This list is about being about a week ahead.
It’s about other things, too—like overall fantasy impact from current minor league baseball players—the key purpose is to shine a blinking light on the top names. By the time a player gets to the front of this line, you risk missing out on the early adopters discount if you don’t faab him during the next run. As you’ll see here, it’s mostly too late for the top names, but that’s the nature of week one in the prospect world.
1. Seattle OF Jarred Kelenic
His timeline is now in the hands of Taylor Trammell and Jake Fraley. If they’re both healthy and hitting, Kelenic can’t really force the issue at the training site.
2. Minnesota OF Alex Kirilloff
Same story here except for 1) more people in his path, 2) Donaldson on the IL, and 3) the Twins’ desire to win games in 2021. So . . . maybe not the same story. Should Kirilloff be in the #1 spot? Hmm. Nah. But it’s closer than you might think at first blush. Not out of the question Kirilloff beats Kelenic to the majors by a month or more.
3. Tampa Bay SS Wander Franco
What in the world to do with Wander . . .
I’ve been surprised how many people wanted him in redraft leagues. I think it’s about 50/50 we see him before September with a decent chance we don’t see him at all this year. Tampa Bay figures to be a little more leery of the impending CBA than the average team.
4. Kansas City SS Bobby Witt Jr.
I suppose you could copy and paste the Wander blurb here, but that itself says plenty about how I’m valuing Bobby Witt Jr. going forward, and I don’t think Kansas City is scared of the service time stuff, as evidenced by Kyle Isbel breaking camp with the club.
5. Seattle RHP Logan Gilbert
It’s tough to wait on a pitching prospect, but that’s exactly what I’m doing in the CBS AL Only Analysts league. It’s already caused me to make some tough drops (see Valdez, Cesar), but here we are, and Gilbert is good enough to make it worth my while, assuming Valdez doesn’t save 100 games this year.
6. Boston OF Jarren Duran
I had to drop Duran in that same AL Only, and I’m terrified Scott White will reap an enormous windfall profit, having scooped Duran for a buck. Maybe they want to see Franchy Cordero and Hunter Renfroe all season. I wouldn’t.
7. San Diego LHP McKenzie Gore
Whenever the prospect world loses its mind over a pitching prospect, I tend to sprint in the opposite direction. Sure, I might miss out someday, but nobody comes to mind. Forrest Whitley the previous consensus top guy. Maybe Alex Reyes before him? At the same time, pitchers who bust out from down in the prospect rankings (and around the league) are too numerous to count.
8. Los Angeles OF Jo Adell
Bit of a cheat here as Adell is no longer a “prospect,” but he should be on the list, and in general, I’ll include guys like this whenever it’s the rational move. Now whether or not the team itself follows suit and does the rational thing, well, that’s not my call.
9. Seattle OF Julio Rodriguez
Primary issue here is Seattle’s win/loss record when the time comes for Julio’s next challenge. If he’s dominating the minors and the Mariners are anywhere near contention, fans will clamor to see him in 2021. If they’re way out of the race, I think Julio stays in the minors all year.
10. Chicago 2B Nico Hoerner
Weird choice demoting Hoerner. I’d like to think he’ll be back after the 36 service days the team needs to exploit the system, but you never know with baseball these days. I wasn’t thinking of Hoerner as the kind of player who’s so good you have to fear his clock anyway.
Might be worth a moment to stop and mention I didn’t include Sixto Sanchez. Maybe I should have. Maybe the Marlins should put him on the injured list. What’s going on there?
Here’s the next ten, in case you’re curious.
11. Tampa Bay 2B Vidal Brujan
12. Boston SS Jeter Downs
13. San Francisco OF Heliot Ramos
14. New York RHP Deivi Garcia
15. Pittsburgh RHP Miguel Yajure
16. Kansas City LHP Daniel Lynch
17. Toronto RHP Alek Manoah
18. Tampa Bay RHP Luis Patino
19. Miami OF JJ Bleday
20. Detroit RHP Matt Manning
Thanks for reading!
I’m @theprospectitch on Twitter.
NL Only 5×5 Dynasty League..
Already have Robinson and Veen.
Trying to decide who draft for my 3rd prospect..
A near-term pitcher like Meyer or Gray..
Or go with best hitter, no matter what the ETA:
Choosing between Perez, Crow-Armstrong, Alvarez, Campusano, or Matos.
Thoughts? How would you rank ’em.
Thanks
K’s and Runs DO NOT COUNT in this 4×4 using BAve. I NEED ONE STUD to choose from and hold on my MiLB roster: Who is your first and second choice from?
