This could be one of the last weeks for a lot of the names on this list. With June right around the corner, many of the players on this list will be promoted as soon as the Super Two deadline passes. Guys like Jameson Taillon and Trea Turner will be promoted in an effort to help bolster rosters as they look to get the summer going. This will help give teams an idea of where true needs are as they approach the trade deadline to see if they really need help in one certain area or if they can find simple remedies from within.

The same thing is true, in a sense, for fantasy owners. With these promotions coming along, fantasy owners will get a chance to improve their fantasy rotations and lineups. This is an opportunity for fantasy owners in need of some help or looking to sustain their early success to strengthen their teams before making too many big blockbuster trades.

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

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. Jameson Taillon (SP, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 49.1 IP, 1.82 ERA, 1.92 FIP, 9.30 K/9, 0.91 BB/9, 0.36 HR/9, 0.81 WHIP
ETA: Early June
It has been so tempting to put Taillon in the top spot if not only for how spectacular he has been this season. I finally caved, and we now have the second Pittsburgh starter to take the top spot on this list. It really is quite difficult, in fact, to be much better than he has been. With the lowest FIP, the highest K/BB rate, and sixth lowest ERA among qualifying Triple-A starting pitchers, it is an understatement to say that Taillon has been good this year. At this point, Taillon is really a must stash in all leagues as it is only a matter of days until he is promoted to join the struggling Pittsburgh rotation. He will likely not provide as many strikeouts as Glasnow, but he is less of a risk because of his stellar command and more experience in professional baseball.

2. Tyler Glasnow (SP, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 56.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 2.43 FIP, 11.09 K/9, 4.02 BB/9, 0.32 HR/9, 1.23 WHIP
ETA: Mid-June
Glasnow, who had occupied the top spot on this list for a long time, is only a step below now because he has been just a tad less spectacular than his teammate at Triple-A. With that said, Glasnow has still been great. Glasnow has gone at least six innings in five of his last seven starts and has struck out at least six in seven of his ten starts this season. His biggest issue on the season: command. Glasnow has only one game on the season when he did not walk a batter. The 22-year-old right-hander will be up in the majors shortly after Taillon, but his troublesome command certainly brings some extra risk. Don’t worry though Glasnow owners, he is still so dominant that he is liable to rack up plenty of strikeouts and maintain a very low ERA while in the big leagues. He is absolutely worth stashing in all leagues at this point and (it goes without saying) he should be owned in all leagues once promoted.

3. Trea Turner (SS, WAS, AAA)
Stats: 205 PA, .317/.377/.481, 3 HR, 16 SB, 19.0% K rate, 9.3% BB rate
ETA: This week
There has been a lot of speculation going around that Turner will be promoted this week. Current Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa still sits with an average below .200 through 182 PA this season which simply is not cutting it for a team locked in a tough battle for the division. Turner, meanwhile, just continues to dominate Triple-A. Since May 12, the 22-year-old shortstop is batting .339/.381/.593 with a home run and three stolen bases. He is absolutely ready to face big league pitching and should now be owned in all leagues.

4. Alex Bregman (SS, HOU, AA)
Stats: 162 PA, .333/.429/.667, 12 HR, 3 SB, 7.4% K rate, 11.7% BB rate
ETA: Early June
The numbers Bregman has put up in Double-A this season are ridiculous. They are video game numbers. Bregman has not struck out since May 22 and has only one multi-strikeout game this season. He also has as many strikeouts as home runs. Sure, he has not done much in the way of base stealing, but he has always been considered a slower shortstop prospect than the other shortstop who went above him in last season’s draft. Colin Moran has not been able to provide Houston with stability at third base and it looks like the next name called will be Bregman who has begun taking reps at the hot corner. He should probably be stashed already in most leagues and has the potential to be a major producer for fantasy owners in most leagues when promoted. Expect an average above .290 with some solid power numbers.

