Format = Position Player | Age on 4/1/2024 | Highest Level Played | Estimated Time of Arrival
1. 1B Nolan Schanuel | 22 | MLB | 2023
The 11th overall pick, Schanuel dominated his competition at Florida Atlantic, especially in a preposterous junior season that saw him slash .447/.615/.868 with 19 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 59 games. The team sent him to the complex for three games then to Low-A for two games. What he showed at those levels with a smattering of singles and walks is probably what he’d shown before they drafted him. Bit of travel for puzzling reasons, is all I’m saying. Then he went to Double-A for 17 games and slashed .333/.474/.467 with twice as many walks as strikeouts. That’ll probably be that for his minor league career: 22 games across three levels. There’s just not much argument for him to spend any time in Triple-A this season after he posted a 112 wRC+ and .402 OBP in 29 major league games. Sure, he didn’t get to his extra base power, and he might benefit from some low-stakes opportunities to focus on that, but spring training should offer that. In a loaded first-year dynasty class, Schanuel is a steal in the middle of the first.
2. OF Nelson Rada | 18 | A | 2026
With 55 steals in Low-A as a 17-year-old, Rada goes on a short list I’ve never paid much attention to. Or maybe an X-Y graph about speed outcomes at various ages. He’d swiped 49 full-season bases before he turned 18. Course the game is totally different now, both in terms of base running rules and number of rookie leagues. Anywho, Rada’s not some one-trick pony either. He’s a legit center fielder who’ll stay at that position, and he’s shown solid plate skills so far, striking out 18.1 percent of the time with a 13.5 percent walk rate. He hit just two home runs in 115 games. A left-handed hitter listed at 5’10” 160 lbs, he’ll likely add power as his frame fills out.
3. SS Kyren Paris | 22 | MLB | 2023
A 2nd round pick in 2019, grew into some power in 2022, which ended in a wonderful couple weeks at Double-A (.359/.510/.641 w 3 HR and 5 SB in 14 games). He didn’t generate the same results at the level in 2023 but still posted a 123 wRC+ and slashed .255/.393/.417 with 14 home runs and 44 steals. He struck out at a 29.4 percent clip and couldn’t get up to speed in his 46 big league plate appearances, but if he can ever make enough contact to hold down a major league job, he’ll be a starter in our game.
4. OF Jordyn Adams | 24 | MLB | 2023
If you’ve been around a while, you know the book on Adams: premium power, speed and athleticism without the hit tool to maximize it in games. In 109 Triple-A games, he hit 15 home runs and stole 44 bases with a 27.7 percent strikeout rate and 95 wRC+. Like Paris, he couldn’t keep up in his 17-game major league debut, batting .125 with a 40 percent strikeout rate. Like Paris, he would be a person of interest in the fantasy game if he ever made enough contact to hold down a lineup spot.
5. RHP Caden Dana | 20 | A+ | 2025
A prototypical innings-eater type at 6’4” 215 lbs with easy velocity and three off-speed pitches, Dana repeats his delivery well and commands his arsenal with a deftness beyond his years. In 68.1 innings across two levels, he recorded a 3.56 ERA and 1.9 WHIP with 89 strikeouts. Should open this season in Double-A and next season on some sleeper lists.
6. SS Denzer Guzman | 20 | A | 2027
Guzman struggled throughout his first full pro season but got hot late, slashing .345/.381/.534 with two home runs over his final 16 games–his best stretch as a young Angel. The nice thing here is that even if it’s a small sample, it’s also a natural progression for a talented (and expensive) prospect with Guzman’s pedigree. At 6’1” 180 lbs, he’s got the actions to remain on the infield and the hands to keep getting better with experience.
7. RHP Jorge Marcheco | 21 | A+ | 2025
On August 8 of 2023, Marcheco had a 2.53 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 99.2 innings pitched across two levels. He was then demoted to Low-A for reasons I couldn’t uncover. It’s hard to imagine it’s performance-based. He had a 1.88 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 28.2 innings spread across five starts, so the outcomes say he should’ve been traveling the other way if at all. He’s listed at 6’1” 185 lbs and might need a velocity bump to retain a starting pitcher trajectory, but it’s all systems go so far thanks to impeccable command and a swing-and-miss slider.
8. RHP Ben Joyce | 23 | MLB | 2023
Joyce didn’t enjoy the happiest 2023, battling injuries and command woes before ending the season with ten major league innings and a 5.40 ERA. The Robert Stephenson contract dampens some enthusiasm for our game. He’s getting Closer money for three years, so Joyce would have to make a big leap in his command to join the Saves picture.
9. C Dario Laverde | 19 | CPX | 2028
Laverde slides into the spot vacated by Edgar Quero as a bat-first catcher with superlative plate skills. He played 43 games on the complex and slashed .306/.416/.455 with a 16.8%-to-18.6% walk-to-strikeout rate. He hit just one home run but should add power as he ages into his 5’10” 160 lb frame.
10. OF Jorge Ruiz | 19 | A | 2027
A high-floor hitter with plus contact and plate skills, Ruiz slashed .304/.379/.419 with three home runs and 13 steals in 73 Low-A games. A left handed hitter at 5’10” 164, Ruiz won’t turn 20 until June 30th and might be pushing for Double-A by then. He’s not especially physical or toolsy, but the age-to-level math will likely favor him for a long time.
Thanks for reading!
