help him regain his former top of the rotation status with a 4.67 ERA. His 4.33 xERA was actually the best he’s done since 2017. He’s a back end fantasy starter who might be able to help with WHIP due to plus control (1.18 WHIP with a 6.4% BB%) 2022 Projection: 10/4.36/1.25/152 in 170 IP

584) Kyle Gibson PHI, RHP, 34.5 – Gibson had a strong season with a pitching line of 3.71/1.22/155/64 in 182 IP on the back of a legitimate 5 pitch mix. His slider is the money maker with a 43.6% whiff% and .213 xwOBA. His 20.6%/8.5% K%/BB% is mediocre, and he’s not getting any younger, so he’s merely a solid innings eater for fantasy. 2022 Projection: 11/4.10/1.31/152 in 170 IP

585) Michael Pineda DET, RHP, 32.3 – An inner thigh injury, inflammation in his right elbow, and an oblique injury limited Pineda to 109.1 IP. His fastball dropped 1.5 MPH to a career low 90.6 MPH and his changeup got hit up with a .384 xwOBA. He still has plus control with a 4.6% BB%, but his K% dropped to a career worst 19.2%, and while he had a 3.62 ERA, his xERA was 4.96. 2022 Projection: 9/4.22/1.26/135 in 150 IP

586) Adrian Houser MIL, RHP, 29.2 – Houser is a groundball pitcher (1.4 degree launch) who induces weak contact (87.1 MPH EV against) on the back of his plus sinker (53.8% usage with a .301 xwOBA). He doesn’t have a plus secondary which leads to weak strikeout numbers (17.5% K%), and his control ain’t great either (10.7% BB%). 2022 Projection: 10/4.03/1.30/126 in 150 IP

587) Austin Gomber COL, LHP, 28.4 – Gomber was shut down for all of September with a stress fracture in the bones of his lower spine, but should be ready to go for 2022. He throws a 91.6 MPH fastball which got destroyed with a .409 xwOBA, but all three of his secondaries (slider, change, curve) put up whiff rates over 30%. I would like him more if he didn’t pitch in Coors, but he does pitch in Coors. 2022 Projection: 9/4.30/1.33/143 in 150 IP

588) Cole Sulser BAL, Closer Committee, 32.1 – Sulser is the favorite to close out games for Baltimore after breaking out in 2021 with a pitching line of 2.70/1.12/73/23 in 63.1 IP. The strikeouts look legit with a 30.3% whiff% (30.2% whiff% in 2020) and the underlying number back up the breakout (3.12 xERA). Relievers are volatile and the stuff is good but not dominant, so he can easily get bombed next season, but I would have no issue scooping him if your plan was to wait on closers. 2022 Projection: 3/3.88/1.29/63/24 saves in 59 IP

589) Jake McGee SF, Closer Committee, 35.8 – McGee closed out 31 games last year, but Tyler Rogers also saved 13 games, and then Doval started to get in the mix too at the end of the year. This looks like a timeshare scenario this year. McGee gets the job done with plus control (4.2% BB%) of a 94.9 MPH fastball that he throws 90.1% of the of time. 2022 Projection: 4/3.35/1.05/60/20 in 60 IP

590) Caleb Smith ARI, LHP, 30.8 – Smith was used in a variety of roles in 2021 and he managed to put up strong strikeout rates regardless of how he was deployed with 124 K’s and a 27.1% whiff% in 113.2 IP. He’s not going to be a league winner, and we don’t know how he’ll be used in 2022, but strikeouts are king in fantasy and Smith will help you in that category. 2022 Projection: 6/4.23/1.28/132 in 120 IP

591) Bailey Falter PHI, LHP, 24.11 – Falter had an interesting MLB debut, showing off elite control with a 4.3% BB%, and while his 5.61 ERA in 33.2 IP is quite high, his 3.60 xERA was much better. He doesn’t have huge stuff with a 91.8 MPH fastball, but he’s been very successful throughout his minor league career (3.06 ERA in 412.1 IP), and he proved those skills will more or less transfer to the bigs. Depending on your league, he can be valuable in his current role of a multi-inning reliever, and he very well could find his way into the rotation eventually. 2022 Projection: 4/3.93/1.25/79 in 85 IP

592) Alex Reyes STL, Setup, 27.7 – Reyes rightfully lost the closer job to Gallegos late in the year, and he is now out with a shoulder injury that will keep him out for at least a month in 2022. He has an electric arsenal with a 5 pitch mix headlined by a 96.6 MPH 4-seamer and an elite slider, but his control is truly atrocious with a 16.4% BB%. He’s the ultimate high risk/high reward pitcher. If he improves his control, there is legitimate upside, but there is also a really good chance he ends up a high WHIP middle reliever. 2022 Projection: 4/3.89/1.34/79 in 70 IP

593) Gabriel Arias CLE, SS, 22.1 – Arias quietly put together a rock solid season at Triple-A at barely 21 years old. He slashed .284/.348/.454 with 13 homers, 5 steals, and a 22.8%/8.1% K%/BB% in 115 games. It was good for a 115 wRC+. Showing the improved hit tool was a major step, because the plus raw power is in there if he can lower his 50.2% GB%. He’s a plus defender whose glove will get him playing time, and while the bat is still raw, he showed more refinement than expected this year. 2022 Projection: 18/4/21/.244/.302/.422/1 Prime Projection: 75/24/83/.265/.327/.454/6

594) Gavin Sheets CHW, 1B/OF, 25.11 – Sheets is in a strong side of a platoon role with a very short leash. He proved his average to above average contact rates will transfer to the majors with a 20.6% whiff%. He hits the ball hard with a 90.4 MPH EV, but his 45.5% GB% keeps his power projection in check a bit. 2022 Projection: 52/17/57/.253/.325/.474/1

595) Pavin Smith ARI, 1B/OF, 26.2 – Smith is just about a dead average hitter (.315 xwOBA) with below average power (87.2 EV), no speed, and is a poor defender. Even if he can hold down a full time job, the upside isn’t very high. 2022 Projection: 61/13/52/.272/.336/.410/1

596) Wilmer Flores SFG, 1B/2B/3B, 30.8 – Flores is half utility infielder and half lefty platoon bat, giving him lots of opportunities to work himself in the lineup. He’s an excellent contact hitter (12.8% K%) whose average power plays up because of a high launch angle. He also notched a career best 9.4% BB% this year. It’s a shame he doesn’t have a full time job because he could be a real nice fantasy player if given the at bats. 2022 Projection: 60/18/60/.265/.326/.450/1

597) LaMonte Wade SFG, 1B/OF, 28.3 – Wade is strictly a lefty platoon bat whose power broke out this year with 18 homers in 381 AB. He put up an excellent 90.1 MPH EV, but his 92.7 MPH FB/LD EV wasn’t quite as good. Regardless, his strong contact rates (20% whiff%) and 19.8 degree launch angle should lead to plenty of homers. He’s not fast (26.5 ft/s), but he’s been an efficient base stealer throughout his career, going 6 for 7 in 2021. 2022 Projection: 57/15/63/.250/.328/.449/5

598) Cristian Pache OAK, OF, 23.5 – Pache struggled hard in the majors to start the season with a negative 8 wRC+ in 22 games, and he didn’t look all that hot when he got sent down to Triple-A either with a 27.5% K% and 100 wRC+ in 89 games. His bat was always expected to bloom late as his plus centerfield defense is his carrying tool, but for fantasy purposed I’m not sure he is worth the wait. You can probably always get back in later even with him starting the season as Oakland’s staring CF. 2022 Projection: 66/17/61/.225/.281/.384/11 Prime Projection: 75/21/79/.273/.338/.451/17

599) Cesar Hernandez WAS, 2B, 31.11 – His days of being a starter could end at any moment, but he has a plus glove that keeps him on the field and he is an about average MLB hitter. He jacked a career high 21 homers in 149 games, but the underlying numbers don’t back up that breakout. His batting average tanked to .232, but that was likely due to bad luck (.266 BABIP). 2022 Projection: 78/15/65/.267/.338/.410/4

600) Tony Kemp OAK, 2B/OF, 30.5 – Kemp is currently penciled in as Oakland’s starting 2B and leadoff hitter. He has an elite plate approach with a 12.8%/13.1% K%/BB%, but he doesn’t have much power or speed with a 1% Barrel% and 26.6 ft/sec sprint speed. He does have an 18.4 degree launch angle, so he’ll knock a few out just based on how many flyballs he hits, and he’s also not a bad base stealer with 27 steals in his 463 game career. 2022 Projection: 65/10/42/.260/.355/.401/10

601) Alec Burleson STL, OF, 23.4 – Burleson was drafted 70th overall in 2020 on the back of his strong hit tool, but there was definitely more power in the tank at 6’2”, 212 pounds. That power was unleashed in 2021 as he cracked 22 homers in 119 games split between 3 levels (A+/AA/AAA). He didn’t sacrifice his hit tool to get to it either as he put up a 20.1%/8.3% K%/BB%. The ceiling might not be huge, but he has a chance to be a damn good overall hitter. 2022 Projection: 8/2/11/.245/.300/.410/0 Prime Projection: 68/20/75/.273/.330/.453/2

602) Nelson Velazquez CHC, OF, 23.3 – Velazquez put on a show at the Arizona Fall League, slashing .385/.480/.712 with 9 homers and a 27.6%/13.8% K%/BB% in 26 games. This coming off his destruction of Double-A with a .938 OPS in 34 games. He didn’t fair as well at High-A (.776 OPS with a 33.7% K%), but he was still hitting for power with 12 homers in 69 games. He rips the ball extremely hard and he has some speed too with 17 steals in 19 attempts in 103 games. The plate approach still needs refinement and there is hit tool risk, but he has very fantasy friendly upside. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 74/26/83/.247/.321/.478/8

603) Oscar Mercado CLE, OF, 27.4 – Playing time in Cleveland’s outfield is up for grabs, but Mercado has been given multiple opportunities to win a full time job over the last few years and hasn’t been able to lock one down yet. He put up a .669 OPS in 238 PA in 2021 mostly due to well below average 86.2 MPH EV. His plate approach was solid though with a 17.6%/8.8% K%/BB%, he hits the ball in the air with a 16.2 degree launch angle, and he has plus speed with a 28.9 ft/sec sprint speed, so if he can start hitting the ball harder like he has in the past (88.2 MPH EV in 2020), there is legitimate breakout potential. 2022 Projection: 53/12/45/.258/.318/.407/14

604) Bryan Ramos CHW, 3B/2B, 20.1 – Ramos was only 19 but he already looks physically mature out there. He had a strong year in full season ball with 13 homers, a 21.8%/10.1% K%/BB%, and a 109 wRC+ in 115 games at Single-A. He projects for plus power at peak and he has a solid feel to hit too. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/23/78/.265/.328/.453/5

605) Peyton Burdick MIA, OF, 25.1 – Burdick went full 3 true outcome slugger on us this season, slashing .224/.367/.456 with 23 homers, 9 steals, and a 146/79 K/BB in 114 games at mostly Double-A. I would be cautious in 5×5 AVG leagues, but in medium to deep OBP leagues he could be a solid under the radar target right now considering his proximity to the bigs. 2022 Projection: 33/11/28/.212/.301/.424/3 Prime Projection: 78/26/77/.228/.322/452/8

606) JJ Bleday MIA, OF, 24.4 – The good news is that Bleday isn’t overmatched by pro pitching, putting up a 21.6%/13.7% K%/BB% in 110 games at Double-A. The bad news is that he just isn’t doing enough damage when does make contact with 12 homers and a 97 wRC+. It makes me think he will be able to hold his own in the majors too, and he is lifting the ball with a 47.3% FB%, but the upside just seems extremely limited right now. 2022 Projection: 16/2/13/.222/.291/.384/1 Prime Projection: 66/18/71/.245/.308/.418/3

607) Rece Hinds CIN, 3B, 21.7 – Hinds was limited to 54 games with a torn meniscus, but he was back for the last month+ of the season and got right back to raking. He’s 6’4”, 215 pounds with huge raw power and he got to a lot of it with 10 homers and a 47.2% flyball percentage in 43 games at Single-A. The plate approach still needs a lot of work with a 28.1%/7% K%/BB%. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 75/29/85/.244/.318/.478/6

608) Deyvison De Los Santos ARI, 3B, 18.9 – De Los Santos showed off his at least plus power in his pro debut with 8 homers in 62 games split between rookie ball (162 wRC+ in 25 games) and Single-A (101 wRC+ in 37 games). Considering he will still be 18 years old when the 2022 season starts, that is quite impressive. He strikes out a lot (26.3% K%) and he hits the ball on the ground too much (57.3% GB% at Single-A), which isn’t the best combination to have. He has the raw power to make up for that, so maybe he can end up with a Franmil Reyes like profile, although Franmil has 4 inches and 80 pounds on the guy right now. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/27/85/.241/.322/.476/5

609) Cody Morris CLE, RHP, 25.5 – Shoulder soreness delayed the start of Morris’ season until July and limited him to 61 IP. He dominated in those 61 innings with a pitching line of 1.62/1.00/93/20 at mostly Triple-A. He throws a mid 90’s fastball with two potentially plus secondaries in his curve and change. He pitched pretty short outings, only reaching 5 IP twice, and there are still some consistency issues with his fastball and curve. He has mid rotation upside. 2022 Projection: 3/4.37/1.34/48 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.12/1.31/157 in 155 IP

610) Ian Lewis MIA, 2B, 19.2 – Lewis showed an exciting combination of tools in his pro debut, slashing .302/.354/.497 with 3 homers, 9 steals, and a 14.9%/6.8% K%/BB%. He hits the ball hard with plus speed and good feel to hit. He’ll need to refine his approach and hit the ball on the ground less, but there is fantasy friendly upside here. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/19/73/.263/.318/.447/13

611) Mason Martin PIT, 1B, 22.10 – Martin does nothing but mash, and I mean that as a kinda backhanded compliment. He smacked 25 homers in 120 games at mostly Double-A (3 homers in 8 games at Triple-A), but he struck out a ton (34.3% K%), and he didn’t really a walk a lot either (7.8% BB%). He literally almost did nothing but mash. He was as 21/22 year old in the upper levels of the minors, so I think it is fair to expect more maturation of his plate approach over time, and if you are only going to do one thing well, ripping homers ain’t a bad thing to choose. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 67/26/82/.235/.319/.472/2

612) Drew Waters ATL, OF, 23.3 – Waters is a great athlete with plus speed and plus power potential, but his warts are starting to overshadow his strengths. He put up a .710 OPS with a 30.9% K% and 19.6% FB% in 103 games at Triple-A. Striking out a lot and hitting the ball on the ground is not a great combo, although his speed (28 stolen bases) can make up for some of that. There is plenty of time for it to click, but the Waters’ doubters were proven right in 2021. 2022 Projection:9/1/8/.217/.280/.373/2 Prime Projection: 74/15/68/.242/.313/.414/12

613) Patrick Corbin WAS, LHP, 32.8 – Not only did Corbin not bounce back from a down 2020, but he declined further with a 5.82 ERA and 19%/8% K%/BB% in 171.2 IP. His velocity did bounce back however with a 2.5 MPH increase on his sinker to 92.6 MPH, and his slider is still a plus pitch with a 40.7% whiff%, so all hope isn’t lost yet. I suspect he will have a better 2022. 2022 Projection: 10/4.35/1.35/160 in 170 IP

614) Randy Vasquez NYY, RHP, 23.5 – Vasquez put up a 1.52 ERA with a 130/38 K/BB split between 3 levels (Single-A/High-A/Double-A) on the back of his high spin rate, plus curveball. The fastball can miss bats too, getting up to 96 MPH. He still needs to work on his control and his changeup, and there is bullpen risk, but the fastball/curve combo is legitimately filthy. ETA:2023 Prime Projection: 9/3.92/1.31/169 in 158 IP

615) Hans Crouse PHI, RHP, 23.6 – Crouse bounced back from a down 2019 with a pitching line of 3.28/1.06/98/34 in 85 IP at mostly Double-A. He made it all the way up to the majors to close out the season for two starts where he showed a filthy slider that put up a 47.8 whiff%. He pairs that with a plus fastball and above average change. He’s likely a back end starter, but he is line to pitch plenty of innings for the Phillies in 2021, and there is mid-rotation upside. 2022 Projection:4/4.46/1.38/81 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.21/1.32/163 in 170 IP

616) Alex Binelas BOS, 3B, 21.10 – Selected 86th overall in 2021 MLB Draft, Binelas is a built up 6’3”, 225 pounds with plus power and hit tool concerns. He’s done nothing but crush homers in his career, hitting 14 dingers in 59 games in the ACC in 2019, 19 dingers in 50 ACC games in 2021, and then 9 dingers in 29 games in his pro debut at Single-A. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 69/26/78/.245/.317/.472/1

617) Connor Norby BAL, 2B, 21.10 – Selected 41st overall, Norby put up eye popping numbers in the American Athletic Conference, slashing .415/.484/.659 with 15 homers, 18 steals, and a 34/33 K/BB in 61 games. He carried over that success into pro ball with a 135 wRC+ in 26 games at Single-A. He doesn’t have huge raw power at 5’10”, 187 pounds, and his groundball rates were relatively high in his pro debut, but he’s setting up to be a very good all around hitter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/18/77/.273/.337/.438/9

618) Izaac Pacheco DET, SS, 19.5 – Selected 39th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Pacheco is built up with a smooth and powerful lefthanded swing. He has big power potential and a patient plate approach, but it comes with some swing and miss concerns which he showed in his pro debut with a 34.4% K% in 30 games. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/23/79/.253/.338/.450/4

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

620) Arol Vera LAA, SS, 19.7 – Vera wasn’t able to get to any of his power in his pro debut with 0 homers and high groundball rates in 57 games split between rookie ball and Single-A, but he was able to show off a good feel to hit. He hit .317 with a 23.8% K% at rookie ball and then hit .280 with a 22.2% K% as an 18 year old at Single-A. He’s a switch hitter with a lightening quick swing that should produce plenty of power when he gets older, so establishing a strong hit tool was a great start to his career. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/22/79/.266/.326/.443/7

621) Jackson Merrill SDP, SS, 18.11 – Selected 27th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Merrill surely looks the part at 6’3”, 195 pounds with a sweet looking lefty swing. He was solid in his pro debut with a 22.5%/8.3% K%/BB% and 5 steals in 31 games, but he hit 0 homers and put up a 92 wRC+. He doesn’t really have a standout offensive skill, but you don’t have to be a super scout to watch him and realize there is definitely potential in the bat. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/21/79/.262/.327/.438/7

622) J.T. Brubaker PIT, RHP, 28.4 – Pittsburgh’s rotation is simply horrific. The Roansy Contreras (and Quinn Priester) era can’t come soon enough. Brubaker might be the ace of the staff right now, as he’s underperformed his xStats for the 2nd year in a row, putting up a 5.36 ERA with a 4.00 xFIP and 4.67 xERA. He strikes out a little over a batter per inning on the back of his slider, which he threw 34.2% of the time with a 42.5% whiff%. His curveball is also an above average pitch with a .278 xwOBA. Because of the strikeout numbers and solid underlying stats, he’s not the worst late round flier. 2022 Projection: 8/4.41/1.30/153 in 150 IP

623) Yusei Kikuchi TOR, LHP, 30.8 – Kikuchi fell apart in the 2nd half, putting up a post break pitching line of 5.98/1.70/65/28 in 58.2 IP. It coincided with a drop in velocity on all of his pitches. His 91.9 MPH EV against was the worst in baseball among qualified pitchers and it led to a 5.13 xERA. I would avoid for 2022 as anything other than a late round type. 2022 Projection: 6/4.52/1.36/150 in 150 IP

624) Chris Flexen SEA, RHP, 27.9 – Flexen thrived with plus control (5.4% BB%) of a 4 pitch mix, but his 16.9% K% leaves something to be desired for fantasy. I trust his 4.30 xERA more than I do his 3.61 ERA. 2022 Projection: 11/4.15/1.28/143 in 170 IP

625) Jonathan Aranda TBR, 1B/2B/3B, 23.10 – Aranda lowered his high GB% to career low 35.7% at Double-A and it led to a power breakout with 10 homers in 79 games. His K% did take a small hit in the process, but it was still an excellent 19.6%. He’s shaping up to be that classic Rays utility player who will have to earn playing time every step of the way. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/18/66/.278/.342/.446/3

626) Zach Thompson PIT, RHP, 28.5 – Thompson throws a 5 pitch mix, and 4 of the pitches were above average in 2021. He also had an above average 26.5% whiff%, mostly on the back of his curve and change. He’s an interesting late round pick in deeper leagues. 2022 Projection: 8/4.31/1.32/134 in 140 IP

627) Jake Burger CHW, 3B, 26.0 – Burger got his career back on track after tearing both Achilles tendons which kept him out for all of 2018 and 2019. He ripped 18 homers in 82 games at Triple-A and then proved that power was legit in his MLB debut with a 98 MPH EV and .807 OPS in 42 PA. There are strikeout issues and he doesn’t have a clear path to playing time, but he has a chance to mash if he can find the playing time. 2022 Projection: 26/8/31/.244/.311/.459 Prime Projection: 72/26/86/.252/.338/.477/0

628) Lonnie White PIT, OF, 19.3 – Selected 64th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, White had committed to Penn State, my alma mater, for baseball and football (wide receiver), and he definitely has the WR body at 6’3”, 205 pounds. That shows the type of athlete we are talking about here. He has some of the highest upside in the draft with a potentially plus power/speed combo, but the hit tool is still raw. He hit 2 homers with a 42.4% K% in his 9 game pro debut. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/28/84/.244/.317/.474/13

629) Anthony Solometo PIT, LHP, 19.4 – Selected 37th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Solometo is a big lefty with a funky delivery that is a little reminiscent of Josh Hader when he was in the minors. His fastball isn’t as big as Hader’s, sitting in the low to mid 90’s, but he does have the plus swing and miss breaking ball. He lacks a third pitch, but I’m a sucker for this type of pitcher. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/3.92/1.27/178 in 165 IP

630) Roberto Campos DET, OF, 18.10 – Campos went yard on the very first pitch of his professional career, which surely has to be a sign of things to come. He’s already 6’3”, 200 pounds with plus power, blasting 8 homers in 39 games at stateside rookie ball, but it comes with some strikeouts (26.5%/11% K%/BB%). He’s shaping up to be your classic power and patience slugger. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 81/27/85/.256/.339/.475/5

631) Ivan Herrera STL, C, 21.10 – Power broke out with 17 homers in 98 games at Double-A (played 1 game at Triple-A), and the plate approach remained strong with a 22%/13.7% K%/BB%. He’s not going to be a league winner, but he should be in the top 12 catcher conversation at peak. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 69/20/73/.271/.342/.448/2

632) Xavier Edwards TB, 2B/3B, 22.8 – Edwards had a terrible year on the bases with 19 steals in 30 attempts over 79 games at Double-A. He hit 0 homers and has little to no power, so it’s hard to buy in if you can’t count on difference making steal totals. He still hits for elite contact with a 12.5%/10.7% K%/BB%, so he’s shaping up to be in that Luis Arraez/David Fletcher/Adam Frazier tier with more speed, but possibly not true difference making speed. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/5/61/.276/.347/.405/16

633) William Contreras ATL, C, 24.3 – Contreras got an extended look in the majors when Travis d’Arnaud went down with an injury, and he showed big time power with 8 homers and a 92.5 MPH exit velocity in 52 games. He ripped 9 homers in 44 games at Triple-A. His K% spiked to 29.2% in the majors, but he’s put up reasonable K rates hovering around 20% in his minor league career, so making contact shouldn’t be a huge issue. The biggest issue is Shea Langeliers, who I’m betting gets the lion share of the catcher job in the future with Contreras in a back up role. 2022 Projection:12/4/15/.247/.306/.421/0 Prime Projection: 56/22/63/.262/.326/.458/0

634) Jeferson Quero MIL, C, 19.5 – Quero is a potentially plus defensive catcher who swings a lightening quick bat and showed an elite plate approach in his pro debut, slashing .309/.434/.500 with 2 homers, 4 steals, and a 12%/14.5% K%/BB% in 23 games in rookie ball. A separated non throwing shoulder which eventually required surgery ended his season in late August. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/20/74/.275/.351/.450/3

635) Jake McCarthy ARI, OF, 24.8 – McCarthy is going to have to scratch and claw for playing time, but he has a very fantasy friendly profile if he can win some. He put up an elite 30.1 ft/sec sprint speed in his MLB debut and was 29 for 33 on the bases in 85 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He hits the ball on the ground too much and showed some swing and miss this year, but if you are looking for a close to the majors option with legitimate upside, McCarthy is your guy. 2022 Projection:43/7/31/.235/.303/.389/10 Prime Projection: 76/14/65/.247/.317/.424/21

636) AJ Vukovich ARI, 3B, 20.7 – Vukovich is 6’5”, 210 pounds and was drafted 119th overall in 2020 for his huge raw power. He started to get to some of that power this year, smashing 10 homers in 62 games at Single-A before being promoted to High-A and ripping 3 homers in 30 games. He was a basketball star in high school and he showed off some of that athleticism with 16 steals, although speed isn’t expected to be a major part of his game at maturity. The plate approach is still raw with a 26.3%/5.5% BB%, but he’s an excellent power prospect who isn’t getting much hype. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 71/23/77/.248/.311/.453/5

637) Joe Perez HOU, 3B, 22.8 – Perez initially struggled after getting called up to Double-A (.532 OPS in first 31 games), but he closed the season out on fire, slashing .306/.369/.531 with 7 homers and a 45/16 K/BB in 38 games. He also destroyed the lower levels of the minors before hitting Double-A. He has a simple right handed swing and shows power to all fields, but it will come with some K’s and he’s not expected to hit for a high average. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/26/84/.258/.327/.469/3

638) Khalil Lee NYM, OF, 23.9 – Lee has put up elite walk rates throughout his career and it hit a crescendo in 2021 with a career high 18.3% BB% in 102 games at Triple-A. It led to an impressive .951 OPS. He also has plus speed and plus raw power, but his high groundball rates (51.5%) and poor stolen base percentage (8 for 18 in 2021) makes it hard to project big homer and steal totals. His strikeout rates have also always been high with a 29.6% mark in 2021. It’s an interesting mix of tools and skills that has a very wide range of outcomes. 2022 Projection: 31/5/27/.222/.308/.391/4 Prime Projection: 77/18/74/.244/.333/.431/12

639) Jose Rodriguez CHW, SS, 20.11 – Rodriguez has the potential for all category production on the back of his plus contact rates (14.4% K%), above average speed (30 steals in 111 games) and developing power (14 homers). He doesn’t walk much with a 5.2% BB%, so his value takes a hit in an OBP League. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 82/16/68/.276/.322/.417/15

640) Carlos Jorge CIN, SS/2B, 18.6 – Jorge was a DSL standout in 47 games with a plus plate approach (17%/12.8% K%/BB%), plus speed (27 steals), and a bit of pop (3 homers). It was good for a 174 wRC+. He was known for his good feel to hit and at least plus speed when he signed, so how much power he gets to will determine his ultimate ceiling. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 77/15/69/.265/.332/.415/18

641) Adael Amador COL, SS, 19.2 – Amador cracked my 2021 Top 1,000 ranking at #949 on the back of his plus hit tool and advanced plate approach. He proved that scouting report correct by slashing .299/.394/.445 with 4 homers, 10 steals in 17 attempts, and a 14.5%/13.5% K%/BB% in 47 games at the DSL. There might not ever be huge homer or steal totals, but the guy is a natural hitter. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 84/20/73/.280/.340/.447/9

642) Brice Turang MIL, SS, 22.4 – Turang is a high floor, low ceiling prospect who has shown an excellent plate approach at every minor league level. He’s not likely to put up big power/speed numbers, but he’s the type to chip in a little bit in every category. 2022 Projection: 16/1/11/.251/.319/.386/2 Prime Projection: 83/16/69/.272/.345/.417/15

643) Josh H. Smith TEX, SS, 24.8 – Smith is a natural hitter with plus contact rates and a high batting average going back to his freshman year in the SEC. He put up a 15.7%/14.2% K%/BB% in 30 games at Double-A after his trade to Texas. He doesn’t have big raw power or pure speed, but he still managed hit 13 homers with 26 steals in 78 games. I know Adam Eaton is a bit of a dirty word around fantasy circles, but that is the type of profile we are talking about here. 2022 Projection: 15/2/9/.262/.324/.401/3 Prime Projection: 78/18/61/.277/.338/.421/11

644) Tyler Callihan CIN, 2B, 21.9 – A right elbow injury ended Callihan’s season after just 23 games at Single-A. He has a pretty lefthanded swing that produces hard contact, and he has strong contact rates with a 13.1%/8.1% K%/BB%. He was a bit old for the level, and he has some defensive questions, but the ingredients are there for an above average to plus hit/power profile. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 69/21/77/.268/.327/.448/4

645) Aaron Bracho CLE, 2B, 20.11 – Bracho was one of my worst misses in 2021, and while I still think he can bounce back, his value has undoubtedly taken a dive. His good feel to hit didn’t transfer to full season ball at all with a 31.9% K% and a .174 BA in 70 games at High-A. He skipped over Single-A completely, which was obviously a mistake in hindsight. His high walk rates (11.5% BB%) and low GB% (31.4%) did transfer, so if his hit tool can bounce back when he is more age appropriate for High-A, the production will come. I wouldn’t completely give up on him. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 62/18/66/.232/.308/.423/4

646) Samad Taylor TOR, 2B, 23.8 – Taylor’s power broke out at Double-A with 16 homers in 87 games, but his K% rose with it to a career worth 29.4%. He’s showing those same strikeout issues in the Dominican Winter League with a .174 BA and 10/0 K/BB in 8 games. He has plus speed with 30 steals in 38 attempts and he’s a patient hitter with a 11.2% BB%, so while the risk is high, so is the upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/18/73/.248/.325/.436/16

647) Tyler Black MIL, 2B, 21.8 – Selected 33rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Black dominated the Horizon League with a 1.179 OPS in 48 games, but he had a rough pro debut where his K% spiked to 28.2% in 23 games at Single-A (.660 OPS). His mature plate approach and good feel to hit are his best skills, but he doesn’t project to hit for big power or speed. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/18/71/.270/.342/.437/9

648) Cooper Kinney TBR, 2B/3B, 19.2 – Selected 34th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Kinney’s best skill is his plus hit tool, and he showed it off in his pro debut with a .286 BA and 19.1%/21.3% K%/BB% in 11 games. He doesn’t have much power, but at 6’3”, 200 pounds, he should grow into at least average power at peak. He also doesn’t have much speed, so he’s a safe high school bat with limited upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/18/72/.275/.347/.420/5

649) Brendon Davis LAA, 3B/OF, 24.8 – Davis’ power broke out in a big way this year, slashing .290/.361/.561 with 30 homers, 16 steals, and a 25.1%/8.6% K%/BB% in 124 games split between 3 levels (A+/AA/AAA). He’s 6’4”, 185 pounds with that weird Giancarlo Stanton swing where his front foot is way over to the 1B side. The swing change clearly worked, but there is hit tool risk and he doesn’t really have a defensive home. 2022 Projection:11/3/14.225/.292/.418/2 Prime Projection: 58/20/69/.243/.315/.462/7

650) Logan O’Hoppe PHI, C, 22.2 – O’Hoppe was a standout performer in the AFL, slashing .299/.440/.519 with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 15/21 K/BB in 22 games. This was coming off a rock solid season at mostly High-A where he had a 17.4% K% with 17 homers in 104 games (13 games at Double-A and 6 games at Triple-A). He has plus raw power with no trouble keeping the ball off the ground, and his hit tool took a step forward this year. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 58/21/68/.256/.321/.439/2

651) Hayden Wesneski NYY, RHP, 24.4 – Wesneski put up a pitching line of 3.25/1.12/151/36 split across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). He throws mid 90’s heat with a plus, sharp breaking ball as his best secondary. He also mixes in an average slider and change. I could easily see him ending up in a jack of all trades role. 2022 Projection: 2/4.38/1.36/31 in 35 IP Prime Projection: 7/4.17/1.28/122 in 120

652) Jorbit Vivas LAD, 2B/3B, 21.1 – Vivas’ power broke out in 2021 with 14 homers in 106 games, but 13 of those homers came at Single-A with Rancho Cucamonga, a known hitter’s paradise, as his home ballpark. He hit just one homer in 23 games at High-A. Regardless, his power definitely ticked up this year, and he combines that with elite contact rates (11.5% K%). He’s a lefty with extreme splits, so there is platoon risk. LA just added Vivas to their 40 man, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft, so they definitely like him a lot. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/16/68/.278/.342/.423/6

653) Matt Vierling PHI, OF/1B, 25.6 – Vierling put up some eye opening Statcast numbers in his 77 PA MLB debut with a 91.5 MPH EV and 29.2 ft/s sprint speed. He doesn’t have major strikeout issues either with a 24.5% whiff%. He’ll likely top out as a bench piece, but he has some fantasy friendly upside if he can fall into playing time. 2022 Projection: 56/9/51/.268/.326/.415/10

654) Anthony Alford PIT, OF, 27.8 – Alford will compete for at bats in Pitt’s wide open OF. His hit tool is a major problem as he had a 39.2% K% in MLB and 34.5% K% in Triple-A. The power/speed combo it there if he can figure out his tool with a 29.6 ft/sec sprint speed and 10.7% barrel%, so the upside is high. 2022 Projection: 48/14/42/.236/.314/.416/10

655) Dylan Moore SEA, 2B/OF, 29.8 – With Seattle acquiring Adam Frazier, Moore moves into a utility role. His exit velocity tanked in 2021 to 86.5 MPH and everything else tanked with it (74 wRC+). Considering his .276 OBP in 377 PA, it’s impressive that he managed to steal 21 bases in 26 attempts. He’s a deeper league bench piece if your team is light on steals. 2022 Projection: 47/13/49/.218/.298/.389/18

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

657) Brandon Pfaadt ARI, RHP, 23.5 – Pfaadt is 6’4”, 220 pounds with plus control (1.9 BB/9) of a fastball that consistently hits the mid 90’s, a potentially plus slider, and a developing changeup. 2021 was his first year of pro ball and his first year as a full time starter, and it went swimmingly with a pitching line of 3.21/1.01/160/28 in 131.2 IP split between 3 levels (A, A+, AA). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.17/1.25/167 in 165 IP

658) Colton Welker COL, 3B/1B, 24.6 – Welker was a former favorite of mine because I loved his big, uppercut righty swing and strong contact numbers, but a down 2019 had him dropping a bit for me, and then he was was suspended 80 games at the start of 2021 for PED’s. He looked good when he returned though, ripping 3 homers with a 20.4%/12.2% in 23 games at Triple-A before getting called up to the majors for 40 AB. He struggled in those at-bats with a .466 OPS, but the underlying numbers weren’t too bad with an about average 88.1 MPH EV and 24.1% whiff%. Like Montero and Toglia, it’s gonna come down to playing time. 2022 Projection: 18/5/16/.258/.318/.429/0 Prime Projection: 68/18/74/.266/.328/460/2

659) Lewin Diaz MIA, 1B, 24.4 – Diaz puts up extreme flyball rates (51.8% at Triple-A and 53.9% in the majors) with average exit velocities, reasonable contact rates, and low walk rates (career .322 OBP in the minors). He’s struggled to hit in the majors with a .193 batting average. He needs to raise his BB% and or start hitting the ball harder to be an impact hitter in the majors. 2022 Projection: 18/6/21/.235/.292/.425/1 Prime Projection: 51/17/56/.254/.315/.455/2

660) Colin Peluse OAK, RHP, 23.10 – Peluse shows very good control/command of a mid 90’s fastball, plus slider, and a developing change. He pitched well at High-A with a 3.66 ERA and 92/22 K/BB in 86 IP before closing out the season by dominating Double-A in 15 IP with a 1.80 ERA and 17/4 K/BB. He’s still flying a bit too far under the radar. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/4.05/1.25/171 in 167 IP

661) Simeon Woods Richardson MIN, RHP, 21.6 – SWR struggled as a 20 year old at Double-A with a pitching line of 5.91/1.54/77/34 in 53.1 IP. He lost his control with a 5.7 BB/9 and his fastball is still sitting in the low 90’s. The potential is there for plus control of an above average 4 pitch mix, but at the very least, he didn’t take a step forward this season. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.05/1.29/168 in 165 IP

662) Mike Minor CIN, LHP, 34.2 – A shoulder impingement ended Minor’s season in September after 158.2 IP. He underperformed his underlying stats for the 2nd year in a row, putting up a 5.05 ERA with a 4.39 xERA. He throws 4 quality pitches, although none are dominant, and he’s had about average to slightly above average K/BB numbers throughout his career. 2022 Projection: 9/4.30/1.26/153 in 160 IP

663) Dakota Hudson STL, RHP, 27.7 – Hudson returned from Tommy John surgery in time to make 2 starts at the end of the season. His velocity was down 0.9 MPH on his sinker to 92.1 MPH and spin rate was down considerably on the sinker and slider, which could also be due to the spider tack ban. There isn’t much to take away from the 8.2 inning sample. He’s a groundball pitcher with low strikeout rates. 2022 Projection: 7/4.24/1.33/110 in 140 IP

664) Miles Mikolas STL, RHP, 33.7 – Shoulder and forearm injuries delayed the start of Mikolas’ season and limited him to 44.2 IP. He missed all of 2020 due to surgery on his flexor tendon. He looked mostly like himself when he returned with plus control (5.9% BB%) of a 5 pitch mix which doesn’t get many strikeouts (16.7% K%), although is K%/BB% was the worst of his career since returning to the states in 2018. 2022 Projection: 9/4.20/1.22/115 in 150 IP

665) Dylan Bundy MIN, RHP, 29.4 – A right shoulder strain ended Bundy’s season in late August and limited him to 90.2 IP. His 2020 breakout ended up being a mirage as he put up a 6.05 ERA in 2021 with his strikeout rate dropping 5.8 percentage points to 21.2%. His 10.3% Barrel% against was the worst of his career by far. 2022 Projection: 8/4.40/1.32/151 in 158 IP

666) Rougned Odor BAL, 2B/3B, 28.2 – Odor signed a 1 year deal with Baltimore and is the current favorite for their starting 2B role. His batting average bottomed out and his K% ballooned over the past 3 seasons, but he still hits for power with 15 homers, a 94.3 MPH FB/LD EV, and a 19.6 degree launch angle. He’ll hit homers and hurt you everywhere else. 2022 Projection: 55/20/55/.208/.291/.412/2

667) Elvis Andrus OAK, SS, 33.7 – Andrus’ numbers dropped off the last two seasons (.582 OPS in 2020 and .614 in 2021), but his xwOBA’s have been right in line with career norms, so luck probably has at least a part in the decline. You can no longer count on him stealing 20+ bags with a career worst 4.53 HP to 1B runtime, but he’s never been super fast, so he can probably steal bags on guile alone. 2022 Projection: 69/7/43/.254/.308/.375/14

668) Edmundo Sosa STL, SS/2B, 26.1 – Sosa is in competition with DeJong for St. Louis’ starting SS job. He doesn’t hit the ball very hard (86.7 MPH EV) and he hits it on the ground often (51.8%), but he has a good feel to hit (19.3% K%) and plus speed (29.7 ft/sec sprint speed), but he’s not a very good base stealer. 2022 Projection: 54/9/44/.258/.312/.394/6

669) Yasel Antuna WAS, SS, 22.5 – Antuna is a former high priced international prospect who has mostly struggled throughout his pro career but has shown enough to keep him on the radar. He’s a switch hitter with a simple swing that is geared for both average and power. He started the season by going 6 for 70, but he righted the ship and put up a more respectable .760 OPS the rest of the way at High-A. A 21.9%/10.1% K%/BB% is very solid, and his power took a step forward with 12 homers in 106 games. The prospect shine is fully worn off here and I doubt it’s coming back too much, but he took a step forward this year. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/22/74/.266/.328/.434/6

670) Nick Loftin KC, SS/2B, 23.6 – Loftin had near elite contact skills in college and that carried over in his pro debut with a 14.6%/10/2% K%/BB% in 90 games at High-A. He has a moderate power/speed combo with 10 homers and 11 steals, and he doesn’t have any major grounball issues with a 40.3% GB%. He played all over the infield in 2021, and he played outfield his freshman year, so he may end up a true super utility player. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/17/69/.272/.331/.418/10

671) Kyren Paris LAA, SS, 20.5 – A broken fibula limited Paris to 47 games in his full season debut. He showed off his plus speed (22 steals) and patience (14.6% BB%), and his power started to sprout just a bit with 4 homers. The biggest issue is strikeouts, as he put up a 31.1% K%, and his numbers tanked when he got to High-A with a 20/2 K/BB in 13 games. He’s still raw, but there is fantasy friendly upside here. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/15/69/.242/.321/.404/17

672) Luke Weaver ARI, RHP, 28.7 – Weaver missed almost 4 months in the middle of the season with a right rotator cuff strain which limited him to 65.2 IP. He’s basically a 2 pitch pitcher with a fastball/change combo, but neither pitch is all that great with his fastball putting up a .355 xwOBA and his slider putting up an above average .300 xwOBA. He’s a back end starter. 2022 Projection: 7/4.38/1.31/134 in 140 IP

673) Ethan Small MIL, LHP, 25.1 – Small is a crafty lefty who throws low 90’s heat with two effective secondaries in his changeup and curveball. He hides the ball well and varies his delivery to mess with the hitter’s timing. He strikes me as a 4/5 starter with mid rotation upside.2022 Projection: 3/4.41/1.36/56 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.13/1.30/168 in 171 IP

674) James Paxton BOS, LHP, 33.5 – Paxton underwent his 2nd Tommy John surgery in late April and will likely be out until mid-season 2022. He’s a high K pitcher with a mid 90’s fastball when healthy, but he hasn’t looked healthy since 2019. He’s a late round flier at this point, but there is definitely some upside here. 2022 Projection: 4/4.32/1.34/75 in 70 IP

675) J.T. Ginn OAK, RHP, 22.10 – Ginn induces extreme groundball rates (64.1% at High-A) with a low 90’s, heavy sinking two seamer that generates a ton of drop and tail action. He combines that with a plus slider and developing changeup. It resulted in a strong season in the lower minors with a pitching line of 3.03/1.05/81/22 in 92 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He had also just undergone Tommy John surgery in March 2020, so he should only get stronger from here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.06/1.28/159 in 165 IP

676) Jackson Kowar KC, RHP, 25.6 – Kowar got destroyed in his MLB debut with an 11.27 ERA in 30.1 IP. His 95.6 MPH fastball and his plus changeup both got rocked with a .575 and .595 slugging against, respectively. We’ve seen rookie pitchers get blown up like this in the past and still go on to have excellent careers (Jose Berrios comes to mind), so I wouldn’t necessarily automatically jump ship. His changeup is truly a disgusting pitch, his breaking ball was much improved this year, and he performed better at Triple-A with a 3.46 ERA and 115/34 K/BB in 80.2 IP. He has mid-rotation upside and he should compete for a rotation spot this spring. 2022 Projection: 6/4.38/1.36/104 in 110 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.03/1.31/165 in 160 IP

677) Frank Mozzicato KC, LHP, 18.10 – Selected 7th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mozzicato is a 6’3”, 175 pound lefty with a low 90’s fastball, plus curve, and developing changeup. Although he was drafted 7th, he signed for only the 16th highest signing bonus, which is just a reminder to not be too tied to draft position in dynasty for first year player drafts. Regardless, he has room to fill out and add velocity, which would take his game to the next level. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/4.08/1.31/163 in 160 IP

678) Robert Puason OAK, SS, 19.6 – Oakland aggressively assigned Puason to full season ball in his professional debut and he did not respond with a strikeout fest of a season. He struck out 41.2% of the time with a 59.5% GB% and put up a 56 wRC+ in 91 games. The talent that made him a high priced international free agent is still there, but saying there is a long way to go is an understatement. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/20/72/.236/.311/.438/12

679) Kenta Maeda MIN, RHP, 34.0 – Maeda underwent Tommy John surgery in September and is likely out for all of 2022. He was in the midst of a down season with a 4.66 ERA, but his underlying number were only slightly worse than his career norms with a 3.76 xERA. He’s always had some injury concerns and he’s getting up there in age, but I don’t doubt he can return in 2023 and be a solid pitcher. 2022 Projection: OUT

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

681) Merrill Kelly ARI, RHP, 33.6 – Kelly has plus control (6.1% BB%) of a solid but unspectacular 5 pitch mix. None of his pitches put up great whiff% numbers, and his overall whiff% was a career low 20.3%. 2022 Projection: 9/4.34/1.28/140 in 170 IP

682) Wade Miley CHC, LHP, 35.5 – Miley put up a 3.37 ERA in 163 IP due to his excellent ability to induce weak contact with a 85.7 MPH EV against (top 5% of the league). He does most of his damage with a cutter and changeup that both induce grounders and produce miniscule EV’s against (83.4 and 83 MPH, respectively). He doesn’t strike many guys out (18.1% K%), and he outperformed his xERA (4.12). 2022 Projection: 11/4.21/1.33/132 in 165 IP

683) Drew Smyly CHC, LHP, 32.10 – Smyly wasn’t able to maintain the small sample strikeout and velocity spike from 2022 with his K rate dropping 16.4 percentage points to 21.4% and his velocity dropping 1.7 MPH to 92.1 MPH. He got demoted to the bullpen in September after putting up a 4.75 ERA as a starter in 115.2 IP. 2022 Projection: 7/4.36/1.31/129 in 140 IP

684) Rich Hill BOS, LHP, 41.1 – Hill threw the 2nd most innings in his career and the most since 2007 with 158.2 IP, but his big time strikeout rates seem to be a thing of the past as it sat 19.9% in 2020 and 22.7% in 2021. He outperformed his underlying numbers with a 3.86 ERA vs. a 4.45 xERA. I wouldn’t expect much more than a solid mid to back end starter, and considering the injury risk, I’m not going out of my way to grab him. 2022 Projection: 8/4.28/1.30/127 in 130 IP

685) Ryan Pepiot LAD, RHP, 24.7 – It’s all about that filthy, double plus changeup for Pepiot. It is one of, if not the best changeup in the minors. He combines that with a mid 90’s fastball and a much improved slider. His control has been an issue going back to college, and it hasn’t improved much with an 11.2% BB% at Double-A and 10.4% BB% at Triple-A. He destroyed Double-A in general (2.87 ERA in 59.2 IP), but he got destroyed in Triple-A (7.13 ERA in 41.2 IP). His control needs to improve to reach his mid rotation upside. 2022 Projection: 2/4.55/1.38/28 in 30 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.17/1.33/160 in 155 IP

686) Daulton Jefferies OAK, RHP, 26.2 – Jefferies shows elite control (3.3% BB% in 77 IP at Triple-A) of a 5 pitch mix headlined by a 93.5 MPH sinker and plus changeup. He might not have the highest upside, but he’s knocking on the door of the bigs and his average stuff plays up because of his control. 2022 Projection: 5/4.29/1.28/75 in 85 IP Prime Projection: 11/4.16/1.24/162 in 175 IP

687) Brayan Buelvas OAK, OF, 19.10 – A .253 BABIP kept Buelvas’ hitting line in check with a .219 BA, but the underlying numbers showed an advanced hitter with above average power and speed. He smacked 16 homers with 17 steals and a 24.2%/9.4% K%/BB% in 88 games at Single-A. That low BA creates a buying opportunity. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 83/20/72/.274/.346/.452/10

688) Jordan Viars PHI, 1B/OF, 18.8 – Selected 84th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Viars is 6’4”, 215 pounds with plus raw power from the left side. He showed an advanced plate approach in his pro debut with a 18.8%/17.2% K%/BB% and 132 wRC+ in 22 games in rookie ball. He is also young for his class. This is a high upside power bat who you should be able to get for cheap in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/23/78/.255/.331/.463/5

689) Samuel Zavala SDP, OF, 17.9 – Zavala signed for $1.2 million in last year’s international class and he lived up to the signing in his pro debut, slashing .297/.400/.487 with 3 homers, 11 steals (in 18 attempts) and a 15.3%/13.6% K%/BB% in 55 games in the DSL. He has an easy, smooth lefty swing with an advanced plate approach and developing power. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 83/22/78/.274/.348/.462/7

690) Jonatan Clase SEA, OF, 19.10 – Clase was limited to just 14 games in rookie ball due to a variety of minor injuries, but it didn’t take much to show off his upside with 2 homers and 16 steals on 16 attempts. He did show some swing and miss with a 26.3%/10.5% K%/BB%, but this is a high ceiling player with double plus speed and developing power. I wouldn’t forget about him because of the limited playing time. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/16/67/.265/.335/.418/28

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

692) Matt Fraizer PIT, OF, 24.3 – Fraizer is a tooled up 6’3”, 217 pounds. He has an under control, powerful lefty swing that decimated High-A with 20 homers, a 158 wRC+, and a 21.1%/12.3% K%/BB% in 75 games. He was old for the level, but he also hit well in 37 games at Double-A, slashing .288/.356/.492 with 3 homers and a 22.8%/8.7% K%/BB%. He has some speed too but I wouldn’t put too much credence on his 14 steals at High-A because of the rule changes. Steamer actually loves him, projecting him for a 101 wRC+ in the majors for 2021. 2022 Projection:15/5/19/.245/.305/.430/3 Prime Projection: 62/19/71/.263/.321/.466/6

693) Buddy Kennedy ARI, 3B, 23.6 – When you watch Kennedy he doesn’t exactly scream upside, but he has baseball bloodlines and it definitely shows because he looks mature beyond his years at the plate. He vaguely reminded me of Jhonny Peralta a little. He slashed .290/.384/.523 with 22 homers, 16 steals, and a 24.1%/12.3% K%/BB% in 96 games split between High-A and Double-A. He’s hit well every year of his career going back to 2017. I’m not sure he’s going to hit for huge power on the MLB level, but he’s definitely being underrated. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 65/18/73/.263/.327/.438/8

694) Tanner Burns CLE, RHP, 23.3 – Burns had a solid pro debut at High-A with a pitching line of 3.57/1.23/91/29 in 75.2 IP. His stuff doesn’t necessarily jump out at you with a low to mid 90’s fastball and 3 potentially quality secondaries (slider, curve, change). He knows how to pitch and he is in a great org for pitching development, so he has a good chance to reach his mid rotation upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.25/1.27/152 in 161 IP

695) William Bergolla Jr. PHI, SS, 17.7 – Bergolla isn’t physically imposing at 5’11”. 175 pounds, but he has baseball bloodlines with a good feel to hit, an advanced plate approach and plus speed. If the power shows up even a little bit, he can be an electric all category player. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/15/71/.276/.341/.418/18

696) Ricardo Cabrera CIN, SS, 17.5 – Projected for the 3rd highest signing bonus in the international class, Cabrera is an excellent athlete with plus speed, a good feel to hit and developing power. All of these international prospects feel like taking shots in the dark, but he’s the type of all around player with all category production that is worth gambling on. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 75/20/75/.260/.325/.435/10

697) Bubba Chandler PIT, SS/RHP, 19.7 – Selected 72nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Chandler is a great athlete who was committed to Clemson for football and baseball. He’s also a two way player whose future is likely on the mound. Fastball sits in the low to mid 90’s with a potentially plus breaking ball and a developing change. The natural talent gives him the ingredients to turn into a top of the rotation starter, but he’s not quite there yet. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/3.93/1.25/170 in 160 IP

698) Wes Kath CHW, 3B, 19.8 – Selected 57th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Kath is a bat first prospect who is projected for plus power from the left side at 6’3”, 200 pounds. His swing is pretty, and while he isn’t projected for major hit tool concerns, he did strikeout 36.5% over 28 games in his pro debut in rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/79/.253/.326/.450/4

699) Ethan Wilson PHI, OF, 22.5 – Selected 49th overall in 2021 MLB Draft, Wilson is a powerful lefty who had a monster freshman year, slashing .345/.453/.686 with 17 homers and a 45/36 K/BB in 56 games. He wasn’t able to replicate that this season with only 8 homers, partly because he was banged up early in the season, but he still finished strong with a .943 OPS and 21/33 K/BB in 56 games. He didn’t play in the toughest conference and there are still some questions about his hit tool which materialized in his pro debut as he put up a .215 BA in 30 games at Single-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 59/17/65/.248/.321/.444/4

700) Won-Bin Cho STL, OF, 18.7 – Cho is a projectable 6’3”, 200 pound lefty with a smooth and powerful swing. He looks damn goodin BP and homerun derbies. There isn’t much info on him other than the hype videos, and he is unproven in games, so the risk is high. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/82/.257/.326/.449/7

701) Anthony Gutierrez TEX, OF, 17.4 – Gutierrez is your class high upside international prospect at a projectable 6’3”, 190 pounds with the potential for a plus power/speed combo. You can see the type of athlete we are talking about in this video. It’s hard to predict if he will gain weight and slow down, or stay lean and keep his speed, but either way he has a path to be an impact fantasy player. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/22/81/.263/.328/.438/12

702) Ky Bush LAA, LHP, 22.5 – Selected 45th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Bush is a large man at 6’6”, 240 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and potentially plus slider. He also throws a developing curve and change. His control took a step forward in 2021 with a 2.2 BB/9 in 78 IP in the West Coast Conference (4.8 BB/9 in 2019), and he showed his strikeout stuff will translate to pro ball with 20 K’s in 12 IP in his pro debut at High-A. There is legitimate upside here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/3.92/1.29/180 in 168 IP

703) Norge Vera CHW, RHP, 21.10 – Vera signed for $1.5 million in February 2021 and made his pro debut this year in the Dominican Summer League where he completely overmatched hitters with 0 ER and a 34/5 K/BB in 19 IP. He’s 6’4”, 185 pounds with a 4 pitch mix headlined by a fastball can consistently reach the upper 90’s. He also has the baseball bloodlines as his dad was a star player in Cuba. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 11/3.92/1.28/171 in 160 IP

704) Ben Kudrna KC, RHP, 19.2 – Selected 43rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Kudrna has an easy, athletic delivery with the ability to throw strikes. His fastball is now up into the mid to uppers 90’s with a potentially plus slider and developing change. He still needs to refine his secondaries, but at 6’3”, 200 pounds, there is a lot to like. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/4.13/1.28/160 in 160 IP

705) Matt Mikulski SFG, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 50th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mikulski broke out in a big way his senior year in the Atlantic 10 with a pitching line of 1.45/0.82/124/27 in 68.1 IP. He throws a fastball that can consistently reach the mid 90’s to go along with 3 potentially quality secondaries in his change (best secondary), slider and curve. He has a funky-ish lefty deliver which I’m always a sucker for, but it results in some control problems and reliever risk. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.15/1.31/155 in 155 IP

706) Korey Lee HOU, C, 23.8 – Lee has the inside track to be Houston’s starting catcher of the future after they selected him 32nd overall in the 2019 Draft. He made his pro debut this year and showed a strong plate approach (18.8%/8.6% K%/BB%) with above average power (11 homers) in 88 games split across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). His numbers dropped off as he climbed the ladder and he was only decent in the AFL (.691 OPS). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 66/18/64/.253/.326/.431/4

707) Joe Mack MIA, C, 19.3 – Selected 31st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mack is the top high school catcher in the draft with a history of strong performance against top competition. He has a quick left handed swing that should lead to plus power at peak. He struggled in his pro debut with a .581 OPS, but a .373 OBP shows he wasn’t completely overmatched. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 63/20/72/.258/.340/.442/3

708) Ryan Kreidler DET, SS, 24.5 – Kreidler’s power broke out in 2021 with 22 homers in 129 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He actually got better at Triple-A, bringing his K% down 6.6 percentage points to 24.1% and putting up a 148 wRC+ in 41 games (105 wRC+ in 88 games at Double-A). He’s 6’4”, 208 pounds, but he has a quick, short to the ball swing that should keep his batting average afloat even though he has had some strikeout issues throughout his career. He’ll also nab you a handful of bags. 2022 Projection: 21/4/23/.240/.301/.408/2 Prime Projection: 73/21/77/.251/.318/.432/7

709) Jhailyn Ortiz PHI, OF, 23.5 – Ortiz resurrected himself from the prospect graveyard, slashing .250/.346/.488 with 23 homers and a 113/38 K/BB in 95 games at mostly High-A. The strikeout rate is still too high, but he has elite power that he has no problems getting to in games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 71/27/78/.222/.303/.470/2

710) Joe Gray Jr. MIL, OF, 21.11 – Gray is a talented player who was drafted in the 2nd round in 2018 on the back of his plus power/speed combo. He broke out in a big way this year, slashing .252/.355/.499 with 20 homers, 23 steals, and a 131/53 K/BB in 110 games split between Single-A and High-A. There are legitimate strikeout issues, and he struggled a bit at High-A with a 90 wRC+. so there is more work to be done. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/22/76/.241/.319/.445/12

711) Kameron Misner TBR, OF, 24.3 – Misner quietly put together a very fantasy friendly season with 12 homers and 26 steals in 102 games at mostly High-A. He also closed out the season strong at Double-A with a 145 wRC+ in 14 games. He’s a premium athlete at 6’4”, 218 pounds, and while his hit tool needs work (29.8%/12.5% K%/BB% at High), there is a relatively high upside, later career breakout lurking in here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/15/67/.238/.313/.408/13

712) Zach DeLoach SEA, OF, 23.7 – DeLoach might not have the highest upside but he has a simple and quick left handed swing that is geared for power and average. He proved too mature for High-A with a 148 wRC+ and 22.1%/11.2% K/BB% in 58 games before meeting his match at Double-A with a 98 wRC+ and 26.9%/13% K% in 49 games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/20/74/.263/.330/.444/8

713) Bubba Thompson TEX, OF, 23.10 – I was all in on Thompson in 2017-18 because of his elite athleticism, but a disaster 2019 showed he wasn’t developing as hoped. He is still relatively raw at the dish with a 25.7%/6.2% K%/BB%, but his power took a step forward this year at Double-A with 16 homers in 104 games. He had a 112 wRC+ with 25 steals. He might be on more of that late 20’s breakout path, but at least he righted the ship this year. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 66/15/64/.244/.305/.417/13

714) Allan Cerda CIN, OF, 22.4 – Cerda has hit for big power his entire career and that continued in his first year in full season ball with 17 homers in 87 games split between Single-A and High-A. He walks a lot (11.3% BB%) and he keeps the ball off the ground (28.1% GB% at High-A). His strikeout rate was high, but it actually improved when he got to High-A, bringing it down to 23% in 21 games (30.8% in 66 games at Single-A). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/27/80/.242/.320/.470/5

715) Kyle Stowers BAL, OF, 24.3 – Stowers is 6’3”, 200 pounds and put up an eye opening statistical season with 27 homers and a .897 OPS in 124 games split between 3 levels (A+/AA/AAA), but it came with a 32.3%/13.8% K%/BB%. He’s already on the older side and the strikeout rate shows his risk, but the upside is considerable. 2022 Projection:11/4/15/.221/.302/.420/2 Prime Projection: 54/18/59/.236/.318/.441/6

716) Anthony Garcia NYY, 1B/OF, 21.7 – Garcia is a big man at 6’5”, 205 pounds, and he has massive power that led to 14 homers in just 39 games split between rookie ball and Single-A. The strikeouts are just as massive with a 36.8%/19.1% K%/BB% at Single-A, and he has limited defensive value, so the risk is quite high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 45/18/53/.228/.328/.457/5

717) Lawrence Butler OAK, 1B/OF, 21.9 – Butler is a built up 6’3”, 210 pound lefty with easy plus power (19 homers in 102 games split between Single-A and High-A), and some speed too (29 for 34 on the bases). The strikeout rate is high (33.1% at High-A), but he’s a high upside bat with fantasy friendly upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 58/17/61/.232/.314/.436/8

718) Aaron Sabato MIN, 1B, 22.11 – Sabato struggled to start his pro career with a .660 OPS in 70 games, but he was a beast in the 2nd half, slashing .227/.371/.610 with 16 homers and a 58/30 K/BB in 41 games at mostly High-A. His strikeout rates were high (32.1%), but so were his walk rates (19.8%). He’s your classic low BA, high OBP slugger. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/25/79/.232/.335/.476/0

719) Kyle Manzardo TBR, 1B, 21.8 – Selected 63rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, the best way to describe Manzardo is that he looks very hitter-ish at the dish. He has a lefty swing that is geared for both average and power, using the whole field to hit .362 with 11 homers in 47 games in the Pac12 before destroying rookie ball for 13 games (1.045 OPS). He’s hit over power right now, but he’s young for the class and should naturally grow into more power as he ages. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/22/78/.272/.334/.456/2

720) Tony Blanco PIT, OF, 16.11 – Blanco is 6’6”, 230 pounds with some of the best raw power in the class. His dad played in the majors and he shows the corresponding mature plate approach that often goes along with having baseball bloodlines. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 78/30/91/.260/.335/.496/2

721) Tyler Whitaker HOU, OF, 19.8 – Selected 87th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Whitaker is a high risk, high reward prospect with double-plus speed and plus power, but the hit tool is a major risk. He lived up to that billing in his pro debut with 3 homers, 8 steals, and a 35.1%/7.9% K%/BB% in 29 games. Grab him late in first year player drafts if you want to swing for the fences. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 62/18/71/.234/.307/.443/11

Tier 13

722) Reynaldo Lopez CHW, RHP, 28.3 – Lopez likely won’t have a rotation spot to begin the season but he could be next man up. His control took a major step forward in 2021 with a career best 5.9% BB% (also a career best 24.8% K%) and it led to an excellent pitching line of 3.43/0.95/55/13 in 57.2 IP. His stuff is loud with a 95.8 MPH fastball and a slightly above average slider. A late 20’s breakout could certainly be in the cards. 2022 Projection: 6/4.12/1.29/93 in 100 IP

723) Hudson Haskin BAL, OF, 23.3 – The power didn’t show up this year with 5 homers in 83 games split between Single-A and High-A, but he showed plus speed (22 steals) and a solid plate approach (21.5%/8.8% K%/BB%). He definitely has more power than he showed, and he should keep getting stronger as he matures. A thumb fracture ended his season in late August. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/15/73/.261/.323/.422/13

