How about the surprise performances from these rookies? Trevor Story and Corey Seager should be less surprising than most (though I’m sure Story surprised a lot of people by just how much he mashed early), but other guys like Jeremy Hazelbaker and Tyler White have proven to be very productive rookies for both their major league clubs and fantasy owners. It was also great to see a guy like Nomar Mazara promoted to the majors and be able to watch what he does against big league pitching (which is, apparently, mash).

Prospects can often be the difference between missing and making the playoffs in fantasy leagues. The owners who pick up on top talents before they are promoted are the ones most likely to make the playoffs in their leagues. This latest list has several names of talented prospects who could have a major impact in fantasy leagues down the road.

Editors Note: Check out all of RotoBaller's MLB prospects analysis here.

 

Top MLB Prospects - Fantasy Baseball Power Rankings

To be clear, this list is not the top 30 prospects in baseball. This is a list of the top 30 prospects who are likely going to rise to the major leagues and provide fantasy baseball value this season. The qualifications are simple: a player must not be on an active roster, they must have a clear path to the majors, and while they may have played in seasons prior to 2016, they must still have rookie eligibility. If a player is moved to the active roster of their team, they will be removed from this power rankings list and replaced.

 

1. A.J. Reed (1B, HOU, AAA)
Stats: 39 PA, .265/.359/.559, 2 HR, 0 SB, 12.8% BB rate, 20.5% K rate
ETA: Mid-May
Tyler White is absolutely tearing it up to begin this season. He is slashing .395/.467/.789 with four home runs already. The reason A.J. Reed reaches the Majors will not be because of Tyler White, it will be for any number of other reasons. For starters, third baseman Luis Valbuena has struggled mightily to hit (.182/.270/.242 slash line with 0 home runs) and could be replaced by White with Reed being promoted to play first for Houston. Gattis is starting to take reps at catcher again which would allow either Reed or White to slide in at DH with the other at first base.

I’m sure you see where I’m going with this. The Astros are doing everything they can to make sure that this potentially elite first baseman reaches the Majors soon. There are few players that I advise stashing, but Reed is absolutely one of them. Fantasy owners can expect 20+ home runs with a .270+ batting average even if he is not called up until late May.

2. Lucas Giolito (SP, WAS, AA)
Stats: 4.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 9.00 K/9, 6.75 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
ETA: Late May
Upper-90s fastball, elite curveball, advanced command, and a changeup with the potential to be another elite pitch. Intrigued yet? If you’re not, then you may not be a fan of baseball. Often compared to Noah Syndergaard because he could be a major impact arm for his team early in the season, Lucas Giolito is an ace just waiting for a chance to reach the Majors. The Nationals rotation looks solid outside of Tanner Roark (3.77 FIP, 1.17 K/BB). Just as Reed is worth stashing for fantasy owners, so too is Lucas Giolito. There are few pitchers with his upside and he has a chance to be what everyone thought Stephen Strasburg was going to be when he was considered an uber-prospect.

3. Tyler Glasnow (SP, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 10.0 IP, 1.80 ERA, 2.46 FIP, 13.50 K/9, 2.70 BB/9, 0.90 HR/9
ETA: Early June
After his first start, it looked like Juan Nicasio was going to prove me wrong and that he does belong in a rotation and not the bullpen. Since that outing when he went six innings and gave up one run, he's given up four runs in three innings to Detroit and three runs in six innings to the Brewers. Nicasio is not a bad pitcher, but the playoff-hopeful Pirates need the best rotation they can use. Tyler Glasnow represents a vast improvement over Nicasio. Glasnow has so far thrown back-to-back outings in which he went five innings and surrendered only one run. In both outings, he has more than five strikeouts (15 total). Whether it is Nicasio or Jeff Locke, one arm will leave the Pirates rotation later this season in favor of Glasnow. He is too talented to be left off a team in playoff contention.

4. Blake Snell (SP, TB, AAA)
Stats: 9.2 IP, 1.86 ERA, 1.91 FIP, 13.03 K/9, 3.72 BB/9
ETA: Late May
Blake Snell just continues to dominate the minor leagues. So far in two early starts, he has one outing where he gave up two runs in five innings and another where he gave up no runs in 4.2 IP. He's not only done an outstanding job of keeping runs off the board, he has continued to rack up the strikeouts a season after posting a 11.56 K/9 in Triple-A. Snell is not the next David Price, but he has top of the rotation potential and will see time in the Rays rotation later this season. Even with their rotation looking solid as of now, the Rays will eventually find that they could really benefit from an arm like Snell.

5. Trea Turner (SS, WAS, AAA)
Stats: 35 PA, .500/.600/.714, 1 HR, 2 SB, 20.0% BB rate, 11.4% K rate
ETA: Early May
Look at those numbers up there under Trea Turner’s name. Are those the numbers of a guy who is not ready to face Major League pitching? I do not think so. Keep in mind, that is Triple-A pitching that he is facing. Not rookie league, or Low-A, or even High-A. Now how has starting shortstop Danny Espinosa fared to this point in his 2016 campaign? Well, he has a .161/.289/.194 slash line with no home runs and no stolen bases. Sure, Stephen Drew is not doing too bad, but I remind you all that over his past two seasons he has a combined WAR of -0.8.

Turner is not going to be the next Carlos Correa or Seager, but he should provide fantasy owners with a .270+ batting average, five to ten home runs, and 25-40 stolen bases per season. Though not an elite shortstop prospect, Turner looks like a relatively low risk player as his speed should translate well to the Majors. Fantasy owners should not feel obliged to stash him, but he is definitely worth adding if promoted.

6. Jose Berrios (SP, MIN, AAA)
Stats: 10.0 IP, 1.80 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 11.70 K/9, 6.30 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
ETA: Early May
As soon as he was sent down to the minors, Jose Berrios picked up his Triple-A dominance right where he left it at the end of the 2015 season. Berrios has gone five innings in both starts so far, surrendering only three hits in both outings and amassing 13 strikeouts between the two. And for those who are concerned about the walk numbers early, keep in mind that last season Berrios issued only 1.67 walks per nine innings in Triple-A and 2.38 in Double-A. The Twins have started off 2016 about as awful as any team could and part of the problem is the starting pitching. Tommy Milone and Kyle Gibson both possess an ERA above 4.00 and a FIP well above that. It was widely believed that Berrios was demoted for the same reason that Kris Bryant did not break camp with the Cubs last year. Whatever the reason may be, if the Twins hope to get back in the playoff hunt, they need a spark and that spark is adding Berrios to their rotation.

7. Jose Peraza (2B, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 30 PA, .321/.367/.393, 0 HR, 0 SB, 6.7% BB rate, 13.3% K rate
ETA: Mid-May
The more I watch Billy Hamilton out in center field, the more I feel like Jose Peraza is destined to be the Reds center fielder of the future. Though Peraza does not possess Hamilton’s tantalizing speed, he possesses something that Hamilton does not have: the ability to put the ball on the ground. I got to watch some of Peraza last week when he was playing against the Columbus Clippers and he demonstrated to me that he has the ability to be a leadoff hitter at the highest level. He does not have the strongest bat out there, but he knows where to put the ball in play to get a hit. With Hamilton not only struggling to hit, but also dealing with some lingering health issues, I would not be surprised to see Peraza promoted in May to begin prepping him to start in center field for Cincinnati. If given a chance to play, Peraza is worth owning in all fantasy leagues as his speed could allow him to steal 25+ bases for fantasy owners.

8. John Lamb (SP, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 3.0 IP, 9.00 ERA, 2.59 FIP, 12.00 K/9, 3.00 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
ETA: Late April
Once John Lamb returns from his rehab stint in Triple-A Louisville, he should be rejoining the Reds rotation, likely taking the spot of either Jon Moscot or Alfredo Simon. Lamb is not really a must-own prospect, but he will be guaranteed playing time by the Reds and has a lot of upside since he has proven to be a prolific strikeout pitcher at all levels of professional baseball. I recommend owning Lamb in 12+ team leagues, dynasty leagues, and NL-only leagues.

