Tier 1

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

2) Kahlil Watson MIA, SS, 18.11 – Selected 16th overall, Watson’s upside is high as anyone’s in the draft with lightening quick bat speed and a plus power/speed combo from the left side. He only fell to 16th overall due to signing bonus demands (he ended up with the 10th highest bonus). While he didn’t show much power in his 9 game pro debut (60% GB% with 0 homers), he did steal 4 bags and had an excellent 16.7%/19% K%/BB% in an obviously very small sample. This is the type of upside you look for when drafting at the top of first year player drafts. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 88/22/83/.272/.342/.458/18

3) Jack Leiter TEX, RHP, 21.11 – Selected 2nd overall, Leiter can dominate with just his mid 90’s fastball, but he also has a deep repertoire of pitches, throwing a 4-seamer, 2-seamer, cutter, curve (best secondary), slider and change. He understands the art of pitching which is no surprise considering his dad is Al Leiter. He’s only 6 feet, and his control can waver, but it didn’t stop him from putting up a dominant pitching line of 2.13/0.85/179/45 in 110 IP in the SEC. This could be the rare year when it makes sense to take a pitcher first. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 15/3.48/1.17/218 in 185 IP

4) Brady House WAS, SS, 18.10 – Selected 11th overall, House is a big physical hitter at 6’4”, 215 pounds who has double plus raw power and takes monster hacks at the dish with quick bat speed. He ripped 4 homers in his 16 game pro debut. He also has a mature plate approach and is a good athlete. I have him ranked over Watson in my Points/6+ Category Top 600 Dynasty Rankings which devalues speed and juices up good real life hitters. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 83/28/92/.268/.339/.492/7

5) Jordan Lawlar ARI, SS, 19.8 – Selected 6th overall, Lawlar has a relatively simple, quick swing that he uses to make tons of contact with the ability to lift the ball. He has plus speed and the power should develop naturally to above average at the least. A shoulder injury that required surgery ended his pro debut after just two games, which is just enough of a bump in the road for me to move him down a few spots on my draft board. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 87/20/79/.270/.335/.442/16

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

7) Seiya Suzuki FRA, OF, 27.7 – Suzuki has dominated in Japan since 2016 with a righty swing that is both easy and explosive. He ripped a career high 38 homers in 2021, and he combines the power with an advanced plate approach (16.5%/16.4% K%/BB%) and some speed (9 steals in 13 attempts). I’m not expecting him to step into the majors and be a star, but he looks like a great bet to be a damn good overall hitter. If you are a win now team who needs an OF, Suzuki should be in heavy consideration at #1. 2022 Projection: 77/24/81/.264/.336/.463/7

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

9) Colton Cowser BAL, OF, 22.0 – Drafted 5th overall, Cowser’s power exploded this season with 16 homers in 55 games in the Southland Conference. That was the final piece to the puzzle as he has shown a good feel to hit with an advanced plate approach from the second he stepped on campus. He then followed that up with a strong pro debut, putting up a 158 wRC+ with a 15.3%/17.7% K%/BB% in 25 games at Single-A. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 85/20/80/.278/.350/.458/9

Tier 2

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

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

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

13) James Wood SDP, OF, 19.7 – Selected 62nd overall, Wood is a big and athletic lefty at 6’7”, 240 pounds with plus power and above average run times. He dominated rookie ball in his pro debut, slashing .372/.465/.535 with 3 homers, 10 steals and a 31.7%/12.9% K%/BB% in 26 games. Like any player this tall, he has some hit tool concerns, and his GB% was a bit high at 49%. This is basically the Oneil Cruz starter kit with not quite as much speed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 73/25/81/.247/.326/.458/9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tier 3

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

26) Oscar Colas CHW, OF, 23.5 – Expected to sign with Chicago in the upcoming international free agent period for $2.7 million. Colas used to be a two way player, but is now focusing solely on hitting. He’s a built up 6’1”, 209 pounds with a smooth and powerful lefty swing that is reminiscent of many successful lefthanded power hitters. He has a strong history of production in Cuba and Japan professional leagues, showing present plus power. There is plenty of inherent, unknown risks, but I would be willing to take a shot on him. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 75/24/81/.262/.331/.469/6

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

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

29) Gavin Williams CLE, RHP, 22.8 – Selected 23rd overall, Williams always had the big fastball which can now reach 100 MPH, and in 2021 his control (2.3 BB/9) and secondaries (curve, slider, change) took big steps forward en route to a pitching line of 1.88/0.96/130/21 in 81.1 IP. He’s old for the class and has major reliever risk, but the stuff is exciting. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 10/4.03/1.34/164 in 151 IP

30) Zack Gelof OAK, 3B, 22.5 – Selected 60th overall, Gelof is 6’3”, 205 pounds with plus power to all fields. He hit only 9 homers in 63 games in the ACC this year, but Virginia’s home ballpark is notorious for suppressing power. He proved the power was real in his pro debut, smashing 7 homers with a 143 wRC+ in 32 games at Single-A before going 7 for 12 in his 3 game Triple-A cup of coffee. He’s also a good athlete with a very successful career on the bases in college which carried over into pro ball (13 steals in 15 attempts). He’s one of my favorite under the radar first year player draft targets, although he isn’t that under the radar anymore. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/24/79/.261/.326/.462/8

31) Ty Madden DET, RHP, 22.1 – Selected 32nd overall, Madden uses an overhead delivery that vaguely reminds me a bit of Ian Anderson to throw a traditional 4-pitch mix highlighted by mid-90’s heat. He struggled with control in 2019, but was much better in 2020 and that was carried over somewhat in 2021 with a pitching line of 2.41/1.05/119/39 in 100.2 IP. He’s a relatively safe starter with some upside still in the tank. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 11/4.02/1.29/170 in 170 IP

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

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

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

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

Tier 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tier 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

63) Jose Torres CIN, SS, 22.6 – Selected 89th overall, Torres didn’t exactly destroy the ACC with a .876 OPS and 39/13 K/BB in 52 games, but he raked even more in pro ball, slashing .333/.387/.591 with 5 homers and 7 steals in 28 games at mostly Single-A. He’s 6’0”, 171 pounds, so there is room to add more muscle and the 15.9% K% in pro ball is encouraging. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 72/20/77/.264/.318/.432/7

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

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

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

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

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

69) Chayce McDermott HOU, RHP, 23.7 – Selected 132nd overall, McDermott comes from an athletic family as his brother, Sean McDermott, is in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies. Chayce is 6’3”, 197 pounds with a fastball that can consistently hit the mid 90’s and a potentially plus breaking ball. He also throws an average curve and a developing changeup. He put up a 44.6% K% in his pro debut at Single-A in 18.1 IP, but he needs to work on his control (13.5% BB%). ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.15/1.33/158 in 155 IP

70) Christian Franklin CHC, OF, 22.4 – Selected 123rd overall, Franklin has some swing and miss issues with high strikeout rates throughout his college career, but he has a fantasy friendly profile with an exciting power/speed combo and a history of production in the SEC. He’s slashed .274/.420/.544 with 13 homers, 11 steals, and a 78/44 K/BB in 61 games at Arkansas. He hits the ball hard with excellent bat speed and high walk rates, but the risk is high. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 62/16/62/.243/.319/.422/8

71) Simon Juan NYM, OF, 16.9 – Juan is one of the youngest players in the international class and has some of the highest power/speed upside with a quick and powerful righty swing, but he has some hit tool risk. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 72/24/81/.248/.318/.450/16

72) Samuel Munoz LAD, 3B, 17.6 – Munoz is a 6’3”, 190 lefty who with an advanced plate approach, plus power projection, and is a good athlete. With little information on many of these international prospects, taking shots on guys in good developmental organizations like LA isn’t a bad idea. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/25/84/.264/.338/.474/5

73) Ryan Reckley SFG, SS, 17.7 – Signed for $2.2 million, Reckley is an advanced hitter with developing power and plus speed. How much power he can get too at 5’10”, 160 pounds will dictate his upside. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/18/71/.273/.342/.437/21

74) Yendry Rojas SDP, SS, 17.2 – Rojas is already pretty built up relative to other 17 year olds at 6’0”, 185 pounds and he’s shown a good feel to hit with projectable power and speed. He has a powerful and quick lefty swing that is made to do damage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/22/81/.267/.325/.448/10

75) Maddux Bruns LAD, LHP, 19.10 – Selected 29th overall, Bruns is a high risk/high reward pitcher with with a mid 90’s fastball and potentially plus slider, but he’s had control problems and consistently issues. He gave up 9 earned with a 5/7 K/BB in 5 IP in his pro debut. The Dodgers are one of the best development organizations in baseball, so I’m more willing to take a shot on him than if he was drafted by a lesser org. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 7/3.82/1.31/129 in 120 IP

76) Calvin Ziegler NYM, RHP, 19.6 – Selected 46th overall, Ziegler is a pretty built up 6’0”, 205 pounds with a mid 90’s fastball, a potentially plus curve and developing change. His fastball control is solid, he just needs to continue to refine his secondaries and overall command. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.16/1.28/155 in 155 IP

77) Robert Gasser SDP, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 71st overall, Gasser is a “crafty lefty” with a low 90’s fastball, potentially plus slider and average changeup. He had a 1.20 ERA with a 14/2 K/BB in 15 IP at mostly Single-A in his pro debut. He profiles as a back end starter. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.28/1.28/150 in 160 IP

78) Doug Nikhazy CLE, LHP, 22.7 – Selected 58th overall, Nikhazy put up some eye popping numbers in the SEC with a pitching line of 2.45/1.01/142/31 in 92 IP. He throws two potentially plus breaking balls in his curve and slider, to go along with a low 90’s fastball and developing change. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 10/4.23/1.31/166 in 160 IP

79) Ricky Tiedemann TOR, LHP, 19.7 – Selected 91st overall, Tiedemann is 6’4”, 220 pounds with a fastball he can get up into the mid 90’s and two potentially quality secondaries in his changeup and slider. He’s still on the raw side, but a big lefty with 3 potentially good pitches is a great foundation. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.35/1.34/153 in 160 IP

80) Adrian Del Castillo ARI, C, 22.6 – Selected 67th overall, Castillo has one of the most advanced bats in the class with a strong history of performance in the ACC from the second he stepped on campus, slashing .311/.410/.499 with 17 homers and a 60/70 K/BB in 131 NCAA games. Home run power hasn’t developed as hoped with only 3 homers in 54 games this season, so while he hits the ball hard, the fantasy upside seems lacking. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 67/14/62/.261/.327/.411/2

81) Javier Osorio DET, SS, 17.0 – Osorio has a quick righty bat with a good feel to hit and plenty of power projection on his 6’0”, 165 pound frame. He has speed too, and while he doesn’t look quite as physically impressive as some of the others in his class, he can be formidable all category contributor. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 82/20/76/.272/.339/.452/9

82) Johan Barrios MIL, SS, 17.3 – Barrios is 6’3”, 180 pounds with a good feel to hit and the potential for a plus power/speed combo. The upside is high, and there is barely any hype even relative to other international guys. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/22/78/.258/.326/.448/12

83) Dyan Jorge COL, SS, 18.4, 6’2”, 170 – Projected for the 4th highest signed bonus in his class, Jorge is razor thin with plus speed and top notch athleticism. He is still raw, so the risk is high, but the upside is high too if it all comes together. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 76/15/69/.252/.321/.413/18

84) Niko Kavadas BOS, 1B, 23.7 – Selected 316th overall, Kavadas has some of the best pure power in the draft, crushing 22 homers in 47 games in the ACC. He fell to the 11th round because of signing bonus demands and the fact he was a 4 year college player, but none of that changes the very real juice in his lefty bat at 6’1”, 235 pounds. He has strikeout issues and no defensive value, so like many of these 1B prospects, his bat needs to hit close to his ceiling. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 42/17/49/.237/.323/.458/0

85) Jaden Hill COL, RHP, 22.3 – Hill isn’t necessarily the 11th best prospect in the system, but I thought he is worth mentioning because he would be ranked higher if he didn’t get selected by Colorado 44th overall. He tore his UCL in his 7th start of the season and will likely be out for most of 2022. He has nasty stuff when healthy with a mid 90’s fastball and a slider and changeup that have flashed plus, but he struggled to put it together in his first full year as a starter with a pitching line of 6.67/1.38/25/12 in 29.1 IP. Despite the obvious talent, there was already performance risk, and now you can tack on injury risk and Coors risk. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 8/4.36/1.34/152 in 150 IP

86) Wes Clarke MIL, 1B/C, 22.5 – Selected 297th overall, Clarke jacked 23 homers with a 73/50 K/BB in 57 SEC games, and then entered pro ball and cranked 4 homers with a 21/21 K/BB in 21 games at Single-A. He has little defensive value and major hit tool concerns, but the power and patience profile is enticing for fantasy. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 41/16/46/.224/.316/.447/0

87) Cody Morissette MIA, 2B/3B, 22.2 – Selected 52nd overall, Morissette’s college numbers don’t jump out at you (6 homers with a .895 OPS in 41 games), but he has a smooth lefty that should lead to more homers in the future. He’s a versatile defender who projects to be a solid all around player. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 68/16/66/.263/.326/.423/8

88) Freili Encarnacion BOS, SS, 17.2 – Encarnacion has some of the best power in the class with plus potential. He can hit for a high average too and is a good athlete, so he’s not just a lumbering slugger. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/25/84/.266/.332/.477/6

89) Carlos Pacheco OAK, OF, 17.5 – Pacheco is 5’11”, 175 pounds with a plus hit, plus speed profile. How much power he’s able to get to will dictate his upside. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 77/15/68/.271/.333/.415/18

90) Jaison Chourio CLE, OF, 16.10 – Jaison’s older brother, Jackson, was a DSL breakout in 2021, so why not role the dice with the next Chourio. He has a similar skillset with a good fell to hit, plus speed, and developing power. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 79/15/67/.268/.336/.416/18

91) Sean Burke CHW, RHP, 22.3 – Selected 94th overall, Burke is 6’6”, 230 pounds with a plus mid 90’s fastball, but he needs to improve his control (5.1 BB/9 in 74.1 SEC innings), and the consistency of his secondaries (slider, curve, change). He’s high risk, high reward. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 6/3.92/1.36/121 in 110 IP

92) Noah Miller MIN, SS, 19.5 – Selected 36th overall, Miller is a switch hitter with a potentially plus hit tool and advanced approach, although he put up a 27.1% K% in his 22 game pro debut. He combines that with potentially average power and speed. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 72/16/63/.267/.328/.424/7

Tier 6

93) Landon Marceaux LAA, RHP, 22.6 – Selected 80th overall, Marceaux doesn’t have huge stuff with a low 90’s fastball, but he dominated the SEC because he understands the art of pitching. He has good control over a 4 pitch mix and tunnels his pitches well. Plus curve is his best pitch. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 9/4.29/1.27/152 in 160 IP

94) Andrew Abbott CIN, LHP, 22.10 – Selected 53rd overall, Abbott transitioned into the rotation in 2021 and he took to it quite well, putting up a pitching line of 2.87/1.13/162/32 in 106.2 IP in the ACC. The strikeout prowess transferred to pro ball with a 22/4 K/BB in 13 IP at mostly Single-A. He throws a low 90’s fastball with a plus curve and developing change. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 7/4.12/1.30/127 in 120 IP

95) Peyton Wilson KCR, 2B, 22.5 – Selected 66th overall, Wilson is a switch hitter with plus speed and some pop, and while his plate approach is solid (41/22 K/BB in 58 SEC games), it might not be quite good enough to be a full time MLB player considering limited power potential at 5’9”, 180 pounds. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 52/10/47/.253/.313/.412/10

96) Corey Rosier SDP, OF, 22.7 – Selected 354th overall, Rosier proved his numbers from the Southern Conference will transfer to pro ball, slashing .380/.451/.570 with 3 homers, 13 steals, and a 14.2%/12.8% K%/BB% in 32 games at mostly Single-A. He’s a good defensive CF with the potential for modest across the board production. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 72/15/63/.268/.323/.417/9

