RADIO
It’s almost time to bid adieu to 2019 so it’s a great time to revisit the top dynasty prospects in baseball. The 2019 season saw a lot of stud prospects reach the Major Leagues, such as Fernando Tatis Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Peter Alonso, Yordan Alvarez… the list goes on and on.
And as good as their rookie seasons were, many of those prospects will get even better and their impacts will be felt for years to come. It will be difficult to duplicate that wave of talent that reached The Show in 2019 but there is plenty of talent brewing in the minor leagues. In fact, there is another impressive group of prospects that should reach the Majors in 2020, but that’s an article for another day.
The talent train from the minor leagues to the Majors is never-ending so let’s all enjoy the perpetual ride. The list of tomorrow’s stars is led by a Rays prospect that can rival the future potentials of Tatis Jr. or Guerrero Jr. — giving us an unprecedented three generational talents in a very short span of time. Remember to also check out RotoBaller's Top 250 Dynasty Prospect Rankings.
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MLB Dynasty Prospect Rankings (1-5)
1. Wander Franco, SS, Rays (ETA: 2020)
Franco retains top spot among the best dynasty prospects in baseball. He is an incredibly-well-rounded player who will provide value in just about every fantasy baseball category. The 2020 ETA may seem aggressive but this is an 18-year-old player who hit .339 with a BB-K of 26-15 in 52 High-A ball games in 2019. In other words, he didn’t just hold his own, he dominated the competition. He’ll likely start the year in Double-A and, if he stays healthy, could be punching his ticket to the Majors by July.
2. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Padres (ETA: 2021)
Gore chewed up A-ball hitters as a 20-year-old hurler in 2019 but found the Double-A competition a little more challenging. With that said, it was only five starts and he’ll return to that level to open up the 2020 season where he’ll look to improve his command and avoid the long ball. Gore has the stuff to be a No. 1 pitcher for the Padres for years to come.
3. Luis Robert, OF, White Sox (ETA: 2020)
Robert may ride some wild ups-and-downs early on in his MLB career but he’s a rare legitimate 30-30 (HR-SB) player. His electric bat speed could help him challenge Jorge Soler for the title of most powerful Cuban-born player in the Majors. Robert’s massive line-drive rates and above-average foot speed suggest he could post strong BABIP rates which should help compensate for his swing-and-miss tendencies.
4. Gavin Lux, SS, Dodgers (ETA: 2020)
Lux reportedly has been deemed untouchable in trade talks with other teams and it’s easy to see why. He posted an OPS of more than 1.000 during the 2019 season and spent the second half of the minor league season in Triple-A where he hit .392 in 49 games. His ability to hit for both power and average is unrivaled among other middle infield prospects — with the exception of Franco above, who has yet to fully tap into his raw power.
5. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mariners (ETA: 2021)
Kelenic continues to see his value rise and his trade from the Mets to the Mariners could go down as one of the biggest steals in recent memory. He spent the majority of 2019 at the age of 19 and played at three levels while topping out in Double-A. Kelenic produces for average, power, steals and posts strong on-base numbers. He’s a younger version of Kyle Tucker with a little less swing-and-miss to his game.
MLB Dynasty Prospect Rankings (6-10)
6. Nate Pearson, RHP, Blue Jays (ETA: 2020)
Pearson is an absolute monster who can hit triple-digits while backing up the heat with a couple of above-average breaking balls. He also has good control for a young power pitcher. Pearson was brought along gently in 2019 after missing most of 2018 due to injuries but he should be good for 150 innings in 2020 and will eventually become a workhorse for the Jays.
7. Brendan McKay, LHP/1B, Rays (ETA: 2020)
The American League East is no easy place to pitch but McKay held his own during his first taste of big-league action in 2019. It’s important to remember that this lefty split his focus between hitting and pitching up until last year so he likely has more untapped potential than your typical 23-year-old hurler. With improved command, which should be helped by the narrowed focus, McKay could really take off in 2020.
8. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Athletics (ETA: 2020)
Luzardo’s return from a serious shoulder injury was good to see but the A’s will likely continue to be cautious with him in 2020. If he can get through the coming season without any related injuries then it bodes well for his future. When healthy, Luzardo displays excellent stuff combined with above-average control.
9. Matt Manning, RHP, Tigers (ETA: 2020)
Manning is just 21 years old but stands 6-foot-6 and has prototypical power-pitcher stuff with a mid-90s fastball and excellent curveball. The young hurler also shows above-average control for his age thanks to his strong athleticism on the mound. Manning may only be scratching the surface on his potential.
10. Casey Mize, RHP, Tigers (ETA: 2020)
Mize isn’t quite as dynamic as his teammate Manning, but the former first-overall draft pick has a deep repertoire and a history of success. Mize battled through some injury concerns in 2019 but he could reach the Majors with three plus offers. Inconsistent command has kept him from racking up massive strikeout rates to date but those should rise as he matures as a pitcher.
MLB Dynasty Prospect Rankings (11-15)
11. Jo Adell, OF, Angels (ETA: 2020)
Adell is a strong athlete with outstanding makeup. His 2019 season was hindered by injuries but he still reached Triple-A near the end of the season. He started to show more power last season and should eventually possess 20-25 home run potential once he starts hitting fly balls more consistently.
12. Carter Kieboom, SS, Nationals (ETA: 2020)
With Anthony Rendon now with the Angels, the Nationals’ infield has quite a few holes and Kieboom should have a golden opportunity to seize a starting gig in 2020. The young infielder showed in 2019 that he’s a strong hitter who will post excellent on-base numbers. He’s still tapping into his raw power but there are 20-25 home runs waiting to happen here.
