During the moments I could focus enough to exercise the fantasy part of my brain, I’ve been brainstorming for what I should explore during the virus break.
A fast forward to next March’s Top 100 list landed pretty high on my to-do list, but the task of going back to the future quickly became a complicated proposition.
Will the Tigers have any incentive to promote Skubal, Manning and Mize?
In a full season, players can push for the next level through dominance, putting a variety of pressures on the organization: fan frustration, developmental stall, player frustration, etc.
It’s easy to project Julio Rodriguez, Jarred Kelenic, and Wander Franco to push their way up given a full season, but the math is all variables now. And mostly negative ones for young studs on non-contenders.
Nonetheless, I grabbed some plutonium and had a lot of fun in the process. Feeling pretty good about the whole thing on publication day. Will have more to say about the future in future, specifically this Sunday. In the meantime, to paraphrase the great Red Green: if you don’t find this list handsome, I hope at least you’ll find it handy.
| Rank | Player | Position | Team | ETA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wander Franco | SS | TB | 2021 |
| 2 | CJ Abrams | SS | SD | 2023 |
| 3 | Julio Rodriguez | OF | SEA | 2021 |
| 4 | Marco Luciano | SS | SF | 2022 |
| 5 | Vidal Brujan | 2B | TB | 2021 |
| 6 | Jarred Kelenic | OF | SEA | 2021 |
| 7 | Jasson Dominguez | OF | NYY | 2024 |
| 8 | Andrew Vaughn | 1B | CHW | 2021 |
| 9 | Oneil Cruz | SS | PIT | 2021 |
| 10 | Kristian Robinson | OF | ARI | 2022 |
| 11 | Tarik Skubal | LHP | DET | 2020 |
| 12 | Corbin Carroll | OF | ARI | 2022 |
| 13 | Adley Rutschman | C | BAL | 2022 |
| 14 | Tetsuto Yamada | 2B | ?? | 2021 |
| 15 | Royce Lewis | SS | MIN | 2021 |
| 16 | Casey Mize | RHP | DET | 2020 |
| 17 | Spencer Torkelson | 1B | ?? | 2021 |
| 18 | Matt Manning | RHP | DET | 2020 |
| 19 | Alex Kirilloff | 1B | MIN | 2020 |
| 20 | Austin Martin | SS | ?? | 2022 |
| 21 | Brennen Davis | OF | CHC | 2022 |
| 22 | Alec Bohm | 3B | PHI | 2020 |
| 23 | Luis Patiño | RHP | SD | 2020 |
| 24 | Brailyn Marquez | LHP | CHC | 2021 |
| 25 | Luis Matos | OF | SF | 2022 |
| 26 | Noelvi Marte | SS | SEA | 2022 |
| 27 | Jazz Chisholm | SS | MIA | 2020 |
| 28 | Jeter Downs | SS | BOS | 2021 |
| 29 | Joey Bart | C | SF | 2021 |
| 30 | Trevor Larnach | OF | MIN | 2021 |
| 31 | Drew Waters | OF | ATL | 2020 |
| 32 | Bobby Witt Jr. | SS | KC | 2023 |
| 33 | Seiya Suzuki | OF | ?? | 2021 |
| 34 | Jose Garcia | SS | CIN | 2021 |
| 35 | George Valera | OF | CLE | 2022 |
| 36 | Heriberto Hernandez | C | TEX | 2022 |
| 37 | Monte Harrison | OF | MIA | 2020 |
| 38 | Erick Peña | OF | KC | 2024 |
| 39 | George Kirby | RHP | SEA | 2021 |
| 40 | Riley Greene | OF | DET | 2024 |
| 41 | Luisangel Acuña | SS | TEX | 2023 |
| 42 | Carlos Colmenarez | SS | ?? | 2025 |
| 43 | Edward Cabrera | RHP | MIA | 2020 |
| 44 | Josiah Gray | RHP | LAD | 2020 |
| 45 | Hedbert Perez | OF | MIL | 2024 |
| 46 | Garrett Mitchell | OF | ?? | 2023 |
| 47 | Xavier Edwards | SS | TB | 2022 |
| 48 | Aaron Bracho | 2B | CLE | 2022 |
| 49 | Gilberto Jimenez | OF | BOS | 2022 |
| 50 | Alek Thomas | OF | ARI | 2021 |
| 51 | Nick Lodolo | LHP | CIN | 2021 |
| 52 | Nick Gonzales | 2B | ?? | 2022 |
| 53 | Jordan Groshans | 3B | TOR | 2022 |
| 54 | Robert Puason | SS | OAK | 2024 |
| 55 | Asa Lacy | LHP | ?? | 2022 |
| 56 | Simeon Woods-Richardson | RHP | TOR | 2021 |
| 57 | Greg Jones | SS | TB | 2023 |
| 58 | Triston Casas | 3B | BOS | 2022 |
| 59 | Emerson Hancock | RHP | ?? | 2022 |
| 60 | Hunter Greene | RHP | CIN | 2023 |
| 61 | Nolan Gorman | 3B | STL | 2022 |
| 62 | JJ Bleday | OF | MIA | 2022 |
| 63 | Josh Jung | 3B | TEX | 2021 |
| 64 | Lewin Diaz | 1B | MIA | 2021 |
| 65 | Kody Hoese | 2B | LAD | 2021 |
| 66 | Bryce Ball | 1B | ATL | 2022 |
| 67 | Heliot Ramos | OF | SF | 2022 |
| 68 | Michael Busch | 3B | LAD | 2021 |
| 69 | Ronny Mauricio | SS | NYM | 2023 |
| 70 | Francisco Alvarez | C | NYM | 2024 |
| 71 | Geraldo Perdomo | SS | ARI | 2022 |
| 72 | Maximo Acosta | SS | TEX | 2024 |
| 73 | Ha-Seong Kim | SS | ?? | 2021 |
| 74 | Joe Ryan | RHP | TB | 2020 |
| 75 | Misael Urbina | OF | MIN | 2023 |
| 76 | Logan Gilbert | RHP | SEA | 2021 |
| 77 | Zac Veen | OF | ?? | 2024 |
| 78 | Orelvis Martinez | 3B | TOR | 2023 |
| 79 | Alexfri Planez | OF | CLE | 2023 |
| 80 | Keithron Moss | SS | TEX | 2023 |
| 81 | Brent Honeywell | RHP | TB | 2020 |
| 82 | Joey Cantillo | LHP | SD | 2021 |
| 83 | Tyler Freeman | 2B | CLE | 2021 |
| 84 | Jordyn Adams | OF | LAA | 2022 |
| 85 | Daniel Lynch | LHP | KC | 2020 |
| 86 | Nolan Jones | 3B | CLE | 2021 |
| 87 | Brandon Marsh | OF | LAA | 2020 |
| 88 | Oscar Colas | P/H | ?? | 2022 |
| 89 | Hudson Head | OF | SD | 2023 |
| 90 | Ian Anderson | RHP | ATL | 2020 |
| 91 | Taylor Trammell | OF | SD | 2021 |
| 92 | Reid Detmers | LHP | ?? | 2023 |
| 93 | Ji-Hwan Bae | SS | PIT | 2022 |
| 94 | Ethan Small | LHP | MIL | 2021 |
| 95 | Daulton Varsho | C | ARI | 2020 |
| 96 | Casey Martin | SS | ?? | 2023 |
| 97 | Luis Rodriguez | OF | LAD | 2024 |
| 98 | Luis Campusano | C | SD | 2021 |
| 99 | Pedro Leon | OF | HOU | 2022 |
| 100 | Grayson Rodriguez | RHP | BAL | 2022 |
PS: Most names should work as hyperlinks if you want to click and read what’s been said to this point.
Thanks for reading!
You can follow me @theprospectitch on Twitter if you’re curious.
Hey Itch! With the news Spencer Howard May have the 5th starter gig in philly, would you be running to snag him in waivers in keeper leagues, even if it means dropping someone like Archer or a Jorge Mateo gamble?
Hey Duda!
Yeah I’d drop either for Howard.
Archer first in 5×5 w lots of keepers.
Mateo first in a shallower and/or non-standard league.
You must like Kirby… I feel he will be a top 5 pitching prospect by 2021 and it seems that you kind of agree
Like Kirby I do!
Thinking about painting something pink today in honor
I see that you’ve got Robert Puason ranked above Monte Harrison for this year, but you have Harrison over Puason for 2021. Want to offer any thoughts about that? The reason I’m asking is because I’ve only got room to stash one of the two.
I’d move Harrison ahead of Puason if re-ranking today.
Nice list, handy.
Any thoughts on Whitley and what he might do in 2020 or not?
Thanks, Sweet Panther!
I think Dusty helps Whitley.
Houston was treating him the way they treat everyone, and most of their arms are short guys, so it makes great sense to live up in the zone with 4-seamers and bury curves down and out.
It might take awhile, but if Dusty can convey his do-your-thing approach to the point people working with Whitley, we should see a return to the 5-pitch freak of nature we thought he was before his ill-fated late-night drive and subsequent shitshow.
Great list, Itch. Wander shall lead us.
No McKenzie Gore or did I just miss him..
Stay safe, man!
Thanks, MP!!
I decided to graduate him.
I know it’ll be close, but I’d give him at least 50 innings if I ran San Diego, and I’m not even a Preller playing for his job.
Thanks much for the list!
Wondering what 6 MiLB players I should keep in my 16-team OPS keeper: D. Carlson, J. Rodriguez, C. Carroll, G. Rodriguez, Hoerner, L. Garcia (WSH), A. Bracho, M. Luciano, Valera, and Kiriloff.
You’re more than welcome, Drew!
And thanks for thanking me!!
Julio, Carlson, Luciano, Carroll, Kirilloff for sure imo.
Then it comes down to Bracho, Valera or Nico.
I like Bracho best, especially in OPS, but he likely has the least trade value among these three. I’d roll that dice and bet on Bracho but don’t think you can go wrong among the 3.
Oh I also for Alek Thomas! I’ve got him too…
Bracho seems to be the least-heralded of the 3, but I like him a fair amount too. I’ve been a fan of Valera for a while now, and snagged Nico last year before the off-season. Nico’s ceiling seems to be lower–more of a high floor guy?
Much appreciated.
forgot*
Skubal above Manning and Mize? Are you the first to predict this? You are brave and that is why I like you.
Thanks, thehombre!
I’m not sure if I was the first, but I won’t be the last.
For what it’s worth, I second Itch’s call. I’ve read enough about him that it’s the right call.
Skubal is the real deal. I’d take him over the other two.
Walmarting him in my upcoming amateur draft.
PS. Just the type of post I was looking for, Itch. Always look forward to your reports.
Yo Jolt. glad you made an appearance here. 1 dropped from my RCL if you still want to swoop in and nab the spot, draft is tmw.
In!
Looking forward to a fun league.
Thanks for the heads up Coolwhip.
Sorry Itch. Number 88. I see him now.
Down on him?
No worries, JB!
I do seem a little too low on him here . . . and I’m actually really excited about him, so I might need to adjust up . . . just such a loaded list with some timeline backlog.
Itch –
Interested to see Colas is not on this list?? Is he not in your top 100?
Nate Pearson is not in your top 100?
I think Pearson is among those Itch expects to graduate in 2020 … this list is a prediction for next March. I assume he expects guys like the Tigers pitchers and others listed as arriving in 2020 will only get a cup of coffee in 2020.
Thanks, LenFuego!
Nailed it!
Yeah he most likely will no longer qualify as a prospect. should get solid innings this season
It’s scary to see so many TB middle infielders. I assume Tampa feels they can convert many of the to the outfield and also have them play different position on the diamond. Might be a sound strategy…but I have yet to see them produce a top star. Franco and Brujan might be the best and could be a good test.
With Franco any split issues or concerns about his game?
Zero concerns about Wander.
But I hear you. Kiermaier is living on borrowed time. Margot too. Vidal is coming for centerfield, in my opinion.
I noticed you have some Japanese, Korean players. Do you have an idea on if they will be posted after the 2020 season.
I think Kim is a really solid bet to come over.
The Japanese guys are a service-time play. They’re approaching international free agency, and posting them is the business side’s smartest financial bet for prime-age players partly due to the recurring percentage of salary payments.
Balazovic off the list because you expect him up sooner?
I did graduate him, but that was a coin flip. Will come down to the fringe Twinkies like Dobnak, Smeltzer and Thorpe.
If they’re decent, Balazovic likely stays down, but there’s a lot of injury-history paths here: Rich Hill, Michael Pineda, Homer Bailey.
Your prospect reports butter my bread man (in a totally cool platonic way). In your prognostication for next year, i see a lack of Daniel Espino whom has no shortage of “stuff.” You think he’ll still be too underseasoned to make this list for next year? Would love to hear more from you on him, thanks bro.
Thanks, Coolwhip!
I now feel warm like butter on toast.
The shutdown seems to hurt low-level arms like Espino as much as anyone.
He’ll have to ramp up, then he’ll have his workload monitored. I love Espino and expect him to fly up the list at some point, but the total innings pitched number is a signpost for projecting young pitchers, and he’s going to have a very small 2020 number to build up from in 2021.
word. okay, that makes sense… damn this virus!!!! after seeing where he was drafted, I grabbed shares of him everywhere I could. Just like you said, Indians do pitching right.
You ranked Casey Marting and not Heston Kjerstad? Might want to rethink that. Martin struggling bad and Kjerstad exploding before the halt in play this season.
Thanks, Harley,
Heston fell just outside the 100– 105 right now.
Tried to squeeze him in.
Martin didn’t start well, but neither did Trea Turner in his draft year.
Speed ( and D ) give him some extra leash.
Yeah, I get your reluctance to move Martin out.
But Van Horn had already benched him a couple games and dropped him low in the order. This is something a lot of us who follow the Razorbacks coming. He’s a much weaker hitter than his numbers showed last year. Now the flaws are catching up to his game and all he has left is speed and a glove. Van Horn was considering even moving him off shortstop too. This is one college team I know well. I’d draft Kjerstad before Martin every time no matter what.
You have a good opinion and I agree with most of what you write. Just saying I think you have misjudged this situation. But, you’re smart, you know your stuff so maybe you are right.
I’ll stick to my guns though! Kjerstad baby! Haha!
Who has the better chance to impact 2020 and beyond? Gore or Pearson?
I’ll take Pearson in 2020 and Gore beyond.
Thanks, Itch! Would love to hear about this Tetsuto guy…
Thanks, Duda!
Will have more about Yamada on Sunday!
Sounds goood!
Ive got Dominguez and Robinson in my keeper league that allows 6 keepers and 4 MiLB keepers. If I needed pitching snd outfield help, who would be a good MLB target?
Ive got an opportunity to get brantley and Woodward for dominguez.
Pull the trigger or hold?
I’d wait until we know about 2020.
But if we’ve got enough season that Woodruff and Brantley help put you over the top, I’d do it. Lots of good keepers and prospects in a sea that size.
Great point. I wasnt even considering that.
Hey The Itch,
With no real baseball…….or even fantasy baseball, I figured I’d ask another card question!
Do you mainly try to stick with 1st BC autos of only the very top of the chart guys? Or would you also buy lottery tickets for cheap, like say jose devers?
I know the prices are nice, but it’s hard to tell if guys way down the line are a waste of time (and money), or a good time to buy-in early.
If I do buy cheaper guys, I’ve been sticking to <=20 years old. Decent plan?
Thanks man, good luck with the family and stay healthy!
Hey Worm Burner,
The only issue with the cheaper guys is the turnaround hustle.
If you’re sending to consignment sellers, that’s less of an issue, but if you buy a 1st chrome at like $14 skipped and it goes 2X in a year, you’d be wise to sell.
Sounds fine.
Thing is, that’s a fair bit hustle for ten bucks.
So a guy like Devers, while I think he’ll go up, he’s kind of riskier than he seems at first blush because you might never sell if he never makes a huge leap.
I guess that’s true of everyone, but he’s a non-power prospect in a small fan base, so he’s got a lot going against him.
I think it’s functional to pay more on the front end and get fewer cards (largely 1st chrome autos) of premium dudes. I remember talking myself out of some Acuña investments early because he was pricey right away. But now that $70 for his 1st chrome is a laugh.
If you are going cheap, an organizational structure could be huge.
I could not find my Aquinos last year when they were 15X my initial investment of about $10.
We had moved, but still, having a lot of cards can cost you some profit if you’re not managing inventory well, and I was not for a stretch before and after the move. Have just sooooooo many cards. It piles up and spreads out. I have at least 50 unopened card envelopes in my office. I’m not selling those yet, and I don’t have a solid organizational structure in place, so the safest spot for them is in their padded envelopes.
Need to get on that . . .
Thanks Itch, I always appreciate the advice.
It’s just like real and fantasy baseball, the spring always brings so much hope and hype……..devers put on 20 lbs of rock solid muscle!…….probably only because you wrote about him needing to workout with rafael in your team blurb!
Thanks again and take care
You too, stay safe out there.
And thanks for reminding me of the Rafael blurb. Will be fun if it turns out that’s what happened.
And yeah, about Devers plus muscle, at $10-14 shipped the past couple weeks, he’s a solid buy.
I play in the BC 1st autos myself. I like the wait, so I say go for it. Almost the same as pack ripping excitement when the card starts to go up.
I still like going after mantles the most tho.
Love this! Great stuff, Itch! Be safe out there!
Thanks! You too! (I’m washing my hands as I type this)
My keyboard is underwater while typi–crap
Shoot, didn’t work?
I was hoping you’d found a life hack for us there.
*wearing snorkel* Working on it