Eric Cross' Top 100 Dynasty Prospect Rankings for Fantasy Baseball (January 2025)

January 22, 2025

Eric Cross' updated top 100 dynasty prospect rankings for fantasy baseball (January 2025 updated). These are the top MLB prospects to target in dynasty leagues for 2025 and beyond.

The calendar has flipped over to 2025, and the new season is quickly approaching. Pitchers and catchers all report in around three weeks and we can finally start to smell baseball in the air once again. With the new season on the way, it's time for a new update to my Top 100 overall prospect rankings here on RotoBaller. There has been plenty of movement since my last update with some fresh faces joining the list as well.

These rankings are geared toward standard 5x5 leagues (AVG) and consider many factors, including performance to date, scouting grades, future projection, and video and data analysis. Or, as I like to call it... "PPP," which stands for profile, performance, and projection.

While these rankings are more slanted towards long-term fantasy value, proximity and short-term value do play a part in where a prospect lands in my rankings. If you want to see the full Top 500, then head on over to my Patreon!

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Top 100 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Prospects

Prospect notes and analysis can be found in the rankings table below.

Prospect Eligibility: Less than 130 MLB AB or 50 IP (I'm ignoring service time)
Rankings Updated: January 2025

Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings Notes

Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians

It might surprise you to see Chase DeLauter in my Top 10 overall given all the injuries. Yes, those are a red flag moving forward, but if healthy, DeLauter would likely be in my Top 5 or already have graduated off the list and contributing for the Guardians.

Chase DeLauter onto the berm!

MLB's No. 31 prospect now has a 1.462 OPS for the @CleGuardians this spring. pic.twitter.com/Xl5NFoFP8R

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 12, 2024

While he played just 39 games overall, DeLauter smacked 10 doubles and eight home runs with a .238 ISO and nearly as many walks (19) as strikeouts (22). DeLauter brings an elite blend of contact, approach, power, and speed to the table, grading as above average or better in all four. In 2024, DeLauter posted a contact rate of around 86% in Double-A and 92% in Triple-A, albeit in a small sample size.

Staying healthy is obviously a major piece of the puzzle for any baseball player but DeLauter is a no-doubt top 10 prospect talent in my eyes given the blend of skills I mentioned above. If he's able to put these durability concerns behind him, DeLauter has all the tools to become an early-round fantasy player someday. Now is a great time to buy in dynasty leagues while his perceived value and price tag are reasonable.

Zyhir Hope, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

The breakout for Zyhir Hope was special to watch and it was great to see him live out in the Arizona Fall League as well. In 61 games between the Complex Level and Lo-A, Hope slashed .290/.419/.484 with 16 doubles, nine home runs, and nine steals before smacking five more home runs in 23 AFL games.

Zyhir Hope BP. #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/8qYzTCfJtK

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) October 29, 2024

Hope brings big-time raw power to the table with elite exit velocities for his age and he also maximizes his power by driving the ball in the air consistently, especially to his pull side (51.6%).

I'm not sure if he'll be more than a 10-12 stolen base threat long-term, but Hope's elite power, solid contact (75-76%), and advanced approach are highly intriguing moving forward. He also demonstrated an advanced approach with a 15.1% walk rate and 22.8% strikeout rate.

There are some slight concerns with his ability to do damage on breaking balls, but Hope is still young. The long-term upside is a middle-of-the-order bat that hits for both a good average and plenty of power with a bit of speed added in as well.

Josue Briceño, 1B, Detroit Tigers

Without question, the best hitter out in the Arizona Fall League this year was Josue Briceño of the Detroit Tigers. A sprained knee limited Briceño to only 40 minor league games in 2024 where he hit .278 with a .381 OBP and a pair of home runs for Lo-A Lakeland. Two home runs in 40 games aren't exactly refrigerator material but Briceño posted an impressive 89.8 mph AVG EV, 42.3% hard-hit rate, and an 82% contact rate.

Josue Briceño with a hard double down the right field line.#RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/PmIn18hrnn

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) October 31, 2024

Out in the Arizona Fall League, Briceño easily won the league's MVP award, slashing .433/.509/.867 with 10 home runs and leading the league in nearly every offensive category. He's probably a first baseman long-term and not a catcher, but this profile will fit just fine at first base given Briceño's above-average hit tool and plus power.

This is probably going to be the last time you can acquire him for a non top-50 prospect price tag in dynasty leagues.

Jaison Chourio, OF, Cleveland Guardians

If you're looking for a prospect currently outside of my Top 50 with the upside to rise into the Top 25 this season, Jaison Chourio is a good player to navigate to. In 98 Lo-A games in 2024, Chourio slashed .270/.414/.398 with 24 doubles, five home runs, and 44 steals. On top of that, Chourio had more walks (86) than strikeouts (69) and is showing he's well more advanced than nearly every other prospect his age.

While Chourio brings an exciting blend of contact (81), elite approach, and plus speed, his power is the true X-Factor for his fantasy value long-term.

Chourio has shown flashed of power at times, but not very consistently in 2024. However, a picture of Chourio was posted in mid-January in which he appeared to be notably stronger than he was in 2024. If Chourio can take a step forward in the power department in 2025, he's going to join the elite ranks for prospects.

Alejandro Osuna, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

I'm not one to make large ranking changes due to Arizona Fall League performances, but seeing Alejandro Osuna live made it very clear to me that my ranking of him was too low. Osuna was one of the most impressive players I scouted in 2024 and was a tough out in every at-bat I saw out in Arizona.

Alejandro Osuna highlights from my time at the Arizona Fall League.

This is a prospect to buy now in dynasty leagues as he's underrated and on the rise.#FantasyBaseball #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/VVu7gtjWZF

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) November 11, 2024

In 102 games last season between Hi-A and Double-A, Osuna picked up 24 doubles, 18 home runs, and 17 steals with a .292/.362/.507 slash line. He's a bit on the smaller side but Osuna packs a punch at the plate and was hitting the ball hard all over the field in my live looks. He doesn't possess big-time power, but he's an above-average runner with above-average contact skills and around average raw power.

This is a sum-of-the-parts type of profile with Osuna and one that I believe is going to turn into a solid Major League outfielder.

Jarlin Susana, P, Washington Nationals

Every time I update my prospect rankings; Jarlin Susana sneaks a bit higher. He's one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the game right now given his blazing fastball that can touch triple-digits along with a serviceable changeup and a plus slider. However, Susana's command and control could use further refinement.

In 2024, Susana posted a 4.34 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, but those came with a 2.35 FIP, 2.55 xFIP, 59.9% groundball rate, and a 17.5% swinging strike rate that was the highest mark in the minors last season. If Susana is able to take a step forward with his command and control in 2025, he has the potential to be a Top-5 pitching prospect by the end of the season.

If you enjoyed these rankings and want to see the full Top 500 along with additional rankings, analysis, and more, check out Eric's Toolshed Fantasy Patreon.

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