13. Andrew Vaughn, 1B, White Sox (ETA: 2021)
The third overall pick in the 2019 amateur draft, Vaughn joined a loaded White Sox system. The organization pushed him perhaps a little too aggressively after he signed and he played at three levels and topped out in High-A ball. When he really gets going, Vaughn will hit for power, average and produce strong on-base numbers.
14. Julio Rodriguez, OF, Mariners (ETA: 2021)
Still just 18, Rodriguez hit .326 while playing at two A-ball levels in 2019. He also showed impressive power for his age with 12 home runs in just 84 games (He missed time after being hit by a pitch). Rodriguez should reach double-A at some point in 2020 and is poised to become a breakout star, especially if he can tone down his aggressiveness a little bit.
15. Riley Greene, OF, Tigers (ETA: 2022)
The Tigers’ system is brimming with good, young pitching prospects but Greene gives the organization hope on the hitting side. Selected fifth overall in the 2019 draft, he shows an advanced feel for hitting and could be a relatively quick mover for a prep pick. He has impressive raw power but needs to make some adjustments to hit more fly balls and fully tap into his over-the-fence pop.
MLB Dynasty Prospect Rankings (16-20)
16. Alex Kirilloff, OF, Twins (ETA: 2020)
Kirilloff failed to build off his massive 2018 season thanks to a series of lingering injuries. With a full offseason to recharge, he should be back to mashing for power and average in 2020. The left-handed hitter is just one year removed from hitting .348 at two A-ball levels.
17. Luis Patino, RHP, Padres (ETA: 2021)
Patino pitched the entire 2019 at the age of 19 while reaching Double-A late in the season. He also showed the ability to hit 96-97 mph with two average-or-better breaking balls. Despite his inexperience, the young hurler overpowered the competition and struck out 123 batters in 94.2 innings.
18. Alec Bohm, 3B, Phillies (ETA: 2020)
Selected third overall in the 2018 draft, Bohm enjoyed a strong first full season in pro ball by playing at three levels and reaching Double-A. Overall, he showed an excellent hitting ability while producing power, average and posting a promising BB-K of 57-73 in 125 games.
19. Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Marlins (ETA: 2020)
Sanchez hasn’t produced elite strikeout numbers to date but he has above-average control and induces a high number of ground-ball outs. Those two skills should help him combat the long ball that’s become so prevalent in the Majors. He also has a chance to reach The Show with three above-average offerings.
20. A.J. Puk, LHP, Athletics (ETA: 2020)
Puk made a triumphant return from Tommy John surgery in 2019 although he spent the majority of the year in the bullpen. He should return to a starting role in 2020 where he’ll look to polish a third pitch to go with his two plus offerings (fastball and slider).
MLB Dynasty Prospect Rankings (21-25)
21. Nick Madrigal, 2B, White Sox (ETA: 2020)
Madrigal is one of the best pure hitters on this list. He makes an incredible amount of contact and struck out just 16 times in 120 games. The young second baseman played at three levels in 2019 and reached Triple-A in his first full season as a pro. Madrigal also added 35 stolen bases.
22. Dustin May, RHP, Dodgers (ETA: 2020)
May has a chance to solidify a spot in the Dodgers’ starting rotation in 2020 as a 22-year-old. When he realizes his full potential, he should have three or four above-average pitches and plus control. May also induces ground-balls at a high rate.
23. Brendan Rodgers, 2B/SS, Rockies (ETA: 2020)
Recovery from shoulder surgery could cut into Rodgers’ 2020 season but it hopefully won’t have any long-term impact. The young infielder has shown the ability to hit for both power and average. If he sticks in Colorado, his home park will obviously provide a little added boost, as well.
24. Cristian Pache, OF, Braves (ETA: 2020)
Pache is still more projection than production but he started to show his raw potential in 2019 despite being incredibly young for both Double-A and Triple-A. Just 20, he held his own with a .277 batting average while reaching career highs in doubles (36) and home runs (12).
25. J.J. Bleday, OF, Marlins (ETA: 2022)
Bleday enjoyed a massive spike in power during his junior year of college and was selected fourth overall by the Marlins in the 2019 draft. He didn’t display as much pop after turning pro but he showed a solid approach at the plate nonetheless while being challenged with an assignment to High-A ball.
MLB Dynasty Prospect Rankings (26-30)
26. Brusdar Graterol, RHP, Twins (ETA: 2020)
Injuries cut into Graterol’s 2019 season and he threw just 61 innings in the minors. However, he then added another 9.2 innings at the MLB level. He showed he can help the Twins right now as a reliever but likely needs to polish a third pitch before realizing his full potential as a starter (improved conditioning would also help).
27. Ian Anderson, RHP, Braves (ETA: 2020)
Anderson used his three better-than-average offerings to produce 172 strikeouts in 135.2 innings in 2019. He spent most of the year in Double-A but reached Triple-A late in the season at the age of 21. Anderson’s control needs additional focus before he realizes his full potential.
28. Michael Kopech, RHP, White Sox (ETA: 2020)
Kopech didn’t pitch in 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. If he returns at full strength, he has the ceiling of a No. 1 or 2 starter, especially if he can find a third reliable offering to go with his overpowering fastball and slider.
29. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Orioles (ETA: 2022)
Just 20, Rodriguez is already built like an innings-eating beast. His fastball can hit 97 mph and he shows three other pitches that could develop into average-or-better offerings. He could jump on the fast track in 2020 after spending all of 2019 in Low-A ball as a 20-year-old.
30. Joey Bart, C, Giants (ETA: 2020)
The top catching prospect in baseball, for now, Bart is almost ready to take some of the catching load from Buster Posey. The young catcher had his season interrupted by injury and he ended up playing in just 79 games. Still, he reached Double-A in his first full pro season and showed off his plus power with 16 home runs.
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