5. Orlando Arcia (SS, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 188 PA, .294/.324/.418, 4 HR, 7 SB, 13.8% K rate, 4.8% BB rate
ETA: Early June
Arcia’s fantasy stock is down just a bit this season as he has yet to really turn on the burners and rack up gaudy stolen base totals as usual, but he is still a top shortstop prospect that fantasy owners will need to keep an eye on. He is 7/11 in stolen base attempts this season, a bit of a step down after going 25/29 in stolen base attempts a season ago. Even with his speed down, Arcia has got plenty to offer fantasy owners. He is very consistent when it comes to making contact with the ball and should be able to put his power/speed combo on display. If he is promoted in early June, Arcia should be expected to bat over .285 with 4-8 home runs and 15-20 stolen bases. Plus, fantasy owners should expect him to hit near the top of the order which should help him rack up solid runs scored totals. Fantasy owners should begin to consider him as a guy to stash. Once promoted, he will be worth owning in all leagues.

6. A.J. Reed (1B, HOU, AAA)
Stats: 144 PA, .236/.340/.455, 6 HR, 0 SB, 22.2% K rate, 13.9% BB rate
ETA: Early June
While Reed has failed to recapture the magic he displayed last season between High-A and Double-A, he still represents a significant upgrade over the first base options for Houston at the moment. The Astros have run out Tyler White and Marwin Gonzalez at first base this season and both have been very inadequate. Though his batting average is significantly down from the .332 number he posted in 237 PA last year at Double-A, Reed has been able to come close to replicating his power numbers. He posted a .239 ISO at Double-A last season and currently has a .220 in Triple-A now. For fantasy owners, Reed will likely not be a Top-10 first baseman in baseball, but he still has a lot of power upside and could be helpful for teams in need of first base help or corner infield help. He is worth stashing in deeper leagues and should be owned in most leagues once promoted.

7. Dansby Swanson (SS, ATL, AA)
Stats: 216 PA, .310/.403/.497, 5 HR, 10 SB, 13.0% K rate, 12.5% BB rate
ETA: Late June
The shortstop taken above Alex Bregman in the 2015 draft, Dansby Swanson has been doing quite well in Double-A in his own right. Though his power certainly pales in comparison to Bregman, Swanson already has four home runs in 123 PA at Double-A while slashing .294/.374/.477 with three stolen bases. It is probable that the 22-year-old shortstop does not receive a promotion until later in June or possibly even early July, but he still has plenty to offer fantasy owners. He can steal double-digit bases, he can hit for some moderate power, and he will certainly provide owners with a steady batting average. The uncertainty surrounding a promotion likely keeps him from being worth stashing in 8-10 team leagues, but 12+ team leagues could consider stashing him at this point. Once promoted, Swanson is a must-own in all leagues.

8. Blake Snell (SP, TB, AAA)
Stats: 46.1 IP, 3.88 ERA, 3.05 FIP, 12.24 K/9, 4.27 BB/9, 0.78 HR/9, 1.36 WHIP
ETA: Mid-June
Snell was severely kicked around in his last outing. Though he lasted 5.1 innings and struck out seven batters, he gave up five runs (all earned) off four hits and three walks. There is no denying that the stuff is there for Snell to be a potential top of the rotation arm, but there are many questions surrounding his command and pitch efficiency. He does not typically go too deep into games and gets into a lot of trouble with walking batters. The Rays are liable to take their time with him as they do not have too much of a problem with their pitching rotation. If he can start answering the questions about his command and his ability to go deep into games, Snell could potentially be up in the majors in the early part of the summer. But there are legitimate concerns that he could be in the minors for a bit longer than originally anticipated.

9. Lucas Giolito (SP, WAS, AA)
Stats: 42.1 IP, 3.40 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 7.65 K/9, 4.89 BB/9, 0.21 HR/9, 1.49 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July
We are almost in June and the Nationals still have only two starters with ERAs over 3.00 and only one with an ERA over 3.60 (and his name is Max Scherzer). Unfortunately, those who said Lucas Giolito would be the Noah Syndergaard of this season for the Nationals appear to be wrong (sadly, I was one of the guys who believed it was only a matter of time until the top pitching prospect in baseball was promoted). For a while, Giolito had run into a string of unsuccessful outings (6.35 ERA in 17.0 innings between April 22 and May 9), but his last outing was tremendous. The 21-year-old right-hander delivered seven innings of one-run, four hit baseball while walking only one and striking out six. If he can continue to put together more outings like that, he could be up in the big leagues before the trade deadline. But he will have to really flash some serious dominance to convince Nationals’ management to open up a spot in that tremendous rotation for him.

