Posted on by Michael Halpern

Top 1,000 Rankings for 2024 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues (Patreon)

I gave you a day to catch your breath with the Top 583 2024 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings dropping on Monday. Now it’s time to unveil the Top 1,146 2024 Dynasty Baseball Rankings over on the Patreon. Top 80 are free here on the Brick Wall. Analysis and Prime Projections for every player. The All-in-One Spreadsheet is also coming soon. These lists will be released here on Imaginary Brick Wall in late March. Here is the Top 1,000 Rankings for 2024 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues:

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-UPCOMING: Position by Position Target Series, Top 600 OBP Rankings, Top 600 Points/6+Cats/OPS “Universal” Rankings, Predicting the 2024 Top 50 Prospects Rankings that doubles as a Bold Predictions article, and much more

1) Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL, OF, 26.3 – Acuna went 40/70, but somehow the most mind blowing thing about his 2023 season is that he all of a sudden turned into an elite contact hitter with an 11.4% K% (23.6% in 2022). He also must have eaten his spinach this off-season, because the six foot Acuna Popeye’d the league with the type of exit velocity numbers usually reserved for giant human beings only. His 121.2 Max EV was the hardest hit ball all season. The next 6 leaders in that category were the 6’6” Giancarlo Stanton, the 6’5” Elly De La Cruz, the 6’4” Shohei Ohtani, the 6’5” Matt Olson, the 6’2” Jake Burger, and the 6’5” Yordan Alvarez. His 94.7 MPH AVG EV was bested only by the superhuman Aaron Judge (97.6 MPH). He got slower with a career worst 28 ft/sec sprint, but he still stole 73 bags. He hit the ball on the ground more than ever with a career high 49.5% GB%, but he still hit 41 bombs. He’s the undisputed #1 overall dynasty player. 2024 Projection: 132/37/103/.318/.398/.582/61

2) Bobby Witt Jr. KCR, SS, 23.10 – Witt is Exhibit A on why you should be betting on Anthony Volpe and Jordan Walker in 2024. When an elite prospect shows all the ingredients of a future breakout in their rookie year, you need to be all over whatever small discount you can get them for. These are the type of breakouts that look so obvious in hindsight, you forget you ever doubted them in the first place. Witt raised his FB/LD EV from 92.6 MPH in 2022 to 94.4 MPH in 2023 and all hell broke loose with him cracking 30 dingers. He also lowered his K% by 4 percentage points to 17.4% and raised his BB% by 1.1 percentage points to 5.8%. The scary thing is that he was on the unlucky side too with a .343 wOBA vs. .373 xwOBA. There is another level to unlock here. His .904 2nd half OPS is probably what he has in store for us in 2024. 2024 Projection: 102/34/107/.283/.336/.522/47

3) Corbin Carroll ARI, OF, 23.7 – The 5’10” Carroll laughs at me for even hinting that the 6’0” Acuna isn’t big. Carroll truly had to deal with the little man discrimination his entire career, falling to a ridiculous 16th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft (I ranked him 3rd overall personally). He’s done nothing but prove the doubters wrong since then, culminating with a rookie season that immediately catapulted him to elite dynasty status. He smashed 25 homers with a 90 MPH EV. Nobody doubted his speed, and he didn’t disappoint with 54 steals and a 30.1 ft/sec sprint. The cherry on top is that he put up career best contact rates with a 19.4% K%, and that includes his entire minor league career going back to rookie ball. The only thing that could stop him is the major shoulder injury he suffered in 2021 which reared it’s ugly head again this July. He doubled over in pain after a swing and said, “I took a swing, and I felt a shift in my shoulder, shocking, tingling sensation go down my arm and then my hand go numb. I was just holding it thinking it came out of the socket, pretty much thought that the season was over.” It ended up being “minor,” but I’m not sure how you can’t at least have that in the back of your mind when ranking Carroll. He’s too good to be scared off by it, but my tolerance for injury risk might be higher than yours. 2024 Projection: 121/28/85/.288/.374/.496/52

4) Julio Rodriguez SEA, OF, 23.3 – When Julio gets off to a slow start in 2024, remind yourself not to panic. 2023 was the 2nd year in a row where it took him a minute to hit his stride. He put up a mediocre .721 OPS in 87 games pre break before exploding in the 2nd half, slashing .308/.363/.578 with 19 homers and 15 steals in 68 games. He crushes the ball with a 92.7 MPH EV that led to 32 homers, and he’s lightning fast with a 29.6 ft/sec sprint that led to 37 steals. The only weakness he has that the guys ranked above him don’t have is a poor approach. His 37.4% chase rate is well below average and so is his 28.2% whiff%. I’m betting on the plate approach improving as he gains more experience, but the guys ranked above him are already further along. 2024 Projection: 104/33/105/.280/.341/.507/38

5) Shohei “(deferred) Money” Ohtani LAD, RHP/DH, 29.9 – First there were asterisks for juiced players. Then there were asterisks for juiced balls. And now there are asterisks for juiced contracts. The 700* million dollar man (*680 million of it deferred) tore the UCL in his right elbow in August and seems like he opted to go with an internal brace procedure rather than get his 2nd Tommy John surgery in 5 years. It’s still a serious surgery that will prevent him from pitching until 2025, but he’s expected to be good to go as hitter at the start of 2024. As we saw with Bryce Harper, the odds Ohtani will continue to be an elite hitter are very high, but we can’t be surprised if he doesn’t get back to prime form until the 2nd half. He was in the midst of the best offensive season of his career with career highs everywhere you look (EV, wOBA, xwOBA, K%, BB%, Hard Hit%), and his 180 wRC+ led the league by a good margin (Judge was 2nd at 174). I’m not concerned with Ohtani’s bat at all, but it’s fair to question his ability to stay healthy as a pitcher. His stuff is so good with a 96.8 MPH fastball that he could probably stand to lose a tick or two and still be near elite. He also strikes me as the type who will thrive in his old age with diminished velocity, so I’m far from writing him off as a pitcher, but I do believe you have to factor in the added risk. 2024 Projection: 96/33/94/.277/.380/.538/18

6) Fernando Tatis Jr. SDP, OF, 25.3 – Maybe it was the shoulder, maybe it was the wrist, or maybe it was the lack of PED’s, but it’s undeniable that Tatis had some of his upside shaved off the top in 2023. His barrel% was down 10.3 percentage points to 11%, his exit velocity was down 2 MPH to 91.9 MPH, his hard hit% was down 6.3 percentage points to 49.3%, and his xwOBA was down .039 to .368. He also wore down as the season went along with a .871 OPS in the 1st half versus a .665 OPS in the 2nd half. But take a look at all of those numbers. Even with him being considerably worse than his prime, he was still an elite fantasy player with 25 homers and 29 steals in 141 games. He missed all of 2022, he had to rehab both his shoulder and wrist surgeries over the off-season, and he also had to deal with so much controversy, whether it was self inflicted or not. He’ll actually be able to have a normal off-season going into 2024, and he’s still only 25 years old, which makes me think what he did in 2023 is his floor. And considering he also got unlucky (.332 wOBA vs. .368 xwOBA which is in the top 10% of the league), his floor is probably even higher than that. The decline in production takes him out of the conversation to be the #1 dynasty player overall, but this is still an easy Top 10 dynasty asset at the very least. 2024 Projection: 98/33/96/.274/.348/.515/31

7) Juan Soto NYY, OF, 25.6 – This is a contract year for Soto, and Scott Boras is his agent. He hasn’t really had that crazy career year yet. 2020 looked like it could have been that year with 13 homers and 202 wRC+ in 49 games, but it was a shortened season. What I’m trying to say is, the Baseball Gods owe him one, and his move from one of the very worst ballparks for lefty homers to one of the very best only adds fuel to that fire (I’m expecting him to start pulling the ball just a bit more). He doesn’t run enough with only 12 steals to truly be considered in the same tier as the guys ranked above him, but in any league that devalues speed, he is right there with them. He’s an OBP God with an 18.6% BB% and .410 OBP. It’s his 4th year in a row with more walks than strikeouts. His 6.7 degree launch is low, but he’s launch proof with a 98.7 MPH FB/LD EV that is 4th best in all of baseball. It led to a career high 35 homers. Everything seems to be setting up for Soto to have one of those silly statistical seasons that won’t even look real, and then he will land one of those silly contract numbers that won’t even look real. 2024 Projection: 115/38/115/.287/.422/.546/13

8) Kyle Tucker HOU, OF, 27.2 – Just call him the quiet killer because no elite player gets less hype than Kyle Tucker. He was one homer shy of going 30/30, and he did it while putting up career bests in both K% (13.6%) and BB% (11.9%). He has well below average speed with a bottom 33% sprint speed, but he once again proved stolen bases are not just about pure speed, there is a major skill component to it as well. Maybe it’s fitting he has the shortest blurb out of his elite dynasty brethren, because he’ll just continue to quietly kill your fantasy competition. No fanfare necessary. 2024 Projection: 99/30/115/.285/.365/.520/28

9) Elly De La Cruz CIN, SS/3B, 22.3 – Call me crazy, but I’m actually encouraged by Elly’s 33.7% K%, 29.7% whiff%, and .235 BA in his age 21 year old season in the major leagues. In last year’s Top 1,000 Rankings, I projected Elly’s 2023 triple slash would be .232/.294/.433, and it ended up being .235/.300/.410. Not bad if I don’t say so myself, but point being, this is exactly what you should have expected. He also had a 26.9%/14.0% K%/BB% in 38 games at Triple-A, which proves he is capable of making real improvements to his plate approach over time (30.9%/7.7% K%/BB% at Double-A in 2022). And his hit tool only needs to get to below average to be an absolute fantasy monster. The power is elite with a 91.2 MPH EV and 119.2 Max EV which was the 3rd highest mark in the league. It came with a 3.6 degree launch, but he has the type of power that is launch proof (13 homers in 98 games), and he’s never had any major groundball issues in the minors, so that number is only coming up. He also has elite speed with 35 steals and a 30.5 ft/sec sprint speed which was tied for the fastest man in baseball with Bobby Witt. I always say, “if you can’t take risks in fantasy, where can you take risks,” and I’m not even sure Elly is as risky as people think. I’m all in. 2024 Projection: 91/25/85/.244/.317/.452/52 Prime Projection: 103/33/109/.261/.337/.506/65

10) Yordan Alvarez HOU, OF, 26.9 – The only two categories Yordan isn’t a beast in are games played and steals. He dealt with left hand soreness in March that delayed the start of his spring training, he missed about a week in April with a neck injury, and he missed almost 2 months in June and July with an oblique injury. It limited him to just 114 games. The surgeries he’s gotten on both of his knees are also still fresh in everyone’s mind, but the fact that none of his issues had to do with his knees is encouraging to me. He played in 135 games in 2022 and 144 games in 2021. I think it’s one year too early to really slap him with the injury prone tag. And he’s too elite to be too risk averse with a career .978 OPS and a .440 xwOBA in 2023, which was the 3rd best mark in the league behind only Judge and Acuna. I’m not getting too hung up on the injury risk quite yet. 2024 Projection: 94/37/111/.296/.403/.589/1

11) Luis Robert CHW, OF, 26.8 – While many were jumping ship after a down and injured 2022, I kept the faith by ranking Robert 30th overall, and he responded with the type of year we all knew he was capable of, slashing .264/.315/.542 with 38 homers, 20 steals, and a 28.9%/5.0% K%/BB% in 145 games. He laughed in the face of chase rate (40.5%) and chased his way to a career best 15.4% barrel%. His speed bounced back with a top 16% sprint speed, and he played in a career high 145 games. I wish I could say he is now completely out of the woods and we can trust him completely, but the injury black cloud always seems to be lurking. His season ended on September 24th with a sprained MCL in his knee which would have kept him out for up to a month if the season didn’t end a week later. He also dealt with hamstring, quad, calf, hip, and finger injuries throughout the season. Rostering Robert definitely feels like playing Press Your Luck, begging to avoid any whammies (no whammies, no whammies, no whammies, STOP). Robert is elite enough where you can’t live completely in fear of his next injury, but projecting him for a fully healthy season feels optimistic. 2024 Projection: 88/32/84/.268/.320/.528/19

12) Aaron Judge NYY, OF, 31.11 – Judge’s 97.6 MPH EV is the highest average exit velocity in the history of Statcast. The only years Judge didn’t lead the league in average exit velocity was 2015 when he was in the minors, and 2020 during the shortened season. His .468 xwOBA not only led the league, and it wasn’t only a career high, it was the highest xwOBA amongst qualified hitters in history if you take out 2020 (Soto put up a .475 xwOBA that season in 49 games). And he did all of this while gutting it out in the 2nd half with a torn ligament in his big toe which knocked him out for almost 2 months in June and July. He isn’t expected to need surgery this off-season, which is a good sign, and he had a 1.066 OPS in September, so I’m inclined to not harp too much on the injury. 2024 Projection: 121/46/119/.283/.405/.594/9

13) Bryce Harper PHI, 1B, 31.6 – Harper was nice enough to leave zero doubt that his power will fully return to prime form in 2024 coming off Tommy John surgery. After hitting just 3 homers in first 58 games, he turned it around by launching 23 homers in his final 79 games, including the postseason. He returned way ahead of schedule anyway, so it’s not surprising he wasn’t fully healthy until the 2nd half. I would expect your typical elite Harper season in 2024, and he strikes me as the type of all time great that will be raking deep into his 30’s. 2024 Projection: 107/35/100/.289/.400/.540/14

Shadow13) Shohei Ohtani LAD, DH only/Weekly Leagues, 29.9 – This is where I would rank Ohtani in weekly leagues or as a hitter only. 2024 Projection: 96/33/94/.277/.380/.538/18

14) Mookie Betts LAD, 2B/OF, 31.6 – Betts played 70 games at 2B in 2023 and it was announced he will be LA’s starting 2B moving forward. He immediately becomes the best 2B in baseball. He is in the midst of a later career power surge, which makes up for his declining speed. After hitting a career high 35 homers in 2022, he topped that in 2023 by jacking out 39 dingers. His 92.4 MPH EV and 20.6 degree launch were both career highs, and his 48.5% Hard Hit% was the 2nd best mark of his career. As I mentioned, his speed is declining with a bottom 47% of the league sprint speed, but he still used his wiles to nab 14 bags. He may not be in his physical prime anymore, but Betts proved in 2023 that he has plenty of years of elite production left in him. 2024 Projection: 120/34/91/.290/.381/.536/13

15) Jose Ramirez CLE, 3B, 31.6 – Mookie Betts’ beastly season is a reminder that not every year can be a banger. It wasn’t Ramirez’ best season with only 24 homers in 156 games, but there is absolutely nothing in the underlying numbers that would be concerning in the slightest, and we know his power is fine after watching him drop Anderson on a single punch. He’s also not slowing down on the bases at all with 28 steals. Even in a down-ish year, he still finished 29th overall on the Razzball Player Rater. 2024 Projection: 94/31/101/.281/.360/.511/26

16) Michael Harris ATL, OF, 23.1 – Harris’ surface stats took a step back in his 2nd year in the bigs with a .808 OPS in 2023 vs. a .853 OPS in 2022, but his underlying numbers actually showed a player who was improving. His contact rates took a big step forward with a 18.7% K% (24.3% in 2022), his EV took a 1.4 MPH jump to 90.9 MPH, his launch increased by 3.1 degrees to 7.6, and his xwOBA increased by .020 to .355. He hit .293 with 18 homers and 20 steals in 138 games, and he was even better in his final 100 games with a .912 OPS. He still needs to improve his plate approach with a 4.6% BB%, but Harris cemented his status as a near elite dynasty asset in 2023. 2024 Projection: 91/23/82/.287/.333/.480/27

17) Trea Turner PHI, SS, 30.9 – I was pounding the table to buy low on Turner all season, but he came on too strong at the end of the year to get any discount on him this off-season. He slashed .339/.391/.677 with 16 homers, 9 steals and 16.9% K% in his final 47 games, and he’s currently destroying the playoffs with a 222 wRC+ in 11 games. He had a .656 OPS in his first 108 games. He also hasn’t lost even half a step with the 4th fastest sprint speed in the game. That buy low window slammed shut hard at the trade deadline. 2024 Projection: 105/25/83/.289/.340/.481/35

18) Jackson Chourio MIL, OF, 20.1 – Baseball now uses minor leaguers like guinea pigs, testing out every hairbrained idea they have all willy nilly, and Chourio got caught in the crosshairs of it. The Southern League used a pre-tacked ball for the first half of the season, and Chourio put up a lowly .714 OPS in 71 games. When they went back to the regular ball, he immediately went gangbusters, slashing .324/.379/.538 with 11 homers, 21 steals, and a 13.4%/8.0% K%/BB% in 57 games. He closed out the season at Triple-A where he put up a 4.2%/8.3% K%/BB% in 6 games. He did all of this as a 19 year old. The power/speed combo is plus to double plus, and it sure looks like his contact rates are entering the elite range if you ignore what he did in the 1st half. Jackson Holliday seems to be the consensus #1 prospect in the game (and Wyatt Langford is the trendy #1 for fantasy), but if Chourio hit with the regular ball all season, I’m not so sure that would be the case. The main thing Holliday has over Chourio right now is plate approach, which makes him the safer prospect, but for fantasy, I gotta give the ever so slight edge to the power/speed combo. Milwaukee showed us they are all in by signing him to an 8 year, $82 million contract. It makes it much more likely that he will break camp with the team, and even if doesn’t, it won’t be long until he’s up for good. Chourio is my #1 fantasy prospect. 2024 Projection: 69/21/75/.258/.320/.469/25 Prime Projection: 101/32/104/.283/.353/.523/41

19) Jackson Holliday BAL, SS, 20.4 – Holliday’s power/speed combo really wasn’t that huge with only 12 homers and 24 steals (in 33 attempts) in 125 games spread across 4 levels (A, A+, AA, AAA). It dropped off even further in the upper minors with 5 homers and 4 steals in 54 games. It seems crazy to start his blurb off with criticism, but when the battle for the top prospect in the game is so close, it needs to be highlighted. Now that we got that out of the way, Holliday had an absolutely insane season where he slashed .323/.442/.499 with a 20.3%/17.4% K%/BB%. He was in high school last year, and he displayed one of the most advanced plate approaches of any prospect all the way through Triple-A. This is why everyone drools over kids with baseball bloodlines, they tend to be far advanced beyond their years. As I mentioned, the power isn’t fully developed yet with relatively low flyball rates, but he hits the ball hard with a 30.2% Hard Hit% and a 90.9 MPH EV in 40 batted balls at Triple-A, so I’m not concerned about the power long term. He has the safety edge over Chourio, but it’s not like Chourio is a risky prospect, so Holliday slots in at #2 for me. 2024 Projection: 78/16/71/.270/.339/.441/20 Prime Projection: 117/27/94/.296/.382/.506/28

20) Wyatt Langford TEX, OF, 22.5 – I have Chourio, Holliday, and Langford in a tier of their own atop my Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings. The only reason Langford is 3rd is because Chourio/Holliday have a longer professional track record and more impressive age to level production. But his power, speed, hit tool, plate approach, and production can rival anyone’s. He was selected 4th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft on the back of elite production in the SEC, slashing .373/.498/.784 with 21 homers, 9 steals, and a 44/56 K/BB in 64 games. He clearly separated himself from Dylan Crews in his pro debut, slashing .360/.480/.677 with 10 homers, 12 steals, and a 17.0%/18.0% K%/BB% in 44 games, and he was equally as dominant in the upper minors as he was the lower minors. He’s the total package, and if you wanted to rank him 1st overall on prospects rankings, I wouldn’t argue with you. 2024 Projection: 81/26/77/.262/.338/.479/18 Prime Projection: 103/34/109/.277/.364/.535/24

21) Spencer Strider ATL, RHP, 25.5 – If Strider’s 3.86 ERA opens up even the smallest buy window, I would be all over it. He had a 3.04 xERA, 2.92 xFIP, and 2.86 SIERA. His 22 homers against weren’t bad at all, so you can’t even blame a homer problem. ERA is just about the least predictive stat there is. He got unlucky. Simple as that. His 36.8%% K% led the league by a large margin, and strikeouts are king in fantasy. Glasnow was 2nd at 33.4% and Skubal was 3rd at 32.9%. His control continued to improve with an above average 7.6% BB%, and he proved he can handle a full workload with 186.2 IP. He also led the league in wins with 20, and while that was partly due to good luck, Atlanta is a perennial winner, so he should continue to be among the league leaders there. He was the #1 fantasy pitcher in 2024, and considering his age and strikeout upside, he’s in a tier of his own as the easy #1 overall pitcher in dynasty. 2024 Projection: 16/3.18/1.04/266 in 182 IP

22) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. TOR, 1B, 25.0 – Vlad got very unlucky in 2023. His .374 xwOBA (top 7% of the league) vs. .340 wOBA was the 8th largest differential in baseball, and this is the first year he’s ever underperformed his underlying numbers, so this isn’t a trend for him. He crushes the ball with a 92.1 MPH EV, he makes near elite contact with a 14.7% K%, and he raised his launch to a career high 10.5 degrees. With that type of profile, he simply can’t be held down for long. The only thing rattling around my head that gives me some pause is that the only season he really had a beastly year, 2021, was the year he played over half his home games at their spring training ballpark and Triple-A ballpark, both of which played like extreme hitter’s parks. If you take that year out of the equation, he’s really yet to display the ability to be a truly elite fantasy player, but at the end of the day (and the beginning of the day), the underlying numbers don’t lie. He looks setup for a big 2024. 2024 Projection: 92/31/101/.286/.359/.507/6

23) Rafael Devers BOS, 3B, 27.5 – There is no fancy analysis needed for Devers. He rips the ball (93.1 MPH) with a swing geared for both power and average (12.4 degree launch). His plate approach has also slowly been improving with a career best 19.2%/9.5% K%/BB%. The guy is as safe and consistent as they come. 2024 Projection: 93/34/106/.280/.358/.513/5

24) Austin Riley ATL, 3B, 27.0 – Riley is Devers’ righthanded brother from another mother. The plate approach might only be average-ish, but he rips the ball (92.3 MPH EV) with a swing geared for both power and average (13.5 degree launch). He’s averaging 36 homers with a .285 BA over his last 3 seasons. 2024 Projection: 97/36/102/.274/.347/.519/3

25) Freddie Freeman LAD, 1B, 34.7 – The only question with the 34 year old Freeman is how much longer can he keep it up. I’m ranking him this high because I’m betting on him being productive deep into his 30’s, but he was the 3rd overall fantasy player this year, so this ranking does actually include an age discount. He showed zero signs of decline in 2023 with a .409 xwOBA which was in the top 2% of the league. He’s never had an xwOBA that wasn’t in at least the top 4% of the league in the Statcast era. He’s possibly the most consistently great hitter of his generation. He also took advantage of the new rules with a career high by far 23 steals. Certainly in win now mode Freeman isn’t going anywhere, but even in a rebuild I wouldn’t feel that much pressure to move him. 2024 Projection: 120/30/101/.313/.396/.528/18

26) Francisco Lindor NYM, SS, 30.5 – Lindor put up the quietest 30/30 (actually 31/31) season of all time. He somehow found the fountain of youth with career best power numbers and a major speed bounce back. He notched career bests in EV (91.2 MPH), Barrel% (10.4%), and launch angle (19.2 degrees). His sprint speed hit a 5 year high of 28.2 ft/sec, and he took advantage of the new rules with a career high 31 steals. He managed to do all of this with a bone spur in his elbow which required surgery this off-season, but with how many guys rake right through torn UCL’S and barely miss any time after getting Tommy John surgery, I’m not even sure you need elbows at all to hit. 2024 Projection: 100/30/96/.258/.337/.475/26

27) Matt Olson ATL, 1B, 30.0 – Olson led the league in homers with 54. Schwarber’s 47 was a distant 2nd. His already double plus power leveled up to truly elite levels with a career high in Barrel% (16.4%), EV (93.7 MPH), Max EV (118.6 MPH), Hard Hit% (55.5%) and xwOBA (.394). His .283 BA was probably on the lucky side with a .263 xBA, but the days of being concerned about his hit tool are over with a 23.2%/14.% K%/BB%. 2023 strikes me as a career year, but Olson is one of the premier power hitters in baseball. 2024 Projection: 104/42/119/.267/.368/.549/1

28) Gunnar Henderson BAL, SS/3B, 22.9 – If Gunnar took advantage of the new stolen base rules like almost everyone else, Gunnar vs. Carroll would still look very close today, but he only attempted 13 steals in 150 games. It’s not like he couldn’t have run more with a 28.8 ft/sec sprint and a solid 77% success rate, so if he just decides to start running more in 2024, he could quickly rise up the dynasty rankings even further. Even with the modest steal totals, there is a ton to love, led by how hard he crushes the ball. His 92 MPH EV is in the top 9% of the league, and he unsurprisingly raised his launch angle much higher than in his MLB debut in 2022 (2 degrees) with an 11.4 degree launch. He also cemented the huge jump his hit tool took in 2022 with a 25.6%/9.0% K%/BB% this year. It all led to a 123 wRC+ with 28 homers. The only issue he hasn’t corrected is his struggles vs. lefties with a .618 OPS, but Baltimore looks committed to playing him everyday and not turning him into a platoon guy, so I have faith he will hit them well enough over time. Keep in mind he will still be only 22 at the start of next season. 2024 Projection: 97/30/91/.266/.341/.506/15

29) Corey Seager TEX, SS, 29.11 – I ranked Seager 38th overall last off-season, starting his Top 1,000 blurb by writing, “Seager doesn’t get the respect he deserves in the fantasy world,” and I ended it by writing, “If he hits .300 next year with 35 homers it wouldn’t be surprising at all.” He blew past even my high expectations with a .327 BA and an over 40 homer pace if he didn’t miss time. If you include the postseason, he hit almost exactly 35 homers in 136 games (36 homers). He’s an elite hitter with a 93.3 MPH EV, 13 degree launch, .413 xwOBA, and 16.4%/9.1% K%/BB%. Nobody will be underrating him anymore, but the only snafu is that he underwent hernia surgery in late January, which puts the start of his season in question. It doesn’t impact his dynasty value too much, but he’s about to enter his 30’s, and injuries like this can start to take their toll. 2024 Projection: 89/32/98/.291/.369/.538/2

30) Pete Alonso NYM, 1B, 29.5 – Alonso’s .205 BABIP was dead last among qualified hitters. He has a career .259 BABIP and he had a .279 BABIP in 2022. Point being, his .217 BA is going to bounce back in a big way in 2024, especially considering he has no contact issues with a 22.9%/9.9% K%/BB%. What you’re buying is the elite power anyway, and it was in prime form with 46 homers (3rd most in the league). If that low BA opens up even a crack of buy low value, jump on it. 2024 Projection: 94/42/120/.253/.346/.516/4

31) Ozzie Albies ATL, 2B, 27.3 – I kept the faith on Albies after his down year in 2022, ranking him 40th overall on the Top 1,000 Rankings, and closed out his blurb by writing, “The bottom line is that both the surface and underlying numbers look bad, but his youth and track record is strong enough to overlook it. I seriously doubt he’s all of a sudden not that good.” He rewarded my faith by having a major bounce back in 2023 with a career high 33 homers and career high 124 wRC+. The only thing that didn’t bounce back was his sprint speed which sat at a mediocre 27.5 ft/sec. It resulted in only 13 steals in a year where steals exploded, and while he’s been a very successful base stealer in his career, he was never the type to truly run a ton. 2024 Projection: 98/29/93/.268/.327/.485/15

32) Bo Bichette TOR, SS, 26.1 – Bichette’s speed and launch angle are both headed in the wrong direction. He’s putting up old man sprint speeds at just 25 years old with a bottom 42% of the league mark. His sprint speed was in the top 17% of the league in 2019. He missed time with knee tendinitis in August, so maybe that played a role, but his sprint speed was also way down in 2022. It resulted in only 5 steals in 135 games. That seriously cuts down his upside because he’s not a monster home run hitter either with a career worst 6.2 degree launch that resulted in 20 homers. It’s not all bad news though as Bichette still hits the ball very hard with a 90.2 MPH EV and he still makes a ton of contact with a 19.1% K%. His .361 xwOBA was actually a career high. he had a .306 BA and he’s never had a BA under .290 in his 5 year career. BA guys are not my favorite to go after for fantasy, but I’m not willing to classify Bichette as “BA guy” quite yet. Development isn’t linear, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him faster with a higher launch in 2024, and even if he doesn’t improve in those areas, he’s still an impact fantasy hitter. 2024 Projection: 89/25/94/.296/.340/.483/12

33) Royce Lewis MIN, 3B, 24.9 – Royce goes in for ACL surgeries like he’s going in for a tune-up, because he always comes right back firing on all cylinders. He showed double plus power with 19 homers in 64 games (including the playoffs) on the back of a 95.1 MPH FB/LD EV, a 114 MPH Max EV (top 10% of the league), and a 16.2 degree launch. He still has above average to plus speed with a 28.2 ft/sec sprint despite the knee injuries (6 steals), and his plate approach, which was once a bit of a concern as a prospect, was about average with a 23%/8.4% K%/BB%. It all led to a 155 wRC+ in 58 games. When he’s on the field, he’s done nothing but destroy levels since 2022. I implored you to keep buying through the knee surgeries, writing in last years Top 1,000, “I named Lewis a player to target last off-season, imploring you to buy the dip coming off a torn ACL. Now it’s deja vu all over again with Lewis once again down with a torn ACL, and once again I’m imploring you to buy the dip.” … so hopefully you already have him on your team. If not for the added injury risk, which I think you have to at least consider, he might have ranked 15 spots higher. 2024 Projection: 77/29/88/.272/.339/.485/16

34) Jazz Chisholm MIA, OF, 26.2 – Jazz was on pace to go 30/30 if he played a full season (19/22 in 97 games). I know “if he played a full season” is the big question mark as he’s yet to play more than 124 games in his 3 year career, but we would have been talking about him as Top 10 dynasty asset if he played in 140+ games. Ranking him at “only” 33rd overall is the injury discount, and the discount is necessary because unfortunately the injury risk is real. A turf toe injury in May kept him out for 6 weeks which required surgery after the season. He’s expected to be fully healthy going into 2024, but a pretty major surgery during the off-season where he won’t be able to run for at least 3 months isn’t optimal. He also hit the IL for a month during the season with an oblique strain. He played in only 60 games in 2022 and needed surgery on his back and knee that year. The injuries are piling up, but he’ll only be 26 on opening day, and he still has his plus power/speed combo with a 90.4 MPH EV and 28.4 ft/sec sprint. The 30.8%/6.8% K%/BB% isn’t great, but his 27% chase% is slightly above average, and he has a career .245 BA in 1,193 PA, so I’m not too worried about the hit tool tanking. Jazz is one healthy season away from being talked about with the best in the fantasy game. 2024 Projection: 74/26/79/.247/.315/.462/28

35) Jordan Walker STL, OF, 21.10 – The vibe seems to be that Jordan Walker was a bust, or at least a disappointment, but in my book, his value took a jump in 2023. He was a 20/21 year old in the majors who put up a well above average 116 wRC+ in 117 games. He hit the ball hard with an 89.4 MPH EV, he had plus speed with a 28.6 ft/sec sprint, he had an average plate approach with a 22.4%/8.0% K%/BB%, and all the hand wringing over his launch angle early in the season proved to be unfounded with a solid 10.2 degree launch. We can’t expect every prospect to immediately put up MVP numbers when we demand they get called up as 19/20/21 year olds. Being an above average MLB hitter at Walker’s age is extremely, extremely impressive, and for me, it puts him right on track to become the beast we all thought he would be last off-season. 2024 Projection: 87/26/85/.271/.340/.469/15 Prime Projection: 98/31/102/.279/.356/.513/17

36) Junior Caminero TBR, 3B/SS, 20.9 – Caminero was a popular breakout pick this year (me included), and he more than lived up to the consensus hype by going full phenom beast mode. He made a mockery of High-A pitching with 11 homers and a 190 wRC+ in 36 games, and then he barely slowed down at Double-A with 20 homers and a 140 wRC+ in 81 games. He even improved his plate approach at Double-A with a 17.1%/9.1% K%/BB% (25.2%/6.3% at High-A). He completed the phenom cycle by jumping straight from Double-A to the majors as a 20 year old for a cup of coffee (he ordered the cold brew with a .631 OPS in 36 PA, but it obviously doesn’t mean much). His calling card is double plus power with a good feel to hit that reminds me of a righty version of Rafael Devers. And while he didn’t run a ton (5 for 10 on the bases), he put up a 28.6 ft/sec sprint speed in the majors, so he’ll certainly contribute in the category at the least. Tampa Bay is forever crowded, but a player like Caminero forces the issue. 2024 Projection: 47/17/54/.260/.323/.462/5 Prime Projection: 96/35/109/.284/.349/.525/10

37) Eury Perez MIA, RHP, 21.0 – Perez is going to be one of the greatest pitchers we’ve ever seen. He’s 6’8”, 220 pounds with a 97.5 MPH fastball and 3 double plus to elite secondaries. The slider notched a 47.7% whiff% and .226 xwOBA, the curve notched a 54.3% whiff% and .216 xwOBA, and the changeup notched a 46.2% whiff% and .161 xwOBA. He was 20 years old in the majors and put up a pitching line of 3.15/1.13/108/31 in 91.1 IP. The 33.7% whiff% is elite. He’s never had control problems in his career and that will probably end up plus too. The only thing that could stop him is injuries, which unfortunately has to be factored in for all young flamethrowers who have yet to throw a full MLB workload (128 IP is his career high). 2024 Projection: 12/3.36/1.09/193 in 160 IP Prime Projection: 16/2.82/0.96/240 in 180 IP

38) Randy Arozarena TBR, OF, 29.1 – Arozarena couldn’t maintain his blistering start to the season with a much better 1st half (.855 OPS) than 2nd half (.700 OPS), but it all evened out to a typical Arozarena season. He put up a 126 wRC+ in 2023, a 124 wRC+ in 2022, and a 127 wRC+ in 2021. He went at least 20/20 in each season. The man is consistent. He hits the ball very hard (91.7 MPH EV), he put up a career best 11.3 degree launch, he doesn’t have strikeout issues (23.9% K%), he has plus speed (28.4 ft/sec sprint), and he gets on base with a career best 12.2% BB%. That’s a near elite fantasy asset. 2024 Projection: 92/22/84/.260/.355/.442/27

39) Cody Bellinger FRA, OF/1B, 28.9 – Bellinger massively improved his contact rates with a career best 15.6% K% (27.3% in 2022) and career best 20.1% whiff% (27.2% in 2022). It led to a major bounce back season, slashing .307/.356/.525 with 26 homers, 20 steals, and a 15.6%/7.2% K%/BB% in 130 games. It wasn’t only the improved contact rates, he should also thank MLB for the juicier balls as his lowly 91 MPH FB/LD EV with a 17.2 degree launch likely wouldn’t have gotten the job done in 2022 with the dead balls. His 20 steals were a career high (thank you new rules) and his .319 BABIP was a career high (thank you no shift). Was Bellinger on the rules committee this off-season? He was certainly on the lucky side with a .370 wOBA vs. .331 xwOBA, but as long as the ball and rules stay the same, his contact/speed/lift profile should provide very nice fantasy numbers. 2024 Projection: 84/28/91/.268/.327/.470/17

40) Adolis Garcia TEX, OF, 31.1 – Everybody was scared off by the terrible plate approach, so Garcia went ahead and made massive improvements to it. His BB% rose 4.2 percentage points to a well above average 10.3% and his chase rate dropped 8 percentage points to a nearly average 29.3%. That’s remarkable, and it’s a reminder that a player’s plate approach tends to improve as they gain experience, hence why it’s often called a “mature” plate approach. The improved patience didn’t take away any of his power with 39 homers, a 92.1 MPH EV, and a 15.7 degree launch. The only quibble with his season is that his sprint speed dropped considerably to 27.3 ft/sec, and he stole only 9 bags in 10 attempts. With the speed decline and age, it’s hard to predict a major bounce back there, but the maturing at the dish more than makes up for it as he gets deeper into his 30’s. 2024 Projection: 94/35/103/.254/.330/.505/13

41) Evan Carter TEX, OF, 21.7 – The only question is how much power will Carter get to, because the plate approach and speed are impregnable at this point. He’s a line drive hitter who didn’t exactly smash the ball in the minors, although a 89/95.8 MPH AVG/FB EV in his 75 PA MLB debut shows he’s not some light hitting weakling. He’s also 6’4”, 190 pounds and only 21 years old, so more raw power is certainly coming. He hit 12 homers in 105 games at mostly Double-A (133 wRC+), then he set the baseball world on fire by hitting 5 homers in his first 23 games in the majors (180 wRC+), and finally he closed out the year with 1 homer in 17 playoff games (155 wRC+). That’s 18 homers in 145 games. If he can just get to about 25 homers in his prime, the man is going to be a terror. The speed is double plus with a 29.5 ft/sec sprint speed (31 steals overall), and the plate approach is elite. He had a 9% chase% in his MLB debut and he’s been an elite plate approach guy his entire career in the minors. He struggles vs. lefties, but just like with Gunnar Henderson last year, I wouldn’t let that scare you off an elite prospect. The downside is a .260 hitter with 15 homers and 25 steals, which isn’t that bad, and the upside is a .280/25/35 guy. 2024 Projection: 87/18/72/.263/.334/.429/26 Prime Projection: 105/24/80/.278/.367/.468/31

42) Oneil Cruz PIT, SS, 25.6 – Cruz was showing major plate approach gains, in an admittingly small sample, before a broken ankle from a home plate collision ended his season. He had a 20%/17.5% BB% K%/BB% in 9 games after putting up a 34.9%/7.8% K%/BB% in 2022. It was a very small sample, but it’s what I expected to happen as Cruz never showed that level of plate approach issues in the minors. Super tall players will always have some swing and miss in their game, but that is acceptable when the talent is huge, and Cruz most certainly has huge talent with an at least plus power/speed combo. If the injury creates any type of discount, I would be all over it. 2024 Projection:  78/27/83/.251/.333/.471/20

43) Jordan Lawlar ARI, SS, 21.8 – I would completely ignore what Lawlar did in his super small sample, 34 PA MLB debut. Don’t even look at his Statcast page, it will only get in your head. Your focus should be on the pitchers he laid waste to in the upper minors. He slashed .278/.378/.496 with 20 homers, 36 steals, and a 20.6%/11.4% K%/BB% in 105 games at Double-A and Triple-A. His contact rates took a big step forward from 2022 (25.1% K%), he has truly elite speed with a 30.1 ft/sec sprint speed, and he hit the ball fairly hard, especially for a 20 year old, with a 31.8% Hard Hit%. He’s 6’2”, 190 pounds with room to add more muscle, so the power is only going up from here. He has legitimate Top 10 dynasty asset potential. 2024 Projection: 69/14/55/.248/.317/.410/25 Prime Projection: 103/24/84/.273/.351/.470/38

44) Gerrit Cole NYY, RHP, 33.7 – Cole’s strikeouts took a major step back in 2023, and that lasted throughout the entire season. His K% was down 5.4 percentage points to 27% and his whiff% was down 7.9% to 26%. The whiffs were down on all of his pitches. He still performed like a true ace with pitching line of 2.63/0.98/222/48 in 209 IP, and the stuff was still huge with a 96.7 MPH fastball, but his 3.48 xERA, 3.60 xFIP, and 3.63 SIERA all say he got lucky. With an elite stud like Cole who has a long track record, you don’t want to slice and dice the numbers too much, but he will be 33 next year, and everyone is human. Even if the strikeouts don’t bounce back, he’s as safe as an ace as there is (say that 10 times fast), but there are some indications he might be coming back to the pack a bit. 2024 Projection: 15/3.27/1.05/230 in 200 IP

45) Matt McLain CIN, 2B/SS, 24.8 – While we’re all drooling over AFL breakouts right now, here is a reminder that McLain tanked in the AFL in 2022 with a .190 BA and 31.2% K%, before becoming one of the biggest MLB breakouts in 2023. He slashed .290/.357/.507 with 16 homers, 14 steals, and a 28.5%/7.7% K%/BB% in 89 games. He obliterated Triple-A too with a 184 wRC+ in 40 games. He has double plus speed with a 29 ft/sec sprint and he has above average power with a 89.3 MPH EV and 13.8 degree launch. His plate approach wasn’t great with a 28.5%/7.7% K%/BB% in the majors, but his chase rate was above average at 25.4%, and his 28% whiff% shows he isn’t going to have any major contact issues. He also had a 20.6%/16.7% K%/BB% in the minors. And the cherry on top is that he is a good defensive player, so he should be safe from the playing time crunch. McLain is the real deal. 2024 Projection: 87/26/83/.269/.343/.468/24

46) Anthony Volpe NYY, SS, 22.11 – Volpe might be easier to acquire this off-season than he was last off-season, which is wild, but is also par for the course in dynasty leagues. If rookies don’t immediately Corbin Carroll the league, people get discouraged and throw the bust label around. In reality, Volpe’s value should be considerably higher after the year he just had. Not only did he go 20/20 (21/24), but all of the underlying numbers are screaming a future breakout is coming with a 9% barrel%, 88.7 MPH EV, 14.2 degree launch, and 28.4 ft/sec sprint speed. The 27.8%/8.7% K%/BB% wasn’t great, but it’s far from the danger zone, and it’s really not bad for a 21/22 year old who had 99 total PA at Triple-A coming into the year. If cold hard numbers aren’t your thing, Volpe even has Black Magic on his side. His OPS was the number of the beast, .666. I don’t know what is going to happen to Volpe’s soul, but the Devil keeps his promises. Max Kepler was the only player to have a .666 OPS in 2022, and this season he had the highest wRC+ of his career at 124 (.816 OPS). Literally all signs, both natural and supernatural, are pointing towards a big 2024 for Volpe. He’s an easy target. 2024 Projection: 81/25/79/.245/.316/.451/31

47) Jose Altuve HOU, 2B, 33.11 – Altuve was in prime form yet again with a 154 wRC+, .311 BA, 17 homers and 14 steals in 90 games. A broken thumb delayed the start of his season until mid May, and an oblique injury kept him out for most of July, but he was no worse for the wear when on the field. The only crack in the armor is a career low by far 26.9 ft/sec sprint (28.1 ft/sec in 2022). It didn’t stop him from running, but it is the first sign of a true physical decline. He’s been so dominant the last 2 years I almost want to ignore his age and speed decline, but how much longer can the 5’6” Altuve maintain his elite production? 2024 Projection: 101/28/73/.285/.371/.496/19

48) Corbin Burnes BAL, RHP, 29.5 – Burnes had one of the best disappointing seasons of all time. I guess that is what happens when expectations are through the roof. He put up a pitching line of 3.39/1.07/200/66 in 193.2 IP, but it still feels like he was a bust somehow. The 25.5% K% was 5 percentage points lower than 2022 and 11.2 percentage points lower than his peak. His 8.4% BB% was 2 percentage points higher than 2022 and 3.2 percentage points higher than his peak. His velocity was down a tick or two on all of his pitches, and his most used pitch, the cutter (55.4% usage), put up a career worst by far 22.7% whiff%. It sure seems like his days of being so far out in front of the pack are over, but this current iteration of him is still damn good. The trade to Baltimore doesn’t really impact his dynasty value is any meaningful way in either direction. 2024 Projection: 15/3.21/1.03/218 in 190 IP

49) CJ Abrams WAS, SS, 23.6 – It’s almost like they made the new rules and new ball specifically for Abrams. The juicier ball helped his below average power play up (87.4 MPH EV with 18 homers), the banned shift helped lefties the most (all lefties saw their BA increase from .239 in 2022 to .249 in 2023), and the bigger bases/pickoff rules sparked him to start running a ton again (7 steals in 2022 vs. 47 steals in 2023). It wasn’t only the new rules though, he also leveled up by increasing his barrel%, EV, launch, and BB%. Even with all of those gains, he was still a below average hitter with a 90 wRC+, and while he has the type of power/speed combo to thrive in fantasy while being a bad real life hitter, that profile has a way of catching up to you. Considering he’s still only 23 years old, and proved his ability to make meaningful improvements in 2023, I’m betting on him continuing to improve and becoming the fantasy beast we all expected when he was an elite prospect. 2024 Projection: 87/17/71/.267/.321/.430/42

50) Pablo Lopez MIN, RHP, 28.1 – Lopez’ 4-seamer exploded with a 1.4 MPH velocity bump to 94.9 MPH and it immediately turned into one of the best 4-seamers in the game with a 31.5% whiff%. His sweeper, changeup, and curve are all above average to plus pitches that miss bats. His control is plus with a 6% BB% and he induces weak contact with an 87.1 MPH EV against. He definitely broke out in 2023 with a 3.66 ERA and 29.2% K% in 194 IP, but he’s been a really, really good pitcher since 2020, so it’s more of him staying healthy and leveling up. He’s a complete ace. 2024 Projection: 14/3.35/1.13/220 in 185 IP

51) Triston Casas BOS, 1B, 24.3 – Casas has the potential to become one of the next great all around 1B mashers, and we saw what that could look like in the 2nd half of 2023. He slashed .317/.417/.617 with 15 homers and a 23.4%/14.2% K%/BB% in his final 54 games. He smashes the ball with a 91.1/95.2 MPH AVG/FB EV, he lifts the ball with a 15.7 degree launch, he hit lefties well with a .817 OPS, he has no contact issues, and he’s an OBP beast. His .371 xwOBA was in the top 8% of the league, and that includes his slow start. He also hits in a great ballpark. The 1B position is starting to age a bit with Votto, Goldy, and Freeman all getting up there, and I think Casas has the upside to be in the next generation of greats to take their place. I don’t think he will get quite the respect he deserves this off-season. 2024 Projection: 93/32/94/.273/.375/.520/1

52) Manny Machado SDP, 3B, 31.9 – I’ve been all over Machado’s every other year voodoo thing that’s happening. Here is what I wrote in his 2023 Top 1,000 blurb, “I could do an extensive analysis of the underlying numbers, but I’m afraid there are larger forces at play here. Who am I to question the universe? Machado is due for one of his good but not standout seasons in 2023” … hah! I mean, he literally had one of his good but not standout seasons with a 114 wRC+ in 138 games. I don’t even want to waste my time going through all the numbers, we all know what’s going to happen. He’s due for a beastly 2024. 2024 Projection: 86/32/98/.274/.336/.490/8

53) Mike Trout LAA, OF, 32.8 – It was another injury plagued year for Trout with only 82 games played. Nobody can be surprised by that, can they? This year it was a hamate fracture in his wrist which required surgery and effectively ended his season on July 3rd. He’s averaged 79 games over his past 3 years. It’s not only the missed games, the injuries seem to be taking a toll on his performance as it looks like he’s entering a decline phase. The power still looks great with 18 homers and a 91.9 MPH EV, but the .263 BA and 28.7% K% were both career worsts, and a continuation of a decline from 2022. His 12.4% BB% is also much lower than his prime years. He’s still very fast with a 29.5 ft/sec sprint, and while he’s long since stopped running, it shows he hasn’t fallen off a cliff athletically. If he can stay on the field, he should still put up big power numbers at the least, but he simply hasn’t been able to stay on the field. 2024 Projection: 88/35/86/.273/.371/.538/4

54) George Kirby SEA, RHP, 26.2 – Kirby’s 2.5% BB% didn’t only lead all qualified starters, it led all pitchers with more than 24 IP. Elite control isn’t high enough praise. He has generational control. And he uses that generational control to dominate with a fastball heavy profile led by a 96.1 MPH double plus 4-seamer. Neither of his breaking balls generate many whiffs, but his slider induces weak contact, and he’s incorporating a splitter more which killed it with a .202 xwOBA and 35.7% whiff%. He didn’t start throwing the splitter until the 2nd half, and his strikeout totals immediately ticked up. He was great in 2023 with a pitching line of 3.35/1.04/172/19 in 190.2 IP, and I think he’s going to take another step forward in 2024. 2024 Projection: 14/3.31/1.02/183 in 185 IP

55) Yoshinobu Yamamoto LAD, RHP, 25.7 – The Dodgers made Yamamoto the highest paid pitcher in history with a 12 year, $325 million contract (plus a $50 million posting fee). That is really all you need to know. He’s expected to be a true ace right from the get go, and signing with the best developmental team in the game also takes a lot of the risk out of his transition to a new ball, new country, new league etc … He’s been a true ace in Japan for years now, and that continued this year with a pitching line of 1.16/0.86/176/28 in 171 IP. He pitched 193 innings in both 2021 and 2022, so there also isn’t any concern of how many innings he can pitch. The fastball sits mid 90’s and regularly hits the upper 90’s. A nasty splitter is his most used secondary, and he also throws a very good curve, 2-seamer, and cutter. He has elite command over all of his pitches, and he has an unique, oddly athletic delivery which he varies constantly to mess with hitters timing. He’s a straight up nightmare to face, and looks like a ready made ace. 2024 Projection: 14/3.42/1.11/195 in 180 IP

56) Zack Wheeler PHI, RHP, 33.10 – Not only isn’t the 33 year old Wheeler slowing down, he’s reaching new levels with a career best 28.6% whiff% and 5% BB%. The stuff is in peak form too with his 95.8 MPH fastball notching a career best .260 xwOBA and 31.4% whiff%. He even added a new pitch to his arsenal, the sweeper, and it was immediately a plus pitch with a .264 xwOBA and 39.2% whiff%. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? 2024 Projection: 14/3.28/1.06/208 in 190 IP

57) Luis Castillo SEA, RHP, 31.4 – Castillo’s 96.3 MPH 4-seam fastball was the third most valuable 4-seamer in the game (Cole and Gallen ranked 1st and 2nd), and his 33% whiff% on the pitch led all qualified starters. It led to another ace level season with a pitching line of 3.34/1.10/27.3%/7% in 197 IP. He’s a consistent, safe ace. 2024 Projection: 14/3.43/1.14/210 in 188 IP

58) Zac Gallen ARI, RHP, 28.8 – Gallen’s control has improved almost every season to the point he is nearly an elite control guy with a 5.6% BB%. His stuff isn’t overpowering, but it’s very good with 3 above average to plus pitches in his 93.6 MPH 4-seamer, curve (40.6% whiff%), and changeup (31.4% whiff%). He also mixes in a decent cutter and occasional slider. It was good for a pitching line of 3.47/1.12/220/47 in 210 IP. The stuff isn’t really on the level as some of the aces ranked above him, but he’s done nothing but produce in his career. 2024 Projection: 14/3.43/1.10/204 in 195 IP

59) Noelvi Marte CIN, 3B, 22.6 – Everyone called Marte fat and slow this off-season, so of course he put up double plus run times in the majors with a 29.1 ft/sec sprint speed. Be super wary of scouting speed grades as they are wildly inaccurate (see also, Henry Davis and Nolan Jones). Not only is he a speedster, but he crushed the ball with a 91.3 MPH EV, and the hit tool looked good with a 20.3% K% and .296 xBA in 123 MLB PA. It all resulted in a slash line of .316/.366/.456 with 3 homers, 6 steals, and a 20.3%/6.5% K%/BB%. He showed those same skills in the upper minors with 11 homers, 18 steals, and a .279 BA in 92 games. He did all of this as a 21-year-old. He’s fast, he hits it hard, he gets the bat on the ball, he produced in the upper minors, he produced in the majors, and he was super young. Quite simply, this is an elite fantasy prospect, and I’m not sure he gets the respect he deserves. 2024 Projection: 77/19/73/.261/.322/.431/22 Prime Projection: 96/27/91/.276/.354/.491/25

60) Dylan Crews WAS, OF, 22.1 – Starting this blurb with anything other than the 73 wRC+ and 0 homers Crews put up in 85 PA at Double-A would be beating around the bush, and you know me, I don’t beat around the bush. The performance was bad enough to have Wyatt Langford clearly pass him for the top spot in first year players drafts (Wyatt’s dominance also had something to do with that), and it might have me considering going with the ready made ace in Yoshinobu Yamamoto over him too, but that is where it ends. 85 PA isn’t enough to sour me on the 2nd overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Crews is built like a solid rock at 6’0”, 203 pounds, and he swings the bat so fast and powerfully it almost looks like he’s using an illegally light bat (he’s not, at least I don’t think he is ha). The ball explodes off it on contact. He obliterated the SEC from the second he stepped on campus as a freshman, and he kept on improving through his junior year, slashing .380/.498/.689 with 58 homers, 23 steals, and a 146/152 K/BB in 196 career games. He also destroyed the lower minors with a 192 wRC+ in 71 PA at Single-A. His floor feels like a 30+ homer bat without the best BA or tons of steals, but the ceiling is that of a truly elite dynasty player. 2024 Projection: 62/20/71/.257/.329/.473/12 Prime Projection: 94/32/103/.274/.361/.518/16

61) Jasson Dominguez NYY, OF, 21.2 – The backlash to Dominguez’ early career hype made it hard to hold the line, but I remained all in on Dominguez last off-season, ranking him 10th overall, and he more than delivered on that ranking this year. He hit 15 homers with 37 steals and a 25.6%/15.2% K%/BB% in 109 games at Double-A as a 20 year old. Then he quickly ran through Triple-A with a 180 wRC+ in 9 games, before finishing out his season with 4 homers and a 162 wRC+ in 8 games in the majors. Unfortunately, Tommy John surgery put a halt to what was sure to be insane hype this off-season, but I wouldn’t let the Tommy John surgery scare you off. It isn’t as big of a deal for hitters as it is for pitchers, and he’s expected to return by the 2nd half of 2024. His extremely good MLB debut will likely make it hard to get good value for him this off-season even with the surgery, so my move would be to hope he needs to shake off some rust when he returns next season to bring his value into a more reasonable range again. 2024 Projection: 30/8/226/.242/.324/.438/10 Prime Projection: 92/26/86/.266/.361/.485/28

62) Freddy Peralta MIL, RHP, 27.10 – A shoulder injury in 2022 put some doubt into Peralta’s ace trajectory coming into 2023, but he proved that was merely a bump in the road. He put up career bests in fastball velocity (94.4 MPH), innings pitched (165.2 IP) and BB% (7.9%). He once again eclipsed a 30% K% at 30.9%. He was also at his best in the 2nd half with a 2.44 ERA and 92/11 K/BB in his final 62.2 IP. Peralta cemented his status as a young ace this year, but because his 3.86 ERA doesn’t look all that great, you might be able to buy him for non ace prices this off-season. 2024 Projection: 12/3.38/1.09/215 in 170 IP

63) Adley Rutschman BAL, C, 26.2 – Rutschman has an advantage over other catchers on playing time alone. His 687 PA led all catchers by far (William Contreras was 2nd at 611). It helps his fantasy profile play up, because he’s a better real life hitter than fantasy hitter with an elite plate approach (14.7%/13.4% K%/BB%) as his most valuable skill. I don’t mean to be too disparaging with that statement, because he has the potential to be a near elite real life hitter with a .373 xwOBA (top 8% of the league). The power is only slightly above average right now with a 92.7 MPH FB/LD EV, 7.5% Barrel%, and 12.6 degree launch, but this was his first full season in the majors, so this is basically the baseline. 2024 Projection: 88/22/85/.286/.381/.458/3

64) Kevin Gausman TOR, RHP, 33.3 – Remember when people were worried about Gausman going from San Francisco to Toronto? (I named him a target that year) Remember when people questioned if he can be consistent with a splitter as his main secondary? Well, those memories are fading as Gausman has been the model of consistency. He put up a pitching line of 3.16/1.18/237/55 in 185 IP. His 31.1% K% was the 3rd best mark in the league among qualified starters. He’s one of the safest aces out there. 2024 Projection: 14/3.30/1.16/214 in 180 IP

65) Blake Snell FRA, LHP, 31.4 – In my first Mailbag Podcast Podcast back in April, I got asked about how concerned we should be with Blake Snell after his rough start to the season, and my response was that he is the type of pitcher to find his groove and rip off like 4 straight starts of double digit strikeouts, so I would hold on. Well, not only did he rip off 4 straight starts, he ripped off 23 straight starts with a 1.20 ERA and 186/72 K/BB in his final 135 IP. He had a 5.40 ERA with a 48/27 K/BB in the 45 IP before that. The problem is, just as easily as he can get red hot, he can also go ice cold with a 13.3% BB% that was a career worst and in the bottom 4% of the league. You are playing with fire with such bad control, which prevents Snell from entering the truly elite pitching tier, but with his extreme strikeout upside and career 3.20 ERA, it would be silly to drop him any further than the tier right under that. 2024 Projection: 13/3.27/1.20/218 in 170 IP

66) Tarik Skubal DET, LHP, 27.4 – Skubal went in for a flexor tendon “upgrade” in August 2022, and he came out one of the best pitchers in baseball when he returned in July. I’m not even going to call it a “surgery,” because me thinks there are more than a few pitchers out there who should elect to have it if you can expect these results. He put up a pitching line of 2.80/0.90/102/14 in 80.1 IP. His fastball jumped 1.7 MPH to 95.8 MPH and it became arguably the best 4-seamer in baseball with a league leading .225 xwOBA (250 pitch min). His changeup was elite too with a 50.6% whiff% that was 3rd best. The slider and sinker were also both above average pitches. His 32.9% K% trailed only Strider and Glasnow. And to top it all off, his control improved to elite levels with a 4.5% BB%. That is almost unheard of for control to actually improve directly coming off major arm surgery. He’ll have to prove he can keep up this level over a full season, but if he can, he’ll be in the conversation for the #1 fantasy starter next year. 2024 Projection: 13/3.36/1.05/190 in 155 IP

67) Nolan Jones COL, OF, 25.11 – You can’t leave the house these days without hearing Nolan Jones this and Nolan Jones that, but I was ringing the 5 alarm bell on Jones back in my June Targets Article, closing out the blurb by writing, “Jones has no joke near elite potential … I would go hard after him.” After that writeup he put up a 1.007 OPS with 11 homers and 14 steals in his final 57 games. He went 20/20 in just 107 games on the season. His speed was vastly underrated as a prospect with a well above average 28.4 ft/sec sprint (are scouts just making up speed grades for most prospects?), but they nailed his power grade with an at least plus 90.1/95.3 MPH AVG/FB EV. He’s also an OBP machine with a 12.5% BB%. The two downsides are that he’s always had high strikeout rates with a 29.7% K%, and he’s never had a high launch angle with a 9.8 degree launch. Coors Field and the low launch should help his BA from completely tanking, but he’s not going to repeat a .401 BABIP. Unfortunately, he played far too well to have much value left on the bone this off-season, but if you took my advice back in June, you already have him. 2024 Projection: 86/26/88/.255/.352/.486/23

68) Jesus Luzardo MIA, LHP, 26.7 – I was super high on Luzardo last off-season, trusting the improved control he showed in the 2nd half of 2022, and that proved wise as his 7.4% BB% was actually above average this year. He also stayed healthy, putting up a pitching line of 3.58/1.21/208/55 in 178.2 IP. The stuff is filthy with a 96.7 MPH fastball, an elite slider that put up a 51.8% whiff% (only Snell and Strider can top that), and a solid changeup that misses bats (36.1% whiff%). He officially fulfilled his ace upside status. 2024 Projection: 13/3.49/1.15/202 in 175 IP

69) Kodai Senga NYM, RHP, 31.2 – Senga blew past all reasonable expectations in 2023. He put up a 2.98 ERA with a 29.1%/11.1% K%/BB% in 166.1 IP, and he was even better in the 2nd half with a 2.44 ERA and 29.8%9.1% K%/BB% in his final 84.2 IP. He did it on the back of an insane forkball that put up a 59.8% whiff% and .184 xwOBA. It was the highest whiff% on any pitch in all of baseball thrown at least 317 times (and if you lower the threshold all the way down to 54 pitches, it was the 4th highest mark). He throws gas with a 95.6 MPH fastball and has as diverse 6 pitch mix. Control is really the only thing that can tank him, and if you take into account he was adjusting to a new league and new ball in the 1st half of the season, his 2nd half 9.1% BB% really isn’t bad at all. It’s definitely possible he takes another step forward in year 2. 2024 Projection: 13/3.37/1.17/197 in 165 IP