724) Pierce Johnson SDP, Closer Committee, 30.11 – San Diego is setting up to have a closer committee as of now. Johnson has a plus fastball/curve combo that has registered over a 30% K rate for 2 years in a row (31.6% K% in 2021). Roster Resource has him as the closer for now. 2022 Projection: 4/3.78/1.25/79/15 in 63 IP

725) Tyler Wells BAL, Closer Committe, 27.7 – I have Sulser as the favorite for saves, but Wells should certainly factor in and he could easily win the job. He is a converted starter who pitched well in his MLB debut with a 29%/5.4% K%/BB% and 3.65 xERA (4.11 ERA) in 57 IP. He has a starter’s repertoire with a 5 pitch mix highlighted by a 95.2 MPH fastball and 2 plus secondaries in his slider and changeup. 2022 Projection: 3/3.92/1.24/75/18 in 65 IP

726) Michael Fulmer DET, RHP, 29.1 – Fulmer looks like a great bet to eventually take over the closer job from Soto. He closed out 14 games last year, 6 of which came in September and October. He got his career back on track with a pitching line of 2.97/1.28/73/20 in 69.2 IP. He fires mid 90’s heat with a plus slider. He throws a 5 pitch mix and showed plus control out of the pen with a 6.7% BB%. 2022 Projection: 5/3.71/1.26/68/15 in 65 IP

727) Drew Pomeranz SDP, Closer Committee, 33.4 – Underwent surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in August with the chance he is ready to go for 2022. He should have a share of the closer job if healthy, but being San Diego’s best lefty out of the pen usually complicates that. He dealt with forearm and shoulder injuries throughout the year, limiting him to 25.2 IP, but he performed well in those innings with a 1.75 ERA and 29.4%/9.8% K%/BB%. 2022 Projection: 3/3.42/1.18/60/8 in 50 IP

728) Bryan De La Cruz MIA, OF, 25.3 – Cruz had a strong MLB debut with a 115 wRC+, although he overperformed his underlying stats (.339 wOBA vs. .301 xwOBA), and the upside is limited in general. He put up a below average 90.1 MPH FB/LD EV and he was a very poor base stealer in the minors. All of the OF signings Miami made leaves him out of a starting job. 2022 Projection: 42/10/44/.257/.316/.410/4

729) Jonathan Loaisiga NYY, Setup, 27.5 – Loaisiga could be next man up if Chapman gets hurt. He throws a ridiculous 98.3 MPH sinker that put up a great .253 xwOBA with a negative 5 degree launch angle. He combines that with a curve (50% whiff%) and changeup (40.2% whiff%). 2022 Projection: 6/3.11/1.08/70/6 in 65 IP

730) Chad Green NYY, Setup, 30.10 – Green is an elite setup man with a 31.4%/5.4% K%/BB% on the back of a plus fastball/curve combo. Loaisiga might be ahead of him for saves. 2022 Projection: 6/3.35/1.04/87/5 in 70 IP

731) Michael A. Taylor KCR, OF, 31.0 – Taylor has a terrible plate approach (27.3%/6.3% K%/BB%), but he hits the ball pretty hard (89.4 MPH EV) and has plus speed (28.2 ft/sec sprint speed). He’s a plus defensive centerfielder who seems to have the lion’s share of the job. 2022 Projection: 55/14/51/.232/.291/.395/13

732) Kole Calhoun TEX, OF, 34.6 – A significant hamstring injury tanked Calhoun’s season. He played in only 51 games and put up a .670 OPS. He’s a low BA power hitter with good walk rates and is likely in a strong side of a platoon role. 2022 Projection: 62/18/62/.239/.322/.436/1

733) Justin Upton LAA, OF, 34.7 – A back injury plagued Upton in the 2nd half which led to a .442 OPS post-break before being shutdown in September. Before the injury he was still showing big time power with 14 homers and .815 OPS in 63 games pre-break, but his BA, speed, and playing time are all major risks going into 2022. He could settle into a short side of a platoon role. 2022 Projection: 49/18/52/.223/.306/.427/3

734) Stephen Piscotty OAK, OF, 31.2 – Wrist surgery ended Piscotty’s season after 72 games. He’s had two rough seasons in a row with a .293 xwOBA in 2020 and .289 xwOBA in 2021. Even at full health in his prime there wasn’t much upside, so he’s not a very exciting play in the back nine of his career. 2022 Projection: 61/18/66/.238/.300/.400/2

735) Colin Barber HOU, OF, 21.4 – A shoulder injury which ended up requiring season ending surgery ended Barber’s season after just 15 games at High-A. He did manage to show his power upside in those games, smashing 3 homers with a sweet lefty swing, but it came with a 41.5%/17% K%/BB%. He has potentially plus power with some speed too, and in his short 64 game pro career he has shown high strikeout and walk rates. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/24/79/.248/.330/.456/8

736) Yanquiel Fernandez COL, OF, 19.3 – 18 years old is a bit too old for the DSL, but Fernandez did live up to his scouting report with plus power and a good feel to hit. He slashed .333/.406/.531 with 6 homers, 0 steals, and a 12.9%/10.9% K%/BB% in 54 games. He’s 6’2”, 200 pounds with a vicious lefty swing that has potential written all over it. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/25/84/.275/.334/.470/2

737) Junior Marin KCR, OF, 18.0 – Marin had one of the best statistical seasons in the DSL, slashing .380/.468/.696 with 7 homers, 5 steals, and a 17.1%/14.4% K%/BB% in 32 games. It was good for a 205 wRC+. He’s already 6’2”, 220 pounds, so the power isn’t in question, but he’ll have to prove he can maintain that plus plate approach against more advanced competition. There also isn’t likely much projection left. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 71/25/79/.258/.329/.462/5

738) Romy Gonzalez CHW, SS, 25.7 – Gonzalez had a huge breakout season at Double-A and Triple-A, slashing .283/.364/.532 with 24 homers, 24 steals, and a 112/43 K/BB in 93 games. It earned him a 10 game cup of coffee in September where he mostly struggled with a .616 OPS, but he did put up an above average 28.2 ft/s sprint speed. He swings a quick bat and there is definitely some legitimate all fields power. He’s already pretty old and there are some strikeout issues, so he may top out as a utility guy, but there is some fantasy friendly upside if injuries open up a spot for him. 2022 Projection: 15/3/15/.241/.306/.426/3 Prime Projection: 63/15/61/.248/.312/.439/7

739) Carlos Rincon NYM, OF, 24.6 – The 6’3” Rincon has beastly raw power and he has been able to get to all of it his entire professional career with 94 home runs in 479 career games. It was more of the same in 2021 with 22 homers in 101 games at Double-A. He doesn’t have any problem keeping the ball off the ground and while his strikeout rates have always been high, a 26.8% mark in 2021 isn’t that bad. 2022 Projection: 6/2/11/.218/.291/.415/1 Prime Projection: 66/22/72/.243/.318/.475/3

740) Sam Huff TEX, C/1B, 24.2 – Huff is all about that gluttonous power. He ripped 16 homers in just 61 games at mostly Double-A. A side effect of that gluttony is massive strikeouts (39% K%), and he hasn’t put up particularly high walk rates throughout his career. He missed the first two months of the season after undergoing knee surgery, and he played only first base when he returned, but he should get back to catching next season. 2022 Projection: 12/5/16/.219/.277/.410/0 Prime Projection: 49/24/55/.234/.298/.440/1

741) Aaron Zavala TEX, OF, 21.9 – Selected 38th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Zavala might not have the highest upside, but he’s a rock solid hitter who put up a 31/50 K/BB in 55 games in the Pac12 before entering pro ball and slashing .302/.433/.434 with 1 homer, 7 steals, and a 19.4%/14.9% K%/BB% in 15 games at Single-A. He has a quick lefty swing with a plus plate approach and about average power and speed. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/16/68/.266/.335/.416/8

742) Ryan Bliss ARI, SS, 22.4 – Selected 42nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Bliss performed well in the SEC, slashing .365/.428/.654 with 15 homers, 6 steals, and a 30/23 K/BB in 50 games. He got to his power in his pro debut as well with 6 homers and a 22.9%/7.4% K%/BB% in 37 games at Single-A. He’s only 5’9”, 165 pounds, so there likely isn’t a ton of MLB power, but he’s hit everywhere he’s been and he has some speed too. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 71/19/74/.263/.324/.437/8

743) Jose Torres CIN, SS, 22.6 – Selected 89th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Torres didn’t exactly destroy the ACC with a .876 OPS and 39/13 K/BB in 52 games, but he raked even more in pro ball, slashing .333/.387/.591 with 5 homers and 7 steals in 28 games at mostly Single-A. He’s 6’0”, 171 pounds, so there is room to add more muscle and the 15.9% K% in pro ball is encouraging. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 72/20/77.264/.318/.432/7

744) Daylen Lile WAS, OF, 19.4 – Selected 47th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Lile’s best tool is his hit tool, which is generally not my favorite type of player to go after in fantasy. Power and speed could end up about average. His pro debut wasn’t great, slashing .219/.363/.250 with 0 homers, 2 steals, and a 25%/18.8% K%/BB% in 19 games at rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 82/15/64/.278/.341/.417/6

745) Diego Benitez ATL, SS, 17.4 – Benitez signed for $2.5 million and he has the requisite skills to back that up. He has potentially plus power with an already pretty powerful righty swing. He combines that with a solid plate approach and some speed. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/24/83/.257/.328/.458/6

746) Yasser Mercedes MIN, OF, 17.5 – Mercedes is a projectable 6’3”, 180 pounds with plus speed and a silky smooth righty swing that could produce plus power at peak, but he has some hit tool risk. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/20/76/.245/.316/.431/12

747) Luis Torrens SEA, C, 25.11 – Seattle has a bunch of catcher options with Torrens, Tom Murphy, and Cal Raleigh. Murphy started the most games at catcher, Torrens got the most at bats in general (most of them coming at DH), and Raleigh is the upstart who might ultimately be the guy to own. Torrens is still quite young himself, and he put up a slightly above average xwOBA for the 2nd year in a row (.317). He hits the ball hard with a 10.4% Barrel%, and he keeps his strikeouts within reasonable levels (27.4% whiff%). The catcher glut makes me hesitant to buy in, but there is definitely juice in the bat. 2022 Projection: 35/12/43/.247/.309/.416/0

748) Cal Raleigh SEA, C, 25.4 – Speaking of Raleigh, he destroyed Triple-A with a .985 OPS and 12.6%/7.0% K%/BB% in 44 games before struggling in his MLB debut with a .532 OPS and 35.1% K% in 148 PA. He’s a switch hitter with above average power and a high launch angle that should lead to plenty of homers, but the batting average is going to be low and his defense still needs work. 2022 Projection: 28/8/32/.229/.283/.410/1 Prime Projection: 43/17/48/.244/.316/.435/2

749) Dillon Dingler DET, C, 23.3 – Dingler destroyed High-A with a 149 wRC+ in 32 games, but he looked overmatched in Double-A with a 58 wRC+ and 29.8%/4.3% K%/BB% in 50 games. Even at High-A he struck out 25.5% of the time, and considering he is not expected to have big power or speed, the hit tool concerns aren’t great. Tack on all the extra attention he has to give developing his catcher defense, and I’m not seeing much upside here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 61/18/69/.260/.324/.421/4

750) Alexander Canario CHC, OF, 21.11 – Canario certainly looks the part with a big righty swing that is geared for power. He jacked 18 homers with high flyball rates in 107 games split between Single-A and High-A. He also has some speed with 21 steals, but his plate approach is still raw, striking out 28.8% of the time at Single-A and walking only 5.5% of the time at High-A. He’s a high risk, high reward prospect. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 67/24/79/.242/.315/.451/8

751) Alex Colome COL, Closer, 33.3 – Colome has had low K rates for two years in a row and had a 4.82 xERA in 2021. He’s the closer in Colorado, but the upside and floor are both low in Coors. 2022 Projection: 3/4.31/1.34/58/27 in 65 IP

752) Elias Diaz COL, C, 31.4 – Diaz smacked a career 18 homers in 106 games, but with a below average 87.1/91.4 MPH AVG/FB exit velocity, that seems closer to a ceiling to me. He does have the Coors advantage, and he has a career 16.8% K%, so he’s still an interesting later round catcher option. 2022 Projection: 48/14/51/.254/.314/.416/0

753) Max Stassi LAA, C, 31.1 – Stassi has hit the ball hard his entire career (89.9 MPH career EV) and it just started showing up in his homer totals the past two seasons, cracking 7 homers in 31 games in 2020 and 13 homers in 87 games in 2021. He’s also struck out a lot in his entire career (31.7% in 2021), so the batting average floor is low. 2022 Projection: 46/17/52/.234/.310/.427/0

754) James McCann NYM, C, 31.9 – McCann was not able to maintain his 2019-2020 power breakout, hitting only 10 homers in 121 games with his exit velocity falling to 87.3 MPH (90.5 MPH in 2020). He strikes out too much (27.9% K%) to be useful without the power. 2022 Projection: 40/14/52/.242/.301/.405/1

755) Ryan Vilade COL, OF, 23.1 – Vilade is a solid but unspectacular player who does a lot of things well but nothing really standout. He has a solid plate approach (17.8%/7.3% K%/BB%) with some pop (7 homers in 117 games at Triple-A) and some speed (12 steals in 17 attempts). There is more raw power than that homer total shows, but he hits the ball on the ground too much to get to it (45.1% GB%). 2022 Projection:15/2/11/.265/.312/.397/2 Prime Projection: 76/18/71/.282/.336/.430/8

756) Micker Adolfo CHW, OF, 25.6 – Adolfo has at least plus power, jacking out 24 homers in 101 games split between Double-A and Triple-A, but it comes with major strikeout issues (34.1% K%). 2022 Projection: 8/2/10/.225/.294/.421/0 Prime Projection: 64/21/75/.237/.305/.441/2

757) Gage Workman DET, SS, 22.5 – Workman is a switch hitter who was much better from the left side than the right, putting up a .849 OPS as a lefty and a .483 OPS as a righty at Single-A and High-A. It might be time to pull a Cedric Mullins and drop the righty swing. He has potentially plus power that he hasn’t completely tapped into yet (12 homers in 118 games), and he has to cut down majorly on his strikeouts (30.6% K%). While he racked up 31 steals, he isn’t a burner and you can’t trust steal numbers from the lower minors this year because of the rule changes. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/22/74/.242/.315/.430/8

758) Austin Slater SF, OF, 29.4 – Slater is a short side of a platoon bat with an at least above average power/speed combo, but it comes with some strikeout issues (27.5% K%). 2022 Projection: 42/12/35/.246/.329/.430/14

759) David Peralta ARI, OF, 34.8 – Peralta is a strong side of a platoon bat who is getting up there in age and doesn’t have much power or speed. He makes good contact with a 17.1% K% and he hits the ball relatively hard with a 89.3 MPH EV, but his 5.3 degree launch angle caps his homer totals. 2022 Projection: 58/14/64/.263/.326/.430/2

760) Luken Baker STL, 1B, 25.1 – Baker is an absolute moose at the plate at 6’4”, 280 pounds, and he was finally able to tap into his at least plus power for the first time in pro ball. He cracked 26 homers in 93 games at mostly Double-A after hitting just 14 in his previous 159 games. He did so by lowering his groundball percentage to 30.7%. He’s a righty who hit much better vs. lefties than righties, so he’s shaping up to be a short side of a platoon bat. 2022 Projection: 7/2/10/.240/.307/.431/0 Prime Projection: 46/15/55/.252/.326/.457/0

761) Sherten Apostel TEX, 1B/3B, 23.1 – Apostel’s strikeout rates have continued to rise as he climbs the minor league ladder, culminating with a 31.1% K% in 42 games at Double-A and a 36.4% K% in 22 games at Triple-A. Texas’ Double-A ballpark is a great hitters park (and their Triple-A park juices up homers too), but he wasn’t able to do any real damage at either stop. His season ended when he underwent knee surgery for a cartilage issue. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 41/13/47/.234/.317/.448/1

762) T.J. White WAS, OF, 18.8 – Selected 143rd overall in the 2021 Draft, White is 6’2”, 210 pounds with plus bat speed and big raw power. He impressed in his pro debut, slashing .283/.356/.547 with 4 homers and a 23.7%/8.5% K%/BB% in 15 games. He’s a switch hitter with a lefty swing that is geared for power and a righty swing that is more line drive oriented. There are hit tool concerns and he doesn’t have much speed, but he’s a great power bat to grab late in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/22/75/.252/.325/.468/2

763) Denzel Clarke OAK, OF, 21.11 – Selected 127th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Clarke has monster potential at 6’5”, 220 pounds with a plus power/speed combo, but you guessed it, it comes with major hit tool risk. He’s performed well against inferior competition in the Big West Conference and in rookie ball, but even there it comes with K’s (27.3% K% in rookie ball and 23.1% this year in the Big West). ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 67/19/72/.233/.304/.439/9

764) Otto Lopez TOR, 2B, 23.5 – Lopez is a high contact (17.3% K% in 113 games split between Double-A and Triple-A), plus speed (22 steals) player with high groundball rates (54.1% at Triple-A) and not much power (5 homers). He’s setting up to be a utility player in the near future. 2022 Projection: 9/0/6/.265/.312/.384/2 Prime Projection: 73/10/59/.276/.323/.401/14

765) Warming Bernabel COL, 3B, 19.10 – Bernabel destroyed rookie ball with a 14% K%, 6 homers and a 188 wRC+ in 22 games before struggling at High-A with a 63 wRC+ in 21 games, but he wasn’t overmatched as his K% barely budged at 14.9%. He’s an aggressive hitter with a big righty swing that projects for above average to plus power. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/23/78/.264/.317/.453/5

766) Luis Toribio SFG, 1B/3B, 21.6 – Toribio remains a walk machine with a 15.4% BB%, but his GB% jumped to 51.1% and his K% popped a little to 27.7%. He hit only 7 homers in 94 games at Single-A. He hits the ball hard, but he’s going to have to raise him launch angle to make an impact. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 67/14/62/.256/.338/.428/2

767) Edouard Julien MIN, 2B/3B, 22.11 – Julien put up a very fun batting line in his pro debut, slashing .266/.434/.480 with 18 homers, 34 steals, and a 28%/21.4% K%/BB% in 112 games split between Single-A and High-A. Other than the stolen bases which are a mirage, that batting line basically mirrors what he did in college with power, patience, and strikeouts. He’s not great on defense, but this is a bat first player who has produced in the SEC and now pro ball. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 52/16/54/.229/.317/.426/5

768) Brendan Donovan STL, 3B/2B, 25.3 – Donovan hit well everywhere he went in 2021 (A+, AA, AAA, AFL) with a mature plate approach, but he has already 24 years old and he doesn’t project for big power or speed. He’ll likely have to break into the majors as a utility guy and then earn more playing time from there. 2022 Projection: 21/4/18/.265/.321/.401/4 Prime Projection: 63/14/51/.278/.334/.421/8

769) Canaan Smith-Njigba PIT, OF, 23.1 – Smith-Njigba is an OBP machine with a .398 OPB and 16.9% BB% in 66 games at Double-A. He then went to the Fall League and put up a .452 OBP and 20.5% BB% in 18 games. His groundball rates are extremely high (65.3% at Double-A), and while he was an excellent 13 for 14 on the bases, he isn’t that fast, so he’s most intriguing in OBP leagues. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/16/69/.252/.347/.423/4

770) Jose Ramos LAD, OF, 21.3 – Ramos is 6’1”. 200 pounds with a quick and powerful righty swing that projects for plus power at peak. He dominated rookie ball with a 180 wRC+ in 15 games before getting called up to full season ball and barely missing a beat, slashing .313/.377/.559 with 8 homers and a 25.9%/7.3% K%/BB% in 47 games. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 62/21/69/.252/.323/.445/6

771) Gilberto Jimenez BOS, OF, 21.9 – Jimenez had a solid year at Single-A (105 wRC+) led by his good feel to hit with a 21.1% K% and .306 BA, but he wasn’t able to get to any of his power because of a 56.1% GB%. He hit 3 homers in 94 games. He doesn’t walk much (4.7% BB%) and while he has at least plus speed, he hasn’t been very effective on the bases in his career (13 for 21 in 2021). There is still an exciting blend of tools here, and he hasn’t performed poorly by any means, but he needs to find a way to produce more homers and steals if he wants to be an impact fantasy player. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/13/62/.275/.319/.412/15

772) Diego Castillo PIT, SS/2B, 24.5 – Castillo has put up elite contact numbers his entire career (12.7% K% this year) and in 2021 his power ticked up considerably with 19 homers in 104 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He had only hit 8 homers in 452 game career prior to this year. He projects as a utility infielder, but the power surge gives him the potential to beat that projection. 2022 Projection: 11/2/8/.255/.303/.402/2 Prime Projection: 33/6/28/.271/.322/.427/3

773) Tommy La Stella SFG, 2B, 33.2 – La Stella underwent Achilles surgery in late October with a 4 month timetable. He’s a strong side of a platoon player with plus contact rates (10.7% K%) and average power. 2022 Projection: 63/13/58/.271/.334/.433/0

774) Miguel Rojas MIA, SS, 33.1 – Rojas stole a career high 13 bases in 2021 but that is hard to count on as he gets deeper in his 30’s. He’s a plus defensive player with plus contact rates (13.7%), but he doesn’t hit the ball hard enough to do damage (2.8% Barrel%). 2022 Projection: 73/10/52/.270/.326/.398/8

775) Didi Gregorius PHI, SS, 32.3 – Didi’s poor Statcast numbers finally caught up to him after he considerably outperformed his xwOBA for 6 straight years (career .318 wOBA vs. .289 xwOBA). He put up a .273 xwOBA and a .275 wOBA in 2021. Like most players who overcome weak contact numbers, Didi gets the bat on the ball (16.4% K%) and hits the ball in the air (18.3 degree launch angle), so maybe Statcast’s expected stats have a little blind spot with players who have this skillset. Regardless, it was announced he will not be guaranteed a full time role in 2022. 2022 Projection: 45/15/52/.255/.308/.431/3

776) Maikol Escotto PIT, 2B/SS, 19.10 – Escotto got off to a fast start and had a strong 1st half of the season at Single-A with a .823 OPS in 53 games, but he tanked down the stretch and put up a .574 OPS in his final 29 games. He’s an excellent athlete with a potentially above average power/speed combo (7 homers and 22 steals), but his high strikeout rate adds plenty of risk (30.4%/14.2% K%/BB%). ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 66/20/73/.244/.326/.433/9

777) Brenton Doyle COL, OF, 23.10 – A 31.6%/7.1% K%/BB% as a 23 year old at High-A is not great, but Doyle has an exciting enough power/speed combo at 6’3”, 200 pounds to overlook that somewhat. He smashed 16 homers with 21 steals in 97 games. A 50% GB% will have to improve to get to more of his power, and that K% has to come down majorly. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/17/68/.248/.318/.422/12

778) Luis Rodriguez LAD, OF, 19.7 – Rodriguez was known as a hit over power prospect, but he flipped the script in his pro debut with 8 homers and a 30.9% K% (.216 BA) in 54 games in rookie ball. It’s great to see him getting to his power ahead of schedule, but he did so at the expense of his hit tool. There is plenty of time for him to marry the two skills. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 67/23/76/.254/.326/.445/4

779) Petey Halpin CLE, OF, 19.10 – Halpin lived up to his scouting report in his pro debut in High-A, showing a good feel to hit (.294 BA with a 20.3% K%), plus speed (11 steals in 20 attempts), and limited power (1 homer in 54 games). The stolen base success rate isn’t great, and while he hit only 1 homer, there is more power in there than he showed with a quick lefty swing. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 78/15/62/.272/.338/.414/15

780) Jose Siri HOU, OF, 26.9 – Siri showed both his extreme risk and upside in his MLB debut, putting up a 17.2% Barrel%, .378 xwOBA, and 30.4 ft/sec sprint speed. The surface stats were just as good with a .956 OPS and 3 steals in 21 games. On the flip side he had a 34.7%/2% K%/BB%. His Triple-A numbers were pretty similar with a .921 OPS and a 30.7%/6.5% K%/BB% in 94 games. It will be a wild ride if he wins Houston’s starting CF job, but I don’t think he is the favorite for it. 2022 Projection: 32/9/36/.232/.291/.421/10

781) Yerlin Confidan CIN, OF, 19.4 – Confidan won the MVP award of the ACL, going bonkos with a slash line of .315/.359/.573 with 11 homers, 7 steals, and a 25%/6.3% K%/BB% in 50 games. He’s 6’3”, 170 pounds with a powerful lefty swing, but he needs to refine his plate approach, and raising his 48.8% GB% would help too. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/27/82/.250/.318/.472/4

782) Eddy Beltre SDP, OF, 18.0 – Beltre was a DSL standout, slashing .295/.423/.446 with 3 homers, 24 steals, and a 16.8%/13.9% K%/BB% in 32 games. He has double plus speed with a good feel to hit and developing power. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 78/18/71/.267/.332/.427/23

783) Junior Caminero TBR, 3B, 18.9 – Caminero went buck wild in his pro debut in the DSL, slashing .295/.380/.534 with 9 homers, 2 steals and a 16.4%/11.7% K%/BB% in 43 games. He has a lightening quick righty swing which obviously generates good power. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 77/23/82/.268/.334/.467/4

784) Joshua Mears SDP, OF, 21.1 – Mears is 6’3”, 230 pounds with massive raw power that he has no trouble getting to. He crushed 17 homers with a 51.2% FB% in 71 games at Single-A, but it comes with extreme strikeout issues (39.2%/12.4% K%/BB%). ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 58/20/66/.223/.313/.453/4

785) Jeremiah Jackson LAA, SS, 22.0 – Jackson is consistent if nothing else with huge homer totals (10 homers in 51 games at mostly Single-A), plus speed (13 steals), and massive hit tool risk (33.2%). He’s a low probability prospect who likely won’t hit enough, but the upside is high if he can ever figure it out. ETA:2024Prime Projection: 51/17/57/.218/.295/.436/8

786) Daniel Montesino SDP, 1B/OF, 18.2 – Montesino got a million bucks in last year’s international class. He is a bat first prospect with some defensive concerns, so there is a lot of pressure on his bat, but so far, so good as he slashed .316/.444/.489 with 4 homers, 8 steals, and a 21.8%/17.7% K%/BB% in 56 games in the DSL. He has the potential to hit for both power and average at peak. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 69/24/78/.254/.331/.450/4

787) Isaiah Greene CLE, OF, 20.7 – Greene had a solid pro debut in rookie ball with a 120 wRC+, but he was old for the level, hit only 1 homer, and was 5 for 9 on the bases in 43 games. He’s a great athlete and projectable at 6’1”, 180 pounds, so while he didn’t exactly kick the door down this year, there are plenty of tools to work with in the future. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 73/14/61/.264/.328/.413/14

788) Joel Diaz NYM, RHP, 18.1 – Diaz was possibly the best pitcher in the DSL with a pitching line of 0.54/0.75/63/9 in 50.1 IP. He pounds the strikezone with a low 90’s fastball that will likely tick up as he ages to go along with excellent feel for a curve and change. He could potentially have 3 plus pitches at weak with plus control. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 12/3.82/1.21/180 in 170 IP

789) Angel Martinez CLE, 2B/3B/SS, 20.2 – Martinez got off to a hot start in his full season debut with a .946 OPS in May and a .888 OPS in June, but he fell off a cliff in the 2nd half and finished the season with a .701 OPS in 97 games at Single-A. He projects for moderate across the board production with utility infielder risk. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/15/65/.272/.337/.428/15

790) Carson Tucker CLE, SS, 20.2 – A hand injury limited Tucker to just 6 games in rookie ball. Cleveland nabbed him 23rd overall in 2020 for his good feel to hit with plus speed and the ability to stick at SS. At 6’2”, 180 pounds, power should develop as he matures. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/16/68/.263/.324/.413/16

791) Maikol Hernandez BAL, SS, 18.6 – Hernandez was one of my favorite targets in last year’s international class, and while he held his own in his pro debut, he didn’t standout. He put up a 92 wRC+ with a 21.2%/12.8% K%/BB% and 0 homers in 40 games in the DSL. The plate approach was solid, and at a projectable 6’3”, 175 pounds, the power is most certainly coming. I still like him as a high risk/high reward upside play. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/21/76/.256/.327/.439/6

792) Taylor Walls TB, SS, 25.9 – Walls looks slated for a utility role for at least the first few years of his career. He put up average exit velocity numbers with plus speed, but he hasn’t been a very good base stealer in his career. His K% spiked in Triple-A (26.1%) and MLB (27.8%). but he’s a patient hitter with high walk rates (13.1% BB%). 2022 Projection: 38/6/33/.242/.323/.391/8

793) Slade Cecconi ARI, RHP, 22.9 – Elbow soreness ended Cecconi’s regular season in late August after 59 IP, but he made it back to pitch 15 innings in the AFL. He throws a mid 90’s fastball with a plus slider and an average-ish curve and change. He pitched well at High-A, but he didn’t exactly dominate with a pitching line of 4.12/1.24/63/20 in 59 IP. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 8/4.15/1.32/155 in 158 IP

794) Nick Bitsko TBR, RHP, 19.10 – Bitsko missed all of 2021 after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. He’s 6’4”, 220 pounds with good control over a fastball that can reach the upper 90’s, a plus curve, and a developing change. The upside is high, but the shoulder injury adds risk. He’s yet to pitch in pro ball. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.27/165 in 158 IP

795) Kris Bubic KC, LHP, 24.8 – Bubic had a 4.43 ERA with a 114/59 K/BB in 130 IP, and his underlying numbers were worse than that with a 5.33 xERA. His fastball sits 90.9 MPH and both of his secondaries (curve, change) are below average. 2022 Projection: 8/4.35/1.36/135 in 150 IP

796) Zach Davies ARI, RHP, 29.2 – Davies followed up the best season of his career in 2020 with the worst season of his career in 2021. He had a 5.78 ERA with a 114/75 K/BB in 148 IP. He completely lost his control with a career worst 11.2%. He’ll likely bounce back, but the upside isn’t high enough to count on him as anything but a back end fantasy guy. 2022 Projection: 9/4.45/1.36/115 in 160 IP

797) Robinson Cano NYM, 2B, 39.5 – Cano was suspended for the entire 2021 season after testing positive for PED’s. He was in the midst of a bounce back season in 2020 with a .896 OPS, and he’s currently putting in some work in the Dominican Winter League with a .333 BA in 8 games. He looks like a bench player right now. 2022 Projection: 57/15/61/.269/.318/.447/0

798) Brent Honeywell OAK, RHP, 27.0 – Trade to Oakland seemingly gives Honeywell a better chance to crack the rotation, but he has plenty of competition there too. He finally got his career back on track after 4 elbow surgeries putting up a pitching line of 3.97/1.20/67/24 in 81.2 IP. The stuff looks mostly back to me, but there is obviously rust after 3 full years of not pitching in any games. 2022 Projection: 5/4.41/1.33/80 in 90 IP

799) Alex Santos HOU, RHP, 20.2 – Santos is 6’4”, 195 pounds with a low 90’s fastball, a potentially plus changeup that he goes to often, and a less consistent breaking ball that flashes plus. He put up a pitching line of 3.46/1.46/48/30 in 41.2 IP at Single-A in his pro debut. Improving his control and adding a tick or two on the fastball would take him to the next level. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.21/1.36/143 in 150 IP

800) Pete Fairbanks TB, Setup, 28.3 – Fairbanks could work his way into some saves but it seems unlikely he will get a huge chunk of the job at this point. He has a plus fastball/slider which racks up strikeouts with a 29.6% K%, but he has some control issues with a 11.1% BB% and 1.43 WHIP. 2022 Projection: 4/3.40/1.23/80/8 in 60 IP

801) Anthony Bender MIA, Setup, 27.2 – Bender was impressive in his MLB debut with a 2.79 ERA and 28.7%/8.1% K%/BB% on the back of a 96.8 MPH fastball and plus slider that put up a 45.2% whiff%. He could steal the job from Floro at any point. 2022 Projection: 3/3.56/1.18/73/10 in 63 IP

802) Andres Munoz SEA, Setup, 23.3 – Munoz returned from Tommy John surgery in time to make one appearance on the last day of the regular season. He showed the insane stuff is back with a 99.6 MPH fastball, although his slider was down 4.1 MPH, so it remains to be seen if he can get that back to elite levels. He could be Seattle’s closer of the future, but he has a lot of people to run through to win the role in 2022. 2022 Projection: 3/3.72/1.27/60/5 in 50 IP

803) Diego Castillo SEA, Setup, 28.2 – Seattle built a great back of the bullpen, likely leaving Castillo out of the saves mix, but who knows what can happen during the season as injuries/underperformance hits. He’s done nothing but dominate in his 4 year career with a 2.98 and 244/72 K/BB in his 205.1 IP career. 32.2% K% and 7.3% K% in 2021 were career bests, so he’s still getting better. 2022 Projection: 5/3.17/1/10/80/8 in 65 IP

804) Tanner Rainey WAS, Closer Competition, 29.3 – Washington seems to want Rainey to win the closer job because he has much more upside that Finnegan. He had a 35% whiff% in 2021, but it came with a 16.6% BB%. 2022 Projection: 4/4.42/1.42/75/15 in 60 IP

805) Kyle Finnegan WAS, Closer Competition, 30.7 – Finnegan leans heavily on his 95.6 MPH sinker (68.4% usage), which he combines with a plus slider and average splitter. He has below average control with slightly above average K rates. He closed out 11 games post break, but he’s a worst case scenario type closer, and there is no guarantee he wins the job. 2022 Projection: 4/3.96/1.39/68/15 in 65 IP

806) Will Smith ATL, Setup, 32.9 – Smith has one plus pitch, but it is a damn good one with his slider putting up an elite .170 xwOBA with a 49.1% whiff%. The Jansen signing moves him into a setup role. 2022 Projection: 4/3.51/1.18/82/34 in 65 IP

807) Tejay Antone CIN, RHP, 28.4 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in last August and will likely miss all of 2022. He proved the 2020 breakout was real before going down with a 2.14 ERA and 33.1%/9.4% K%/BB% in 33.2 IP. The surgery won’t help his bid to join the rotation, but he can be dominant out the pen. 2022 Projection: OUT

808) Luis Garcia SDP, Closer Committee, 35.2 – Luis Garcia number 3 will factor into the late inning mix in San Diego and could easily win the closer job. He put up career highs in K% (25.2%) and BB% (5.9%). He throws a 98.3 MPH sinker with an elite slider (54.5% whiff%) and plus splitter (48.1% whiff%). 2022 Projection: 4/3.54/1.22/68/9 in 65 IP

809) James Karinchak CLE, Setup, 26.7 – Karinchak went full blow up in the 2nd half in true volatile reliever fashion with a 7.88 ERA and 10/10 K/BB in 16 IP. It earned him a demotion to Triple-A and the loss of his closer job to Clase. His control is terrible with a 13.6% BB% and he wasn’t able to come close to maintaining the 48.6% K% he put up in 2020 (33.2% in 2021). The stuff is too good to not bounce back, but he might be more of a high K, high WHIP guy until he improves his control at least a little bit. 2022 Projection: 3/3.68/1.26/84 in 60 IP

810) Josh Staumont KC, Setup, 28.3 – Staumont always had huge stuff (96.5 MPH fastball with a plus curve), we were just waiting on him to improve his control, and he did just that in 2021 with a career best (minors included) 10.2% BB%. It led to a pitching line of 2.88/1.07/72/27 in 65.2 IP. There are some caution flags, as his whiff% came all the way down to 26.6% (36.7% in 2020), and he still gets hit very hard (91.7 MPH EV against), so I wouldn’t elevate him into that top tier of set up men, but the ingredients are there for him to take that next step in 2022. 2022 Projection: 5/3.66/1.26/78/5 in 65 IP

811) Jorge Alcala MIN, Setup, 26.8 – Alcala is a converted starter who has taken quite well to relief, putting up a pitching line of 3.48/1.04/89/22 in 85.1 career IP. He throws absolute gas with a 97.4 MPH fastball, which he combines with a plus slider and changeup. His control took a step forward this year too with a career best 5.7% BB%. 2022 Projection: 4/3.67/1.18/72/6 in 65 IP

812) Griffin Canning LAA, RHP, 25.10 – Canning has put up excellent whiff rates in his career (30.3% in 2021), but it hasn’t ruled in big strikeout numbers yet (22.4% K%). A low back stress factor ended his season in 2021, and he reinjured it recently and was placed on the 60 day IL. 2022 Projection: 3/4.44/1.35/63 in 60 IP

813) Cole Wilcox TBR, RHP, 22.9 – Wilcox underwent Tommy John surgery in September and will likely miss all of 2022. He proved the improved control he showed in his shortened 2020 college season was for real as he put up a 52/5 K/BB in 44.1 IP at Single-A. He throws mid 90’s heat with a potentially plus slider and developing change. There is bullpen risk and now injury risk, but the upside is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/3.95/1.28/158 in 150 IP

814) Jackson Rutledge WAS, RHP, 23.0 – Rutledge is 6’8”, 245 pounds with a short arm action that he uses to fire an upper 90’s fastball and plus slider. He also throws an average curve and change. 2021 was a disaster year for him as he battled a shoulder injury and put up a pitching line of 7.68/1.65/41/20 in 36.1 IP split across 3 levels (Rk, A, A+). He’s struggling in the AFL too with a 6.98 ERA and 17/10 K/BB in 19.1 IP. He has big stuff, but this season highlighted his reliever risk. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 6/4.08/1.32/122 in 115 IP

815) Luis Medina NYY, RHP, 22.11 – Medina has huge stuff that can reach triple digits with a potentially plus curve and developing changeup, but he has major control issues (5.1 BB/9) that makes his most likely home in the back of the bullpen. If something does eventually click, the upside is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 5/3.72/1.29/95 in 81 IP

816) Andry Lara WAS, RHP, 19.3 – Lara checks a lot of boxes for a teenage pitching prospect. He’s a big guy at 6’4”, 180 pounds (he’s probably heavier than that now) with a fastball that reaches the mid 90’s, a potentially plus breaking ball and a developing changeup. He was solid in his pro debut with a 4.54 ERA and 47/13 K/BB in 30.2 IP at rookie ball, before earning a promotion to full season ball and understandably struggling. I would put mid rotation upside on him at this point. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/4.15/1.29/164 in 168 IP

817) Michael Burrows PIT, RHP, 22.5 – Burrows was limited to 49 IP because of an oblique injury, and he also pitched relatively short outings all year. He throws mid 90’s heat with a plus curveball that led to a 2.20 ERA and a 34.2% K% at High-A. He needs to improve his control and his changeup, and also prove he can go deep in games if he wants to stick as a starter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/3.95/1.32/152 in 140 IP

818) Jonathan Bowlan KCR, RHP, 25.4 – Bowlan was in the midst of breaking out before undergoing Tommy John surgery in April. He had a 1.59 ERA with a 25/3 K/BB in 17 IP at Double-A. He had great K/BB numbers in his pro debut in 2019 as well with a 150/23 K/BB in 146 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He has plus control of a mid 90’s fastball to go along with 3 quality secondaries in his curve, slider, and change. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.25/1.23/168 in 165 IP

819) Bryce Bonnin CIN, RHP, 23.6 – Bonnin throws gas with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and a plus slider that led to 2.87 ERA with a 71/17 K/BB in 47 IP at mostly Single-A. He doesn’t have much experience as a starter going deep into games, and the reliever risk is very high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 6/3.73/1.28/101 in 85 IP

820) Ricky Vanasco TEX, RHP, 23.6 – Vanasco underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2020 and missed all of 2021. When healthy, his fastball sits in the mid 90’s with a potentially plus curve and developing change, but he needs to improve his control and his career high IP is 49.2, so he has a lot to prove. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.07/1.34/165 in 150 IP

821) Freddy Tarnok ATL, RHP, 23.4 – Tarnok is 6’3”, 185 pounds with a big mid 90’s fastball, plus curve, and developing change. He performed the best he ever has in 2021, even going back to college, with a pitching line of 3.44/1.15/109/28 in 73.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.02/1.31/158 in 160 IP

822) Seth Johnson TB, RHP, 23.6 – Johnson’s first season in full ball was a success with a pitching line of 2.88/1.27/115/33 in 93.2 IP at Single-A. He was old for the level, but considering his relative lack of experience as a pitcher (he was a converted infielder), it is definitely a step in the right direction. He has a plus fastball/slider combo and also mixes in a curve and change. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 8/3.98/1.32/147 in 145 IP

823) Ethan Hankins CLE, RHP, 22.10 – Hankins underwent Tommy John surgery in May and will return in the 2nd half of 2022 at best. He’s a good athlete at 6’6”, 200 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball, and he reportedly refined his secondaries in 2020 at alt camp. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.13/1.32/165 in 158 IP

824) Jared Jones PIT, RHP, 20.8 – Jones lived up to his scouting report to a T in his pro debut with great stuff, but lots of refinement needed. He throws mid 90’s heat with two breaking balls that flash plus and a developing changeup, but his poor control (4.6 BB/9) led to a 4.64 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP in 66 IP at Single-A. The stuff racked up K’s with a 34.1% K%, so the upside is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.27/1.34/165 in 150 IP

825) Estevan Florial NYY, OF, 24.4 – Florial’s been a tooled up but flawed prospect for basically his entire pro career, and that remains true to this day. He has plus raw power and plus speed, but he can’t take advantage of it with a 30.9% K% in 78 games at Triple-A. He also continues to be a poor base stealer going 13 for 21. He was able to improve his GB%, bringing it all the way down to 39.7% which led to 13 homers (also hit 4 homers in 9 games at Double-A). Overall it led to a below average 93 wRC+. 2022 Projection: 17/4/13/.220/.292/.392/4 Prime Projection: 48/13/41/.238/.309/.413/8

826) Jordan Nwogu CHC, OF, 23.1 – Nwogu had a rough start to his pro debut with a .513 OPS in his first 33 games, but he turned it on after that and put up a .841 OPS in his final 61 games at Single-A. It’s still a mediocre debut overall with a 28.2% K% and 45.5% GB%, but he has a fantasy friendly power/speed comb that is worth gambling on. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 61/18/66/.248/.323/.436/7

827) Erick Pena KC, OF, 19.1 – Pena was terrible in his pro debut with a 52 wRC+ and 36.5% K% in 18 games in rookie ball. There is obviously a long way to go before you can call him a bust, and he is still a good bet to develop plus power, but this is the risk you take when you draft super young international prospects. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 48/16/56/.235/.317/.436/2

828) Jeff Criswell OAK, RHP, 23.1 – Criswell throws mid 90’s heat with a potentially plus breaking ball and average changeup. An arm injury limited Criswell to just 15.2 IP (including the AFL). He needs to improve his control and there is injury risk, so there is a chance he ends up in the pen. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.08/1.32/173 in 160 IP

829) Chayce McDermott HOU, RHP, 23.7 – Selected 132nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, McDermott comes from an athletic family as his brother, Sean McDermott, is in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies. Chayce is 6’3”, 197 pounds with a fastball that can consistently hit the mid 90’s and a potentially plus breaking ball. He also throws an average curve and a developing changeup. He put up a 44.6% K% in his pro debut at Single-A in 18.1 IP, but he needs to work on his control (13.5% BB%). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.15/1.33/158 in 155 IP

830) Eric Haase DET, C/OF, 29.3 – With Tucker Barnhart’s trade to Detroit, Haase looks to be in a short side of a platoon role at best. He should also get run as a back up outfielder, so he still might accrue enough at bats to be useful in fantasy. He has shown big power his entire career and he drilled 22 homers when he finally got an extended shot in the majors this year. His plate approach is poor (31.2%/6.8% K%/BB%), he didn’t hit righties well, he fell apart in the 2nd half, and he’s not great on defense, so there are a lot of issues here. 2022 Projection: 38/15/50/.227/.285/.432/1

831) Roismar Quintana WAS, OF, 19.2 – Quintana signed for 820K in 2019 and made his pro debut this year, slashing .308/.550/.692 with 2 doubles, 1 homer, and a 5/6 K/BB in 7 games. It’s obviously a very small sample because he missed a lot of time with a hamstring injury, but he showed a mature approach with plus raw power and average speed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/82/.263/.336/.455/7

832) Christian Franklin CHC, OF, 22.4 – Selected 123rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Franklin has some swing and miss issues with high strikeout rates throughout his college career, but he has a fantasy friendly profile with an exciting power/speed combo and a history of production in the SEC. He’s slashed .274/.420/.544 with 13 homers, 11 steals, and a 78/44 K/BB in 61 games at Arkansas. He hits the ball hard with excellent bat speed and high walk rates, but the risk is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 62/16/62/.243/.319/.422/8

833) Simon Juan NYM, OF, 16.9 – Juan is one of the youngest players in the international class and has some of the highest power/speed upside with a quick and powerful righty swing, but he has some hit tool risk. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/24/81/.248/.318/.450/16

834) Wilfred Veras CHW, 1B/3B, 19.5 – Veras has baseball bloodlines and is actually Fernando Tatis Jr’s cousin. He got a late start to pro ball because of Covid and has a bit old for the DSL, but the performed well with a 147 wRC+. He’s 6’2”, 180 pounds with a big righty swing that projects for above average power at least. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 62/18/71/.246/.316/.451/7

835) Yiddi Cappe MIA, SS, 19.6 – Cappe was a bit old for the DSL, but it was still a solid pro debut with a 16.2%/8.8% K%/BB%. He hit only 2 homers and was 9 for 17 on the bases in 55 games, so the homer/steal skills have to develop, and at 6’3”, 175 pounds, there is tons of potential. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 71/20/76/.267/.328/.442/9

836) Ambioris Tavarez ATL, SS, 18.4 – Tavarez has yet to play in pro ball, but he’s an exciting prospect who signed for $1.5 million in last year’s international class. He is 6’2”, 175 pounds with a quick and powerful swing that foreshadows at least plus power potential. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/24/81/.246/.325/.457/8

837) Samuel Munoz LAD, 3B, 17.6 – Munoz is a 6’3”, 190 lefty who with an advanced plate approach, plus power projection, and is a good athlete. With little information on many of these international prospects, taking shots on guys in good developmental organizations isn’t a bad idea. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/25/84/.264/.338/.474/5

838) Ryan Reckley SFG, SS, 17.7 – Signed for $2.2 million, Reckley is an advanced hitter with developing power and plus speed. How much power he can get too at 5’10”, 160 pounds will dictate his upside. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/18/71/.273/.342/.437/21

839) Yendry Rojas SDP, SS, 17.2 – Rojas is already pretty built up relative to other 17 year olds at 6’0”, 185 pounds and he’s shown a good feel to hit with projectable power and speed. He has a powerful and quick lefty swing that is made to do damage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/22/81/.267/.325/.448/10

840) Michael Massey KCR, 2B, 24.0 – Massey’s power exploded with 21 homers in 99 games at High-A, and he didn’t lose any of plus contact ability with a 15.5%/7.5% K%/BB%. He was old for level and he struggled a bit vs. lefties, but his stock will skyrocket if he can keep this up in the upper levels of the minors. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 67/20/75/.263/.318/.434/6

841) Estiven Machado TOR, 2B, 19.6 – Machado cracked my 2021 Top 1,000 Dynasty Rankings at #971, and while he got only 1 PA in 2021 due to a hamstring injury, he has the same exciting profile. He’s an excellent athlete with plus bat speed, a good feel to hit and plus speed. He’s not expected to be a big power hitter, but there should only be more coming down the line. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/15/72/.276/.342/.415/22

842) Ji-Hwan Bae PIT, 2B, 22.8 – After hitting 0 homers in his first two years of pro ball, Bae’s power ticked up and he cracked 8 homers in 85 games at mostly Double-A (2 homers in 23 AFL games). He combines that with plus speed and a plus hit tool, stealing 20 bags with a 22.7%/10.4% K%/BB%. Not bad for a 21/22 year old in the upper levels of the minors. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/15/61/.273/.336/.417/17

843) Yandy Diaz TB, 1B/3B, 29.8 – Yandy still hasn’t been able to raise his launch angle enough (6.6 degree launch angle) to take advantage of his plus raw power. There is also plenty of competition for at bats in Tampa. The plate approach is excellent (15.7%/12.8% K%/BB%), so he’s a better play in OBP leagues. 2022 Projection: 56/12/55/.267/.362/.410/1

844) Ji-Man Choi TB, 1B, 30.11 – Choi is your classic 3 true outcome slugger platoon bat. He has a career .346 OBP, so add a star in OBP leagues. 2022 Projection: 48/15/56/.236/.341/.430/0

845) Miguel Cabrera DET, 1B, 38.11 – Cabrera will probably be 80 years old and still putting up impressive exit velocities. He had a 91.4/95.9 MPH AVG/FB EV in 2021, although it didn’t prevent him from putting up a career worst .701 OPS. His 22.4% K% and 7.6% BB% were both the worst he’s done since his rookie season. He may have hit another level of his decline. 2022 Projection: 45/15/62/.253/.321/.412/0

846) Brad Miller TEX, 2B/OF/1B, 32.5 – Miller is likely in a strong side of a platoon role. He hits the ball very hard with a 92.4 MPH EV and he gets on base with a 11.9% BB%, but he’s had strikeout issues throughout his career with low batting averages. 2022 Projection: 56/18/54/.233/.325/.446/2

847) Michael Wacha BOS, RHP, 30.9 – Boston’s rotation is getting pretty crowded and assuming no injuries there will be competition for the final 3 rotation spots. Wacha put up a 5.05 ERA with a 5.51 xERA in 124.2 IP and his underlying stats have been pretty bad for 4 years now. His changeup is his only good pitch with a .280 xwOBA and 34.2% whiff%. 2022 Projection: 6/4.58/1.34/113 in 120 IP

848) Jose Quintana PIT, LHP, 32.6 – Quintana’s strikeouts spiked with a career best 29.1% whiff% (28.6% K%), but so did his walks (11.8% BB%) and it led to a terrible season with a 6.43 ERA in 63 IP. He got demoted to the bullpen mid-season, but Pittsburgh’s rotation is so barren he will have a firm grasp on a rotation spot in 2022. 2022 Projection: 7/4.58/1.35/145 in 150 IP

849) Bryan Lavastida CLE, C, 23.4 – Lavastida has made excellent contact his entire career, but his strikeout numbers rose as he climbed the minor league ladder this year. He put up a 15.2% K% in 48 games at High-A, a 23.5% K% in 29 games at Double-A, and a 47.6% K% in 7 games at Triple-A. He hits the ball hard and his power leveled up this year with 9 homers in 84 games, but he’ll have to start lifting the ball more to unlock more. He’s a good athlete and he stole 16 bags, but 14 of them came at High-A with the different rules, so that is a bit of a mirage. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 42/11/47/.257/.332/.416/5

850) Patrick Bailey SFG, C, 22.10 – Bailey is a switch hitting catcher with a potentially plus glove who is a legitimate threat to Bart for San Francisco’s ultimate catcher of the future. He ripped up Single-A with a .947 OPS, but he struggled at the more age appropriate High-A with a .587 OPS. He was solid, but unspectacular in the AFL with 1 homer and a .792 OPS in 17 games. He has some swing and miss to his game with above average raw power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 54/17/63/.247/.316/.426/1

851) Yadier Molina STL, C, 39.8 – Molina’s K% jumped 3.2 percentage points to a career worst 16.7%, which now puts a bit of a damper on the one thing you counted on him for, batting average. That K% is still very good though, and he brought his exit velocity back up to 88 MPH after it plummeted to 84.7 MPH in 2020. He remains a solid batting average play for win now teams. 2022 Projection: 42/11/54/.258/.301/.380/3

852) Harold Ramirez CHC, OF, 27.7 – Ramirez will compete for at-bats in Chicago’s outfield. He hits the ball hard (91.3 MPH) with plus contact rates (15.5% K%), but he needs to lift the ball more (6.2 degree launch angle) and he doesn’t walk much (3.9% BB%). 2022 Projection: 38/9/44/.274/.317/.428/4

853) Tyler Wade LAA, SS/3B/SS/OF, 27.3 – Wade is a super utility player who seems to have a shot to grab a share of LA’s starting SS job. He has little to no power with a 82.2 MPH EV, but he has a solid plate approach (25.5%/11% K%/BB%) and plus speed (17 steals and a 29.1 ft/sec sprint speed in 145 PA). 2022 Projection: 43/6/28/.246/.321/.358/14

854) Michael Chavis PIT, 1B/2B, 26.8 – Chavis has had a horrible plate approach in the majors over the last 3 seasons, and it culminated in 2021 with a 33.9%/0.8% K%/BB% in 124 PA. It doesn’t matter how hard you hit the ball with those kind of numbers, but Pitt has enough uncertainty in their infield that he could carve out some kind of role, especially with the NL DH. 2022 Projection: 31/9/35/.246/.297/.428/1

855) Joey Wendle MIA, 3B/SS, 31.11 – Wendle will fill a super utility role with Miami. He has a good feel to hit with above average speed, but his walk rates and power are below average. 2022 Projection: 64/9/49/.260/.316/.413/9

856) Starlin Aguilar SEA, 3B, 18.2 – Aguilar was a high priced international signing last year and earned the nickname “Baby Devers” for his quick lefty swing that projects to produce both average and power. He had a solid pro debut with an 18.6%/13.2% K%/BB% and a 41.7% GB%. It only resulted in 2 homers and a 109 wRC+ in 53 games, but he’s set up well for when his power naturally increases. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/22/79/.268/.336/.444/4

857) Milkar Perez SEA, 3B, 20.6 – Perez has an advanced plate approach, putting up a 20.2%/20.7% K%/BB% in 45 games in rookie ball and a 12.5%/12.5% K%/BB% in 6 games at Single-A. He didn’t hit a single homer and doesn’t project for big power, but he’s a relatively safe bat who knows how to hit. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/14/62/.263/.331/.425/2

858) Felix Valerio MIL, 2B, 21.3 – Valerio is a small guy at 5’7”, 165 pounds with a plus hit tool as his best skill. He slashed .290/.401/.468 with 11 homers, 31 steals. 71/69 K/BB in 114 games split between Single-A (.899 OPS) and High-A (.787 OPS). He has only average speed, so I wouldn’t trust those stolen base totals, and he doesn’t project for very much power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 76/14/62/.276/.338/.414/8

859) Michael Lorenzen LAA, RHP, 30.3 – The Angels signed Lorenzen to be a starter. He was used out of the bullpen in 2021 and results were not good with a 5.59 ERA and 21/14 K/BB in 29 IP. He throws a5 pitch mix highlighted by a 96.7 MPH fastball and a slider put up a 40.7% whiff%, so there is some upside here. 2022 Projection: 8/4.38/1.36/127 in 135 IP

860) Danny Duffy LAD, LHP, 33.3 – Underwent surgery to repair his flexor tendon in October and should return at some point in 2022. He was in the midst of bouncing back before going down with the injury with a career best 25.8% K% and 2.51 ERA in 61 IP. His fastball rose 1.5 MPH to 93.7 MPH and his slider and change racked up whiffs with a 39.3% and 37.3%, respectively. 2022 Projection: 5/4.28/1.29/87 in 90 IP

861) Jake Odorizzi HOU, RHP, 32.0 – Looks like he is the odd man out of the Astros rotation at the moment. Odorizzi has a good fastball that he threw 55.2% of the time and put up a .315 xwOBA with a 23.2% K%, but he doesn’t have true put away secondary pitch. He’s a back end starter. 2022 Projection: 5/4.38/1.30/91 in 100 IP

862) Tyler Gilbert ARI, LHP, 28.3 – The no hit wonder managed to follow up that historic game with 5 more decent starts before elbow inflammation ended his season. Statcast actually backs up his strong season (3.15 ERA/1.03 WHIP in 40 IP) with a 3.78 xERA and .298 xwOBA, but I’m still struggling to buy in. His fastball sits 89.7 MPH and it’s not like he keeps the ball ground (17.4 degree launch angle). His 15.9%/8.3% K%/BB% leaves very little room for upside. Gilbert is merely a late round option in deeper leagues. 2022 Projection: 6/4.39/1.37/80 in 120 IP

863) Taylor Hearn TEX, LHP, 27.7 – Hearn transitioned into the rotation in August and should have a rotation spot heading into 2022. He fires a 95.1 MPH 4-seamer and 93.8 MPH sinker which he combines with a plus slider and below average change. He has some control issues with a 9.5% BB% and his strikeout rate is about average. It’s easy to see the upside in a 6’6” lefty who throws in the mid 90’s, but the results have been mediocre. 2022 Projection: 6/4.51/1.35/122 in 130 IP

864) Danny Jansen TOR, C, 27.0 – Jansen is in a scrum for playing time in Toronto, but he could eventually get traded to a better situation. He put up a career best 90 MPH exit velocity and jacked 11 homers in 205 PA. He’s always had a good plate approach with a 21.5%/8.3% K%/BB% and high launch angle (20.5 degrees), so all he needs is a chance. 2022 Projection: 38/13/41/.238/.319/.430/0

865) Miguel Bleis BOS, OF, 18.1 – Bleis signed with the Sox for $1.5 million in last years international class. He is a projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with plus power potential, and he performed well in his pro debut, slashing .252/.331/.420 with 4 homers, 7 steals, and a 18.4%/8.8% K%/BB% in 36 games in the DSL. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 66/23/75/.252/.320/.442/6

866) Jhonny Piron TBR, OF, 18.2 – Piron’s stats didn’t jump out in his pro debut with a .735 OPS, but he showed a solid plate approach (21.5%/14.1% K%/BB%) with speed (17 steals) and the ability to lift the ball (3 homers with a 50% FB%). When his power ticks up, he will be in a great position for a breakout. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/22/78/.252/.325/.447/14

867) Brent Rooker MIN, OF, 27.5 – Rooker has big time power with a 91 MPH EV and 13.1 degree launch angle, but he’s a poor defensive player and he has major strikeout issues (32.9% K% in the majors and 30% in Triple-A). He could end up a short side of a platoon DH bat. 2022 Projection: 38/14/41/.225/.312/.434/0

868) Ryan Weathers SDP, LHP, 22.4 – Weathers had a rough MLB debut with a 5.32 ERA and 18%/7.5% K%/BB% in 94.2 IP, but the stuff looked solid with a 4 pitch mix highlighted by a 94 MPH fastball and an above average slider that put up a .274 xwOBA. There is a lot of competition for San Diego’s 5th starter job, so he’ll have to earn his shot in the rotation. 2022 Projection: 6/4.41/1.35/88 in 100 IP

869) Tink Hence STL, RHP, 19.8 – Hence was the 63rd overall pick in the 2020 Draft. He shows good control of a fastball that can reach 96 MPH, to go along with a plus slider and developing changeup. He has an easy delivery with lightening quick arm speed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.12/1.28/167 in 160 IP

870) Ryan Jeffers MIN, C, 24.10 – Jeffers showed plus power in the majors this year with 14 homers and a 94.2 MPH FB/LD EV in 85 games, but he struggled to make contact with a 36.9% K% and .199 BA. I don’t think he is much of a threat to Garver’s status as the starting catcher, but he could slide into the starting job when Garver’s contract runs out after 2023. 2022 Projection: 24/8/30/.225/.298/.418/0

871) Francisco Mejia TBR, C, 26.5 – Tampa committed to Mejia at catcher and gave him 64 starts behind the dish. He rewarded them with a 108 wRC+ and a .260 BA. He doesn’t have enough pop to get too excited with a 85.7 MPH exit velocity, and Mike Zunino is currently locked into the starting role. 2022 Projection: 26/5/29/.255/.309/.407/0

872) Endy Rodriguez PIT, C, 21.10 – Rodriguez is a switch hitter with a mature plate approach and the potential for above average power. He put up a 140 wRC+ with 15 homers, a 37.3% GB%, and a 17.7%/11.5% K%/BB% in 98 games at Single-A. He’s a bit old for the level, he has to continue to improve his defense, and Henry Davis is a major block to his future playing time in Pitt. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 59/15/56/.260/.328/.426/2

873) Jose Butto NYM, RHP, 24.0 – Butto is the type of pitcher to work fast and throw the ball over the plate. A nasty changeup is his money maker and he combines that with an average slider and a low 90’s fastball that seems pretty hittable. He put together a strong year split between High-A and Double-A with a pitching line of 3.83/1.10/110/24 in 98.2 IP. He has a 4/5 starter profile with mid rotation upside if the fastball or breaking ball tick up. 2022 Projection: 1/4.52/1.35/27 in 30 IP Prime Projection: 8/4.24/1.31/153 in 160 IP

874) Ed Howard CHC, SS, 20.8 – Howard’s pro debut was a disaster with a 30.1%/5.5% K%/BB% and a 64 wRC+ in 80 games at Single-A. Defense was always his best skill, so that should give his bat a long leash, but he obviously has a long way to go to even be passable. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 66/14/62/.246/.303/.403/7

875) Nick Ahmed ARI, SS, 32.0 – Ahmed bottomed out in 2021 with a .619 OPS, but none of his underlying numbers are setting off alarm bells. Considering his age, I can’t imagine he’s going to be a starter for much longer with Perdomo breathing down his neck, but he can still be a mediocre all category contributor while he has the job. 2022 Projection: 55/13/51/.243/.309/.398/4

876) Kyle Farmer CIN, SS, 31.8 – Farmer is currently Cincinnati’s starter at SS, but I think it won’t be long before he is back in a utility role. He had the best year of his career in 2021, but it still was pretty mediocre with 16 homers and a .732 OPS. He’s a desperation option. 2022 Projection: 43/12/44/.260/.315/.410/3

877) Oscar Gonzalez CLE, OF, 24.3 – Gonzalez is a big boy at 6’4”, 240 pounds and just jacked out 31 homers in 121 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He doesn’t have much of a plate approach with a 22.2%/4.4% K%/BB%, and he stole only 1 bag, so it is all about that huge power. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 41/16/51/.247/.308/.445/1

878) Korry Howell MIL, OF, 23.7 – Howell’s best asset is his double plus speed and it led to 24 steals in 97 games split between High-A and Double-A, although his numbers dropped off when he got to Double-A, going 4 for 7 in 28 games. His power ticked up this year by drastically lowering his GB%, cranking 16 homers, but the exciting power/speed combo is at the mercy of his poor hit tool. He hit .248 with a 28.9% K% at High-A and .235 with a 39.6% K% at Double-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 43/12/36/.232/.307/.412/10

879) Denzer Guzman LAA, SS, 18.2 – Guzman didn’t particularly standout in his pro debut in the DSL with a 92 wRC+, but there were still some positive takeaways. He showed an advanced plate approach with an excellent 14.6%/12.2% K%/BB% and he put the ball in the air with a 49.1% FB%, so when he grows into his 6’2”, 165 pound frame, the power will come. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 74/21/78/.266/.337/.442/6

880) Jordyn Adams LAA, OF, 22.5 – Adams is an elite athlete at 6’2”, 180 pounds, but the production just isn’t coming. He put up a 66 wRC+ with 5 homers, 18 steals, and a 37.8%/9.1% K%/BB% in 71 games at High-A. I own him in an 18 teamer where I’m going to have a prospect crunch going into the off-season prospect draft, and I’m struggling as to whether I should cut him, or keep him and try to trade some picks this year for picks next year. The upside is high, but the risk is starting to win out. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 47/12/40/.234/.298/.403/12

881) Joey Estes OAK, RHP, 20.4 – Estes dominated Single-A in his first taste of full season ball with a pitching line of 2.91/0.96/127/29 in 99 IP. He throws a low 90’s fastball that he can get up into the mid 90’s with a potentially plus slider and a developing curve and change. His delivery looks a bit reliever-ish to me. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 8/4.22/1.33/152 in 150 IP

882) Chas McCormick HOU, OF, 26.11 – McCormick will likely fill a 4th outfielder role, but it’s not out of the question for him to win the CF if Houston doesn’t sign anyone. He put up impressive power hitting numbers with 14 homers, a 90.3 MPH EV, and 18.6 degree launch angle in 320 PA, but it comes with a 32.7%/7.8% K%/BB%. 2022 Projection: 41/13/47/.242/.311/.432/4

883) Connor Scott MIA, OF, 22.6 – Scott had his best year in pro ball with a 112 wRC+ in 96 games at High-A. The former 13th overall pick in 2018 is a great athlete at 6’3”, 187 pounds with plus speed and developing power. His development has been a slow burn, so he may end up a late bloomer type, but he took a step forward this year. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/16/66/.257/.320/.419/13

884) Kala’i Rosario MIN, OF, 19.9 – Rosario has big time raw power, and while he hit only 5 homers in 51 games in rookie ball, more homers are definitely coming in the future. The problem is that he struck out 31.7% of the time, so the risk is high. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 52/18/57/.237/.316/.442/3

885) Maddux Bruns LAD, LHP, 19.10 – Selected 29th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Bruns is a high risk/high reward pitcher with with a mid 90’s fastball and potentially plus slider, but he’s had control problems and consistently issues. He gave up 9 earned with a 5/7 K/BB in 5 IP in his pro debut. The Dodgers are one of the best development organizations in baseball, so I’m more willing to take a shot on him than if he was drafted by a lesser org. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 7/3.82/1.31/129 in 120 IP

886) Calvin Ziegler NYM, RHP, 19.6 – Selected 46th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Ziegler is a pretty built up 6’0”, 205 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball, a potentially plus curve and developing change. His fastball control is solid, he just needs to continue to refine his secondaries and overall command. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.16/1.28/155 in 155 IP

887) Jesse Franklin ATL, OF, 23.4 – Franklin showed explosive power in his pro debut with 24 homers in 101 games at High-A, but he needs to improve his plate approach with a 28.3%/8.4% K%/BB%. He stole 19 bags, but he wasn’t a big base stealer in college and he only has average speed. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 52/18/65/.238/.316/.452/5

888) Jose Tena CLE, SS, 21.0 – Tena had a strong season at High-A with a 115 wRC+, 16 homers, and 10 steals in 107 games, but his 26.2%/6.0% K%/BB% leaves something to be desired. The plate approach looked much better in the AFL with a 10/10 K/BB in 17 games, but he hit 0 homers. He doesn’t have big raw power and he hasn’t been a great base stealer in his career, so while he can be a strong overall player, I would like to see improvement in his plate approach before buying in more. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/17/65/.267/.323/.427/8

889) Jordan Diaz OAK, 3B, 21.8 – Diaz showed great bat to ball skills in his first year of full season ball at High-A with a 15.9% K%, but his walk rate isn’t great (6.8% BB%), his GB% is high (52.7%), and his defense needs improvement. His power ticked up this year with 13 homers in 90 games, but it will have to reach another level to win playing time and make a fantasy impact. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 56/14/63/.273/.328/.431/3

890) Vladimir Gutierrez CIN, RHP, 26.6 – Gutierrez had a rough 88/46 K/BB in his 114 IP MLB debut, leading to a 4.74 ERA. He throws a 93.2 MPH fastball with an above average slider that put up a 37.2% whiff%. His curve and changeup were about average too, so he has the pitch mix to succeed if he can refine his command. 2022 Projection: 8/4.52/1.39/130 in 150 IP

891) Alexander Ramirez LAA, OF, 19.7 – The risk is high with Ramirez because of extreme strikeout issues, putting up a 32.5% K% at rookie ball and a 42% K% at Single-A, but the upside is high too with plus power and some speed. He had a 136 wRC+ in 35 games at the age appropriate rookie ball and then cratered in full season ball with a negative 10 wRC+. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 62/18/67/.226/.305/.436/5

892) Jackie Bradley Jr. BOS, OF, 32.0 – Bradley bottomed out in 2021 with a 35 wRC+ and the underlying numbers to back up the terrible year (.257 xwOBA). He’s still a good defensive centerfielder, so his defense should give his bat a chance to bounceback, but he’s going to have to earn his playing time every step of the way. 2022 Projection: 49/11/38/.228/.312/.400/8

893) Ismael Mena CHC, OF, 19.4 – Mena had a rough pro debut in stateside rookie ball with a .581 OPS in 44 games, but a 25.3%/8.4% K%/BB% shows he wasn’t completely overmatched. He signed for $2.2 million in 2019, and at a lean 6’3”, 185 pounds, there is still an exciting power/speed combo in here. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 66/18/71/.247/.321/.422/11

894) Emilio Pagan SDP, Setup, 30.11 – Pagan had a rough last couple years (4.83 ERA in 2021), but the back of San Diego’s bullpen is wide open at the moment so he’s worth a late round flier if you are desperate for saves. He has an above average strikeout rate with a 26.2% K%, but he got hit very hard with a 13.8% Barrel% against. 2022 Projection: 4/3.92/1.19/72/7 in 65 IP

895) Robert Gasser SDP, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 71st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Gasser is a “crafty lefty” with a low 90’s fastball, potentially plus slider and average changeup. He had a 1.20 ERA with a 14/2 K/BB in 15 IP at mostly Single-A in his pro debut. He profiles as a back end starter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.28/1.28/150 in 160 IP

896) Doug Nikhazy CLE, LHP, 22.7 – Selected 58th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Nikhazy put up some eye popping numbers in the SEC with a pitching line of 2.45/1.01/142/31 in 92 IP. He throws two potentially plus breaking balls in his curve and slider, to go along with a low 90’s fastball and developing change. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/4.23/1.31/166 in 160 IP

897) Ricky Tiedemann TOR, LHP, 19.7 – Selected 91st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Tiedemann is 6’4”, 220 pounds with a fastball he can get up into the mid 90’s and two potentially quality secondaries in his changeup and slider. He’s still on the raw side, but a big lefty with 3 potentially good pitches is a great foundation. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.35/1.34/153 in 160 IP

898) Glenn Otto TEX, RHP, 26.1 – Otto made his MLB debut and got lit up with a 9.26 ERA in 23.1 IP, but his K/BB numbers looked better with a 25.2%/7.2% K%/BB%. His fastball sat 92.6 MPH and his slider was about average with a .308 xwOBA and 33% K%. He’s going to have to compete for a rotation spot and could easily end up in the bullpen. 2022 Projection: 4/4.16/1.32/85 in 85 IP

899) Cole Irvin OAK, LHP, 28.2 – Irvin is a plus control (5.5% BB%), low K (16.3% K%) pitcher who put up a 4.24 ERA in 178.1 IP, but his xERA was much higher at 4.99. He doesn’t keep the ball on the ground and he doesn’t induce weak contact. He’s a back end guy. 2022 Projection: 8/4.49/1.34/119 in 160 IP

900) Joe Ross WAS, RHP, 28.10 – Ross was shutdown in August with an injury to his UCL but he’s attempting to rehab it and be ready for 2022. He was in the midst of a bounceback/breakout season with a career high 23.7% K% on the back of his plus slider. 2022 Projection: 7/4.30/1.30/96 in 100 IP

901) Justin Dunn CIN, RHP, 26.6 – Dunn’s season ended in June with a shoulder injury and he is expected to be out for 2 months of 2022. His 3.75 ERA in 50.1 IP was good, but the underlying numbers were not as promising with a 5.02 xERA. His fastball reached a career high 93.7 MPH and his curve (.224 xwOBA) and slider (.293 xwOBA) were both solid. His control was terrible with a 13.3% BB%, and none of his pitches get big time whiffs. He still has mid rotation upside, but he’s likely a back end starter. 2022 Projection: 5/4.54/1.35/83 in 90 IP

902) Sammy Long SFG, LHP, 26.9 – Long is likely the 7th or 8th starter for San Francisco. He throws a 92.6 MPH fastball with two secondaries that put up above average numbers in his MLB debut in his curve (.255 xwOBA) and change (.286 xwOBA). He had a 5.53 ERA in 40.2 IP, but his xERA was much better at 4.24. 2022 Projection: 4/4.28/1.31/65 in 70 IP

903) Reiver Sanmartin CIN, LHP, 26.0 – Sanmartin is currently penciled in as the 5th starter, but with Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo knocking on the door, that might not last. Cincy might also trade the current vets in their rotation, so that would help the logjam. He’s your classic crafty lefty with plus control and the ability to keep the ball on the ground and induce weak contact. The fastball sat 89.5 MPH in his 11.2 IP MLB debut, so the margin for error is very small. 2022 Projection: 6/4.44/1.32/106in 120 IP

904) Tucker Davidson ATL, LHP, 25.0 – Davidson will compete for a rotation spot in Spring. A left forearm strain ended Davidson’s regular season in mid June before returning for the playoffs in October. He had a 3.60 ERA with a 18/8 K/BB in 20 IP on the back of a 93 MPH fastball and above slider which put up a 35.7% whiff%. 2022 Projection: 5/4.46/1.37/86 in 90 IP

905) Eli Morgan CLE, RHP, 25.10 – Morgan doesn’t have a rotation spot right now but he could be the next man up. He has a back end starter profile with plus control (5.8% BB%) of a 90.5 MPH fastball and two mediocre secondaries in his slider (.342 xwOBA) and changeup (.338 xwOBA). He put up a 5.34 ERA in his 89.1 IP MLB debut. 2022 Projection: 5/4.62/1.29/72 in 80 IP

906) Bryce Elder ATL, RHP, 22.10 – Elder might not have the biggest stuff with a low 90’s fastball, but he knows how to pitch, utilizing a 5 pitch mix. He put up a pitching line of 2.75/1.10/155/57 in 137.2 IP split across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). He has some control problems with a 13.6% BB% at Triple-A, and the fact he doesn’t have that big fastball puts him in the back end starter with mid rotation upside category. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.28/1.34/156 in 160 IP

907) Jared Shuster ATL, LHP, 23.8 – Shuster handled his business at High-A with a 3.70 ERA and 73/15 K/BB in 58.1 IP before getting shelled at Double-A with a 7.36 ERA in 14.2 IP. His devastating changeup is his best pitch and he goes to it often. He combines that with a fastball that can reach the mid 90’s and an average slider. He’ll need his breaking ball to tick up to reach his mid rotation upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.23/1.31/160 in 163 IP

908) Matthew Boyd FRA, LHP, 31.2 – Underwent surgery on his flexor tendon in September and is expected to return at some point in 2022. He was non tendered by the Tigers, and there is no guarantee he lands with a team that will have a rotation spot waiting for him when he returns. 2022 Projection: 4/4.32/1.32/58 in 60 IP

909) Adrian Del Castillo ARI, C, 22.6 – Selected 67th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Castillo has one of the most advanced bats in the class with a strong history of performance in the ACC from the second he stepped on campus, slashing .311/.410/.499 with 17 homers and a 60/70 K/BB in 131 NCAA games. Home run power hasn’t developed as hoped with only 3 homers in 54 games this season, so while he hits the ball hard, the fantasy upside seems lacking. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 67/14/62/.261/.327/.411/2

910) Bo Naylor CLE, C, 22.1 – Naylor was terrible in 87 games at Double-A with a 69 wRC+, .189 BA and 31.5%/10.4% K%/BB%, but he was young for the level and he deserves a mulligan, especially because of how much catchers need to focus on defense. He brought his GB% all the way down to 27%, so he should be able to get to all of his power at maturity, and he’s displayed a much better hit tool in the past, so I’m expecting him to bounce back next year. He was also a perfect 10 for 10 on the bases, which is always a nice bonus for a catcher. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 63/21/72/.247/.328/.435/7

911) Javier Osorio DET, SS, 17.0 – Osorio has a quick righty bat with a good feel to hit and plenty of power projection on his 6’0”, 165 pound frame. He has speed too, and while he doesn’t look quite as physically impressive as some of the others in his class, he can be formidable all category contributor. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/20/76/.272/.339/.452/9

912) Johan Barrios MIL, SS, 17.3 – Barrios is 6’3”, 180 pounds with a good feel to hit and the potential for a plus power/speed combo. The upside is high, and there is barely any hype even relative to other international guys. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/22/78/.258/.326/.448/12

913) Dyan Jorge COL, SS, 18.4, 6’2”, 170 – Projected for the 4th highest signed bonus in his class, Jorge is razor thin with plus speed and top notch athleticism. He is still raw, so the risk is high, but the upside is high too if it all comes together. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/15/69/.252/.321/.413/18

914) Niko Kavadas BOS, 1B, 23.7 – Selected 316th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Kavadas has some of the best pure power in the draft, crushing 22 homers in 47 games in the ACC. He fell to the 11th round because of signing bonus demands and the fact he was a 4 year college player, but none of that changes the very real juice in his lefty bat at 6’1”, 235 pounds. He has strikeout issues and no defensive value, so like many of these 1B prospects, his bat needs to hit close to his ceiling. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 42/17/49/.237/.323/.458/0

915) Jared Kelley CHW, RHP, 20.5 – Kelley suffered a forearm injury in May which kept him out for about 6 weeks, and then a shoulder impingement ended his season in August. He showed absolutely zero control over his stuff when he was on the mound with a 19.6% BB%, which led to a 7.61 ERA over 23.2 IP at mostly Single-A. While it was a disaster year, his stuff is worth staying patient for another year, showing a mid 90’s fastball and the potential for two effective secondaries in his changeup and slider. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 8/4.19/1.34/151 in 150 IP

916) Johnny Cueto FRA, RHP, 36.1 – Cueto missed almost all of September with a right elbow strain. His glory days are long over with an xERA over 4.83 the last 3 seasons. He can probably get by on guile alone, but he’s not going to be an impact fantasy starter. 2022 Projection: 7/4.40/1.36/110 in 130 IP

917) Dallas Keuchel CHW, LHP, 34.3 – Keuchel was simply terrible last year with a 5.28 ERA (6.20 xERA) and a 95/59 K/BB in 162 IP. He still kept the ball on the ground with a 5 degree launch angle, but his strikeout numbers have always been low, making him a flier only for fantasy. 2022 Projection: 8/4.60/1.38/115 in 160 IP

918) David Price LAD, LHP, 36.7 – Price was used in a hybrid role in 2021, but the short outings didn’t help much with his results with a 4.03 ERA and 17.8%/8% K%/BB% in 73.2 IP. His role is undetermined for 2022, but it seems likely he ends up back in that same hybrid role. 2022 Projection: 5/4.12/1.31/98 in 100 IP

919) Tyler Beede SFG, RHP, 28.9 – Beede is likely the 6th or 7th starter in San Francisco. He returned from Tommy John surgery in May and showed his stuff is back with a 95.9 MPH fastball. His control was utterly atrocious though with a 18.4% BB% at Triple-A and it led to a 6.66 ERA in 48.2 IP. If he can shake the rust off, the stuff is there to succeed in one of the best pitching environments in baseball, but the risk is quite high. 2022 Projection: 4/4.69/1.40/76 in 80 IP

920) Josh Harrison CHW, 3B/2B/OF, 34.8 – Harrison has an elite contact rate (13.4% K%) with a moderate power/speed combo at best. 2022 Projection: 63/9/61/.271/.320/.400/9

921) Matthew Boyd SFG, LHP, 31.2 – Signed with the Giants for one year and is expected to be back by June recovering from surgery on his flexor tendon. He was in the process of bouncing back from a terrible 2020 with a 3.89 ERA in 78.2 IP, but his 19.9% K% leaves something to be desired. He’s a back end arm. 2022 Projection: 3/4.49/1.31/46 in 50 IP

922) Clarke Schmidt NYY, RHP, 26.1 – Schmidt missed about the first 4 months of the season with an elbow strain which limited him to 44.1 IP. He was successful when he returned with a 2.10 ERA and 32/8 K/BB in 25.2 IP at Triple-A. He throws a 5 pitch mix led by 93 MPH heat and a potentially plus curve. He’ll need injuries to hit to get his shot in the rotation. 2022 Projection: 4/4.41/1.33/71 in 75 IP

923) Evan White SEA, 1B, 26.1 – White went from bad to worse, putting up a .599 OPS in 2020 and then a .439 OPS in 2021. He made much better contact this year, but his exit velocity and walk rate tanked in return. He’s a flier in deep leagues at best. 2022 Projection: 16/4/18/.210/.275/.371/1

924) Bryce Ball CHC, 1B, 23.9 – Ball’s game power dropped off in 2021 with only 13 homers and a 47% GB% in 107 games at High-A. The raw power is definitely still in there, and he walked a ton with an 18.2% BB%. He strikes out too much (27.6% K%) and he was old for the level, so overall it was a step back. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 33/11/35/.229/.321/.441/0

925) Hudson Head PIT, OF, 21.0 – Head’s full season debut at Single-A was a mixed bag, showing solid power (15 homers in 101 games) and patience (15.7% BB%), but he barely ran at all (3 for 4 on the bases) and struck out 31.6% of the time. He’s a tooled up player, but the high K rate is a bit concerning. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/19/71/.247/.318/.435/8

926) Austin Nola SD, C, 32.3 – Nola traded power for contact in 2021, putting up a career best 9.8% K% backed up by a 12.2% whiff%, but he hit only 1 homer with a 0.6% Barrel% in 194 PA. He’s currently penciled in as San Diego’s starting catcher, but I think Campusano takes that role from him sooner rather than later. 2022 Projection: 42/10/47/.270/.340/.419/0

927) Jay Groome BOS, LHP, 23.7 – The elite fastball/curve combo from his pre draft days is gone, but he still has a solid 4 pitch mix with a low 90’s fastball and 3 effective secondaries in his curve, slider, and change. It led to a 4.81 ERA with a 134/36 K/BB in 97.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.25/1.35/150 in 150 IP

928) Luis Frias ARI, RHP, 23.10 –Frias has big stuff with a mid 90’s fastball that can regularly hit the upper 90’s,a plus curveball, and a developing change. He racks up strikeouts with 126 K’s in 111.1 IP. He ran into some trouble in the upper levels of the minors with a 5.26 ERA at Double-A and 5.82 ERA at Triple-A, and he needs to improve his control, so the reliever risk is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 7/4.23/1.32/128 in 120 IP

929) Jhoan Duran MIN, RHP, 24.3 – An elbow strain ended Duran’s season after just 16 IP. When healthy, he throws a fastball that can reach triple digits with a plus low 90’s sinker/splitter hybrid. Bullpen risk is high ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 9/4.18/1.34/156 in 152 IP

930) Louie Varland MIN, RHP, 24.4 – Varland destroyed the lower levels of the minors with a pitching line of 2.10/1.09/142/30 in 103 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He’s old for the levels, but the stuff is good with a fastball that can hit the mid 90’s, a plus slider, and average curve. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.31/1.33/151 in 155 IP

931) Colin Moran CIN, 1B, 29.6 – Moran is a strong side of a platoon bat. He’s an above average hitter in a hitter’s park. 2022 Projection: 42/12/47/.255/.329/.425/0

932) Brad Keller KCR, RHP, 26.8 – A right shoulder injury ended Keller’s season in late August. He was always a low upside pitcher but things hit bottom in 2021 with a 5.39 ERA. Tack on the injury, and he is a very deep league option only. 2022 Projection: 6/4.51/1.37/105 in 120 IP

933) Yohendrick Pinango CHC, OF, 19.11 – Pinango is in the mold of an Adam Frazier/Luis Arraez/David Fletcher with elite contact skills (11.4% K% in 24 games at High-A), but a 55.3% GB% heavily limits his power. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 78/12/59/.278/.345/.402/9

934) Jaden Hill COL, RHP, 22.3 – Hill isn’t necessarily the 11th best prospect in the system, but I thought he is worth mentioning because he would be ranked higher if he didn’t get selected by Colorado 44th overall. He tore his UCL in his 7th start of the season and will likely be out for most of 2022. He has nasty stuff when healthy with a mid 90’s fastball and a slider and changeup that have flashed plus, but he struggled to put it together xin his first full year as a starter with a pitching line of 6.67/1.38/25/12 in 29.1 IP. Despite the obvious talent, there was already performance risk, and now you can tack on injury risk and Coors risk. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 8/4.36/1.34/152 in 150 IP

935) Braden Shewmake ATL, SS, 24.4 – Shewmake struggled at Double-A with a .672 OPS in 83 games, but his plus defense at SS will give his bat every chance to catch up. He’s 6’4”, 190 pounds, so his power should tick up over time, and he had a 21.8% K%, so he can get the bat on the ball. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 68/17/68/.257/.316/.410/6

936) Kyle Bradish BAL, RHP, 25.7 – Bradish is 6’4”, 220 pounds with a traditional 4 pitch mix highlighted by a mid 90’s fastball and plus slider. He put up a pitching line of 3.68/1.36/131/44 in 100.1 IP at mostly Triple-A. He’s had some control problems going back to his college days, and even with Baltimore moving their fence back/up, a mid to back end starter in that pitching environment is not my favorite fantasy bet to make. 2022 Projection: 3/4.78/1.42/69 in 75 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.29/1.34/157 in 160 IP

937) Jake Vogel LAD, OF, 20.6 – Vogel isn’t a big guy at 5’11”, 165 pounds, but he’s an explosive athlete with good raw power and plus speed. His pro debut at Single-A showed he is still raw though with an 80 wRC+, 3 homers, 12 steals, and a 29.8% K% in 76 games. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 73/16/63/.252/.321/.416/17

938) Willy Vasquez TBR, SS, 20.7 – Vasquez doesn’t have huge upside, but he showed a plus hit tool and approach in rookie ball with a 15.6%/11.6% K%/BB%, although he was a bit old for the level. He definitely looks like a ballplayer in the box with a strong righty swing that should lead to above average power at peak. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 69/18/66/.269/.331/.436/7

939) Levi Stoudt SEA, RHP, 24.4 – Stoudt missed all of 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and made his pro debut in 2021. He put up a pitching line of 3.31/1.20/86/37 in 81.2 IP split between High-A and Double-A. He has a mid 90’s fastball with a nasty plus changeup and an average-ish curve and slider. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.26/1.34/146 in 155 IP

940) Jean Pinto BAL, RHP, 21.3 – Pinto destroyed rookie ball in 20 innings before being promoted to Single-A where he didn’t miss a beat with a pitching line of 2.51/0.90/56/13 in 46.2 IP. He pounds the strikezone with a 4 pitch mix highlighted by a fastball that consistently hits the mid 90’s and 3 secondaries (curve, slider, change). ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/4.08/1.30/165 in 158 IP

941) Gavin Stone LAD, RHP, 23.6 – A 5th round pick in 2020, Stone raised his stock in his pro debut this year with a pitching line of 3.76/1.23/138/25 in 91 IP split between Single-A and High-A. His fastball ticked up into the mid 90’s and he has good control 6% BB% at High-A. None of his secondaries necessarily standout but he has a curve, slider, and change that are all effective. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.23/1.27/155 in 155 IP

942) Jorge Alfaro SDP, C, 28.10 – Alfaro hits the ball on the ground far too much to take advantage of his plus power/speed combo (96.7 MPH FB/LD EV and 28.4 ft/sec sprint speed). His launch angle declined for the 3rd straight year and bottomed out at 1.8 degrees. His plate approach is also terrible with a 31.8%/3.5% K%/BB%. Catchers have been known to breakout offensively in their 30’s because of how much time they spend on their defense, and Alfaro definitely has the talent to follow that path, but the trade to San Diego will complicate his path to playing time. 2022 Projection: 30/8/40/.249/.299/.403/6

943) Wil Crowe PIT, RHP, 27.7 – Crowe’s velocity ticked up to a respectable 93.7 MPH (91.5 MPH in 2020), but it didn’t help all that much as he still put up a 5.48 ERA in 116.2 IP. He throws a 5 pitch mix, but all his pitches are below average (change and slider are average-ish if you want to be kind). He’s a back end starter on a bad team and will have to fight for a rotation spot. 2022 Projection: 5/4.82/1.49/106 in 115 IP

944) Cody Morissette MIA, 2B/3B, 22.2 – Selected 52nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Morissette’s college numbers don’t jump out at you (6 homers with a .895 OPS in 41 games), but he has a smooth lefty that should lead to more homers in the future. He’s a versatile defender who projects to be a solid all around player. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/16/66/.263/.326/.423/8

945) Freili Encarnacion BOS, SS, 17.2 – Encarnacion has some of the best power in the class with plus potential. He can hit for a high average too and is a good athlete, so he’s not just a lumbering slugger. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/25/84/.266/.332/.477/6

946) Carlos Pacheco OAK, OF, 17.5 – Pacheco is 5’11”, 175 pounds with a plus hit, plus speed profile. How much power he’s able to get to will dictate his upside. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/15/68/.271/.333/.415/18

947) Jaison Chourio CLE, OF, 16.10 – Jaison’s older brother, Jackson, was a DSL breakout in 2021, so why not role the dice with the next Chourio. He has a similar skillset with a good fell to hit, plus speed, and developing power. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 79/15/67/.268/.336/.416/18

948) George Feliz SEA, OF, 19.6 – Feliz hit well in the DSL with a 127 wRC+, but he was a bit old for the level. Plus speed his is hit best tool with 8 steals and he showed nice power with 5 homers in 46 games. 23.5% K% against DSL competition and being old for the level gives him some hit tool risk. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/15/64/.252/.316/.428/16

949) Noah Miller MIN, SS, 19.5 – Selected 36th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Miller is a switch hitter with a potentially plus hit tool and advanced approach, although he put up a 27.1% K% in his 22 game pro debut. He combines that with potentially average power and speed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 72/16/63/.267/.328/.424/7

950) Jose Leclerc TEX, Setup, 28.3 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2021 which will likely hold him out until mid-season 2021. He pitched only 2 innings in 2020 due to a shoulder strain. If Texas’ bullpen wasn’t so wide open at the moment, he probably wouldn’t crack the list. When healthy, he throws a mid 90’s fastball with a plus slider and a changeup he was utilizing more and more, but there has always been major control issues. 2/4.02/1.31/35/5 in 25 IP

951) Drew Steckenrider SEA, Closer Committee, 31.3 – Steckenrider notched 13 saves last year, 12 coming in the 2nd half, but Giles returning complicates things for him and Sewald. He doesn’t have a true elite strikeout pitch, leading to a 20.5% whiff%, so considering the lack of K upside and job uncertainty, I’m not going after him in saves leagues. 2022 Projection: 5/3.73/1.19/65/8 in 65 IP

952) Hector Neris HOU, Setup, 32.10 – The splitter dominates with a .223 xwOBA and 45.6% whiff%. It’s his most used pitch with a 40.6% usage rate. He’s in competition with Ryne Stanek for next man up in Houston. 2022 Projection: 4/3.69/1.20/88/4 in 65 IP

953) Kirby Yates ATL, Setup, 35.0 – Yates underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2021 and will likely return at some point during the 2022 season. Will Smith has a strangle hold on the closer job, but considering he’s a lefty, Yates could factor into the 9th if he proves fully healthy as a righthanded option. 2022 Projection: 2/3.51/1.18/43/5 in 30 IP

954) Ryan Tepera LAA, Setup, 34.5 – Tepera is next man up in LA. He throws a plus slider 44.9% of the time with a 50.6% whiff%. 2022 Projection: 3/3.55/1.20/72/7 in 62 IP

955) Tyler Rogers SFG, Setup, 31.3 – Rogers saved 13 games last year but with Doval emerging he might take away some or all of those “righty” save chances. Rogers is a groundball pitcher (4.6 degree launch) who doesn’t get many strikeouts (16.9% K%). 2022 Projection: 5/3.48/1.18/54/7 in 70 IP

956) Nick Anderson TBR, Setup, 31.9 – Underwent UCL brace surgery in October and is expected to be out until at least the 2nd half of 2022. He pitched only 6 innings in 2021 after hurting his elbow in March. His stuff was diminished in those 6 innings, and it’s anyone’s guess if he will be able to get back to prime form. 2022 Projection: 1/3.96/1.25/17 in 15 IP

957) Ryne Stanek HOU, Setup, 30.8 – Is in line to at least share closer duties in Pressly goes down. Stanek has premium stuff with a 97.6 MPH and two plus secondaries in his splitter and slider, but he has legitimate control issues (12.8% BB%). 2022 Projection: 3/3.88/1.26/79/4 in 65 IP

958) Collin McHugh ATL, Setup, 34.9 – McHugh put up a career bests in whiff% (31.4%), BB% (4.9%), and ERA (1.55). A plus slider is his go to pitch which he throws 52.9% of the time. 2022 Projection: 5/3.42/1.17/75 in 65 IP

959) Ian Kennedy ARI, Setup, 37.3 – Kennedy is next man up in Arizona. He racked up 26 saves in 2021 by using his 94.1 MPH fastball 82.5% of the time. 2022 Projection: 3/3.95/1.29/68/8 in 62 IP

960) Simon Muzziotti PHI, OF, 23.3 – Muzziotti missed most of the season with visa issues, but he made it back in late August and literally played at every stateside level, including the AFL. He has a plus hit tool and plate approach (12.5%/15.6% K%/BB% in 8 games at Triple-A), but he hits the ball on the ground too much to get to his average raw power. He also has plus speed but hasn’t been a good base stealer in his career. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/13/56/.271/.336/.416/7

961) Euribiel Angeles SDP, SS, 19.11 – Angeles thrived in full season ball at barely 19 years old with a plus hit tool. He hit .343 with a 15.1% K% in 87 games at Single-A before being promoted to High-A for 18 games (18.6% K%). He doesn’t have much power or speed, but he’s a relatively safe prospect because he knows how to hit. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 73/14/59/.275/.333/.409/7

962) Clayton Beeter LAD, RHP, 23.6 – Beeter put up impressive strikeout numbers with a 78/22 K/BB in 52.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A, but he did it in very short outings, ramping up to high of 3.1 IP towards the end of the season. His stuff is good with a mid 90’s fastball, a potentially plus slider and curve, and a lesser used changeup. He needs to improve his control and the reliever risk is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 7/3.95/1.32/131 in 120 IP

963) Miguel Amaya CHC, C, 23.1 – A forearm strain limited Amaya to only 23 games at Double-A and he underwent Tommy John surgery in the off-season, meaning he could miss all of 2022. His defense is ahead of his offense, but he still put up a strong 117 wRC+ at Double-A on the back of a 20.8%/19.8% K%/BB%, but he didn’t do very much damage with a .710 OPS. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 66/16/61/.268/.341/.425/2

964) Wes Clarke MIL, 1B/C, 22.5 – Selected 297th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Clarke jacked 23 homers with a 73/50 K/BB in 57 SEC games, and then entered pro ball and cranked 4 homers with a 21/21 K/BB in 21 games at Single-A. He has little defensive value and major hit tool concerns, but the power and patience profile is enticing for fantasy. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 41/16/46/.224/.316/.447/0

965) Sean Burke CHW, RHP, 22.3 – Selected 94th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Burke is 6’6”, 230 pounds with a plus mid 90’s fastball, but he needs to improve his control (5.1 BB/9 in 74.1 SEC innings), and the consistency of his secondaries (slider, curve, change). He’s high risk, high reward. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 6/3.92/1.36/121 in 110 IP

966) Carmen Mlodzinski PIT, RHP, 23.1 – A right shoulder injury limited Mlodzinski to 52.1 IP. He worked to unlock more strikeouts this year going with a swing and miss mid 90’s 4 seamer over his sinker. It led to 66 strikeouts in 52.1 IP at mostly High-A. He combines that with an array of secondaries, highlighted by a potentially plus slider and change. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.34/1.35/161 in 165 IP

967) Alexander Suarez SFG, OF, 20.3 – Suarez put up a fantasy friendly statline at rookie ball, slashing .311/.379/.503 with 6 homers and 16 steals in 55 games, but he had a terrible plate approach (33.6%/4.7%) and he was old for the level. He definitely looks the part at 6’2” with a quick righty swing, but his hit tool has a long way to go. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 41/14/44/.227/.292/.426/6

968) Bryan Mata BOS, RHP, 22.11 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2021 and will miss all of 2022. Mata’s control took a major step forward in 2019, cutting his walk rate from 7.3 BB/9 in 2018 to 3.6 BB/9 in 2019. He continued to work on that in 2020 at the alt site. He has big time stuff headlined by a plus fastball/slider combo, but still needs to work on command and consistently. Now you can tack on injury risk to an already risky profile. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 8/4.22/1.35/154 in 152 IP

969) Wilkelman Gonzalez BOS, RHP, 20.0 – Gonzalez has a fastball he can get into the mid 90’s with a potentially plus change and average slider. He had a pitching line of 2.91/1.10/66/16 in 52.2 IP split between rookie ball and Single-A. If he can consistently hit the mid 90’s on his fastball as he gains strength and improve his breaking balls, the upside is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.12/1.29/151 in 155 IP

970) Alec Marsh KCR, RHP, 23.11 – Marsh was limited to 25.1 IP at Double-A with arm soreness, but was able to return for one appearance in the AFL. He was in the midst of breaking out with a fastball that can reach the upper 90’s and 3 potentially quality secondaries in his slider, curve and change. He had a 39.6% K% before going down with the injury. He has mid-rotation upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.25/1.35/165 in 155 IP

971) Landon Marceaux LAA, RHP, 22.6 – Selected 80th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Marceaux doesn’t have huge stuff with a low 90’s fastball, but he dominated the SEC because he understands the art of pitching. He has good control over a 4 pitch mix and tunnels his pitches well. Plus curve is his best pitch. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.29/1.27/152 in 160 IP

972) Yan Gomes FRA, C, 34.8 – Gomes’ value will rise or fall based on whether Contreras gets traded. He had a career best 20.6% whiff%, 8.8% Barrel%, and .341 xwOBA in 2021. 2022 Projection: 31/11/35/.254/.306/.432/0

973) A.J. Alexy TEX, RHP, 23.11 – Alexy made his MLB debut and while his 4.70 ERA and 1.30 WHIP isn’t bad, the underlying numbers aren’t as kind. He had a 17/17 K/BB in 23 IP and his xERA was 6.82. He’s had control problems throughout his career, and while his stuff is good with a 4 pitch mix and 93.3 MPH fastball, it isn’t standout. He’s likely a back end starter. 2022 Projection: 6/4.88/1.42/107 in 120 IP

974) Leo Jimenez TOR, SS, 20.10 – Jimenez thrived a Single-A with a plus plate approach (14.5%/21.1% K%/BB%), but he has very little game power with only 1 homer in 59 games. He’s not a burner, so he needs to figure out a way to get to his potentially average raw power if he wants to make an impact with the bat. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 64/12/51/.267/.340/.401/6

975) Mitch White LAD, RHP, 27.3 – A lot is going to have to happen for White to win a rotation spot, but he’s an interesting pitcher regardless. He throws a 94.4 MPH fastball with two effective secondaries in his curve and slider. He had a 24.9% K%, but his whiff% was only 22.8%, so there doesn’t look to be big K upside right now. 2022 Projection: 4/4.23/1.30/62 in 60 IP

976) Ken Waldichuk NYY, LHP, 24.3 – Waldichuk is a crafty lefty with an average to above average 4 pitch mix. He pitched well at Double-A with a pitching line of 4.20/1.29/108/38 in 79.1 IP. He projects as a multi inning reliever or back end starter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 7/4.16/1.32/117 in 120 IP

977) Andrew Abbott CIN, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 53rd in the 2021 MLB Draft, Abbott transitioned into the rotation in 2021 and he took to it quite well, putting up a pitching line of 2.87/1.13/162/32 in 106.2 IP in the ACC. The strikeout prowess transferred to pro ball with a 22/4 K/BB in 13 IP at mostly Single-A. He throws a low 90’s fastball with a plus curve and developing change. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 7/4.12/1.30/127 in 120 IP

978) Nick Allen OAK, SS, 22.6 – Plus defense is Allen’s best skill, and he performed solidly as a 21 year old in the upper minors, slashing .288/.346/.403 with 6 homers, 12 steals, and a 76/29 K/BB in 89 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. That Adam Frazier/Luis Arraez/David Fletcher range seems to be the ceiling, and he might not even be able to reach that level. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/9/53/.272/.330/.379/9

979) Will Wilson SFG, SS, 23.8 – Wilson performed well at High-A (120 wRC+) before struggling hard at Double-A (65 wRC+) and the AFL (.542 OPS). He showed good power with 17 homers in 119 games across all levels, but there were major strikeout issues with a 36.7% in 51 games at Double-A. He’s a low upside player with some pop. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 63/18/69/.246/.318/.423/4

980) Alexander Vargas NYY, SS, 20.5 – Vargas was a bit old for rookie ball and he didn’t exactly destroy the level with a 105 wRC+, but his plus glove should get him on the field, and he combines that with plus speed. Hit tool and power will dictate his ceiling. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/14/61/.262/.323/.411/16

981) Peyton Wilson KCR, 2B, 22.5 – Selected 66th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Wilson is a switch hitter with plus speed and some pop, and while his plate approach is solid (41/22 K/BB in 58 SEC games), it might not be quite good enough to be a full time MLB player considering limited power potential at 5’9”, 180 pounds. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 52/10/47/.253/.313/.412/10

982) Corey Rosier SDP, OF, 22.7 – Selected 354th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Rosier proved his numbers from the Southern Conference will transfer to pro ball, slashing .380/.451/.570 with 3 homers, 13 steals, and a 14.2%/12.8% K%/BB% in 32 games at mostly Single-A. He’s a good defensive CF with the potential for modest across the board production. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/15/63/.268/.323/.417/9

983) Tyler McDonough BOS, 2B/OF, 23.0 – Selected 75h overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, McDonough is a do a little bit of everything switch hitter who can play all over the field. He’s had a good feel to hit and some speed from his freshman year, and he added more power this year with 15 homers in 55 ACC games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 64/13/57/.264/.321/.417/7

984) Reed Trimble BAL, OF, 21.10 – Selected 65th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Trimble is a high risk, high reward player with plus speed and plus raw power, but he’s still a bit raw at the dish. He struggled in Single-A in his pro debut with a 41 wRC+, but he’s one of the younger players in the college class and the upside is worth taking a shot on at this point. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 51/14/59/.242/.310/.426/10

985) Spencer Schwellenbach ATL, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 59th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Schwellenbach is a two way player whose future is likely on the mound. He didn’t pitch at all until his Junior year because of an elbow injury that required surgery, and he was only used out of the pen. The stuff is excellent though with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and the potential for two plus secondaries in his slider and change. He was lights out coming out of the pen with a 0.57 ERA and 34/8 K/BB in 31.2 IP, but he has to prove he can handle a starter’s workload and stay healthy, so the risk is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 6/4.05/1.32/105 in 100 IP

986) Konnor Pilkington CLE, LHP, 24.7 – Pilkington is a big lefty at 6’3”, 240 pounds who throws a fastball that can reach the mid 90’s to go along with 3 secondaries in his curve, change and slider. He handled his business at Double-A with a 3.04 ERA and 120/39 K/BB in 100.2 IP. He profiles as an innings eater back end starter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.34/1.35/155 in 165 IP

987) Maximo Acosta TEX, SS, 19.5 – Acosta couldn’t live up to his considerable hype with a 70 wRC+ in 17 games in rookie ball. He had a 22.1%/4.4% K%/BB%, so he doesn’t have major contact issues, but he’s still raw at the dish, which isn’t great because his relatively advanced bat was supposed to be his best skill. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 62/18/66/.253/.312/.421/9

988) Edwin Arroyo SEA, SS, 18.7 – Selected 48th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Arroyo is a plus defensive player who doesn’t have the highest offensive upside. He struggled a bit in his pro debut in stateside rookie ball with a 30.2% K% and 84 wRC+, but considering he was only 17 years old that isn’t too bad. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 67/17/73/.254/.316/.432/7

989) Nick Swiney SFG, LHP, 23.2 – A concussion limited Swiney to 32.1 IP in his pro debut, putting up a 0.84 ERA with a 58/18 K/BB at mostly Single-A. He throws a low 90’s fastball with two quality secondaries in his curve and change. His big K rates from college transferred to pro ball, but he needs to improve his control. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.27/1.34/163 in 156 IP

990) Drew Parrish KCR, LHP, 24.4 – Parrish dominated in 2021 with a pitching line of 2.83/0.99/118/28 in 98.2 IP at mostly Double-A. He pounds the strikezone with a decent 3 pitch mix led by a low 90’s fastball and an effective change and curve. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.36/1.33/ 151 in 163 IP

991) Zack Collins CHW, C, 27.2 – Collins is going to struggle to get playing time on Chicago’s stacked roster, and he didn’t show enough in 231 PA this year to really push the issue with 4 homers and a .669 OPS. The underlying numbers looked better with an above average .320 xwOBA. He hits the ball hard (91.1 MPH EV) with high walk rates (14.7% BB%), so if he does eventually find playing time he could certainly do some damage, especially in an OBP league. 2022 Projection: 21/6/21/.215/.320/.395/0

992) Ronaldo Hernandez BOS, C, 24.5 – Hernandez has plus power, drilling 16 homers in 99 games split between Double-A and Triple-A, but he also notched a career worst 19.9% K% (still pretty good) and 3.1% BB% (terrible). He’s also not a very good defensive player. Power is the skill you are buying here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 38/13/47/.241/.290/.432/0

993) Hoy Park PIT, 2B/SS, 26.0 – Park is old for a prospect and he didn’t perform very well in his MLB debut with .663 OPS and 85.8 MPH EV, but he did enough in the upper minors (.932 OPS in 66 games at mostly Triple-A) that he should compete for at-bats at 2B for Pitt at least until Nick Gonzales is ready. 2022 Projection: 36/7/33/.244/.322/.394/7

994) Trevor Hauver TEX, 2B, 23.4 – Hauver was a walk machine in his pro debut with a 19% BB% and .416 OBP in 99 games split between Single-A and High-A, but his K% spiked to 32.9% at High-A and he was old for the level. He keeps the ball off the ground and he has potentially above average power, so he can be a solid bat in an OBP league if he wins playing time. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 66/18/69/.243/.327/.435/2

995) Austin Shenton TBR, 3B, 24.2 – Shenton is a poor defensive 3B and might be a 1B only guy on the MLB level. That will make it much harder to hack his way through Tampa’s perpetual logjam considering he is expected to be a good, but not a true difference making hitter. He had an excellent season split between High-A and Double-A with a .947 OPS. He has the potential for an average plate approach and above average power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 43/15/49/.252/.323/.447/1

996) Rodolfo Castro PIT, 3B/2B, 22.10 – Castro was Mr. Irrelevant on my 2021 Top 1,000 ranking coming in at 1,008, the last player in the ranking. He made his MLB debut and struggled with a .653 OPS in 31 games, but he showed his potentially plus power with 5 homers and a 95.8 MPH FB/LD EV. He’ll need to refine his plate approach (29%/6.5% K%/BB%) if he wants to hit his ceiling. Prime Projection: 45/15/58/.242/.302/.430/5

997) Fidel Montero NYY, OF, 18.3 – Montero is a fun prospect with a plus power/speed combo, knocking 4 homers with 19 steals in 52 games in the DSL, but it comes with major strikeout issues (40%/19.6% K%/BB%). ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 56/16/59/.225/.315/.426/11

998) Bayron Lora TEX, OF, 19.6 – Lora made his pro debut being a bit old for the DSL, but his skills were as advertised with 6 homers and a 37.2%/24.5% K%/BB% in 47 games. He’s shaping up to be a 3 true outcome slugger if he hits his ceiling. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 51/18/57/.224/.314/.462/4

999) Jonathan Mejia STL, SS, 17.0 – Mejia is a switch hitter who is known for his good feel to hit, and while he doesn’t project for huge power and speed numbers, he certainly has impact potential in those categories depending on his development. St. Louis has had a lot of success developing guys who know how to hit first and foremost. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 78/19/73/.277/.331/.432/8

1000) Yordani De Los Santos PIT, SS, 17.1 – Santos is a projectable 6’2”, 180 pounds with the potential to hit for both average and power. He has a big righty swing with tons of potential to do damage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/25/82/.261/.328/.462/7

1001) Peter Heubeck LAD, RHP, 19.8 – Selected 101st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Heubeck is a skinny and projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with a low 90’s fastball, potentially plus curve, and developing change. The fastball should tick up as he matures and he throws the ball over the plate. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.31/1.28/156 in 160 IP

1002) Hunter Goodman COL, C, 22.6 – Selected 109th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Goodman has big power, smacking 21 homers in 56 games in the American Conference, but it comes with strikeout concerns and he also might not stick behind the plate. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 43/16/52/.224/.303/.435/3

1003) Alexis Hernandez CHC, SS, 17.3 – Hernandez is the younger brother of last year’s top overall international prospect Cristian Hernandez. Alexis is a good prospect in his own right at a projectable 6’2”, 170 pounds with speed and developing power. I also think having his older brother going through the process one year ahead of him is a small advantage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/18/71/.260/.325/.424/11

1004) Ruben Cardenas TBR, OF, 24.6 – Cardenas’ power exploded in 2021 with 25 homers in 105 games split between High-A and Double-A, but his K% (27.2%) and BB% (3.9%) were both career worsts. He’s likely a 4th outfielder, especially in Tampa. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 42/14/49/.252/.309/.442/2

1005) Dominic Hamel NYM, RHP, 23.1 – Selected 81st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Hamel is a high spin rate pitcher with a low 90’s fastball and the potential for 3 quality secondaries (slider, curve, change). He had a 4.22 ERA in the Missouri Valley Conference, but his 1.11 WHIP and 136/34 K/BB in 91.2 IP looked much better. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.33/1.33/146 in 155 IP

1006) Tyler Anderson LAD, LHP, 32.3 – Anderson thrives by limiting hard contact, putting up an 87 MPH EV, but there is limited upside with below average K rates (19.1% K%). 2022 Projection: 7/4.55/1.31/115 in 130 IP

1007) Dominic Canzone ARI, OF, 24.8 – Canzone broke out at Double-A with 7 homers and a 1.017 OPS in 35 games, and then he went to the AFL and dominated with a .905 OPS in 18 games. He might not have the highest upside but he’s been a damn good hitter since his freshman year in the Big Ten and could provide solid across the board production at peak. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 48/14/55/.258/.319/.430/6

1008) Miguel Hiraldo TOR, 2B/3B, 21.7 – Hiraldo made his full season debut (other than 1 game in 2019) and he was exactly league average with a 100 wRC+. His power output was a little disappointing with 7 homers in 105 games, and while he stole 29 bags, it’s hard to buy into that consider the rule differences. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 62/15/63/.248/.321/.426/7

1009) David Peterson NYM, LHP, 26.7 – Peterson was limited to 66.2 IP before undergoing foot surgery in July. He should be fully healthy for 2022, but he doesn’t have a rotation spot currently. He’s likely a back end starter but there is some upside for me, mostly based on his slider which put up a 37.2% whiff%. 2022 Projection: 3/4.32/1.34/68 in 70 IP

1010) Keoni Cavaco MIN, SS, 20.10 – Cavaco was considered a bit of a project when he was drafted 13th overall, so I’m willing to give him one more year before I jump ship. He was awful in 2021 with a 67 wRC+ and 34.2%/6.9% K%/BB% in 60 games at Single-A. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 41/12/43/.234/.291/.422/8

1011) Yonny Chirinos TB, RHP, 28.3 – Chirinos missed all of 2021 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and he had a setback that will keep him out into 2022. Who knows what role he will pitch in when he returns or if he will be 100%. He was a plus control pitcher who had a nasty splitter when healthy. 2022 Projection: 3/4.30/1.30/45 in 50 IP

1012) Braylin Tavera BAL, OF, 17.1 – Tavera is 6’2”, 175 pounds with plus speed, a good feel to hit and developing power. His swing doesn’t look quite as smooth and/or beastly as other top international guys, so there is plenty of time to refine that. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 68/19/74/.252/.321/.429/14

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

Posted on March 19, 2022March 19, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Spring Dynasty Baseball Rundown (3/19/22)

Damn it feels good to have pro ball back. I’ll be running down the action all spring and all season on my Patreon (free posts on my site are usually on Monday’s). Here is the Spring Dynasty Baseball Rundown (3/19/22):

Akil Baddoo DET, OF, 23.7 – Baddoo is gonna Doo Bad things to MLB pitching this year, and he got off to a strong start this spring by smashing a 405 foot, 107.5 MPH dinger off Cam Bedrosian. I named him one of my Hitters to Target (Patreon) because I thought the power was going to tick up. So far, so good.

Riley Greene DET, OF, 21.6 – Greene crushed the hardest hit ball of the game with a 109.8 MPH moonshot that was launched 47 degrees in the air. Detroit’s manager claims they aren’t going to play team control games with Greene and Tork, so if they perform well this spring, we’ll see if he was just blowing smoke or not.

Nick Pratto KCR, 1B, 23.6 – Pratto went to deep to centerfield off Jack Leiter for his first spring homer, and finished the day 2 for 2 with a walk and 0 K”s. If he can improve his strikeout rate, watch out, because the power is so sincere. I ranked Pratto 9th on my Top 100 Redraft Prospects Rankings (Patreon), and think he is one of the best values in redraft leagues.

Julio Rodriguez SEA, OF, 21.3 – Rodriguez hit the shot heard round the world, decimating a 117 MPH pull side homer. If you didn’t know yet, he is going be prettttty, prettty, pretttty good. I don’t care if you are a win now team, don’t trade this man.

Jack Leiter TEX, RHP, 21.11 – Speaking of Leiter, he got lit up, pitching 1.2 IP with 2 hits, 3 ER and a 4/2 K/BB. His fastball was up into the upper 90’s and the K numbers looked good, so I obviously wouldn’t panic.

Bobby Witt Jr. KC, SS, 21.9 – Witt went 2 for 2 with a double and no strikeouts. We already know he can dominate spring pitching, but it’s still important he does it in order to force KC’s hand to start him on Opening Day.

Justin Verlander HOU, RHP, 39.1 – Verlander has been one of the best targets for win now teams this off-season, and that value could disappear after proving the stuff was back yesterday. His fastball averaged 95.9 MPH and the spin on his curve and slider were back to normal. He went 2 IP with 0 hits, 0 earned and a 2/1 K/BB.

Matthew Liberatore STL, LHP, 22.5 – Liberatore knows how to pitch, but his strikeout numbers didn’t pop in 2021 and he didn’t have overpowering stuff. His first appearance in 2022 shows there could be improvement coming, averaging 94.5 MPH with his fastball and putting up a 44% whiff%. He went 2 IP with 2 hits, 1 ER, and a 3/0 K/BB. Arrow is pointing up early.

Bobby Dalbec BOS, 1B, 26.9 – For the 2nd game in a row, Dalbec ripped a homer and struck out once in 2 AB. He needs to improve his K% if he wants to lock down that starting job long term. Although if he keeps hitting homers every game I guess it’s easy to overlook that.

Drew Waters ATL, OF, 23.3 – Waters will try to regain his value this year after a rough 2021, and he got on the board early with an absolute shot to left center that hit that perfect sweet spot on the bat which results in one of my favorite sounds in the world.

Bryce Elder ATL, RHP, 22.10 – Elder clocked in at #899 on my Top 1,000 Rankings (updated rankings will be released for free sometime next week) because of his ability to be a solid, if unspectacular starter. He showed those skills yesterday, going 3 IP with 0 hits, 0 ER, and a 2/0 K/BB.

Hayden Wesneski NYY, RHP, 24.4 – Wesneski looked absolutely filthy in his spring debut with a 95.6 MPH fastball that put up a 38% whiff%. His curve (best secondary) put up a 40% whiff%, his change put up a 50% whiff%, and he threw one slider which had twitter’s head exploding. He went 3 IP with 2 hits, 1 ER, and a 4/1 K/BB.

Nick Lodolo CIN, LHP, 24.2 – Lodolo was straight filthy, going 2 perfect innings with 4 K’s. He’s going to be a strikeout machine no matter what level he pitches at.

Brandon Williamson CIN, LHP, 24.0 – The newest Red made his debut, going 1.2 IP with 3 hits, 1 ER and a 2/2 K/BB. I have him more as a mid to back end guy, especially in Cincy’s hitter’s park.

Jorge Alfaro SDP, C, 28.10 – There is a catcher competition in San Diego which likely will last into the season, and Alfaro put himself on the map first with a walk off 3 run homer. Nola and Campusano both went 0 for 2.

MacKenzie Gore SDP, LHP, 23.1 – There were already reports that Gore was consistently hitting the upper 90’s, but his control was the biggest thing in need of improvement. He proved the velocity gains were legit yesterday, and the control was on point too, going 2 perfect innings with 2 strikeouts. He clocked in at 86th overall on my Top 500 Prospects Rankings and the arrow continues to point back up.

Jo Adell LAA, OF, 23.0 – In 2020, Adell hit the ball really hard, but struck out a ton. In 2021, he brought his K% way down, but his EV plummeted. This is the year to put it all together, and so far, so good as Adell blasted a dinger off Brent Honeywell on a 2 for 3 day with 0 K’s. This could be the beginning of the breakout. Don’t give up on him.

Brent Honeywell OAK, RHP, 27.0 – We all want the Honeywell resurrection, but that hope isn’t off to a great start as he went 2.1 IP with 7 hits, 3 ER, and a 1/0 K/BB. Oakland has plenty of rotation spots up for grabs, but this doesn’t help his case to win one out of camp.

Ryne Nelson ARI, RHP, 24.2 – 4 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 2/0 K/BB. Nelson is known for is at least plus, mid 90’s fastball but it was non existent yesterday as the pitch averaged a measly 92.4 MPH. He put up an underwhelming 22% whiff% overall on the day. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he is slowing ramping up, and he pitched well despite the velocity, but it’s something to watch at least.

Sandy Alcantara MIA, RHP, 26.7 – There is a split in the fantasy baseball world on Alcantara’s strikeout potential this year, and score one for the pessimists as he went 3 perfect innings with only 1 K. He’s going to be an excellent pitcher no matter what, but the question is just how good. Long way to go before drawing any conclusions.

Jazz Chisholm MIA, SS, 24.2 – Chisholm went 1 for 3 with a homer that he needed to bend down to almost dig it out of the dirt. He’s about to ascend to star status this year.

Clint Frazier CHC, OF, 27.7 – 1 for 1 with 2 walks and 0 K’s. Great to see Frazier shake off his concussion plagued 2021 to get off to a great start this spring. He’s going to need a strong showing to lock down the DH job, and my money is on him winning it.

Paul DeJong STL, SS, 28.8/Lars Nootbaar STL, OF, 24.7 – DeJong got the start at SS and Nootbaar got the start at DH. They are certainly in competition for these jobs, but this could indicate they are the favorites.

Keston Hiura MIL, 1B, 25.8 – 0 for 2 with a K. New swing, same results (so far)

Marco Luciano SFG, SS, 20.6 – 0 for 2 with a K. Here we go again

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INCLUDING:
-OBP TOP 600 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-POINTS/6+ CATS “UNIVERSAL” TOP 600 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-TOP 1,000 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS (5×5 AVG-these will be the only dynasty rankings released for free)
-ALL-IN-ONE SPREADSHEET WITH ALL THE RANKINGS
-POSITION BY POSITION TARGET ARTICLES
–TOP 100 2022 REDRAFT PROSPECTS RANKINGS
–PREDICTING THE 2023 TOP 50 DYNASTY BASEBALL PROSPECTS
–STRATEGY/TARGET ARTICLES FOR SHALLOW AND DEEP LEAGUES
–ANALYZING MY 18 TEAM FYPD W/ GENERAL STRATEGY THOUGHTS

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

Posted on March 14, 2022March 22, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Top 500 Prospects Rankings for 2022 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues

The release of my 5×5 AVG 2022 Dynasty Baseball Rankings continues today with the Top 500 Prospects Rankings. I released the Top 100 2022 First Year Player Draft Rankings yesterday. Here is the Top 500 Prospects Rankings for 2022 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INCLUDING:
-OBP TOP 600 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-POINTS/6+ CATS “UNIVERSAL” TOP 600 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-TOP 1,000 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS (5×5 AVG-these will be the only dynasty rankings released for free)
-ALL-IN-ONE SPREADSHEET WITH ALL THE RANKINGS
-POSITION BY POSITION TARGET ARTICLES
–TOP 100 2022 REDRAFT PROSPECTS RANKINGS
–PREDICTING THE 2023 TOP 50 DYNASTY BASEBALL PROSPECTS
–STRATEGY/TARGET ARTICLES FOR SHALLOW AND DEEP LEAGUES
–ANALYZING MY 18 TEAM FYPD W/ GENERAL STRATEGY THOUGHTS
-DYNASTY RUNDOWNS AND UPDATED RANKINGS ALL SEASON LONG

Tier 1

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

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

Tier 2

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

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

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

6) CJ Abrams SD, SS, 21.6 – A fractured tibia and sprained MCL ended Abrams season after just 42 games. He proved his plus hit tool and speed will transfer against advanced competition at Double-A, slashing .296/.363/.420 with 2 homers, 13 steals (in 15 attempts), and a 19.7%/8.2% K%/BB%. His power isn’t there yet, and there is a chance it will never be a major part of his game, but he still looks pretty skinny to me at 6’2”, 185 pounds and don’t think those man muscles have come in yet. The power will tick up in time. 2022 Projection: 14/2/9/.265/.318/.402/5 Prime Projection: 95/18/75/.288/.342/.437/27

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tier 3

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

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

17) Hunter Greene CIN, RHP, 22.8 – Greene is a mountain of a man at 6’5”, 230 pounds and he puts that frame to good use by consistently pumping in upper 90’s fastballs that reach 100+ MPH often. Even his changeup is 90+ MPH and it has the potential to be a nasty pitch with good drop and tail action. The slider was much improved this year and has the potential to be a plus pitch. He used all of those weapons to put up a pitching line of 3.30/1.18/139/38 in 106.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. With Sonny Gray traded to Minnesota and possibly more trades to come, it isn’t out of the question for Greene to open the season in the rotation. 2022 Projection: 8/3.88/1.32/140 in 130 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.39/1.12/222 in 185 IP

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

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

20) Josh Jung TEX, 3B, 24.2 – A stress fracture in his foot delayed the start of Jung’s season, but he came back angry, demolishing the upper levels of the minors. He slashed .326/.398/.592 with 19 homers and a 22.2%/9.1% K%/BB% in 78 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. Both of his home ballparks juice up homers, but he was even more dominant on the road. He has at least plus power and he should be able to hit for a pretty good average too. He underwent shoulder surgery in late February is expected to be out until at least mid August. 2022 Projection: 7/2/9/.255/.328/.461/0 Prime Projection: 86/29/90/.272/.344/.496/3

21) George Valera CLE, OF, 21.5 – Valera’s lefty swing is so sweet it could give a guy diabetes, and he used it to abuse High-A pitchers with 19 homers and a .910 OPS in 86 games. He also put up an excellent 22.1%/20.9% K%/BB% that led to a .405 OBP. He met his match at Double-A with a 30% K%, but he still walked at a good clip (11% BB%) and ended up with an above average 104 wRC+ in 23 games. He has average speed too and nabbed 11 bags on the year, so he should contribute in every category. He’s a near elite stud who I don’t think is being valued quite that way, although he surely gets a lot of love. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 92/28/91/.271/.362/.497/7

22) Nick Gonzales PIT, 2B/SS, 22.10 – Gonzalez went from an extremely hitter friendly environment in college to an extremely hitter friendly environment in the pros. Pitt’s High-A ballpark and the AFL are both extreme hitter’s havens. He unsurprisingly beat up on inferior competition in these parks with a .950 OPS in 80 games at High-A and a 1.032 OPS in 19 AFL games. His 27.4% K% at High-A is really the only thing to quibble with. Gonzales’ .950 OPS is actually the worst he’s ever done in any league going back to his freshman year (including the Cape Cod League), which is remarkable. All this guy has done is dominate. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 93/25/82/.273/.344/.479/11

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

24) Nolan Gorman STL, 3B/2B, 21.11 – Gorman’s hit tool took a huge step forward this year. He brought his K% down to 22% in the upper levels of the minors (29.7% in 2019), and he didn’t sacrifice much power with 25 homers in 119 games. The ingredients are there for him to become a complete middle of the order masher. 2022 Projection: 38/12/36/.248/.312/.445/2 Prime Projection: 83/28/90/.266/.339/.491/4

25) Jordan Walker STL, 3B, 19.10 – Walker has huge raw power at 6’5”, 220 pounds, and he got to a lot of it in his pro debut with 25 doubles, 4 triples, and 14 homers in 82 games split between Single-A and High-A. He’s also a good athlete for his size as he snagged 14 bags. While his plate approach regressed at High-A (27%/6.1% K%/BB%), it looked more advanced than expected at the age appropriate Single-A (17.2%/14.8% K%/BB%). He’s far from a finished product, but there is star upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 86/29/93/.262/.344/.502/8

26) George Kirby SEA, RHP, 24.2 – Kirby battled shoulder fatigue during the season which limited him to 67.2 IP, but he cruised in those innings with a pitching line of 2.53/1.08/80/15 split between High-A and Double-A. He dominates with a double plus upper 90’s fastball that he has elite control over. He throws 3 secondaries (slider, change, curve) that are all about average right now, and he’ll need one of them to tick up to plus in order to reach his top of the rotation ceiling. 2022 Projection:5/4.08/1.22/93 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.69/1.13/202 in 183 IP

27) Marco Luciano SFG, SS, 20.6 – It was an up and down season for Luciano for with more downs than ups. He started off by struggling hard in Spring Training with a .374 OPS in 29 AB which he carried over into the first few weeks of the season at Single-A. We then thought he put those struggles behind him when he started destroying the level, finishing with 18 homers, a .930 OPS and a 22.1%/12.3% K%/BB% in 70 games, but the struggles returned at High-A which has bled into the Fall League. He had a 37.2%/6.9% K%/BB% with a .577 OPS in 36 games at High-A and now has a 32.2% K% with a .730 OPS in 21 Fall games. His numbers at the age appropriate Single-A take precedence, which is why I still consider him an elite prospect, but he is obviously not close to a finished product right now. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 86/33/94/.269/.345/.526/7

28) Luis Matos SFG, OF, 20.2 – Matos has that perfect combination of floor and upside. His 12.4% K% in 109 games at Single-A is elite, and he combines that with plus speed (21 steals) and developing power (15 homers). At worst we are looking at a moderate power/speed combo with a good average, and at best there is a next level power breakout which will put him in the land of the elite. His plate approach does still need some refinement with a 5.7% BB%. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 93/21/77/.285/.333/.455/16

29) Jasson Dominguez NYY, OF, 19.2 – Dominguez didn’t exactly blow the doors off in his pro debut, but he held serve with a 105 wRC+ in 49 games in full season ball. And putting up a .346 OBP is actually pretty damn impressive considering his age and the fact he had zero pro experience before this season. I’m still all in on the upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 94/28/93/.269/.362/.503/16

30) Orelvis Martinez TOR, SS, 20.4 – I’ve been high on Martinez for a few years now and it paid off big time in 2021 with a power explosion. He cracked 28 homers in 98 games split between Single-A and High-A. He performed better at the age appropriate Single-A (149 wRC+) than he did at High-A (99 wRC+), but he actually improved his K% after jumping levels from 26.1% to 22.4%, which is a great sign. Martinez has the upside to become a slugging middle the order bat. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 86/32/98/.263/.338/.508/5

31) Tyler Soderstrom OAK, C, 20.4 – A back injury ended Soderstrom’s season after just 57 games, but it was a damn good 57 games, slashing .306/.390/.568 with 12 homers, 2 steals, and a 24%/10.6% K%/BB% at Single-A. He’s a complete hitter with a simple and powerful lefthanded swing. There is no guarantee he sticks behind the plate, but that would probably be better off for fantasy. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 82/25/88/.276/.352/.487/4

32) Alek Thomas ARI, OF, 21.11 – Thomas was putting together a damn fine season at Double-A with a 134 wRC+, 10 homers and 8 steals in 72 games before going nuclear at Triple-A with a 168 wRC+, 8 homers, and 5 steals in 34 games. In spite of the great numbers and age relative to level success, I’m still a little concerned about his ultimate power/speed upside. His stolen base success rate has been very poor (40 for 65 in 276 career games), and he hits the ball on the ground a lot (55.5% GB% at Double-A and 50.4% at Triple-A). He’s shaping up to be a guy who will contribute in every category, but the upside seems a little capped to me right now. 2022 Projection: 39/7/33/.265/.318/.412/7 Prime Projection: 82/18/68/.285/.343/.441/16

33) Oswald Peraza NYY, SS, SS, 21.10 – Peraza started lifting the ball much more in 2022 and it led to a power breakout with 18 homers in 115 games. He did progressively get worse as he climbed the minor league ladder (.917 OPS in High-A/.815 in Double-A/.715 in Triple-A), and his stolen base percentage and BB% also plummeted when he got into the upper levels, but the ingredients are there for him to be an impact player in 5×5 AVG leagues in particular. 2022 Projection: 23/2/18/.258/.301/.409/4 Prime Projection: 86/20/81/.272/.331/.444/18

34) Marcelo Mayer BOS, SS, 19.4 – Selected 4th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mayer stays loose and easy in his stance before unleashing a vicious lefty swing that has monster offensive potential written all over it. He did show some swing and miss in his pro debut with a 25.2% K% in 26 games, but he has a mature plate approach (14% BB%) and a swing that is geared for both power and average. He put up a 121 wRC+. Lack of speed is the only issue for fantasy, and it is the reason he is far from a lock for the top pick in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 89/25/88/.274/.346/.478/8

35) Kahlil Watson MIA, SS, 18.11 – Drafted 16th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Watson’s upside is high as anyone’s in the draft with lightening quick bat speed and a plus power/speed combo from the left side. He only fell to 16th overall due to signing bonus demands (he ended up with the 10th highest bonus). While he didn’t show much power in his 9 game pro debut (60% GB% with 0 homers), he did steal 4 bags and had an excellent 16.7%/19% K%/BB% in an obviously very small sample. This is the type of upside you look for when drafting at the top of first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 88/23/83/.268/.342/.458/18

36) Jack Leiter TEX, RHP, 21.11 – Selected 2nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Leiter can dominate with just his mid 90’s fastball, but he also has a deep repertoire of pitches, throwing a 4-seamer, 2-seamer, cutter, curve (best secondary), slider and change. He understands the art of pitching which is no surprise considering his dad is Al Leiter. He’s only 6 feet, and his control can waver, but it didn’t stop him from putting up a dominant pitching line of 2.13/0.85/179/45 in 110 IP in the SEC. In a year where there isn’t a clear cut top pick in first year player drafts, Leiter’s claim to that top spot is as good as anyone’s. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 15/3.48/1.17/218 in 185 IP

37) MJ Melendez KCR, C, 23.4 – To say Melendez’ power broke out this year would be a massive understatement, it completely detonated with 41 homers in 123 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He has a lightening quick, uppercut lefty swing that looks designed to smack homers. Maybe even more impressive than the power, he brought his K% all the way down to 21.7% after he put up a 39.4% at High-A in 2019. To top it all off he had a 14.1% BB%. Kansas City started playing Melendez at 3B a little bit just to find a way to get his bat into the lineup with Perez holding down the catcher spot in Kansas City. 2022 Projection: 28/10/31/.246/.325/.452/1 Prime Projection: 73/30/81/.257/.338/.476/2

38) Nick Pratto KCR, 1B, 23.6 – The zombie apocalypse might be coming because Nick Pratto was dead and buried after putting up a .588 OPS in 2019, but here he is running roughshod over the upper levels of the minors in 2021, slashing .265/.385/.602 with 36 homers, 12 steals (in 17 attempts), and a 28.8%/15.2% K%/BB%. He has an explosive, uppercut lefty swing that produces tons of flyballs, and while he’s not that fast, he’s ran a lot throughout his career. The flyball and high strikeout rates give him a very low batting average floor, but the power and patience is worth that risk. 2022 Projection: 62/19/66/.236/.318/.467/5 Prime Projection: 86/29/91/.250/.340/.500/7

39) Austin Martin MIN, OF, 23.0 – Martin went straight to Double-A in his pro debut and proved the advanced plate approach will transfer with a 19.9%/14.4% K%/BB% in 93 games. His lack of power is the talk of the town, but his HR/FB ratio raised to a more normal level after the trade to Minnesota with a 10.3% mark compared to a 4.5% pre trade, and I don’t see any reason why he won’t improve that area of his game as he matures and gains more experience in pro ball. I never considered him a big power hitter anyway, and he still seems on track to be a strong across the board contributor at peak. I would buy his dip in value. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 87/21/79/.277/.354/.453/12

40) Hedbert Perez MIL, OF, 19.0 – Perez smashed through rookie ball in 32 games with 6 homers and a 148 wRC+ before his raw plate approach got the best of him after being promoted to full season ball for 16 games (25/1 K/BB). He has a quick and powerful lefthanded swing that is oozing with upside. He’s fast, but he didn’t run all that much, stealing only 2 bags on 2 attempts in 48 games. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 83/30/91/.264/.337/.502/12

41) Royce Lewis MIN, SS, 22.10 – Missed all of 2021 after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL in February. When healthy, Lewis is an explosive player with a plus power/speed combo and good contact rates, but needs to work on his plate approach. Considering how young he is, I would bet on him returning to full health and use the injury as a buying opportunity. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/23/77/.266/.326/.450/14

42) Cristian Hernandez CHC, SS, 18.4 – Hernandez was my #1 international prospect heading into 2021, and he lived up to the hype in his pro debut, slashing .285/.398/.424 with 5 homers, 21 steals, and a 20.4%/15.7% K%/BB% in 47 games in the DSL. I fell in love with his explosive swing from Youtube videos, and at 6’2”, 175 pounds, he’s a good bet to grow into plus power, although he will have to raise his 56.5% GB% to get to all it (he has plenty of time to do that). He also has plus speed and showed a very mature approach at the plate. He has star upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 88/26/88/.274/.353/.483/16

43) Brady House WAS, SS, 18.10 – Selected 11th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, House is a big physical hitter at 6’4”, 215 pounds who has double plus raw power and takes monster hacks at the dish with quick bat speed. He ripped 4 homers in his 16 game pro debut. He also has a mature plate approach and is a good athlete. There is a legitimate argument for him to go 1st overall in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/28/92/.268/.339/.492/7

44) Jordan Lawlar ARI, SS, 19.8 – Drafted 6th overall, Lawlar has a relatively simple, quick swing that he uses to make tons of contact with the ability to lift the ball. He has plus speed and the power should develop naturally to above average at the least. A shoulder injury that required surgery ended his pro debut after just two games, which is just enough of a bump in the road for me to move him down a few spots on my draft board. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 87/21/79/.268/.335/.448/17

45) Aaron Ashby MIL, LHP, 23.9 – Ashby showed completely devastating stuff in his MLB debut with a 96.5 MPH sinker, a slider that put up a 42% whiff% (.159 xwOBA), and changeup that put up a 34.6% whiff% (.275 xwOBA). His control actually improved in the majors with a 9% BB% (11.6% at Triple-A). There is definitely reliever risk, but even in a relief role Ashby could be a major help to your fantasy team. 2022 Projection: 6/3.73/1.31/115 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.61/1.28/195 in 165 IP

46) Roansy Contreras PIT, RHP, 22.5 – Contreras came into 2021 with a low 90’s fastball and was known for his advanced feel for pitching. His fastball then exploded this year, averaging 96.3 MPH in his 3 IP MLB debut. He combines that mid 90’s fastball with two potentially plus breaking balls and a lesser used developing changeup. It led to a strikeout explosion with a 34.9% K% in 54.1 IP at Double-A. He did all this while maintaining his plus control with 5.5% BB%. He was just as dominant in his 1 start at Triple-A and his 1 start in the majors. A forearm strain kept him out for 2 months, which is just a reminder of how risky pitching prospects are. 2022 Projection: 6/4.03/1.28/124 in 120 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.65/1.18/201 in 175 IP

47) Daniel Espino CLE, RHP, 21.3 – Strikeouts are king in fantasy, and Espino’s strikeout numbers are off the charts. Well, maybe they are still on the charts because virtual charts are infinite I guess. He had a 45.1% K% in 49 IP at High-A (35.6% in 42.2 IP at Single-A). He throws a 4 and 2 seam fastball that both can hit triple digits and uses a plus slider as his best secondary. He also mixes in a curve and change that flash plus. This is a strong dude who just deadlifted 545 pounds. He needs to improve his control and overall consistently, but he’s a near elite prospect who gets a lot of love, but not quite enough. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 13/3.58/1.23/205 in 175 IP

48) Eury Perez MIA, RHP, 19.0 – Perez is nothing short of a phenom as he dominated full season ball pitching as an 18 year old with a pitching line of 1.96/0.86/108/26 in 78 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He’s 6’8”, 200 pounds with mid 90’s heat and two potentially plus secondaries (slider, change). He’s reportedly been sitting 97-98 MPH early in minor league spring training. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 13/3.51/1.18/202 in 185 IP

49) Cade Cavalli WAS, RHP, 23.8 – Cavalli is 6’4”, 230 pounds with a fastball that consistently hits the upper 90’s. All three of his secondaries (curve, slider, change) flash plus and are potentially plus pitches. Minor league hitters were no match for his filthy repertoire with 175 strikeouts in 123.1 IP split between 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). His control isn’t great (4.4 BB/9), and will likely have to improve to reach his ace upside. He also ran into some trouble at Triple-A with a 7.30 ERA in 24.2 IP, but considering he had long passed his career high in IP, that is forgivable. 2022 Projection: 5/4.27/1.32/91 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.64/1.26/206 in 182 IP

50) Nate Pearson TOR, RHP, 25.7 – Pearson dealt with a sports hernia in 2021 and underwent surgery for it in November. Off-setting that risk is legitimate top of the rotation potential as Pearson fires a 97.8 MPH fastball that put up an excellent 30.7% whiff%, to go along with a plus slider that notched a 43.6% whiff%. He needs to improve his control and his changeup to reach that upside, and with the addition of Kikuchi he is likely to start the year in the pen or at Triple-A. 2022 Projection: 6/4.08/1.32/120 in 110 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.68/1.26/190 in 160 IP

51) Nick Lodolo CIN, LHP, 24.2 – Lodolo is 6’6”, 205 pounds with an almost sidearm lefty delivery that he uses to throw mid 90’s heat, a plus slider, and average change. He destroyed Double-A with a pitching line of 1.84/0.91/68/9 in 44 IP. He went over 4 IP in just 3 of his 13 starts, and a left shoulder strain ended his season in August after 50.2 IP. He also battled blisters that kept him out in June. So while the K/BB numbers look great, he didn’t pitch very much and was never able to get going at Triple-A (5.40 ERA with a 10/2 K/BB in 6.2 IP over 3 appearances). 2022 Projection:4/4.14/1.28/77 in 70 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.74/1.22/191 in 173 IP

52) Gabriel Moreno TOR, C, 22.1 – Before going down with a broken thumb, Moreno was blowing up at Double-A, slashing .373/.441/.651 with 8 homers and a 22/14 K/BB in 32 games. He has always shown plus contact rates, and he’s now combined that with a more mature approach and developing power. He returned from the thumb injury in time for the Arizona Fall League, and he’s picked up right where he left off, slashing .329/.410/.494 with 11 doubles, 1 homer and a 13/13 K/BB in 22 games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/24/83/.282/.348/.474/1

53) Henry Davis PIT, C, 22.7 – Selected 1st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Davis’ power breakout happened in the shortened 2020 season, and it carried over into 2021 with Davis slashing .370/.482/.663 with 15 homers, 10 steals, and a 24/31 K/BB in 50 games. He’s got a thick build and absolutely scorches the ball. He stepped right into pro ball and ripped 3 homers in 8 games at mostly High-A before an oblique injury ended his season. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/26/89/.268/.337/.481/6

54) Seiya Suzuki FRA, OF, 27.7 – Suzuki has dominated in Japan since 2016 with a righty swing that is both easy and explosive. He ripped a career high 38 homers in 2021, and he combines the power with an advanced plate approach (16.5%/16.4% K%/BB%) and some speed (9 steals in 13 attempts). I’m not expecting him to step into the majors and be a star, but he looks like a great bet to be a damn good overall hitter. He’s in consideration for the 1st pick in first year players drafts this off-season, especially if you are planning to compete in 2022. 2022 Projection: 77/24/81/.264/.336/.463/7

55) Jose Miranda MIN, 3B/2B, 23.8 – Miranda had one of the premier contact/power seasons in the minors, drilling 30 homers with a 12.5% K% in 127 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s been a strong contact hitter his entire career, and the power breakout looks legit as the ball explodes off his bat. On the downside, he hasn’t been especially patient in his career (7.1% BB% in 2021), which MLB pitchers can sometimes exploit better than minor league pitchers. 2022 Projection:33/8/36/.269/.318/.442/1 Prime Projection: 79/26/87/.279/.330/.481/3

56) Coby Mayo BAL, 3B, 20.4 – I’m targeting Mayo everywhere this off-season. He’s 6’5”, 215 pounds and his swing brings both the lightening and the thunder as it is quick and powerful. The plate approach was damn good too as he notched a 20.8%/12.8% K%/BB% in his 27 game full season debut. His bat has a chance to be special. ETA: 2023/24 Prime Projection: 84/25/86/.272/.346/.477/7

57) Everson Pereira NYY, OF, 21.0 – Pereira is lurking on the outskirts of elite prospect status after utterly destroying the lower levels of the minors with 20 homers and 9 steals in 49 games (14 homers in 27 games at High-A). The K% was high (29.9% at High-A), but had he played the entire season, the hype might be through the roof right now. I would stick my neck out to grab Pereira in off-season drafts. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 81/25/89/.252/.332/.492/13

58) Nick Yorke BOS, 2B, 20.0 – Boston drafting Nick Yorke 17th overall in 2020 drew some head scratches, but they obviously knew what they were doing because Yorke went off in his pro debut. He slashed .325/.412/.516 with 14 homers, 13 steals (in 22 attempts), and a 15.6%/11.8% K%/BB% in 97 games at mostly Single-A. His K% jumped up to 22.9% at High-A, but he actually put up a better wRC+ at the level (158 wRC+) than he did in Single-A (146 wRC+). He has a double plus hit tool with a mature plate approach and no major groundball issues, so he should hit for solid power on quality of contact alone. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 94/20/75/.288/.366/.463/8

59) Joe Ryan MIN, RHP, 25.10 – Ryan looks like a better version of Bailey Ober. Like Ober, he showed elite control (5% BB%) of a solid 4 pitch mix that has put up strong strikeout rates throughout his career. He threw his 91.2 MPH fastball 65.8% of the time in his MLB debut and it graded out as 5.8 runs above average in just 26.2 IP according Fangraphs. His slider and curve were also both effective swing and miss pitches when he went to them with a 35.3% and 50% whiff%, respectively. 2022 Projection: 9/3.87/1.20/167 in 160 IP

60) Miguel Vargas LAD, 3B, 22.4 – Vargas is 6’3”, 205 pounds with potentially plus power that he naturally grew into more of this season. He doesn’t have to sell out to get to it, using the entire field and putting up excellent contact numbers. He slashed .319/.380/.526 with 23 homers, 11 steals, and a 16.4%/8.3% K%/BB% in 120 games at mostly Double-A. He’s not a burner but he’s been very successful on the bases in his minor league career (31 for 37 in 297 games), so at the least he won’t be a zero in that category. Vargas has started to get more love this off-season, but he’s still considerably underrated. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/26/88/.278/.344/.492/7

Tier 4

61) Reid Detmers LAA, LHP, 22.9 – Detmers destroyed the upper levels of the minors with a 108/19 K/BB in 62 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A, but the major leagues ate him up with a 7.40 ERA and 19/11 K/BB in 20.2 IP. This was his first year of pro ball, so making it all the way to majors is impressive regardless of results. His fastball ticked up this year, but it still averaged only 92.8 MPH in the majors. He combines that with two plus breaking balls in his curveball and a new slider, while his developing changeup lags behind. Unless his fastball can truly sit in the mid 90’s, he strikes me as a mid rotation guy. 2022 Projection:7/4.22/1.32/122 in 120 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.83/1.23/189 in 177 IP

62) Max Meyer MIA, RHP, 22.11 – Meyer jumped straight to Double-A in his pro debut and proved the plus fastball/slider combo will work against advanced competition, putting up a pitching line of 2.41/1.23/113/40 in 101 IP. He then closed the season out in grand fashion at Triple-A with 1 earned and a 17/2 K/BB in 10 IP. He still needs to refine his changeup, but Meyer was as advertised after being drafted 3rd overall in 2020. 2022 Projection: 5/4.21/1.32/101 in 100 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.62/1.20/186 in 177 IP

63) Brayan Rocchio CLE, SS, 21.3 – Rocchio turned his game up a notch when he got to Double-A, putting up a .765 OPS in 64 games at High-A before dropping a .865 OPS at Double-A. He’s also destroying the Venezuelan Winter League with a 1.034 OPS. His power ticked up this year, smacking 15 homers in 108 games, and he combines that with plus speed and a good feel to hit. On the downside, he doesn’t walk very much (6.7% BB%) and his stolen bases percentage is poor (21 for 31). He’s also a switch hitter who hits lefties better than righties. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 87/20/78/.278/.336/.465/14

64) Jose Barrero CIN, SS, 24.0 – Barrero had a major power breakout in the upper levels of the minors, cracking 19 homers in 85 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He didn’t have much more success in his MLB cup of coffee this year than he did in 2020, but his Statcast numbers looked better with an above average 89.3 MPH exit velocity and 20.6 degree launch angle. His plate approach also took a step forward with a career best 9.5% BB% while maintaining his good feel to hit. He’s not a true burner, but he has above average speed and should contribute in stolen bases. 2022 Projection: 53/15/48/.248/.301/.417/7 Prime Projection: 81/24/81/.265/.327/.453/10

65) Jeremy Pena HOU, SS, 24.5 – Pena got a little forgotten about after undergoing wrist surgery in April 2021, but he made all of us remember in a hurry when he returned with 10 homers and 5 steals in 30 games at Triple-A. He also ripped a homer in the Dominican Winter League a few days ago. This is the power breakout we were waiting for. The plate approach wasn’t great at Triple-A with a 26.3%/4.5% K%/BB%, and his 48.8% GB% is high, but Pena has the ingredients to be a strong all category contributor. 2022 Projection: 38/10/44/.246/.309/.417/6 Prime Projection: 81/23/83/.263/.333/.464/10

66) Bobby Miller LAD, RHP, 23.0 – Miller is 6’5”, 220 pounds with good control over a premium, MLB ready 5 pitch mix. His 4 seamer consistently reaches the upper 90’s and his 2 seamer has that nasty tailing action. The slider is plus, the changeup is potentially plus, and his curve can be an effective pitch too. It led to a pitching line of 2.40/0.94/70/13 in 56.1 IP at mostly High-A. He missed 6 weeks with an undisclosed injury and he rarely went more than 4 IP. He also got mashed in the AFL (9.90 ERA), but he mentioned he was specifically working on his curveball, so I wouldn’t be too concerned. Miller still has to prove it over longer outings and for more than 56.1 innings, but he has legitimate ace upside. 2022 Projection: 1/4.21/1.33/22 in 20 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.66/1.23/195 in 170 IP

67) DL Hall BAL, LHP, 23.6 – Stress reaction in his left elbow ended his season in June after just 7 starts. He was in the midst of a possible breakout with a 43.8%/12.5% K%/BB% in 31.2 IP at Double-A. The stuff is premium giving him ace upside, but the control will have to take a step forward to get there. 2022 Projection: 2/4.38/1.39/73 in 65 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.66/1.29/205 in 177 IP

68) Jarren Duran BOS, OF, 25.7 – Duran’s power breakout in 2020 at the alt side carried over into real games in 2021 with 16 homers and a 37.5% GB% in 60 games at Triple-A, but everything crumbled when he got to the majors. He put up a .578 OPS with a 35.7%/3.6% K%/BB% and a 49.3% GB% in 112 PA. The good news is that he hit the ball pretty hard with an above average 89.6/93.6 MPH AVG/FB EV and he’s lightening fast with a 29.3 ft/sec sprint speed. Even with the new flyball approach in Triple-A he was able to maintain a strong 23.3%/10.6% K%/BB%, and he’s been a strong contact hitter his entire career, so those numbers should improve his 2nd time through the majors. 2022 Projection: 46/12/41/.243/.301/.418/14 Prime Projection: 77/18/73/.258/.319/.433/19

69) Michael Harris ATL, OF, 21.1 – Harris is an explosive player who hits the ball hard with above average contact rates (18.1% K%) and plus speed (27 steals in 101 games at High-A). He hit only 7 homers because of a high 50.3% GB% and his home ballpark is an extreme pitcher’s park, so he has more power than he showed. He will have to raise his launch angle if he wants to unlock more it though. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/18/71/.273/.330/.423/18

70) Pedro Leon HOU, OF/SS, 23.10 – Leon had a up and down season in his first year playing stateside ball, which is understandable considering the long layoff coming over from Cuba, and then suffering a broken pinky finger in late July. There was a 37 game stretch though, after he shook off the rust from a poor May, and before he broke his finger, where he looked like a stud, slashing .292/.414/.515 with 7 homers, 12 steals, and a 40/23 K/BB in 37 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He wasn’t the same after returning from the injury with 5 hits in 50 AB at mostly Triple-A. and he then put up a .639 OPS in 15 Arizona Fall League games. He flashed both his upside and his risk this year, and I think it is reasonable to expect a much more stable season in year 2. 2022 Projection:27/6/23/.232/.308/.410/5 Prime Projection: 81/22/76/.254/.331/.453/13

71) Gunnar Henderson BAL, SS, 20.9 –Henderson has a real chance of being a special player too with power and speed, but his bat comes with more risk as he had a 29.3% K% at Single-A, 30.1% K% at Double-A, and then struck out 10 times in 17 AB in his Double-A cup of coffee. ETA: 2023/24 Prime Projection: 77/23/80/.259/.332/.461/10

72) Bryson Stott PHI, SS, 24.6 – Stott performed exactly like expected in 2021 with solid numbers across the board, slashing .299/.390/.486 with 16 homers, 10 steals and a 108/65 K/BB in 112 at mostly Double-A. He finished the season strong in 10 games at Triple-A (.833 OPS with a 8/8 K/BB), and then raked in the Arizona Fall League with .934 OPS in 26 games. He doesn’t have the highest upside, but if you want to go the safe route I can see ranking him higher. 2022 Projection:43/9/38/.252/.313/.427/4 Prime Projection: 83/21/77/.269/.337/.442/9

73) Andy Pages LAD, OF, 21.4 – Pages had the 8th highest flyball percentage in all of the minor leagues among qualified hitters with a 55.3% FB%. It led to 31 homers in 120 games at High-A. He walks a ton with a 14.3% BB% and he has reasonable contact rates too with a 24.5% K%. LA’s High-A ballpark is a pitcher’s park that reduces homers, so he was actually much better on the road (1.016 OPS) than he was at home (.846 OPS). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/32/89/.255/.345/.503/4

74) Pete Crow-Armstrong CHC, OF, 20.0 – Armstrong was my favorite target in last year’s first year player drafts, ranking him 7th overall, and he got off to a glorious start with 10 hits in his first 24 at bats, but it all came to a screeching halt when he tore his labrum (shoulder), which required season ending surgery. He’s a full go for 2022 and has already showed off a new batting stance that should help him get to his power more. He has a plus hit, speed, and a defense profile, but I think there is more power in the tank than he is getting credit for. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 91/17/66/.278/.355/.435/22

75) Keibert Ruiz WAS, C, 23.8 – Ruiz ripped up Triple-A with strong contact rates but he doesn’t hit the ball hard enough to get really excited. He had a 9.4%/6/3% K%/BB% with a 86 MPH exit velocity in 29 MLB games. He does lift the ball with an 18.6 degree launch, and his contact numbers are truly elite, so even with a low HR/FB rate he should still be able to get plenty of balls over the fence. 2022 Projection: 58/18/64/.267/.323/.420/0 Prime Projection: 73/23/79/.277/.340/.445/0

76) Edward Cabrera MIA, RHP, 23.11 – Cabrera’s control completely left him once he hit Triple-A as he put up a 14.7% BB% in 29.1 IP. Those problems followed him to the majors, notching a 15.8% BB% in 26.1 IP. He throws a legitimate 4 pitch mix with his fastball averaging 96.7 MPH, and he never showed this level of control problems in the past, so I would be buying this off-season. 2022 Projection: 6/4.18/1.35/121 in 115 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.73/1.28/191 in 175 IP

77) Michael Busch LAD, 2B, 24.4 – Busch was unable to carry over his plus contact rates from college (26.1% K% in 107 games at Double-A), but he was able to carry over the power (20 homers) and walks (14.1% BB%). He’s your classic power, patience, and K’s slugger who would be helped if the NL adds a DH, because he’s not a great defensive player. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 84/25/84/.260/.347/.481/2

78) Mark Vientos NYM, 3B, 22.4 – Vientos is 6’4, 185 pounds and was a power breakout waiting to happen. It happened. He crushed 22 homers in 72 games at Double-A and then he cracked 3 homers in 11 games at Triple-A to close the season. His strikeout rate spiked with the power to 28.4% at Double-A (30.2% at Triple-A), so there is risk, but his power has true elite potential. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 76/32/88/.248/.327/.502/1

79) Heliot Ramos SFG, OF, 22.6 – I learned the hard way that trying to trade Ramos for anything close to fair value is near impossible, and I don’t blame people because his numbers have just been so mediocre (107 wRC+ at Double-A and 80 wRC+ at Triple-A), but he’s always been very young for his level and the explosive tools are still in there. His value has been so discounted that he might be a buy at this point. 2022 Projection:18/5/22/.234/.298/.427/3 Prime Projection: 76/24/85/.257/.328/.469/11

80) Kevin Alcantara CHC, OF, 19.9 – Alcantara is 6’6”, 188 pounds and has potential written all over him. He is an excellent athlete with plenty of room on his frame to fill out and end up with at least plus power at peak. There is some swing and miss to his game, but it’s not expected to be an extreme problem. He showed out in rookie ball this year, slashing .345/.423/.588 with 5 homers, 5 steals, and a 26.1%/12.3% K%/BB% in 34 games. He’s a great high upside shot to take, and his price should remain very reasonable this off-season. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/27/85/.250/.325/.473/11

81) Harry Ford SEA, C, 19.2 – Selected 12th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Ford generates plus power with one of the quickest bats in the draft, notching an 80.8 MPH max barrel speed which is in the 98.86 percentile of his high school class (stats from Perfect Game). He also had plus speed with a 6.5 second 60 yard dash. He used those skills to rake in his pro debut, slashing .291/.400/.582 with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 21.5%/13.8% K%/BB% in 19 games. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/27/85/.262/.338/.486/10

82) Dustin Harris TEX, 1B, 22.9 – Harris’ power exploded in 2021, bringing his GB% down from over 50% in his 2019 pro debut to 33.8% at Single-A (42.6% at High-A). He jacked 20 homers in 110 games, and as long as he keeps the ball off the ground, the power is definitely real as he’s a built up 6’2”, 185 pounds. He’s always had a good feel to hit with an advanced plate approach, and the power breakout didn’t change that at all with a 15.7%/10.1% K%/BB%. The cherry on top is that he has some speed too with 25 steals in 27 attempts. There is a whole lot to like here. Proving it against more advanced pitching is the last step. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 76/26/83/.267/.328/.462/9

83) Joey Wiemer MIL, OF, 23.1 – Wiemer is an impressive dude at 6’5”, 215 pounds with big raw power and above average speed. He put up a dominant statistical season split between Single-A and High-A, slashing .295/.403/.566 with 27 homers, 30 homers, and a 105/63 K/BB in 109 games. He is a bit old for the lower levels of the minors, and there are some hit tool concerns, but the upside is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/25/81/.247/.321/.466/13

84) Cole Winn TEX, RHP, 22.4 – Winn’s best pitch is a big breaking curveball that he goes to often. It’s an effective pitch both in and out of the zone. He combines that with a mid 90’s fastball and an average-ish slider and changeup. He used that advanced repertoire to befuddle upper minors hitters with a pitching line of 2.41/0.86/107/31 in 86 IP. I wouldn’t put top of the rotation upside on him, but he has the chance to be a legitimately impact fantasy pitcher. 2022 Projection:3/4.41/1.36/67 in 70 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.88/1.27/177 in 171 IP

85) Colton Cowser BAL, OF, 22.0 – Selected 5th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Cowser’s power exploded this season with 16 homers in 55 games in the Southland Conference. That was the final piece to the puzzle as he has shown a good feel to hit with an advanced plate approach from the second he stepped on campus. He then followed that up with a strong pro debut, putting up a 158 wRC+ with a 15.3%/17.7% K%/BB% in 25 games at Single-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 85/22/80/.278/.350/.458/8

86) MacKenzie Gore SDP, LHP, 23.1 – Gore’s alt site reports in 2020 were mediocre at best, and we saw those problems play out in 2021 with a pitching line of 3.93/1.47/61/28 in 50.1 IP (6.35 ERA with a 8/6 K/BB in 11.1 IP in the AFL). He showed control issues, delivery issues, and inconsistent stuff. At his best he still flashed 4 plus pitches from the left side, so he is far form a lost cause, but he is also far from a finished product. 2022 Projection: 2/4.42/1.37/42 in 45 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.88/1.32/168 in 155 IP

87) Blaze Jordan BOS, 3B, 19.3 – Jordan has been well known for his impressive power for years now at 6’2”, 220 pounds with a lightening quick righty swing, and he didn’t disappoint in his pro debut with 6 homers in 28 games split between rookie ball and Single-A. He destroyed rookie ball with a 1.075 OPS in 19 games, and while his plate approach got exposed in full season ball (.289 OBP), he still ripped 2 quick homers in 9 games. He’s not great on defense and he needs to refine his plate approach, but his prodigious power gives him a very high floor for fantasy. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/33/89/.252/.318/.508/3

88) Vinnie Pasquantino KCR, 1B, 24.6 – Pasquantino certainly looks the part of a big time slugger at 6’4”, 245 pounds with an under control and powerful lefty swing. Along with cracking 24 homers in 116 games, he had an elite 12.5%/12.5% K%/BB% split between High-A and Double-A. He was old for the level, but he dominated Double-A just as easily as he did High-A. Steamer is all on him, giving him a 117 wRC+ for 2022. Between Pratto, Pasquantino, Melendez and Witt, KC is about to get an explosion of talent, and the battle for playing time could be fierce. 2022 Projection:9/3/12/.253/.320/.441/0 Prime Projection: 79/26/81/.268/.340/.477/2

89) Juan Yepez STL, 1B/3B/OF, 24.0 – Yepez completely destroyed the upper levels of the minors, slashing .286/.383/.586 with 27 homers and a 18.9%/11.8% K%/BB% in 111 games at mostly Triple-A. He carried that right over to the Arizona Fall League with 7 homers and a 1.028 OPS. He’s always made solid contact throughout his minor league career and was showing seeds of a power breakout in 2019 before exploding in 2021. He’s not great on defense and he doesn’t exactly have a position, but you can’t ignore those offensive numbers. 2022 Projection: 21/5/25/.241/.303/.434/1 Prime Projection: 73/24/81/.258/.325/.470/3

90) Jhonkensy Noel CLE, 1B/3B, 20.9 – Noel has had no issues getting to his monster raw power throughout his career, and that didn’t change in full season ball as he smacked 19 homers in just 70 games split between Single-A and High-A. His plate approach needs refinement, putting up a 16.7%/4.3% K%/BB% at Single-A and 27.9%/8.1% K%/BB% at High-A, but he’s not just an all or nothing slugger, he does have a good feel to hit. Defense might be his biggest hurdle, so he’ll go as far as his bat will take him. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/28/87/.258/.325/.489/3

91) Emerson Hancock SEA, RHP, 22.9 – Hancock understands the art of pitching, showing good control of a legitimate 5 pitch mix (4-seam, 2-seam, slider, change, curve). His 4 seamer can reach the upper 90’s, his 2 seamer is nasty, and his slider and change are both potentially plus. He pitched very well in his pro debut with a 2.62 ERA split between High-A and Double-A, but he was shut down in late August after just 44.2 IP due to a minor shoulder issue, and he was shut down a few weeks ago with a lat injury. 2022 Projection: 3/4.13/1.30/56 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.78/1.21/183 in 178 IP

92) Jackson Jobe DET, RHP, 19.8 – Selected 3rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Jobe has a devastating slider that is an elite pitch with high spin rates. He pairs that with a mid 90’s fastball and a changeup that flashes plus. The delivery is athletic, and while he still needs some refinement, he is the highest upside high school arm in the class. He’s a two way prospect, but his future is on the mound. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 14/3.55/1.19/195 in 177 IP

93) Garrett Mitchell MIL, OF, 23.7 – Mitchell has a very similar profile to Bradley Zimmer, for better or worse. They are explosive players with a plus speed/power combo, but their high K% and GB% holds them back. Mitchell’s over 60% GB% is even worse than Zimmer’s. The upside is still very high for fantasy, but he is going to have to make an adjustment to reach it. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/16/71/.256/.324/.429/22

Tier 5

94) Aeverson Arteaga SFG, SS, 19.1 – Arteaga is one of my favorite rookie ball breakouts, slashing .294/.367/.503 with 9 homers, 8 steals, and a 69/23 K/BB in 56 games. He keeps the ball off the ground with a 36% GB% and there is even more power coming in his 6’1”, 170 pound frame. His 30.5% K% is a bit high for comfort, but he has a better feel to hit than that indicates. I believe there is star upside in here, and his potentially plus SS defense should give him every opportunity to reach it. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/23/79/.264/.337/.462/13

95) Jordan Groshans TOR, SS, 22.4 – Groshans had a solid but unspectacular season at Double-A with 7 homers and a 124 wRC+ in 75 games. His advanced plate approach (19.3%/10.8% K%/BB%) is impressive, especially considering his age relative to level, and he kept the ball off the ground with a 39.7% GB%, which led to 23 doubles. He had some injury issues with a sore back earlier in the year and then missed the last month of the year for undisclosed reasons. Because of the limited games and non splashy surface stats, Groshans makes for a nice dynasty target this off-season. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 84/25/84/.274/.352/.481/2

96) Brett Baty NYM, 3B, 22.4 – Baty personifies the proverbial “professional at-bat.” He slashed .292/.382/.473 with 12 homers and a 25.5%/11.9% K%/BB% in 91 games split between High-A and Double-A. There is some swing and miss to his game (30.4% K% in 25 AFL games) and while he has at least plus power, his groundball percentage is way too high to take advantage of it (61.2% at Double-A). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/25/81/.269/.353/.477/4

97) Reginald Preciado CHC, SS, 18.11 – Preciado is a sinewy and projectable 6’4”, 185 pounds, and he got off to a strong start in his pro career, slashing .333/.383/.511 with 3 homers, 7 steals, and a 22.7%/7.1% K%/BB% in 34 games in rookie ball. He’s a switch hitter with a quick and simple swing that is geared for both power and average. While he stole 7 bags, he’s not a burner and will likely be more of a power hitter as he ages. He will still be 18 years old when the 2022 season starts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/25/83/.267/.332/.472/7

98) Benny Montgomery COL, OF, 19.7 – Selected 8th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Montgomery is possibly the highest upside bat in the class, putting up a 103 MPH exit velocity and a 6.32 60 yard dash time. That puts him at the top of the class in power and speed. His hit tool was supposed to be raw, but it actually looked pretty good in his pro debut, slashing .340/.404/.383 with 0 homers, 5 steals and a 17.3%/9.6% K%/BB% in 14 games. He wasn’t able to get to any of his power with a 55.6% groundball percentage, but seeing the strong K% is almost more important at this stage of the game. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/24/83/.258/.332/.460/15

99) Jay Allen CIN, OF, 19.4 – Selected 30th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Allen is a 3 sport star and is one of the best athletes in the class. He’s 6’3”, 190 pounds and takes some vicious hacks at the dish, foreshadowing much more power is coming. Even without concentrating on baseball full time he has shown a good feel to hit with the potential for a plus power/speed combo. He impressed right out of the gate in his pro debut, slashing .328/.440/.557 with 3 homers, 14 steals (in 15 attempts) and a 16%/10.7% K%/BB% in 19 games. He’s a major target of mine in off-season prospect drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 89/20/74/.273/.335/.446/20

100) James Wood SDP, OF, 19.7 – Selected 62nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Wood is a big and athletic lefty at 6’7”, 240 pounds with plus power and above average run times. He dominated rookie ball in his pro debut, slashing .372/.465/.535 with 3 homers, 10 steals and a 31.7%/12.9% K%/BB% in 26 games. Like any player this tall, he has some hit tool concerns, and his GB% was a bit high at 49%. This is basically the Oneil Cruz starter kit. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/24/81/.247/.326/.458/9

101) Matthew Liberatore STL, LHP, 22.5 – Liberatore was given an aggressive assignment, jumping straight from Single-A in 2019 to Triple-A in 2021. He was a bit up and down in the first half, but he finished the season strong with a 2.55 ERA and 53/14 K/BB in his final 53 IP, which is a great sign. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he has plus command of a 4 pitch mix and he knows how to pitch. The stuff ticked up in his first spring start, which could be a sign he is ready to take the next step 2022 Projection: 4/4.37/1.32/73 in 80 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.80/1.19/190 in 190 IP

102) Matt Brash SEA, RHP, 23.10 – Brash put up eye popping numbers in 97.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A with a pitching line of 2.87/1.14/142/48. He uses a plus fastball/slider combo to rack up strikeouts while mixing in a potentially plus change and average curve. Improving his control will be the last step to unlocking his considerable upside. 2022 Projection: 4/4.21/1.34/85 in 80 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.85/1.26/194 in 171 IP

103) Justin Foscue TEX, 2B/3B, 23.1 – Foscue went off against inferior competition at High-A (189 wRC+ in 33 games) and the AFL (.956 OPS in 18 games), but he struggled at the more age appropriate Double-A (89 wRC+ in 26 games). Overall, he showed more power and strikeouts than was expected with 17 homers and a 27% K%. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/24/81/.261/.323/.450/3

104) Travis Swaggerty PIT, OF, 24.7 – A shoulder injury which required surgery ended Swaggerty’s season after just 12 games at Triple-A. He played real well in those 12 games with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 8/6 K/BB. He was reportedly showing more power in 2020 at the alt site, so the 3 quick homers back up that report. He projects as a solid all category contributor at peak, and there is very little competition for at-bats in Pitt’s outfield. 2022 Projection: 52/13/45/.242/.306/.403/10 Prime Projection: 79/18/71/.258/.330/.425/16

105) Alex Ramirez NYM, OF, 19.2 – I fell in love with Ramirez the second I saw his Youtube international prospect hype videos a few years ago. He remains a high upside lottery ticket who the Mets thought enough of to send straight to full season ball for his pro debut. He managed to hold his own with a near average 96 wRC+ and a respectable triple-slash of .258/.326/..384 with 5 homers, 16 steals and a 31.1%/6.9% K%/BB% in 76 games. He’s a projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with a wicked righty swing and a potentially plus power/speed combo. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/23/81/.263/.331/.452/17

106) Mick Abel PHI, RHP, 20.7 – Shoulder tendonitis ended Abel’s season in late July after just 44.2 IP. When healthy, he showed a potentially plus 4 pitch mix headlined by a fastball that can consistently reach the upper 90’s. His control/command needs major work as he put up a 14.3% BB%, and the shoulder injury isn’t great, but there is top of the rotation upside here. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 13/3.61/1.30/205 in 171 IP

107) Seth Beer ARI, 1B, 25.8 – Beer dislocated his shoulder and required surgery after just 5 games into his MLB debut. Inopportune injuries like this for an older prospect can sometimes be the kiss of death for finding a path to playing time, but he hit well in those 5 games (1.389 OPS), and if the DH comes to the NL he will be in much better position going forward. He’s hit well every single year of his career going back to his freshman year of college, and I’m betting on that to continue in the Majors if given the opportunity. 2022 Projection:37/11/41/.257/.325/.449/0 Prime Projection: 75/24/83/.268/.335/.472/0

108) Owen Caissie CHC, OF, 19.9 – Caissie is a 6’4”, 190 pound lefty masher who looks a bit like Joey Gallo at the dish. He performed a bit like Joey Gallo at the dish too with a 29.6%/18.6% K%/BB% to go along with 7 homers in 54 games split between rookie ball and Single-A. He decimated rookie ball with a 179 wRC+ in 32 games, but when he got to the more age appropriate Single-A, his numbers took a dive (.695 OPS). He’s your classic power and patience slugger who gets a big boost in OBP leagues. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 81/29/85/.243/.335/.486/2

109) Curtis Mead TBR, 3B, 21.5 – Mead has baseball bloodlines with his dad playing professional baseball in Australia. His swing reminds me of my stickball swing, staying upright and loose in the box before ripping liners all over the parking lot, er, baseball field. He hits the ball very hard and makes great contact (15.5% K%), and even though his swing is geared for line drives he still hit 15 homers in 104 games at mostly Single-A (163 wRC+ in 47 games) and High-A (117 wRC+ in 53 games). He is now destroying the AFL, slashing .313/.360/.530 with 3 homers in 20 games. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/22/85/.276/.332/.457/7

110) Jairo Pomares SFG, OF, 21.8 – I love the way Pomares stays relaxed and as cool as the other side of the pillow (RIP Stuart Scott) in the box before absolutely unleashing violence on the baseball. He cracked 20 homers in only 77 games split between Single-A and High-A, but his plate approach needs work as he had a 26.5%/4.9% K%/BB%. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/25/81/.263/.317/.465/4

111) Ronny Mauricio NYM, SS, 21.0 – The power breakout arrived for the 6’3” Mauricio as he ripped 20 homers in 108 games at mostly High-A (1 homer in 8 games at Triple-A). He also cranked out this bomb a few days ago in LIDOM (Dominican Winter League). The plate approach is still raw with a 24.7%/5.7% K%/BB%, but 2021 was a step in the right direction to reaching his considerable upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/24/81/.261/.323/.465/7

112) Elly De La Cruz CIN, SS/3B, 20.3 – Cruz is an explosive player with massive raw power and plus speed. He demolished a ball at 117.5 MPH in an instructional league game in early October. He is still very raw, putting up a 31%/4.8% K%/BB% in 50 games at Single-A, and he hasn’t completely tapped into his raw power yet with 8 homers. He also got caught stealing a lot, going 8 for 13 on the bases. The upside is off the charts, but so is the risk. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/21/81/.253/.311/.453/12

113) Victor Acosta SDP, SS, 17.10 – Acosta signed for $1.8 million in last years international class and he impressed right out of the gate in pro ball, slashing .285/.431/.484 with 5 homers, 26 steals, and a 18.8%/15.8% K%/BB% in 56 games in the DSL. He’s a switch hitter who hits well from both sides of the plate, but his lefty swing looks particularly dangerous to me. If his power fully develops, he has superstar upside, and even if it doesn’t his hit tool and speed are enough to make him a truly impact player. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 87/18/78/.274/.352/.445/24

114) Diego Cartaya LAD, C, 20.7 – Cartaya is a big man at 6’3”, 219 pounds, and he had no trouble getting to his at least plus raw power with 10 homers and a 39.2% GB% in just 31 games at Single-A (a passport issue and then a hamstring injury ended his season early). Here he is smoking a 97 MPH fastball for a dinger in June. His 27% K% was high, but he was still able to show a good feel to hit with a .298 BA, and he also had a high 13.1% BB%. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 69/26/77/.260/.336/.472/0

115) Austin Wells NYY, C, 22.9 – Wells more or less lived up to his scouting report in his pro debut with high walk rates and good power numbers. Low groundball rates is a good sign that more power should be coming, and he showed a willingness to run with 16 steals (on 16 attempts). Steals aren’t going to be a major part of his game, but it shows he should at least contribute in the category. The only red flag was a 32.4% K% in 38 games at Single-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 84/22/81/.262/.348/.469/6

116) Landon Knack LAD, RHP, 24.8 – If you’re going to trust just one minor league stat, K/BB rate is a great one to trust, and Knack is elite in that category with an 82/8 K/BB in 62.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A. He throws a mid 90’s fastball up in the zone with 3 secondaries that flash plus (slider, curve, change). He doesn’t go to the change that often and his slider is more consistent than his curve. I’m not necessarily seeing top of the rotation upside, but a low WHIP, high K mid-rotation starter plays up in fantasy. 2022 Projection: 1/4.40/1.30/15 in 15 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.90/1.21/175 in 165 IP

117) Hunter Brown HOU, RHP, 23.7 – Brown has premium stuff with a mid 90’s fastball and two potentially plus breaking balls in his slider and curve. He also throws a lesser used average-ish changeup. When his control is on, he is nearly unhittable, and that area of his game got better as the season went on, improving his BB% from 13.4% in 49.1 IP at Double-A to 9.7% in 51 IP at Triple-A. His overall numbers on the year don’t jump out at you with a pitching line of 4.04/1.42/131/50 in 100.1 IP, and he can be inconsistent, but this is the type of high upside arm to take a shot on. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 11/3.88/1.30/190 in 170 IP

118) Liover Peguero PIT, SS, 21.3 – Peguero jumped straight to High-A in his first year of full season ball and was one of the youngest players in the league. It didn’t stop him from putting up a very respectable triple slash of .270/.332/.444 with 14 homers, 28 steals (6 caught stealing), and a 25.2%/7.9% K%/BB% in 90 games. He has plus speed and his power ticked up this year with room for more as he continues to fill out. His plate approach is still raw, which will be the key to his ultimate upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/18/75/.268/.325/.431/18

119) Luis Campusano SD, C, 23.6 – Campusano unlocked his power in 2021 with a career best 40.2% GB, leading to 15 homers in 81 games at Triple-A. He had a 52.2% HardHit% on 23 batted balls in his MLB cup of coffee this year. He couldn’t keep up the elite 11.7% K% he put up at High-A in 2019 with a 20.2% K% in 2021 (37.9% whiff% in the majors), so I think his ultimate batting average is more of a question than his power at this point. 2022 Projection: 25/7/28/.248/.308/.424/0 Prime Projection: 69/22/76/.266/.327/.462/0

120) Joey Bart SFG, C, 25.3 – Buster Posey’s surprise retirement leaves the door wide open for Bart to take hold of the starting catcher job. He continued to show big power with 10 homers in 67 games at Triple-A, but his K% spiked to 29.4% and he’s never walked a ton with 7.5% BB% this year. He also will be playing in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in the league. 2022 Projection: 39/12/45/.228/.282/.411/0 Prime Projection: 62/24/78/.247/.310/.451/1

121) Elehuris Montero COL, 1B/OF, 23.7 – Montero seems like exactly the type of prospect that Colorado will never give extended playing time to, but on the off chance they do, he has a chance to be a beast in Coors. He’s 6’3”, 235 pounds with plus power that fully broke out this season, slashing .278/.360/.529 with 28 homers and a 22%/10.6% K%/BB% in 120 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He has a career 21.2% K% in 480 minor league games, so he’s never had major issues making contact. All he needs is the chance. 2022 Projection:11/4/15/.255/.312/.451/0 Prime Projection: 72/25/79/.272/.330/.483/1

122) Sal Frelick MIL, OF, 22.0 – Selected 15th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Frelick has a plus hit, plus speed profile. He’s undersized, and while he doesn’t project for big power numbers, the ball jumps off his bat. He has a strong history of production in the ACC, slashing .345/.435/.521 with 12 homers, 38 steals, and a 50/60 K/BB in 102 games, and he proved those skills will transfer in his pro debut. He has the type of profile that should move through the minors quickly. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 81/14/65/.276/.339/.412/17

123) Jeter Downs BOS, 2B, 23.8 – After playing only 12 games in the upper minors (Double-A) prior to this season, Boston sent Downs straight to Triple-A and he simply wasn’t ready. His K% skyrocketed to 32.3% and he put up a 62 wRC+ in 99 games. He was better against inferior competition in the AFL with a .880 OPS, but he still had only a .228 BA with 18 K’s in 16 games. The above average power/speed combo is still there, and this was the first time he has really struggled in his career, so hopefully he can make the necessary adjustments this off-season. 2022 Projection: 17/4/21/.221/.298/.395/3 Prime Projection: 76/23/76/.245/.318/.433/11

124) Jordan Westburg BAL, SS, 23.1 – After Mayo, Westburg provides the next best value compared to price in Baltimore’s system. He quietly put together a strong season across 3 levels of the minors (Single-A, High-A, Double-A), slashing .285/.389/.479 with 15 homers, 17 steals, and a 25.1%/12.1% K%/BB% in 112 games. He may not win you any one category, but he can be a solid across the board contributor. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 82/17/71/.266/.334/.432/18

125) Matt McLain CIN, SS, 22.8 – Selected 17th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, McLain is a safe college bat with a good feel to hit, some pop, and plus speed, but doesn’t stand out in any one category. He slashed .333/.434/.579 with 9 homers, 9 steals, and a 34/34 K/BB in 47 games at UCLA, and then performed well in his pro debut at High-A, slashing .273/.387/.424 with 3 homers, 10 steals, and a 20.2%/14.3% K%/BB% in 29 games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/18/71/.274/.343/.425/15

126) Trey Sweeney NYY, SS, 21.11 – Selected 20th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Sweeney was a bat first prospect who absolutely raked in college this year, slashing .382/.522/.712 with 14 homers and a 24/46 K/BB in 48 games. He immediately showed his power is legit with 7 homers in 32 games in his pro debut at mostly Single-A. Coming out of the Ohio Valley Conference, he has still yet to face top level competition, but the Yankees are clearly believers, and his pro debut did nothing to prove them wrong. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/23/82/.261/.337/.457/5

127) Cristian Santana DET, SS, 18.4 – I was relatively high on Santana coming into the year, ranking him 263rd overall on my off-season Top 473 prospects list, and he lived up to the expectations in his pro debut, slashing .269/.421/.520 with 9 homers, 12 steals, and a 21.3%/13.9% K%/BB%. He had a 58.8% flyball percentage, which is almost too high, but there isn’t any concern with him getting to all of his power, and he combines that with an advanced plate approach and some speed. I love Santana as a high upside target with a decent floor. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 86/26/81/.268/.342/.473/8

128) Gabriel Gonzalez SEA, OF, 18.2 – Gonzalez is a high signing bonus ($1.1 million) international prospect who was one of the top breakouts in the Dominican Summer League, slashing .287/.371/.521 with 7 homers, 9 steals, and a 15.8%/9.5% K%/BB% in 54 games. He’s only 5’10, but he packs a punch with plenty of power projection to go along with above average speed and a good feel to hit. DSL stats are the least reliable, but he’s a great high upside target. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/24/81/.271/.337/.470/12

129) Asa Lacy KCR, LHP, 22.10 – Lacy’s control was atrocious in his pro debut with a 17.3% BB% in 52 IP at High-A. He also pitched in the AFL and the control was just as bad with 6 walks in 7.2 IP. He wasn’t exactly a control artist in college either with a career 4.0 BB/9 (3.0 BB/9 his junior year), but it was never this bad, so I do think it is reasonable to assume that will regress closer to what he’s shown in the past. He shouldn’t have any fear about throwing the ball over the plate, because the stuff is elite with an upper 90’s fastball and plus slider that led to a 33.3% K% (15 K’s in the AFL). His changeup and curve also flash plus. He’s an ace if he improves his control. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/3.78/1.33/186 in 163 IP

130) Shea Langeliers ATL, C, 24.5 – Langeliers’ answered the questions about his ultimate power potential this year after hitting just 2 homers in his 54 game pro debut in 2019. He brought his GB% down 9.7 percentage points to 30.7% and jacked out 22 homers in 97 games at mostly Double-A. It does come with some swing and miss, striking out 26.2% of the time at Double-A and 42.9% at Triple-A (in 14 PA). 2022 Projection: 12/3/15/.236/.302/.417/0 Prime Projection: 62/23/69/.252/.321/.444/1

131) Tyler Freeman CLE, SS, 22.10 – Left shoulder surgery ended Freeman’s season after just 41 games. He wasn’t able to tap into that extra power that was reported from the alt site in 2020, hitting only 2 homers at Double-A. He was able to carry over his elite contact rates though with a 11.7% K%. He doesn’t walk much (4.4% BB%), and while he has some speed, he was only 4 for 6 on the bases this year. The elite contact rates and the hope he will come into more power is what you are buying here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/16/65/.286/.339/.430/11

132) Luisangel Acuna TEX, SS/2B, 20.1 – Luisangel is smaller than his brother and doesn’t have his brother’s power, but he’s a good ballplayer in his own right with the chance for across the board production. He shows a mature plate approach with a 23.3%/10.4% K%/BB% and plus speed with 44 steals in 55 attempts. He also jacked 12 homers with a 49.7% GB%, so if he can lower that groundball rate and get stronger as he matures, he may end up with some real pop. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 84/17/70/.266/.335/.423/19

133) Kristian Robinson ARI, OF, 21.4 – Robinson’s career is up in the air after he was sentenced to 18 months probation for assaulting a police officer during a mental breakdown. There is no clear answer on when he will be allowed to continue his career. He was already a high risk player due to hit tool concerns, and this latest development pushes the risk off the charts. I completely get if you want to cut bait, but his potentially elite power/speed combo is worth hanging onto until there is at least a little more clarity on his future. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/25/81/.233/.308/.465/14

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

135) Ezequiel Duran TEX, 2B/SS, 22.10 – Duran is an explosive player with a powerful righty swing. He cracked 19 homers in 105 games at High-A and is now ripping up the AFL with a .942 OPS. His plate approach still needs refinement (27.6%/8.5% K%/BB%), and while he stole 19 bags, he got caught 9 times and isn’t a burner. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/25/79/.253/.318/.458/7

136) Sam Bachman LAA, RHP, 22.6 – Selected 9th overall, Bachman has an aggressive, attacking delivery that he uses to fire upper 90’s heat with a nasty plus slider. He had some shoulder soreness early in the year, but was lights out when on the mound with a pitching line of 1.81/0.77/93/17 in 59.2 IP. There is some reliever risk, but the stuff is electric. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.78/1.21/179 in 163 IP

137) Andrew Painter PHI, RHP, 19.0 – Selected 13th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Painter is a big dude at 6’7”, 215 pounds and throws a 4 pitch mix (fastball, slider, curve, change) with an easy repeatable delivery. He’s displayed good control and all of his pitches have the potential to be above average at least. He dominated in his pro debut with 0 ER and a 12/0 K/BB over 6 IP in rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 14/3.71/1.18/198 in 183 IP

138) James Triantos CHC, 2B/SS, 19.2 – Selected 56th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Triantos had an eye opening pro debut, slashing .327/.376/.594 with 6 homers, 3 steals, and a 16.5%/6.4% K%/BB% in 25 games in rookie ball. He has a textbook righty swing and a great feel to hit. He doesn’t project for huge power, but he should be able to get to all of the power he has through quality of contact. The hype has started to percolate for him, but he should still come at a good value in off-season drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 85/23/78/.283/.341/.462/6

139) Jose Salas MIA, SS, 18.11 – If your thing is finding high upside prospects who can fly up prospects lists in a hurry, Salas is your guy. He proved too advanced for stateside rookie ball as a young 18 year old, putting up a 163 wRC+ with a 21.5%/10.3% K%/BB% in 28 games. Miami was impressed enough to send him to full season for 27 games and he was able to hold his own there too with a .333 OBP and a very reasonable 22.8%. He stole 14 bags on the season and while his power didn’t show up with only 2 homers, there is definitely more coming as his 6’2”, 191 pound frame continues to mature. Now is the time to get in. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 84/23/80/.273/.348/.461/12

140) Blake Walston ARI, LHP, 20.9 – Walston is a big lefty at 6’5”, 175 pounds with a legitimate 4 pitch mix (fastball, curve, slider, change). All four of his pitches have the potential to be at least above average, with his curveball as his money pitch. He pitched well in his first taste of full season ball with a pitching line of 3.76/1.24/117/33 split between Single-A and High-A, and he’s shaping up to be a high K mid rotation guy. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.88/1.27/189 in 177 IP

141) Eddys Leonard LAD, 2B/SS, 21.4 – Leonard isn’t physically imposing at 6’0”, 160 pounds (probably heavier than that now), but the ball definitely jumps off his bat. He whacked 22 homers in 107 games split between Single-A and High-A. His plate approach was solid with a 23.6%/10.4% K%/BB%, and he has some speed too with 9 steals. He isn’t likely to win you any one category, but he can be a damn good overall hitter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/21/76/.265/.339/.446/7

142) Heston Kjerstad BAL, OF, 23.2 – Heart inflammation has kept Kjerstad out all year but he recently started taking BP. If you are negotiating a trade this off-season with a team that has Kjerstad in their system, seeing if you can get him tacked on for cheap wouldn’t be the worst idea. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/26/81/.252/.320/.472/3

143) Roderick Arias NYY, SS, 17.7 – The crown jewel of this year’s international free agent class, Arias is a switch hitter with an all around skillset that could develop in any number of directions. He’s shown a good feel to hit with the ability to hit it hard and has above average speed. Defense might be his best tool at the moment. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 83/21/81/.268/.335/.453/12

144) Cristian Vaquero WAS, OF, 17.8 – Vaquero is expected to sign for the top signing bonus in the international class and has the requisite upside to back that up. He’s an elite athlete at 6’3”, 185 pounds with a plus power/speed combo and the frame to tack on more muscle. The hit tool is still raw, so the risk is high. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 77/24/85/.258/.331/.462/14

145) Adrian Morejon SDP, LHP, 23.1 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in late April 2021 and will likely be out until mid-season 2022. Morejon was one of my favorite targets last off-season with a 96.3 MPH fastball and 3 potentially plus, swing and miss secondaries in his changeup, curve and slider. He added a sinker to the mix this year and the extremely small sample results were positive with a 30.8% whiff% and negative 3 degree launch angle. He seems mostly forgotten about, but he has the kind of premium stuff that is worth waiting on. He is an easy flier that you can probably get for close to nothing at this point. 2022 Projection: 3/4.12/1.31/62 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.79/1.24/177 in 162 IP

146) AJ Puk OAK, LHP, 26.11 – Puk is starting to look pretty locked into being a bullpen arm, at least for the next few seasons. He has the classic high leverage reliever profile with a 95.4 MPH fastball and a plus slider that put up a 46.4% whiff%. 2022 Projection: 4/3.93/1.33/81 in 73 IP

147) Kyle Muller ATL, LHP, 24.6 – Muller has plus stuff with a 93.4 fastball and two swing and miss secondaries in his slider (34.6% whiff%) and curve (48.1% whiff%). It resulted in a 30.8% whiff% on the MLB level and a 27% K% at Triple-A, but his poor control makes him high risk with a 12.9% BB% (12.2% at Triple-A). There is plenty of competition in Atlanta for rotation spots, so he could end up in the pen, especially early in his career. 2022 Projection: 3/4.03/1.35/71 in 65 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.83/1.32/169 in 155 IP

148) Graham Ashcraft CIN, RHP, 24.1 – Ashcraft broke out in 2021 with a pitching line of 3.00/1.11/129/37 in 111 IP split between High-A and Double-A. He misses bats and induces lots of groundballs (60.5% GB% in 72.1 IP at Double-A), which is a great combination. His bread and butter is a mid to upper 90’s fastball that has hit 100 MPH with good cutting action. He combines that with a filthy breaking ball and developing changeup. He’s one of my favorite pop up pitching prospects this year and while there is reliever risk, I still think he is being undervalued. 2022 Projection: 2/4.19/1.33/47 in 45 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.89/1.28/178 in 165 IP

149) Nolan Jones CLE, 3B/OF, 23.9 – Jones feels like he’s been around forever, and he has the requisite prospect fatigue that goes along with that, but he still has the potential to be an excellent power and patience bat. He put up a 14.5% BB% in 99 games at Triple-A, and while he hit only 13 homers, it was likely due to a cold streak to start the year. He hit 12 homers in his final 66 games. The strikeouts have climbed as he climbed the minor league leaguer, culminating with a 30% K% this year, so he’s a better target in OBP leagues. 2022 Projection: 37/9/32/.226/.317/.435/2 Prime Projection: 84/27/81/.242/.343/.471/3

150) Bryce Jarvis ARI, RHP, 24.3 – Jarvis is an advanced pitcher with an above average 4 pitch mix. His fastball sits in the mid 90’s and his changeup is his best secondary. He ran into some trouble at Double-A in his pro debut with a 5.66 ERA in 35 IP, but he was still getting strikeouts with a 40/17 K/BB. I loved him coming out of the draft and I’m still on board. 2022 Projection: 2/4.46/1.35/40 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.98/1.29/175 in 170 IP

151) Steven Kwan CLE, OF, 24.7 – Kwan’s had elite contact rates with an elite plate approach his entire career going back to college, and that continued in the upper levels of the minors with a 9.1%/10.6% K%/BB% in 77 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. And this year to power ticked up, cracking 12 homers in those 77 games as he started to pull the ball more. He’s only 5’9”, 170 pounds, and he’s already 24, so the power potential probably isn’t huge, and he’s not a big base stealer either, although he will nab a handful. Proximity also plays a role in this ranking as he should compete for a starting job in spring. 2022 Projection: 52/11/41/.272/.338/.423/5 Prime Projection: 84/19/71/.285/.346/.448/8

152) Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP, 24.6 – Whitley underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2021 and is expected to be out until the middle of next season. He also battled shoulder inflammation in 2019 which contributed to an awful season. Assuming his stuff returns completely, the upside is still there, but he was far from a finished product even before all of the injuries over the last 3 seasons. The risk is starting to overshadow the reward. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 8/3.98/1.33/155 in 140 IP

153) Matt Allan NYM, RHP, 20.11 – Allan underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2021 which may keep him out until towards the end of the 2022 season. When healthy, he throws a mid 90’s fastball with a plus, high spin rate curveball and a changeup that was getting rave reviews at the alt site in 2020. He’s only pitched 10.1 professional innings in his career, and is now undergoing major arm surgery, so the risk is high, but so is the upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 12/3.83/1.25/175 in 160 IP

154) Quinn Priester PIT, RHP, 21.6 – Priester’s fastball was sitting in the low 90’s by the end of the year, and even registered some in the high 80’s. He was in the mid 90’s earlier in the year, so the hope is that he will be able to maintain those numbers as he builds innings and gains strength. His 97.2 IP at High-A was by far the most of his career. He put up a solid 3.04 ERA, but his 24.1%/9.6% K%/BB% was less impressive. He throws a legitimate 5 pitch mix with his curveball as his best secondary. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/4.08/1.31/166 in 170 IP

155) Ryne Nelson ARI, RHP, 24.2 – Nelson’s moneymaker is an at least plus, mid 90’s fastball which hitters have major trouble picking up. It’s a swing and miss pitch. He combines that with a potentially plus curveball, average slider, and a developing change. His control took a big step forward this year, putting up a respectable 8.2% BB% at Double-A. It all led to a 3.51 ERA with a 104/26 K/BB in 77 IP at Double-A (2.52 ERA in 39.1 IP at High-A). 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 10/3.95/1.31/165 in 155 IP

156) Drey Jameson ARI, RHP, 24.7 – Jameson has electric stuff with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and a plus, put away slider. His fastball command isn’t great, and when he wants to locate it the velocity can drop into the low 90’s. He seems to throw 3 variations of the slider (upper 80’s, mid 80’s, lower 80’s) and all 3 of the pitches are plus. He also mixes in a curve and change, but he mostly goes to his fastball/slider combo. It all led to a pitching line of 3.98/1.21/145/36 in 110.2 IP. He’s only 6’0”, 165 pounds and he looks a bit reliever-ish to me, but hard to argue with the great stuff and strikeout numbers. 2022 Projection: 2/4.32/1.36/47 in 45 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.92/1.32/168 in 150 IP

157) Brayan Bello BOS, RHP, 22.10 – Bello rolled through High-A with a 2.27 ERA and 45/7 K/BB in 31.2 IP before meeting his match in Double-A with a 4.66 ERA, but his strikeout rate was still excellent (31.1%) and he had a 3.33 xFIP, so he pitched better than his surface stats. He has big stuff with a mid 90’s fastball that he can regularly get into the upper 90’s and the potential for 2 plus secondaries in his slider and change. He has solid control, but his command can waver and he doesn’t necessarily consistently hit his spots. If he can improve his control/command, he has legitimate top of the rotation upside, but he’ll more likely top out as a mid rotation guy with high K rates. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/3.89/1.30/175 in 165 IP

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

159) Brailyn Marquez CHC, LHP, 23.2 – It was a lost season for Marquez as he never got on the mound in 2021 due to getting Covid in the spring and then suffering a shoulder strain when he was ramping back up. The stuff is too nasty to just forget about though with an upper 90’s fastball, plus slider, and a changeup that supposedly showed improvement at the alt site in 2020. He needs to improve his control and the shoulder injury adds more risk, but I still love taking a shot on his upside. 2022 Projection: 4/4.15/1.33/76 in 70 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.76/1.29/175 in 155 IP

160) DJ Herz CHC, LHP, 21.3 – Herz has a bit of a funky lefty delivery which always wrecks havoc on hitter’s ability to pick up pitches. It can add some injury risk and control problems (4.8 BB/9), so it’s a give and take. He used that delivery to fire 3 potentially plus pitches in his mid 90’s fastball, curve, and changeup. The stuff is nasty and it led to a pitching line of 3.31/1.05/131/41 in 81.2 IP split between Single-A and High-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/3.76/1.28/180 in 160 IP

161) Sixto Sanchez MIA, RHP, 23.0 – Sanchez reportedly had a setback in his rehab from shoulder surgery and there are also rumors the team is not happy with how he is handling his rehab. On talent alone, Sanchez could rank much higher on this list, but the risk is starting to far outweigh the reward. 2022 Projection: 3/4.23/1.31/45 in 50 IP

162) Yoelqui Cespedes CHW, OF, 24.7 – Cespedes came as advertised with a plus power/speed combo (8 homers and 18 stolen bases in 72 games split between High-A and Double-A) and a raw plate plate approach (83/16 K/BB). He is so talented that even with the poor plate approach he still managed to put up a 127 wRC+ at High-A (.278 BA) and 108 wRC+ at Double-A (.298 BA). There is also often an adjustment period when Cuban players come stateside. He is one of those players that is likely overrated in more casual leagues because of name value, and underrated in more serious leagues. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/19/73/.252/.316/.424/16

163) Austin Hendrick CIN, OF, 20.9 – Hendrick was an extreme 3 true outcome slugger in his pro debut, slashing .211/.380/.388 with 7 homers, 4 steals, a 28.4% GB%, and a 37.6%/19.2% K%/BB% in 63 games at Single-A. This is likely who he will always be with a big uppercut lefty swing, although I doubt it will always be to this extreme level. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/28/85/.240/.332/.473/6

164) Johan Rojas PHI, OF, 21.8 – Rojas is an explosive player with strong contact rates, plus speed, and plus raw power, but he still hasn’t put it all together with high groundball rates. He struggled at Single-A in 78 games with a 86 wRC+ before catching fire in his 17 game High-A debut with 3 homers and a 161 wRC+. He has a nice blend of upside due to his power/speed combo and floor due to his contact rates. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/17/73/.278/.326/.426/18

165) Hendry Mendez MIL, OF, 18.5 – Mendez was one of the most advanced hitters in the Dominican Summer League with a 3.1%/10.9% K%/BB% in 21 games. He was then promoted to stateside rookie ball and raked there too with a 138 wRC+ and 13.5%/13.5% K%/BB%. He only hit 1 homer in 40 games, but he is a projectable 6’2”, 175 pounds with plenty of power projection. He has the potential for plus hit and power at peak. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/22/79/.280/.350/.480/9

166) Jackson Chourio MIL, OF, 18.1 – Chourio checked in at #922 on my 2021 Top 1,000 after signing for $1.8 million, and he delivered on that promise in his pro debut, slashing, .296/.386/.447 with 5 homers, 8 steals, and a 14.8%/12.2% K%/BB% in 45 games in the DSL. He’s an advanced hitter with plus speed, and at a projectable 6’1”, 165 pounds, he has the chance to develop above average power at least. He’s a great high upside shot to take. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 78/20/76/.268/.339/.437/14

167) Manuel Beltre TOR, SS, 17.10 – Beltre was known for his advanced plate approach and plus contact rates coming into pro ball, and he lived up to his scouting report to a T with a 13.9%/17.6% K%/BB%. His 46.9% flyball percentage was likely part of the reason for his low .225 BA, but when his power inevitable ticks up, that high flyball rate will lead to plenty of dingers. Now is the time to buy into Beltre. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 88/21/81/.281/.359/.462/11

168) Colson Montgomery CHW, SS, 20.4 – Selected 22nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Montgomery is a big lefty with big power potential. He’s not fast, but he’s not a lumbering slugger either as he was a standout basketball player too. On the downside, he’s old for the high school class and there are swing and miss concerns. He had a solid but unspectacular pro debut, slashing .287/.396/.362 with 0 homers, a 59.4% GB%, 0 steals and a 19.8%/11.7% K%/BB% in 26 games in rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/23/80/.263/.335/.457/6

169) Gunnar Hoglund TOR, RHP, 22.4 – Selected 19th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Hoglund underwent Tommy John surgery and is expected to be out until mid-season 2022. When healthy, he uses an easy, rhythmic delivery that produces high spin rates and plus control/command over a 3 pitch mix (fastball, slider, change). All of his pitches have the potential to be above average and play up because of his command. He dominated before the injury with a pristine 13.8 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 (2.87 ERA). Fastball ticking up into the mid 90’s could be the last piece to top of the rotation potential. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 13/3.77/1.19/185 in 171 IP

170) Kyle Harrison SFG, LHP, 20.8 – Harrison uses a funky, almost sidearm lefty delivery to rack up strikeouts (35.7% K% in 98.2 IP at Single-A), but it also comes with command issues (11.8% BB%). His fastball is a plus pitch and he combines that with a potentially plus slider and much improved changeup. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 11/3.93/1.32/191 in 170 IP

171) Hunter Bishop SFG, OF, 23.9 – Bishop missed almost the entire season with a shoulder injury, but he returned in time for the Arizona Fall League where he’s slashing .269/.345/.462 with 5 doubles, 0 homers, 0 steals, and a 12/1 K/BB in 8 games. The athleticism and plus power/speed combo are still there, but he’s missed a lot of development time and the hit tool is a question. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 81/23/74/.250/.340/.450/9

172) Cole Henry WASH, RHP, 22.9 – Henry’s been one of the most impressive pitchers in the AFL with a pitching line of 3.32/1.11/30/9 in 19 IP. This coming off his utter domination of High-A (1.88/0.79/63/11 in 43 IP). He’s 6’4”, 225 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and two potentially plus secondaries in his changeup and curve. He has good control over all of his pitches. I like him a ton. This off-season is definitely a great time to buy in while the price is low. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.86/1.27/189 in 174 IP

173) Spencer Strider ATL, RHP, 23.5 – Strider made his pro debut in 2021 and made it all the way to the majors for 2.1. IP. He racked up strikeouts in the minors with a plus fastball/slider combo, putting up a 153/40 K/BB with a 3.64 ERA in 94 IP at mostly Double-A. His fastball consistently hits the upper 90’s, and the slider is potentially plus, but without a real third pitch there is a reliever risk. 2022 Projection: 2/4.25/1.33/45 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.01/1.30/162 in 150 IP

174) Ryan Murphy SFG, RHP, 22.6 – Murphy steamrolled through the lower levels of the minors with pitching line of 2.52/0.91/164/26 in 107.1 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He shows good control of a traditional 4 pitch mix with a low 90’s fastball, plus curveball, above average slider, and developing change. If he can add a few MPH to his fastball, watch out. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.89/1.23/188 in 175 IP

175) Will Bednar SFG, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 14th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Bednar has MLB bloodlines with his brother, David, breaking out in Pittsburgh’s pen. Will throws low to mid 90’s heat with a plus slider and a developing changeup. His numbers in the SEC have been very good with a pitching line of 3.22/1.14/136/26 in 89.1 IP over 2020-21. There isn’t huge upside, but landing in San Francisco is the best possible spot for a pitching prospect. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.96/1.29/173 in 165 IP

176) Ezequiel Tovar COL, SS, 20.9 – Tovar is a plus contact (12.2% K%), plus speed (24 for 30 on the bases) ballplayer who showed more power than expected in 2021 with 15 homers in 104 games split between Single-A and High-A. He didn’t walk much with a 3.6% BB%, but maybe he can end up something like Raimel Tapia with a little more power. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/14/63/.280/.325/.410/18

177) Peyton Battenfield CLE, RHP, 24.8 – Battenfield is 6’4”, 224 pounds with an overhand delivery that causes some uncomfortable at bats. His fastball is plus and can regularly hit the mid 90’s. He combines that with a slower, loopy-ish curveball, a lesser used changeup that flashes plus, and a hard cutter/slider. Everything played up because of his elite control, leading to a 2.53 ERA with a 131/19 K/BB in 103 IP at mostly Double-A, although he has never shown that level of control before, so it will be interesting to see if he can truly maintain that level. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 11/4.04/1.24/178 in 174 IP

Tier 6

178) Joshua Baez STL, OF, 18.9 – Selected 54th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Baez was one of the youngest players in the draft and has one of the best power projections, notching a 102 MPH exit velocity at a Perfect Game event. He’s also relatively fast with a 6.67 60 yard dash time, showing he is not just a lumbering slugger. He doesn’t project for major strikeout issues, but there is some swing and miss to his game. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/25/84/.253/.336/.473/8

179) Oscar Colas CHW, OF, 23.5 – Expected to sign with Chicago in the upcoming international free agent period for $2.7 million. Colas used to be a two way player, but is now focusing solely on hitting. He’s a built up 6’1”, 209 pounds with a smooth and powerful lefty swing that is reminiscent of many successful lefthanded power hitters. He has a strong history of production in Cuba and Japan professional leagues, showing present plus power. There is plenty of inherent, unknown risks, but I would be willing to take a shot on him. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/26/83/.262/.331/.483/6

180) Lazaro Montes SEA, OF, 17.6 – Montes is a 6’4”, 205 pound power hitting beast with good athleticism. Just check out this video of him demolishing the ball, and listen to the sound off the bat. The power hitting upside is obvious. He’s one of my favorite FYPD targets this year. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/27/85/.258/.336/.482/5

181) Wilman Diaz LAD, SS, 18.5 – Diaz struggled in his first taste of pro ball with an 89 wRC+ and 27.7% K% in 24 games in the DSL. He was getting better as the season went along, and 24 games is a very small sample, so I wouldn’t panic based on the slow start to his career. He still has all the tools that made him a high priced international signing, but he obviously has a long way to go. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 82/23/76/.267/.333/.450/12

182) Luis Gil NYY, RHP, 23.10 – Gil made his MLB debut in 2021 and he held his own, showing off a nasty fastball/slider combo. The fastball sat 96.1 MPH and the slider put up a .234 xwOBA with a 37.5% whiff% in 29.1 IP. He’s still wild with a 5.1 BB/9 in 79.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A, and the changeup wasn’t much of a weapon in the majors with a 7.3% usage rate and .529 xwOBA, but this is a bet on the stuff. 2022 Projection: 3/4.31/1.38/87 in 72 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.81/1.34/184 in 168 IP

183) Logan Allen CLE, LHP, 23.7 – Allen has pitched well at every stop of his career going back to 2018. He made quick work of High-A in his pro debut with a 1.58 ERA and 67/13 K/BB in 55.1 IP before getting promoted to Double-A and more or less doing the same with a 2.85 ERA and 76/13 K/BB in 60 IP. He throws low 90’s heat with a plus changeup and average curve, so the stuff doesn’t necessarily jump out at you. He also isn’t exactly an intimidating presence on the mound at 6’0”, 190 pounds. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.10/1.25/171 in 168 IP

184) Jake Eder MIA, LHP, 23.4 – Eder underwent Tommy John surgery and will likely miss all of 2022. It was a really disappointing end to what was otherwise an eye opening season for the young lefty. He was cruising right through Double-A with his mid 90’s heat and at least plus curve, putting up a pitching line of 1.77/0.98/99/27 in 71.1 IP. If not for the injury, he very well could have competed for #2 overall on this list, but missing an entire year and the added injury risk has him dropping a bit for me. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.82/1.27/179 in 165 IP

185) Jordan Wicks CHC, LHP, 22.7 – Selected 21st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Wicks is a safe pick that is more appealing the deeper the league is. His money maker is a double plus changeup that he relies on heavily. The fastball sits in the low 90’s and he has two average-ish breaking balls with his slider being the better of the two pitches. He had a pitching line of 3.70/1.28/118/28 in 92.1 IP in the Big 12, so while that is solid, he hasn’t exactly been lights out. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/4.09/1.28/176 in 173 IP

186) Gavin Williams CLE, RHP, 22.8 – Selected 23rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Williams always had the big fastball which can now reach 100 MPH, and in 2021 his control (2.3 BB/9) and secondaries (curve, slider, change) took big steps forward en route to a pitching line of 1.88/0.96/130/21 in 81.1 IP. He’s old for the class and has major reliever risk, but the stuff is exciting. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.03/1.34/164 in 151 IP

187) Zack Gelof OAK, 3B, 22.5 – Selected 60th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Gelof is 6’3”, 205 pounds with plus power to all fields. He hit only 9 homers in 63 games in the ACC this year, but Virginia’s home ballpark is notorious for suppressing power. He proved the power was real in his pro debut, smashing 7 homers with a 143 wRC+ in 32 games at Single-A before going 7 for 12 in his 3 game Triple-A cup of coffee. He’s also a good athlete with a very successful career on the bases in college which carried over into pro ball (13 steals in 15 attempts). He’s one of my favorite under the radar first year player draft targets. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/24/79/.261/.326/.462/8

188) Ty Madden DET, RHP, 22.1 – Selected 32nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Madden uses an overhead delivery that vaguely reminds me a bit of Ian Anderson to throw a traditional 4-pitch mix highlighted by mid-90’s heat. He struggled with control in 2019, but was much better in 2020 and that was carried over somewhat in 2021 with a pitching line of 2.41/1.05/119/39 in 100.2 IP. He’s a relatively safe starter with some upside still in the tank. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.97/1.29/175 in 175 IP

189) Michael McGreevy STL, RHP, 21.9 – Selected 18th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, McGreevy is a control artist who had a 1.5 BB/9 in his college career over 189.1 IP. The stuff isn’t huge with a low 90’s sinker and 3 secondaries (curve-best secondary, slider, change), but he’s young for his class and there could be more in the tank. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.18/1.26/158 in 170 IP

190) Evan Carter TEX, OF, 19.7 – A stress fracture in his back ended what was shaping up to be an excellent pro debut for Carter. He was an 18 year old in full season ball and he walked more than he struck out with a 19.2%/23.3% K%/BB%. He hit only two homers, but at 6’4”, 190 pounds and with a 37.2% GB%, more power is definitely coming. He also has plus speed with 12 steals in 32 games. The advanced plate approach gives him a safe floor, and the upside is high if he can get stronger as he matures, which seems like a good bet to make. If he didn’t get hurt, he would have likely placed much higher on this list. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/21/74/.274/.345/.441/13

191) Caleb Kilian CHC, RHP, 24.10 – Kilian is 6’4”, 180 pounds with an advanced feel for pitching and elite control. He put up a 112/13 K/BB with a 2.42 ERA at mostly Double-A. The stuff isn’t necessarily that great with a low 90’s fastball that he can ramp up into the mid 90’s, a potentially plus curve, and average change. He projects as a mid to back end starter who should have a strong WHIP which helps for fantasy. 2022 Projection; Prime Projection: 10/4.18/1.23/157 in 165 IP

192) Tommy Romero TBR, RHP, 24.9 – Romero dominated the upper levels of the minors with a pitching of 2.61/0.96/145/31 in 110.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. Romero does most of his damage with a plus fastball that can reach the mid 90’s, and he combines that with two solid secondaries in his curve and change. Plus command helps everything play up. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 9/3.92/1.26/155 in 153

193) Owen White TEX, RHP, 22.8 – White broke his hand during his first start of the season in Single-A didn’t return until August, limiting him to 63.2 IP including the AFL. He was one of the most impressive pitchers in the AFL, showing off a dominant mid 90’s fastball and 3 quality secondaries in his curve, slider, and change. This was his first year pitching pro ball and he hasn’t faced advanced competition, so the track record is short, but the plus stuff gives him legitimate upside. He’s a great pitcher to take a shot on in off-season prospect drafts, and depending on the league you should be able to get pretty late. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.02/1.28/178 in 165 IP

194) Michael Toglia COL, 1B, 23.8 – Toglia is a 6’5”, 226 pound switch hitter with plus power (22 homers in 115 games split between High-A and Double-A), but his strikeout rates have been very high even going back to his college days (28.5% K% in 2021). I’m also not sure his power is quite big enough to make up for the strikeout problems, although Coors can obviously mask some of these problems. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/25/79/.246/.323/.464/5

195) Brandon Williamson SEA, LHP, 24.0 – Williamson is a tall and lanky 6’6”, 210 pounds which always makes for an uncomfortable at-bat. His stuff isn’t huge with a low 90’s fastball, potentially plus breaking ball and developing change, but it was mighty effective vs. Double-A batters with a 3.48 ERA and 33%/8.1% K%/BB%. 2022 Projection: 3/4.31/1.36/53 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.10/1.31/174 in 166 IP

196) Vaughn Grissom ATL, SS, 21.3 – Grissom’s advanced plate approach transferred to full season ball with a 14.2%/11.8% K%/BB% in 87 games split between Single-A and High-A. He hit only 7 homers and his GB% was high, but at 6’3”, 180 pounds there should be more in the tank. He was 16 for 19 on the bases, and while he’s not a true burner and it’s hard to trust stolen base numbers in the lower minors, he should contribute in steals. He has average to above average across the board potential. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 83/20/76/.273/.347/.448/9

197) Pedro Pineda OAK, OF, 18.7 – The scouting report didn’t change much on Pineda this season. He’s a high risk/high reward prospect with a plus power/speed combo and hit tool concerns. He performed very well as a 17 year old in stateside rookie ball with a 121 wRC+ in 23 games, but he also struck out a lot in both the Dominican League (32.5% K% in 10 games) and the Arizona Complex League (36.4%). ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/23/82/.245/.332/.452/14

198) Max Muncy OAK, SS, 19.6 – Selected 25th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Muncy is in the 99th percentile of the high school class for exit velocity and in the 95th percentile for bat speed (according to Perfect Game). He projects for only average speed and he also has some hit tool risk, evidenced by a 35.3% K% in his 11 game pro debut, but the dude can put a charge into the ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/22/84/.258/.330/.447/9

199) Chase Petty CIN, RHP, 19.0 – Selected 26th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Petty slings a mid 90’s fastball that has hit over 100 MPH from a 3/4 arm slot. His slider and changeup are both a work in progress but both flash above average potential. There is some reliever risk, but Petty has the upside to end up the top prep pitcher in this draft class. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 12/3.87/1.28/183 in 171 IP

200) Ryan Cusick ATL, RHP, 22.5 – Selected 24th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, the ball absolutely explodes out of Cusick’s hand with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and a plus curve. He racks up strikeouts with 108 K’s in 70 IP, but control is a major issue with 32 walks, and his 4.24 ERA (1.39 WHIP) isn’t exactly great. His control looked better in his small sample pro debut with 4 walks in 16.1 IP at Single-A, and it didn’t impact his K rate at all with 34 strikeouts. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.33/169 in 158 IP

201) Geraldo Perdomo ARI, SS, 22.5 – It was a tale of 2 halves for Perdomo who had a .482 OPS in his first 53 games, and then put up a .986 in his final 43 games. The truth is probably somewhere in between as Perdomo projects for solid across the board production. He’ll need a power breakout to really become an impact player. 2022 Projection: 22/2/16/.242/.303/.373/3 Prime Projection: 78/17/62/.275/.342/.422/11

202) Xzavion Curry CLE, RHP, 23.8 – Curry’s breaking balls (curve, slider) are a thing of beauty and are at least plus pitches. His fastball sits in the low 90’s but it is a very effective pitch. He pounds the strike zone and it led to pitching line of 2.30/0.89/123/16 in 97.2 IP at mostly High-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.94/1.24/169 in 165 IP

203) Josh Winder MIN, RHP, 25.5 – Right shoulder impingement ended Winder’s season in late July after 72 IP. When healthy, he showed good control of a mid 90’s fastball with his best secondary being a nasty hard changeup that he throws around 90 MPH (he also throws a mid 80’s change). Both of his breaking balls are solid pitches too. 2022 Projection: 3/4.35/1.34/62 in 65 IP Prime Projection: 11/4.00/1.28/176 in 173 IP

204) Matt Canterino MIN, RHP, 24.3 – A right elbow strain limited Canterino to just 23 IP at mostly High-A, but boy did look dominant in those innings with a 0.78 ERA and a 45/4 K/BB. He throws a plus fastball/slider combo with a changeup that has shown improvement and solid curve too. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.12/1.31/175 in 167 IP

205) Jordan Balazovic MIN, RHP, 23.6 – Balazovic’s best pitch is his mid 90’s fastball which he does an excellent job of commanding, but the secondaries leave something to be desired. The curveball is average and he completely scrapped his changeup towards the end of the year for a splitter. The splitter shows some promise but it’s far from a proven pitch. He had a solid season at Double-A with a pitching line of 3.62/1.40/102/38 in 97 IP, but the secondaries will need to improve if he wants to be an impact MLB starter. 2022 Projection: 1/4.58/1.40/41 in 45 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.24/1.33/155 in 161 IP

206) Kyle Isbel KCR, OF, 25.1 – Isbel put up a .772 OPS in his 83 PA MLB debut, but his xStats were terrible with a well below average .251 xwOBA. His best skill is his plus speed (28.2 ft/sec sprint speed), and he’s been a very successful base stealer through he minor league career (57 for 72 in 228 games). He’s made contact his entire career and that continued in the majors with a slightly above average 23.9% whiff%. He doesn’t hit the ball hard enough to really do damage, but his exit velocity numbers were merely below average (87.3 MPH EV), they weren’t terrible. He definitely has the skills for some moderate across the board production. 2022 Projection: 58/12/53/.252/.321/.406/15

207) Masyn Winn STL, SS/RHP, 20.0 – Winn might actually have a shot at being a two way player as he has explosive tools as both a pitcher and hitter. At the very least it gives him a legitimate back up plan if he can’t make enough of an impact at the plate. As for his hitting, he didn’t show much power in his pro debut with only 5 homers in 97 games split between Single-A and High-A, but there is more power coming down the line, and he had the wheels working with 32 steals in 37 attempts (obligatory disclaimer: rule changes made stealing bases easier at Single-A and High-A). He put up a 112 wRC+ in 61 games at Single-A before struggling at High-A with a 48 wRC+ in 36 games. As a pitcher, St. Louis gave him one inning towards the end of the season to show his stuff, and he impressed with a mid 90’s fastball and a nasty breaking ball. He pitched a clean inning with one K. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/15/62/.261/.320/.415/17 – 2/3.95/1.31/36 in 30 IP

208) Richie Palacios CLE, 2B, 24.11 – Palacios opened some eyes in the AFL, slashing .269/.387/.513 with 3 homers, 4 steals and a 15/13 K/BB in 20 games. It is a continuation of what he did at Double-A and Triple-A this year with a plus plate approach, plus speed and some pop. He has a big, fun lefty swing that is geared to rack up doubles, but at 5’10”, 180 pounds, and already at 24 years old, I’m not sure how much more over the fence power we can project. Either way, he definitely has the potential to chip in a little bit in every category if given the playing time. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 76/14/63/.266/.332/.416/18

209) Peyton Burdick MIA, OF, 25.1 – Burdick went full 3 true outcome slugger on us this season, slashing .224/.367/.456 with 23 homers, 9 steals, and a 146/79 K/BB in 114 games at mostly Double-A. I would be cautious in 5×5 AVG leagues, but in medium to deep OBP leagues he could be a solid under the radar target right now considering his proximity to the bigs. 2022 Projection: 33/11/28/.212/.301/.424/3 Prime Projection: 78/26/77/.228/.322/452/8

210) Gabriel Arias CLE, SS, 22.1 – Arias quietly put together a rock solid season at Triple-A at barely 21 years old. He slashed .284/.348/.454 with 13 homers, 5 steals, and a 22.8%/8.1% K%/BB% in 115 games. It was good for a 115 wRC+. Showing the improved hit tool was a major step, because the plus raw power is in there if he can lower his 50.2% GB%. He’s a plus defender whose glove will get him playing time, and while the bat is still raw, he showed more refinement than expected this year. 2022 Projection: 18/4/21/.244/.302/.422/1 Prime Projection: 75/24/83/.265/.327/.454/6

211) Alec Burleson STL, OF, 23.4 – Burleson was drafted 70th overall in 2020 on the back of his strong hit tool, but there was definitely more power in the tank at 6’2”, 212 pounds. That power was unleashed in 2021 as he cracked 22 homers in 119 games split between 3 levels (A+/AA/AAA). He didn’t sacrifice his hit tool to get to it either as he put up a 20.1%/8.3% K%/BB%. The ceiling might not be huge, but he has a chance to be a damn good overall hitter. 2022 Projection: 8/2/11/.245/.300/.410/0 Prime Projection: 68/20/75/.273/.330/.453/2

212) Nelson Velazquez CHC, OF, 23.3 – Velazquez put on a show at the Arizona Fall League, slashing .385/.480/.712 with 9 homers and a 27.6%/13.8% K%/BB% in 26 games. This coming off his destruction of Double-A with a .938 OPS in 34 games. He didn’t fair as well at High-A (.776 OPS with a 33.7% K%), but he was still hitting for power with 12 homers in 69 games. He rips the ball extremely hard and he has some speed too with 17 steals in 19 attempts in 103 games. The plate approach still needs refinement and there is hit tool risk, but he has very fantasy friendly upside. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 74/26/83/.247/.321/.478/8

213) JJ Bleday MIA, OF, 24.4 – The good news is that Bleday isn’t overmatched by pro pitching, putting up a 21.6%/13.7% K%/BB% in 110 games at Double-A. The bad news is that he just isn’t doing enough damage when does make contact with 12 homers and a 97 wRC+. It makes me think he will be able to hold his own in the majors too, and he is lifting the ball with a 47.3% FB%, but the upside just seems extremely limited right now. 2022 Projection: 16/2/13/.222/.291/.384/1 Prime Projection: 66/18/71/.245/.308/.418/3

214) Bryan Ramos CHW, 3B/2B, 20.1 – Ramos was only 19 but he already looks physically mature out there. He had a strong year in full season ball with 13 homers, a 21.8%/10.1% K%/BB%, and a 109 wRC+ in 115 games at Single-A. He projects for plus power at peak and he has a solid feel to hit too. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/23/78/.265/.328/.453/5

215) Rece Hinds CIN, 3B, 21.7 – Hinds was limited to 54 games with a torn meniscus, but he was back for the last month+ of the season and got right back to raking. He’s 6’4”, 215 pounds with huge raw power and he got to a lot of it with 10 homers and a 47.2% flyball percentage in 43 games at Single-A. The plate approach still needs a lot of work with a 28.1%/7% K%/BB%. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 75/29/85/.244/.318/.478/6

216) Deyvison De Los Santos ARI, 3B, 18.9 – De Los Santos showed off his at least plus power in his pro debut with 8 homers in 62 games split between rookie ball (162 wRC+ in 25 games) and Single-A (101 wRC+ in 37 games). Considering he will still be 18 years old when the 2022 season starts, that is quite impressive. He strikes out a lot (26.3% K%) and he hits the ball on the ground too much (57.3% GB% at Single-A), which isn’t the best combination to have. He has the raw power to make up for that, so maybe he can end up with a Franmil Reyes like profile, although Franmil has 4 inches and 80 pounds on the guy right now. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/27/85/.241/.322/.476/5

217) Cody Morris CLE, RHP, 25.5 – Shoulder soreness delayed the start of Morris’ season until July and limited him to 61 IP. He dominated in those 61 innings with a pitching line of 1.62/1.00/93/20 at mostly Triple-A. He throws a mid 90’s fastball with two potentially plus secondaries in his curve and change. He pitched pretty short outings, only reaching 5 IP twice, and there are still some consistency issues with his fastball and curve. He has mid rotation upside. 2022 Projection: 3/4.37/1.34/48 in 50 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.12/1.31/157 in 155 IP

218) Ian Lewis MIA, 2B, 19.2 – Lewis showed an exciting combination of tools in his pro debut, slashing .302/.354/.497 with 3 homers, 9 steals, and a 14.9%/6.8% K%/BB%. He hits the ball hard with plus speed and good feel to hit. He’ll need to refine his approach and hit the ball on the ground less, but there is fantasy friendly upside here. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/19/73/.263/.318/.447/13

Tier 7

219) Mason Martin PIT, 1B, 22.10 – Martin does nothing but mash, and I mean that as a kinda backhanded compliment. He smacked 25 homers in 120 games at mostly Double-A (3 homers in 8 games at Triple-A), but he struck out a ton (34.3% K%), and he didn’t really a walk a lot either (7.8% BB%). He literally almost did nothing but mash. He was as 21/22 year old in the upper levels of the minors, so I think it is fair to expect more maturation of his plate approach over time, and if you are only going to do one thing well, ripping homers ain’t a bad thing to choose. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 67/26/82/.235/.319/.472/2

220) Drew Waters ATL, OF, 23.3 – Waters is a great athlete with plus speed and plus power potential, but his warts are starting to overshadow his strengths. He put up a .710 OPS with a 30.9% K% and 19.6% FB% in 103 games at Triple-A. Striking out a lot and hitting the ball on the ground is not a great combo, although his speed (28 stolen bases) can make up for some of that. There is plenty of time for it to click, but the Waters’ doubters were proven right in 2021. 2022 Projection: 9/1/8/.217/.280/.373/2 Prime Projection: 74/15/68/.242/.313/.414/12

221) Randy Vasquez NYY, RHP, 23.5 – Vasquez put up a 1.52 ERA with a 130/38 K/BB split between 3 levels (Single-A/High-A/Double-A) on the back of his high spin rate, plus curveball. The fastball can miss bats too, getting up to 96 MPH. He still needs to work on his control and his changeup, and there is bullpen risk, but the fastball/curve combo is legitimately filthy. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/3.92/1.31/169 in 158 IP

222) Hans Crouse PHI, RHP, 23.6 – Crouse bounced back from a down 2019 with a pitching line of 3.28/1.06/98/34 in 85 IP at mostly Double-A. He made it all the way up to the majors to close out the season for two starts where he showed a filthy slider that put up a 47.8 whiff%. He pairs that with a plus fastball and above average change. He’s likely a back end starter, but he is line to pitch plenty of innings for the Phillies in 2021, and there is mid-rotation upside. 2022 Projection: 4/4.46/1.38/81 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.21/1.32/163 in 170 IP

223) Alex Binelas BOS, 3B, 21.10 – Selected 86th overall in 2021 MLB Draft, Binelas is a built up 6’3”, 225 pounds with plus power and hit tool concerns. He’s done nothing but crush homers in his career, hitting 14 dingers in 59 games in the ACC in 2019, 19 dingers in 50 ACC games in 2021, and then 9 dingers in 29 games in his pro debut at Single-A. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 69/26/78/.245/.317/.472/1

224) Connor Norby BAL, 2B, 21.10 – Selected 41st overall, Norby put up eye popping numbers in the American Athletic Conference, slashing .415/.484/.659 with 15 homers, 18 steals, and a 34/33 K/BB in 61 games. He carried over that success into pro ball with a 135 wRC+ in 26 games at Single-A. He doesn’t have huge raw power at 5’10”, 187 pounds, and his groundball rates were relatively high in his pro debut, but he’s setting up to be a very good all around hitter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/18/77/.273/.337/.438/9

225) Izaac Pacheco DET, SS, 19.5 – Selected 39th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Pacheco is built up with a smooth and powerful lefthanded swing. He has big power potential and a patient plate approach, but it comes with some swing and miss concerns which he showed in his pro debut with a 34.4% K% in 30 games. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/23/79/.253/.338/.450/4

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

227) Arol Vera LAA, SS, 19.7 – Vera wasn’t able to get to any of his power in his pro debut with 0 homers and high groundball rates in 57 games split between rookie ball and Single-A, but he was able to show off a good feel to hit. He hit .317 with a 23.8% K% at rookie ball and then hit .280 with a 22.2% K% as an 18 year old at Single-A. He’s a switch hitter with a lightening quick swing that should produce plenty of power when he gets older, so establishing a strong hit tool was a great start to his career. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/22/79/.266/.326/.443/7

228) Jackson Merrill SDP, SS, 18.11 – Selected 27th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Merrill surely looks the part at 6’3”, 195 pounds with a sweet looking lefty swing. He was solid in his pro debut with a 22.5%/8.3% K%/BB% and 5 steals in 31 games, but he hit 0 homers and put up a 92 wRC+. He doesn’t really have a standout offensive skill, but you don’t have to be a super scout to watch him and realize there is definitely potential in the bat. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/21/79/.262/.327/.438/7

229) Jonathan Aranda TBR, 1B/2B/3B, 23.10 – Aranda lowered his high GB% to career low 35.7% at Double-A and it led to a power breakout with 10 homers in 79 games. His K% did take a small hit in the process, but it was still an excellent 19.6%. He’s shaping up to be that classic Rays utility player who will have to earn playing time every step of the way. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/18/66/.278/.342/.446/3

230) Lonnie White PIT, OF, 19.3 – Selected 64th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, White had committed to Penn State, my alma mater, for baseball and football (wide receiver), and he definitely has the WR body at 6’3”, 205 pounds. That shows the type of athlete we are talking about here. He has some of the highest upside in the draft with a potentially plus power/speed combo, but the hit tool is still raw. He hit 2 homers with a 42.4% K% in his 9 game pro debut. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/28/84/.244/.317/.474/13

231) Anthony Solometo PIT, LHP, 19.4 – Selected 37th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Solometo is a big lefty with a funky delivery that is a little reminiscent of Josh Hader when he was in the minors. His fastball isn’t as big as Hader’s, sitting in the low to mid 90’s, but he does have the plus swing and miss breaking ball. He lacks a third pitch, but I’m a sucker for this type of pitcher. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/3.92/1.27/178 in 165 IP

232) Roberto Campos DET, OF, 18.10 – Campos went yard on the very first pitch of his professional career, which surely has to be a sign of things to come. He’s already 6’3”, 200 pounds with plus power, blasting 8 homers in 39 games at stateside rookie ball, but it comes with some strikeouts (26.5%/11% K%/BB%). He’s shaping up to be your classic power and patience slugger. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 81/27/85/.256/.339/.475/5

233) Ivan Herrera STL, C, 21.10 – Power broke out with 17 homers in 98 games at Double-A (played 1 game at Triple-A), and the plate approach remained strong with a 22%/13.7% K%/BB%. He’s not going to be a league winner, but he should be in the top 12 catcher conversation at peak. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 69/20/73/.271/.342/.448/2

234) Oswaldo Cabrera NYY, 2B/SS/3B, 23.1 – Cabrera was quietly having an excellent season at Double-A with a 114 wRC+, 24 homers and 20 steals in 109 games, but his season got a lot louder when he went to Triple-A to close out the year, ripping 5 homers in 9 games. The tools aren’t necessarily huge and the Yanks have been playing him all over the infield which seems to point to a utility role, but it’s hard to ignore those power/speed numbers. 2022 Projection: 15/2/11/.243/.294/.393/2 Prime Projection: 78/19/74/.268/.318/.431/12

235) Jake Burger CHW, 3B, 26.0 – Burger got his career back on track after tearing both Achilles tendons which kept him out for all of 2018 and 2019. He ripped 18 homers in 82 games at Triple-A and then proved that power was legit in his MLB debut with a 98 MPH EV and .807 OPS in 42 PA. There are strikeout issues and he doesn’t have a clear path to playing time, but he has a chance to mash if he can find the playing time. 2022 Projection: 26/8/31/.244/.311/.459 Prime Projection: 72/26/86/.252/.338/.477/0

236) Xavier Edwards TB, 2B/3B, 22.8 – Edwards had a terrible year on the bases with 19 steals in 30 attempts over 79 games at Double-A. He hit 0 homers and has little to no power, so it’s hard to buy in if you can’t count on difference making steal totals. He still hits for elite contact with a 12.5%/10.7% K%/BB%, so he’s shaping up to be in that Luis Arraez/David Fletcher/Adam Frazier tier with more speed, but possibly not true difference making speed. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/5/61/.276/.347/.405/16

237) Jeferson Quero MIL, C, 19.5 – Quero is a potentially plus defensive catcher who swings a lightening quick bat and showed an elite plate approach in his pro debut, slashing .309/.434/.500 with 2 homers, 4 steals, and a 12%/14.5% K%/BB% in 23 games in rookie ball. A separated non throwing shoulder which eventually required surgery ended his season in late August. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/20/74/.275/.351/.450/3

238) Jake McCarthy ARI, OF, 24.8 – McCarthy is going to have to scratch and claw for playing time, but he has a very fantasy friendly profile if he can win some. He put up an elite 30.1 ft/sec sprint speed in his MLB debut and was 29 for 33 on the bases in 85 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He hits the ball on the ground too much and showed some swing and miss this year, but if you are looking for a close to the majors option with legitimate upside, McCarthy is your guy. 2022 Projection: 43/7/31/.235/.303/.389/10 Prime Projection: 76/14/65/.247/.317/.424/21

239) AJ Vukovich ARI, 3B, 20.7 – Vukovich is 6’5”, 210 pounds and was drafted 119th overall in 2020 for his huge raw power. He started to get to some of that power this year, smashing 10 homers in 62 games at Single-A before being promoted to High-A and ripping 3 homers in 30 games. He was a basketball star in high school and he showed off some of that athleticism with 16 steals, although speed isn’t expected to be a major part of his game at maturity. The plate approach is still raw with a 26.3%/5.5% BB%, but he’s an excellent power prospect who isn’t getting much hype. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 71/23/77/.248/.311/.453/5

240) Joe Perez HOU, 3B, 22.8 – Perez initially struggled after getting called up to Double-A (.532 OPS in first 31 games), but he closed the season out on fire, slashing .306/.369/.531 with 7 homers and a 45/16 K/BB in 38 games. He also destroyed the lower levels of the minors before hitting Double-A. He has a simple right handed swing and shows power to all fields, but it will come with some K’s and he’s not expected to hit for a high average. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/26/84/.258/.327/.469/3

241) Khalil Lee NYM, OF, 23.9 – Lee has put up elite walk rates throughout his career and it hit a crescendo in 2021 with a career high 18.3% BB% in 102 games at Triple-A. It led to an impressive .951 OPS. He also has plus speed and plus raw power, but his high groundball rates (51.5%) and poor stolen base percentage (8 for 18 in 2021) makes it hard to project big homer and steal totals. His strikeout rates have also always been high with a 29.6% mark in 2021. It’s an interesting mix of tools and skills that has a very wide range of outcomes. 2022 Projection: 31/5/27/.222/.308/.391/4 Prime Projection: 77/18/74/.244/.333/.431/12

242) Jose Rodriguez CHW, SS, 20.11 – Rodriguez has the potential for all category production on the back of his plus contact rates (14.4% K%), above average speed (30 steals in 111 games) and developing power (14 homers). He doesn’t walk much with a 5.2% BB%, so his value takes a hit in an OBP League. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 82/16/68/.276/.322/.417/15

243) Carlos Jorge CIN, SS/2B, 18.6 – Jorge was a DSL standout in 47 games with a plus plate approach (17%/12.8% K%/BB%), plus speed (27 steals), and a bit of pop (3 homers). It was good for a 174 wRC+. He was known for his good feel to hit and at least plus speed when he signed, so how much power he gets to will determine his ultimate ceiling. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 77/15/69/.265/.332/.415/18

244) Adael Amador COL, SS, 19.2 – Amador cracked my 2021 Top 1,000 ranking at #949 on the back of his plus hit tool and advanced plate approach. He proved that scouting report correct by slashing .299/.394/.445 with 4 homers, 10 steals in 17 attempts, and a 14.5%/13.5% K%/BB% in 47 games at the DSL. There might not ever be huge homer or steal totals, but the guy is a natural hitter. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 84/20/73/.280/.340/.447/9

245) Brice Turang MIL, SS, 22.4 – Turang is a high floor, low ceiling prospect who has shown an excellent plate approach at every minor league level. He’s not likely to put up big power/speed numbers, but he’s the type to chip in a little bit in every category. 2022 Projection: 16/1/11/.251/.319/.386/2 Prime Projection: 83/16/69/.272/.345/.417/15

246) Josh H. Smith TEX, SS, 24.8 – Smith is a natural hitter with plus contact rates and a high batting average going back to his freshman year in the SEC. He put up a 15.7%/14.2% K%/BB% in 30 games at Double-A after his trade to Texas. He doesn’t have big raw power or pure speed, but he still managed hit 13 homers with 26 steals in 78 games. I know Adam Eaton is a bit of a dirty word around fantasy circles, but that is the type of profile we are talking about here. 2022 Projection: 15/2/9/.262/.324/.401/3 Prime Projection: 78/18/61/.277/.338/.421/11

247) Kevin Smith TOR, SS/3B, 25.9 – Smith’s terrible 2019 put a screeching halt to his prospect hype, but he bounced back in a big way in 2021, slashing .285/.370/.561 with 21 homers, 18 steals, and a 23.7%/11.2% K%/BB% in 94 games at Triple-A. It earned him a promotion to the majors where he struggled in 36 PA. The hit tool is still a risk, and playing time is going to be a problem, but his above average to plus power/speed combo is enticing for fantasy owners if he does find playing time. 2022 Projection: 18/5/21/.231/.293/.420/3 Prime Projection: 66/19/72/.242/.308/.441/10

248) Tyler Callihan CIN, 2B, 21.9 – A right elbow injury ended Callihan’s season after just 23 games at Single-A. He has a pretty lefthanded swing that produces hard contact, and he has strong contact rates with a 13.1%/8.1% K%/BB%. He was a bit old for the level, and he has some defensive questions, but the ingredients are there for an above average to plus hit/power profile. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 69/21/77/.268/.327/.448/4

249) Aaron Bracho CLE, 2B, 20.11 – Bracho was one of my worst misses in 2021, and while I still think he can bounce back, his value has undoubtedly taken a dive. His good feel to hit didn’t transfer to full season ball at all with a 31.9% K% and a .174 BA in 70 games at High-A. He skipped over Single-A completely, which was obviously a mistake in hindsight. His high walk rates (11.5% BB%) and low GB% (31.4%) did transfer, so if his hit tool can bounce back when he is more age appropriate for High-A, the production will come. I wouldn’t completely give up on him. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 62/18/66/.232/.308/.423/4

250) Samad Taylor TOR, 2B, 23.8 – Taylor’s power broke out at Double-A with 16 homers in 87 games, but his K% rose with it to a career worth 29.4%. He’s showing those same strikeout issues in the Dominican Winter League with a .174 BA and 10/0 K/BB in 8 games. He has plus speed with 30 steals in 38 attempts and he’s a patient hitter with a 11.2% BB%, so while the risk is high, so is the upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/18/73/.248/.325/.436/16

251) Tyler Black MIL, 2B, 21.8 – Selected 33rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Black dominated the Horizon League with a 1.179 OPS in 48 games, but he had a rough pro debut where his K% spiked to 28.2% in 23 games at Single-A (.660 OPS). His mature plate approach and good feel to hit are his best skills, but he doesn’t project to hit for big power or speed. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/18/71/.270/.342/.437/9

252) Cooper Kinney TBR, 2B/3B, 19.2 – Selected 34th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Kinney’s best skill is his plus hit tool, and he showed it off in his pro debut with a .286 BA and 19.1%/21.3% K%/BB% in 11 games. He doesn’t have much power, but at 6’3”, 200 pounds, he should grow into at least average power at peak. He also doesn’t have much speed, so he’s a safe high school bat with limited upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/18/72/.275/.347/.420/5

253) Brendon Davis LAA, 3B/OF, 24.8 – Davis’ power broke out in a big way this year, slashing .290/.361/.561 with 30 homers, 16 steals, and a 25.1%/8.6% K%/BB% in 124 games split between 3 levels (A+/AA/AAA). He’s 6’4”, 185 pounds with that weird Giancarlo Stanton swing where his front foot is way over to the 1B side. The swing change clearly worked, but there is hit tool risk and he doesn’t really have a defensive home. 2022 Projection: 11/3/14.225/.292/.418/2 Prime Projection: 58/20/69/.243/.315/.462/7

254) Logan O’Hoppe PHI, C, 22.2 – O’Hoppe was a standout performer in the AFL, slashing .299/.440/.519 with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 15/21 K/BB in 22 games. This was coming off a rock solid season at mostly High-A where he had a 17.4% K% with 17 homers in 104 games (13 games at Double-A and 6 games at Triple-A). He has plus raw power with no trouble keeping the ball off the ground, and his hit tool took a step forward this year. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 58/21/68/.256/.321/.439/2

255) Simeon Woods Richardson MIN, RHP, 21.6 – SWR struggled as a 20 year old at Double-A with a pitching line of 5.91/1.54/77/34 in 53.1 IP. He lost his control with a 5.7 BB/9 and his fastball is still sitting in the low 90’s. The potential is there for plus control of an above average 4 pitch mix, but at the very least, he didn’t take a step forward this season. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.05/1.29/168 in 165 IP

256) Jorbit Vivas LAD, 2B/3B, 21.1 – Vivas’ power broke out in 2021 with 14 homers in 106 games, but 13 of those homers came at Single-A with Rancho Cucamonga, a known hitter’s paradise, as his home ballpark. He hit just one homer in 23 games at High-A. Regardless, his power definitely ticked up this year, and he combines that with elite contact rates (11.5% K%). He’s a lefty with extreme splits, so there is platoon risk. LA just added Vivas to their 40 man, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft, so they definitely like him a lot. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/16/68/.278/.342/.423/6

257) Matt Vierling PHI, OF/1B, 25.6 – Vierling put up some eye opening Statcast numbers in his 77 PA MLB debut with a 91.5 MPH EV and 29.2 ft/s sprint speed. He doesn’t have major strikeout issues either with a 24.5% whiff%. He’ll likely top out as a bench piece, but he has some fantasy friendly upside if he can fall into playing time. 2022 Projection: 56/9/51/.268/.326/.415/10

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

259) Brandon Pfaadt ARI, RHP, 23.5 – Pfaadt is 6’4”, 220 pounds with plus control (1.9 BB/9) of a fastball that consistently hits the mid 90’s, a potentially plus slider, and a developing changeup. 2021 was his first year of pro ball and his first year as a full time starter, and it went swimmingly with a pitching line of 3.21/1.01/160/28 in 131.2 IP split between 3 levels (A, A+, AA). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.17/1.25/167 in 165 IP

260) Colton Welker COL, 3B/1B, 24.6 – Welker was a former favorite of mine because I loved his big, uppercut righty swing and strong contact numbers, but a down 2019 had him dropping a bit for me, and then he was was suspended 80 games at the start of 2021 for PED’s. He looked good when he returned though, ripping 3 homers with a 20.4%/12.2% in 23 games at Triple-A before getting called up to the majors for 40 AB. He struggled in those at-bats with a .466 OPS, but the underlying numbers weren’t too bad with an about average 88.1 MPH EV and 24.1% whiff%. Like Montero and Toglia, it’s gonna come down to playing time. 2022 Projection: 18/5/16/.258/.318/.429/0 Prime Projection: 68/18/74/.266/.328/460/2

261) Colin Peluse OAK, RHP, 23.10 – Peluse shows very good control/command of a mid 90’s fastball, plus slider, and a developing change. He pitched well at High-A with a 3.66 ERA and 92/22 K/BB in 86 IP before closing out the season by dominating Double-A in 15 IP with a 1.80 ERA and 17/4 K/BB. He’s still flying a bit too far under the radar. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/4.05/1.25/171 in 167 IP

262) Yasel Antuna WAS, SS, 22.5 – Antuna is a former high priced international prospect who has mostly struggled throughout his pro career but has shown enough to keep him on the radar. He’s a switch hitter with a simple swing that is geared for both average and power. He started the season by going 6 for 70, but he righted the ship and put up a more respectable .760 OPS the rest of the way at High-A. A 21.9%/10.1% K%/BB% is very solid, and his power took a step forward with 12 homers in 106 games. The prospect shine is fully worn off here and I doubt it’s coming back too much, but he took a step forward this year. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/22/74/.266/.328/.434/6

263) Nick Loftin KC, SS/2B, 23.6 – Loftin had near elite contact skills in college and that carried over in his pro debut with a 14.6%/10/2% K%/BB% in 90 games at High-A. He has a moderate power/speed combo with 10 homers and 11 steals, and he doesn’t have any major grounball issues with a 40.3% GB%. He played all over the infield in 2021, and he played outfield his freshman year, so he may end up a true super utility player. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/17/69/.272/.331/.418/10

264) Kyren Paris LAA, SS, 20.5 – A broken fibula limited Paris to 47 games in his full season debut. He showed off his plus speed (22 steals) and patience (14.6% BB%), and his power started to sprout just a bit with 4 homers. The biggest issue is strikeouts, as he put up a 31.1% K%, and his numbers tanked when he got to High-A with a 20/2 K/BB in 13 games. He’s still raw, but there is fantasy friendly upside here. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/15/69/.242/.321/.404/17

265) Ethan Small MIL, LHP, 25.1 – Small is a crafty lefty who throws low 90’s heat with two effective secondaries in his changeup and curveball. He hides the ball well and varies his delivery to mess with the hitter’s timing. He strikes me as a 4/5 starter with mid rotation upside. 2022 Projection: 3/4.41/1.36/56 in 60 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.13/1.30/168 in 171 IP

266) J.T. Ginn OAK, RHP, 22.10 – Ginn induces extreme groundball rates (64.1% at High-A) with a low 90’s, heavy sinking two seamer that generates a ton of drop and tail action. He combines that with a plus slider and developing changeup. It resulted in a strong season in the lower minors with a pitching line of 3.03/1.05/81/22 in 92 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He had also just undergone Tommy John surgery in March 2020, so he should only get stronger from here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.06/1.28/159 in 165 IP

267) Frank Mozzicato KC, LHP, 18.10 – Selected 7th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mozzicato is a 6’3”, 175 pound lefty with a low 90’s fastball, plus curve, and developing changeup. Although he was drafted 7th, he signed for only the 16th highest signing bonus, which is just a reminder to not be too tied to draft position in dynasty for first year player drafts. Regardless, he has room to fill out and add velocity, which would take his game to the next level. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/4.08/1.31/163 in 160 IP

268) Robert Puason OAK, SS, 19.6 – Oakland aggressively assigned Puason to full season ball in his professional debut and he did not respond with a strikeout fest of a season. He struck out 41.2% of the time with a 59.5% GB% and put up a 56 wRC+ in 91 games. The talent that made him a high priced international free agent is still there, but saying there is a long way to go is an understatement. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/20/72/.236/.311/.438/12

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

270) Ryan Pepiot LAD, RHP, 24.7 – It’s all about that filthy, double plus changeup for Pepiot. It is one of, if not the best changeup in the minors. He combines that with a mid 90’s fastball and a much improved slider. His control has been an issue going back to college, and it hasn’t improved much with an 11.2% BB% at Double-A and 10.4% BB% at Triple-A. He destroyed Double-A in general (2.87 ERA in 59.2 IP), but he got destroyed in Triple-A (7.13 ERA in 41.2 IP). His control needs to improve to reach his mid rotation upside. 2022 Projection: 2/4.55/1.38/28 in 30 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.17/1.33/160 in 155 IP

271) Daulton Jefferies OAK, RHP, 26.2 – Jefferies shows elite control (3.3% BB% in 77 IP at Triple-A) of a 5 pitch mix headlined by a 93.5 MPH sinker and plus changeup. He might not have the highest upside, but he’s knocking on the door of the bigs and his average stuff plays up because of his control. 2022 Projection: 5/4.29/1.28/75 in 85 IP Prime Projection: 11/4.16/1.24/162 in 175 IP

272) Jackson Kowar KC, RHP, 25.6 – Kowar got destroyed in his MLB debut with an 11.27 ERA in 30.1 IP. His 95.6 MPH fastball and his plus changeup both got rocked with a .575 and .595 slugging against, respectively. We’ve seen rookie pitchers get blown up like this in the past and still go on to have excellent careers (Jose Berrios comes to mind), so I wouldn’t necessarily automatically jump ship. His changeup is truly a disgusting pitch, his breaking ball was much improved this year, and he performed better at Triple-A with a 3.46 ERA and 115/34 K/BB in 80.2 IP. He has mid-rotation upside and he should compete for a rotation spot this spring. 2022 Projection: 6/4.38/1.36/104 in 110 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.03/1.31/165 in 160 IP

273) Brayan Buelvas OAK, OF, 19.10 – A .253 BABIP kept Buelvas’ hitting line in check with a .219 BA, but the underlying numbers showed an advanced hitter with above average power and speed. He smacked 16 homers with 17 steals and a 24.2%/9.4% K%/BB% in 88 games at Single-A. That low BA creates a buying opportunity. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 83/20/72/.274/.346/.452/10

274) Jordan Viars PHI, 1B/OF, 18.8 – Selected 84th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Viars is 6’4”, 215 pounds with plus raw power from the left side. He showed an advanced plate approach in his pro debut with a 18.8%/17.2% K%/BB% and 132 wRC+ in 22 games in rookie ball. He is also young for his class. This is a high upside power bat who you should be able to get for cheap in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/23/78/.255/.331/.463/5

275) Samuel Zavala SDP, OF, 17.9 – Zavala signed for $1.2 million in last year’s international class and he lived up to the signing in his pro debut, slashing .297/.400/.487 with 3 homers, 11 steals (in 18 attempts) and a 15.3%/13.6% K%/BB% in 55 games in the DSL. He has an easy, smooth lefty swing with an advanced plate approach and developing power. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 83/22/78/.274/.348/.462/7

276) Jonatan Clase SEA, OF, 19.10 – Clase was limited to just 14 games in rookie ball due to a variety of minor injuries, but it didn’t take much to show off his upside with 2 homers and 16 steals on 16 attempts. He did show some swing and miss with a 26.3%/10.5% K%/BB%, but this is a high ceiling player with double plus speed and developing power. I wouldn’t forget about him because of the limited playing time. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/16/67/.265/.335/.418/28

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

278) Cristian Pache ATL, OF, 23.5 – Pache struggled hard in the majors to start the season with a negative 8 wRC+ in 22 games, and he didn’t look all that hot when he got sent down to Triple-A either with a 27.5% K% and 100 wRC+ in 89 games. His bat was always expected to bloom late as his plus centerfield defense is his carrying tool, but for fantasy purposed I’m not sure he is worth the wait. You can probably always get back in later. 2022 Projection: 11/2/9/.225/.281/.384/2 Prime Projection: 75/21/79/.273/.338/.451/17

279) Matt Fraizer PIT, OF, 24.3 – Fraizer is a tooled up 6’3”, 217 pounds. He has an under control, powerful lefty swing that decimated High-A with 20 homers, a 158 wRC+, and a 21.1%/12.3% K%/BB% in 75 games. He was old for the level, but he also hit well in 37 games at Double-A, slashing .288/.356/.492 with 3 homers and a 22.8%/8.7% K%/BB%. He has some speed too but I wouldn’t put too much credence on his 14 steals at High-A because of the rule changes. Steamer actually loves him, projecting him for a 101 wRC+ in the majors for 2021. 2022 Projection: 15/5/19/.245/.305/.430/3 Prime Projection: 62/19/71/.263/.321/.466/6

280) Buddy Kennedy ARI, 3B, 23.6 – When you watch Kennedy he doesn’t exactly scream upside, but he has baseball bloodlines and it definitely shows because he looks mature beyond his years at the plate. He vaguely reminded me of Jhonny Peralta a little. He slashed .290/.384/.523 with 22 homers, 16 steals, and a 24.1%/12.3% K%/BB% in 96 games split between High-A and Double-A. He’s hit well every year of his career going back to 2017. I’m not sure he’s going to hit for huge power on the MLB level, but he’s definitely being underrated. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 65/18/73/.263/.327/.438/8

281) Tanner Burns CLE, RHP, 23.3 – Burns had a solid pro debut at High-A with a pitching line of 3.57/1.23/91/29 in 75.2 IP. His stuff doesn’t necessarily jump out at you with a low to mid 90’s fastball and 3 potentially quality secondaries (slider, curve, change). He knows how to pitch and he is in a great org for pitching development, so he has a good chance to reach his mid rotation upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.25/1.27/152 in 161 IP

282) William Bergolla Jr. PHI, SS, 17.7 – Bergolla isn’t physically imposing at 5’11”. 175 pounds, but he has baseball bloodlines with a good feel to hit, an advanced plate approach and plus speed. If the power shows up even a little bit, he can be an electric all category player. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/15/71/.276/.341/.418/18

283) Ricardo Cabrera CIN, SS, 17.5 – Projected for the 3rd highest signing bonus in the international class, Cabrera is an excellent athlete with plus speed, a good feel to hit and developing power. All of these international prospects feel like taking shots in the dark, but he’s the type of all around player with all category production that is worth gambling on. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 75/20/75/.260/.325/.435/10

284) Bubba Chandler PIT, SS/RHP, 19.7 – Selected 72nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Chandler is a great athlete who was committed to Clemson for football and baseball. He’s also a two way player whose future is likely on the mound. Fastball sits in the low to mid 90’s with a potentially plus breaking ball and a developing change. The natural talent gives him the ingredients to turn into a top of the rotation starter, but he’s not quite there yet. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/3.93/1.25/170 in 160 IP

285) Wes Kath CHW, 3B, 19.8 – Selected 57th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Kath is a bat first prospect who is projected for plus power from the left side at 6’3”, 200 pounds. His swing is pretty, and while he isn’t projected for major hit tool concerns, he did strikeout 36.5% over 28 games in his pro debut in rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/79/.253/.326/.450/4

286) Ethan Wilson PHI, OF, 22.5 – Selected 49th overall in 2021 MLB Draft, Wilson is a powerful lefty who had a monster freshman year, slashing .345/.453/.686 with 17 homers and a 45/36 K/BB in 56 games. He wasn’t able to replicate that this season with only 8 homers, partly because he was banged up early in the season, but he still finished strong with a .943 OPS and 21/33 K/BB in 56 games. He didn’t play in the toughest conference and there are still some questions about his hit tool which materialized in his pro debut as he put up a .215 BA in 30 games at Single-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 59/17/65/.248/.321/.444/4

287) Won-Bin Cho STL, OF, 18.7 – Cho is a projectable 6’3”, 200 pound lefty with a smooth and powerful swing. He looks damn good in BP and homerun derbies. There isn’t much info on him other than the hype videos, and he is unproven in games, so the risk is high. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/82/.257/.326/.449/7

288) Anthony Gutierrez TEX, OF, 17.4 – Gutierrez is your classic high upside international prospect at a projectable 6’3”, 190 pounds with the potential for a plus power/speed combo. You can see the type of athlete we are talking about in this video. It’s hard to predict if he will gain weight and slow down, or stay lean and keep his speed, but either way he has a path to be an impact fantasy player. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/22/81/.263/.328/.438/12

289) Ky Bush LAA, LHP, 22.5 – Selected 45th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Bush is a large man at 6’6”, 240 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and potentially plus slider. He also throws a developing curve and change. His control took a step forward in 2021 with a 2.2 BB/9 in 78 IP in the West Coast Conference (4.8 BB/9 in 2019), and he showed his strikeout stuff will translate to pro ball with 20 K’s in 12 IP in his pro debut at High-A. There is legitimate upside here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/3.92/1.29/180 in 168 IP

290) Norge Vera CHW, RHP, 21.10 – Vera signed for $1.5 million in February 2021 and made his pro debut this year in the Dominican Summer League where he completely overmatched hitters with 0 ER and a 34/5 K/BB in 19 IP. He’s 6’4”, 185 pounds with a 4 pitch mix headlined by a fastball can consistently reach the upper 90’s. He also has the baseball bloodlines as his dad was a star player in Cuba. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 11/3.92/1.28/171 in 160 IP

291) Ben Kudrna KC, RHP, 19.2 – Selected 43rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Kudrna has an easy, athletic delivery with the ability to throw strikes. His fastball is now up into the mid to uppers 90’s with a potentially plus slider and developing change. He still needs to refine his secondaries, but at 6’3”, 200 pounds, there is a lot to like. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/4.13/1.28/160 in 160 IP

292) Matt Mikulski SFG, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 50th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mikulski broke out in a big way his senior year in the Atlantic 10 with a pitching line of 1.45/0.82/124/27 in 68.1 IP. He throws a fastball that can consistently reach the mid 90’s to go along with 3 potentially quality secondaries in his change (best secondary), slider and curve. He has a funky-ish lefty deliver which I’m always a sucker for, but it results in some control problems and reliever risk. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.15/1.31/155 in 155 IP

293) Lars Nootbaar STL, OF, 24.7 – Tink Hence was originally in this #10 spot, but Nootbaar’s AFL performance made me rethink that. He’s going bonkers in Arizona, slashing .314/.437/.643 with 5 homers and a 15/14 K/BB in 18 games. He held his own in his MLB debut with a 101 wRC+, an above average 89.1 MPH exit velocity and an advanced plate approach (22.6%/10/5% K%/BB%). He’s never stolen many bases, but he does have speed with a 28.4 ft/sec sprint speed. I’m worried he’s only a part time player, which is why I didn’t have him in the top 10 to begin with, but he deserves to crack this list. 2022 Projection: 41/10/38/.258/.327/.420/2 Prime Projection: 74/19/68/.272/.338/.448/4

294) Korey Lee HOU, C, 23.8 – Lee has the inside track to be Houston’s starting catcher of the future after they selected him 32nd overall in the 2019 Draft. He made his pro debut this year and showed a strong plate approach (18.8%/8.6% K%/BB%) with above average power (11 homers) in 88 games split across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). His numbers dropped off as he climbed the ladder and he was only decent in the AFL (.691 OPS). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 66/18/64/.253/.326/.431/4

295) Joe Mack MIA, C, 19.3 – Selected 31st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mack is the top high school catcher in the draft with a history of strong performance against top competition. He has a quick left handed swing that should lead to plus power at peak. He struggled in his pro debut with a .581 OPS, but a .373 OBP shows he wasn’t completely overmatched. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 63/20/72/.258/.340/.442/3

296) Ryan Kreidler DET, SS, 24.5 – Kreidler’s power broke out in 2021 with 22 homers in 129 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He actually got better at Triple-A, bringing his K% down 6.6 percentage points to 24.1% and putting up a 148 wRC+ in 41 games (105 wRC+ in 88 games at Double-A). He’s 6’4”, 208 pounds, but he has a quick, short to the ball swing that should keep his batting average afloat even though he has had some strikeout issues throughout his career. He’ll also nab you a handful of bags. 2022 Projection: 21/4/23/.240/.301/.408/2 Prime Projection: 73/21/77/.251/.318/.432/7

297) Jhailyn Ortiz PHI, OF, 23.5 – Ortiz resurrected himself from the prospect graveyard, slashing .250/.346/.488 with 23 homers and a 113/38 K/BB in 95 games at mostly High-A. The strikeout rate is still too high, but he has elite power that he has no problems getting to in games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 71/27/78/.222/.303/.470/2

298) Joe Gray Jr. MIL, OF, 21.11 – Gray is a talented player who was drafted in the 2nd round in 2018 on the back of his plus power/speed combo. He broke out in a big way this year, slashing .252/.355/.499 with 20 homers, 23 steals, and a 131/53 K/BB in 110 games split between Single-A and High-A. There are legitimate strikeout issues, and he struggled a bit at High-A with a 90 wRC+. so there is more work to be done. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/22/76/.241/.319/.445/12

299) Kameron Misner TBR, OF, 24.3 – Misner quietly put together a very fantasy friendly season with 12 homers and 26 steals in 102 games at mostly High-A. He also closed out the season strong at Double-A with a 145 wRC+ in 14 games. He’s a premium athlete at 6’4”, 218 pounds, and while his hit tool needs work (29.8%/12.5% K%/BB% at High), there is a relatively high upside, later career breakout lurking in here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/15/67/.238/.313/.408/13

300) Zach DeLoach SEA, OF, 23.7 – DeLoach might not have the highest upside but he has a simple and quick left handed swing that is geared for power and average. He proved too mature for High-A with a 148 wRC+ and 22.1%/11.2% K/BB% in 58 games before meeting his match at Double-A with a 98 wRC+ and 26.9%/13% K% in 49 games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/20/74/.263/.330/.444/8

301) Bubba Thompson TEX, OF, 23.10 – I was all in on Thompson in 2017-18 because of his elite athleticism, but a disaster 2019 showed he wasn’t developing as hoped. He is still relatively raw at the dish with a 25.7%/6.2% K%/BB%, but his power took a step forward this year at Double-A with 16 homers in 104 games. He had a 112 wRC+ with 25 steals. He might be on more of that late 20’s breakout path, but at least he righted the ship this year. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 66/15/64/.244/.305/.417/13

302) Allan Cerda CIN, OF, 22.4 – Cerda has hit for big power his entire career and that continued in his first year in full season ball with 17 homers in 87 games split between Single-A and High-A. He walks a lot (11.3% BB%) and he keeps the ball off the ground (28.1% GB% at High-A). His strikeout rate was high, but it actually improved when he got to High-A, bringing it down to 23% in 21 games (30.8% in 66 games at Single-A). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/27/80/.242/.320/.470/5

303) Kyle Stowers BAL, OF, 24.3 – Stowers is 6’3”, 200 pounds and put up an eye opening statistical season with 27 homers and a .897 OPS in 124 games split between 3 levels (A+/AA/AAA), but it came with a 32.3%/13.8% K%/BB%. He’s already on the older side and the strikeout rate shows his risk, but the upside is considerable. 2022 Projection: 11/4/15/.221/.302/.420/2 Prime Projection: 54/18/59/.236/.318/.441/6

304) Lawrence Butler OAK, 1B/OF, 21.9 – Butler is a built up 6’3”, 210 pound lefty with easy plus power (19 homers in 102 games split between Single-A and High-A), and some speed too (29 for 34 on the bases). The strikeout rate is high (33.1% at High-A), but he’s a high upside bat with fantasy friendly upside. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 58/17/61/.232/.314/.436/8

305) Anthony Garcia NYY, 1B/OF, 21.7 – Garcia is a big man at 6’5”, 205 pounds, and he has massive power that led to 14 homers in just 39 games split between rookie ball and Single-A. The strikeouts are just as massive with a 36.8%/19.1% K%/BB% at Single-A, and he has limited defensive value, so the risk is quite high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 45/18/53/.228/.328/.457/5

306) Aaron Sabato MIN, 1B, 22.11 – Sabato struggled to start his pro career with a .660 OPS in 70 games, but he was a beast in the 2nd half, slashing .227/.371/.610 with 16 homers and a 58/30 K/BB in 41 games at mostly High-A. His strikeout rates were high (32.1%), but so were his walk rates (19.8%). He’s your classic low BA, high OBP slugger. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 74/25/79/.232/.335/.476/0

Tier 8

307) Kyle Manzardo TBR, 1B, 21.8 – Selected 63rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, the best way to describe Manzardo is that he looks very hitter-ish at the dish. He has a lefty swing that is geared for both average and power, using the whole field to hit .362 with 11 homers in 47 games in the Pac12 before destroying rookie ball for 13 games (1.045 OPS). He’s hit over power right now, but he’s young for the class and should naturally grow into more power as he ages. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/22/78/.272/.334/.456/2

308) Tony Blanco PIT, OF, 16.11 – Blanco is 6’6”, 230 pounds with some of the best raw power in the class. His dad played in the majors and he shows the corresponding mature plate approach that often goes along with having baseball bloodlines. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 78/30/91/.260/.335/.496/2

309) Tyler Whitaker HOU, OF, 19.8 – Selected 87th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Whitaker is a high risk, high reward prospect with double-plus speed and plus power, but the hit tool is a major risk. He lived up to that billing in his pro debut with 3 homers, 8 steals, and a 35.1%/7.9% K%/BB% in 29 games. Grab him late in first year player drafts if you want to swing for the fences. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 62/18/71/.234/.307/.443/11

310) Hudson Haskin BAL, OF, 23.3 – The power didn’t show up this year with 5 homers in 83 games split between Single-A and High-A, but he showed plus speed (22 steals) and a solid plate approach (21.5%/8.8% K%/BB%). He definitely has more power than he showed, and he should keep getting stronger as he matures. A thumb fracture ended his season in late August. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/15/73/.261/.323/.422/13

311) Colin Barber HOU, OF, 21.4 – A shoulder injury which ended up requiring season ending surgery ended Barber’s season after just 15 games at High-A. He did manage to show his power upside in those games, smashing 3 homers with a sweet lefty swing, but it came with a 41.5%/17% K%/BB%. He has potentially plus power with some speed too, and in his short 64 game pro career he has shown high strikeout and walk rates. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/24/79/.248/.330/.456/8

312) Yanquiel Fernandez COL, OF, 19.3 – 18 years old is a bit too old for the DSL, but Fernandez did live up to his scouting report with plus power and a good feel to hit. He slashed .333/.406/.531 with 6 homers, 0 steals, and a 12.9%/10.9% K%/BB% in 54 games. He’s 6’2”, 200 pounds with a vicious lefty swing that has potential written all over it. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 76/25/84/.275/.334/.470/2

313) Junior Marin KCR, OF, 18.0 – Marin had one of the best statistical seasons in the DSL, slashing .380/.468/.696 with 7 homers, 5 steals, and a 17.1%/14.4% K%/BB% in 32 games. It was good for a 205 wRC+. He’s already 6’2”, 220 pounds, so the power isn’t in question, but he’ll have to prove he can maintain that plus plate approach against more advanced competition. There also isn’t likely much projection left. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 71/25/79/.258/.329/.462/5

314) Romy Gonzalez CHW, SS, 25.7 – Gonzalez had a huge breakout season at Double-A and Triple-A, slashing .283/.364/.532 with 24 homers, 24 steals, and a 112/43 K/BB in 93 games. It earned him a 10 game cup of coffee in September where he mostly struggled with a .616 OPS, but he did put up an above average 28.2 ft/s sprint speed. He swings a quick bat and there is definitely some legitimate all fields power. He’s already pretty old and there are some strikeout issues, so he may top out as a utility guy, but there is some fantasy friendly upside if injuries open up a spot for him. 2022 Projection: 15/3/15/.241/.306/.426/3 Prime Projection: 63/15/61/.248/.312/.439/7

315) Carlos Rincon NYM, OF, 24.6 – The 6’3” Rincon has beastly raw power and he has been able to get to all of it his entire professional career with 94 home runs in 479 career games. It was more of the same in 2021 with 22 homers in 101 games at Double-A. He doesn’t have any problem keeping the ball off the ground and while his strikeout rates have always been high, a 26.8% mark in 2021 isn’t that bad. 2022 Projection: 6/2/11/.218/.291/.415/1 Prime Projection: 66/22/72/.243/.318/.475/3

316) Sam Huff TEX, C/1B, 24.2 – Huff is all about that gluttonous power. He ripped 16 homers in just 61 games at mostly Double-A. A side effect of that gluttony is massive strikeouts (39% K%), and he hasn’t put up particularly high walk rates throughout his career. He missed the first two months of the season after undergoing knee surgery, and he played only first base when he returned, but he should get back to catching next season. 2022 Projection: 12/5/16/.219/.277/.410/0 Prime Projection: 49/24/55/.234/.298/.440/1

317) Aaron Zavala TEX, OF, 21.9 – Selected 38th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Zavala might not have the highest upside, but he’s a rock solid hitter who put up a 31/50 K/BB in 55 games in the Pac12 before entering pro ball and slashing .302/.433/.434 with 1 homer, 7 steals, and a 19.4%/14.9% K%/BB% in 15 games at Single-A. He has a quick lefty swing with a plus plate approach and about average power and speed. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/16/68/.266/.335/.416/8

318) Ryan Bliss ARI, SS, 22.4 – Selected 42nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Bliss performed well in the SEC, slashing .365/.428/.654 with 15 homers, 6 steals, and a 30/23 K/BB in 50 games. He got to his power in his pro debut as well with 6 homers and a 22.9%/7.4% K%/BB% in 37 games at Single-A. He’s only 5’9”, 165 pounds, so there likely isn’t a ton of MLB power, but he’s hit everywhere he’s been and he has some speed too. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 71/19/74/.263/.324/.437/8

319) Jose Torres CIN, SS, 22.6 – Selected 89th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Torres didn’t exactly destroy the ACC with a .876 OPS and 39/13 K/BB in 52 games, but he raked even more in pro ball, slashing .333/.387/.591 with 5 homers and 7 steals in 28 games at mostly Single-A. He’s 6’0”, 171 pounds, so there is room to add more muscle and the 15.9% K% in pro ball is encouraging. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 72/20/77.264/.318/.432/7

320) Daylen Lile WAS, OF, 19.4 – Selected 47th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Lile’s best tool is his hit tool, which is generally not my favorite type of player to go after in fantasy. Power and speed could end up about average. His pro debut wasn’t great, slashing .219/.363/.250 with 0 homers, 2 steals, and a 25%/18.8% K%/BB% in 19 games at rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 82/15/64/.278/.341/.417/6

321) Diego Benitez ATL, SS, 17.4 – Benitez signed for $2.5 million and he has the requisite skills to back that up. He has potentially plus power with an already pretty powerful righty swing. He combines that with a solid plate approach and some speed. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/24/83/.257/.328/.458/6

322) Yasser Mercedes MIN, OF, 17.5 – Mercedes is a projectable 6’3”, 180 pounds with plus speed and a silky smooth righty swing that could produce plus power at peak, but he has some hit tool risk. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/20/76/.245/.316/.431/12

323) Dillon Dingler DET, C, 23.3 – Dingler destroyed High-A with a 149 wRC+ in 32 games, but he looked overmatched in Double-A with a 58 wRC+ and 29.8%/4.3% K%/BB% in 50 games. Even at High-A he struck out 25.5% of the time, and considering he is not expected to have big power or speed, the hit tool concerns aren’t great. Tack on all the extra attention he has to give developing his catcher defense, and I’m not seeing much upside here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 61/18/69/.260/.324/.421/4

324) Alexander Canario CHC, OF, 21.11 – Canario certainly looks the part with a big righty swing that is geared for power. He jacked 18 homers with high flyball rates in 107 games split between Single-A and High-A. He also has some speed with 21 steals, but his plate approach is still raw, striking out 28.8% of the time at Single-A and walking only 5.5% of the time at High-A. He’s a high risk, high reward prospect. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 67/24/79/.242/.315/.451/8

325) Ryan Vilade COL, OF, 23.1 – Vilade is a solid but unspectacular player who does a lot of things well but nothing really standout. He has a solid plate approach (17.8%/7.3% K%/BB%) with some pop (7 homers in 117 games at Triple-A) and some speed (12 steals in 17 attempts). There is more raw power than that homer total shows, but he hits the ball on the ground too much to get to it (45.1% GB%). 2022 Projection: 15/2/11/.265/.312/.397/2 Prime Projection: 76/18/71/.282/.336/.430/8

326) Micker Adolfo CHW, OF, 25.6 – Adolfo has at least plus power, jacking out 24 homers in 101 games split between Double-A and Triple-A, but it comes with major strikeout issues (34.1% K%). 2022 Projection: 8/2/10/.225/.294/.421/0 Prime Projection: 64/21/75/.237/.305/.441/2

327) Gage Workman DET, SS, 22.5 – Workman is a switch hitter who was much better from the left side than the right, putting up a .849 OPS as a lefty and a .483 OPS as a righty at Single-A and High-A. It might be time to pull a Cedric Mullins and drop the righty swing. He has potentially plus power that he hasn’t completely tapped into yet (12 homers in 118 games), and he has to cut down majorly on his strikeouts (30.6% K%). While he racked up 31 steals, he isn’t a burner and you can’t trust steal numbers from the lower minors this year because of the rule changes. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/22/74/.242/.315/.430/8

328) Luken Baker STL, 1B, 25.1 – Baker is an absolute moose at the plate at 6’4”, 280 pounds, and he was finally able to tap into his at least plus power for the first time in pro ball. He cracked 26 homers in 93 games at mostly Double-A after hitting just 14 in his previous 159 games. He did so by lowering his groundball percentage to 30.7%. He’s a righty who hit much better vs. lefties than righties, so he’s shaping up to be a short side of a platoon bat. 2022 Projection: 7/2/10/.240/.307/.431/0 Prime Projection: 46/15/55/.252/.326/.457/0

329) Sherten Apostel TEX, 1B/3B, 23.1 – Apostel’s strikeout rates have continued to rise as he climbs the minor league ladder, culminating with a 31.1% K% in 42 games at Double-A and a 36.4% K% in 22 games at Triple-A. Texas’ Double-A ballpark is a great hitters park (and their Triple-A park juices up homers too), but he wasn’t able to do any real damage at either stop. His season ended when he underwent knee surgery for a cartilage issue. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 41/13/47/.234/.317/.448/1

330) T.J. White WAS, OF, 18.8 – Selected 143rd overall in the 2021 Draft, White is 6’2”, 210 pounds with plus bat speed and big raw power. He impressed in his pro debut, slashing .283/.356/.547 with 4 homers and a 23.7%/8.5% K%/BB% in 15 games. He’s a switch hitter with a lefty swing that is geared for power and a righty swing that is more line drive oriented. There are hit tool concerns and he doesn’t have much speed, but he’s a great power bat to grab late in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/22/75/.252/.325/.468/2

331) Denzel Clarke OAK, OF, 21.11 – Selected 127th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Clarke has monster potential at 6’5”, 220 pounds with a plus power/speed combo, but you guessed it, it comes with major hit tool risk. He’s performed well against inferior competition in the Big West Conference and in rookie ball, but even there it comes with K’s (27.3% K% in rookie ball and 23.1% this year in the Big West). ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 67/19/72/.233/.304/.439/9

332) Otto Lopez TOR, 2B, 23.5 – Lopez is a high contact (17.3% K% in 113 games split between Double-A and Triple-A), plus speed (22 steals) player with high groundball rates (54.1% at Triple-A) and not much power (5 homers). He’s setting up to be a utility player in the near future. 2022 Projection: 9/0/6/.265/.312/.384/2 Prime Projection: 73/10/59/.276/.323/.401/14

333) Warming Bernabel COL, 3B, 19.10 – Bernabel destroyed rookie ball with a 14% K%, 6 homers and a 188 wRC+ in 22 games before struggling at High-A with a 63 wRC+ in 21 games, but he wasn’t overmatched as his K% barely budged at 14.9%. He’s an aggressive hitter with a big righty swing that projects for above average to plus power. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/23/78/.264/.317/.453/5

334) Luis Toribio SFG, 1B/3B, 21.6 – Toribio remains a walk machine with a 15.4% BB%, but his GB% jumped to 51.1% and his K% popped a little to 27.7%. He hit only 7 homers in 94 games at Single-A. He hits the ball hard, but he’s going to have to raise him launch angle to make an impact. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 67/14/62/.256/.338/.428/2

335) Edouard Julien MIN, 2B/3B, 22.11 – Julien put up a very fun batting line in his pro debut, slashing .266/.434/.480 with 18 homers, 34 steals, and a 28%/21.4% K%/BB% in 112 games split between Single-A and High-A. Other than the stolen bases which are a mirage, that batting line basically mirrors what he did in college with power, patience, and strikeouts. He’s not great on defense, but this is a bat first player who has produced in the SEC and now pro ball. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 52/16/54/.229/.317/.426/5

336) Brendan Donovan STL, 3B/2B, 25.3 – Donovan hit well everywhere he went in 2021 (A+, AA, AAA, AFL) with a mature plate approach, but he has already 24 years old and he doesn’t project for big power or speed. He’ll likely have to break into the majors as a utility guy and then earn more playing time from there. 2022 Projection: 21/4/18/.265/.321/.401/4 Prime Projection: 63/14/51/.278/.334/.421/8

337) Canaan Smith-Njigba PIT, OF, 23.1 – Smith-Njigba is an OBP machine with a .398 OPB and 16.9% BB% in 66 games at Double-A. He then went to the Fall League and put up a .452 OBP and 20.5% BB% in 18 games. His groundball rates are extremely high (65.3% at Double-A), and while he was an excellent 13 for 14 on the bases, he isn’t that fast, so he’s most intriguing in OBP leagues. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/16/69/.252/.347/.423/4

338) Jose Ramos LAD, OF, 21.3 – Ramos is 6’1”. 200 pounds with a quick and powerful righty swing that projects for plus power at peak. He dominated rookie ball with a 180 wRC+ in 15 games before getting called up to full season ball and barely missing a beat, slashing .313/.377/.559 with 8 homers and a 25.9%/7.3% K%/BB% in 47 games. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 62/21/69/.252/.323/.445/6

339) Gilberto Jimenez BOS, OF, 21.9 – Jimenez had a solid year at Single-A (105 wRC+) led by his good feel to hit with a 21.1% K% and .306 BA, but he wasn’t able to get to any of his power because of a 56.1% GB%. He hit 3 homers in 94 games. He doesn’t walk much (4.7% BB%) and while he has at least plus speed, he hasn’t been very effective on the bases in his career (13 for 21 in 2021). There is still an exciting blend of tools here, and he hasn’t performed poorly by any means, but he needs to find a way to produce more homers and steals if he wants to be an impact fantasy player. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/13/62/.275/.319/.412/15

340) Diego Castillo PIT, SS/2B, 24.5 – Castillo has put up elite contact numbers his entire career (12.7% K% this year) and in 2021 his power ticked up considerably with 19 homers in 104 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He had only hit 8 homers in 452 game career prior to this year. He projects as a utility infielder, but the power surge gives him the potential to beat that projection. 2022 Projection: 11/2/8/.255/.303/.402/2 Prime Projection: 33/6/28/.271/.322/.427/3

341) Maikol Escotto PIT, 2B/SS, 19.10 – Escotto got off to a fast start and had a strong 1st half of the season at Single-A with a .823 OPS in 53 games, but he tanked down the stretch and put up a .574 OPS in his final 29 games. He’s an excellent athlete with a potentially above average power/speed combo (7 homers and 22 steals), but his high strikeout rate adds plenty of risk (30.4%/14.2% K%/BB%). ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 66/20/73/.244/.326/.433/9

342) Brenton Doyle COL, OF, 23.10 – A 31.6%/7.1% K%/BB% as a 23 year old at High-A is not great, but Doyle has an exciting enough power/speed combo at 6’3”, 200 pounds to overlook that somewhat. He smashed 16 homers with 21 steals in 97 games. A 50% GB% will have to improve to get to more of his power, and that K% has to come down majorly. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/17/68/.248/.318/.422/12

343) Luis Rodriguez LAD, OF, 19.7 – Rodriguez was known as a hit over power prospect, but he flipped the script in his pro debut with 8 homers and a 30.9% K% (.216 BA) in 54 games in rookie ball. It’s great to see him getting to his power ahead of schedule, but he did so at the expense of his hit tool. There is plenty of time for him to marry the two skills. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 67/23/76/.254/.326/.445/4

344) Petey Halpin CLE, OF, 19.10 – Halpin lived up to his scouting report in his pro debut in High-A, showing a good feel to hit (.294 BA with a 20.3% K%), plus speed (11 steals in 20 attempts), and limited power (1 homer in 54 games). The stolen base success rate isn’t great, and while he hit only 1 homer, there is more power in there than he showed with a quick lefty swing. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 78/15/62/.272/.338/.414/15

345) Jose Siri HOU, OF, 26.9 – Siri showed both his extreme risk and upside in his MLB debut, putting up a 17.2% Barrel%, .378 xwOBA, and 30.4 ft/sec sprint speed. The surface stats were just as good with a .956 OPS and 3 steals in 21 games. On the flip side he had a 34.7%/2% K%/BB%. His Triple-A numbers were pretty similar with a .921 OPS and a 30.7%/6.5% K%/BB% in 94 games. It will be a wild ride if he wins Houston’s starting CF job, but I don’t think he is the favorite for it. 2022 Projection: 32/9/36/.232/.291/.421/10

346) Yerlin Confidan CIN, OF, 19.4 – Confidan won the MVP award of the ACL, going bonkos with a slash line of .315/.359/.573 with 11 homers, 7 steals, and a 25%/6.3% K%/BB% in 50 games. He’s 6’3”, 170 pounds with a powerful lefty swing, but he needs to refine his plate approach, and raising his 48.8% GB% would help too. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/27/82/.250/.318/.472/4

347) Eddy Beltre SDP, OF, 18.0 – Beltre was a DSL standout, slashing .295/.423/.446 with 3 homers, 24 steals, and a 16.8%/13.9% K%/BB% in 32 games. He has double plus speed with a good feel to hit and developing power. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 78/18/71/.267/.332/.427/23

348) Junior Caminero TBR, 3B, 18.9 – Caminero went buck wild in his pro debut in the DSL, slashing .295/.380/.534 with 9 homers, 2 steals and a 16.4%/11.7% K%/BB% in 43 games. He has a lightening quick righty swing which obviously generates good power. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 77/23/82/.268/.334/.467/4

349) Joshua Mears SDP, OF, 21.1 – Mears is 6’3”, 230 pounds with massive raw power that he has no trouble getting to. He crushed 17 homers with a 51.2% FB% in 71 games at Single-A, but it comes with extreme strikeout issues (39.2%/12.4% K%/BB%). ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 58/20/66/.223/.313/.453/4

350) Jeremiah Jackson LAA, SS, 22.0 – Jackson is consistent if nothing else with huge homer totals (10 homers in 51 games at mostly Single-A), plus speed (13 steals), and massive hit tool risk (33.2%). He’s a low probability prospect who likely won’t hit enough, but the upside is high if he can ever figure it out. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 51/17/57/.218/.295/.436/8

351) Daniel Montesino SDP, 1B/OF, 18.2 – Montesino got a million bucks in last year’s international class. He is a bat first prospect with some defensive concerns, so there is a lot of pressure on his bat, but so far, so good as he slashed .316/.444/.489 with 4 homers, 8 steals, and a 21.8%/17.7% K%/BB% in 56 games in the DSL. He has the potential to hit for both power and average at peak. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 69/24/78/.254/.331/.450/4

352) Isaiah Greene CLE, OF, 20.7 – Greene had a solid pro debut in rookie ball with a 120 wRC+, but he was old for the level, hit only 1 homer, and was 5 for 9 on the bases in 43 games. He’s a great athlete and projectable at 6’1”, 180 pounds, so while he didn’t exactly kick the door down this year, there are plenty of tools to work with in the future. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 73/14/61/.264/.328/.413/14

353) Joel Diaz NYM, RHP, 18.1 – Diaz was possibly the best pitcher in the DSL with a pitching line of 0.54/0.75/63/9 in 50.1 IP. He pounds the strikezone with a low 90’s fastball that will likely tick up as he ages to go along with excellent feel for a curve and change. He could potentially have 3 plus pitches at weak with plus control. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 12/3.82/1.21/180 in 170 IP

354) Angel Martinez CLE, 2B/3B/SS, 20.2 – Martinez got off to a hot start in his full season debut with a .946 OPS in May and a .888 OPS in June, but he fell off a cliff in the 2nd half and finished the season with a .701 OPS in 97 games at Single-A. He projects for moderate across the board production with utility infielder risk. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/15/65/.272/.337/.428/15

355) Carson Tucker CLE, SS, 20.2 – A hand injury limited Tucker to just 6 games in rookie ball. Cleveland nabbed him 23rd overall in 2020 for his good feel to hit with plus speed and the ability to stick at SS. At 6’2”, 180 pounds, power should develop as he matures. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/16/68/.263/.324/.413/16

356) Maikol Hernandez BAL, SS, 18.6 – Hernandez was one of my favorite targets in last year’s international class, and while he held his own in his pro debut, he didn’t standout. He put up a 92 wRC+ with a 21.2%/12.8% K%/BB% and 0 homers in 40 games in the DSL. The plate approach was solid, and at a projectable 6’3”, 175 pounds, the power is most certainly coming. I still like him as a high risk/high reward upside play. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/21/76/.256/.327/.439/6

357) Taylor Walls TB, SS, 25.9 – Walls looks slated for a utility role for at least the first few years of his career. He put up average exit velocity numbers with plus speed, but he hasn’t been a very good base stealer in his career. His K% spiked in Triple-A (26.1%) and MLB (27.8%). but he’s a patient hitter with high walk rates (13.1% BB%). 2022 Projection: 38/6/33/.242/.323/.391/8

358) Slade Cecconi ARI, RHP, 22.9 – Elbow soreness ended Cecconi’s regular season in late August after 59 IP, but he made it back to pitch 15 innings in the AFL. He throws a mid 90’s fastball with a plus slider and an average-ish curve and change. He pitched well at High-A, but he didn’t exactly dominate with a pitching line of 4.12/1.24/63/20 in 59 IP. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 8/4.15/1.32/155 in 158 IP

359) Nick Bitsko TBR, RHP, 19.10 – Bitsko missed all of 2021 after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. He’s 6’4”, 220 pounds with good control over a fastball that can reach the upper 90’s, a plus curve, and a developing change. The upside is high, but the shoulder injury adds risk. He’s yet to pitch in pro ball. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.27/165 in 158 IP

360) Brent Honeywell OAK, RHP, 27.0 – Trade to Oakland seemingly gives Honeywell a better chance to crack the rotation, but he has plenty of competition there too. He finally got his career back on track after 4 elbow surgeries putting up a pitching line of 3.97/1.20/67/24 in 81.2 IP. The stuff looks mostly back to me, but there is obviously rust after 3 full years of not pitching in any games. 2022 Projection: 5/4.41/1.33/80 in 90 IP

361) Alex Santos HOU, RHP, 20.2 – Santos is 6’4”, 195 pounds with a low 90’s fastball, a potentially plus changeup that he goes to often, and a less consistent breaking ball that flashes plus. He put up a pitching line of 3.46/1.46/48/30 in 41.2 IP at Single-A in his pro debut. Improving his control and adding a tick or two on the fastball would take him to the next level. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.21/1.36/143 in 150 IP

362) Cole Wilcox TBR, RHP, 22.9 – Wilcox underwent Tommy John surgery in September and will likely miss all of 2022. He proved the improved control he showed in his shortened 2020 college season was for real as he put up a 52/5 K/BB in 44.1 IP at Single-A. He throws mid 90’s heat with a potentially plus slider and developing change. There is bullpen risk and now injury risk, but the upside is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/3.95/1.28/158 in 150 IP

363) Jackson Rutledge WAS, RHP, 23.0 – Rutledge is 6’8”, 245 pounds with a short arm action that he uses to fire an upper 90’s fastball and plus slider. He also throws an average curve and change. 2021 was a disaster year for him as he battled a shoulder injury and put up a pitching line of 7.68/1.65/41/20 in 36.1 IP split across 3 levels (Rk, A, A+). He’s struggling in the AFL too with a 6.98 ERA and 17/10 K/BB in 19.1 IP. He has big stuff, but this season highlighted his reliever risk. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 6/4.08/1.32/122 in 115 IP

364) Luis Medina NYY, RHP, 22.11 – Medina has huge stuff that can reach triple digits with a potentially plus curve and developing changeup, but he has major control issues (5.1 BB/9) that makes his most likely home in the back of the bullpen. If something does eventually click, the upside is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 5/3.72/1.29/95 in 81 IP

365) Andry Lara WAS, RHP, 19.3 – Lara checks a lot of boxes for a teenage pitching prospect. He’s a big guy at 6’4”, 180 pounds (he’s probably heavier than that now) with a fastball that reaches the mid 90’s, a potentially plus breaking ball and a developing changeup. He was solid in his pro debut with a 4.54 ERA and 47/13 K/BB in 30.2 IP at rookie ball, before earning a promotion to full season ball and understandably struggling. I would put mid rotation upside on him at this point. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/4.15/1.29/164 in 168 IP

366) Michael Burrows PIT, RHP, 22.5 – Burrows was limited to 49 IP because of an oblique injury, and he also pitched relatively short outings all year. He throws mid 90’s heat with a plus curveball that led to a 2.20 ERA and a 34.2% K% at High-A. He needs to improve his control and his changeup, and also prove he can go deep in games if he wants to stick as a starter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/3.95/1.32/152 in 140 IP

367) Jonathan Bowlan KCR, RHP, 25.4 – Bowlan was in the midst of breaking out before undergoing Tommy John surgery in April. He had a 1.59 ERA with a 25/3 K/BB in 17 IP at Double-A. He had great K/BB numbers in his pro debut in 2019 as well with a 150/23 K/BB in 146 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He has plus control of a mid 90’s fastball to go along with 3 quality secondaries in his curve, slider, and change. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.25/1.23/168 in 165 IP

368) Bryce Bonnin CIN, RHP, 23.6 – Bonnin throws gas with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and a plus slider that led to 2.87 ERA with a 71/17 K/BB in 47 IP at mostly Single-A. He doesn’t have much experience as a starter going deep into games, and the reliever risk is very high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 6/3.73/1.28/101 in 85 IP

369) Ricky Vanasco TEX, RHP, 23.6 – Vanasco underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2020 and missed all of 2021. When healthy, his fastball sits in the mid 90’s with a potentially plus curve and developing change, but he needs to improve his control and his career high IP is 49.2, so he has a lot to prove. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.07/1.34/165 in 150 IP

370) Freddy Tarnok ATL, RHP, 23.4 – Tarnok is 6’3”, 185 pounds with a big mid 90’s fastball, plus curve, and developing change. He performed the best he ever has in 2021, even going back to college, with a pitching line of 3.44/1.15/109/28 in 73.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.02/1.31/158 in 160 IP

371) Seth Johnson TB, RHP, 23.6 – Johnson’s first season in full ball was a success with a pitching line of 2.88/1.27/115/33 in 93.2 IP at Single-A. He was old for the level, but considering his relative lack of experience as a pitcher (he was a converted infielder), it is definitely a step in the right direction. He has a plus fastball/slider combo and also mixes in a curve and change. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 8/3.98/1.32/147 in 145 IP

372) Ethan Hankins CLE, RHP, 22.10 – Hankins underwent Tommy John surgery in May and will return in the 2nd half of 2022 at best. He’s a good athlete at 6’6”, 200 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball, and he reportedly refined his secondaries in 2020 at alt camp. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.13/1.32/165 in 158 IP

373) Jared Jones PIT, RHP, 20.8 – Jones lived up to his scouting report to a T in his pro debut with great stuff, but lots of refinement needed. He throws mid 90’s heat with two breaking balls that flash plus and a developing changeup, but his poor control (4.6 BB/9) led to a 4.64 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP in 66 IP at Single-A. The stuff racked up K’s with a 34.1% K%, so the upside is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.27/1.34/165 in 150 IP

374) Estevan Florial NYY, OF, 24.4 – Florial’s been a tooled up but flawed prospect for basically his entire pro career, and that remains true to this day. He has plus raw power and plus speed, but he can’t take advantage of it with a 30.9% K% in 78 games at Triple-A. He also continues to be a poor base stealer going 13 for 21. He was able to improve his GB%, bringing it all the way down to 39.7% which led to 13 homers (also hit 4 homers in 9 games at Double-A). Overall it led to a below average 93 wRC+. 2022 Projection: 17/4/13/.220/.292/.392/4 Prime Projection: 48/13/41/.238/.309/.413/8

375) Jordan Nwogu CHC, OF, 23.1 – Nwogu had a rough start to his pro debut with a .513 OPS in his first 33 games, but he turned it on after that and put up a .841 OPS in his final 61 games at Single-A. It’s still a mediocre debut overall with a 28.2% K% and 45.5% GB%, but he has a fantasy friendly power/speed comb that is worth gambling on. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 61/18/66/.248/.323/.436/7

376) Erick Pena KC, OF, 19.1 – Pena was terrible in his pro debut with a 52 wRC+ and 36.5% K% in 18 games in rookie ball. There is obviously a long way to go before you can call him a bust, and he is still a good bet to develop plus power, but this is the risk you take when you draft super young international prospects. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 48/16/56/.235/.317/.436/2

377) Jeff Criswell OAK, RHP, 23.1 – Criswell throws mid 90’s heat with a potentially plus breaking ball and average changeup. An arm injury limited Criswell to just 15.2 IP (including the AFL). He needs to improve his control and there is injury risk, so there is a chance he ends up in the pen. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.08/1.32/173 in 160 IP

378) Chayce McDermott HOU, RHP, 23.7 – Selected 132nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, McDermott comes from an athletic family as his brother, Sean McDermott, is in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies. Chayce is 6’3”, 197 pounds with a fastball that can consistently hit the mid 90’s and a potentially plus breaking ball. He also throws an average curve and a developing changeup. He put up a 44.6% K% in his pro debut at Single-A in 18.1 IP, but he needs to work on his control (13.5% BB%). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.15/1.33/158 in 155 IP

379) Wilkelman Gonzalez BOS, RHP, 20.0 – Gonzalez has a fastball he can get into the mid 90’s with a potentially plus change and average slider. He had a pitching line of 2.91/1.10/66/16 in 52.2 IP split between rookie ball and Single-A. If he can consistently hit the mid 90’s on his fastball as he gains strength and improve his breaking balls, the upside is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.12/1.29/151 in 155 IP

380) Roismar Quintana WAS, OF, 19.2 – Quintana signed for 820K in 2019 and made his pro debut this year, slashing .308/.550/.692 with 2 doubles, 1 homer, and a 5/6 K/BB in 7 games. It’s obviously a very small sample because he missed a lot of time with a hamstring injury, but he showed a mature approach with plus raw power and average speed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/82/.263/.336/.455/7

381) Christian Franklin CHC, OF, 22.4 – Selected 123rd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Franklin has some swing and miss issues with high strikeout rates throughout his college career, but he has a fantasy friendly profile with an exciting power/speed combo and a history of production in the SEC. He’s slashed .274/.420/.544 with 13 homers, 11 steals, and a 78/44 K/BB in 61 games at Arkansas. He hits the ball hard with excellent bat speed and high walk rates, but the risk is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 62/16/62/.243/.319/.422/8

382) Simon Juan NYM, OF, 16.9 – Juan is one of the youngest players in the international class and has some of the highest power/speed upside with a quick and powerful righty swing, but he has some hit tool risk. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/24/81/.248/.318/.450/16

383) Wilfred Veras CHW, 1B/3B, 19.5 – Veras has baseball bloodlines and is actually Fernando Tatis Jr’s cousin. He got a late start to pro ball because of Covid and has a bit old for the DSL, but the performed well with a 147 wRC+. He’s 6’2”, 180 pounds with a big righty swing that projects for above average power at least. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 62/18/71/.246/.316/.451/7

384) Yiddi Cappe MIA, SS, 19.6 – Cappe was a bit old for the DSL, but it was still a solid pro debut with a 16.2%/8.8% K%/BB%. He hit only 2 homers and was 9 for 17 on the bases in 55 games, so the homer/steal skills have to develop, and at 6’3”, 175 pounds, there is tons of potential. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 71/20/76/.267/.328/.442/9

385) Ambioris Tavarez ATL, SS, 18.4 – Tavarez has yet to play in pro ball, but he’s an exciting prospect who signed for $1.5 million in last year’s international class. He is 6’2”, 175 pounds with a quick and powerful swing that foreshadows at least plus power potential. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/24/81/.246/.325/.457/8

386) Samuel Munoz LAD, 3B, 17.6 – Munoz is a 6’3”, 190 lefty who with an advanced plate approach, plus power projection, and is a good athlete. With little information on many of these international prospects, taking shots on guys in good developmental organizations isn’t a bad idea. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/25/84/.264/.338/.474/5

387) Ryan Reckley SFG, SS, 17.7 – Signed for $2.2 million, Reckley is an advanced hitter with developing power and plus speed. How much power he can get too at 5’10”, 160 pounds will dictate his upside. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/18/71/.273/.342/.437/21

388) Yendry Rojas SDP, SS, 17.2 – Rojas is already pretty built up relative to other 17 year olds at 6’0”, 185 pounds and he’s shown a good feel to hit with projectable power and speed. He has a powerful and quick lefty swing that is made to do damage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/22/81/.267/.325/.448/10

389) Michael Massey KCR, 2B, 24.0 – Massey’s power exploded with 21 homers in 99 games at High-A, and he didn’t lose any of plus contact ability with a 15.5%/7.5% K%/BB%. He was old for level and he struggled a bit vs. lefties, but his stock will skyrocket if he can keep this up in the upper levels of the minors. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 67/20/75/.263/.318/.434/6

390) Estiven Machado TOR, 2B, 19.6 – Machado cracked my 2021 Top 1,000 Dynasty Rankings at #971, and while he got only 1 PA in 2021 due to a hamstring injury, he has the same exciting profile. He’s an excellent athlete with plus bat speed, a good feel to hit and plus speed. He’s not expected to be a big power hitter, but there should only be more coming down the line. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/15/72/.276/.342/.415/22

391) Ji-Hwan Bae PIT, 2B, 22.8 – After hitting 0 homers in his first two years of pro ball, Bae’s power ticked up and he cracked 8 homers in 85 games at mostly Double-A (2 homers in 23 AFL games). He combines that with plus speed and a plus hit tool, stealing 20 bags with a 22.7%/10.4% K%/BB%. Not bad for a 21/22 year old in the upper levels of the minors. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/15/61/.273/.336/.417/17

392) Bryan Lavastida CLE, C, 23.4 – Lavastida has made excellent contact his entire career, but his strikeout numbers rose as he climbed the minor league ladder this year. He put up a 15.2% K% in 48 games at High-A, a 23.5% K% in 29 games at Double-A, and a 47.6% K% in 7 games at Triple-A. He hits the ball hard and his power leveled up this year with 9 homers in 84 games, but he’ll have to start lifting the ball more to unlock more. He’s a good athlete and he stole 16 bags, but 14 of them came at High-A with the different rules, so that is a bit of a mirage. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 42/11/47/.257/.332/.416/5

393) Patrick Bailey SFG, C, 22.10 – Bailey is a switch hitting catcher with a potentially plus glove who is a legitimate threat to Bart for San Francisco’s ultimate catcher of the future. He ripped up Single-A with a .947 OPS, but he struggled at the more age appropriate High-A with a .587 OPS. He was solid, but unspectacular in the AFL with 1 homer and a .792 OPS in 17 games. He has some swing and miss to his game with above average raw power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 54/17/63/.247/.316/.426/1

394) Starlin Aguilar SEA, 3B, 18.2 – Aguilar was a high priced international signing last year and earned the nickname “Baby Devers” for his quick lefty swing that projects to produce both average and power. He had a solid pro debut with an 18.6%/13.2% K%/BB% and a 41.7% GB%. It only resulted in 2 homers and a 109 wRC+ in 53 games, but he’s set up well for when his power naturally increases. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/22/79/.268/.336/.444/4

395) Milkar Perez SEA, 3B, 20.6 – Perez has an advanced plate approach, putting up a 20.2%/20.7% K%/BB% in 45 games in rookie ball and a 12.5%/12.5% K%/BB% in 6 games at Single-A. He didn’t hit a single homer and doesn’t project for big power, but he’s a relatively safe bat who knows how to hit. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/14/62/.263/.331/.425/2

396) Felix Valerio MIL, 2B, 21.3 – Valerio is a small guy at 5’7”, 165 pounds with a plus hit tool as his best skill. He slashed .290/.401/.468 with 11 homers, 31 steals. 71/69 K/BB in 114 games split between Single-A (.899 OPS) and High-A (.787 OPS). He has only average speed, so I wouldn’t trust those stolen base totals, and he doesn’t project for very much power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 76/14/62/.276/.338/.414/8

397) Miguel Bleis BOS, OF, 18.1 – Bleis signed with the Sox for $1.5 million in last years international class. He is a projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with plus power potential, and he performed well in his pro debut, slashing .252/.331/.420 with 4 homers, 7 steals, and a 18.4%/8.8% K%/BB% in 36 games in the DSL. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 66/23/75/.252/.320/.442/6

398) Jhonny Piron TBR, OF, 18.2 – Piron’s stats didn’t jump out in his pro debut with a .735 OPS, but he showed a solid plate approach (21.5%/14.1% K%/BB%) with speed (17 steals) and the ability to lift the ball (3 homers with a 50% FB%). When his power ticks up, he will be in a great position for a breakout. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/22/78/.252/.325/.447/14

Tier 9

399) Tink Hence STL, RHP, 19.8 – Hence was the 63rd overall pick in the 2020 Draft. He shows good control of a fastball that can reach 96 MPH, to go along with a plus slider and developing changeup. He has an easy delivery with lightening quick arm speed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.12/1.28/167 in 160 IP

400) Endy Rodriguez PIT, C, 21.10 – Rodriguez is a switch hitter with a mature plate approach and the potential for above average power. He put up a 140 wRC+ with 15 homers, a 37.3% GB%, and a 17.7%/11.5% K%/BB% in 98 games at Single-A. He’s a bit old for the level, he has to continue to improve his defense, and Henry Davis is a major block to his future playing time in Pitt. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 59/15/56/.260/.328/.426/2

401) Jose Butto NYM, RHP, 24.0 – Butto is the type of pitcher to work fast and throw the ball over the plate. A nasty changeup is his money maker and he combines that with an average slider and a low 90’s fastball that seems pretty hittable. He put together a strong year split between High-A and Double-A with a pitching line of 3.83/1.10/110/24 in 98.2 IP. He has a 4/5 starter profile with mid rotation upside if the fastball or breaking ball tick up. 2022 Projection: 1/4.52/1.35/27 in 30 IP Prime Projection: 8/4.24/1.31/153 in 160 IP

402) Ed Howard CHC, SS, 20.8 – Howard’s pro debut was a disaster with a 30.1%/5.5% K%/BB% and a 64 wRC+ in 80 games at Single-A. Defense was always his best skill, so that should give his bat a long leash, but he obviously has a long way to go to even be passable. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 66/14/62/.246/.303/.403/7

403) Oscar Gonzalez CLE, OF, 24.3 – Gonzalez is a big boy at 6’4”, 240 pounds and just jacked out 31 homers in 121 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He doesn’t have much of a plate approach with a 22.2%/4.4% K%/BB%, and he stole only 1 bag, so it is all about that huge power. 2022 Projection: Prime Projection: 41/16/51/.247/.308/.445/1

404) Korry Howell MIL, OF, 23.7 – Howell’s best asset is his double plus speed and it led to 24 steals in 97 games split between High-A and Double-A, although his numbers dropped off when he got to Double-A, going 4 for 7 in 28 games. His power ticked up this year by drastically lowering his GB%, cranking 16 homers, but the exciting power/speed combo is at the mercy of his poor hit tool. He hit .248 with a 28.9% K% at High-A and .235 with a 39.6% K% at Double-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 43/12/36/.232/.307/.412/10

405) Denzer Guzman LAA, SS, 18.2 – Guzman didn’t particularly standout in his pro debut in the DSL with a 92 wRC+, but there were still some positive takeaways. He showed an advanced plate approach with an excellent 14.6%/12.2% K%/BB% and he put the ball in the air with a 49.1% FB%, so when he grows into his 6’2”, 165 pound frame, the power will come. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 74/21/78/.266/.337/.442/6

406) Jordyn Adams LAA, OF, 22.5 – Adams is an elite athlete at 6’2”, 180 pounds, but the production just isn’t coming. He put up a 66 wRC+ with 5 homers, 18 steals, and a 37.8%/9.1% K%/BB% in 71 games at High-A. I own him in an 18 teamer where I’m going to have a prospect crunch going into the off-season prospect draft, and I’m struggling as to whether I should cut him, or keep him and try to trade some picks this year for picks next year. The upside is high, but the risk is starting to win out. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 47/12/40/.234/.298/.403/12

407) Connor Scott MIA, OF, 22.6 – Scott had his best year in pro ball with a 112 wRC+ in 96 games at High-A. The former 13th overall pick in 2018 is a great athlete at 6’3”, 187 pounds with plus speed and developing power. His development has been a slow burn, so he may end up a late bloomer type, but he took a step forward this year. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/16/66/.257/.320/.419/13

408) Kala’i Rosario MIN, OF, 19.9 – Rosario has big time raw power, and while he hit only 5 homers in 51 games in rookie ball, more homers are definitely coming in the future. The problem is that he struck out 31.7% of the time, so the risk is high. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 52/18/57/.237/.316/.442/3

409) Maddux Bruns LAD, LHP, 19.10 – Selected 29th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Bruns is a high risk/high reward pitcher with with a mid 90’s fastball and potentially plus slider, but he’s had control problems and consistently issues. He gave up 9 earned with a 5/7 K/BB in 5 IP in his pro debut. The Dodgers are one of the best development organizations in baseball, so I’m more willing to take a shot on him than if he was drafted by a lesser org. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 7/3.82/1.31/129 in 120 IP

410) Calvin Ziegler NYM, RHP, 19.6 – Selected 46th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Ziegler is a pretty built up 6’0”, 205 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball, a potentially plus curve and developing change. His fastball control is solid, he just needs to continue to refine his secondaries and overall command. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.16/1.28/155 in 155 IP

411) Jesse Franklin ATL, OF, 23.4 – Franklin showed explosive power in his pro debut with 24 homers in 101 games at High-A, but he needs to improve his plate approach with a 28.3%/8.4% K%/BB%. He stole 19 bags, but he wasn’t a big base stealer in college and he only has average speed. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 52/18/65/.238/.316/.452/5

412) Jose Tena CLE, SS, 21.0 – Tena had a strong season at High-A with a 115 wRC+, 16 homers, and 10 steals in 107 games, but his 26.2%/6.0% K%/BB% leaves something to be desired. The plate approach looked much better in the AFL with a 10/10 K/BB in 17 games, but he hit 0 homers. He doesn’t have big raw power and he hasn’t been a great base stealer in his career, so while he can be a strong overall player, I would like to see improvement in his plate approach before buying in more. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/17/65/.267/.323/.427/8

413) Jordan Diaz OAK, 3B, 21.8 – Diaz showed great bat to ball skills in his first year of full season ball at High-A with a 15.9% K%, but his walk rate isn’t great (6.8% BB%), his GB% is high (52.7%), and his defense needs improvement. His power ticked up this year with 13 homers in 90 games, but it will have to reach another level to win playing time and make a fantasy impact. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 56/14/63/.273/.328/.431/3

414) Alexander Ramirez LAA, OF, 19.7 – The risk is high with Ramirez because of extreme strikeout issues, putting up a 32.5% K% at rookie ball and a 42% K% at Single-A, but the upside is high too with plus power and some speed. He had a 136 wRC+ in 35 games at the age appropriate rookie ball and then cratered in full season ball with a negative 10 wRC+. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 62/18/67/.226/.305/.436/5

415) Ismael Mena CHC, OF, 19.4 – Mena had a rough pro debut in stateside rookie ball with a .581 OPS in 44 games, but a 25.3%/8.4% K%/BB% shows he wasn’t completely overmatched. He signed for $2.2 million in 2019, and at a lean 6’3”, 185 pounds, there is still an exciting power/speed combo in here. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 66/18/71/.247/.321/.422/11

416) Robert Gasser SDP, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 71st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Gasser is a “crafty lefty” with a low 90’s fastball, potentially plus slider and average changeup. He had a 1.20 ERA with a 14/2 K/BB in 15 IP at mostly Single-A in his pro debut. He profiles as a back end starter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.28/1.28/150 in 160 IP

417) Doug Nikhazy CLE, LHP, 22.7 – Selected 58th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Nikhazy put up some eye popping numbers in the SEC with a pitching line of 2.45/1.01/142/31 in 92 IP. He throws two potentially plus breaking balls in his curve and slider, to go along with a low 90’s fastball and developing change. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/4.23/1.31/166 in 160 IP

418) Glenn Otto TEX, RHP, 26.1 – Otto made his MLB debut and got lit up with a 9.26 ERA in 23.1 IP, but his K/BB numbers looked better with a 25.2%/7.2% K%/BB%. His fastball sat 92.6 MPH and his slider was about average with a .308 xwOBA and 33% K%. He’s going to have to compete for a rotation spot and could easily end up in the bullpen. 2022 Projection: 4/4.16/1.32/85 in 85 IP

419) Sammy Long SFG, LHP, 26.9 – Long will likely compete for the 5th starter job but should get plenty of innings regardless. He throws a 92.6 MPH fastball with two secondaries that put up above average numbers in his MLB debut in his curve (.255 xwOBA) and change (.286 xwOBA). He had a 5.53 ERA in 40.2 IP, but his xERA was much better at 4.24. 2022 Projection: 5/4.28/1.31/86 in 90 IP

420) Reiver Sanmartin CIN, LHP, 26.0 – Sanmartin is currently penciled in as the 5th starter, but with Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo knocking on the door, that might not last. Cincy might also trade the current vets in their rotation, so that would help the logjam. He’s your classic crafty lefty with plus control and the ability to keep the ball on the ground and induce weak contact. The fastball sat 89.5 MPH in his 11.2 IP MLB debut, so the margin for error is very small. 2022 Projection: 6/4.44/1.32/106in 120 IP

421) Tucker Davidson ATL, LHP, 25.0 – Davidson will compete for a rotation spot in Spring. A left forearm strain ended Davidson’s regular season in mid June before returning for the playoffs in October. He had a 3.60 ERA with a 18/8 K/BB in 20 IP on the back of a 93 MPH fastball and above slider which put up a 35.7% whiff%. 2022 Projection: 5/4.46/1.37/86 in 90 IP

422) Bryce Elder ATL, RHP, 22.10 – Elder might not have the biggest stuff with a low 90’s fastball, but he knows how to pitch, utilizing a 5 pitch mix. He put up a pitching line of 2.75/1.10/155/57 in 137.2 IP split across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). He has some control problems with a 13.6% BB% at Triple-A, and the fact he doesn’t have that big fastball puts him in the back end starter with mid rotation upside category. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.28/1.34/156 in 160 IP

423) Jared Shuster ATL, LHP, 23.8 – Shuster handled his business at High-A with a 3.70 ERA and 73/15 K/BB in 58.1 IP before getting shelled at Double-A with a 7.36 ERA in 14.2 IP. His devastating changeup is his best pitch and he goes to it often. He combines that with a fastball that can reach the mid 90’s and an average slider. He’ll need his breaking ball to tick up to reach his mid rotation upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.23/1.31/160 in 163 IP

424) Adrian Del Castillo ARI, C, 22.6 – Selected 67th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Castillo has one of the most advanced bats in the class with a strong history of performance in the ACC from the second he stepped on campus, slashing .311/.410/.499 with 17 homers and a 60/70 K/BB in 131 NCAA games. Home run power hasn’t developed as hoped with only 3 homers in 54 games this season, so while he hits the ball hard, the fantasy upside seems lacking. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 67/14/62/.261/.327/.411/2

425) Bo Naylor CLE, C, 22.1 – Naylor was terrible in 87 games at Double-A with a 69 wRC+, .189 BA and 31.5%/10.4% K%/BB%, but he was young for the level and he deserves a mulligan, especially because of how much catchers need to focus on defense. He brought his GB% all the way down to 27%, so he should be able to get to all of his power at maturity, and he’s displayed a much better hit tool in the past, so I’m expecting him to bounce back next year. He was also a perfect 10 for 10 on the bases, which is always a nice bonus for a catcher. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 63/21/72/.247/.328/.435/7

426) Javier Osorio DET, SS, 17.0 – Osorio has a quick righty bat with a good feel to hit and plenty of power projection on his 6’0”, 165 pound frame. He has speed too, and while he doesn’t look quite as physically impressive as some of the others in his class, he can be formidable all category contributor. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/20/76/.272/.339/.452/9

427) Johan Barrios MIL, SS, 17.3 – Barrios is 6’3”, 180 pounds with a good feel to hit and the potential for a plus power/speed combo. The upside is high, and there is barely any hype even relative to other international guys. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/22/78/.258/.326/.448/12

428) Dyan Jorge COL, SS, 18.4, 6’2”, 170 – Projected for the 4th highest signed bonus in his class, Jorge is razor thin with plus speed and top notch athleticism. He is still raw, so the risk is high, but the upside is high too if it all comes together. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/15/69/.252/.321/.413/18

429) Niko Kavadas BOS, 1B, 23.7 – Selected 316th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Kavadas has some of the best pure power in the draft, crushing 22 homers in 47 games in the ACC. He fell to the 11th round because of signing bonus demands and the fact he was a 4 year college player, but none of that changes the very real juice in his lefty bat at 6’1”, 235 pounds. He has strikeout issues and no defensive value, so like many of these 1B prospects, his bat needs to hit close to his ceiling. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 42/17/49/.237/.323/.458/0

430) Jared Kelley CHW, RHP, 20.5 – Kelley suffered a forearm injury in May which kept him out for about 6 weeks, and then a shoulder impingement ended his season in August. He showed absolutely zero control over his stuff when he was on the mound with a 19.6% BB%, which led to a 7.61 ERA over 23.2 IP at mostly Single-A. While it was a disaster year, his stuff is worth staying patient for another year, showing a mid 90’s fastball and the potential for two effective secondaries in his changeup and slider. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 8/4.19/1.34/151 in 150 IP

431) Clarke Schmidt NYY, RHP, 26.1 – Schmidt missed about the first 4 months of the season with an elbow strain which limited him to 44.1 IP. He was successful when he returned with a 2.10 ERA and 32/8 K/BB in 25.2 IP at Triple-A. He throws a 5 pitch mix led by 93 MPH heat and a potentially plus curve. He’ll need injuries to hit to get his shot in the rotation. 2022 Projection: 4/4.41/1.33/71 in 75 IP

432) Bryce Ball CHC, 1B, 23.9 – Ball’s game power dropped off in 2021 with only 13 homers and a 47% GB% in 107 games at High-A. The raw power is definitely still in there, and he walked a ton with an 18.2% BB%. He strikes out too much (27.6% K%) and he was old for the level, so overall it was a step back. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 33/11/35/.229/.321/.441/0

