Mid-Season Top 100 Prospects for 2016 Fantasy Baseball

1. This is GREAT! HAPPY 4TH Ralph!

   • @Malicious Phenoms: Thanks MP you as well!

2. No honerable mention for tito polo? You know you want to say his name…

   • @J-FOH: More of a Jermain Hillfiger guy myself.

3. What your thoughts on Sean Reid Foley and Marcos Diplan. Potential to be on end of season ist ???

   • @Phil: I really like Diplan, but he’s pretty raw, he’s not far off. Sean Reid-Foley was floating around somewhere about 125ish, also not far off. Great swing and miss stuff.

4. Great work Prospector Ralph – lest it go unsaid, look at that aggressive ranking of Josh Hader!

   • @Yescheese: Whoop there it is!
     Tag team back again, wrecks and effects, now let’s begin, party on party people make some noise….

5. Awesome list! Seriously great work.

   I was hoping Josh Bell would come in higher…..why the low ranking? I’m looking to acquire him in my dynasty league but need to reconsider now.

   Thanks and enjoy the 4th with those wild animals of yours!

   • @Chud: I had him higher he was someone I was talked down on and here’s why. He’s a very good hitter but there’s no fireworks, he lacks huge power or speed or both. In fantasy he’s safe, which isn’t bad but the top 25 should be reserved for potentially explosive players.

   • @Chud: Don’t get me wrong, Josh Bell is definitely going to be a major leaguer at this point. But the most HR josh bell has hit in a season is 13; the most SB was 9. His carrying tool is his AVG/OBP – and it’s quite the tool – but fantasy players should expect more counting stats from the 1B slot.

     • @Yescheese: He needs a trade to Colorado ha!

6. Thanks Ralph. Happy July 4th!

   • @David: Happy 4th!

7. Happy 4th Ralph!
   Bigger impact this year, Renfroe or Gary Sanchez

   • @What Would Dykstra Do?: Renfroe

8. Building for next year and beyond. Many of these are available in my dynasty league. I have these guys I’m thinking of dropping:

   Severino, Grichuk, Manaeaa, Giles, Siegrist

   add the following?

   Hader, Meadows, Williams, Vogelbach (assuming he gets traded)

   • @Dave: Add Hader, Meadows, and Williams now! Giles is the first drop, then Seigrist, and Giles.

     • @Ralph Lifshitz: *Grichuk

       • @Ralph Lifshitz:

         Thanks…..added batters but no Hader on yahoo…..ahhhhh

         • @Dave: Wha wha wha whaaaaaatttt! Freaking Yahoo!

           • @Ralph Lifshitz:

             Bastards.

             The minute Vovelbach gets traded he’s an instant add too, right?

             • @Dave: absolutely

9. I don’t see Gallo on the list. Was that bc of major league experience or do you see him that low?

   • @Dilettantite: Yeah he only needs 25 more PA’s to pass his limits. More or less he needs a week. I’d expect he surpasses that soon. Otherwise he’s top 5, probably right ahead of Benintendi.

10. Thanks for the list & happy 4th, Ralph!

    • @DancinHomer: No problem! Keep dancing Homer!

11. 10 teaam qs league

    My lester,rodney, corbin for

    C martinez, rich hill, jon gray (@LAD), (@PHI)

    Anyone weigh in, ive been tring to get a bat for cueto but people wont trade me one because they dont want to mess up thwir mojo. I must have minimum 8 starts per week 13 max. I only have 3 moves left for the next 5 match ups until playoffs

    My SP lester, cueto, maeda, matz, smyly, urias, mengden, bradley, corbin, darvish DL

    • @Big league choo: I’d hold on Lester.

12. Great list, thanks!!!! Most of your top 100 already taken in my league and next week we have a NL draft of prospects that were affiliated with teams as of April 1. Can you throw out another 5 or more names with big upside? Thanks!

    • @Alan: Tito Polo, Marcos Diplan, Luke Leftwich, Max Schrock, and Donnie Dewees

      • @Ralph Lifshitz: Thanks!!! You still think Javier Guerra is a top guy or slowly sliding out of top 100 ??

        • @Alan: He sliding but I wouldn’t quit on him just yet. He’s a SS with power and he’s only 20. If he cuts back on the K’s he should be fine. The throw in from the Margot-Kimbrel trade Carlos Asuaje is worth considering. He’s been hitting in AAA and looks like he could get the call soon.

          • @Ralph Lifshitz: Great info, thanks!! Last one. Kyle Wren or Michael Reed or both a source of 10 SB each this year or do both get no playing time in the MLB in 2016??

            • @Alan: Reed

      • @Ralph Lifshitz: At least three of these sound made up. Pretty sure Luke Leftwich was the bad boy superstar QB from the other side of the tracks in Varsity Blues.

        Does having an alliterative name give someone a higher probably of becoming a professional athlete? Discuss.