70) Grayson Rodriguez BAL, RHP, 24.5 – Rodriguez had a 7.35 ERA in his first 45.1 IP before Baltimore sent him back down, but he was different man when they called him back up, putting up a 2.58 ERA and 24%/6.9% K%BB% in his final 76.2 IP. He throws a 5 pitch mix led by a 97.4 MPH fastball and three above average to plus secondaries in his changeup, slider, and curve (he mixes in a cutter too). Even in his dominant 2nd half run, he didn’t really excel in any one area. He didn’t miss a ton of bats, the control wasn’t elite, and he didn’t particularly induce a ton of weak contact. It makes me a little hesitant to say he will be a true fantasy ace next season, but with his level of stuff and minor league performance, it seems inevitable he will get there eventually. 2024 Projection: 13/3.59/1.13/181 in 170 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.23/1.01/220 in 190 IP

71) Tyler Glasnow LAD, RHP, 30.7 – Glasnow is 30 years old and he just reached a career high 120 IP this season. An oblique injury was the culprit this year which delayed the start of his year until late May. When he’s on the mound, it’s crystal clear his fantasy upside is matched by very, very few. His 33.4% K% was bested by only Spencer Strider. The stuff is huge with a 96.4 MPH fastball, and the control is above average with a 7.6% BB%. If you want to look on the bright side, it wasn’t an arm injury which got him this year, and if you want to include the minors and the AFL, he threw 144.2 IP in 2014 and 140 IP in 2016. If you want to completely ignore the injury risk, I can see going 30 spots higher on him. The Dodgers doling out a 5 year, $136 million contract extension for him also gives added confidence that a smart organization is willing to bet on him staying healthy enough over the next 5 years to earn that contract. 2024 Projection: 12/3.48/1.11/190 in 145 IP

72) Max Fried ATL, LHP, 30.2 – Fried missed 3 months of the season with a forearm strain, but he looked completely healthy when he returned with his 4th straight year of ace production. He had a pitching line of 2.55/1.13/25.7%/5.8% in 77.2 IP. He induces weak contact with a 86.5 MPH EV against (top 9% of the league), he keeps the ball on the ground with a 4.8 degree launch, he has plus control, and he misses bats with a 27.2% whiff%. 2024 Projection: 14/3.18/1.10/175 in 175 IP

73) James Wood WAS, OF, 21.7 – The K% jumped to 33.7% in 87 games at Double-A, which is exactly what you are worried about with a player this tall (6’6”), but Wood is the type of unicorn athlete where you don’t want to let it scare you off him. He still cracked 18 homers with 10 steals and a 124 wRC+ at the level as a 20 year old. And that was coming off a 155 wRC+ in 42 games at the more age appropriate High-A. Despite his size and high strikeout rate, Wood has a relatively short and quick swing which gives hope he’ll be able to keep the strikeout rate in a range that allows his truly elite talent shine. Don’t expect a high BA, but expect him to kill it everywhere else. 2024 Projection: 45/17/51/.229/.308/.450/13 Prime Projection: 91/30/99/.253/.341/.508/18

74) Pete Crow-Armstrong CHC, OF, 22.0 – I’ve been all in on Pete Crow since before he was drafted, and he finally fulfilled his elite prospect destiny in 2023. The power took yet another step forward with him jacking 20 homers in 107 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s not an EV masher, but he doesn’t hit the ball weakly either, and his high launch will ensure he gets the most out of his still growing raw power. The CF defense and speed are elite with a 29.9 ft/sec sprint speed and 37 steals. There is bit more swing and miss than optimal with a 26% K%, but he’s always generally had a good feel to hit, and he’s never had low BA’s in the minors, so I’m not overly concerned about it. Armstrong has 20/40 written all over him. 2024 Projection: 41/9/29/.241/.310/.407/19 Prime Projection: 91/22/76/.257/.334/.439/34

75) Lane Thomas WAS, OF, 28.7 – Part of me feels like Thomas is a trap. The plate approach isn’t great (5.3% BB%), the hit tool is mediocre (25.8% K%), he was on the lucky side last year (.334 xwOBA vs. .319 wOBA), and the launch isn’t very high (10.8 degrees). But the things he does do well are the things that can result in a fantasy stud. He hits the ball fairly hard (94.6 MPH FB/LD EV), he’s fast (29.3 ft/sec sprint), and he gets the bat on the ball (23% whiff%). If you do those three things well, good things are most certainly going to happen. So while I came into this blurb intending to call Thomas a sell high, the more I really looked into it and thought about his profile, the more I realized he is a buy. I’m in. 2024 Projection: 87/25/83/.257/.318/.465/18

76) Marcus Semien TEX, 2B 33.7 – Projecting stolen bases can be a mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma. Semien stole 25 bases in 2022, and with the new rules in 2023 when everyone was running wild, he stole only 14 bags. He’s as fast and healthy as he’s ever been, but his career high before 2022 was 15, so maybe it should have been expected. He made up for modest steal totals with a career best 14.6% K% and .276 BA (2nd best mark in his career). He also continues to get the most out of his average raw power with a 19.1 degree launch and 49.4% Pull% (29 homers). 2024 Projection: 103/28/86/.266/.335/.474/15

77) Logan Gilbert SEA, RHP, 26.11 – Gilbert is an elite control pitchers (4.7% BB%) with a big fastball (95.7 MPH) and improving secondaries. The whiff% was up 7.1 percentage points on his slider to a respectable 32.2%, 7.3 percentage points on his curveball to 30.6%, and his new splitter was at least plus when he went to it (14.8% usage) with a .185 xwOBA and 34.7% whiff%. Improving the secondaries was the last step to unleash his full potential, and while his 3.73 ERA and 24.5% K% in 190.2 IP doesn’t jump off the screen, it gives him the potential to level up even further in 2024. 2024 Projection: 14/3.54/1.12/193 in 187 IP

78) Aaron Nola PHI, RHP, 30.10 – Nola likely had the worst season of his career (other than his rookie season) taking into account both surface stats and underlying numbers. His 4.46 ERA was the 3rd worst mark of his career and his 3.77 xERA was the worst of his career. A 8.3% Barrel%, 89.3 MPH EV, and 32 homers against were all career worsts, and his 25.5% K% was a 7 year low. Nothing was so bad or so out of the realm of his career norms, and he’s been alternating great years with mediocre years for his entire career, so I don’t think this is the beginning of a true decline. The Phillies obviously agree as they just signed him for 7 years at $172 million. 2024 Projection: 12/3.61/1.12/205 in 190 IP

79) Framber Valdez HOU, LHP, 30.4 – It was a tale of 2nd halves for Framber as he had a 2.27 ERA with a 104/21 K/BB in his first 99 IP and 4.64 ERA with a 96/36 K/BB in his final 99 IP. He also got hit up in 12 playoff innings. The velocity was up on all of his pitches with a 95.3 MPH sinker (93.9 MPH in 2022), but it seems like it actually hurt him as his once insanely elite launch angle (negative 3.6 degrees in 2022) rose all the way to a positive 4.2 degrees. He missed a few more bats with a career high 26.7% whiff%, and his control was a bit better with a 7.1% BB%, but it didn’t make up for all extra flyballs, leading to a 3.46 ERA and 4.33 xERA. He’s a very, very good pitcher no matter how you slice it, but the extreme groundball rate was his best asset, and you might not be able to fully count on that anymore. 2024 Projection: 13/3.41/1.15/192 in 195 IP

80) Riley Greene DET, OF, 23.6 – Greene underwent Tommy John surgery on his non throwing elbow in late September, but since elbows seem to be optional for hitting anyway, he’s expected to be good to go for 2024. I still think you have to give some leeway for rust, especially in the 1st half, but long term, it shouldn’t be an issue. He was in the process of his first breakout before going down with the injury with an 11.3% Barrel%, 91.6/96.1 MPH AVG/FB EV, .363 xwOBA, and 28.1 ft/sec sprint speed. It led to .288 BA with 11 homers, and 7 steals in 99 games (a broken fibula kept him out for over a month in June). I said “first” breakout, because he has more levels in him if he can raise his 6.6 degree launch and improve on his 27.4%/8.4% K%/BB%, which I would bet on him being able to do as he gains experience. There is a chance Greene ends up a better real life hitter than fantasy, but he can potentially be such a good real life hitter that he’ll still be a fantasy beast. 2024 Projection: 86/20/77/.268/.335/.448/12 Prime Projection: 97/27/89/.282/.354/.476/15

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

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Patreon Post: A Top 275 Sneak Peek of the 2024 Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings

Dynasty Baseball Rankings season is in full gear! The 2024 Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings continues to get built out over on the Patreon with the Top 275. The Top 30 is free here on the Brick Wall. Analysis, projections, and prime projections for every player. Here is A Top 275 Sneak Peek of the 2024 Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings:

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1) Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL, OF, 26.3 – Acuna went 40/70, but somehow the most mind blowing thing about his 2023 season is that he all of a sudden turned into an elite contact hitter with an 11.4% K% (23.6% in 2022). He also must have eaten his spinach this off-season, because the six foot Acuna Popeye’d the league with the type of exit velocity numbers usually reserved for giant human beings only. His 121.2 Max EV was the hardest hit ball all season. The next 6 leaders in that category were the 6’6” Giancarlo Stanton, the 6’5” Elly De La Cruz, the 6’4” Shohei Ohtani, the 6’5” Matt Olson, the 6’2” Jake Burger, and the 6’5” Yordan Alvarez. His 94.7 MPH AVG EV was bested only by the superhuman Aaron Judge (97.6 MPH). He got slower with a career worst 28 ft/sec sprint, but he still stole 73 bags. He hit the ball on the ground more than ever with a career high 49.5% GB%, but he still hit 41 bombs. He’s the undisputed #1 overall dynasty player. 2024 Projection: 132/37/103/.318/.398/.582/61

2) Bobby Witt Jr. KCR, SS, 23.10 – Witt is Exhibit A on why you should be betting on Anthony Volpe and Jordan Walker in 2024. When an elite prospect shows all the ingredients of a future breakout in their rookie year, you need to be all over whatever small discount you can get them for. These are the type of breakouts that look so obvious in hindsight, you forget you ever doubted them in the first place. Witt raised his FB/LD EV from 92.6 MPH in 2022 to 94.4 MPH in 2023 and all hell broke loose with him cracking 30 dingers. He also lowered his K% by 4 percentage points to 17.4% and raised his BB% by 1.1 percentage points to 5.8%. The scary thing is that he was on the unlucky side too with a .343 wOBA vs. .373 xwOBA. There is another level to unlock here. His .904 2nd half OPS is probably what he has in store for us in 2024. 2024 Projection: 102/34/107/.283/.336/.522/47

3) Corbin Carroll ARI, OF, 23.7 – The 5’10” Carroll laughs at me for even hinting that the 6’0” Acuna isn’t big. Carroll truly had to deal with the little man discrimination his entire career, falling to a ridiculous 16th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft (I ranked him 3rd overall personally). He’s done nothing but prove the doubters wrong since then, culminating with a rookie season that immediately catapulted him to elite dynasty status. He smashed 25 homers with a 90 MPH EV. Nobody doubted his speed, and he didn’t disappoint with 54 steals and a 30.1 ft/sec sprint. The cherry on top is that he put up career best contact rates with a 19.4% K%, and that includes his entire minor league career going back to rookie ball. The only thing that could stop him is the major shoulder injury he suffered in 2021 which reared it’s ugly head again this July. He doubled over in pain after a swing and said, “I took a swing, and I felt a shift in my shoulder, shocking, tingling sensation go down my arm and then my hand go numb. I was just holding it thinking it came out of the socket, pretty much thought that the season was over.” It ended up being “minor,” but I’m not sure how you can’t at least have that in the back of your mind when ranking Carroll. He’s too good to be scared off by it, but my tolerance for injury risk might be higher than yours. 2024 Projection: 121/28/85/.288/.374/.496/52

4) Julio Rodriguez SEA, OF, 23.3 – When Julio gets off to a slow start in 2024, remind yourself not to panic. 2023 was the 2nd year in a row where it took him a minute to hit his stride. He put up a mediocre .721 OPS in 87 games pre break before exploding in the 2nd half, slashing .308/.363/.578 with 19 homers and 15 steals in 68 games. He crushes the ball with a 92.7 MPH EV that led to 32 homers, and he’s lightning fast with a 29.6 ft/sec sprint that led to 37 steals. The only weakness he has that the guys ranked above him don’t have is a poor approach. His 37.4% chase rate is well below average and so is his 28.2% whiff%. I’m betting on the plate approach improving as he gains more experience, but the guys ranked above him are already further along. 2024 Projection: 104/33/105/.280/.341/.507/38

5) Shohei “(deferred) Money” Ohtani LAD, RHP/DH, 29.9 – First there were asterisks for juiced players. Then there were asterisks for juiced balls. And now there are asterisks for juiced contracts. The 700* million dollar man (*680 million of it deferred) tore the UCL in his right elbow in August and seems like he opted to go with an internal brace procedure rather than get his 2nd Tommy John surgery in 5 years. It’s still a serious surgery that will prevent him from pitching until 2025, but he’s expected to be good to go as hitter at the start of 2024. As we saw with Bryce Harper, the odds Ohtani will continue to be an elite hitter are very high, but we can’t be surprised if he doesn’t get back to prime form until the 2nd half. He was in the midst of the best offensive season of his career with career highs everywhere you look (EV, wOBA, xwOBA, K%, BB%, Hard Hit%), and his 180 wRC+ led the league by a good margin (Judge was 2nd at 174). I’m not concerned with Ohtani’s bat at all, but it’s fair to question his ability to stay healthy as a pitcher. His stuff is so good with a 96.8 MPH fastball that he could probably stand to lose a tick or two and still be near elite. He also strikes me as the type who will thrive in his old age with diminished velocity, so I’m far from writing him off as a pitcher, but I do believe you have to factor in the added risk. 2024 Projection: 96/33/94/.277/.380/.538/18

6) Fernando Tatis Jr. SDP, OF, 25.3 – Maybe it was the shoulder, maybe it was the wrist, or maybe it was the lack of PED’s, but it’s undeniable that Tatis had some of his upside shaved off the top in 2023. His barrel% was down 10.3 percentage points to 11%, his exit velocity was down 2 MPH to 91.9 MPH, his hard hit% was down 6.3 percentage points to 49.3%, and his xwOBA was down .039 to .368. He also wore down as the season went along with a .871 OPS in the 1st half versus a .665 OPS in the 2nd half. But take a look at all of those numbers. Even with him being considerably worse than his prime, he was still an elite fantasy player with 25 homers and 29 steals in 141 games. He missed all of 2022, he had to rehab both his shoulder and wrist surgeries over the off-season, and he also had to deal with so much controversy, whether it was self inflicted or not. He’ll actually be able to have a normal off-season going into 2024, and he’s still only 25 years old, which makes me think what he did in 2023 is his floor. And considering he also got unlucky (.332 wOBA vs. .368 xwOBA which is in the top 10% of the league), his floor is probably even higher than that. The decline in production takes him out of the conversation to be the #1 dynasty player overall, but this is still an easy Top 10 dynasty asset at the very least. 2024 Projection: 98/33/96/.274/.348/.515/31

7) Juan Soto NYY, OF, 25.6 – This is a contract year for Soto, and Scott Boras is his agent. He hasn’t really had that crazy career year yet. 2020 looked like it could have been that year with 13 homers and 202 wRC+ in 49 games, but it was a shortened season. What I’m trying to say is, the Baseball Gods owe him one, and his move from one of the very worst ballparks for lefty homers to one of the very best only adds fuel to that fire (I’m expecting him to start pulling the ball just a bit more). He doesn’t run enough with only 12 steals to truly be considered in the same tier as the guys ranked above him, but in any league that devalues speed, he is right there with them. He’s an OBP God with an 18.6% BB% and .410 OBP. It’s his 4th year in a row with more walks than strikeouts. His 6.7 degree launch is low, but he’s launch proof with a 98.7 MPH FB/LD EV that is 4th best in all of baseball. It led to a career high 35 homers. Everything seems to be setting up for Soto to have one of those silly statistical seasons that won’t even look real, and then he will land one of those silly contract numbers that won’t even look real. 2024 Projection: 115/38/115/.287/.422/.546/13

8) Kyle Tucker HOU, OF, 27.2 – Just call him the quiet killer because no elite player gets less hype than Kyle Tucker. He was one homer shy of going 30/30, and he did it while putting up career bests in both K% (13.6%) and BB% (11.9%). He has well below average speed with a bottom 33% sprint speed, but he once again proved stolen bases are not just about pure speed, there is a major skill component to it as well. Maybe it’s fitting he has the shortest blurb out of his elite dynasty brethren, because he’ll just continue to quietly kill your fantasy competition. No fanfare necessary. 2024 Projection: 99/30/115/.285/.365/.520/28

9) Elly De La Cruz CIN, SS/3B, 22.3 – Call me crazy, but I’m actually encouraged by Elly’s 33.7% K%, 29.7% whiff%, and .235 BA in his age 21 year old season in the major leagues. In last year’s Top 1,000 Rankings, I projected Elly’s 2023 triple slash would be .232/.294/.433, and it ended up being .235/.300/.410. Not bad if I don’t say so myself, but point being, this is exactly what you should have expected. He also had a 26.9%/14.0% K%/BB% in 38 games at Triple-A, which proves he is capable of making real improvements to his plate approach over time (30.9%/7.7% K%/BB% at Double-A in 2022). And his hit tool only needs to get to below average to be an absolute fantasy monster. The power is elite with a 91.2 MPH EV and 119.2 Max EV which was the 3rd highest mark in the league. It came with a 3.6 degree launch, but he has the type of power that is launch proof (13 homers in 98 games), and he’s never had any major groundball issues in the minors, so that number is only coming up. He also has elite speed with 35 steals and a 30.5 ft/sec sprint speed which was tied for the fastest man in baseball with Bobby Witt. I always say, “if you can’t take risks in fantasy, where can you take risks,” and I’m not even sure Elly is as risky as people think. I’m all in. 2024 Projection: 91/25/85/.244/.317/.452/52 Prime Projection: 103/33/109/.261/.337/.506/65

10) Yordan Alvarez HOU, OF, 26.9 – The only two categories Yordan isn’t a beast in are games played and steals. He dealt with left hand soreness in March that delayed the start of his spring training, he missed about a week in April with a neck injury, and he missed almost 2 months in June and July with an oblique injury. It limited him to just 114 games. The surgeries he’s gotten on both of his knees are also still fresh in everyone’s mind, but the fact that none of his issues had to do with his knees is encouraging to me. He played in 135 games in 2022 and 144 games in 2021. I think it’s one year too early to really slap him with the injury prone tag. And he’s too elite to be too risk averse with a career .978 OPS and a .440 xwOBA in 2023, which was the 3rd best mark in the league behind only Judge and Acuna. I’m not getting too hung up on the injury risk quite yet. 2024 Projection: 94/37/111/.296/.403/.589/1

11) Luis Robert CHW, OF, 26.8 – While many were jumping ship after a down and injured 2022, I kept the faith by ranking Robert 30th overall, and he responded with the type of year we all knew he was capable of, slashing .264/.315/.542 with 38 homers, 20 steals, and a 28.9%/5.0% K%/BB% in 145 games. He laughed in the face of chase rate (40.5%) and chased his way to a career best 15.4% barrel%. His speed bounced back with a top 16% sprint speed, and he played in a career high 145 games. I wish I could say he is now completely out of the woods and we can trust him completely, but the injury black cloud always seems to be lurking. His season ended on September 24th with a sprained MCL in his knee which would have kept him out for up to a month if the season didn’t end a week later. He also dealt with hamstring, quad, calf, hip, and finger injuries throughout the season. Rostering Robert definitely feels like playing Press Your Luck, begging to avoid any whammies (no whammies, no whammies, no whammies, STOP). Robert is elite enough where you can’t live completely in fear of his next injury, but projecting him for a fully healthy season feels optimistic. 2024 Projection: 88/32/84/.268/.320/.528/19

12) Aaron Judge NYY, OF, 31.11 – Judge’s 97.6 MPH EV is the highest average exit velocity in the history of Statcast. The only years Judge didn’t lead the league in average exit velocity was 2015 when he was in the minors, and 2020 during the shortened season. His .468 xwOBA not only led the league, and it wasn’t only a career high, it was the highest xwOBA amongst qualified hitters in history if you take out 2020 (Soto put up a .475 xwOBA that season in 49 games). And he did all of this while gutting it out in the 2nd half with a torn ligament in his big toe which knocked him out for almost 2 months in June and July. He isn’t expected to need surgery this off-season, which is a good sign, and he had a 1.066 OPS in September, so I’m inclined to not harp too much on the injury. 2024 Projection: 121/46/119/.283/.405/.594/9

13) Bryce Harper PHI, 1B, 31.6 – Harper was nice enough to leave zero doubt that his power will fully return to prime form in 2024 coming off Tommy John surgery. After hitting just 3 homers in first 58 games, he turned it around by launching 23 homers in his final 79 games, including the postseason. He returned way ahead of schedule anyway, so it’s not surprising he wasn’t fully healthy until the 2nd half. I would expect your typical elite Harper season in 2024, and he strikes me as the type of all time great that will be raking deep into his 30’s. 2024 Projection: 107/35/100/.289/.400/.540/14

Shadow13) Shohei Ohtani LAD, DH only/Weekly Leagues, 29.9 – This is where I would rank Ohtani in weekly leagues or as a hitter only. 2024 Projection: 96/33/94/.277/.380/.538/18

14) Mookie Betts LAD, 2B/OF, 31.6 – Betts played 70 games at 2B in 2023 and it was announced he will be LA’s starting 2B moving forward. He immediately becomes the best 2B in baseball. He is in the midst of a later career power surge, which makes up for his declining speed. After hitting a career high 35 homers in 2022, he topped that in 2023 by jacking out 39 dingers. His 92.4 MPH EV and 20.6 degree launch were both career highs, and his 48.5% Hard Hit% was the 2nd best mark of his career. As I mentioned, his speed is declining with a bottom 47% of the league sprint speed, but he still used his wiles to nab 14 bags. He may not be in his physical prime anymore, but Betts proved in 2023 that he has plenty of years of elite production left in him. 2024 Projection: 120/34/91/.290/.381/.536/13

15) Jose Ramirez CLE, 3B, 31.6 – Mookie Betts’ beastly season is a reminder that not every year can be a banger. It wasn’t Ramirez’ best season with only 24 homers in 156 games, but there is absolutely nothing in the underlying numbers that would be concerning in the slightest, and we know his power is fine after watching him drop Anderson on a single punch. He’s also not slowing down on the bases at all with 28 steals. Even in a down-ish year, he still finished 29th overall on the Razzball Player Rater. 2024 Projection: 94/31/101/.281/.360/.511/26

16) Michael Harris ATL, OF, 23.1 – Harris’ surface stats took a step back in his 2nd year in the bigs with a .808 OPS in 2023 vs. a .853 OPS in 2022, but his underlying numbers actually showed a player who was improving. His contact rates took a big step forward with a 18.7% K% (24.3% in 2022), his EV took a 1.4 MPH jump to 90.9 MPH, his launch increased by 3.1 degrees to 7.6, and his xwOBA increased by .020 to .355. He hit .293 with 18 homers and 20 steals in 138 games, and he was even better in his final 100 games with a .912 OPS. He still needs to improve his plate approach with a 4.6% BB%, but Harris cemented his status as a near elite dynasty asset in 2023. 2024 Projection: 91/23/82/.287/.333/.480/27

17) Trea Turner PHI, SS, 30.9 – I was pounding the table to buy low on Turner all season, but he came on too strong at the end of the year to get any discount on him this off-season. He slashed .339/.391/.677 with 16 homers, 9 steals and 16.9% K% in his final 47 games, and he’s currently destroying the playoffs with a 222 wRC+ in 11 games. He had a .656 OPS in his first 108 games. He also hasn’t lost even half a step with the 4th fastest sprint speed in the game. That buy low window slammed shut hard at the trade deadline. 2024 Projection: 105/25/83/.289/.340/.481/35

18) Jackson Chourio MIL, OF, 20.1 – Baseball now uses minor leaguers like guinea pigs, testing out every hairbrained idea they have all willy nilly, and Chourio got caught in the crosshairs of it. The Southern League used a pre-tacked ball for the first half of the season, and Chourio put up a lowly .714 OPS in 71 games. When they went back to the regular ball, he immediately went gangbusters, slashing .324/.379/.538 with 11 homers, 21 steals, and a 13.4%/8.0% K%/BB% in 57 games. He closed out the season at Triple-A where he put up a 4.2%/8.3% K%/BB% in 6 games. He did all of this as a 19 year old. The power/speed combo is plus to double plus, and it sure looks like his contact rates are entering the elite range if you ignore what he did in the 1st half. Jackson Holliday seems to be the consensus #1 prospect in the game (and Wyatt Langford is the trendy #1 for fantasy), but if Chourio hit with the regular ball all season, I’m not so sure that would be the case. The main thing Holliday has over Chourio right now is plate approach, which makes him the safer prospect, but for fantasy, I gotta give the ever so slight edge to the power/speed combo. Milwaukee showed us they are all in by signing him to an 8 year, $82 million contract. It makes it much more likely that he will break camp with the team, and even if doesn’t, it won’t be long until he’s up for good. Chourio is my #1 fantasy prospect. 2024 Projection: 69/21/75/.258/.320/.469/25 Prime Projection: 101/32/104/.283/.353/.523/41

19) Jackson Holliday BAL, SS, 20.4 – Holliday’s power/speed combo really wasn’t that huge with only 12 homers and 24 steals (in 33 attempts) in 125 games spread across 4 levels (A, A+, AA, AAA). It dropped off even further in the upper minors with 5 homers and 4 steals in 54 games. It seems crazy to start his blurb off with criticism, but when the battle for the top prospect in the game is so close, it needs to be highlighted. Now that we got that out of the way, Holliday had an absolutely insane season where he slashed .323/.442/.499 with a 20.3%/17.4% K%/BB%. He was in high school last year, and he displayed one of the most advanced plate approaches of any prospect all the way through Triple-A. This is why everyone drools over kids with baseball bloodlines, they tend to be far advanced beyond their years. As I mentioned, the power isn’t fully developed yet with relatively low flyball rates, but he hits the ball hard with a 30.2% Hard Hit% and a 90.9 MPH EV in 40 batted balls at Triple-A, so I’m not concerned about the power long term. He has the safety edge over Chourio, but it’s not like Chourio is a risky prospect, so Holliday slots in at #2 for me. 2024 Projection: 78/16/71/.270/.339/.441/20 Prime Projection: 117/27/94/.296/.382/.506/28

20) Wyatt Langford TEX, OF, 22.5 – I have Chourio, Holliday, and Langford in a tier of their own atop my Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings. The only reason Langford is 3rd is because Chourio/Holliday have a longer professional track record and more impressive age to level production. But his power, speed, hit tool, plate approach, and production can rival anyone’s. He was selected 4th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft on the back of elite production in the SEC, slashing .373/.498/.784 with 21 homers, 9 steals, and a 44/56 K/BB in 64 games. He clearly separated himself from Dylan Crews in his pro debut, slashing .360/.480/.677 with 10 homers, 12 steals, and a 17.0%/18.0% K%/BB% in 44 games, and he was equally as dominant in the upper minors as he was the lower minors. He’s the total package, and if you wanted to rank him 1st overall on prospects rankings, I wouldn’t argue with you. 2024 Projection: 81/26/77/.262/.338/.479/18 Prime Projection: 103/34/109/.277/.364/.535/24

21) Spencer Strider ATL, RHP, 25.5 – If Strider’s 3.86 ERA opens up even the smallest buy window, I would be all over it. He had a 3.04 xERA, 2.92 xFIP, and 2.86 SIERA. His 22 homers against wasn’t bat at all, so you can’t even blame a homer problem. ERA is just about the least predictive stat there is. He got unlucky. Simple as that. His 36.8%% K% led the league by a large margin, and strikeouts are king in fantasy. Glasnow was 2nd at 33.4% and Skubal was 3rd at 32.9%. His control continued to improve with an above average 7.6% BB%, and he proved he can handle a full workload with 186.2 IP. He also led the league in wins with 20, and while that was partly due to good luck, Atlanta is a perennial winner, so he should continue to be among the league leaders there. He was the #1 fantasy pitcher in 2024, and considering his age and strikeout upside, he’s in a tier of his own as the easy #1 overall pitcher in dynasty. 2024 Projection: 16/3.18/1.04/266 in 182 IP

22) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. TOR, 1B, 25.0 – Vlad got very unlucky in 2023. His .374 xwOBA (top 7% of the league) vs. .340 wOBA was the 8th largest differential in baseball, and this is the first year he’s ever underperformed his underlying numbers, so this isn’t a trend for him. He crushes the ball with a 92.1 MPH EV, he makes near elite contact with a 14.7% K%, and he raised his launch to a career high 10.5 degrees. With that type of profile, he simply can’t be held down for long. The only thing rattling around my head that gives me some pause is that the only season he really had a beastly year, 2021, was the year he played over half his home games at their spring training ballpark and Triple-A ballpark, both of which played like extreme hitter’s parks. If you take that year out of the equation, he’s really yet to display the ability to be a truly elite fantasy player, but at the end of the day (and the beginning of the day), the underlying numbers don’t lie. He looks setup for a big 2024. 2024 Projection: 92/31/101/.286/.359/.507/6

23) Rafael Devers BOS, 3B, 27.5 – There is no fancy analysis needed for Devers. He rips the ball (93.1 MPH) with a swing geared for both power and average (12.4 degree launch). His plate approach has also slowly been improving with a career best 19.2%/9.5% K%/BB%. The guy is as safe and consistent as they come. 2024 Projection: 93/34/106/.280/.358/.513/5

24) Austin Riley ATL, 3B, 27.0 – Riley is Devers’ righthanded brother from another mother. The plate approach might only be average-ish, but he rips the ball (92.3 MPH EV) with a swing geared for both power and average (13.5 degree launch). He’s averaging 36 homers with a .285 BA over his last 3 seasons. 2024 Projection: 97/36/102/.274/.347/.519/3

25) Corey Seager TEX, SS, 29.11 – I ranked Seager 38th overall last off-season, starting his Top 1,000 blurb by writing, “Seager doesn’t get the respect he deserves in the fantasy world,” and I ended it by writing, “If he hits .300 next year with 35 homers it wouldn’t be surprising at all.” He blew past even my high expectations with a .327 BA and an over 40 homer pace if he didn’t miss time. If you include the postseason, he hit almost exactly 35 homers in 136 games (36 homers). He’s an elite hitter with a 93.3 MPH EV, 13 degree launch, .413 xwOBA, and 16.4%/9.1% K%/BB%. Nobody will be underrating him anymore. 2024 Projection: 95/35/104/.291/.369/.538/3

26) Freddie Freeman LAD, 1B, 34.7 – The only question with the 34 year old Freeman is how much longer can he keep it up. I’m ranking him this high because I’m betting on him being productive deep into his 30’s, but he was the 3rd overall fantasy player this year, so this ranking does actually include an age discount. He showed zero signs of decline in 2023 with a .409 xwOBA which was in the top 2% of the league. He’s never had an xwOBA that wasn’t in at least the top 4% of the league in the Statcast era. He’s possibly the most consistently great hitter of his generation. He also took advantage of the new rules with a career high by far 23 steals. Certainly in win now mode Freeman isn’t going anywhere, but even in a rebuild I wouldn’t feel that much pressure to move him. 2024 Projection: 120/30/101/.313/.396/.528/18

27) Francisco Lindor NYM, SS, 30.5 – Lindor put up the quietest 30/30 (actually 31/31) season of all time. He somehow found the fountain of youth with career best power numbers and a major speed bounce back. He notched career bests in EV (91.2 MPH), Barrel% (10.4%), and launch angle (19.2 degrees). His sprint speed hit a 5 year high of 28.2 ft/sec, and he took advantage of the new rules with a career high 31 steals. He managed to do all of this with a bone spur in his elbow which required surgery this off-season, but with how many guys rake right through torn UCL’S and barely miss any time after getting Tommy John surgery, I’m not even sure you need elbows at all to hit. 2024 Projection: 100/30/96/.258/.337/.475/26

28) Matt Olson ATL, 1B, 30.0 – Olson led the league in homers with 54. Schwarber’s 47 was a distant 2nd. His already double plus power leveled up to truly elite levels with a career high in Barrel% (16.4%), EV (93.7 MPH), Max EV (118.6 MPH), Hard Hit% (55.5%) and xwOBA (.394). His .283 BA was probably on the lucky side with a .263 xBA, but the days of being concerned about his hit tool are over with a 23.2%/14.% K%/BB%. 2023 strikes me as a career year, but Olson is one of the premier power hitters in baseball. 2024 Projection: 104/42/119/.267/.368/.549/1

29) Gunnar Henderson BAL, SS/3B, 22.9 – If Gunnar took advantage of the new stolen base rules like almost everyone else, Gunnar vs. Carroll would still look very close today, but he only attempted 13 steals in 150 games. It’s not like he couldn’t have run more with a 28.8 ft/sec sprint and a solid 77% success rate, so if he just decides to start running more in 2024, he could quickly rise up the dynasty rankings even further. Even with the modest steal totals, there is a ton to love, led by how hard he crushes the ball. His 92 MPH EV is in the top 9% of the league, and he unsurprisingly raised his launch angle much higher than in his MLB debut in 2022 (2 degrees) with an 11.4 degree launch. He also cemented the huge jump his hit tool took in 2022 with a 25.6%/9.0% K%/BB% this year. It all led to a 123 wRC+ with 28 homers. The only issue he hasn’t corrected is his struggles vs. lefties with a .618 OPS, but Baltimore looks committed to playing him everyday and not turning him into a platoon guy, so I have faith he will hit them well enough over time. Keep in mind he will still be only 22 at the start of next season. 2024 Projection: 97/30/91/.266/.341/.506/15

30) Pete Alonso NYM, 1B, 29.5 – Alonso’s .205 BABIP was dead last among qualified hitters. He has a career .259 BABIP and he had a .279 BABIP in 2022. Point being, his .217 BA is going to bounce back in a big way in 2024, especially considering he has no contact issues with a 22.9%/9.9% K%/BB%. What you’re buying is the elite power anyway, and it was in prime form with 46 homers (3rd most in the league). If that low BA opens up even a crack of buy low value, jump on it. 2024 Projection: 94/42/120/.253/.346/.516/4

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR THE REST OF THESE RANKINGS & TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ALL OFF-SEASON, INCLUDING:
-A TOP 275 SNEAK PEEK OF THE 2024 TOP 1,000 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
-DEEP 2024 DYNASTY POSITIONAL RANKS: Top 78 C–TOP 101 1B–Top 129 2B–Top 133 3B
-TOP 54 2024 FYPD RANKINGS (FULL TOP 100+ COMING NEXT WEEK)
-END OF SEASON 2023 TOP 476 DYNASTY RANKINGS
-END OF SEASON 2023 TOP 393 DYNASTY PROSPECTS RANKINGS
-TOP 10 EARLY OFF-SEASON DYNASTY TARGETS
-HALP’S DYNASTY BASEBALL PODCAST: OCTOBER MAILBAG! (10/27/23)

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Arizona Diamondbacks–Baltimore Orioles (free)–Boston Red Sox (free)–Chicago Cubs (free)–Chicago White Sox–Cincinnati Reds (free)–Cleveland Guardians–Colorado Rockies–Detroit Tigers–Houston Astros–Kansas City Royals–Los Angeles Dodgers (free)–Miami Marlins–Milwaukee Brewers–Minnesota Twins–New York Mets (free)–New York Yankees (free)–Oakland Athletics–Pittsburgh Pirates–San Diego Padres–San Francisco Giants–Texas Rangers–Toronto Blue Jays–Washington Nationals

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

Posted on by Michael Halpern

Patreon Post: Top 1,000 Rankings for 2023 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues

I gave you a day to catch your breath with the Top 500 2023 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Rankings dropping on Wednesday. Now it’s time to unveil the Top 1,000 2023 Dynasty Baseball Rankings over on the Patreon. These lists will be released here on Imaginary Brick Wall in mid to late March. Here is the Top 1,000 Rankings for 2023 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR THE REST OF THESE RANKINGS & TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ALL OFF-SEASON, INCLUDING:
-TOP 500 2023 DYNASTY PROSPECTS RANKINGS
-TOP 109 2023 FYPD RANKINGS w/ Strategy & Target Guide
-All-In-One Rankings Spreadsheet
-2023 DEEP POSITIONAL DYNASTY RANKS: Top 305 SP//Top 282 OF//Top 151 SS//Top 115 3B//Top 105 2B//Top 95 1B//TOP 68 C//Top 64 RP
-TOP 13 EARLY OFF-SEASON DYNASTY TARGETS
-TOP 8 OFF-SEASON DYNASTY SELLS
-DYNASTY TEAM REPORTS FOR EVERY TEAM (Top 10+ Prospects/Interesting MLB guys/Strategy Talk)
-UPCOMING: Position by Position Target Series, Top 600 OBP Rankings, Top 600 Points/6+Cats/OPS “Universal” Rankings, Predicting the 2024 Top 50 Prospects Rankings that doubles as a Bold Predictions article, and much more

1) Shohei Ohtani LAA, RHP/DH, 28.9 – Ohtani came into 2022 as my #1 overall dynasty player, and he not only hung onto the top spot, but he somehow managed to pull even further away from the pack. He became arguably the best pitcher in baseball with a 2.33 ERA and 33.2%/6.7% K%/BB% in 166 IP. He also continued to be among the best hitters in baseball with a .385 xwOBA which was 6th best overall. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Ohtani is the greatest player to ever play the game. 2023 Projection: 94/33/99/.270/.361/.527/18–13/2.94/1.03/199 in 161 IP

2) Julio Rodriguez SEA, OF, 22.3 – Prospects can break your heart, but the season Julio just had is why we play the game. There is nothing more satisfying in all of fantasy sports than acquiring a young prospect, letting him develop in your farm system, and then watching him explode in his MLB debut. And explode is exactly what he did, slashing .284/.345/.509 with 28 homers, 25 steals, and a 25.9%/7.1% K%/BB% in 132 games. He has elite speed (29.8 ft/sec sprint speed) and elite exit velocity numbers (92/96.2 MPH AVG/FB EV). He closed out the season with a bang, putting up a 1.202 OPS in his final 19 games, which could be foreshadowing for what he has in store for 2023. The only quibble is that he ran far less in the 2nd half with only 4 steals in 7 attempts in his final 50 games, but considering how fast he is, I wouldn’t get too hung up on that. 2023 Projection: 96/32/98/.278/.353/.522/26

3) Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL, OF, 25.3 – Acuna underwent knee surgery for a torn ACL in late July 2021, and he was understandably not 100% in 2022. It’s seriously impressive that he was able to make his debut in late April, but that is where the impressing ended. He put up a career worst .764 OPS with only 15 homers in 119 games. His launch angle tanked 7.4 degrees to 10.8 degrees and his sprint speed dropped 0.9 ft/sec to 28.5 ft/sec. It was far from a complete disaster though. His .366 xwOBA was in the top 5% of the league, his 24.9% whiff% was a career best, and he still ran a ton with 29 steals. With a normal off-season and more time away from that surgery, I would be shocked if Acuna doesn’t bounce back to elite levels. 2023 Projection: 106/32/91/.279/.362/.511/33

4) Yordan Alvarez HOU, OF, 25.9 – Alvarez’s .462 xwOBA was bested only by Aaron Judge by .001. His 95.2 MPH EV was only topped by Aaron Judge. He was the 2nd best hitter in baseball this year, behind you guessed it, Aaron Judge. I think you get the point. He’s a 6’5”, 225 pound beast who hits the ball with superhuman strength, and he also has an elite plate approach with a 18.9%/13.9% K%/BB%. The surgically repaired knees might become an issue down the line, but they clearly aren’t going to slow him down anytime soon. 2023 Projection: 102/40/111/.302/.400/.578/1

5) Juan Soto SDP, OF, 24.5 – Soto’s numbers fell off hard in San Diego with a .778 OPS and only 6 homers in 52 games. They have one of the worst hitter’s ballparks in baseball, so it would be easy to feel a little trepidation, but betting against Soto seems foolish. His underlying numbers were still elite in San Diego with a 92.1 MPH EV and 14.9%/19.3% K%/BB% in 228 PA. He was very unlucky all year with a .249 BABIP (career .309 BABIP). His .401 xwOBA was the 4th best mark in baseball. The dude is still silly elite. 2023 Projection: 107/31/98/.283/.420/.521/10

6) Kyle Tucker HOU, OF, 26.3 – Tucker got considerably slower this year with his sprint speed dropping off a cliff to a well below average 26.4 ft/sec, but he still thrived on the bases with a career high 25 steals in 29 attempts. It’s a reminder that there is a lot more to base stealing than just being fast. He combines his base stealing skills with a near elite plate approach (15.6%/9.7% K%/BB%), above average exit velocity (90 MPH), and a launch made for dingers (19 degree launch with 30 homers). People have been slow to buy into Tucker’s elite status, but 2022 should cement it. 2023 Projection: 82/32/97/.271/.340/.507/21

Shadow6) Shohei Ohtani LAA, DH only/Weekly Leagues, 28.9 – This is where I would take Ohtani as a hitter only or in a weekly lineup league. 2023 Projection: 94/33/99/.270/.361/.527/18–13/2.94/1.03/199 in 161 IP

7) Bobby Witt Jr. KCR, SS/3B, 22.10 – Bobby Witt was the fastest man in the majors with a 30.4 ft/sec sprint speed (actually tied for first with Jose Siri and Bubba Thompson), at least until someone by the name of Corbin Carroll showed up and put up a 30.7 mark. It led to 30 stolen bases in 37 attempts, and with the new stolen base rules, I’m hesitant to even put a ceiling on what he’s capable of in 2023. There were some swing and miss concerns prior to his debut, but he proved that won’t be an issue with an above average 21.4% K%. His power was good but not great with 20 homers in 150 games, and there is a little Cody Bellinger risk here, in that he hits the ball in the air a lot with a relatively low FB/LD EV (92.6 MPH). Witt’s 16.8 degree launch angle isn’t as extreme as Bellinger’s 20.3 degree launch, his 113.7 Max EV (top 8% of the league) was much higher than Bellinger’s 107.3 MPH Max, and I’m only expecting continued improvements from the still 22 year old Witt. He has scary high upside, and we just saw the floor. 2023 Projection: 87/26/90/.267/.331/.472/36

8) Fernando Tatis Jr. SDP, SS/OF, 24.3 – Tatis seems to have a karmic black cloud hanging over his head. He had an injured shoulder that kept popping out which he refused to get surgery for, then he fractured his wrist in a motorcycle accident, and then he got popped for a PED suspension which will keep him out 20 games into 2023. They do say bad news comes in 3’s. It does seem like he is trying to make amends now though. He agreed to get shoulder surgery and also underwent wrist surgery. The thing that worries me a little bit is that the doctors were concerned the first wrist surgery wouldn’t hold, so he had to have a 2nd one where they inserted a screw. He’s collecting enough red flags to open a Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park. Despite it all, I still find it hard to believe his best days are behind him. He’s a 24 year old elite athlete with baseball bloodlines. It would be too risk averse to sell low or write him off when the upside is something like 9 more years of elite production. I would take any discount on Tatis that I could get. 2023 Projection: 86/28/84/.273/.355/.558/19

9) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. TOR, 1B, 24.1 – Vlad gave up almost all of the gains he made in 2021. His EV dropped 2.3 MPH to 92.8 MPH, his launch angle dropped 5.1 degrees to 4.3 degrees, and his xwOBA dropped .069 points to .348. He’s still a beast who played in 160 games and jacked 32 homers with a 16.4% K%. He also stole a career high 8 bags. This is basically his floor, and we saw the type of year he could put up when everything comes together. 2023 Projection: 96/34/104/.282/.349/.510/5

10) Aaron Judge NYY, OF, 30.11 – Judge hit only 62 homers this year, not even coming close to the home run record of 73. His cute little 207 wRC+ was bested by Barry Bonds 5 times. He also stole only 16 bases, falling short of the vaunted 20/20 season. It was just a disappointment all around, and as a Yankees fan, it’s unacceptable. He wasn’t worth a dollar more than $359,999,999 😉  2023 Projection: 111/43/109/.286/.398/.562/11

11) Trea Turner PHI, SS, 29.9 – It wasn’t Turner’s best statistical season with a 6 year low .809 OPS, a career low 27 steals, and a career worst 26.3% whiff%, but nothing was that far off from career norms. There are also zero signs that he’s slowing down with a super elite 30.3 ft/sec sprint speed, so who knows what he’ll be capable of with the new stolen base rules. There is a chance we see some truly special stolen base seasons in 2023, and Turner is in prime position to lead that charge. His move to Philadelphia doesn’t change his value at all for me. 2023 Projection: 103/23/87/.293/.344/.486/36

12) Jose Ramirez CLE, 3B, 30.6 – Ramirez jammed his thumb at the end of June, which would eventually require off-season surgery, and he wasn’t the same player after that. He had a 1.039 OPS before the injury and a .766 OPS after the injury. He had his usual great year regardless with 29 homers, 20 steals, and a 139 wRC+, but his underlying numbers fell off hard with a below average 87.7 MPH EV and a barely above average .320 xwOBA. Because it is very clear what caused the drop off, and because he should have plenty of time to fully recover this off-season, I wouldn’t drop him at all in rankings. Although this is how a decline can start, with injuries piling up and maybe not healing as well, or as fast as they did when you were in your 20’s. 2023 Projection: 93/30/100/.274/.353/.519/22

13) Bo Bichette TOR, SS, 25.1 – Bichette was on his way to a disappointing season before going Mach 5 in his final 42 games, slashing .386/.436/.608 with 7 homers, 6 steals, and a 29/13 K/BB. He had a .716 OPS in the 117 games before that. The plate approach isn’t great (22.2%/5.9% K%/BB%), the launch angle could be better (8.5 degrees), and he’s not that fast (27.5 ft/sec sprint speed), but what he does best is smoking the ball with a 91.9/95.2 MPH AVG/FB EV, and that is almost the most important thing. I’ll keep betting on a 25 year old who crushes the ball with a good feel to hit and some speed. 2023 Projection: 97/27/97/.293/.340/.502/17

14) Rafael Devers BOS, 3B, 26.5 – Devers is as easy as it comes to evaluate. He demolishes the ball with an elite 93.1 MPH EV, and his 11.3 degree launch angle is geared for both power and average. He also maintained the improved plate approach from 2021 with an 18.6%/8.1% K%/BB%. He’s that perfect combo of being young and established, plus he strikes me as the type who will be able to hit from a wheelchair, meaning I would bet on him producing well into his 30’s. 2023 Projection: 89/29/105/.284/.348/.517/4

15) Michael Harris ATL, OF, 22.1 – Harris got a surprise call-up straight from Double-A and he hit the ground running in the majors, slashing .297/.339/.515 with 19 homers, 20 steals, and a 24.3%/4.8% K%/BB% in 114 games. He has an elite 29.4 ft/sec sprint speed and he hits the ball damn hard with a 89.5/95.8 MPH AVG/FB EV. Both is GB% (56.2% vs. 45.9%) and BB% (4.8% vs. 8.7%) were much better at Double-A than in the majors, so I think it is fair to expect improvements in that area as he refines his game. It’s bonkos he was even able to do what he did as a 21 year old with 196 total AB’s in the upper minors, all at Double-A. He’s an elite dynasty asset. 2023 Projection: 93/22/79/.279/.336/.472/28

16) Wander Franco TBR, SS, 22.1 – A quad injury knocked Franco out for almost all of June and then a wrist injury which required surgery knocked him out for 2 months from early July to early September. The injuries contributed to his mediocre season with his EV tanking to 85.1 MPH after returning from the wrist injury, but it wasn’t the only reason, as he had only 5 homers in 58 games before going down with that injury. He’s simply not geared to be a power hitter at this point in his career, but he’s still so young it would be silly to cap his power upside at this point. He makes so much contact with a 9.6% K% (top 1% of the league) that he doesn’t need to have an extreme launch angle to knock a healthy amount of dingers out, and an 8.2 degree launch is far from hopeless. He also stole 8 bags in 83 games, giving hope he will be more of a mid teens guy than a 10 or under guy. It wasn’t the breakout we were hoping for, but we can’t pine for prospects to get called up in their early 20’s before their prime, and then bemoan the fact they aren’t putting up prime numbers immediately. I’m staying patient and holding strong on his ranking. 2023 Projection: 92/18/76/.292/.348/.447/16 Prime Projection: 106/24/85/.314/.378/.492/15

17) Mookie Betts LAD, OF, 30.6 – It’s clear that Betts is entering the back nine of his career, but a superstar talent like this has some tricks in their bag to slow that decline. He cranked a career high 35 homers in 142 games, and he did it by jumping on the first pitch 30.4% of the time, which is a career high by far (19.1% in 2021). The signs of decline could be seen with his sprint speed not bouncing back from an injury filled 2021, and he now has very slightly below average speed (49th percentile). His 14 steal attempts were a career low (other than the shortened 2020). His BA didn’t bounce back either, sitting at .269, and his xBA is saying it isn’t a fluke (.254 xBA). The adjustments Betts’ is making gives hope he can maintain elite, or near elite levels for a few more years, but it’s hard to completely ignore the red flags that have popped up here and there. 2023 Projection: 110/30/78/.277/.351/.527/14

18) Bryce Harper PHI, OF, 30.6 – Odds are Bryce Harper is on a win now team in Dynasty, and with news he’s likely to be out for a few months into 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, I would go sniffing around to see if you can land him for any kind of a discount. Tommy John surgery is not nearly as big of a deal for hitters as it pitchers, and it’s very likely he returns to prime form. It also feels like the guy is 35 years old already because he’s been in the league since he was 19, but he’s still only 30 and should have several more years of elite production left. He’s in that true elite of the elite class of player that has a real chance of killing it deep into his 30’s. Harper would have been essentially untouchable before this injury, but now the window is open just a crack, and I would go after him regardless of where my team is in the contention cycle. 2023 Projection: 56/18/54/.281/.380/.525/6

19) Corbin Burnes MIL, RHP, 28.5 – Burnes took a step back in 2022 from super elite, to merely elite with a 2.94 ERA and 30.5%/6.4% K%/BB%. He did so while notching a career high by far 202 IP. He has a perfect mix of safety, upside, track record, and youth that no other pitcher can quite match, making him my #1 overall Dynasty pitcher. 2023 Projection: 14/2.86/.0.95/240 in 195 IP

20) Shane McClanahan TBR, LHP, 25.11 – McClanahan not only backed up his 2021 breakout, he went supernova, ascending to true ace status. He put up a 2.54 ERA with a 30.3%/5.8% K%/BB% in 166.1 IP. The one snag is that a shoulder injury knocked him out for a few weeks in September, and he wasn’t quite the same when he returned with a 5.21 ERA and 12/8 K/BB in his final 19 IP. I’m not really concerned because he was throwing even harder with a 97.2 MPH fastball and he faced a very tough schedule (Toronto twice and Houston twice). He might have been my top pitcher without the injury, but he’ll have to settle for #2. 2023 Projection: 13/3.05/0.99/224 in 185 IP

21) Manny Machado SDP, 3B, 30.9 – Here’s how I closed out the Machado blurb in my 2022 Top 1,000 Rankings, “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”  … well, the trend held and Machado had a hell of a season with a career high 152 wRC+. I could do an extensive analysis of the underlying numbers, but I’m afraid there are large forces at play here. Who am I to question the universe? Machado is due for one of his good but not standout seasons in 2023 (and his underlying numbers agree with a career low .338 xwOBA and 20.7% K%, which is good but not standout). 2023 Projection: 90/33/95/.281/.350/.508/8

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

23) Jacob deGrom TEX, RHP, 34.10 – deGrom is 34 years old, but he is in that tier of elite athlete that could continue to play at a high level into their 40’s. Just look at Tom Brady. He’s 45 and he has 300 pound, sub 5.0 forty guys trying to take his head off. deGrom is in that super elite class, and he doesn’t have to deal with standing strong in the pocket with an unprotected blitz descending upon him. He just put up an absolutely silly 42.7%/3.3% K%/BB% with a 0.75 WHIP in 64.1 IP. Both his 2021 and 2022 have been injury shortened seasons with a UCL and shoulder injury, but I think those numbers speak to themselves as to how the arm was feeling. He could easily have another 5 elite years in the tank, and why not 10. It’s not like young pitching is really any safer, as young pitchers are arguably more risky than older guys. Use deGrom’s advanced age and injury shortened seasons to your advantage. 2023 Projection: 14/2.51/0.95/220 in 170 IP

24) Francisco Lindor NYM, SS, 29.5 – Lindor was one of my top buys in 2022, ranking him 23rd overall in my 2022 Top 1,000 Rankings and closing his blurb by writing, “Lindor is an easy buy this off-season.” As expected, that is exactly how it played out with Lindor bouncing back to finish as the 10th best fantasy player in baseball (Razzball Player Rater). He simply did what he’s done his entire career, which is more or less be an above average player in every facet of the game. He should have a few more years of prime production left before his stolen bases dry up the deeper he gets into his 30’s as he is slowing down a little bit. 2023 Projection: 94/25/89/.263/.330/.453/17

25) Pete Alonso NYM, 1B, 28.4 – Alonso maintained 100% of the hit tool gains he made in 2021 with a career best 18.7% K% and .271 BA in 2022. Putting up those kind of contact numbers is scary with the kind of power he has, and it led to 40 homers. He is a perennial contender for the home run crown. 2023 Projection: 88/38/110/.268/.356/.520/4

26) Mike Trout LAA, OF, 31.8 – Panic hit the baseball world when it was announced Trout had a “rare” back injury that would require maintenance for the rest of his career, but then he returned from that injury and drilled 16 homers with a 1.056 OPS in his final 40 games. Granted, it came with a 24.3%/8.7% K%/BB%. His swing and miss was at career worst levels even before the injury with a 27.9% K% and 30.2 whiff% on the season. It’s becoming a trend as his K% was up a lot in 2021 as well. I believe we are seeing a glimpse into what the decline phase will look like. His power will thrive, but the batting average and OBP may be coming down. We already know the stolen bases have dried up completely, and that the injury risk is high too. 2023 Projection: 91/42/90/.280/.377/.605/3

27) Luis Robert CHW, OF, 25.8 – Robert battled through a variety of injuries which conspired to tank his season. He battled Covid in late May, picked up a leg injury shortly after that, then battled lightheadedness and blurred vision in July, before a wrist injury in mid August essentially ended his season even though he tried to play through it. He still managed to have a solid season through it all, slashing .284/.319/.426 with 12 homers, 11 steals, and a 77/17 K/BB in 98 games. He took a step back in many areas (Barrel%, EV, launch, sprint speed), but the one area he didn’t take a step back in was hit tool with him putting up a career best 19.2% K%. I feel confident a fully healthy Robert will get back to doing damage as long as he gets the bat on the ball, and the fact he put up career best marks there is very encouraging to me. 2023 Projection: 88/24/91/.277/.328/.460/19

28) Austin Riley ATL, 3B, 26.0 – Riley locked in his status as one of the premier power hitters in baseball in 2022. His 92.5 MPH EV was in the top 4% of the league and it led to 38 homers in 159 games. A 12.9 degree launch should keep his BA high, and he continues to make plate approach gains with a career best 8.2% BB% and 27.6% whiff%. I sense he still doesn’t get quite the respect he deserves, and even this ranking might be too low. 2023 Projection: 87/34/99/.270/.346/.524/1

29) Gerrit Cole NYY, RHP, 32.7 – Cole’s spin rates were just fine, which I figured would be the case with all the spin rate panic last off-season, writing in last year’s Top 1,000, “I’m betting on the spider tack guys getting their mojo back in 2022.”  He did put up his worst ERA (3.50), xERA (3.31), K% (32.4%), and xwOBA (.284) since his 2018 breakout, but all of them were just barely 5 year lows. Maybe it is a sign that he is entering the beginning of his decline phase, but all of his pitches were as nasty as ever, so I’m leaning towards it just being normal variance. He’s one of the safest, if not the safest ace in baseball. 2023 Projection: 15/3.26/1.02/250 in 195 IP

30) Sandy Alcantara MIA, RHP, 27.7 – Alcantara’s 228.2 IP led all of baseball, which makes up for his relative lack of strikeouts with a not that far above average 23.4% K%. His game is weak contact with an above average 87.8 MPH EV against, groundballs with a 5.5 degree launch angle, and plus control with a 6.6% BB%. With the new shift rules, Alcantara is the type of pitcher who might take a hit from it, but I don’t think you should overthink it. He’s too good to downgrade him for it. 2023 Projection: 14/3.11/1.04/209 in 215 IP

31) Aaron Nola PHI, RHP, 29.10 – Nola put up a career best 5.2% BB% in 2021, and he took it to another level in 2022 with a crazy elite 3.6%, which was the 2nd best mark among qualified pitchers behind Corey Kluber (3%). The improved control didn’t impact his ability to miss bats (29.1% K%) or induce weak contact (87.7 MPH EV) at all. It led to a 3.25 ERA with a 235/29 K/BB in 205 IP. His 4.63 ERA from 2021 made him an easy buy call and he unsurprisingly bounced right back. 2023 Projection: 14/3.38/0.99/227 in 195 IP

32) Jazz Chisholm MIA, 2B, 25.2 – Chisholm’s season ended in late June with a stress fracture in his back that ended up requiring surgery. To add insult to injury, actually, to add injury to injury, he also underwent surgery in September to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee that he was playing through for most of the season. The fact he was going full breakout with a torn knee is almost more impressive than I am scared off by the knee surgery. He had 14 homers, 12 steals and a reasonable .254 BA in 60 games with strong underlying numbers to back it up (.345 xwOBA, 90.4 MPH EV, 29.2 ft/sec sprint). The back injury sounds scary, but Evan Carter had a stress fracture in his back that ended his season in 2021, and he had a great year in 2022. I can’t deny the double injury is a little concerning, and he certainly would have ranked higher without the injuries, but it’s not enough to scare me off. I would use it as a buying opportunity. 2023 Projection: 79/27/87/.248/.322/.487/18

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

34) Brandon Woodruff MIL, RHP, 30.2 – Woodruff was diagnosed with Raynaud’s Syndrome in June, but the diagnoses sounded scarier than the reality as he returned no worse for the wear. His 31.1% whiff% was actually a career best on the back of his changeup taking a step forward with a 54% whiff%. He had his usual elite season with a 3.05 ERA and 30.6%/6.8% K%/BB% in 153.1 IP. 2023 Projection: 14/3.18/1.04/210 in 175 IP

35) Dylan Cease CHW, RHP, 27.3 – Cease has everything but control. He has filthy stuff (96.8 MPH fastball), big K rates (30.4% K%), and induces weak contact (86.8 EV against). The 10.4% BB% adds more risk than the aces ranked above him, and it results in his WHIP being relatively on the high side (1.11). He still put up a 2.20 ERA (2.70 xERA) with the high walk rate, but we’ve seen guys who struggle with control have very inconsistent careers. I’m not scared off by it, but it’s certainly something to keep in mind. 2023 Projection: 14/3.29/1.15/228 in 185 IP

36) Spencer Strider ATL, RHP, 24.5 – Strider’s 38.3% K% was only bested amongst starters by deGrom’s stupid 42.7% K%. It also leads all starters in the history of baseball on the career leaderboard. Clearly it’s a small sample size (131.2 IP), and there is no decline phase which every other retired pitcher has factored in, but it shows the type of insane upside Strider has. He’s mostly a 2 pitch pitcher with a 98.2 MPH fastball and an elite slider that put up a 52.5% whiff%, but the changeup was elite too when he went to it with a .154 xwOBA and 47.5% whiff% (4.8% usage). He doesn’t have control issues either with an about average 8.5% BB%. I named him one of my top mid-season trade targets in late June, essentially calling him the 2022 version of Shane McClanahan, and his value has only skyrocketed since then. 2023 Projection: 13/3.15/1.09/242 in 170 IP

37) Freddie Freeman LAD, 1B, 33.7 – Freeman is an all fields hitter whose homer power was most certainly impacted by the dead ball, hitting an 8 year low (on a per game basis) 21 homers, but not being reliant on homers helped him overcome the ball in general with an elite .403 xwOBA (3rd best overall). He might be the most consistent elite hitter in the game. He also stole a career high 13 bags and has yet to show signs of losing speed. He certainly has the potential to produce deep into his 30’s. 2023 Projection: 112/28/97/.306/.398/.515/11

