What a week for prospects! Dansby Swanson was promoted by Atlanta, Yulieski Gurriel was promoted by Houston and Alex Bregman is starting to look like a stud again. Obviously there are going to be some owners scared of Gurriel just because every Houston Astros’ prospect promoted this season has struggled early, but the recent hot streak of Bregman should ease some concerns.

One thing to add before we get started with the list: I have removed the ETA for the prospects. Why? Because at this point everyone seems likely to be promoted when rosters expand and not any earlier. Sure, there will be some outliers to this, but I know that you all enjoy reading ‘September’ 28 times as much as I enjoy typing it so I am really saving everyone some trouble. I will add this little statement in though: the only two players I believe have a realistic shot of reaching the big leagues before rosters expand are Dan Vogelbach and Jose De Leon. Everyone else will need to wait a couple more days.

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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. Yoan Moncada (2B/3B, BOS, AA)
Stats: 445 PA, .299/.405/.520, 13 HR, 44 SB, 24.3% K rate, 13.7% BB rate
The Red Sox are determined to do anything to win this season. They promoted last season’s seventh overall selection in the draft to provide some added offense (Andrew Benintendi) and many speculate that the club will do the same with Moncada. Travis Shaw has been unable to build off of last season’s success and has struggled a bit this year while there is no one else really capable of manning the hot corner for a team as good as Boston. And though Moncada has shown some issues with strike outs, he has hit for power and has flashed well above-average speed. Most evaluators view him as one of the top three prospects in all of baseball if not the best and he could be ready to have an explosive impact both for the Boston Red Sox and for fantasy owners willing to snag him. He is worth stashing in deeper leagues just on the chance of an early promotion and would immediately be worth owning in all leagues once he gets the call.

2. Jose De Leon (SP, LAD, AAA)
Stats: 71.2 IP, 3.14 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 11.05 K/9, 2.51 BB/9, 1.13 HR/9, 1.06 WHIP
The good news: Clayton Kershaw and Alex Wood are almost back. The bad news: Wood will be used as a reliever, Scott Kazmir is still very hittable, Hyun-Jin Ryu is gone for the season, Julio Urias could be forced to shift to the bullpen due to his innings, Brett Anderson was mashed in his return from the DL, etc. You get the picture, the Dodgers have a lot of pitching problems. One potential solution for some of their pitching woes would be to turn to outstanding right-hander Jose De Leon in September. The 24-year-old has been masterful in his past four starts, pitching to a 2.00 ERA over 27.0 innings with 23 punch outs and only four free passes and 18 hits allowed. He has been bit by the home run bug a bit more of late, but fantasy owners should not be too concerned as he is too talented to let that really stop him. The Dodgers need help in the worst kind of way and I would imagine most fantasy owners out there would could benefit as well from a high upside arm like De Leon.

3. Dan Vogelbach (1B, SEA, AAA)
Stats: 492 PA, .295/.417/.506, 19 HR, 0 SB, 18.1% K rate, 16.7% BB rate
Vogelbach got off to a somewhat rough start to his Mariners’ career, but he has slowly started to turn things around. Over his past eight games, the slugging first baseman is slashing .387/.459/.710 with a 13.5% walk rate and mere 10.8% strikeout rate. The Mariners are close enough to a playoff berth that they will be throwing all of their chips on the table in the hopes of clinching a Wild Card and that would most definitely mean subbing out struggling veteran Adam Lind in place of Vogelbach. It is rare that you find a first baseman this late in the season capable of having a major impact on the fantasy season, but this is one of those cases where he could be a valuable asset to guys without a quality option. He figures to provide plenty of home runs as well as a relatively high batting average and is worth a look in 10+ team leagues.

4. Manuel Margot (OF, SD, AAA)
Stats: 498 PA, .306/.354/.447, 6 HR, 25 SB, 9.8% K rate, 6.4% BB rate
Margot just continues to put together an outstanding campaign in his first taste of Triple-A. In his past 18 games, he is slashing .320/.350/.480 with a pair of dingers and three steals. Of course, unlike many teams on this list, the Padres are not in a competitive spot and have no real need for Margot other than to give him a taste of big league action before inserting him atop their lineup full time at the start of next season. Now Travis Jankowski has done an admirable job in center this season, but Alex Dickerson has only been adequate and Christian Bethancourt has struggled to hit at the plate. Margot would be an upgrade over all three players currently in the outfield. Plus the team would benefit in the long term by allowing Margot to see regular starting time and get a feel for the big leagues before beginning a full season as their starting center fielder. Once promoted, he will be worth owning in all leagues.