10. Alex Reyes (SP, STL, AAA)
Stats: 9.0 IP, 1.00 ERA, 2.70 FIP, 15.00 K/9, 5.00 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.11 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July
Entering 2016, you would’ve thought that of all the starters in the St. Louis Cardinals’ rotation, the best of the bunch would have been Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha. As of right now, they are the only two starters in that rotation with ERAs over 5.00. and though it is unlikely either would get such a quick hook from the rotation this season, they definitely have some pressure to perform with the Cardinals sitting at 24-24 on the season and already 8.5 back of the Cubs in the NL Central.

Meanwhile, Alex Reyes, fresh off a suspension to begin the season has been near unhittable in his two Triple-A starts so far. He went only four innings in his season debut and allowed two hits and three walks, but struck out eight batters. In his next outing, he allowed one run in five innings while walking two, giving up three hits, and striking out seven. If Reyes is called upon to assist the Cardinals, he has the stuff to become a true ace and a must own starting pitcher in all leagues. The only reason he may not necessarily be worth stashing at this point is the question mark as to when he will receive the promotion to the big leagues.

11. Willson Contreras (C, CHC, AAA)
Stats: 185 PA, .318/.411/.516, 6 HR, 3 SB, 13.5% K rate, 11.9% BB rate
ETA: Early July
Since May 23, Contreras has hit three home runs, doubling his home run total to six on the season. Though that little stretch would have you believe he has power, Contreras is not going to be a standout home run bat in the big leagues. With that said, he will still be well worth owning in most leagues. Speaking as someone with a dire catching situation in my 12-team league, Contreras represents an upgrade over many current catching options and could find himself as the Cubs primary catcher after the All-Star break. He is worth stashing in two-catcher leagues and other deep leagues, but owners in 10 or fewer team leagues can afford to wait a little bit longer. Because of his steady bat, Contreras is worth owning in all leagues once he is promoted to the majors.

12. Josh Hader (SP, MIL, AA)
Stats: 51.0 IP, 0.88 ERA, 2.22 FIP, 11.47 K/9, 3.00 BB/9, 0.18 HR/9, 1.00 WHIP
ETA: Early July
Josh Hader continues his absolute domination of Double-A this season. In his most recent start, he lasted 5.1 innings, giving up only one run (earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out six. In that game, Hader gave up his first home run on the season (yes, he went 50.2 innings before giving up a home run). With the struggling Brewers’ rotation, it is likely that we will eventually see a promotion of Hader to give the Brew Crew an early taste of the future. For fantasy owners, he has plenty of strikeout potential and has the upside of a top of the rotation starter. He may not be worth stashing as he will likely be on a strict innings limit and may not be a starter for his entire time in the bigs, but he should still be worth owning in all 12+ team leagues and for owners in 10 team leagues in need of pitching help.

13. Ozzie Albies (SS, ATL, AAA)
Stats: 207 PA, .291/.346/.429, 3 HR, 5 SB, 16.9% K rate, 6.8% BB rate
ETA: Late July
Albies was doing really poorly in his first couple games at Triple-A. Then he was doing really well. Now his bat has gone cold a bit. That is to be expected out of a 19-year-old shortstop playing in the highest minor league level. Likely the future at second base for the Braves, Albies has a solid chance to reach the big leagues if he can start to show some more consistency this season. For fantasy owners, he has a bat capable of hitting over .270 at his peak and also possesses plenty of game-changing speed that could really help owners in need of some stolen bases. He is not worth stashing as there is no guarantee that he reaches the big leagues this season, but if promoted, he should be owned in all leagues (especially in ones where he qualifies as a shortstop).