97) Tyler McDonough BOS, 2B/OF, 23.0 – Selected 75th overall, McDonough is a do a little bit of everything switch hitter who can play all over the field. He’s had a good feel to hit and some speed from his freshman year, and he added more power this year with 15 homers in 55 ACC games. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 64/13/57/.264/.321/.417/7

98) Reed Trimble BAL, OF, 21.10 – Selected 65th overall, Trimble is a high risk, high reward player with plus speed and plus raw power, but he’s still a bit raw at the dish. He struggled in Single-A in his pro debut with a 41 wRC+, but he’s one of the younger players in the college class and the upside is worth taking a shot on at this point. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 51/14/59/.242/.310/.426/10

99) Spencer Schwellenbach ATL, RHP, 21.10 – Selected 59th overall, Schwellenbach is a two way player whose future is likely on the mound. He didn’t pitch at all until his Junior year because of an elbow injury that required surgery, and he was only used out of the pen. The stuff is excellent though with a mid to upper 90’s fastball and the potential for two plus secondaries in his slider and change. He was lights out coming out of the pen with a 0.57 ERA and 34/8 K/BB in 31.2 IP, but he has to prove he can handle a starter’s workload and stay healthy, so the risk is high. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 6/4.05/1.32/105 in 100 IP

100) Edwin Arroyo SEA, SS, 18.7 – Selected 48th overall, Arroyo is a plus defensive player who doesn’t have the highest offensive upside. He struggled a bit in his pro debut in stateside rookie ball with a 30.2% K% and 84 wRC+, but considering he was only 17 years old that isn’t too bad. ETA: 2026 Prime Projection: 67/17/73/.254/.316/.432/7

101) Jonathan Mejia STL, SS, 17.0 – Mejia is a switch hitter who is known for his good feel to hit, and while he doesn’t project for huge power and speed numbers, he certainly has impact potential in those categories depending on his development. St. Louis has had a lot of success developing guys who know how to hit first and foremost. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 78/19/73/.277/.331/.432/8

102) Yordani De Los Santos PIT, SS, 17.1 – Santos is a projectable 6’2”, 180 pounds with the potential to hit for both average and power. He has a big righty swing with tons of potential to do damage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/25/82/.261/.328/.462/7

103) Peter Heubeck LAD, RHP, 19.8 – Selected 101st overall, Heubeck is a skinny and projectable 6’3”, 170 pounds with a low 90’s fastball, potentially plus curve, and developing change. The fastball should tick up as he matures and he throws the ball over the plate. ETA: 2025 Prime Projection: 9/4.31/1.28/156 in 160 IP

104) Hunter Goodman COL, C, 22.6 – Selected 109th overall, Goodman has big power, smacking 21 homers in 56 games in the American Conference, but it comes with strikeout concerns and he also might not stick behind the plate. ETA: 2024 Prime Projection: 43/16/52/.224/.303/.435/3

105) Alexis Hernandez CHC, SS, 17.3 – Hernandez is the younger brother of last year’s top overall international prospect Cristian Hernandez. Alexis is a good prospect in his own right at a projectable 6’2”, 170 pounds with speed and developing power. I also think having his older brother going through the process one year ahead of him is a small advantage. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 73/18/71/.260/.325/.424/11

106) Dominic Hamel NYM, RHP, 23.1 – Selected 81st overall, Hamel is a high spin rate pitcher with a low 90’s fastball and the potential for 3 quality secondaries (slider, curve, change). He had a 4.22 ERA in the Missouri Valley Conference, but his 1.11 WHIP and 136/34 K/BB in 91.2 IP looked much better. ETA: 2023 Prime Projection: 9/4.33/1.33/146 in 155 IP

107) Braylin Tavera BAL, OF, 17.1 – Tavera is 6’2”, 175 pounds with plus speed, a good feel to hit and developing power. His swing doesn’t look quite as smooth and/or beastly as other top international guys, so there is plenty of time to refine that. ETA: 2027 Prime Projection: 68/19/74/.252/.321/.429/14

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By Michael Halpern (@MichaelCHalpern)
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