Each month, The Dynasty Guru will provide a prospect update that includes notable performances (good and bad), assignments, promotions, trades, injuries, and suspensions. Most importantly, the monthly update will examine prospects with increasing and decreasing fantasy value, from the elite to the obscure.

March saw the final days of Spring Training, leading to Opening Day tomorrow! Of course, Spring Training spanned several months, and this update will explore its entirety.

Notable Prospect Performances

As an initial matter, Spring Training performances must come with a bright, flashing warning: SMALL SAMPLE SIZE! 

The Good

With that said, the following prospects nevertheless impressed this Spring.

Best Spring Hitting Prospect Performances

Top 200	Player	Position	2018 Level	BA	OBP	SLG	AB	HR	SB	K	BB
1	Ronald Acuna ATL	OF	AAA	0.432	0.519	0.727	44	4	4	8	4
11	Kyle Tucker HOU	OF	AA	0.409	0.438	0.818	44	5	2	9	3
14	Lewis Brinson MIA	OF	MLB	0.328	0.365	0.586	58	2	0	17	3
16	Scott Kingery PHI	2B	MLB	0.411	0.441	0.786	56	5	4	14	3
25	Keston Hiura MIL	2B	A+	0.419	0.438	0.548	31	1	0	8	1
29	Ryan McMahon COL	1B	AAA	0.319	0.365	0.522	69	2	0	12	4
35	Alex Verdugo LAD	OF	AAA	0.324	0.361	0.618	34	2	0	6	2
37	Franklin Barreto OAK	SS	AAA	0.298	0.339	0.544	57	3	3	18	3
69	Jesse Winker CIN	OF	MLB	0.347	0.411	0.510	49	1	2	6	4
87	Jorge Alfaro PHI	C	MLB	0.275	0.370	0.500	40	2	0	10	3
91	Chance Sisco BAL	C	MLB	0.429	0.474	0.800	35	2	0	11	2
133	Brian Anderson MIA	3B	MLB	0.275	0.377	0.588	51	4	0	11	9
136	Sheldon Neuse OAK	3B	AA	0.298	0.365	0.614	57	5	0	15	6
146	Franchy Cordero SD	OF	AAA	0.343	0.465	0.714	35	2	0	13	7
163	J.D. Davis HOU	3B	MLB	0.385	0.406	0.662	65	5	0	15	3
188	Dan Vogelbach SEA	1B	MLB	0.407	0.529	0.926	54	7	0	11	13
UR	Christian Walker ARI	1B	AAA	0.302	0.388	0.605	43	3	0	12	6
UR	Sam Travis BOS	1B	AAA	0.270	0.313	0.635	63	6	0	15	4
UR	Brandon Dixon CIN	2B	AAA	0.326	0.367	0.609	46	4	4	11	2
UR	Ryan O'Hearn KC	1B	AAA	0.400	0.447	1.000	35	5	1	10	3
UR	Yairo Munoz STL	SS	MLB	0.339	0.381	0.542	59	3	1	9	4

Rising Hitter: Scott Kingery, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies (Top 200 Rank: 16). After signing a six-year extension, negating any service time concerns, Kingery was a surprise addition to the Phillies’ Opening Day roster. Currently, it is unclear how the Phillies indeed to utilize him. A potential 5-tool player, Kingery should be owned in all formats, regardless whether he starts from day one.

Honorable Mention: Lewis Brinson, Ryan McMahon, Brian Anderson, J.D. Davis, and Daniel Vogelbach.

Best Spring Pitching Prospect Performances

Top 200	Player	Handed	2018 Level	ERA	WHIP	IP	K	H	BB	HRA
49	Jack Flaherty STL	RHP	MLB	4.85	1.08	13	20	9	5	3
90	Tyler Mahle CIN	RHP	AAA	4.56	0.97	23 2/3	15	20	3	2
100	Fernando Romero MIN	RHP	AA	0.00	0.13	8	8	0	1	0
103	Dylan Cease CHW	RHP	A+	0.00	0.95	6 1/3	9	3	3	0
114	Sandy Alcantara MIA	RHP	AAA	3.38	1.19	16	11	13	6	3
128	Jesus Luzardo OAK	LHP	A	0.00	1.17	6	6	6	1	0
143	Erick Fedde WAS	RHP	AAA	2.45	1.50	14 2/3	11	16	6	1
144	Joey Lucchesi SD	LHP	AA	1.54	0.86	11 2/3	9	5	5	0
192	David Paulino HOU	RHP	AAA	0.00	0.58	10 1/3	10	2	4	0
UR	A.J. Minter ATL	LHP	MLB	0.00	0.84	8 1/3	12	6	1	0
UR	Yohander Mendez TEX	LHP	AAA	2.92	0.81	12 1/3	12	9	1	1
UR	Domingo German NYY	RHP	AAA	2.30	1.09	15 2/3	17	11	6	1
UR	Eric Skoglund KC	LHP	AAA	3.38	0.94	10 2/3	11	10	0	1
UR	Brian Johnson BOS	LHP	MLB	1.72	0.83	15 2/3	13	10	3	0
UR	Eric Lauer SD	LHP	AA	2.53	1.13	10 2/3	10	10	2	0
UR	Rogelio Armenteros HOU	RHP	AAA	3.31	1.04	16 1/3	24	10	7	1
UR	Gabriel Moya MIN	LHP	AAA	0.75	1.00	12	12	8	4	1
UR	Tanner Rainey CIN	RHP	AAA	2.16	1.32	8 2/3	13	5	6	0
UR	Ryan Yarbrough TB	RHP	MLB	2.25	0.94	16	15	10	5	0

Rising Pitcher: Jack Flaherty, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Top 200 Rank: 49). With Adam Wainwright opening the season on the disabled list, Flaherty will begin the year in the starting rotation. Last year, he dominated between Double-A and Triple-A, and early spring returns are promising. A strong start could cement Flaherty’s place in the Cardinals rotation.

Rising Pitcher UPDATE: Joey Lucchesi, LHP, San Diego Padres (Top 200 Rank: 144). Following an impressive Spring, Lucchesi won a spot in the Padres rotation. With plenty of deception and quality offerings, he could surprise this year.

Honorable Mention: Jesus Luzardo, Joey Lucchesi, A.J. Minter, and Rogelio Armenteros.

The Bad

Poised to make a good impression and push for early-season playing time in the majors, the following prospects struggled this Spring.

Worst Spring Hitting Prospect Performances

Top 200	Player	Position	2018 Level	BA	OBP	SLG	AB	HR	SB	K	BB
3	Shohei Ohtani LAA	DH	MLB	0.125	0.222	0.125	32	0	0	10	3
5	Victor Robles WAS	OF	AAA	0.188	0.216	0.313	48	1	2	12	1
17	Austin Hays BAL	OF	AA	0.243	0.275	0.297	37	0	1	12	2
26	Willie Calhoun TEX	OF	AAA	0.243	0.282	0.324	37	1	1	1	2
99	Brett Phillips MIL	OF	AAA	0.143	0.192	0.347	49	2	0	20	3
123	Carson Kelly STL	C	AAA	0.100	0.200	0.167	30	0	0	2	4
UR	Casey Gillaspie CHW	1B	AAA	0.189	0.189	0.324	37	0	0	9	0
UR	Zack Granite MIN	OF	AAA	0.140	0.229	0.163	43	0	0	4	5

Worst Spring Pitching Prospect Performances

Top 200	Player	Handed	2018 Level	ERA	WHIP	IP	K	H	BB	HRA
3	Shohei Ohtani LAA	RHP	MLB	27.00	4.12	2 2/3	5	9	2	3
13	Michael Kopech CHW	RHP	AAA	11.57	2.57	7	7	11	7	2
51	Justus Sheffield NYY	LHP	AAA	11.81	1.69	5 1/3	4	6	3	1
68	Chance Adams NYY	RHP	AAA	11.57	2.57	4 2/3	1	9	3	2
177	Tyler Beede SF	RHP	AAA	10.80	1.92	8 1/3	5	14	2	1
UR	Carson Fulmer CHW	RHP	MLB	11.81	2.91	10 2/3	9	18	13	7
UR	Dillon Maples CHC	RHP	AAA	12.86	2.71	7	10	10	9	2
UR	Nick Kingham PIT	RHP	AAA	8.76	2.19	12 1/3	8	21	6	3
UR	Zac Gallen MIA	RHP	AAA	37.38	5.31	4 1/3	3	15	8	3

Falling Hitter/Pitcher: Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH, Los Angeles Angels (Top 200 Rank: 3). On the mound, Ohtani struggled with command throughout the spring. Most recently, he walked five, hit a batter, and threw two wild pitches in a minor league game. Meanwhile, Ohtani also disappointed at the plate, failing to make much of an impact. Shockingly, many now question whether he should begin the season in the minors.

The Ugly (Injuries & Suspensions)

The following prospects suffered significant injuries or suspensions.

Forrest Whitley, RHP, Houston Astros: Suspended 50 games on February 21, 2018.

Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays: Underwent Tommy John surgery on February 27, 2018, out for the season.

Jake Burger, 3B, Chicago White Sox: Ruptured Achilles tendon on February 26, 2018, out for the season.

Luiz Gohara, LHP, Atlanta Braves: Sprained ankle on March 9, 2018, out indefinitely (likely several weeks)

Jose De Leon, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays: Underwent Tommy John surgery on March 13, 2018, out for the season.

Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox: Left-thumb sprain on March 10, 2018, out for approximately 10 weeks.

Ryan Mountcastle, SS, Baltimore Orioles: Non-displaced right-hand fracture on March 15, 2018, out for approximately 4-6 weeks.

Thomas Pannone, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays: Suspended 80 games on March 16, 2018.

Anthony Alford, OF, Toronto Blue Jays: Grade-2 hamstring strain on March 16, 2018, out for approximately 3-6 weeks.

Cole Ragans, LHP, Texas Rangers: Scheduled for Tommy John surgery, out for the season.

Kyle Cody, RHP, Texas Rangers: Elbow inflammation on March 18, 2018, out for approximately 6 weeks.

Franklin Perez, RHP, Detroit Tigers: Right-lat strain on March 19, 2018, out for approximately 12 weeks.

Matt Manning, RHP, Detroit Tigers: Oblique strain on March 21, 2018, out indefinitely (likely several weeks).

A.J. Puk, LHP, Oakland Athletics: Scheduled for Tommy John surgery, out for the season.

Notable Prospect Assignments & Promotions

Introduction to Service Time

Major league service time is an extremely important consideration that influences when a team will finally call-up a top prospect. Specifically, service time controls how long a team has rights to a player (six full years) and when a player is eligible for salary arbitration. Normally, a player is eligible for salary arbitration after three years of service time. However, a player can qualify for salary arbitration after just two years of service time as a “Super Two.” Super Two players include the top 22% in service time among players with between two and three years of service time and with at least 86 days of service time the prior season. Over the past nine years, the Super Two cut-off ranged between 2 years and 122-146 service days.

Beginning this year, the MLB season includes 187 service days (previously, 183 service days). A full service year, however, is only 172 service days. As such, teams likely will wait over 15 days (187 minus 172) to call-up an elite prospect to ensure an additional year of team control. Further, teams likely will wait over 65 days (187 minus 122) to call up a top prospect to avoid triggering Super Two status. This means players like Ronald Acuna likely will not debut until April 13, 2018 (after 16 service days) and players like Eloy Jimenez likely will not debut until June at the earliest.

The 25-Man Roster Prospect

By Opening Day, all MLB teams must reduce active rosters to twenty-five (25) players. Due to service time considerations, most prospects are unlikely to break camp on the major league roster. In addition to Ohtani (3), Kingery (16), and Flaherty (49), the following top 200 prospects likely will open the 2018 MLB season in the major leagues.

The Top 100 Prospects

14. Lewis Brinson, OF, Miami Marlins. Following Brinson’s strong Spring, the Marlins penciled him in as the starting center fielder and leadoff hitter. One of the few exciting players on a rebuilding club, he offers an enticing power/speed package.

29. Ryan McMahon, 1B, Colorado Rockies. Despite a crowded Rockies roster, McMahon earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. Expect him to share first base duties and receive the majority of starts against right-handed pitching.

41. J.P. Crawford, SS, Philadelphia Phillies. Crawford likely will be the starting shortstop for the Phillies this year. A patient hitter, he flashes solid pop and nice upside, but far too often appears punchless.

69. Jesse Winker, OF, Cincinnati Reds. Winker is an on-base machine and polished hitter. Competing for at-bats in a crowded Reds outfield, he should receive plenty of playing time against right-handed pitching.

87. Jorge Alfaro, C, Philadelphia Phillies. With the release of Cameron Rupp, Alfaro appears likely to receive a heavy dose of playing time. A streaky hitter, he will suffer ups and downs but possesses rare power for a catcher.

90. Tyler Mahle, RHP, Cincinnati Reds. Injuries to Anthony DeSclafani and Brandon Finnegan opened a rotation spot for Mahle. A control specialist, he should be a steady presence in the middle of the Reds young rotation.

91. Chance Sisco, C, Baltimore Orioles. Sisco should see most at-bats against right-handed pitching. A brief, loud debut and a blistering Spring provide glimpses of his promising bat.

The Top 101-200 Prospects

119. Brandon Woodruff, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers. Despite a poor spring (7.11/1.58), Woodruff nonetheless enters the season in the Brewers’ rotation. Due to his inconsistency, it is advisable to wait and see how his season starts and target only favorable matchups.

133. Brian Anderson, 3B, Miami Marlins. Another rookie starter for the Marlins, Anderson may outperform Brinson this year. Likely to hit fifth with good power, he should provide surprising production.

134. Colin Moran, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates. Slated to be the starting third baseman for the Pirates, Moran will have tons of playing time. However, will he hit for power?

163. J.D. Davis, 3B, Houston Astros. Yulieski Gurriel’s injury and suspension opens an early season roster spot and playing time at first base. A power hitter, Davis is a great source of cheap home runs if he receives the bulk of at-bats at first base.

188. Daniel Vogelbach, 1B, Seattle Mariners. Taking no prisoners this Spring, Vogelbach forced the Mariners to return Rule 5 draft pick Mike Ford to the Yankees. If he continues to hit, he only has Ryon Healy in his way and could demand at-bats against right-handed pitching.

Others of Note:

• Jordan Hicks, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
• A.J. Minter, LHP, Atlanta Braves
• Yairo Munoz, SS, St. Louis Cardinals
• Victor Caratini, C, Chicago Cubs
• Dillon Peters, LHP, Miami Marlins
• Tyler Wade, SS, New York Yankees
• Mitch Garver, C, Minnesota Twins
• Garrett Cooper, 1B/OF, Miami Marlins
• Brian Johnson, LHP, Boston Red Sox

The Purposefully Delayed Prospects

As noted above, most prospects must briefly bide their time in the minors before enough MLB service time passes. The following prospects likely will receive a promotion shortly after the MLB season begins.

1. Ronald Acuna, OF, Atlanta Braves. Arguably the most impressive player this spring, Acuna is nevertheless heading to Triple-A. When Acuna arrives, he immediately becomes a near-elite fantasy player in all formats.

9. Nick Senzel, 3B, Cincinnati Reds. Following the extension of Eugenio Suarez, Senzel saw time at shortstop this Spring. With only Jose Peraza ahead of him, he likely will debut early this season as a surprising shortstop in the Paul DeJong mold.

58. Miguel Andujar, 3B, New York Yankees. Over the past five weeks, the Yankees brought in Neil Walker and Brandon Drury to plug holes at second base and third base. In reality, both are simply placeholders for Andujar and/or Gleyber Torres. Despite a powerful Spring (.622 SLG with 4 home runs), Andujar returns to Triple-A, though not likely for very long.

Others of Note:

• Victor Robles, OF, Washington Nationals
• Gleyber Torres, SS, New York Yankees
• Austin Hays, OF, Baltimore Orioles
• Francisco Mejia, C, Cleveland Indians
• Willie Calhoun, OF, Texas Rangers