5. Hunter Renfroe (OF, SD, AAA)
Stats: 496 PA, .315/.345/.581, 28 HR, 4 SB, 20.0% K rate, 3.8% BB rate
Renfroe’s season has been the very definition of a mixed bag. You look at his batting average and 28 home runs and you get giddy with excitement. You look at his strikeout to walk ratio and you wonder why I’m even talking about this guy. The general consensus on what to make of Renfroe has been that both the power numbers and the plate discipline numbers are real whereas the batting average is very likely to regress. Most feel that he should have no problem hitting for power in pitcher-friendly San Diego, but also feel that it is a longshot to expect him to hit over .300 at the big league level. Fantasy owners making a playoff run will certainly take the home run production however, especially if he has guys like Manny Margot and Ryan Schimpf batting in front of him. Expect the 2013 first rounder to see regular time in right field once rosters expand and for him to bat near the lineup. He will be worth owning in 12+ team leagues and some 10 team leagues.

6. Bradley Zimmer (OF, CLE, AAA)
Stats: 494 PA, .262/.378/.453, 15 HR, 38 SB, 29.4% K rate, 14.0% BB rate
Another polarizing prospect. Some think Zimmer will be a stud, hitting for average, power and stealing 30+ bases whereas others view him as a guy likely to never make enough contact to start at the big league level. To the optimists, I say he really needs to bring the strikeout numbers to be an uber-talent at the big league level. And to the skeptics, I say plenty of people in the big leagues have made while striking out over 20% of the time. Now the Cleveland Indians have received adequate production from their outfielders to this point, but adding a bat like Zimmer could provide a massive boost to the team given his offensive potential. The Indians look poised to make a serious run through the playoffs they should be willing to make the sacrifice of batting average from Zimmer in exchange for his combination of power and speed. Fantasy owners in most leagues should be willing to make a similar sacrifice if he is promoted to the big leagues and receives consistent time.

8. Jharel Cotton (SP, OAK, AAA)
Stats: 118.0 IP, 4.35 ERA, 4.35 FIP, 10.68 K/9, 2.67 BB/9, 1.45 HR/9, 1.07 WHIP
Cotton has been ridiculously good since reaching Oakland. How good? Three starts with a 1.74 ERA and 9.15 K/9 to only 1.31 BB/9 kind of good. Now, how bad has the Athletics’ rotation been over the past 30 days? Not good folks. Not good. They have a 5.21 ERA and the peripherals (4.89 FIP and 4.32 xFIP) suggest there is little improvement to be seen moving forward. Now Cotton could be close to reaching an innings limit this season, but he will have enough room to make a couple of starts which would certainly be welcome by fantasy owners if he can do anything like he has done in Triple-A this season. He has immense strikeout upside and should be a very solid own once he gets his chance to shine in the green and gold.

8. Lucas Giolito (SP, WAS, AAA)
Stats: 106.1 IP, 3.22 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 9.23 K/9, 3.64 BB/9, 0.59 HR/9, 1.36 WHIP
There is trouble in paradise. The Nationals’ rotation has had some issues over the past couple of outing with Stephen Strasburg recently having been roughed up quite a bit, Gio Gonzalez having his issues, Tanner Roark struggling with walks and Joe Ross going on the 15-day DL. Lately, Reynaldo Lopez has really stepped up and done a great job for the club, but I’m sure the club would love to give Lucas Giolito another go at the role. After a pair of clunkers between July 31 and August 6, the top pitching prospect in baseball has compiled back-to-back one-run outings over which he has allowed one walk, 10 hits and 15 punch outs in 13 innings of work. Lopez had previously never gone above 100 innings and now sits almost 25 innings above that mark, leaving open the possibility of Giolito snagging a few starts in September from him assuming Joe Ross shifts to the bullpen to help preserve his arm for the playoffs. With upside as high as Giolito, owners in all leagues should be ready to pounce and grab him off the waiver wire at even the slightest inclination that he might soon receive a spot start.

