👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Five Potential Quick Risers from 2017 MLB Amateur Draft

With the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft in the books, it’s time to begin to look at the players who could make a fantasy impact sooner rather than later.

Since 2010, only Chris Sale and Brandon Finnegan debuted in the same year in which they were drafted, but plenty of players have made the jump the following season. As of June 20, no one from the class of 2016 has reached the Majors, and the few ’15 draftees who rose quickly — most notable Dansby Swanson, Alex Bregman and Andrew Benintendi — elevated to that level by June or July.

Assuming no one from the 2017 class exceeds expectations, these five guys could crack the big leagues at some point in 2018.

Featured Promo: Save 50% the regular price with discount code SPRING, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW

 

2017 Draft Picks

Seth Romero, RHP, Washington Nationals

Romero’s college career was littered with off-the-field issues — which culminated in his dismissal from the University of Houston — but there’s no denying his talent. His fastball-slider combo baffled college hitters, and with a little more progression with his changeup could provide Romero with an arsenal as complete as that of any pitcher in this class. The Nationals have the worst bullpen ERA in the National League, and if Romero impresses in the minors over the next couple of months, he could be called upon as early as this season.

Of course, if Washington acquires a closer at the deadline, Romero would hold no short-term fantasy value, but if Dusty Baker’s squad is still struggling to record outs in the eighth and ninth innings, the 21-year-old southpaw could be worth a speculative add in NL-only and keeper/dynasty formats. Regardless, Romero should be capable of reaching the bigs in some capacity by next season.

Kyle Wright, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, Wright ultimately fell to the Braves at No. 5. He will be joining an elite crop of young arms, headlined by the recently-promoted Sean Newcomb. Still, Kolby Allard, Mike Soroka and Ian Anderson are all a few years from the bigs, so Wright, who is considered to be as MLB-ready as they come — could jump to the top of the priority list. The 21-year-old Vanderbilt product boasts a polished, four-pitch repertoire, and has dominated for three years at the college level.

Jaime Garcia, Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey are all but locks to no longer be with the club come 2018, so it is not out of the realm of possibility for Wright to slide into one of those rotation spots by this time next season, even with some steep competition.

J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, Houston Astros

After posting a 2.53 ERA with a 9-1 record and 116 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings, Bukauskas was a finalist for the Dick Howser trophy. However, he faltered a bit down the stretch, with his final college season culminating in a surprising regionals loss to Davidson in which he was tagged for six runs in just 3 2/3 innings.

Still, the 21-year-old is capable of dominance at even the highest level. Bukauskas’ slider is MLB-ready, and if the first-place Astros find themselves in need of a bullpen arm later in the season, the North Carolina standout could full that void. Some fear his lack of a third effective pitch — although his changeup has improved over the last year — will lead him to a life in the ‘pen, but regardless, that could be where he begins his career. Bukauskas could be worth adding in keeper and dynasty leagues later in the season, as he can potentially carve out some sort of full-time role by next season.

Brendan McKay, 1B/LHP, Tampa Bay Rays

McKay was voted not only the best two-way player in the country, but the best overall player, period. He crushed 17 homers with a 1.106 OPS and posted a 2.56 ERA across 109 innings in his junior year at Louisville. Despite the exciting possibility of a real two-way player in Major League Baseball, the 21-year-old is expected to be developed into a full-time first baseman.

If the Rays ultimately turn him into a pitcher, however, McKay’s path to the majors would certainly be prolonged, but his offensive game is as polished as you will find, and he profiles as someone who could have success at the plate right away. With Logan Morrison set to hit free agency after this season, mid-2018 seems like a reasonable point of arrival for the potential superstar— even with potential first basemen Jake Bauers and Casey Gillaspie waiting patiently in Durham.

