Top 200 Fantasy Prospects, May 2018

Over the past week at The Dynasty Guru, we examined infield, outfield, and pitching prospects with increasing and decreasing fantasy value. As the culmination of the monthly review and update, we shall revisit the 2018 Top 200 Fantasy Prospects, published in March.
Fantasy value is ever-changing. Like the stock market, there are stable assets and volatile, high-risk / high-reward assets. When it comes to prospects, value swings are common and often drastic, and the astute fantasy owner must quickly adapt. Although it is only one month into the season, there is already plenty of movement in the Top 200.
Top 200 Prospects, May 2018
Rank | Player | Position | Age | 2018 Level | ETA | March Rank | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ronald Acuna ATL | OF | 20.39 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 1 | 0 |
2 | Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. TOR | 3B | 19.14 | AA | 2019 | 2 | 0 |
3 | Shohei Ohtani LAA | RHP/DH | 23.84 | MLB | 2018 | 3 | 0 |
4 | Eloy Jimenez CHW | OF | 21.45 | AA | 2018 | 4 | 0 |
5 | Gleyber Torres NYY | 2B/SS | 21.40 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 6 | 1 |
6 | Victor Robles WAS | OF | 20.97 | AAA | 2018 | 5 | -1 |
7 | Brendan Rodgers COL | SS/2B | 21.75 | AA | 2019 | 8 | 1 |
8 | Nick Senzel CIN | 3B/2B | 22.86 | AAA | 2018 | 9 | 1 |
9 | Fernando Tatis Jr. SD | SS | 19.24 | AA | 2019 | 7 | -2 |
10 | Kyle Tucker HOU | OF | 21.31 | AAA | 2018 | 11 | 1 |
11 | Walker Buehler LAD | RHP | 23.78 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 15 | 4 |
12 | Bo Bichette TOR | SS | 20.18 | AA | 2019 | 10 | -2 |
13 | Michael Kopech CHW | RHP | 22.02 | AAA | 2018 | 13 | 0 |
14 | Juan Soto WAS | OF | 19.54 | A/A+ | 2020 | 39 | 25 |
15 | Forrest Whitley HOU | RHP | 20.65 | SUS | 2019 | 12 | -3 |
16 | Alex Reyes STL | RHP | 23.69 | MLB DL | 2018 | 18 | 2 |
17 | Scott Kingery PHI | IF/OF | 24.03 | MLB | 2018 | 16 | -1 |
18 | Miguel Andujar NYY | 3B | 23.18 | MLB | 2018 | 58 | 40 |
19 | Willy Adames TB | SS | 22.68 | AAA | 2018 | 24 | 5 |
20 | Mike Soroka ATL | RHP | 20.76 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 43 | 23 |
21 | Mitch Keller PIT | RHP | 22.09 | AA | 2019 | 20 | -1 |
22 | Royce Lewis MIN | SS | 18.93 | A | 2021 | 23 | 1 |
23 | Sixto Sanchez PHI | RHP | 19.78 | A+ | 2020 | 19 | -4 |
24 | Franklin Barreto OAK | 2B/SS | 22.20 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 37 | 13 |
25 | Austin Hays BAL | OF | 22.84 | AA | 2018 | 17 | -8 |
26 | Keston Hiura MIL | DH | 21.77 | A+ | 2019 | 25 | -1 |
27 | Luis Robert CHW | OF | 20.76 | A+ DL | 2020 | 22 | -5 |