        • @Stumanji: Haha that’s part of the prospector training. Make up names and add points for fun and alliterative names.

          Totally does!

13. Great write up, Ralph. Have a question about Benintendi. What kind of projection do you have for him as far as his MLB ceiling…avg,runs, hrs, rbis, sbs etc.?

    • @griff: Ceiling is tough to pinpoint, is he a 20/20 guy with .300/.400 avg/obp upside? I think he’s a lot like Nick Markakis early in his career, which people tend to forget was very good. He also will hit in a good lineup and great park.

14. Hey Ralph, Happy 4th and thanks for the list. It’ll be very useful!
    I have Hader and Musgrove stashed in my 30 team dynasty. Can’t wait to put them together with my current staff. Any thoughts on Brady Rodgers who started the AAA all-star game?

    • @howtathor: Looks like a potential back of the rotation guy to me. His control has always been good, but the K’s are just coming along. Worth owning in a 30.

15. Ralph,
    I have Tim Anderson in my SS position, doing decent based on my yahoo league stats (10-tm h2h). Do you think Bregman is worth the swap? He’s sitting out there on the wire. I also have snell in my pitching staff but trying to trade him instead of dropping him.
    Thanks bud

    • @John: I would add Bregman for Snell, Anderson has been awesome I wouldn’t drop him.

16. As a Moncada owner, love that ETA. Where do you see him slotting in? OF or banking of Pedroia injury?

    • @Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: He’s too good not to get called in the next 12 months. He’ll maybe play a few positions, don’t forget with Ortiz retiring they’ll have some additional flexibility to spell a guy like Pedroia.

17. Where is Aaron judge though?????

    • @Curse: #14

      • @Big W: Bahaha

18. What are your thoughts on Casey Gillaspie? I picked him up immediately when I saw where you’d ranked him, but now I’d like to hear more about the guy I just added.

    • @Boaty McBoatface: Good power guy with excellent on base skills. Was a first rounder back in 2014. A first base prototype in a system hurting for impact bats.

      • @Ralph Lifshitz: Thanks! In my dynasty league I dropped Alen Hanson for him. My minor league roster is pretty thin, so I’m on the lookout for potential impact bats.

        • @Boaty McBoatface: That’s a good move by you sir.

          • @Ralph Lifshitz: Thanks! I feel good about it, though at present I’m a lot better at 1B (Goldschmidt/Morales) than I am in the middle infield (Dozier/Segura/Forsythe/D. Santana). Just trying to build overall value, though.

19. Great work Ralph..good read as always. Had a chance to watch Nick Williams over the last couple of years he was a Rangers farmhand and was always impressed. Saw him play in person at the Double A level several times and he looked like a 5 tool guy. Does he get everyday at bats assuming he gets the call this month for the Phillies?

    • @Uno Mas Cerveza: I think he can or should, I like him a lot watched him a bit this season.

20. Great list!

    Would you drop Severino for Renfroe or Phillips?

    • @Fake Jose Abreu: yes Phillips

21. In my league we can keep one “Dynasty” player for four seasons if we draft him while he has rookie status. From your list, who would be your draft pick for 2017 and beyond?
    Great column btw. Cheers,

    • @Citizen5: Bregman or Moncada

22. In my league we can draft a single player and hold his rights for four seasons if we select him while he still has “Rookie” status. Looking toward 2017, who on the list would you want for the next four years? Additionally, I’d get him in the following drafts in the 12th, 10th and 8th rounds respectively. Thanks in advance. Great article!
    As an A’s fan, I love seeing Puk in the rankings already.

    • @Citizen5: sorry for the duplicate post. iPad issues!

      • @Citizen5: No worries

23. Thanks for the list, happy 4th! I have Bader and O’Neil is available too. You have them separated by two spots. Worth making the swap or at this point they’re essentially the same? (Also have Glasnow, Rodgers, Happ, Eloy)

    • @Why Even Play FBB without Minors Keepers?: Hold for now.

24. How do you see Judge producing once he’s called up? Think he’s Stanton-lite or will he platoon too frequently to produce consistently?

    • @Steve: Stanton power but he struggles to hit .240. Could be Adam Dunn more than Giancarlo.

25. Awful, just awful

    • @Def not smokey: Donnie Dewee isn’t 43 sorry!

26. Great list! One of the best I have seen. Love the rankings gor Happ, Adames, Meadows and Calhounand the dropping of Crawford and Arcia. At some point players have to put up numbers and not rely on potential alone. That being said, Robles is the one guy I can go either way on. He could be #1 based on potential/production. But for now I agree with where you have him. I want to see a little more power in the 2nd half from him. And his on-base is more due to hit by pitches than walks…which is a tiny bit concerning,

    • @James T Kirk: Yeah he’s the next wave IMO, might be top 5 by mid-season 2017. Needs to hit above A ball first.

