Welcome back RotoBallers. How about that last week of action for the Washington Nationals and their pitchers? Top prospect Lucas Giolito was finally called up. Then Stephen Strasburg came off the DL and pitched a gem. Joe Ross was placed on the DL after a noted loss in velocity late in his last start against the Cincinnati Reds, and now Giolito is in the rotation in place of Joe Ross. Fantasy owners everywhere rejoice.

Giolito should be considered not only as one of the top MLB prospects, but also one of the top arms to own in all fantasy baseball leagues. In the slight change he is still available in yours, go add him now. He should be owned everywhere, regardless of the format.

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Top MLB Prospects - Fantasy Baseball Power Rankings

To be clear, this list is not the top 30 prospects in baseball. This is a list of the top 30 prospects who are likely going to rise to the major leagues and provide fantasy baseball value this season. The qualifications are simple: a player must not be on an active roster, they must have a clear path to the majors, and while they may have played in seasons prior to 2016, they must still have rookie eligibility. If a player is moved to the active roster of their team, they will be removed from this power rankings list and replaced.

 

1. Trea Turner (2B, WAS, AAA)
Stats: 348 PA, .299/.372/.461, 5 HR, 22 SB, 19.8% K rate, 10.6% BB rate
ETA: Post-All-Star Break
With the recent hot-hitting of Danny Espinosa, the coronation of Trea Turner as the franchise shortstop has been delayed. In fact, the middle-infield prospect has now started taken reps in the middle-outfield, center field to be exact. And this is probably as a result of the atrocious duo of Michael Taylor and Ben Revere who are batting a combined .228 with Taylor striking out more than 30% of the time and average defense platooning with Revere and his well below-average defense. With many scouts already questioning whether Turner will be able to play short, it seems likely he will take the Billy Hamilton route to the majors. He may eventually shift back to short, but he will reach the big league club playing center field and it will be shortly after the All-Star Break.

2. Alex Bregman (SS, HOU, AAA)
Stats: 300 PA, .309/.425/.578, 15 HR, 5 SB, 10.3% K rate, 14.7% BB rate
ETA: Post-All-Star Break
Recently promoted to Triple-A, Bregman has since gotten off to a torrid start. He is slashing a ridiculous .625/.700/1.250 with one bomb, two walks and two strikeouts. Luis Valbuena has provided solid value at third lately and could keep Bregman in the minors at least until after the All-Star Break. The Astros will need all the help they can get. A platoon of Valbuena and Bregman at third, at least until Bregman is fully accustomed to big league pitching, would be a major offensive boost. For fantasy owners, Bregman would provide a ton of value with his ability to both hit for power and hit for average. He will be worth owning in all leagues once promoted.

3. Jose De Leon (SP, LAD, AAA)
Stats: 23.1 IP, 3.09 ERA, 3.42 FIP, 13.50 K/9, 3.09 BB/9, 1.16 HR/9, 1.07 WHIP
ETA: Post-All-Star Break
With Clayton Kershaw now on the DL and a rotation that looks like a sloppily-assembled group of misfits, there could be an opening for De Leon shortly after the All-Star Break. I mean, they acquired Bud Norris to serve as one of their starters. No offense to Norris, but he is not an impact arm like De Leon. To promote the 23-year-old starter would make a strong statement that says we are going to do whatever it takes to win this season. And with the Giants expanding their lead in the division by the day, Los Angeles needs to make a bold move. The same kind of move that brings a 19-year-old Julio Urias to a big league rotation before he has ever topped 100 innings in a professional season. They have a history of making these moves and I believe they will make it again. With his mixture of solid command and strikeout stuff, he is a very solid bet to be the biggest impact arm promoted for the remainder of the season.

4. Tyler Glasnow (SP, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 96.0 IP, 1.78 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 10.59 K/9, 4.88 BB/9, 0.38 HR/9, 1.14 WHIP
ETA: Post-All-Star Break
Glasnow’s command is awful. He walks so many per game, he is not ready for the big leagues, yeah yeah yeah. I’ve heard it all before. But here is my reasoning for why Glasnow can, should and will be called up before September or even August. The Pirates are consistently running out three starters with ERAs over 5.00. They are also still below .500 and trail the Cubs by double-digits in the standings. They need Glasnow and Glasnow needs a big league staff to fix his command. He has consistently displayed no-hit stuff and just needs to fix his control to be a true big league ace. Expect to see the Pirates’ top prospect up shortly after the All-Star Break.

5. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 75.2 IP, 3.93 ERA, 4.77 FIP, 7.14 K/9, 4.76 BB/9, 1.07 HR/9, 1.33 WHIP
ETA: Post-All-Star Break
I know the last Reds pitching prospect that was on this list didn’t pan out so well, but hear me out on this one. With Cody Reed, give him a break. He will be just fine. He has just been a bit unlucky and has flashed some nasty stuff. Brandon Finnegan is on an innings limit this season after barely exceeding 100 innings last season. He has also been roughed up over his last couple outings and a shift to the bullpen could help fix both problems. And though Homer Bailey is due back soon, Dan Straily has also struggled after a sharp start to the season and could probably use some bullpen to regain some confidence. Meanwhile, Bob Steve has gone at least six innings in 11 of his 14 starts. And for those worrying about the strikeout numbers, he has struck out 15 in his last two starts (12 innings) and has only walked five. He will clearly get another shot in the rotation shortly after the All-Star Break and has the potential to provide well above-average production. If promoted and given a guaranteed starting spot, he would be worth owning in 12+ team leagues.

6. Jake Thompson (SP, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 97.2 IP, 2.76 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 6.36 K/9, 2.67 BB/9, 0.83 HR/9, 1.17 WHIP
ETA: Post-All-Star Break
Boy oh boy, Aaron Nola has been really bad recently. In his past five starts, Nola has managed only 19 innings with a 10.42 ERA and 4.16 FIP. He needs a break from the rotation for a couple of rounds as does Zach Eflin, who too has struggled. Luckily for them, they have Jake Thompson waiting in the wings whose numbers since June 5 just keeping getting better and better. In those six starts, Thompson has thrown 42.1 innings (going beyond the sixth inning in all but one of those starts) and has a 0.85 ERA and 3.17 FIP. The 5.10 K/9 is a bit low, but fantasy owners should not expect gaudy strikeout totals from the bulldog righty. He is a classic, innings-eating middle-of-the-rotation starter who will join the rotation and throw seven innings of two-run baseball. He is not going to be a stud like some of the guys on this list, but if you like Mike Leake, you will love Jake Thompson. And you should probably own his reliability in most leagues once promoted.

7. Gary Sanchez (C, NYY, AAA)
Stats: 228 PA, .280/.320/.481, 8 HR, 5 SB, 14.9% K rate, 4.4% BB rate
ETA: Early August
The Yankees have been linked to many possible trades at the deadline. And a few years ago when I would have said the Yankees and Cubs have been in talks over a reliever, you would wonder which reliever the Cubs are selling this time. But in fact this year it is backwards with the Yankees as sellers and the Cubs as buyers. Brian McCann is a player who seems like a legitimate possibility to be dealt at the deadline which would open the door for Gary Sanchez. McCann would fetch quite a lot for the Yankees in a year where the catching position appears to be one of the weakest spots on the field. And for fantasy owners, Sanchez would be worth quite a lot for the exact same reason. He is one of the most talented offensive catchers in the minors and offers insane power upside that few catchers can provide. If you start hearing McCann rumors swirling more rapidly than they are now, it would be very wise to stash Sanchez. In a year where catchers are incredibly valuable, could immediately be a top-10 catcher value.

8. Alex Reyes (SP, STL, AAA)
Stats: 34.2 IP, 4.93 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 13.50 K/9, 4.67 BB/9, 1.04 HR/9, 1.47 WHIP
ETA: Early August
Unfortunately for Alex Reyes and owners of the young right-hander, his potential value this season appears to be diminishing by the day. He has been awful in his most recent five starts as he has a 7.32 ERA and 4.73 FIP with three outings lasting shorter than five innings. Meanwhile the Cardinals’ rotation has started to look very sharp recently. Reyes could take the long way to the rotation by coming up as bullpen help and working himself into the rotation as a spot starter to help reduce the innings workload of some of the Cardinals’ younger starters, but it does not look like he will be stealing away a starting spot away from anybody unless someone gets hurt.