9. Jesse Winker (OF, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 399 PA, .306/.391/.402, 5 HR, 0 SB, 13.3% K rate, 12.3% BB rate
Yay!! Winker hit a dinger this week! His power is not completely gone! Will he hit more than just that one? Hopefully, but honestly who knows. You could make a case that Winker has been one of the most disappointing prospects this season as his power has taken several steps backwards after blasting at least 13 home runs in each of his past three seasons. Sure, he still has the walks and the batting average, but owners will want to see some power before they go all in on the 23-year-old. He will be given plenty of playing time in the big leagues given Scott Schebler’s struggles and could see an increase in power numbers with the friendly confines of Great American Ballpark, but until he shows a noted power increase he is only worth a speculative glance in 12 team leagues. His ability to reach base and hit for a high average would be valuable, however, in 14+ team leagues.

10. Anthony Banda (SP, ARI, AAA)
Stats: 134.2 IP, 2.81 ERA, 3.46 FIP, 9.22 K/9, 2.94 BB/9, 0.67 HR/9, 1.30 WHIP
Banda continues to make significant strides at Triple-A after getting off to a rough start. In his last eight games, the southpaw has a 2.74 ERA and 3.57 FIP thanks in large part to a high strikeout rate (8.39 K/9) and low walk rate (2.37 BB/9). And with the Diamondbacks’ rotation struggling of late (team ERA of 5.58 and FIP of 4.45 over last 30 days), there could certainly be a spot made available for Banda, particularly among struggling arms like Archie Bradley and Braden Shipley. Banda is not a top prospect and he is not considered to be an ace in the making, but he will provide owners with some quality innings and some strikeouts to boot. He would be worth owning in some 12 team leagues and most 14+ team leagues.

11. Aaron Wilkerson (SP, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 131.1 IP, 3.49 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 9.80 K/9, 2.54 BB/9, 0.75 HR/9, 1.20 WHIP
Wilkerson put together arguably his best outing since coming to Milwaukee his last time out. Sure he gave up three runs on six hits over six innings, but he only walked two and struck out ten batters. It has been a struggle for Wilkerson overall since coming to Milwaukee, but most will chalk that up as an extremely hitter-friendly environment in Colorado Springs. It has also been a struggle for the Milwaukee Brewers’ starting rotation and most will chalk that up as just being a collection of mediocre pitchers. Over the last 14 days, no one has a FIP below 4.00 and four of the six starters have ERAs above 4.00 (including three over 8.30). Wilkerson has done everything in his power to warrant a couple of starts in September and the Brew Crew is liable to give him those starts.

12. Josh Hader (SP, MIL, AAA)
Stats: 113.0 IP, 3.11 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 11.31 K/9, 3.74 BB/9, 0.32 HR/9, 1.23 WHIP
It is tough to pitch well in Colorado Springs. That is why when someone does it, there has to be some appreciation given. Hader has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his past five outings to go along with a 3.49 ERA and 2.43 FIP. His solid pitching has warranted consideration for spot starts lately and could be a candidate for a spot in the rotation in September. At the very worst, Hader will be used as a reliever once rosters expand. But with his strikeout upside, owners in most leagues have to be clamoring for him to receive a go-round in the starting five.

13. Hunter Dozier (3B, KC, AAA)
Stats: 498 PA, .301/.369/.533, 21 HR, 7 SB, 22.7% K rate, 9.8% BB rate
Is there a curse on World Series champions? Since the San Francisco Giants won the title in 2010, the reigning WS champ has failed to reach the postseason in the next season all but once. As it stands right now, the 2015 World Series champion Kansas City Royals are eight games behind the Indians for the AL Central title and 4.5 games away from a Wild Card. If there was any player in the minors who could help out KC, it would be Hunter Dozier. Dozier has absolutely mashed Minor League pitching this season between Double-A and Triple-A. Cheslor Cuthbert has done fine at the hot corner filling in for Mike Moustakas, but he is slumping a bit of late as has Paulo Orlando and Kendrys Morales. Dozier’s explosive power bat could be very helpful to a team that currently ranks 27th in baseball in home runs and fantasy owners in need of some more thump from third could certainly benefit from the 25-year-old (Happy Birthday!). He would be worth owning in most deep leagues and some 12 team leagues.

14. Raul Alcantara (SP, OAK, AAA)
Stats: 125.2 IP, 3.72 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 7.23 K/9, 2.15 BB/9, 0.86 HR/9, 1.26 WHIP
Let’s go back to how bad that Oakland A’s’ rotation has been lately. They have been absolutely pitiful this season and could probably benefit from a fresh look in the rotation and that is exactly what Alcantara would provide. Along with Jharel Cotton, Alcantara has been outstanding since arriving in Nashville, though he does not come with the strikeout upside that Cotton provides. With his upper-90s fastball and outstanding command, owners should be able to expect a slight uptick in strikeouts at least temporarily once he arrives at the big league level. The right-hander is coming off Tommy John surgery so there are some who believe he will just be shut down as soon as the Triple-A season ends, but he has reached over 150 innings in the past and could get an opportunity to make a start or two before the season’s end.

15. Yandy Diaz (3B, CLE, AAA)
Stats: 481 PA, .319/.411/.443, 8 HR, 11 SB, 16.4% K rate, 13.7% BB rate
The Indians look poised to win the AL Central and (at least according to my prediction at the beginning of the season) threaten to win the title, but they need to be sure to keep their foot on the gas. Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli have both struggled a bit of late at first and DH and the Indians could certainly use all the help they can get offensively. Diaz has been very sharp at Triple-A this season and could certainly provide that offensive help. For fantasy owners, his upside is limited due to the fact that he does not steal many bases and does not offer much power upside, but his quick bat and mature approach lead many to believe he won’t take long to start putting up a .290+ batting average. Owners in 12 or fewer team leagues will probably not have too much use for him unless he starts everyday, but owners in 14+ team leagues could certainly benefit from the batting average help.

16. Clint Frazier (OF, NYY, AAA)
Stats: 485 PA, .271/.342/.452, 15 HR, 13 SB, 23.1% K rate, 9.3% BB rate
After a very slow start to his Triple-A career that saw him slashing .200/.217/.333 with a 32.6% K rate through his first 11 games, Frazier has really turned things around. In his next 11 games, he has been slashing .311/.354/.444 with a dinger and a much improved 22.9% K rate. Though he still is not walking as much as the Yankees would like to see, Frazier has at least reduced much cause for concern. Part of what makes him such a promising outfield prospect is his five-tool profile and ability to play all three outfield positions which could help him receive more playing time in September. If he starts to see regular playing time, he would be worth owning in all leagues. But given the presence of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge, that is a very big if. He could struggle to hit for average at first, but with plenty of power and speed, he will give fantasy owners in 14+ team leagues more than enough to warrant owning.

17. Harrison Bader (OF, STL, AAA)
Stats: 453 PA, .269/.336/.447, 15 HR, 9 SB, 24.1% K rate, 6.6% BB rate
Since Matt Holliday’s injury, the Cardinals have primarily had to rely on an outfield of Stephen Piscotty, Randal Grichuk and Brandon Moss. Piscotty is a solid bet, but Grichuk and Moss have a tendency to be streaky and both are home run or bust players. Granted, Bader has also been that way, but to a lesser degree. Bader began the season at Double-A and has since reached Triple-A where he has cut down on his punchouts, increased his walks however he has not been hitting the ball as well with only two dingers in 139 plate appearances and a .230 batting average. He figures to get a look in September and could be worth owning in 14+ team leagues if he is able to recreate some of his Double-A success and continue to cut down on the whiffs, but he will have to be very reliable in order to win the playing time battle against some other option.

18. Willy Adames (SS, TB, AA)
Stats: 497 PA, .265/.369/.434, 11 HR, 12 SB, 20.7% K rate, 13.5% BB rate
Adames began the season as a talented shortstop, but most weren’t sure what he would produce at the big league level beyond solid defense and a decent batting average. Then he began his time at Double-A and has since flashed above-average power and above-average speed with solid plate discipline. So all of a sudden a guy whom MLB.com ranked as a fringe Top-100 guy is now all of a sudden ranked 24th best among all prospects. There had been talk earlier this season that Adames could be promoted in July. That didn’t happen, but it looks probable that the Rays will want to give their potential franchise shortstop a look when rosters expand. And while there are certainly some better shortstop options out there for shallower leagues, owners in 14+ team leagues could certainly benefit from a guy with a skill-set like Adames receiving regular playing time.

19. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN, AAA)
Stats: 121.2 IP, 4.29 ERA, 4.60 FIP, 7.69 K/9, 4.51 BB/9, 1.11 HR/9, 1.35 WHIP
Cody Reed was finally sent down after being royally bruised over and over again at the big league level. Meanwhile Brandon Finnegan continues to chug along, actually putting together some solid outings despite less than stellar peripherals and a looming innings limit. But unfortunately for Stephenson, he has dealt with his own struggles as he has given up six runs in two of his past three outings. Bob Steve is a solid pitcher with a high upside, but with a potential innings limit coming up, he may only receive one spot start for the club. But with his live arm, he could see some time in the Reds’ bullpen and could provide some potential strikeout upside to very deep leagues. But at this point, he should probably not be owned in any leagues with fewer than 16 teams.

20. J.P. Crawford (SS, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 481 PA, .259/.363/.350, 6 HR, 12 SB, 13.7% K rate, 13.7% BB rate
I still have yet to hear more as to whether or not the Phillies intend to promote Crawford in September. Since the All-Star Break, he has been less of J.P. Crawford, the third best prospect in baseball and has been J.P. Crawful, the guy who scares Phillies fans and fantasy owners alike. He has only one dinger and two swipes with a pair of failed steal attempts to go along with a dismal .227/.340/.273 slash line since July 17. Yes, he is taking his walks, but that is really the only bright spot. If he doesn’t start to turn things around soon, owners will have to wait until 2017 to see the promising shortstop on the big stage.

21. Ben Lively (SP, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 153.2 IP, 2.93 ERA, 3.42 FIP, 7.09 K/9, 2.40 BB/9, 0.64 HR/9, 1.02 WHIP

22. Austin Meadows (OF, PIT, AAA)
Stats: 296 PA, .290/.349/.569, 9 HR, 13 SB, 17.2% K rate, 8.4% BB rate

23. Jordan Patterson (OF, COL, AAA)
Stats: 424 PA, .310/.397/.510, 12 HR, 10 SB, 22.9% K rate, 10.1% BB rate

24. Nick Williams (OF, PHI, AAA)
Stats: 472 PA, .266/.295/.435, 12 HR, 5 SB, 24.6% K rate, 4.0% BB rate

25. Jaime Schultz (SP, TB, AAA)
Stats: 125.0 IP, 3.10 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 11.16 K/9, 4.68 BB/9, 0.72 HR/9, 1.34 WHIP

26. Renato Nunez (3B, OAK, AAA)
Stats: 491 PA, .238/.287/.431, 21 HR, 2 SB, 20.0% K rate, 5.7% BB rate

27. Zach Lee (SP, SEA, AAA)
Stats: 132.0 IP, 5.45 ERA, 4.87 FIP, 6.68 K/9, 2.32 BB/9, 1.23 HR/9, 1.51 WHIP

28. Alec Mills (SP, KC, AAA)
Stats: 110.1 IP, 3.51 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 8.73 K/9, 2.20 BB/9, 0.82 HR/9, 1.21 WHIP

29. Peter O’Brien (1B/OF/C, ARI, AAA)
Stats: 371 PA, .268/.307/.545, 23 HR, 2 SB, 32.6% K rate, 5.1% BB rate

30. Tom Murphy (C, COL, AAA)
Stats: 276 PA, .317/.348/.649, 17 HR, 0 SB, 25.0% K rate, 4.7% BB rate

MLB Rookie Rankings

1. Corey Seager (SS, LAD)

2. David Dahl (OF, COL)

3. Willson Contreras (C, CHC)

4. Alex Bregman (SS, HOU)

5. Max Kepler (OF, MIN)

6. Nomar Mazara (OF, TEX)

7. Michael Fulmer (SP, DET)

8. Kenta Maeda (SP, LAD)

9. Steven Matz (SP, NYM)

10. Aledmys Diaz (SS, STL)

11. Travis Jankowski (OF, SD)

12. Blake Snell (SP, TB)

13. Tyler Naquin (OF, CLE)

14. Edwin Diaz (RP, SEA)

15. Jon Gray (SP, COL)

16. Seung Oh (RP, STL)

17. Dae-Ho Lee (1B, SEA)

18. Trea Turner (2B, WAS)

19. Tommy Joseph (1B, PHI)

20. Yulieski Gurriel (3B, HOU)

 

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