With the signing of Seiya Suzuki comes the final update to my FYPD rankings this offseason. There are not a large number of changes in volume, but some notable changes to some particular players I’ll highlight below the ranks. While nothing really changed as far as a player’s ability goes, I’ve now participated in several dynasty supplemental drafts and you never really know how you feel about a player until you’re on the clock, or you’re desperately hoping someone falls to your pick. Hopefully, this update reaches you before your own supplemental drafts start, but if not maybe they’ll help with some trade decisions you have to make. Either way, I hope you enjoy the list and are as excited as I am for the start of the baseball season!

Cristhian Vaquero, OF, Washington Nationals

While I took a step back from my aggressive #4 ranking of Vaquero, it was not a big step back. Part of the reason was not finding enough looks of Vaquero playing in games, while video of Brady House hitting his peers’ best stuff is readily available. Another reason was Jack Leiter’s proximity and high floor, as he should see the majors in 2023 barring injury, and it’s difficult to project him as less than a #3 starter but likely more. I did keep Vaquero ahead of Kahlil Watson who also has hit tool questions, but a nice power/speed blend. I’d project both tools to be better for Vaquero while sharing a similar amount of risk, so I’m happy with his new ranking here at #7.

Colton Cowser, OF, Baltimore Orioles

Cowser was at the bottom of a tier in the last rankings at #15. Now having heard Eric Garfield (@Eric_Birdland) suggest on an episode of Fantrax Toolshed that Cowser might have gained up to 20 lbs after seeing him play this offseason, pushed Colton up to the top of the tier. Live looks are very important and often overlooked in the data-driven game today, while data can tell you what happened, live looks can suggest changes resulting in improvements that are going to happen. Cowser was by no means a flawed prospect if only to have power limitations in my mind. Having a glimmer of hope he’s gained some weight to a large frame makes him significantly more appealing to me, especially as someone who may not need as much seasoning as his FYPD peers.

Benny Montgomery, OF, Colorado Rockies

While I’m still not a fan of Benny Montgomery and the ranking reflects that, there is impressive talent despite some significant questions about his hit tool. That said the players now ranked directly behind him are in the same boat, with loud but raw tools and limited experience with advanced competition. Colson Montgomery and Lonnie White didn’t even focus solely on baseball through high school. All are enticing, but also carry an extreme risk of ever reaching the upper minors let alone becoming big-league stars.

Aaron Zavala, OF, Texas Rangers

While a 10 spot jump at this point of the rankings is not huge, it is notable. Zavala carries an excellent hit tool and displayed impressive plate discipline in his first taste of pro-ball. At this point of the draft, there are plenty of ‘projects’ but I like to take a chance on the guy with the good hit tool, and hope he figures out the power, rather than vice versa. He’s also played some 3B in the past which could open intriguing opportunities for him.