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In case anyone had any questions about Eduardo Rodriguez’s value in the majors, allow me to help answer them. The Red Sox are currently using a six-man rotation to help them decide which starter will become the odd man out, and odds are it will be Steven Wright.
Masterson is out due to an injury, and likely will not find his way back into the rotation. Rodriguez should stay owned by all the 37 (and rapidly growing) percent of fantasy owners, as he should continue to excel in the rotation.
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
• Eduardo Rodriguez – called up
All stats current as of Monday, June 1st.
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. Carlos Correa (SS, HOU, AAA) – LW: 1
Stats: 218 PA, .326/.399/.601, 10 HR, 18 SB, 16.5% K rate, 10.6% BB rate
ETA: Early June
Carlos Correa continues to prove each week that he is ready for major league pitching, and it shouldn’t be long before Astros GM Jeff Luhnow concurs. On May 26, Luhnow said, “He’s handling it well, and if he continues to handle it well and continues to progress, I believe he’s a guy that will help us with the club this year.” His call-up should hopefully be happening any day now.
2. Steve Matz (SP, NYM, AAA) – LW: 2
Stats: 63.1 IP, 1.99 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 9.66 K/9, 2.98 BB/9, 0.43 HR/9, 1.04 WHIP
ETA: Mid July
The current lefty in the Mets rotation, Jon Niese, has started to look really bad. He has the worst WAR of any Mets starter at 0.1, and has a 4.69 FIP that says he might continue to pitch poorly. The Mets may decide very soon that it will be time to replace the struggling lefty with Steven Matz, another lefty, who didn’t give up a home run until May 15 while pitching in the notoriously hitter-friendly PCL.
3. Daniel Norris (SP, TOR, AAA) – LW: 3
Stats: 28.1 IP, 3.18 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 8.58 K/9, 5.40 BB/9, 0.32 HR/9, 1.55 WHIP
ETA: Mid June
Daniel Norris is starting to struggle in Triple-A with the same issue that cost him his job in the majors: control. He is averaging just over five innings a start at Triple-A, a slight improvement over the 4.62 IP/GS that he had in the majors. But the Jays need pitching, and Norris only needs to give them a slight hint that he is ready to move up to the majors for them to call back up the talented left-hander.
4. Adam Duvall (1B/3B, SF, AAA) – LW: 7
Stats: 205 PA, .297/.332/.568, 12 HR, 0 SB, 22.9% K rate, 5.4% BB rate
ETA: Mid June
Matt Duffy has filled in very well at third base for the Giants, since Casey McGehee was optioned to Triple-A. But Duffy has shown in the minors to be an average player, with above average speed and below average power, and a good eye at the plate. That is good, but if a team like the Giants wants to contend, they need to be looking to upgrade where they can. Adam Duvall has crushed Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .271 ISO with 12 home runs, and may be that great talent that the Giants need to help them compete at a higher level.
5. Francisco Lindor (SS, CLE, AAA) – LW: 5
Stats: 207 PA, .249/.327/.348, 1 HR, 8 SB, 14.0% K rate, 10.6% BB rate
ETA: Late June
Francisco Lindor has continued to look average, but Jose Ramirez has continued to look terrible. Lindor has not hit for much power at Triple-A, but Jose Ramirez has hit for virtually no power at the MLB level. They both have the same number of steals, but Lindor has much more raw speed than Ramirez. Lindor is an improvement offensively in every category over Ramirez, and should be promoted sooner rather than later.
6. Andrew Heaney (SP, LAA, AAA) – LW: 8
Stats: 56.0 IP, 3.86 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 8.20 K/9, 2.09 BB/9, 0.32 HR/9, 1.41 WHIP
ETA: Mid June
Andrew Heaney got rattled in his last start, but at this point he could potentially contribute to a team looking to improve. Shoemaker’s last start: seven innings, four hits, six strikeouts, no runs. His start prior to that: six innings, eight hits, four strikeouts, eight runs (seven earned). Shoemaker has been inconsistent, and while it seems unlikely, he could potentially lose his spot in the rotation. More realistically, it would take an injury for Heaney to get a shot at the rotation, or he could provide help out of the bullpen. Regardless, if a spot opens up, Heaney would most likely be the replacement.
7. Jose Peraza (2B, ATL, AAA) – LW: 4
Stats: 194 PA, .293/.333/.379, 2 HR, 14 SB, 8.8% K rate, 5.2% BB rate
ETA: Late June
The likelihood of Jose Peraza getting called up is currently very dependent on the performance of Jace Peterson. Peterson has played well so far this season and could hold off Peraza for a while. The Braves have already stated that neither Peraza nor Peterson will play third, meaning that Chris Johnson and the recently acquired Juan Uribe will stay at the hot corner. I could still see a trade happening in the future that puts Peraza in the bigs in 2015.
8. Aaron Nola (SP, PHI, AA) – LW: 9
Stats: 64.2 IP, 1.81 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 6.96 K/9, 0.97 BB/9, 0.42 HR/9, 0.87 WHIP
ETA: Late July
Another player whose value is entirely dependent on a trade occurring, Aaron Nola currently appears to be the sixth man for the Phillies even with Ruben Amaro stating on multiple occasions that Nola is not yet major league ready. The Phillies are far more likely to send off one of their starting pitchers than the Braves are to send off an infielder, but Nola will continue to remain behind Peraza and out of the top-five on this list until he is called up to Triple-A.
9. Brian Johnson (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 10
Stats: 55.1 IP, 2.60 ERA, 3.03 FIP, 9.27 K/9, 2.77 BB/9, 0.65 HR/9, 1.07 WHIP
ETA: Late June
Eduardo Rodriguez was called up to the majors and absolutely dazzled in his debut. With the Red Sox rotation still struggling as a whole, the window remains open for Brian Johnson to be called up and replace someone. Brian Johnson has pitched incredibly well at Triple-A, and deserves to be rewarded, but he would most likely not have any fantasy value in the event of a Red Sox trade for a starter unless he were one of the pitchers leaving Boston.
10. Stephen Piscotty (1B/OF, STL, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 205 PA, .243/.337/.452, 7 HR, 1 SB, 17.6% K rate, 11.7% BB rate
ETA: Mid June
A week ago, Stephen Piscotty was blocked by a very crowded and talented Cardinals outfield. Now with Matt Adams gone for the season, Piscotty has a clear path to the majors, likely through first base. Mark Reynolds will start at first in the time being, but he is not really true starting material. Piscotty has a lot of power and above-average speed, and could present a lot of fantasy value if the Cardinals decide that he is their answer.
11. Corey Seager (SS, LAD, AAA) – LW: 19
Stats: 203 PA, .332/.369/.547, 8 HR, 1 SB, 15.3% K rate, 5.4% BB rate
ETA: Early July
Struggling Dodgers’ shortstop Jimmy Rollins was asked to comment lately on his standing with the team, following Corey Seager’s recent hot streak at Triple-A. The fact that those questions are now being asked speaks volumes about Seager’s potential value in 2015. Corey Seager has absolutely torn up Triple-A this season, while Rollins has mostly been getting torn up at the MLB level. A team that is competing like the Dodgers will eventually have to take an upgrade over the .206/.273/.344 slash line of Rollins, and Seager is clearly their best option for that to happen.
12. Domingo Santana (OF, HOU, AAA) – LW: 12
Stats: 180 PA, .298/.411/.583, 10 HR, 1 SB, 31.7% K rate, 16.1% BB rate
ETA: Mid July/Late July
Domingo Santana has really played well at the Triple-A level, and could have strong fantasy value in leagues that do not count strikeouts, but his value will remain limited unless there is an injury or trade. With the Astros likely to be buyers at this year’s trade deadline, Santana could find himself as a trade piece going away from Houston, which could potentially help his value. With George Springer and Preston Tucker playing well, and Colby Rasmus likely to keep his starting spot, there is currently no place in the Astros lineup for Santana.
13. Matt Wisler (SP, ATL, AAA) – LW: 15
Stats: 55.1 IP, 3.58 ERA, 3.16 FIP, 7.48 K/9, 1.79 BB/9, 0.65 HR/9, 1.17 WHIP
ETA: Early July
The Braves pitching staff has actually been solid this season, and they could get a serious boost if they decide to call up Matt Wisler. Wisler has pitched very well at Triple-A, and eventually will likely see time on the major league roster in 2015. Expect him to appear in the big leagues sooner rather than later.
14. Zach Lee (SP, LAD, AAA) – LW: 30
Stats: 56.2 IP, 2.38 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 6.99 K/9, 1.91 BB/9, 0.64 HR/9, 1.09 WHIP
ETA: Late June
The Dodgers are currently missing just one starter, in what has otherwise turned out to be a pretty solid rotation. Obviously Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke have been great atop the rotation; Brett Anderson has pitched well, as has Mike Bolsinger, and Carlos Frias has been decent. Zach Lee could be the missing piece in the rotation, as he has done very well in Triple-A. If the Dodgers make a trade for another starter, Lee’s value will tank, but I think they will give him a look at some point and see what he does with it. An injury could open a rotation spot for Lee as well.
15. Marco Gonzales (SP, STL, AAA) – LW: 13
Stats: 28.1 IP, 6.35 ERA, 5.78 FIP, 6.99 K/9, 2.54 BB/9, 1.91 HR/9, 1.59 WHIP
ETA: Early August
Marco Gonzales continues to have injury problems this season, and has struggled even when healthy so far in 2015. Marco Gonzales once had a lot of promise to be the replacement for Adam Wainwright, but the likelihood of that happening decreases with every day that he struggles with inconsistency and injuries. At this point, I can’t advise picking up or stashing Gonzales in non-dynasty fantasy leagues.
