🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Chicago Cubs Top MLB Prospects for 2016 Dynasty Leagues

Everyone knew that when the Chicago Cubs promoted their young prospects it would not take long for them to become a dominant force within the National League. But I don’t know if anyone envisioned them finishing with the third best overall record in baseball, winning 97 games, beating the Pirates in the Wild Card, and advancing all the way to the National League Championship Series. Offensive contributions from players like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant combined with sharp pitching from Jon Lester and NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta provided the Cubs with enough fuel to make a long run into the postseason last year and should help them do it again in 2016.

What should scare the rest of the National League is that the Cubs still have one of the deepest farm systems in baseball. Every player on this list has the potential to be a major contributor and help keep the Cubs’ dynasty rolling. Some names on this list are probably household names at this point, but there are others who could have an impact in the majors and have kept a relatively low profile in dynasty leagues.

Make sure to also check out our awesome 2016 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard, where you will find more of my team prospect rankings. You'll also find RotoBaller staff rankings for all positions, tiered rankings starting to ramp up, dynasty rankings for 2016, and much more. Okay, let's get to it.

 

Chicago Cubs Top 10 Dynasty Prospects

These are the top ten prospects for the Chicago Cubs in terms of fantasy production for fantasy owners in the next few seasons.

1. Gleyber Torres (SS, A+)
Stats: (from A) 514 PA, .293/.353/.386, 3 HR, 22 SB, 8.4% BB rate, 21.0% K rate
ETA: 2018
Addison Russell may be firmly entrenched in the role of shortstop for the Cubs right now, but he will face some competition from Gleyber Torres in a few years. Where Russell has more power, Torres excels by making consistent solid contact. Torres should be counted on to hit at least .280 every season with 10 home runs. Another area where he should be a regular contributor in is stolen bases where owners should be able to count on 20 per season. Torres does not have the offensive upside that Russell possesses, but he should still hit more than enough to be owned in all dynasty leagues.

2. Willson Contreras (C, AA)
Stats: 521 PA, .333/.413/.478, 8 HR, 4 SB, 10.9% BB rate, 11.9% K rate
ETA: 2017
The questions surrounding Kyle Schwarber about whether or not he is defensively sound enough to stay behind the dish do not apply in any way to Willson Contreras. Though still not an excellent defender, Contreras is quick enough behind the dish that he should not have to need a position change. Contreras may not possess near the same kind of power that Schwarber has (few catching prospects do), but he should be able to hit around .280 with 10 home runs per season which is enough to make him a valuable fantasy asset. Contreras will likely start off the year in Triple-A with a chance to get his feet wet in the majors should something happen to Miguel Montero, but he should be considered a must-own in all dynasty leagues with a chance to be a franchise catcher.

3. Ian Happ (2B/OF, A)
Stats: 165 PA, .241/.315/.448, 5 HR, 1 SB, 10.3% BB rate, 23.6% K rate
ETA: 2018
Taken with the ninth pick in the 2015 draft, Ian Happ has the potential to a consistent top of the batting order bat for the Cubs in the not-so-distant future. Happ shows excellent balance from both sides of the plate and has the quickness in his swing to help him catch up with most pitches. He displays enough power and speed to be able to make himself an eventual 20/20 player which gives him immense fantasy value in keeper leagues. There is some swing and miss in his game right now, but scouts see that improving as he continues to mature. If he stays at second base, he would be considered an elite second base prospect because of his bat. Even if his defense necessitates a move to the outfield, his bat plays well enough to maintain his status as a must-own player in dynasty leagues.

4. Billy McKinney (OF, AA)
Stats: 308 PA, .285/.346/.420, 3 HR, 0 SB, 8.8% BB rate, 15.3% K rate
ETA: 2017
One of the prospects in the Jeff Samardzija/Jason Hammel deal between the Cubs and Oakland in 2014, Billy McKinney is just a pure hitter. He has a mature approach to the plate which helps him take a lot of walks and his quick, steady swing should help him hit for a high average. He should be able to consistently hit around 12-18 home runs per season. McKinney will not steal many bases, but the rest of his game should make up for the lack of steals. The 21-year-old lefty is probably a year away, but he is definitely worth owning in dynasty leagues as he is a low risk/medium reward player.

