Prospect News: Top 50 for Dynasty Leagues, Post-Draft Update
Here’s where the introductory words for part two would go, if I thought any of us wanted to see those.
And here’s a link to the Top 25, in case you want to see those.
26. RHP Taj Bradley | Rays | 21 | AAA | 2023
27. OF Zac Veen | Rockies | 20 | A+ | 2024
28. LHP Ricky Tiedemann | Blue Jays | 19 | AA | 2023
Taj Bradley is getting knocked around a bit at Triple-A (5.25 ERA in three starts), but this is Tampa we’re talking about. Nobody suppresses their own pitchers’ ratios like the Rays.
Zac Veen has 50 stolen bases in 54 attempts with a 129 wRC+ in 92 games. The Rockies have more good hitting prospects than usual. Can’t wait to see how they screw them up.
Give Ricky Tiedemann another couple dominant starts in Double-A and he’ll have a case for the top ten. He might be there already on some lists. No real argument with that from me. The rankings feel especially fluid right now. It’s a time of putting your money in your mouth and then chewing it up and chasing it down with a shot of tequila.
29. SS Marcelo Mayer | Red Sox | 19 | A+ | 2025
30. SS Masyn Winn | Cardinals | 20 | AA | 2023
31. SS Luisangel Acuña | Rangers | 20 | AA | 2023
No red flags in Marcelo Mayer profile. Not even a yellow. I guess he went 0-for-5 in his High-A debut on Tuesday night.
Masyn Winn’s a tricky prospect because he’s got top-of-the-scale athleticism, but his wRC+ is just 99 this season in a juiced offensive Double-A environment. He also has 30 steals in 35 attempts and plays double-plus defense at shortstop.
Pitch recognition is the name of the game, and mastery of that micro-moment at the decision point is all but impossible to differentiate from prospect to prospect. Luisangel Acuña makes great swing decisions and employs similar expertise on the base paths. He hasn’t typically wowed scouts, but he’s always been young for his level and thriving in key lineup spots for the Rangers.
32. RHP Daniel Espino | Guardians | 21 | AA | 2023
I hate ranking injured players. I don’t really have anything to say except “we’ll see” or something, so that’s where I’m at here. Espino hasn’t pitched since April and remains without a timetable for his return.
33. 3B Curtis Mead | Rays | 21 | AAA | 2023
34. 1B Kyle Manzardo | Rays | 21 | AA | 2023
35. OF Alex Ramirez | Mets | 19 | A+ | 2024
36. SS Marco Luciano | Giants | 20 | A+ | 2024
Pour one out for Mead while he’s on the IL with an elbow injury.
Kyle Manzardo is one of those super fun players who I was skyscraper high on in my Top 50 First-Year-Player-Draft Prospects, which helped push him out of my FYPD price range. He’s already in Double-A after slashing .329/.436/.636 with a 1/1 BB/K rate in 63 High-A games.
Alex Ramirez has a little extraneous noise in his pre-swing set-up, but his hands are so fast it hasn’t held him back yet, though I think you can see it in the strikeout rate even as he’s heating up in High-A.
Marco Luciano missed more than two months with a back injury, but he’s back in action on the complex and should return to High-A for next week’s games, or perhaps even make the jump from the complex league to Double-A. The Giants said they weren’t able to do much at the deadline because their farm was having a tough season, so they might play it safe and slow with Luciano.
37. SS Termarr Johnson | Pirates | 18 | NA | 2025
38. SS Jackson Holliday | Orioles | 18 | NA | 2026
39. RHP Gavin Stone | Dodgers | 23 | AA | 2022
40. C Diego Cartaya | Dodgers | 20 | A+ | 2024
41. OF Kerry Carpenter | Tigers | MLB | 2022
42. SS Adael Amador | Rockies | 19 | A | 2025
43. SS Edwin Arroyo | Mariners | 18 | A | 2025
Just shared some thoughts on Johnson and Holiday in Prospect News: Top 15 for 2023 First-Year-Player Dynasty Drafts.