38) Alek Manoah TOR, RHP, 25.3 – Manoah proved his 4-seamer dominating MLB hitters was no fluke in his 2021 rookie year, backing it up in 2022 with the pitch putting up a negative 19 run value (6th best overall). All 4 of his pitches were firmly above average to plus, and he fired them with plus control (6.5% BB%). He also proved he is a workhorse with 196.2 IP. The swing and miss rates were only average (22.9% K%), and his xERA was much better than his ERA (3.31 xERA vs. 2.24 ERA), but that feels like nitpicking considering he finished the season as the 4th best fantasy pitcher. 2023 Projection: 15/3.15/1.03/188 in 190 IP

39) Corey Seager TEX, SS, 28.11 – Seager doesn’t get the respect he deserves in the fantasy world. The guy is an elite hitter with a .372 xwOBA which was in the top 4% of the league. He has double plus contact rates with a 15.5% K%, he crushes the ball with a 91.1 MPH EV, and his 13.6 degree launch angle is conducive to both power and average. He jacked a career high 33 homers this year and while it came with a .245 BA, a lot of that was bad luck with a career low by far .242 BABIP. While I don’t think the new shift rules will have a major impact in general, Seager could be the type of hitter it helps out a little bit. If he hits .300 next year with 35 homers it wouldn’t be surprising at all. 2023 Projection: 90/30/90/.280/.350/.505/2

40) Carlos Rodon NYY, LHP, 30.4 – All of the injury concern this off-season proved to be for naught as Rodon notched a career high 178 IP, and he only got stronger as the season progressed. He ended up with a pitching line of 2.88/1.03/237/52. His fastball averaged a career high 95.5 MPH and he decided to almost completely ditch his changeup which got destroyed in 2021. Throwing your good pitches more and your bad pitches less is sometimes presented as like some kind of genius revolutionary idea, but it is the most common sense thing in the world. Rodon is straight elite when healthy, and I’m not sure it’s fair to give him all that much of an injury downgrade at this point. Even this ranking could be too cautious. 2023 Projection: 13/3.02/1.05/215 in 170 IP

41) Randy Arozarena TBR, OF, 28.1 – Arozarena continues to defy the Statcast gods, handily outperforming his underlying numbers for the 4th year in a row. He put up a .336 wOBA vs. .301 xwOBA. Being very fast (28.8 ft/sec sprint) and hitting the ball hard (89.9 MPH EV) on a line (8.8 degree launch angle) seems to be the formula to get “lucky.” Luck is the residue of design. He made real contact gains with a career best 28.6% whiff%. It all led to 20 homers, 32 steals, and a .263 BA. Arozarena also seems perfectly positioned to take advantage of the new pick off rules as a young, fast, liberal base stealer. The poor underlying numbers gives me a enough pause to not rank him higher than this, but I also think this ranking shows I’m a believer. 2023 Projection: 80/18/80/.258/.330/.440/30

42) Cedric Mullins BAL, OF, 28.6 – Mullins had one of the best “disappointing” seasons ever with 16 homers and 34 steals, finishing 27th overall on the Razzball Player Rater. He couldn’t come close to matching his 2021 power breakout, and while the dead ball certainly played a big role, it was very obviously a career year that he is unlikely to repeat. Like Arozarena, Mullins has outperformed his underlying statcast numbers his entire career (.328 career wOBA vs. .303 xwOBA), so I wouldn’t panic too much over the very poor .288 xwOBA in 2022, but speed is most certainly the skill you are buying here. 2023 Projection: 87/20/70/.266/.328/.437/36

43) Shane Bieber CLE, RHP, 27.10 – Bieber’s fastball tanked to 91.3 MPH from a high of 94.1 MPH in 2020, which validated the concerns over his strained shoulder coming into the year, but it turned out he doesn’t need the huge fastball to be elite. He put up a pitching line of 2.88/1.04/198/36 in 200 IP. Bieber’s velocity ticked up relatively later in his career, so he already knew how to pitch with a low 90’s fastball, and that was obvious with him compensating by becoming an even more elite control guy with a 4.6% BB%. The underlying numbers didn’t look as good with a 3.51 xERA, but many, many pitchers this year outdid their xERA, so the dead ball probably messed with the numbers a little bit. I’m expecting the balls to be less dead next year, but your guess is as good as mine. The new shift rules will regress some of that BABIP luck as well. 2023 Projection: 14/3.28/1.10/205 in 190 IP

44) Zac Gallen ARI, RHP, 27.8 – An injury marred 2021 had Gallen’s price depressed last off-season, and he rewarded his believers with the best season of his career in 2022, putting up a pitching line of 2.54/0.91/192/47 in 184 IP. He did it on the back of improved control with his BB% dropping 2.8 percentage points to a career best 6.6%, and also increased velocity with is 4-seamer up 0.7 MPH to a career best 94.1 MPH. The only quibble is that his swing and miss is on the decline with a below average, career worst 23% whiff%, but in the context of all the other improvements he made, I wouldn’t be too concerned. Plus his K% was still above average at 26.9%. I would hesitate to put Gallen into that true ace tier, but he’s in the tier right below that one. 2023 Projection: 14/3.21/1.08/195 in 185 IP

45) Ozzie Albies ATL, 2B, 26.3 – Albies season effectively ended in mid June from a broken foot. He returned in mid September only to break his pinky his 2nd game back. Sometimes you just can’t catch a break. Or maybe it was a blessing in disguise as he was in the midst of a pretty bad year with a poor 87.1 MPH EV, .297 xwOBA, and 27.5 ft/sec sprint speed. He had only 8 homers, 3 steals, and a .703 OPS in 64 games. The bottom line is that both the surface and underlying numbers look bad, but his youth and track record is strong enough to overlook it. I seriously doubt he’s all of a sudden not that good. 2023 Projection: 88/25/86/.263/.318/.466/14

46) Julio Urias LAD, LHP, 26.8 – I feel like I’ve been the high guy on Urias since 2019, and continually pushing him up my ranks paid off yet again (37th overall in 2022) with him putting up a pitching line of 2.16/0.96/166/41 in 175 IP. He’s not a big strikeout guy, but he’s a weak contact machine with a 86.7 MPH EV against. He’s never had a mark over 87.1 MPH in his 7 year career. He combines that with near elite control with a 6% BB%, and he should continue to rack up wins on the Dodgers. 2023 Projection: 15/3.17/1.00/174 in 178 IP

Shadow46) Shohei Ohtani LAA, RHP, 28.9 – This is where I would take Ohtani as a pitcher only. I didn’t think Ohtani would ever throw 166 innings in a single season, and with how much pitchers get restricted these days, that is almost a full workload. 2023 Projection: 13/2.94/1.03/199 in 161 IP

47) Eloy Jimenez CHW, OF, 26.4 – Jimenez went down with a hamstring injury just 11 games into the season, but he returned a man on fire, not only reestablishing himself as one of the premier young power hitters in the game, but also taking his game to the next level. He notched career bests in EV (92.8 MPH), xwOBA (.365), K% (22%), and BB% (8.6%). It led to a slash of .295/..358/.500 with 16 homers in 84 games. His 7.4 degree launch angle isn’t necessarily geared for homers, but it will keep his BA high and he crushes the ball so hard he doesn’t need a huge launch to rack up dingers. The improved plate approach is also a great sign that we could be in store for a monster season in 2023. I’m buying. 2023 Projection: 82/32/95/.274/.337/.512/0

48) Cristian Javier HOU, RHP, 26.0 – There is a starter logjam in Houston (less so at the moment with Verlander leaving town), but I highly doubt one of the smartest teams in baseball leave one of the best starters in the game out of their rotation. And one of the best starters in the game is exactly what Javier is with a 2.54 ERA and 33.2%/8.9% K%/BB% in 148.2 IP. He doesn’t throw gas with a 93.8 MPH 4-seamer, but it was the 10th most valuable 4-seamer in baseball, and his elite slider put up a .175 xwOBA (5th best overall with min 100 PA). Maybe it means Houston goes to a 6 man rotation, but I would be blown away if he isn’t in it. I named him one of my top 10 mid-season trade targets in late June, and his value has skyrocketed since then. 2023 Projection: 13/3.39/1.08/215 in 170 IP

49) George Kirby SEA, RHP, 25.2 – Kirby dominated in his MLB debut with elite control (4.1% BB%) of a legitimate 6 pitch mix (4-seam, curve, cutter, sinker, slider, change). He threw each pitch at least 8% of the time, but the fastball is the money maker, throwing it 45.4% of the time and putting up a negative 18 run value on it, which was the 9th best in baseball. It led to a pitching line of 3.39/1.21/133/22 in 130 IP. As advertised from his prospect days, none of his secondaries are true out pitches, and his 24.5% K% isn’t standout (21.2% whiff% is well below average), but that is one hell of a rookie season. 2023 Projection: 12/3.45/1.11/178 in 170 IP

50) Luis Castillo SEA, RHP, 30.4 – Castillo went from the 2nd worst pitcher’s park in baseball to the very best at the trade deadline, and while his numbers didn’t take a jump, it was only because he was already in the midst of having his best season in Cincinnati. It was the first year of his career with a sub 3.00 ERA, granted just barely with a 2.99 ERA in 150.1 IP. His season was delayed by a shoulder issue, but he looked completely healthy with a 97.1 MPH fastball, and his K% bounced back from a down 2021 with a 27.2% K%. The move to Seattle cements his status as a near ace. 2023 Projection: 14/3.37/1.09/203 in 180 IP

51) Oneil Cruz PIT, SS, 24.6 – Cruz is the highest risk, highest reward player in fantasy, and as you can tell from this ranking, I’m betting on the reward. He has truly elite speed with a 29.9 ft/sec sprint speed (top 2%), stealing 11 bags in 87 games. He smokes the ball with a 91.9/97.2 MPH AVG/FB EV, which basically makes him launch angle proof, and an 8.3 degree launch isn’t that bad, leading to 17 homers. It should also help keep his batting average from completely falling off the face of the Earth, because the guy has a wee bit of a strikeout problem with a 34.8% K% and 35.4% whiff% (.233 BA). I like to take strategic risks in fantasy (if you can’t take risks in fantasy, when can you take risks?), and I’m betting on that K rate coming down because his strikeout rates in the minors really weren’t all that bad. I remember when Aaron Judge put up a 44.2% K% in his MLB debut and everyone got scared off, but I didn’t get scared off, and I’m not getting scared off Cruz either. 2023 Projection: 76/27/84/.244/.316/24 Prime Projection: 86/32/99/.258/.337/.512/26

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

53) Jose Altuve HOU, 2B, 32.11 – Altuve started running again out of nowhere and stole 18 bags in 19 attempts. Good luck trying to predict steals, and that goes doubly for 2023 with the new rules. His power was unaffected by the dead ball with 28 homers, even though his 85.9 MPH EV was a career low. He’s been pulling the ball in the air more than ever these past 2 seasons, and pulled flyballs were least affected by the dead balls. He also notched a career best 10.9% BB% as the cherry on top. 2023 Projection: 95/26/72/.288/.364/.490/14

54) Max Fried ATL, LHP, 29.2 – Fried’s control went from plus to elite with a 4.4% BB%, and it led to the best year of his career with a pitching line of 2.48/1.01/170/32 in 185.1 IP. I’ve noticed many guys with good control took it to another level in 2022, and I suspect it’s because they were less afraid to attack the plate with the dead ball. The balls may be less dead in 2022 (or may not be), but it’s not like Fried isn’t damn good with a “regular” ball, and he improved his arsenal this year by making his changeup a legitimate 5th pitch. He threw it a career high 14.1% and it put up an excellent .207 xwOBA with a 36.7% whiff%. He now has 5 pitches that range from above average to elite. A big K rate is the only thing missing. 2023 Projection: 14/3.00/1.07/170 in 180 IP

55) Zack Wheeler PHI, RHP, 32.10 – Wheeler battled some shoulder soreness before the season, and a forearm injury kept him out for a month in August/September. It resulted in a small drop in velocity, but he had plenty of velocity to spare with it dropping 1.3 MPH to a still excellent 95.9 MPH. It also didn’t result in any performance decline as his elite control (5.6% BB%) and weak contact (85.9 MPH EV against) profile led to a 2.82 ERA with a 163/34 K/BB in 153 IP. He also dominated the playoffs with a 2.67 ERA in 30.1 IP. 2023 Projection: 14/3.08/1.05/199 in 185 IP

56) Paul Goldschmidt STL, 1B, 35.7 – Maybe I’m doing too much of “I told you to buy this guy and then he exploded after that,” but I put so much time into this and I’m proud of my hits. And I’ve genuinely hit on a ton of guys (I have misses too like Grandal, Tork, Giolito, and Nestor Cortes, among others). Goldy was my top mid-season trade target in late June of 2021, and since then he literally flipped a switch and turned back into an elite performer. His huge 2021 2nd half continued into 2022 where Goldy put up a 177 wRC+ in 151 games. He overperformed the underlying numbers by a good bit (.419 wOBA vs. .367 xwOBA), but his xwOBA was still in the top 5% of the league. He’s 35 now and I don’t think you can expect this level of production for much longer, but you can’t let an elite bat like this fall much further than this, even in a dynasty league. 2023 Projection: 95/32/99/.291/.390/.522/8

57) Joe Musgrove SDP, RHP, 30.4 – Musgrove throws a 6 pitch mix and all 6 pitches put up an above average xwOBA against. It led to a career best 2.93 ERA in 181 IP. Pitching to contact was all the rage this year, and Musgrove is a man of the times with his BB% dropping 1.5 percentage points to 5.7%, inducing tons of weak contact with a 86.4 MPH EV against. His K% went down with it, dropping 2.2 percentage points to 24.9%, but like I’ve mentioned, it seemed to be a conscious choice with the dead balls. 2023 Projection: 13/3.37/1.11/189 in 180

58) Kevin Gausman TOR, RHP, 32.3 – It turns out that Gausman didn’t turn to dust with his move from San Francisco to Toronto, putting up a pitching line of 3.35/1.24/205/28 in 174.2 IP. His 3.9% BB% and 3.34 xERA were both career bests. His elite splitter was tied for the 2nd most valuable splitter in baseball with Taijuan Walker, and behind my boy Tony Gonsolin. 2023 Projection: 13/3.48/1.16/210 in 180 IP

59) Nolan Arenado STL, 3B, 32.0 – Arenado put up a .381 wOBA vs. a .339 xwOBA, but he’s outperformed his xwOBA every year of his career, so I don’t think it means much. It’s because he doesn’t exactly crush the ball with an average-ish 88.7 MPH EV, but he obviously doesn’t exert himself an inch more than is needed as he slashed .293/.358/.533 with 30 homers and a 72/52 K/BB in 148 games. His 11.6% K% was the 2nd best mark of his career. 2023 Projection: 83/32/100/.277/.341/.510/3

60) Tyler Glasnow TBR, RHP, 29.8 – Glasnow returned from Tommy John surgery just in time to show everyone he is back to being elite, going 11.2 IP with a 15/0 K/BB and 1 ER, including the playoffs. The fastball sat 97.4 MPH and the 38.5%/7.7% K%/BB% shows the whiffs and control were in prime form. Durability is the biggest factor with him never throwing more than 111.2 IP in the majors, but he’s truly elite if he can stay healthy. 2023 Projection: 11/3.38/1.12/180 in 150 IP

61) Elly De La Cruz CIN, SS/3B, 21.3 – Elly De La Cruz might still be a high risk, high reward prospect, but in 2022 the risk got a whole lot less, and the reward got a whole lot more. He put up one of the those stupid good seasons in the minors, slashing .304/.359/.586 with 28 homers, 47 steals, and a 30.8%/7.8% K%/BB% in 120 games split between High-A and Double-A. He ripped up both levels, and most importantly, he didn’t let his K% skyrocket at Double-A. He’s currently playing in the pitcher’s haven Dominican Winter League, which is a grown man’s league (he’s about 8 years younger than average), and it’s great sign that he’s running a 26.7%/15.8% K%/BB% in 101 PA. It sure seems like he will be able to continue to improve the plate approach rather than it going in the opposite direction. The numbers he can potentially put up at Great American Ballpark are scary. 2023 Projection: 32/11/35/.232/.294/.433/12 Prime Projection: 87/30/98/.250/.331/.503/30

62) Dustin May LAD, RHP, 25.7 – May returned from Tommy John surgery in late August, and while he wasn’t able to seamlessly pick up from his 2021 breakout, he showed the ingredients to get back there in 2023. He continued to throw the 97.2 MPH sinker much less in favor of his 98.1 MPH 4 seamer and secondaries (curve, cutter, change), which drove his 2021 breakout. The improved whiff% remained with a strong 29.7% whiff%, and he kept the ball on the ground as always with a 4.7 degree launch. Control is often the last thing to come back after returning from Tommy John, and that proved true for May as he had a career worst by a mile 11% BB%, which led to the poor 4.50 ERA in 30 IP. He’s had plus to elite control his entire career though, so I would be shocked if that didn’t bounce back in 2023. You have one last off-season to buy into May, because he’s headed for a monster 2023. 2023 Projection: 12/3.32/1.08/160 in 150 IP

63) Tommy Edman STL, 2B/SS, 27.11 – Edman’s power ticked up in his age 27 season with a career best 88.6 MPH EV and 6.2% Barrel%. It led to 13 homers and a .725 OPS, which is a bit of a bummer if that is the best he can do, but taking into account the dead ball it was good for a 108 wRC+. What you’re buying here is stolen bases, and Edman is an elite base stealer with 32 steals in 35 attempts. He’s perfectly set up to take advantage of the new stolen base rules. 2023 Projection: 88/14/59/.271/.325/.405/35

64) Anthony Volpe NYY, SS, 21.11 – Volpe got off to a rough start at Double-A with a .647 OPS and 24% K% in his first 37 games, but he came alive after that, slashing .286/.374/.536 with 13 homers, 26 steals, and a 14.4%/10.7% K%/BB% in 72 games. He does it all with a mature plate approach, plus game power, and plus stolen base ability. Despite the 17.7% K% at Double-A on the season, he still hit only .251 because of an extreme 56.9% flyball percentage. If the balls stay dead, it could be an issue because he isn’t a huge raw power guy at 5’11”, 180 pounds. He also struggled when he got the call to Triple-A with his K% spiking to 30.3%, and putting up a 91 wRC+ in 22 games. The profile isn’t flawless, but he has a super fantasy friendly skillset, and he was a 21 year old in the upper minors, so further refinement is surely coming. He’s an elite prospect. 2023 Projection: 38/10/35/.236/.316/.421/12 Prime Projection: 89/26/88/.267/.341/.473/21

65) Jordan Walker STL, 3B/OF, 20.11 – Nobody smashes the ball as hard as the 6’5”, 220 pound Walker. One thing we don’t have to worry about is him getting to the majors and putting up like an 84 MPH EV. He’s gonna hit it hard. He was a 20 year old at Double-A and ripped 19 homers with 31 doubles in 119 games, good for a 128 wRC+. He then wrecked the AFL with 5 homers, 6 doubles, and a .925 OPS in 21 games. He has some swing and miss in his game, but it’s far from the danger zone with a 21.6%/10.8% K%/BB%, and he has plus speed with 22 steals, although considering his size, you might not want to count on him majorly in that category. He started to transition to the OF, which gives him a path to playing time with Arenado locked in at 3B. 2023 Projection: 42/12/47/.251/.326/.461/7 Prime Projection: 92/33/105/.267/.346/.513/12

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

67) Max Scherzer NYM, RHP, 38.9 – Scherzer showed zero signs of decline in 2022 when on the mound. He put up a 2.29 ERA with a 30.6%/4.2% K%/BB% in 145.1 IP. The K’s were down slightly, but that was a trend around the league. The only way age reared it’s ugly head was with durability. He battled an oblique injury which led to career low in IP (other than his rookie year and 2020), and he hasn’t been able to surpass 179.1 IP since 2018. Don’t count on huge innings totals, but all signs point to him continuing to be elite. You deserve an elite prospect for him if you’re selling in dynasty. 2023 Projection: 14/2.98/0.98/209 in 175 IP

68) Framber Valdez HOU, LHP, 29.5 – Valdez was born to do one thing, and that thing is killing worms. He throws a 5 pitch mix and all 5 pitches induce grounders. His negative 3.6 degree launch angle is bested only by Clay Holmes’ ridiculous negative 8.1 degree launch. His 93.9 MPH sinker, which he goes to almost half the time, is his money maker, but his curveball, cutter, and changeup all graded out to almost elite when he went to them with a .202, .200, and .222 xwOBA against, respectively. He proved his walk rate won’t be a major issue with a 8.1% BB% and he also proved his durability with 201.1 IP. He’s not a true fantasy ace because he doesn’t rack up K’s and his WHIP’s are on the high side, but he’s in the tier right under that. 2023 Projection: 15/3.29/1.18/185 in 188 IP

69) Matt Olson ATL, 1B, 29.0 – Olson wasn’t able to maintain the BA and strikeout gains he made in 2021 with his K% jumping back up 7.5 percentage points to 24.3% and his batting average tanking to .240. The power was no problemo though with him jacking 34 homers with an elite 92.9 MPH EV (top 3%). He’s one of the premier power hitters in the game, but the hope he could consistently marry the power with a high BA has dissipated. 2023 Projection: 88/35/105/.250/.340/.506/2

70) Dansby Swanson CHC, SS, 29.2 – Swanson’s power continues to tick up, beating the dead ball back with a stick (literally), smacking 25 homers with a career best 90.2 MPH and 15.7 degree launch. He also ran more than ever with 18 steals in 25 attempts. He needed BABIP luck (.348 BABIP) to notch a .277 BA as his plate approach remains average to below average with a 26.1%/7.0% K%/BB%, and with him landing in Chicago (8th worst park for righties), I would expect that BA to come down. 2023 Projection: 81/26/88/.260/.327/.452/14

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Posted on by Michael Halpern

Patreon Post: Updated Points/6+Cats/OPS “Universal” Top 430 2022 Dynasty Baseball Rankings

The Updated Points/6+Cats/OPS “Universal” Top 430 2022 Dynasty Baseball Rankings are for leagues that juice up good real life hitters and devalues speed. Their 5×5 BA ranking is in parenthesis. Let’s get to it:

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Tier 1

1) (3) Juan Soto WASH, OF, 23.7 – Not dropping his ranking at all yet. Underlying numbers are still elite

2) (2) Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL, OF, 24.5

3) (8) Yordan Alvarez HOU, OF, 24.10 – Yordan and Vlad are made for this type of format where speed is devalued. I can see going with them even over Acuna depending on the specific rules

4) (1) Shohei Ohtani LAA, RHP/DH, 27.11

5) (9) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. TOR, 1B, 23.2 

6) (4) Kyle Tucker HOU, OF, 25.4 

7) (5) Fernando Tatis Jr. SD, SS, 23.5 

8) (16) Mike Trout LAA, OF, 30.9 – So good that I think he deserves to be in Tier 1 in these kinds of formats despite the fact he is 30

9) (18) Rafael Devers BOS, 3B, 25.6 – Low walk rates are the only thing keeping me from ranking him even higher

10) (21) Aaron Judge NYY, OF, 30.0 -.465 xwOBA is 2nd to only Yordan

11) (11) Jose Ramirez CLE, 3B, 29.6

12) (15) Bryce Harper PHI, OF, 29.5 – UCL thing is still in the back of my mind even though it doesn’t look to be affecting him much

Tier 2

13) (24) Pete Alonso NYM, 1B, 27.5

14) (31) Austin Riley ATL, 3B, 25.1

15) (14) Wander Franco TBR, SS, 21.3 – He’s a great long term 5×5 fantasy asset, but he’s even better in a format that rewards good real life hitters

16) (6) Julio Rodriguez SEA, OF, 21.4 – Julio and Witt take a hit in these rankings because they have not established themselves as elite hitters yet and their stolen bases don’t make as much of an impact.

17) (7) Bobby Witt Jr. KC, SS, 21.10 

Shadow17) (16) Shohei Ohtani LAA, DH only/Weekly Leagues, 27.9

18) (10) Trea Turner LAD, SS, 28.10

19) (19) Corbin Burnes MIL, RHP, 27.6

20) (20) Shane McClanahan TBR, LHP, 25.0

21) (32) Matt Olson ATL, 1B, 28.1

22) (12) Bo Bichette TOR, SS, 24.3 

23) (13) Luis Robert CHW, OF, 24.10 

24) (22) Manny Machado SD, 3B, 29.10 

25) (17) Mookie Betts LAD, OF, 29.6 – On the IL with a cracked rib but they are hopeful he can return in a couple of weeks. There is definitely risk this could hurt his production when he returns

26) (44) Corey Seager TEX, SS, 28.0

Tier 3

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

Posted on by Michael Halpern

Monday Morning Dynasty Baseball Rundown (4/25/22)

I’ll be running down everything that caught my eye in the Dynasty Baseball world on most Mondays throughout the season. Here is the Monday Morning Dynasty Baseball Rundown (4/25/22):

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ALL SEASON, INCLUDING:
-UPDATED APRIL 2022 TOP 414 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
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Jesus Luzardo MIA, LHP, 24.6 – 5 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 8/4 K/BB vs. Atlanta. Why improve your control when you can just make your stuff even nastier? Luzardo’s BB% is still sitting at 11.5%, but the fastball is up to 97.1 MPH and his whiff% is up 10.1 percentage points to 39.5%. It’s a good life lesson. If you can’t improve your weaknesses, just make your strengths even stronger.

Byron Buxton MIN, OF, 28.3 – 6 for 9 with 3 homers in his last 3 games. He now has a 97.8 MPH EV and a 1.361 OPS on the season. I ranked Buxton 32nd overall on my off-season Top 1,000 because I thought the injury risk was deflating his league winning upside too much. I’ll take a quick victory lap for Buxton while he’s still healthy, and also because if Buxton took the victory lap, he’d probably pull a hammy and be out for the year.

Connor Joe COL, 1B/OF, 29.7 – Continues to put in Yeoman’s work, going 1 for 4 with a double and a 0/1 K/BB. Joe has just been quietly performing like a near elite hitter with a career .370 xwOBA in 264 AB. He has a .406 xwOBA this year with a career best 17.3% whiff%, which backs up his excellent 18.6%/11.9% K%/BB%. He jumped all the way up to #183 on my Updated April 2022 Top 414 Dynasty Baseball Rankings over on Patreon. Don’t sleep on him. He looks like the next legit late career breakout.

Cody Bellinger LAD, OF/1B, 26.9 – I kept the faith on Bellinger, ranking him 63rd overall this off-season, and he has rewarded that faith, dropping two bombs yesterday to bring his season OPS up to .915. I would still be a tad cautious to consider him back to being elite because of a 33.3% K%, but it seems pretty safe to say he didn’t all of a sudden turn into a horrible ballplayer. It was just a rough couple years because of poor luck and injury.

Ty France SEA, 1B/2B, 27.9 – 3 for 5 with his 5th homer, and now has a 1.116 OPS on the year. He has a career best 10.5% K% and 89.6 MPH EV. Always gotta balance out all the back patting with one I got wrong, and while it’s not like I was super low on France, ranking him 163rd overall this off-season, I’ve been generally low on France his entire career. It was a mistake.

Corbin Carroll ARI, OF, 21.7 – Carroll’s ascent to truly elite prospect status was basically a foregone conclusion, and he’s fulfilling that promise with his 3rd homer on an electric swing down in the zone. He has a 192 wRC+ with 5 steals in 13 games at Double-A. I don’t care if you are in win now mode, do not trade this man unless you are getting back a near elite hitter back in return.

Michael Harris ATL, OF, 21.1 – Absolutely destroyed his first homer of the year at Double-A. and while he hasn’t hit many homers in his career, watching that one shows the kind of potential he has. All of the skills have basically transferred to Double-A with a .317 BA and 6 steals. Unlocking more of his plus raw power is the last step.

Masyn Winn STL, SS/RHP, 20.0 – St. Louis dropped the pitching thing and decided to have Winn focus solely on hitting. So far, so good as Winn unloaded for his first homer of the year to bring his season wRC+ up to 210 in 10 games at High-A on the back of a 15.6%/11.1% K%/BB%. He has 4 steals with a 38.7% GB% and plus raw power. Now could be the time to buy in before his value explodes.

Zack Collins TOR, C, 27.2 – Collins is stealing Alejandro Kirk’s presumed breakout, going 2 for 5 with his 3rd homer. He now has a .960 OPS on the season with a 94.9 MPH EV. but a 32.4%/2.9% K%/BB% and long term playing time concerns still makes me hesitant to buy in.

Jeremy Pena HOU, SS, 24.5 – Ripped a 425 foot walk off dinger off Jordan Romano for his 3rd of the year. He’s smashing the ball with a 90.6 MPH EV and has respectable contact rates with a 25.7% whiff%. He jumped to #158 on the Updated Dynasty Rankings.

Shane McClanahan TBR, LHP, 24.11 – 7 IP, 6 hits, 2 ER, 7/0 K/BB vs. Boston. Fastball sat 96.6 MPH and put up a 40% whiff% overall. His curve, slider, and changeup now have a 45.9%, 47.4%, and 57.1% whiff% on the season. He’s quickly cementing himself as an ace.

Nick Lodolo CIN, LHP, 24.2 – 5.2 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, and a 7/0 K/BB vs. St. Louis. All of his skills are translating to the MLB level with a strong 86.1 MPH EV against, 7 degree launch angle, and a 27.5%/7.2% K%/BB%. If you can buy low off the 5.52 ERA, I would do so.

Randal Grichuk COL, OF, 30.8 – Grichuk got off the schneid with his first homer on a 414 foot, 108.7 MPH bomb. He went 3 for 4 on the day which brings his BA up to .404 on the back of a 14.3% K%. The power has been lacking to this point with an 86.9 MPH EV and negative 2.1 degree launch angle, but those numbers are so out of character for his career that they will almost certainly regress closer to career averages.

Austin Riley ATL, 3B, 25.0 – 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and a homer. Riley is backing up the 2021 breakout with a 93.4 MPH EV and .452 xwOBA. Don’t trade him unless you are getting an elite piece back.

 Jo Adell LAA, OF, 23.0 – Cracked an opposite field grand slam for his 3rd of the year, and more importantly, didn’t strikeout once, which is the first game this season he hasn’t recorded a strikeout. He has a 21.4% Barrel% and 40.7% whiff% on the season.

Tylor Megill NYM, RHP, 26.8 – 6.2 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 7/1 K/BB vs. Arizona. He hasn’t been able to fully maintain his early season velocity uptick, but settling in at 95+ MPH, which is where he’s at now would be perfect. His slider has been silly untouchable with a .135 xwOBA and 50% whiff%. I’m fully buying in, ranking him 97th overall on the Updated Dynasty Rankings.

Eric Lauer MIL, LHP, 26.10 – 6 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, 13/1 K/BB. Lauer is going full breakout with his fastball up 1.2 MPH to 93.8 MPH. He has a 34.6% K% on the year, although with a 26.5% whiff%, he’s unlikely to be able to come close to keeping that up. He was a favorite of mine in his First Year Player Draft class, and of course I no longer own him anywhere. I do own Kyle Wright in a couple leagues, who I didn’t like in his draft year. Just the nature of the pitching prospect beast.

Nolan Gorman STL, 3B/2B, 21.11/Elly De La Cruz CIN, SS/3B, 20.3 – It’s the strikeout and power hour of the dynasty rundown, as Gorman and Cruz both ripped another homer with 2 more K’s. That makes it 8 homers with a 32.3%/6.5% K%/BB% in 15 games at Triple-A for Gorman, and 3 homers with a 37.5%/6.3% K%/BB% in 12 games at High-A for Cruz. Gorman’s 2021 strikeout improvement has completely disappeared, and Cruz’ strikeout issues have gotten worse this year too.

Shea Langeliers OAK, C, 24.5 – Backing up his 2021 power breakout with his 5th homer in 15 games at Triple-A, and he’s doing it with a much improved 19% K%. He’s blocked by Sean Murphy, but there were rumors Murphy could be traded over the off-season, so he could be dealt before the deadline which would open up the full time job for Langeliers.

 Jhonkensy Noel CLE, 1B/3B, 20.9 – Noel tore apart High-A last year with 8 homers in 26 games, and he’s back at it this year after going deep twice yesterday for his 3rd and 4th of the year. More important than the power, he has an excellent 23.4%/14.9% K%/BB% in 12 games.

Marco Luciano SFG, SS, 20.6 – Bouncing back from last year’s horrible showing at High-A with his 3rd homer in 12 games to bring his season OPS up to .981. The plate approach isn’t great with a 24.5%/8.2% K%/BB%, but it’s much better than last year’s 37.2%/6.9% mark.

Orelvis Martinez TOR, SS, 20.4 – Martinez’ plate approach, or lack thereof, is getting exposed at Double-A with a 33.9%/1.8% K%/BB%, but nothing can stop his power as he jacked his 6th homer of the year yesterday.

Brady House WAS, SS, 18.10 – Housed his 2nd homer of the year to bring his season wRC+ up to 171 in 15 games at Single-A. The plate approach has been strong at 22.1%/9.1%, but the GB% is a bit high at 50%. Keep in mind this dude is still just 18 years old.

Oneil Cruz PIT, SS, 23.6 – Smoked his first homer of the year, and when I say smoked, I really mean smoked. He’s struggled a bit to start the year with a 74 wRC+ and 31.1% K% at Triple-A, but all that really means is that Pittsburgh can continue to manipulate his service time without getting major blowback.

Andy Pages LAD, OF, 21.4/Michael Busch LAD, 2B, 24.4 – LA’s power and patience duo got back to work yesterday at Double-A. Pages hit his 2nd homer, and it comes with an excellent 20.3%/13% K%/BB% in 15 games. Busch got ahold of his 7th homer, and his comes with a 23.9%/21.1% K%/BB% in 15 games. Finding playing time in LA’s stacked lineup could be their biggest issue.

 Jasson Dominguez NYY, OF, 19.2 – Dominguez went 2 for 4 with his 1st homer of the year, but he needs to do a lot more than that to dig himself out of the hole he’s in. He has a 37.3%/1.7% K%/BB% with a 67 wRC+ in 13 games at Single-A. He doesn’t really have the young for the level excuse anymore. His stock is dropping hard.

Max Meyer MIA, RHP, 22.11/Roansy Contreras PIT, RHP, 22.5 – Meyer – 5 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 7/2 K/BB. Contreras – 3.1 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 5/1 K/BB. Both are pushing hard for a rotation spot and could immediately be impact MLB starters when they do get the chance. I have them in a tier of elite pitching prospects with Daniel Espino and Jack Leiter.

Cade Cavalli WAS, RHP, 23.8 – 4 IP, 3 hits, 4 ER, 2/1 K/BB at Triple-A. I got slightly worried about Cavalli after MLB hitters ripped him apart in Spring, and he’s carried over those struggles into Triple-A with a 9.00 ERA and 12/4 K/BB in 12 IP. He also struggled hard at Triple-A last year. I’m far from panicking, but if I was in win now mode, I might be willing to use him as a centerpiece of a trade after he strings a few good starts together.

Moises Gomez STL, OF, 23.8 – 2 for 5 with his 9th homer. Gomez is ranked 2nd among all of the qualified minor league hitters with a 269 wRC+ at Double-A. He’s always had big power with low groundball rates, and it’s not like he is a completely out of nowhere prospect as he ranked 237th on my 2019 Top 472 Prospects Rankings. If he can keep his strikeouts in check (22.4% in 2022 vs. 38.2% in 2021), and considering St. Louis is an expert in developing these kind of hitters, he could really put himself back on the map.

Connor Scott PIT, OF, 22.6 – 2 for 3 with 2 steals. Ranked #407 on my 2022 Top 500 Prospects Rankings, Scott is off to a strong start at Double-A, slashing .400/.489/.600 with 1 homer, 3 steals, and a 17%/12.8% K%/BB% in 11 games. He’s a former 13th overall pick in the draft and has the athleticism to back that up at 6’3”, 200 pounds. He always had a solid plate approach throughout his MiLB career. He hasn’t had that wow year yet, but he’s just steadily climbing the ladder with a nice combo of safety and upside.

Adael Amador COL, SS, 19.2 – 1 for 3 with a steal. The plus plate approach is transferring to full season ball with a 12.3%/18.5% K%/BB%. It’s led to a 151 wRC+ in 14 games at Single-A. He also has 2 homers and 3 steals, but with a 56.8% GB% and 13 for 20 success rate on the bases in his career, not sure there is a big power/speed combo at the moment.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PATREON FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ALL SEASON LONG, INCLUDING:
-APRIL TOP 414 DYNASTY BASEBALL RANKINGS
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By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
Twitter: Imaginary Brick Wall (@DynastyHalp)

Posted on 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.

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)

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)

 

Posted on by Michael Halpern

51-75: March 2019 Top 100 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Ranking (w/ new blurbs, updated rankings, and slightly updated projections)

Things change fast in the prospect world. Even during the off-season these lists can be fluid. Now that we’ve actually laid eyes on many of the 2019 versions of these prospects, and have the first indication of how their parent clubs view them fitting in on the future roster, I decided to update the first 100 of my 2019 Top 472 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Ranking. Here is the March 2019 Top 100 Dynasty Baseball Prospects Ranking: 51-75 (w/ new blurbs, updated rankings, and slightly updated projections):

CLICK HERE FOR 1-25
CLICK HERE FOR 26-50
CLICK HERE FOR 76-114 (PODCAST)

Click the below links for my previous off-season content:
2019 Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings
2019 Top 472 Dynasty Baseball Prospect Rankings
11 Dynasty Baseball Rules to Live By
2020 Top 90 Dynasty Baseball First Year Player Draft Rankings (1st Edition)
The Dynasty Baseball Rundown (3/10/19)

+17 (51) Cristian Pache ATL, OF, 20.5 – I was the high guy on Pache back in 2017 when I was the only list to have him in my top 100, telling you to ignore the poor numbers and draft the talent. He’s currently 10 for 22 for 2 homers, 1 steal and a 1.364 OPS. Looking at the other prospects I ranked towards the back of that list, I was also high on Austin Hays, Carter Kieboom (who took Justin Verlander deep twice yesterday), Colton Welker, and Bubba Thompson relative to the rest of the “industry.” Not bad if I say so myself. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 83/19/76/.269/.3335/.448/26

+101 (52) Austin Hays BAL, OF, 23.9 – On a rampage this spring, blasting another homer yesterday and now has 4 total with a .355 BA and 1.246 OPS. He is the favorite to open the season as Baltimore’s starting RF, and there is no reason not to jump back on the bandwagon. He’s worth a flyer late in redraft leagues too. (Update: Sent down to Triple-A. Note to self: Never take merit into account when trying to guess playing time decisions) 2019 Projection: 52/17/61/.254/.318/.436/2 Prime Projection: 81/26/87/.271/.337/.468/5

-10 (53) Josh James HOU, RHP, 26.1 – The risk of James not being utilized in the most advantageous of ways for fantasy owners is getting greater and greater by the day. The quad injury took him out the running for the 5th starter job, but there were indications even before the injury that he was not the favorite. Forrest Whitley is also knocking on the door and Dallas Keuchel is still not out of the question. The strikeout upside is unquestionable, but opportunity is becoming a legitimate concern. 2019 Projection: 5/3.91/1.28/105 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.63/1.28/193 in 170 IP

-8 (54) Victor Victor Mesa MIA, OF, 22.8 – I was one of the first to pump the breaks on the Gurriel brothers hype train back in 2016 (incidentally, I think Lourdes is being underrated now), being leery of the Cuban hype machine, but I might have gotten a little too swept up in the Victor Victor hype. Just goes to show you that you can get swept up in propaganda even if you know it is coming. Mesa got hurt in his first game this spring, so the uncertainty of how good he really is continues to grow. ETA: Mid 2020 Prime Projection: 88/14/71/.277/.334/.436/24

55) Triston McKenzie CLE, RHP, 21.8 – Cleveland has been so great with pitching prospects recently (Kluber, Carrasco, Clevinger, Bieber, Bauer) it is hard not to have an extra tick or two of confidence in McKenzie. And why shouldn’t we, considering developing talent is at least half the battle and maybe much more than that. An upper back strain will keep him out about 6 weeks, but that shouldn’t impact his dynasty value much, if at all. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 13/3.38/1.14/188 in 176 IP

56) Corbin Burnes MIL, RHP, 24.5 – Battling for the last spot in Milwaukee’s rotation, but considering the attrition rate of starters and Milwaukee’s shaky rotation to begin with, he should get his chance at some point this year even if he loses the competition. 2019 Projection: 6/3.94/1.27/110 in 120 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.61/1.18/175 in 180 IP

57) Ian Anderson ATL, RHP, 20.11 – Soroka has a bum shoulder. Gausman already had inflammation in his right shoulder and got shellacked in his spring debut. Mike Foltynewicz has a sore pitching elbow and just started playing light catch. Touki Toussaint has nasty stuff but still has a lot to prove. Luiz Gohara is feeling tightness in his shoulder. All of this to say it is not so far fetched that we see Anderson make more than a handful of major league starts this season. I moved up his ETA up from late 2020, to late 2019. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 15/3.45/1.20/210 in 190 IP

58) A.J. Puk OAK, LHP, 23.11 – With a stacked bullpen and how desperate Oakland is for impact starters, a rotation spot should be waiting for Puk when he is ready. In redraft leagues, I would be closely monitoring Puk’s progress, and be ready to pounce at the first hint of him rounding into form. ETA: 5/3.70/1.33/84 in 72 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.42/1.26/214 in 186 IP

59) Austin Riley ATL, 3B, 22.0 – Although Riley’s overall spring numbers are poor (.615 OPS), I take it as a good sign that he has a solid 7/3 K/BB in 32 at-bats after striking out 4 times in 8 at-bats in Spring 2017 and 10 times in 24 at-bats in Spring 2018. Maybe saying it is a “good sign” is a little too strong, but it’s better than the alternative. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 79/29/93/.262/.332/.485/2

60) Jesus Sanchez TB, OF, 21.6 – 1 for 13 with 1 homer this spring. Was optioned back to the minors this weekend. Sanchez has a good feel to hit, plus raw power, and some speed too. Hit ultimate hitting profile can still go in any number of different directions. This 21-year-old season should start to truly reveal the player he will likely become. ETA: Mid 2020 Prime Projection: 78/25/83/.276/.332/.478/9

61) Drew Waters ATL, OF, 20.3 – Now seems like a good time to tell you that I’ve been battling the flu this week, but like German Marquez, it’s not gonna stop me from performing. I’ve been trying to stay hydrated as much as possible, so I guess you can say I drew waters out of the faucet all week … my bad, I try to avoid bad puns in my writing, but I get to blame that one on being sick. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 86/21/84/.278/.335/.474/20

-28 (62) Mike Soroka ATL, RHP, 21.8 – I find trying to differentiate injury risk between pitchers one of the toughest things to do as a ranker, because all pitchers are already high risk. But now that Soroka has felt renewed pain in his shoulder, it is clear I didn’t factor in last season’s shoulder injury enough on my original ranking. ETA: Mid 2019 Prime Projection: 13/3.49/1.12/170 in 182 IP

+10 (63) Touki Toussaint ATL, RHP, 22.9 – Gets a bump now that he is the favorite for the last spot in the rotation. He’s got nasty stuff evidenced by a 84.9 MPH average exit velocity against and 32 K’s in 29 MLB IP, but control/command is still a work in progress and ultimately the reliever risk is very real. 2019 Projection: 8/4.23/1.38/141 in 140 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.81/1.31/186 in 180 IP

64) George Valera CLE, OF, 18.5 – Saw a great gif in the Rotoworld MiLB Forum comparing Valera’s swing to Robinson Cano’s. It really is uncanny. That forum is a great place to talk about prospects in general and to get the early scoop on some pop up guys during the season. You should definitely check it out. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 88/23/88/.291/.365/.493/9

65) Nick Madrigal CHW, 2B, 22.1 – I can’t decide if I’m underrating Madrigal or overrating him. He seems like one of the most divisive prospects in this year’s FYPD pool. It’s going to come down to how hard his contact is now that he is healed up from last season’s wrist injury. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 92/11/63/.296/.351/.418/24

66) Corbin Carroll OF, HS, 18.7 – Haven’t heard anything new on Carroll. While he is generally ranked too high to say he is underrated, I think his small stature is really preventing the hype train from going into overdrive. Prime Projection: 96/23/92/.285/.358/.478/26 ETA: 2023

67) CJ Abrams SS, HS, 18.6 – Abrams is now the favorite to be the 1st high school player selected in the draft. Witt’s hit tool is too risky for teams drafting at the very top. Prime Projection: 96/18/71/.287/.349/.453/29 ETA: 2023

68) Riley Greene OF, HS, 18.6 – Reports from Fangraphs have been glowing about Greene in the early going this year. You should really check out that article if haven’t already for tons of great draft nuggets. Prime Projection: 91/25/92/.288/.373/.505/13 ETA: 2023

69) Jazz Chisholm ARI, SS, 21.2 – Chisholm has been working on his patience this spring. “You can definitely get yourself out when you go up there overaggressive instead of going up there and taking your pitch and hitting your pitch,” he said. “I’m just working on staying a little less aggressive but still being aggressive. Cutting it loose when I get the pitch to cut it loose on, not trying to do too much.” So he is trying to be aggressive but also not be aggressive and wants to cut it loose but also not try to do too much. Who said this hitting a baseball thing was easy? ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 82/23/76/.241/.313/.438/16

70) Trevor Larnach MIN, OF, 22.1 – Seems like there are a couple guys in each 25 player group that I don’t have anything interesting to add. Larnach and Edwards are those guys in this group. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 78/26/87/.263/.347/.483/2

71) Xavier Edwards SD, SS, 19.8 – “As above, so below.” ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 103/10/56/.291/.366/.401/36

72) Nathaniel Lowe TB, 1B, 23.9 – Not a great spring for someone trying to force their way into a crowded lineup and prove they aren’t a one year wonder, going 3 for 32 with 14 K’s and 1 walk. Ultimately, how he performs at Triple-A is all that will matter. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 73/25/82/.264/.339/.470/1

73) Michael Chavis BOS, 3B, 23.8 – Since I wrote about Chavis in my first Dynasty Baseball Rundown of the season, he has only continued to mash with 4 homers and a 1.152 OPS. Whether he breaks into the majors through trade, injury, or poor performance, Chavis has the type of power that can carry your fantasy squad for a few weeks if he gets hot at the right time. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 72/28/88/.254/.328/.476/5

+130 (74) Kyle Lewis SEA, OF, 23.9 – The knee looks good and that is all I need to see for Lewis to rise up my rankings. I ranked him first on my pre-draft list in 2016, and I’m just happy to see him healthy again. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 79/27/89/.265/.343/.474/8

-20 (75) Alex Verdugo LAD, OF, 22.11 – The whispers over how well Verdugo handles the mental aspect of the game have grown louder and louder. The power has always been an issue for fantasy, and even if you don’t buy into the mental concerns (lack of effort and focus), if it prevents the Dodgers or another team from really giving him a true chance to grow and develop at the major league level, it is a problem. 2019 Projection: 40/8/36/.273/.335/.415/5 Prime Projection: 84/18/82/.285/.351/.447/9

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By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
Email: michaelhalpern@imaginarybrickwall.com
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Posted on by Michael Halpern

2019 Top 1,000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings (w/ short analysis, 2019 projections, and prime projections for every player)

When I embarked on this journey, I was planning on doing a top 600 dynasty ranking … and then I just kept going and going and going until I couldn’t not do a top 1000. Too many players deserved to be ranked! 16-team, deep roster, 5×5 category league is what I had in my mind during the process. There is a link below to a Top 472 Prospects Only Ranking if you are interested in that. Here is the 2019 Top 1000 Dynasty Baseball Rankings:

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Player Name TEAM, POSITION, AGE (Years.Months on 2019 Opening Day – Months are on a scale of 0-11 … I know it is not mathematically correct, but gimme a break, I was a History major)

Projections (Hitters): R/HR/RBI/AVG/OBP/SLG/Steals
(Pitchers): Wins/ERA/WHIP/K/Saves

Click here for the 2019 Top 472 Fantasy/Dynasty Baseball Prospects Ranking

*This list will be updated weekly throughout the off-season (Last Update: 3/1/2019)

1) Mike Trout LAA, OF, 27.8 – Don’t overthink it. 2019 Projection: 113/38/98/.307/.448/.605/21

2) Ronald Acuna ATL, OF, 21.3 – On second thought … maybe Acuna should be #1. You can’t teach youth. Unless anti-aging technology takes a huge step forward in the near future. Then maybe you can teach youth. 2019 Projection: 98/29/82/.275/.350/.503/25 Prime Projection: 115/38/100/.310/.425/.620/27

3) Mookie Betts BOS, OF, 26.6 – Average exit velocity on flyballs and line drives spiked to 95.9 MPH this year after sitting in the 92’s the past three seasons. The 30+ homerun power is for real this time. 2019 Projection: 114/31/90/.314/.398/.576/25

4) Francisco Lindor CLE, SS, 25.4 – Made $623,200 in total salary last season. Maybe MLB should start paying their best young players like stars if they want to successfully market them as stars. Update: Strained calf could keep Lindor out a couple weeks into the season. Dynasty value remains unchanged, but he takes a small hit in redraft leagues. 2019 Projection: 97/30/88/.288/.371/.533/17

5) Jose Ramirez CLE, 3B, 26.6 – Career low 33.4% groundball rate fueled Ramirez’ 2nd homerun breakout in back to back seasons. Poor second half and slightly below average exit velocity on FB/LD are only concerns. 2019 Projection: 107/32/91/.291/.371/.541/24

6) Alex Bregman HOU, 3B/SS, 25.0 – Off the field, Bregman is trying to drag MLB into the social media era with Twitter beefs, friendly cracks on opposing teams, and general online tomfoolery. On the field, he turned into an elite all category fantasy contributor, and there is nothing in the underlying numbers to think it wasn’t completely for real. 2019 Projection: 103/30/94/.294/.388/.528/14

7) Trea Turner WASH, SS, 25.9 – Put up 19 homers, 43 steals, and 103 runs in a disappointing season. 2019 Projection: 100/21/78/.282/.355/.461/47

8) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. TOR, 3B, 20.0 – Will dominate in every category but steals. ETA: Mid April 2019 Projection: 74/23/77/.294/.365/.502/5  Prime Projection: 110/43/125/.325/.420/.635/5

9) Christian Yelich MIL, OF, 27.4 – Unsustainable 35% HR/FB rate, but posted the lowest GB% of his career by a good margin in August and September (46% and 44%, respectively). If he can carry those gains over a full season, the power breakout may not be a complete outlier. 2019 Projection:107/26/94/.299/.375/.515/20

10) Manny Machado SD, SS, 26.9 – With a below average sprint speed and spotty stolen base track record, counting on steals as Machado ages could be a dicey proposition. 2019 Projection: 92/35/93/.288/.359/.524/9

11) Bryce Harper PHI, OF, 26.6 – Poor BABIP luck and 4% K% increase fueled his .249 average. With neutral luck and a K% more in line with his career average (21.1%), I doubt Harper hits for such a low batting average again. 2019 Projection: 97/36/101/.272/.403/.535/11

12) Juan Soto WASH, OF, 20.5 – Injury shortened 2017 kept Soto a little underrated coming into the year. Elite contact-power profile should only blossom further from here.  2019 Projection: 98/28/92/.286/.381/.508/7 Prime Projection: 110/34/110/.316/.424/.600/6

13) Trevor Story COL, SS, 26.4 – Owners who weren’t scared off by the classic Sophomore slump were rewarded with a monster season. There are still some plate approach issues but Story’s power/speed combo at Coors is scary. 2019 Projection: 90/34/103/.274/.341/.548/21

14) Nolan Arenado COL, 3B, 28.0 – Career worst 18.1% K% and battled a shoulder injury in 2018. On the plus side, the fear of Arenado leaving Coors is gone after signing a long term contract extension with Colorado this off-season. 2019 Projection: 101/39/114/.293/.370/.558/2

15) Aaron Judge NYY, OF, 26.11 – Remains the average exit velocity king with a league leading 94.7 MPH mark in 2018, although his flyball percentage declined over 8% from last season to a career low 35%. 2019 Projection: 108/40/106/.270/.398/.577/7

16) Cody Bellinger LAD, OF/1B, 23.9 – Story hammered home the lesson of not selling low after a down second season. 2019 Projection: 85/33/99/.265/.353/.504/12 Prime Projection: 107/42/114/.287/.395/.581/12

17) Javier Baez CHC, SS/2B/3B, 26.4 – 4.5% walk rate is silly low for an elite hitter, which is why I worry that Baez is not a truly elite hitter, but the power/speed combo isn’t going anywhere. 2019 Projection: 93/29/102/.276/.320/.518/17

18) Andrew Benintendi BOS, OF, 24.9 – Above average contributor in every category with room to grow into even more. Hitting lefties is only true weakness (.694 OPS vs lefties in 2018). 2019 Projection: 100/21/93/.286/.361/.472/19 Prime Projection: 110/26/91/.303/.376/.492/18

19) Ozzie Albies ATL, 2B, 22.3 – With improved strength and plate discipline, which is a reasonable expectation considering Albies’ age, he could be joining the ranks of the elite in a few short years.  2019 Projection: 91/22/73/.277/.328/.468/18 Prime Projection: 110/28/82/.292/.351/.502/22

20) Eloy Jimenez CHW, OF, 22.4 – Just the latest case of baseball fans being robbed of seeing the best young players compete on the highest level. Eloy is an exit velocity beast who also makes good contact (13.2% K% at Triple-A). 2019 Projection: 61/25/69/.281/.338/.504/1 Prime Projection: 92/42/109/.306/.377/.563/1

21) Adalberto Mondesi KC, SS, 23.8 – Extremely low walk rates scare me more than extremely high strikeout rates. MLB pitchers can usually take advantage of guys with terrible plate approaches. Having said that, Mondesi is one of the fastest players in baseball with thunder in his bat. If you can’t take risks in fantasy, where can you take risks? 2019 Projection: 78/22/69/.244/.287/.446/35 Prime Projection: 89/28/77/.256/.303/.472/42

22) Jose Altuve HOU, 2B, 28.11 – The fear is that Altuve simply won’t be willing to run as much as he ages, whether due to loss of speed or fear of injury. Trade value also tanks when players even start to get close to the age of 30. A good start to 2019 could be your last chance to get a true haul back for Altuve.  2019 Projection: 103/19/79/.321/.396/.492/23

23) Victor Robles WASH, OF, 21.10 – Don’t sleep on Robles coming into 2019, as he has all of the skills necessary to become a top 5 dynasty asset in short order. Only red flag is that his exit velocity readings were well below average in his brief MLB debut, but that was a small sample size and he should gain strength as he matures. 2019 Projection: 84/16/71/.272/.327/.430/24 Prime Projection: 104/21/75/.296/.370/.477/32

24) Carlos Correa HOU, SS, 24.6 – Nagging back injury tanked season. Correa did lower his GB% to a career low 44%, which could be an early sign of a power breakout on the horizon assuming full health. 2019 Projection: 89/27/95/.271/.355/.482/7 Prime Projection: 97/32/105/.284/.370/.520/7

25) Kris Bryant CHC, 3B, 27.3 – Exit velocity declined three years in a row. Bum shoulder is his excuse in 2018, but what was his excuse in 2017? 2019 Projection: 102/30/89/.281/.393/.518/7

26) Fernando Tatis Jr. SD, SS, 20.3 –  Is it possible that information on how to hit a baseball get passed down to future generations through DNA? Seriously. This New York Times article suggests that it just might be possible! Tatis has the best power/speed combo in the minors but might always have some swing and miss to his game.  ETA: Late 2019 unless he gets Eloy’d Prime Projection: 92/34/108/.273/.362/.526/16

27) Blake Snell TB, LHP, 26.4 – Flame throwing lefty who will rack up strikeout totals. 2019 Projection: 13/3.08/1.10/239 in 190 IP

28) Aaron Nola PHI, RHP, 25.10 – Proving that elite velocity is not required to become an ace. Nola dominates with the most valuable curveball in baseball . 2019 Projection: 15/3.21/1.06/215 in 200 IP

29) Walker Buehler LAD, RHP, 24.8 – Only question left is if Buehler’s arm can withstand season after season of full 190+ inning workloads along with deep postseason runs. 2019 Projection: 14/3.18/1.05/195 in 170 IP Prime Projection: 16/2.82/1.03/221 in 187 IP

30) Shohei Ohtani LAA, RHP/OF, 24.9 – Tommy John surgery will prevent Ohtani from pitching at all in 2019. Also likely to be out for a month or two to start the season, and will require rest days as he rehabs his throwing elbow.  2019 Projection: 70/23/79/.265/.346/.509/10 Prime Projection: 61/19/63/.279/.361/.534/10 — 12/3.35/1.18/180 in 150 IP

31) J.D. Martinez BOS, OF, 31.7 – Aging and has an injury history, but at some point present production has to trump youth. This is that point. 2019 Projection: 101/40/112/.303/.381/.578/3

32) Jacob deGrom NYM, RHP, 30.9 – Velocity increased for 3 straight seasons and also increased as 2018 wore on. deGrom was throwing harder than he ever has late in the year. 2019 Projection: 14/2.52/1.02/250 in 210 IP

33) Chris Sale BOS, LHP, 30.0 – It’s never great for a shoulder injury to pop up with pitchers, especially ones entering their 30’s. The risk is already high for all starting pitchers, so how much extra you want to factor in for Sale is hard to calculate. 2019 Projection: 16/2.69/0.98/266 in 195 IP

34) Max Scherzer WASH, RHP, 34.8 – No signs of slowing down. Even entering his mid 30’s, Scherzer’s consistent dominance is hard to pass up. 2019 Projection: 17/2.88/0.96/268 in 205 IP

35) Paul Goldschmidt STL, 1B, 31.7 – Probably one year too late to really get a massive haul back for him, so might as well stick it out and hope he keeps stealing bases well into his 30’s. 2019 Projection: 96/32/96/.288/.395/.531/12

36) Giancarlo Stanton NYY, OF, 29.5 – K%, BB%, and especially FB% all trended in the wrong direction last season. He still absolutely crushes the ball, and don’t think he is about to fall off a cliff or anything, but I’m likely shying away from Stanton at his current price. 2019 Projection: 95/41/104/.261/.349/.550/4

37) Freddie Freeman ATL, 1B, 29.7 – Homerun power came back down to career norms in 2018 after exploding in 2016-17. This upcoming season is the time to sell Freeman if your team is not off to a great start. 2019 Projection: 90/28/96/.298/.380/.510/7

38) Rhys Hoskins PHI, OF/1B, 26.0 – Led the league in FB% at 51.7%. No other hitter even cracked over 50%. Hoskins will continue to be a homerun and walk machine. 2019 Projection: 88/35/93/.255/.362/.505/4

39) Gleyber Torres NYY, 2B, 22.4 – Only knock on Torres’ game is his poor base running skills, which combined with average speed does not bode well for his future stolen base totals. 2019 Projection: 86/23/84/.274/.345/.468/9 Prime Projection: 105/27/93/.284/.352/.490/9

40) Gerrit Cole HOU, RHP, 28.7 – Maybe it is all about the pine tar, as Trevor Bauer showed us, but the Astros organization is so advanced and on the cutting edge, I think they probably have some kind of edge in pitch calling, pitch sequencing and just generally knowing what pitch to throw and when depending on pitcher, hitter, and game situation. 2019 Projection: 16/3.21/1.14/247 in 200 IP

41) Xander Bogaerts BOS, SS, 26.6 – Quietly re-established himself as a young star last season by smacking baseballs to the tune of a 90.5 MPH avg. exit velocity and 95.1 MPH avg exit velocity on fly balls and line drives. Combine that with above average speed and a solid plate approach, and even this ranking may be too low. 2019 Projection: 86/25/99/.285/.356/.515/12

42) David Dahl COL, OF, 25.0 – I urged you to hang on to Dahl for dear life last off-season in the one ranking I did manage to (partially) put out, and I hope you listened because you would have been rewarded with a half season of excellent production and a return to near elite dynasty value.  2019 Projection: 81/23/86/.268/.325/.463/13 Prime Projection: 98/29/102/.282/.349/.521/14

43) Corey Seager LAD, SS, 24.11 – Working his way back from Tommy John and hip surgeries. At only 24 years old, human bodies don’t quit on that whole healing yourself thing quite yet, so you have to value him assuming he will return to full health. 2019 Projection: 83/23/78/.285/.362/.483/2 Prime Projection: 97/28/94/.292/.375/.510/2