5. Eddy Martinez (OF, NA)
Stats: NA
ETA: 2019
Eddy Martinez has received favorable comparisons to Andruw Jones because of his elite potential, but scouts are unsure if Martinez will ever be able to reach his full potential. Early in his days at Cuba, Martinez looked like a future 30/30 player, but it does not look like a guaranteed thing that Martinez will develop 30 home run power. The speed is there to steal more than 25 bases per year and his approach to the plate should allow him to hit .270 or higher. Even if he can’t reach his ceiling, there is enough talent with Martinez that he should be at least a solid everyday contributor for fantasy teams down the road. The 21-year-old Cuban has a high enough ceiling that he must be owned in all keeper leagues.

6. Donnie Dewees (OF, A-)
Stats: 303 PA, .266/.306/.376, 5 HR, 19 SB, 4.6% BB rate, 17.8% K rate
ETA: 2018
Donnie Dewees was considered to be one of the top bats in the 2015 draft class, the only problem was his lack of defensive ability. There is no question that Dewees can hit. He has a quick, compact swing and has plenty of pop that will eventually translate to 20+ home runs per season. His speed is more than enough to steal 25+ bases per year, which could help make him a future 20/20 player in the future. The issue with Dewees is his defense. Dewees’ arm is well below-average which will ultimately keep him in left-field even though he does have the mobility to play center. With Schwarber likely destined to stay in left-field for the near future, Dewees’ future with the Cubs is limited and owners will need a trade for him to get regular playing time. Right now, his offensive upside is enough to own him in all leagues and he would become a must-own if he was traded to another team.

7. Eloy Jimenez (OF, A-)
Stats: 250 PA, .284/.328/.418, 7 HR, 3 SB, 6.0% BB rate, 17.2% K rate
ETA: 2019
There are very few prospects with as high of a ceiling as Eloy Jimenez. Much like the aforementioned Eddy Martinez, Jimenez has been considered by many a future candidate to go 30/30 in the majors. Where Martinez excels with speed rather than power, Jimenez flashes more power than base-stealing speed. Jimenez also possesses the plate discipline needed to remove some of the risk involved with the 19-year-old outfielder. Make no mistake, the tools are there for Jimenez, the only question is whether or not he will be able to put everything together. Players with a ceiling as high as his are worth the high risk in dynasty leagues.

8. Albert Almora (OF, AA)
Stats: 451 PA, .272/.327/.400, 6 HR, 8 SB, 7.1% BB rate, 10.4% K rate
ETA: 2017
Considered more of a defense first prospect than the other previously two discussed outfielders, Albert Almora still has plenty of talent with his bat to make him worth owning in dynasty leagues. There is virtually no power in his bat and he is not fast enough to have a major impact on the basepaths, but Almora should be able to hit for a .275 average or higher per season. With their abundance of outfield prospects and the recent signing of Jason Heyward, Almora’s future value could hinge on the possibility of being traded. Almora is worth owning as a future fourth outfielder with decent upside, but owners will need to hope for a trade to another team.

9. Dan Vogelbach (1B, AA)
Stats: 313 PA, .272/.403/.425, 7 HR, 1 SB, 18.2% BB rate, 19.5% K rate
ETA: 2017
Once considered one of the top first base prospects in the minors, Dan Vogelbach has slipped in a lot of people’s rankings. Why, I’m not really sure. Though Vogelbach dealt with some injuries in 2015, he has continued to flash 20 home run power and well above average plate discipline that has seen his strikeout rate sit below 20% every season since 2012 and his walk rate stay above 10% every year of his Minor League career (except for his 27 PA in 2011). Much like a few other names on this list, Vogelbach will only see potential fantasy value if he is dealt to another team because there will be no displacing Anthony Rizzo at any point in the near future. His bat and well advanced plate discipline makes him worth owning in all dynasty leagues.

10. Duane Underwood (SP, A+)
Stats: 73.1 IP, 2.58 ERA, 4.16 FIP, 5.89 K/9, 2.95 BB/9, 0.74 HR/9
ETA: 2018
Duane Underwood has a very high ceiling, but so far in his minor league career he has been unable to effectively turn stuff into results. Underwood’s fastball sits in the upper-90s with a wipeout curveball that looks like a well above-average Major League offering. He needs to continue to improve on his changeup if he wants to remain as a starter. His ceiling is that of a front of the rotation starter, but he still has a lot of work to do before he can reach that ceiling. Underwood is worth owning in dynasty leagues, but owners need to understand that there is risk associated with owning him as he does have a relatively low floor as a middle relief pitcher.

 

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Logan O'Connor

Still Not Ready for Season Debut
Lukas Dostal

Activated From Injured Reserve
NJ

Arseni Gritsyuk Ruled Out for Weekend's Action
Connor Bedard

Ruled Out for Saturday
Zeev Buium

Canucks Acquire Zeev Buium From Wild
Marco Rossi

Moves to Vancouver
Quinn Hughes

Traded to WIld
Joel Embiid

Available Against Indiana
Ja Morant

Back on Friday Night
Rickard Rakell

Available Saturday
Tre Jones

is Returning on Friday
Coby White

Cleared for Action Versus Hornets
Jake Ferguson

Listed as Questionable for Week 15
Bo Horvat

Ruled Out for Saturday
Tre Johnson

to be Limited in Return on Friday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Could Return Monday
Geno Smith

Officially Ruled Out for Week 15
Victor Hedman

to Be Out Until February
Kenny Pickett

to Start in Week 15 Against Eagles
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Available on Friday
Jared McCann

to Miss Three Weeks With Lower-Body Injury
Tyrese Maxey

Under the Weather on Friday
Josh Jacobs

Officially Questionable to Face the Broncos
Victor Wembanyama

Expected to Return on Saturday
Stuart Skinner

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Tristan Jarry

Oilers Acquire Tristan Jarry From Penguins
Anthony Edwards

Sidelined on Friday Evening
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Questionable for Week 15
CFB

Washington State Expected to Hire Kirby Moore as Next Head Coach
CFB

Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down as Utah Head Coach
T.J. Watt

Officially Ruled Out for Monday Night
Manel Kape

Set For UFC Vegas 112 Main Event
Davante Adams

to be Questionable, Expected to Play on Sunday
Brandon Royval

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 112
Rome Odunze

Questionable for Sunday
Kevin Vallejos

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Alvin Kamara

Ruled Out for Sunday
Giga Chikadze

In Dire Need Of Victory
Cesar Almeida

Set To Welcome Cezary Oleksiejczuk To The UFC
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Jayden Daniels

Not Cleared for Contact
T.J. Watt

Undergoes Surgery for Collapsed Lung
Maikel Garcia

Royals Agree on Five-Year Extension
Melquizael Costa

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Looks to Win Second Consecutive Fights
Marcus Buchecha

Looks To Bounce Back
Kennedy Nzechukwu

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 112
King Green

Returns At UFC Vegas 112
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 112 Main Card
Jake Ferguson

on Track to Play in Week 15
CFB

Sherrone Moore Charged with Home Invasion, Among Other Charges
Jayden Daniels

Cleared for Contact
Tee Higgins

Ruled Out Against Ravens
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 15, Expected Back This Year
Josh Jacobs

"Feeling Pretty Good," Will Practice on Friday
Daniel Gafford

Still Unlikely to Play Friday
Brady Cook

to Get Starting Nod for Jets in Week 15
Khris Middleton

Misses Second Straight Game
Collin Sexton

Sidelined Again Versus Bulls
Tee Higgins

Absent From Practice on Friday
Coby White

On Track To Suit Up Versus Charlotte
De'Von Achane

Should Be Available Monday
Tre Jones

Expected To Play Friday Vs. Hornets
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers to Utilize Hot-Hand Approach in Backfield Moving Forward?
Ayo Dosunmu

to Miss Friday's Game Vs. Hornets
T.J. Watt

Trending Towards Missing Week 15
CFB

Freddie Kitchens Fired from North Carolina Coaching Staff
Joel Kiviranta

Hurt in Thursday's Win
Lars Eller

Departs Early Versus Blue Jackets
Viktor Arvidsson

Makes Early Exit Against Jets
Bo Horvat

Suffers Lower-Body Injury in Thursday's Win
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Sustains Lower-Body Injury
Roope Hintz