28 | Brendan McKay TB | 1B/LHP | 22.39 | A | 2019 | 33 | 5 |
29 | Taylor Trammell CIN | OF | 20.65 | A+ | 2020 | 38 | 9 |
30 | Alex Verdugo LAD | OF | 21.98 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 35 | 5 |
31 | Francisco Mejia CLE | C/OF | 22.53 | AAA | 2018 | 21 | -10 |
32 | Yordan Alvarez HOU | OF | 20.86 | AA | 2019 | 55 | 23 |
33 | Jesus Sanchez TB | OF | 20.59 | A+ | 2020 | 44 | 11 |
34 | Austin Riley ATL | 3B | 21.10 | AA | 2019 | 56 | 22 |
35 | Willie Calhoun TEX | OF | 23.51 | AAA | 2018 | 26 | -9 |
36 | MacKenzie Gore SD | LHP | 19.21 | A | 2021 | 31 | -5 |
37 | Kyle Wright ATL | RHP | 22.60 | AA | 2019 | 34 | -3 |
38 | Jo Adell LAA | OF | 19.08 | A | 2021 | 46 | 8 |
39 | Jack Flaherty STL | RHP | 22.56 | MLB | 2018 | 49 | 10 |
40 | Justus Sheffield NYY | LHP | 21.99 | AA/AAA | 2018 | 51 | 11 |
41 | Jesus Luzardo OAK | LHP | 20.61 | A+/AA | 2019 | 128 | 87 |
42 | Brent Honeywell TB | RHP | 23.11 | TJ | 2019 | 53 | 11 |
43 | Hunter Greene CIN | RHP | 18.76 | A | 2021 | 32 | -11 |
44 | Luiz Gohara ATL | LHP | 21.77 | AA/AAA | 2018 | 27 | -17 |
45 | Monte Harrison MIA | OF | 22.74 | AA | 2019 | 50 | 5 |
46 | Michel Baez SD | RHP | 22.30 | A+ | 2019 | 47 | 1 |
47 | A.J. Puk OAK | LHP | 23.04 | TJ | 2019 | 30 | -17 |
48 | Christin Stewart DET | OF | 24.41 | AAA | 2018 | 97 | 49 |
49 | Estevan Florial NYY | OF | 20.45 | A+ | 2020 | 40 | -9 |
50 | Jorge Mateo OAK | SS | 22.88 | AAA | 2018 | 28 | -22 |
51 | Ryan McMahon COL | 1B/2B | 23.40 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 29 | -22 |
52 | Luis Urias SD | 2B/SS | 20.93 | AAA | 2018 | 60 | 8 |
53 | Tyler O'Neill STL | OF | 22.88 | AAA | 2018 | 70 | 17 |
54 | Jake Bauers TB | 1B | 22.59 | AAA | 2018 | 65 | 11 |
55 | Dustin Fowler OAK | OF | 23.36 | AAA | 2018 | 78 | 23 |
56 | Austin Meadows PIT | OF | 23.01 | AAA | 2018 | 42 | -14 |
57 | Nick Gordon MIN | SS/2B | 22.54 | AA | 2019 | 74 | 17 |
58 | Anthony Alford TOR | OF | 23.80 | A+/AAA | 2018 | 45 | -13 |
59 | Jahmai Jones LAA | 2B | 20.76 | A+ | 2020 | 64 | 5 |
60 | Joey Lucchesi SD | LHP | 24.92 | MLB | 2018 | 144 | 84 |
61 | Ian Anderson ATL | RHP | 20.02 | A+ | 2020 | 61 | 0 |
62 | Corbin Burnes MIL | RHP | 23.54 | AAA | 2018 | 62 | 0 |
63 | Julio Pablo Martinez TEX | OF | 22.13 | EXT | 2020 | - | - |
64 | Kolby Allard ATL | LHP | 20.74 | AAA | 2018 | 66 | 2 |
65 | Triston McKenzie CLE | RHP | 20.77 | A+ DL | 2019 | 36 | -29 |
66 | Brandon Marsh LAA | OF | 20.39 | A | 2021 | 111 | 45 |
67 | Peter Alonso NYM | 1B | 23.42 | AA | 2019 | 117 | 50 |
68 | Josh Naylor SD | 1B | 20.88 | AA | 2019 | 173 | 105 |
69 | Griffin Canning LAA | RHP | 21.99 | A+/AA | 2019 | - | - |
70 | Garrett Hampson COL | 2B/SS | 23.58 | AA | 2019 | 152 | 82 |
71 | Cal Quantrill SD | RHP | 23.24 | AA | 2019 | 71 | 0 |
72 | Stephen Gonsalves MIN | LHP | 23.83 | AA/AAA | 2018 | 95 | 23 |
73 | Franklin Perez DET | RHP | 20.42 | AA DL | 2019 | 48 | -25 |
74 | Shane Bieber CLE | RHP | 22.94 | AA/AAA | 2018 | 176 | 102 |
75 | Fernando Romero MIN | RHP | 23.37 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 100 | 25 |
76 | Alec Hansen CHW | RHP | 23.58 | AA | 2019 | 52 | -24 |
77 | Alex Faedo DET | RHP | 22.49 | A+ | 2019 | 72 | -5 |
78 | Carter Kieboom WAS | SS | 20.68 | A+ | 2020 | 75 | -3 |
79 | Yusniel Diaz LAD | OF | 21.59 | AA | 2019 | 84 | 5 |
80 | Jose Siri CIN | OF | 22.79 | AA | 2018 | 80 | 0 |
81 | Heliot Ramos SF | OF | 18.67 | A | 2021 | 59 | -22 |
82 | Colton Welker COL | 3B | 20.47 | A+ | 2020 | 102 | 20 |
83 | Jon Duplantier ARI | RHP | 23.83 | AA | 2019 | 73 | -10 |
84 | Albert Abreu NYY | RHP | 22.62 | A+ | 2018 | 83 | -1 |
85 | Dylan Cease CHW | RHP | 22.36 | A+ | 2020 | 103 | 18 |
86 | Adrian Morejon SD | LHP | 19.20 | A+ | 2020 | 67 | -19 |
87 | Chance Adams NYY | RHP | 23.74 | AAA | 2018 | 68 | -19 |
88 | Ryan Mountcastle BAL | SS/3B | 21.22 | AA DL | 2019 | 85 | -3 |
89 | Chris Shaw SF | OF | 24.04 | AAA | 2018 | 93 | 4 |
90 | Cristian Pache ATL | OF | 19.47 | A+ | 2020 | 98 | 8 |
91 | Leody Taveras TEX | OF | 19.67 | A+ | 2020 | 54 | -37 |
92 | Shed Long CIN | 2B | 22.71 | AA | 2018 | 138 | 46 |
93 | Brett Phillips MIL | OF | 23.94 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 99 | 6 |
94 | Blake Rutherford CHW | OF | 21.02 | A+ | 2020 | 125 | 31 |
95 | Corey Ray MIL | OF | 23.63 | AA | 2019 | 96 | 1 |
96 | Kyle Lewis SEA | OF | 22.82 | EXT | 2019 | 63 | -33 |
97 | Seuly Matias KC | OF | 19.68 | A | 2021 | - | - |
98 | Max Fried ATL | LHP | 24.31 | AA/AAA | 2018 | 86 | -12 |
99 | Matt Manning DET | RHP | 20.28 | A | 2020 | 82 | -17 |
100 | Keibert Ruiz LAD | C | 19.80 | AA | 2019 | 101 | 1 |
101 | Michael Chavis BOS | 3B | 22.74 | SUS | 2019 | 57 | -44 |
102 | Andres Gimenez NYM | SS | 19.68 | A+ | 2020 | 155 | 53 |
103 | Danny Jansen TOR | C | 23.06 | AAA | 2018 | 124 | 21 |
104 | Anderson Espinoza SD | RHP | 20.16 | A+ | 2020 | 104 | 0 |
105 | Jorge Guzman MIA | RHP | 22.28 | A+ | 2020 | 105 | 0 |
106 | Shane Baz PIT | RHP | 18.89 | EXT | 2021 | 106 | 0 |
107 | Adbert Alzolay CHC | RHP | 23.19 | AAA | 2018 | 127 | 20 |
108 | Wander Javier MIN | SS | 19.36 | EXT | 2021 | 108 | 0 |
109 | J.D. Davis HOU | 3B/1B | 25.03 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 163 | 54 |
110 | Isan Diaz MIA | 2B | 21.95 | AA | 2019 | 89 | -21 |
111 | Bobby Bradley CLE | 1B | 21.94 | AA | 2019 | 76 | -35 |
112 | Austin Beck OAK | OF | 19.46 | A | 2021 | 112 | 0 |
113 | Zack Collins CHW | C | 23.26 | AA | 2019 | 113 | 0 |
114 | Sandy Alcantara MIA | RHP | 22.67 | AAA | 2018 | 114 | 0 |
115 | Nate Pearson TOR | RHP | 21.72 | A+ DL | 2020 | 115 | 0 |
116 | Dane Dunning CHW | RHP | 23.38 | A+/AA | 2019 | 140 | 24 |
117 | Jeren Kendall LAD | OF | 22.26 | A+ | 2020 | 122 | 5 |
118 | Chance Sisco BAL | C | 23.21 | MLB | 2018 | 91 | -27 |
119 | Ronald Guzman TEX | 1B | 23.55 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | 116 | -3 |
120 | Daulton Varsho ARI | C | 21.85 | A+ | 2020 | 179 | 59 |
121 | Jeter Downs CIN | SS/2B | 19.78 | A | 2021 | - | - |
122 | Nick Pratto KC | 1B | 19.59 | A | 2021 | 118 | -4 |
123 | Beau Burrows DET | RHP | 21.64 | AA | 2019 | 139 | 16 |
124 | Jason Groome BOS | LHP | 19.71 | A DL | 2020 | 81 | -43 |
125 | Mitchell White LAD | RHP | 23.36 | AA | 2019 | 120 | -5 |
126 | Adonis Medina PHI | RHP | 21.39 | A+ | 2019 | 141 | 15 |
127 | Joey Wentz ATL | LHP | 20.59 | A+ | 2020 | 142 | 15 |
128 | Lazaro Armenteros OAK | OF | 18.96 | EXT | 2021 | 135 | 7 |
129 | Andrew Knizner STL | C | 23.26 | AA | 2019 | 166 | 37 |
130 | Yu-Cheng Chang CLE | SS/3B | 22.72 | AAA | 2018 | 147 | 17 |
131 | Pavin Smith ARI | 1B | 22.26 | A+ | 2019 | 77 | -54 |
132 | Josh Lowe TB | OF | 20.27 | A+ | 2020 | 169 | 37 |
133 | D.J. Peters LAD | OF | 22.41 | AA | 2019 | 167 | 34 |
134 | Dylan Cozens OF PHI | OF | 23.94 | AAA | 2018 | 199 | 65 |
135 | Daz Cameron DET | OF | 21.31 | A+ | 2020 | 110 | -25 |
136 | Brent Rooker MIN | OF | 23.52 | AA | 2019 | 79 | -57 |
137 | Khalil Lee KC | OF | 19.87 | A+ | 2020 | 178 | 41 |
138 | Erick Fedde WAS | RHP | 25.20 | AAA | 2018 | 143 | 5 |
139 | Yadier Alvarez LAD | RHP | 22.17 | AA | 2019 | 88 | -51 |
140 | J.B. Bukauskas HOU | RHP | 21.58 | A DL | 2020 | 94 | -46 |
141 | Domingo Acevedo NYY | RHP | 24.17 | AA | 2018 | 121 | -20 |
142 | Daniel Johnson WAS | OF | 22.83 | AA | 2019 | 145 | 3 |
143 | Alex Kirilloff MIN | OF | 20.50 | A | 2020 | 159 | 16 |
144 | Max Schrock STL | 2B | 23.57 | AAA | 2018 | - | - |
145 | Esteury Ruiz SD | 2B/3B | 19.23 | A | 2021 | - | - |
146 | Kevin Maitan LAA | SS | 18.24 | EXT | 2021 | 107 | -39 |
147 | Jordan Hicks STL | RHP | 21.67 | MLB | 2018 | - | - |
148 | Wander Franco TB | SS | 17.19 | EXT | 2022 | 148 | 0 |
149 | Jeisson Rosario SD | OF | 18.54 | A | 2021 | - | - |
150 | Adam Haseley PHI | OF | 22.07 | A+ | 2020 | 92 | -58 |
151 | Carson Kelly STL | C | 23.82 | AAA | 2018 | 123 | -28 |
152 | Cole Tucker PIT | SS | 21.85 | AA | 2019 | 130 | -22 |
153 | Jhailyn Ortiz PHI | OF | 19.47 | A | 2020 | 126 | -27 |
154 | Touki Toussaint ATL | RHP | 21.88 | AA | 2019 | 158 | 4 |
155 | Brusdar Graterol MIN | RHP | 19.70 | A | 2021 | 198 | 43 |
156 | Domingo German NYY | RHP | 25.76 | MLB | 2018 | - | - |
157 | James Kaprielian OAK | RHP | 24.18 | A+ DL | 2019 | 157 | 0 |
158 | Tony Santillan CIN | RHP | 21.06 | A+ | 2020 | - | - |
159 | Jalen Beeks BOS | LHP | 24.83 | AAA | 2018 | - | - |
160 | Luis Ortiz MIL | RHP | 22.63 | AA | 2019 | 153 | -7 |
161 | Dennis Santana LAD | RHP | 22.07 | AA | 2018 | - | - |
162 | Akil Baddoo MIN | OF | 19.73 | A | 2021 | 161 | -1 |
163 | Sean Murphy OAK | C | 23.58 | AA | 2019 | - | - |
164 | Evan White SEA | 1B | 22.03 | A+ | 2019 | 137 | -27 |
165 | Austin Allen SD | C | 24.31 | AA | 2019 | - | - |
166 | Christian Arroyo TB | 3B | 22.94 | AAA | 2018 | 132 | -34 |
167 | Isaac Paredes DET | SS | 19.22 | A+ | 2020 | - | - |
168 | Tyler Stephenson CIN | C | 21.73 | A+ | 2020 | - | - |
169 | Bubba Thompson TEX | OF | 19.91 | EXT | 2021 | 160 | -9 |
170 | Jonathan Loaisiga NYY | RHP | 23.52 | A+/AA | 2019 | - | - |
171 | Corbin Martin HOU | RHP | 22.36 | A+/AA | 2019 | - | - |
172 | Bryse Wilson ATL | RHP | 20.38 | A+ | 2020 | - | - |
173 | Hunter Harvey BAL | RHP | 23.41 | AA | 2018 | 171 | -2 |
174 | Connor Wong LAD | C | 21.97 | A+ | 2020 | - | - |
175 | Nick Solak TB | 2B/OF | 23.33 | AA | 2019 | 186 | 11 |
176 | Edwin Rios LAD | 1B/3B | 24.05 | EXT | 2019 | 180 | 4 |
177 | Hudson Potts SD | 3B | 19.53 | A+ | 2020 | - | - |
178 | Jaime Barria LAA | RHP | 21.81 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | - | - |
179 | Lucas Erceg MIL | 3B | 23.02 | AA | 2019 | 164 | -15 |
180 | Dakota Hudson STL | RHP | 23.65 | AAA | 2018 | 182 | 2 |
181 | Sheldon Neuse OAK | 3B | 23.41 | AAA | 2019 | 136 | -45 |
182 | T.J. Zeuch TOR | RHP | 22.77 | A+ | 2019 | 183 | 1 |
183 | Logan Allen SD | LHP | 20.96 | AA | 2019 | 191 | 8 |
184 | Adolis Garcia STL | OF | 25.18 | AAA | 2019 | 185 | 1 |
185 | Cedric Mullins BAL | OF | 23.60 | AA | 2019 | 193 | 8 |
186 | Roman Quinn PHI | OF | 24.98 | AAA | 2018 | - | - |
187 | Micker Adolfo CHW | OF | 21.66 | A+ | 2018 | - | - |
188 | Franmil Reyes SD | OF | 22.84 | AAA | 2018 | - | - |
189 | David Paulino HOU | RHP | 24.26 | AAA | 2018 | 192 | 3 |
190 | Myles Straw HOU | OF | 23.56 | AA | 2019 | - | - |
191 | Darick Hall PHI | 1B | 22.79 | A+ | 2020 | - | - |
192 | LaMonte Wade MIN | OF | 24.35 | AA | 2019 | - | - |
193 | M.J. Melendez KC | C | 19.44 | A | 2022 | - | - |
194 | Mauricio Dubon MIL | SS/2B | 23.80 | AAA | 2018 | - | - |
195 | Brandon Lowe TB | 2B/OF | 23.84 | AA | 2019 | - | - |
196 | Sean Reid-Foley TOR | RHP | 22.69 | AA | 2019 | - | - |
197 | Kyle Muller ATL | LHP | 20.59 | A | 2020 | - | - |
198 | Rylan Bannon LAD | 3B/2B | 22.04 | A+ | 2020 | - | - |
199 | Austin Slater SF | OF | 25.40 | AAA/MLB | 2018 | - | - |
200 | Riley Pint COL | RHP | 20.51 | A | 2020 | 129 | -71 |
Notable Changes
Graduates
With over 130 at-bats in the majors, the following prospects exceeded MLB rookie limits.
- Lewis Brinson, OF, Miami Marlins
- J.P. Crawford, SS, Philadelphia Phillies
- Jesse Winker, OF, Cincinnati Reds
- Jorge Alfaro, C, Philadelphia Phillies
- Brian Anderson, 3B, Miami Marlins
- Colin Moran, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Franchy Cordero, OF, San Diego Padres
- Harrison Bader, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Projected June Graduates
Based on projected playing time, the following prospects likely will exceed MLB rookie limits by June.
- Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH, Los Angeles Angels
- Walker Buehler, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Scott Kingery, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
- Jack Flaherty, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
- Miguel Andujar, 3B, New York Yankees
- Chance Sisco, C, Baltimore Orioles
- Brett Phillips, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
- Joey Lucchesi, LHP, San Diego Padres
Honorable Mentions
Numerous prospects were in consideration for inclusion in the top 200, including each of the following prospects.
- Catcher: Tom Murphy, Colorado Rockies; Ronaldo Hernandez, Tampa Bay Rays
- First Base: Daniel Vogelbach, Seattle Mariners; Cavan Biggio, Toronto Blue Jays
- Second Base: Kevin Kramer, Pittsburgh Pirates; Eguy Rosario, San Diego Padres
- Third Base: Jake Burger, Chicago White Sox; Nolan Jones, Cleveland Indians
- Shortstop: Jasrado Chisholm, Arizona Diamondbacks; Kevin Smith, Toronto Blue Jays
- Outfield: Cal Mitchell, Pittsburgh Pirates; Marcus Wilson, Arizona Diamondbacks; Justin Williams, Tampa Bay Rays; Forrest Wall, Colorado Rockies; Conner Capel, Cleveland Indians; Luis Alexander Basabe, Chicago White Sox
- Pitcher: Braxton Garrett, Miami Marlins; Trevor Stephan, New York Yankees; Enyel De Los Santos, Philadelphia Phillies; Tyler Beede, San Francisco Giants; Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres; Franklyn Kilome, Philadelphia Phillies; David Peterson, New York Mets; A.J. Minter, Atlanta Braves; Zac Lowther, Baltimore Orioles; Hans Crouse, Texas Rangers; Aaron Civale, Cleveland Indians; Chris Paddack, San Diego Padres; Keury Mella, Cincinnati Reds; Caleb Ferguson, Los Angeles Dodgers
Notable Additions
The following prospects have entered the top 150 after being unranked in the initial top 200.
- Julio Pablo Martinez, OF, Texas Rangers
- Griffin Canning, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
- Seuly Matias, OF, Kansas City Royals
- Jeter Downs, SS/2B, Cincinnati Reds
- Max Schrock, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
- Esteury Ruiz, 2B/3B, San Diego Padres
- Jordan Hicks, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
- Jeisson Rosario, OF, San Diego Padres
Notable Drop Outs
Other than the graduates (above), the following prospects in the top 175 fell completely out of the top 200 due to under-performance or injury.
- Mickey Moniak, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
- Starling Heredia, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Tristen Lutz, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
- Nolan Jones, 3B, Cleveland Indians
- Seth Romero, LHP, Washington Nationals
- Ryan Vilade, SS, Colorado Rockies
- Braxton Garrett, LHP, Miami Marlins
- Aramis Ademan, SS, Chicago Cubs
- Garrett Whitley, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
- Freicer Perez, RHP, New York Yankees
- Franklyn Kilome, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
- Marcus Wilson, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
- David Peterson, RHP, New York Mets
18 Comments
[…] 2018 Baseball Prospect Rankings: TheDynastyGuru.com updates their rankings of the top 200 fantasy prospects. […]
Nice list. Juan Soto will be a top 5 prospect by seasons end if he keeps this up!
How do you see Yordan Alvarez fitting on an already stacked Houston team? Especially when you consider Tucker will be up too.
Any reason why you have Luis Urias so low? He probably has one of the best bats in the minors and profiles very similarly to Ozzie Albies…..with similar power (Albies is not a 40 homerun hitter) and a better average/on base.
Yordan Alvarez is surprisingly athletic given his size (already listed at 6’5″ 225 at just 20 years old) and can competently play left field. The Astros actually have a lot of current questions in both their OF and at 1B (where Alvarez can also play and likely will be his position long-term). Other than Springer, Reddick is only signed through 2020 and Marisnick/Fisher inspire no confidence. However, Tucker likely will occupy one spot and an OF of Springer, Tucker, and Alvarez does not provide ideal range.
Instead, I anticipate Alvarez entering the picture at 1B as soon as 2019. Gurriel is a free agent after 2020 (like Reddick) and is already 34, while Gattis and Marwin Gonzalez are free agents after this year. It makes sense to push Gurriel to DH to keep him fresh.
In this updated top 200, I moved Urias up 8 spots from 60 to 52. Thus far, he is performing well in Triple-A. Even though his hit tool is excellent (my fantasy grade is 65), his power is extremely limited (40). Players like Urias are finding a lot of success lately in the majors getting to far more power than anyone imagined or predicted. It is far too optimistic to believe he will run into 15+ home run power for the first time ever in the majors. It could happen, but I would not bet on it. Further, I do not believe Albies is a good comparison for anyone (I believe Kiley McDaniel said he is incredibly unique). With that said, an elite hit tool, modest power, and no speed does not make for a great fantasy player, and his ranking reflects that. In non-fantasy rankings, I would expect Urias to rank quite highly.
Thanks for the comment/questions!
After getting hit by a comebacker in his season debut on Monday, Nate Pearson suffered a non-displaced fracture of the ulna bone in his pitching arm and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks. This injury is not quite as concerning as the dreaded “forearm soreness” suffered by McKenzie and Hansen, but it will cause Pearson to fall a bit.
In further injury news, Mauricio Dubon tore his ACL on Saturday and is out for the year. Obviously, this injury drops Dubon from the Top 200.
Cal Mitchell, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates replaces Dubon in the Top 200 at #200. All other prospects behind Dubon move up 1 spot.
I’m a huge fan of Brent Honeywell, but am scratching my head as to how he’s rising while recovering from surgery that will sideline him all year.
His current ranking represents a self-correction. I was too reactionary to his injury and dropped him farther than I should have.
No Freddy Peralta in the top 200? Has had some great outings even in the PCL and has had great K numbers. Is that an oversight or is it because you don’t see him as a starter? Still seems he should be ranked over other guys.
I like Freddy Peralta and he has been strong in an extremely difficult pitching environment (Triple-A Colorado Springs). My issue with him is his poor command and control (regularly 11+% walk percentage), wild delivery, and small size (5’11”). I do not buy him as a starter, though he could follow Hader in the multi-inning relief role.
Fair enough. Fantasy-wise I’d still rather own him than Sheldon Neuse who looks terrible this year after one good season in AA. (I own them both in a deep prospect league where Holds is a cat so even high upside RP is fine with me). Thanks for the great list though. Going to go add Loaisiga and Austin Allen
Framill Reyes?
Franmil Reyes is a big (6’5″ and 240 pounds) and powerful corner outfielder for the Padres. Last year, he led Double-A Texas League in home runs (25), while hitting .258/.322/.464 (I was actually able to witness one of those home runs live last year). Despite his performance, he was eligible for the Rule-5 Draft and no team selected him. This year, Reyes moved to Triple-A, where he is presently the hottest hitter in the Minors. Over the last 8 games, he is 20 for 30 with 4 doubles and 8 home runs, raising his season line to .353/.435/.748 and 13 home runs. Meanwhile, at just 22 years old, he is one of the youngest players in Triple-A Pacific Coast League. On the downside, and the reason most overlook Reyes, he is a poor fielder and below-average athlete. However, his plus power, improving hit tool, and eye-popping performance at the highest level in the Minors elevate him into the Top 200.
Upon request, and moving forward, I will provide the approximate ranking of each graduate:
Lewis Brinson, OF, Miami Marlins: hit tool decreases from 50 to 45, dropping him from 14 to 39 (between Adell and Flaherty)
J.P. Crawford, SS, Philadelphia Phillies: hit tool decreases from 60 to 55, dropping him from 41 to 65 (between Allard and McKenzie)
Jesse Winker, OF, Cincinnati Reds: risk decreases, moving him from 69 to 37 (between Gore and Wright)
Brian Anderson, 3B, Miami Marlins: value is static (approx 133)
Colin Moran, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates: value is static (approx 134)
Franchy Cordero, OF, San Diego Padres: power tool increases from 50 to 55 and risk decreases, moving him from 146 to 66 (between McKenzie and Marsh)
Harrison Bader, OF, St. Louis Cardinals: value is static (approx 131)
You forgot to put Jorge Alfaro in the graduates list
Correct! Fixed.
Leody Taveras fell from 37 spots from 54 in March to 91 in May. Here is why:
In March, I was on the fence about his fantasy game power (40/45). After two months of reflection, including a month of performance, I am no longer buying 45 fantasy game power (15-20 HR) as he has displayed very little power thus far, hits tons of grounders, has a 5-6% HR/FB rate, and more recent reports from FG and others give him max 45 game power. He is still an excellent real-life prospect due to superb range and defense in CF, an above-average future hit tool, and plus speed. I am not as enamored with such a prospect in fantasy.
Part of the reason for this updated ranking is to correct some slight missteps with the March ranking. Taveras was one of several. I do not anticipate nearly as much movement in the June update.
Finally, please note tiers at 1-16, 17-48, 49-96, 97-144, 145-192, and 193-200. This last tier actually includes tons of players, and I just choose my favorite 8.
Thoughts on Mason Martin of the Pirates? Didn’t make the 200, or even the considerations list, but I am kind of excited about this kid.
Mason Martin is still quite far from cracking the Top 200. Although he had a strong April (.262/.361/.476) in Low-A, it came with 30 strikeouts in just 24 games. He is also a below-average athlete with very little projection, standing at a listed 6’0″ and 201 pounds. Limited to first base, he has been pretty atrocious defensively thus far, though some can be forgiven as he is just 18 years old in Low-A. Meanwhile, in May, Martin has struggled, with just 2 hits in his last 29 at-bats. As a first base prospect with even less defensive projection than others due to his height, his bat will need to carry him, and a 33.3% strikeout rate and 15.9% swinging strikes will not cut it. Of course, he is one of the youngest players in the South Atlantic League so we can provide him some slack. However, he is far away with high risk and limited upside.