44) Anthony Rizzo CHC, 1B, 29.8 – Shook off a slow start and finished the year slashing .329/.420/.550 with 13 homers and a 34/33 K/BB in 70 games. Chronic back pain has a way of continually popping up though. 2019 Projection: 90/30/100/.281/.379/.504/6

45) Anthony Rendon WASH, 3B, 28.10 – With a 13.7% K% and 17.7 degree launch angle, there is potential for a monster career season lurking in here. 2019 Projection: 87/26/94/.300/.370/.515/5

46) Trevor Bauer CLE, RHP, 28.2 – Exposing all of the pine tar cheaters one tweet at a time, most nobly his old frenemy from their UCLA days, Gerrit Cole. 2019 Projection: 15/3.14/1.17/218 in 190 IP

47) Luis Severino NYY, RHP, 25.1 – Hit a rough patch in the 2nd half of 2018, and simply being a young hurler who averages 97.9 MPH on his fastball puts him in a high risk category. I really don’t like betting on pitchers staying healthy and carrying my dynasty team for any long periods of time. Update: Inflammation in his rotator cuff make him questionable at best for opening day. This is why I rank hitters so much higher than pitchers.  2019 Prime Projection: 12/3.20/1.12/182 in 160 IP

48) Rafael Devers BOS, 3B, 22.5 – Will have to cut down on strikeout rate to tap into full potential, but Devers hits frozen ropes all over the field. 2019 Projection: 73/24/81/.267/.330/.482/8 Prime Projection: 96/33/111/.288/.358/.521/8

49) Kyle Tucker HOU, OF, 21.4 – Below average sprint speed is a bad sign that his minor league stolen base numbers might not hold up in the Majors. I do believe his power and plate approach will translate. 2019 Projection: 42/10/47/.250/.320/.450/7 Prime Projection: 92/31/101/.278/.371/.518/10

50) Wander Franco TB, SS, 18.1 – The next Juan Soto/Vlad Jr. prodigy with a seemingly innate ability to hit a baseball and hit it with authority. ETA: 2021/22 Prime Projection: 110/30/110/.310/.395/.587/18

51) Royce Lewis MIN, SS, 19.10 – Elite upside with a safe floor. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 104/23/87/.293/.351/.475/25

52) Starling Marte PIT, OF, 30.6 – 2017 PED suspension didn’t seem to slow Marte down as he was back to his normal self in 2018. 2019 Projection: 83/18/68/.282/.331/.445/31

53) Yoan Moncada CHW, 2B, 23.10 – With so few at-bats in the upper levels of the minors, it is no surprise Moncada has especially struggled with contact early in his MLB career. Everything else has been on display (power, patience, and speed), so if he can make the proper adjustments as he continues to gain experience, he could blow up at any minute. 2019 Projection: 77/23/64/.242/.333/.426/19 Prime Projection: 101/32/89/.258/.364/.480/23

54) Austin Meadows TB, OF, 23.11 – Mallex Smith trade opens up playing time for Meadows. Former elite prospect who lost some of his shine because of injuries and prospect fatigue, but performed well in his MLB debut, slashing .287/.325/.461 with 6 homers, 5 steals, and a 40/10 K/BB in 59 games. 2019 Projection: 78/18/69/.268/.321/.448/16 Prime Projection: 105/26/92/.289/.366/.509/17

55) Nick Senzel CIN, 3B, 23.9 – Various injuries are the only thing slowing Senzel down as he has ripped up every level of the minors. David Wright is the ceiling. 2019 Projection: 66/14/64/.270/.330/.440/10 Prime Projection: 93/24/91/.288/.360/.484/13

56) Bo Bichette TOR, SS, 21.1 – Average speed makes it hard to project 20+ steals but should be an all category producer nonetheless. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 92/25/89/.289/.358/.498/15

57) Jo Adell LAA, OF, 20.0 – Astronomical upside but cutting down on strikeouts will be necessary to reach ceiling. ETA: Late 2021 Prime Projection: 94/37/107/.265/.348/.540/14

58) Noah Syndergaard NYM, RHP, 26.7 – Came down with hand, foot, and mouth disease. It’s almost like the baseball gods ran out of conventional ways to sideline Mets pitchers and had to go deep into their playbook. Tune in next season to see if Jacob deGrom can shake off a bout of the Black Plague. 2019 Projection: 11/3.26/1.17/185 in 170 IP

59) Jack Flaherty STL, RHP, 23.6 – Took a huge leap in strikeouts thanks to a dominant fastball/slider combo, but good fortune (.257 BABIP) also helped him achieve that 3.34/1.11/182 in 152 IP pitching line. 2019 Projection: 13/3.76/1.22/200 in 183 IP Prime Projection: 16/3.34/1.12/230 in 200 IP

60) Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP, 21.6 – Listening to his interview during the Fall Stars Game, it is easy to understand how Whitley is so far ahead of his peers in terms of the art of pitching. Combine that with great stuff, and you get the top pitching prospect in the minors. 2019 Projection: 7/3.75/1.23/102 in 85 IP Prime Projection: 18/3.25/1.07/240 in 210 IP

61) Charlie Blackmon COL, OF, 33.9 – If you want to win next season, Blackmon should shoot up your list, but if you are looking to build through youth, he would have to drop for you to pull the trigger. 2019 Projection: 112/27/74/.293/.357/.498/10

62) Corey Kluber CLE, RHP, 33.0 – Velocity on 3 year decline and was hitting career lows by the end of the 2018 season. 2019 Projection: 17/3.05/1.03/226 in 207 IP

63) Brendan Rodgers COL, SS, 22.8 – Could be a 2nd half difference maker next season if the Rockies stop prospect blocking their best young players with mediocre vets. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 83/29/96/.284/.339/.498/5

64) Justin Verlander HOU, RHP, 36.1 – Velocity and stuff are as good as they ever have been. 2019 Projection: 16/3.11/1.01/265 in 210 IP

65) Clayton Kershaw LAD, LHP 31.0 –  Velocity decline continued last season and is now undoubtedly in the back nine of his career. Feb. 22 Update: Kershaw was shut down from throwing with “kind of an arm kind of thing.” This is not a good sign if you were hoping for a resurgence this season. 2019 Projection:11/3.04/1.09/169 in 160 IP

66) Whit Merrifield KC, 2B/OF, 30.4 – Proved that his 2017 breakout was for real, hitting for a .304 batting average with 12 homers and 45 steals. 2019 Projection: 84/15/65/.289/.345/.441/32

67) George Springer HOU, OF, 29.6 – Didn’t become quite the player we hoped for when he was going close to 40/40 in the minors, but what he became is not too shabby. 2019 Projection: 104/27/68/.272/.353/.470/7

68) Mitch Haniger SEA, OF, 28.3 – Solid all around hitter who will chip in some steals. 2019 Projection: 88/27/92/.276/.351/.487/8

69) Eugenio Suarez CIN, 3B, 27.8 – The perennially underrated Suarez should start to get his due after crushing 34 homers last season. Although looking at my ranking, maybe not. 2019 Projection: 82/28/75/.267/.358/.491/3

70) Tim Anderson CHW, SS, 25.9 – Still raw hitter who might not really come into his own until his late 20’s. Power/speed combo will Baba Booey his value until then. 2019 Projection: 80/19/66/.259/.297/.419/23 Prime Projection: 96/23/74/.277/.324/.463/27

71) Matt Chapman OAK, 3B, 25.11 – Slashed .309/..371/.591 with 14 homers and a 68/23 K/BB post all-star break in 64 games. The ingredients are there for 30+ homers and a batting average that won’t drag you down. 2019 Projection: 93/31/89/.266/.349/.516/3

72) Michael Conforto NYM, OF, 26.1 – Slashed .273/.356/.539 with 17 homers post all star break. 2019 Projection: 82/29/88/.266/.371/.500/4

73) Amed Rosario NYM, SS, 23.4 – Another extremely low walk rate guy who makes better contact than Mondesi but doesn’t have quite as explosive of a power/speed combo. 2019 Projection: 80/12/57/.268/.309/.400/26 Prime Projection: 98/18/72/.282/.335/.445/28

74) Eddie Rosario MIN, OF, 27.6 – Posted career best marks in K% (17.6%) and flyball% (44.1%). Low walk rate (5.1%) is the only thing keeping me from buying in even more. 2019 Projection: 80/26/80/.278/.320/.471/9

75) Miguel Andujar NYY, 3B, 24.1 – Aggressive hitter who consistently makes good, hard contact. 2019 Projection: 79/26/91/.283/.323/.489/2 Prime Projection: 91/29/103/.291/.340/.547/2

76) Matt Olson OAK, 1B, 25.0 – Couldn’t come close to maintaining his insane 2017 numbers, but Olson proved he has the potential to be among the best power hitters in the game with an elite average exit velocity (93.1 MPH) and elite exit velo on FB/LD (97.4 MPH). 2019 Projection: 89/34/93/.253/.342/.496/2

77) Jose Berrios MIN, RHP, 24.10 – I got nothing for this one … good young pitcher. 2019 Projection: 12/3.81/1.21/193 in 190 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.61/1.13/213 in 200 IP

78) Carlos Carrasco CLE, RHP, 32.0 – There have been a few injury issues but Carrasco put up a career high 15.3% swinging strike percentage in 2018. 2019 Projection: 16/3.30/1.12/221 in 190 IP

79) Khris Davis OAK, OF, 31.3 – Eerily consistent. 2019 Projection: 90/42/108/.247/.324/.530/1

80) Keston Hiura MIL, 2B, 22.8 – Lit up the Arizona Fall League after an impressive first full year in pro ball. Hiura should be a solid all around contributor. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 92/23/87/.287/.350/.476/13

81) James Paxton NYY, LHP, 30.5 – Over 30 and injury prone is not a great combo, but there is potential for an elite season or two if the stars align. 2019 Projection: 14/3.42/1.17/212 in 170 IP

82) Stephen Strasburg WASH, RHP, 30.8 – Velocity was down about 2 MPH when he returned late in the season from inflammation in his shoulder and a pinched nerve in his neck. Strasburg has been injury prone his entire career and there is no evidence that will change any time soon. 2019 Projection: 10/3.66/1.19/170 in 145 IP

83) Yasiel Puig CIN, OF, 28.4, – Forever an enigma. Has the talent to put together an elite season. 2019 Projection: 75/27/82/.265/.334/.475/13

84) German Marquez COL, RHP, 25.1 – I always say I would never own a Coors pitcher, but circumstances somehow dictated that I ended up owning Marquez in both my 30 team dynasty league and 12 team dynasty. He carried my pitching staff to a championship in both leagues. I have no analysis here. Just wanted to take a blurb off to gloat. 2019 Projection: 15/3.44/1.18/220 in 195 IP

85) Mike Clevinger CLE, RHP, 28.3 – Velocity increased as the year progressed and resulted in post all-star break pitching line of 2.31/1.03/89 in 78 IP. 2019 Projection: 14/3.41/1.18/190 in 185 IP

86) Patrick Corbin WASH, LHP, 29.8 – Couldn’t have landed in a much better situation than the Nationals and the NL East to prove he isn’t a one year wonder. 2019 Projection: 14/3.46/1.18/220 in 195 IP

87) Joey Gallo TEX, 1B/OF, 25.4 – Owning extreme one dimensional players can hamstring your flexibility on how to build the rest of your team. At a certain point, you just can’t pass up 40+ homers, though. 2019 Projection: 85/43/95/.222/.331/.530/6

88) Jameson Taillon PIT, RHP, 27.4 – Was never a huge strikeout pitcher even in the minors, but Taillon throws in the mid-90’s and consistently produces weak contact. 2019 Projection: 13/3.65/1.20/183 in 190 IP

89) Zack Wheeler NYM, RHP, 28.10 – Even when pitching prospects do work out, they might not even be on your team anymore. Wheeler finally fulfilled his promise in the 2nd half of 2018, putting up a pitching line of 1.68/0.81/73 in 75 IP. 2019 Projection: 10/3.57/1.21/180 in 180 IP

90) Alex Kirilloff MIN, OF, 21.5 – Excellent all around hitter who is advanced beyond his years. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 93/28/96/.292/.348/.531/4

91) Jose Peraza CIN, SS, 24.11 – Gifted contact/speed player from the second he stepped on a professional baseball field as a teenager. 2019 Projection: 81/11/60/.287/.328/.396/26

92) Gary Sanchez NYY, C, 26.4 – Off-season shoulder surgery could result in some rust to start the year, but it does provide at least one good reason for Sanchez’ disastrous 2018. 2019 Projection: 66/27/79/.248/.321/.467/1

93) Jean Segura PHI, SS, 29.0 – Posted lowest strikeout rate of career (10.9%) while continuing to put up solid power/speed numbers. 2019 Projection: 89/15/57/.304/.345/.430/22

94) Wil Myers SD, OF/3B, 28.4 – Power and speed with the potential to kill your average. 2019 Projection: 82/26/78/.248/.324/.456/19

95) Rougned Odor TEX, 2B, 25.2 – Walk rate spiking to 8% (previous career high was 4.9%) is a good sign for Odor’s future because the power and speed have always been there. 2019 Projection: 85/28/73/.258/.317/.455/13

96) Aaron Hicks NYY, OF, 29.6 – Exhibit A on why you never give up on plus tools (like the Twins did with Hicks) and always take a flier on former top prospects in their late 20’s as long as the talent hasn’t eroded.  2019 Projection: 88/26/80/.259/.363/.473/11

97) Travis Shaw MIL, 2B/3B, 28.11 – Career bests in K% (18.4%) and BB% (13.3%) portend good things for Shaw’s future. .242 BABIP tanked his average (.241) in 2018. 2019 Projection: 76/29/87/.261/.347/.490/6

98) Justin Upton LAA, OF, 31.7 – 28% K% the last two seasons show the average is going in the wrong direction, but Upton is hitting the ball as hard as he ever has. 2019 Projection: 80/29/86/.253/.341/.472/7

99) A.J. Pollock LAD, OF, 31.4 – Has eclipsed 443 AB only once in career. Pollock’s power looks like it might age well, but I wouldn’t bet on anything else doing the same. 2019 Projection: 79/22/73/.261/.322/.470/18

100) Tommy Pham TB, OF, 31.1 – Backed up his breakout 2017 with another excellent power/speed showing in 2018, although most of the damage came in his 39 game debut with Tampa (1.071 OPS). 2019 Projection: 85/20/72/.272/.364/.471/17

101) Luis Castillo CIN, RHP, 26.4 – Exploded post all-star break with a pitching line of 2.44/0.96/69 in 66.1 IP. 2019 Projection: 11/3.62/1.17/186 in 182 IP

102) Madison Bumgarner SF, LHP, 29.8 – Banged up the past two seasons from freak-ish injuries. Assuming he remains healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a few more near prime seasons in the tank. 2019 Projection: 11/3.48/1.20/178 in 190 IP

103) Nomar Mazara TEX, OF, 23.11 – In leagues that aren’t keep forever, it’s not only annoying when a team refuses to call a prospect up when he is ready, but also when they call them up too soon and burn important years of team control. Nothing you can do but stay patient with Mazara. 2019 Projection: 73/25/88/.266/.328/.450/1 Prime Projection: 83/30/102/.277/.349/.500/2

104) Ian Happ CHC, OF/3B, 24.8 – Strikeout rate is going in the wrong direction, posting a career worst mark of 36.1% last season. 2019 Projection: 69/20/59/.248/.346/.466/8 Prime Projection: 92/26/83/.258/.352/4.80/10

105) Tyler O’Neill STL, OF, 23.9 – The next Judge/Gallo/Olson/Chapman. He walks, hits it extremely hard, and hits it in the air. Only question is how bad will his strikeout rate be. 2019 Projection: 31/10/33/.238/.300/.470/4 Prime Projection: 88/35/100/.255/.339/.510/10

106) Brent Honeywell TB, RHP, 24.0 – Honeywell has started to throw off a mound as he continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery. When healthy, he throws at least 5 pitches and was a master at the art of pitching. 2019 Projection: 5/4.30/1.34/75 in 80 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.33/1.13/205 in 190 IP

107) Alex Reyes STL, RHP, 24.7 – Two lost seasons due to injury (elbow and lat). If you own him, there is no reason to sell low, but there is legitimate bullpen risk. 2019 Projection: 5/3.82/1.31/118 in 96 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.42/1.26/200 in 170 IP

108) Jesus Luzardo OAK, LHP, 21.6 – Three plus pitches (fastball, changeup, curveball) with plus command. 2019 Projection: 6/3.94/1.28/78 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.30/1.10/198 in 195 IP

109) Lorenzo Cain MIL, OF, 33.0 – No immediate signs of Cain’s speed falling off, which could mean now is the time to sell. 2019 Projection: 92/12/50/.294/.369/.425/26

110) Edwin Diaz NYM, Closer, 25.0 – When to dip into the closer market is always a tough call. Most of the time it is a game of chicken to see who bites first and then there is a big run on them. My advice is to ignore general rankings of closers, and strike when you have to based on how the draft is going. 2019 Projection: 4/2.42/0.93/110/36 in 70 IP

111) Nicholas Castellanos DET, OF, 27.1 – Groundball and strikeout rate headed in the wrong direction, but he still hits the snot out the ball. 2019 Projection: 80/25/93/.280/.338/.490/2

112) Marcell Ozuna STL, OF, 28.5 – Battled tendinitis and inflammation in his throwing shoulder since 2017. Ozuna did look back to his normal self by the end of the season (.862 OPS in August and .906 OPS in September), but this type of injury can linger. 2019 Projection: 76/28/93/.284/.337/.476/2

113) Byron Buxton MIN, OF, 25.3 – It’s always darkest before the dawn … or so I would keep telling myself if I owned Buxton. 2019 Projection: 67/15/53/.242/.298/.405/22 Prime Projection: 81/20/68/.255/.320/.435/30

114) J.T. Realmuto PHI, C, 28.1 – Overrated in real life and in fantasy. Trade to Philly’s much better ballpark and lineup at least gives him a chance to live up to his reputation. 2019 Projection: 76/20/79/.279/.337/.471/7

115) Jurickson Profar OAK, SS/3B/1B, 26.1 – Rose up from the graveyard of failed prospects and showed off the skills that made him so highly rated in the first place, with a 14.7% K%, 20 homers and a perfect 10 for 10 on the basepaths. 2019 Projection: 86/18/79/.270/.350/.465/10

116) Robbie Ray ARI, LHP, 27.6 – Strikeouts and walks. You just gotta hope the strikeouts come after the walks. 2019 Projection: 12/3.69/1.29/225 in 170 IP

117) Gregory Polanco PIT, OF, 27.6 – Surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder and labrum should keep Polanco out at least a couple months into 2019. You probably have to wait until 2020 for that career year. 2019 Projection: 52/17/56/.252/.332/.460/9

118) Michael Brantley HOU, OF, 31.11 – Finally stayed healthy and picked up right where he left off, with an elite K% (9.5%) and moderate power/speed combo. 2019 Projection: 88/18/79/.300/.355/.451/11

119) Eduardo Rodriguez BOS, LHP, 26.0 – Perfect breakout candidate to target. Young, already had MLB success, and just underrated enough to acquire at a reasonable price. 2019 Projection: 11/3.72/1.26/168 in 160 IP Prime Projection: 16/3.42/1.21/210 in 190 IP

120) Shane Bieber CLE, RHP, 23.10 – Command is Bieber’s best asset as a pitcher which helps his 4 pitch arsenal play up. 2019 Projection: 11/3.75/1.24/172 in 181 IP

121) Jonathan Villar BAL, 2B, 27.11 – Considering Baltimore’s lineup it is going to be homers and steals and not much else. 2019 Projection: 77/15/69/.256/.325/.394/32

122) Jose Abreu CHW, 1B, 32.2 – Groin and thigh injuries were the reason for Abreu’s down season. Staying healthy gets harder as you age, but the skills are still there if he heals up. 2019 Projection: 81/29/92/.283/.346/.497/2

123) Michael Kopech CHW, RHP, 22.11 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in September. Elite stuff but still more of a thrower than a pitcher. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 17/3.45/1.21/240 in 200 IP

124) Harrison Bader STL, OF, 24.10 – Line drive hitter with a high strikeout rate and elite sprint speed. Mashes lefties. Defense should keep him on the field as he continues to develop against righties. 2019 Projection: 81/18/61/.259/.330/.428/18 Prime Projection: 91/22/74/.272/.345/.463/20

125) Ramon Laureano OAK, OF, 24.9 – Inconsistent minor league career could be a sign of things to come considering Laureano’s high strikeout rates, but his patience, power, and speed should always be there. 2019 Projection: 78/17/67/.251/.324/.421/18 Prime Projection: 86/19/73/.261/.342/.450/23

126) Brandon Nimmo NYM, OF, 26.0 – Major bump in OBP leagues. Along with getting on base, Nimmo is fast and hits the ball hard. 2019 Projection: 84/20/57/.266/.391/.470/10

127) Roberto Osuna HOU, Closer, 24.2 – Doesn’t have the elite K upside of some of the other top closers, but is elite in everything else. 2019 Projection: 3/2.78/0.92/77/36 in 70 IP

128) Kyle Schwarber CHC, OF, 26.9 – Classic three true outcome slugger in the strong side of a platoon. 2019 Projection: 72/28/80/.242/.355/.477/4

129) Julio Urias LAD, LHP, 22.8 – Returned from major shoulder surgery at the end of the year and became a weapon out of the pen for LA. Still a question of what his stuff will look like as a starter, but Urias’ stock could skyrocket with a good showing this Spring. 2019 Projection: 6/3.87/1.31/92 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.39/1.11/188 in 182 IP

130) Willson Contreras CHC, C, 26.11 – HR/FB tanked to 9.3% after sitting at 23.5% and 25.9% the last two seasons, respectively. Considering the consistently high number of groundballs Contreras hits, he is going to need all of the luck on flyballs he can get to return considerable value. 2019 Projection: 52/17/61/.261/.345/.442/4

131) Taylor Trammell CIN, OF, 21.6 – Approach is a bit of the slap hitter variety right now, which makes sense given his speed, but in order to fully tap into his potential he is going to have start hitting the ball with more authority on a regular basis. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 92/18/73/.266/.344/.452/24

132) Miles Mikolas STL, RHP, 30.7 – I would expect regression, but Mikolas was not a mirage. 2019 Projection: 15/3.41/1.18/150 in 190 IP

133) Masahiro Tanaka NYY, RHP, 30.5 – Pitching through that torn UCL like a champ. It’s all about the mind/body connection. Although I do wonder how good Tanaka could have been had he remained healthy.  2019 Projection: 13/3.68/1.18/181 in 173 IP

134) Chris Archer PIT, RHP, 30.6 – Finally got out of the AL East and pitched like he was still in it anyway. He’s gotta have an ERA under 4 this year, right? Right!? Right. 2019 Projection: 11/3.74/1.28/210 in 190 IP

135) Nick Pivetta PHI, RHP, 27.1 – Major breakout in 2018 but because it didn’t show up in Pivetta’s surface stats you should be able to get him at a discount this off-season. 2019 Projection: 11/3.80/1.29/205 in 180 IP

136) Peter Alonso NYM, 1B, 24.4 – Put on an exit velocity show during the AFL. There is no question he will hit for power at the major league level. 2019 Projection: 47/19/62/.243/.320/.460/1 Prime Projection: 83/34/101/.258/.339/.508/1

137) Garrett Hampson COL, 2B, 24.6 – One of the fastest players in baseball with an excellent plate approach and Coors Field at his back. Value will take a major swing based on whether Colorado gives him the 2B job to start the season. 2019 Projection: 73/8/58/.278/.335/.412/28 Prime Projection: 94/14/65/.291/.366/.449/35

138) Carter Kieboom WASH, SS, 21.7 – Will probably move off SS with Turner holding it down in Washington, but Kieboom’s bat will be good enough to profile anywhere. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 92/25/86/.280/.366/.485/9

139) Brian Dozier WASH, 2B, 31.11 – Major decline in exit velocity is the most glaring difference between this year and the last two seasons. Dozier blames a knee injury that he picked up in April, which I guess sapped the power out of his swing. With full health, he should bounce back, but injuries have a way of popping up in your 30’s. 2019 Projection: 89/28/82/.251/.329/.460/11

140) Jesus Aguilar MIL, 1B, 28.9 – Nothing in the underlying numbers suggest Aguilar is a fluke, but 2018 is likely the very best you can expect. 2019 Projection: 76/28/90/.267/.344/.491/0

141) Yordan Alvarez HOU, OF, 21.9 – Big lefty slugger with a swing reminiscent of many great big lefty sluggers throughout history. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 82/29/98/.268/.354/.505/2

142) Luis Robert CHW, OF, 21.8 – Thumb injury tanked Robert’s numbers this season, but he was able to show off his immense upside towards the end of the AFL. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 86/27/88/.265/.338/.481/18

143) Jonathan India CIN, 3B, 22.3 – My #1 pick in a first year player draft, India ripped up the SEC (.350/.497/.717 with 21 homers, 15 steals and a 56/60 K/BB in 68 games) before displaying those same power/speed skills in pro ball. ETA: Mid 2020 Prime Projection: 91/24/85/.268/.346/.463/14

144) Nolan Gorman STL, 3B, 18.11 – Lived up to his reputation as a beast in his first taste of pro ball, hitting 17 homers in 63 games split between rookie ball and full season ball. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 88/36/105/.265/.355/.520/2

145) Yusei Kikuchi SEA, LHP, 27.9 – Consistently throws in the mid 90’s with a bevy of secondary pitches. Not considered as highly as Darvish, Dice-K, and Tanaka when they were posted, but is in the class directly below that. 2019 Projection: 12/3.69/1.21/163 in 170 IP

146) Mike Foltynewicz ATL, RHP, 27.6 – Like many pitchers these days, minimizing the sinker led to an increase in strikeouts and productivity. Update: Sore elbow. Has been ruled out for opening day and there is no timetable for his return. 2019 Projection: 12/3.64/1.25/184 in 178 IP

147) Zack Greinke ARI, RHP, 35.5 – Velocity declined on all of his pitches for the 3rd year in a row. Greinke is still effective, but clearly on the back nine of his career. 2019 Projection: 15/3.58/1.15/190 in 195 IP

148) Scooter Gennett CIN, 2B, 28.11 – Exit velocity and strikeout rate do not match Gennett’s excellent surface numbers the last two seasons. That concerns me. Steamer isn’t buying in either (.261/.313/.425) 2019 Projection: 79/21/87/.289/.336/.479/3

149) Manuel Margot SD, 24.6 – On the Lorenzo Cain/Jean Segura career path. Might take Margot a few years to really hit his stride, but once he does, he will be a consistent source of steals with double digit homers. 2019 Projection: 62/13/55/.263/.317/.410/19 Prime Projection: 86/15/61/.281/.337/.445/25

150) Willy Adames TB, SS, 23.7 – Numbers in MLB debut were solid (.287/.348/.406) but the underlying numbers were not as promising (29.4% K%, 86.5 avg. exit velo, 8.6 degree launch angle).  2019 Projection: 76/15/64/.256/.331/.392/11 Prime Projection: 87/20/79/.278/.355/.443/13

151) Mallex Smith SEA, OF, 25.11 – Traded to the Mariners this off-season. The Mariners are the team in your fantasy league that has absolutely no discernible long term plan and seems to just make moves willy nilly. This year they are trying rebuilding, maybe … we think. Even a bad plan is better than no plan at all.  2019 Projection: 72/5/46/.278/.347/.360/32 Prime Projection: 86/9/53/.286/.358/.392/35

152) Matt Carpenter STL, 1B/3B, 33.4 – Homers and walks. The older, lefty version of Hoskins. 2019 Projection: 93/30/72/.255/.368/.497/2

153) Joey Votto CIN, 1B, 35.7 – Power disappeared but nothing in the underlying stats and exit velocity suggest it was anything more than HR/FB bad luck. He is 35 years old, so a real decline could very well be coming soon. 2019 Projection: 88/26/80/.292/.427/.498/3

154) Justin Turner LAD, 3B, 34.4 – Elite plate approach, contact percentage, and flyball rate. He’s getting old, but there is more juice in here. 2019 Projection: 80/22/73/.296/.380/.499/4

155) Josh Donaldson ATL, 3B, 33.4 – Bottom dropped out last season but there were warning signs for a few years now. With good health, the talent is still there, but I’m not betting on good health. 2019 Projection: 84/29/78/.259/.362/.497/4

156) David Price BOS, LHP, 33.7 – Showed he can still be effective with reduced fastball velocity by upping his cutter usage. It’s the Andy Pettitte school of pitching. 2019 Projection: 15/3.75/1.20/170 in 175 IP

157) Craig Kimbrel FA, Closer, 30.10 – As reliable as they come. Hasn’t had a single bad, or lost to injury season in his entire career. 2019 Projection: 3/2.82/1.01/94/36 in 64 IP

158) Felipe Vazquez PIT, Closer, 27.9 – 98.5 MPH flame throwing closer. 2019 Projection: 4/2.97/1.14/87/35 in 72 IP

159) Blake Treinen OAK, Closer, 30.9 – Hadn’t given up more than 1 ER in any appearance this entire season until giving up 3 ER to the Yanks in the AL play-in game. Regular season Oakland/Billy Beane magic has a way of wearing off in the playoffs. 2019 Projection: 5/2.88/1.04/88/34 in 70 IP

160) Aroldis Chapman NYY, Closer, 31.1 – Fastball down 1 MPH for the second year in a row to a now meager 99.1 MPH. How will he ever adjust? 2019 Projection: 3/2.79/1.09/98/34 in 60 IP

161) Kenley Jansen LAD, Closer, 31.6 – Irregular heartbeat that has now required two heart surgeries. I hope for a full recovery. 2019 Projection: 3/2.87/0.95/88/40 in 69 IP

162) Brad Hand CLE, Closer, 29.0 – Has struck out over 100 batters the last three seasons of his career. 2019 Projection: 4/3.26/1.13/101/33 in 72 IP

163) Kyle Hendricks CHC, RHP, 29.4 – Safe, low upside innings eater. 2019 Projection: 13/3.50/1.18/165 in 190 IP

164) MacKenzie Gore SD, LHP, 20.1 – Blister issues prevented Gore from pitching his best, but he was still able to display 4 potential plus pitches to go along with plus command and control. ETA: 2021/22 Prime Projection: 15/3.21/1.07/215 in 200 IP

165) Ender Inciarte ATL, OF, 28.5 – Stole 87 bases but has also been caught 40 times since 2015. Shhhh … noboby let Atlanta know that this guy shouldn’t be attempting so many steals. 2019 Projection: 88/10/58/.283/.331/.395/21

166) Paul DeJong STL, SS, 25.8 – Hits it hard and hits it in the air. 2019 Projection: 79/27/82/.258/.319/.473/2

167) Max Kepler MIN, OF, 26.2 – Posted career bests in K% (15.7%), BB% (11.6%), FB% (46.2%), and exit velo (89.5 MPH/93.9 MPH FB/LD). Kepler already broke out but it didn’t show up in his surface stats last year.  2019 Projection: 86/24/71/.268/.350/.475/7

168) Max Muncy LAD, 1B/3B, 28.7 – I hope Muncy gets everyday playing time, but fear it will be a struggle for at-bats all year, with a lot of his damage coming from pinch hit appearances. 2019 Projection: 74/32/81/.248/.356/.521/3

169) Domingo Santana SEA, OF, 26.8 – Trade to Seattle opens up a full time job for him again. 32.8% K% and 27.7% FB% will make it hard to fully repeat his 2017 season. 2019 Projection: 76/25/74/.256/.338/.442/8

170) Didi Gregorius NYY, SS, 29.3 – Due to needing Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow, 2019 very well might be a lost season for Didi even if he does make it back sometime in the 2nd half. 2019 Projection: 32/9/37/.265/.325/.450/3

171) Jesse Winker CIN, OF, 25.7 – Slashed .299/.397/.460 with 14 homers and a 70/64 K/BB in 136 career MLB games. Currently rehabbing from labrum surgery on his right shoulder in July, which doesn’t bode well for a homerun power outbreak next season, but it could still be in the cards for 2020. 2019 Projection: 60/10/50/.287/.384/.442/1 Prime Projection: 97/22/91/.303/.401/.490/1

172) Cedric Mullins BAL, OF, 24.6 – One of the most underrated talented youngsters to recently break into the majors.  The switch hitting Mullins is lightning fast with solid pop and has made good contact his entire career. Buy everywhere. 2019 Projection: 78/14/55/.265/.328/.419/19 Prime Projection: 87/18/61/.281/.342/.440/22

173) Willie Calhoun TEX, OF, 24.5 – Power outage last season and hasn’t been able to maintain elite K% in 145 MLB at-bats. I’m still buying the potentially unique contact/power profile and would not sell coming off a down year. 2019 Projection: 50/15/67/.261/.312/.443/2 Prime Projection: 81/30/94/.283/.339/.502/1

174) Nelson Cruz MIN, OF, 38.9 – Surface stats slipped a bit this year with a .256 BA and .850 OPS. Underlying stats still look good, but there were some back issues that popped up in 2018. 2019 Projection: 80/36/99/.268/.350/.517/1

175) Edwin Encarnacion SEA, 1B, 36.3 – Strikeout rate was trending in wrong direction for a few years now and reached a career high 22.8% in 2018. 2019 Projection: 83/35/101/.243/.338/.472/2

176) Scott Kingery PHI, SS, 24.11 – Segura trade clouds playing time, but don’t even think about selling low on Kingery. His rookie season was especially weak (.605 OPS) but he has the skill set to quickly become a coveted 5 category asset. 2019 Projection: 53/11/47/.252/.304/.406/10 Prime Projection: 87/20/72/.279/.332/.458/22

177) Christin Stewart DET, OF, 25.4 – Power and patience with a reasonable strikeout rate. Cut K% to 20.7% in Triple-A and then followed that up with an 18.7% K% in 72 MLB PA. Terrible defense is the only thing that can keep Stewart off the field. 2019 Projection: 74/27/88/.252/.339/.475/1 Prime Projection: 74/31/93/.251/.343/.485/1

178) Casey Mize DET, RHP, 21.11 – 1st overall pick in the draft. Absurd 156/18 K/BB in 114.2 IP in the SEC. Nasty splitter and plus control/command are his strengths. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 16/3.49/1.15/215 in 190 IP

179) Chris Paddack SD, RHP, 23.3 – Came back from Tommy John this season like he never left. Change-up is elite but will need to develop his curveball if he wants to dominate the majors like he did the minors.  ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 13/3.57/1.18/203 in 188 IP

180) Luis Garcia WASH, SS, 18.10 – Advanced, tooled-up 18-year-old who showed a good feel to hit in Full-A and Advanced-A. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 91/23/86/.292/.354/.477/15

181) Gavin Lux LAD, SS, 21.4 – Selected 20th overall in 2016, Lux had his breakout season this year, slashing .324/.399/.514 with 15 homers, 13 steals, and a 88/57 K/BB in 116 games split between High-A and Double-A. Me thinks Lux is still being a bit underrated right now. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 97/20/69/.275/.352/.450/17

182) Kristian Robinson ARI, OF, 18.4 – Signed for $2.55 million in 2017, Robinson has an elite power/speed combo and looks the part of a stud at an athletic 6’3”, 190 pounds. 26% K% split between two levels at rookie ball shows there is still plenty of development to go.  ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/28/95/.268/.355/.498/14

183) Yu Darvish CHC, RHP, 32.7 – Velocity being normal was the only silver lining from a disastrous year. Obvious bounceback candidate but I’m only buying if I can buy low. 2019 Projection: 12/3.69/1.22/182 in 160 IP

184) Jose Leclerc TEX, Closer, 25.3 – Perfect example of why you shouldn’t use major assets to acquire closers, even elite ones. No other position in fantasy is it easier to find guys who instantly become elite options at mid-season. 2019 Projection: 2/3.08/1.09/90/32 in 62 IP

185) Joey Lucchesi SD, LHP, 25.10 – Deceptive delivery. Throws a pitch he calls a “churve.” 2019 Projection: 10/3.85/1.28/178 in 172 IP

186) Daniel Murphy COL, 2B, 34.0 – Microfracture surgery on Murphy’s right knee in October 2017 made it almost inevitable that 2018 was not going to be a smooth ride. With a normal off-season this year and being further removed from that injury, a small bounceback is possible, especially at Coors. 2019 Projection: 88/22/82/.308/.351/.482/3

187) Ian Desmond COL, 1B/OF, 33.6 – Never got the Coors bump that many were hoping for, but as long as he keeps running he will have value in even the shallowest of leagues. 2019 Projection: 81/21/86/.259/.324/.447/16

188) Jon Gray COL, RHP, 27.5 – A couple pitchers finally broke out at Coors, but of course one of them wasn’t Gray. That would have been too easy. The skills are still there for it to happen in the future. 2019 Projection: 12/4.02/1.30/185 in 175 IP

189) Carlos Martinez STL, RHP, 27.6 – Shut down from throwing for 2 weeks because his shoulder is still not back to full strength. Had shoulder issues in 2018 and velocity was down about 2 MPH. Martinez’ stock is headed down. 2019 Projection: 8/3.59/1.26/130 in 130 IP

190) David Peralta ARI, OF, 31.8 – Career year with 30 homers but I would expect regression considering 23.4% HR/FB rate and 29.5% flyball percentage. 2019 Projection: 80/21/80/.284/.346/.471/6

191) Stephen Piscotty OAK, OF, 28.2 – Type of hitter who is exponentially more valuable in deeper leagues. If you are gunning for a championship in 10-12 team leagues, Piscotty will have to be one of your worst starters. 2019 Projection: 81/25/89/.272/.339/.476/3

192) Jose Quintana CHC, LHP, 29.6 – Followed up his 2017 strikeout break through by regressing back to career norms in 2018. 2019 Projection: 13/3.72/1.27/181 in 193 IP

193) Danny Jansen TOR, C, 24.0 – Excellent contact percentage-launch angle combo whose exit velocities don’t jump off the page but generates power with quality contact. Jansen could be one the better hitting catchers in short order. 2019 Projection: 51/15/59/.257/.345/.429/2 Prime Projection: 64/21/73/.273/.351/.463/6

194) Tyler Glasnow TB, RHP, 25.7 – The blazing fastball that made Glasnow such an alluring prospect was back in full force this season, averaging 97.3 MPH. With Tampa’s philosophy of fully tapping into the value of those tweener pitchers (not quite a starter but more than a one inning guy), Glasnow is in the perfect situation for him. 2019 Projection: 8/4.08/1.33/158 in 133 IP Prime Projection: 10/3.52/1.29/182 in 153 IP

195) Lance McCullers Jr. HOU, RHP, 25.6 – Tommy John surgery will keep McCullers out all of 2019. Changeup was starting to come around last year, with it being his most valuable pitch according to Fangraphs pitch values. 2019 Projection: OUT Prime Projection: 3.55/1.24/175 in 150 IP

196) Maikel Franco PHI, 3B, 26.7 – Career best 13.3% K% bodes well for Franco’s future, although he is going to have to start hitting the ball in the air a bit more to have that breakout season we are all waiting for. 2019 Projection: 70/25/80/.269/.317/.470/1

197) Vidal Brujan TB, 2B, 21.2 – 55 steals with a 68/63 K/BB in 122 games split between Full-A and Advanced-A. Tampa is stacked with 2B, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Brujan consistently had multi-position eligibility throughout his career. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 91/13/56/.283/.348/.419/33

198) Andres Gimenez NYM, SS, 20.7 – Short, quick, and powerful swing should lead to more homeruns as Gimenez gets stronger. Plus instincts on the base path makes his speed play up. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 92/17/66/.288/.343/.421/20

199) Sixto Sanchez MIA, RHP, 20.8 – Injury shortened season due to right elbow soreness, and also had to miss the AFL after a setback recovering from the same injury. Looking at Reyes, Honeywell, and Kopech, you almost have to factor in Tommy John surgery if you own Sanchez. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 14/3.42/1.07/188 in 182 IP

200) Ken Giles TOR, Closer, 28.6 – Punching himself in the face seemed to punch his ticket out of Houston. Stuff and underlying numbers point to a bounceback in 2018. 2019 Projection: 3/3.35/1.19/77/33 in 65 IP

201) Miguel Sano MIN, 3B, 25.11 – Career 36.3% K% does not lend much optimism for Sano’s future batting average. 2019 Projection: 63/25/75/.226/.312/.450/1

202) Dee Gordon SEA, 2B/OF, 30.11 – I never like extreme steals only guys on my roster, mostly because it limits your options on how to build the rest of your team. 2019 Projection: 77/3/34/.277/.310/.360/34

203) Dylan Cease CHW, RHP, 23.3 – 100 MPH fastball with a plus curveball. Will have to continue to improve changeup and command to reach ceiling. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 13/3.78/1.29/196 in 174 IP

204) Andrew McCutchen PHI, OF, 32.5 – Start of gradual decline started in 2016 but power/speed combo is still good enough to hold value for contending teams. 2019 Projection: 78/23/71/.260/.354/.458/12

205) Wilson Ramos NYM, C, 31.8 – It’s nice having a catcher who might actually help your average while also hitting for power. 2019 Projection: 51/18/67/.278/.329/.457/0

206) Corey Knebel MIL, RP, 27.4 – It’s a free for all in Milwaukee’s bullpen, but Knebel should get plenty of chances to close out games. 2019 Projection: 4/3.09/1.14/95/23 in 63 IP

207) Elvis Andrus TEX, SS, 30.7 – Fractured right elbow after getting hit by a 97 MPH fastball in early April sabotaged Andrus’ season from the get go. Sprint speeds have always been only slightly better than average (Schwarber had a faster sprint speed than Andrus in 2018), which concerns me as he enters his 30’s. 2019 Projection: 77/11/66/.273/.330/.399/17

208) Cesar Hernandez PHI, 2B, 28.11 – Hit the ball in the air considerably more in 2018, which backs up his moderate power outbreak.  2019 Projection: 86/14/55/.263/.357/.378/17

209) Marcus Semien OAK, SS, 28.6 – Moderate power/speed combo hitting atop an excellent lineup. 2019 Projection: 87/18/69/.255/.323/.412/14

210) Rick Porcello BOS, RHP, 30.3 – Steady as they come. Nothing flashy but is reliable. 2019 Projection: 14/4.14/1.25/182 in 193 IP

211) Nathan Eovaldi BOS, RHP, 29.3 – Returned from 2nd Tommy John surgery and pitched the best he ever has in his life with a career high 10.7% swinging strike rate. 97 MPH fastball is the main attraction, but is also what probably causes the particularly high injury risk. 2019 Projection: 12/3.88/1.28/151 in 165 IP

212) Alex Wood CIN, LHP, 28.3 – Fastball velocity dipped back below 90 MPH after an early season bump in 2017, although Wood has proved he can survive with lesser velocity. 2019 Projection: 11/3.74/1.23/151 in 160 IP

213) Chris Taylor LAD, SS/OF, 28.7 – Strikeout rate spiked to 29.5% in 2018 but also proved the newfound power was for real. 2019 Projection: 85/18/66/.257/.333/.450/14

214) Mike Moustakas MIL, 3B, 30.6 – Low average, low OBP slugger. 2019 Projection: 72/30/83/.253/.313/.480/3

215) Jonathan Schoop MIN, 2B, 27.6 – Average exit velocity hit career lows by a few MPH with a 86.2 MPH mark and 90.0 MPH on FB/LD. He suffered an oblique strain very early in the season, which are known to linger, so that may be part of the reason. A bounceback seems likely. 2019 Projection: 69/24/74/.266/.305/.462/1

216) Marco Gonzales SEA, LHP, 27.1 – Increased use and effectiveness of curveball along with adding a cutter was the reason for Gonzales’ breakout. I’m buying. 2019 Projection: 11/3.78/1.22/158 in 175 IP

217) Tyler Skaggs LAA, RHP, 27.9 – Groin injury caused Skaggs to get blown up in his last five starts, ruining his end of season numbers, which means he should come at a discount this off-season. 2019 Projection: 10/3.81/1.28/154 in 160 IP

218) Hunter Renfroe SD, OF, 27.2 – 97.4 MPH average exit velocity on FB/LD. The plate approach needs to continue to improve, but Renfroe can mash. 2019 Projection: 67/30/81/.249/.304/.493/4

219) Ketel Marte ARI, SS/2B, 25.6 – 13.7% K%, 9.3% BB%, 88.6 MPH average exit velocity, 92 MPH on FB/LD, and 28.7 ft/sec sprint speed. If he can start lifting the ball more and add some strength as he enters his mid to late 20’s, there is a 5-category stud lurking in here. Expected to be Arizona’s everyday CF. 2019 Projection: 83/16/69/.279/.345/.441/10

220) Jorge Polanco MIN, SS, 25.9 – Moderate power/speed combo with room for more as he enters prime. 2019 Projection: 78/16/76/.278/.336/.435/14

221) Luis Urias SD, SS/2B, 21.10 – Strikeout rate jumped to 20.5% at Triple-A but was very young for the level and power started to show up. Exit velocity readings in small MLB sample were strong. 2019 Projection: 69/10/50/.262/.328/.392/6 Prime Projection: 96/19/63/.293/.371/.469/8

222) Francisco Mejia SD, C/OF, 23.5 – No guarantee Mejia sticks at catcher, but the bat is special enough to profile anywhere. 2019 Projection: 31/9/27/.252/.300/.401/2 Prime Projection: 69/22/82/.278/.331/.456/4

223) Lourdes Gurriel Jr. TOR, 2B/SS, 25.6 – 90.3 average exit velocity shows talent, but will have to improve on his plate approach to fully tap into it. 2019 Projection: 64/17/69/.262/.301/.425/7 Prime Projection: 76/23/83/.277/.318/.455/9

224) Joe Musgrove PIT, RHP, 26.4 – Has so many different pitches that Musgrove is still tinkering around with them trying to find the best mix. If you like building with offense, Musgrove is a perfect pitcher to target in later rounds. 2019 Projection: 9/3.91/1.21/148 in 160 IP

225) Dallas Keuchel FA, LHP, 31.3 – Worst swinging strike rate of his career in 2018 (8.3%) other than his rookie season. 2019 Projection: 12/3.69/1.27/154 in 192 IP

226) Charlie Morton TB, RHP, 35.5 – He wants to pitch only a few more seasons in order to spend more time with his family. This two  year contract with Tampa could be it. 2019 Projection: 13/3.39/1.19/193 in 170 IP

227) Joey Wendle TB, 2B/3B, 28.11 – A little speed, a little pop, and makes good contact. Underlying statcast numbers are solid. Probably a bit underrated right now. 2019 Projection: 73/12/64/.277/.328/.411/14

228) Ross Stripling LAD, RHP, 29.4 – Nothing is more annoying than owning Dodgers pitchers in weekly lineup leagues. 2 start weeks turn into 1 start weeks, and 1 start weeks turn into demotion to the pen announcements on Monday night after lineups lock. I don’t know the role Stripling will pitch in, but I do think he will pitch well in it. 2019 Projection: 8/3.48/1.20/136 in 133 IP

229) Sean Newcomb ATL, LHP, 25.10 – 5 minutes of Google research tells me that Newcomb Ball is one of the few sports that was invented by a woman. Just thought that was interesting. As for Sean, who also happened to come from a woman, he is a rock solid young lefty, although with the overflowing number of arms in Atlanta, he won’t have a long leash. 2019 Projection: 10/3.97/1.35/175 in 170 IP Prime Projection: 9/3.73/1.29/162 in 160 IP

230) Andrew Heaney LAA, LHP, 27.10 – Control and command pitcher who generates whiffs with a plus changeup. 2019 Projection: 8/3.73/1.21/156 in 160 IP

231) Daz Cameron DET, OF, 22.2 – Similar body type and hitting profile as his father, Mike, who put up several monster 20/20 seasons in his prime, albeit with a low batting average and during the steroid era. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 88/18/63/.262/.340/.438/23

232) Clint Frazier NYY, OF, 24.7 – The hope is that Frazier’s concussion problems are in the past and he will be able to overtake Gardner on the Yankees depth chart. 2019 Projection: 36/9/32/.254/.323/.438/6 Prime Projection: 82/27/89/.272/.356/.482/13

233) Josh Hader MIL, do it all reliever, 26.0 – It’s a shame Hader may never be given a chance to start, but I do understand Milwaukee not wanting to mess with a good thing. 2019 Projection: 5/2.57/0.92/129/13 in 78 IP

234) Bradley Zimmer CLE, OF, 26.4 – Arthroscopic surgery on Zimmer’s right shoulder will likely keep him out to start the season, although his rehab has gone well. Considering all of the problem his brother Kyle has had with injuries, you gotta feel for that family. 2019 Projection: 49/8/41/.236/.304/.380/15 Prime Projection: 87/21/72/.253/.337/.431/24

235) Jeff McNeil NYM, 2B, 27.0 – 9.7% K% and 38.7% GB% in 63 game MLB debut is a recipe for success, although he does not hit the ball all that hard (85.2 MPH avg. exit velo and 90.1 MPH on FB/LD). Should see playing time all over the field, but if he was locked in a starting role, I would rank him much higher. 2019 Projection: 78/15/51/.286/.342/.457/10

236) Raimel Tapia COL, OF, 25.2 – Murphy signing likely keeps Tapia in a bench role for now. Has a chance to be a 5 category stud if he does win a full time job. 2019 Projection: 43/8/39/.282/.325/.431/10 Prime Projection: 91/16/68/.296/.343/.455/20

237) Josh James HOU, RHP, 26.1 – In perhaps the greatest testament to getting a good night sleep, James was cured of his sleep apnea and woke up with a 97.5 MPH fastball. He is now a strikeout machine, striking out 171 batters in 114.1 Triple-A innings and 38 batters in 21.2 big league innings. 2019 Projection: 8/3.91/1.28/128 in 110 IP Prime Projection: 15/3.63/1.28/200 in 180 IP

238) Jeter Downs LAD, SS, 20.8 – Selected 32nd overall in the 2017 draft, Downs full season debut was a smashing success, displaying a plus plate approach, plus base stealing ability, and a 50.4% FB%. He has the tools to be an absolute fantasy stud. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 88/23/77/.271/.355/.468/18

239) Jake Bauers CLE, OF/1B, 23.6 – Patient hitter with moderate power/speed combo. 2019 Projection: 68/16/63/.240/.336/.403/9 Prime Projection: 85/21/74/.271/.368/.451/13

240) Sean Doolittle WASH, Closer, 32.6 – Oft-injured closer who dominates when on the mound. 2019 Projection: 3/2.88/0.96/65/27 in 55 IP

241) Wade Davis COL, Closer, 33.7 – That huge contract locks him into the closer role, but age and Coors ensures it will not be a completely smooth ride. 2019 Projection: 3/3.61/1.17/72/37 in 63 IP

242) Yasmani Grandal MIL, C, 30.5 – Low average, power, and patience catcher. Couldn’t have landed in better situation than Milwaukee. 2019 Projection: 58/23/64/.240/.336/.461/1

243) Robinson Cano NYM, 2B, 36.5 – Came back from an 80 game suspension and performed no different than before. Has any player in the last few years come back from a PED suspension and perform markedly worse? 2019 Projection: 79/25/90/.289/.350/.468/1

244) Victor Victor Mesa MIA, OF, 22.8 – Speed is the only sure thing, but power should continue to develop and he rarely struck out in Cuba. ETA: Mid 2020 Prime Projection: 88/14/71/.277/.334/.436/24

245) Dansby Swanson ATL, SS, 25.2 – From overrated to underrated. Still projects for solid 5 category production at peak. 2019 Projection: 68/15/66/.258/.329/.405/13 Prime Projection: 90/18/63/.278/.353/.435/16

246) Lewis Brinson MIA, OF, 24.11 – Brutal season gave off Byron Buxton-like vibes, but like Buxton, the talent is too good to write off. 2019 Projection: 58/17/61/.231/.282/.399/7 Prime Projection: 77/27/86/.252/.324/.471/15

247) Jarred Kelenic SEA, OF, 19.8 – Advanced for his age plate approach with above average all around tools. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 89/24/81/.278/.352/.477/16

248) Triston McKenzie CLE, RHP, 21.8 – High spin rates and excellent extension makes McKenzie a pain to hit against. Obligatory mention of his super thin frame. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 13/3.38/1.14/188 in 176 IP

249) Alex Verdugo LAD, OF, 22.11 – Could have a Daniel Murphy like career path, unlocking power later in career. 2019 Projection: 35/7/34/.273/.335/.415/4 Prime Projection: 84/18/82/.285/.351/.447/9

250) Corbin Burnes MIL, RHP, 24.5 – Will enter camp competing for a starting role in 2019. Big, hard throwing righty with plus spin rates. Showed excellent ability to miss bats in 2018 debut as a relief pitcher. 2019 Projection: 6/3.94/1.27/110 in 120 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.61/1.18/175 in 180 IP

251) Ian Anderson ATL, RHP, 20.11 – Continued to rack up strikeouts with 142 K’s in 119.1 IP. 19 of those strikeouts came in his final two dominating starts of the season at Double-A. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 15/3.45/1.20/210 in 190 IP

252) A.J. Puk OAK, LHP, 23.11 – Tommy John surgery in April probably keeps Puk from being a Major League option until later in the year. When healthy, he has an unhittable fastball/slider combo that plays up even more because of how much extension he gets from his 6’7” frame. One of the more uncomfortable at-bats in the minors. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 15/3.42/1.26/214 in 186 IP

253) Mike Soroka ATL, RHP, 21.8 – Stuff plays up because of plus command, control, and advanced feel for the art of pitching. Feb. 22 Update: Shoulder discomfort popped up again and is shut down from throwing for 4-5 days. ETA: Mid 2019 Prime Projection: 13/3.49/1.12/170 in 182 IP

254) Cody Allen LAA, Closer, 30.4 – Imploded in 2018 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. Velocity was also at a career low. 2019 Projection: 4/3.80/1.23/78/30 in 65 IP

255) Adam Eaton WASH, OF, 30.4 – Came back from ACL and meniscus tears in left knee only to injure his ankle almost immediately, which required arthroscopic surgery. When Eaton did finally get healthy, he looked more or less like himself, albeit with less power.  2019 Projection: 81/12/51/.285/.361/.418/11

256) Raisel Iglesias CIN, Closer, 29.3 – Cincinnati’s manager announced Iglesias with be used in a variety of roles in 2019. I still think he will receive the bulk of the saves, but it will certainly eat into his value. 2019 Projection: 3/3.05/1.12/85/22 in 73 IP

257) David Robertson PHI, Closer/Setup, 34.0 – The Phillies are flexible with their bullpen, so Robertson and Dominguez should both receive save chances, but my bet is on the highly paid veteran being used most of the time. 2019 Projection: 5/3.10/1.09/81/25 in 65 IP

258) Andrew Miller STL, Setup, 33.11 – While Jordan Hicks is talented, he is still unproven and under team control, so Miller could easily find himself as the primary closer. 2019 Projection: 5/3.06/1.08/86/18 in 65 IP

259) Kirby Yates SD, Closer, 32.0 – Major risk of being traded out of closer role mid-season. 2019 Projection: 4/3.08/1.02/86/23 in 62 IP

260) Will Smith SF, Closer, 29.9 – Returned from Tommy John looking as good as new, although his fastball was down about 1 MPH from where it sat pre-injury. 2019 Projection: 3/3.01/1.16/77/30 in 61 IP

261) Mychal Givens BAL, Closer, 28.11 – Front runner to close in Baltimore. Hard throwing, flyball pitcher with the ability to miss bats.  2019 Projection: 3/3.56/1.22/75/26 in 71 IP

262) Hyun-jin Ryu LAD, LHP, 32.0 – Accepted the $17.9 million qualifying offer. I’m assuming that if the Dodgers were willing to pay him that much money, his spot in the rotation is safe. 2019 Projection: 10/3.44/1.18/139 in 148 IP

263) Cole Hamels CHC, LHP, 35.3 – Resurrected with the Cubs, putting up a line of 2.36/1.10/74/23 in 76.1 IP which coincided with his velocity ticking up. Was he simply mailing it in with Texas the past few years?  2019 Projection: 13/3.72/1.23/178 in 185 IP

264) J.A. Happ NYY, LHP, 36.5 – Career high 26.3% K% and also a career high 1.37 HR/9 due to leaning heavier on his 4 seamer than his sinker. Happ is just evolving with the times. 2019 Projection: 13/3.71/1.24/184 in 185 IP

265) Jake Lamb ARI, 3B, 28.6 – Underwent shoulder surgery in August but is expected to be ready by Spring Training. Assuming full health he should get back to his low average, power hitting ways. 2019 Projection: 74/25/84/.246/.338/.456/3

266) Steven Souza Jr. ARI, OF, 29.11 – Pectoral injury sank Souza’s 2018 but the power and speed are still there for a bounceback 2019. 2019 Projection: 67/21/71/.236/.332/.429/10

267) Jorge Soler KC, OF, 27.1 – Fractured toe ended what was shaping up to be a breakout season for Soler, slashing .265/.354/.466 with 9 homers and 3 steals in 61 games. He’s got above average speed and hits the ball hard. A great candidate for a late 20’s breakout. 2019 Projection: 71/21/77/.254/.345/.448/8

268) Austin Riley ATL, 3B, 22.0 – Donaldson signing hurts Riley’s chances of getting MLB at-bats in 2018, but long term outlook doesn’t change. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 79/29/93/.262/.332/.485/2

269) Jesus Sanchez TB, OF, 21.6 – Aggressive hitter with a good feel to hit and plus raw power. ETA: Mid 2020 Prime Projection: 78/25/83/.276/.332/.478/9

270) Tyler White HOU, 1B, 28.5 – Solid plate approach with plus power. Houston is bubbling over with talent, so White will have to earn his playing time every step of the way.  2019 Projection: 60/20/73/.262/.338/.459/2

271) Luke Voit NYY, 1B, 28.2 – Has the inside track for Yanks starting 1B job after scorching hot finish to the season. Led the league with a 12.4% barrels per plate appearance percentage.  2019 Projection: 64/25/76/.260/.340/.483/1

272) Yusniel Diaz BAL, OF, 22.6 – Projected to be a solid all around fantasy contributor. Has shown some beastly power in Spring Training. ETA: Mid 2019 Prime Projection: 87/26/88/.276/.345/.481/10

273) Ryan O’Hearn KC, 1B, 25.8 – 91.4 MPH average exit velocity, 95.6 MPH LD/FB average exit velocity, and a 46.2% FB%. This man is going to hit homers if he can even come close to keeping up those underlying power numbers. 2019 Projection: 66/24/73/.243/.321/.443/1 

274) Teoscar Hernandez TOR, OF, 26.6 – Statcast darling with a 28.6 ft/sec sprint speed, 91.8 average exit velocity and 97.7 FB/LD average exit velocity. 2019 Projection: 73/24/71/.240/.304/.463/8

275) Nathaniel Lowe TB, 1B, 23.9 – Major power breakout in 2018 which is backed up by changes in his swing and conditioning. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 79/28/86/.272/.348/.486/1

276) Drew Waters ATL, OF, 20.3 – Still raw but a potential 5-category stud. Stood out in his full season debut, slashing .303/.353/.513 with 9 homers, 20 steals, and a 72/21 K/BB in 84 games at Full-A before being promoted to High-A, where he inevitably struggled. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 86/21/84/.278/.335/.474/20

277) George Valera CLE, OF, 18.5 – Prodigy type hitter in the mold of a Juan Soto. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 88/23/88/.291/.365/.493/9

278) Nick Madrigal CHW, 2B, 22.1 – Reminds me of Jose Peraza. Doesn’t have enough power for elite upside, but is a sure bet for average and steals. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 95/11/66/.296/.351/.418/27

279) Keibert Ruiz LAD, C, 20.8 – 8% K% as a 19/20 year old in Double-A. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 64/21/72/.283/.341/.469/0

280) Orlando Arcia MIL, SS, 24.8 – Regressed last season but development is not always linear. Still young with a moderate power/speed combo. Good defense at SS should keep him on the field. 2019 Projection: 58/10/49/.257/.303/.382/14 Prime Projection: 78/15/73/.276/.325/.420/18

281) Jazz Chisholm ARI, SS, 21.2 – Jazz has a loose and explosive left handed swing with above average power and speed. Consistently high strikeout rates in his 3 year career (32.5% at High-A in 2018) makes him high risk. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 82/23/76/.241/.313/.438/16

282) Trevor Larnach MIN, OF, 22.1 – Major power breakout in his 3rd year in the Pac12, which Larnach carried over to full season pro ball, slashing .297/.373/.505. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 78/26/87/.263/.347/.483/2

283) Xavier Edwards SD, SS, 19.8 – Prototypical leadoff hitter with a high batting average, OBP, and elite speed. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 103/10/56/.291/.366/.401/36

284) Seth Beer HOU, 1B/OF, 22.7 – Power and patience without a ton of strikeouts. Defense is bad in the OF and at 1B, so playing time could be a battle. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 68/30/81/.268/.342/.480/1

285) Eric Hosmer SD, 1B, 29.5 – Strikeout rate spiked to a career worst 21% to go along with a career worst 60.4% groundball rate. 2019 Projection: 77/22/74/.270/.340/.438/6

286) Josh Bell PIT, 1B, 26.8 – Strong plate approach (17.8% K%/13.2% BB%) and hits the ball hard (94.1 MPH FB/LD avg. exti velo), but 48.5% groundball percentage is preventing Bell from unleashing his full potential. 2019 Projection: 76/18/78/.267/.356/.444/2

287) Reynaldo Lopez CHW, RHP, 25.3 – Slider has become his best secondary pitch, throwing it 18% of the time and leaning on it heavily with runners on base. His 95.5 MPH fastball is still what brings home the bacon, er, I mean, brings home the bagels. 2019 Projection: 9/4.27/1.30/158 in 180 IP

288) Franmil Reyes SD, OF, 23.9 – Suffered torn meniscus in right knee during winter ball, but should be good to go by Spring. High exit velocity, low launch angle power hitter. Profile will help with batting average, but is very exposed to HR/FB rate fluctuations. 2019 Projections: 44/19/56/.256/.327/.461/2 Prime Projection: 73/30/91/.265/.335/.490/5

289) Scott Schebler CIN, OF, 28.6 – Hits it hard (94.1 MPH FB/LD average exit velocity) but hits it on the ground too often (8.6 degree launch angle). 2019 Projection: 67/26/64/.252/.333/.460/5

290) Jackie Bradley Jr. BOS, OF, 29.0 – Statcast loves him with a 91.9 average exit velocity and 96.4 FB/LD average exit velocity. The skills are there to put up better numbers than he has the past two years. 2019 Projection: 80/20/69/.250/.330/.428/12

291) Randal Grichuk TOR, OF, 27.8 – Poor plate approach slugger. 2019 Projection: 61/24/65/.242/.300/.490/4

292) Michael Chavis BOS, 3B, 23.8 – Lightening quick bat with plus power and mediocre plate approach. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 72/28/88/.254/.328/.476/5

293) Cristian Pache ATL, OF, 20.5 – Classic tooled up, very young for level, don’t scout the statline high ceiling prospect. Started to tap into his power potential by hitting the first 8 homers of his MiLB career this season. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 83/19/76/.265/.328/.442/24

294) Hunter Greene CIN, RHP, 19.8 – Rehabbing a sprained UCL this off-season. 100+ MPH fastball led to 89 strikeouts in 68.1 IP full season debut, but as expected is still very raw. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 16/3.32/1.10/220 in 190 IP

295) Luis Garcia PHI, SS, 18.6 – Signed for $2.5 million in 2017. Slashed .369/.433/.488 with 1 homer, 12 steals, a 11.2% K% and 8% BB% in 43 games in the GCL as a 17-year-old. This could be a special talent that explodes up prospect lists in the near future. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 88/18/73/.278/.353/.449/16

296) Kenta Maeda LAD, RHP, 31.0 – Roberts announced Maeda will work as a starter in 2019, but with how LA juggles their pitching staff, who knows how many starts he will get. 2019 Projection: 6/3.65/1.19/138 in 130 IP

297) Kevin Gausman ATL, RHP, 28.3 – Finally got out of Baltimore and the AL East and immediately thrived, putting up a pitching line of 2.87/1.14/44/18 in 59.2 IP for Atlanta. Some of that was due to BABIP luck and his fastball velocity declined for the 3rd year in a row to 94.1 MPH (still more than enough), so those numbers are probably a bit of a mirage. 2019 Projection: 10/4.00/1.29/176 in 185 IP

298) Kyle Freeland COL, LHP, 25.11 – Doesn’t have big velocity, doesn’t strike many guys out, and pitches half his games at Coors. On the plus side, he is young, he keeps the ball in the yard, and consistently induces weak contact. 2019 Projection: 10/4.05/1.33/162 in 190 IP

299) Yadier Molina STL, C, 36.9 – Late career power surge is for real as Molina is hitting it hard and in the air, while maintaining his excellent strikeout rates. 2019 Projection: 56/18/72/.270/.322/.434/4

300) Collin McHugh HOU, RHP, 31.9 – Stuff played up in the bullpen and struck out 94 batters in 72.1 IP. His swinging strike rate was also up in 2017 when he was starting. McHugh has some sneaky, underrated upside. 2019 Projection: 10/3.91/1.24/152 in 160 IP

301) Steven Matz NYM, LHP, 27.10 – Can’t count on innings but is a solid pitcher when on the mound. 2019 Projection: 9/3.83/1.26/155 in 160 IP

302) Zack Godley ARI, RHP, 28.11 – Disappointing follow up to his 2017 breakout, but he wasn’t quite as bad as his 4.74 ERA would indicate. 2019 Projection: 12/3.97/1.34/190 in 180 IP

303) Jimmy Nelson MIL, RHP, 29.10 – Didn’t recover from shoulder surgery as quickly as expected and missed all of 2018. Your guess is as good as mine if he will be able to return to full health. 2019 Projection: 9/3.93/1.30/156 in 160 IP

304) Eduardo Escobar ARI, 3B/SS, 30.3 – Career high 8.2% walk rate is evidence of real improvements made in Escobar’s 2018 breakout. 2019 Projection: 74/22/83/.266/.323/.455/2

305) Luke Weaver ARI, RHP, 25.7 – Silver lining to a disastrous season is that fastball velocity was up about 1 MPH to 94.3 MPH. Trade to Arizona gives him a guaranteed rotation spot. 2019 Projection: 9/4.23/1.33/166 in 170 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.71/1.26/180 in 180 IP

306) Mitch Keller PIT, RHP, 23.0 – Easy mid 90’s sinking fastball but still needs to work on locating curveball and gaining consistency with changeup. 2019 Projection: 4/4.31/1.38/46 in 58 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.54/1.20/185 in 185 IP

307) Bubba Thompson TEX, OF, 20.10 – Excellent full season debut, slashing .289/.344/.446 with 8 homers, 32 steals and a 104/23 K/BB in 84 games. Elite athlete but still raw at the plate. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 83/17/72/.262/.318/.420/28

308) Nico Hoerner CHC, SS, 21.11 – Selected 24th overall in the 2018 draft, Hoerner posted elite contact rates at Stanford, and then continued that success in pro ball and the AFL. He hit only 3 homers in his entire 3 year college career, but his elite bat speed should generate more power as he matures. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 88/15/63/.281/.363/.426/18

309) Carlos Rodon CHW, LHP, 26.4 – Came back mid-season from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, and while velocity was ok, swinging strike rate was lowest of career at 9.1%. 2019 Projection: 8/4.12/1.35/143 in 150 IP

310) Touki Toussaint ATL, RHP, 22.9 – A win for all the “don’t scout the statline” drum beaters out there, Toussaint began to turn great stuff into results in 2018. I don’t foresee completely clear sailing ahead, and there is still bullpen risk, but it was a big step in the right direction. 2019 Projection: 6/4.23/1.38/103 in 100 IP Prime Projection: 14/3.81/1.31/186 in 180 IP

311) Matt Manning DET, RHP, 21.3 – Needs to add a few MPH to the fastball and/or improve control/command to be a top of the rotation starter, but he will be a high strikeout guy even if he doesn’t hit his ceiling.  ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 15/3.61/1.27/215 in 190 IP

312) Ke’Bryan Hayes PIT, 3B, 22.2 – Son of Yankees hero Charlie Hayes, Ke’Bryan is a much better athlete and much better prospect in general. He has an excellent plate approach and makes hard contact, but it has not yet translated into big homerun totals. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 86/18/75/.279/.362/.443/14

313) Miguel Cabrera DET, 1B, 35.11 – The cliff came abruptly for Cabrera, but the underlying stats show there could still be a dead cat bounce year in him. 2019 Projection: 68/24/81/.286/.374/.477/0

314) Ryan Braun MIL, OF, 35.5 – 5.8 degree launch angle but absolutely crushes the ball with a 91.9 avg exit velocity and 97.4 FB/LD avg exit velocity. 2019 Projection: 63/20/66/.263/.328/.472/10

315) Buster Posey SF, C, 32.0 – Underwent hip surgery at the end of August, with a 6-8 month recovery timetable. Major injuries like this that bleed into the start of the next season completely sabotages the year before it even begins. 2019 Projection: 58/10/66/.288/.361/.417/2

316) Salvador Perez KC, C, 28.11 – Free swinging, power hitting catcher. Update: Tommy John surgery will keep Perez out for all of 2019. 2019 Projection: OUT

317) Justin Smoak TOR, 1B, 32.4 – Took a step back from his 2017 breakout, with his strikeout rate jumping 6.2% to 26.3% and groundball rate jumping 5.2% to 39.5%.  2019 Projection: 73/27/83/.248/.346/.467/0

318) Carlos Santana CLE, 1B, 33.0 – One of those guys without a career arc. A consistent power and walk machine from the second he stepped into the league. 2019 Projection: 84/25/79/.253/.357/.448/4

319) Mike Zunino TB, C, 28.0 – Strikeout rate is actually getting worse, hitting a career high 37% in 2018. 2019 Projection: 46/22/53/.205/.281/.436/0

320) Jorge Alfaro MIA, C, 25.10 – Horrible plate approach (36.6% K%/4.8% BB%) and needs to lift the ball more (29% FB%), but 91.6 MPH average exit velocity shows the potential if he can improve in either area. 2019 Projection: 41/14/54/.244/.297/.401/2 Prime Projection: 53/20/66/.257/.311/.436/3

321) Kevin Kiermaier TB, OF, 28.11 – Hasn’t been able to stay healthy, but being one of the best defensive centerfielders in the league will keep him in the lineup when he is.  2019 Projection: 68/14/47/.248/.319/.418/16

322) Estevan Florial NYY, OF, 21.6 – Elite ceiling but risk is still sky high. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 88/23/75/.252/.344/.451/21

323) Jeimer Candelario DET, 3B, 25.4 – 25.8% K rate and slightly below average exit velocity should both improve with age/experience, but ceiling is more solid than spectacular. 2019 Projection: 78/20/65/.240/.325/.420/4 Prime Projection: 75/23/86/.258/.338/.449/4

324) Isaac Paredes DET, SS, 20.1 – Slashed .321/.406/.458 with 3 homers and a 22/19 K/BB in his 39 game debut at Double-A as a 19-year-old. Precocious hitter, but doesn’t have huge power and speed is below average. ETA: 2020/21 Prime Projection: 83/20/78/.291/.372/.468/3

325) Nolan Jones CLE, 3B, 20.11 – Power started to emerge with 19 homers split between Full-A and Advanced-A. Will always strikeout, but more than makes up for it with elite walk rates (17.1%). ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 82/28/86/.253/.367/.485/2

326) Joey Bart SF, C, 22.3 – Selected 2nd overall in the 2018 draft, Bart is a power hitting catcher with an aggressive approach. Surface stats were great in pro debut, but you should take stats from college hitters in short season ball with a grain of salt, and a 19.7% K% and 50.7% GB% aren’t that great. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 65/23/78/.252/.328/.463/3

327) Travis Swaggerty PIT, OF, 21.9 – Selected 10th overall in the 2018 draft, Swaggerty is an all category producer who has considerable upside if it all comes together. Strikeout percentage jumped to over 25% when he debuted in pro ball at Short Season-A and Full-A, so he is not as much of a finished product as other recent college bats who went in the top 10. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 87/18/72/.274/.338/.431/23

328) Yoenis Cespedes NYM, OF, 33.5 – Surgery on both heels will keep Cespedes out for a large portion of 2019. Strikeout rate jumped to 31.8% in 157 PA. 2019 Projection: 29/9/34/.267/.332/.486/1

329) Alex Colome CHW, Closer, 30.3 – Colome dominates with a mid 90’s fastball and cutter. Rumors have him as the favorite for saves in Chicago. 2019 Projection: 4/3.31/1.18/65/28 in 65 IP

330) Brandon Morrow CHC, Closer, 34.8 – Missed the 2nd half of 2018 with an elbow injury that required surgery in November, which could affect his availability to start the season. 2019 Projection: 3/3.22/1.14/56/26 in 50 IP

331) Danny Salazar CLE, RHP, 29.3 – Underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery in July 2018. Rehab should take him right up to Opening Day. Cleveland has a full rotation, but Salazar could be the next man up assuming he fully recovers. 2019 Projection: 5/3.88/1.32/100 in 83 IP

332) Marcus Stroman TOR, RHP, 27.11 – Former young stud who was never able to take that next step. Stuff is still there so a late career breakout is within reach. 2019 Projection: 10/3.90/1.30/152 in 185 IP

333) Jon Lester CHC, LHP, 35.3 – K% dropped 4% to 19.6%. Lester is long past his prime, but we have already seen he can survive with diminished stuff. 2019 Projection: 13/3.86/1.29/167 in 184 IP

334) Jake Arrieta PHI, RHP, 33.1 – K% on a 4 year decline, sitting at 19.1% in 2018. 2019 Projection: 12/3.83/1.27/158 in 175 IP

335) Rich Hill LAD, LHP, 39.1 – Can’t count on him to be a mainstay in your rotation, but when Hill gets hot he can carry your staff for a month+. 2019 Projection: 11/3.52/1.11/160 in 137 IP

336) Anibal Sanchez WASH, RHP, 35.1 – Adding a cutter propelled Sanchez to a dominant season, putting up a pitching line of 2.83/1.08/135/42 in 136.2 IP. We’ve seen with Rich Hill and Charlie Morton in the recent past that you shouldn’t completely ignore these out of nowhere mid 30’s pitching breakouts. 2019 Projection: 10/3.71/1.26/138 in 140 IP

337) Dinelson Lamet SD, RHP, 26.8 – Tommy John surgery last April will keep Lamet out for at least a couple months in 2019. Two pitch pitcher who racks up strikeouts but will have to develop a third pitch to reach full potential 2019 Projection: 5/4.11/1.31/90 in 78 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.76/1.27/192 in 168 IP

338) Addison Russell CHC, SS, 25.2 – Even real baseball teams have a hard time valuing players you simply don’t want to root for. Just look at the robbery Cashman pulled on the Reds for Aroldis Chapman. Russell is suspended for the first month of the season and considering the lackluster career numbers, it is really hard to get excited to own the still young and talented former top prospect. 2019 Projection: 50/10/40/.248/.324/.401/3 Prime Projection: 89/24/83/.268/.347/.458/7

339) Corey Ray MIL, OF, 24.6 – Beastly power-speed combo (27 homers and 37 steals at Double-A) with a beastly strikeout rate (29.3%). ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 78/21/71/.238/.318/.445/26

340) Brendan McKay TB, LHP, 23.3 – Two way player but it is now clear his future will be on the mound. Plus control/command is best skill, which helps all of his pitches (fastball, cutter, curveball, changeup) play up. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 14/3.68/1.17/189 in 183 IP

341) Kyle Wright ATL, RHP, 23.6 – Likely mid-rotation starter if he can tighten up command and develop changeup. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 14/3.69/1.24/180 in 180 IP

342) Justus Sheffield SEA, LHP, 22.10 – Great stuff, but with a high effort delivery and lacks command. Trade to Seattle opens up playing time and gives him a much longer leash to develop at the Major League level. 2019 Projection: 7/4.36/1.38/109 in 120 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.66/1.28/174 in 180 IP

343) Griffin Canning LAA, RHP, 22.11 – Selected 47th overall in the 2017 draft, Canning’s stuff ticked up in pro ball, with his fastball sitting mid 90’s to go along with an above average slider and curveball. He made it all the way to Triple-A in his first full professional season, and is knocking on the door of the bigs. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 13/3.68/1.23/182 in 177 IP

344) Blake Parker MIN, Closer, 33.10 – Favorite for saves in Minnesota, although it is far from a guarantee. Velocity was down over 1 MPH on all of his pitches in 2018. 2019 Projection: 3/3.59/1.23/72/25 in 65 IP

345) Andrelton Simmons LAA, SS, 29.7 – Low risk, low reward 5 category production. 2019 Projection: 71/12/71/.284/.332/.419/11

346) Ryan McMahon COl, 3B/2B/1B, 24.4 – If not for Coors I might have ranked McMahon 100 spots lower, but you just don’t pass up on young talented hitters playing half their games in that hitting atmosphere … even if the Rockies do love to play their vets. 2019 Projection: 43/10/48/.260/.320/.430/2 Prime Projection: 84/26/96/.275/.348/.480/2

347) Colton Welker COL, 3B, 21.6 – Potential for plus hit and plus power, especially at Coors, but he has played in hitter’s ballparks throughout his minor league career and it’s like pulling teeth to get Colorado to give prospects a full time job. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 77/23/84/.272/.338/470/5

348) Arodys Vizcaino ATL, Closer, 28.4 – Grip on closer job is tenuous and had trouble with his shoulder last season. 2019 Projection: 3/3.41/1.21/64/25 in 60 IP

349) Jose Alvarado TB, Closer, 23.11 – Tampa’s current closer, although Tampa doesn’t adhere to traditional bullpen roles, so who knows how many save chances he will get. 2019 Projection: 3/3.11/1.16/80/22 in 65 IP

350) Jahmai Jones LAA, 2B, 21.8 – Solid power/speed combo with a good feel to hit. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 93/17/78/.278/.346/.439/23

351) Alec Bohm PHI, 3B, 22.8 – 3rd overall pick in the 2018 draft. A poor pro debut (.224/.314/.290 with 0 homers in 107 at-bats at short season A ball) has curbed some of the hype, but Bohm has displayed a plus hit, plus power profile all three years at Wichita State and in the Cape Cod League. ETA: 2020/21 Prime Projection: 77/25/92/.278/.346/.477/4

352) Tyler Nevin COL, 1B/3B, 21.10 – Played out of his mind in the Arizona Fall League, slashing .426/.535/.593 with a 5/15 K/BB and 0 homers in 17 games. Hit tool is what has stood out in his careers so far, but built like his father, Phil Nevin, at 6’4”, 200 pounds, more power is coming. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 79/25/91/.277/.348/.485/5

353) Sonny Gray CIN, RHP, 29.5 – With the trade to Cincinnati, Gray should be in line for a bounce back season. It’s a hitter’s ballpark, but he won’t have to face a DH for the first time in his career. 2019 Projection: 9/3.89/1.28/151 in 165 IP

354) Corey Dickerson PIT, OF, 29.10 – Cut K% to career best 15%, but BB% went with it, posting a career worst 3.9% mark.  2019 Projection: 69/20/67/.285/.320/.470/6

355) Adam Jones BAL, OF, 33.8 – Career best 15.2% K% but a career low 8.4% HR/FB rate prevented Jones from capitalizing on it. 2019 Projection: 69/21/73/.275/.310/.434/3

356) Matthew Boyd DET, LHP, 28.2 – Post all star break pitching line of 3.88/1.08/72 in 72 IP, which coincided with an uptick in velocity. 2019 Projection: 9/4.13/1.33/163 in 170 IP’

357) Michael Wacha STL, RHP, 27.9 – Severe oblique strain ended Wacha’s season in late June. Doesn’t rack up strikeouts, but has been a rock solid mid-rotation starter who is now entering his prime.. 2019 Projection: 10/3.83/1.29/138 in 150 IP

358) Sean Manaea OAK, LHP, 27.2 – Surgery to repair a torn labrum and correct an impingement in Manaea’s shoulder could keep him out for most of 2019. 2019 Projection: 5/4.06/1.27/40 in 55 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.65/1.20/166 in 180 IP

359) Franchy Cordero SD, OF, 24.7 – Statcast beast with double plus exit velocity and sprint speed, but doesn’t lift the ball enough and has a very raw plate approach. 2019 Projection: 48/11/43/.243/.306/.420/10 Prime Projection: 77/19/68/.251/.319/.442/17

360) Yonder Alonso CHW, 1B, 32.0 – Partially regressed from his flyball induced 2017 breakout. Groundball percentage was up from 33.9% to 38.3% and average exit velocity was down from 89.2 MPH to 87.7 MPH 2019 Projection: 67/23/72/.253/.329/.430/1

361) Ryan Zimmerman WASH, 1B, 34.6 – 5th overall in barrels per plate appearance, and put up his best K% (17%) and BB% (9.3%) since 2014. 2019 Projection: 63/21/78/.271/.339/.488/1

362) Billy Hamilton KC, OF, 28.7 – If you could only steal 1B … 2019 Projection: 68/4/33/.244/.297/.333/44

363) Kyle Seager SEA, 3B, 31.5 – Career worst K% (21.9%) and BB% (6%) are not good signs as Seager gets deeper into his 30’s. 2019 Projection: 56/16/64/.251/.318/.433/1

364) Trey Mancini BAL, 1B/OF, 27.0 – Hits the ball hard (95 MPH FB/LD avg. exit velo) but a poor plate approach (24.1% K%/6.9% BB%) combined with a heavy groundball rate (54.6% GB%) is not an easy profile to buy into. 2019 Projection: 67/23/71/.257/.311/.436/1

365) Joc Pederson LAD, OF, 26.11 – The Dodgers extreme depth is great for real life, but a pain for fantasy. Although, considering Pederson slashed .170/.211/.302 vs lefties, maybe it is better off. 2019 Projection: 63/24/59/.253/.340/.492/4

366) Odubel Herrera PHI, OF, 27.3 – Statcast is not a fan. Below average speed and exit velocity in 2018. 2019 Projection: 65/17/67/.268/.324/.428/6

367) Franklin Barreto OAK, Utility, 23.1 – Expected to fill a utility role this season. Barreto has above average speed, hits the ball hard and hits it in the air, but extremely raw plate approach will have to improve before Oakland gives him a full time job. 2019 Projection: 42/10/39/.241/.298/.418/6 Prime Projection: 77/23/84/.253/.318/.452/14

368) Jordyn Adams LAA, OF, 19.5 – Selected 17th overall in the 2018 draft, Adams was a two sport star in high school (outfield and wide receiver). He has plus raw power and double plus speed, but is obviously still very raw. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/18/75/.250/.340/.439/28

369) Julio Pablo Martinez TEX, OF, 23.0 – Signed with Texas for $2.8 million in March 2018. Patience, power, and speed with some swing and miss. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 85/16/65/.255/.342/.418/21

370) Wander Javier MIN, SS, 20.3 –Missed all of 2018 with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. All of the potential that convinced Minnesota to give him a $4 million signing bonus in 2015 is still there. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 87/21/82/.278/.342/.455/15

371) Michael Pineda MIN, RHP, 30.3 – Missed all of 2018 recovering from Tommy John surgery and then also had meniscus surgery on his knee in September. When healthy, he pounded the strikezone, which racked up strikeouts, but he often caught too much of the plate. 2019 Projection: 8/4.13/1.28/136 in 140 IP

372) Brandon Lowe TB, OF/2B, 24.9 – Power breakout and a strong MLB debut, but competition for playing time in Tampa is going to be fierce. 2019 Projection: 27/8/29/.255/.330/.439/4 Prime Projection: 78/25/76/.263/.350/.468/9

373) Adrian Morejon SD, SP, 20.1 – Combines a plus fastball and a plus curveball with two different changeups. Still needs to work on control and command.  ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 13/3.62/1.29/169 in 173 IP

374) Adonis Medina PHI, RHP, 22.4 – Athletic delivery with electric stuff, Medina throws strikes with all of his pitches in any count (fastball, slider, changeup). ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 13/3.73/1.19/193 in 181 IP

375) Brusdar Graterol MIN, RHP, 20.7 – Easy upper 90’s heat with a wicked slider, average curveball, and developing changeup. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 14/3.52/1.23/190 in 180 IP

376) Drew Steckenrider MIA, Closer, 28.3 – With the Sergio Romo signing, closer job is up in the air. Longterm, he is still the favorite for saves in Miami. Classic back end of the bullpen profile with mid 90’s heat and a slider/cutter. 2019 Projection: 3/3.58/1.26/76/20 in 65 IP

377) Brad Peacock HOU, Setup, 31.2 – Used mostly like a normal short reliever in 2018, but is the favorite for the 5th starter job now that Josh James is out of the mix.  2019 Projection: 8/3.72/1.24/133 in 120 IP

378) Shin-Soo Choo CLE, OF, 36.9 – Choo continues to churn out consistent production, especially in OBP leagues. He’s a groundball hitter (6.1 degree launch angle) who makes his flyballs count (95.2 FB/LD avg. exit velocity). 2019 Projection: 81/20/66/.260/.359/.428/6

379) Matt Kemp CIN, OF, 34.6 – With a 15.8 launch angle and 94.1 MPH FB/LD average exit velocity, the move to Great American Ballpark could give his homerun power a boost.  2019 Projection: 59/22/71/.269/.318/.472/0

380) Brian Anderson MIA, 3B, 25.10 – 19.3% K% and a 51.8% groundball rate is not a recipe for success, but he hits the ball very hard (90.1 MPH) and was better at lifting the ball in the minors, so I think the ability is in there. 2019 Projection: 73/17/69/.268/.343/.418/4 Prime Projection: 80/23/93/.273/.358/.468/2

381) Garrett Richards SD, RHP, 30.11 – Likely to miss all of 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. If your team is 1 or 2 years away, not the worst flyer to take if you can acquire him for cheap. 2019 Projection: OUT

382) Julio Teheran ATL, RHP, 28.2 – Velocity was down but posted highest swinging strike rate of career at 11.3% (along with highest BB/9 of career at 4.30). .217 BABIP shows Teheran got lucky last season. 2019 Projection: 9/4.25/1.32/161 in 182 IP

383) Jake Junis KC, RHP, 26.6 – Slider is his best pitch, and he knows it, throwing it 40.1% of the time. 2019 Projection: 9/4.11/1.27/161 in 175 IP

384) Vince Velasquez PHI, RHP, 26.10 – Upped his slider usage in 2018, which is his best secondary pitch, to go along with his 94.6 MPH fastball. 2019 Projection: 9/4.16/1.33/163 in 150 IP

385) Brandon Woodruff MIL, RHP, 26.2 – Mid 90’s fastball-slider combo with a few changeups mixed in. 2019 Projection: 9/3.91/1.32/137 in 145 IP

386) Dylan Bundy BAL, SP, 26.4 – Career high 12.7% swinging strike rate, but it did not help his ERA (5.45).  2019 Projection: 9/4.36/1.32/175 in 175 IP

387) Nate Pearson TOR, RHP, 22.7 – Lit up the radar guns at the Falls Stars game throwing 103 mph bee-bees. Everything else is still pretty raw. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 13/3.58/1.24/192 in 180 IP

388) Yuli Gurriel HOU, 1B/3B, 34.10 – 11% K% and 89.3 MPH average exit velocity is strong, but his FB/LD average exit velocity dropped almost 5 MPH in 2018 to a paltry 89.7 MPH. 2019 Projection: 67/15/73/.286/.323/.441/3

389) Shane Greene DET, Closer, 30.4 – Detroit’s closer by default. Everything plays off his mid 90’s sinker. 2019 Projection: 4/4.18/1.33/67/29 in 65 IP

390) Brad Boxberger KC, Closer, 30.10 – Signing with Kansas City makes Boxberger the favorite for the closer job. Injury issues, velocity decline, spotty performance track record, and trade risk makes him far from a safe bet to hold the job all season. 2019 Projection: 4/3.98/1.34/64/20 in 50 IP

391) C.J. Cron MIN, 1B, 29.3 – Broke out with 30 homers after being given the most playing time in his career, but poor defensive 1B are so disposable in today’s game, his margin of error is very slim. 2019 Projection: 64/25/73/.250/.315/.476/2

392) Enrique Hernandez LAD, OF/SS/2B, 27.7 – Great second half. Good underlying numbers. I don’t know if the playing time is going to be there, but this guy has late career breakout written all over him. 2019 Projection: 79/23/71/.262/.349/.481/4

393) Jose Martinez STL, OF/1B,  30.8 – Hits it hard but swing is geared more for line drives than home runs. In need of a trade to the AL, especially after the Goldy trade. 2019 Projection: 61/18/74/.292/.356/.469/1

394) Seranthony Dominguez PHI, Setup/Closer, 24.4 – Throws a 98.4 MPH fastball, 98.6 MPH sinker, 88.9 MPH slider, and a 91.1 MPH change-up. In 2100, will this be the average pitcher?  2019 Projection: 2/3.16/1.02/79/16 in 62 IP

395) Jordan Hicks STL, Seteup/Closer, 22.7 – 101.7 MPH fastball with a 5.21 BB/9. With the Miller signing, Hicks is no longer the frontrunner for saves in St. Louis. 2019 Projection: 4/3.52/1.28/74/12 in 74 IP

396) Dellin Betances NYY, RP, 31.0 – How to value set-up men is so league dependent it is impossible to get right on a general ranking. In my 30 team holds league, Betances is insanely valuable. In my 12 team, weekly lineups, no holds league he is almost worthless. 2019 Projection: 4/2.91/1.09/113/6 in 65 IP

397) A.J. Minter ATL, Setup, 25.7 – Vizcaino is the favorite for the closers job to start the year, but with only one year left of team control, Minter could be the closer of the future. 2019 Projection: 4/3.21/1.24/76/8 in 64 IP

398) Joe Jimenez DET, Setup, 24.3 – The closer of the future in Detroit, and if Greene stumbles, the future could come this year. Jimenez is your prototypical flamethrowing, fastball/slider late inning reliever. 2019 Projection: 4/3.61/1.28/74/9 in 65 IP

399) Ty Buttrey LAA, Setup, 26.0 – Buttrey has a 96 MPH fastball which racked up 74 strikeouts in 49 IP at Triple-A. He then closed out the season by striking out 20 batters in 16.1 IP in MLB, while also collecting 4 saves. The Allen signing means he won’t close to start the year, but he could still be the closer of the future. 2019 Projection: 3/3.51/1.26/71/9 in 65 IP

400) Kyle Gibson MIN, RHP, 31.5 – About a 1 MPH velocity bump on all of his pitches led to a career high 11.5% swinging strike rate. 2019 Projection: 10/3.92/1.32/167 in 186 IP

401) Jhoulys Chacin MIL, RHP, 31.3 – Low strikeout rates are concerning, with Steamer really not buying in (4.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP projection). The surface numbers have been good the past two seasons, but they have been buoyed by low BABIP’s. 2019 Projection: 13/3.98/1.26/151 in 182 IP

402) Mike Minor TEX, LHP, 31.3 – 93.2 MPH fastball which is up about 2 MPH from his starting days in 2010-2014. He was slowly building himself up all season after not starting for 3 seasons, with his fastball velocity increasing as the year went on. There is some sneaky upside here. 2019 Projection: 11/4.02/1.24/148 in 165 IP

403) Kevin Pillar TOR, OF, 30.3 – Career high 16.5 degree launch angle but his strikeout rate and walk rate also took a small hit. 2019 Projection: 69/14/58/.253/.295/.411/13

404) Daniel Palka CHW, OF, 27.5 – 34.1% K% with a 92.3 MPH avg. exit velocity (97.4 MPH avg. exit velocity on FB/LD) and 11.5 degree launch angle. In other words, Palka doesn’t hit it often, but when he does, he smokes it. 2019 Projection: 60/28/73/.237/.299/.468/3

405) Greg Holland ARI, Closer, 33.5 – Favorite for saves in Arizona, but will have a very short leash if he doesn’t perform well, and if he does perform well, there is a good chance he will be traded out of the role. 2019 Projection: 3/3.77/1.32/57/23 in 56 IP

406) Jeremy Jeffress MIL, Closer/Set-up, 31.6 – Should have at least a share of the closer’s job, although he will be a tough play in weekly lineup, saves only leagues. 2019 Projection: 5/3.21/1.19/74/15 in 71 IP

407) Pedro Strop CHC, Closer/Setup, 33.10 – Favorite to close out games if Morrow is unavailable. 2019 Projection: 4/3.00/1.09/59/12 in 60 IP

408) Mark Trumbo BAL, OF, 33.2 – Underwent knee surgery to repair cartilage in September 2018. Should be ready for spring training. Exit velocity is Trumbo’s game, with a 92.8 MPH avg exit velocity and 95.9 MPH on FB/LD. 2019 Projection: 61/24/69/.253/.309/.457/1

409) Kevin Smith TOR, SS, 22.9 – Slashed .302/.358/.528 with 25 homers, 29 steals, and a 121/40 K/BB in 129 games split between Full-A and Advanced-A. The real test will come at Double-A, but by then, it could be too late to buy. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 74/24/77/.248/.312/.456/12

410) Marco Luciano SF, SS, 17.7 – Signed for $2.6 million in 2018, Luciano’s standout skill is his plus raw power which he generates with a smooth swing. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 81/28/93/.255/.338/.483/7

411) Ryan Mountcastle BAL, 3B, 22.1 – Big, aggressive, natural hitter with developing power. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 80/26/80/.278/.320/.476/5

412) Ronaldo Hernandez TB, C, 21.5 – Power hitting catcher who won’t tank your average. ETA: Mid 2021 Prime Projection: 51/22/66/.260/.320/.460/2

413) Luiz Gohara ATL, LHP, 22.8 – Whipped himself into shape this off-season as he is looking to bounce back from a down and injured 2018. 2019 Projection: 5/3.98/1.32/81 in 74 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.81/1.30/187 in 174 IP

414) Dustin Fowler OAK, OF, 24.3 – 45th fastest sprint speed in baseball shows Fowler’s speed has completely returned after his unfortunate knee injury, but low walk rates (3.8% at Triple-A and 3.9% in MLB) and weak airborne contact (88.8 MPH) is preventing him from passing Laureano on the depth chart. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 78/14/63/.262/.310/.412/21

415) Daulton Varsho ARI, C, 22.9 – Probably won’t hit much better than your average starting catcher, but plus speed gives Varsho an added dimension. ETA: 2020/21 Prime Projection: 57/18/60/.255/.304/.421/12

416) Jon Duplantier ARI, RHP, 24.9 – Finished 2nd highest (to Whitley) in strikeouts in the Arizona Fall League. Should get his shot this season. ETA: Mid 2019 Prime Projection: 11/3.74/1.29/178 in 175 IP

417) Luis Patino SD, RHP, 19.5 – Mid 90’s fastball with a plus slider and above average control. Curveball and changeup lag behind. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 12/3.75/1.28/163 in 170 IP

418) Michel Baez SD, RHP, 23.2 – 6′,8”, 220 pounds with a fastball that can hit the upper 90’s, but needs to work on secondaries and command. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/3.82/1.32/179 in 173 IP

419) Hans Crouse TEX, RHP, 20.6 – Ace potential thanks to a mid-90’s, high spin rate fastball, and slider that flashes plus, but violent delivery tacks on some extra risk. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 13/3.54/1.23/188 in 172 IP

420) Matthew Liberatore TB, LHP, 19.5 – 16th overall pick in the 2018 draft. Big lefty with a deceptive fastball and advanced secondaries (curveball, changeup). ETA: 2021/22 Prime Projection: 13/3.63/1.22/193 in 178 IP

421) Cole Winn TEX, RHP, 19.4 – 15th overall pick in the 2015 draft. Signed for $3.15 million. Athletic delivery with a plus fastball and curveball. Also throws a slider and changeup that show potential. ETA: 2021/22 Prime Projection: 14/3.66/1.24/200 in 190 IP

422) Ronald Guzman TEX, 1B, 24.5 – More of a pure hitter than power hitter, but power should naturally increase as Guzman gains strength. 2019 Projection: 68/20/74/.248/.318/.426/3 Prime Projection: 74/24/87/.269/.335/.462/3

423) Sean Murphy OAK, C, 24.6 – Plus defensive catcher with a strong plate approach, good feel to hit, and plus raw power that he hasn’t completely tapped into yet. ETA: Mid 2019 Prime Projection: 62/18/71/.268/.335/.427/2

424) Jed Lowrie NYM, 2B, 34.11 = Good feel to hit, strong plate approach, and the ability to lift the ball. Lowrie has been one of the best 2nd baseman in baseball the last two years. 2019 Projection: 79/18/81/.265/.348/.435/1

425) Taijuan Walker ARI, RHP, 26.8 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2018 and is expected back at some point during the 1st half of 2019. Talented pitcher whose best years should still be ahead of him. 2019 Projection: 6/4.15/1.33/91 in 100 IP

426) Dereck Rodriguez SF, LHP, 26.10 – 2.81 ERA in 118.1 IP in MLB debut, but with only 89 strikeouts and a 4.56 xFIP, it does not seem sustainable.  2019 Projection: 9/4.06/1.30/131 in 160 IP

427) Trevor Richards MIA, RHP, 25.11 – Tied for the 2nd most valuable changeup in MLB with Anibal Sanchez, behind only Kyle Hendricks. 2019 Projection: 9/3.91/1.30/158 in 165 IP

428) Bobby Bradley CLE, 1B, 22.10 – With Cleveland looking to shed their veterans and trim payroll, Bradley will have a prime opportunity to win the 1B job within the next couple of seasons. He is your classic masher with power, patience, and strikeouts. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 77/29/88/.242/.329/.471/1

429) Brent Rooker MIN, OF/1B, 24.5 – Power will definitely play. Only question is how low of a batting average it will come with. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 74/32/87/.244/.327/.495/4

430) Jason Kipnis CLE, 2B, 32.0 – Silver lining to Kipnis’ mediocre at best 2017-18 is that he started to lift the ball more, so his decline years should come with some usable power. 2019 Projection: 72/19/69/.247/.320/.412/6

431) Zach Eflin PHI, RHP, 25.0 – Velocity spiked to 95.2 MPH (+1.5 MPH from 2017) and with it so did his strikeout rate. 2019 Projection: 9/4.22/1.31/132 in 140

432) Jake Odorizzi MIN, RHP, 29.0 – Extreme flyball pitcher with a 20.2 degree launch angle against. 2019 Projection: 9/4.23/1.32/154 in 167 IP

433) Danny Duffy KC, LHP, 30.3 – Shoulder impingement ended Duffy’s season in early September. He took a step back in multiple areas in 2018, including swinging strike rate, BB/9, and HR rate. 2019 Projection: 9/4.21/1.34/145 in 160 IP

434) Anthony DeSclafani CIN, RHP, 29.0 – Plus slider that he pairs with a 94.1 MPH fastball and 94.2 MPH sinker. 2019 Projection: 10/4.16/1.28/147 in 156 IP

435) Lance Lynn TEX, RHP, 31.11 – Down year in 2018 but the stuff is the same, or actually a half tick better than what it was in St. Louis (94 MPH fastball in 2018). 2019 Projection: 9/4.24/1.35/161 in 173 IP

436) Caleb Smith MIA, LHP, 27.8 – Was having a breakout season (4.19/1.24/88/33 in 77.1 IP) thanks to his nasty slider and swing and miss fastball before a lat injury abruptly put it to halt. He is supposed to be a little behind at the start of spring, but his rotation spot should be waiting for him when he is ready. 2019 Projection: 7/4.03/1.28/138 in 140 IP

437) Jeff Samardzija SF, RHP, 34.2 – Shoulder injury in Spring caused 2018 to be a lost season. If he looks healthy in Spring 2019, his draft stock should rise. 2019 Projection: 9/4.20/1.28/161 in 175 IP

438) Trevor Williams PIT, RHP, 26.11 – Extremely low strikeout rate limits upside, but has been very good at inducing weak contact. 2019 Projection: 11/3.81/1.29/125 in 165 IP

439) Jose Urena MIA, RHP, 27.7 – Mid 90’s heat with a plus slider, but doesn’t miss enough bats (8.9% swinging strike rate). 2019 Projection: 9/4.13/1.28/128 in 170 IP

440) Niko Goodrum DET, 2B, 27.1 – Moderate power/speed combo with a low average. 2019 Projection: 61/15/59/.248/.315/.420/13

441) Chase Anderson MIL, SP, 31.4 – Couldn’t maintain the velocity bump that spurred his 2017 breakout and numbers fell back to his mediocre career norms. 2019 Projection: 10/4.07/1.28/134 in 155 IP

442) Tanner Roark CIN, RHP, 32.6 – Move from a pitcher’s park to a hitter’s park isn’t going to help, and he doesn’t rack up enough strikeouts to really get excited about him. 2019 Projection: 10/4.28/1.33/158 in 180 IP

443) Willians Astudillo MIN, C/3B, 27.6 – Insane 3.1% K% in MLB debut with an 87.2 MPH average exit velocity, which shows there is some strength behind it, although it was only 88.1 MPH on FB/LD. 2019 Projection: 48/13/53/.288/.317/.437/3

444) Wilmer Flores ARI, 1B, 27.8 – Arizona moved Marte to CF to open up playing time for Flores at 2B. Flores doesn’t hit the ball very hard, but he hits it in the air and and had a 9.8% K% in 2018. 2019 Projection: 69/20/77/.269/.317/.445/1

445) Nick Williams PHI, OF, 25.7 – Took a step forward in BB% (7.1%) last season, but he stills needs to improve his launch angle (7.8 degrees) and K% (24.8%) to tap into his potential. 2019 Projection: 51/16/49/.259/.321/.437/3

446) Roman Quinn PHI, OF, 26.1 – 2nd fastest sprint speed in baseball at 30.2 feet per second. Very similar profile to Mallex Smith. 2019 Projection: 46/3/23/.258/.319/.399/17

447) Ryan McKenna BAL, OF, 22.2 – Above average speed, good plate approach, and makes hard contact. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 84/18/67/.271/.348/.421/15

448) Johan Camargo ATL, 3B, 25.3 – Donaldson signing pushes Camargo out of the everyday 3B job, but he should still see plenty of at-bats in a super utility role. 2019 Projection: 53/13/61/.267/.328/.431/1

449) Anderson Espinoza SD, RHP, 21.1 – Hasn’t pitched in two seasons after elbow discomfort led to Tommy John surgery in July 2017. When healthy, Espinoza has a mid 90’s fastball with two potential plus secondaries in his curveball and changeup. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/3.81/1.27/158 in 150 IP

450) Jaime Barria LAA, RHP, 22.9 – 7th most valuable slider in baseball which he threw 36.5% of the time. 2019 Projection: 9/4.36/1.35/124 in 155 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.88/1.31/155 in 175 IP

451) Isan Diaz MIA, 2B, 22.10 – Power, patience, and a little speed. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 88/20/73/.250/.350/.445/10

452) Heliot Ramos SF, OF, 19.7 – Surface numbers were mediocre in full season debut, but 25.4% K% was actually kinda encouraging after striking out 31.8% of the time in rookie ball. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 77/24/83/.253/.326/.468/11

453) Monte Harrison MIA, OF, 23.8 – Looks more like a basketball player than a baseball player out on the field. Which is a good thing because he is an uber athlete, but also a bad thing because he hits breaking balls like a basketball player too. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 72/26/77/.238/.308/.443/18

454) Khalil Lee KC, OF, 20.9 – Cut strikeout rate from 31.2% in 2017 to 24.9% in 2018. Power dropped too (from 17 homers to 6), but some of that can be attributed to playing in a pitchers league. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 85/17/69/.257/.336/.451/17

455) Esteury Ruiz SD, 2B, 20.1 – Plus power/speed combo. Hit 12 homers with a 44.8% FB% and stole 49 bases in 117 games at Full-A. 28.6% K% shows there is some risk. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 83/24/81/.261/.338/.473/20

456) Leody Taveras TEX, OF, 20.7 – Tooled up, plus defensive centerfielder who has been one of the youngest players in his league the past two seasons. Questions about the bat because of poor quality of contact, although he has a solid plate approach and gets the bat on the ball. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 79/17/62/.268/.333/.411/20

457) Brandon Marsh LAA, OF, 21.4 – An elite athlete with a plus power/speed combo and plus centerfield defense, but a 27.7% K% at High-A shows he is still raw at the plate. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 81/20/76/.253/.337/.436/16

458) Oneil Cruz PIT, SS, 20.6 – 6’7”, 175 pounds, Cruz is an extreme groundball hitter (28% FB%) with a raw, but improving plate approach. He has monster raw power and athleticism you can dream on.  ETA: 2022 2019 Projection: 77/22/71/.255/.318/.431/9

459) Justin Dunn SEA, RHP, 23.6 – 19th pick in the 2016 draft. Athletic delivery with the potential for 4 above average pitches (fastball, curve, slider, change) but needs to improve fastball command. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 12/3.76/1.28/176 in 182 IP

460) Freddy Peralta MIL, RHP, 22.10 – Piles up strikeouts with lots of low 90’s heat up in the zone. 2019 Projection: 5/4.21/1.37/100 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.72/1.33/166 in 150 IP

461) Adam Haseley PHI, OF, 23.0 – Selected 8th overall in the 2017 draft, Haseley has been as advertised, but a little on the underwhelming side, displaying a plus hit tool with a mediocre power/speed combo. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 82/14/67/.283/.335/.417/12

462) Grant Lavigne COL, 1B, 19.7 – Selected 42nd overall in the 2018 draft, Levigne destroyed the Pioneer League in his pro debut, slashing .350/.477/.519 with 6 homers, 12 steals and a 40/45 K/BB in 59 games. Potential for plus hit and plus power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 76/25/89/.275/.362/.491/6

463) Michael Fulmer DET, RHP, 26.0 – Underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in right knee in September. Throws over 96 MPH on his fastball and sinker, but hasn’t been able to turn that heat into big strikeout totals quite yet. (Update: Likely to undergo Tommy John surgery and be out for the season. 2019 Projection: OUT

464) Lucas Giolito CHW, RHP, 24.9 – Once considered the top pitching prospect in baseball, Giolito has done nothing but regress since that designation. With a 92.8 MPH fastball and 125/90 K/BB in 173.1 IP last season, I can’t quite put him in the post hype sleeper category, but his velocity did tick up in the 2nd half and he wasn’t quite as bad as he was in the 1st half. 2019 Projection: 8/4.92/1.44/131 in 165 IP

465) Eric Lauer SD, LHP, 23.10 – Back end starter profile with low 90’s heat and without a put away pitch, but he knows how to pitch and has had success everywhere he has been. 2019 Projection: 8/4.28/1.36/138 in 150 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.01/1.29/161 in 175 IP

466) Kole Calhoun LAA, OF, 31.6 – Low BABIP (.241) tanked Calhoun’s batting average (.208) in 2018, but he did post career high exit velocities (90.4 MPH avg., 94.4 MPH FB/LD). There could be some untapped power upside in here. 2019 Projection: 76/20/68/.246/.328/.415/4

467) Brandon Belt SF, 1B, 31.0 – Hits the ball in the air but makes weak contact and plays home games in a terrible hitter’s park. 2019 Projection: 78/19/76/.257/.360/.439/4

468) Ryon Healy SEA, 1B, 27.3 – Poor plate approach with good power. 2019 Projection: 62/23/71/.253/.297/.440/1

469) Starlin Castro MIA, 2B, 29.0 – Hasn’t had that breakout season we were all hoping for. He did have a career high 7.4% BB% in 2018, and the natural ability is still there, so maybe there is a little more in here. 2019 Projection: 68/14/63/.281/.329/.421/5

470) Yan Gomes WASH, C, 31.8 – Poor plate approach (27.4% K%, 4.8% BB%), but he lifts it (18.5 degree launch angle) with some power behind it (88.9 MPH avg. exit velo, 92.4 MPH on FB/LD). 2019 Projection: 51/17/62/.241/.293/.425/0

471) Robinson Chirinos HOU, C, 34.10 – Hits it in the air (48.9% FB%) and hits it hard (93.3 MPH FB/LD avg. exit velocity). 2019 Projection: 47/18/58/.231/.336/.436/1

472) Francisco Cervelli PIT, C, 33.1 – Drastically changed his hitting profile from an extreme groundball hitter to a flyball hitter, without sacrificing anything in K% or BB%. 2019 Projection: 43/12/55/.256/.362/.419/2

473) Welington Castillo CHW, C, 31.11 – Low average, power hitting catcher. Was off to a hot start in 2017 before being suspended 80 games for PED’s.  2019 Projection: 43/15/56/.253/.304/.422/1

474) Delino DeShields Jr. TEX, OF, 26.8 – 7th fastest sprint speed in baseball guarantees he is going to steal bases, but a 3.7 degree launch angle and 79.6 MPH average exit velocity is awful. 2019 Projection: 62/5/28/.246/.330/.346/23

475) Greg Allen CLE, OF, 26.1 – The new Rajai Davis. Might not play everyday, but will find a way to rack up steals. 2019 Projection: 63/7/39/.258/.319/.355/26

476) Oscar Mercado CLE, OF, 24.4 – Won’t be handed at-bats, but with Cleveland looking to get younger, Mercado has a chance to carve out a role as early as this year as a speed first outfielder. 2019 Projection: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 72/11/51/.270/.331/.408/20

477) Eric Thames MIL, OF/1B, 32.4 – Strikeout rate spiked last season but crushed the ball when he did make contact. 2019 Projection: 59/22/47/.231/.324/.487/6

478) Brett Gardner NYY, OF, 35.5 – No guarantee of everyday at-bats and getting old, but still fast (40th fastest sprint speed in baseball) and can still knock 10+ homers over that Yankee Stadium short porch. 2019 Projection: 81/14/50/.254/.337/.399/15

479) Kendrys Morales TOR, DH, 35.10 – Old and slow but can still put a charge into the ball (92.3 MPH avg exit velo). 2019 Projection: 51/23/67/.254/.319/.447/1

480) Sandy Alcantara MIA, RHP, 23.7 – Raw flamethrower with good stuff who took steps forward in 2018 with control/command and secondary pitches. Still a long way to go. 2019 Projection: 8/4.18/1.38/131 in 150 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.89/1.33/171 in 175 IP

481) Fernando Romero MIN, SP, 24.4 – Mid 90’s fastball with a potential plus slider. Development of changeup is necessary to unlock upside. 2019 Projection: 7/4.21/1.34/93 in 110 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.73/1.28/171 in 183 IP

482) Trevor Cahill LAA, RHP, 31.1 – Constantly on the DL but hasn’t had any major surgeries and stuff was as good as ever in 2018. If he can stay off the DL, he should provide value. 2019 Projection: 7/4.03/1.33/108 in 120 IP

483) Sean Reid-Foley TOR, RHP, 23.7 – High strikeout, high whip mid rotation starter. 2019 Projection: 8/4.41/1.43/143 in 130 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.92/1.36/194 in 172 IP

484) Matt Duffy TB, 3B, 28.3 – 4.6 degree launch angle with below average exit velocity, but he has some speed and makes good contact. 2019 Projection: 64/7/48/.285/.349/.391/11

485) DJ LeMahieu NYY, 2B, 30.9 – Leaving Coors and going to New York’s murky playing time situation adds too much unknown risk for my blood. 2019 Projection: 75/11/61/.288/.341/.410/6

486) Avisail Garcia TB, OF, 27.10 – Hits the ball very hard but hits it on the ground too often and has a poor plate approach. 2019 Projection: 55/16/62/.263/.319/.448/4

487) DJ Stewart BAL, OF, 25.4 – With Baltimore rebuilding they have every reason to give their 2015 1st round pick an extended chance to lock down a starting job. Stewart is a patient hitter with plus raw power and the ability to steal a handful of bases. 2019 Projection: 57/16/53/.246/.328/.411/6 Prime Projection: 76/21/72/.259/.342/.448/9

488) Cole Tucker PIT, SS, 22.9 – Plus defensive SS with plus speed and a strong plate approach. The 6’3”, 205 pound Tucker was a first round pick in 2015, so while he hasn’t been able to produce much power, there should be more coming in the future. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 81/15/65/.268/.331/.404/21

489) Luis Alexander Basabe CHW, OF, 22.7 – Power/speed combo with walks and strikeouts. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 79/19/74/.246/.333/.429/18

490) Austin Beck OAK, OF, 20.5 – Would have been nice for the power and/or speed to show up (2 homers and 8 steals in 123 games at Single-A), but his 21.9% K% and .296 BA is quite encouraging considering the questions surrounding his hit tool coming into the year. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 85/23/78/.258/.334/.469/13

491) Zack Collins CHW, C, 23.2 – Not a lock to stick at catcher. Major bump in OBP leagues. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 65/23/61/.248/.364/.447/2

492) Renato Nunez BAL, 3B, 25.0 – Has hit for power his entire professional career but that is the only plus skill he possesses. Improving walk rates the past two seasons is a positive sign in his development. 2019 Projection: 54/18/58/.249/.312/.413/1 Prime Projection: 68/23/81/.259/.331/.458/1

493) Jacob Nottingham MIL, C, 24.0 – Defense has improved enough to where he is likely to stick behind the plate, but will have to improve his 30.1% K% in order to consistently tap into his big raw power. ETA: Mid 2019 Prime Projection: 51/20/64/.248/.305/.418/3

494) Rowdy Tellez TOR, 1B, 24.0 – Dominated in his September cup of coffee, slashing .314/.329/.614 with 4 homers and a 21/2 K/BB in 70 at bats. Not a pure power hitter, but exit velocity readings were strong (96 MPH FB/LD avg exit velo) and has a solid plate approach. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 58/18/65/.262/.337/.440/3

495) Joe Ross WASH, RHP, 25.10 – Returned from Tommy John surgery for 3 starts at the very end of the season. He didn’t pitch all that well, but he did have all of his velocity back. 2019 Projection: 7/4.26/1.33/121 in 138 IP

496) Isiah Kiner-Falefa TEX, C, 24.0 – Realmuto like skill set with above average speed and strong plate approach (62/28 K/BB in 111 games), but high groundball rates and poor exit velocities will have to improve before he can sniff Realmuto’s fantasy value. 2019 Projection: 47/6/41/.267/.328/.369/9 Prime Projection: 69/11/61/.278/.340/.398/12

497) Zack Cozart LAA, 3B, 33.8 – Season ended in June when he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The hope is that he is ready to go by Spring Training, but shoulder injuries are notorious for taking a long time to truly get back to 100%. 2019 Projection: 75/18/65/.250/.318/.417/3

498) Andrew Knizner STL, C, 24.2 – Catcher of the future in St. Louis. Has posted outstanding strikeout rates throughout his minor league career (12.8% at Double-A and 13.1% at Triple-A in 2018) and has average pop. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 62/17/69/.278/.337/.423/0

499) Chris Shaw SF, OF, 25.6 – Double plus power with a high strikeout rate and poor plate approach. With San Francisco in need of power, Shaw should see a lot of at-bats. 2019 Projection: 43/17/59/.228/.289/.425/0

500) J.P. Crawford SEA, SS, 24.3 – OBP is only plus skill, with the hope that BA, homers, and steals develop into above average skills. 2019 Projection: 36/6/27/.243/.339/.397/4 Prime Projection: 94/18/63/.268/.372/.439/10

501) Eric Pardinho TOR, RHP, 18.3 – Top ranked international pitching prospect in 2017, Pardinho immediately went to the more advanced Rookie Ball (Appy League) and dominated with an advanced feel for the art of pitching. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 14/3.42/1.17/189 in 184 IP

502) Drew Smyly TEX, LHP, 29.10 – Missed all of 2017 and 2018 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but is expected to be healthy coming into 2019. Predominantly a fastball/curveball pitcher who mixed in a cutter and a rarely used changeup. 2019 Projection: 8/4.20/1.31/122 in 140 IP

503) Matt Harvey LAA, RHP, 30.0 – Pitched relatively well in Cincy with a pitching line of 4.50/1.25/111/28 in 128 IP. He still throws plenty hard, and if he can remain healthy, his days of being an effective starter might not be over. 2019 Projection: 9/4.31/1.34/134 in 150 IP

504) Daniel Mengden OAK, RHP, 26.1 – With a 93.2 MPH fastball and 6 pitch mix, the ingredients are there for Mengden to be a solid mid rotation starter. 9/4.21/1.32/123 in 150 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.78/1.26/160 in 175 IP

505) Matt Strahm SD, LHP, 27.4 – Will come to camp competing for a starting job. Strahm has a traditional 4-pitch mix with everything playing off his 94 MPH fastball. Changeup is best secondary. 2019 Projection: 6/3.65/1.24/115 in 110 IP

506) Johnny Cueto SF, RHP, 33.1 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in August and is expected to miss all of 2019. 2019 Projection: OUT

507) Hunter Strickland SEA, Closer, 30.6 – Favorite for saves in Seattle to start the season, but ineffectiveness and possibility of getting traded are legitimate risks. 2019 Projection: 3/3.83/1.34/57/24 in 60 IP

508) Leonys Martin CLE, OF, 31.1 – Low batting average with a moderate power/speed combo. Life threatening bacterial infection ended Martin’s season in August, but he should be ready to roll in 2019. 2019 Projection: 67/16/53/.248/.311/.398/12

509) Hudson Potts SD, 3B, 20.5 – 1st rd pick in 2016 who came into his own this season, slashing .281/.350/.498 with 17 homers and a 112/37 K/BB in 106 games at High-A. Struggled in his short Double-A cameo, but considering his age and small sample I would basically throw that out. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 75/24/86/.257/.316/.455/4

510) Nick Pratto KC, 1B, 20.6 – Exploded down the stretch, mashing 9 homers in final 38 games of the season, including the playoffs. Plus athleticism for a 1B. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 87/22/84/.270/.342/.479/12

511) Cavan Biggio TOR, 2B/3B/1B, 24.0 – Mechanical adjustment to swing unlocked power, as Biggio smacked 26 homers in 132 games at Double-A. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 76/24/73/.245/.332/.458/9

512) Ronny Mauricio NYM, SS, 18.0 – $2.1 million international signing in 2017. Toolsy up the middle defender with a good feel to hit. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 78/26/89/.274/.328/.467/7

513) Elehuris Montero STL, 3B, 20.8 – 6’3”, 195 pound beast who has consistently hit the ball in the air with reasonable strikeout rates. Slashed .322/.381/.529 with 15 homers and a 81/33 K/BB in 103 games at Full-A. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 75/28/83/.263/.325/.478/2

514) Bobby Dalbec BOS, 3B, 23.9 – Monster power (32 homers in 129 games) with monster strikeout rates (31% at Advanced-A and 37.1% at Double-A). ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 66/30/71/.238/.321/.465/2

515) Mark Vientos NYM, 3B, 19.4 – At 6’4”, 185 pounds he has all the tools to develop into a big, physical power hitter. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 78/27/90/.263/.339/.484/3

516) Bryce Wilson ATL, RHP, 21.3 – Able to dominate minor league hitters with a plus fastball that he can locate wherever he wants, but will need to improve secondaries to find the same success on the Major League level. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 13/3.97/1.26/174 in 183 IP

517) Dustin May LAD, RHP, 21.7 – Plus fastball with plus command but secondaries are still raw. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.27/163 in 175 IP

518) Nick Neidert MIA, RHP, 22.5 – Plus changeup is his calling card, but low 90’s fastball and fringe breaking ball limit his upside on the Major League level. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 13/3.93/1.25/169 in 182 IP

519) Logan Gilbert SEA, RHP, 21.11 – Workhorse build at 6’6”, 225 pounds. Absolutely destroyed the Atlantic Sun Conference with a pitching line of 2.72/0.85/163/25 in 112 IP. Gilbert relies on a low 90’s heavy, sinking fastball (also has a mid 90’s 4 seamer) to go along with two potential plus pitches in his curveball and slider. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 14/3.72/1.29/193 in 185 IP

520) Akil Baddoo MIN, OF, 20.8 – Tooled up youngster with all category potential but still raw. 11 homers, 24 steals, 14.3% BB%, and 24% K% in 113 games at Full-A. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 86/17/71/.266/.351/.428/19

521) David Fletcher LAA, 2B/3B, 24.10 – Elite contact rates (11.1%) with above average speed but makes very weak contact (83.4 MPH avg. exit velocity).  2019 Projection: 68/6/51/.271/.311/.378/11 Prime Projection: 79/10/62/.288/.335/.405/17

522) Anderson Tejeda TEX, SS, 20.11 – Power (19 homers in 121 games at High-A) and strikeouts (27.2% K%) with the chance to stick at SS. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 72/21/74/.244/.321/.431/9

523) Evan Longoria SF, 3B, 33.6 – Slow decline was only hastened by the move to San Francisco. He’s still got some juice left in the tank but upside is gone. 2019 Projection: 63/20/71/.259/.308/.419/4

524) Todd Frazier NYM, 3B, 33.1 – Will kill your batting average, but still has power (18.6 degree launch angle with a 93.7 MPH FB/LD avg exit velo) and will chip in some steals. 2019 Projection: 63/23/69/.219/.313/.426/7

525) Aaron Sanchez TOR, RHP, 26.9 – Hard throwing righty who relies on his heavy, sinking fastball, but hasn’t missed enough bats to hold big fantasy value. Career high 9.6% swinging strike rate in 2018 was a step in the right direction. 2019 Projection: 9/4.12/1.38/127 in 150 IP

526) Austin Hays BAL, OF, 23.9 – Shoulder and ankle injuries were responsible for Hays terrible season. Expect a bounceback in 2018. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 67/23/78/.264/.312/.443/6

527) Franklin Perez DET, RHP, 21.4 – Lat strain and sore shoulder limited Perez to 19.1 IP this season. When healthy, he has a 4 pitch mix with the changeup being his best weapon. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 14/3.82/1.27/173 in 180 IP

528) J.B. Bukauskas HOU, RHP, 22.6 – Bulging disk in back from a car accident limited Bukauskas to 59 IP. Plus fastball/slider combo gives him high strikeout upside, but struggles with control/command and weak changeup might limit his innings totals even if he does start. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 12/3.76/1.31/178 in 163 IP

529) DL Hall BAL, LHP, 20.6 – Being an Orioles pitching prospect is the kiss of death, but a highly regarded lefty with 3 potential plus pitches (fastball, curveball, changeup) could be good enough to break the dry spell. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 12/3.56/1.27/185 in 180 IP

530) Spencer Howard PHI, RHP, 22.8 – 147/40 K/BB in 112 IP at Full-A. Dominated in the 2nd half of the season with a fastball that sat in the mid 90’s and could hit 100 MPH. Needs to improve consistency of secondary pitches and control/command to reach full potential. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/3.80/1.32/189 in 174 IP

531) Dane Dunning CHW, RHP, 24.4 – Plus sinker and slider. Mid rotation upside. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.26/179 in 183 IP

532) Tirso Ornelas SD, OF, 19.1 – 6’3”, 220 pounds, Ornelas has the potential for plus hit and plus power. He hit 8 homers with a 68/40 K/BB in 86 games in his full seaon debut as an 18-year-old. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 78/28/91/.277/.358/.485/6

533) Tristen Lutz MIL, OF, 20.7 – Plus power and underrated athleticism but will have to cut down on 27.6% K%. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 74/27/85/.258/.343/.481/8

534) D’Shawn Knowles LAA, OF, 18.2 – Played well at both stops of rookie ball as a 17 year old, hitting .311 with 5 homers and 9 steals in 58 games. He has plus speed, a patient approach at the plate, and projects for at least average power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 85/16/68/.265/.348/.412/20

535) Parker Meadows DET, OF, 19.5 – Selected 44th overall in the 2018 draft, Meadows has a plus power/speed combo with a raw hit tool. Excellent in his pro debut, where he slashed .290/.377/.473 with 4 homers, 3 steals, and a 31/10 K/BB in 28 games split between rookie ball and short-season-A ball. Austin Meadows is his big brother, so he has the bloodlines too. ETA: 2022/23 Prime Projection: 77/24/74/.244/.318/.452/18

536) Jordan Groshans TOR, 3B/SS, 19.5 – 12th overall pick in the 2018 draft. Groshans is 6’4”, 190 pounds with plus raw power, an advanced plate approach, and solid feel to hit. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 79/25/88/.273/.357/.491/8

537) Triston Casas BOS, 3B, 19.3 – 6’4”, 238 pound beast with elite power and potential for a decent hit tool. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 79/33/91/.258/.341/.510/3

538) Brady Singer KC, RHP, 22.9 – 18th overall pick of the draft but received the 11th highest bonus. High floor, SEC battle tested starter. ETA: Mid 2020 Prime Projection: 12/3.89/1.28/175 in 185 IP

539) Ryan Weathers SD, LHP, 19.4 – Selected 7th overall in the 2018 draft, Weathers is a high floor high school arm with 3 potential above average pitches (fastball, curveball, changeup). He was strong in his pro debut (3.44/1.25/18/4 in 18.1 IP split evenly between rookie ball and Full-A). ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 13/3.71/1.25/172 in 180 IP

540) Keone Kela PIT, Setup, 26.0 – Flamethrowing, high strikeout rate reliever who is next man up in Pitt. 2019 Projection: 4/3.21/1.11/78/5 in 60 IP

541) Ryan Pressly HOU, Setup, 30.4 – Broke out last season with a pitching line of 2.54/1.11/101/22 in 71 IP. His mid 90’s fastball, slider, and curveball are all positive value pitches, and if anything happens to Osuna, Pressly could provide elite closer value. 2019 Projection: 5/3.28/1.17/81/7 in 65 IP

542) Carl Edwards Jr. CHC, Setup, 27.5 – Decent chance Edwards is the closer of the future in Chicago, but a lot can happen before that time comes. 2019 Projection: 4/3.39/1.18/82/2 in 60 IP

543) Trevor Rosenthal WASH, Setup, 28.10 – With how brittle Doolittle is, Rosenthal could see plenty of save opportunities this season. He had a bounceback year in 2018 with a pitching line of 3.40/1.20/76/20 in 47.2 IP. 2019 Projection: 4/3.42/1.31/76/13 in 55 IP

544) Matt Barnes BOS, Setup, 28.10 – 96.9 MPH fastball with a plus curveball. 2019 Projection: 5/3.43/1.24/88 in 65 IP

545) Geraldo Perdomo ARI, SS, 19.5 – Perdomo is a switch hitter with plus bat speed and an advanced plate approach. He dominated 3 levels of the low minors in 2018 (AZL, PIO, NWL), slashing .322/.438/.460 with 4 homers, 24 steals and a 44/39 K/BB in 57 games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 87/18/77/.277/358/.438/16

546) Freudis Nova HOU, SS/2B, 19.3 – Plus hit, plus power upside which Nova started to showcase in rookie ball with a 13.4% K% and 6 homers in 41 games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/23/79/.282/.336/.470/11

547) Antonio Cabello NYY, OF, 18.5 – One of the consolation prizes for losing out on Ohtani. Cabello was impressive in his pro debut and has above average to plus tools across the board. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 82/26/79/.272/.338/.470/12

548) Jeremiah Jackson LAA, SS, 19.0 – Selected 57th overall in the 2018 draft, Jackson is a tooled up athlete with a plus power/speed combo (7 homers and 10 steals in 43 games split between the Arizona and Pioneer League), but a 34% K% in the Pioneer League will need some work. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/22/75/.257/.331/.454/17

549) Yunior Severino MIN, 2B/SS, 19.6 – The classic lotto ticket prospect. I know everyone is looking for that prospect who seemingly comes out of nowhere to be a hyped up prospect writer darling, and with a good showing in full season ball next year, Severino could be that guy. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 81/25/89/.273/.338/.470/3

550) Jonathan Loaisiga NYY, RHP, 24.5 – Most likely going to fill a swingman role in the Yanks pen this season. Injury prone, but averaged 96.1 MPH on the fastball to go along with a potential plus changeup and curveball. 2019 Projection: 6/4.11/1.30/83 in 75 IP Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.24/165 in 165 IP

551) Jay Bruce SEA, OF, 32.0 – Extreme flyball hitter (21.4 degree launch angle) who used to offset his low average with a handful of steals, but those days are over. Likely in a platoon role this season. 2019 Projection: 51/18/56/.242/.317/.440/2

552) Steven Duggar SF, OF, 25.5 – Plus speed and a high walk rate are best fantasy assets. 28.9% K% in both Triple-A and the Majors with well below average exit velocity makes it hard to get excited. 2019 Projection: 68/8/42/.243/.318/.397/14

553) Ryan Yarbrough TB, Post Opener Starter, 27.2 – Racked up 16 wins despite rarely starting games. Doesn’t have big velocity so he leans heavily on the cutter to get outs. 2019 Projection: 9/4.06/1.30/127 in 145 IP

554) Jake Faria TB, RHP, 25.9 – Followed up a great rookie campaign with a disastrous sophomore year. Plus changeup is still his calling card, although his slider grades out as his best pitch. 2019 Projection: 6/4.23/1.34/79 in 85 IP

555) Jordan Montgomery NYY, LHP, 26.4 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2018. Rotation spot is gone, but with a 5 pitch mix and without overpowering stuff, his future still lies in the rotation. 2019 Projection: 4/4.11/1.33/36 in 40 IP

556) Merrill Kelly ARI, RHP, 30.6 – Spent the last four seasons in Korea where he pitched well, but not outstanding. He put up a 4.09 ERA with a 161/47 K/BB in 158.1 IP in 2018. I would keep expectations in check. 2019 Projection: 9/4.28/1.32/151 in 160 IP

557) Jeurys Familia NYM, Setup, 29.5 – Bounced back in 2018 after a blood clot in his shoulder tanked his 2017. 2019 Projection: 4/3.21/1.23/76/6 in 70 IP

558) Chad Green NYY, Setup, 27.10 – Elite set-up man who needs injuries for chance at saves. 2019 Projection: 2.88/1.07/86/4 in 70 IP

559) Adam Ottavino NYY, Setup, 33.4 – Dominant fastball/slider combo. 2019 Projection: 5/3.18/1.14/92/8 in 70 IP

560) Archie Bradley ARI, Setup, 26.8 – Holland signing removes Bradley as the favorite for saves in Arizona, although nothing has been announced. Has already been involved in trade rumors this off-season, so he will almost certainly be available at the trade deadline too. 2019 Projection: 3/3.48/1.22/77/9 in 72 IP

561) Billy McKinney TOR, OF, 24.8 – Strong side of a platoon power hitter. 18.7 degree launch angle and 93.1 MPH FB/LD avg. exit velocity. 2019 Projection: 57/18/63/.250/.320/.455/2

562) Matt Adams WASH, 1B, 30.7 – Should see at-bats at 1B and OF. With a 19.1 degree launch angle and 94.6 MPH average exit velocity on FB/LD, he’s gonna hit homers. 2019 Projection: 46/20/59/.251/.312/.452/0

563) Justin Bour LAA, 1B, 30.10 – Struggles against lefties limits him to a strong side of a platoon role. 2019 Projection: 52/20/61/.251/.339/.455/1

564) Josh Reddick HOU, OF, 32.1 – 44.1% FB% with a 15.8% K% but low exit velocities are preventing bigger power numbers. 2019 Projection: 66/16/71/.267/.335/.439/6

565) Adam Frazier PIT, 2B/OF, 27.3 – Strong side of a platoon bat with a good average and a little bit of power and speed. 2019 Projection: 61/11/50/.272/.336/.402/6

566) Yonny Chirinos TB, Post Opener Starter, 25.3 – Leans heavily on his 94.2 MPH sinking fastball, while also mixing in a slider and splitter. 2019 Projection: 8/4.19/1.33/115 in 130 IP

567) Marwin Gonzalez MIN, OF/SS/2B/1B, 30.1 – Was able to maintain BB% (9.6%) from his 2017 breakout season, but was not able to maintain .343 BABIP (.301 in 2018) or 18.1% HR/FB (12.5% in 2018). 2019 Projection: 65/19/68/.266/.337/.441/4

568) Brandon Crawford SF, SS, 32.3 – As boring and unexciting as it gets, but Crawford has a full time job and is capable of power hot streaks. 2019 Projection: 65/14/69/.252/.320/.399/5

569) Evan Gattis FA, DH, 32.7 – Won’t have catcher eligibility to start the season, and there is no guarantee his new team will use him as anything other than a DH. 2019 Projection: 42/17/56/.245/.305/.460/0

570) Hernan Perez MIL, 2B/SS/3B/OF, 28.0 – Super utility player. With SS and 2B far from locked down, and Domingo Santana out of the picture, Perez could be in line for a nice amount of at-bats. 2019 Projection: 50/13/55/.256/.291/.403/15

571) Joe Panik SF, 2B, 28.5 – Elite contact percentages but makes weak contact and has below average speed. 2019 Projection: 61/9/53/.274/.335/.397/4

572) Chad Pinder OAK, 2B/OF, 27.0 – Super utility player but should see the majority of his time in LF. Pinder crushed the ball in 2018 with a 90.2 MPH average exit velocity and 95.8 MPH FB/LD average, but his strikeout and walk rates (26.4% K%,8.1% BB%) are mediocre at best. 2019 Projection: 56/15/44/.253/.320/.431/2

573) Jason Heyward ATL, OF, 29.8 – It’s almost more frustrating when elite prospects have careers like Heyward and Starlin Castro than if they just straight busted. 2019 Projection: 64/10/57/.265/.331/.399/5

574) Carlos Gonzalez FA, OF, 33.5 – Numbers haven’t looked all that hot the last two seasons, and that was with the help of Coors Field. I’m staying far away. 2019 Projection: 66/18/61/.261/.325/.447/4

575) Jordan Luplow CLE, OF, 25.6 – Short side of a platoon. Solid plate approach, above average speed, and lifts the ball, but needs to hit it harder to make an impact. 2019 Projection: 49/13/47/.252/.321/.419/6 Prime Projection: 76/20/79/.268/.339/.447/10

576) Derek Fisher HOU, OF, 25.8 – 30.2% K% and 49.3% GB% is worrisome, but the raw power and speed is elite. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 69/18/60/.238/.322/.423/16

577) Brett Phillips KC, OF, 24.10 – 41.5% K% in 147 plate appearances last season shows the risk is sky high, but he is still only 24 years old and there is an exciting power/speed combo in here. 2019 Projection: 43/9/41/.219/.291/.371/9 Prime Projection: 63/18/58/.241/.320/.418/17

578) Max Fried ATL, LHP, 25.2 – Plus curveball is his calling card, throwing the pitch 29.2% of the time, which he pairs with a 93.6 MPH fastball. If he can improve his control and command, there is fantasy friendly upside here. 2019 Projection: 5/3.83/1.34/93 in 80 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.59/1.31/186 in 178 IP

579) Brock Burke TEX, LHP, 22.8 – Dominated in his final nine starts of the season after being called up to Double-A with a pitching line of 1.95/0.96/71/14 in 55.1 IP. Changeup made huge strides this season, but is mostly a fastball/slider pitcher. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.30/168 in 175 IP

580) Ethan Hankins CLE, RHP, 19.10 – 35th overall pick of the draft, but only dropped that far because a shoulder injury scared teams off. Upside is as high, or higher, than any pitcher in the draft, so if you can stomach some extra injury risk, Hankins could pay off huge dividends. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 14/3.50/1.15/200 in 185 IP

581) Everson Pereira NYY, OF, 18.0 – Signed for $1.5 million in 2017, Pereira was pushed to advanced rookie ball to start his career and struggled to make contact. There is potential for plus hit, speed, and power. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 82/21/79/.275/.340/.441/14

582) Dan Vogelbach SEA, 1B, 26.4 – Hits the ball on the ground too much to be a pure power hitter, but Vogelbach has a plus plate approach and his exit velocity numbers in the majors were strong in a small sample (92.4 MPH average, 97.4 MPH FB/LD) ETA: Whenever they are able to trade Encarnacion. Prime Projection: 55/16/64/.265/.350/442/0

583) Peter O’Brien MIA, 1B/OF, 28.9 – Your classic Quad-A slugger, and now that MLB finally has a Quad-A team, the Miami Marlins, O’Brien should get his shot. 29.6% K% as a 27/28 year old at Triple-A, but he can absolutely mash, posting a 16.5 degree launch angle, 92.1 MPH avg exit velocity, and a 96.6 MPH FB/LD avg exit velocity in his MLB debut. 2019 Projection: 43/20/45/.218/.303/.411/0

584) Kevin Newman PIT, SS, 25.8 – Struggled in his MLB debut. Elite strikeout percentages that hovered around 10% throughout minor league career and has plus speed, but quality of contact is weak. 2019 Projection: 41/5/35/.258/.303/.359/10 Prime Projection: 78/11/56/.281/.330/.402/18

585) Tim Beckham SEA, SS/3B, 29.2 – Former #1 overall pick in the draft, but never really developed beyond his raw talent. Has a poor plate approach, high strikeout rate, and high groundball rate. 2019 Projection: 48/14/55/.250/.306/.408/3

586) Mauricio Dubon MIL, 2B/SS, 24.8 – Tore his ACL in May, ending what was a dominating 27 games at Colorado Springs. Dubon is an aggresive hitter with near elite strikeout rates and plus speed. Could challenge for at-bats at 2B and SS in 2019. ETA: Mid 2019 Prime Projection: 71/8/52/.272/.328/.384/19

587) Colin Moran PIT, 3B, 26.6 – Solid plate approach, makes good contact, and has some raw power. Platoon bat because he struggles to hit lefties.  2019 Projection: 53/14/61/.268/.328/.411/1

588) William Contreras ATL, C, 21.3 – Profiles much like his brother, Willson, with a solid overall approach and good raw power. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 52/18/64/.271/.333/.442/0

589) Nick Ahmed ARI, SS, 29.0 – Plus defensive SS will keep him in the lineup, but isn’t going to provide much value for your fantasy team. 2019 Projection: 63/13/66/.238/.295/.407/7

590) Mitch Moreland BOS, 1B, 33.7 – Strong side of a platoon power bat. 2019 Projection: 55/17/71/.248/.327/.436/1

591) Ji-Man Choi TB, 1B, 27.11 – Strong side of a platoon power bat. Rays have other 1B capable, left handed hitters knocking on the door, so Choi will have to scratch and claw to keep this job every step of the way. 2019 Projection: 58/17/64/.246/.331/.438/2

592) Daniel Robertson TB, 2B/SS, 25.0 – Having a breakout season until a thumb injury ended his year in August. Doesn’t have a standout tool but does a little bit of everything. 2019 Projection: 59/11/52/.266/.348/.403/4

593) Yairo Munoz STL, 2B/3B/SS/OF, 24.2 – Groundball hitter who makes good contact, hits the ball hard, and has some speed. 2019 Projection: 38/7/39/.271/.328/.406/7 Prime Projection: 81/16/69/.283/.347/.429/15

594) Yu Chang CLE, SS, 23.5 – After a solid season at Triple-A, Chang exploded in the Arizona Fall League with a .337/.396/.523 triple-slash. He does everything well except make contact, which he will have to improve to win an infield job in the majors. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 78/23/74/.250/.330/.462/10

595) MJ Melendez KC, C, 20.4 – Classic low average, power and patience catcher. Lock to stay behind the dish but 30.3% K% in Full-A adds risk. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 52/24/66/.247/.322/.452/4

596) Seuly Matias KC, OF, 20.5 – Slashed .231/.303/.550 with 31 homers, 34.8% K% and 46.4% FB% as a 19 year old in Single-A. If he can figure out his plate approach, watch out. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 62/26/71/.221/.289/.447/8

597) Josh Naylor SD, 1B/OF, 21.10 – Started to tap into his plus raw power in 2018 with 17 homers in 128 games at Double-A, but he still had a 47.3% GB%. His calling card is his good feel to hit, posting a 12% K% and 11.1% BB%. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 74/20/81/.277/.343/.451/4

598) Malcom Nunez STL, 1B, 18.1 – Slashed .415/.497/.774 with 13 homers in 44 games in the DSL. No defensive value and more physically mature than competition, but you have to take notice of those numbers no matter what. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/26/91/.265/.345/.495/2

599) Jhon Torres STL, OF, 19.0 – 6’4”, 199-pound physical specimen who slashed .321/.409/.525 with 8 homers, 8 steals, and a 37/19 K/BB in his stateside debut. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/28/89/.261/.337/.486/3

600) Deivi Garcia NYY, RHP, 19.10 – Small righty with an elite spin rate curveball that racked up 251 strikeouts in 182.1 career minor league IP. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.28/166 in 170 IP

601) Austin Dean MIA, OF, 25.6 – Good feel for contact with a little pop and slightly higher than average speed. 2019 Projection: 52/14/49/.262/.312/.409/5

602) Blake Rutherford CHW, OF, 21.11 – Solid but unspectacular skills across the board. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 81/18/69/.278/.336/.449/9

603) Orelvis Martinez TOR, SS, 17.7 – Received highest 2018 international signing bonus (excluding Victor Mesa) of $3.5 million. Ball jumps off his bat in batting practice and projects for plus power. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 82/26/93/.279/.352/.487/6

604) Kevin Alcantara NYY, OF, 16.9 – Signed for $1 million in 2018, Alcantara has superstar upside. He’s displayed plus speed with the potential for plus hit and plus power. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 82/23/86/.271/.340/.477/18

605) Alek Thomas ARI, OF, 18.11 – Selected 63rd overall in the 2018 draft, Thomas is a prototypical leadoff hitter with an advanced plate approach, plus speed, and the potential to hit 10+ bombs. He showed off those exact skills in his pro debut with a 13.6% K% and 12 steals in 56 games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 89/12/61/.279/.358/.410/21

606) Corbin Martin HOU, RHP, 23.3 – 56th overall pick of the 2017 draft. Martin has made quick work of the minor leagues, rising to Double-A this year and putting up a pitching line of 2.97/1.09/96/28 in 103 IP. Houston knows a thing or two about developing pitchers. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 13/3.76/1.26/171 in 177 IP

607) Logan Allen SD, LHP, 21.10 – 4-pitch mix headlined by a low 90’s fastball and plus changeup. Doesn’t have a high ceiling but he knows how to pitch and is knocking on the door of the bigs.  ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 11/3.97/1.28/161 in 175 IP

608) Nick Gordon MIN, SS/2B, 23.5 – High floor player without a stand out tool but can chip in a little bit everywhere. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 76/13/60/.271/.333/.401/14

609) Dylan Carlson STL, OF, 20.6 – 33rd overall pick of the 2016 draft, the switch hitting Carlson has power from both sides of the plate and a strong plate approach. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 82/22/76/.271/.354/.463/6

610) Brice Turang MIL, SS, 19.4 – Selected 21st overall in the 2018 draft, Turang has a smooth lefty swing geared for line drives, a plus plate approach, and plus speed. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/14/68/.262/.339/.410/23

611) Mike Siani CIN, OF, 19.8 – 4th round pick in 2018 but signed for well above slot. Plus defensive centerfielder with plus speed and is advanced for his age at the plate. Power development will dictate his ceiling. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/14/61/.273/.347/.420/21

612) Daniel Lynch KC, LHP, 22.4 – Selected 34th overall in the 2018 draft, Lynch’s velocity ticked up at the end the of season to 93-95 MPH and dominated in his pro debut with a pitching line of 1.58/1.01/61/8 in 51.1 IP at Full-A. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.26/171 in 162

613) Derek Holland SF, LHP, 32.6 – Had one of the best seasons of his career in 2018 for San Francisco, with a pitching line of 3.57/1.29/169/67 in 171.1 IP. Resigning with them was a best case scenario for Holland.  2019 Projection: 8/4.11/1.32/143 in 155 IP

614) Greg Bird NYY, 1B, 26.5 – Health concerns, playing time concerns, and strikeout issues, but if he is in the lineup, he will hit dingers. 2019 Projection: 54/18/67/.235/.320/.439/0

615) Antoni Flores BOS, SS, 18.5 –  $1.4 million international signing in 2017. Great feel for making contact and will grow into more power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 86/21/82/.289/.371/.469/8

616) Yasel Antuna WASH, SS, 19.6 – Signed for $3.9 million in 2016. Struggled in full season debut this year and then underwent Tommy John surgery in July. The potential for plus hit and plus power are still there, but is currently very raw at the plate. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 74/20/71/.271/.340/.445/10

617) Mason Denaburg WASH, RHP, 19.4 – 27th overall pick of the 2018 draft. Bicups injury before the draft scared a few teams off. 6’4”, 200 pounds with a plus fastball that can hit 97 MPH and a potentially plus curveball. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 13/3.89/1.29/185 in 180 IP

618) Cole Roederer CHC, OF, 19.6 – Selected 77th overall in the 2018 draft, Roederer had a great pro debut, slashing .275/.354/.465 with 5 homers, 13 steals, and a 37/18 K/BB in 36 games in rookie ball. He’s a potential 5-category producer. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 81/24/83/.265/.338/.471/10

619) Brennen Davis CHC, OF, 19.5 – Selected 62nd overall in the 2018 draft, Davis has the build of a basketball player at 6’4”, 175 pounds. He didn’t commit to playing baseball full time until his senior year of high school, and his dad, Reggie Theus, was an NBA All-Star. As you can expect, he is raw, but there is elite power/speed combo upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 84/20/77/.248/.328/.434/20

620) Julio Rodriguez SEA, OF, 18.3 – Ripped up the Dominican League, slashing .315/.404/.525 with 5 homes, 10 steals, and a 40/30 K/BB in 59 games. Rodriguez has double plus power and good instincts on the base paths. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 75/27/87/.250/.338/.486/8

621) Alexander Canario SF, OF, 18.11 – Plus power/speed combo but overall game is still raw. In stateside debut, slashed .250/.357/.403 with 6 homers, 8 steals, and a 51/27 K/BB in 45 games. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 78/22/81/.250/.335/.452/11

622) Noelvi Marte SEA, SS, 17.6 – Signed for $1.55 million in 2018. Marte has an advanced approach at the plate, plus speed, and the potential for plus raw power. He’s a lottery ticket, but the upside is elite. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 89/25/83/.275/.355/.482/15

623) Matt Thaiss LAA, 1B, 23.11 – Started lifting the ball more this year and it resulted in 16 homers in 125 games without a spike in strikeouts. He is high floor, low ceiling first baseman. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 73/21/81/.276/.347/.459/4

624) Tucker Barnhart CIN, C, 28.3 – High walk rates (10.3% in 2018) is standout skill. Everything else is fairly average for a catcher. 2019 Projection: 48/12/53/.256/.327/.380/2

625) Chance Sisco BAL, C, 24.1 – Struggled the past two seasons in Triple-A and the Majors, but talent is still there and catchers have been known to take a hot minute to develop. 2019 Projection: 26/7/31/.229/.300/.360/1 Prime Projection: 52/17/59/.257/.317/.425/2

626) Hunter Dozier KC, 3B, 27.7 – Lack of hit tool has held Dozier back. He has above average sprint speed and ranked 82nd overall in barrels per plate appearance. 2019 Projection: 55/17/59/.239/.308/.392/5

627) Jorge Bonifacio KC, OF, 25.10 – Returned from 80 game PED suspension in the 2nd half and could never get it going. Bonifacio is a flyball hitter but he doesn’t hit the ball all that hard. 2019 Projection: 47/13/42/.251/.317/.413/1

628) Keon Broxton NYM, OF, 28.11 – Elite power/speed combo but extreme swing and miss prevents him from fully tapping into it. 2019 Projection: 55/14/47/.219/.299/.408/17

629) Tony Santillan CIN, RHP, 22.0 – 6’3”, 240 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball, potential plus slider, and non deceptive delivery. Considering the ballpark he is going to pitch in, I’m not reaching for him. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 12/3.81/1.32/166 in 179 IP

630) Caleb Ferguson LAD, LHP, 22.9 – Likely to be used out of the pen in the near future, but could transition into a starting role in a few years. Two pitch pitcher (fastball/curve) who will need to develop a third pitch to thrive in the rotation. 2019 Projection: 5/3.76/1.29/81 in 75 IP Prime Projection: 13/3.75/1.26/172 in 180 IP

631) Brayan Rocchio CLE, SS, 18.4 – Traditional leadoff hitter profile. Makes great contact, has plus speed, and has surprising pop for his size. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 87/10/61/.280/.350/.407/26

632) Wenceel Perez DET, SS, 19.5 – 11.3% K% in 71 PA in Full-A as an 18-year-old. Plus hit, plus speed, and should develop 10+ homer pop. ETA: 2022/23 Prime Projection: 90/12/53/.288/.336/.398/23

633) Calvin Mitchell PIT, OF, 20.1 – Selected 50th overall in the 2017 draft, Mitchell had an excellent Full-A debut, slashing .280/.344/.427 with 10 homers and a 109/41 K/BB in 119 games. He has a strong plate approach with the potential for plus hit and plus power. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 77/23/84/.276/.349/.474/5

634) Kyle Lewis SEA, OF, 23.9 – Hasn’t been the same since that horrific knee injury in 2016 pro debut. Power and speed have both been greatly diminished. This is a bet that his old skills will return the further removed he gets from the injury ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 73/23/81/.263/.340/.459/4

635) Chad Kuhl PIT, RHP, 26.7 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in September and is expected to miss all of 2019. When healthy, he throws a mid 90’s fastball and sinker with two positive value secondaries in his slider and curveball. 2019 Projection: OUT Prime Projection: 11/4.15/1.34/155 in 160 IP

636) Asdrubal Cabrera TEX, 2B/3B/SS, 33.5 – Should get close to full time at bats at 3B after signing with Texas. 2019 Projection: 65/19/61/.265/.319/.438/2

637) Tyler Mahle CIN, RHP, 24.6 – Both of his main secondary pitches (slider and changeup) got hit hard last season, and his 93.1 MPH isn’t dominant enough to rely on. 2019 Projection: 7/4.52/1.42/123 in 130 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.13/1.34/171 in 173 IP

638) Gio Gonzalez FA, LHP, 33.7 – His great 2017 stats were a mirage. 2018 is much closer to who he is now. 2019 Projection: 9/4.21/1.35/151 in 165 IP

639) Zach Davies MIL, RHP, 26.2 – Shoulder injury limited Davies to only 13 starts in 2018. No guarantee of a rotation spot, but he doesn’t have the type of stuff that plays up in the bullpen, so he might win the job by default. 2019 Projection: 10/4.21/1.34/121 in 150 IP

640) Frankie Montas OAK, RHP, 26.0 – Has the big velocity, but lacks control/command and a third pitch. 2019 Projection: 8/4.41/1.39/105 in 130 IP

641) Alex Cobb BAL, RHP, 31.6 – Dominated post all star break with a pitching line of 2.56/1.16/39/18 in 59.2 IP. It will help if he pitches well enough for Baltimore to trade him during the season. 2019 Projection: 7/4.23/1.32/121 in 160 IP

642) Brad Keller KC, RHP, 23.8 – Groundball pitcher with a 6.7 degree launch angle against, but is going to have to improve on his 6.16 K/9 to avoid major regression. 2019 Projection: 8/4.25/1.36/110 in 160 IP

643) Dakota Hudson STL, RHP, 24.7 – Hard throwing, ground ball pitcher. Likely to come out of the bullpen for the foreseeable future. 2019 Projection: 3.79/1.33/61/2 in 78 IP Prime Projection: 3.95/1.34/146 in 175 IP

644) Kolby Allard ATL, LHP, 21.8 – Advanced beyond his years but will need his fastball to tick up in velocity to become anything more than a soft-tossing back end starter. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 9/4.06/1.29/155 in 170 IP

645) Mike Fiers OAK, RHP, 33.10 – Biggest allure is that he might be able to rack up wins with Oakland’s offense, but he isn’t going to help that much in any other category. 2019 Projection: 10/4.18/1.30/130 in 160 IP

646) Yandy Diaz TB, 3B/1B, 27.9 – Known for his insane popcorn muscles and insanely low FB % (23.3%). Tampa is going to try to unleash that raw power. 2019 Projection: 48/7/41/.274/.351/.398/2

647) Albert Pujols LAA, 1B, 39.2 – Has the honor of being the slowest player in baseball. Still hits the ball hard and still posts strong strikeout rates, so he’s not completely washed up yet. 2019 Projection: 56/22/71/.248/.293/.417/1

648) Mike Leake SEA, RHP, 31.5 – Soft tossing righty who is capable of hot streaks when he is locked in, but lack of stuff means there is always a clunker around the corner. 2019 Projection: 9/4.24/1.31/111 in 170 IP

649) Ivan Nova CHW, RHP, 32.2 – Induces groundballs with a heavy, sinking fastball, but doesn’t miss enough bats to provide fantasy upside. 2019 Projection: 9/4.28/1.34/125 in 170 IP

650) Wei-Yin Chen MIA, LHP, 33.8 – Severely cut down on his sinker usage and replaced it with more sliders, which is his best secondary pitch. 2019 Projection: 7/4.24/1.30/126 in 148 IP

651) Matt Shoemaker TOR, RHP, 32.6 – Surgery on his forearm kept Shoemaker out for most of 2018, but when he returned in September his stuff looked mostly the same. 2019 Projection: 7/4.16/1.31/120 in 130 IP

652) Ben Zobrist CHC, OF/2B, 37.10 – Age and low ceiling makes it tough to value Zobrist very high in Dynasty, but he bounced back in 2018, and Joe Maddon loves him. 2019 Projection: 64/11/55/.278/.360/.427/4

653) Domingo German NYY, RHP, 26.8 – Mid 90’s heat with a plus curveball and developing changeup. When injuries inevitably strike the Yanks injury prone rotation, German should get plenty of starts. 2019 Projection: 6/4.17/1.32/103 in 99 IP

654) Will Smith LAD, C/3B, 24.0 – There is a brewing logjam at catcher in LA between Austin Barnes, Kiebert Ruiz, and Smith, which is the reason Smith got some work at 3B this season. Smith is shaping up to be a classic high K, patience and power catcher. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 56/19/54/.237/.317/.418/3

655) Kyle Muller ATL, LHP, 21.6 – 6’6”, 225 pound lefty who performed well across three levels of minor league ball in 2018, culminating with a pitching line of 3.10/0.97/27/6 in 29 IP at Double-A. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 14/3.81/1.25/179 in 190 IP

656) Jay Groome BOS, LHP, 20.7 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in May. Before the injury, Groome was consistently in the mid 90’s, flashed a plus curveball and a changeup that showed improvement. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 11/3.85/1.32/191 in 180 IP

657) Evan White SEA, 1B, 23.1 – Selected 17th overall in the 2017 draft, White is a hit over power first baseman who sprays line drives over the entire field. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 76/19/81/.276/.345/.443/6

658) Lazaro Armenteros OAK, OF, 19.10 – Signed for $3 million in 2016, Armenteros already has an MLB ready body with plus power and a patient plate approach. 33.8% K% at Full-A will have to improve. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 77/25/86/.253/.344/.478/9

659) Connor Scott MIA, OF, 19.6 – 13th overall pick of the 2018 draft. Scott is a projectable 6’4”, 180 pounds with plus speed as best skill, while BA and power lag behind. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 81/16/67/.266/.330/.418/23

660) Nick Schnell TB, OF, 19.0 – 32nd overall pick of the 2018 draft. 6’3”, 180 pounds with a plus power/speed combo, but 28% K% in pro debut shows there is plenty of work to do. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 83/18/64/.266/.345/.431/18

661) Dan Straily MIA, RHP, 30.4 – 90.9 MPH fastball with a plus slider as his only valuable pitch. 2019 Projections: 8/4.31/1.32/141 in 164 IP

662) Luis Oviedo CLE, RHP, 19.11 – Lottery ticket arm. At 6’4”, with a mid 90’s fastball and 3 secondary pitches (curve, slider, changeup), Oviedo has all of the ingredients to be an impact starter. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 12/3.71/1.25/180 in 180 IP

663) Shane Baz TB, RHP, 19.10 – 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft. Mid to upper 90’s fastball with everything else still raw. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.91/1.33/169 in 158 IP

664) Shane McClanahan TB, LHP, 21.11 – 31st pick of the 2018 draft. 120/48 K/BB in 76 IP in the ACC. High bullpen/opener risk, especially considering Tampa’s recent pitcher use, but if he can improve his control/command the upside is considerable. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/3.81/1.32/153 in 135 IP

665) Brailyn Marquez CHC, LHP, 20.2 – 6’4” lefty with a mid 90’s fastball that he slings from a low arm slot. Doesn’t have major control issues, but secondaries need improvement. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 11/3.73/1.26/168 in 156 IP

666) Grayson Rodriguez BAL, RHP, 19.4 – 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft. 6’5”, 220 pound beast with good stuff but still raw. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 13/3.76/1.30/178 in 185 IP

667) Sergio Romo MIA, Setup/Closer, 36.1 – In the running to win the closer job in Miami, but even if he wins it, he may not hold onto it for a variety of reasons (performance, trade, injury). 2019 Projection: 3/4.01/1.24/64/13 in 60 IP

668) Joakim Soria OAK, Setup, 34.11 – Next man up in Oakland. Soria had the best swinging strike rate (14.5%) of his career in 2018. 2019 Projection: 4/3.41/1.21/69/6 in 65 IP

669) Ryan Brasier BOS, Setup, 31.7 – Might find himself closing games if Boston doesn’t sign a back end reliever, but I doubt that happens. Brasier mainly throws a 97 MPH fastball, 97.1 MPH sinker, and 85.6 MPH slider. 2019 Projection: 4/3.61/1.25/65/7 in 65 IP.

670) Colin Poche TB, Setup, 25.5 – Setup men are by far the easiest position to find on the cheap in saves leagues, with random guys popping up all the time, which is why this list doesn’t have a ton of them ranked. But Poche’s numbers were too insane to miss, with a pitching line of 0.82/0.79/100/19 in 66 IP spent mostly at Triple-A. 2019 Projection: 4/3.41/1.18/58 in 50 IP

671) Luis Rengifo LAA, 2B, 22.1 – Slashed .299/.399/.452 with 7 homers, 41 steals, and a 75/75 K/BB split between 3 levels (High-A, Double-A, Triple-A). Isn’t a pure burner, but has excellent stolen base instincts. Utility infielder risk due to limited power projection. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 77/9/53/.267/.343/.390/20

672) Ryan Vilade COL, SS, 20.1 – Struggled to hit for power in his full season debut with a 52.9% GB%, but he was able to show off his advanced plate approach with a 96/49 K/BB in 124 games. The power should come down the line. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 83/20/82/.279/.356/.461/8

673) Kyle Isbel KC, 22.1 – 3rd round pick in the 2018 draft. Solid tools across the board. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 78/19/71/.263/.326/.435/11

674) Jake McCarthy ARI, OF, 21.8 – Selected 39th overall in the 2018 draft, McCarthy has plus speed and a good feel to hit. How much power he is able to tap into will determine his ultimate ceiling. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 76/14/59/.266/.334/.418/20

675) Miguel Amaya CHC, C, 20.1 – Strong full season debut as a teenager in Full-A, slashing .256/.349/.403 with 12 homers and a 91/50 K/BB in 116 games. A lock to stick at catcher with the potential to be a plus defender. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 58/18/67/.264/.341/.438/1

676) Josh Harrison DET, 2B, 31.9 – Detroit’s everyday second baseman. Strikeout rate and sprint speed are headed in the wrong direction. 2019 Projection: 66/13/62/.259/.310/.391/10

677) Brian McCann ATL, C, 34.1 – 2nd slowest sprint speed in baseball, finishing ahead of only Albert Pujols. Expected to be the strong side of the platoon with Tyler Flowers. 2019 Projection: 40/15/51/.232/.321/.415/0

678) Jung-ho Kang PIT, 3B, 32.0 – Missed almost all of the last two seasons after getting his 3rd DUI in South Korea. Career MLB slash line of .274/.355/.482 with 36 homers in 745 at-bats is too good to ignore. 2019 Projection: 46/13/51/.263/.339/.458/2

679) Ian Kinsler SD, 2B, 36.9 – Has maintained his excellent contract percentage (12%) and FB% (42%) profile. He didn’t hit the ball very hard in 2018, but he has never been a big exit velocity guy. 2019 Projection: 75/15/58/.248/.314/.407/14

680) Clay Buchholz TOR, RHP, 34.8 – Put up a pitching line of 2.01/1.04/81/22 in 2018, but a lot of that was BABIP luck, and fastball continued to decline to a career low 90.7 MPH 2019 Projection: 7/3.91/1.30/111 in 130 IP

681) Freddy Galvis TOR, SS, 29.5 – Signing with Toronto seems to give him an everyday job. Moderate power/speed combo who won’t help anywhere else. 2019 Projection: 62/14/65/.248/.297/.381/10

682) Chris Davis BAL, 1B, 33.0 – Extreme batting average drain and declining power. 2019 Projection: 51/23/60/.207/.298/.401/1

683) Alen Hanson SF, 2B/OF, 26.6 – Super utility player. Plus speed with a poor plate approach and well below average exit velocities. 2019 Projection: 48/9/43/.253/.297/.401/10

684) Alex Gordon KC, OF, 35.2 – Still chips in enough steals to have value in deeper leagues. 2019 Projection: 54/15/52/.240/.320/.398/8

685) Jared Hughes CIN, Setup, 33.9 – Hughes should be the biggest beneficiary of the news that Raisel Iglesias will be used in a variety of roles in 2019. I expect he will see a fair number of opportunities, and is next man up in general if anything happens to Iglesias. 2019 Projection: 4/3.34/1.27/51/11 in 67 IP

686) Craig Stammen SD, Setup, 35.1 – If Yates gets traded, Stammen is next man up in San Diego if he doesn’t get traded himself. 2019 Projection: 5/3.38/1.19/70/10 in 70 IP

687) Mark Melancon SF, Setup, 34.0 – I wouldn’t be surprised if Melancon made his way back into the closer role at some point due to a trade or injury to Smith, but also because Bruce Bochy has refused to name Smith his closer on multiple occasions this off-season. 2019 Projection: 3/3.69/1.32/54/12 in 60 IP

688) Brandon Drury TOR, 3B, 26.8 – Nothing flashy, but has consistently made hard contact throughout his career. Injuries and lack of playing time tanked his 2018. 2019 Projection: 48/12/50/.258/.306/.417/1

689) Adam Duvall ATL, OF, 30.7 – Batting averaged plummeted in 2018 in part due to a .237 BABIP. OBP and BA won’t be pretty, but he’ll crank homers if given the playing time. 2019 Projection: 44/15/56/.233/.291/.435/2

690) Dexter Fowler STL, OF, 33.0 – Average exit velocity and FB/LD exit velocity dropped about 3 MPH to 85.3 MPH and 89.1 MPH, respectively. Almost certainly will be benched against lefties, and there is a real chance he is a 4th outfielder by the end of the season. 2019 Projection: 57/11/52/.248/.346/.404/6

691) Yolmer Sanchez CHW, 3B, 26.9 – He’ll chip in a few steals and not much else. Plus defense at 3B is the only thing keeping him in the lineup. 2019 Projection: 61/10/54/.247/.309/.380/13

692) Chris Owings KC, OF, 27.8 – Skilled base stealer with a career mark of 70 steals in 83 attempts. 2019 Projection: 47/10/39/.253/.304/.389/13

693) Eduardo Nunez BOS, 2B/3B, 31.10 – Super utility player who should see at-bats all over the field. 2019 Projection: 51/8/43/.277/.313/.414/9

694) Chris Iannetta COL, C, 36.0 – Power, patience, and strikeouts. 2019 Projection: 39/14/46/.233/.346/.418/0

695) Jedd Gyorko STL, 3B, 30.6 – Career high BB% (10.9%) and K% (19.2%). Absolutely mashes lefties, putting up a .919 OPS against them in 2018 and .975 OPS in 2017. 2019 Projection: 52/14/54/.265/.342/.448/3

696) Mikie Mahtook DET, OF, 29.4 – Average power with above average speed and a high strikeout rate (26.4%). In line for a lot of playing time in Detroit. 2019 Projection: 48/13/50/.240/.300/.414/6

697) Andrew Suarez SF, LHP, 26.7 – Control and command lefty who throws a 5 pitch mix without any standout pitches. 2019 Projection: 6/4.08/1.32/93 in 110 IP

698) Tyler Austin MIN, 1B, 27.7 – 35.4% K% but crushes the ball when he does make contact with a 15.1 degree launch angle and 95.9 MPH FB/LD avg exit velocity. 2019 Projection: 43/15/51/.236/.300/.441/1

699) Tyler Freeman CLE, 2B, 19.10 – Contact rate king, posting a 7.3% mark at short season ball. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 82/11/59/.281/.336/.405/16

700) Adam Engel CHW, OF, 27.4 – 4th fastest sprint speed in MLB at 30.1 MPH is only positive fantasy skill. Will hurt you everywhere but stolen bases. 2019 Projection: 51/8/37/.230/.271/.330/15

701) Brian Goodwin KC, OF, 28.5 – There is enough power and speed in here to make a real impact if he can improve his K% and/or have some BABIP luck. 2019 Projection: 48/12/41/.241/.310/.402/9

702) Jake Cave MIN, OF, 26.4 – 33% K%, 5.8% BB%, and 30.6% FB%, but was 28th overall in barrels per plate appearance. Nelson Cruz signing blocks path to playing time. 2019 Projection: 43/11/35/.255/.310/.433/4

703) Phil Ervin CIN, OF, 26.10 – Former 1st round pick. Moderate power/speed combo with a 24.3% K%. Poor outfield defense might keep him from a starting job, but he has fantasy friendly skills if he does get in the lineup. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 78/15/63/.253/.334/.418/15

704) Austin Gomber STL, LHP, 25.4 – Doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but uses a 4 pitch mix to induce weak contact. Will compete for 5th starter job in Spring. 2019 Projection: 6/4.23/1.36/79 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 12/3.90/1.31/160 in 175 IP

705) Pablo Lopez MIA, RHP, 23.1 – Pitched well in MLB debut with a pitching line of 4.14/1.26/46/18 in 58.2 IP. Lopez has plus command of a traditional 3 pitch mix. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 10/3.85/1.26/149 in 165 IP

706) Albert Almora Jr. CHC, OF, 25.0 – Good feel to hit is only plus fantasy skill. 2019 Projection: 52/8/43/.281/.321/.399/3

707) Moises Gomez TB, OF, 20.7 – Plus raw power with a 32.9% GB% is a great combo, but hit tool is still raw. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 65/23/79/.255/.322/.451/5

708) Daniel Johnson CLE, OF, 23.9 – Tooled up with at least plus speed and solid raw power. Too aggressive at the dish but does have some feel to hit. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 78/14/59/.259/.322/408/19

709) Lucas Erceg MIL, 3B, 23.11 – Erceg has disappointed the last two seasons after dominating in his pro debut in 2016. The good feel to hit and plus power have still shined through though. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 73/20/81/.265/.322/.449/3

710) Nick Kingham PIT, RHP, 27.5 – Throws 6 pitches but none are dominant. 2019 Projection: 5/4.39/1.36/119 in 135 IP

711) Daniel Norris DET, LHP, 26.0 – Fastball dropped to 90.7 MPH returning from core muscle surgery at the end of the season. The 51 strikeouts in 44.1 IP shows some of that big strikeout upside is still in there. 2019 Projection: 6/4.35/1.38/96 in 100 IP

712) Jharel Cotton OAK, RHP, 27.2 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2018. With the state of Oakland’s rotation, Cotton could be starting for them by June. 2019 Projection: 6/4.51/1.35/79 in 94 IP

713) Shed Long SEA, 2B, 23.7 – 23.6% K% and 54.6% GB% is not a good combo, but he does have good raw power and some speed. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 73/19/67/.252/.331/.437/12

714) Lolo Sanchez PIT, OF, 20.0 – Plus defense and plus speed with everything else still raw. Potential for plus hit but not much power projection. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 86/13/66/.272/.354/.408/25

715) Shelby Miller TEX, RHP, 28.6 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2017, basically keeping him out for two full seasons. His mid 90’s velocity did return in the 16 innings he pitched this season, but it was with a 10.69 ERA. 2019 Projection: 6/4.49/1.38/103 in 120 IP

716) Tyson Ross DET, RHP, 32.0 – Slider isn’t as elite as it once was, although it is still a valuable pitch. 2019 Projection: 7/4.57/1.36/126 in 150 IP

717) Kelvin Herrera CHW, Setup, 29.3 – Indications are that Colome is the favorite for saves, although nothing has been announced. Herrera is still recovering from Lisfranc surgery which ended his season in August. He still throws gas, although his velocity dropped on all of his pitches in 2018. 2019 Projection: 3/3.55/1.22/53/8 in 55 IP

718) Trevor May MIN, Setup, 29.7 – 4 pitch mix headlined by his mid 90’s fastball. 2019 Projection: 3/3.62/1.23/75/10 in 63 IP

719) Aaron Altherr PHI, OF, 28.3 – Hits the ball hard and is very fast, but 31.9% K% might keep him in a bench role. 2019 Projection: 36/9/39/.233/.319/.401/4

720) Joey Wentz ATL, LHP, 21.6 – Injury filled season prevented Wentz from showing his best stuff, but a strong start to 2019 will put Wentz back on the radar. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 12/3.92/1.31/152 in 160 IP

721) Tony Gonsolin LAD, RHP, 24.11 – 2018 was his first year as a full time starter and it was a smashing success, with a pitching line of 2.60/1.14/155/42 in 128 IP split between High-A and Double-A. He has a 4 pitch mix headlined by a mid 90’s fastball, plus curveball, and a split fingered changeup. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 12/3.96/1.31/162 in 165 IP

722) Clarke Schmidt NYY, RHP, 23.1 – 16th overall pick in 2017 draft. Returned form Tommy John surgery late in the season and his stuff mostly returned. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 12/3.93/1.27/167 in 171 IP

723) Shervyen Newton NYM, SS, 20.0 – 6’4”, 180 pounds with projection for plus to double plus power. Works deep counts with very high strikeout and walk rates. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 73/26/81/.250/.340/.474/5

724) Albert Abreu NYY, RHP, 23.6 – Elite pure stuff but still very raw. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 10/3.92/1.34/158 in 155 IP

725) Stephen Gonsalves MIN, LHP, 24.10 – Low velocity, high spin rate pitcher who has a mid rotation ceiling. ETA: Mid 2019 Prime Projection: 11/4.03/1.33/158 in 167 IP

726) Bo Naylor CLE, C, 19.1 – Selected 28th overall pick in 2018 draft, Naylor was praised for having one of the best hit tools in the draft. Has Kiebert Ruiz/Francisco Mejia prospect hype upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 68/20/82/.275/.351/.452/6

727) Jordan Yamamoto MIA, RHP, 22.11 – Numbers over scouting type of prospect. Battled shoulder problems last season, but still managed to put up a pitching line of 1.83/0.83/85/14 in 68.2 IP split between High-A, Double-A, and Rookie Ball. 4 pitch mix and throws from multiple arm angles. He’s crafty. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 12/4.02/1.29/158 in 162 IP

728) Vladimir Gutierrez CIN, RHP, 23.7 – Signed for $4.7 million in 2016, Gutierrez has a solid 3 pitch mix and got better as the season wore on at Double-A. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 11/4.03/1.26/171 in 175 IP

729) Alec Hansen CHW, RHP, 24.6 – Took a major step back this year (6.31 ERA in 51.1 IP) but still has the mid-90’s heat and swing and miss breaking balls. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 10/4.27/1.35/168 in 157 IP

730) Darwinzon Hernandez BOS, LHP, 22.4 – Mid to upper 90’s fastball with a potentially plus slider. Bullpen risk but K upside is high if he starts. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/3.87/1.35/171 in 155 IP

731) Framber Valdez HOU, LHP, 25.5 – Should compete for a starting job in spring training. Plus curveball is his best pitch, but will need to develop a changeup or cutter to consistently get righties out. 2019 Projection: 6/4.18/1.35/89 in 93 IP

732) Jose Suarez LAA, LHP, 21.3 – Short and stocky with a plus changeup and advanced feel for pitching. Suarez has been a strikeout machine the last two years before hitting the PCL this season and struggling a bit. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 12/3.78/1.29/169 in 175 IP

733) Lucius Fox TB, SS, 21.9 – Signing bonus of $6 million in 2015. Fox has double plus speed but hit tool and power have not developed yet. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 77/9/52/.262/.328/.369/21

734) Richard Gallardo CHC, RHP, 17.7 – The consensus top pitcher in the 2018 international signing period, Gallardo has advanced pitchability with a curveball that already flashes plus, a low 90’s fastball which should tick up as he ages, and feel for a changeup. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 13/3.55/1.22/180 in 180 IP

735) Matt Davidson FA, 1B, 28.0 – Hits it hard and hits it in the air but 33.3% K% will limit how many at-bats he is given. Expected to be used out of the bullpen as well. 2019 Projection: 37/15/43/.225/.294/.431/0 — 1/4.43/1.35/17 in 22 IP

736) Michael Taylor WASH, OF, 28.0 – Locked into 4th OF duty with Robles taking his rightful claim to the throne. Taylor has superstar raw tools but his consistent 30+% K% with little sign of improvement has held him back. 2019 Projection: 43/9/37/.231/.290/.388/15

737) Kolten Wong STL, 2B, 28.6 – Strong side of a platoon bat. Below average exit velocity and high groundball rates, but he makes good contact and will chip in a few steals. 2019 Projection: 48/9/41/.260/.340/.403/6

738) Nick Solak TB, 2B, 24.2 – Plus speed and a good feel to hit, but a 52.4% GB% is going to limit power. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 76/15/69/.274/.339/.426/17

739) Jorge Mateo OAK, SS, 23.9 – 80 grade speed should keep Mateo fantasy relevant even if he ends up in a bench role, which by the looks of the numbers he put up in Triple-A (.230/.280/.353), that is very well where he may end up. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 53/7/41/.242/.298/.381/21

740) Chavez Young TOR, OF, 21.9 – Plus athlete with above average tools across the board. Slashed .285/.363/.445 with 8 homers, 44 steals, and a 100/58 K/BB in 125 games at Full-A. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 79/15/74/.268/.333/.416/17

741) Garrett Whitley TB, OF, 22.1 – Former 13th overall pick in 2015, Whitley has his best season in the minors in 2018, lowering his GB% to 40.3% and hitting 13 homers in 104 games at Full-A. Old for the level and 28.6% K% dampens some of the enthusiasm. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 76/18/74/.244/.321/.422/15

742) Aramis Ademan CHC, SS, 20.6 – Consistently young for his level, but the production has been very bad, with a career .234 batting average (.207 in 2018 at High-A) in the minor leagues. He has a smooth swing that could produce higher averages in the future, but the power/speed upside isn’t very high either. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 78/14/59/.273/.339/.402/15

743) Tyler Stephenson CIN, C, 22.8 – Selected 11th overall in 2015, Stephenson is 6’4”, 225 pounds with the potential to be your typical low average, solid pop catcher. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 51/18/56/.242/.312/.409/1

744) Jose Siri CIN, OF, 23.8 – Plus raw power and speed, but a 32.2% K% at Double-A could keep him from locking down a starting role. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 68/15/61/.238/.296/.403/18

745) Micker Adolfo CHW, OF, 22.6 – Big time power, average speed, and a raw hit tool. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 68/22/81/.248/.323/.450/5

746) Kris Bubic KC, LHP, 21.8 – Selected 40th overall in the 2018 draft, Bubic has a funky, lefty delivery with a plus changeup that racks up strikeouts, but has some control/command issues. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 11/3.82/1.33/164 in 157 IP

747) Jhailyn Ortiz PHI, OF, 20.4 – Disappointing full season debut after a hyped 2017 in short season ball. Swing didn’t look explosive all season, but a shoulder injury early in the year could have been part of the problem. I would give it one more year before jumping ship. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 76/28/89/.250/.327/.472/3

748) Sherten Apostel TEX, 3B, 20.1 – Physical beast with plus raw power and patient approach at the plate. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 77/28/89/.258/.353/.492/2

749) Mac Williamson SF, OF, 28.9 – He’ll give you some power and has above average sprint speed but isn’t a base stealer 2019 Projection: 49/14/55/.242/.307/.425/4

750) Nicky Lopez KC, 2B/SS, 24.1 – Production over tools. 11.3% K%, 10.5% BB%, 15 steals, and 9 homers in 130 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 72/9/57/.278/.341/.396/14

751) Taylor Widener ARI, RHP, 24.5 – Has done nothing but dominate the minors since being drafted in the 12th round in 2016. In 2018, he went to Double-A and put up a pitching line of 2.75/1.03/176/43 in 137.1 IP. He has an MLB quality fastball that sits 92-93 MPH and recently made big strides with his changeup. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/3.83/1.30/170 in 177 IP

752) TJ Friedl CIN, OF, 23.8 – Fourth outfielder risk but with double plus speed he should contribute in stolen bases even if he gets only 300-400 at-bats per year. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 68/5/41/.271/.338/.371/20

753) Luis Gonzalez CHW, OF, 23.7 – Old for the level, but displayed average to above average tools across the board at Full-A and Advanced-A. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 72/17/69/.258/.326/.429/10

754) Jeisson Rosario SD, OF, 19.6 – Advanced plate approach with above average speed. Rosario slashed .271/.368/.353 with 3 homers, 18 steals, and a 108/66 K/BB in 117 games at Full-A. Ceiling will be based on how much power he can add. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 86/11/61/.275/.358/.409/19

755) Junior Santos NYM, RHP, 17.8 – Signed for $275,000 in 2017. Santos is an athletic 6’8”, 220 pounds, and so thoroughly dominated the DSL the Mets brought him stateside to finish the season with 3 relief appearances in the GCL. He has low 90’s heat which should tick up as he ages, a plus changeup, and feel for a slider. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.75/1.25/175 in 180 IP

756) Grayson Greiner DET, C, 26.4 – Posting about league average exit velocities in MLB debut is a good sign that his power will play in the majors. 2019 Projection: 41/12/49/.231/.302/.379/0

757) Omar Narvaez SEA, C, 27.1 – Moderate power breakout last season with a career high 9 homers in 280 at-bats. He doesn’t hit the ball all that hard, but he has a solid plate approach and is a career .274 hitter. 2019 Projection: 42/8/46/.264/.352/.398/0

758) David Peterson NYM, LHP, 23.7 – Safe, low upside starter. Pounds the strikezone with a low 90’s fastball, a slurvy breaking ball, and fringe changeup. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 14/3.81/1.26/173 in 186 IP

759) Patrick Weigel ATL, RHP, 24.9 – Returned from Tommy John surgery at the very end of the season. Mid 90’s fastball that can hit triple digits is the feature attraction if healthy. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 11/4.09/1.32/151 in 158 IP

760) Beau Burrows DET, RHP, 22.7 – MLB quality fastball but secondaries lag behind. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 9/4.22/1.34/155 in 167 IP

761) Jackson Kowar KC, RHP, 22.6 – Selected 33rd overall in the 2018 draft, Kower has easy velocity and a plus changeup, but breaking ball and control/command need improvement. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/4.08/1.34/138 in 151 IP

762) Anthony Alford TOR, OF, 24.8 – Down season at Triple-A in 2018, but Alford was always more raw than his age would indicate because of his football background. The raw tools are still there. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 79/17/73/.263/.328/.428/16

763) Michael Grove LAD, RHP, 22.4 – Underwent Tommy John surgery 9 starts into sophomore year and missed all of junior year, but the Dodgers still drafted him 68th overall and paid him well above slot. When healthy, he has a plus fastball/slider combo with a developing changeup. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 11/3.87/1.30/150 in 160 IP

764) Mickey Moniak PHI, OF, 20.11 – The precocious hit tool that was expected was clearly over hyped, but there is still potential for a solid across the board player. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 75/15/58/.273/.337/.413/14

765) Seth Romero WASH, LHP, 23.0 – 25th overall pick of the 2017 draft. Underwent Tommy John surgery in September and will miss all of 2019. When healthy, Romero has major strikeout stuff with a wipeout slider, plus fastball, and plus changeup. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/3.81/1.30/163 in 150 IP

766) Braxton Garrett MIA, LHP, 21.8 – 7th overall pick of the 2016 draft. Tommy John surgery early in the 2017 season prevented Garrett from getting any extended action in pro ball. Before the injury, he displayed a plus curveball and was relatively polished for his age. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 12/3.81/1.27/161 in 170 IP

767) Lenny Torres CLE, RHP, 18.6 – Selected 41st overall in the 2018 draft, Torres has a plus fastball that can touch the upper 90’s with a slider that flashes plus and developing changeup. Pitching line of 1.76/1.17/22/4 in 15.1 IP pro debut. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 12/3.72/1.26/181 in 176 IP

768) Simeon Woods Richardson NYM, RHP, 18.6 – Selected 48th overall in the 2018 draft, Richardson is your classic high upside pitching prospect with a fastball that can hit 97 MPH and an advanced feel for a curveball. Put up a 26/4 K/BB in 17.1 IP in his pro debut. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 12/3.71/1.23/175 in 175 IP

769) Trevor Rogers MIA, LHP, 21.5 – 13th overall pick of the 2017 draft. Funky three quarter arm slot lefty who struggled in his pro debut, but should not fall off the radar. 26% K% shows potential. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 11/3.81/1.32/171 in 165 IP