9. Joey Gallo (3B/OF, TEX, AAA)
Stats: 44 PA, .333/.432/.778, 4 HR, 0 SB, 15.9% BB rate, 22.7% K rate
ETA: Early June
Joey Gallo would be lower on this list if not for a promising start to the season. Gallo is really hitting well: his strikeout totals are low, he is walking a lot, he is still mashing home runs, and his batting average is above .300. As the Rangers have expressed, however, he is not their backup outfielder of choice as Nomar Mazara filled in (and has filled in quite nicely) for the injured Shin-Soo Choo. The Rangers also signed Adrian Beltre to an extension which makes me think that the Rangers could consider making Gallo available in trade talks. As crazy as that sounds, nothing seems crazier to me than a team extending a 37-year-old third baseman when they have someone waiting in the wings who is close to being ready to go. Fantasy owners should definitely add Gallo if he is promoted, but his limited playing time options make him not worth stashing.

10. Rymer Liriano (OF, MIL, 60-day DL)
Stats: NA
ETA: Early June
The Brewers are really lacking in quality options in the outfield and that about solidifies the idea that Rymer Liriano will see starting time when he returns from his injury. Keon Broxton failed to register a hit in 18 PA before being demoted, Kirk Nieuwenhuis is not starter material, and Ramon Flores is also off to a terrible start to begin the year. And while Domingo Santana and Ryan Braun are both locks to retain their roles this season, the Brewers need one more outfielder to hold down the fort until Brett Phillips is ready. From a fantasy perspective, there is a lot to like from Rymer Liriano who brings some power and speed to the table. Though he will not be a 20/20 guy, 10/10 with a .260 average is not entirely out of the question. His upside combined with the fact that he is guaranteed to receive playing time make him worth owning in fantasy leagues, but he does not possess enough upside to warrant stashing.

11. Orlando Arcia (SS, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 40 PA, .278/.300/.333, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5.0% BB rate, 12.5% K rate
ETA: Late June
I have often said that Orlando Arcia and Trea Turner are near identical prospects in terms of skillset with the only difference being that Turner’s team is in playoff contention and Arcia’s is not. With the fact that the Brewers are far off from playoff contention in mind, it is very tough to see Arcia being promoted at any point before the summer. No matter how well he performs in Triple-A, it is likely that the Brewers are going to keep him in the minors as long as possible to retain control over him for longer. With that said, I do not see it as entirely unlikely that the Brewers make a move and promote around the same time that the Indians and Astros promoted their top shortstop prospects last season. Because of the risk that a promotion may not happen until later this season, it is advised that fantasy owners refrain from stashing Arcia. But if promoted, Arcia immediately becomes a must-own shortstop in all fantasy leagues.

12. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 6.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 1.43 FIP, 10.50 K/9, 1.50 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
ETA: Late July
After a respectful outing in the Majors against the Philadelphia Phillies, Robert Stephenson was demoted to Triple-A and thoroughly dominated in his first outing. He went six innings, surrendered only one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out seven. Even with the fastball velocity down, the stuff is there for him to be a two or three starter in the Majors if he can just get the playing time. Since the Reds have already shown that they have enough confidence in him to have him in the Majors, you can bet that he will be back this season . . . especially given the current state of the Reds rotation.

UPDATE: Stephenson is making a spot start in place of Alfredo Simon.

13. Willson Contreras (C, CHC, AAA)
Stats: 38 PA, .429/.474/.543, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5.3% BB rate, 7.9% K rate
ETA: Mid-June
Following the injury to Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs only have one catcher who can be counted on to hit. David Ross is not a bad player, but he is definitely no quality hitter at this point. Willson Contreras has absolutely torn up Triple-A so far this season and he could make the Cubs even more of dangerous team than they already are. Think of a platoon of Miguel Montero and Contreras behind the plate. That is the kind of move that takes teams to the next level. Contreras does not bring a lot of power to the table, but he can be counted on to hit above .280 which should be more than enough fantasy production for fantasy owners in need of help at catcher.

14. Josh Bell (1B, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 28 PA, .190/.393/.333, 1 HR, 0 SB, 25.0% BB rate, 25.0% K rate
ETA: Mid-June
The more John Jaso produces (especially out of the leadoff spot in the lineup), the less likely it becomes that Josh Bell will see sufficient playing time in the Majors to produce serious fantasy value. Jaso has been incredibly effective this season, owning a .341/.400/.477 slash line with a mere 12.0% strikeout rate. Bell is a great first baseman, but since he is no elite prospect there is not going to be much talk of rushing him to the Majors like there is with Reed. If promoted, Bell could represent a decent add for teams looking for first base help, but even then he is far from being a must own player.

15. Bradley Zimmer (OF, CLE, AA)
Stats: 36 PA, .258/.361/.548, 2 HR, 2 SB, 11.1% BB rate, 27.8% K rate
ETA: Early August
Bradley Zimmer would absolutely represent a potential upgrade in the outfield to the current duo of Tyler Naquin and Rajai Davis, but the question is whether or not the Indians are ready to expose him to Major League pitching so early in his development. The other thing is that while Zimmer would be an upgrade in terms of upside, Naquin has been solid in his brief time with the team and Davis has at least not been a complete bust (the .222/.282/.389 slash line certainly shows little promise though). Zimmer, like many names on this list has plenty of upside if he is promoted to the Majors, but there is no guarantee he will be promoted. Fantasy owners do not need to worry about stashing the young outfielder until he is promoted.

16. Dansby Swanson (SS, ATL, A+)
Stats: 45 PA, .350/.422/.500, 0 HR, 2 SB, 11.1% BB rate, 15.6% K rate
ETA: Early August
Though he has not gotten off to a blazing start like the other college shortstop taken early in last year’s draft (Alex Bregman), Dansby Swanson still has begun his season on the right note. But if Swanson is off to a hot start in High-A and Bregman is mashing even more in Double-A, why is Bregman not higher? Because Swanson has no one talented enough to keep him from reaching the Majors where as Bregman is blocked at literally every infield position by someone with more experience. I still fully expect the Braves to deal Erick Aybar at the trade deadline and promote Swanson, but at this point I don’t even think a trade will be needed to send Swanson to the Majors. Aybar has really struggled to hit this year and there is a possibility the Braves promote Swanson if for nothing else than just to see him play and put people in the seats.

17. Jacob Faria (SP, TB, AA)
Stats: 12.2 IP, 2.84 ERA, 1.55 FIP, 10.66 K/9, 2.13 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
ETA: Late June
To some the idea of a Jacob Faria promotion may seem unlikely, but I can assure you that it is fully in the realm of possibility. One has to figure that Drew Smyly has a career-high of 153 IP in a season and will likely have another innings limit this season, Matt Moore had Tommy John surgery not too long ago, and the Rays have used Erasmo Ramirez in the bullpen for much of the season. You add all of those factors up and all of a sudden it no longer looks so unlikely that promising young Faria won’t see time in the Majors this season. Faria is no elite prospect and his upside is not nearly as high as many of the other pitchers on this list, but at the very least fantasy owners could expect Faria to produce results similar to a middle of the rotation arm.

18. Gary Sanchez (C, NYY, AAA)
Stats: 27 PA, .208/.296/.458, 1 HR, 0 SB, 7.4% BB rate, 25.9% K rate
ETA: Late July
Gary Sanchez has begun his most recent stint at Triple-A quite slowly and it could hurt his potential 2016 fantasy value this season. Sanchez is a potentially elite backstop, but he needs to find a way to get past Austin Romine and Brian McCann behind the dish. And while Romine is clearly inferior to Sanchez, Romine fits the role of backup catcher much better than Sanchez. When Sanchez gets promoted, it will be because the Yankees have a chance to get him plenty of plate appearances. Sanchez represents a potentially elite catching prospect if promoted with major power upside, but the fact that he currently has no clear path to playing time makes him too much of a risk to be worth stashing.

19. Lewis Brinson (OF, TEX, AA)
Stats: 40 PA, .286/.350/.429, 0 HR, 2 SB, 5.0% BB rate, 15.0% K rate
ETA: Late July
There are few outfielders with more upside than Lewis Brinson. He has flashed an incredible power/speed combo that most fantasy owners can only dream about. In five minor league seasons, Brinson has mashed a total of 61 home runs with 70 stolen bases. Fantasy owners are counting down the days until the 21-year-old outfielder is promoted. Unfortunately, it could be a while. Mazara is on some other planet in the Majors, Shin-Soo Choo, Ian Desmond and Josh Hamilton are owed a combined $58 million this season (in spite of their poor performances/health issues), and Delino Deshields is playing very well to begin the year.

A few trades/injuries could open up the door for Brinson just as Choo’s injury opened up the door for Mazara, but a lot of things have to go Brinson’s way for him to see time in the Majors. If promoted, he is a must own prospect, but that is a pretty bit ‘if’ at this point.

20. Jorge Lopez (SP, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 8.1 IP, 5.40 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 9.00 K/9, 4.50 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
ETA: Late July
It could appear unlikely for Jorge Lopez to see any playing time this year as there are several young pitchers already occupying rotation spots, but consider Wily Peralta’s struggle, the likelihood of a Matt Garza trade, and all of a sudden it looks like a spot could be made available for Lopez. He has enough strikeout stuff to provide enough value to fantasy owners and would become a must own pitching prospect if promoted. The only question at this point is whether the playing time will be there for him.

21. Jesse Winker (OF, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 29 PA, .346/.379/.346, 0 HR, 0 SB, 6.9% BB rate, 17.2% K rate
ETA: Early August

22. Jeff Hoffman (SP, COL, AAA)
Stats: 13.0 IP, 1.38 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 6.23 K/9, 2.77 BB/9, 0.69 HR/9
ETA: Early June

23. Jorge Polanco (SS, MIN, AAA)
Stats: 35 PA, .281/.314/.563, 1 HR, 0 SB, 5.7% BB rate, 17.1% K rate
ETA: Early June

UPDATE: Polanco has been recalled to fill in for Trevor Plouffe.

24. Tom Murphy (C, COL, AAA)
Stats: NA
ETA: Mid-June

25. Alex Bregman (SS, HOU, AA)
Stats: 42 PA, .361/.439/.722, 4 HR, 0 SB, 9.5% BB rate, 7.1% K rate
ETA: Early August

26. Michael Fulmer (SP, DET, AAA)
Stats: 5.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.32 FIP, 11.12 K/9, 1.59 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9
ETA: Early July

27. Aaron Judge (OF, NYY, AAA)
Stats: 37 PA, .343/.378/.514, 1 HR, 1 SB, 5.4% BB rate, 32.4% K rate
ETA: Early August

28. Colin Moran (3B, HOU, AAA)
Stats: 31 PA, .296/.355/.481, 1 HR, 1 SB, 9.7% BB rate, 32.3% K rate
ETA: Early August

29. Julio Urias (SP, LAD, AAA)
Stats: 10.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 10.80 K/9, 0.90 BB/9, 1.80 HR/9
ETA: Mid-August

30. Rio Ruiz (3B, ATL, AAA)
Stats: 39 PA, .314/.385/.457, 1 HR, 0 SB, 10.3% BB rate, 25.6% K rate
ETA: Mid-June

 

MLB Rookie Rankings

1. Corey Seager (SS, LAD)

2. Trevor Story (SS, COL)

3. Kenta Maeda (SP, LAD)

4. Steven Matz (SP, NYM)

5. Tyler White (1B/3B, HOU)

6. Nomar Mazara (OF, TEX)

7. AJ Reed (1B, HOU)

8. Byron Buxton (OF, MIN)

9. Lucas Giolito (SP, WAS)

10. Tyler Glasnow (SP, PIT)

11. Byung-Ho Park (1B, MIN)

12. Trea Turner (SS, WAS)

13. Blake Snell (SP, TB)

14. Jose Berrios (SP, MIN)

15. Mallex Smith (OF, ATL)

16. Jeremy Hazelbaker (OF, STL)

17. Aledmys Diaz (SS, STL)

18. Jon Gray (SP, COL)

19. Jose Peraza (2B, CIN)

20. John Lamb (SP, CIN)

 

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