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

2017 MLB Prospect Risers and Fallers: Torres, Bellinger, Fulmer & More

Prospects are like the stock market. One day something looks great, but a day later, that can all change. While there aren't day-to-day fluctuations that might make your outlook on a prospect change so heavily, there are always guys whose stock rises and falls considerably year-to-year and month-to-month.

Today I'm here to take a look at some 2017 MLB prospect risers and fallers as we head into the fantasy baseball draft season. Let's get to it.

Editor's note: Be sure to also check out our 2017 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. It's already loaded up with tons of great rankings articles and draft analysis. Aside from our tiered staff rankings for every position, we also go deep on MLB prospect rankings, impact rookies for 2017, and dynasty/keeper rankings as well. Bookmark the page, and win your drafts.

 

Three Up - Rising Prospects

Cody Bellinger, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers

Adrian Gonzalez has put together a terrific career, but he’ll be 35 years old in May, and the Dodgers are going to have to find a replacement. Luckily, they probably have that guy already. Cody Bellinger was drafted out of high school in the fourth round of the 2013 Draft. He didn’t show much power in his first couple of years in the minors, but his power profile has really come to fruition the last couple of years.

In 2013, Bellinger hit just .210 with one home run in 162 Rookie-ball at-bats. In 2014, Bellinger did hit .312/.352/.474 in 215 Rookie-ball at-bats, but he hit just three home runs. In his first year in Single-A in 2015, Bellinger really put himself on the map. The lefty hit .264/.336/.538 with an impressive 30 HR, 103 RBI and 10 SB to boot. Bellinger did much of the same last season, hitting .263/.359/.484 with 23 HR in 399 at-bats in Double-A. He also had a cup of coffee in Triple-A, blasting three homers in 11 at-bats.

The first baseman fits the profile of the prototypical first baseman. He hits for power and plays some of the best defense at the position in the minor leagues. Bellinger has continued to become a better hitter as he’s gotten older, and as he’s progressed through the minors. He continues to trend in the right direction, and the 22-year-old will likely get a taste of big league pitching this season. Bellinger has also played in the outfield, and he likely will come up in left field or right field initially. Gonzalez still has two years left on his expensive deal, and he will likely remain a Dodger through the 2018 season at least. Regardless of where Bellinger plays, his bat will produce.

 

Gleyber Torres, SS, New York Yankees

Gleyber Torres has been skyrocketing up all prospect lists over the last couple of years, and rightfully so. The 20-year-old signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in 2013, and the hype started almost immediately.

Torres made his debut in 2014 and hit .297/.386/.440 with two home runs in 50 games at the Rookie/Single-A levels as a 17-year-old. 2015 saw Torres hit .287/.346/.376 with three homers in 126 games in Single-A. He hadn’t shown the power that scouts expected him to develop, but that changed in 2016. That year, Torres hit .270/.354/.421 with 11 HR and 21 SB in 125 games in Single-A.

Torres is yet to play a game above Single-A, but the tools and talent are real. The Yankees acquired him from the Cubs last season in the Aroldis Chapman trade, and he is the prized possession of the Yankees’ rebuild. Torres was the Cubs’ 23rd-ranked prospect by Baseball America after the 2013 season, and he has steadily climbed to the point he’s at today. The shortstop is ranked third on the MLB Pipeline list of baseball’s top 100 prospects, and he ranks fifth on the same list for Baseball America.

Torres is probably still a year away from the majors, but when he gets there, you can bet he’ll be playing shortstop everyday for the Bronx Bombers. Torres rates as a plus-defender with a plus-arm, and above average hit tools. The Yankees believe they have their heir apparent to Derek Jeter (sorry, Didi Gregorius), and he’s done nothing to indicate that they aren’t right in that summation.

 

Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros

Kyle Tucker is still just scratching the proverbial surface. The 20-year-old product of the legendary Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, was selected with the fifth pick in the 2015 Draft. He got his feet wet in Rookie-ball that year, but he hit just .246/.294/.353 with three homers and 18 SB. Last season, Tucker displayed some of the plus-tools he was believed to have when he was drafted by the Houston Astros. In 2016, Tucker hit .285/.360/.438 with nine home runs, 69 RBI and 32 SB in Single-A. Tucker has shown terrific plate discipline, and the power/speed combination that he showed last year is expected to aid the beginning of Tucker’s ascension through the minor leagues.

