20 Comments

1. 

   Alex

   August 8, 2018 at 4:20 pm

   Great stuff, thanks Jesse! I’ve picked up shares of Tyler Phillips in all my leagues after he got a shoutout in both the May and July pitcher updates, and he seems to only be getting better – fanned 13 and walked NONE over 7 innings yesterday! Did he receive any consideration for a top 240 or HM spot?

   • 

     Jesse Roche

     August 8, 2018 at 4:32 pm

     Tyler Phillips is a 6’5″ 200-pound, right-handed pitcher for the Rangers in Low-A. He is enjoying a breakout season (2.92/1.06 ERA/WHIP, 111 IP, 111/12 K/BB). Phillips sports a solid, three-pitch mix, including a low-90s sinking fastball, and a curveball and change-up which both flash above-average and even plus. Although he only has issued 12 walks in 111 innings, his command is still a work-in-progress, and many believe he is control over command right now. Nevertheless, it is legit improvement, and with his average to above repertoire and remaining projection, he all of a sudden has nice upside. For now, he is a 4- or 5-starter for me, and among many on the cusp of the Honorable Mention section.

2. 

   Slam

   August 8, 2018 at 6:14 pm

   Curious to get your take on Ronny Mauricio. He seems like someone who’s opened a lot of eyes this year and I’ve even heard credible sources mention him as a potential future star. I see him in your honorable mention, but what would you like to see out of him that would make you show him more love?

   • 

     Jesse Roche

     August 8, 2018 at 6:22 pm

     The Mets signed Ronny Mauricio during the 2017 J2 international signing period for $2.1 million. He is an excellent defensive shortstop with potential average hit and power tools. Thus far, he is off to a strong start (.304/.331/.481) as one of the youngest players in the Gulf Coast League (just 17 years old). He missed the Top 240 because his offensive upside is a bit limited and he has a lengthy lead-time. Given his defensive value, Mauricio is a better real-life player than fantasy player.

     • 

       Mark

       August 8, 2018 at 8:55 pm

       Eeek, no. Must have got a bad scouting report. His offensive upside is higher than his defensive. He probably doesn’t start at SS, but he might. Real chance to be a special hitter at SS.

       • 

         Jesse Roche

         August 8, 2018 at 9:10 pm

         “Excellent” was poor word choice, but he is solid there and should stick despite his 6’3″ frame. Still, a switch hitting shortstop with average hit and power has immense real-life value. I like him a good bit. Definitely a strong case for his inclusion in the Top 240.

         • 

           Mark

           August 9, 2018 at 10:50 am

           Ben Badler compared him to Tatis. Fangraphs he has 50/55 hit/power FV profile right now, but there’s a lot of projection left. I just think because you said defensive value in your initial post, you might not be too familiar with him if you thought that was his calling card. He’s very athletic, but he’s not some tiny SS prospect who is some sort of defensive specialist. He has an incredible physical body with projection left. If he gets to the bigs he’s not going to be Jose Iglesias, he’s going to be a 20 HR + guy.

         • 

           Jesse Roche

           August 9, 2018 at 1:06 pm

           Fangraphs refers to his raw power as 55. I refer to his game power. Those grades also take into account remaining projection, of which there is a ton. I also want to make it very clear that my grades are not the same as Fangraphs. They are fantasy tool grades, which I explained repeatedly in depth in each of my positional rankings.

           When I referenced his defensive value, I am simply stating he is likely to provide positive defensive value given his arm strength, actions, and soft hands, regardless whether his large frame and average speed force him to third base. I also believe he will stick at shortstop. I never implied he was a defensive specialist, especially given the hit/power grades I supplied.

           Specifically, when I throw out 50/50 grades for hit/power that in no way equates to a player like Jose Iglesias or similar light hitting short stops who have sub-50 hit and sub-40 power. Further, those fantasy grades roughly equate to .265 BA and 20-25 home runs.

3. 

   Slam

   August 8, 2018 at 6:51 pm

   How do you view the potential offensive upside of Isaac Paredes? He’s holding his own in AA as one of the only few teenagers at that level.

   • 

     Jesse Roche

     August 8, 2018 at 7:11 pm

     Isaac Paredes has similar offensive upside to Jhonny Peralta (50/55 hit, 45/50 power)

4. Wednesday, August 8, 2018 - Fantasy Baseball Links - FantasyRundown.com

   August 8, 2018 at 8:15 pm

   […] Baseball Prospect Rankings: TheDynastyGuru.com ranks the top 240 prospects as we near the end of the fantasy […]

5. 

   Alex

   August 9, 2018 at 12:38 pm

   Hi Jesse, thanks for the great work! I play in an extremely shallow dynasty league with small farms. Which of the prospects on your list have 1st round upside, if everything clicks right. I’m thinking the top 24, then Wander Franco, AJ Puk, and Daulton Varsho? Anyone else you can think of? Thanks!

   • 

     Jesse Roche

     August 9, 2018 at 1:49 pm

     Thanks, Alex! As a catcher, Varsho lacks the necessary upside for shallow formats.

     The top-30 players with the most upside on this list are:

     1. Vlad Guerrero Jr. (1)
     2. Eloy Jimenez (2)
     3. Fernando Tatis Jr. (3)
     4. Jo Adell (5)
     5. Wander Franco (30)
     6. Luis Robert (22)
     7. Royce Lewis (11)
     8. Victor Robles (4)
     9. Sixto Sanchez (13)
     10. Hunter Greene (38)
     11. MacKenzie Gore (24)
     12. Nolan Gorman (42)
     13. Casey Mize (16)
     14. Alex Reyes (14)
     15. Michael Kopech (15)
     16. Forrest Whitley (9)
     17. A.J. Puk (44)
     18. Brusdar Graterol (64)
     19. Esteury Ruiz (89)
     20. Anderson Espinoza (116)
     21. Jordyn Adams (138)
     22. Kristian Robinson (180)
     23. Kyle Tucker (6)
     24. Brendan Rodgers (7)
     25. Bo Bichette (10)
     26. Jesus Luzardo (12)
     27. Taylor Trammell (20)
     28. Brendan McKay (23)
     29. Jesus Sanchez (32)
     30. Brent Honeywell (39)

     In the offseason, or maybe even in the next couple weeks, I plan to post a ranking based solely on upside (I did this earlier this year as well).

     • 

       Alex

       August 9, 2018 at 2:29 pm

       Thanks!

6. 

   Craig

   August 9, 2018 at 11:46 pm

   Hi Jesse
   What are you thoughts on Bryse Wilson? In AAA now (just got there) as a 20 year old. 185 on your list. What is holding you back from rating him as a top 100 player?

   • 

     Jesse Roche

     August 10, 2018 at 8:43 am

     Wilson has a plus mid-90s (93-97 mph) fastball, but lacks anything more than average secondaries (slider and change-up) and command. His slider occasionally flashes above-average to plus, but is inconsistent. Further, I think he carries a significant relief risk given his fastball/slider combo which likely plays up in shorter stints. With that said, Wilson definitely could push toward the top-100 and he was on quite a roll in July (0.84/0.84 ERA/WHIP, 32 1/3 IP, 42/7 K/BB). The Braves love pushing young pitching and he is now in Triple-A at just 20 years old. Ultimately, I think Wilson is a 4- or 5-starter or late-inning reliever. As such, he lacks the upside or perceived safety of most of the arms ahead of him.

7. 

   Mike

   August 28, 2018 at 10:26 am

   On your graduate list. It shows movement. For example Adames from 20 to 26. What does that represent? The relative position that would be if that still qualified as a rookie?

   • 

     Jesse Roche

     August 28, 2018 at 10:43 am

     It means he would drop from 20 (prior June rank) to 26 if he were still eligible for the Top 240.

8. 

   Mike

   August 28, 2018 at 10:36 am

   What do you think of Yandy Diaz

   • 

     Jesse Roche

     August 28, 2018 at 10:52 am

     Yandy Diaz is such an interesting player. He is HUGE (https://www.mensjournal.com/sports/yandy-diaz-seriously-jacked-and-ready-lift-cleveland-indians-another-world-series/), makes tons of hard contact (47.5%) with huge exit velocities (93.7 mph average), and he is an excellent hitter. However, his swing is flat, causing tons of low line drives and grounders. Continue to monitor his GB% and FB%. If he ever joins the fly ball movement, he could erupt. Unfortunately, regular playing time is hard to come by in the crowded Indians infield, and he is already 27. As such, he really should only be left for deeper leagues where he can stashed. Ultimately, I think he only amounts to a bat-first MLB bench option with minimal game power.