Every other week Razzball ranks the prospects closest to contributing to your fantasy roster. The list is limited to players who still have rookie eligibility (less than 130 at bats or 50 innings pitched) and who are currently in the minor leagues. It’s not a list based on talent alone, but rather it’s a mixture of talent and opportunity. It will change frequently over the course of the season as prospects graduate to the majors, injuries occur, or service time roadblocks are passed. Here are the top 15 prospects on the cusp of the major leagues for 2015 fantasy baseball…
New feature: ** designates the players who are currently on the 40-man roster…
1. Byron Buxton, OF | Twins **
It’s possible some fantasy owners stashed Buxton on their DL, but were then forced to drop him when the Twins sent him to Triple-A instead of Minnesota. That should open up an opportunity for teams with an extra roster slot to grab him. At the very least we should see him in September, at which point the question will be how the Twins divide playing time between four capable outfielders in Hunter, Rosario, Hicks, and Buxton.
2. Hector Olivera, 3B | Braves +1 **
Now with the Braves, Olivera should get everyday at bats once he has completed a brief stint in the minors. The 30-year-old infielder has battled injuries all season and will likely have some rust to shake off, but he’s as close as anybody on this list and will get more playing time than typical September call-ups. He can impact a fantasy lineup with his bat, projecting for a high average and 15-20 homer power in the majors.
3. Corey Seager, SS | Dodgers -1
At this point it looks like we’re not going to see him until September, but Seager is still arguably the best player still in the minors that could impact this year’s fantasy teams. If someone in your league got tired of waiting, now might be a good time to stash him for a September run. At the very least teams looking ahead to next year should be grabbing him in keepers.
4. Jose Peraza, 2B | Dodgers **
The Dodgers already showed a willingness to bring Peraza up this past week. With Howie Kendrick’s injury possibly keeping him out until mid-September, Peraza is just another leg boil away from another major league look.
5. Joey Gallo, 3B | Rangers -1 **
Cheap power can be hard to find on the waiver wire, and that’s what Gallo can offer this September. His playing time and position may be question marks, but he could hit a half dozen homers next month even without a full-time job. The strikeouts make him hard to rely on as an everyday option, but he’s the kind of bat that can be handy for a playoff run.
6. Jose Berrios, RHP | Twins -1
The Twins chose not to call up Berrios, which may have something to do with his roster status/service time. He pitched really well this week before the wheels came off the cart in the seventh inning. He had a no-hitter going, then suddenly couldn’t buy an out in the seventh and gave up four earned runs. I still think he’s the best arm left in the minors with a chance to contribute this year, but it’s looking like we won’t see him until rosters expand.
7. Dalton Pompey, OF | Blue Jays +5 **
Pompey is hitting .306 with three steals over his last ten games with Triple-A Buffalo. He’s had a crazy year, but the 22-year-old outfielder has hit really well since rejoining the Bisons and should help the Jays this September. For fantasy owners most of his value will come from his legs, so if you’re in need of a steals boost he’s a good one to check out.
8. Domingo Santana, OF | Brewers **
Santana has always had some questions marks in the strikeout department, but he’s going to get a chance to answer some of those questions here pretty soon. He came over from the Astros along with Brett Phillips in the Gomez/Fiers trade, and he’s the most major league ready. Santana has been en fuego at Triple-A, hitting .329/.423/.571 with 17 homers. Khris Davis is currently handling left field, but honestly I don’t know if Santana and Davis are really that much different. Santana may even have the edge on defense. September seems like a great time for the Brewers to see what they have here.
9. Aaron Judge, OF | Yankees
Judge is showing signs of life with three homers in his last ten games, although he’s still hitting .248 and striking out 27% of the time at Triple-A. I do think there’s a chance we see him this September, but it’s looking like he could benefit from more reps in the minors before he’s handed the right field gig next season.
10. Aaron Altherr, OF | Phillies +3 **
Altherr continues to play well at Triple-A, and his performance coupled with the uncertainty of the Phillies’ current outfield leads me to believe he’ll get plenty of at bats this September. My guess is that they will come at the expense of Cody Asche, who’s had a long look and may need to give way to an Altherr audition with the team out of it.
11. Rob Refsnyder, 2B | Yankees **
Even if they don’t start him, Refsnyder offers some depth on the bench that might be useful to a team like the Yankees as they make a run (or rest up for) the playoffs. Refsnyder doesn’t have any one outstanding tool, but does a little of everything well and should at least be on the radar in AL-only formats.
12. Bradley Zimmer, OF | Indians +2
I went over Zimmer in last week’s Minor Accomplishments (by the way Gaffigan was hilarious) and basically sang his praises. He’s not on the 40-man roster, but unless Abraham Almonte is the guy, I think the Indians may want to see their 2014 first-round draft pick in action at Progressive Field this September. He’s a name to keep an eye on for 2016 as well.
13. Trevor Story, SS | Rockies -2
The clock’s ticking to get rid of Jose Reyes! I kid, but only because I want to see what Story can do as much as the next guy. With a trade unlikely we’re basically looking for an injury to open up a spot for Story, and that’s not something you want to be rooting for.
14. Terrance Gore, OF | Royals **
This one’s for the deep leaguer looking for a speed boost down the stretch. Gore is going to be widely available and while he’ll likely be used strictly as a pinch runner, he could make a difference in some tight steals races or in H2H playoffs. He’s hitting .288 with 33 steals in 224 plate appearances at Double-A. In our Razznasty dyno league, Gore was claimed by the team tied for first place and I though it was a slick move on his part. (h/t Hannibal Montana)
15. Zach Davies, RHP | Brewers
Davies stays put as the last man on our list. With nothing to play for, the Brewers should give him a look this September. Davies is more of a high floor than high ceiling type of arm, but that has value in deeper formats…say 14-teamers and deeper.
Previous Rankings: Week 6 | Week 8 | Week 10 | Week 12 | Week 14 | Week 16 | Week 18
Recent Graduates: Luis Severino (1), Henry Owens (6), Jon Gray (8)
