Just Prospectin’ — Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings Heading Into the 2017 Season
This isn’t just any prospect list, it’s a fantasy prospect list. What does that mean? These players may not be the best overall prospects in the minor leagues, but they are the most likely to come up and make a difference for the 2017 fantasy baseball season. They are ranked based on raw talent, projected fantasy impact, and likelihood of getting called up. Gary Sanchez and Trea Turner had tremendous seasons after they made it to the big leagues last year, and probably helped a few of you win your fantasy league (if you were lucky enough to own them). So I’ll be keeping up with the top prospects in the minors to give you an idea of how they are performing, when they will be getting the call to the majors, and when you should add them to your fantasy teams.
That being said, here are my top 10 fantasy prospects to begin the season:
1. Yoan Moncada (2B — Chicago White Sox) — He’s the top prospect in baseball with a clear path to the majors. Even at only 21 years old, Moncada can make a big fantasy impact immediately. His potential power and speed combo project him as a future fantasy first rounder. Mid 20s in home runs and 30-plus stolen bases are not out of the question for this twinkie eating Cuban phenom. And he’s a switch hitter! (Fun faux fact: North Carolina doesn’t have a professional baseball team because of their confusion over the term “switch hitter”)
Changing the color of his Sox this off-season (in the Chris Sale trade) did wonders for his 2017 fantasy value. While Boston had players blocking Moncada at the major league level, Chicago has Tyler Saladino manning second base. Not only that, but the south side of Chicago is a much easier market and environment to play in. While there would be pressure to perform immediately on a contender like the Red Sox, he can work through his potential rookie struggles in peace on a White Sox team not expected to win 70 games.
We know he is going to come up and play, and it may be sooner rather than later. Moncada should hit towards the top of the lineup and will see everyday playing time. At this point, mid-May could be the earliest we see him due to “service time” manipulation, but my best guess for an ETA would be June. Moncada should rip up Triple-A and Saladino’s ho-hum performance may force the front office to bring Yoan up to the big show.
2. Cody Bellinger (1B — Los Angeles Dodgers)
The Dodgers first baseman of the future didn’t have a terrific spring, (.207 AVG with 20 strikeouts in 58 at-bats) but I’m not letting that cloud my judgement. He brings plus-plus power with a swing so violent Ray Rice would be jealous. He projects to be a 30-plus home run hitter with a solid on-base percentage (12.7 percent walk rate last year in AA).
Adrian Gonzalez is the only man in Bellinger’s way to the majors, so a plausible injury or poor performance will leave the door wide open for Cody. He may need some time to adjust to major league pitching, but when he does he will mash.
3. Austin Meadows (OF — Pittsburgh Pirates)
If Meadows had a more defined path to the majors, he would be number two on my list. The former first round pick has all of the tools to be an impactful major leaguer right now. Unfortunately for him, the Pirates have a terrific outfield trio in Polanco, Marte, and McCutchen. Austin can be a five category fantasy asset and a middle of the lineup bat. Actually, scratch that. Clint Hurdle is still the Pirates manager so who knows where he will hit in the lineup. (Fun real fact: Clint Hurdle reminds me of Peter Boyle’s character in the movie “The Dream Team”) Meadows will be a 20/20 bat with upside for more.
4. Bradley Zimmer (OF — Cleveland Indians)
Zimmer should already be on the major league roster. The reigning American League champions should not be playing Austin Jackson, Brandon Guyer, and Abraham Almonte in the outfield with Zimmer marinating in the minors. While Zimmer doesn’t have the power of the first three prospects on this list, he still should contribute to four categories while not completely killing you in average. In on-base percentage leagues he becomes a bit more valuable (14 percent walk rate last year). I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Zimmer up with the big league club in June.
5. Amed Rosario (SS — New York Mets) — The Mets have a serviceable veteran in Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop right now. However, Rosario will be getting some playing time at third base while he is in Vegas. Third base might be the best shot for Amed to be in the majors before September, and with a broken David Wright and an aging Jose Reyes, there is a good chance that happens. The 21 year-old showed some major OPS improvement in the minors last year (42 extra base hits) and added 19 stolen bases to boot. When he does come up, I expect him to be a productive fantasy asset.
6. Lewis Brinson (OF — Milwaukee Brewers) — Brinson has made great strides in his offensive game since he started out in the minors, and is really becoming a well-rounded player. He offers 30/30 upside down the road which makes him an intriguing fantasy option. Although the Brewers have a lot outfield options blocking Brinson, Braun may be traded and Craig Counsell might realize he is actually playing Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
7. Ozzie Albies (2B — Atlanta Braves)
Ozzie draws comparisons to Jose Altuve not only for his height (Albies is 5’9”) but for his skill set as well. Albies has plus-plus speed with a quick, compact swing and terrific zone recognition. A potential 40-plus stolen base guy, Albies will be great source of steals for fantasy owners later this year.
8. J.P Crawford (SS — Philadelphia Phillies) — Crawford has the speed to be a mid-rounds fantasy player who doesn’t hurt you in any one category. While Freddy Galvis isn’t going to blow the doors off, he may be serviceable enough on a Phillies team that really isn’t ready to compete for a playoff spot yet. They aren’t in a rush to promote Crawford (barring injury), but it’s worth paying attention to.
9. Francis Martes (SP — Houston Astros) — Let me start by saying that pitching prospects terrify me. It is rare for a guy to come up and dominate the majors for 100 innings due to innings limits and the tough adjustment to major league hitters. Innings limits have me yearning for the good ol’ days. Tommy John was an Irish guy a pitcher would fight before taking the mound in 1922. Players would have a smoke, swig some whiskey, and throw 172 pitches. That’s the pitching mentality I want to see!
Martes has a plus fastball with good movement and pairs that with a plus-plus 85 MPH curveball. If he works on his fastball location and turns his change-up into a weapon, he can be a top of the rotation talent.
The iffy back end of Houston’s rotation (Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers) leaves the potential for Martes to get called up and make an impact in the majors.
10. Lucas Giolito (SP — Chicago White Sox)
The 6'6" righty is down on a lot of prospect lists this year after his sub-par 2016 performance. He throws his fastball hard, but the low spin-rate has it charging towards home plate on a flat plane. His breaking-ball is elite, and if he makes strides on his fastball movement, Giolito could be an effective major league pitcher. The White Sox rotation makes Hellen Keller wince (James Shields, Derek Holland and Miguel Gonzalez? Really?), so there should be room for Giolito come June.
Future Spotlight
These guys might not be up in the majors this year, but it’s worth following their situations. A few injuries and slumps and these guys could find themselves making the quantum leap past AAA ball and into the majors.
Eloy Jimenez (OF — Chicago Cubs) — The Cubs’ Dominican outfielder has off-the-charts power. He’s recovering from a minor shoulder injury right now, but should be back in a couple of weeks. Keep an eye on his progress in the minors.
Victor Robles (OF — Washington Nationals) — Robles is the best five-tool prospect on the horizon and will likely be at the top of prospect rankings for 2018. He is starting the year in Class A Advanced Potomac, and it will be fun to watch him progress through the minors this year.
Gleyber Torres (SS — New York Yankees)
The Yankees are going to be playing Gleyber at second, short, and third in the minors this year. Now while Torres is unlikely to make it to the majors this year, the potential 20/20 infielder will offer more position flexibility for the Yanks when they do make the decision to bring him up. The 20 year-old came over to the Yankees last year from the Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade, and should be an important piece in their quest for number 29.
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