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This has been a good week for former MLB prospects. Several are now promising rookies in the majors.
Noah Syndergaard finally got the call up to the majors and was sharp for five innings before getting roughed up in the sixth in his MLB debut. Kris Bryant has re-discovered his power and is really starting to hit the ball with authority. After dominating the Reds in his first start, Carlos Rodon has officially been added to the Sox rotation. The thing with Rodon that stuck out to me was that on his 106th pitch of the game, he threw a fastball for 98 mph. For a lefty, that is really impressive.
Who will be the next prospect to rise up to the majors and have a big impact? Could it be a shortstop? Francisco Lindor would be a big improvement offensively over Jose Ramirez. And don’t even get me started on how big of an improvement Carlos Correa would be over the highly questionable tandem of Jonathan Villar and Marwin Gonzalez. Or could it be a starter? Maybe the Mets want to see what the arm of Steven Matz could do in the majors.
Removed from the list
• Maikel Franco – called up
• Raisel Iglesias – called up
All stats current as of Sunday, May 17th.
Major League Ready Prospect 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. Carlos Correa (SS, HOU, AAA) – LW: 1
Stats: 149 PA, .369/.450/.685, 7 HR, 15 SB, 18.1% K rate, 12.1% BB rate
ETA: Early June
There are many analysts in the game today that are pleading for the Astros to call up Carlos Correa. The Astros started the season as one of the best teams in baseball and now are appearing to have some weaknesses. One of those is at shortstop. Since the injury to Jed Lowrie, the position has been filled by the unsuccessful duo of Villar and Gonzalez. It is only a matter of time before Correa is given the call.
2. Steve Matz (SP, NYM, AAA) – LW: 4
Stats: 42.1 IP, 1.70 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 9.57 K/9, 3.61 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.13 WHIP
ETA: Late May
Now that the Mets have three of the five young aces in the current rotation, and one of them sitting with Tommy John surgery until next year (Zack Wheeler), it is time to call up the fifth young ace, Steve Matz. Matz looks like he is more than ready to join the big league rotation and is most definitely next in line for a promotion. I mean come on. No home runs given up as a lefty in hitter-friendly Las Vegas in 42.1 innings?! That’s crazy.
3. Rusney Castillo (OF, BOS, AAA) – LW: 3
Stats: 59 PA, .264/.322/.321, 0 HR, 4 SB, 11.9% K rate, 8.5% BB rate
ETA: Late May
Besides Mookie Betts, the Red Sox outfield has struggled. Shane Victorino just recently came back from injury but has scuffled a bit offensively. Hanley Ramirez, aside from the injury, is quite possibly the worst defensive outfielder at Fenway in a long time. If Mike Napoli struggles offensively, Ramirez could eventually remove him of first-base duty and Castillo would take over in left.
4. Francisco Lindor (SS, CLE, AAA) – LW: 2
Stats: 146 PA, .262/.347/.357, 1 HR, 7 SB, 15.1% K rate, 11.6% BB rate
ETA: Late May
Francisco Lindor is the answer to the Indians problem at shortstop as he is both defensively great and an improvement to Jose Ramirez offensively. He has yet to kick up his offense to the next level, and he could still be a little away from a promotion. Lindor could provide stolen bases with decent pop and a .280 batting average, but his value may see a drastic drop off if Cleveland continues to show faith in Ramirez.
5. Daniel Norris (SP, TOR, AAA) – LW: 6
Stats: 12.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 3.95 FIP, 8.25 K/9, 4.50 BB/9, 0.75 HR/9, 1.25 WHIP
ETA: Late May
So Norris is still in the minors, and he has continued to pitch quite well aside from a few walks. If Norris is showing the Jays anything, it’s that he is best suited to be on a Major League team with a Major League pitching coach to help him through his command issues. Due to his ability to strike batters out, he still holds tremendous value in any league and should be on any roster when he gets called back up.
6. Jose Peraza (2B, ATL, AAA) – LW: 7
Stats: 153 PA, .311/.352/.370, 0 HR, 14 SB, 8.5% K rate, 5.2% BB rate
ETA: Late May
Now I know what you might be thinking. Yes, Jace Peterson is starting to swing the bat. And yes, Peterson is similar to Peraza in that he has a lot of speed and no power. But now Chris Johnson is going to the DL and he will be out for about three to six weeks. Is Alberto Callaspo a better player than Jose Peraza? No. I believe that eventually Peterson will be moved to third and Peraza called up. Eventually Peterson may have to be moved to the outfield or Johnson may be traded. Once up, Peraza will likely not be sent down unless he really struggles.
7. Eduardo Rodriguez (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 34.2 IP, 2.86 ERA, 2.42 FIP, 8.83 K/9, 1.30 BB/9, 0.52 HR/9, 1.01 WHIP
ETA: Late May
As the season continues to go on, it appears Eduardo Rodriguez is now the most likely of the three Red Sox lefty prospects (Henry Owens and Brian Johnson being the other two) to be called up. Rodriguez had prior to this week been outpitched by Johnson, but has since overtaken him in many statistics with Johnson having a rough week. With the Red Sox pitching being so terrible this season, they will need to call up somebody soon. It looks like that guy could be Rodriguez.
8. Andrew Heaney (SP, LAA, AAA) – LW: 10
Stats: 37.1 IP, 3.62 ERA, 3.00 FIP, 8.68 K/9, 2.41 BB/9, 0.24 HR/9, 1.42 WHIP
ETA: Late July
Matt Shoemaker has been about as bad as is humanly possible and his FIP and low BABIP (.298) show nothing to indicate that he could improve at any point which leave the door open for Heaney to come to the Angels rescue. Heaney had a rough second start of the season in which he only lasted for two outs while giving up four earned runs, but he has since settled in nicely and has pitched himself into the rotation conversation.
9. Alex Meyer (SP, MIN, AAA) – LW: 9
Stats: 34.2 IP, 7.01 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 8.83 K/9, 5.45 BB/9, 0.52 HR/9, 1.88 WHIP
ETA: Late July
Yeah, Alex Meyer is still struggling a bit to find his footing in his second full stint at Triple-A. He still has to improve his command (5.45 BB/9 looks really ugly), but that .408 BABIP is not helping him. He remains on the list due to his electric stuff and proximity to the majors. All he needs to do is show the slightest improve in the walks category to get the call up.
10. Aaron Nola (SP, PHI, AA) – LW: 11
Stats: 39.2 IP, 2.04 ERA, 3.08 FIP, 6.58 K/9, 0.91 BB/9, 0.45 HR/9, 0.83 WHIP
ETA: Early August
I truly cannot emphasize enough how close Aaron Nola is to the majors. He may still only be in Double-A (a fact that remains perplexing to me), but Nola is about as complete of a pitcher as any that remain on this list. He will not strike out many batters, but it is rare that a pitcher as young as he is has such elite command. When Cole Hamels is dealt this season, be prepared to grab Nola from the waiver wire because he could very well be next in line for the rotation spot.
11. Adam Duvall (1B/3B, SFG, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 143 PA, .313/.350/.612, 9 HR, 0 SB, 21.0% K rate, 5.6% BB rate
ETA: Mid May
Was last season’s .287/.355/.357 slash line for Casey McGehee unrepeatable? This year’s .191/.248/.287 slash line really seems to say just that. McGehee has been absolutely terrible for the Giants this season. Meanwhile Adam Duvall, a corner infielder, has torn up Triple-A. Why isn’t Duvall in the lineup? I have no idea.
12. Brian Johnson (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 8
Stats: 36.1 IP, 2.72 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 9.66 K/9, 3.96 BB/9, 0.74 HR/9
ETA: Early June
Brian Johnson took a little tumble down the rankings as a result of a bad week. Is Johnson’s 2.72 ERA largely the result of a horrendous outing where he lasted only 2.2 innings and gave up seven earned runs? Probably, but his FIP isn’t great and he has recently showed some command issues. Rodriguez now looks like the next to be called up to the rotation, which means Johnson will have to wait even longer to join the staff.
13. Domingo Santana (OF, HOU, AAA) – LW: 13
Stats: 129 PA, .288/.368/.586, 7 HR, 1 SB, 33.3% K rate, 14.0% BB rate
ETA: Late May
Preston Tucker is now extra outfielder for the Astros, and it isn’t too surprising considering how well he had been hitting to start off the season. Domingo Santana is still considered the better prospect of the two, but he has a lot to work on before he can reach the majors. His high walk and strikeout rates send a message that his issue isn’t eye at the plate, it is swing mechanics. He has a long swing that is common in young power hitters. That will need to be addressed and fixed before he gets called up.
14. Marco Gonzales (SP, STL, AAA) – LW: 12
Stats: 22.1 IP, 7.66 ERA, 6.20 FIP, 6.04 K/9, 2.42 BB/9, 2.01 HR/9, 1.70 WHIP
ETA: Late May
Marco Gonzales will need to turn things around very quickly if he hopes to get that rotation spot. Tyler Lyons hasn’t pitched terribly in Wainwright’s spot in the rotation. Meanwhile Gonzales just got back from a DL stint and has been roughed up in each start since then. The longer he stays in Triple-A, the further down this list he will go as his fantasy value for 2015 will begin to plummet.
15. Buck Farmer (SP/RP, DET, AAA) – LW: 21
Stats: 38.0 IP, 3.32 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 11.13 K/9, 3.55 BB/9, 0.24 HR/9, 1.18 WHIP
ETA: Early June
If the Tigers have any Achilles Heel, it is their pitching. Their rotation is sound, but could be better. Their bullpen is terrible, and could definitely be better. Meanwhile Buck Farmer has done everything right at Triple-A. He has struck out batters, limited base runners, and kept the ball in the field of play. He is just about ready to be called up.
16. Matt Wisler (SP, ATL, AAA) – LW: 18
Stats: 33.1 IP, 4.59 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 7.83 K/9, 1.62 BB/9, 0.81 HR/9, 1.35 WHIP
ETA: Early June
Don’t look now, but Matt Wisler has put together back to back strong outings. On May 10, he lasted eight innings, giving up five hits, one run, no walks, and struck out two. With his repertoire of great pitches, it really could be only a matter of time before Wisler is brought up to the majors to replace Eric Stults in that rotation and join Mike Foltynewicz in the young Braves staff.
17. Jon Gray (SP, COL, AAA) – LW: 16
Stats: 28.2 IP, 8.16 ERA, 4.50 FIP, 8.16 K/9, 3.14 BB/9, 0.94 HR/9, 1.78 WHIP
ETA: Late July
Jon Gray’s longest start of the season was his last time out when he went six innings and gave up three runs. While his seven strikeouts, one walk, and lone home run all look promising for future success, he has to stop giving up so many runs. At this point, the Rockies are begging for an excuse to call up the talented right-hander, but no one wants to see an 8.16 ERA rewarded.
18. Mark Appel (SP, HOU, AA) – LW: 15
Stats: 26.2 IP, 3.71 ERA, 4.17 FIP, 6.41 K/9, 3.04 BB/9, 0.68 HR/9, 1.46 WHIP
ETA: Late June
Astros management said that they want to start seeing dominant outings from Mark Appel before they even call him up to Triple-A. His last time out (five innings and no earned runs) looks great for his ERA, but the eight hits and one strikeout tell another story. Appel has yet to dominate opposing hitters in any start since April 16. His timetable is being pushed back further and that could eventually see him get knocked off this list.
19. Henry Owens (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 15
Stats: 31.0 IP, 4.06 ERA, 5.04 FIP, 7.26 K/9, 7.26 BB/9, 0.58 HR/9, 1.39 WHIP
ETA: Late August
Considered by many to be the best of the three Red Sox lefties, Henry Owens has certainly been the best at struggling this season. Owens has great stuff. I mean an absolutely lethal repertoire for a left-handed pitcher. But he simply walks way too many batters. Take his last start; he lasted four innings, walked six, gave up three earned runs, struck out three, hit one batter, and gave up zero hits. You read that right, zero hits. Three runs, no hits.
20. Corey Seager (SS/3B, LAD, AAA) – LW: 20
Stats: 140 PA, .323/.364/.538, 5 HR, 1 SB, 15.0% K rate, 5.7% BB rate
ETA: Early September
Corey Seager hasn’t hit a home run yet in Triple-A. That is about the only negative thing that can be said of him though. He has insane hitting ability and looks to be someone like a left-handed (slightly less powerful) version of Troy Tulowitzki if he remains at shortstop. His bat is so potent, that the Dodgers will soon be forced to do anything to put him in the lineup. The only question with Seager is when, but it could be a while for him. A September callup is definitely not out of line, but any sooner than that is stretching it.
21. Steven Moya (OF, DET, AAA) – LW: 19
Stats: 115 PA, .215/.246/.336, 3 HR, 0 SB, 32.2% K rate, 4.3% BB rate
ETA: Late June
22. Dylan Bundy (SP, BAL, AA) – LW: 23
Stats: 16.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 2.05 FIP, 10.13 K/9, 2.81 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.00 WHIP
ETA: Mid August
23. Kyle Crick (SP, SFG, AA) – LW: 22
Stats: 22.0 IP, 1.64 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 11.45 K/9, 5.32 BB/9, 0.41 HR/9, 1.27 WHIP
ETA: Late July
24. Christian Walker (1B, BAL, AAA) – LW: 24
Stats: 142 PA, .269/.324/.354, 1 HR, 0 SB, 20.4% K rate, 7.7% BB rate
ETA: Late July
25. Jameson Taillon (SP, PIT, NA) – LW: 25
Stats: NA
ETA: Early August
26. Byron Buxton (OF, MIN, AA) – LW: 27
Stats: 147 PA, .244/.306/.450, 4 HR 9 SB, 19.0% K rate, 8.2% BB rate
ETA: Mid August
27. Miguel Sano (3B, MIN, AA) – LW: 26
Stats: 135 PA, .214/.326/.438, 6 HR, 3 SB, 25.9% K rate, 14.1% BB rate
ETA: Mid August
28. Kyle Kubitza (3B, LAA, AAA) – LW: 29
Stats: 154 PA, .314/.377/.379, 1 HR, 1 SB, 26.0% K rate, 8.4% BB rate
ETA: Late July
29. Braden Shipley (SP, ARI, AA) – LW: 28
Stats: 35.2 IP, 3.03 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 7.32 K/9, 4.54 BB/9, 0.76 HR/9, 1.35 WHIP
ETA: Late August
30. Cam Bedrosian (RP, LAA, AAA) – LW: 30
Stats: 14.2 IP, 1.84 ERA, 1.78 FIP, 12.27 K/9, 1.84 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.09 WHIP
ETA: Late May
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