Tucker will likely make what is believed to be the biggest jump in the minors this year, which is from Single-A to Double-A. Regardless of how he performs there, he will likely spend much of the year at that level honing his skills. Tucker is on track to possibly make his big league debut in 2018, and the Astros are confident they have yet another budding, young star in the outfielder. He has the potential to be a top-of-the order hitter with 20/20 potential with some good on base capability.

 

Three Down - Falling Prospects

Carson Fulmer, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Carson Fulmer’s rise through the minor leagues was akin to that smart kid in your class who skipped a grade. The comparisons between Fulmer and that baby genius end there. That child probably went on to dominate the fifth grade, but Fulmer didn’t enjoy that same success in the big leagues.

Fulmer was selected eighth overall in the 2015 Draft, and it was expected that the White Sox were going to move him up through their system quickly; that they did. Palmer dominated Rookie-ball and Single-A in 2015, with a 1.96 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 23 innings. He also had a 26/9 K/BB ratio. Despite the dominance, the walks were a bit of a concern. Fulmer pitched in Double-A and Triple-A in 2016, but he also got the call to the show just a year after being drafted. Fulmer struggled at all three levels he pitched in last season. In the minors, all 21 of his appearances were starts, and he was 6-10 with a 4.63 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. He had a 104/56 K/BB ratio in 103 innings. In the major leagues, all eight of Fulmer’s games were out of the ‘pen. In 11 2/3 innings, the righty allowed 11 runs and had a 10/7 K/BB ratio.

Fulmer doesn’t throw hard enough to get by with such alarming BB-rates. He has a 4.64 BB/9 IP in 126 career minor league innings, and that total was 5.40 BB/9 IP in his brief taste of big league action last year. Fulmer stands “just” 6-feet tall, and that has had some scouts concerned about the downward trajectory he’d be able to get on his pitches. With his struggles in 2016, those concerns seem very real now. Fulmer will likely end up in a relief role in the big leagues, hurting his fantasy stock immensely. With the trades the White Sox made this offseason- acquiring the likes of Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and even Dane Dunning- Fulmer’s stock in the White Sox’ farm system is starting to plummet quickly.

 

Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Robert Stephenson was drafted in the first round way back in 2011. He turns 24 years old in the next couple of days, and the Reds are hoping that he’s able to contribute this season. Stephenson was progressing nicely through the lower levels of the minors, but his development has hit a snag in the higher levels.

In Rookie-ball and in Single-A in 2012, Stephenson had a 72/23 K/BB ratio in 65 innings, with a 3.18 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. In 2013, Stephenson was very impressive in Single-A, with a 2.67 ERA in 97 2/3 innings at that level. That year, he got a taste of Double-A ball, and started to show his first signs of trouble. In four starts there, he had a 4.86 ERA and 13 BB in 16 2/3 innings. 2014 was Stephenson’s first full year at the Double-A level, and he struggled once again. He had a 4.76 ERA and a 4.87 BB/9 IP in 136 2/3 innings. Despite the struggles, he saw time in both Double-A and Triple-A in 2015. His walk rate was once again an alarming 4.70 BB/9 IP, which led to a 3.83 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Last season was another one to forget for Robert Stephenson. He bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the big leagues, and he had a 4.41 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 136 2/3 innings. That came with a 4.68 BB/9 IP and his K-rate dropped to a career-low 7.90 K/9 IP. In his eight big league starts in 2016, Stephenson had a 31/19 K/BB ratio in 37 inning, and had a 6.08 ERA.

Stephenson is expected to be a part of the Reds’ rotation this season, but if his control issues and struggles in the higher levels of the minors and in the major leagues are any indication, he likely won’t provide much value. His stock is on the way down, and at this rate, his only future (if any) in the big leagues, appears to be as a relief pitcher.

 

Forrest Wall, 2B, Colorado Rockies

Forrest Wall was on almost every top-100 prospect list just a year ago, but his stock has experienced a big drop. The second baseman spent all of 2016 in High-A, and he disappointed with a .264/.329/.355 slash-line, with just six homers (26 extra-base hits) and 22 SB. That came after he hit .286/.366/.439 in Single-A in 2015. Wall has seen his BB-rate fall every season, and has had a corresponding increase in K-rate every season as well. He hasn’t played a day above Single-A yet and the struggles have already started. The 21-year-old is still young enough to put everything together and realize his true potential. A big plus for Wall is that his left-handed bat has shown a fair bit of competence against left-handed pitchers, and his defense appears to be good enough to play at the highest level. The minor leagues are not littered with stud second base prospects, so the Rockies could be patient enough with Wall to give him a couple of years to develop. That said, his value as it stands today is considerably lower than what it was just a year ago.




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

Scottie Scheffler

The Untouchable Favorite At CJ Cup
Tom Kim

A Popular Name To Avoid At TPC Craig Ranch
Austin Eckroat

Looking To Find Success Again At TPC Craig Ranch
Ben Kohles

Finishes Tied For 59 At Corales Puntacana Championship
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For Second At Corales Puntacana Championship
Beau Hossler

Finishes Tied For 60 At Valero Texas Open
Doug Ghim

Finishes Tied For 18 At the Valero Texas Open
Jordan Spieth

Finishes Tied For 18 At RBC Heritage
Kurt Kitayama

Misses The Cut At Valero Texas Open
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied For Eighth At RBC Heritage
George Kirby

"Feeling Great", Could Throw Again On Sunday
Tyler Fitzgerald

Returning To Starting Nine
Josh Lowe

Progressing Well, Could Play In Rehab Games On Saturday
Shane McClanahan

Begins "Throwing-Like" Activities
Patrik Laine

Remains Day-To-Day
Gabriel Vilardi

On Track To Return Wednesday
Brandon Hagel

Ruled Out For Game 5
Marcus Johansson

Returns To Action Tuesday
Cole Ragans

Won't Start On Wednesday
Dylan Moore

Placed On 10-Day Injured List With Hip Inflammation
Jonas Siegenthaler

Considered A Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Brett Pesce

A Game-Time Call Tuesday
Yordan Alvarez

Back In Tuesday's Lineup
Frederik Andersen

Unavailable Tuesday
Aaron Nesmith

Upgraded To Available
Las Vegas Raiders

Jack Bech A Strong Candidate To Be An Immediate Starter
Las Vegas Raiders

Zamir White Competing For Depth Role
New York Jets

Mason Taylor To Immediately Be Atop Jets Tight End Depth Chart
Bennedict Mathurin

Cleared For Game 5
Buffalo Bills

Dalton Kincaid Setting Up As Post-Hype Sleeper In 2025?
Denver Broncos

Dre Greenlaw Expected To Be Ready For Training Camp
Seattle Seahawks

Sam Darnold To Take Over 90% Of The Snaps
Tennessee Titans

Titans In No Rush To Trade Will Levis
Daulton Varsho

Reinstated From Injured List And Starting On Tuesday
Minnesota Vikings

J.J. McCarthy Says He Knows He's Ready To Start For Vikings
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Picking Up Fifth-Year Option On Dax Hill
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Apply Unrestricted Free-Agent Tender To J.K. Dobbins
Seattle Seahawks

Jaren Hall Cut Loose By Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs Compare Josh Simmons To Christian Darrisaw, Rashawn Slater
Denver Broncos

Pat Bryant Compared To Michael Thomas
Denver Broncos

RJ Harvey Could Do It All For Broncos
Carolina Panthers

Tetairoa McMillan Likely To Man The X Spot For Panthers
Green Bay Packers

Packers, Jaire Alexander Continue To Discuss Potential Reunion
Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys Discussed George Pickens With Steelers
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs To Pick Up Fifth-Year Option On Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis
Washington Commanders

Matt Gays Signs One-Year Deal With Commanders
San Francisco 49ers

George Kittle Signs Four-Year Extension With 49ers
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Records Third Consecutive Double-Double
Brandin Podziemski

Hits Six Treys During 26-Point Performance
Jimmy Butler III

Leads Warriors In Scoring Monday Night
Jarrett Allen

Has Double-Double, Six Steals In Blowout Win
Brandon Boston Jr.

Recovering From Ankle Surgery
Kelly Olynyk

Undergoes Heel Procedure
Aaron Nesmith

Probable For Tuesday's Action
Nathan MacKinnon

Has Two Points In Losing Effort
Martin Necas

Records Two Assists In Game 5 Loss
Mikko Rantanen

Tallies Three Points In Monday's Win
Wyatt Johnston

Leads Stars To Game 5 Victory
Sergei Bobrovsky

Returns To Winning Ways
Anton Lundell

Earns Two Points Monday
Ryan Gerard

Going For A Texas Trifecta Of Sorts
Brandon Hagel

Departs Loss Early
Joe Highsmith

Hoping To Make More Putts In Texas
Eric Cole

Expecting Big Things In Texas
Brian Campbell

May Go Under The Radar At CJ Cup
Riley Greene

Homers Twice On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

Exits Monday's Win Early
Los Angeles Chargers

Tre Harris Expected To Fill X Role For Chargers
Jimmy Butler III

Officially Active For Game 4
Isaiah Stewart

Uncertain For Game 5
Michael Porter Jr.

Expected To Play In Game 5
Brandon Nimmo

Has Career Game
Russell Westbrook

Questionable For Tuesday Night
Tyler Glasnow

Going On The Injured List
Jaylen Brown

Back On The Injury Report
Jrue Holiday

Out Again On Tuesday Night
Bennedict Mathurin

Questionable For Game 5
Damian Lillard

May Not Play Next Season
Luis Arraez

Expected To Return On Tuesday
Johnathan Kovacevic

To Remain Out Tuesday
Brenden Dillon

Unavailable Tuesday
Luke Hughes

Not Ready To Return For Game 5
Darius Garland

Remains Out On Monday
Ross Colton

Remains Out On Monday
Oskar Bäck

Oskar Back Returns To Stars Lineup Monday
Miro Heiskanen

To Miss Game 5
Jordan Westburg

Placed On Injured List
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go For Game 4
William Byron

Ends With A Strong Top-Five Finish At Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Bad Luck Continues With Talladega Crash
Kyle Larson

Has A Career-Best Performance At Talladega
Ian Machado Garry

Gets Back On Track With UFC Kansas City Win
Brad Keselowski

Talladega Run Ends Early After Crashing
Carlos Prates

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Zhang Mingyang

Still Undefeated In The UFC
Anthony Smith

Retires After UFC Kansas City Loss
Giga Chikadze

Takes Unanimous Decision Loss
Giga Chikadze

Takes Unanimous-Decision Loss
David Onama

Extends Win Streak At UFC Kansas City
Michel Pereira

Drops Decision At UFC Kansas City
Abus Magomedov

Extends His Win Streak
Nicolas Dalby

Gets Finished For The First Time
Randy Brown

Gets Back In The Win Column
Ikram Aliskerov

Gets First-Round TKO Finish At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Gets TKO'd At UFC Kansas City
Chase Elliott

Recovers from Speeding Penalty to Finish Fifth
Joey Logano

Finishes Last at Talladega After Disqualification for Missing Spoiler Brace
Ryan Preece

Loses Talladega Race First in Photo Finish Then in Post-Race Inspection
NASCAR

Poor Toyota Strategy Arguably Cost Bubba Wallace Winning Chances at Talladega
Christopher Bell

Unhurt After Hard Contact with Inside Retaining Wall
Joe Ryan

Posts Stellar Outing
Jaylen Brown

Available For Game 4
Nick Lodolo

Throws Seven Scoreless Innings
Tyler Glasnow

Removed Early On Sunday
Darius Garland

Questionable For Game 4
Jaden Ivey

Making Progress
Tarik Skubal

Racks Up 11 Strikeouts
Luke Weaver

In Line To Get The Bulk Of Save Opportunities Moving Forward
Devin Williams

Removed From Closer Role
Chase Elliott

Is One OF The Top Overall DFS Picks Of The Week
Joey Logano

Could Joey Logano Finish A Race With A Top Finish At Talladega?
NASCAR

DFS Players Should Like Bubba Wallace For Talladega This Week
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Players Roster Christopher Bell At Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Is Austin Cindric Worth Rostering For Talladega DFS Lineups?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Is A Solid, Safe, DFS Choice For Talladega Lineups
Austin Dillon

Is Austin Dillon A Viable DFS Play At Talladega This Week?
Josh Berry

Qualifies Too High At Talladega To Be Worth Rostering In DFS
Michael McDowell

Should DFS Players Take A Shot On Michael McDowell At Talladega?
Noah Gragson

Could Be A Sneaky DFS Play For Talladega
Denny Hamlin

Probably Qualified Too Well for DFS Consideration
Kyle Larson

Increasingly Undervalued Due to His Crashing, but Still a Great DFS Option
Austin Hays

Smacks Two Homers On Saturday
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF