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Steven Matz was finally called up. It was a little bit earlier than I had expected, but he made his MLB debut last Sunday. He threw quite well, but really dazzled with the bat, going 3-3 and driving n four runs. Did I ever mention that he can hit? Probably not. Matz finished the day going 7.2 innings, striking out six, and surrendering only two earned runs (each on solo homers). Don’t expect him to go back to Triple-A at any point this season.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more MLB prospects, rookies and potential call-ups, be sure to check out our MLB prospects for fantasy baseball homepage which has lots of great weekly analysis.
Removed from the list
• Steven Matz – called up
• Andrew Heaney – called up
• Alex Meyer – called up
• Domingo Santana – called up
Major League Prospects - Fantasy 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 2015, 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. Corey Seager (SS, LAD, AAA) – LW: 2
Stats: 301 PA, .312/.359/.522, 11 HR, 1 SB, 13.6% K rate, 7.0% BB rate
ETA: Mid-July
For the first time, Corey Seager is in the number one spot on this list. It is unlikely that he will hold it for too long. Jimmy Rollins had a decent week, but still hasn’t shown the production needed to keep a talent like Seager in the minors for long. I would be very surprised if Seager is not the starting shortstop going into August.
2. Brian Johnson (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 5
Stats: 80.2 IP, 2.57 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 8.48 K/9, 2.57 BB/9, 0.67 HR/9, 1.07 WHIP
ETA: Early July
The Red Sox need a lot of help. It seems that if they cannot acquire Cole Hamels, they will not acquire any starting pitcher. Brian Johnson has pitched outstandingly well in Triple-A and is more than deserving of a call up. Other than Clay Buchholz and Eduardo Rodriguez, there is no Boston starter good enough to keep Johnson from a rotation spot.
3. Miguel Sano (3B/SS, MIN, AA) – LW: 15
Stats: 276 PA, .266/.366..528, 14 HR, 5 SB, 23.9% K rate, 13.0% BB rate
ETA: Mid-July
Miguel Sano continues his recent tear in Double-A and looks poised to make the big league roster very soon. And with him qualifying in Yahoo leagues as a shortstop, he provides much more fantasy value since that is a position with limited sources of offensive production. Sano has the most power of any prospect in the Minors and could easily hit double-digit home run totals in half of a season.
4. Aaron Nola (SP, PHI, AAA) – LW: 6
Stats: 89.1 IP, 1.81 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 7.35 K/9, 1.11 BB/9, 0.40 HR/9, 0.90 WHIP
ETA: Early August
Unlike some other teams debating whether to sell or not to sell, the Philadelphia Phillies are very much committed to the idea of selling. Hamels and Aaron Harang remain very much on the trade block and are likely to be dealt before the July trade deadline. That would open up a spot in the rotation for Aaron Nola.
5. Stephen Piscotty (OF, STL, AAA) – LW: 3
Stats: 305 PA, .266/.361/.471, 10 HR, 5 SB, 15.7% K rate, 12.1% BB rate
ETA: Mid-July
While it is a bit concerning for fantasy owners that Stephen Piscotty has not been called up yet, There is little doubt that they will need the bat of Piscotty to replace Reynolds sometime in the near future. Last week, Reynolds hit .105 with only two RBI and one run scored. He is not getting the job done, and the Cardinals will want that strong bat in the lineup sometime soon. The outfield is also a little banged up, so he could serve a utility role until Matt Holliday returns.
6. Jose Peraza (SS, ATL, AAA) – LW: 8
Stats: 296 PA, .294/.322/.372, 2 HR, 19 SB, 8.8% K rate, 4.1% BB rate
ETA: Late July
Jose Peraza continues to run wild all throughout his Triple-A season, and the Braves may soon want his help at the Major League level. New GM John Hart has turned what could have been a couple years of rebuilding into a rapid turn around. And while they may choose to wait on Peraza coming up to the Majors, he doesn’t have much more to prove in the Minors.
7. Daniel Norris (SP, TOR, AAA) – LW: 11
Stats: 55.2 IP, 3.73 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 9.70 K/9, 4.37 BB/9, 0.32 HR/9, 1.56 WHIP
ETA: Early August
Daniel Norris has pitched well in the Minors this season and his future in 2015 will likely be in one of two roles: a trade chip at the deadline or a starting pitcher for the Toronto Jays if they are unable to acquire a veteran hurler. Either way, he will be a starting pitcher in the Majors by early August of this season.
8. Hector Olivera (3B, LAD, AAA) – LW: 9
Stats: 56 PA, .358/.393/.528, 2 HR, 0 SB, 14.3% K rate, 5.4% BB rate
ETA: Mid-July
Hector Olivera is currently on the DL in Triple-A after tearing it up during his brief time there. There is still little doubt that he will be a contributor for the Dodgers this season simply due to his age and massive contract. Once he has recovered from his strained hamstring, expect Olivera to quickly rise up to the Majors. He'll have to find a way to leapfrog hot hitting Justin Turner if he wants to start at third base.
9. Adam Duvall (1B, SF, AAA) – LW: 7
Stats: 313 PA, .253/.304/.478, 15 HR, 2 SB, 22.4% K rate, 6.4% BB rate
ETA: Early August
It is very concerning for owners of Adam Duvall that Matt Duffy is playing so well. Duffy has hit well and even batted third once in a game for the Giants. Meanwhile, Duvall’s batting average has taken a slide, and he has continued to strike out frequently while not raising his walk rate too often. Due to the power bat of Duvall, any slip that Duffy takes in his hitting could likely result in an Duvall call-up. But it could be a while.
10. Jon Gray (SP, COL, AAA) – LW: 13
Stats: 84.1 IP, 4.91 ERA, 4.46 FIP, 7.15 K/9, 2.99 BB/9, 0.96 HR/9, 1.52 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July
Jon Gray was kicked around a bit in his last start. He had been on a very nice run, having gone six innings in each start since May 15. He doesn’t have much left to prove in the Minors and could benefit from gaining major league experience.
11. Zach Lee (SP, LAD, AAA) – LW: 12
Stats: 56.2 IP, 2.38 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 6.99 K/9, 1.91 BB/9, 0.64 HR/9, 1.09 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July
Zach Lee has continued to pitch extremely well this season, but he may have to wait a little bit before getting the call up. The Dodgers are still looking in the trade market for some pitchers, but have been pleased with the production that Mike Bolsinger and Brett Anderson have given them. That leaves just one spot open in the rotation left (with Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke being the other solid two) for Lee to potentially fill. Any starting pitcher traded to the Dodgers could torch Lee’s 2015 fantasy value.
12. Peter O’Brien (C, OF, ARI, AAA) – LW: 14
Stats: 302 PA, .288/.331/.536, 15 HR, 1 SB, 21.2% K rate, 5.0% BB rate
ETA: Mid-July
With the Diamondbacks surprisingly close to a playoff spot, they may soon decide that it is time to give one of their top hitting prospects, Peter O’Brien, a shot in the lineup. He has proven to be a very potent bat at every level of the Minors he has played at and that especially includes Triple-A. The club recently converted O'Brien to the outfield in order to accelerate his time table. Don't expect him to return to catching - the Diamondbacks were the only team to believe he might remain at the position.
13. Kyle Schwarber (C/OF, CHC, AAA) – LW: 10
Stats: 263 PA, .315/.427/.583 14 HR, 1 SB, 21.3% K rate, 16.3% BB rate
ETA: Early September
Kyle Schwarber tore up the Majors in his brief stint and has shown that his bat is Major League ready. That would be great if the Cubs were an American League team. Scouts agree with the feeling of Cubs GM Jed Hoyer that Schwarber is not at all ready defensively as either an outfielder or catcher. The Cubs’ biggest problem right now is pitching, not offense, so don’t expect there to be much of a rush to bring the young catcher back to the Majors.
14. Luis Severino (SP, NYY, AAA) – LW: 17
Stats: 74.1 IP, 2.54 ERA, 2.61 FIP, 8.72 K/9, 2.42 BB/9, 0.24 HR/9, 1.02 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July
Outside of Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda, the Yankees are woefully short of starting pitching. Whether it be injury history (Ivan Nova) or just lack of success (CC Sabathia), the Yankees rotation could use an upgrade. And while they may go get a starter, it seems likely that they will test the arm of Luis Severino soon. Scouts love Severino and him reaching the Majors soon could be a mutually beneficial relationship: Severino gets to improve with a MLB pitching coach, and the Yankees get a top of the rotation arm without dealing anybody.
15. Tyler Duffey (MIN, SD, AAA) – LW: 23
Stats: 90.1 IP, 2.89 ERA, 2.00 FIP, 8.77 K/9, 1.79 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.15 WHIP
ETA: Late July
Much like the Yankees, the Twins find themselves in contention, but need more starting pitching. Tyler Duffey has been outstanding in Triple-A and Double-A this season and could potentially be a tremendous addition to their rotation and to any fantasy owner willing to pick him up. Duffey keeps the ball out of the air (as evidenced by zero home runs in 90.1 IP), he limits walks, and he strikes out his fair share of hitters. What more could you ask for?
16. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN, AA) – LW: 19
Stats: 72.1 IP, 3.73 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 10.70 K/9, 4.98 BB/9, 1.00 HR/9, 1.22 WHIP
ETA: Early August
The better the Reds play, the less likely owner Bob Castellini will want his team to become sellers. Nonetheless, the Reds will not be in playoff contention in September and they don’t have the funds to resign Mike Leake or Johnny Cueto. If and when they deal both players, they could turn to Robert Stephenson who has pitched very well at Double-A since a shaky April.
17. Dylan Bundy (SP, BAL, AA) – LW: 16
Stats: 22.0 IP, 3.68 ERA, 1.81 FIP, 10.23 K/9, 2.05 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.18 WHIP
ETA: Early August
Dylan Bundy remains on this list for now, but his visit with Dr. Andrews is concerning to say the least. As of June 28, no news has come out of that story yet, but I should know by next week.
18. Jose Berrios (SP, MIN, AA) – LW: 20
Stats: 83.2 IP, 3.23 ERA, 3.23 FIP, 9.25 K/9, 2.47 BB/9, 0.65 HR/9, 1.17 WHIP
ETA: Early August
To all those wondering, Alex Meyer was not called up to act as a starting pitcher. He is going to the bullpen. Meyer struggled a lot in Triple-A this season in the rotation, but dazzled in the bullpen. This is not the case with Jose Berrios. He has pitched very well as a starter this year. Berrios likely won’t see time before the trade deadline, but if the Twins are still in the hunt for the postseason and need an extra arm, Berrios will likely be the guy.
19. Jameson Taillon (SP, PIT, NA) – LW: 18
Stats: NA
ETA: Mid-August
Jameson Taillon was supposed to start at the Gulf Coast League, but was scratched due to an abdominal injury. I should know more next time this list comes out.
20. Brandon Nimmo (OF, NYM, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 214 PA, .295/.369/.405, 2 HR, 0 SB, 17.8% K rate, 8.9% BB rate
ETA: Early August
Unlike a lot of teams currently in postseason contention, the Mets have a need for bats rather than arms. Their rotation is amazing, but they need more offense. Brandon Nimmo hasn’t hit for too much power down at Triple-A this season, but the average is there and he hasn’t struck out a lot. He could see time in the Majors if the Mets are unable to acquire a bat at the deadline.
21. Zach Davies (SP, BAL, AAA) – LW: 26
Stats: 70.1 IP, 2.94 ERA, 2.63 FIP, 8.57 K/9, 3.45 BB/9, 0.13 HR/9, 1.32 WHIP
ETA: Early August
22. Mark Appel (SP, HOU, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 66.1 IP, 5.02 ERA, 4.58 FIP, 6.78 K/9, 3.39 BB/9, 1.09 HR/9, 1.51 WHIP
ETA: Mid-August
23. Christian Walker (1B, BAL, AAA) – LW: 24
Stats: 298 PA, .267/.329/.358, 3 HR, 0 SB, 23.2% K rate, 8.4% BB rate
ETA: Late August
24. Colin Moran (3B, HOU, AA) – LW: 27
Stats: 151 PA, .269/.331/.358, 0 HR, 0 SB, 16.6% K rate, 8.6% BB rate
ETA: Early September
25. Henry Owens (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 29
Stats: 83.1 IP, 3.46 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 7.02 K/9, 4.97 BB/9, 0.54 HR/9, 1.24 WHIP
ETA: Early September
26. Aaron Blair (SP, ARI, AA) – LW: 30
Stats: 94.0 IP, 3.26 ERA, 4.34 FIP, 7.09 K/9, 2.78 BB/9, 1.05 HR/9, 1.15 WHIP
ETA: Early September
27. Matt Olson (1B, OAK, AA) – LW: 28
Stats: 331 PA, .221/.375/.380, 8 HR, 1 SB, 24.2% K rate, 19.6% BB rate
ETA: Mid-August
28. Robert Refsnyder (2B, NYY, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 304 PA, .271/.356/.380, 5 HR, 10 SB, 12.8% K rate, 10.2% BB rate
ETA: Mid-August
29. Marco Gonzales (SP, STL, AAA) – LW: 25
Stats: 28.1 IP, 6.35 ERA, 5.71 FIP, 6.99 K/9, 2.54 BB/9, 1.91 HR/9, 1.59 WHIP
ETA: Early September
30. Trea Turner (SS, WAS, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 303 PA, .318/.372/.464, 5 HR, 15 SB, 18.8% K rate, 8.3% BB rate
ETA: Early September
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