Evan White, 1B, Seattle Mariners

White came off the board at No. 17 overall, drafted by the Seattle Mariners. The 21-year-old first baseman batted a massive .373 with 10 homers and five steals across 212 at-bats for Kentucky this past season. He possesses above-average athleticism for his position, and has the makings of a five-tool player. Danny Valencia is in the midst of yet another mediocre season, and regardless of whether or not the free agent-to-be is dealt before the July 31 deadline, Seattle should be in position for a young bat to take over going forward.

Daniel Vogelbach would likely get first crack at the starting job, but the 24-year-old power hitter didn’t exactly impress when called upon earlier this season. White has the glove to be a Major League asset even if his bat needs some time to adjust, and while it’s unlikely he makes the jump this year, it wouldn’t be a shock for the former Kentucky first baseman to compete for the job in early 2018.

 

More Top MLB Prospects & Rookies




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Giancarlo Stanton

Heading to Injured List With Calf Strain
NFL

Mike Vrabel Returns to the Patriots on Monday
Tyree Wilson

Heading into Contract Year With New Team
Calijah Kancey

Buccaneers Pick Up Fifth-Year Option on Calijah Kancey
Jalen Carter

Eagles Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Jalen Carter
Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Pick Up Nolan Smith's Fifth-Year Option
Keon Coleman

Bills Aren't Giving Up on Keon Coleman
Aaron Rodgers

Former Steelers Coach Thinks Aaron Rodgers Will Return to Pittsburgh
Chris Gotterup

Looks to Continue Big-Game Hunting at Cadillac Championship
George Pickens

hasn't Signed his Franchise Tag With Dallas
Jason Day

Looks to Bring Experience Back to the Blue Monster
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Remains Highly Rated by Heat
Aaron Gordon

Won't Play Monday Night
Tyler Herro

to Undergo "Preemptive Procedure" on Foot
Cameron Young

Returns to Action For Cadillac Championship
Travis Bazzana

Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana
Bam Adebayo

Remains Untouchable for Heat
Sam Burns

Looks to Have Big Impact at PGA Tour's Return to Doral
Anthony Edwards

Officially Listed as Week-to-Week
Jordan Goodwin

Still Out Monday
Cooper Flagg

Wins Rookie of the Year Award
Kevin Huerter

is Available to Play in Game 4
Joel Embiid

is Probable for Game 5
Austin Reaves

Could Return for Game 5
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Officially Won't Play During First-Round Series
Jonathan Isaac

to Remain Out for Game 4
Will Smith

Back in Action in Series Opener Against Marlins
Josh Naylor

Back in Starting Lineup on Monday
Jason Zucker

Probable for Game 5 Against Bruins
Josh Norris

Could Return to Action Tuesday
Nikita Zadorov

Questionable for Game 5
Viktor Arvidsson

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Nils Lundkvist

Won't Play Tuesday
Yakov Trenin

Could Be an Option Tuesday
Mats Zuccarello

Questionable for Game 5
Carson Hocevar

Scores his First Career NASCAR Cup Series Victory at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Misses out on Winning at Talladega by Finishing Second
Alex Bowman

Earns First Top-Five Finish at Talladega Since Returning From Injury
Chase Elliott

Scores A Fourth-Place Finish at Talladega
Zane Smith

Nabs First Top-Five Finish of the 2026 Season at Talladega
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Does Marvin Harrison Jr. Still Carry High-End Dynasty Upside?
Marquise Brown

Sliding Down Eagles' Depth Chart Following 2026 Draft
Darnell Mooney

Carries Deep-League Buy-Low Upside into 2026
Christian Kirk

Role in San Francisco in Question Following NFL Draft?
CFB

Texas Tech Quarterback Brendan Sorsby Enters Rehab
Youssef Zalal

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Brashard Smith

Facing an Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Kansas City
Aljamain Sterling

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Rashee Rice

Can Rashee Rice Put Together a Full Season of Production in 2026?
Norma Dumont

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Scores Upset Win
Alexander Hernandez

Gets Dominated
Alexander Hernandez

Rafa Garcia Dominates Alexander Hernandez
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Gets Back In The Win Column
Manny Machado

