August 16, 2017

Edward Sutelan's top 30 MLB prospects rankings (Week 20). These MLB rookies & minor league call-ups should make fantasy impacts in 2017 as fantasy baseball sleepers.

Hello everyone, and welcome to my weekly Top-30 Fantasy Rankings for Impact Rookies! In this series, I will be going over the top prospects in baseball and discussing which ones figure to have an impact for the rest of this fantasy baseball season.

For those of you who have read the list regularly, you will notice the list has been largely cleared out. A large bulk of the prospects on this list at the beginning of the season are now in the majors and have been helping out fantasy teams for some time now.

The players remaining are all likely to be promoted in September. There aren’t many who are expected to have the same kind of impact as others promoted like Rafael Devers or Yoan Moncada, but there are still some solid names on the list who could help provide depth to those of you heading to the fantasy playoffs.

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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. Lewis Brinson (OF, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 337 PA, .334/.404/.568, 13 HR, 11 SB, 9.5% BB rate, 18.4% K rate
ETA: September
Brinson has as much fantasy upside as anybody out there, but a leg injury could potentially derail the rest of his season. The extent of the injury is still largely unknown, but it will be an important situation to follow for the remainder of the season.

2. Franklin Barreto (2B/SS, OAK, AAA)
Stats: 447 PA, .277/.324/.439, 13 HR, 10 SB, 4.9% BB rate, 28.2% K rate
ETA: September
Middle-infielders who can rake are always valuable. They are especially valuable when they can not only hit well, but are also quick on the basepaths. Barreto combines above-average pop with above-average speed, leading some to believe he could eventually be a 20/20 middle-infielder at some point in his future. Though playing time looks tough for him right now with Jed Lowrie still in Oakland, it is important to remember Barreto is a young prospect who looks like a future impact player for the Athletics. The team could try to make room for him in their lineup to get him some experience against MLB pitching. The strikeouts could limit his batting average, but the upside is there for him to be a well above-average fantasy performer at his position.

3. Luke Weaver (SP, STL, AAA)
Stats: 77.2 IP, 2.55 ERA, 3.08 FIP, 24.9% K rate, 6.2% BB rate, 3.7% HR/FB, .221 AVG
ETA: September
Weaver has pitched as well as can ever be asked by anyone this season at Triple-A Memphis. He has kept the walks in check while missing bats at a high rate. He has also pitched well in the majors when he has been given the chance, posting a 3.77 ERA and 3.90 FIP over two starts (four appearances). The St. Louis Cardinals will at some point be forced to push him into their starting rotation, and he could be used as an arm to help rest up young guys like Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez or Adam Wainwright who has struggled with some injuries this season. Weaver is probably not going to be a future ace, but he has the stuff to profile as a solid No. 3 starter. He seems like a solid bet to make a few starts in September, which could prove valuable to owners looking for an arm to fill in at the back of their playoff rotation.

4. Tyler Glasnow (SP, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 68.2 IP, 1.57 ERA, 2.61 FIP, 38.4% K rate, 9.7% BB rate, 13.0% HR/FB, .174 AVG
ETA: September
This could be the perfect time to buy into Glasnow. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ former top prospect struggled mightily this season in the majors, and now that he’s no longer on prospect lists (he would not be a rookie in 2018), owners are probably assuming his stock has plummeted. Glasnow has actually found solid control of his elite repertoire at Triple-A since converting to the stretch full-time and could put himself right back on track to become an elite pitcher in the majors. He should receive some starts in September and even if his control issues come back, owners have the gaudy strikeout totals to fall back on.

5. Brent Honeywell (SP, TB, AAA)
Stats: 125.0 IP, 3.38 ERA, 2.74 FIP, 30.9% K rate, 6.2% BB rate, 10.4% HR/FB, .253 AVG
ETA: September
The Tampa Bay Rays’ rotation is incredibly good, but Honeywell has the chance to make it even better. He has dominated the minors seemingly every year of his career and that trend has continued into 2017. He even won the Futures Game MVP this year. And while Honeywell is unlikely to crack the postseason rotation — the top three starters for the Rays aren’t going anywhere — he could provide them with some depth with guys like Jake Odorizzi, Blake Snell and Erasmo Ramirez struggling in 2017. If Honeywell is given starts with the big-league club, he is a near must-add in all 12+ team leagues.

6. Yandy Diaz (3B, CLE, AAA)
Stats: 344 PA, .349/.459/.466, 5 HR, 0 SB, 16.9% BB rate, 15.4% K rate
ETA: September
Diaz’s plate discipline is truly exceptional. As demonstrated by the numbers above, he has a keen sense of the strike zone and reaches base enough to make up for the lack of power and speed he provides. And while owners would certainly love to have some of that thump and speed in their lineups, guys with a knack like Diaz for reaching base can be quite valuable as depth pieces or even possible starters. And as long as Jason Kipnis continues to struggle with health and performance issues, Diaz could emerge as a candidate to take some at-bats in September as the Cleveland Indians look to hold down their division lead.

7. Mitch Garver (C, MIN, AAA)
Stats: 362 PA, .286/.384/.537, 17 HR, 2 SB, 13.5% BB rate, 23.2% K rate
ETA: September
Catchers always have added value to fantasy owners, so even though Garver is not a top prospect, he warrants a spot on this list. He is far more likely to be the starting catcher next season in Minnesota than the veteran Jason Castro, and his performance this season at Triple-A could lead him to see some starting time in September. Garver has absolutely mashed in the minors, and with few quality catching options available, he could be a solid add in two-catcher leagues if he grabs some starts in the big leagues.

8. Harrison Bader (OF, STL, AAA)
Stats: 423 PA, .291/.348/.499, 20 HR, 10 SB, 6.1% BB rate, 23.6% K rate
ETA: September
Just going based on MiLB numbers alone, Bader is probably the most impressive prospect on this list. Though the scouts don’t necessarily believe his insane success this season is sustainable, owners have to be wary that he could carry a hot streak into the majors should he return there in September. His power/speed combination should be valuable to owners if he forces his way into the outfield spot alongside Tommy Pham and Dexter Fowler. And based on the Stephen Piscotty and Randal Grichuk have played this season, that may not be asking too much.

9. Jeimer Candelario (3B, CHC, AAA)
Stats: 381 PA, .260/.346/.499, 14 HR, 1 SB, 11.3% BB rate, 22.0% K rate
ETA: September
Rumors have persisted that the Detroit Tigers are mulling the possibility of shifting Nick Castellanos to the outfield and plugging Candelario in at third base. This is exactly the type of scenario fantasy owners had likely hoped for when Candelario was traded, as it now looks like he has a future at third base and could avoid first base. Candelario has a potent bat with solid bat-to-ball skills as well as some decent power that should translate to 20+ homer pop in the majors. He should see some time at the hot corner in September with Castellanos in left field to prepare for next season, and owners in 14+ team leagues could see him as a solid corner infield option.

10. Tom Eshelman (SP, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 123.0 IP, 2.85 ERA, 3.71 FIP, 18.1% K rate, 3.5% BB rate, 9.6% HR/FB, .241 AVG
ETA: September
Likely the best control pitcher in the minors, Eshelman is a starter with some of the lowest risk out there. Though his stuff is far from elite, Eshelman is truly pinpoint with his accuracy, leading many to believe he should at least be a No. 5 pitcher in the majors. The Philadelphia Phillies don’t have a ton of great options in their rotation as really only Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff have been effective this season. Expect to see Eshelman take a few turns through the rotation in September. There he could be a solid deep league rotation depth piece.

11. J.P. Crawford (SS, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 462 PA, .239/.349/.407, 13 HR, 4 SB, 14.3% BB rate, 17.3% K rate
ETA: September
Crawford started off the year on a serious cold streak, diminishing his prospect shine and leading to questions about whether or not his bat would ever catch up to his glove. But since the All-Star Break, he has a slash line of .289/.390/.578 with 11 home runs, a 13.8 percent walk rate and a 17.4 percent strikeout rate. The 22-year-old shortstop is still not the most attractive fantasy asset as he lacks explosive power or speed, but he is solid at everything and has one of the best approaches in the minors. If he is called up to the majors and inherits the starting shortstop position, he could be a very solid mixed league add for fantasy owners needing some middle-infield depth.

12. Tyler Mahle (SP, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 132.1 IP, 1.97 ERA, 2.69 FIP, 25.1% K rate, 5.6% BB rate, 5.3% HR/FB, .191 AVG
ETA: September
Few pitcher’s stock have soared as high as Mahle’s this season. For a while, Mahle was looked at as just a potential back-of-the-rotation arm. Now, he looks like he could be a No. 3 guy, pitching more with command and control than overpowering stuff (though his stuff is certainly solid). The Cincinnati Reds’ rotation has been atrocious this season — the worst in the majors in fact — so it would not take a lot to crack it. And with the numbers Mahle has posted at Louisville, he should easily grab a rotation spot in September. He has the potential to be a solid add in 14+ team leagues.

13. Steven Brault (SP, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 120.1 IP, 1.94 ERA, 3.29 FIP, 22.7% K rate, 9.2% BB rate, 4.8% HR/FB, .197 AVG
ETA: September
Glasnow will likely take a couple starts in September, but expect to see Brault snag a couple too. The Buccos’ southpaw has been a near-lock to strikeout at least 20 percent of opposing batters on an annual basis, and his walk rate is now as low as it has been since 2015. Now the Pirates’ rotation has not been bad, so Brault could have a challenging time piling up a ton of innings. But his strikeout upside could make every inning valuable to owners in deep/NL-only leagues as a solid depth piece, especially as he appears as likely as anybody on this list to pitch in the majors in September.

14. Willie Calhoun (2B/OF, TEX, AAA)
Stats: 454 PA, .296/.352/.580, 27 HR, 3 SB, 8.1% BB rate, 11.7% K rate
ETA: September
Calhoun would be a no-doubt top-of-the-list name if he was any good defensively. He is a liability at second base and has limited experience in the outfield, so the best position for him is probably designated hitter. Of course though, the Texas Rangers have guys like Mike Napoli and Joey Gallo manning first base and designated hitter, and there will likely be no displacing of Rougned Odor at second base or any of the outfielders for Calhoun. The best case scenario for fantasy owners is for the Rangers to shift Gallo to first base and bump Napoli to the bench, leaving the DH spot open for Calhoun. His bat is explosive and any playing time could be a huge boost to plenty of fantasy teams in the playoffs.

15. Brett Phillips (OF, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 375 PA, .318/.387/.598, 17 HR, 6 SB, 10.1% BB rate, 28.8% K rate
ETA: September
Though no Brinson, Phillips has had a pretty solid season in his own rate. Though the strikeouts have continued to pile up, so too have the home runs for Phillips, and he has hit for a high batting average in spite of the whiffs. He has not done much in the majors, but his eye-popping minor league numbers will likely lead to some playing time in September. And with his power, he could be a nice depth piece in NL-only leagues.

16. Walker Buehler (SP, LAD, AAA)
Stats: 80.2 IP, 3.24 ERA, 2.78 FIP, 35.4% K rate, 9.0% BB rate, 12.0% HR/FB, .195 AVG
ETA: September
It is often you see someone likely to be a reliever upon his initial call up make the list, but that’s exactly the upside Buehler brings. He is an elite arm who will be a future front-of-the-rotation arm in the majors. But this season, it seems he could be headed to Los Angeles as a relief pitcher. And though he won’t touch the ninth inning, Buehler could eat multiple innings up at a time and provide owners in deep leagues with a valuable source of strikeouts and microscopic ERA.

17. Magneuris Sierra (OF, STL, AAA)
Stats: 376 PA, .276/.315/.369, 1 HR, 16 SB, 5.1% BB rate, 17.3% K rate
ETA: September
Sierra has been an interesting story to follow this season for the Cardinals as he came up all the way from High-A to the majors, down to Double-A and then back up to the bigs. He is back at Springfield right now, but he figures to be in the Cardinals’ plans for September. The 21-year-old outfielder provides the team with an element they currently lack at the big league level: speed. He is incredibly quick and a true threat on the bases which could be valuable to a team whose second-leading base stealer is Yadier Molina (eight stolen bases). That speed could also pay dividends for fantasy owners in NL-only/deep leagues should Sierra see even semi-regular playing time during the final month of the season.

18. Miguel Andujar (3B, NYY, AAA)
Stats: 441 PA, .311/.347/.500, 14 HR, 2 SB, 5.2% BB rate, 13.8% K rate
ETA: September
Andujar is far from the most exciting prospect out there, but he could see some playing time when September comes around. Andujar has crushed southpaws in the minors this season, posting a .342/.379/.567 slash line with six of his 14 home runs coming against lefties (despite 180 fewer PA against lefties than righties). The starting first baseman for the New York Yankees Chase Headley has not done well against lefties, only posting a .234/.267/.342 slash line this year. Andujar could emerge as a starting option for the team down the stretch, which could also help fantasy owners in need of some depth at the position of third base. His lack of power will limit his value to AL-only and other deep leagues.

