There were several top pitching arms promoted over the past few days and most of them looked very solid for their respective teams. Jose Berrios debuted for the Minnesota Twins, Sean Manaea debuted for the Oakland Athletics, and Michael Fulmer debuted for the Detroit Tigers. If you want to read more about these arms, check back for another article coming shortly about all of the recently promoted prospects and see what kind of fantasy impact they could have for the remainder of the season.

Welcome to Week 5 of our fantasy baseball impact prospects 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.

Editors Note: Check out all of RotoBaller's MLB prospects analysis here. You can also head over to the prospect rankings dashboard. Our Rankings Assistant is a handy free tool where you can find team-specific prospect breakdowns, tiered positional rankings, 500+ player outlooks, dynasty ranks and more - all in one easy place.

 

Top MLB Prospects - Fantasy Baseball Power Rankings

1. A.J. Reed (1B, HOU, AAA)
Stats: 87 PA, .260/.368/.534, 5 HR, 0 SB, 19.5% K Rate, 14.9% BB rate
ETA: Mid-May
After starting off the season on some other planet, Tyler White has since come back down to Earth. White is now batting a modest .250/.314/.500 with a 25.6% K rate and the clamor for an A.J. Reed promotion can start to be heard again. As opposed to White, Reed started off his Triple-A season somewhat slow, but has since picked up the pace. Since April 14, Reed is batting .283/.371/.604 with a 12.9% BB rate, 19.4% K rate, and all five of his home runs. It awaits to be seen whether or not the Astros wait until Reed passes the Super-Two mark in June or if they will promote him as soon as a need arises. Either way, it should look crystal clear at this point that Reed will debut by Mid-June if not well before. He is a must-stash player in most leagues.

2. Tyler Glasnow (SP, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 21.0 IP, 2.57 ERA, 1.97 FIP, 12.86 K/9, 3.00 BB/9, 0.43 HR/9, 1.05 WHIP
ETA: Early June
This is going to sound crazy, but so far Juan Nicasio has been the second best starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates behind Gerrit Cole. But for those of you who have stashed Tyler Glasnow, don’t worry, because Jon Niese and Jeff Locke have both been incredibly bad and will probably need to be replaced. While those two have struggled, Glasnow has continued to dominate Triple-A. His control is improving, he is continuing to rack up plenty of strikeouts, and hitters are having difficulty getting solid hits off of him. The only area where he needs to improve in is with his changeup where the Pirates GM has stated that he needs to increase usage of it. Glasnow will likely be kept in the minors until his Super-Two eligibility has been reached, but he is talented enough to warrant stashing in most leagues. Once promoted, own him in all leagues and start him against every team.

3. Lucas Giolito (SP, WAS, AA)
Stats: 15.2 IP, 2.87 ERA, 3.57 FIP, 7.47 K/9, 5.74 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.85 WHIP
ETA: Late June
The starting rotation for the Washington Nationals has been outstanding to begin this season. Only Max Scherzer has an ERA above 2.30, so there is no clear weakness to be found at this point. What does that mean for Lucas Giolito owners? It just means that it could be a little bit longer until he gets promoted. Giolito has not been spotless to this point (something which many expected him to be), but he will still reach the majors at some point this season. If I had to guess, I would say Tanner Roark regresses enough by the middle of June to force a change. Giolito is still worth stashing and is a must own in all leagues once he is promoted.

4. Blake Snell (SP, TB, AAA)
Stats: 19.2 IP, 3.66 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 12.36 K/9, 4.58 BB/9, 0.92 HR/9, 1.47 WHIP
ETA: Mid-June
In a Minor League pitching matchup of the year, Blake Snell and the Durham Bulls matched up against Reds Triple-A starter Robert Stephenson. Snell wound up losing the game 4-2 as he surrendered a season-high four runs. Though the Rays’ rotation has been solid this season, there is still a chance Snell reaches the majors again by the middle of June. Snell is not quite an elite pitcher, but he is easily one of the top tier pitching prospects in the minors. If promoted, he is worth owning in all leagues.

5. Trea Turner (SS, WAS, AAA)
Stats: 93 PA, .317/.387/.463, 2 HR, 7 SB, 16.1% K rate, 10.8% BB rate
ETA: Late May
The call for Turner to replace Danny Espinosa continues to get louder even as Turner has cooled off after a scorching hot start. Espinosa is batting an atrocious .185/.316/.246 with only one home run. The Nationals started off this season looking incredibly sharp, but a 6-4 record in their past ten games and a 9-1 record for the Mets in that span has put only half a game between the two division rivals. Certainly it is not panic time by any means, but every game matters in what expects to be a hotly contested division battle. The Nationals will want to have the most talented player at every position and that means Turner over Espinosa. Expect the Nationals to wait a little bit longer, but he could have a major impact on fantasy owners willing to add him. It is getting very close to a point where he becomes stash worthy, though owners should wait on that for now.

6. Jose Peraza (2B, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 93 PA, .301/.348/.410, 1 HR, 2 SB, 15.1% K rate, 6.5% BB rate
ETA: Late May
In Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh, Reds shortstop Zack Cozart lined a double into right field and came up with a bit of a limp into second base. I have yet to hear as to what extent the injury is, but if it is serious, you can expect to see Jose Peraza promoted. He has played shortstop almost exclusively this season at Triple-A and has done very well so far. He is not going to generate much pop, but he has more than enough speed to have a prolific fantasy impact. Fantasy owners would be wise to listen for updates on Cozart’s knee and immediately add Peraza if it appears a DL stint for Cozart is imminent.

7. Willson Contreras (C, CHC, AAA)
Stats: 71 PA, .344/.423/.410, 0 HR, 1 SB, 11.3% K rate, 11.3% BB rate
ETA: Mid-June
As of right now, David Ross is a more valuable hitter to the Cubs than Miguel Montero. That should tell you a lot about their current catching situation. Though the Cubs have certainly had no issue winning ball games as they have already amassed a MLB-best 17-5 record, there is always room for improvement and they would certainly improve by promoting Willson Contreras. Contreras has not flashed jaw-dropping power, but his consistent approach to the plate and ability to hit for a .290+ average should be more than enough to warrant owning in all fantasy leagues. Just like with Peraza, it is tough to gauge when a promotion is incoming, meaning he is not worth stashing. But if promoted, Contreras should be owned in all leagues.

8. Orlando Arcia (SS, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 82 PA, .307/.341/.427, 2 HR, 4 SB, 9.8% K rate, 6.1% BB rate
ETA: Mid-June
In 19 games this season, Arcia has a hit in all but five of them. It has to be a foregone conclusion at this point that the 21-year-old shortstop will see plenty of time with the big league club. Arcia is a very similar style player to Trea Turner in that he will hit for a very nice average with a little bit of power and plenty of stolen bases. There is no one in a position to prevent Arcia from reaching the majors and should be up as soon as he passes the Super-Two deadline. Fantasy owners do not have to stash this must-own shortstop now, but it would definitely be a smart move at the end of May or the beginning of June.

9. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 18.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 10.00 K/9, 3.50 BB/9, 0.50 HR/9, 0.94 WHIP
ETA: Mid-June
Robert Stephenson has done well in the majors (12.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 5.80 FIP), but he has been electric at Triple-A. Averaging six innings in both Triple-A and the majors, Stephenson only needs to improve on his pitch efficiency before he is really ready to take a more permanent role with the Reds’ big league rotation. Fantasy owners should expect to see his 3.00 K/9 in the majors go up as he spends more time adjusting to big league hitting. And with the Reds’ rotation dealing with injuries and struggles, it should not be long before he reaches the majors for good. With his strikeout potential, he is worth owning in all leagues.

10. Jameson Taillon (SP, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 23.1 IP, 1.54 ERA, 1.63 FIP, 8.87 K/9, 0.77 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 0.86 WHIP
ETA: Mid-June
Just as Tyler Glasnow has dominated Triple-A, so too has his teammate Jameson Taillon. Taillon, as surprising as it may be, has actually been the better of the two. Granted, if I had to pick one to stash, I would absolutely go with Glasnow, but that is no knock on Taillon. Taillon no longer possesses the same ace upside he once had, but he still could turn out to be a solid number two or outstanding number three pitcher for the Pirates and for fantasy owners. Taillon has great strikeout upside and once promoted, ought to be owned in all leagues.

11. Dansby Swanson (SS, ATL, AA)
Stats: 97 PA, .346/.454/.580, 2 HR, 7 SB, 13.4% K rate, 15.5% BB rate
ETA: Late July
Swanson was recently promoted to Double-A, confirming the idea that it will not take long before the former first overall pick reaches the majors. What did he do in his first game? He went 2-3 with a HBP and a home run. Erick Aybar is still the starter at shortstop for the Braves and he is still struggling mightily, indicating that Swanson could be up sooner rather than later. And while some may think that Ozzie Albies may be up before Swanson, keep in mind that Albies is only 19-years-old with very little time in professional baseball whereas Swanson is 22-years-old with several years of college baseball experience. Albies may be in Triple-A, but Swanson would likely get the call first. Swanson is a franchise caliber shortstop and should be owned in all leagues should he receive a promotion.

