MLB Ready Prospects: Top 30 Power Rankings for Fantasy (Week Three)

April 28, 2015

Edward Sutelan analyzes his top 30 MLB prospects rankings for Week 3. These MLB rookies & call-ups should make fantasy impacts in 2015, and are fantasy baseball sleepers.

A lot can happen in the span of a week. A team can turn a couple of wins into an 11 game winning streak. Several teams can throw a few pitches and start a new rivalry for the season.

The way the season is shaping up, it looks like the NL East could be one of the most interesting divisions in baseball after appearing in the offseason to only have one or two teams that could contend. With the Mets rattling off 11 straight wins, the Nationals have to at least be aware of the fact that the division crown will not be a cakewalk. And the Mets have to understand that they could be competitive now and will likely be ready to do whatever it takes to remain in that competitive state.

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 2015, 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.

Major League Ready Prospect Power Rankings

There are going to be plenty more prospects to be called up to contribute to their team over the course of this season to join the likes of Kris Bryant and Carlos Rodon who have already received the promotion. Here is a brief summary on the recent changes in the list:

Removed from the list:
• Brandon Finnegan – called up

Biggest changes:
• Up: 21 spots is Brian Johnson
• Down: 12 is spots is Christian Walker

1. Blake Swihart (C, BOS, AAA) – LW: 4

Stats: 58 PA, .309/.345/.364, 0 HR, 1 SB, 17.2% K rate, 5.2% BB rate
ETA: Mid May

Both ends of the Red Sox battery have struggled in their own way, and while Ryan Hanigan continues to provide sharp defensive ability and great leadership behind the dish, he does not provide much offensive promise. Meanwhile, Swihart has continued to hit and could see time in the Majors as early as May. Fantasy owners should keep tabs on Swihart’s progress as he is one of the best hitting catchers that have come around lately and could really help a fantasy team in need of some offense from that position.

2. Noah Syndergaard (SP, NYM, AAA) – LW: 2

Stats: 7.2 IP, 4.70 ERA, 8.22 K/9, 7.04 BB/9, 1.17 HR/9, 6.04 FIP, 1.96 WHIP
ETA: Late May

The story of the year so far has been the Mets' incredible run in spite of losing starter Zack Wheeler. If they are able to sustain this competitive playing ability, then they will likely be ready to do anything that it takes to win and that will likely mean replacing one of their back of the rotation guys with Noah Syndergaard. Syndergaard will have to show in AAA that he is ready to be called up, but Las Vegas is a notoriously difficult place to pitch and he has the stuff of a potential ace. If called up, he should be owned in every league format as he could be the next Mets starter to breakout.

3. Francisco Lindor (SS, CLE, AAA) – LW: 1

Stats: 64 PA, .263/.333/.404, 1 HR, 5 SB, 15.6% K rate, 9.4% BB rate
ETA: Mid May

Lindor has struggled mightily at the plate to start the season. Luckily for him, so has Jose Ramirez who has a slash line of .174/.224/.261. The difference between the struggles of Ramirez and the struggles of Lindor is that Ramirez has the reputation of a glove first shortstop whose hitting is acceptable, whereas Lindor has shown in the minors that he can hit for a good average with decent power to go along with 25-35 steals per season. At a position that is notorious for having weak hitters, fantasy owners would be wise to pick up the Indians prospect.

4. Rusney Castillo (OF, BOS, AAA) – LW: 5

Stats: 13 PA, .417/.462/.500, 0 HR, 1 SB, 7.7% BB rate, 7.7% K rate
ETA: Mid May

The real reason that Rusney Castillo is in the minors is because of the Red Sox roster crunch. Castillo has all of the tools: speed, power, contact ability, and great defensive chops. If any of the Red Sox outfielders hit the DL, expect Castillo to be immediately called up. Castillo would provide everything for fantasy owners and is a must own in all fantasy leagues.

5. Alex Meyer (SP, MIN, AAA) – LW: 3

Stats: 14.2 IP, 4.91 ERA, 4.35 FIP, 12.27 K/9, 8.59 BB/9, .61 HR/9, 1.84 WHIP
ETA: Late July

The Twins rotation is looking in bad shape at the moment. Trevor May has been better than his 4.76 ERA would indicate as he does have a 3.05 FIP, but all of the other starters have FIPs over 4.77 which indicates that if their ERA looks good now, a regression is likely going to happen. Alex Meyer has started off the year very slow in Triple-A so far and it has pushed his call up date back a little bit, but he will still likely get that call this season. He has the stuff to be good, he just needs to improve on command and he will become the ace of that young staff.

6. Steve Matz (SP, NYM, AAA) – LW: 7

Stats: 22.1 IP, 2.01 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 7.66 K/9, 4.84 BB/9, 0 HR, 1.12 WHIP
ETA: Late July

Syndergaard gets all of the recognition as the Mets best starter in their system, but Steve Matz shouldn’t be forgotten. While Syndergaard has understandably struggled in the notoriously hitter-friendly Las Vegas, Matz has managed to pitch extraordinarily well and is pushing for a call up before Syndergaard. His ceiling is not as high as Syndergaard’s, but if called up he will provide quality innings for the Mets and any fantasy team wise enough to pick him up off the waiver wire.

