Top 25 Fantasy Baseball Prospects, 2016 Fantasy Baseball

So here we are more or less half way through the minor league season, Super Two has come and gone, and we wait for those sweet, sweet rookies to get the call and make an impact. More often than not my comments are filled with questions regarding who I think will have the greater impact this season, player A or player B. Today we take a look at the Top 25 prospects for 2016 impact. I’m going to start with a ranked list and follow that up with my general thoughts on the players listed. I’m ignoring anyone already in the majors like Jameson Taillon, Blake Snell, and Tim Anderson. Things I’ve taken into consideration when building this were impact, proximity, and team situation. So understand this is not a straight top 25. It’s strictly 2016 focused, which why a prospect like Lucas Giolito is further down the list than he would be in a straight top 25 prospects for dynasty list.

1. Trea Turner, SS Nationals – Not backing off of my Turner enthusiasm even if Dusty Baker is the Nats manager. He posses dynamic top of the order ability, and he will showcase it this year. Turner is going to be a three category stud, with solid enough contributions in homers and RBI’s to not be a drain on either.
2. Alex Bregman, SS/3B Astros – The biggest riser in my eyes this season is Bregman. His performance in AA has changed my view of him dramatically. In the pre-season I saw him as a solid offensive prospect that was a year away, to how I currently view him; the best bat in the minors. The power (13 HR) and contact (.311) is there, but most impressive is the Bb% sitting at 12.6% to a K% of 8.7%.
3. Tyler Glasnow, RHP Pirates – Everyone knows Glasnow is coming up at some point this year but just when? The K’s are huge, but there are some control concerns, though it is an area the Pirates farmhand has improved in this season, albeit slightly.
4. Alex Reyes, RHP Cardinals – As I mentioned on the Razzball Podcast with JB and Grey on ~~Monday~~ Tuesday, Reyes is my favorite arm currently in the minors. Much like Glasnow control issues are part of the package, but the K upside is huge. His early season suspension for palm trees means he’s probably not in danger of a shutdown due to an innings limit. He’ll be up soon enough.
5. Joey Gallo, 1B/3B/OF Rangers – This one is a little tricky, I’m not sure if any one is sure when Gallo will be up for good or where he’ll play once up. Profar is manning third in Adrian Beltre’s recent absence, but I expect Gallo is the answer at first or third long term. It’s all about the power with Gallo, he’s done an excellent job of chopping down his K% to a tolerable 25.7% this year.
6. A.J. Reed, 1B Astros – Am I the only one losing faith? NOPE! Talked to Smokey last night and he posed the question, “Long term Casey Gillaspie or A.J. Reed?”. I still say Reed, but I had to think about it. On the podcast Grey and I disagree about which Astro has more value this year Reed or Bregman. I went with the Jetson’s dog…..oops I mean Bregman.
7. Orlando Arcia, SS Brewers – When he’ll be up…..not sure. I believe he’s up this season and my guess would be late July. Once he’s up the speed will play. Unfortunately for us, the Brewers have no reason to push his arrival.
8. Josh Bell, 1B/OF Pirates – A solid across the board hitter, once the good vibes and ghost of Jerry Garcia leaves John Jaso’s bat Bell will be up. The .312/.398/.502 slashline with 8 homers tell me he’s ready now.
9. Cody Reed, LHP Reds – Cincy has called up every arm they could to avoid starting Reed’s service time clock. Eventually they’ll run out of options and Reed and teammate Robert Stephenson will be up. Reed’s a lefty with good stuff and solid control.
10. Josh Hader, LHP Brewers – The best pitcher in the minors this season, that’s still in the minors? I’d say so, was promoted to AAA Colorado Springs last week and showed well in his first test. My guess is he’s in the majors by August. Reminds me of Chris Sale, tall, lanky, and uses a 3/4 arm slot. The Brewers stole him from Houston.
11. Hunter Renfroe, OF Padres – Renfroe does one thing really well for fantasy, hit the ball hard. His 14 homers and .310 batting average put him amongst the leaders in AAA. The downside, he’s a Padres power prospect and he walks 2.6% of the time…..yeahhhhh.
12. Willson Contreras, C Cubs – hands down the best offensive catching prospect in the minors, but when’s he up? I’ll answer your question with a question, when’s David Ross/Miguel Montero hitting the DL?
13. Nick Williams, OF Phillies – Over the last month he’s slashing .300/.372/.520. Still think he’s a flash in the pan? He’s out to prove you wrong, he told me, we talk. The Phillies are doing everything to avoid giving him the call. They can’t hold off forever.
14. Dan Vogelbach, 1B Cubs – If he’s on half the teams in MLB he’d be up already. Tell me when he’s traded to the Rays, and I’ll tell you when he’s up.
15. Jesse Winker, OF Reds – Still seems like a long shot to be promoted before the trade deadline, but if years of rumors finally come to a head and Jay Bruce is traded, Winker will get a look. His lack of power this year is concerning.
16. Manuel Margot, OF Padres – Leads AAA in runs and is hitting .300, walks almost as much as he strikes out but does neither a ton. The power is limited but he profiles as a leadoff hitter. Jon Jay please disappear, thanks Sincerely Ralph Lifshitz Prospector Esq.
17. Renato Nunez, 3B Athletics – I guess Danny Valencia could stick with the A’s, and Ted Nugent could also go Vegan.
18. Lucas Giolito, RHP Nationals – After a rough first 5 starts, he’s gone 5-0 with 1.48 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a K/9 of 9.49. Still in AA, and blocked, but should see the majors toward the end of August.
19. Aaron Judge, OF Yankees – I’ve given up, he looks like a washout, maybe he’s up and hits, but I’m not sure what you’re seeing. He’s here because he could be up, not because I think he’s doing anything exciting.
20. Jose Berrios, RHP Twins – The first few MLB starts were not great, he’s been mezza mezza since he returned to AAA. Could still make it up.
21. Jose Peraza, 2B/SS/OF Reds – I was high on him in the pre-season, but my stash is running low, as is my enthusiasm.
22. Jose De Leon, RHP Dodgers – Returned from the DL last week and threw three perfect innings against round rock and struck out 6. Could be a useful source of K’s whether he stars in the rotation or pen. Should be up by the All-Star break.
23. Harrison Bader, OF Cardinals – The steal of the 2015 MLB draft? Maybe, he’s slumping a bit the last month but he’s still hit 6 homers in that time.
24. Robert Stephenson, RHP Reds – Go read my Reed blurb rinse and repeat.
25. Hunter Dozier, 3B Royals – It’s been a long road for the 2013 first round pick (8th overall), but he’s rediscovered his prospect shine. A sneaky player to find his way to ‘The Heart of America”. Hitting .278 with 14 homers across two levels.

Five Window Shoppers – Players who just missed the cut.

Joe Musgrove, RHP Astros
J.P. Crawford, SS Phillies (angry Phillies fans go!!!)
Braden Shipley, RHP Diamondbacks
Chad Kuhl, RHP Pirates
Dylan Cozens, OF Phillies

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