AVAILABLE: Hedbert perez-Christian Hernandez- Liover Peguero- Rece Hinds-Yiddi Cappe -Brenton Doyle …all are $5 when MLB activated.
P’s are only $3 Mick Abel – Cade Cavalli- Slade Cecconi- Jackson Rutledge.
I already have Wilman Diaz, Ed Howard and Luis Matos so a quicker MLB debut is probably preferred unless the longer wait is well worth it and a very likely stud.
My 16 team dynasty pts league turned into 13 teams, thanks COVID…managed to pickup wander Franco and Jared kelenic while everyone else was scooping up veterans. I’m not sure how long it’s going to take for kelenic to get the call if you had to drop one of these arms which one honeywell, espino, Matthew Allan, Bryce Jarvis?
Itch,
By the way, love this article.
I’ve got a few shares of some guys here, Kelenic, Brujan, J-Rod and Patino. I’ve also got Rutschman and Torkelson in case their called up. Heck, even if they’re not, I’ll just keep them for next year lol
I sure hope Kelenic is as good as everyone says.
Great writeup, as always! When do you think the Diamondbacks will call up Daulton Varsho? Once he’s up, do you think he’ll be an everyday player?
Itch. Happy Resurrection Day! I look look forward to your content. Actively (whatever that means…while riding a stationary bike?).
Last week i wrote about a deal that had been offered to me in 30 team dynasty (my Adell for his Lux, Ed Howard and a pick). You were for it. Afterwards, i realized im a dunderhead and wrote it out wrong. It was actually my Adell for his Alek Thomas, Ed Howard and a pick. I declined this. Seems not enough for Adell. That said, i’m still pondering the Adell vs Lux value proposition (he has previously offered that deal straight up, which is what got my wires crossed). I tend towards hit tool guys over sluggers, and towards well-run orgs over like the sort of nightmare they have in Anaheim. Adell is tantalizing, but his K issues terrify me. Lux looks fantastic to start the year. I’m curious for your thoughts on their value in a potential straight swap, or what i would look to try get added on his side of the ledger if i were to go for it. Not wanting to wistfully at Adell the ‘superstar who got away’ for the next decade. At the same time, Lux’ profile feels safer. My thanks in advance for your thoughts!
While i’m at it…do you think Oscar Mercado turns it around? Frustrated owner looking to sell low in my same dynasty league…
In a keeper forever league, would you still take Duran over Adell?
5×5 roto, 14 teams.
Elvis andrus is my SS
I got offered Lindor for Degrom
My other pitchers are
Plesac
Nola
Mccullers
Skubal
Peralta
Was I alone surprised that Daulton Varsho isn’t being given some run? Do the D-backs really think he’s going to hurt whatever Wild Card chances they might think they have!?!?
Hey Itch- I’m in a super deep league w minors.
I drafted Osiel Rodriguez of the Yankees as my last minors guy. Can you tell me what I’m getting? I can keep him down as long as needed until he hits MLB status.
Thanks-
Great stuff as always, thanks for the write up. These help a lot during the season. Do you have any deep league AL only guys that could make an impact this year?
What about Daulton Jefferies? Do you see him making a big impact for the A’s this year?
Hey Itch! Since you’re the prospect guy I wanted to ask what you thought about Kyle Isbel. I scooped him up in dynasty just in case he gains some value but what do you see as his outlook this year and beyond. Thanks!
Thanks for your thoughts.
I’m interested in your thoughts on Isbel too.
I own him in a 30bteam dynasty. If I promote him, he will attract a salary and I will not be able to demote him.
So my question, is he up for good?
I have Justin Williams in the same situation. I assume Isbel is the preferred option here.
Best wishes,
Another Dan
Hi Another Dan,
I think Isbel is up for good and Williams goes down whenever Bader comes back.
Best wishes to you and yours too!
Hey Prawn Lord!
I like him. 15/15 type right now w upside for more.
Plus that 2B OF tag in Fantrax sure looks appealing.
Beyond, kind of a .270 20/20 possibility. Senzel type if Senzel were able to play baseball.
Thanks! That’s definitely a valuable player. Glad I grabbed him after one game!
Baseball is on its way and props to your articles The Itch!
Any more thoughts on Patino and his ability to contribute this year?
Thank, el jefe!
One of these things where only Tampa knows. I suspect they’re gonna let him pitch in the minors a while and come up as a starter around mid season.
What up Itch. Couple questions.
What impact do you see Adell making in fantasy this year. How about next year?