Clubs Two Homers, Starting to Turn Things Around?
Kyren Williams

Becoming a Better Dynasty Value by the Day
Ben Sinnott

Is it Time to Move on From Ben Sinnott?
Sam Darnold

Still a Reliable Dynasty Hold
Brandon Hagel

Pops Up With Two Goals in Sunday's Win
Justin Fields

Could Dynasty Managers See One More Sell Window for Justin Fields?
Nathan MacKinnon

Records Three Points in Series-Clincher
Dallas Goedert

a Dynasty Bargain After Flurry of Eagles' Moves
Bowen Byram

Extends Goal Streak to Three Games
John Carlson

Delivers Two Assists in Game 4 Victory
Connor McDavid

Bags Pair of Power-Play Assists in 100th Playoff Game
Jason Zucker

Makes Early Exit in Blowout Win
De'Aaron Fox

Notches Game-High 28 Points Sunday
Joel Embiid

Returns With Double-Double
Jayson Tatum

Logs 30-Point Double-Double in Sunday's Win
LeBron James

Quiet in Game 4 Loss to Rockets
Julius Randle

Handed $35K Fine for His Part in Game 4 Altercation
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fined $50K for Game 4 Incident
Collin Murray-Boyles

Continues to Shine for Raptors
Deni Avdija

Returns to Form Sunday
Victor Wembanyama

Stuffs Stat Sheet in His Return
Emil Andrae

Expected to Rejoin Flyers Lineup Monday
Matvei Michkov

Set to Be Scratched for Game 5
Radko Gudas

Remains Sidelined Sunday
Jason Dickinson

a Game-Time Decision Sunday
Maxwell Crozier

to Replace Declan Carlile Sunday
Alexander Nikishin

Diagnosed With Concussion
Viktor Arvidsson

Exits Early Sunday
Theo Johnson

a Dynasty Faller After Busy Giants Offseason
Kyle Monangai

Remains a Dynasty Hold
Logan O'Hoppe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List Due to Left-Wrist Fracture
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Talladega?
NASCAR

Is Bubba Wallace Playable in Talladega DFS Lineups?
Josh Naylor

Absent on Sunday With Quad Tightness
Ryan Helsley

Returns From Bereavement List on Sunday
Steven Kwan

Back in Sunday's Lineup
Brent Rooker

Activated and Starting on Sunday Against Rangers
Roman Anthony

Returns as DH on Sunday
Tyler Reddick

Stay Away From Tyler Reddick at Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Shake Off The Bad Luck at Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Could Contend For Another Talladega Win
Kyle Busch

an Easy DFS Pick at Talladega
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. a High-Risk, High-Reward Pick at Talladega
Todd Gilliland

a Sleeper to Watch at Talladega
Brad Keselowski

Is Brad Keselowski Worth Rostering for Talladega Lineups?
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Talladega Lineups?
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Managers Trust Christopher Bell at Talladega?
Ty Gibbs

Is A DFS Risk for Talladega Lineups
Arturs Silovs

Steps in and Saves Pittsburgh on Saturday
Boston Red Sox

Red Sox Fire Manager Alex Cora and Other Coaches
Steven Kwan

Scratched With Neck Stiffness
Trey Yesavage

Returning From Injured List on Tuesday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Heading to the Injured List With Oblique Strain
MLB

Saturday's Mets-Rockies Game Postponed Due to Weather
Giancarlo Stanton

Exits With Leg Tightness on Friday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Scratched on Friday With Mid-Back Pain
Jackson Holliday

Receives Positive Test Results, Will be Shut Down for a Week
Jeff Hoffman

Out as Blue Jays Closer
Youssef Zalal

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Main Event
Aljamain Sterling

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Co-Main Event
Norma Dumont

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Alexander Hernandez

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 116
Rafa Garcia

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Set For His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Francisco Lindor

Expected to Miss "Significant Time"
CFB

Beau Pribula Leading Virginia Quarterback Competition
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF