A lot of the best prospects are now big leaguers, but the top of this list remains stocked with ready-now impact fantasy talents.
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1. San Diego OF Esteury Ruiz (AAA) 23 years old
Hyperbole falls short in describing Ruiz’s 2022 season. 13 HR and 47 SB doesn’t tell the story either, as the plate skills have been elite as well. He’s scuffled a bit the past week, but all that’s really left now is for him to debut and find out how the plate skills, power and speed play against the best pitchers in the world. I’m much more confident Pasquqantino and Vargas are ready to hit, but neither offers the speed of Ruiz.
2. Kansas City 1B Vinnie Pasquantino (AAA) 24 years old
Carlos Santana is warmer than the current side of the pillow, so the Royals continue to smash that pause button on Vinnie P’s timeline, though I’m not sure the two events are actually related given how the team dragged its feet when Santana was looking cooked. .
3. Dodgers 3B Miguel Vargas (AAA) 22 years old
Still ready to face major league pitching. Still blocked and waiting. A little more defensive versatility might have gotten him the call when Mookie Betts got hurt, but instead the Dodgers are looking to Stephen Romero and Trayce Thompson.
4. Miami RHP Max Meyer (AAA) 23 years old
Meyer missed a month with elbow soreness but threw three good innings on June 17 and will factor into the team’s short-term plans if he proves healthy.
5. Dodgers RHP Gavin Stone (AA) 23 years old
Recorded 11 strikeouts over five shutout innings on June 18 then got one strikeout over five shutout innings on June 24. Lotta ways to skin a hitter. Decent chance his next start at AA will be his final turn at the level.
6. Houston 2B Enmanuel Valdez (AAA) 23 years old
On a tiny cold snap as I type this on Friday, having gone 0-for-11 in his last three games, but he’s gotten on base in each of those games via two walks and a bean ball. He’s been in the middle of action all season long and looks like the club’s best option next time it needs an infielder.
7. Detroit OF Kerry Carpenter (AA) 24 years old
I can’t deny I’m a little pissed off at the Tigers development team. I don’t understand why I take this kind of stuff personally, but Kerry Carpenter has played 172 games at AA as a 23-and-24-year-old. He has hit 37 home runs across those games. He is slashing .311/.376/.662 with a 176 wRC+ and 22 home runs in 60 games this season after posting a 102 wRC+ in 112 games last season. I guess it’s none of my business, but what in the gray hell is going on here? By the way, most Tigers are orange, white and black, in case anyone involved with the organization cares to know. Or you could get into white tigers with their piercing blue eyes. These blegh gray day onesies they wear now? Worst use of a mascot in uniforms today.
8. Baltimore SS Gunnar Henderson (AAA) 20 years old
Henderson is in a unique spot to force the issue. The organization has recalled Adley and started the countdown on their contention window, the Super 2 stuff is behind us but only just, so if Baltimore intends to turn the service-screws on Gunnar, they’ll have to wait a full calendar year from now. They might be up for that kind of fuckery, but Henderson is playing so well at AAA right now, they might risk stalling his development.
9. Baltimore 2B Jordan Westburg (AAA) 23 years old
It’s only been 14 games at AAA, but Westburg is slashing .413/.439/.825 with five home runs and two stolen bases. He made the latest level jump along with Henderson, and their timelines might remain wedded.
10. Kansas City 1B Nick Pratto (AAA) 23 years old
Slashing .236/.364/.431 with two home runs and a 115 wRC+ in 19 June games. Not forcing the issue, not that it would matter much if he were.
11. Boston 1B Triston Casas (AAA) 22 years old
Hasn’t played since May 17 due to an ankle injury.
12. Cleveland OF Will Benson (AAA) 24 years old
At 6’5” 230 lbs, Benson has easy power to all fields and good speed for a big man. He has also reduced his strikeout rate to 23.2 percent, about five percent better than his best season in that area. He’s a unique prospect with 12 HR, 13 SB and a .236/.392/.463 slash line. Might be a good fit for the fooly ball era.
13. St. Louis 1B OF Alec Burleson (AAA) 23 years old
Unleashing elite plate skills (7.1% BB, 13.2% K) as he settles into being a full–time hitter after a two-way college career. He’s got 14 HR, 3 SB and a .335/.383/.556 slash line. Would be higher on the list if I felt confident he’d get some playing time this season.
14. Texas 3B Josh Jung (AAA)
When he’s healthy, he’ll be in the lineup if Texas can stay within shouting distance of the expanded playoffs. And maybe even if they can’t.
15. Mets C Francisco Alvarez (AA) 20 years old
As a hitter, Alvarez looks ready to graduate AA with 16 home runs and a .278/.366/.559 slash line along with solid plate skills (11.7% walk rate, 24.2% strikeout rate). His defensive readiness will dictate his promotions schedule.
Thanks for reading!
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