Who do you see as your top 5 or so prospects going into the 2022 season?
Man I dunno bc Joe Maddon scares me.
If he plays, he’ll provide 25/15 type production per game w a .250 ish average.
Abrams
Witt if he’s still eligible
Luciano
Tork
Carroll
Yeah, I don’t know what to make of Adell. In my four minor league spots I am currently holding Abrams, Luciano, Witt and Tork.
Any thoughts about 2023 top five-ish?
Pretty good article bruh. Couldn’t just let me shine and have Easter Sunday for myself with my first article? Great team work guy. Thanks for nothing chief.
??? Seriously though I learned something reading this. Happy to be writing with people putting out high quality content like this. Its a high bar that I’ll have to fight to reach every week.
Cheers man!
Thanks Mike!
Welcome to the Razz Party!!
Pedro Leon or Brandon Marsh? Who arrives first? Thank you!!
I think Marsh, but I also think he’s hurt. Still him, but good toss up here.
I know it’s a complete guessing game but what are thinking the current ETA is for Gilbert?
Late April and mid June are the two primary checkpoints.
What about this Yermin Mercedes character? Know anything about him other than the little stuff that’s been said already?
Also, don’t forget our little side bet. You’ve got Randy Arozarena, and I’ve got Lou Bob! It’s going to be a LONNNNNNNNNG year waiting on Randy to blow up again! lol
Seriously, do you know anything more about Mercedes? This dude is on fire!!!
He’s always hit. Looks funny in the box and can’t play D, which are the only reasons he hasn’t been up and mashing a while ago.
Thanks!
I’m going to watch him tonight and see. Seems strange they didn’t call him up if he can hit when the DH is always available. Guess they value the roster spot much more for someone that can play the field.
He’s primarily been a catcher his whole career. Any chance he gets C eligibility by playing some there this year?
12 teamer h2h dynasty with 5×5 stuff plus K%, fielding %, slugging and OPS for hitters, QS, holds, HR’s against for pitchers. gotta cut 4 of the prospects shortly (not this sec but by 2 weeks into season, so that’s april 15th)
C kraken
1B moreland (streamer while h.dozier is hurt)
2B muncy (1B/2B/3B)
SS c.taylor (while @ COL while mondesi is DL’d)
3B urshela
LF yordan
CF acuna (LF/RF)
RF 54 buck steak (franmil)
util solak (2B/3B/LF/CF)
BN hampson (SS/2B/LF/CF)
BN dozier (1B/3B/RF)
DL: mondesi
SP: carmart, kluber, hendricks, darvish, paddack, yarbrough, javier, ryu
RP (max 5): reyes, colome, t.rogers (MIN), hand, r.iggy
DL: carrasco
gotta cut 4 of these 11: ed cab, s.howard, jefferies, matos, b.davis, groshans, k.robinson, r.lewis, hedbert, n.gonz, brujan,
Howard, Groshans, Lewis, E Cab
yeah ed cab (scary unknown how/what injured) was easy. i know lewis’ contact issues make him possible here (plus i got nick gonz/brujan for MI types now), but that many OF’s even with only 3 starting OF’s here. that was the issue, i know the overall rankings. plus my 3B is crap for a 12 teamer and 3B prospect or FA options aren’t good on groshans being kicked (having said that pretty sure i kicked him last year and stashed again later, nobody nabbed him, but probably would). howard’s an interesting drop too.
also, i thought you weren’t going by MLB’s goofy last year rookie elig rules. adell at 124 at bats still.
I also read a glowing article about Michael Harris. Do you share the same kind of enthusiasm for him and do you expect his price to shoot up? Thanks
Sure, I’m into it. Price is already making a leap so get in now if you can.
I know it is early but josh rojas hasn’t hit. He has failed to capitalize on his other opportunities and may squander this one. Az just called up Perdomo. Do you think rojas will get a long enough leash this time? AZ has had a quick hook before. They should let him play but I am getting nervous that if he doesn’t start hitting soon, he is not going to get much of a look. Do you agree? I like the potential and keep drooling over his minor league stats, not that I expect that kind of production now. Do you think he sticks this time and plays when calhoun get back
it’s like 13 at bats. that’s not just “early” to be worried about this. he was lead off 2/3 of the first 3 games. perdomo is up for ahmed on DL. if he ends up at like 60 or whatever at bats 5/60 this might be in play.
Could be someone else hurt by the time Calhoun is back.
I think he’ll play if he hits. Helps that he can play anywhere. I suspect Perdomo does get some run because Rojas is not a great everyday fit at shortstop.