433) Hudson Head PIT, OF, 21.0 – Head’s full season debut at Single-A was a mixed bag, showing solid power (15 homers in 101 games) and patience (15.7% BB%), but he barely ran at all (3 for 4 on the bases) and struck out 31.6% of the time. He’s a tooled up player, but the high K rate is a bit concerning. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/19/71/.247/.318/.435/8

434) Jay Groome BOS, LHP, 23.7 – The elite fastball/curve combo from his pre draft days is gone, but he still has a solid 4 pitch mix with a low 90’s fastball and 3 effective secondaries in his curve, slider, and change. It led to a 4.81 ERA with a 134/36 K/BB in 97.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.25/1.35/150 in 150 IP

435) Luis Frias ARI, RHP, 23.10 – Frias has big stuff with a mid 90’s fastball that can regularly hit the upper 90’s,a plus curveball, and a developing change. He racks up strikeouts with 126 K’s in 111.1 IP. He ran into some trouble in the upper levels of the minors with a 5.26 ERA at Double-A and 5.82 ERA at Triple-A, and he needs to improve his control, so the reliever risk is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 7/4.23/1.32/128 in 120 IP

436) Jhoan Duran MIN, RHP, 24.3 – An elbow strain ended Duran’s season after just 16 IP. When healthy, he throws a fastball that can reach triple digits with a plus low 90’s sinker/splitter hybrid. Bullpen risk is high ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 9/4.18/1.34/156 in 152 IP

437) Hayden Wesneski NYY, RHP, 24.4 – Wesneski put up a pitching line of 3.25/1.12/151/36 split across 3 levels (A+, AA, AAA). He throws mid 90’s heat with a plus, sharp breaking ball as his best secondary. He also mixes in an average slider and change. I could easily see him ending up in a jack of all trades role. 2022 Projection: 2/4.38/1.36/31 in 35 IP Prime Projection: 7/4.17/1.28/122 in 120

438) Louie Varland MIN, RHP, 24.4 – Varland destroyed the lower levels of the minors with a pitching line of 2.10/1.09/142/30 in 103 IP split between Single-A and High-A. He’s old for the levels, but the stuff is good with a fastball that can hit the mid 90’s, a plus slider, and average curve. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.31/1.33/151 in 155 IP

439) Yohendrick Pinango CHC, OF, 19.11 – Pinango is in the mold of an Adam Frazier/Luis Arraez/David Fletcher with elite contact skills (11.4% K% in 24 games at High-A), but a 55.3% GB% heavily limits his power. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 78/12/59/.278/.345/.402/9

440) Jaden Hill COL, RHP, 22.3 – Hill isn’t necessarily the 11th best prospect in the system, but I thought he is worth mentioning because he would be ranked higher if he didn’t get selected by Colorado 44th overall. He tore his UCL in his 7th start of the season and will likely be out for most of 2022. He has nasty stuff when healthy with a mid 90’s fastball and a slider and changeup that have flashed plus, but he struggled to put it together xin his first full year as a starter with a pitching line of 6.67/1.38/25/12 in 29.1 IP. Despite the obvious talent, there was already performance risk, and now you can tack on injury risk and Coors risk. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 8/4.36/1.34/152 in 150 IP

441) Braden Shewmake ATL, SS, 24.4 – Shewmake struggled at Double-A with a .672 OPS in 83 games, but his plus defense at SS will give his bat every chance to catch up. He’s 6’4”, 190 pounds, so his power should tick up over time, and he had a 21.8% K%, so he can get the bat on the ball. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 68/17/68/.257/.316/.410/6

442) Kyle Bradish BAL, RHP, 25.7 – Bradish is 6’4”, 220 pounds with a traditional 4 pitch mix highlighted by a mid 90’s fastball and plus slider. He put up a pitching line of 3.68/1.36/131/44 in 100.1 IP at mostly Triple-A. He’s had some control problems going back to his college days, and even with Baltimore moving their fence back/up, a mid to back end starter in that pitching environment is not my favorite fantasy bet to make. 2022 Projection: 3/4.78/1.42/69 in 75 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.29/1.34/157 in 160 IP

443) Jake Vogel LAD, OF, 20.6 – Vogel isn’t a big guy at 5’11”, 165 pounds, but he’s an explosive athlete with good raw power and plus speed. His pro debut at Single-A showed he is still raw though with an 80 wRC+, 3 homers, 12 steals, and a 29.8% K% in 76 games. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 73/16/63/.252/.321/.416/17

444) Willy Vasquez TBR, SS, 20.7 – Vasquez doesn’t have huge upside, but he showed a plus hit tool and approach in rookie ball with a 15.6%/11.6% K%/BB%, although he was a bit old for the level. He definitely looks like a ballplayer in the box with a strong righty swing that should lead to above average power at peak. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 69/18/66/.269/.331/.436/7

445) Joey Estes ATL, RHP, 20.4 – Estes dominated Single-A in his first taste of full season ball with a pitching line of 2.91/0.96/127/29 in 99 IP. He throws a low 90’s fastball that he can get up into the mid 90’s with a potentially plus slider and a developing curve and change. His delivery looks a bit reliever-ish to me. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 8/4.22/1.33/152 in 150 IP

446) Levi Stoudt SEA, RHP, 24.4 – Stoudt missed all of 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and made his pro debut in 2021. He put up a pitching line of 3.31/1.20/86/37 in 81.2 IP split between High-A and Double-A. He has a mid 90’s fastball with a nasty plus changeup and an average-ish curve and slider. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.26/1.34/146 in 155 IP

447) Jean Pinto BAL, RHP, 21.3 – Pinto destroyed rookie ball in 20 innings before being promoted to Single-A where he didn’t miss a beat with a pitching line of 2.51/0.90/56/13 in 46.2 IP. He pounds the strikezone with a 4 pitch mix highlighted by a fastball that consistently hits the mid 90’s and 3 secondaries (curve, slider, change). ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/4.08/1.30/165 in 158 IP

448) Gavin Stone LAD, RHP, 23.6 – A 5th round pick in 2020, Stone raised his stock in his pro debut this year with a pitching line of 3.76/1.23/138/25 in 91 IP split between Single-A and High-A. His fastball ticked up into the mid 90’s and he has good control 6% BB% at High-A. None of his secondaries necessarily standout but he has a curve, slider, and change that are all effective. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.23/1.27/155 in 155 IP

449) Cody Morissette MIA, 2B/3B, 22.2 – Selected 52nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Morissette’s college numbers don’t jump out at you (6 homers with a .895 OPS in 41 games), but he has a smooth lefty that should lead to more homers in the future. He’s a versatile defender who projects to be a solid all around player. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/16/66/.263/.326/.423/8

450) Freili Encarnacion BOS, SS, 17.2 – Encarnacion has some of the best power in the class with plus potential. He can hit for a high average too and is a good athlete, so he’s not just a lumbering slugger. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/25/84/.266/.332/.477/6

451) Carlos Pacheco OAK, OF, 17.5 – Pacheco is 5’11”, 175 pounds with a plus hit, plus speed profile. How much power he’s able to get to will dictate his upside. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/15/68/.271/.333/.415/18

452) Jaison Chourio CLE, OF, 16.10 – Jaison’s older brother, Jackson, was a DSL breakout in 2021, so why not role the dice with the next Chourio. He has a similar skillset with a good fell to hit, plus speed, and developing power. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 79/15/67/.268/.336/.416/18

453) George Feliz SEA, OF, 19.6 – Feliz hit well in the DSL with a 127 wRC+, but he was a bit old for the level. Plus speed his is hit best tool with 8 steals and he showed nice power with 5 homers in 46 games. 23.5% K% against DSL competition and being old for the level gives him some hit tool risk. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 72/15/64/.252/.316/.428/16

454) Noah Miller MIN, SS, 19.5 – Selected 36th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Miller is a switch hitter with a potentially plus hit tool and advanced approach, although he put up a 27.1% K% in his 22 game pro debut. He combines that with potentially average power and speed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 72/16/63/.267/.328/.424/7

455) Simon Muzziotti PHI, OF, 23.3 – Muzziotti missed most of the season with visa issues, but he made it back in late August and literally played at every stateside level, including the AFL. He has a plus hit tool and plate approach (12.5%/15.6% K%/BB% in 8 games at Triple-A), but he hits the ball on the ground too much to get to his average raw power. He also has plus speed but hasn’t been a good base stealer in his career. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/13/56/.271/.336/.416/7

456) Euribiel Angeles SDP, SS, 19.11 – Angeles thrived in full season ball at barely 19 years old with a plus hit tool. He hit .343 with a 15.1% K% in 87 games at Single-A before being promoted to High-A for 18 games (18.6% K%). He doesn’t have much power or speed, but he’s a relatively safe prospect because he knows how to hit. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 73/14/59/.275/.333/.409/7

457) Clayton Beeter LAD, RHP, 23.6 – Beeter put up impressive strikeout numbers with a 78/22 K/BB in 52.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A, but he did it in very short outings, ramping up to high of 3.1 IP towards the end of the season. His stuff is good with a mid 90’s fastball, a potentially plus slider and curve, and a lesser used changeup. He needs to improve his control and the reliever risk is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 7/3.95/1.32/131 in 120 IP

458) Miguel Amaya CHC, C, 23.1 – A forearm strain limited Amaya to only 23 games at Double-A and he underwent Tommy John surgery in the off-season, meaning he could miss all of 2022. His defense is ahead of his offense, but he still put up a strong 117 wRC+ at Double-A on the back of a 20.8%/19.8% K%/BB%, but he didn’t do very much damage with a .710 OPS. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 66/16/61/.268/.341/.425/2

459) Wes Clarke MIL, 1B/C, 22.5 – Selected 297th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Clarke jacked 23 homers with a 73/50 K/BB in 57 SEC games, and then entered pro ball and cranked 4 homers with a 21/21 K/BB in 21 games at Single-A. He has little defensive value and major hit tool concerns, but the power and patience profile is enticing for fantasy. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 41/16/46/.224/.316/.447/0

460) Sean Burke CHW, RHP, 22.3 – Selected 94th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Burke is 6’6”, 230 pounds with a plus mid 90’s fastball, but he needs to improve his control (5.1 BB/9 in 74.1 SEC innings), and the consistency of his secondaries (slider, curve, change). He’s high risk, high reward. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 6/3.92/1.36/121 in 110 IP

461) Carmen Mlodzinski PIT, RHP, 23.1 – A right shoulder injury limited Mlodzinski to 52.1 IP. He worked to unlock more strikeouts this year going with a swing and miss mid 90’s 4 seamer over his sinker. It led to 66 strikeouts in 52.1 IP at mostly High-A. He combines that with an array of secondaries, highlighted by a potentially plus slider and change. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.34/1.35/161 in 165 IP

462) Alexander Suarez SFG, OF, 20.3 – Suarez put up a fantasy friendly statline at rookie ball, slashing .311/.379/.503 with 6 homers and 16 steals in 55 games, but he had a terrible plate approach (33.6%/4.7%) and he was old for the level. He definitely looks the part at 6’2” with a quick righty swing, but his hit tool has a long way to go. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 41/14/44/.227/.292/.426/6

463) Bryan Mata BOS, RHP, 22.11 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2021 and will miss all of 2022. Mata’s control took a major step forward in 2019, cutting his walk rate from 7.3 BB/9 in 2018 to 3.6 BB/9 in 2019. He continued to work on that in 2020 at the alt site. He has big time stuff headlined by a plus fastball/slider combo, but still needs to work on command and consistently. Now you can tack on injury risk to an already risky profile. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 8/4.22/1.35/154 in 152 IP

464) Alec Marsh KCR, RHP, 23.11 – Marsh was limited to 25.1 IP at Double-A with arm soreness, but was able to return for one appearance in the AFL. He was in the midst of breaking out with a fastball that can reach the upper 90’s and 3 potentially quality secondaries in his slider, curve and change. He had a 39.6% K% before going down with the injury. He has mid-rotation upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.25/1.35/165 in 155 IP

465) Landon Marceaux LAA, RHP, 22.6 – Selected 80th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Marceaux doesn’t have huge stuff with a low 90’s fastball, but he dominated the SEC because he understands the art of pitching. He has good control over a 4 pitch mix and tunnels his pitches well. Plus curve is his best pitch. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.29/1.27/152 in 160 IP

466) A.J. Alexy TEX, RHP, 23.11 – Alexy made his MLB debut and while his 4.70 ERA and 1.30 WHIP isn’t bad, the underlying numbers aren’t as kind. He had a 17/17 K/BB in 23 IP and his xERA was 6.82. He’s had control problems throughout his career, and while his stuff is good with a 4 pitch mix and 93.3 MPH fastball, it isn’t standout. He’s likely a back end starter. 2022 Projection: 6/4.88/1.42/107 in 120 IP

467) Leo Jimenez TOR, SS, 20.10 – Jimenez thrived a Single-A with a plus plate approach (14.5%/21.1% K%/BB%), but he has very little game power with only 1 homer in 59 games. He’s not a burner, so he needs to figure out a way to get to his potentially average raw power if he wants to make an impact with the bat. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 64/12/51/.267/.340/.401/6

468) Ken Waldichuk NYY, LHP, 24.3 – Waldichuk is a crafty lefty with an average to above average 4 pitch mix. He pitched well at Double-A with a pitching line of 4.20/1.29/108/38 in 79.1 IP. He projects as a multi inning reliever or back end starter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 7/4.16/1.32/117 in 120 IP

469) Andrew Abbott CIN, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 53rd in the 2021 MLB Draft, Abbott transitioned into the rotation in 2021 and he took to it quite well, putting up a pitching line of 2.87/1.13/162/32 in 106.2 IP in the ACC. The strikeout prowess transferred to pro ball with a 22/4 K/BB in 13 IP at mostly Single-A. He throws a low 90’s fastball with a plus curve and developing change. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 7/4.12/1.30/127 in 120 IP

470) Ricky Tiedemann TOR, LHP, 19.7 – Selected 91st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Tiedemann is 6’4”, 220 pounds with a fastball he can get up into the mid 90’s and two potentially quality secondaries in his changeup and slider. He’s still on the raw side, but a big lefty with 3 potentially good pitches is a great foundation. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.35/1.34/153 in 160 IP

471) Nick Allen OAK, SS, 22.6 – Plus defense is Allen’s best skill, and he performed solidly as a 21 year old in the upper minors, slashing .288/.346/.403 with 6 homers, 12 steals, and a 76/29 K/BB in 89 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. That Adam Frazier/Luis Arraez/David Fletcher range seems to be the ceiling, and he might not even be able to reach that level. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 73/9/53/.272/.330/.379/9

472) Will Wilson SFG, SS, 23.8 – Wilson performed well at High-A (120 wRC+) before struggling hard at Double-A (65 wRC+) and the AFL (.542 OPS). He showed good power with 17 homers in 119 games across all levels, but there were major strikeout issues with a 36.7% in 51 games at Double-A. He’s a low upside player with some pop. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 63/18/69/.246/.318/.423/4

473) Alexander Vargas NYY, SS, 20.5 – Vargas was a bit old for rookie ball and he didn’t exactly destroy the level with a 105 wRC+, but his plus glove should get him on the field, and he combines that with plus speed. Hit tool and power will dictate his ceiling. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/14/61/.262/.323/.411/16

474) Peyton Wilson KCR, 2B, 22.5 – Selected 66th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Wilson is a switch hitter with plus speed and some pop, and while his plate approach is solid (41/22 K/BB in 58 SEC games), it might not be quite good enough to be a full time MLB player considering limited power potential at 5’9”, 180 pounds. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 52/10/47/.253/.313/.412/10

475) Corey Rosier SDP, OF, 22.7 – Selected 354th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Rosier proved his numbers from the Southern Conference will transfer to pro ball, slashing .380/.451/.570 with 3 homers, 13 steals, and a 14.2%/12.8% K%/BB% in 32 games at mostly Single-A. He’s a good defensive CF with the potential for modest across the board production. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/15/63/.268/.323/.417/9

476) Tyler McDonough BOS, 2B/OF, 23.0 – Selected 75h overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, McDonough is a do a little bit of everything switch hitter who can play all over the field. He’s had a good feel to hit and some speed from his freshman year, and he added more power this year with 15 homers in 55 ACC games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 64/13/57/.264/.321/.417/7

477) Reed Trimble BAL, OF, 21.10 – Selected 65th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Trimble is a high risk, high reward player with plus speed and plus raw power, but he’s still a bit raw at the dish. He struggled in Single-A in his pro debut with a 41 wRC+, but he’s one of the younger players in the college class and the upside is worth taking a shot on at this point. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 51/14/59/.242/.310/.426/10

478) Spencer Schwellenbach ATL, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 59th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Schwellenbach is a two way player whose future is likely on the mound. He didn’t pitch at all until his Junior year because of an elbow injury that required surgery, and he was only used out of the pen. The stuff is excellent though with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and the potential for two plus secondaries in his slider and change. He was lights out coming out of the pen with a 0.57 ERA and 34/8 K/BB in 31.2 IP, but he has to prove he can handle a starter’s workload and stay healthy, so the risk is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 6/4.05/1.32/105 in 100 IP

479) Konnor Pilkington CLE, LHP, 24.7 – Pilkington is a big lefty at 6’3”, 240 pounds who throws a fastball that can reach the mid 90’s to go along with 3 secondaries in his curve, change and slider. He handled his business at Double-A with a 3.04 ERA and 120/39 K/BB in 100.2 IP. He profiles as an innings eater back end starter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.34/1.35/155 in 165 IP

480) Maximo Acosta TEX, SS, 19.5 – Acosta couldn’t live up to his considerable hype with a 70 wRC+ in 17 games in rookie ball. He had a 22.1%/4.4% K%/BB%, so he doesn’t have major contact issues, but he’s still raw at the dish, which isn’t great because his relatively advanced bat was supposed to be his best skill. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 62/18/66/.253/.312/.421/9

481) Edwin Arroyo SEA, SS, 18.7 – Selected 48th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Arroyo is a plus defensive player who doesn’t have the highest offensive upside. He struggled a bit in his pro debut in stateside rookie ball with a 30.2% K% and 84 wRC+, but considering he was only 17 years old that isn’t too bad. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 67/17/73/.254/.316/.432/7

482) Nick Swiney SFG, LHP, 23.2 – A concussion limited Swiney to 32.1 IP in his pro debut, putting up a 0.84 ERA with a 58/18 K/BB at mostly Single-A. He throws a low 90’s fastball with two quality secondaries in his curve and change. His big K rates from college transferred to pro ball, but he needs to improve his control. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.27/1.34/163 in 156 IP

483) Drew Parrish KCR, LHP, 24.4 – Parrish dominated in 2021 with a pitching line of 2.83/0.99/118/28 in 98.2 IP at mostly Double-A. He pounds the strikezone with a decent 3 pitch mix led by a low 90’s fastball and an effective change and curve. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.36/1.33/ 151 in 163 IP

484) Ronaldo Hernandez BOS, C, 24.5 – Hernandez has plus power, drilling 16 homers in 99 games split between Double-A and Triple-A, but he also notched a career worst 19.9% K% (still pretty good) and 3.1% BB% (terrible). He’s also not a very good defensive player. Power is the skill you are buying here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 38/13/47/.241/.290/.432/0

485) Hoy Park PIT, 2B/SS, 26.0 – Park is old for a prospect and he didn’t perform very well in his MLB debut with .663 OPS and 85.8 MPH EV, but he did enough in the upper minors (.932 OPS in 66 games at mostly Triple-A) that he should compete for at-bats at 2B for Pitt at least until Nick Gonzales is ready. 2022 Projection: 36/7/33/.244/.322/.394/7

486) Trevor Hauver TEX, 2B, 23.4 – Hauver was a walk machine in his pro debut with a 19% BB% and .416 OBP in 99 games split between Single-A and High-A, but his K% spiked to 32.9% at High-A and he was old for the level. He keeps the ball off the ground and he has potentially above average power, so he can be a solid bat in an OBP league if he wins playing time. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 66/18/69/.243/.327/.435/2

487) Austin Shenton TBR, 3B, 24.2 – Shenton is a poor defensive 3B and might be a 1B only guy on the MLB level. That will make it much harder to hack his way through Tampa’s perpetual logjam considering he is expected to be a good, but not a true difference making hitter. He had an excellent season split between High-A and Double-A with a .947 OPS. He has the potential for an average plate approach and above average power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 43/15/49/.252/.323/.447/1

488) Rodolfo Castro PIT, 3B/2B, 22.10 – Castro was Mr. Irrelevant on my 2021 Top 1,000 ranking coming in at 1,008, the last player in the ranking. He made his MLB debut and struggled with a .653 OPS in 31 games, but he showed his potentially plus power with 5 homers and a 95.8 MPH FB/LD EV. He’ll need to refine his plate approach (29%/6.5% K%/BB%) if he wants to hit his ceiling. Prime Projection: 45/15/58/.242/.302/.430/5

489) Fidel Montero NYY, OF, 18.3 – Montero is a fun prospect with a plus power/speed combo, knocking 4 homers with 19 steals in 52 games in the DSL, but it comes with major strikeout issues (40%/19.6% K%/BB%). ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 56/16/59/.225/.315/.426/11

490) Bayron Lora TEX, OF, 19.6 – Lora made his pro debut being a bit old for the DSL, but his skills were as advertised with 6 homers and a 37.2%/24.5% K%/BB% in 47 games. He’s shaping up to be a 3 true outcome slugger if he hits his ceiling. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 51/18/57/.224/.314/.462/4

491) Jonathan Mejia STL, SS, 17.0 – Mejia is a switch hitter who is known for his good feel to hit, and while he doesn’t project for huge power and speed numbers, he certainly has impact potential in those categories depending on his development. St. Louis has had a lot of success developing guys who know how to hit first and foremost. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 78/19/73/.277/.331/.432/8

492) Yordani De Los Santos PIT, SS, 17.1 – Santos is a projectable 6’2”, 180 pounds with the potential to hit for both average and power. He has a big righty swing with tons of potential to do damage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/25/82/.261/.328/.462/7

493) Peter Heubeck LAD, RHP, 19.8 – Selected 101st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Heubeck is a skinny and projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with a low 90’s fastball, potentially plus curve, and developing change. The fastball should tick up as he matures and he throws the ball over the plate. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.31/1.28/156 in 160 IP

494) Hunter Goodman COL, C, 22.6 – Selected 109th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Goodman has big power, smacking 21 homers in 56 games in the American Conference, but it comes with strikeout concerns and he also might not stick behind the plate. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 43/16/52/.224/.303/.435/3

495) Alexis Hernandez CHC, SS, 17.3 – Hernandez is the younger brother of last year’s top overall international prospect Cristian Hernandez. Alexis is a good prospect in his own right at a projectable 6’2”, 170 pounds with speed and developing power. I also think having his older brother going through the process one year ahead of him is a small advantage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/18/71/.260/.325/.424/11

496) Ruben Cardenas TBR, OF, 24.6 – Cardenas’ power exploded in 2021 with 25 homers in 105 games split between High-A and Double-A, but his K% (27.2%) and BB% (3.9%) were both career worsts. He’s likely a 4th outfielder, especially in Tampa. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 42/14/49/.252/.309/.442/2

497) Dominic Hamel NYM, RHP, 23.1 – Selected 81st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Hamel is a high spin rate pitcher with a low 90’s fastball and the potential for 3 quality secondaries (slider, curve, change). He had a 4.22 ERA in the Missouri Valley Conference, but his 1.11 WHIP and 136/34 K/BB in 91.2 IP looked much better. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.33/1.33/146 in 155 IP

498) Dominic Canzone ARI, OF, 24.8 – Canzone broke out at Double-A with 7 homers and a 1.017 OPS in 35 games, and then he went to the AFL and dominated with a .905 OPS in 18 games. He might not have the highest upside but he’s been a damn good hitter since his freshman year in the Big Ten and could provide solid across the board production at peak. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 48/14/55/.258/.319/.430/6

499) Miguel Hiraldo TOR, 2B/3B, 21.7 – Hiraldo made his full season debut (other than 1 game in 2019) and he was exactly league average with a 100 wRC+. His power output was a little disappointing with 7 homers in 105 games, and while he stole 29 bags, it’s hard to buy into that consider the rule differences. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 62/15/63/.248/.321/.426/7

500) Keoni Cavaco MIN, SS, 20.10 – Cavaco was considered a bit of a project when he was drafted 13th overall, so I’m willing to give him one more year before I jump ship. He was awful in 2021 with a 67 wRC+ and 34.2%/6.9% K%/BB% in 60 games at Single-A. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 41/12/43/.234/.291/.422/8

501) Braylin Tavera BAL, OF, 17.1 – Tavera is 6’2”, 175 pounds with plus speed, a good feel to hit and developing power. His swing doesn’t look quite as smooth and/or beastly as other top international guys, so there is plenty of time to refine that. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 68/19/74/.252/.321/.429/14

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INCLUDING:
-OBP TOP 600 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-POINTS/6+ CATS “UNIVERSAL” TOP 600 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-TOP 1,000 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS (5×5 AVG-these will be the only dynasty rankings released for free)
-ALL-IN-ONE SPREADSHEET WITH ALL THE RANKINGS
-POSITION BY POSITION TARGET ARTICLES
–TOP 100 2022 REDRAFT PROSPECTS RANKINGS
–PREDICTING THE 2023 TOP 50 DYNASTY BASEBALL PROSPECTS
–STRATEGY/TARGET ARTICLES FOR SHALLOW AND DEEP LEAGUES
–ANALYZING MY 18 TEAM FYPD W/ GENERAL STRATEGY THOUGHTS
-DYNASTY RUNDOWNS AND UPDATED RANKINGS ALL SEASON LONG

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

Posted on March 11, 2022March 11, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Top 100 2022 Dynasty Baseball First Year Player Draft Rankings

Baseball is m*th#rf*ck^ng back! Let’s celebrate the new CBA by kicking off the release of my off-season Dynasty Rankings. We start today with the Top 100 2022 Dynasty Baseball First Year Player Draft Rankings:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INCLUDING:
-OBP TOP 600 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-POINTS/6+ CATS “UNIVERSAL” TOP 600 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-TOP 1,000 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS (5×5 AVG-these will be the only dynasty rankings released for free)
-ALL-IN-ONE SPREADSHEET WITH ALL THE RANKINGS
-POSITION BY POSITION TARGET ARTICLES
–TOP 100 2022 REDRAFT PROSPECTS RANKINGS
–PREDICTING THE 2023 TOP 50 DYNASTY BASEBALL PROSPECTS
–STRATEGY/TARGET ARTICLES FOR SHALLOW AND DEEP LEAGUES
–ANALYZING MY 18 TEAM FYPD W/ GENERAL STRATEGY THOUGHTS
-DYNASTY RUNDOWNS AND UPDATED RANKINGS ALL SEASON LONG

Tier 1

1) Marcelo Mayer BOS, SS, 19.4 – Selected 4th overall, Mayer stays loose and easy in his stance before unleashing a vicious lefty swing that has monster offensive potential written all over it. He did show some swing and miss in his pro debut with a 25.2% K% in 26 games, but he has a mature plate approach (14% BB%) and a swing that is geared for both power and average. He put up a 121 wRC+. Lack of speed is the only issue for fantasy, and it is the reason he is far from a lock for the top pick in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 89/25/88/.274/.346/.478/8

2) Kahlil Watson MIA, SS, 18.11 – Selected 16th overall, Watson’s upside is high as anyone’s in the draft with lightening quick bat speed and a plus power/speed combo from the left side. He only fell to 16th overall due to signing bonus demands (he ended up with the 10th highest bonus). While he didn’t show much power in his 9 game pro debut (60% GB% with 0 homers), he did steal 4 bags and had an excellent 16.7%/19% K%/BB% in an obviously very small sample. This is the type of upside you look for when drafting at the top of first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 88/22/83/.272/.342/.458/18

3) Jack Leiter TEX, RHP, 21.11 – Selected 2nd overall, Leiter can dominate with just his mid 90’s fastball, but he also has a deep repertoire of pitches, throwing a 4-seamer, 2-seamer, cutter, curve (best secondary), slider and change. He understands the art of pitching which is no surprise considering his dad is Al Leiter. He’s only 6 feet, and his control can waver, but it didn’t stop him from putting up a dominant pitching line of 2.13/0.85/179/45 in 110 IP in the SEC. This could be the rare year when it makes sense to take a pitcher first. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 15/3.48/1.17/218 in 185 IP

4) Brady House WAS, SS, 18.10 – Selected 11th overall, House is a big physical hitter at 6’4”, 215 pounds who has double plus raw power and takes monster hacks at the dish with quick bat speed. He ripped 4 homers in his 16 game pro debut. He also has a mature plate approach and is a good athlete. I have him ranked over Watson in my Points/6+ Category Top 600 Dynasty Rankings which devalues speed and juices up good real life hitters. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/28/92/.268/.339/.492/7

5) Jordan Lawlar ARI, SS, 19.8 – Selected 6th overall, Lawlar has a relatively simple, quick swing that he uses to make tons of contact with the ability to lift the ball. He has plus speed and the power should develop naturally to above average at the least. A shoulder injury that required surgery ended his pro debut after just two games, which is just enough of a bump in the road for me to move him down a few spots on my draft board. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 87/20/79/.270/.335/.442/16

6) Henry Davis PIT, C, 22.7 – Selected 1st overall, Davis’ power breakout happened in the shortened 2020 season, and it carried over into 2021 with Davis slashing .370/.482/.663 with 15 homers, 10 steals, and a 24/31 K/BB in 50 games. He’s got a thick build and absolutely scorches the ball. He stepped right into pro ball and ripped 3 homers in 8 games at mostly High-A before an oblique injury ended his season. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/26/89/.268/.337/.481/6

7) Seiya Suzuki FRA, OF, 27.7 – Suzuki has dominated in Japan since 2016 with a righty swing that is both easy and explosive. He ripped a career high 38 homers in 2021, and he combines the power with an advanced plate approach (16.5%/16.4% K%/BB%) and some speed (9 steals in 13 attempts). I’m not expecting him to step into the majors and be a star, but he looks like a great bet to be a damn good overall hitter. If you are a win now team who needs an OF, Suzuki should be in heavy consideration at #1. 2022 Projection: 77/24/81/.264/.336/.463/7

8) Harry Ford SEA, C, 19.2 – Selected 12th overall, Ford generates plus power with one of the quickest bats in the draft, notching an 80.8 MPH max barrel speed which is in the 98.86 percentile of his high school class (stats from Perfect Game). He also had plus speed with a 6.5 second 60 yard dash. He used those skills to rake in his pro debut, slashing .291/.400/.582 with 3 homers, 3 steals, and a 21.5%/13.8% K%/BB% in 19 games. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/27/85/.262/.338/.486/10

9) Colton Cowser BAL, OF, 22.0 – Drafted 5th overall, Cowser’s power exploded this season with 16 homers in 55 games in the Southland Conference. That was the final piece to the puzzle as he has shown a good feel to hit with an advanced plate approach from the second he stepped on campus. He then followed that up with a strong pro debut, putting up a 158 wRC+ with a 15.3%/17.7% K%/BB% in 25 games at Single-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 85/20/80/.278/.350/.458/9

Tier 2

10) Jackson Jobe DET, RHP, 19.8 – Selected 3rd overall, Jobe has a devastating slider that is an elite pitch with high spin rates. He pairs that with a mid 90’s fastball and a changeup that flashes plus. The delivery is athletic, and while he still needs some refinement, he is the highest upside high school arm in the class. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 14/3.55/1.19/195 in 177 IP

11) Benny Montgomery COL, OF, 19.7 – Selected 8th overall, Montgomery is possibly the highest upside bat in the class, putting up a 103 MPH exit velocity and a 6.32 60 yard dash time. That puts him at the top of the class in power and speed. His hit tool was supposed to be raw, but it actually looked pretty good in his pro debut, slashing .340/.404/.383 with 0 homers, 5 steals and a 17.3%/9.6% K%/BB% in 14 games. He wasn’t able to get to any of his power with a 55.6% groundball percentage, but seeing the strong K% is almost more important at this stage of the game. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/24/83/.258/.332/.460/15

12) Jay Allen CIN, OF, 19.4 – Selected 30th overall, Allen is a 3 sport star and is one of the best athletes in the class. He’s 6’3”, 190 pounds and takes some vicious hacks at the dish, foreshadowing much more power is coming. Even without concentrating on baseball full time he has shown a good feel to hit with the potential for a plus power/speed combo. He impressed right out of the gate in his pro debut, slashing .328/.440/.557 with 3 homers, 14 steals (in 15 attempts) and a 16%/10.7% K%/BB% in 19 games. He’s a major target of mine in off-season prospect drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 89/20/74/.273/.335/.446/20

13) James Wood SDP, OF, 19.7 – Selected 62nd overall, Wood is a big and athletic lefty at 6’7”, 240 pounds with plus power and above average run times. He dominated rookie ball in his pro debut, slashing .372/.465/.535 with 3 homers, 10 steals and a 31.7%/12.9% K%/BB% in 26 games. Like any player this tall, he has some hit tool concerns, and his GB% was a bit high at 49%. This is basically the Oneil Cruz starter kit with not quite as much speed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/25/81/.247/.326/.458/9

14) Sal Frelick MIL, OF, 22.0 – Selected 15th overall, Frelick has a plus hit, plus speed profile. He’s undersized, and while he doesn’t project for big power numbers, the ball jumps off his bat. He has a strong history of production in the ACC, slashing .345/.435/.521 with 12 homers, 38 steals, and a 50/60 K/BB in 102 games, and he proved those skills will transfer in his pro debut. He has the type of profile that should move through the minors quickly. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 81/14/65/.276/.339/.412/17

15) Matt McLain CIN, SS, 22.8 – Selected 17th overall, McLain is a safe college bat with a good feel to hit, some pop, and plus speed, but doesn’t stand out in any one category. He slashed .333/.434/.579 with 9 homers, 9 steals, and a 34/34 K/BB in 47 games at UCLA, and then performed well in his pro debut at High-A, slashing .273/.387/.424 with 3 homers, 10 steals, and a 20.2%/14.3% K%/BB% in 29 games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/18/71/.274/.343/.425/15

16) Trey Sweeney NYY, SS, 21.11 – Selected 20th overall, Sweeney was a bat first prospect who absolutely raked in college this year, slashing .382/.522/.712 with 14 homers and a 24/46 K/BB in 48 games. He immediately showed his power is legit with 7 homers in 32 games in his pro debut at mostly Single-A. Coming out of the Ohio Valley Conference, he has still yet to face top level competition, but the Yankees are clearly believers, and his pro debut did nothing to prove them wrong. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 76/23/82/.261/.337/.457/5

17) Sam Bachman LAA, RHP, 22.6 – Selected 9th overall, Bachman has an aggressive, attacking delivery that he uses to fire upper 90’s heat with a nasty plus slider. He had some shoulder soreness early in the year, but was lights out when on the mound with a pitching line of 1.81/0.77/93/17 in 59.2 IP. There is some reliever risk, but the stuff is electric. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.78/1.21/179 in 163 IP

18) Andrew Painter PHI, RHP, 19.0 – Selected 13th overall, Painter is a big dude at 6’7”, 215 pounds and throws a 4 pitch mix (fastball, slider, curve, change) with an easy repeatable delivery. He’s displayed good control and all of his pitches have the potential to be above average at least. He dominated in his pro debut with 0 ER and a 12/0 K/BB over 6 IP in rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 14/3.71/1.18/198 in 183 IP

19) James Triantos CHC, 2B/SS, 19.2 – Selected 56th overall, Triantos had an eye opening pro debut, slashing .327/.376/.594 with 6 homers, 3 steals, and a 16.5%/6.4% K%/BB% in 25 games in rookie ball. He has a textbook righty swing and a great feel to hit. He doesn’t project for huge power, but he should be able to get to all of the power he has through quality of contact. The hype has started to percolate for him, but he should still come at a good value in off-season drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 85/23/78/.283/.341/.462/6

20) Roderick Arias NYY, SS, 17.7 – The crown jewel of this year’s international free agent class, Arias is a switch hitter with an all around skillset that could develop in any number of directions. He’s shown a good feel to hit with the ability to hit it hard and has above average speed. Defense might be his best tool at the moment. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 83/21/81/.268/.335/.453/12

21) Cristian Vaquero WAS, OF, 17.8 – Vaquero is expected to sign for the top signing bonus in the international class and has the requisite upside to back that up. He’s an elite athlete at 6’3”, 185 pounds with a plus power/speed combo and the frame to tack on more muscle. The hit tool is still raw, so the risk is high. ETA: 2028 Prime Projection: 77/24/85/.258/.331/.462/14

22) Colson Montgomery CHW, SS, 20.4 – Selected 22nd overall, Montgomery is a big lefty with big power potential. He’s not fast, but he’s not a lumbering slugger either as he was a standout basketball player too. On the downside, he’s old for the high school class and there are swing and miss concerns. He had a solid but unspectacular pro debut, slashing .287/.396/.362 with 0 homers, a 59.4% GB%, 0 steals and a 19.8%/11.7% K%/BB% in 26 games in rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/23/80/.263/.335/.457/6

23) Gunnar Hoglund TOR, RHP, 22.4 – Selected 19th overall, Hoglund underwent Tommy John surgery and is expected to be out until mid-season 2022. When healthy, he uses an easy, rhythmic delivery that produces high spin rates and plus control/command over a 3 pitch mix (fastball, slider, change). All of his pitches have the potential to be above average and play up because of his command. He dominated before the injury with a pristine 13.8 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 (2.87 ERA). Fastball ticking up into the mid 90’s could be the last piece to top of the rotation potential. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 13/3.77/1.19/185 in 171 IP

24) Will Bednar SFG, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 14th overall, Bednar has MLB bloodlines with his brother, David, breaking out in Pittsburgh’s pen. Will throws low to mid 90’s heat with a plus slider and a developing changeup. His numbers in the SEC have been very good with a pitching line of 3.22/1.14/136/26 in 89.1 IP over 2020-21. There isn’t huge upside, but landing in San Francisco is the best possible spot for a pitching prospect. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.96/1.29/173 in 165 IP

Tier 3

25) Joshua Baez STL, OF, 18.9 – Selected 54th overall, Baez was one of the youngest players in the draft and has one of the best power projections, notching a 102 MPH exit velocity at a Perfect Game event. He’s also relatively fast with a 6.67 60 yard dash time, showing he is not just a lumbering slugger. He doesn’t project for major strikeout issues, but there is some swing and miss to his game. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 79/25/84/.253/.336/.473/8

26) Oscar Colas CHW, OF, 23.5 – Expected to sign with Chicago in the upcoming international free agent period for $2.7 million. Colas used to be a two way player, but is now focusing solely on hitting. He’s a built up 6’1”, 209 pounds with a smooth and powerful lefty swing that is reminiscent of many successful lefthanded power hitters. He has a strong history of production in Cuba and Japan professional leagues, showing present plus power. There is plenty of inherent, unknown risks, but I would be willing to take a shot on him. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 75/24/81/.262/.331/.469/6

27) Lazaro Montes SEA, OF, 17.6 – Montes is a 6’4”, 205 pound power hitting beast with good athleticism. Just check out this video of him demolishing the ball, and listen to the sound off the bat. The power hitting upside is obvious. He’s one of my favorite FYPD targets this year. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/27/85/.258/.336/.482/5

28) Jordan Wicks CHC, LHP, 22.7 – Selected 21st overall, Wicks is a safe pick that is more appealing the deeper the league is. His money maker is a double plus changeup that he relies on heavily. The fastball sits in the low 90’s and he has two average-ish breaking balls with his slider being the better of the two pitches. He had a pitching line of 3.70/1.28/118/28 in 92.1 IP in the Big 12, so while that is solid, he hasn’t exactly been lights out. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/4.09/1.28/176 in 173 IP

29) Gavin Williams CLE, RHP, 22.8 – Selected 23rd overall, Williams always had the big fastball which can now reach 100 MPH, and in 2021 his control (2.3 BB/9) and secondaries (curve, slider, change) took big steps forward en route to a pitching line of 1.88/0.96/130/21 in 81.1 IP. He’s old for the class and has major reliever risk, but the stuff is exciting. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.03/1.34/164 in 151 IP

30) Zack Gelof OAK, 3B, 22.5 – Selected 60th overall, Gelof is 6’3”, 205 pounds with plus power to all fields. He hit only 9 homers in 63 games in the ACC this year, but Virginia’s home ballpark is notorious for suppressing power. He proved the power was real in his pro debut, smashing 7 homers with a 143 wRC+ in 32 games at Single-A before going 7 for 12 in his 3 game Triple-A cup of coffee. He’s also a good athlete with a very successful career on the bases in college which carried over into pro ball (13 steals in 15 attempts). He’s one of my favorite under the radar first year player draft targets, although he isn’t that under the radar anymore. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/24/79/.261/.326/.462/8

31) Ty Madden DET, RHP, 22.1 – Selected 32nd overall, Madden uses an overhead delivery that vaguely reminds me a bit of Ian Anderson to throw a traditional 4-pitch mix highlighted by mid-90’s heat. He struggled with control in 2019, but was much better in 2020 and that was carried over somewhat in 2021 with a pitching line of 2.41/1.05/119/39 in 100.2 IP. He’s a relatively safe starter with some upside still in the tank. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/4.02/1.29/170 in 170 IP

32) Michael McGreevy STL, RHP, 21.9 – Selected 18th overall, McGreevy is a control artist who had a 1.5 BB/9 in his college career over 189.1 IP. The stuff isn’t huge with a low 90’s sinker and 3 secondaries (curve-best secondary, slider, change), but he’s young for his class and there could be more in the tank. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.18/1.26/158 in 170 IP

33) Max Muncy OAK, SS, 19.6 – Selected 25th overall, Muncy is in the 99th percentile of the high school class for exit velocity and in the 95th percentile for bat speed (according to Perfect Game). He projects for only average speed and he also has some hit tool risk, evidenced by a 35.3% K% in his 11 game pro debut, but the dude can put a charge into the ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 78/22/84/.258/.330/.447/9

34) Chase Petty MIN, RHP, 19.0 – Selected 26th overall, Petty slings a mid 90’s fastball that has hit over 100 MPH from a 3/4 arm slot. His slider and changeup are both a work in progress but both flash above average potential. There is some reliever risk, but Petty has the upside to end up the top prep pitcher in this draft class. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 12/3.87/1.28/183 in 171 IP

35) Ryan Cusick ATL, RHP, 22.5 – Selected 24th overall, the ball absolutely explodes out of Cusick’s hand with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and a plus curve. He racks up strikeouts with 108 K’s in 70 IP, but control is a major issue with 32 walks, and his 4.24 ERA (1.39 WHIP) isn’t exactly great. His control looked better in his small sample pro debut with 4 walks in 16.1 IP at Single-A, and it didn’t impact his K rate at all with 34 strikeouts. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.33/169 in 158 IP

Tier 4

36) Alex Binelas BOS, 3B, 21.10 – Selected 86th overall, Binelas is a built up 6’3”, 225 pounds with plus power and hit tool concerns. He’s done nothing but crush homers in his career, hitting 14 dingers in 59 games in the ACC in 2019, 19 dingers in 50 ACC games in 2021, and then 9 dingers in 29 games in his pro debut at Single-A. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 69/26/78/.245/.317/.472/1

37) Connor Norby BAL, 2B, 21.10 – Selected 41st overall, Norby put up eye popping numbers in the American Athletic Conference, slashing .415/.484/.659 with 15 homers, 18 steals, and a 34/33 K/BB in 61 games. He carried over that success into pro ball with a 135 wRC+ in 26 games at Single-A. He doesn’t have huge raw power at 5’10”, 187 pounds, and his groundball rates were relatively high in his pro debut, but he’s setting up to be a very good all around hitter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/18/77/.273/.337/.438/9

38) Izaac Pacheco DET, SS, 19.5 – Selected 39th overall, Pacheco is built up with a smooth and powerful lefthanded swing. He has big power potential and a patient plate approach, but it comes with some swing and miss concerns which he showed in his pro debut with a 34.4% K% in 30 games. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 77/23/79/.253/.338/.450/4

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

40) Jackson Merrill SDP, SS, 18.11 – Selected 27th overall, Merrill surely looks the part at 6’3”, 195 pounds with a sweet looking lefty swing. He was solid in his pro debut with a 22.5%/8.3% K%/BB% and 5 steals in 31 games, but he hit 0 homers and put up a 92 wRC+. He doesn’t really have a standout offensive skill, but you don’t have to be a super scout to watch him and realize there is definitely potential in the bat. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/21/79/.262/.327/.438/7

41) Lonnie White PIT, OF, 19.3 – Selected 64th overall, White had committed to Penn State, my alma mater, for baseball and football (wide receiver), and he definitely has the WR body at 6’3”, 205 pounds. That shows the type of athlete we are talking about here. He has some of the highest upside in the draft with a potentially plus power/speed combo, but the hit tool is still raw. He hit 2 homers with a 42.4% K% in his 9 game pro debut. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/28/84/.244/.317/.474/13

42) Anthony Solometo PIT, LHP, 19.4 – Selected 37th overall, Solometo is a big lefty with a funky delivery that is a little reminiscent of Josh Hader when he was in the minors. His fastball isn’t as big as Hader’s, sitting in the low to mid 90’s, but he does have the plus swing and miss breaking ball. He lacks a third pitch, but I’m a sucker for this type of pitcher. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/3.92/1.27/178 in 165 IP

43) Tyler Black MIL, 2B, 21.8 – Selected 33rd overall, Black dominated the Horizon League with a 1.179 OPS in 48 games, but he had a rough pro debut where his K% spiked to 28.2% in 23 games at Single-A (.660 OPS). His mature plate approach and good feel to hit are his best skills, but he doesn’t project to hit for big power or speed. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 77/18/71/.270/.342/.437/9

44) Cooper Kinney TBR, 2B/3B, 19.2 – Selected 34th overall, Kinney’s best skill is his plus hit tool, and he showed it off in his pro debut with a .286 BA and 19.1%/21.3% K%/BB% in 11 games. He doesn’t have much power, but at 6’3”, 200 pounds, he should grow into at least average power at peak. He also doesn’t have much speed, so he’s a safe high school bat with limited upside. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/18/72/.275/.347/.420/5

45) Frank Mozzicato KC, LHP, 18.10 – Selected 7th overall, Mozzicato is a 6’3”, 175 pound lefty with a low 90’s fastball, plus curve, and developing changeup. Although he was drafted 7th, he signed for only the 16th highest signing bonus, which is just a reminder to not be too tied to draft position in dynasty for first year player drafts. Regardless, he has room to fill out and add velocity, which would take his game to the next level. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/4.08/1.31/163 in 160 IP

46) Jordan Viars PHI, 1B/OF, 18.8 – Selected 84th overall, Viars is 6’4”, 215 pounds with plus raw power from the left side. He showed an advanced plate approach in his pro debut with a 18.8%/17.2% K%/BB% and 132 wRC+ in 22 games in rookie ball. He is also young for his class. This is a high upside power bat who you should be able to get for cheap in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 76/23/78/.255/.331/.463/5

Tier 5

47) William Bergolla Jr. PHI, SS, 17.7 – Bergolla isn’t physically imposing at 5’11”. 175 pounds, but he has baseball bloodlines with a good feel to hit, an advanced plate approach and plus speed. If the power shows up even a little bit, he can be an electric all category player. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/15/71/.276/.341/.418/18

48) Ricardo Cabrera CIN, SS, 17.5 – Projected for the 3rd highest signing bonus in the international class, Cabrera is an excellent athlete with plus speed, a good feel to hit and developing power. All of these international prospects feel like taking shots in the dark, but he’s the type of all around player with all category production that is worth gambling on. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 75/20/75/.260/.325/.435/10

49) Bubba Chandler PIT, SS/RHP, 19.7 – Selected 72nd overall, Chandler is a great athlete who was committed to Clemson for football and baseball. He’s also a two way player whose future is likely on the mound. Fastball sits in the low to mid 90’s with a potentially plus breaking ball and a developing change. The natural talent gives him the ingredients to turn into a top of the rotation starter, but he’s not quite there yet. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/3.93/1.25/170 in 160 IP

50) Wes Kath CHW, 3B, 19.8 – Selected 57th overall, Kath is a bat first prospect who is projected for plus power from the left side at 6’3”, 200 pounds. His swing is pretty, and while he isn’t projected for major hit tool concerns, he did strikeout 36.5% over 28 games in his pro debut in rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/79/.253/.326/.450/4

51) Ethan Wilson PHI, OF, 22.5 – Selected 49th overall, Wilson is a powerful lefty who had a monster freshman year, slashing .345/.453/.686 with 17 homers and a 45/36 K/BB in 56 games. He wasn’t able to replicate that this season with only 8 homers, partly because he was banged up early in the season, but he still finished strong with a .943 OPS and 21/33 K/BB in 56 games. He didn’t play in the toughest conference and there are still some questions about his hit tool which materialized in his pro debut as he put up a .215 BA in 30 games at Single-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 59/17/65/.248/.321/.444/4

52) Won-Bin Cho STL, OF, 18.7 – Cho is a projectable 6’3”, 200 pound lefty with a smooth and powerful swing. He looks damn good in BP and homerun derbies. There isn’t much info on him other than the hype videos, and he is unproven in games, so the risk is high. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 74/23/82/.257/.326/.449/7

53) Anthony Gutierrez TEX, OF, 17.4 – Gutierrez is your classic high upside international prospect at a projectable 6’3”, 190 pounds with the potential for a plus power/speed combo. You can see the type of athlete we are talking about in this video. It’s hard to predict if he will gain weight and slow down, or stay lean and keep his speed, but either way he has a path to be an impact fantasy player. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/22/81/.263/.328/.438/12

54) Ky Bush LAA, LHP, 22.5 – Selected 45th overall, Bush is a large man at 6’6”, 240 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball and potentially plus slider. He also throws a developing curve and change. His control took a step forward in 2021 with a 2.2 BB/9 in 78 IP in the West Coast Conference (4.8 BB/9 in 2019), and he showed his strikeout stuff will translate to pro ball with 20 K’s in 12 IP in his pro debut at High-A. There is legitimate upside here. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/3.92/1.29/180 in 168 IP

55) Ben Kudrna KC, RHP, 19.2 – Selected 43rd overall, Kudrna has an easy, athletic delivery with the ability to throw strikes. His fastball is now up into the mid to uppers 90’s with a potentially plus slider and developing change. He still needs to refine his secondaries, but at 6’3”, 200 pounds, there is a lot to like. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 11/4.13/1.28/160 in 160 IP

56) Matt Mikulski SFG, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 50th overall, Mikulski broke out in a big way his senior year in the Atlantic 10 with a pitching line of 1.45/0.82/124/27 in 68.1 IP. He throws a fastball that can consistently reach the mid 90’s to go along with 3 potentially quality secondaries in his change (best secondary), slider and curve. He has a funky-ish lefty deliver which I’m always a sucker for, but it results in some control problems and reliever risk. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.15/1.31/155 in 155 IP

57) Joe Mack MIA, C, 19.3 – Selected 31st overall, Mack is the top high school catcher in the draft with a history of strong performance against top competition. He has a quick left handed swing that should lead to plus power at peak. He struggled in his pro debut with a .581 OPS, but a .373 OBP shows he wasn’t completely overmatched. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 63/20/72/.258/.340/.442/3

58) Kyle Manzardo TBR, 1B, 21.8 – Selected 63rd overall, the best way to describe Manzardo is that he looks very hitter-ish at the dish. He has a lefty swing that is geared for both average and power, using the whole field to hit .362 with 11 homers in 47 games in the Pac12 before destroying rookie ball for 13 games (1.045 OPS). He’s hit over power right now, but he’s young for the class and should naturally grow into more power as he ages. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/22/78/.272/.334/.456/2

59) Tony Blanco PIT, OF, 16.11 – Blanco is 6’6”, 230 pounds with some of the best raw power in the class. His dad played in the majors and he shows the corresponding mature plate approach that often goes along with having baseball bloodlines. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 78/30/91/.260/.335/.496/2

60) Tyler Whitaker HOU, OF, 19.8 – Selected 87th overall, Whitaker is a high risk, high reward prospect with double-plus speed and plus power, but the hit tool is a major risk. He lived up to that billing in his pro debut with 3 homers, 8 steals, and a 35.1%/7.9% K%/BB% in 29 games. Grab him late in first year player drafts if you want to swing for the fences. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 62/18/71/.234/.307/.443/11

61) Aaron Zavala TEX, OF, 21.9 – Selected 38th overall, Zavala might not have the highest upside, but he’s a rock solid hitter who put up a 31/50 K/BB in 55 games in the Pac12 before entering pro ball and slashing .302/.433/.434 with 1 homer, 7 steals, and a 19.4%/14.9% K%/BB% in 15 games at Single-A. He has a quick lefty swing with a plus plate approach and about average power and speed. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/16/68/.266/.335/.416/8

62) Ryan Bliss ARI, SS, 22.4 – Selected 42nd overall, Bliss performed well in the SEC, slashing .365/.428/.654 with 15 homers, 6 steals, and a 30/23 K/BB in 50 games. He got to his power in his pro debut as well with 6 homers and a 22.9%/7.4% K%/BB% in 37 games at Single-A. He’s only 5’9”, 165 pounds, so there likely isn’t a ton of MLB power, but he’s hit everywhere he’s been and he has some speed too. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 71/19/74/.263/.324/.437/8

63) Jose Torres CIN, SS, 22.6 – Selected 89th overall, Torres didn’t exactly destroy the ACC with a .876 OPS and 39/13 K/BB in 52 games, but he raked even more in pro ball, slashing .333/.387/.591 with 5 homers and 7 steals in 28 games at mostly Single-A. He’s 6’0”, 171 pounds, so there is room to add more muscle and the 15.9% K% in pro ball is encouraging. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 72/20/77/.264/.318/.432/7

64) Daylen Lile WAS, OF, 19.4 – Selected 47th overall, Lile’s best tool is his hit tool, which is generally not my favorite type of player to go after in fantasy. Power and speed could end up about average. His pro debut wasn’t great, slashing .219/.363/.250 with 0 homers, 2 steals, and a 25%/18.8% K%/BB% in 19 games at rookie ball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 82/15/64/.278/.341/.417/6

65) Diego Benitez ATL, SS, 17.4 – Benitez signed for $2.5 million and he has the requisite skills to back that up. He has potentially plus power with an already pretty powerful righty swing. He combines that with a solid plate approach and some speed. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/24/83/.257/.328/.458/6

66) Yasser Mercedes MIN, OF, 17.5 – Mercedes is a projectable 6’3”, 180 pounds with plus speed and a silky smooth righty swing that could produce plus power at peak, but he has some hit tool risk. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/20/76/.245/.316/.431/12

67) T.J. White WAS, OF, 18.8 – Selected 143rd overall, White is 6’2”, 210 pounds with plus bat speed and big raw power. He impressed in his pro debut, slashing .283/.356/.547 with 4 homers and a 23.7%/8.5% K%/BB% in 15 games. He’s a switch hitter with a lefty swing that is geared for power and a righty swing that is more line drive oriented. There are hit tool concerns and he doesn’t have much speed, but he’s a great power bat to grab late in first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 68/22/75/.252/.325/.468/2

68) Denzel Clarke OAK, OF, 21.11 – Selected 127th overall, Clarke has monster potential at 6’5”, 220 pounds with a plus power/speed combo, but you guessed it, it comes with major hit tool risk. He performed well against inferior competition in the Big West Conference and in rookie ball, but even there it comes with K’s (27.3% K% in rookie ball and 23.1% this year in the Big West). ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 67/19/72/.233/.304/.439/9

69) Chayce McDermott HOU, RHP, 23.7 – Selected 132nd overall, McDermott comes from an athletic family as his brother, Sean McDermott, is in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies. Chayce is 6’3”, 197 pounds with a fastball that can consistently hit the mid 90’s and a potentially plus breaking ball. He also throws an average curve and a developing changeup. He put up a 44.6% K% in his pro debut at Single-A in 18.1 IP, but he needs to work on his control (13.5% BB%). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.15/1.33/158 in 155 IP

70) Christian Franklin CHC, OF, 22.4 – Selected 123rd overall, Franklin has some swing and miss issues with high strikeout rates throughout his college career, but he has a fantasy friendly profile with an exciting power/speed combo and a history of production in the SEC. He’s slashed .274/.420/.544 with 13 homers, 11 steals, and a 78/44 K/BB in 61 games at Arkansas. He hits the ball hard with excellent bat speed and high walk rates, but the risk is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 62/16/62/.243/.319/.422/8

71) Simon Juan NYM, OF, 16.9 – Juan is one of the youngest players in the international class and has some of the highest power/speed upside with a quick and powerful righty swing, but he has some hit tool risk. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/24/81/.248/.318/.450/16

72) Samuel Munoz LAD, 3B, 17.6 – Munoz is a 6’3”, 190 lefty who with an advanced plate approach, plus power projection, and is a good athlete. With little information on many of these international prospects, taking shots on guys in good developmental organizations like LA isn’t a bad idea. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/25/84/.264/.338/.474/5

73) Ryan Reckley SFG, SS, 17.7 – Signed for $2.2 million, Reckley is an advanced hitter with developing power and plus speed. How much power he can get too at 5’10”, 160 pounds will dictate his upside. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/18/71/.273/.342/.437/21

74) Yendry Rojas SDP, SS, 17.2 – Rojas is already pretty built up relative to other 17 year olds at 6’0”, 185 pounds and he’s shown a good feel to hit with projectable power and speed. He has a powerful and quick lefty swing that is made to do damage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/22/81/.267/.325/.448/10

75) Maddux Bruns LAD, LHP, 19.10 – Selected 29th overall, Bruns is a high risk/high reward pitcher with with a mid 90’s fastball and potentially plus slider, but he’s had control problems and consistently issues. He gave up 9 earned with a 5/7 K/BB in 5 IP in his pro debut. The Dodgers are one of the best development organizations in baseball, so I’m more willing to take a shot on him than if he was drafted by a lesser org. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 7/3.82/1.31/129 in 120 IP

76) Calvin Ziegler NYM, RHP, 19.6 – Selected 46th overall, Ziegler is a pretty built up 6’0”, 205 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball, a potentially plus curve and developing change. His fastball control is solid, he just needs to continue to refine his secondaries and overall command. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.16/1.28/155 in 155 IP

77) Robert Gasser SDP, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 71st overall, Gasser is a “crafty lefty” with a low 90’s fastball, potentially plus slider and average changeup. He had a 1.20 ERA with a 14/2 K/BB in 15 IP at mostly Single-A in his pro debut. He profiles as a back end starter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.28/1.28/150 in 160 IP

78) Doug Nikhazy CLE, LHP, 22.7 – Selected 58th overall, Nikhazy put up some eye popping numbers in the SEC with a pitching line of 2.45/1.01/142/31 in 92 IP. He throws two potentially plus breaking balls in his curve and slider, to go along with a low 90’s fastball and developing change. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/4.23/1.31/166 in 160 IP

79) Ricky Tiedemann TOR, LHP, 19.7 – Selected 91st overall, Tiedemann is 6’4”, 220 pounds with a fastball he can get up into the mid 90’s and two potentially quality secondaries in his changeup and slider. He’s still on the raw side, but a big lefty with 3 potentially good pitches is a great foundation. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.35/1.34/153 in 160 IP

80) Adrian Del Castillo ARI, C, 22.6 – Selected 67th overall, Castillo has one of the most advanced bats in the class with a strong history of performance in the ACC from the second he stepped on campus, slashing .311/.410/.499 with 17 homers and a 60/70 K/BB in 131 NCAA games. Home run power hasn’t developed as hoped with only 3 homers in 54 games this season, so while he hits the ball hard, the fantasy upside seems lacking. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 67/14/62/.261/.327/.411/2

81) Javier Osorio DET, SS, 17.0 – Osorio has a quick righty bat with a good feel to hit and plenty of power projection on his 6’0”, 165 pound frame. He has speed too, and while he doesn’t look quite as physically impressive as some of the others in his class, he can be formidable all category contributor. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/20/76/.272/.339/.452/9

82) Johan Barrios MIL, SS, 17.3 – Barrios is 6’3”, 180 pounds with a good feel to hit and the potential for a plus power/speed combo. The upside is high, and there is barely any hype even relative to other international guys. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/22/78/.258/.326/.448/12

83) Dyan Jorge COL, SS, 18.4, 6’2”, 170 – Projected for the 4th highest signed bonus in his class, Jorge is razor thin with plus speed and top notch athleticism. He is still raw, so the risk is high, but the upside is high too if it all comes together. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/15/69/.252/.321/.413/18

84) Niko Kavadas BOS, 1B, 23.7 – Selected 316th overall, Kavadas has some of the best pure power in the draft, crushing 22 homers in 47 games in the ACC. He fell to the 11th round because of signing bonus demands and the fact he was a 4 year college player, but none of that changes the very real juice in his lefty bat at 6’1”, 235 pounds. He has strikeout issues and no defensive value, so like many of these 1B prospects, his bat needs to hit close to his ceiling. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 42/17/49/.237/.323/.458/0

85) Jaden Hill COL, RHP, 22.3 – Hill isn’t necessarily the 11th best prospect in the system, but I thought he is worth mentioning because he would be ranked higher if he didn’t get selected by Colorado 44th overall. He tore his UCL in his 7th start of the season and will likely be out for most of 2022. He has nasty stuff when healthy with a mid 90’s fastball and a slider and changeup that have flashed plus, but he struggled to put it together in his first full year as a starter with a pitching line of 6.67/1.38/25/12 in 29.1 IP. Despite the obvious talent, there was already performance risk, and now you can tack on injury risk and Coors risk. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 8/4.36/1.34/152 in 150 IP

86) Wes Clarke MIL, 1B/C, 22.5 – Selected 297th overall, Clarke jacked 23 homers with a 73/50 K/BB in 57 SEC games, and then entered pro ball and cranked 4 homers with a 21/21 K/BB in 21 games at Single-A. He has little defensive value and major hit tool concerns, but the power and patience profile is enticing for fantasy. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 41/16/46/.224/.316/.447/0

87) Cody Morissette MIA, 2B/3B, 22.2 – Selected 52nd overall, Morissette’s college numbers don’t jump out at you (6 homers with a .895 OPS in 41 games), but he has a smooth lefty that should lead to more homers in the future. He’s a versatile defender who projects to be a solid all around player. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/16/66/.263/.326/.423/8

88) Freili Encarnacion BOS, SS, 17.2 – Encarnacion has some of the best power in the class with plus potential. He can hit for a high average too and is a good athlete, so he’s not just a lumbering slugger. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/25/84/.266/.332/.477/6

89) Carlos Pacheco OAK, OF, 17.5 – Pacheco is 5’11”, 175 pounds with a plus hit, plus speed profile. How much power he’s able to get to will dictate his upside. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/15/68/.271/.333/.415/18

90) Jaison Chourio CLE, OF, 16.10 – Jaison’s older brother, Jackson, was a DSL breakout in 2021, so why not role the dice with the next Chourio. He has a similar skillset with a good fell to hit, plus speed, and developing power. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 79/15/67/.268/.336/.416/18

91) Sean Burke CHW, RHP, 22.3 – Selected 94th overall, Burke is 6’6”, 230 pounds with a plus mid 90’s fastball, but he needs to improve his control (5.1 BB/9 in 74.1 SEC innings), and the consistency of his secondaries (slider, curve, change). He’s high risk, high reward. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 6/3.92/1.36/121 in 110 IP

92) Noah Miller MIN, SS, 19.5 – Selected 36th overall, Miller is a switch hitter with a potentially plus hit tool and advanced approach, although he put up a 27.1% K% in his 22 game pro debut. He combines that with potentially average power and speed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 72/16/63/.267/.328/.424/7

Tier 6

93) Landon Marceaux LAA, RHP, 22.6 – Selected 80th overall, Marceaux doesn’t have huge stuff with a low 90’s fastball, but he dominated the SEC because he understands the art of pitching. He has good control over a 4 pitch mix and tunnels his pitches well. Plus curve is his best pitch. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.29/1.27/152 in 160 IP

94) Andrew Abbott CIN, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 53rd overall, Abbott transitioned into the rotation in 2021 and he took to it quite well, putting up a pitching line of 2.87/1.13/162/32 in 106.2 IP in the ACC. The strikeout prowess transferred to pro ball with a 22/4 K/BB in 13 IP at mostly Single-A. He throws a low 90’s fastball with a plus curve and developing change. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 7/4.12/1.30/127 in 120 IP

95) Peyton Wilson KCR, 2B, 22.5 – Selected 66th overall, Wilson is a switch hitter with plus speed and some pop, and while his plate approach is solid (41/22 K/BB in 58 SEC games), it might not be quite good enough to be a full time MLB player considering limited power potential at 5’9”, 180 pounds. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 52/10/47/.253/.313/.412/10

96) Corey Rosier SDP, OF, 22.7 – Selected 354th overall, Rosier proved his numbers from the Southern Conference will transfer to pro ball, slashing .380/.451/.570 with 3 homers, 13 steals, and a 14.2%/12.8% K%/BB% in 32 games at mostly Single-A. He’s a good defensive CF with the potential for modest across the board production. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/15/63/.268/.323/.417/9

97) Tyler McDonough BOS, 2B/OF, 23.0 – Selected 75th overall, McDonough is a do a little bit of everything switch hitter who can play all over the field. He’s had a good feel to hit and some speed from his freshman year, and he added more power this year with 15 homers in 55 ACC games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 64/13/57/.264/.321/.417/7

98) Reed Trimble BAL, OF, 21.10 – Selected 65th overall, Trimble is a high risk, high reward player with plus speed and plus raw power, but he’s still a bit raw at the dish. He struggled in Single-A in his pro debut with a 41 wRC+, but he’s one of the younger players in the college class and the upside is worth taking a shot on at this point. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 51/14/59/.242/.310/.426/10

99) Spencer Schwellenbach ATL, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 59th overall, Schwellenbach is a two way player whose future is likely on the mound. He didn’t pitch at all until his Junior year because of an elbow injury that required surgery, and he was only used out of the pen. The stuff is excellent though with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and the potential for two plus secondaries in his slider and change. He was lights out coming out of the pen with a 0.57 ERA and 34/8 K/BB in 31.2 IP, but he has to prove he can handle a starter’s workload and stay healthy, so the risk is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 6/4.05/1.32/105 in 100 IP

100) Edwin Arroyo SEA, SS, 18.7 – Selected 48th overall, Arroyo is a plus defensive player who doesn’t have the highest offensive upside. He struggled a bit in his pro debut in stateside rookie ball with a 30.2% K% and 84 wRC+, but considering he was only 17 years old that isn’t too bad. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 67/17/73/.254/.316/.432/7

101) Jonathan Mejia STL, SS, 17.0 – Mejia is a switch hitter who is known for his good feel to hit, and while he doesn’t project for huge power and speed numbers, he certainly has impact potential in those categories depending on his development. St. Louis has had a lot of success developing guys who know how to hit first and foremost. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 78/19/73/.277/.331/.432/8

102) Yordani De Los Santos PIT, SS, 17.1 – Santos is a projectable 6’2”, 180 pounds with the potential to hit for both average and power. He has a big righty swing with tons of potential to do damage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/25/82/.261/.328/.462/7

103) Peter Heubeck LAD, RHP, 19.8 – Selected 101st overall, Heubeck is a skinny and projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with a low 90’s fastball, potentially plus curve, and developing change. The fastball should tick up as he matures and he throws the ball over the plate. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.31/1.28/156 in 160 IP

104) Hunter Goodman COL, C, 22.6 – Selected 109th overall, Goodman has big power, smacking 21 homers in 56 games in the American Conference, but it comes with strikeout concerns and he also might not stick behind the plate. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 43/16/52/.224/.303/.435/3

105) Alexis Hernandez CHC, SS, 17.3 – Hernandez is the younger brother of last year’s top overall international prospect Cristian Hernandez. Alexis is a good prospect in his own right at a projectable 6’2”, 170 pounds with speed and developing power. I also think having his older brother going through the process one year ahead of him is a small advantage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/18/71/.260/.325/.424/11

106) Dominic Hamel NYM, RHP, 23.1 – Selected 81st overall, Hamel is a high spin rate pitcher with a low 90’s fastball and the potential for 3 quality secondaries (slider, curve, change). He had a 4.22 ERA in the Missouri Valley Conference, but his 1.11 WHIP and 136/34 K/BB in 91.2 IP looked much better. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.33/1.33/146 in 155 IP

107) Braylin Tavera BAL, OF, 17.1 – Tavera is 6’2”, 175 pounds with plus speed, a good feel to hit and developing power. His swing doesn’t look quite as smooth and/or beastly as other top international guys, so there is plenty of time to refine that. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 68/19/74/.252/.321/.429/14

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INCLUDING:
-OBP TOP 600 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-POINTS/6+ CATS “UNIVERSAL” TOP 600 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-TOP 1,000 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS (5×5 AVG-these will be the only dynasty rankings released for free)
-ALL-IN-ONE SPREADSHEET WITH ALL THE RANKINGS
-POSITION BY POSITION TARGET ARTICLES
–TOP 100 2022 REDRAFT PROSPECTS RANKINGS
–PREDICTING THE 2023 TOP 50 DYNASTY BASEBALL PROSPECTS
–STRATEGY/TARGET ARTICLES FOR SHALLOW AND DEEP LEAGUES
–ANALYZING MY 18 TEAM FYPD W/ GENERAL STRATEGY THOUGHTS
-DYNASTY RUNDOWNS AND UPDATED RANKINGS ALL SEASON LONG

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

Posted on February 26, 2022February 26, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Patreon Post: Predicting the 2023 Top 50 Dynasty Baseball Prospects

This list doubles as a Bold Predictions write-up as I go on a 3 day fast, head off into the woods and climb a mountain to envision what the 2023 Top 50 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings will look like. Ages are as of April 2023.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE AND MUCH MORE, INCLUDING:
-OBP TOP 600 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-POINTS/6+ CATS “UNIVERSAL” TOP 600 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-TOP 1,000 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS (5×5 AVG-includes Top 500 Prospects Rankings and Top 100 FYPD Rankings-these will be the only rankings released for free on my site in March)
-ALL-IN-ONE SPREADSHEET WITH ALL THE RANKINGS
-POSITION BY POSITION TARGET ARTICLES
-2023 TOP 10 FYPD RANKINGS

1) Zac Veen COL, OF, 21.4 – Veen will ascend to universal elite prospect status as he steamrolls through High-A before closing out the year holding his own in Double-A. He showed some hit tool concerns in 2021, but it was his very first year of pro ball, thrown right into the fire in full season ball. He will improve the hit tool, the power will take a step forward, and the speed will still be there too. Tack on Coors Field, which juices up batting average first and foremost, and this is a game changing fantasy prospect.