9. Orlando Arcia (SS, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 332 PA, .266/.317/.387, 6 HR, 12 SB, 19.8% K rate, 10.6% BB rate
ETA: Early August
Once the deadline comes around, the Brewers are expected to sell off what little assets they have. It appears that the two most likely to go are Ryan Braun and Aaron Hill. Hill, who has been the right-handed bat to the platoon at second base with Scooter Gennett, has put together a strong campaign and now appears to have some value. If Hill is dealt away, Arcia can be expected to see some time at second base where he recently has been taking some reps. Ultimately his destiny is as a shortstop, but second base would be his path to the majors this season with Jonathan Villar putting together a strong season at the hot corner. A recent cold streak has diminished his value and reduced the chances the Brew Crew will promoted him so early, but he is talented enough to right the ship. Once promoted to the majors, Arcia has enough to offer fantasy owners to warrant owning in all leagues.

10. Josh Hader (SP, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 77.0 IP, 1.87 ERA, 2.47 FIP, 11.57 K/9, 3.51 BB/9, 0.23 HR/9, 1.13 WHIP
ETA: Late July
Another guy whose value continues to waver by the day, Josh Hader has not been nearly as sharp in Triple-A as it was in Double-A. The Brewers’ southpaw has a 4.50 ERA and 3.57 FIP since reaching Triple-A. Now with all that said, he is more fortunate than Reyes in that he could easily be an improvement over virtually anyone in that Brewers’ rotation right now. Where he is at a disadvantage is how he is likely on an innings limit as his career-high in innings is 123.1 back in 2014 and has already reached 77 IP this season. Hader is very likely to get a look in the rotation later this season, but he may be shut down once he reaches 150 IP. Still with his upside, he would be worth owning in 10+ team fantasy leagues if promoted.

11. Jesse Winker (OF, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 236 PA, .286/.381/.367, 2 HR, 0 SB, 13.6% K rate, 14.0% BB rate
ETA: Late July
Jay Bruce seems more and more likely by the day to be traded away. He has stated that he would waive his no-trade clause and accept a deal to a contender. Given that a trade is very likely to happen to Bruce, fantasy owners have to expect to see Winker promoted to the big leagues and given a starting role in that outfield. The Reds could theoretically promote Scott Schebler instead of Winker, but considering Schebler’s earlier MLB struggles and Winker’s advanced approach at the plate, Winker appears to be the more MLB-ready option for the Reds. His power will profile at least as above-average in the Great American Ballpark, giving fantasy owners in 12+ team leagues reason enough to own him given a promotion to the majors.

12. Jose Berrios (SP, MIN, AAA)
Stats: 68.2 IP, 2.62 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 9.57 K/9, 3.54 BB/9, 0.66 HR/9, 1.03 WHIP
ETA: Early August
Berrios had a very rough MLB debut, but he appears to be starting to turn things around in the minors. In his last three outings, Berrios has a 0.43 ERA and 2.81 FIP, largely the result of a much-improved 3.00 BB/9 compared to his 7.20 BB/9 rate in the majors. With the Twins figuring to be sellers at the deadline, they seem likely to deal away some of their veteran arms, giving Berrios a legit chance to redeem himself in the rotation. If promoted, owners should approach him with a slight bit of caution, but he is still one of the better pitching prospects available and should still warrant ownership in all leagues, especially if he appears to turn things around.

13. Hunter Renfroe (OF, SD, AAA)
Stats: 349 PA, .331/.358/.593, 18 HR, 3 SB, 18.1% K rate, 4.0% BB rate
ETA: Early August
The injury to Jon Jay freed up a spot on the roster for another outfielder, and that guy was Alex Dickerson. And while Dickerson could be a solid player to own if given starting time, Renfroe is really the big guy everyone wants to get their hands on if the Padres trade any of their outfielders. Renfroe has tremendous power and could even find a way to hit some solid home run totals in Petco Park. Assuming the Padres trade away Melvin Upton and Matt Kemp (both far from a given, but definitely a possibility), Renfroe and another outfield prospect (mentioned later) could find themselves on the big league roster to hold down the corner outfield roles. The plate discipline issues limit his upside and should give fantasy owners at least some pause about owning him, but with his power, Renfroe would be worth owning in most leagues.

14. Manuel Margot (OF, SD, AAA)
Stats: 359 PA, .302/.355/.426, 4 HR, 23 SB, 9.7% K rate, 6.7% BB rate
ETA: Early August
For the third week in a row, there are two Padre outfielders in back-to-back slots. This time the second guy is not Alex Dickerson. It is recently-acquired Manny Margot. Where Renfroe is a well above-average home run hitter, Margot is a well above-average base stealer. But speed plays better in Petco than power so why isn’t Margot higher than Renfroe? Personally, I do believe that Margot will get a shot at the big leagues, but this is his first taste of Triple-A while Renfroe spent part of last year there. Plus their numbers are so close that Margot’s upside does not quite make up for the difference in experience. Unlike Alex Dickerson, neither of these two prospects would be promoted to serve as spot starters. If promoted alongside Renfroe, Margot too should be worth owning in all leagues.

15. Josh Bell (1B/OF, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 342 PA, .324/.409/.537, 12 HR, 1 SB, 15.2% K rate, 11.7% BB rate
ETA: Early August
Bell has really been swinging a hot bat in the minors this season. Scouts have always wondered when Bell’s raw power would translate into higher home run totals and it appears that this is the season for that. He already has 12 long balls after hitting 16 in his past two seasons combined. And while earlier this season it looked as though John Jaso, David Freese and Sean Rodriguez would be enough to keep Bell in the minors, the Pirates are floundering with those three at first and they need a spark. The 23-year-old first baseman is just the guy to provide that offensive spark and could provide some serious value. The only reason Bell isn’t higher on this list is because the Pirates are unpredictable with their prospects and it is a legitimate possibility that Bell does not see the big leagues until much later in the season. If promoted, Bell would be worth owning in all leagues.

16. Joey Gallo (3B/OF, TEX, AAA)
Stats: 221 PA, .250/.385/.567, 14 HR, 1 SB, 29.9% K rate, 17.6% BB rate
ETA: Early August
Gallo has so much power upside and has started to reduce his high strikeout rates. But he is blocked at all positions in the big leagues. With Prince Fielder swinging a hot bat of late, he is starting to re-establish himself in the DH position while Jurickson Profar has done nothing to lose hold of the first base position. Mitch Moreland could be traded at the deadline as he is a free agent at season’s end, but if the Rangers decide to pull off a blockbuster, it would make more sense for Gallo to go in the deal. The third base prospect has plenty of fantasy upside and would immediately require owning in all leagues if dealt to a team where he could start, but if he is not moved at the deadline, he is unlikely to have much impact value this season barring any injuries.

17. Dan Vogelbach (1B, CHC, AAA)
Stats: 319 PA, .298/.411/.536 PA, 15 HR, 0 SB, 20.4% K rate, 15.4% BB rate
ETA: Early August
What was said about Gallo can also be repeated word-for-word about Vogelbach. The Cubs’ first base prospect is tearing up Triple-A and putting on a show, but his only legitimate chance of having fantasy value this season is if traded away which seems very likely. With Anthony Rizzo cemented at first base for years to come, Vogelbach clearly has no future in Chicago and is likely to serve as the main piece going in any trade this deadline season. Because it is still unknown whether or not he is guaranteed to be dealt away, owners should be hesitant to stash him. If traded and inserted into a starting lineup, Vogelbach could provide very reliable production even from the offensive-heavy first base position.

18. Aaron Judge (OF, NYY, AAA)
Stats: 348 PA, .267/.359/.483, 16 HR, 5 SB, 23.6% K rate, 10.9% BB rate
ETA: Early August
If the Yankees go on this fire sale like many are speculating they will, it could put Judge in a great position to receive big league playing time. The team is expected to sell at least one of their two lefty relievers, but Carlos Beltran could also fetch quite the return after this strong season he is putting together. They could also look to deal a guy like Brett Gardner or Jacoby Ellsbury. If only Beltran is dealt away, it could be tough for Judge to find playing time as that would likely only give the DH role to Alex Rodriguez. But if an outfielder is dealt away, the power-hitting prospect could find himself in the majors. If he does get a chance to play in the big leagues, he should absolutely be owned in all leagues as few prospects have his power upside.