12. Jesse Winker (OF, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 85 PA, .315/.400/.438, 2 HR, 0 SB, 11.8% K rate, 12.9% BB rate
ETA: Late June
If you have watched any Reds’ games this season, you know that left field is a massive hole for the team. Adam Duvall owns a .226/.273/.435 slash line with a 39.4% K rate and Scott Schebler has a .145/.217/.291 slash line with a 30.0% K rate. Winker, meanwhile, has been unbelievable for Triple-A Louisville. He is walking more than he strikes out, batting above .300, and is starting hit for some pop with two home runs since April 27. Winker could be promoted as soon as he surpasses the Super-Two deadline and would immediately be worth owning in all leagues once promoted. He would not have to compete at all for playing time in the majors.

13. Josh Hader (SP, MIL, AA)
Stats: 23.0 IP, 0.78 ERA, 2.11 FIP, 12.52 K/9, 3.52 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.09 WHIP
ETA: Late June
The Milwaukee Brewers rotation to this point in the season has been atrocious as they only have one starting pitcher with an ERA below 5.50. Meanwhile, Josh Hader has absolutely dominated Double-A and could be in line for a promotion this summer. It would have been Jorge Lopez who gets the first call up to help out Milwaukee, but he has struggled just as mightily as most of the Brewers rotation and needs to show some improvement before being promoted. Hader is no future ace, but he has the stuff of a 2-3 guy in the rotation. With his strikeout potential, he is absolutely worth owning in the event of a promotion.

14. Josh Bell (1B, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 90 PA, .312/.411/.519, 3 HR, 1 SB, 17.8% K rate, 14.4% BB rate
ETA: Mid-June
Sean Rodriguez and John Jaso are doing their best to ensure that Josh Bell stays in Triple-A, but there are other ways Bell could see Major League time. The Pirates general manager discussed the possibility that Bell could play in the outfield should one of their three starters injure themselves. An unlikely scenario as that is, fantasy owners need to hope for a regression from Jaso and Rodriguez. Bell’s stock could continue to fall, however, as he has no clear path to immediate playing time, plays in a very offensive friendly position, and has very limited power and no speed. He would be worth owning if promoted and guaranteed playing time, but is far from being worth stashing.

15. Colin Moran (3B, HOU, AAA)
Stats: 79 PA, .292/.342/.389, 1 HR, 2 SB, 24.1% K rate, 7.6% BB rate
ETA: Late June
Realistically, it will not be much longer before Moran gets his feet wet in the majors. The Astros currently sit dead last in the AL West, seven games behind the Texas Rangers, and the dreadful performances they have received from their third basemen Luis Valbuena and Marwin Gonzalez have certainly contributed to the AL-worst 7-17 record. Moran is not an overwhelming talent like A.J. Reed, but he is very comparable to Josh Bell. He will not hit for much power or steal any bases, but fantasy owners can count on him for a very dependable batting average. At the latest, Moran will not be up until the middle of June. At best, he will be up later this week. Either way, he is worth owning in most fantasy leagues, even without much home run power.

16. Mark Appel (SP, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 22.0 IP, 1.64 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 6.95 K/9, 3.68 BB/9, 0.41 HR/9, 1.32 WHIP
ETA: Late June
Appel has started to look like the former first overall pick in his Triple-A debut now with the Phillies. While his strikeout rates are down compared to his past, Appel still has the stuff to bring his strikeout rates back up to par. The Phillies rotation has been quite solid this season, but many of the arms are on an innings limit, giving Appel an opportunity to work his way into some playing time. Appel is a solid middle of the rotation arm and could have some value for fantasy owners in leagues with more than 10 teams, but there is no guarantee of an imminent promotion.

17. Jorge Lopez (SP, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 14.1 IP, 8.79 ERA, 5.34 FIP, 10.05 K/9, 8.16 BB/9, 0.63 HR/9, 2.51 WHIP
ETA: Early July
As discussed earlier with Josh Hader, the Milwaukee Brewers rotation has been awful to start the season and they could be in line for some changes soon. But with Jorge Lopez currently owning an 8.79 ERA to begin his Triple-A career, it does not look like he will be the first name called. If he can right the ship and see time in the majors, his strikeout potential makes him worth owning. Lopez has the higher ceiling of the two Brewers pitching prospects, but he needs to show that he is ready before owners should commit to him.

18. John Lamb (SP, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 13.2 IP, 9.22 ERA, 3.29 FIP, 7.90 K/9, 1.98 BB/9, 0.66, 2.05 WHIP
ETA: Mid-May
As briefly discussed with Robert Stephenson, the Reds have dealt with issues of all different natures in their pitching staff. Between injuries to Anthony DeSclafani, Homer Bailey, and Raisel Iglesias to struggles from Tim Melville, Jon Moscot, and Alfredo Simon, the only consistent arms in the rotation have been Dan Straily and Brandon Finnegan. John Lamb struggled early in his Triple-A rehab stint, but his last start was encouraging as he lasted eight innings while giving up only two runs and striking out five. His strikeout upside make him worth owning in 12+ team leagues, but his tendency to surrender hard contact leaves him avoidable in leagues with less than 12 teams.