14. Julio Urias (SP, LAD, AAA)
Stats: 41.0 IP, 1.10 ERA, 2.85 FIP, 9.66 K/9, 1.76 BB/9, 0.44 HR/9, 0.78 WHIP
ETA: Early July
The Dodgers needed some starting pitching help and called on Julio Urias to help them out. After allowing a total of five earned runs in 41 minor league innings before his debut against the Mets, Urias was roughed up badly and lasted only 2.2 innings. In that outing, he gave up five hits, walked four, struck out three, and gave up three runs (all earned). I think it is safe to say that Urias is a total bust. Just kidding. Rookies often get roughed up in their first start as it can be tough to calm the nerves of making their first big league appearance. It is safe to say that Urias will be back in the majors, but will probably spend some more time in the minors first. Urias should probably be owned in most leagues already if nothing else just because of his insane upside, but owners will need to keep in mind that he will be kept on a strict innings limit.

15. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 49.1 IP, 3.28 ERA, 4.37 FIP, 7.30 K/9, 4.38 BB/9, 0.91 HR/9, 1.22 WHIP
ETA: Late June

The Reds are really bad. They have used 10 starting pitches this season and only three have a fWAR greater than 0.0 (one of those guys has now been shifted to the horrendous bullpen and another has been on the DL since the beginning of May). The Reds could really use some reliable arms on their team and Robert Stephenson is nothing if not reliable. Once thought to be an eventual ace, Stephenson is starting to prove himself as a steady middle of the rotation arm capable of eating some innings and possibly racking up some strikeouts. He is not a must-own by any means, but when he is promoted to the majors again to rejoin that rotation, he should be owned in 12+ team leagues. He has enough upside to at least make him an intriguing option in most leagues.

16. Jose De Leon (SP, LAD, AAA)
Stats: 5.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.70 FIP, 16.20 K/9, 1.80 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 0.60 WHIP
ETA: Early August
If he can stay healthy, Jose De Leon has the potential to be a true top of the rotation starter for the Dodgers with a chance to make an impact this season. But that is an awfully big ‘if’ as he has spent plenty of time on the DL this season. He is on this list for now because if he can stay healthy, he is a solid bet to reach the majors this season and could provide fantasy owners with some very stellar production. I cannot advise stashing him at this time as there are too many health question marks on this season for the young right-hander.

17. Jose Peraza (2B, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 181 PA, .290/.337/.377, 1 HR, 7 SB, 12.2% K rate, 6.6% BB rate
ETA: Late July
The speedster acquired from the Dodgers in the Todd Frazier deal, Jose Peraza has continued to hit in the minors. Peraza has hit over .280 in every season of his minor league career and has hit at least .290 in each of the past four seasons, all while flashing potentially elite speed. Though he has no power to speak of, the 22-year-old utility player has enough of everything else to offer fantasy owners. He is a future top-of-the-lineup bat who could be up in the majors with a full-time role by the trade deadline (assuming a trade is made to clear up a starting spot for him). He is not worth stashing unless owners are desperate for middle infield help in deep leagues, but would be worth owning in most 10+ team leagues once promoted.

18. J.P. Crawford (SS, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 199 PA, .256/.387/.360, 3 HR, 5 SB, 12.6% K rate, 17.6% BB rate
ETA: Early August
Since being promoted to Triple-A, Crawford has produced only decent numbers. Though the .214 average is not great, he is walking 15.2% of the time while striking out only 12.1%. Generally in the minors, Crawford has not overwhelmed in any fantasy category, but he has shown tremendous plate discipline. If the Phillies remain in contention, Crawford could eventually be promoted to provide a spark to their otherwise punchless lineup. For fantasy owners, he presents batting average/on-base percentage upside with the potential to rack up low double-digit stolen base totals.

19. Cody Reed (SP, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 40.2 IP, 2.21 ERA, 2.58 FIP, 8.85 K/9, 1.99 BB/9, 0.44 HR/9, 1.03 WHIP
ETA: Early August
At first the unheard-of left-hander in the Johnny Cueto deal, Cody Reed now appears to be the best of the three southpaws. Last season in Double-A for the Reds (after the deal), Reed posted a 3.75 K/BB ratio (10.87 K/9 and 2.90 BB/9) with a 2.17 ERA and 2.24 FIP. So far, he has repeated that success and has answered in a resounding fashion any questions about his command as he has posted a minimal 1.99 BB/9 rate so far in Triple-A this season. It is tough to approximate when a possible promotion for Reed will occur since the Reds have so many starters who will be returning from the DL, but I would be shocked if he does not at least get a few turns in the Reds rotation. If promoted, his upside warrants owning in all fantasy leagues.

20. Jake Thompson (SP, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 51.2 IP, 3.48 ERA, 4.41 FIP, 6.97 K/9, 2.79 BB/9, 1.22 HR/9, 1.16 WHIP
ETA: Early August
Jake Thompson is a true middle of the rotation arm and I say that in the nicest of ways. He is not going to strikeout 200+ batters in a season and will not post a sub-2.50 ERA, but he will eat up plenty of innings and is a near guarantee to post a sub-4.00 ERA in a full season. Scouts love his stuff in spite of the fact that he does not generate a lot of swings and misses from it. He stands a pretty good chance of reaching the big leagues this season after spending the past two seasons at Double-A between Detroit, Texas, and Philadelphia and now pitching well in Triple-A for the Phillies. For fantasy owners, his low risk/medium reward profile mean that he is a safe own in 12+ team leagues, but is probably not quite dominant enough to warrant owning in leagues with fewer teams.

21. Joe Musgrove (SP, HOU, AAA)
Stats: 44.1 IP, 1.02 ERA, 2.05 FIP, 9.95 K/9, 1.02 BB/9, 0.41 HR/9, 0.90 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July

22. Jesse Winker (OF, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 190 PA, .269/.374/.338, 2 HR, 0 SB, 12.6% K rate, 14.7% BB rate
ETA: Early August

23. Tim Anderson (SS, CWS, AAA)
Stats: 204 PA, .313/.340/.405, 3 HR, 10 SB, 22.1% K rate, 3.9% BB rate
ETA: Mid-July

24. Daniel Mengden (SP, OAK, AAA)
Stats: 57.0 IP, 0.79 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 8.84 K/9, 2.68 BB/9, 0.32 HR/9, 0.91 WHIP
ETA: Mid-June

25. Max Kepler (OF, MIN, AAA)
Stats: 119 PA, .275/.361/.451, 1 HR, 1 SB, 10.9% K rate, 12.6% BB rate
ETA: Mid-July

26. Josh Bell (1B/OF, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 193 PA, .293/.394/.445, 4 HR, 1 SB, 20.2% K rate, 13.5% BB rate
ETA: Early August

27. Gary Sanchez (C, NYY, AAA)
Stats: 147 PA, .297/.340/.536, 6 HR, 3 SB, 15.6% K rate, 4.8% BB rate
ETA: Early August

28. Sean Newcomb (SP, ATL, AA)
Stats: 51.0 IP, 3.71 ERA, 3.42 FIP, 9.00 K/9, 5.29 BB/9, 0.18 HR/9, 1.43 WHIP
ETA: Early August

29. Jose Berrios (SP, MIN, AAA)
Stats: 28.0 IP, 1.61 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 9.32 K/9, 4.82 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.18 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July

30. Alec Mills (SP, KC, AA)
Stats: 54.0 IP, 2.33 ERA, 1.83 FIP, 8.67 K/9, 1.83 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.06 WHIP
ETA: Early July

 

MLB Rookie Rankings

1. Corey Seager (SS, LAD)

2. Nomar Mazara (OF, TEX)

3. Trevor Story (SS, COL)

4. Steven Matz (SP, NYM)

5. Aledmys Diaz (SS, STL)

6. Kenta Maeda (SP, LAD)

7. Jonathan Gray (SP, COL)

8. Trayce Thompson (OF, LAD)

9. Byung-Ho Park (1B, MIN)

10. Michael Fulmer (SP, DET)

11. Tyler Glasnow (SP, PIT)

12. Jameson Taillon (SP, PIT)

13. Brandon Drury (2B/OF, ARI)

14. Trea Turner (SS, WAS)

15. Alex Bregman (SS, HOU)

16. Orlando Arcia (SS, MIL)

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

18. Dansby Swanson (SS, ATL)

19. Blake Snell (SP, TB)

20. Byron Buxton (OF, MIN)

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room