27. Question: Trade Corey Seager for Gerrit Cole?

    So, my league is such: 14 team, 14-keeper, 26-roster size, so it’s like a keeper/dynasty hybrid. It’s a 7×7 H2H. We add OBP and TB, and QS and L.

    I have needed SP help all season, but I love the offense I’ve built (at the expense of my pitching staff) and want to go for it this year but still have a competitive squad for years. I especially love Seager. This is what my team looks like:

    C- Lucroy
    1B- Miguel Cabrera
    2B- Matt Carpenter
    SS- Xander Bogaerts
    3B- Josh Donaldson
    IF- Corey Seager
    OF- Mike Trout
    OF- Bryce Harper
    OF- Byron Buxton
    OF- Melvin Upton
    Util- Danny Valencia
    Util- Leonys Martin
    BN- Yoan Moncada
    BN- Hunter Renfroe

    SP- Carlos Carrasco
    SP- Aaron Nola
    SP- Stephen Matz
    SP- Jeff Samardzija
    RP- Francisco Rodriguez
    RP- Kevin Gausman
    P- Jason Hammel
    P- Lucas Giolito
    BN- Jose De Lion

    I think of Seager as top-15, maybe top-10 bat in a dynasty league. I tend to favor young hitting over young pitching. Would you trade Corey Seager for Gerrit Cole (and a throw-in of Brad Ziegler) in my situation? I just really hate writing off the future forever of a 22 year old stud hitter vs. a young (albeit studly as well) pitcher who is injured right now.

    • @The Milkman: Also, do you think Margot or Renfroe will be up first, and which would fit my squad best? I need SP, and the most immediate impact looks to be De Lion so I just added him at expense of Josh Bell today.

      • @The Milkman: Renfroe, and Bell for De Leon is a good move.

    • @The Milkman: No I wouldn’t, I would try and move Valencia for some underperforming arms with better peripherals.

      • @Ralph Lifshitz: thanks Relph, love the reassurance

        • @The Milkman: Ralph*!

          • @The Milkman: No worries!

28. Okay Ralph, everywhere else, it seems bloggers are pessimistic about Bregman being called up before Sept. Why do you feel otherwise? I have been “cyclopsing” him for months now. …go throw some tea in the harbor for me. ?

    • @Greg: Because they’re back in it and he was promoted to AAA. Reed’s not doing much wouldn’t be shocked if all three platoon with Valbuena between 3rd and Reed and Valbuena at first.

29. Good stuff as always Ralph…Have a happy fourth

    • @JeF WiTh 1 F: HAPPY 4TH JeF!

      • @Malicious Phenoms: You too

    • @JeF WiTh 1 F: Happy 4th!

30. chance sisco?

    • @len’s sakata: meh

31. Just my 2 euros from the other side of the pond..I believe MLB needs to have all teams set their lineups before the first game each day, this way I can set my fantasy lineup at the same time..

    • @Malicious Phenoms: Here here!!!

32. Great list and thanks again for all that you do. Really appreciate all the all work and the inclusion of both stat lines and ETAs with this list, it helps a lot.. With that being said I had two questions for you. Just curious why you are so high on Willie Calhoun at 21? Especially considering he is a middle infielder who doesn’t steal bases. I ask because he is a free agent in my NL only keeper league, and I was going to target Rhys Hoskins instead with my next pickup. But you have Calhoun much higher, and I wanted to get your thoughts as you may change my section.

    As for my second question, why so love on Kevin Newman? I know that you have him on your honorable mention list, but for such a strong bat at SS I would think he would be closer to number 50 or so. He has a slash line this season of .353/.409/.480 and is now at AA, so I would think he would be much closer to Adames and Rosario. Especially in light in the drop of Arcia and Crawford because of their respective poor slash lines.

    What I love is Newman now seems to have a clear path to the majors. Kang has settled in for good at 3B, Hansen is at 2B, and it’s only Jordy Mercer blocking him for the time being at SS. I would think he is in line to be called up in classic Pirates fashion right after the Super 2 deadline next year. Any thoughts on Newman? Thanks again for all that you do…

    • @Manny:

      Sorry it is supposed to read Selection and not “section” and low not “love”

    • @Manny: First I like the power upside from 2nd base. Even if he’s moved to the OF the power plays. Calhoun if he sticks at 2nd has the higher potential value. I do like Hopkins.

      Not enough power or speed for Newman! That’s the difference. I need more than good slashline at A ball. He is fringe top 100 for me, if he starts hitting for more power he’ll move up.

    • @Manny: Matt carpenter, top 5 2B in 2015: 28/4

      W calhoun @midyear: 14hr

33. What are your thoughts on Greg Bird? (Dynasty)

    • @Chris Bartling: I like him too bad about the injury. Bright future in that park.

34. I’m weighing making an offer on Wieters in a dynasty league, my catching situation isn’t pretty (Cervelli/Suzuki/Avila). But I know the other owner is gonna ask for Judge and/or Zimmer in return. I have an aging OF so I’ve turned down most deals involving those two automatically. Would Wieters be enough of an upgrade to justify trading one of those two?

    • @PancakeMaker: Nope no way

35. 10 team h2h 6×6 OBP / QS league Which side?

    1)My cueto/yelich for

    springer/shoemaker or Jaime or rodon

    2)cueto/yelich/merrifield for Paxton/springer/schoop

    • @Big league choo: Springer sides

36. 1st time playing keeper auction in baseball keep 10 prices in ($)…going for it this year I was really hurting at sp, made a trade today let me know how I did.

    My villar(10$)/myers(12$)/chapman (15$)

    His C seager (26$)/Degrom (30$)/Maeda (6$)

    • @The Natural: You got the two best players in Seager and DeGrom great move

37. Big jump for Amed Rosario. He is off to a great start in Double A too. Do you have a player comp for him? Is he another Lindor in the making?

    • @Corey: I think Lindor is a good comp. he made a big jump in my eyes this year, and showed some of that potential.

38. Lists like these are incredibly helpful. Thanks Ralph!

    I’ve been holding Dahl for most of the year in my dynasty. The speed/power in Coors was too alluring. Would you bet on him not seeing the majors this year? Meadows, Williams, Margot are all available. Would you look to add these guys over Dahl? Thanks

    • @Dan: I’ve been holding Mateo and Zimmer as well over these guys. I’m guessing by your ETAs I should make the swap for Meadows, Williams, Margot?

      • @Dan: Hmmm I’d maybe swap Mateo for Meadows but hold Zimmer and Dahl.

39. Again Ralph, this stuff is gold, thanks very much for all your effort.

    Looking at the list, 12 team, 15 man milb roster, I have 12 players in your top 100. Guess who has been following your advice? The only ones not on your top 100 are Gallo, Lucius Fox and Sam Travis. They worth cutting for Prospects in the 80-100 range if they are not owned ? Thinking Mountcastle, DeMerritte as two I know are not on a roster anywhere.

    In another league, I am allowed 5 NA players. We keep between 9 and 18 next year and they are slotted in to the first 9-18 rounds. What would your strategy be ? I’m not really competing this year and have stocked my 5 NA’s with prospects who have ETA’s in 2016.

    Looks like the Icelandic dream is over.

    Thanks for reading,
    Dan

    • @Another Dan: Gallo is awesome, I’m just guessing he surpassed his limits this year. I’d dump Travis and Fox to add the other two.

    • @Another Dan: Yeah looks like it France is a buzz saw at home. They haven’t lost a competative match in France in forever.

      As for strategy I’d try and add as many players with as I could with big potential for next year and going forward.

      • @Ralph Lifshitz:

        Thanks for the info. Will add those two tomorrow. Will look at prospects for the second league in the next couple of days. I know I made a mistake the other day dropping Williams. Will wait for him to clear waivers.

        The France thing can be a bit mis-leading. They haven’t played a competitive game (aside from this month) in two years. They didn’t need to qualify since they were hosts of this tournament – hence they have only played friendlies. Last competitive defeat, against Germany. Semi-final opponents – Germany. It should be a good game, and I would expect the winner of that semi to win the final. But then, if I was great at calling games, I’d be a millionaire by now.

        Dan

        • @Another Dan: I meant on French soil.

          • @Ralph Lifshitz:

            I know, but since Jan 2013 they have only played 9 competitive games on French soil. Of which 5 have been in the last month. Of the 9 they have won 6, drawn 2 and lost 1. The timespan since their last competitive defeat in France is extended by the fact they have not been playing competitive games.

            It’s like saying Dee Gordon hasn’t been caught stealing since …..

            • @Another Dan: I thought they hadn’t lost on French soil since before the 1998 World Cup. Must have been wrong

40. Any insight on Kevin Maitan? Top 50 prospect from the get go, or have to wait and see?

    • @James T Kirk: Hmmm on ability…yes. Problem is he’s 16! That seems so young to be top 50. He’s certainly top 100, but you’re waiting 4 years minimum.

41. What are your thoughts on Zunino? Was playing well in AAA and connected twice last night, any staying power?

    • @seph meier: Yeah who knows maybe he can stick around. He had a ton of hype a few years ago but faltered. Wouldn’t be the first to find his swing later in his 20’s

42. Thoughts on Dominic Smith’s latest power surge, better prospect than Vogelbach…I know, I know, I see your rankings, but Smith was a first round pick..

    • @Malicious Phenoms: I think he could get there, and he’s shown well at AA. I’d like to see him do it for an extended period. I don’t dislike him.

      • @Ralph Lifshitz: Fair enough, thanks

    • @Malicious Phenoms: I’m debating swapping Smith for Hoskins so would love to hear some debate on that move.