19. Jake Bauers (1B/OF, TB, AAA)
Stats: 482 PA, .262/.365/.409, 10 HR, 14 SB, 13.3% BB rate, 19.9% K rate
ETA: September
The Tampa Bay Rays may be one of the most underrated teams in baseball. With starters like Corey Dickerson, Kevin Kiermaier, Mallex Smith and Steven Souza in the outfield and the recently-acquired Lucas Duda at first base, it could be tough to see them finding playing time for Bauers despite the excellent season he’s having in Durham. But the Rays as a unit have really struggled against southpaws, posting only a 90 team-wRC+ this season. Despite the fact Bauers himself is a left-handed hitter, he has crushed lefties this season, posting a .805 OPS against them this season. And especially considering he has been no slouch against right-handers (.761 OPS), Bauers could be a matchup-proof hitter the team needs as they make that last push to the playoffs. If he is called up, his power/speed combination could play well in 14+ team leagues.

20. Ronald Acuna (OF, ATL, AAA)
Stats: 510 PA, .317/.372/.521, 17 HR, 37 SB, 7.8% BB rate, 24.3% K rate
ETA: September
This placement is based solely on the upside. I do not believe Acuna will be promoted this year as it is a lost season for the Atlanta Braves and they may want to preach patience with their 19-year-old phenom. But if I’m wrong and Acuna is promoted, he has demonstrated elite upside at a really young age and could be a huge boost to fantasy teams. The Braves would not call him up to ride the bench, and it is likely he would push someone like Matt Kemp or Nick Markakis to a bench role. And with already having torn it up at literally everywhere he has played, there is reason to believe Acuna could keep up the hot-hitting in the majors. Don’t stash him because I still believe his ETA is really 2018, but he would become a must-add if the Braves decide to call him up.

21. Chance Sisco (C, BAL, AAA)
Stats: 344 PA, .282/.343/.395, 4 HR, 2 SB, 7.8% BB rate, 26.2% K rate
ETA: September

22. A.J. Reed (1B, HOU, AAA)
Stats: 460 PA, .258/.354/.499, 25 HR, 0 SB, 12.8% BB rate, 28.1% K rate
ETA: September

23. Nick Gordon (SS, MIN, AA)
Stats: 488 PA, .280/.355/.430, 8 HR, 13 SB, 9.8% BB rate, 22.3% K rate
ETA: September

24. Shawn Morimando (SP, CLE, AAA)
Stats: 145.0 IP, 4.47 ERA, 4.73 FIP, 18.5% K rate, 8.0% BB rate, 12.2% HR/FB, .277 AVG
ETA: September

25. Yohander Mendez (SP, TEX, AA)
Stats: 123.1 IP, 3.79 ERA, 4.88 FIP, 21.8% K rate, 8.0% BB rate, 16.9% HR/FB, .226 AVG
ETA: September

26. Ronald Guzman (1B, TEX, AAA)
Stats: 448 PA, .317/.386/.474, 12 HR, 4 SB, 8.9% BB rate, 15.6% K rate
ETA: September

27. Chance Adams (SP, NYY, AAA)
Stats: 128.1 IP, 1.96 ERA, 3.62 FIP, 23.5% K rate, 9.8% BB rate, 6.6% HR/FB, .175 AVG
ETA: September

28. Mauricio Dubon (SS, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 483 PA, .279/.330/.387, 7 HR, 38 SB, 6.6% BB rate, 14.1% K rate
ETA: September

29. Roman Quinn (OF, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 197 PA, .274/.344/.389, 2 HR, 10 SB, 9.1% BB rate, 24.9% K rate
ETA: September

30. Luis Ortiz (SP, MIL, AA)
Stats: 81.1 IP, 3.98 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 21.5% K rate, 9.6% BB rate, 10.8% HR/FB, .214 AVG
ETA: September

MLB Rookie Rankings

1. Aaron Judge (OF, NYY)

2. Cody Bellinger (1B/OF, LAD)

3. Andrew Benintendi (OF, BOS)

4. Yoan Moncada (2B, CWS)

5. Rafael Devers (3B, BOS)

6. Paul DeJong (SS, STL)

7. Bradley Zimmer (OF, CLE)

8. Derek Fisher (OF, HOU)

9. Trey Mancini (1B, BAL)

10. Josh Bell (1B/OF, PIT)

11. Manuel Margot (OF, SD)

12. Ian Happ (2B/OF, CHC)

13. German Marquez (SP, COL)

14. Nick Williams (OF, PHI)

15. Jacob Faria (SP, TB)

16. Jordan Montgomery (SP, NYY)

17. Mitch Haniger (OF, SEA)

18. Matt Chapman (3B, OAK)

19. Austin Barnes (C/2B, LAD)

20. Luis Castillo (SP, CIN)