2) Anthony Volpe NYY, SS, 21.11 – Volpe won’t put up quite the eye popping numbers in the upper levels of the minors as he did the lower levels of the minors, particularly his stolen base totals, but he will be knocking on the door of the bigs with above average to plus all category production. There won’t be many, or any, true holes in his profile and will be 1B to Veen’s 1A.

3) Corbin Carroll ARI, OF, 22.7 – My top underrated target from the 2019 draft class will finally have his full breakout in all its glory. He’ll quickly destroy High-A, before spending the majority of his time at Double-A, showing off more power than expected, to go along with a plus hit/speed combo.

4) Luis Matos SFG, OF, 21.2 – Matos will show an improved plate approach at High-A, which is the final step to put his hype into the stratosphere. The strikeout rate will rise a bit alongside the walk rates, but he’ll go 20/20 and will be a next level breakout.

5) CJ Abrams SD, SS, 22.6 – The knee injury will slow Abrams’ development and ETA down just enough to stay under the rookie threshold for 2023. The power explosion won’t come this year, but there will be an uptick in power, and the hit tool/speed combo will shine at Triple-A. He’ll get a taste of the majors in the 2nd half, where the exit velocity data won’t really pop, so some people may go off him, but I’ll hold strong.

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

Posted on February 20, 2022February 23, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Patreon Post: Points/6+Cats/OPS “Universal” Top 600 2022 Dynasty Baseball Rankings

These Points/6+Cats/OPS “Universal” Top 600 2022 Dynasty Baseball Rankings are for leagues where speed is devalued and the value of good real life hitters who get on base and hit for power are juiced up. It still isn’t a perfect ranking (is there such thing as a perfect dynasty ranking?), but I believe it is helpful in a universal sense for certain points leagues and category leagues that add in a 6th or 7th hitting category like OPS or OBP (I have specific 5×5 OBP Rankings on my Patreon too). Here are the Points/6+Cats/OPS “Universal” Top 600 2022 Dynasty Baseball Rankings:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR THE REST OF THESE RANKINGS AND MUCH MORE, INCLUDING:
-OBP TOP 600 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-TOP 1,000 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS (5×5 AVG-includes Top 500 Prospects Rankings and Top 100 FYPD Rankings-these will be the only rankings released for free on my site in March)
-POSITION BY POSITION TARGET ARTICLES

Tier 1

1) Juan Soto WASH, OF, 23.5 – The underlying stats were elite all season, but it took until the 2nd half for the surface stats to catch up, slashing a ridiculous .348/.525/.639 in 72 games post break. He was my top pick in all non 5×5 AVG leagues last year, and with his OBP projected to outpace everyone by a large margin, I’m picking him over Ohtani in those leagues this year too. 5.8 degree launch angle is really the only thing you can quibble with. 2022 Projection: 108/33/103/.318/.460/.575/10

2) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. TOR, 1B, 23.0 – Vlad raised his launch angle 4.8 degrees to 9.4 degrees and all hell broke loose as he demolished 48 homers. He maintained his near elite K% and also notched a career high 12.3% BB%. This was the breakout we were promised. 2022 Projection: 113/41/110/.298/.385/.590/3

3) Shohei Ohtani LAA, RHP/DH, 27.9 –Tatis has a shoulder issue. Acuna tore up his knee. Soto and Vlad don’t steal a ton, and they sure as hell don’t pitch. Yea, Ohtani’s older than them, but we are talking about a 27 year old, not someone approaching the dreaded 3 – 0 (see Mike Trout). He’s changed the definition of “all category” and “across the board” production in fantasy baseball forever. 2022 Projection: 96/37/98/.261/.365/.541/22 – 8/3.48/1.15/150 in 125 IP

4) Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL, OF, 24.3 – Torn ACL could keep him out for at least a month into 2022, and it will be interesting to see how much he is willing to run when he returns. In the long run, missing a month shouldn’t impact his dynasty value too much, but when we are talking about the elite of the elite, every little bit counts. He would easily slot in at #2 without the injury. 2022 Projection: 99/35/85/.282/.389/.583/19

5) Fernando Tatis Jr. SD, SS, 23.3 – Tatis is foregoing surgery on his left shoulder, which after seeing the year Bellinger just had, I don’t blame him. It does add a layer a risk to an otherwise almost spotless fantasy profile. I say “almost” spotless, because his whiff% jumped up 6.8 percentage points to a pretty dangerous 34.8%. 2022 Projection: 102/39/99/.277/.366/.581/21

Tier 2

6) Kyle Tucker HOU, OF, 25.2 – Speaking of elite xwOBA’s, Tucker put up a .394 xwOBA which is in the top 6% of the league. He notched career bests in K% (15.9%), whiff% (20.3%), BB% (9.3%), launch angle (17.6 degrees), and Max EV (111.1 MPH). He also chipped in 14 steals. He’s elite. 2022 Projection: 93/33/101/.285/.350/.535/16

7) Rafael Devers BOS, 3B, 25.5 – Devers matured at the plate in 2021 with a career best 9.3% BB%, and he also brought his K% back down to 21.5% after jumping to 27% in 2020. He always hit the living crap out of the ball, and putting it all together led to a career best .389 xwOBA with 38 homers in 156 games. 2022 Projection: 95/37/106/.284/.358/.546/6

8) Yordan Alvarez HOU, OF, 24.9 – The knees look A-OK as Yordan got back to raking after missing almost all of 2020. His 93.2 MPH EV was 8th best in the league and his .386 xwOBA is elite. He also had a 180 wRC+ in 16 playoff games. His sprint speed did drop to 26.2 ft/s (27 ft/s in 2019), so maybe the knees become an issue when he gets older, but it looks like clear sailing for the next several years. 2022 Projection: 94/35/108/.281/.363/.548/1

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

10) Bryce Harper PHI, OF, 29.5 – Harper is also in the almost 30 club, but he just put up the best xwOBA in all of baseball with a .427 mark. He hasn’t really shown any signs of slowing down on the bases. There should be at least a few more years of elite production. 2022 Projection: 103/36/96/.281/.399/.578/14

11) Mike Trout LAA, OF, 30.8 – The injury gods struck Trout down again as a significant tear in his calf limited him to just 22 games. He was elite as ever in those 22 games with a .421 xwOBA, although I think it is worth pointing out his whiff% bloated all the way up to 27.5% (19.5% in 2020) and his launch angle tanked to 12.9 degrees (23.1 in 2020). Considering the small sample, I don’t think it means that much, but it’s worth noting. Along with entering his nursing home years, a lower body injury can’t help the odds he will get back to stealing bases, but all indications are that he will be elite everywhere else assuming he can stay healthy. 2022 Projection: 103/40/101/.293/.405/.620/8

12) Corbin Burnes MIL, RHP, 27.5 – Not only did Burnes not regress a single iota from his 2020 breakout, but he took it up another level with a league leading 30.4% K-BB%. The only other qualified pitchers even close to that mark were Scherzer and Cole. His BB% dropped 4.8 percentage points to 5.2%. He put up a 2.01 xERA which was bested only by deGrom’s 1.55 mark among starters, and deGrom is 33 years old coming off an elbow injury. Burnes is in a class of his own in dynasty. 2022 Projection: 15/2.71/0.98/267 in 195 IP

13) Jose Ramirez CLE, 3B, 29.6 – Ramirez has an elite plate approach (13.7%/11.3% K%/BB%) with power (90 MPH EV with a 18.3 degree launch), and speed (28.2 ft/s sprint speed). The sports crime of being almost 30 is the only thing keeping Ramirez outside of the top 10, but in a redraft league (or if you are in all in mode), he has a real argument to be in the 1st overall mix. 2022 Projection: 105/34/94/.277/.368/.531/24

14) Bo Bichette TOR, SS, 24.1 – Bichette isn’t really in the same conversation as the guys ranked ahead of him when it comes to real life hitting, but he is a fantasy machine. He hit .298 with 29 homers and 25 steals. If you want to look at it glass half full, as good as he’s been, there is still upside left in the tank if he can raise his 5.8% BB% and 7.3 degree launch angle. 2022 Projection: 105/31/92/.294/.356/.510/20

15) Trea Turner LAD, SS, 28.9 – Turner is the older and faster version of Bichette. He’s not putting up insane xwOBA’s, but he’s a fantasy owner’s best friend, coming up just 2 homers shy of a .300/30/30 season. 2022 Projection: 110/27/84/.309/.361/.512/30

16) Ozzie Albies ATL, 2B, 25.3 – Albies power took a step forward as he entered his mid 20’s, notching career highs in exit velocity (89.6 MPH) and launch angle (21.1 degrees), which led to his first 30 homer season. He also ran more on the bases, leading to his first 20 steal season, and considering how successful he’s been on the bases in his career (60 for 73), he should probably run even more. 2022 Projection: 100/29/93/.274/.333/.492/20

17) Luis Robert CHW, OF, 24.8 – Robert played in only 68 games, but the sheer dominance of those games shows he belongs in the land of the elite. His power exploded with 13 homers and a 91.2/96.3 MPH AVG/FB EV, and his contact rates improved dramatically with a 28.2% whiff% and 20.6% K% (41.5% and 32.2% in 2020). He did slow down with a 28 ft/s sprint speed (29.1 in 2020), but some of that is likely due to the torn hip flexor that kept him out. He is also still a very aggressive hitter with a 4.7% BB%, so while it might cap his upside in OBP leagues, all of the ingredients are there for him to have a legitimate shot at finishing as the #1 overall player in 5×5 leagues. 2022 Projection: 91/28/93/.278/.332/.508/18

18) Mookie Betts LAD, OF, 29.5 – I originally ranked Betts 14th overall on my Top 100 Sneak Peek of the Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings, but I’ve grown more concerned that his hip injury could be the catalyst for him to stop running as much in the 2nd act of his career. A bone spur in his right hip led to a down season in 122 games where his sprint speed tanked to 27.1 ft/s and he stole only 3 bases in 5 attempts in his final 58 games. I’m more confident in his bat being just fine, because even in a down year he was still damn good with 23 homers and a 131 wRC+ in 122 games. None of his underlying hitting numbers really dropped off from career norms at all. The fear that he will stop running as much even if he does regain his speed, like we see with Trout and Altuve, has him dropping a bit for me. 2022 Projection: 111/30/80/.288/.369/.519/13

20) Pete Alonso NYM, 1B, 27.4 – Alonso quietly took a huge step forward with his contact ability, notching career bests in K% (19.9% vs. 25.5% in 2020) and whiff% (24.9% vs. 30.4% in 2020). He also had a career best 91 MPH EV. And while it led to an excellent season (37 homers and a 133 wRC+ in 152 games), there is now potential for him to put up some truly historic seasons as he enters his peak years. I would buy high on Alonso. 2022 Projection: 94/45/112/.268/.357/.561/2

21) Matt Olson OAK, 1B, 28.0 – Olson made tremendous improvement to his K%, brining it all the way down to 16.8% (31.4% in 2020), and he basically maintained it for the entire season. Hard not to think that won’t regress at least a little in 2022, but power and patience is what you are really buying here anyway. Truly keeping up that hit tool improvement will be the cherry on top. 2022 Projection: 93/38/106/.262/.363/.541/2

Tier 3

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

23) Aaron Judge NYY, OF, 29.11 – Judge once against led all of baseball with a 95.8 MPH exit velocity. It’s only a matter of staying healthy for Judge as he played in 148 games this season and ripped 39 homers with 148 wRC+. 2022 Projection: 93/40/97/.268/.364/.550/5

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

25) Jacob deGrom NYM, RHP, 33.9 – You almost have to do a double take when looking at deGrom’s season numbers. 1.08 ERA? 0.55 WHIP? 45.1%/3.4% K%/BB%? Give me a second to pick my jaw up off the ground. Of course, in this flawed universe we live in, there always has to be a yang to the yin. He put up those numbers in only 92 IP because of a partial tear in the UCL of his elbow. He already started to throw side sessions at the end of September, so the hope is that he will be 100% for 2022, but it certainly adds a healthy dose of injury risk. 2022 Projection: 13/2.48/0.93/258 in 175 IP

26) Gerrit Cole NYY, RHP, 31.7 – Cole become the face of the spider tack scandal, and it was warranted as his numbers definitely took a hit, putting up a 2.68 ERA pre break and a 4.14 ERA post break. His spin rates did a recover a bit by the end of the season, but not to pre crackdown levels. There is good news for 2022 though, as it was recently announced that the Arizona Fall League has been experimenting with a pre tacked ball, which seems like a good sign MLB will implement them for the 2022 season. I’m betting on the spider tack guys getting their mojo back in 2022. 2022 Projection: 15/3.10/1.03/261 in 195 IP

27) Brandon Woodruff MIL, RHP, 29.2 – Burnes may have overshadowed the year Woodruff just had, because he was dominant with a pitching line of 2.56/0.97/211/43 in 179.1 IP. It was the most innings he’s thrown in his career, and he did seem a tire as the season went on as his sinker velocity slowly declined about 1 MPH from start to finish. He had a 2.06 ERA pre break and a 3.41 ERA post break. It does make me wonder, with all these pitchers having huge jumps in innings pitched after the shortened 2020 season, if there will be some type of hangover effect in 2022. 2022 Projection: 14/3.33/1.06/218 in 185 IP

28) Walker Buehler LAD, RHP, 27.8 – Buehler had a spectacular season with a pitching line of 2.47/0.97/212/52 in 207 IP, but there were some red flags. He lost 1.5 MPH on his fastball with a career worst 95.3 MPH mark and he also put up a career worst 26% K%. I’m not downgrading him much because of it, but it is something in the back of my mind. 2022 Projection: 15/3.39/1.02/202 in 190 IP

29) Freddie Freeman FRA, 1B, 32.6 – Freeman ain’t young but his level of dominance year in and year out deserves at least this ranking. His .411 xwOBA ranked 7th in the league and he has been at the top of those leaderboards since Statcast came on the scene in 2015. 2022 Projection: 103/32/106/.303/.395/.522/6

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

Tier 4

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

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Patreon Post: OBP Top 600 2022 Dynasty Baseball Rankings

These rankings are made for 5×5 OBP leagues. My “Universal” Rankings will be out on the Patreon this week too where good real life hitters get boosted (power and walks), speed is heavily devalued, and pitchers don’t get juiced up. Here is the OBP Top 600 2022 Dynasty Baseball Rankings:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR THE REST OF THESE RANKINGS AND MUCH MORE, INCLUDING EARLY ACCESS TO THE TOP 1,000 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS (INCLUDES TOP 500 PROSPECTS RANKINGS AND TOP 100 FYPD RANKINGS), EXLUSIVE ACCESS TO POSITION BY POSITION TARGET ARTICLES, “UNIVERSAL” DYNASTY RANKINGS, 2023 FYPD RANKINGS, ETC …

Tier 1

1) Juan Soto WASH, OF, 23.5 – The underlying stats were elite all season, but it took until the 2nd half for the surface stats to catch up, slashing a ridiculous .348/.525/.639 in 72 games post break. He was my top pick in all non 5×5 AVG leagues last year (I will be updating those “Universal Rankings” this off-season too), and with his OBP projected to outpace everyone by a large margin, I’m picking him over Ohtani in those leagues this year too. 5.8 degree launch angle is really the only thing you can quibble with. 2022 Projection: 108/33/103/.318/.460/.575/10

2) Shohei Ohtani LAA, RHP/DH, 27.9 –Tatis has a shoulder issue. Acuna tore up his knee. Soto and Vlad don’t steal a ton, and they sure as hell don’t pitch. Yea, Ohtani’s older than them, but we are talking about a 27 year old, not someone approaching the dreaded 3 – 0 (see Mike Trout). He’s changed the definition of “all category” and “across the board” production in fantasy baseball forever. 2022 Projection: 96/37/98/.261/.365/.541/22 – 8/3.48/1.15/150 in 125 IP

4) Fernando Tatis Jr. SD, SS, 23.3 – Tatis is foregoing surgery on his left shoulder, which after seeing the year Bellinger just had, I don’t blame him. It does add a layer a risk to an otherwise almost spotless fantasy profile. I say “almost” spotless, because his whiff% jumped up 6.8 percentage points to a pretty dangerous 34.8%. 2022 Projection: 102/39/99/.277/.366/.581/21

5) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. TOR, 1B, 23.0 – Vlad raised his launch angle 4.8 degrees to 9.4 degrees and all hell broke loose as he demolished 48 homers. He maintained his near elite K% and also notched a career high 12.3% BB%. This was the breakout we were promised. 2022 Projection: 113/41/110/.298/.385/.590/3

Tier 2

6) Bryce Harper PHI, OF, 29.5 – Harper is also in the almost 30 club, but he just put up the best xwOBA in all of baseball with a .427 mark. He hasn’t really shown any signs of slowing down on the bases. There should be at least a few more years of elite production. 2022 Projection: 103/36/96/.281/.399/.578/14

7) Bo Bichette TOR, SS, 24.1 – Bichette isn’t really in the same conversation as the guys ranked ahead of him when it comes to real life hitting, but he is a fantasy machine. He hit .298 with 29 homers and 25 steals. If you want to look at it glass half full, as good as he’s been, there is still upside left in the tank if he can raise his 5.8% BB% and 7.3 degree launch angle. 2022 Projection: 105/31/92/.294/.356/.510/20

8) Trea Turner LAD, SS, 28.9 – Turner is the older and faster version of Bichette. He’s not putting up insane xwOBA’s, but he’s a fantasy owner’s best friend, coming up just 2 homers shy of a .300/30/30 season. 2022 Projection: 110/27/84/.309/.361/.512/30

9) Kyle Tucker HOU, OF, 25.2 – Speaking of elite xwOBA’s, Tucker put up a .394 xwOBA which is in the top 6% of the league. He notched career bests in K% (15.9%), whiff% (20.3%), BB% (9.3%), launch angle (17.6 degrees), and Max EV (111.1 MPH). He also chipped in 14 steals. He’s elite. 2022 Projection: 93/33/101/.285/.350/.535/16

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

11) Jose Ramirez CLE, 3B, 29.6 – Ramirez has an elite plate approach (13.7%/11.3% K%/BB%) with power (90 MPH EV with a 18.3 degree launch), and speed (28.2 ft/s sprint speed). The sports crime of being almost 30 is the only thing keeping Ramirez outside of the top 10, but in a redraft league (or if you are in all in mode), he has a real argument to be in the 1st overall mix. 2022 Projection: 105/34/94/.277/.368/.531/24

Shadow11) Shohei Ohtani LAA, DH only/Weekly Leagues, 27.9 –Ohtani is so ridiculous that he is still an elite player even after taking away 9 wins and 156 K’s in 130.1 IP. This is where I would take him as a hitter only or in a weekly lineup league. 2022 Projection: 96/37/98/.261/.365/.541/22

12) Mike Trout LAA, OF, 30.8 – The injury gods struck Trout down again as a significant tear in his calf limited him to just 22 games. He was elite as ever in those 22 games with a .421 xwOBA, although I think it is worth pointing out his whiff% bloated all the way up to 27.5% (19.5% in 2020) and his launch angle tanked to 12.9 degrees (23.1 in 2020). Considering the small sample, I don’t think it means that much, but it’s worth noting. Along with entering his nursing home years, a lower body injury can’t help the odds he will get back to stealing bases, but all indications are that he will be elite everywhere else assuming he can stay healthy. 2022 Projection: 103/40/101/.293/.405/.620/8

13) Corbin Burnes MIL, RHP, 27.5 – Not only did Burnes not regress a single iota from his 2020 breakout, but he took it up another level with a league leading 30.4% K-BB%. The only other qualified pitchers even close to that mark were Scherzer and Cole. His BB% dropped 4.8 percentage points to 5.2%. He put up a 2.01 xERA which was bested only by deGrom’s 1.55 mark among starters, and deGrom is 33 years old coming off an elbow injury. Burnes is in a class of his own in dynasty. 2022 Projection: 15/2.71/0.98/267 in 195 IP

14) Rafael Devers BOS, 3B, 25.5 – Devers matured at the plate in 2021 with a career best 9.3% BB%, and he also brought his K% back down to 21.5% after jumping to 27% in 2020. He always hit the living crap out of the ball, and putting it all together led to a career best .389 xwOBA with 38 homers in 156 games. 2022 Projection: 95/37/106/.284/.358/.546/6

15) Yordan Alvarez HOU, OF, 24.9 – The knees look A-OK as Yordan got back to raking after missing almost all of 2020. His 93.2 MPH EV was 8th best in the league and his .386 xwOBA is elite. He also had a 180 wRC+ in 16 playoff games. His sprint speed did drop to 26.2 ft/s (27 ft/s in 2019), so maybe the knees become an issue when he gets older, but it looks like clear sailing for the next several years. 2022 Projection: 94/35/108/.281/.363/.548/1

16) Mookie Betts LAD, OF, 29.5 – A bone spur in Betts’ right hip led to a down season in 122 games where his sprint speed tanked to 27.1 ft/s and he stole only 3 bases in 5 attempts in his final 58 games. I’m more confident in his bat being just fine, because even in a down year he was still damn good with 23 homers and a 131 wRC+ in 122 games. None of his underlying hitting numbers really dropped off from career norms at all. The fear that he will stop running as much even if he does regain his speed, like we see with Trout and Altuve, has him dropping a bit for me. 2022 Projection: 111/30/80/.288/.369/.519/13

17) Ozzie Albies ATL, 2B, 25.3 – Albies power took a step forward as he entered his mid 20’s, notching career highs in exit velocity (89.6 MPH) and launch angle (21.1 degrees), which led to his first 30 homer season. He also ran more on the bases, leading to his first 20 steal season, and considering how successful he’s been on the bases in his career (60 for 73), he should probably run even more. 2022 Projection: 100/29/93/.274/.333/.492/20

18) Luis Robert CHW, OF, 24.8 – Robert played in only 68 games, but the sheer dominance of those games shows he belongs in the land of the elite. His power exploded with 13 homers and a 91.2/96.3 MPH AVG/FB EV, and his contact rates improved dramatically with a 28.2% whiff% and 20.6% K% (41.5% and 32.2% in 2020). He did slow down with a 28 ft/s sprint speed (29.1 in 2020), but some of that is likely due to the torn hip flexor that kept him out. He is also still a very aggressive hitter with a 4.7% BB%, so while it might cap his upside in OBP leagues, all of the ingredients are there for him to have a legitimate shot at finishing as the #1 overall player in 5×5 leagues. 2022 Projection: 91/28/93/.278/.332/.508/18

Tier 3

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

22) Jacob deGrom NYM, RHP, 33.9 – You almost have to do a double take when looking at deGrom’s season numbers. 1.08 ERA? 0.55 WHIP? 45.1%/3.4% K%/BB%? Give me a second to pick my jaw up off the ground. Of course, in this flawed universe we live in, there always has to be a yang to the yin. He put up those numbers in only 92 IP because of a partial tear in the UCL of his elbow. He already started to throw side sessions at the end of September, so the hope is that he will be 100% for 2022, but it certainly adds a healthy dose of injury risk. 2022 Projection: 13/2.48/0.93/258 in 175 IP

23) Gerrit Cole NYY, RHP, 31.7 – Cole become the face of the spider tack scandal, and it was warranted as his numbers definitely took a hit, putting up a 2.68 ERA pre break and a 4.14 ERA post break. His spin rates did a recover a bit by the end of the season, but not to pre crackdown levels. There is good news for 2022 though, as it was recently announced that the Arizona Fall League has been experimenting with a pre tacked ball, which seems like a good sign MLB will implement them for the 2022 season. I’m betting on the spider tack guys getting their mojo back in 2022. 2022 Projection: 15/3.10/1.03/261 in 195 IP

24) Pete Alonso NYM, 1B, 27.4 – Alonso quietly took a huge step forward with his contact ability, notching career bests in K% (19.9% vs. 25.5% in 2020) and whiff% (24.9% vs. 30.4% in 2020). He also had a career best 91 MPH EV. And while it led to an excellent season (37 homers and a 133 wRC+ in 152 games), there is now potential for him to put up some truly historic seasons as he enters his peak years. I would buy high on Alonso. 2022 Projection: 94/45/112/.268/.357/.561/2

25) Matt Olson OAK, 1B, 28.0 – Olson made tremendous improvement to his K%, brining it all the way down to 16.8% (31.4% in 2020), and he basically maintained it for the entire season. Hard not to think that won’t regress at least a little in 2022, but power and patience is what you are really buying here anyway. Truly keeping up that hit tool improvement will be the cherry on top. 2022 Projection: 93/38/106/.262/.363/.541/2

26) Brandon Woodruff MIL, RHP, 29.2 – Burnes may have overshadowed the year Woodruff just had, because he was dominant with a pitching line of 2.56/0.97/211/43 in 179.1 IP. It was the most innings he’s thrown in his career, and he did seem a tire as the season went on as his sinker velocity slowly declined about 1 MPH from start to finish. He had a 2.06 ERA pre break and a 3.41 ERA post break. It does make me wonder, with all these pitchers having huge jumps in innings pitched after the shortened 2020 season, if there will be some type of hangover effect in 2022. 2022 Projection: 14/3.33/1.06/218 in 185 IP

27) Walker Buehler LAD, RHP, 27.8 – Buehler had a spectacular season with a pitching line of 2.47/0.97/212/52 in 207 IP, but there were some red flags. He lost 1.5 MPH on his fastball with a career worst 95.3 MPH mark and he also put up a career worst 26% K%. I’m not downgrading him much because of it, but it is something in the back of my mind. 2022 Projection: 15/3.39/1.02/202 in 190 IP

28) Cedric Mullins BAL, OF, 27.6 – Welcome to the 30/30 club, Cedric Mullins. He became only the 43rd player to go 30/30, and only the 9th lefty ever. Speaking of being a lefty, Mullins made the ultimate adjustment this season and dropped his righthanded swing. It worked liked gangbusters as he had by far his best season vs. righties (.452 OPS vs. righties in 2018/.243 in 2019/.502 in 202/.788 in 2021). Now the question is, can he do it again? He did outperform his underlying numbers a bit with a .372 wOBA vs. a .343 xwOBA. His 92.4 MPH FB/LD exit velocity also doesn’t leave much room for error. I think the more reasonable expectation for 2022 is a 20/20 type year rather than 30/30. 2022 Projection: 88/25/68/.277/.340/.460/25

29) Aaron Judge NYY, OF, 29.11 – Judge once against led all of baseball with a 95.8 MPH exit velocity. It’s only a matter of staying healthy for Judge as he played in 148 games this season and ripped 39 homers with 148 wRC+. 2022 Projection: 93/40/97/.268/.364/.550/5

30) Francisco Lindor NYM, SS, 28.4 – Baseball players are human beings. When you’ve spent your entire career, from the time you were 17 years old, with one organization, it is going to take time to adjust to a new city, new fans, new teammates, coaches, expectations etc … And that goes doubly when that new city is New York. And even if you don’t buy into all that mumbo jumbo, his underlying numbers in 2021 were almost exactly in line with career norms. He just got a bit unlucky this year. One thing slightly outside of his career norms was that he swung and missed at a career worst rate (23.2% whiff%), but he offset that with a career best 11.1% BB%. Lindor is an easy buy this off-season. 2022 Projection: 93/29/85/.267/.344/.482/17

31) Trevor Story FRA, SS, 29.4 – Story had a slow start to the season but he was back to raking by the end of it, slashing .269/.358/.552 with 12 homers, 3 steals, and a 52/22 K/BB in his final 55 games. Nothing in his underlying numbers are setting off alarm bells, but the big question is how much he should be downgraded leaving Coors. It seems that Coors juices up batting average first and foremost, so I wouldn’t expect a huge drop in homers and steals, but the hits and BA are coming down. His down 2021 might have inadvertently shown us who he will be over the next few seasons. 2022 Projection: 82/28/91/.250/.333/.483/18

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

Tier 4

36) Freddie Freeman FRA, 1B, 32.6 – Freeman ain’t young but his level of dominance year in and year out deserves at least this ranking. His .411 xwOBA ranked 7th in the league and he has been at the top of those leaderboards since Statcast came on the scene in 2015. 2022 Projection: 103/32/106/.303/.395/.522/6

39) Teoscar Hernandez TOR, OF, 29.6 – Hernandez drastically improved his K% from 30.4% in 2020 to 24.9% in 2021, and he continued to mash the ball en route to another beastly season, slashing .296/.346/.524 with 32 homers and 12 steals in 143 games. The improved contact numbers give faith he will continue to get to all of his power and speed. 2022 Projection: 88/34/104/.267/.330/.515/11

40) Marcus Semien TEX, SS/2B 31.6 – Saying Semien “bounced back” from a down 2020 would be an understatement. He went insane in 2021 with 45 homer and 15 steals. He notched a career high 89.7 MPH EV, 109.5 MPH Max EV, and 20.3 degree launch angle. The underlying numbers do provide some caution as his .368 wOBA was much better than his .329 xwOBA, but Semien is a fantasy stud. Going from Toronto to Texas is a ballpark and lineup downgrade, but he’s put up big numbers in Oakland too which is also a pitcher’s park, so I wouldn’t downgrade him too much based on the move. 2022 Projection: 92/30/86/.252/.330/.491/13

41) Aaron Nola PHI, RHP, 28.10 – Nola finished with an unsightly 4.63 ERA, but everything in his underlying numbers say he’s the same ace he’s always been. He had a sparkling 223/39 K/BB in 180.2 IP and his xERA was 3.39 (3.37 xFIP). I doubt anyone will be willing to sell low on him, but if you can even get a small discount it is worth pouncing on. 2022 Projection: 14/3.46/1.15/225 in 190 IP

44) Xander Bogaerts BOS, SS, 29.6 – After a dominant first half (.930 OPS pre break), Bogaerts fell off hard in the 2nd half (.761 OPS post break). He ended up having his usual rock steady season with a 130 wRC+. 2022 Projection: 96/26/87/.292/.366/.498/8

45) Corey Seager TEX, SS, 27.11 – A fractured hand after getting hit by a pitch limited Seager to 95 games. He couldn’t fully maintain his 2020 power breakout, but he still showed the power improvements were real with a career high 115.3 Max EV and a 49.3% HardHit% which was the 2nd best mark of his career (55.9% in 2020). The overall offensive numbers were just as dominant as 2020 with a 147 wRC+ (150 wRC+ in 2020). His ascent as an elite hitter in 2020 was not a mirage. 2022 Projection: 91/26/92/.301/.380/.518/1

46) Alex Bregman HOU, 3B, 28.0 – Bregman underwent wrist surgery on Nov. 8th. The wrist issue can maybe explain the down power season, but his power was down in 2020 as well and he was never a huge exit velocity guy to begin with. He also completely stopped running over the past two seasons, with his sprint speed dropping to a career low 25.6 ft/sec which was almost surely due to a quad injury that kept him out for two months. On the plus side, his plate approach is elite (13.3%/11% K%/BB%), and he gets the ball in the air (15.9 degree launch angle). It’s hard to expect the stolen bases to come back, but a power resurgence is at least still in the cards. 2022 Projection: 92/26/89/.277/.370/.482/5

47) Jesse Winker CIN, OF, 28.7 – An intercoastal strain essentially ended Winker’s season in mid August after 110 games. He was elite in those 110 games though with 24 homers, a 15.5%/10.9% K%/BB% and a .388 xwOBA (Top 7% of the league). It proves his 2020 breakout was 100% real. He’s had some injury issues in his career, but Winker is an elite bat that could probably be had for a non elite price. 2022 Projection: 94/27/86/.282/.375/.507/1

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

49) Zack Wheeler PHI, RHP, 31.10 – Wheeler had a career year with a pitching line of 2.78/1.01/247/46 in 213.1 IP. His 29.1% K% was higher than his 26.5% whiff%, so I would expect some regression in that area, but both marks were easily career bests, so there was definitely real improvement. He led the league in exit velocity against at 84.6 MPH. 2022 Projection: 14/3.21/1.09/220 in 200 IP

50) George Springer TOR, OF, 32.6 – Missed most the first half with an oblique and quad injury, playing in only 20 games with a .726 OPS pre-break. He exploded post break, slashing .286/.366/.599 with 17 homers, 3 steals, and a 56/25 K/BB in 58 games. He posted a career best 15.4% barrel% and 116.4 Max EV. His sprint speed was as fast ever, showing there weren’t any lingering effects from the injuries. 2022 Projection: 103/37/88/.263/.350/.545/6

51) Sandy Alcantara MIA, RHP, 26.7 – Alcantara already possessed one of the best sinkers in the game, but he took it up a notch this year, adding 1.4 MPH to the pitch (97.6 MPH) and finished with the 3rd most valuable sinker on the year. He improved both his control and swing and miss ability (22.7%/8.7% K%/BB% in 2020 vs. 24%/6% in 2021). You also shouldn’t underestimate innings pitched, as he threw 205.2 IP this year and 197.1 IP in 2019. He might not have elite bat missing ability, but he keeps the ball on the ground (4.5 degree launch angle) and with his filthy stuff there can definitely be further improvement coming. 2022 Projection: 12/3.39/1.14/193 in 195 IP

52) Will Smith LAD, C, 27.0 – Smith went ballistic post all star break, smashing 15 homers with a .936 OPS in 56 games. He was good pre break too (.800 OPS in 74 games). He has an advanced plate approach (20.2%/11/6% K%/BB%) with an above average exit velocity (90.1 MPH) and a high launch angle (19.4 degrees). 2022 Projection: 75/26/81/.267/.370/.500/2

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

54) Tim Anderson CHW, SS, 28.9 – Don’t worry about Anderson’s lack of plate approach, he’s been barely walking and putting up strong numbers since 2014. It does look like he may trade some speed for more power as he enters his late 20’s as he put up a career best 89.6 MPH EV and career worst 28 ft/sec sprint speed. 2022 Projection: 92/22/75/.293/.328/.470/17

55) Byron Buxton MIN, OF, 28.3 – With a talent like this, give me all the injury risk. Buxton had a career best 92.5 MPH exit velocity with a max EV that was in the top 4% of the league (115.6 MPH). His 30 ft/s sprint speed is in the top 1% of the league. He hit 19 homers with 9 steals and a 1.005 OPS in 61 games this year. He can legitimately finish as the top fantasy player in baseball, and while the injury risk is very real, I think people are discounting him far too much for it. 2022 Projection: 89/28/81/.271/.326/.518/19

56) Austin Riley ATL, 3B, 25.0 – Seeds of a breakout were already starting to show in 2020 beneath his mediocre surface stats, and that breakout blossomed hardcore in 2021, slashing .303/.367/.531 with 33 homers and a 25.4%/7.9% K%/BB%. He keeps improving his hit tool with a career best 28.3% whiff% and he made major strides against offspeed pitches with a .369 xwOBA against them (.223 in 2020). He’s not a real .300 hitter, but there is real juice in his bat. 2022 Projection: 85/31/98/.275/.340/.511/0

57) Starling Marte NYM, OF, 33.6 – It’s hard for dynasty owners to buy into a player going into his mid 30’s, and that goes doubly for speed first players, but the year Marte just had is going to put that age aversion to the test. He tied his career high with 47 steals and put up a career best by far 8.2% BB%. He has slowed down a bit these past few seasons, but a 28.4 ft/s sprint speed is still plenty fast. If you have the cojones to do it, now could be the ideal time to sell, but I own him in a 12 teamer at $35 and I don’t think I have the nerve to do it. I’m rolling with him for 2022. 2022 Projection: 87/15/71/.286/.352/.450/33

58) Ketel Marte ARI, 2B/OF, 28.6 – Playing in only 90 games due to two hamstring injuries (one to each hamstring) has camouflaged how good of a season Marte had. He’s never hit the ball harder with an excellent 91.1/95.1 MPH AVG/FB EV, and it led to a near elite .370 xwOBA. The hamstring injuries slowed him down, putting up a career worst 26.7 ft/sec sprint speed, but that should bounce back with full health. This year proved that Marte is closer to being the guy who had a great 2019, rather than the player who had a down 2020. You can go after him with confidence this off-season. 2022 Projection: 93/24/90/.298/.359/.507/7

59) Eloy Jimenez CHW, OF, 25.5 – A torn pectoral tendon limited Eloy to 55 games, and he was pretty mediocre in those games with a .740 OPS and 101 wRC+, but none of his underlying numbers were too far off from career norms to cause major concern. There is still room for improvement with his launch angle (8.4 degrees) and BB% (6.9%), but he’s going to mash even if those numbers don’t get significantly better. 2022 Projection: 84/32/103/.267/.327/.510/0

60) Nick Castellanos CIN, OF, 30.1 – Great American Ballpark is an insanely great ballpark for homers, and Castellanos immediately started ripping dingers when he got there with 14 homers in 60 games in 2020 and 34 homers in 138 games in 2021. His underlying numbers have been near elite for 6 years now, he just needed the right ballpark to unleash the beast. 2022 Projection: 92/33/97/.281/.340/.521/2

61) Joey Gallo NYY, OF, 28.4 – Gallo made gains to his K% with Texas with a career best 32.2% K%, but it spiked back up to 38.6% after his trade to the Yankees. He had a .160 BA in his last 58 games of the season. He is the ultimate three true outcome slugger. 2022 Projection: 87/39/85/.203/.337/.490/5

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

Posted on February 14, 2022February 14, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Long and Short Term Gainers with the NL DH

Now that the NL DH looks all but official, I’ve updated my Top 1,000 2022 Dynasty Baseball Rankings to account for the extra at-bats. A bunch of good hitting catchers will fall into some extra at-bats too, but this write-up is about players I’m much more comfortable targeting with 15 full time jobs opening up. The rankings are on my Patreon and will be released for free at some point in March. Speaking of March, I’m betting on the owners and players coming to an agreement in early March, just in the nick of time to basically have a full, normal season of baseball. Here is the Long and Short Term Gainers with the NL DH:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR EARLY ACCESS TO THE TOP 1,000 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS (INCLUDES TOP 500 PROSPECTS RANKINGS AND TOP 100 FYPD RANKINGS) AND EXLUSIVE ACCESS TO POSITION BY POSITION TARGET ARTICLES, OBP RANKINGS, “UNIVERSAL” DYNASTY RANKINGS AND MUCH MORE

Clint Frazier CHC, OF, 27.7 – Frazier being a poor defensive corner outfielder has always been the biggest knock on his game. Hitting was never an issue until concussion like symptoms tanked his 2021 season. If he hits well, which is a good bet assuming full health, he’ll have a job now, which you couldn’t necessarily say without the DH. He moves up from #546 to #362 on the Top 1,000 2022 Dynasty Baseball Rankings.

Seth Beer ARI, 1B, 25.8/Christian Walker ARI, 1B, 31.0 – Beer was basically the poster child for “if the NL had a DH.” He is a poor defensive first baseman who rakes. The surgically repaired shoulder is still a concern, but Arizona’s long term DH job is his to lose. It also creates far more job security for Christian Walker. He becomes a more interesting CI option or deep league 1B option.

Mike Moustakas CIN, 3B, 33.6/Nick Senzel CIN, OF, 26.8 – Moose simply didn’t have anywhere to play, and now he has the inside track for the DH job. I don’t think he is a slam dunk target though with his strikeout rate on the decline for a little while now, and he was out with planter fasciitis for much of last year. He’s a negative on the base paths too. There is a pretty solid chance he is in a real decline. As much as this does obviously help Moose, I think this sneakily helps Nick Senzel just as much, if not more. He’s too talented for Cincy not to want to give at bats to, and the DH gives them that opportunity. I’m getting suckered back in on Senzel.

Gavin Lux LAD, 2B, 24.4/Michael Busch LAD, 2B, 24.4 – It’s make or break time for Gavin Lux. He’ll get his shot now. Long term this will be very helpful for Busch. He was in no man’s land position wise, but a DH will get his bat in the lineup far more often down the line.

Rowdy Tellez MIL, 1B, 27.0/Tyrone Taylor MIL, OF, 28.2/Keston Hiura MIL, 1B, 25.8 – I was already targeting Tellez, but this makes me love him even more. I included Hiura, but path to playing time was never really his problem, performance was. Taylor could be the big winner here when it is all said and done. Here is what I wrote about him in my Top 1,000, “Taylor would be a really fun fantasy player if he had a full time job, but it doesn’t seem like Milwaukee is interested in giving him one. His exit velocity doesn’t jump out (88.6 MPH EV), but he gets the ball in the air (16 degree launch angle) and is in a great ballpark for homers, so the power production will be there. He also has a good feel to hit (21.8% K%) and some speed (28.6 ft/sec sprint speed). He’s an interesting bench piece in daily leagues when he gets the start.” He’s still far from guaranteed to get full time at bats, but he will be a real sneaky late round pick for me now. He jumps from #779 to #491 on the Top 1,000 Rankings.

Garrett Cooper MIA, 1B/OF, 31.3/ Lewin Diaz MIA, 1B, 24.4 – – There is still risk after surgery to repair a torn UCL ended Cooper’s 2021 season, but he now has the path to playing time to make me much more comfortable going after him. He’s been a damn good hitter for the last 3 years. He jumps from #696 to #563 on the Top 1,000 Rankings. Long term, Lewin Diaz gets the biggest bump. There is a high offensive bar you have to cross for 1B, so the DH will help get his bat in the lineup.

Jeff McNeil NYM, OF/2B, 30.0/Dominic Smith NYM, 1B/OF, 26.10/J.D. Davis NYM, 3B, 28.11 – As you can see, there is still a logjam here, but this obviously helps all three of these guys out a lot. There is also a chance Cano is completely washed, which would allow McNeil to play 2B full time, while Smith and Davis platoon at DH. Although neither Smith nor Davis really have platoon splits, so it could be a straight “let the best man win” situation.

Darin Ruf SFG, 1B/OF, 35.8 – I included Ruf in my Hitter Targets write-up, as he becomes one of my top targets for a win now team. Here’s what I wrote about him in my Top 1,000 Rankings, “A DH spot would do wonders for Ruf because he might be in the pole position to win that job for the Giants. He put up an eye popping 93.1 MPH exit velocity, 14.2% Barrel%, and 54.9% Hardhit%. It led to a 16 homers with a .904 OPS in 312 PA. He hit well in 2020 too (.887 OPS), so it is not like this came out of nowhere. He hits lefties better than righties, but he hits righties real well too, so he isn’t an automatic platoon guy.” He jumps from #695 to #401.

Elehuris Montero COL, 1B/OF, 23.7/Connor Joe COL, 1B/OF, 29.7/Raimel Tapia COL, OF, 28.2/Sam Hilliard COL, OF, 28.1 – Colorado has had a logjam in their outfield with fringy but talented outfielders for the last few years, and now there is opportunity for all of them to get at-bats. Unless of course Colorado signs some old vets, which if history is any indication, they will. Long term this might help Montero the most. I was already high on him, and this cements his ranking in my eyes. I feel much more comfortable going after him in prospect drafts. This helps Colton Welker too, but I would like to see his power breakout before really targeting him. Michael Toglia has another path to playing time, although he is a good defender at 1B, so his path to playing time was much easier to envision already.

Matt Vierling PHI, OF/1B, 25.6 – Philly will likely make additions once free agency opens back up, so I still think Vierling will have to fight for playing time, but the DH surely won’t hurt him. He hit the ball hard with speed and without any major strikeout issues in his MLB debut. Not a bad late round flier.

Michael Chavis PIT, 1B/2B, 26.8/Mason Martin PIT, 1B, 22.10 – Chavis is a poor defender, but he also hasn’t been all that hot with the bat, so while the DH will definitely help, he still has a lot to prove. Long term Martin gets the biggest boost.

Jurickson Profar SD, 1B/OF, 29.1/Ha-Seong Kim SD, SS/3B/2B, 26.5 – San Diego will likely rotate guys in the DH spot, but Profar and Kim are the biggest beneficiaries in general. I can see them DH’ing Tatis more with his shoulder issue, leaving an opening for Kim at SS. I haven’t given up on Kim yet, and this gives him a real shot to prove himself.

Juan Yepez STL, 1B/3B/OF, 24.0/Paul DeJong STL, SS, 28.8/Edmundo Sosa STL, SS/2B, 26.1/Lars Nootbaar STL, OF, 24.7 – Yepez is the big winner in the long run, and he could be the big winner in the short run too, so I’m not bumping up DeJong, Sosa, or Nootbar too much based on this. I will wait until Spring Training to see who pulls ahead for the job before making too many changes here, but all of them become more interesting.

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

Posted on February 7, 2022February 10, 2022 by Michael Halpern

Atlanta Braves 2022 Dynasty Baseball Report (Top 10 Prospects/Interesting MLB guys/Strategy Talk)

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

THE COMPLETE TOP 1,000 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS IS OUT ON MY PATREON NOW (A SPREADSHEET VERSION IS LIVE TOO)!!! LINKS ARE INCLUDED TO THE TOP 500 2022 DYNASTY BASEBALL PROSPECTS RANKINGS AND THE TOP 100 2022 FYPD RANKINGS (THE FULL LIST WILL BE RELEASED FOR FREE ON MY WEBSITE SOMETIME IN MARCH)

Hitters

Austin Riley ATL, 3B, 25.0 – Seeds of a breakout were already starting to show in 2020 beneath his mediocre surface stats, and that breakout blossomed hardcore in 2021, slashing .303/.367/.531 with 33 homers and a 25.4%/7.9% K%/BB%. He keeps improving his hit tool with a career best 28.3% whiff% and he made major strides against offspeed pitches with a .369 xwOBA against them (.223 in 2020). He’s not a real .300 hitter, but there is real juice in his bat. 2022 Projection: 85/31/98/.275/.340/.511/0

Jorge Soler FRA, OF, 30.1 – Soler’s underlying numbers were strong all year, but he didn’t breakout until getting to Atlanta, putting up a .882 OPS in 55 games with Atlanta after disappointing with a .658 OPS in 94 games with KC. He had a career best 23.6% K% and 29.2% whiff% while still absolutely smoking the ball with a 117.9 Max EV that was in the top 1% of the league. He’s horrible on defense, which is the one thing that could impact his playing time depending on where he lands. 2022 Projection: 81/34/88/.252/.339/.484/0

Starting Pitchers

Ian Anderson ATL, RHP, 23.11 – Shoulder inflammation limited Anderson to 128.1 IP. He wasn’t able to maintain his excellent 2020 strikeout numbers (29.7 K% in 2020 vs. 23.2% in 2021), but his 28.5% whiff% was much better (28.9% in 2020), and his seconadaries were still getting plenty of whiffs. He kept the ball on the ground with a 6.4 degree launch angle. It all led to a solid season with a pitching line of 3.58/1.23/124/53. I’m still all in on Anderson. His best years are ahead of him. 2022 Projection: 11/3.48/1.19/175 in 160 IP

Huascar Ynoa ATL, RHP, 23.10 – Ynoa missed 3 months of the season after punching the dugout and breaking his hand in May, but the more concerning injury is the shoulder inflammation that shut him down in the playoffs. Even with the injury risk he makes for an enticing target with a plus slider (.240 xwOBA) that he threw 48.2% of the time. It led to a 26.9%/6.7% K%/BB% with a 4.05 ERA. He didn’t go to the changeup often (7% usage), although it was effective when he did go to it (42.9% whiff%), and while he fires an electric 96.5 MPH fastball, it was quite hittable with a 92.6 MPH EV against and 14.6% whiff%. He’s also never displayed this level of control before, so there is some regression risk. 2022 Projection: 9/4.11/1.31/155 in 145 IP

Relief Pitching

Will Smith ATL, Closer, 32.9 – Smith has one plus pitch, but it is a damn good one with his slider putting up an elite .170 xwOBA with a 49.1% whiff%. He has sole possession of Atlanta’s closer job. 2022 Projection: 4/3.51/1.18/82/34 in 65 IP

Atlanta Braves Top 10 Dynasty Baseball Prospects

1) Michael Harris ATL, OF, 21.1 – Harris is an explosive player who hits the ball hard with above average contact rates (18.1% K%) and plus speed (27 steals in 101 games at High-A). He hit only 7 homers because of a high 50.3% GB% and his home ballpark is an extreme pitcher’s park, so he has more power than he showed. He will have to raise his launch angle if he wants to unlock more of it though. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/18/71/.271/.330/.423/18

2) Shea Langeliers ATL, C, 24.5 – Langeliers’ answered the questions about his ultimate power potential this year after hitting just 2 homers in his 54 game pro debut in 2019. He brought his GB% down 9.7 percentage points to 30.7% and jacked out 22 homers in 97 games at mostly Double-A. It does come with some swing and miss, striking out 26.2% of the time at Double-A and 42.9% at Triple-A (in 14 PA). 2022 Projection: 12/3/15/.236/.302/.417/0 Prime Projection: 62/23/69/.252/.321/.444/1

3) Kyle Muller ATL, LHP, 24.6 – Muller has plus stuff with a 93.4 fastball and two swing and miss secondaries in his slider (34.6% whiff%) and curve (48.1% whiff%). It resulted in a 30.8% whiff% on the MLB level and a 27% K% at Triple-A, but his poor control makes him high risk with a 12.9% BB% (12.2% at Triple-A). There is plenty of competition in Atlanta for rotation spots, so he could end up in the pen, especially early in his career. 2022 Projection: 3/4.03/1.35/71 in 65 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.83/1.32/169 in 155 IP

4) Spencer Strider ATL, RHP, 23.5 – Strider made his pro debut in 2021 and made it all the way to the majors for 2.1. IP. He racked up strikeouts in the minors with a plus fastball/slider combo, putting up a 153/40 K/BB with a 3.64 ERA in 94 IP at mostly Double-A. His fastball consistently hits the upper 90’s, and the slider is potentially plus, but without a real third pitch there is a reliever risk. 2022 Projection: 2/4.25/1.33/45 in 40 IP Prime Projection: 9/4.01/1.30/162 in 150 IP

5) Vaughn Grissom ATL, SS, 21.3 – Grissom’s advanced plate approach transferred to full season ball with a 14.2%/11.8% K%/BB% in 87 games split between Single-A and High-A. He hit only 7 homers and his GB% was high, but at 6’3”, 180 pounds there should be more in the tank. He was 16 for 19 on the bases, and while he’s not a true burner and it’s hard to trust stolen base numbers in the lower minors, he should contribute in steals. He has average to above average across the board potential. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 83/20/76/.273/.347/.448/9

6) Ryan Cusick ATL, RHP, 22.5 – Selected 24th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, the ball absolutely explodes out of Cusick’s hand with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and a plus curve. He racks up strikeouts with 108 K’s in 70 IP, but control is a major issue with 32 walks, and his 4.24 ERA (1.39 WHIP) isn’t exactly great. His control looked better in his small sample pro debut with 4 walks in 16.1 IP at Single-A, and it didn’t impact his K rate at all with 34 strikeouts. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.33/169 in 158 IP

7) Drew Waters ATL, OF, 23.3 – Waters is a great athlete with plus speed and plus power potential, but his warts are starting to overshadow his strengths. He put up a .710 OPS with a 30.9% K% and 19.6% FB% in 103 games at Triple-A. Striking out a lot and hitting the ball on the ground is not a great combo, although his speed (28 stolen bases) can make up for some of that. There is plenty of time for it to click, but the Waters’ doubters were proven right in 2021. 2022 Projection: 9/1/8/.217/.280/.373/2 Prime Projection: 74/15/68/.242/.313/.414/12

8) Cristian Pache ATL, OF, 23.5 – Pache struggled hard in the majors to start the season with a negative 8 wRC+ in 22 games, and he didn’t look all that hot when he got sent down to Triple-A either with a 27.5% K% and 100 wRC+ in 89 games. His bat was always expected to bloom late as his plus centerfield defense is his carrying tool, but for fantasy purposes I’m not sure he is worth the wait. You can probably get back in later. 2022 Projection: 11/2/9/.225/.281/.384/2 Prime Projection: 75/21/79/.273/.338/.451/17

9) Diego Benitez ATL, SS, 17.4 – Benitez signed for $2.5 million this year and he has the requisite skills to back that up. He has potentially plus power with an already pretty powerful righty swing. He combines that with a solid plate approach and some speed. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/24/83/.257/.328/.458/6

10) Freddy Tarnok ATL, RHP, 23.4 – Tarnok is 6’3”, 185 pounds with a big mid 90’s fastball, plus curve, and developing change. He performed the best he ever has in 2021, even going back to college, with a pitching line of 3.44/1.15/109/28 in 73.1 IP split between High-A and Double-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.02/1.31/158 in 160 IP

Strategy

Atlanta has a bunch of starting spots open in their lineup right now, but they will likely be filled by free agent signings once everything opens back up again. They also have a ton of talented young pitching, so many of their pitching prospects might have to break in as relievers. There are rumors the Yankees are now getting in the mix for Freeman, but using the Yankees as leverage in free agency is a tale as old as time. I’m still expecting him to be back with Atlanta.

Previous Teams
Arizona Diamondbacks–Baltimore Orioles-Boston Red Sox (free)–Chicago Cubs (free)–Chicago White Sox–Cincinnati Reds–Cleveland Indians–Colorado Rockies–Detroit Tigers–Houston Astros–Kansas City Royals–Los Angeles Angels (free)–Los Angeles Dodgers (free)–Miami Marlins–Milwaukee Brewers–Minnesota Twins–New York Mets (free)–New York Yankees–Oakland Athletics–Philadelphia Phillies–Pittsburgh Pirates–San Diego Padres (free)–San Francisco Giants–Seattle Mariners–St. Louis Cardinals (free)–Tampa Bay Rays (free)–Texas Rangers–Toronto Blue Jays–Washington Nationals

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