With MLB Draft is right around the corner and most minor leaguers have 100+ at-bats or around 40 innings already under the belt. With all of that, of course, comes movement in the rankings. We have seen a few players surge up the list, as always, and I’ll highlight a few of the biggest risers today along with a mini-draft preview.
Perhaps this is the first time you’ve seen this list. If that is, in fact, the case, let me fill you in on what makes it different from other lists:
- This is based strictly on projected future fantasy output
- MLB ballparks come into play as a result, as do paths to playing time
- Fielding has no impact on my rankings other than how it influences a player’s likelihood to win a job in the future
- College, high school and even international players who have not made the leap to America are on this list
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Risers
I don’t need to tell you that Juan Soto has risen up lists considerably as anticipated this spring. If he weren’t called up, he was on track to become the #1 prospect in all 2019 publications. Soto was ranked anywhere from 20 to 60 in major publications this Spring, but is now a consensus top 10 prospect. Behind him, Taylor Trammell (OF, CIN) and Jesus Luzardo (SP, OAK) have both leapt into the top 25. Luis Urias has soared up lists in his assault on the minors while Blake Rutherford (OF, CWS) has seen a substantial recovery from last year’s flop. Both are right on the fringe of being top 50 names at this point. A few other youngsters who have made some noise this spring include Yusniel Diaz (OF, LAD), Lazaro Armenteros (OF, OAK), Brandon Marsh (OF, LAA) and Randy Arozarena (OF, STL), who could all be top 100 prospects by the time the list is next updated. On the international side, both Tomoyuki Sugano (SP, JAP) and Kodai Senga (SP, JAP) have soared up into the top 100 and could move much higher if they don’t slow down.
With MLB Draft is right around the corner and most minor leaguers have 100+ at-bats or around 40 innings already under the belt. With all of that, of course, comes movement in the rankings. We have seen a few players surge up the list, as always, and I’ll highlight a few of the biggest risers today along with a mini-draft preview.
Perhaps this is the first time you’ve seen this list. If that is, in fact, the case, let me fill you in on what makes it different from other lists:
- This is based strictly on projected future fantasy output
- MLB ballparks come into play as a result, as do paths to playing time
- Fielding has no impact on my rankings other than how it influences a player’s likelihood to win a job in the future
- College, high school and even international players who have not made the leap to America are on this list
Get free start/sit and waiver wire advice for your fantasy team
Risers
I don’t need to tell you that Juan Soto has risen up lists considerably as anticipated this spring. If he weren’t called up, he was on track to become the #1 prospect in all 2019 publications. Soto was ranked anywhere from 20 to 60 in major publications this Spring, but is now a consensus top 10 prospect. Behind him, Taylor Trammell (OF, CIN) and Jesus Luzardo (SP, OAK) have both leapt into the top 25. Luis Urias has soared up lists in his assault on the minors while Blake Rutherford (OF, CWS) has seen a substantial recovery from last year’s flop. Both are right on the fringe of being top 50 names at this point. A few other youngsters who have made some noise this spring include Yusniel Diaz (OF, LAD), Lazaro Armenteros (OF, OAK), Brandon Marsh (OF, LAA) and Randy Arozarena (OF, STL), who could all be top 100 prospects by the time the list is next updated. On the international side, both Tomoyuki Sugano (SP, JAP) and Kodai Senga (SP, JAP) have soared up into the top 100 and could move much higher if they don’t slow down.
Draft Preview
Who is the favorite to go #1 overall and are they a generational talent?
As of now, Casey Mize (SP) is expected to be drafted first overall by the Tigers. Unlike several other recent seasons where Royce Lewis was a surprise top pick or when Jason Groome fell to pick #12, Mize is actually the top prospect as well. He is by no means expected to compete for Cy Youngs annually, but you can bank on him being a quality big leaguer with ace-type upside. Alec Bohm (3B) and Joey Bart (C) are options to go here as well, and if the Tigers are looking to play the budget game like the Twins last year and Astros several years back, they could opt for Nick Madrigal (2B) or perhaps Brady Singer (SP).
What does your top 20 big board look like?
#30 Casey Mize (SP, Auburn)
#37 Brady Singer (SP, Florida)
#38 Joey Bart (C, Georgia Tech)
#43 Matthew Liberatore (SP, Arizona HS)
#47 Jarred Kelenic (OF, Wisconsin HS)
#48 Alec Bohm (3B, Wichita St)
#57 Nick Madrigal (2B, Oregon St)
#67 Kumar Rocker (SP, Georgia HS)
#72 Carter Stewart (OF, Florida HS)
#76 Nolan Gorman (3B, Arizona HS)
#82 Shane McClanahan (SP, Southern Florida)
#84 Ethan Hankins (SP, Georgia HS)
#93 Travis Swaggerty (OF, South Alabama)
#94 Jackson Kowar (SP, Florida)
#104 Jonathan India (3B, Florida)
#106 Brice Turang (SS, California HS)
#108 Ryan Weathers (SP, Tennessee HS)
#110 Cole Winn (SP, California HS)
#125 Triston Casas (1B, Florida HS)
#132 Ryan Rolison (SP, Ole Miss)
Who are the high-upside players that might fall out of the first 20 picks?
Kumar Rocker has a huge arm and ace potential if he can refine his craft. He has got a 50/50 chance of falling out of the top 20, and perhaps even the first round. Like him, Ethan Hankins was once expected to go within the top five picks and may slip down the board as well. High school centerfielders, Jordyn Adams and Parker Meadows could go as high as the top 12 picks, but will likely last into the 20s or 30s. Then you’ve got total mashers, Seth Beer and Luken Baker, who don’t have the full prospect profile so they will almost certainly last into the second round. With that said, they’ve got the type of upside with that bat that one might become the next Joey Gallo type power prospect.
Is there a future Bryce Harper or Stephen Strasburg in next year’s draft?
Next year, Bobby Witt Jr. is a heavy favorite to go #1 overall. He isn’t exactly the Bryce Harper mold, and plenty can change in a full calendar year, but he looks like the best amateur prospect since Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton went #1 and #2 back in 2012. The following season, Blaze Jordan will be coming out, and boy oh boy is he a good one. There have been Harper and Griffey comps thrown around so he is one to keep an eye on for sure. Not in the draft, but over in the international sphere, Estanli Castillo and Robert Puason are two immensely talented 16 and 15-year-olds to monitor.
Now let’s take a look at the top 250!
I’ll be out with my mid-season top prospects around the all-star break. Thanks for reading and be sure to shoot me your questions on Twitter.
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