7. Maikel Franco (3B, PHI, AAA) – LW: 8

Stats: 76 PA, .353/.395/.549, 1 HR, 0 SB, 21.1% K rate, 6.6% BB rate
ETA: Mid May

Has Cody Asche finally become that player the Phillies always hoped he would be? His slash line of .333/.382/.490 says yes! His BABIP of .441 and K rate of 27.3% say otherwise. When Asche comes back to Earth, he could be hit hard by the reality that Maikel Franco is nipping at his heels for the starting job at third. Franco has hit extremely well so far and could get a call up to split time between third and first base. Both those positions are loaded with great hitters, but a fantasy team in need of a corner infielder could pick Franco up to become the beneficiary of a high average and power that could rack up 20-25 home runs.

8. Jose Peraza (2B, ATL, AAA) – LW: 10

Stats: 72 PA, .281/.324/.328, 0 HR, 5 SB, 8.3% K rate, 5.6% BB rate
ETA: Mid June

Granted, it is very early. But with the Braves depth of Major league ready talent in their system and the talent at the Major League roster the Braves could potentially contend at least for a Wild Card spot. Is it unlikely that they will continue to be competitive? Very. But if they do find themselves contending still by the middle of May, they will likely look to improve their second base spot with Jose Peraza. Second base for the Braves have hit a combined .170/.237/.208 with no home runs and 4 RBI. Meanwhile Peraza has demonstrated elite level speed at every level and has shown that he won’t strikeout and will hit for a high average. He is very comparable to Dee Gordon and is a must own in all fantasy leagues if he is called up.

9. Brian Johnson (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 30

Stats: 16.0 IP, .56 ERA, 1.82 FIP, 10.13 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, 0 HR, .88 WHIP
ETA: Early May

The Red Sox rotation this season has not been as bad as the 5.42 ERA would suggest, but it certainly has not been great. Rick Porcello has not been very good, Wade Miley has scuffled in the early goings, and Justin Masterson has not been able to pitch very long into games. The Red Sox rotation needs some help, and Brian Johnson has the best chance to be that guy. While he doesn’t have the same upside that Henry Owens has, but in the early going of 2015, he has outpitched him and could be the most major league ready of the two. He would provide some solid innings as a starter for fantasy owners and

10. Andrew Heaney (SP, LAA, AAA) – LW: 9

Stats: 18.1 IP, 4.42 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 8.84 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, 0 HR, 1.36 WHIP
ETA: Mid May

The Angels are not off to a great start, but as of right now they are going to stand pat with their rotation. Heaney threw seven innings in his first start and has thrown for a combined 6 in his past two starts. Though he has been unable to get many innings, he has not beat himself by only issuing a total of three walks on the season with 18 strikeouts. The 14 hits don’t help his cause at the moment, but he could be getting closer to a Major League call up if anyone at the back end of the rotation struggles. If Heaney gets called up, fantasy owners should keep an eye on him and if he looks sharp in the early going, he could be a great addition to a fantasy roster.

11. Michael Lorenzen (SP, CIN, AAA) – LW: 16

Stats: 19 IP, 2.84 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 5.68 K/9, 1.89 BB/9, .95 HR/9, 1.26 WHIP
ETA: Mid May

Michael Lorenzen was extremely sharp in his first two starts, but struggled in his last start as he gave up 11 hits and five runs. Other than the hits and runs, he struck out seven batters (after having a combined five in his past two starts) and limited the walks to only one. Lorenzen has demonstrated great control and will very likely be called up very soon. Jason Marquis has struggled in the rotation in spite of an incredible K/9 and the bullpen has been really bad. Lorenzen is the most likely pitcher on this list to be called up and the only thing preventing him from being higher up is that he doesn’t strikeout a lot of batters. Otherwise he could be a great addition on fantasy rosters.

12. Marco Gonzales (SP, STL, AAA) – LW: 11

Stats: 16 IP, 4.50 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 7.31 K/9, 1.69 BB/9, .56 HR/9, 1.44 WHIP
ETA: Late May

Last week, it seemed incredibly unlikely that Gonzales would get the call up until late summer at the earliest. But a season-ending injury to Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright increases the likelihood that Gonzales will join the rotation sooner rather than later. Though Gonzales himself currently sits on the DL in Triple-A and Jaime Garcia could be healthier quicker than Gonzales, Gonzales at this point should be considered the favorite for the rotation spot when he is healthy unless the Cardinals trade to acquire another starter.

13. Domingo Santana (OF, HOU, AAA) – LW: 19

Stats: 54 PA, .271/.352/.521, 3 HR, 1 SB, 40.7% K rate, 11.1% BB/9
ETA: Early May

The batting average of Santana has yet to come around, but he certainly has impressed with his power early on. Domingo Santana has demonstrated tremendous power in the Minors and could hit for a well enough average to be a great talent with the Astros. If Santana is called up it will be to give him a starting role in the team’s outfield. Think of the 22-year-old as a slower George pringer: great power, decent contact ability, and terrible plate discipline.