Diego Cartaya faces a stacked roster in Los Angeles, but he’s got plenty of time and plenty of power.
His command hasn’t been as pinpoint the last few times out, but Gavin Stone has still been mostly untouchable, allowing just five runs despite 23 walks in his last 42.1 innings across eight games.
The Tigers promoted Kerry Carpenter to make his major league debut today. I’m happy to see it. His swing decisions have been on point all season long but ascended to a new level in Triple-A. He’s the type of prospect who could put himself on the long term map with a strong stretch or fall back into the dreaded Quad-A pool if he craters.
Adael Amador and Edwin Arroyo are outstanding prospects. I’m just a little worried about the Jackson Chourio phenomenon and prevalence of model-based rankings in general creating some false positives along the way among skilled young players with elite hand-eye coordination but perhaps not enough physicality to thrive at the highest level. The right approach is still to run these players up your lists and let the stars sort themselves out a little down the road. It’s important to be playing this kind of high-stakes blackjack on the waiver wire. Amador should be in High-A.
44. LHP Nick Lodolo | Reds | 24 | MLB | 2022
45. OF George Valera | Guardians | 21 | AAA | 2023
46. 2B Michael Massey | Royals | 24 | MLB | 2022
47. IF/OF Cedanne Rafaela | Red Sox | 21 | AA | 2023
48. OF Robert Hassell III | Nationals | 20 | A+ | 2023
49. C Gabriel Moreno | Blue Jays | 22 | AAA | 2022
50. SS Brayan Rocchio | Guardians | 21 | AA | 2023
Typical rookie pitcher stuff from Nick Lodolo so far: flashes of dominance but mostly the opposite. Long term, I really like his combination of command, stuff and approach angle.
George Valera was flagging a bit at Double-A, slashing .195/.295/.329 in 23 games since July 1, so I’m curious to see how he reacts to being promoted to Triple-A this week anyway. Gotta say I don’t love it as a developmental strategy. He’s striking out 29.5 percent of the time in that stretch and 25.8 percent in 90 games at the level. Not bat at all for a 21-year-old against older players, but you’d prefer to see him going the right direction in that area.
The next time Michael Massey struggles to hit will be the first.
The Ninja Turtle, Cedanne Rafaela, is less likely to become a major league regular than the three guys after him, given the free-swinging nature of his game, but he’ll be impactful for our game if he can get on the field enough.
If you’ve been around awhile, you probably already know I think Robert Hassell III is a likely big leaguer who’s going to be solid. You also might know I don’t think he’s worth the trouble to acquire or hold him in most dynasty leagues where he brings enough perceived value to be swapped for high-end veterans.
I’m starting to worry that Gabriel Moreno won’t make enough impact with the bat to force his way into the Blue Jays lineup.
Brayan Rocchio feels a little like Moreno in the sense that he’s a good player but might struggle to find his first extended opportunity and might not impact our fantasy squads much even when he does.
Thanks for reading!
I’m @theprospectitch on Twitter.
No love for Cowser? He’s hitting well since going up to AA, hitting home runs but the stolen bases went away
Brother Itch!!! I need a ton of help. I just got $10 bid cash to play with and tomorrow night is the deadline. I have a feeling tomorrow you will drop the top 75 which will be a godsend. I am in a 20 team league 20 minor league spots. You can keep someone forever in your minors. I have a win now team, I’m in 4th heading into the playoffs. Which of these guys are droppable for you? Gavin Sheets, Nick Gordon, Luis Rodriguez (lad), Estevan florial, Kerry Howell, yasel antuna, Chris Rodriguez (laa), luis medina, Payton battenfield, Jay groome or Bubba Thompson.
I also have blaze Jordan, Massey, steer, Emanuel Valdez, Kerry carpenter, Bryan Mata, silseth, Braxton Garrett and the ever frustrating nasty nate pearson.
I’ve made a ton of trades the last 2 years and my farm is thin lol. Any help is muuuch appreciated. And if you have some names maybe some wish upon a star guys would be great. Thank you!
Please rank in a strikeout heavy Dynasty with K’s and K/9: Bobby Miller, Daniel Espino, Eury Perez, Ricky Tiedemann, Gavin Williams, Hunter Brown, David Peterson
14 Team Dynasty A or B?
A. Ketel Marte, Ashby and Dunning
B. Nolan Jones, Jesus Sanchez, Brady Singer and Aroldis Chapman
A. Ketel Marte, DJ Lamahieu, Ashby, Dunning
B. Nolan Jones, Jesus Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Brady Singer
Itch I love it … was just offered Pham and Luis Matos for My Winn… 12 team roto keep 10 & 12 farm… Im going for it … Matos worth it or just pick up someone better ?? Thank you as always !
Great write up Itch, as always very enjoyable read
Thanks, Old School Brother!
I’m a 12 team salary cap dynasty obp league (salaries are the same), would you move Suzuki for Greene? I’m looking at the next 3-4 seasons either way so age right now isn’t a huge factor.
It’s fair enough, but I don’t want to pay a premium for a guy with a shoulder issue.
When did he hurt his shoulder? I saw something on an injury in May, but did I miss something more recent? Or has that been a problem with his high GB rate this year?
Hi Itch,
Always love to read your work, especially these rankings. I read the blurb on Arroyo and Amador and see the point. On the same vein, what are your thoughts on Jackson Merrill?
With the Padres selling their higher profile prospects I can see Merrill getting more visibility.
Another guy I am curious to hear your thoughts on is Carson Williams. He has the draft pedigree but worried he may have a ton of obstacles in TB. Also, his power/speed seems enticing but the strikeout rate is a bit alarming.
Thanks, appreciate your insight!
Thanks Johnny,
Good call on that: Merrill will probably get that freebie bump guys get from being in a thin org. Doesn’t hurt that he’s back on the field and heating up. Have to wonder if Washington would’ve wanted him too if he’d been on the field and hitting all year.
And well said on Williams. He’s a sell for me, and I suspect he’s a sell for Tampa, too, if anyone comes knocking on the search for athleticism and power, which Williams has in spades.
Would you trade franco for mcclanahan in dynasty? Obp format. I love franco, I also need an ace. I have ss depth. I know franco was impacted by injury and we have not seen him take off yet so I am not sure. It is easier to ask this question with him on the IL.
I wouldn’t.
I’d like to see a full season of Wander.
Itch, love the prospect news. Saw cardinals moved Jordan Walker to OF, Jung homering, Carroll should be up already against major league hitting.
Think Walker, Baty Gunner or Taj make it up for playoffs?
Thanks, Primetime!
If Baltimore makes the playoffs, I think we’ll see Henderson. Maybe not a day before then.
Walker has made himself an October option in St. Louis.
Great post Itch!
I have Trea at 2B for this year and have been offered Jordan Lawlar, Elly de la Cruz and Royce Lewis for Albies. Would you make that deal? For context I can only keep 10 and have a very strong top 8.
The same manager offering the deal above also has Carroll, Gunnar and Chourio but doesn’t want to budge on those 3.
Any advice would be helpful!
Thanks,
LG
Thanks, LG!
Nah, that deal sounds interesting to me in a 15-teamer where I can keep everyone, but not in this format you’re describing.
I suspect you could pull any of those three for less. He’s looking to combine and consolidate. Maybe you could offer a medium good big leaguer for Elly and Royce?
and I mean someone on or near or well inside the keep-able fringe
Could even be an elite prospect if you have one to spare
Hey Itch, great post as always!
Love the callout for Kerry Carpenter, as a Tigers fan I’m excited to see what he can do in the big leagues, but completely agree with a slow start he could end up like Baddoo or Daz Cameron in the org.
Do you think plans for any Tigers prospects will change at all with Avila being let go today? (of course, who they hire next could majorly shake things up with the team’s direction).
Thanks, Kaptan!
I feel like these events are related. How could they not be? Carpenter is the biggest indictment of the Avila player development regime and also perhaps its biggest success. Very weird that they dragged their feet on promoting him when he perhaps could’ve helped this season, but it’s tough to argue with waiting to promote him given the struggles of Spencer Torkelson.
Anyway, I think Avila was putting in a good-faith effort to improve at his craft, but it was too little too late insofar as Detroit is concerned. Feel like Illitch’s comments today are a little damning. Easy to throw Avila under the bus though at this point, to be fair.
Itch, thank you for the heads-up on Grissom. I’ve been holding him for a month and this is exciting to see the call so soon.
What do you think of this trade I just made:
I get: McClanahan, Yepez
He get: Eloy, Gore, Flaherty, Winn
I’m competitive, he’s not. Anyway, how are you feeling about Yepez these days?
Thanks, Ryan! Grissom feels like a guy anyone who reads this space probably has in their leagues, so it’s thrilling to see him make the leap and homer in his debut.
I love the trade. Yepez is a solid major league corner bat with zero defensive value, so his role will always be volatile, but he doesn’t really matter in the balance of the trade.
as proud owner of Manzardo and Winn, for peanuts, love this article, hopefully the Rays don’t mess with Manzardo, Winn seems like Cards next SS, hopefully mid 2023!!!!, The Itch Rules!!!!!!!
Thanks Hernan! : )
Hi Itch,
I am really confused about the Cub’s Morel. He is only 23 and seems like he has power, speed and versatility. He had an up and down minor league career with not many bats to read from. Anyway, I dropped him after his latest 0-fer stretch and of course he hits a home run and starts hitting again. I have the top WW spot in my league and am queued to pick him back up. I actually could win it all this year. Do I spend my spot to pick him back up and drop someone like Ozuna or Naquin? Do you think he is a keeper?
Any thoughts on M. Straw? He hasn’t attempted to steal a base in two months+. I guess he is a possible drop with the Morel question.
The terrible thing about doing well in a dynasty league is that you can’t chase prospects because you are trying to win now. I guess all the past “rosterbating” and prospecting should have a chance to pay off. I am thinking the best feeling about dynasty, however, is finding the rough gem that no one has gotten to yet They reflect your: luck, insight, gut decision making and savvy. Wow! What a great baseballer (Grey’s mom’s term) you are!
Have a great summer!
Hi joe shmoe,
Yup, I think Morel is a keeper, and I’d drop Straw to get him back. Not a big fan of his for our game.
The whole board does change shape as you get closer and closer. A guy like Kerry Carpenter or Vaughn Grissom has way more value than say a Roderick Arias or Jasson Dominguez, just in the sense of impacting your actual standings, but if you hold those Yankees until the perfect moment, you might be able to trade them for maximum impact.
Thanks! Hope you have a great summer too!
Good evening Itch
Your articles make my Wednesdays and Sundays !
How excited are you about Vaughn Grissom getting called up already ? So good to see the Braves not standing in the way of a player’s progress, but are you surprised it’s come this soon ? He’s been added a ton on Yahoo! today – I’m not moving on him in Redrafts, but added him in a couple of Dynasty leagues where I can. What do you think we can expect this year – J-Rod explosion, Miranda slow-burn or Torkelson damp squib ?
All the best
Evenin’ Baggiejohn,
And thanks kind words!
A little earlier than I would’ve thought, but I probably need to change my thinking in terms of Atlanta’s timelines. They left Harris and Grissom at High-A a little longer than I expected, but I’m starting to wonder if they think Triple-A is a wasted step.
If I’m worried about Grissom it’s because he has A LOT less experience than the guys you mentioned. On the other hand, as I say in my latest rankings where he was ninth, he’s never struggled to hit, and it’s an approach-fueled success compounded by extreme athleticism, so he’s got a chance to land somewhere in between the Rodriguez and Miranda paths.
Elijah Green? Thoughts for a 10-team, 4-prospect keeper league.
Coming up quick.
He’s rosterable in that format, but nothing to hug up close if someone comes asking about him