16. Alex Meyer (SP, MIN, AAA) – LW: 14
Stats: 40.2 IP, 6.86 ERA, 3.62 FIP, 9.74 K/9, 5.31 BB/9, 0.44 HR/9, 1.84 WHIP
ETA: Early August
Alex Meyer’s fantasy value will remain depressed as long as he pitching out of the bullpen. His FIP looks solid, but he walks way too many hitters to be considered major league ready. His future with the Twins is not in the bullpen, but he will most likely remain in that role in Triple-A until he proves that he can pitch with some consistency.
17. Mark Appel (SP, HOU, AA) – LW: 16
Stats: 40.0 IP, 5.85 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 6.53 K/9, 4.05 BB/9, 0.68 HR/9, 1.78 WHIP
ETA: Late July
Mark Appel remains on this list, but that may not last for much longer. He has really struggled this year, and the Astros are in the market for a starting pitcher. If the Astros acquire a starter, all potential fantasy value for Appel in 2015 will be gone and he will drop off this list.
18. Jon Gray (SP, COL, AAA) – LW: 17
Stats: 46.1 IP, 6.22 ERA, 5.05 FIP, 6.41 K/9, 2.91 BB/9, 1.17 HR/9, 1.64 WHIP
ETA: Mid August
A trade proposal that may eventually happen is Troy Tulowitzki going to the Mets for one of the many starting pitchers in the Mets’ farm system. The Rockies won’t be buying any starting pitching that is ace material, like a Cole Hamels or Johnny Cueto, but any pitching prospect acquired could bump Jon Gray down the Rockies depth chart. Gray does have a realistic chance of reaching the majors this season due to his potential, and the Rockies lack of effective starters, but he probably first needs to raise the strikeout totals.
19. Henry Owens (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 18
Stats: 54.1 IP, 3.15 ERA, 4.44 FIP, 6.96 K/9, 5.80 BB/9, 0.50 HR/9, 1.33 WHIP
ETA: Early August
Henry Owens is similar to Mark Appel, in that a trade for a starting pitcher by the Red Sox will knock him off this list. Also Owens is still behind Brian Johnson when it comes to major league readiness. That 3.15 ERA is really nice, but the 5.80 BB/9 indicates that his control leaves a lot to be desired. Owens is not a starter that should be owned in any non-dynasty leagues.
20. Dylan Bundy (SP, BAL, AA) – LW: 21
Stats: 22.0 IP, 3.68 ERA, 1.90 FIP, 10.23 K/9, 2.05 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.18 WHIP
ETA: Late July
Dylan Bundy is one of the few starters on this list who plays on a team that will be buying, but still could hold significant fantasy value. The Orioles have been waiting for Bundy to get healthy and to take a rotation spot, and he is getting closer. Kevin Gausman will most likely join the rotation soon, and it looks like Mike Wright has already solidified his spot. But Bundy is more talented than both of those guys, and the Orioles will most likely try to find a way to make a starting spot available to him.
21. Peter O’Brien (C, ARI, AAA) – LW: 20
Stats: 191 PA, .341/.382/.653, 12 HR, 1 SB, 19.9% K rate, 5.2% BB rate
ETA: Mid July
22. Steven Moya (OF, DET, AAA) – LW: 22
Stats: 180 PA, .254/.285/.450, 7 HR, 0 SB, 28.9% K rate, 4.4% BB rate
ETA: Late July
23. Christian Walker (1B, BAL, AAA) – LW: 23
Stats: 194 PA, .249/.294/.348, 2 HR, 0 SB, 22.7% K rate, 6.2% BB rate
ETA: Late July
24. Kyle Crick (SP, SFG, AA) – LW: 24
Stats: 30.0 IP, 2.10 ERA, 4.42 FIP, 9.90 K/9, 6.00 BB/9, 0.60 HR/9, 1.37 WHIP
ETA: Early August
25. Byron Buxton (OF, MIN, AA) – LW: 25
Stats: 214 PA, .262/.327/.503, 6 HR, 14 SB, 20.6% K rate, 8.9% BB rate
ETA: Early September
26. Miguel Sano (3B, MIN, AA) – LW: 26
Stats: 191 PA, .247/.346/.488, 9 HR, 3 SB, 25.1% K rate, 13.1% BB rate
ETA: Early September
27. Jameson Taillon (SP, PIT, NA) – LW: 27
Stats: NA
ETA: Mid August
28. Kyle Kubitza (3B, LAA, AAA) – LW: 28
Stats: 218 PA, .301/.362/.474, 3 HR, 1 SB, 25.7% K rate, 8.7% BB rate
ETA: Late July
29. Luis Severino (SP, NYY, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 38.0 IP, 3.32 ERA, 2.46 FIP, 11.37 K/9, 2.37 BB/9, 0.47 HR/9, 1.11 WHIP
ETA: Early August
30. Braden Shipley (SP, ARI, AA) – LW: 30
Stats: 48.1 IP, 5.21 ERA, 4.65 FIP, 6.70 K/9, 5.40 BB/9, 0.56 HR/9, 1.72 WHIP
ETA: Early September
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