770) Tyler Anderson COL, LHP, 29.3 – Doesn’t have a true standout pitch and pitches half his games at Coors. He should be serviceable, but this is just not the kind of pitcher I go after. 2019 Projection: 9/4.41/1.32/156 in 165 IP

771) Felix Hernandez SEA, RHP, 33.0 – Cut fastball percentage down to 9.6% last season, which is the start of the transition that many former aces have to go through in their mid to late 30’s. It might take another season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Felix still had some useful seasons left. 2019 Projection: 7/4.58/1.35/120 in 150 IP

772) JaCoby Jones DET, OF, 27.1 – Raw tools are there to be a valuable fantasy player, but 30.4% K% and 5.1% BB% is holding him back. 2019 Projection: 57/13/39/.216/.274/.373/14

773) Ryan Borucki TOR, RHP, 25.0 – Plus changeup is best pitch. Likely a back end starter with mid rotation as his ceiling. 2019 Projection: 8/4.31/1.41/113 in 140 IP

774) Antonio Senzatela COL, RHP, 24.2 – Mainly a fastball/slider pitcher but started to mix in his changeup and curveball more in 2018. There is some upside here, but Coors prevents me from buying in too hard. 2019 Projection: 9/4.33/1.35/122 in 150 IP

775) Peter Lambert COL, RHP, 22.0 – Solid 4 pitch mix with advanced feel for the art of pitching and plus command/control. 106/27/K/BB in 148 IP shows he isn’t going to provide major strikeout totals. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 12/3.89/1.26/155 in 180 IP

776) Willi Castro DET, SS, 22.0 – Plus defender and above average speed, but hit and power are still underdeveloped. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 73/12/61/.258/.311/.387/15

777) Bryan Abreu HOU, RHP, 22.0 – Rode a plus curveball to a 68/17 K/BB in 38.1 IP in Full-A. Old for the level and limited innings but can’t argue with that strikeout rate. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 11/3.88/1.31/164 in 155 IP

778) Jhoan Duran MIN, RHP, 21.3 – Centerpiece of the Eduardo Escobar deal. Generates whiffs and groundballs, but needs to work on control/command. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/4.21/1.34/140 in 150 IP

779) Alex Faedo DET, RHP, 23.5 – 18th overall pick of the 2017 draft. Velocity backed up on all of his pitches this season, with his fastball down to 89-92 MPH. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/4.18/1.29/148 in 157 IP

780) Troy Stokes Jr. MIL, OF, 23.2 – Plus power and plus speed with high walk rates and high strikeout rates. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 66/19/61/.243/.327/.442/12

781) Drew Ellis ARI, 3B, 23.4 – Selected 44th overall in the 2017 draft, Ellis had a 49.9% FB% in his first full pro season at High-A, to go along with a solid 98/52 K/BB in 120 games. Hit 20 homers at Louisville in his draft year. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 72/22/81/.248/.326/.461/3

782) Jeren Kendall LAD, OF, 23.2 – Selected 23rd overall in the 2017 draft, Kendall has an elite speed/power combo (12 homers and 37 steals in 114 games at High-A) with a 40 grade hit tool (32% K%). ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 68/13/54/.225/.293/.390/21

783) Jake Burger CHW, 3B, 23.0 – Out for all of 2018 after tearing his Achilles and then tearing it again during rehab. When healthy, he had a solid approach at the plate and plus raw power, but was likely destined for 1B even before the injury. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 64/22/79/.263/.336/.462/2

784) Greg Deichmann OAK, OF, 23.10 – Wrist injury which required surgery in September tanked his 2018, but when healthy, he has double plus raw power and has a good feel to hit. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 73/24/81/.258/.331/.452/0

785) Mariel Bautista CIN, OF, 21.6 – 5-category upside with the plus tools to back it up, but Bautista still hasn’t made it out of rookie ball, so I wouldn’t trust the numbers. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 76/18/69/.268/.325/.423/16

786) Josiah Gray LAD, RHP, 21.3 – Raw for his age because he was recently converted to pitcher, but Gray possesses a potential plus fastball/slider combo and an athletic delivery which should eventually translate to good control/command. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 12/3.81/1.22/159 in 164 IP

787) Thomas Szapucki NYM, LHP, 22.10 – Tommy John surgery kept Szapucki out for the entire 2018 season. He was a favorite of mine entering 2017, with a plus fastball and curveball, to go along with a developing changeup. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/3.72/1.34/138 in 142 IP

788) Jojo Romero PHI, LHP, 22.7 – Diverse pitch mix that all flash above average but nothing standout or dominant. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 11/3.96/1.32/149 in 163 IP

789) Aaron Ashby MIL, LHP, 20.10 – Selected 125th overall in the 2018 draft, Ashby has an unhittable curveball that helped to put up a 156/43 K/BB in 74.2 IP in Junior College. His walk rate was better in his pro debut, with a 66/17 K/BB in 57.2 IP split between the Pioneer League and Full-A. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 10/3.89/1.34/165 in 155 IP

790) Jake Rogers DET, C, 24.0 – Plus defensive catcher with high flyball rates (50%) and high strikeout rates (27.5%). ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 54/20/62/.237/.328/.429/4

791) Garrett Stubbs HOU, C, 25.10 – Good contact rates (15.6%), walk rates (10.3%), flyball rates (46.1%), and speed (35 steals in 38 attempts in 304 minor league games). If he can gain strength in his late 20’s, Stubbs can be a very interesting all category contributor at the catcher position: ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 56/11/43/.268/.341/.398/8

792) Blaze Alexander ARI, 2B/SS, 19.10 – 11th round pick in 2018 but he signed for well above slot. Alexander made quick work of two levels of rookie ball, slashing .329/.417/.538 with 5 homers, 10 steals, and a 52/31 K/BB in 55 games. He is a plus athlete with room to grow into more power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/18/77/.255/.337/.439/15

793) Jeremy Eierman OAK, SS, 22.7 – Selected 70th overall in the 2018 draft, Eierman has a plus power/speed combo (8 homers and 10 steals at short season A ball) but hit tool and plate approach are still raw (26.2% K% and 4.9 BB%). ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 52/16/56/.238/.296/.403/13

794) Kody Clemens DET, 2B, 22.11 – Selected 79th overall in the 2018 draft, Clemens broke out in his Junior year at Texas, hitting .351 with 24 homers. He then followed that up with a strong pro debut in full season ball. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 71/19/76/.250/.318/.432/5

795) Tristan Pompey MIA, OF, 22.0 – Selected 89th overall in the 2018 draft, Pompey is a plus athlete with plus raw power but has some swing and miss to his game, and has never put up big homerun or stolen base totals. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 78/16/71/.258/.336/.413/13

796) Josh Stowers, NYY, OF, 22.1 – Was a perfect 60 for 60 in stolen base attempts in college, and then went 20 for 24 in Short-A. Known for a plus hit tool in college, it is not a great sign his strikeout rate spiked to 23.4% in 244 PA in pro ball (and not even full season ball). ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 76/18/73/.263/.346/.431/16

797) Miguel Vargas LAD, 1B/3B, 19.5 – Signed out of Cuba, and after not playing competitive baseball for the last two years, Vargas absolutely destroyed rookie ball with an advanced approach and an advanced feel to hit. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/20/86/.275/.355/.468/8

798) Myles Straw HOU, OF, 24.5 – 70 for 79 in steal attempts in 131 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. Type of player who can rack up steals even coming off the bench. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 51/3/32/.263/.333/.351/23

799) Jose Garcia CIN, 2B/SS, 21.0 – Signed for $5 million out of Cuba, Garcia had a rough pro debut in Full-A, but some of those struggles could be attributed to rust. Commiserate with his signing bonus, he is a tooled up player with plus speed, but hit tool and power are still underdeveloped. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 72/15/65/.253/.317/.412/15

800) Jonathan Ornelas TEX, SS, 18.10 – Selected 91st overall in the 2018 draft, Ornelas has a funky swing with elite bat speed and average speed. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/20/81/.266/.343/.442/10

801) Osiris Johnson MIA, SS, 18.5 – 53rd overall pick of the 2018 draft, Johnson has an intriguing power/speed combo with an aggressive approach at the plate. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/23/79/.254/.320/.448/9

802) Joe Perez HOU, 3B, 19.8 – Selected 53rd overall in the 2017 draft, Perez required Tommy John surgery soon after being drafted. He was able to return for just 4 games in the GCL this season. He has plus power, and if you are going to blindly trust one team, it is the Astros. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/25/81/.250/.335/.470/3

803) Jameson Hannah OAK, OF, 21.7 – Selected 50th overall in the 2018 draft, Hannah has a prototypical leadoff hitter profile, demonstrating excellent K/BB ratios in college with plus speed. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 76/13/52/.270/.337/.406/19

804) Jose Devers MIA, SS, 19.4 – 13.5% K% at Full-A as an 18-year-old. Devers is a defense first player with good speed but no power as of yet. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 79/11/58/.279/.342/.401/18

805) Joe Gray MIL, OF, 19.0 – Selected 60th overall in the 2018 draft, Gray has plus power with above average speed but is a major hit tool risk. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 71/22/80/.246/.329/.448/11

806) Cole Ragans TEX, LHP, 21.4 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2018. Selected 30th overall in the 2016 draft, Ragans is a big lefty who can rack up strikeouts, as evidenced by his 87 strikeouts in 57.1 IP at short season ball in 2017. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 11/3.92/1.32/175 in 165 IP

807) Sandy Gaston TB, RHP, 17.8 – Signed for $2.6 million in 2018, Gaston is a flamethrower, reportedly hitting 100 MPH on the radar gun. Control is non existent and secondaries flash average. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/3.98/1.35/145 in 130 IP

808) Diego Cartaya LAD, C, 17.7 – Signed for $2.5 million in 2018, the 6’2”, 199-pound Cartaya has an advanced feel for hitting and should grow into more power. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 61/18/67/.273/.345/.429/1

809) Jose De Leon TB, RHP, 26.8 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2018, so he should be ready relatively early in the season. Former top prospect who is almost completely forgotten about, but you should at least keep an eye on him. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 7/4.15/1.32/108 in 110 IP

810) Osiel Rodriguez NYY, RHP, 17.4 – Signed for $600,000 in 2018, Rodriguez has prototypical starters size with a mid 90’s fastball and good feel for a curveball. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 10/4.00/1.30/150 in 150 IP

811) Dean Kremer BAL, RHP, 23.3 – Stuff isn’t electric but has a 4 pitch mix that was good enough to strikeout 178 batters in 131.1 IP split between Advanced-A and Double-A. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/3.91/1.29/163 in 170 IP

812) Lewis Thorpe MIN, LHP, 23.4 – Pounds the strikezone with a solid 4 pitch mix. Doesn’t have a high ceiling but is knocking on the door of the bigs. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 11/4.12/1.28/156 in 165 IP

813) Patrick Sandoval LAA, LHP, 22.5 – Back end starter stuff, but had a great season in 2018 with a pitching line of 2.06/0.96/145/29 in 122.1 IP split between 3 levels (Full-A through Double-A). He has a 4 pitch mix which he pounds the strikezone with. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/4.21/1.30/139 in 150 IP

814) Hector Neris PHI, Setup, 29.10 – Splitter is his money pitch to go along with a mid 90’s four seam fastball. 2019 Projection: 3/3/56/1.26/89 in 64 IP

815) Tyrone Taylor MIL, OF, 25.3 – Broke out in 2018 with a career high 49.6% FB% while maintaining his strong strikeout rate (15.4%). He has above average speed too. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 48/14/56/.258/.325/.442/9

816) Luis Toribio SF, 3B, 18.6 – Performed very well in the DSL, slashing .270/.423/.479 with 10 homers and a 62/51 K/BB in 64 games. Toribio has plus raw power with an advanced plate approach and good feel to hit. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 73/25/86/.267/.352/.481/2

817) Gabriel Rodriguez CLE, SS, 17.1 – Smooth swing with a good feel to hit and the chance to grow into plus power. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 82/18/76/.277/.359/.438/9

818) Alexander Vargas NYY, SS, 17.5 – Signed for $2.5 million in 2018, Vargas has plus speed and projects for plus hit. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 86/13/61/.276/.341/.403/25

819) Alvin Guzman ARI, OF, 17.6 – Signed for $1.85 million in 2018, Guzman has a plus power/speed combo and one of the more fantasy friendly skill sets in this year’s international class. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 82/18/76/.265/.332/.438/21

820) Tyler Ivey HOU, RHP, 22.11 – 4 pitch mix with all of them having the potential to be above average. Had an impressive full season debut with a pitching line of 2.97/1.03/135/29 in 112 IP split between Full-A and Advanced-A. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 10/4.11/1.29/152 in 165 IP

821) Cionel Perez HOU, LHP, 23.0 – Plus fastball and plus control/command but needs to improve secondaries. Major bullpen risk. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 6/3.71/1.23/121 in 108 IP

822) Anthony Kay NYM, LHP, 24.0 – 31st pick in the 2016 draft. Tommy John surgery delayed his pro debut by 2 years. High spin rate fastball and curveball with a plus changeup. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/4.09/1.31/152 in 168 IP

823) CC Sabathia NYY, SP, 38.9 – CC has announced that 2019 will be his final season. He has successfully transitioned himself from a flamethrowner to a crafty lefty the last 3 seasons, and I’m betting on there being enough in the tank for one last good year. 2019 Projection: 10/3.87/1.32/142 in 155 IP

824) Adbert Alzolay CHC, RHP, 24.1 – Strained lat in May ended Alzolay’s season. He has a mid 90’s fastball that he pairs with a power curveball, but if he can’t develop his changeup, there is a decent chance he ends up in the pen. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 7/3.96/1.31/86 in 101 IP

825) Ryan Helsley STL, SP, 24.9 – Mid 90’s fastball with a plus curve. Struggles with fastball command and was shut down with a shoulder injury in early June. Major bullpen risk. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 7/3.72/1.32/118 in 113 IP

826) Chris Rodriguez LAA, RHP, 20.8 – Stress reaction in Rodriguez’ back forced him to miss all of 2018. When healthy, he has a 4 pitch mix highlighted by a mid 90’s fastball and plus slider. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 9/3.85/1.26/148 in 150 IP

827) Taylor Hearn TEX, LHP, 24.7 – Flamethrowing lefty with an inconsistent slider and changeup. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 10/4.02/1.32/155 in 150 IP

828) Jonathan Hernandez TEX, RHP, 22.9 – Fastball sits in the mid 90’s with a slider that flashes plus and a changeup and curveball that have the potential to be average or better. Needs to improve control/command to remain a starter. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 10/4.08/1.33/157 in 163 IP

829) Cal Quantrill SD, RHP, 24.2 – Selected 8th overall in the 2016 draft coming off Tommy John surgery. Quantrill flashes plus stuff but can’t hold it from start to start. Mid-rotation upside but likely a back end guy. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 9/4.23/1.34/146 in 163 IP

830) Zac Lowther BAL, LHP, 22.11 – Dominated in his first full season of pro ball (2.18/0.98/151/35 in 123.2 IP spent mostly at Advanced-A) with a deceptive delivery, good command, and a plus fastball/changeup combo. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 11/4.12/1.28/156 in 167 IP

831) Zack Brown MIL, RHP, 24.3 – Broke out this year at Double-A with a pitching line of 2.40/1.06/119/37 in 127.2 IP. Throws a 4 pitch mix with a plus curveball as his best weapon. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 11/4.13/1.32/145 in 160 IP

832) Kevin Kramer PIT, 2B, 25.6 – Unlocked his offensive potential by successfully transitioning into a flyball hitter in 2017, but with only average raw power and speed, and a 24.1% K%, the upside seems to be lacking. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 53/13/47/.261/.320/.406/5

833) Carson Kelly ARI, C, 24.9 – Better on defense than offense. Should get a large share of at-bats this year, and will ultimately battle Varsho for Arizona’s long term catcher of the future job. 2019 Projection: 34/7/39/.238/.310/.351/0 Prime Projection: 46/12/54/.256/.338/.397/1

834) Anthony Swarzak SEA, Closer/Setup, 33.7 – With the Stickland signing, it is likely Swarzark opens the year in a setup role, although nothing is set in stone. 2019 Projection: 3/3.81/1.26/60/9 in 55 IP

835) Austin Barnes LAD, C, 29.3 – Barnes offense took a major step back last season with his K% jumping to 28.2%. With Russell Martin in the fold, and Smith and Ruiz not far behind, I don’t foresee Barnes getting full time at bats. 2019 Projection: 34/6/29/.244/.358/.379/4

836) Austin Hedges SD, C, 26.7 – Defense first catcher who strikes out a lot, doesn’t walk much, and might lose playing time to Francisco Mejia. 2019 Projection: 30/12/38/.238/.296/.417/2

837) Wade Miley HOU, LHP, 32.5 – Signed with Houston and will now turn into an ace. 2019 Projection: 7/4.34/1.39/101 in 130 IP

838) Ty France SD, 3B, 24.9 – Makes good contact and hits the ball in the air. Machado signing ends any chance of playing time out of the gate. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 58/14/66/.259/.313/.432/2

839) Taylor Ward LAA, 3B, 25.4 – Former 1st rd pick. Converted from a catcher to a third baseman in 2018, and had a breakout season at the plate, slashing .349/.446/.531 with 14 homers, 18 steals, and a 94/65 K/BB in 102 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. Might only be a bench bat, but there is some power, speed, and a good feel to hit. 2019 Projection: 28/6/29/.249/.328/.413/5 Prime Projection: 58/14/61/.267/.341/.438/9

840) Pavin Smith ARI, 1B, 23.2 – Elite strikeout rates make Smith a safe bet to reach the majors, but there might not be enough power to make a real fantasy impact. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 61/16/68/.273/.355/.415/2

841) Patrick Wisdom TEX, 3B, 27.7 – Broke out in the Cardinals system in 2017, and had an excellent MLB debut in 2018, slashing .260/.362/.520 with a 17 degree launch angle, 97.8 MPH FB/LD average exit velocity, and 32.8% K%. Cabrera signing takes away his best chance at full time at bats . 2019 Projection: 39/11/41/.237/.318/.425/3

842) Dustin Pedroia BOS, 2B, 35.8 – Knee injury kept Pedroia out for almost all of 2018, and is not a guarantee to be ready for the start of 2019. I wouldn’t count on much speed, but I will bet on his elite contact ability remaining intact. 2019 Projection: 59/9/50/.280/.341/.401/3

843) Bryan Reynolds PIT, OF, 24.2 – Average skills across the board. Upped his FB% 10% in 2018 to 42%. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 78/16/71/.271/.336/.420/7

844) Michael Hermosillo LAA, OF, 24.2 – Started lifting the ball more and had a power breakout, but his strikeout percentage took a hit too. Likely a 4th outfielder, but with plus speed and his newfound power, he has fantasy friendly skills if he gets in the lineup. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 52/13/43/.251/.318/.420/12

845) Pablo Reyes PIT, OF, 25.7 – Displayed a plus hit tool, plus avg exit velocity, and above average speed in impressive MLB debut. Not locked into playing time, but Reyes will chip in a little bit in every category if given at-bats. 2019 Projection: 34/7/28/.266/.320/.397/7 Prime Projection: 63/14/52/.278/.337/.410/14

846) David Bote CHC, 3B, 26.0 – Crushed the ball in his MLB debut with a 93.5 MPH average exit velocity and 96.6 MPH FB/LD avg, to go along with above average speed. Doesn’t have a clear path to playing time and 28.6% K% is high. 2019 Projection: 41/10/39/.235/.314/.420/4

847) Dominic Smith NYM, 1B, 23.10 – Peter Alonso has seemingly passed Smith for the Mets 1B of the future job, partly due to Alonso beasting in 2018, but also because Smith is regressing as he attempts to lift the ball more. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 72/20/81/.268/.331/.439/2

848) J.D. Davis NYM, 3B/OF, 25.11 – Plus raw power but more of a line drive hitter than flyball. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 45/15/58/.251/.329/.446/2

849) Kevin Maitan LAA, SS, 19.1 – Living more off the hype when he was 15-16 years old, Maitan hasn’t produced as expected, but he still has plus power and is only 19 years old. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 68/23/79/.243/.312/.436/1

850) Sam Hilliard COL, OF, 25.1 – Intriguing power/speed combo but advanced age and 31.2% K% at Double-A likely puts his future as a bench bat. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 66/18/69/.241/.318/.422/14

851) Carlos Hernandez KC, RHP, 22.1 – Mid 90’s fastball with a plus changeup and breaking ball that flashes plus. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/4.05/1.31/155 in 150 IP

852) Jorge Guzman MIA, RHP, 23.3 – Sits in the upper 90’s and regularly hits 100+, but that is all he has right now. Can easily end up in the pen. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 8/3.75/1.31/101 in 93 IP

853) Riley Pint COL, RHP, 21.5 – Selected 4th overall in the 2016 draft, Pint came into pro ball as a high upside project, and remains a high upside project. Multiple injuries limited him to only 8.1 IP last season, but the athleticism and mid 90’s heat are still there. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/4.02/1.35/178 in 173 IP

854) Edward Olivares SD, OF, 23.1 – Average to above average tools across the board. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 76/18/72/.262/.327/.418/16

855) Jacob Nix SD, RHP, 23.2 – Nix has a 93.6 MPH fastball with the potential for two above average secondaries in his curveball and changeup. Awful MLB debut (7.02 ERA and 1.54 WHIP) shows he is not quite ready yet. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 10/4.19/1.29/148 in 165 IP

856) Hunter Harvey BAL, RHP, 24.4 – Major injury concerns but is still young and should be ready to go by Spring Training. Plus fastball and curveball was the allure that made him a top prospect when healthy. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 8/4.20/1.35/123 in 127 IP

857) James Kaprielian OAK, RHP, 25.1 – Injuries have robbed Kaprielian of his last 3 seasons. When last healthy, he was a polished college pitcher whose stuff played up in pro ball, but due to the injuries, he is a complete mystery now. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 8/4.25/1.31/120 in 130 IP

858) Joe Palumbo TEX, LHP, 24.5 – Returned from Tommy John surgery in June 2018 and by the end of the season was back to his normal self. Palumbo has a plus curveball, 92-96 MPH fastball, and potential average changeup. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 10/4.14/1.31/143 in 155 IP

859) Drew Pomeranz SF, LHP, 30.4 – Imploded in 2018 with a 6.08 ERA and 1.77 WHIP. Signing with San Francisco was the best possible landing spot. 2019 Projection: 8/4.19/1.34/133 in 140 IP

860) Jerad Eickhoff PHI, RHP, 28.9 – Missed most of 2018 with shoulder issues. Back end starter profile with low 90’s heat and heavy use of his curveball. 2019 Projection: 5/4.35/1.36/71 in 80 IP

861) Enyel De Los Santos PHI, RHP, 23.3 – Mid 90’s fastball with a plus changeup that he throws 25.1% of the time. Will have to improve his breaking balls in order to miss more bats and stick in the rotation. 2019 Projection: 5/4.41/1.37/74 in 90 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.08/1.32/142 in 158 IP

862) Erick Fedde WASH, RHP, 26.1 – Likely back end starter or bullpen piece. Former 18th overall pick in the draft, so there might be some residual hype for him to have some trade value. 2019 Projection: 6/4.29/1.37/82 in 90 IP

863) Ryan Rolison COL, LHP, 21.9 – Selected 22nd overall in the 2018 draft, Rolison had mediocre college stats in 2018 with a pitching line of 3.70/1.37/120/45 in 97 IP in the SEC. Adding Coors into the equation, and I’m almost certainly staying away. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 11/4.23/1.36/165 in 173 IP

864) Marco Estrada OAK, RHP, 35.9 – Couldn’t have landed in a much better situation than Oakland considering Estrada’s extreme flyball tendencies. 2019 Projection: 9/4.31/1.30/125 in 150 IP

865) Jonathan Lucroy LAA, C, 32.10 – Nothing more than a light hitting catcher at this point. 2019 Projection: 44/7/50/.255/.316/.389/1

866) Chris Devenski HOU, Setup, 28.5 – Down year in 2018, and missed time with a hamstring injury, but stuff is still good so I would expect a bounceback. 2019 Projection: 4/3.49/1.14/76 in 65 IP

867) Jason Martin PIT, OF, 23.7 – Average skills across the board. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 67/15/61/.254/.317/.426/9

868) Tom Murphy COL, C, 28.0 – Power hitting catcher with a poor plate approach and high strikeout rate. Still in the mix to be a part of the Rockies future catcher plans. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 41/16/48/.231/.293/.439/1

869) Jarrod Dyson ARI, OF, 34.8 – Light hitting speedster. 2019 Projection: 49/4/28/.242/.315/.349/19

870) Randy Arozarena STL, OF, 24.1 – It’s going to be a struggle for Arozarena to get at-bats in St. Louis’ crowded outfield, but with a solid feel to hit, a little pop, and above average speed, he’s worth picking up if does make his way into the lineup. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 63/10/49/.262/.324/.398/14

871) Forrest Wall TOR, OF, 23.5 – Up and down minor league career. Plus speed with a good plate approach and enough pop for 10+ homers. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 61/11/52/.263/.325/.413/14

872) Tucupita Marcano SD, 2B, 19.7 – Plus hit and plus speed. 31/64 K/BB split between rookie ball and short-season-A ball. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 76/8/54/.279/.351/.391/20

873) Daniel Brito PHI, 2B, 21.2 – Raw, toolsy prospect with a good feel for contact. Skills haven’t materialized into production yet, but there is time. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 73/14/58/.273/..336/.405/14

874) Luis Santana HOU, 2B, 19.9 – Plus hit tool, putting up elite strikeout rates throughout his minor league career, but doesn’t have difference making power or speed. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 79/14/72/.278/.353/.409/8

875) Eddy Diaz COL, SS, 19.1 – Hasn’t played stateside ball yet, but has put up elite strikeout rates (7.6% K%) and stolen base totals (54 steals in 51 games) in the Domincan Summer League. He signed for $750,000 out of Cuba, so there is certainly some underlying skills here. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 79/9/56/.273/.345/.405/23

876) AJ Reed HOU, 1B, 25.11 – I think he can eventually carve out a strong side of a platoon 1B/DH role if he gets in the right situation. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 43/18/59/.240/.324/.455/0

877) Andy Young ARI, 2B, 24.11 – Old for level but cut his strikeout rate down to career best 16.8% at High-A (17.1% at Double-A), and didn’t sacrifice any power in the process (21 homers). ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 48/14/55/.252/.318/.423/2

878) Lane Thomas STL, OF, 23.8 – Stayed healthy and broke out in 2018, slashing .264/.333/.489 with 27 homers, 17 steals, and a 134/50 K/BB in in 132 games at Triple-A. Above average centerfield defense will get him in the lineup. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 53/14/49/.248/.315/.419/8

879) Mitchell White LAD, RHP, 24.3 – Great stuff at his best but inconsistent and has had injury issues. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 9/3.90/1.29/116 in 130 IP

880) Greyson Jenista ATL, OF, 22.4 – Selected 49th overall in the 2018 draft, Jenista posted high groundball rates in his pro debut, which is not a great sign for a college hitter whose main calling card is power. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 54/16/57/.251/.332/.448/5

881) Steele Walker CHW, OF, 22.8 – Selected 46th overall in the 2018 draft, Walker has a well rounded skillset with a high motor, but no standout fantasy skills. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 78/18/73/.261/.327/.417/14

882) Anthony Seigler NYY, C, 19.10 – Selected 23rd overall in the 2018 draft, Seigler is a plus defensive catcher with a good feel to hit and doubles power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 63/14/69/.263/.335/.410/1

883) Cal Raleigh SEA, C, 22.4 – Selected 90th overall in the 2018 draft, Raleigh is a switch hitting catcher with above average raw power from both sides of the plate. 50.4% FB% and 17.4% K% in his short season pro debut. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 50/20/65/.247/.326/.427/1

884) Braden Bishop SEA, OF, 25.8 – Plus centerfield defense and plus speed could keep him in the lineup where he is likely to chip in steals and not much else. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 72/9/51/.253/.327/.388/14

885) Richie Martin BAL, SS, 24.3 – Former 20th overall pick in the 2015 draft, Martin has maintained his plus athleticism while putting together his best offensive season in 2018, slashing .300/.368/.439 with 6 homers, 25 steals and a 86/44 K/BB in 118 games at Double-A. With a 22.9% FB%, he is going to have to lift the ball more to tap into his full potential. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 65/9/52/.259/.323/.389/14

886) Esteban Quiroz SD, 2B, 27.1 – Signed out of the Mexican League by Boston in 2016, Quiroz makes good contact, has a plus plate approach, and hits the ball in the air 44.1% of the time. He’s only 5’7”, 175 pounds, and is old for a prospect, but the underlying skills are very good. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 51/13/58/.258/.335/.421/5

887) Raynel Delgado CLE, 2B/SS, 19.0 – Selected 193rd overall in the 2018 draft, Delgado is a switch hitter with potential for plus hit and plus power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 76/23/83/.274/.350/.476/5

888) Misael Urbina MIN, OF, 16.11 – Signed for $2.75 million in July 2018. Urbina has a plus hit, plus speed profile. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 85/11/62/.276/.342/.408/23

889) Brett Anderson OAK, LHP, 31.2 – I remember when he was one the brightest young starters in the game, but now he is just an oft-injured, soft tossing back end starter. 2019 Projection: 5/4.36/1.38/71 in 100 IP

890) Logan Webb SF, RHP, 22.5 – Fully recovered from 2016 Tommy John surgery, Webb showed a mid 90’s fastball with a curveball that flashed above average and a developing slider and changeup. He has mid rotation upside. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 10/4.25/1.32/139 in 150 IP

891) Mike King NYY, RHP, 23.10 – Likely a back end starter but stats are too good to ignore with a pitching line of 1.70/0.91/152/29 in 161 IP. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 7/3.98/1.34/108 in 130 IP

892) Chris Stratton SF, RHP, 28.8 – Pomeranz signing likely bumps him from the rotation to start the season, but he should still see plenty of innings in a variety of roles. 2019 Projection: 6/4.28/1.34/95 in 110 IP

893) Nick Markakis ATL, OF, 35.4 – Re-signing with Atlanta is a best case scenario for Markakis. He will still have to compete with Adam Duvall for playing time. 2019 Projection: 68/12/77/.276/.352/.409/1

894) Mark Reynolds COL, 1B, 35.8 – Short side of a platoon power bat. 2019 Projection: 32/12/41/.242/.318/.455/1

895) Gerardo Parra SF, OF, 31.11 – Makes good contact but doesn’t have much power and leaving Coors. 2019 Projection: 41/6/43/.271/.314/.389/5

896) Zack Short CHC, SS, 23.10 – Worth mentioning for his unique profile alone, Short posted a 15.6% walk rate and 54.9% flyball rate at Double-A. He doesn’t have enough raw power to fully take advantage of it, but he is worth having on your radar. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 52/13/47/.242/.341/.389/9

897) Max Schrock STL, 2B, 24.6 – 7.9% K% in Triple-A makes him a sure major leaguer, and he raised his FB% to 38.1%, but if he doesn’t start making harder contact he is destined to be a utility guy. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 62/7/46/.278/.326/.381/9

898) Blake Swihart BOS, C/OF, 27.0 – Rumors Boston looks at Swihart as trade bait, which would only help his fantasy value. He’s a light hitting catcher with average speed. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 48/9/43/.249/.308/.388/6

899) Jayson Schroeder HOU, RHP, 19.5 – Selected 66th overall in the 2018 draft, Schroeder is a plus athlete with a low 90’s fastball and the potential for two plus secondaries in his curveball and slider. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 11/3.82/1.28/161 in 165 IP

900) Jean Carmona BAL, SS, 19.5 – Hasn’t dominated numbers wise, but Carmona has plus bat speed with high offensive upside. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 78/20/79/.268/.333/.439/10

901) Gabriel Arias SD, SS, 19.1 – Plus defensive shortstop but offense is still very raw. 29.6% K% and 6 homers in 124 games at Full-A. Still very young, and the raw ingredients are there for potentially above average hit and power. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 71/20/77/.268/.331/.438/4

902) Edward Cabrera MIA, RHP, 21.0 – 6’4”, 170 pounds with an athletic delivery and electric stuff but still very raw. Major pen risk. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 10/4.22/1.35/146 in 153 IP

903) Sam Carlson SEA, RHP, 20.4 – Selected 55th overall in the 2017 draft, Carlson was shut down soon after his pro debut, and eventually required Tommy John surgery in July 2018. When healthy, Carlson has a potential 3 pitch mix (fastball, slider, changeup) and the ability to pound the strikezone. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 11/3.80/1.26/161 in 171 IP

904) Yangervis Solarte SF, 3B/2B, 31.9 – Utility infielder with a good feel to hit and some pop. 2019 Projection: 42/12/46/.255/.313/.414/1

905) Mark Canha OAK, OF, 30.1 – Hits the ball in the air with about league average exit velocities. Projected to be in the short side of a platoon. 2019 Projection: 48/12/46/.243/.316/.429/2

906) Kevin Cron ARI, 1B, 26.1 – Hit dingers at every minor league stop since being drafted in the 14th round in 2014. With a 47.3% FB%, there is no question his power will play, but the competition is tough to land full time jobs for 1B only types. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 46/15/57/.245/.318/.442/1

907) Magneuris Sierra MIA, OF, 23.0 – 3rd fastest spring speed in the majors but has no power, a poor plate approach, and a high strikeout rate. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 58/6/33/.248/.291/.357/14

908) Seth Lugo NYM, Setup, 29.5 – Will remain in the bullpen with the Mets, but there are rumors the Astros are interested, and they may move him back into the rotation. 2019 Projection: 6/3.51/1.20/81 in 83 IP

909) DJ Peters LAD, OF, 23.4 – Plus athlete with extreme power (29 homers in 132 games at Double-A) and extreme strikeouts (34.3%). ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 59/18/57/.221/.302/.449/3

910) Dylan Cozens PHI, OF, 24.10 – Elite power, but 35.6% K% at Triple-A (54.5% in 44 MLB at-bats) is likely to prevent him from locking down a full time job. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 41/18/52/.221/.303/.424/6

911) Roberto Ramos COL, 1B, 24.3 – Double plus power (32 homers split between High-A and Double-A) with double plus strikeouts (32.9% K% at Double-A) and zero defensive value. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 44/18/56/.237/.316/.430/2

912) Jose Soriano LAA, RHP, 20.5 – Checks all the boxes for a young, projectable pitching prospect. Mid 90’s heat with a curveball that flashes plus, but is still a project. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/3.92/1.33/147 in 155 IP

913) Roansy Contreras NYY, RHP, 19.5 – Upper 90’s fastball with the potential for two plus secondaries (curveball/changeup). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/4.13/1.31/158 in 167 IP

914) Shaun Anderson SF, RHP, 24.5 – Likely back end starter without any standout pitches, but a back end starter in San Francisco has mid rotation upside in fantasy. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 10/4.01/1.31/149 in 175 IP

915) Mike Shawaryn BOS, RHP, 24.7 – Uses a heavy sinking fastball to induce groundballs, to go along with a plus slider and average changeup. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 10/4.27/1.34/149 in 165 IP

916) Keegan Akin BAL, LHP, 24.0 – 54th overall pick in 2016. Deceptive fastball with a potential average to above average slider and changeup. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 10/4.26/1.34/150 in 160 IP

917) Sam Hjelle SF, RHP, 21.11 – Selected 45th overall in the 2018 draft, Hjelle is 6’11”, 225 pounds but doesn’t have overpowering stuff. Profiles as a back end stater. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/4.14/1.30/145 in 160 IP

918) Zach Britton NYY, Setup, 31.3 – Should be a good source of holds, but isn’t going to make a big impact on your ratios or strikeouts. 2019 Projection: 4/3.24/1.27/60 in 60 IP

919) Yoshihisa Hirano ARI, Setup, 35.1 – With the Holland signing, Hirano moves further away from saves, but it still isn’t inconceivable he finds himself in that role at some point this season. 2019 Projection: 4/3.45/1.19/61/5 in 65 IP

920) Jean Carlos Encarnacion BAL, 3B, 21.2 – 134/16 K/BB in 123 at-bats in Full-A shows he is still very raw, but Encarnacion has plus athleticism and plus power. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 73/21/77/.247/.303/412/8

921) Rylan Bannon BAL, 2B/3B, 23.0 – Demolished High-A, slashing .296/.402/.559 with 20 homers and a 103/59 K/BB in 89 games, but struggled in 98 Double-A at-bats. Selected in the 8th round in 2017, Bannon is a production over scouting prospect. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 63/16/56/.253/.337/.420/5

922) Luis Ortiz BAL, RHP, 23.7 – Plus fastball/slider combo but profiles more as a back end fantasy starter, especially in Baltimore and the AL East. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 9/4.33/1.36/138 in 152 IP

923) Dillon Tate BAL, RHP, 24.11 – 4th overall pick of the 2015 draft. Tate’s stuff has taken a step back in pro ball, but the plus athleticism is still there. Ceiling looks more like a mid rotation guy now. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 9/4.21/1.33/132 in 145 IP

924) Dennis Santana LAD, RHP, 23.0 – Shut down for the season in June with a strained rotator cuff. Throws a mid 90’s fastball with tons of movement, which he pairs with an above average slider and developing changeup. Ultimately may wind up in the pen. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 7/4.08/1.33/127 in 119 IP

925) Tim Cate WASH, LHP, 21.6 – Selected 65th overall in the 2018 draft, Cate has one of the best curveballs in the draft class. His fastball sits in the low 90’s and he doesn’t have much of a changeup. He was also shut down in the middle of his junior year with an elbow injury. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 7/3.91/1.32/136 in 133 IP

926) Luis Campusano SD, C, 20.6 – Displayed a good feel to hit in his full season debut with a 15.1% K%, and while he only hit 3 homers in 70 games, he shows plus power in batting practice. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 55/18/59/.258/.322/.419/1

927) Anthony Banda TB, LHP, 25.8 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2018. When healthy, he throws a mid 90’s fastball with multiple secondaries. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection:6/4.16/1.34/101 in 110 IP

928) Buddy Reed SD, OF, 23.11 – Plus defense and double plus speed could get him in the lineup, but limited power and poor K/BB numbers will make him an offensive liability. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 63/7/47/.233/.291/.388/23

929) Jared Oliva PIT, OF, 23.4 – Projectable 6’3”, 185 pounds, Oliva had a strong full season debut at High-A, slashing .275/.354/.424 with 9 homers, 33 steals, and a 91/40 K/BB in 108 games. He fell off in the 2nd half and is still a bit of a project. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 53/10/47/.249/.318/.407/13

930) Miguel Hiraldo TOR, SS, 18.7 – Signed for $750,000 in 2017, Hiraldo had a strong pro debut is the DSL, with a .313 BA, 12.6% K%, and 15 steals in 54 games. He has plus bat speed and projects for plus hit. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 82/18/72/.278/.356/.441/8

931) Ronny Brito TOR, SS, 20.0 – Signed for $2 million in 2015, Brito is known more for his plus SS defense than his bat. Hit 11 homers and stuck out 30.3% of the time in 53 games as a 19-year-old in rookie ball in 2018, so the power is developing. ETA: 203 Prime Projection: 77/17/72/.244/.303/.409/12

932) Edwin Rios LAD, 1B, 24.11 – Strikeout rate jumped over 10% to 32.3% and ISO dropped to a career low .178. Most likely outcome is a bench power bat. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 41/15/56/.242/.299/.428/1

933) Josh Ockimey BOS, LHP, 23.6 – Extreme strikeout and walk rates with plus power. Strong side of a platoon is his most likely outcome. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 48/17/65/.241/.328/.447/1

934) Luken Baker STL, 1B, 22.1 – Selected 75th overall in the 2018 draft, Baker crushed 3 years of college ball in the Big 12 and then had a solid pro debut. On the downside, right handed power hitting 1B have a hard time getting prospect hype, and also have a hard time breaking into a major league lineup. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 46/15/52/.254/.331/.457/1

935) Nathan Eaton KC, 2B/3B/OF, 22.4 – Dominated in pro debut at rookie ball, slashing .354/.427/.581 with 5 homers, 19 steals, and a 60/33 K/BB in 66 games. He’s got average to above average skills across the board and can play all over the diamond. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 77/14/71/.257/.326/.412/15

936) Taylor Walls TB, SS, 22.9 – Selected 79th overall in the 2017 draft, Walls had a strong full season debut, slashing .304/.393/.428 with 6 homers, 31 steals, and a 80/66 K/BB in 120 games at Full-A. Utility infielder floor with a chance to be a 2nd division regular. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 72/12/58/.262/.345/.408/14

937) Abraham Toro HOU, 3B, 22.4 – Average tools across the board. Performed well at High-A (.834 OPS) before struggling at Double-A (.688 OPS). ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 63/18/67/.262/.338/.445/8

938) Richie Palacios CLE, 2B, 21.11 – Selected 103rd overall in the 2018 draft, Palacios has plus hit and plus speed. He had a 16/52 K/BB and was 25 for 26 on the base paths in 55 games for Towson. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 72/10/58/.275/.332/.403/24

939) Griffin Conine TOR, OF, 21.9 – Selected 52nd overall in the 2018 draft, Griffin has plus power with major strikeout issues. He is the son of former big leaguer, Jeff Conine. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 56/15/64/.237/.318/.435/3

940) Nicky Delmonico CHW, OF, 26.9 – Likely keeping the seat warm for Eloy. 86.8 MPH avg exit velocity and 90 MPH on FB/LD is not a good sign for someone who needs to hit for power to stay in the lineup. 2019 Projection: 38/9/34/.233/.312/.400/2

941) Eric Skoglund KC, LHP, 26.6 – Suspended for 80 games in 2018. Batters hit Skoglund hard last season, with a 90.7 avg exit velocity against and 94.1 MPH on FB/LD. 2019 Projection: 6/4.62/1.38/101 in 130 IP

942) Socrates Brito ARI, OF, 26.7 – 10th fastest sprint speed in the majors, but doesn’t do enough damage with the bat to capitalize on it. 2019 Projection: 36/7/33/.237/.285/.395/6

943) Christian Walker ARI, 1B/OF, 28.0 – Quad-A type player but power is legit. 2019 Projection: 31/10/38/.231/.291/.438/1

944) Brewer Hicklen KC, OF, 23.2 – Plus athlete with a plus power/speed combo but hit tool is still very raw. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 51/12/49/.237/.304/.401/14

945) Jordy Mercer DET, SS, 32.8 – Strikeout rate spiked to 20% in 2018. Mercer has a little pop and that is just about it. 2019 Projection: 49/10/46/.250/.316/.386/1

946) Tyler Naquin CLE, OF, 27.11 – Down year in 2018 and is going to have to compete with a lot of good young talent for playing time in 2019. 2019 Projection: 43/9/45/.261/.317/.408/3

947) Sheldon Neuse OAK, 3B, 24.5 – Disastrous season in the PCL with a .661 OPS, 5 homers, and a 172/32 K/BB in 135 games. Hit the ball on the ground a career low 38.2% of the time, so this might just be growing pains, or it might mean he should go back to his original approach. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 42/12/49/.246/.312/.414/2

948) Yadier Alvarez LAD, RHP, 23.1 – Followed up his poor 2017 with an even worse 2018, walking 44 batters in 55.1 IP. Plus stuff is still there, but all indications point to him ending up in the bullpen. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 4/3.31/1.24/76 in 63 IP

949) Franklyn Kilome NYM, RHP, 23.9 – Will miss all of 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October. When healthy, he has a mid 90’s fastball with a potential plus curve, but lacks command and a third pitch. ETA: Late 2020 Prime Projection: 9/4.11/1.34/96 in 110 IP

950) Tanner Houck BOS, RHP, 22.9 – Selected 24th overall in the 2017 draft, Houck throws a mid 90’s 4 seamer and sinker, to go along with a swing and miss slider. May ultimately wind up in the pen. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 9/4.02/1.33/121 in 130 IP

951) Luis Medina NYY, RHP, 19.11 – Fastball that can hit the upper 90’s with a potential plus curveball and plus changeup. Stats have been awful the last two seasons in rookie ball with a pitching line of 6.25/2.1747/46 in 36 IP. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.23/1.35/163 in 158 IP

952) Gregory Santos SF, RHP, 19.8 – Nasty 3 pitch mix but still very raw. Santos has obvious major league stuff but may wind up in the pen. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 6/3.88/1.31/108 in 111 IP

953) Victor Mesa Jr. MIA, OF, 18.0 – Skills are similar to his older brother but is mostly a mystery due to his lack of exposure. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 72/11/56/.268/.332/.393/15

954) Rogelio Armenteros HOU, RHP, 24.9 – Average stuff plays up because of a deceptive fastball-changeup combo and 5 pitch mix. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 8/4.18/1.33/101 in 110 IP

955) Yohander Mendez TEX, LHP, 24.2 – Fastball/changeup pitcher. Likely a back end starter unless his fastball ticks up and/or his slider improves. 2019 Projection: 3/4.76/1.45/61 in 70 IP Prime Projection: 10/4.38/1.35/140 in 155 IP

956) Abiatal Avelino SF, 2B/SS, 24.1 – Good athlete with an aggressive plate approach. Had a power breakout in 2018, hitting 15 homers in 126 games to go along with 27 steals. Most likely a bench player, but is knocking on the door of the bigs and is worth having on your radar. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 62/6/41/.251/.298/.391/9

957) Brett Cumberland BAL, C, 23.9 – Power, patience, and strikeout catcher. If Sisco can’t get his act together, Cumberland will overtake him as the catcher of the future. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 44/14/51/.248/.327/.413/0

958) Corey Spangenberg MIL, 3B/2B, 28.0 – Moustakas signing limits how much playing time Spagenberg will get. Moderate power/speed combo with a 32.8% K% in 2018. 2019 Projection: 42/8/34/.248/.310/.398/6

959) Logan Morrison FA, 1B, 31.7 – Hip surgery ended his season in August. Best case scenario is a strong side of a platoon bat. 2019 Projection: 36/14/41/.228/.316/.430/1

960) Daniel Poncedeleon STL, RHP, 27.2 – Strong MLB debut with a pitching line of 2.73/1.12/31/13 in 33 IP. Throws 4 average pitches. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 7/4.22/1.33/81 in 94 IP

961) Wil Crowe WASH, RHP, 24.7 – Selected 65th overall in the 2017 draft, Crowe has a solid 4-pitch mix with no standout pitches. He has good control/command and will throw any of his pitches in any count. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 10/4.21/1.31/151 in 169 IP

962) Erik Swanson SEA, RHP, 25.7 – Predominantly a fastball/slider pitcher, but neither pitch is dominant. Likely a back of the rotation starter. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 9/4.21/1.34/105 in 120 IP

963) Brandon Wagner NYY, 1B, 23.7 – Patient hitter with an advanced approach. Wagner had a power breakout in 2018, hitting 21 homers in 124 games split between High-A and Double-A. He has some defensive versatility, and could see at-bats all over the field. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 53/14/55/.251/.346/.439/1

964) Frank Schwindel KC, 1B, 26.9 – Poor plate approach, but he makes good contact and has good power. Probably a Quad-A player, but with the Royals rebuilding, he could get his shot. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 38/11/46/.252/.291/.416/1

965) Adam Kloffenstein TOR, RHP, 18.8 – Selected 88th overall in the 2018 draft, Kloffenstein is 6’5”, 243 pounds with a low 90’s fastball, inconsistent slider, and developing changeup. He’s raw, but the ingredients are there to develop into a mid rotation starter. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.18/1.32/158 in 165 IP

966) Kyle Cody TEX, RHP, 24.8 – Underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2018. When healthy, the 6′,7”, 245-pound Cody has a mid 90’s fastball and plus slider. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 8/3.94/1.32/135 in 130 IP

967) Lonnie Chisenhall PIT, OF, 30.6 – Strong side of a platoon bat until Polanco is healthy. Capable of power outbreaks with a high flyball rate, but he doesn’t hit the ball hard enough to consistently capitalize on it. 2019 Projection: 32/9/43/.268/.326/.439/2

968) Robbie Erlin SD, LHP, 28.6 – Back end starter or multi inning reliever. 2019 Projection: 7/4.22/1.28/104 in 130 IP

969) Ranger Suarez PHI, LHP, 23.7 – Deceptive delivery with a low 90’s fastball, average changeup, and a slider that flashes average. Doesn’t have a put away pitch but knows how to pitch. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 9/4.12/1.33/149 in 166 IP

970) Jayce Easley TEX, 2B, 19.8 – Selected 149th overall in the 2018 draft, Easley projects as a top of the order hitter with plus speed. Cracks the list because of the bloodlines (Damion Easley). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 77/10/52/.265/.336/.402/20

971) Ryan Jeffers MIN, C, 21.10 – Selected 59th overall in the 2018 draft, Jeffers had a strong pro debut, slashing .288/.361/.446 with 4 homers and a 30/14 K/BB in 36 games at Full-A. Above average power, but no guarantee he sticks behind the plate. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 46/14/53/.245/.311/.407/0

972) Joe McCarthy TB, OF/1B, 25.1 – Solid underlying stats at Triple-A with a 47% FB%, 22.5% K%, and 13.1 BB%. Might end up as a bench bat because it is crowded in Tampa, but McCarthy has legitimate offensive potential and can play a few positions. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 48/14/52/.251/.338/.435/6

973) Nick Decker BOS, OF, 19.6 – Selected 64th overall in the 2018 draft, Decker has an advanced approach at the plate with average power and speed. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 76/16/71/.272/.348/.427/10

974) Terrin Vavra COL, SS/2B, 21.11 – Selected 96th overall in the 2018 draft, Vavra has a good feel to hit and an average at best power/speed combo. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 73/14/61/.276/.330/.418/9

975) Will Benson CLE, OF, 20.10 – Double plus power, but with major hit tool risk. Slashed .180/.324/.370 with 22 homers (52.3% FB%), 12 steals and a 152/82 K/BB in 123 games at Full-A. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 53/18/58/.221/.328/.456/6

976) Will Craig PIT, 1B, 24.5 – Completely flipped his batted ball distribution with a 53.7% FB% in Double-A, resulting in 20 homers in 132 games. He took steps back in K% and BB%, but Craig is a hitter I liked out of the draft, and is worth keeping an eye on to see if he can further develop with this new approach. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 43/14/51/.258/.327/.442/2

977) Jamie Westbrook ARI, 2B, 23.10 – Aggressive approach with a good feel to hit and some power. Had his best season since 2015, but it was his third time repeating Double-A. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 52/12/57/.268/.310/.431/3

978) Heath Quinn SF, OF, 23.10 – A favorite of mine in the 2016 draft, Quinn has not lived up to my expectations. He had a strong year at High-A in 2018, but he was repeating the level and was a bit old for it. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 42/13/49/.238/.306/.419/3

979) Dom Thompson-Williams SEA, OF, 24.0 – Good athlete with plus raw power and average speed. Had an excellent statistical year at High-A, but is too old for the level to be impressed by it. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 52/14/53/.238/.291/.421/9

980) Brock Deatherage DET, OF, 23.7 – Selected 285th overall in the 2018 draft, but he didn’t fall that far for a lack of tools. Deatherage is an elite athlete with a plus power-speed combo. Hit tool is raw, and he was a senior coming into the draft, but pro debut was very promising, slashing .326/.385/.504 with 7 homers, 19 steals, and a 64/21 K/BB in 60 games spent mostly at Full-A. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 62/13/54/.244/.318/.414/16

981) Osleivis Basabe TEX, SS, 18.7 – Known for his defense and speed when he signed in 2017, but hit tool was much better than expected in DSL debut, where he hit .344 with an 11.3% K%. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 78/13/53/.268/.331/.409/18

982) Larry Ernesto MIL, OF, 18.7 – Signed for $1.8 million in 2017, Ernesto displayed his power/speed combo in his DSL debut, hitting 5 homers and stealing 9 bases, but hit tool is still very raw (68/14 K/BB in 53 games). ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 74/20/78/.243/.311/.441/12

983) Owen White TEX, RHP, 19.7 – Selected 55th overall in the 2018 draft, White is a projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with a low 90’s fastball and developing secondaries. Multi sport athlete in high school. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.17/1.31/150 in 160 IP

984) Jake Wong SF, RHP, 22.8 – Selected 80th overall in the 2018 draft, Wong throws a heavy 92-96 MPH fastball, an above average curve and developing changeup. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/4.15/1.33/153 in 170 IP

985) Mario Feliciano MIL, C, 20.4 – Career minor league numbers are bad, but he has been pushed aggressively and dealt with injuries in 2018. If it all comes together, he will be one of those catchers that hits for power without tanking your average. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 61/18/69/.265/.333/.428/1

986) Will Banfield MIA, C, 19.5 – Selected 69th overall in the 2018 draft, Banfield is a plus defensive catcher with plus raw power. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 55/18/68/.249/.326/.403/0

987) Francisco Morales PHI, RHP, 19.5 – Prototypical starters build. 92-96 MPH fastball that has the potential to tick up as he gets stronger, to go along with a plus slider. Delivery and control/command need work. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 10/4.08/1.32/167 in 165 IP

988) Bryan Mata BOS, RHP, 19.11 – Prototypical starters build with MLB stuff, but put up a 17.7% BB% at High-A. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 10/4.02/1.34/154 in 163 IP

989) Pedro Avila SD, RHP, 22.3 – Low 90’s fastball with two advanced secondary pitches in his curveball and changeup. He’s struck out 496 batters in 416.1 IP throughout his minor league career. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 11/4.01/1.33/152 in 160 IP

990) Blaine Knight BAL, RHP, 22.9 – Selected 87th overall in the 2018 draft, Knight throws in the low 90’s with an elite spin rate slider and curveball. He is a skinny 6’3”, 165 pounds, so there is potential for him to add more velocity as he gains strength. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/4.17/1.32/152 in 165 IP

991) Tony Watson SF, Setup, 33.10 – Bounced back in 2018 after his changeup returned to being a plus pitch. 2019 Projection: 4/3.38/1.18/65 in 65 IP

992) Taylor Rogers MIN, Setup, 28.4 – Being a lefty, it might be hard for Rogers to be a candidate for saves, but he broke out in 2018 with a plus sinker-curveball combo, to go along with an above average slider he reintroduced into his pitch repertoire. 2019 Projection: 4/3.38/1.19/69/3 in 65 IP

993) Lou Trivino OAK, Setup, 27.6 – Fell apart in the 2nd half, but overall season numbers were strong with a pitching line of 2.92/1.14/82/31 in 74 IP. 2019 Projection: 5/3.51/1.23/72 in 68 IP

994) Cristian Javier HOU, RHP, 22.0 – High spin rate fastball with the potential for two above average breaking balls. 146/50 K/BB in 110 IP split between Full-A and Advanced-A. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 6/3.91/1.32/111 in 105 IP

995) Travis Jankowski SD, OF, 27.10 – It’s going to be tough to get playing time in San Diego’s crowded OF, but he can still provide steals in a bench role. 2019 Projection: 35/2/12/.250/.325/.329/15

996) Wade LeBlanc SEA, LHP, 34.8 – Had the best year of his career in 2018 with a pitching line 3.72/1.18/130/40 in 162 IP. The upside is low, but he has the potential to be serviceable in deeper leagues. 2019 Projection: 8/4.29/1.30/118 in 150 IP

997) Jason Vargas NYM, LHP, 36.2 – Classic back end starter. Only valuable in leagues where accumulating innings has value. 2019 Projection: 8/4.34/1.34/108 in 130 IP

998) Ian Kennedy KC, RHP, 34.9 – More likely to provide negative value than positive. 2019 Projection: 8/4.48/1.33/123 in 140 IP

999) Jordan Zimmerman DET, RHP, 32.10 – Velocity has continued to decline to a career low 91.7 MPH, although he did have his best K/9 (7.61) since 2014. 2019 Projection: 8/4.55/1.35/115 in 150 IP

1000) Jeremy Hellickson WASH, RHP, 32.0 – Back end starter. 2019 Projection: 6/4.41/1.32/70 in 100 IP

1001) Edinson Volquez TEX, RHP, 35.9 – Missed all of 2018 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but is expected to be ready to go in 2019. Back end starter without much upside. 2019 Projection: 7/4.52/1.46/108 in 130 IP

1002) Martin Prado MIA, 3B, 35.5 – Has been awful the last two seasons, but $15 million contract might keep him in the lineup. At best, he will provide a solid average and nothing else. 2019 Projection: 54/9/52/.259/.312/.370/2

1003) Yonathan Daza COL, OF, 25.1 – Plus defensive outfielder with a good feel to hit and plus speed. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 59/6/42/.278/.325/.391/12

1004) Steve Pearce BOS, 1B/OF, 36.0 – Short side of a platoon power bat. 2019 Projection: 37/12/41/.261/.338/.462/1

1005) Denard Span FA, OF, 35.1 – Likely a 4th outfielder at this point in his career as his days of being a viable starting centerfielder are over. 2019 Projection: 46/8/41/.261/.332/.408/8

1006) Daniel Descalso CHC, 3B/2B/OF, 32.6 – The last thing fantasy players needed was for Joe Maddon to have another gritty vet to use to block the kids. But here we are. Descalso cut his GB% to a career low 30.1% in 2018, so his mini power breakout was for real. 2019 Projection: 33/10/33/.234/.338/.420/2

1007) Carlos Gomez FA, OF, 33.4 – Still has some power and speed but in a clear decline. Prime Projection: 38/9/36/.233/.309/.386/7

1008) Austin Allen SD, C/1B, 25.2 – Not likely to stick at catcher, but Allen has plus raw power and a good feel to hit. Would have more value on an AL team. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 47/16/56/.252/.320/.441/0

1009) Felix Pena LAA, RHP, 29.1 – Sinker/slider pitcher who will mix in a changeup. Likely a back end starter, but he had success last season in the majors with a 4.18 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 92.2 IP. 2019 Projection: 5/4.31/1.35/93 in 100 IP

1010) Starling Heredia LAD, OF, 20.8 – Plus power and average speed but hit tool is very raw. Slashed .192/.260/.332 with 7 homers, 4 steals, and a 92/20 K/BB in 61 games at Full-A. ETA: 2022 Prime Projection: 54/17/58/.238/.316/.442/7

1011) JJ Matijevic HOU, OF, 23.5 – Bat first prospect who showed well in his first full season of pro ball, slashing .277/.350/.538 with 22 homers, 13 steals, and a 113/44 K/BB in 101 games spent mostly at High-A. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 53/13/56/.241/.318/.435/7

1012) Juan Guerrero COL, SS, 17.7 – Signed for $600,000 in July 2018. Plus bat speed with a good feel to hit and projectable frame. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/22/81/.273/.341/.468/8

1013) Tyler Phillips TEX, RHP, 21.5 – Stats over scouting prospect. Put up a pitching line of 2.64/1.02/127/16 in 133 IP spent almost entirely at Full-A. Low 90’s fastball with a plus changeup and average curve. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 10/4.07/1.32/153 in 169 IP

1014) Griffin Roberts STL, RHP, 22.10 – Selected 43rd overall in the 2018 draft, Roberts sits in the low 90’s with a plus slider. He was a reliever until his junior season in college. ETA: 2021 Prime Projection: 5/3.71/1.28/84 in 77 IP

1015) Daulton Jefferies OAK, RHP, 23.8 – Tommy John surgery knocked out his 2017 and 2018 seasons. When healthy, he has three potential above average pitches in his fastball, curveball, and chaneup. ETA: 2020 Prime Projection: 8/4.09/1.26/128 in 140 IP

1016) Chris Bassitt OAK, RHP, 30.1 – Likely the next man up in Oakland’s patchwork rotation. Back end starter. Oakland badly needs rotation help. 2019 Projection: 5/4.41/1.36/73 in 90 IP

1017) Richard Rodriguez PIT, Setup, 29.1 – 14% swinging strike rate in 2018. Doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but is excellent at locating his fastball. 2019 Projection: 4/3.51/1.21/65 in 60 IP

1018) Derek Dietrich CIN, 1B/OF, 29.9 – 15.6 degree launch angle but doesn’t hit it all that hard (90.8 MPH FB/LD avg. exit velo) and has a poor plate approach. 2019 Projection: 38/7/31/.257/.330/.420/1

1019) Lucas Duda MIN, 1B, 33.2 – Strong side of a platoon power bat with the ability to kill your batting average. 2019 Projection: 28/12/35/.237/.325/.449/1

1020) Mike Ford NYY, 1B, 26.9 – K/BB statistical darling until 2018, where his 73/39 K/BB in 108 games at Triple-A was nothing to write home about. ETA: Late 2019 Prime Projection: 38/10/41/.252/.338/.421/1

1021) Adam Wainwright STL, RHP, 37.7 – Will compete for a rotation spot in Spring, but hopefully Alex Reyes wins that spot and Wainwright pitches out of the bullpen. 2019 Projection: 7/4.31/1.38/86 in 100 IP

1022) Wily Peralta KC, Closer, 29.11 – Boxberger signing all but eliminates his value, although there are a myriad of ways he can end up back in the closer role. 2019 Projection: 3/4.21/1.39/61/8 in 65 IP

1023) Jose Iglesias CIN, SS, 29.3 – A few stolen bases are about all he will provide for your fantasy team. 2019 Projection: 38/4/31/.263/.306/.388/7

1024) Devon Travis TOR, 2B, 28.2 – Galvis signing eliminates his best path to playing time, and he doesn’t have much value if he isn’t getting immediate at bats. 2019 Projection: 29/6/26/.261/.301/.412/2

1025) Hanley Ramirez CLE, 1B, 35.4 – Best case scenario is a short side of a platoon role. 2019 Projection: 35/10/41/.248/.316/.421/3

XXXX) Kyler Murray OAK, OF, 21.7 – Announced he will forgo a baseball career to be an NFL QB. 2018 Heisman Trophy winner. Murray is an elite athlete with a plus power/speed combo but needs improvement on hitting off-speed pitches. ETA: Never Prime Projection: 27 Passing TD, 16 INT, 7 Rushing TD, 4,000 passing yards, and 700 rushing yards

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2017 Top 200 Dynasty/Fantasy Baseball Prospects Rankings: 1-200

Prospects season is finally here, and I am ramping it up to a top 200 this year. I took a breath after 100, and put out a traditional top 100 list, but then I continued on. There were just too many legitimately exciting prospects to stop at 100. Without further ado, here is the Complete 2017 Top 200 Dynasty/Fantasy Baseball Prospects Rankings:

*Prime Projection: R/HR/RBI/AVG/OBP/SLG/SB – These projections are meant to give you a general idea of what I think about a prospect’s future stat profile in a relatively good outcome scenario.