Exits Loss With Injury
Logan Cooley

to Miss at Least Eight Weeks
Mike Conley

Unavailable Friday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Downgraded to Out Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Iffy to Face Warriors
Kris Murray

Makes Third Start of the Campaign Thursday
Gary Trent Jr.

Replaces Jericho Sims in Starting Unit Thursday
Jarrett Allen

to Remain Sidelined Friday
CFB

Bryce Underwood Could Leave Michigan Without Buyout
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Padres Not Considering Trading Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tarik Skubal

Tigers Engaged in "Serious Talks" Around Trading Tarik Skubal at the Winter Meetings
CFB

Chris Brazzell II Declaring for NFL Draft
CFB

Fernando Mendoza Named AP College Football Player of the Year
Raisel Iglesias

to Remain the Braves Closer
Robert Suarez

Agrees on Three-Year Deal With Braves
CFB

Sherrone Moore Remains in Police Custody
CFB

Joe Klanderman Joining Baylor Coaching Staff
CFB

Kentucky Hiring Jay Bateman as Next Defensive Coordinator
Si Woo Kim

Closes 2025 With Strong Finish Among Putting Woes
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Rebound in 2026 After Down Year Off the Tee
Brian Harman

2025 Season a Step Back Despite Spring Win
Sam Burns

' Elite Putting Headlines a Solid 2025 Season
Sepp Straka

Ends Stellar 2025 Campaign on a High Note
Robert MacIntyre

Closes Out a Steady 2025 Campaign
CFB

Chip Kelly Interviews for Georgia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

Louisville Receiver Chris Bell has a Torn ACL
Min Woo Lee

Breaks Through to Win in Texas This Year
PGA

Alex Noren Wins Twice on European Tour This Year
Wyndham Clark

has Up-and-Down 2025 Golf Season
CFB

Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore
Corey Conners

Comes Close to Winning Again in Very Good 2025
Justin Rose

Turns Back the Clock in 2025
CFB

Jim Knowles Expected to be Hired as Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator
Harris English

Enjoys Solid Finish at Hero World Challenge
CFB

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Not Being Retained at Penn State
CFB

Indiana's Stephen Daley Done for Season After Post-Game Injury
Pete Alonso

Orioles Finalizing Five-Year Deal
Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June
CFB

Heisman Trophy Finalists Announced on Monday
Rory McIlroy

Ends 2025 as the Year's Most Unburdened Player
Aaron Rai

Needs to Figure Out Putting Woes This Offseason
Jordan Spieth

Plays Better on Paper in 2025 Than Results Show
PGA

Chris Gotterup Needs to Find Better Touch and Consistency This Offseason
Hideki Matsuyama

Ends 2025 Season With a Bookend Victory
Scottie Scheffler

Comes Up Just Shy of Hero World Challenge Victory
Merab Dvalishvili

Drops A Decision At UFC 323
Petr Yan

Reclaims Bantamweight Title
Alexandre Pantoja

Era Ends With Gruesome Injury
Joshua Van

Becomes Second-Youngest UFC Champion
Brandon Moreno

Suffers His First TKO Loss
Brandon Moreno

Tatsuro Taira Becomes First Fighter To Finish Brandon Moreno
Henry Cejudo

Payton Talbott Retires Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Retires After UFC 323 Loss
Jan Blachowicz

Bogdan Guskov Vs. Jan Blachowicz Ends In A Majority Draw
San Francisco Giants

Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ketel Marte

Red Sox Interested in Trading for Ketel Marte

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP