It’s the last day of fantasy baseball. Bummer… I know, I don’t want to talk about it either, but I’ve run out of ways to open posts at this point in the season. So, I’m going to just state the obvious, and awkwardly fumble into the purpose of this pointless, yet verbose opening. I have a surprise for you, a sneak peak if you will of my forthcoming memoir “Fights & Prospects: Life as a Crab & The Top 100 Prospect List”. I’ve decided in an effort to market myself as a Rick Flair-esque persona, I’m going to write a tell all autobiography. Only I’m not going to talk about myself at all, but simply give you an updated Top 100 next Sunday. Today is the first ten from that list. So the Top 10 Prospects for 2018 Fantasy Baseball if you will. Titles are fun! It’s drawing heavily from my Positional ranks that we just finished, and bridges the gap to the Top 100 and beyond. In closing, thanks for reading this season, and remember to check here for prospects rundowns for all 30 MLB systems throughout the off-season.
1) Ronald Acuna, OF Braves | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: .325/.374/.522, 21 HR, 82 RBI, 44 Steals
The undisputed top prospect, unified heavyweight champion of the world!!!! The breaker of chains, the unburned, the bringer of power and speed, father of dragons, and all the other titles you can dream up. I’m in the midst of Justin Mason’s 2Early Mock Draft, and I snagged Acuna in the tenth. The prospectors loved it, and the redrafters called me names. I’m the 50 Cent of fantasy baseball, beefing with all comers, and making hit records. As for Acuna what else is there to say? His production has been historic, jumping from A+ all the way to AAA, never slowing down, always the best player at the level. Few minor leaguers have ever been as good as Acuna was in 2017. There’s a real chance Acuna is up by May 1st, but there’s an equal chance he’s in AAA for more than half the season. My rose colored glasses see his ETA on the early side. For now he heads to the Arizona Fall League.
2) Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B Blue Jays | 2017 Level: A+ | 2017 Stats: .323/.425/.485 13 HR, 76 RBI, 8 SB
Unquestionably one of the top 5 prospects in all of baseball, Vlad Jr.’s hype is about to reach mania type levels over the next 6 months. At just 18, the spawn of Vlad started flashing very real game power over the last few months. Advanced approach, more power to come, and the bloodlines, Vlad Jr. looks like a middle of the order masher in the making. The only real negative is the questions surrounding Guerrero’s future position. Will he stick at 3rd or settle in across the diamond at first? Some foresee a future in a corner outfield spot, time will tell.
3) Eloy Jimenez, OF White Sox | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: .312/.379/.568, 19 HR, 65 RBI, 1 SB
The second superstar prospect traded by the Cubs in the last year, Jimenez went on a tear post trade hitting 11 homers in 34 games. We more than likely won’t see Eloy in the South Side until September of next year, but much of that depends upon what he does in the first half of 2018. We’ve seen what Devers has done his first month + in the bigs, and I imagine Eloy’s debut won’t be much different. He’s an elite power + contact hitter, and those are rare.
4) Victor Robles, OF Nationals | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: .300/.382/.493, 10 HR, 47 RBI, 27 SB
A late season callup totaled about 25 at bats, and not much to show for the 20 year old. Not a huge shock, as it was a bit of surprise that Robles even got the call in the first place. I’ve likened Robles to Straling Marte, and I think that’s a likely outcome, though there’s always the possibility Robles actually meets his ceiling of 30/30 stud. He’ll be patrolling the outfield for the Mesa Solar Sox in Arizona.
5) Kyle Tucker, OF Astros | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: .274/.346/.528, 25 HR, 83 RBI, 21 SB
Another power/speed talent playing at an advanced level at a very young age. Tucker was 20 for all of 2017, and after destroying the Carolina League saw promotion at the end of May to AA. He’s had his struggles there, but through it all has hit for power, driven in runs, and displayed dynamic offensive ability. He wore down a bit in August but that shouldn’t come as a surprise for a player so young. There’s more questions about the hit tool now than there were coming into the draft, but the power has already exceeded my expectations. Should see promotion at some time next summer. At peak I foresee a line of .280/.360/.520 with 30 homers, and 15-20 steals.
6) Fernando Tatis Jr., SS Padres | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: .278/.379/.498 22 HR, 75 RBI, 32 SB
Not since his father was a pretend Microsoft Paint artist have I been this jacked about a Tatis. He ranked 55th in my Mid-season prospect list, but has done nothing but hit for power, steal bases, and shown ability far beyond his years. To me he’s the top offensive shortstop prospect in the minors hands down. The James Shields trade will be the Padres Herschel Walker.
7) Gleyber Torres, SS Yankees | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: .287/.383/.480 7 HR, 34 RBI, 7 SB
We’ve all forgotten about Gleyber haven’t we? The man was on a rocket ship to the Bronx before a freak injury sliding into home plate ended his season. With TJ on his non-throwing elbow, it’s fair to question just how much this impacts Torres’ future offensive ability, particularly in the short term. I believe in the all around offensive skillset, and still think Torres has the upside of a superstar, even if he doesn’t have a standout category.
8) Michael Kopech, RHP White Sox | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: 9-8, 134.1 IP, 2.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 172 K’s, 65 Bb’s
The flamethrowing righty acquired in the Chris Sale deal has taken a major step forward with the command of his secondaries (slider and change), and the results have reached elite levels. He was solid in his AAA debut late in the season, and looks to be on the radar for a summer 2018 callup to the Southside. My biggest concern with Kopech is health, but that’s mostly based on his insane triple digit velocity. Great competitor, elite stuff, inning eater’s build.
9) Nick Senzel, 3B Reds | 2017 Level: AA | 2017 Stats: .321/.391/.514 14 HR, 65 RBI, 14 SB
While Senzel’s ceiling is far lower than Vlad Jr’s, his floor is as high as anyone. The former 2nd overall pick is as ready made for an everyday role in the majors as any prospect. He’s shown the ability to hit for average, get on base, and provide moderate power, that might play up in Great American Ballpark. My expectations for production are very similar to that of Alex Bregman. Very good across the board player, but his greatest strengths lie within his hit tool. He was shut down for the remainder of the season with a bout of vertigo. I could see how that might limit ones ability to hit a baseball. Cust Kayin.
10) Willie Calhoun, OF Rangers | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: .300/.355/.572, 31 HR, 93 RBI, 4 SB
On the heels of his major league debut this September, Willie C cracks the top 10. Elite power and contact, not to mention, one of the more fun-loving personalities in baseball, it’s hard not to fall for the Rangers outfielder. Acquired for Yu Darvish, so there’s big expectations on Calhoun’s bat. I do think he has the ability to hit for 25+ homers while rarely striking out.
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