43. What’s the reason that you prefer Hoskins over cozens? Previous production? Both have been very pleasant surprises for phils fans like myself this year.

    • @Serenading unicorn: Yeah I mean they’re closer in my head than they appear on paper lol. Cozens has that speed power mix I love but he’s got more swing and miss,I think Hoskins is a safer.

      • @Ralph Lifshitz: Yeah I smell what you’re steppin in. I think I prefer cozens because he’s a tad younger. Love the list by the way and thanks for the reply

        • @Serenading unicorn: Totally reasonable.

44. Today I was offered Jason Heyward for Hanley Ramirez.
    Its a keeper league and I’ve already thrown in the towel and farmed my top five players (max sherzer, daniel duffy, maikel franco, carlos correa and yoenis cespedes).
    Should I trade Hanley for Heyward in hopes of a cheap bounce back candidature for next season?

    • @tals23: I would, Heyward is not as bad as he has been and he is in a great lineup for the future and 66 years younger than Hanley.

      • @Malicious Phenoms: LOL, that wud be SIX years

        • @Malicious Phenoms: Could be 66

45. Where do you see Austin Meadows playing with the Pirates this season? Tough to see them moving anyone in that great OF, although I have heard those cutch trade chatter.

    is David Dahl not expected up until next year June due to service time ? Any chance he’s up sooner?

    And finally, is there a prospect, not called up yet this year, that you could see hitting ~15 HR and 8-10 SB’s with a decent average ROS? Who has the highest fantasy ceiling ROS?

    Thanks Ralph!

    • @Squints Palledorous: He could see some time spelling guys. It’s not like Marte and Polanco are exactly ironmen.

      Yeah service time they have no reason to rush him or start his clock. Plus they have Jordan Patterson in AAA.

      No, there’s no 30 homer and 20 steal guy coming up anytime soon.

46. Amir Garrett or Vladimir Gutierrez?

    • @Malicious Phenoms: Garrett

47. Have Bregman and judge riding Bennch with Glasnow on na. If I’m in 3rd place 12 team redraft would you expect those guys to outhit guys like Moya and Baez?

    • @Don: Hmmm that’s a tough call. All depends on promotion date. Once they’re here I’d bet they do. Each should be up within the month. I’m pretty meh on Baez, but Moya could be really useful this second half

48. Great stuff
    Very difficult to find helpful and useful dynasty info anywhere
    Keep up the great work

    • @Jack florida: Thanks!

49. Dynasty trade.

    My Buxton and Matz for Mazara, Porcello,

    • @The Milkman: and Kemp***

      I’m in it this year. I need pitching help.

      Also in a vacuum do you like Maz or Bux more ?

      • @The Milkman: Maz side, I love Maz

50. I come on almost daily for the notes, dig Grey. But your prospect stuff has become my next most enjoyable stuff on here. Really appreciate this list. Printing it and stashing it for reference.

    • @Jay Hay: Awesome thanks!

51. Ralph, I’m in a keeper league (15 keepers) in first place and I’m trying to hold on some guys that are performing pretty bad. I’d like to stash trea turner (Segura as SS currently). Would you cut any of Taillon, Heyward, Justin Upton or Franco for him? Considering not only their value for the rest of the season but also for the next two seasons.

    Thanks

    • @Harper’sBetterThanTrout: Nope hold

52. Great article. Do you see Harrison Bader starting next year and why?

    Thanks!

    • @Beetroot McKinley: Cardinals need another bat

53. Some of these call up dates, particularity the 2016 ones, are hyper aggressive. Frankly, barring injury, I’d be surprised if Meadows is more than a September replacement, Margot needs a couple trades plus to wait his turn behind Dickerson and Renfroe, I think the Yankees wait to see if Judge has improved or is on a hot streak (plus the Yankees are Ridiculously slow with position players), and there is no reason at all for the Phillies to rush up Nick Williams. I would love to see all these guys, but July 2016 seems like wishful thinking.

    The one you may be conservative on is Moncada – I think , barring a trade, he gets a September ‘cup of coffee’, but you’re right, call up for good is probably 2017

    • @Oddball Herrera: Agree to disagree but you’re certainly reasonable in your outlook. Judge is 24 and should have been up already.

      • @Ralph Lifshitz: Hope you’re right, and thanks for doing these!

54. Thank you for this article! Great to see Bregman getting his due, I don’t understand why I’ve seen him consistently ranked outside the top 30 on most other lists..he’s been raking from day one and completely mashed in SLC this weekend. Wish he wasn’t so blocked in Hou.

    • @Viv Savage: He’s not really that blocked, I imagine he moves to third and supplants Valbuena, gets some DH time, and spells Correa from game to game. I don’t know how he could be ranked outside the top 10.

55. I ended up doing my Buxton, Matz, L Martin for his Mazara, Jeffress, Porcello.

    I’m happy with it for this season and beyond. I’m not confident about Buxton and Matz’s immediate to mid future.