19. Michael Reed (OF, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 75 PA, .290/.413/.323, 0 HR, 5 SB, 22.7% K rate, 17.3% BB rate
ETA: Late May
Keon Broxton couldn’t hit, Kirk Nieuwenhuis couldn’t hit, Ramon Flores can’t hit, and Alex Presley has hit well, but could see a regression. Center field has been a big question mark for the Milwaukee Brewers and there is a chance that Michael Reed could be the answer. Make no mistake, Reed will not set the world on fire and he is no top prospect, but he can hit for a decent average, has solid plate discipline, and enough speed to steal 20 bases if given the playing time. He has little value in 8-10 team leagues, but could have sleeper value in 12+ team leagues.

20. Joe Musgrove (SP, HOU, AA)
Stats: 17.1 IP, 0.52 ERA, 1.89 FIP, 10.90 K/9, 1.04 BB/9, 0.52 HR/9, 0.81 WHIP
ETA: Mid-June
Everyone in the Astros’ rotation has been terrible this season. How about last year’s CY Young winning pitcher Dallas Keu – everyone. How about Col – no, everyone. The only guy with an ERA below 4.40 has made one start this season and went only five innings against the thunderless Athletics. Just as Josh Hader has torn up Double-A while his big league team has struggled, so too has 23-year-old Joe Musgrove for the Astros. He dominated Double-A last season to the tune of a 2.20 ERA in 45.0 IP and has continued that trend this season with his minute 0.52 ERA. With the Astros struggling as they are, it would be not all too surprising to see them make some major changes soon. Fantasy owners would be wise to wait and see how well Musgrove adapts to big league hitting, but he likely will be worth owning in 12+ team leagues.

21. Jeff Hoffman (SP, COL, AAA)
Stats: 22.2 IP, 1.99 ERA, 5.10 FIP, 7.54 K/9, 3.57 BB/9, 1.19 HR/9, 1.24 WHIP
ETA: Late July

22. Peter O’Brien (C/OF, ARI, AAA)
Stats: 84 PA, .370/.369/.691, 7 HR, 0 SB, 25.0% K rate, 1.2% BB rate
ETA: Late June

23. Ozzie Albies (SS, ATL, AAA)
Stats: 98 PA, .356/.429/.494, 1 HR, 2 SB, 13.3% K rate, 10.2% BB rate
ETA: Mid-August

24. Joey Gallo (3B/OF, TEX, AAA)
Stats: 85 PA, .254/.400/.642, 7 HR, 0 SB, 24.7% K rate, 20.0% BB rate
ETA: Early August

25. Gary Sanchez (C, NYY, AAA)
Stats: 78 PA, .239/.308/.465, 2 HR, 1 SB, 15.4% K rate, 7.7% BB rate
ETA: Mid-August

26. Sean Newcomb (SP, ATL, AAA)
Stats: 25.1 IP, 2.84 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 8.53 K/9, 6.04 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.34 WHIP
ETA: Mid-August

27. Carson Fulmer (SP, CWS, AA)
Stats: 24.2 IP, 5.47 ERA, 5.65 FIP, 6.20 K/9, 4.01 BB/9, 1.46 HR/9, 1.30 WHIP
ETA: Mid-August

28. J.P. Crawford (SS, PHI, AA)
Stats: 98 PA, .278/.418/.367, 1 HR, 4 SB, 16.3% K rate, 19.4% BB rate
ETA: Early September

29. Aaron Judge (OF, NYY, AAA)
Stats: 94 PA, .287/.319/.460, 3 HR, 1 SB, 28.7% K rate, 5.3% BB rate
ETA: Early September

30. Trey Mancini (1B, BAL, AAA)
Stats: 101 PA, .291/.396/.616, 7 HR, 0 SB, 24.8% K rate, 11.9% BB rate
ETA: Mid-July

 

MLB Rookie Rankings

1. Corey Seager (SS, LAD)

2. Kenta Maeda (SP, LAD)

3. Steven Matz (SP, NYM)

4. Nomar Mazara (OF, TEX)

5. Aledmys Diaz (SS, STL)

6. Trevor Story (SS, COL)

7. Jose Berrios (SP, MIN)

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

9. Tyler Glasnow (SP, PIT)

10. Lucas Giolito (SP, WAS)

11. Blake Snell (SP, TB)

12. Trea Turner (SS, WAS)

13. Jose Peraza (2B, CIN)

14. Willson Contreras (C, CHC)

15. Brandon Drury (2B/3B, ARI)

16. Orlando Arcia (SS, MIL)

17. Jeremy Hazelbaker (OF, STL)

18. Tyler White (1B/3B, HOU)

19. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN)

20. Byung-Ho Park (OF, MIN)

 

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