19. Gavin Cecchini (SS, NYM, AAA)
Stats: 259 PA, .329/.395/.459, 4 HR, 2 SB, 11.2% K rate, 10.0% BB rate
ETA: Post-All-Star Break
The Mets have been unable to find a strong replacement for David Wright since the franchise third baseman was forced to undergo neck surgery. However, they do have a guy who could be a suitable replacement in the minors. Gavin Cecchini has been hitting extremely well at Triple-A and certainly appears to be in line for a mid-season promotion to the big league club. For fantasy owners, Cecchini is not going to be an extraordinary talent, especially qualifying at a strong offensive position like third base. But what he can provide owners in deeper leagues is a solid batting average. Without much power or speed, Cecchini is not going to be worth owning in 12 team or fewer leagues unless owners are desperate for batting average help.

20. Daniel Robertson (SS, TB, AAA)
Stats: 312 PA, .270/.350/.350, 3 HR, 0 SB, 19.2% K rate, 9.6% BB rate
ETA: Post-All-Star Break
It is tempting to go with the higher upside shortstop of the Rays Willy Adames at this spot, but ultimately it appears Robertson would be closer to a promotion. Brad Miller has been adequate to this point at short, but at the cost of atrocious defense. And Tim Beckham has been so poor offensively that his above-average defense is just simply not worth starting. Robertson is considered an average defender at the position, though he will eventually have to change positions. He doesn’t offer much in the way of power or speed, but his quick bat and advanced approach to the plate gives scouts the belief that he should hit for a high average at the big league level. He is far from an upside play for fantasy owners and should really only be owned in 14+ team leagues, but he looks like a solid bet to reach the big leagues and that should count for something.

21. Carlos Asuaje (SS, SD, AAA)
Stats: 350 PA, .318/.383/.455, 4 HR, 7 SB, 12.9% K rate, 9.1% BB rate
ETA: Mid-July

22. Guillermo Heredia (OF, SEA, AAA)
Stats: 297 PA, .299/.399/.386, 2 HR, 2 SB, 11.1% K rate, 12.5% BB rate
ETA: Late July

23. Ozzie Albies (SS, ATL, AAA)
Stats: 357 PA, .288/.350/.400, 14.6% K rate, 8.1% BB rate
ETA: Early August

24. Anthony Banda (SP, ARI, AAA)
Stats: 85.1 IP, 2.85 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 9.70 K/9, 3.27 BB/9, 0.74 HR/9, 1.38 WHIP
ETA: Early August

25. Dansby Swanson (SS, ATL, AA)
Stats: 329 PA, .285/.374/.444, 6 HR, 10 SB, 16.1% K rate, 10.9% BB rate
ETA: Early September

26. J.P. Crawford (SS, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 340 PA, .254/.364/.338, 3 HR, 10 SB, 13.8% K rate, 14.4% BB rate
ETA: Early September

27. Nick Williams (OF, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 303 PA, .287/.328/.466, 8 HR, 5 SB, 25.4% K rate, 5.6% BB rate
ETA: Early September

28. Yandy Diaz (3B, CLE, AAA)
Stats: 310 PA, .292/.398/.424, 6 HR, 10 SB, 16.5% K rate, 14.8% BB rate
ETA: Early August

29. Andrew Benintendi (OF, BOS, AA)
Stats: 330 PA, .313/.376/.527, 6 HR, 14 SB, 9.4% K rate, 8.8% BB rate
ETA: Mid-August

30. Austin Meadows (OF, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 238 PA, .296/.346/.592, 8 HR, 11 SB, 16.4% K rate, 7.6% BB rate
ETA: Early September

 

MLB Rookie Rankings

1. Corey Seager (SS, LAD)

2. Nomar Mazara (OF, TEX)

3. Trevor Story (SS, COL)

4. Willson Contreras (C, CHC)

5. Lucas Giolito (SP, WAS)

6. Aledmys Diaz (SS, STL)

7. Kenta Maeda (SP, LAD)

8. Michael Fulmer (SP, DET)

9. Jon Gray (SP, COL)

10. Steven Matz (SP, NYM)

11. Jameson Taillon (SP, PIT)

12. Trea Turner (2B, WAS)

13. Trayce Thompson (OF, LAD)

14. Alex Bregman (SS, HOU)

15. Jose De Leon (SP, LAD)

16. Orlando Arcia (SS, MIL)

17. Tyler Glasnow (SP, PIT)

18. A.J. Reed (1B, HOU)

19. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN)

20. Jake Thompson (SP, PHI)

 

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