The MLB Draft is in the books! During the draft, I noted my pick-by-pick observations and the fantasy potential of each pick. Following the draft, I examined infield, outfield, and pitching prospects with increasing and decreasing fantasy value. With the draft complete, it is time to revisit the 2019 Top 200 Fantasy Prospects, published in May, now including many new draftees.

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. Since May, there is plenty of movement in the Top 200.

Top 200 Fantasy Prospects, June 2019

Notable Changes

Graduated Prospects

With over 130 at-bats, 50 innings-pitched, or 45 days of service time in the majors, the following prospects exceeded MLB rookie limits. Further, the May ranking is in parentheses, followed by a brief update with an approximate June ranking.

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (1): flashing his immense upside after a slow start (still first!)
• Eloy Jimenez, Chicago White Sox (3): huge power, some swing-and-miss (between Tatis Jr. and Franco)
• Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds (5): displaying some power and speed (between Franco and Hiura)
• Chris Paddack, San Diego Padres (6): elite fastball/change-up combo (between Franco and Hiura, behind Senzel)
• Mike Soroka, Atlanta Braves (23): devastating sinker and great command (between Riley and Alvarez)
• Michael Chavis, Boston Red Sox (33): falling back to earth after fast start, but legit power (between Trammell and Manning)
• Yusei Kikuchi, Seattle Mariners (34): little swing-and-miss and home run prone (between Greene and Patino)
• Josh James, Houston Astros (65): settling into multi-inning relief role (between Plesac and Carlson)
• Christin Stewart, Detroit Tigers (76): hitting well after return from injury, plus power (between Martin and Rodriguez)
• Touki Toussaint, Atlanta Braves (81): settling into relief role (between Plesac and Carlson, behind James)

Others of Note:

• Cole Tucker, Pittsburgh Pirates (128)
• Spencer Turnbull, Detroit Tigers (130)
• Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates (137)

Projected July Graduates

Based on projected playing time, the following prospects likely will exceed MLB rookie limits by July.

• Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
• Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves
• Griffin Canning, Los Angeles Angels
• Jon Duplantier, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Cavan Biggio, Toronto Blue Jays
• Zach Plesac, Cleveland Indians
• Oscar Mercado, Cleveland Indians
• Shed Long, Seattle Mariners
• Nicky Lopez, Kansas City Royals
• Luis Rengifo, Los Angeles Angels

Rising Prospects

The following prospects made the biggest moves in the rankings between May and June.

• Zach Plesac, Cleveland Indians (unranked to 84)
• Oscar Mercado, Cleveland Indians (unranked to 129)
• Anthony Kay, New York Mets (unranked to 157)
• Will Benson, Cleveland Indians (unranked to 164)
• Jake Fraley, Seattle Mariners (unranked to 170)
• Daniel Johnson, Cleveland Indians (unranked to 186)
• Lolo Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates (unranked to 190)
• Dylan Carlson, St. Louis Cardinals (165 to 85)
• Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox (188 to 113)
• Zac Gallen, Miami Marlins (114 to 64)

Falling Prospects

The following prospects made the biggest drops in the rankings between May and June.

• Seuly Matias, Kansas City Royals (141 to unranked)
• Kevin Smith, Toronto Blue Jays (150 to unranked)
• Tyler Phillips, Texas Rangers (154 to unranked)
• Tyler Nevin, Colorado Rockies (157 to unranked)
• Taylor Widener, Arizona Diamondbacks (163 to unranked)
• Akil Baddoo, Minnesota Twins (elbow strain, out for the year)
• J.B. Bukauskas, Houston Astros (168 to unranked)
• Victor Victor Mesa, Miami Marlins (72 to 122)
• Justus Sheffield, Seattle Mariners (74 to 124)
• Travis Swaggerty, Pittsburgh Pirates (101 to 151)
• Luis Garcia, Philadelphia Phillies (145 to 195)

Honorable Mentions

Numerous prospects were in consideration for inclusion in the top 200, including each of the following prospects.

• Catcher: Sam Huff, Texas Rangers; Jake Rogers, Detroit Tigers; Luis Campusano, San Diego Padres; Miguel Amaya, Chicago Cubs; Shea Langeliers, Atlanta Braves; Ivan Herrera, St. Louis Cardinals
• First Base: Kevin Cron, Arizona Diamondbacks; Tyler Nevin, Colorado Rockies; Lewin Diaz, Minnesota Twins; Roberto Ramos, Colorado Rockies; Logan Wyatt, San Francisco Giants; Will Craig, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Second Base: Adam Hall, Baltimore Orioles; Luis Santana, Houston Astros; Omar Estevez, Los Angeles Dodgers; Joshua Rojas, Houston Astros; Chase Strumpf, Chicago Cubs; Josh Smith, New York Yankees
• Third Base: Abraham Toro, Houston Astros; Miguel Vargas, Los Angeles Dodgers; Davis Wendzel, Texas Rangers; Nick Quintana, Detroit Tigers; Hudson Potts, San Diego Padres; Sherten Apostel, Texas Rangers
• Shortstop: Will Wilson, Los Angeles Angels; Logan Davidson, Oakland Athletics; Kevin Smith, Toronto Blue Jays; Anderson Tejeda, Texas Rangers; Willi Castro, Detroit Tigers; Braden Shewmake, Atlanta Braves; Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles; Cameron Cannon, Boston Red Sox; Brady McConnell, Kansas City Royals; Matthew Lugo, Boston Red Sox
• Outfield: Kyle Isbel, Kansas City Royals; Cal Mitchell, Pittsburgh Pirates; Matt Wallner, Minnesota Twins; D.J. Stewart, Baltimore Orioles; Sammy Siani, Pittsburgh Pirates; Jose Siri, Cincinnati Reds; Griffin Conine, Toronto Blue Jays; Brennen Davis, Chicago Cubs; Jhon Torres, St. Louis Cardinals; Tristen Lutz, Milwaukee Brewers
• Pitcher: Edward Cabrera, Miami Marlins; Braxton Garrett, Miami Marlins; Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays; Jose Suarez, Los Angeles Angels; Kris Bubic, Kansas City Royals; Joe Palumbo, Texas Rangers; Mitchell White, Los Angeles Dodgers, Jhoan Duran, Minnesota Twins; Alex Faedo, Detroit Tigers; Zac Lowther, Baltimore Orioles

Jesse Roche's 2019 Prospect Series

Please feel free to post comments, questions, or your own observations!

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