    • @The Milkman: Agree I love Maz

56. What are your thoughts on Jack Flaherty (A+ SP StL)?
    After starting the season poorly, he’s been really good. I like the K/BB numbers as well-is he one to just watch or target?

    Love your articles, btw.

    • @Matt: Yeah I like Flaherty, crazy to think that he Lucas Giolito, and Max Fried all played HS ball together (Flaherty is a couple of years younger). He’s still a year away.

57. Great write-up glad to see some Donnie love.

    • @Birdmann: Donnie love baby! Thanks for stopping by Mentok!!

58. Willson Contreras: I know he’s not on this particular list, but where does he rank in terms of a keeper league? Is he immediately head and shoulders above the crowd at the top of the catcher ranks, or will he produce at the level of say a Sal Perez (I.e., doesn’t warrant keeper status)?

    I currently own Posey (12 tm roto, keep any 6 players), and to give you an idea of positional depth, Posey and a pre-injury Schwarber were the only catchers that were kept last year.

    • @Catcher Question: I think he’s closer to Posey than say Perez. His multi-position eligibility boosts his value and could keep him fresh

59. In a keep forever dyno would you trade away Todd Frazier to get bregman?

    • @Slimbo: Sure! You’ll get a lot of Mike’s out of Bregman. I’d want something with Bregman though, you know because Frazier is an actual productive MLB player.

60. Who contributes more this season Conforto or Dahl. I have Conforto in my NA spot now.

    • @Birdmann: Probably Conforto

61. Ralph

    With all the news on Pittsburgh staff taillon on dl Etc you think Glasnow is up sooner now?

    • @Brett: No, the Pirates are avoiding a Glasnow callup

62. Austin Hedges has been absolutely stupid at the plate lately. Something like 10 dongs in 11 games. When do you see him coming up? Power out of nowhere, just PCL being PCL? Or legit power?

    Thanks Ralph!

    • @Squints Palledorous: he’s worth an add. I grabbed in a couple leagues. He can hit, the power might be some schmotatoing, but his stock is up. Any production from catcher is valuable, particularly in dynasty leagues.

63. Love your articles Ralph! We have 7 minor league spots and I was glad to see that 6 of my guys are in your top 35 (3 in the top 10 is even better!). One guy didn’t make the top 100 however, and that was Hunter Dozier. We can’t keep guys in the minors forever, so I generally focus on picking up players in AA or AAA. The following top 50-ish are my available in my league: A. Rosario, R. Tapia, D. Paulino, and J. Hoffman. 6 of my 7 are hitters, with Hader my only pitching prospect. Would you drop Dozier for any of these guys? Dozier’s AAA numbers do look good, though it is the PCL.

    Second question re Hader. I know his starts so far aren’t as pretty as they were in AA. We all talk about the Coors effect. What about the Colorado Spring Sky Sox effect?

    Thanks Ralph!

    • @J-Dawg: Thanks for reading, I’d hold on Dozier in that setup where proximity is important.

      Colorado definitely has an effect for sure.

64. Does the fact that the leaderboard is awash in OF prospects change your valuation?

    If you look at the infield it’s Bregman and Moncada then a BIG step down.

    Also, you are Really down on Healy. For a guy who has a clearer path to the majors than most, I’m curious what your take is.

    • @Who is John Galt?: Not really, I just rank players out based on future impact. So proximity is only a differentiator when choosing between similarly talented players. Middle infield players get a bump, particularly those with power. I don’t think it’s terrible lopsided at the top, Top 25 is 11 OF, 9 IF, 5 pitchers, Top 50 there’s 22 OF, 18 IF. That’s pretty even, particularly if you’re in dynasty like mine that have 4-5 OF and a Util.

      I like Healy but I don’t think he’s a future all-star type. Don’t get me wrong he is having a great season and has a shot to be a good everyday player, but Onwouldnt be shocked if he’s a AAAA guy either.

      • @Ralph Lifshitz: thanks Ralph!

        I should’ve specified – in terms of potential elite fantasy production I think we’re about to hit a bit of a Renaissance in the outfield in Dahl, Meadows, Benintendi, Margot, not to mention guys up already (Mazara, Buxton) and guys either a half step down or a step further away.

        Elite in the infield for 2016/2017 we’re looking at Moncada + Bregman and who? Swanson if the power comes on? Crawford and Arcia look good but not like studs. I guess dilson Herrera looks kind of like a Devon Travis type which isn’t half bad.

        Some of this is league foibles (only maybe 5-6 MiLB guys are stashed league wide at a time in mine), but I do think the elite ceiling is going to be a problem for 3B/SS/2B prospects until a bunch of guys hit in 2018.

      • @Ralph Lifshitz: thanks Ralph!

        I should’ve specified – in terms of potential elite fantasy production I think we’re about to hit a bit of a Renaissance in the outfield in Dahl, Meadows, Benintendi, Margot, not to mention guys up already (Mazara, Buxton) and guys either a half step down or a step further away.

        Elite in the infield for 2016/2017 we’re looking at Moncada + Bregman and who? Swanson if the power comes on? Crawford and Arcia look good but not like studs. I guess dilson Herrera looks kind of like a Devon Travis type which isn’t half bad.

        Some of this is league foibles (only maybe 5-6 MiLB guys are stashed league wide at a time in mine), but I do think the elite ceiling is going to be a problem for 3B/SS/2B prospects until a bunch of guys hit in 2018.

    • @Who is John Galt?: was healy even close to a top 100 months ago, i didn’t think so.

      • @Montezuma’s Revenge… right now: Spot on he’s sort of a pop up guy.

65. Hey Ralph, love the list – and it’s timely too. We have our prospect draft next week, where each of our 10 owners pick 3 prospects that we can keep for free beyond our other keepers for this year and 2 more. Our only restriction is that the player must never have made an MLB appearance. Can you suggest any international players I should consider, and where you may rank them in your list?

    Thanks for the help!

    • @Skeezix: Yuleski Gourriel is probably an immediate MLB player, his floor is probably .275 15 homers over and total season, his ceiling is a touch higher. So he’d probably be at the back end of the top 25, anywhere from 19-25. His younger brother Lourdes is probably top 15, if Otani posts then he’s probably top 5, Maitan and the younger international pool guys are all pretty young, not sure that’s the right format for 16 YO

66. Nice! Any context on when Lourdes could potentially make an impact in MLB, as well as his floor/ceiling? Is he even signable yet?

    Also, on Otani, what are you thoughts on chances of him posting? I ask because players like Darvish and Maeda tend to get plucked up in these prospect drafts before most people know who they are, to potentially huge benefits. If there is even a decent chance at him posting, and he has the chance to be close to them, it’s totally a risk worth taking.

    Really appreciate the help! Though you were great on the podcast a few weeks ago by the way.

    • @Skeezix: I’ve heard he’s on par with any of the big prospects that have left the island. He’s not sign able yet, though his brother is.

      No ones really sure if he posts this offseason or not. The impression I get is its this offseason or next.

67. See you put a Hoskins in front of Cozens….do the home/away splits make that decision for you?

    I recently picked up Cozens over Hoskins due to Power/Speed (15 SB).

    • @Brian: I think Hoskins floor is a little higher, the ceiling for Hoskins. The swing and miss in Cozens game knocked him down a bit.

68. Drop Maurer for Glasnow? Somehow I’ve ended up with a gaggle of garbage closers outside of Ramos (Vizcaino, Street, Cingrani, Maurer and Herrera).

69. Notice that Patterson is playing 1B for the Isotopes today. That could speed up Dahl’s eta, if he’s not second in line in the OF

    • @Oddball Herrera: It just may

70. These are the lists and comments that I love to see! Sorry I’m a few days late, but here’s what I got.

    I play in a 10 team, h2h, keep forever league. I conceded last year with an eye on this year and beyond. My team has looked great at times and I’ve made some tough decision as of late. Just want to run a few things about my team by you. I love following the prospects, but in this league no one has roster room to hold more than 1, maybe 2, prospects and still compete. I’ll go ahead and give you the lineup since this is really a once a year thing. (lots of points categories but we do take -2 per K on batting)

    C Gattis
    1B Goldschmidt
    2B Schoop (just dropped Russell before his HR explosion)
    3B Bryant
    SS Segura
    LF Yelich
    CF Betts
    RF Polanco
    Util Lamb
    Util Heyward
    Util Profar
    Bench Kang
    Bench Bregman (dropped Turner since it looks like he’ll be moving to the OF and I feel pretty set there)
    DL Soler

    P Arrieta, Syndergaard, Lester, Salazar, Stroman, Matz, Rodon, Shoemaker, Snell (streaming), Cole (DL), Melancon, Rondon, Nate Jones (points for Holds)

    My pitching was looking great until maybe 3 weeks ago. I think I’m just going to have to ride that one out, but I’m here for suggestions.

    My team obviously could compete to win this year, but next year was my real goal of competing and I’m trying not to be short sighted.

    Anyone that you think I should be selling. I’m thinking Yelich at this point and play Bryant in Lf and Lamb at 3B. Maybe package Yelich and Profar and see what I can get. Profar has been great, but there just doesn’t seem to be a lot of room for him to get ABs.

    I’m looking for a Segura replacement for next year, but he’s had a great year and is just getting to his prime and in a great line up and ball park.

    Thank Ralph

    • @Jose:
      I’m also at the point with Profar where if he comes out of this season with a main designation of 3B I’ll have four primary 3Bs and that’s amusing I just drop Kang at some point. Our league only allows for 3 players with a primary designation at each position. I’d almost be better off if Bryant came away with a primary designation of LF, but I don’t think that will happen.

      • @Jose: I’d try and move on from Kang and Heyward. You can probably move one of them and upgrade elsewhere.

71. I’m in a 16 team dynasty, 6×6 H2H with K/BB and OPS extra cats, plus QS instead of W. the leader of each roto cat at the end of the season wins $.

    Here is my roster. C – Wilson Ramos, 1B – hosmer, 2B – kipnis, SS – correa, 3B – bryant, OF – Blackmon, nelson cruz, marte UTIL – beltre, ortiz BN – brantley, stanton, harrison, jose ramirez SP – price, teheran, sonny gray, Quintana, jose fernandez, salazar, gausman, liriano, jamie Garcia RP – papelbon, seung oh, melancon, neris, dull, madson, mau cabrera, karns. Minors roster is Susac, Lara, Mateo, Guerra, Verdugo, Yusniel Diaz, phillips, tyler o’neill, pete o’brien luis alexander basabe, austin voth, alex reyes, Jorge lopez, clevinger, cease, Oscar de la cruz, kuhl.

    back of rotation (gausman, liriano, sonny, karns, jaime garcia) has been garbage behind jofer, price, teheran, quintana, salazar. looking for another SP. doesn’t necessarily have to be young.
    1. can you rank order in which you’d attempt to acquire (or give me the top 5 you’d go after)… rich hill, wainwright, smyly, paxton, duffy, bauer, odorizzi, eickhoff, tanaka, verlander, pomeranz, mccarthy, matt moore, kyle hendricks, verlander. These are my “bargain” targets.
    2. my big time ticket is carrasco. go for a cheaper option above, or go after carrasco to grab an elite guy? 3. is alex reyes, mateo, and a first rd pick a reasonable opening offer for carrasco?

    • @Brian: Pomeranz, Tanaka, Bauer, Odorizzi, Hendricks, Paxton, Duffy, Verlandrr, Eickoff, etc

      Love Carrasco, is go after him.

72. Uh, how do you not include Joey Gallo? Jesus…

    • @Junior: It’s answered above. I was eliminating all players that are sure to reach their limits. He’s a weeks worth of plate appearances of passing his limits. I didn’t include Giolito, Urias, or Taillon either.

      I explained this.

73. Hey Ralph, I’m in a 10tm Dynasty League w/ 15 MiLB spots. Our annual draft allows us to replace 8(plus any acquired picks via trade) Is Swihart worth rostering? He’d be my 5th player dropped.

    • @D’s Nuts: If you can keep him in MiLB yes. If you need to roster him as an MLB spot then no

74. Hi Ralph, appreciate the prospect work, I’m an addicted prospect hound and have been loving following all of the minor league levels and prospects.

    A few guys outside your top 100 that I wanted your take and ETA on:
    Luke Weaver
    Ronald Guzman
    Bobby Bradley

    I just took over an abandoned team in a 30-team dynasty league where each team can hold a max of 6 minor league players. I was glad to find that I could grab these available prospects:
    Harrison Bader
    Willie Calhoun
    Rhys Hoskins
    Dylan Cozens
    Anthony Alford
    Luke Weaver

    I’m hoping to have a couple of these guys get promoted by the end of the year so I can add additional prospects, there are quite a few that I have my eye on. Because I only have 1 pitching prospect I was hoping Weaver might be an option by the middle of next year. With talent and ETA in mind, would you rather have Frankie Montas or Domingo Acevedo over Weaver? I realize in the list above you have them ranked where Weaver is not on the list. I have been really impressed with Weaver’s numbers thus far and of course the Cardinals pedigree as a pitching prospect certainly helps his chances of making an impact in my eyes.

    Thanks again for your insights!

75. Brednan Rodgers ranked so highx yet his ETA is 2019…..not that I disagree, but just confused. Please elaborate. Was thinking of stashing him, although I already have Bregman, Baez, Anderson and Reyes (ugh, can’t be dropped). Just reading some beat reporters, they seem to think he’s their best prospect.

    • @Dave: Yes I think Rodgers is one of the top prospects in the lower minors. ETA might effect my rankings, but it’s not everything. He’s a power hitting MI prospect with a potential future at Coors.

      • @Ralph Lifshitz:

        Thanks for the reply. Must be nice to write an article and have people still talking about it weeks later.

        Would you suggest dropping Kuhl for Rodgers? You know more than me, but from the brief blurbs I read it sounds like he’s going to skyrocket through the minors, and 2019 seems conservative. Again though, you’ve readmkre than I have, so I trust your opinion. What makes me really want to stash is that his 3 year contract in our league only kicks in once he loses rookie eligibility.

76. Do you think Moncada starts 2017 in the majors? Or does he stay down in the minors?

    • @Harper’sBetterThanTrout: I think he sees sometime this year, and is called up in late April or early June.

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