1) Yoan Moncada CHW, 2B/3B – The betting man’s #1 prospect in baseball. Power/speed combo is unmatched, but feel free to ignore the 30% K rate at Double-A. Prime Projection: 102/22/89/.275/.360/.479/32 ETA: Mid 2017

2) Andrew Benintendi BOS, OF – The safe choice. Triple-slashed .295/.359/.476 with 2 homers and 1 steal in his first 118 MLB PA. Prime Projection: 93/21/97/.300/.362/.477/11 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

3) Austin Meadows PIT, OF – Across the board production with both a high floor and a high ceiling. Prime Projection: 96/20/86/.293/.351/.470/14 ETA: Late 2017

4) Brendan Rodgers COL, SS/2B – Middle infielder with a plus hit tool and plus power playing in Coors Field. Worth the wait. Prime Projections: 89/27/103/.281/.338/.495/7 ETA: 2018/19

5) Dansby Swanson ATL, SS – Not the highest upside, but safe and MLB ready at a premium position. Prime Projection: 94/17/78/.282/.342/.451/17 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

6) Victor Robles WASH, OF – 5-category stud. Just might be the top prospect in baseball by this time next year. Prime Projection: 96/16/77/.289/.339/.449/30 ETA: 2018/19

7) Raimel Tapia COL, OF – Excellent prospect on his own merits, and Coors Field could turn him into a perennial batting champ. Prime Projection: 92/15/70/.308/.335/.442/18 ETA: Late 2017

8) Lewis Brinson  MIL, OF – Upside rivals any of the guys ranked above him, but plate approach is still raw. Prime Projection: 84/24/89/.262/.329/.473/17 ETA: Late 2017

9) Nick Senzel CIN, 3B – First college hitter selected in the 2016 draft, and completely destroyed full season pro ball. Safe 5-category production going to a great hitter’s ballpark. Prime Projection: 90/20/90/.282/.354/.469/14 ETA: 2018

10) Kyle Tucker HOU, OF – Austin Meadows 2.0. Prime Projection: 94/21/86/.286/.357/.482/16 ETA: 2018/19

11) Eloy Jimenez CHC, OF – Nobody had scouts buzzing like the 6’4’’, 205-pound Jimenez did this year. Highest upside of any power hitting prospect in the game. Prime Projection: 85/29/96/.278/.332/.496/8 ETA: 2019

12) Tyler Glasnow PIT, RHP – Stuff is unhittable, but the red flags are getting harder to ignore (control/command, third pitch, repeating delivery). Prime Projection: 3.27/1.20/216 in 200 IP ETA: Mid 2017

13) J.P. Crawford PHI, SS – Advanced plate approach against older competition is impressive even without the fantasy friendly numbers. High floor and the ceiling isn’t too bad either. Prime Projection: 96/14/62/.282/.371/.410/17 ETA: Late 2017

14) Lucas Giolito CHW, RHP – Rough MLB debut had people questioning his “elite” fastball. Trade to the AL didn’t do him any favors, either. Prime Projection: 3.36/1.18/214 in 209 IP ETA: Mid 2017

15) A.J. Reed HOU, 1B – I hope to see Spring Training reports that Reed “is in the best shape of his life,” because poor conditioning didn’t help his bat speed or lower body injuries last year. Prime Projection: 79/31/95/.266/.351/.496/1 ETA: Mid 2017

16) Brad Zimmer CLE, OF – Strikeouts got worse, but excellent plate approach and power/speed combo still shined. Prime Projection: 87/20/80/.255/.340/.453/24 ETA: Mid 2017

17) Derek Fisher HOU, OF – Very similar fantasy profile to Zimmer, except he can hit lefties too. Prime Projection: 81/23/85/.259/.342/.459/17 ETA: Late 2017

18) Josh Hader MIL, LHP – Ignore the Colorado Springs inflated Triple-A numbers, and focus on the nasty stuff and ridiculous Double-A numbers. Miller Park is no picnic, but it is much worse on righties. Prime Projection: 3.38/1.18/196 in 185 IP. ETA: Mid 2017

19) Tom Murphy COL, C – Raked for two years in a row in his September cups of coffee. This is the year he gets fully unleashed at Coors. Prime Projection: 70/27/85/.256/.312/.467/2 ETA 2017 Opening Day

20) Willie Calhoun LAD, 2B – Elite power and contact numbers, but lack of position leaves his MLB future murky. Wrote about Willie (and a bunch of other sleepers I hit on last off-season) in Reviewing My 2016 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty League Prospect Sleepers Post. Prime Projection: 79/28/91/.280/.324/.484/2 ETA: 2018

21) Tyler O’Neill SEA, OF – Developed a solid plate approach at Double-A to go along with his prodigious power. One of the hardest workers in the minors. Prime Projection: 80/27/90/.265/.323/.482/9 ETA: 2017/18

22) Zack Collins CHW, C – Top college bat who immediately put up a triple-slash of .258/.418/.467 with 6 homers and a 39/33 K/BB in 36 games at High-A. If he has any chance to stick at catcher, Chicago will be the team that lets him. Prime Projection: 78/26/87/.269/.364/.485/2 ETA: 2018

23) Aaron Judge NYY, OF – Ranked Judge #1 in my 2017 Top 10 New York Yankees Fantasy Prospect Rankings. Prime Projection: 80/28/90/.254/.336/.474/6 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

24) Clint Frazier NYY, OF – Nothing to say other than watch this badass 45 second video of Frazier working out. I’m just gonna assume his epic bat speed comes from throwing humongous balls against the wall. Prime Projection: 84/23/86/.280/.343/.479/10 ETA: Late 2017

25) Gleyber Torres NYY, SS – Dominant AFL performance has him rocketing up top 100’s. Doesn’t have a true elite fantasy skill, but should be a legitimate 5-category producer. Prime Projection: 85/21/84/.282/.346/.467/12 ETA: 2018/19

26) Cody Bellinger LAD, 1B/OF – Improved walk and strikeout rates while maintaining power at Double-A. Extreme uppercut swing still gives me some caution. Prime Projection: 77/27/93/.263/.354/.486/7 ETA: 2017/18

27) Franklin Barreto OAK, SS/2B – Looked like toast in the AFL, but had a very strong season as a 20-year-old at Double-A. May not be long for the shortstop position. Prime Projection: 89/17/80/.285/.337/.450/19 ETA: 2018

28) Hunter Renfroe SD, OF – Triple-slashed .371/.389/.800 with 4 homers in his 11 game MLB game debut. Destroyed the PCL too, but look for pitchers to exploit his 3.9% walk rate. Prime Projection: 74/26/91/.260/.304/.470/5 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

29) Dominic Smith NYM, 1B – Went from sneakily overrated last year to sneakily underrated this year. In final 63 games, he slashed .348/.419/.554 with 10 homers and a 29/29 K/BB at Double-A. Just look at that one more time. Prime Projection: 80/22/95/.294/.360/.488/2 ETA: Late 2017

30) Rafael Devers BOS, 3B – Hit tool and hard contact are elite for his age group, but still needs work on getting to his plus raw power in games without selling out for homers. Prime Projection: 83/23/98/.287/.332/.483/7 ETA: 2018/19

31) Ozzie Albies ATL, SS/2B – Jose Altuve is the ceiling, and Jacoby Ellsbury as a middle infielder is … another ceiling comp. Prime Projection: 94/9/59/.292/.369/.438/27 ETA: 2017/18

32) Josh Bell PIT, 1B/OF – Dropped 23 pounds this off-season with the help of Yoga. Honestly not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Prime Projection: 79/19/88/.288/.345/.458/4 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

33) Alex Reyes STL, RHP – Tommy John surgery puts a major damper on the previously near unanimous #1 pitching prospect in baseball. Adds more risk to a profile that already had some risk baked in with his shaky control and command. Prime Projection: 3.36/1.22/200 in 183 IP ETA: 2018

34) Jose De Leon TB, RHP – Fly-ball pitcher with one of the best fastball/changeup combos in the minors. Gopheritis is the biggest risk. Prime Projection: 3.55/1.18/199 in 188 IP ETA: Mid 2017

35) Ian Happ CHC, 2B/OF – All he’s done is rake since his Freshman year of college (.934 OPS in the Big East). Who knows where or if he fits in with the Cubs, but he should be a solid 5-category contributor wherever he plays. Prime Projection: 85/19/76/.277/.358/.447/13 ETA: Late 2017

36) Bobby Bradley CLE, 1B – MVP of the Carolina League with a league leading 29 homers and 102 RBI’s. And no, he didn’t lead the league in strikeouts too … he was tied for second. Prime Projection: 83/32/99/.250/.361/.501/3 ETA: 2019

37) Jesse Winker CIN, OF – Easy left handed swing is currently geared for contact. Smart hitter with a great approach, so at 6’3’’, 215 pounds, I’m betting on him to make the proper adjustments to unlock more power. Prime Projection: 82/19/85/.290/.371/.480/4 ETA: Mid 2017

38) Kyle Lewis SEA, OF – Would have ranked at least 20 spots higher if not for the devastating knee injury. Tireless worker who has been continuously updating his progress on Twitter, so it is easy to give him the benefit of the doubt. Prime Projection: 83/24/87/.275/.346/.487/7 ETA: 2018

39) Amed Rosario NYM, SS – Took off after his promotion to Double-A with a .341 AVG, but it also came with a 21.5% K rate (12.4% at High-A) and .443 BABIP (.345 at High-A). Plus SS defense will push him higher on traditional lists. Prime Projection: 90/13/70/.288/.338/.435/18  ETA: 2018

40) Harrison Bader STL, OF – Bat speed and hard contact are as impressive as anyone’s in the minors. Still needs to work on his plate approach. Prime Projection: 84/21/80/.271/.320/.471/12 ETA: Late 2017

41) Manuel Margot SD, OF – Homerun power has yet to develop, but maintained plus contact and speed at every level. Prime Projection: 89/11/63/.286/.328/.436/26 ETA: 2017 Opening Day

42) Corey Ray MIL, OF – Top power/speed combo in the draft, but hit tool is a legitimate question mark. Tearing meniscus in instructional league wasn’t great either. Prime Projection: 86/16/71/.261/.328/.443/20 ETA: 2018

43) Ronald Acuna ATL, OF – Demolished Winter Ball in Australia, and also had a strong showing in full season A-Ball as an 18-year-old. Might be a consensus top 10 prospect next year. Prime Projection: 90/20/83/.290/.340/.474/15 ETA: 2019

44) Yadier Alvarez LAD, RHP – Pro debut exceeded the hype for the flame throwing, $16 million bonus baby. Put up a pitching line of 2.29/1.07/55/11 in 39.1 IP at Single-A. Prime Projection: 3.35/1.19/194 in I82 IP ETA: 2018

45) Michael Kopech CHW, RHP – Control improved in the AFL, and had a jaw dropping Fall Stars Game performance. Bullpen risk is still present, and also yet to eclipse 74.1 IP in a season. Prime Projection: 3.41/1.22/197 in 183 IP ETA: 2018

46) Willy Adames TB, SS – Improved his K rate, BB rate, and ISO as a 20-year-old at Double-A. Doesn’t have one standout fantasy skill, and may not stick at short. Prime Projection: 84/18/78/.281/.347/.447/11 ETA: 2018

47) Matt Chapman OAK, 3B – Three true outcome slugger. Plus 3B defense should keep his bat in the lineup. Prime Projection: 76/29/88/.248/.341/.463/4 ETA: Late 2017

48) Christin Stewart DET, OF – Led the Florida State League with 24 homers and tacked on another 6 in his 24-game promotion to Double-A. Hopefully his horrible OF defense doesn’t keep his bat out of the lineup. Prime Projection: 79/28/93/.262/.350/.478/3 ETA: 2018

49) Francisco Mejia CLE, C – Elite hit tool with a little pop at the catcher position. Prime Projection: 78/17/86/.291/.332/.450/2 ETA: 2019

50) Anderson Espinoza SD, RHP – Teenage pitchers who are a few years off aren’t my favorite fantasy investments, but Espinoza has superstar raw talent. Prime Projection: 3.34/1.13/200 in 193 IP ETA: 2020

51) Robert Gsellman NYM, RHP – MLB ready with a high floor in a pitcher’s park. Some sneaky deGrom-like upside too. Prime Projection: 3.42/1.21/180 in 194 IP ETA: 2017

52) Anthony Alford TOR, OF – Shook off an injury plagued first half and slashed .266/.389/.464 with 8 homers, 13 steals, and a 61/39 K/BB in final 57 games at High-A (and very similar numbers in the AFL too). That raw power is starting to translate to games. Prime Projection: 81/18/81/.270/.338/.459/17 ETA: 2018

53) Mickey Moniak PHI, OF – Loved to see the report he tacked on 20 pounds of muscle this off-season, because he already had the best hit tool in the draft. This might sound weird, but don’t sleep on the #1 overall pick in the real draft in fantasy drafts. Prime Projection: 91/15/68/.290/.357/.440/19 ETA: 2020

54) Ramon Laureano HOU, OF – Burst onto the scene this year with one of the more exciting power/speed combos in the minors. Made hard contact all season, first at High-A (.945 OPS), then at Double-A (.981 OPS), and finally in the AFL (.817 OPS). Prime Projection: 86/14/74/.273/.341/.444/20 ETA: 2018

55) Luke Weaver STL, RHP – Elite fastball/changeup combo, but is homer prone and needs to develop the curve. 45/12 K/BB in 36.1 MLB IP shows his upside. Prime Projection: 3.54/1.18/187 in 193 IP ETA: Mid 2017

56) Isan Diaz MIL, SS/2B – It seems like small second baseman are finally starting to get some mainstream list love. Diaz has a quick, powerful swing that led the Midwest League with 20 homers. Prime Projection: 82/20/79/.263/.337/.464/9 ETA: 2019

57) Kolby Allard ATL, LHP – Proved back injury is behind him by throwing 12 shutout innings during the minor league playoffs while reaching a career high of 99.2 IP. Can bury plus curve wherever he wants. Prime Projection: 3.35/1.11/185 in 185 IP ETA: 2019

58) Jorge Mateo NYY, SS/2B –  Named “Player Most Likely To Have His Dad Threaten To Turn This Car Right Around If He Doesn’t Stop Whining In The Backseat” in my 2016 MiLB Player Superlatives/Awards. Other than the suspension and down statistical season, still flashed his double plus speed and plus bat speed. Prime Projection: 87/10/60/.275/.320/.410/33 ETA: 2018/19

59) Brent Honeywell TB, RHP – I can only rank an AL East pitcher with good but not great strikeout upside so high, although it is hard not to like a guy who features the endangered screwball. Prime Projection: 3.49/1.14/179 in 190 IP ETA: 2018

60) Francis Martes HOU, RHP – Great stuff but control and command still raw. Looked winded in the AFL with a 4.91 ERA. Prime Projection: 3.45/1.20/183 in 187 IP ETA: 2017/18

61) Alex Verdugo LAD, OF – 12.7% K rate, 8.3% BB rate, and .134 ISO at Double-A while being the same age as the incoming 2017 college draft class. Plus bat speed is his most impressive physical skill. Prime Projection: 80/18/80/.286/.350/.463/6 ETA: 2018

62) Jorge Alfaro PHI, C – Plate approach hasn’t improved at all in 7 years of pro ball, but athleticism, raw power, and bat speed have been enough at every level. Has worked diligently on catcher defense, so like many catchers, refinement at the plate may come later. Prime Projection: 64/20/76/.252/.303/.447/5 ETA: 2017

63) Mitch Keller PIT, RHP – Groundball pitcher with advanced control and command. Effortlessly mowed down Single-A hitters using a hard, tailing fastball, plus curve, and developing change. Prime Projection: 3.45/1.15/173 in 182 IP ETA: 2019

64) Vlad Guerrero Jr. TOR, 3B – True 17-year-old who went straight to advanced, stateside Rookie Ball and slashed .295/.366/.500 with 5 homers and a 14/15 K/BB in his final 31 games of the season. Is a dead ringer for his dad at the plate, so you don’t have to search very hard for a good comp. Prime Projection: 80/30/100/.277/.338/.500/7ETA: 2021

65) David Paulino HOU, RHP – Major injury risk, but legitimate top of the rotation upside. One of the more uncomfortable at-bats in the minors coming in at a long 6’7”, 215 pounds. Prime Projection: 3.38/1.16/177 in 172 IP ETA: Mid 2017

66) Yohander Mendez TEX, LHP – Recently converted reliever with prototypical size (6’5’’, 200 pounds) and a plus fastball/changeup combo. Knocking on the door of the bigs. Prime Projection: 3.40/1.17/179 in 185 IP ETA: Late 2017

67) Kevin Maitan ATL, SS – Some guys are just worth the wait. Could be used as a valuable trade chip in only a few short years too. Prime Projection: 85/27/98/.273/.345/.507/6 ETA: 2021/22

68) Will Craig PIT, 3B – Triple-slashed .379/.520/.731 with 16 homers and a 35/47 K/BB in 55 games in the ACC, and then slashed .280/.419/.362 with 2 homers and a 37/41 K/BB in 63 at Low-A. One of the toughest outs in the minors, but has yet to show power with wood bats. Prime Projection: 79/21/88/.284/.360/.472/3  ETA: 2018/19

69) Triston McKenzie CLE, RHP – Calling him a string bean would an understatement. Has advanced feel for pitching with 3 plus pitches and projection to get the fastball into the mid 90’s. Prime Projection: 3.44/1.13/205 in 195 IP ETA: 2020

70) Juan Soto WASH, OF – Tore through Rookie Ball as a 17-year-old (.361/.410/.550), and then went 9 for 21 in his 6 game Low-A cameo. Smooth lefty swing projects for plus hit and at least above average power. Prime Projection: 80/21/90/.293/.340/.465/7 ETA: 2021

71) Thomas Szapucki NYM, LHP – Classic high upside lefty with a plus fastball, plus curve, and raw control/command. Prime Projection: 3.44/1.23/193 in 180 IP ETA: 2019

72) Jharel Cotton OAK, RHP – Would have ranked in my top 100 last off-season but the Dodgers pitching depth kept him on the outside looking in. That is no longer an issue in Oakland, where he will unleash his plus changeup and various fastballs in their spacious home ballpark. Prime Projection: 3.50/1.22/173 in 180 IP ETA: 2017

73) Erick Fedde WASH, RHP – After a rough start to the season, put up a pitching line of 1.76/1.13/88/20 in 87 IP. Looks like that is the full recovery from Tommy John surgery Washington expected when they took him 18th overall in 2014. Prime Projection: 3.53/1.19/175 in 186 IP ETA: 2017/18

74) Travis Demeritte ATL, 2B – Strikeouts are getting untenably high (33% at High-A) even for my taste, but athleticism, bat speed, power, and speed is too exciting to ignore. Prime Projection: 75/24/83/.243/.322/.449/10 ETA: 2018/19

75) A.J. Puk OAK, LHP – Still raw for a top 10 draft pick out of the SEC, but 6’7’’ lefties with mid 90’s heat and wipeout sliders are a rare breed. There is definitely bullpen risk, but Oakland will give him every opportunity to start. Prime Projection: 3.51/1.26/195 in 185 IP ETA: 2018/19

76) Ian Anderson ATL, RHP – May not have that obscene strikeout upside, but already has solid control with three pitches that flash plus. At a projectable 6’3’’, 170 pounds, there could be a higher ceiling than many are giving him credit for. Prime Projection: 3.39/1.16/184 in 190 IP ETA: 2020

77) Jason Groome BOS, LHP – The inherent risks and development time of high school pitchers, mixed with pitching in Fenway Park and AL East, leads me to be a bit cautious on Groome for fantasy. The 12-to-6 curveball is undoubtedly a beast though. Prime Projection: 3.45/1.20/195 in 190 IP ETA: 2020

78) Mauricio Dubon MIL, SS/2B – Elite contact numbers, plus speed, and emerging power. Seems to be underrated by everyone but Milwaukee. Prime Projection: 85/12/65/.281/.328/.417/18 ETA: 2018

79) Matt Thaiss LAA, 1B/C – If I was confident he could retain catcher eligibility, he would slot in right around Francisco Mejia’s spot as a safer, less upsidey version of him. As a first baseman, the profile just isn’t as exciting. Prime Projection: 78/18/84/.288/.347/.452/4 ETA: 2018

80) Cal Quantrill SD, RHP – Hasn’t pitched a full season since his freshman year of college, but stuff looked nasty upon his return from Tommy John surgery in pro ball, throwing mid-90’s with a double plus changeup and average curveball. Prime Projection: 3.50/1.22/180 in 180 IP ETA: 2018

81) Jahmai Jones LAA, OF – Built like an NFL cornerback at 6’0’’, 215 pounds, which is no coincidence because he comes from a football family. Plus speed with a quick and powerful line drive swing. Prime Projection: 89/15/71/.283/.341/.437/21 ETA: 2020

82) Desmond Lindsay NYM, OF – Has the swing and raw tools to become an impact 5-category contributor, but hamstring injuries have kept the hype in check. Slashed .297/.418/.450 with 4 homers, 3 steals, and a 26/20 K/BB in 32 games at Low-A as a 19-year-old. Now is the time to buy in. Prime Projection: 84/17/78/.278/.337/.449/17 ETA: 2019/20

83) Heath Quinn SF, OF – Destroyed the Southern Conference for 3 years and then did exactly the same in Low-A. Power hitter with underrated athleticism, but strikeouts and AT&T Park hold him back from ranking higher. Prime Projection: 79/23/85/.263/.339/.468/6 ETA: 2019

84) Bobby Dalbec BOS, 3B – Boston took advantage of Dalbec’s down junior season and stole him in the 4th round. After triple-slashing .386/.427/.647 with 7 homers and a 33/9 K/BB in 34 games at Low-A, nobody should be sleeping on him anymore. Prime Projection: 76/25/86/.250/.322/.454/6 ETA: 2019

85) Max Fried ATL, LHP – Last 4 starts had everyone buzzing, striking out 44 batters in 25.1 IP. Considering his pedigree (7th overall pick in 2012) and that it was his first year back from Tommy John surgery, those 4 starts could mean more than the small sample would normally suggest. Prime Projection: 3.53/1.24/181 in 183 IP ETA: 2018

86) Bryan Reynolds SF, OF – Consider him kinda like a poor man’s Ian Happ, except he won’t have a chance at 2B eligibility and AT&T Park can put a serious damper on offensive upside. Prime Projection: 83/18/77/.265/.340/.442/13 ETA: 2019

87) Taylor Trammell CIN, OF – Another football prospect who spurned the pigskin for the horsehide. Yes, baseballs are actually made of horsehide or cowhide. And no, footballs are no longer made of pigskin. Where were we? Oh yea, Trammel is a great athlete with plus speed and viscous bat speed that leads me to believe more power is coming. Prime Projection: 88/14/74/.273/.340/.434/26 ETA: 2021

88) Blake Rutherford NYY, OF – Being old for his high school class and lack of a standout tool are why I’m not completely buying in, but there is no denying the sweet lefty swing that put up a .986 OPS in his pro debut at Rookie Ball. Prime Projection: 86/18/82/.280/.333/.453/13 ETA: 2020

89) Dylan Cease CHC, RHP – Easy mid-90’s heat that he can dial up over 100 with a curve that flashes plus. 2.22 ERA and a 66/25 K/BB in 44.2 IP at Low-A. Prime Projection: 3.48/1.24/190 in 180 IP ETA: 2020

90) Justus Sheffield NYY, LHP – My favorite part of Sheffield’s season was him going into Double-A Reading’s wind tunnel of a stadium for his final start and spinning 4 IP, 2 Hits, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, shutting down their fearsome middle of the order (Alfaro, Cozens, Hoskins). Prime Projection: 3.54/1.23/182 in 188 IP ETA: 2018/19

91) Sean Newcomb ATL, LHP – Control/command hasn’t improved in 3 years of pro ball, but strikeouts and homer suppression are still an enticing combo. Prime Projection: 3.53/1.28/191 in 186 IP ETA: Late 2017

92) Stephen Gonsalves MIN, LHP – The rare pitching prospect who doesn’t try to light up the radar gun, but focuses on high spin rates instead with an extremely easy left-handed delivery. It’s been working for him so far, putting up a pitching line of 2.06/1.02/155/57 in 140 IP split between High-A and Double-A. Prime Projection: 3.59/1.25/187 in 195 IP ETA: 2018

93) Alex Kirilloff MIN, OF – Graduating from the Pennsylvania Cyber School, the home schooled Kirilloff was raised to be a major league hitter, taking batting practice in the afternoons at his dad’s indoor training facility while other kids were suffering through Calculus. It is no wonder he is mature beyond his years at the plate. In other words, he’s a Malcolm Gladwell, 10,000 hours prototype. Prime Projection: 81/22/87/.277/.330/.466/8 ETA: 2020/21

94) Chance Sisco BAL, C – Plus hit tool at the catcher position with not much else. More raw power than game power, so banking on at least average power down the line isn’t the worst bet. Prime Projection: 76/13/74/.282/.350/.420/5 ETA: 2018

95) Renato Nunez OAK, 3B/1B – Great to see him kill it in Winter League after putting up a decent, but still disappointing season in the PCL. This is a former $2.2 million international signing who has displayed power and a solid hit tool at every level. Prime Projection: 78/24/87/.266/.320/.466/2 ETA: 2017

96) Rowdy Tellez TOR, 1B – As my Razzball Prospect Podcast co-host Ralph Lifshitz once said to me, “You’re kinda a bat speed whore,” and while Tellez doesn’t have that explosive bat speed, he checks just about every other box. Prime Projection: 74/22/86/.274/.335/.470/2 ETA: 2018

97) Austin Riley ATL, 3B – Has shown some of the best raw power in his class, hitting 20 homers at Single-A as a 19-year-old, but it comes with average bat speed and mediocre K and BB rates (27.1% and 7.1%, respectively). Prime Projection: 77/25/87/.258/.331/.460/2  ETA: 2020

98) Chase Vallot KC, C – Now this is more my style. Raw power and bat speed leads to Vallot hitting absolute moon shots that have received such gripping Youtube titles such as, “Chase Vallot KILLS this Baseball” and “Chase Vallot just obliterated that baseball.” Ability to stick at catcher is a coin flip at best. Prime Projection: 73/27/84/.253/.339/.466/1 ETA: 2020

99) Leody Taveras TEX, OF – Let’s close out the top 100 with a couple lottery tickets. The production isn’t quite there yet, and they are a long way off, but the upside is elite. Prime Projection: 93/13/72/.287/.332/.435/23 ETA: 2021

100) Fernando Tatis Jr. SD, SS – Hopefully these two lottery tickets turn out better than the one sitting on my coffee table right now. Prime Projection: 83/20/84/.280/.330/.460/11 ETA: 2021

101) James Kaprielian NYY, RHP – Could be ranked higher based on pure scouting reports and video. Velocity ticked up in pro ball, but was shut down for the season with elbow inflammation after his first 3 starts. He did return for 27 IP in the AFL. Prime Projection: 3.57/1.24/171 in 175 IP ETA: 2018

102) Braxton Garrett MIA, LHP – One of the best curveballs in the 2016 draft class. Doesn’t have the huge fastball, but has advanced control and command. Prime Projection: 3.42/1.17/180 in 190 IP ETA: 2020

103) Adrian Morejon SD, LHP – Another pitcher who could be ranked higher based on scouting reports and video, but still too young and too many unknowns to have a clear idea of his future. Prime Projection: 3.43/1.19/185 in 185 IP ETA: 2021

104) Roman Quinn PHI, OF – Brett Gardner is the ceiling. 4th outfielder is the floor. Prime Projection: 81/9/57/.266/.338/.392/31 ETA: 2017

105) Mitch Haniger SEA, OF – Former 1st round pick in 2012 who was slowed down by injuries. Broke out in 2016 with 25 homers and a .999 OPS split between Double-A and Triple-A, and then 5 homers in 109 MLB at-bats. Trade to Seattle dampens the excitement a bit. Prime Projection: 68/22/80/.257/.319/.461/7 ETA: 2017

106) Dan Vogelbach SEA, 1B – Trade to Seattle opened up a path to playing time, but won’t help the power play up. Should be a solid hitting first baseman. Prime Projection: 76/21/84/.280/.355/.468/1 ETA: 2017

107) Max Schrock OAK, 2B – Struck out an absurdly low 7.3% of the time in his first full year of pro ball. It comes with some speed and pop, as well. He did the exact same thing in his 3 years in the SEC, so this didn’t exactly come out of nowhere. Prime Projection: 85/10/68/.283/.324/.423/15 ETA: 2018

108) Shedric Long CIN, 2B – Great find by Eric Longenhagen at Fangraphs. Played solid in part time duty working for Keith Law at ESPN, and then put it into another gear in his full time gig at Fangr … oh wait, we are supposed to be talking about Long here. Just read Longenhagen’s take on him. Prime Projection: 78/18/72/.265/.325/.441/18 ETA: 2019

109) Dustin Fowler NYY, OF – Ranked Fowler 7th in my 2017 Top 10 New York Yankees Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings. Prime Projection: 76/15/70/.273/.306/.420/18 ETA: 2018

110) Rhys Hoskins PHI, 1B – Triple-slashed .281/.377/.566 with 38 homers and a 125/71 K/BB in 135 games at Double-A. He was 23 years old and in one of the best hitting ballparks in the minors, so I’m not quite ready to jump in with both feet. Prime Projection: 72/23/86/.273/.341/.466/3 ETA: 2018

111) Brett Phillips MIL, OF – Strikeout rate jumped to 30% at Double-A without adding any power. Did more of the same in the AFL. Still showed a good plate approach, so don’t mind me hanging off the end of the bandwagon here. Prime Projection: 76/18/72/.255/.323/.414/11 ETA: 2018

112) Tyler Beede SF, RHP – Groundball pitcher with some control/command issues. 1.58 ERA with a 51/21 K/BB in final 45.2 IP. Any starter in AT&T Park will get the benefit of the doubt with me. Prime Projection: 3.69/1.26/167 in 184 IP ETA: Late 2017

113) Walker Buehler LAD, RHP – Flashed ace stuff in his brief return from Tommy John surgery, but only time will tell if he can keep that up for 180+ innings. Prime Projection: 3.51/1.22/175 in 175 IP ETA: 2018/19

114) Jack Flaherty STL, RHP – Just a very solid, unexciting season at High-A. Didn’t add the extra mile per hour or two on the fastball, but showed the same advanced pitchability and room for projection that he flashed last season. Prime Projection: 3.55/1.20/172 in 190 IP ETA: 2019

115) Yu-Cheng Chang CLE, SS – Wrote a Yu-Cheng Chang, 2016 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper/Breakout Post for him mid-season, and nothing has changed since then. Prime Projection: 84/16/78/.271/.330/.443/12 ETA: 2019

116) Luis Alexander Basabe CHW, OF – Overshadowed in the Chris Sale trade by Kopech’s 100+ MPH fastball and Moncada’s 30/30 upside, but Basabe is an exciting prospect in his own right. Good athlete with power and plus bat speed. Prime Projection: 83/18/77/.263/.330/.451/16 ETA: 2019

117) Reynaldo Lopez CHW, RHP – Strikeout totals started to match the stuff this season, striking out 10.4 per nine in 109.1 IP split between Double-A and Triple-A. Might ultimately end up in the pen, but Chicago will almost certainly give him every opportunity to start. Prime Projection: 3.70/1.27/169 in 176 IP ETA: 2017

118) Luis Ortiz MIL, RHP – Solid mid-rotation starter headed for a park that is death on righties. Also has injury concerns. Prime Projection: 3.68/1.23/172 in 185 IP ETA: 2018

119) Lucas Erceg MIL, 3B – One of those non 1st round pick, pro debut breakout guys. Smacked 7 homers with a .281 average in 42 games at Single-A. Prime Projection: 72/19/83/.277/.314/.448/7 ETA: 2019

120) Michael Gettys SD, OF – Contact and plate approach still raw, but looks like a star when he does get the bat on the ball. Volatility is very high on this projection. Prime Projection: 75/15/67/.254/.303/.408/21 ETA: 2019

121) Cody Reed CIN, LHP – Underwhelming at Triple-A with a 3.08/1.25/65/20 pithing line in 73 IP, and then atrocious in the majors with a 7.36 ERA and 12 homers against in 47.2 IP. Upside is more of a mid-rotation type, and you just saw the downside. Prime Projection: 3.77/1.27/167 in 183 IP ETA: 2017

122) Yusniel Diaz LAD, OF – Shoulder injury kept the season numbers in check, but closed out the year slashing .295/.336/.500 in his final 27 games at High-A as a 19-year-old. Prime Projection: 77/16/74/.279/.327/.438/14 ETA: 2019

123) Jorge Ona SD, OF – Swing looked oh so sweet in his 2014 Youtube clips, but not quite as good in Instructional League a few months ago. Still has a quick, powerful swing, and hopefully he was just working the rust off. San Diego paid him $7 million for a reason. Prime Projection: 74/24/90/.260/.330/.476/5 ETA: 2019

124) Matt Manning DET, RHP – Prototypical starter build with an athletic delivery and huge fastball. Everything else is in its infancy. Prime Projection: 3.72/1.28/200 in 187 IP ETA: 2020

125) Sean Reid-Foley TOR, RHP – I want to rank him higher, but the SkyDome (Rogers Centre) and the AL East scares me. Maybe I’m dinging him too much, because he has a workhorse build with an electric fastball/slider combo. Prime Projection: 3.80/1.28/190 in 184 IP ETA: 2019

126) Nick Williams PHI, OF – The improvements he made in 2015 with contact and plate approach completely vanished in 2016. Raw tools are still there, so not completely giving up. Prime Projection: 71/18/78/.248/.293/.408/9  ETA: 2017

127) Ryan McMahon COL, 1B/3B – Struggled on the road, slashing .242/.325/.399 with a 30% K rate and .157 ISO, but hitters do most of their damage at home anyway, where McMahon slashed .000/.000/.000 with 0 homers and a 0/0 K/BB in 0 games. Prime Projection: 73/21/81/.262/.320/.458/5 ETA: 2018

128) Delvin Perez STL, SS – Has a chance to be a special and extremely entertaining SS. While the bat is still raw, showed more refinement than expected in his pro debut. Prime Projection: 84/10/66/.269/.309/.381/24 ETA: 2020/21

129) Jake Bauers TB, 1B/OF – Power is the only thing lacking, which isn’t great for a 1B, but everything else is above average. Prime Projection: 75/19/78/.280/.337/.443/6 ETA: 2018

130) Ronald Guzman TEX, 1B – Former $3.5 million international signing who broke out at Double-A, hitting .288 with 15 homers in 102 games. Sweet lefty swing, but at a long 6’5’’, 205 pounds, there are some holes for pitchers to exploit. Prime Projection: 69/20/81/.275/.322/.447/2 ETA: 2018

131) Josh Naylor SD, 1B – Huge raw power but has focused on contact early in his career. Could take a similar developmental path to Dominic Smith. Prime Projection: 76/23/90/.276/.330/.472/4 ETA: 2020

132) Mike Soroka ATL, RHP – Probable mid-rotation starter who is still a few years off. Pretty safe as far as 19 year olds go. Prime Projection: 3.56/1.23/168 in 186 IP ETA: 2019/20

133) Dylan Cozens PHI, OF – Got into a scuffle with his Winter Ball teammate, Boog Powell, after getting made fun of for his inability to hit a breaking ball. He does have some serious raw power though, so if this whole baseball thing doesn’t work out, he should give MMA a try. Prime Projection: 70/23/76/.236/.311/.430/9 ETA: 2018

134) Eric Lauer SD, LHP – Possibly the safest starter from the 2016 draft class. Lack of a huge fastball or devastating off-speed pitch has kept the bandwagon from filling up, but at 6’3’’, 205 pounds, let’s see what a full off-season with professional trainers can do before capping his ceiling. Prime Projection: 3.73/1.25/175 in 190 IP ETA: 2018/19

135) Dakota Hudson STL, RHP – Fast moving college starter with electric stuff and a reliever-ish delivery. Has the build to start, but it might be tempting for St. Louis to use him out of the pen for at least a couple years. Prime Projection: 3.79/1.27/174 in 182 IP ETA: 2018/19

136) Luiz Gohara ATL, LHP – The fact that a deal with Cincinnati fell through due to what team doctors saw in Gohara’s shoulder isn’t a great sign, but if you want to take the leap of faith, there is frontline starter potential here. Prime Projection: 3.53/1.22/165 in 165 IP ETA: 2019

137) Lourdes Gourriel Jr. TOR, INF/OF – Started off hyped to death, then got shit on everywhere, and now seems to have settled in somewhere in between. Prime Projection: 77/17/67/.272/.329/.431/12 ETA: 2018

138) Jacob Faria TB, RHP – Couldn’t quite maintain his 2015 breakout, but the plus fastball/changeup combo still managed a 9.4 K/9 in the upper levels of the minors. Prime Projection: 3.82/1.24/176 in 178 IP ETA: 2017

139) Wladimir Galindo CHC, 3B – Wrote a Wladimir Galindo, 2017 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Sleeper post. Prime Projection: 73/24/86/.257/.331/.464/3 ETA: 2020

140) Garrett Stubbs HOU, C – Wrote a Garrett Stubbs, 2017 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Sleeper post. Prime Projection: 74/10/54/.273/.338/.388/11 ETA: 2018

141) Peter Alonso NYM, 1B – Dominated the SEC and then did more of the same in Low-A. I don’t see a spot for him in New York with Dominic Smith in town, so hopefully he gets traded rather than being used as a pinch-hitting bench bat. Prime Projection: 75/21/84/.271/.329/.452/2 ETA: 2019

142) Fernando Romero MIN, RHP – Flashes some of the nastiest stuff in the minors, but delivery carries some reliever risk, and has yet to eclipse 90.1 IP in a season due to Tommy John surgery in 2014. Prime Projection: 3.59/1.23/167 in 171 IP ETA: 2018

143) Justin Dunn NYM, RHP – Upside is high with a mid-90’s fastball and potentially 3 average+ off speed pitches, but there are a lot of unknowns considering he has barely pitched as a starter for any extended period of time. Prime Projection: 3.61/1.24/173 in 180 IP ETA: 2019

144) Greg Allen CLE, OF – Reminds me a lot of Rajai Davis in both how he looks at the plate, and how he profiles as a player. Speed and contact are his game. Prime Projection: 78/9/57/.271/.323/.387/26 ETA: 2018

145) Franklin Perez HOU, RHP – Impressive full season debut as an 18-year-old, putting up a pitching line of 2.84/1.23/75 in 66.2 IP. Has protypical starter size and build at a broad 6’3’’, 197 pounds, and a delivery that is reminiscent of Freddy Garcia. Prime Projection: 3.67/1.25/181 in 190 IP ETA: 2020

146) Sandy Alcantara STL, RHP – Can ramp the heat up to over 100 MPH, which he used to strike out 11.2 per nine in Single-A and High-A. Everything else is still raw. Prime Projection: 3.71/1.29/187 in 176 IP ETA: 2019

147) Richard Urena TOR, SS – These next two shortstops seem destined to become fringe 12-team starter types for the next decade. Urena will be the guy you take late in redrafts if you need some extra power … Prime Projection: 73/17/65/.268/.311/.420/9 ETA: 2019

148) Nick Gordon MIN, SS – … and you’ll scoop Gordon if you need average. Prime Projection: 78/7/51/.278/.318/.377/14 ETA: 2019

149) Chris Paddack SD, RHP – Here is your chance to “Washington Nationals” your Dynasty League prospect draft by taking a high upside pitcher who just underwent the Tommy John knife. Prime Projection: 3.60/1.18/184 in 175 ETA: 2020

150) Hunter Harvey BAL, RHP – Look up one inch. Although, he has probably been owned in your league for at least 2 years. Prime Projection: 3.48/1.22/153 in 150 IP ETA: 2018/19

151) Tyler Jay MIN, LHP – Stuff wasn’t as electric as hoped after his transition from the bullpen to a starter, but still had a very solid year at High-A with a 2.84 ERA and a 68/21 K/BB in 69.2 IP. Prime Projection: 3.69/1.27/166 in 173 IP ETA: 2018

152) Brock Stewart LAD, RHP – Came out of nowhere in 2016, making his MLB debut after rolling through all three levels of the minors. Rumor has it he is the guy Los Angeles was unwilling to include to close the Brian Dozier deal. Prime Projection: 3.78/1.25/167 in 179 IP ETA: 2017

153) Matt Strahm KC, LHP – Chances of starting this year plummeted when Kansas City signed Jason Hammel. Starters have a way of dropping like flies, though, and he can always transition from the pen in a year or two. Prime Projection: 3.67/1.26/167 in 174 IP ETA: 2017

154) Sam Travis BOS, 1B – Boston’s long term 1B/DH job is wide open, and if Travis can fully recover from a torn ACL, he has a chance to position himself to be the front runner for the position by 2018, if not late 2017. Prime Projection: 68/18/76/.277/.328/.453/3 ETA: 2017/18

155) Amir Garrett CIN, LHP – I’ve scouted Garrett in person multiple times. He has no range on the jumper and poor court vision. They say he has mid-rotation upside as a pitcher, though. We are looking at an elite BASEketball prospect here apparently. Prime Projection: 3.84/1.28/161 in 178 IP ETA: 2017

156) Andrew Toles LAD, OF – Seemed to finally put his off-the-field problems behind him and broke out in 2016, slashing .314/.365/.505 in 105 MLB at-bats. Has a chance to be an almost everyday player for Los Angeles right out of the gate. Prime Projection: 76/11/64/.273/.319/.418/17 ETA: 2017

157) Hunter Dozier KC, 1B/3B/OF – Short of a surprise playoff push, Kansas City almost has to sell off their valuable expiring contracts to replenish a depleted farm system. When that happens, we will find out if the former 8th overall pick is a late bloomer, or an older dude putting up inflated minor league numbers. Prime Projection: 66/19/74/.252/.318/.436/6 ETA: 2017

158) Jose Albertos CHC, RHP – Started one game in Rookie Ball where he spun 4 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hit, 1 BB, 7 K, touching 98 MPH with a plus breaking ball and change-up. Then was shadily shut down with “arm soreness,” aka, please don’t ask about him in a trade. Prime Projection: 3.63/1.22/175 in 175 IP  ETA: 2021

159) Patrick Weigel ATL, RHP – Overshadowed by the higher profile arms in Atlanta’s system, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Weigel ended up better than all of them. He is built like a rock, hides the ball well, and can pump the heat into the upper 90’s. Only reason I’m hesitant to rank him higher is that he was far more physically advanced than the A-Ball hitters he was facing, and wasn’t quite as impressive in his brief Double-A debut, although he was at a career high IP. Prime Projection: 3.80/1.27/158 in 172 IP ETA: 2018

160) Norge Ruiz OAK, RHP – Thrives by commanding his off-speed pitches and is a true artist on the mound. One of those guys who just owns the rubber (the 13-year-old in me tells me I should probably rephrase that). Prime Projection: 3.76/1.24/149 in 171 IP ETA: 2018

161) Robert Stephenson CIN, RHP – The results weren’t there but the stuff still was. Prime Projection: 3.92/1.31/167 in 173 IP ETA: 2017

162) Chris Iriart OAK, 1B – Wrote a Chris Iriart, 2017 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Sleeper post. Prime Projection: 68/23/79/.253/.317/.450/1 ETA: 2019

163) Randy Arozarena STL, INF/OF – The soon to be 22-year-old Arozarena signed with St. Louis for $1.25 million, and if you are going to trust one team’s scouting department, it is St. Louis’. He profiles as a prototypical leadoff man. Prime Projection: 79/9/57/.273/.334/.382/20 ETA: 2018/19

164) Grant Holmes OAK, RHP – Basically the same pitcher he was when he was drafted 22nd overall in 2014. As is, he can be a groundball back-end starter, but the raw stuff leaves room for more. Prime Projection: 3.86/1.30/159 in 171 IP ETA: 2019

165) Miguel Andujar NYY, 3B – Ranked Andujar 10th in my 2017 Top 10 New York Yankees Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings. Prime Projection: 68/19/74/.277/.330/.434/5 ETA: 2018

166) Ke’Bryan Hayes PIT, 3B – Hayes was the guy Weigel was facing in that video I linked to above. He has a mature approach at the plate and should develop into a solid overall hitter. Plus, how can I not root for the kid that came from this guy’s loins. Prime Projection: 73/18/77/.282/.334/.440/4  ETA: 2020

167) Casey Gillaspie TB, 1B – 1st round pick in 2014 who has hit well every year in pro ball. The power and hit tool aren’t super exciting for a first baseman, but I can see him sitting in someone’s second UTIL spot in a few years. Prime Projection: 69/20/77/.265/.338/.450/3 ETA: Late 2017

168) Trey Mancini BAL, 1B – MLB ready with a legitimate shot to be an average-ish hitting first baseman. Just doesn’t have a spot right now. Prime Projection: 63/20/77/.267/.320/.448/2 ETA: 2017

169) Phil Bickford MIL, RHP – The fastball velocity dropping into the low 90’s is more concerning than the 50-game suspension. Prime Projection: 3.75/1.27/153 in 161 IP ETA: 2018/19

170) Chance Adams NYY, RHP – My prospector in crime, Ralph Lifshitz, just loves his small righties, so I’ll let him wax poetic about Adams for you. And while you’re at it, you can read his take on the rest of the Yankees prospects, because Yanks prospects just never get the hype they deserve 😉 Prime Projection: 3.93/1.29/163 in 166 IP ETA: 2017/18

171) Frankie Montas OAK, RHP – 6’2’’, 255 pounds with an elite fastball/slider combo. Bullpen risk is considerable, although Oakland consistently gives pitchers like him a chance to start. Prime Projection: 3.76/1.32/159 in 162 IP ETA: 2017/18

172) Carson Fulmer CHW, RHP – High tempo, violent delivery which Chicago tried to calm down to disastrous results. Looked better after ditching the new delivery, but there is a reason Chicago tried to change it in the first place. Prime Projection: 3.99/1.34/163 in 164 IP ETA: 2017

173) Kevin Newman PIT, SS – Solid defensive SS with excellent contact numbers and not much else. Prime Projection: 81/9/58/.288/.342/.394/13 ETA: 2018

174) Trent Clark MIL, OF – I’m obviously not that high on Clark, but I’m willing to blame his poor 2016 on injuries. Still has enticing 5-category upside if it all comes together. Prime Projection: 80/15/70/.269/.338/.436/15 ETA: 2019

175) Brady Aiken CLE, LHP – Stuff didn’t look the same after returning from Tommy John surgery, but next season will be the true barometer of his future potential. Prime Projection: 3.75/1.25/165 in 165 IP ETA: 2019/20

176) Ryan O’Hearn KC, 1B – Sweet lefty swing with power and strikeouts. Prime Projection: 60/20/76/.254/.324/.432/2 ETA: 2018

177) Dillon Tate NYY, RHP – Yanks bought low on Tate in the Carlos Beltran trade, and while his stuff looked much better in the AFL, it was still a long way off from what he showed in 2015. Prime Projection: 3.94/1.28/162 in 175 IP ETA: 2018

178) Anfernee Grier ARI, OF – One of my favorite pre-draft sleepers, but pro debut exposed how raw he still is. Legitimate power/speed combo is worth taking a chance on. Prime Projection: 76/15/68/.257/.313/.426/17 ETA: 2019

179) Will Benson CLE, OF – A very raw blend of bat speed, power, and athleticism. Like many guys ranked in the back of this top 200, he is high risk, high reward. Prime Projection: 77/25/82/.244/.326/.462/11 ETA: 2021

180) Joey Wentz ATL, LHP – The epitome of a risky, high upside teenage pitcher. Stuff, velocity, and health have all been inconsistent, but at his best, flashes top of the rotation upside. Prime Projection: 3.66/1.23/179 in 177 IP ETA: 2020

181) Magneuris Sierra STL, OF – Plus contact and speed, but will need to improve his plate approach to hit at the top of a MLB lineup. Prime Projection: 78/10/54/.273/.320/.397/21 ETA: 2019

182) Forrest Whitley HOU, RHP – I was going to make a Forrest Gump joke here, but then I realized I haven’t seen a Forrest Gump joke in like a decade, so I’m not gonna be the one to open up that box of chocolates. Prime Projection: 3.77/1.29/173 in 190 IP ETA: 2020

183) Chris Shaw SF, 1B – Hopefully he gets traded away from AT&T Park, and considering Brandon Belt is locked up until 2021, it’s not a bad bet to make. Prime Projection: 65/22/79/.260/.321/.462/0 ETA: 2018

184) Vladimir Gutierrez CIN, RHP – Signed for $4.75 million with Cincinnati. Prototypical starter size at an athletic 6’3’’, 173 pounds, and has the fastball/curveball combo that scouts love to dream on. Prime Projection: 3.78/1.26/167 in 174 IP ETA: 2019

185) Domingo Acevedo NYY, RHP – Fastball can rival Kopech’s, but a delivery that will very likely lead to the bullpen. Prime Projection: 3.93/1.31/146 in 151 IP ETA: 2018/19

186) Jordan Sheffield LAD, RHP – Electric stuff with mid 90’s heat, but there is size, injury, and bullpen risk. Prime Projection: 3.83/1.32/158 in 168 IP ETA: 2018/19

187) Teoscar Hernandez HOU, OF – Solid power/speed combo with nowhere to play. Not the type of guy I would hold, but has fantasy friendly skills if he can force his way into the lineup. Prime Projection: 71/15/63/.255/.316/.431/12 ETA: 2017

188) Jeimer Candelario CHC, 3B – Smart hitter without quite enough power to get really excited about him. Nowhere to play in Chicago either. Prime Projection: 58/17/72/.276/.332/.438/1 ETA: 2017

189) Luis Almanzar SD, SS – Almanzar is so raw and toolsy, it even extends to his Twitter game. He has only 112 followers, but if his profile picture is any indication, that will only rise. Prime Projection: 80/20/80/.279/.334/.461/10 ETA: 2022

190) Lazaro Armenteros OAK, OF – Armenteros and Almanzar have so many tools, it would make Tim “The Toolman” Taylor jealous. Yea, I just dropped a 90’s Home Improvement reference on you. Prime Projection: 78/22/85/.270/.330/.468/15 ETA: 2022

191) Freudys Nova HOU, SS – Bat first SS with quick bat speed and natural loft in his swing. Has drawn comparisons to Hanley Ramirez. Prime Projection: 76/22/84/.265/.327/.465/13 ETA: 2022

192) Chris Okey CIN, C – Underrated first year player draft target. Has legitimate power and almost certain to stick at catcher. Prime Projection: 67/19/75/.258/.319/.447/4 ETA: 2019

193) Sixto Sanchez PHI, RHP – Short but thick righty who sits mid-90’s with raw secondaries. Just started pitching about 2 years and is only 18 years old, so there is plenty of room and time for further refinement. Prime Projection: 3.70/1.20/155 in 170 IP ETA: 2020

194) Jose Almonte TEX, OF – Wrote about Almonte in my 2017 Deep Dynasty Prospect Sleepers post. Prime Projection: 73/23/87/.240/.302/.454/7 ETA: 2020

195) Josh Lowe TB, 3B – 13th overall pick in the 2016 draft. All raw power and strikeouts right now. Prime Projection: 79/23/82/.269/.345/.466/9 ETA: 2021

196) Nolan Jones CLE, 3B – 36.6% K rate in Rookie Ball is concerning considering he was known for his hit tool in high school, especially when it comes with 0 homers. I don’t want to ding an 18-year-old too much for a poor pro debut, though, and he did have a .388 OBP. Prime Projection: 76/21/81/.267/.348/.460/8 ETA: 2021

197) Aristides Aquino CIN, OF – Should be nicknamed, “Double-A, Awesome Aristedes,” for all my old-school Howard Stern fans out there. With all these 90’s references, maybe I’m starting to get nostalgic about nearing the end of this top 200. Prime Projection: 71/22/78/.249/.294/.448/14 ETA: 2018

198) Oscar De La Cruz CHC, RHP – Power pitcher with big time strikeout upside, but missed over half the season with forearm soreness, and still hasn’t pitched above Single-A as a soon to be 22-year-old. Prime Projection: 3.93/1.26/166 in 162 IP ETA: 2019

199) Cionel Perez HOU, LHP – Plus fastball and curve with an athletic delivery, but signing bonus was cut by more than half when the medicals didn’t come back great on his left arm. Prime Projection: 3.88/1.27/150 in 160 IP ETA: 2019

200) Victor Garcia STL, OF – Bat speed and raw power are mesmerizing in batting practice, but hit tool is a major question mark. With strikeouts exploding around MLB and pitchers throwing harder than ever, elite bat speed prospects like Garcia become more and more valuable. Prime Projection: 74/27/91/.250/.315/.484/2 ETA: 2022

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

Posted on by Michael Halpern

2016 Fantasy Baseball Minor League Prospect Rundown: Week 22

Every Monday, I will be running down some of the notable performances from around the Minor Leagues, or anything that might have caught my eye in general. Here is the 2016 Fantasy Baseball Minor League Prospect Rundown: Week 22:

Tom Murphy COL, C – Absolutely demolished a 482-foot homer on Sunday night, with an exit velocity of 108.8 MPH. It’s almost as exciting as watching Alec Baldwin and Jason Schwartzman canoodle with each other in the commercial before the clip. Hopefully you have this guy on your team already, because I’ve been hyping him all year (in the preseason, in my Rundown’s, and on the podcast). He is now 4 for 7 in his first 3 games of action, and I have every expectation of him joining the ranks of the fantasy catcher elite next season, which is not a very hard group to crack.

Byron Buxton MIN, OF – Minnesota scrapped trying to turn Buxton into a top of the order slap hitter, and let him just grip it and rip it. It has resulted in him absolutely exploding this week, going 10 for 19 with 3 dingers. For fantasy owners who have been waiting on Buxton for 3+ years, you can let out a big sigh now.

Lucas Giolito WASH, RHP – Fired a gem in his final start, going 8 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BB, 5 K. He is up to only 115.1 IP, so Washington is almost sure to use him down the stretch in some capacity.

Tyler Glasnow PIT, RHP – Finished up the Minor League regular season in fitting fashion, striking out 8 and walking 4 in 5.2 IP.

Derek Fisher HOU, OF – Got hot just in time to make his Triple-A numbers look impressive, slashing .290/.347/.505 with 5 homers. On the downside, he is still striking out too much, but on the upside, he is striking out enough to keep him a legitimate sleeper. Still not too late to buy low-ish on Fisher.

Raimel Tapia COL, OF – I seriously hope Tapia is already owned in every Dynasty League, but now is probably the time to pick him up in some keeper leagues too. Major League pitching hasn’t slowed him down at all so far (.467 avg) and if Colorado clears a starting spot for him this off-season, he can do damage starting from Day 1 next season.

Ian Happ CHC, 2B – Broke into Double-A with a bang, and went out with a bang, knocking 2 homers in one game this week. It was everything in between that was the problem, but he still finished with a respectable .262/.318/.415 slash-line with 8 homers and 6 steals in 65 games at the level.

Franklin Barreto OAK, 2B/SS – Quietly put together a very strong season, and put the cherry on top in Triple-A this week, slashing .353/.389/.647 with 1 homer in 4 games. He is only 20 years old, but everything is pointing to Oakland giving him a shot at some point next season. They are probably feeling the heat to show something from that horrendous Josh Donaldson trade.

Justus Sheffield NYY, LHP – The 20-year-old Sheffield was promoted to Double-A for his final start and rung up 9 batters in 4 IP. He has easily outshined the centerpiece of that Andrew Miller deal, Clint Frazier, who has slashed .228/.278/.396 with a 30/7 K/BB in 25 games since the trade.

Jack Flaherty STL, RHP – It’s been an up and down season for Flaherty, but he finished up strong with a pitching line of 26 IP, 4 ER, 16 Hits, 6 BB, 26 K in his final 4 starts. It wasn’t quite the breakout season I was hoping for when I ranked him 69th overall in the off-season, but it was enough to maintain his prospect status.

Sean Newcomb ATL, LHP – Like Flaherty, had a strong finish to an up and down season, going 7 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hit, 1 BB, 8 K this week. The stuff and potential are still the same, but he didn’t exactly take a step forward this year.

Cody Bellinger LAD, 1B – Drilled 3 homers in his brief 3 game cameo in Triple-A to drill home the point that he is the real deal. I thought Edwin Rios could be a hindrance to Bellinger’s playing time down the line, but I highly doubt that will be the case now.

Christin Stewart DET, OF – Had his first hot streak at Double-A, homering in 3 straight early in the week and homering again last night. There isn’t enough time for him to make his Double-A numbers look all shiny, but it might be a blessing in disguise for those in leagues where he is available in off-season drafts.

Austin Riley ATL, 3B – 3 homers this week to cap off his over month long hot streak. In fact, since an ice cold April and May, he has performed exactly like many hoped he would in his first year of full season ball.

Matt Chapman OAK, 3B – 5 homers this week, including 3 in one game. That gives him 36 homers on the year with a 173/68 K/BB in 135 games.

Erick Fedde WASH, RHP – 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BB, 12 K. Considering he is coming off Tommy John surgery and reaching career highs in IP, this was a very encouraging final start to the season.

Sandy Alcantara STL, RHP – The hard throwing righty wrapped up the season with a couple of starts that makes it easy to dream on him for next year, going 13.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BB, 16 K.

Max Schrock OAK, 2B – I don’t think anyone was surprised to learn Billy Beane and the A’s were Max Schrock fans. They didn’t wait long to promote him to Double-A either, where he hit .391 with no K’s in 6 games.

Will Craig PIT, 3B – Hitting only 2 homers in 63 games is disappointing, but I can’t help but be impressed by the 37/41 K/BB and .412 OBP. He certainly has more power than he has shown, but for the most part, I think we are seeing the type of hitter he will become, high avg/obp with good but not great power.

Jorge Alfaro PHI, C  – Has gotten a bit lost in the Minor League catcher hype with Gary Sanchez and Willson Contreras starting their MLB career with a bang, Francisco Mejia going on an epic hit streak, and Tom Murphy getting all the sleeper hype, but Alfaro deserves to be mentioned in the same breath (paragraph) as all these guys. He homered in back-to-back games this week, and considering Philly already called him up for a couple games not that long ago, it might not be long before he is making his mark in the majors as well.

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