14. Mark Appel (SP, HOU, AA) – LW: 15

Stats: 14.0 IP, 1.93 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 7.07 K/9, 1.29 BB/9, 1.29 HR/9, .86 WHIP
ETA: Late May

The Astros have started the season off well, but likely will not be a serious contender until 2016. With the Astros in rebuilding mode, it is likely that they will call up Mark Appel sooner rather than later. Appel has some of the best stuff in the Minors and could really help out the Astros and any fantasy roster that is smart enough to pick him up.

15. Aaron Nola (SP, PHI, AA) – LW: 17

Stats: 17.2 IP, 3.06 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 6.62 K/9, 1.02 BB/9, .51 HR/9, .96 WHIP
ETA: Late July

In full rebuilding mode and still one of the worst rotations in baseball, the Phillies are in no position to continue starting veterans over youth. Nola still has not spent a long time in the Minors and could benefit from some more conditioning, but a call up in late July – mid August could be in his future. Nola is not a great strikeout pitcher, but he knows how to get outs and he could help out a fantasy team in need of an additional starter.

16. Jon Gray (SP, COL, AAA) – LW: 12

Stats: 14 IP, 9.00 ERA, 4.97 FIP, 9.00 K/9, 3.86 BB/9, 1.29 HR/9, 2.00 WHIP
ETA: Late July

If it wasn’t for the fact that the Rockies rotation is terrible this year and hasn’t been any good in years, Jon Gray would probably not make this list. He has elite strikeout stuff and he does not walk a lot of players, but he is very hittable at this point and has quickly seen his call up date get pushed back a lot. If he is called up, that means that he has settled down and has found a way to limit hard contact, but keep an eye on his Minors numbers because the last thing fantasy owners need is a pitcher who gives up hard contact pitching in Coors Field.

17. Henry Owens (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 29

Stats: 16 IP, 3.94 ERA, 5.14 FIP, 7.31 K/9, 7.88 BB/9, .56 HR/9, 1.44 WHIP
ETA: Mid July

As stated earlier, the Red Sox rotation is really bad. Owens has started off his Triple-A season with pedestrian numbers, but he has an elite level repertoire from the left side. He is unlikely to get the call up before Brian Johnson, but Owens has the higher ceiling of the two and looks to be an elite level starter in the rotation. He is an elite level talent and should be owned in all fantasy leagues

18. Christian Walker (1B, BAL, AAA) – LW: 6

Stats: 64 PA, .263/.344/.316, 0 HR, 0 SB, 23.4% K rate, 10.9% BB rate
ETA: Early August

The good news: the bat of Christian Walker is starting to look a bit more alive after a slow start to the season. The bad news: so too are the bats of Chris Davis and Steve Pearce. While the Orioles would love to see what Walker could do if given time to start in the Majors, it is beginning to look like the only Walker gets called up the Majors is if Pearce or Davis are dealt midseason for more pitching. He has the power to contribute to any fantasy team, but owners at this point should only call him up if he is guaranteed a full-time presence on the team.

19. Austin Hedges (C, SD, AAA) – LW: 21

Stats: 53 PA, .370/.453/.609, 2 HR, 1 SB, 9.4% K rate, 13.2% BB rate
ETA: Mid May

Austin Hedges has flat out raked in Triple-A to start the season and would probably be the starting catcher for many teams in the bigs. Unfortunately for Hedges, Derek Norris is no slouch at the plate and currently is the number one guy for the Padres behind the dish. The offensive and defensive combination of Austin Hedges could soon force the Padres to call him up and move the defensively challenged Derek Norris to first base to replace the offensively challenged Yonder Alonso. Hedges could be a great waiver wire pickup under two circumstances: if he is called up (obviously) and if he is given a clear role at starting time behind the plate.

20. Miguel Sano (3B, MIN, AA) – LW: 14

Stats: 63 PA, .173/.317/.385, 3 HR, 1 SB, 25.4% K rate, 15.9% BB rate
ETA: Mid August

Miguel Sano will come up to the Majors this season. He is out of options and now must remain on the 40 man roster or potentially be picked up by another team. But Sano is really starting to struggle in the Minors and looks to be a player very similar to Javier Baez: extreme power potential but a complete lack of plate discipline. If Sano was picked up, he could be a decent addition in a 14+ team league or in a keeper league, but without better plate discipline he could do more harm than good to a fantasy roster and could continue to plummet in this power rankings list.

21. Michael Foltynewicz (SP, ATL, AAA) – LW: 27

Stats: 16.2 IP, 1.62 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 11.34 K/9, 3.78 BB/9, .54 HR/9, 1.08 WHIP
ETA: Early May

22. Kyle Crick (SP, SF, AA) – LW: 20

Stats: 12.2 IP, 1.42 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 13.5 K/9, 6.39 BB/9, 0 HR/9, 1.34 WHIP
ETA: Late June

23. Matt Wisler (SP, ATL, AAA) – LW: 23

Stats: 15.2 IP, 4.60 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 9.19 K/9, 1.72 BB/9, 1.72 HR/9, 1.47 WHIP
ETA: Early June

24. Steven Moya (OF, DET, A+) – LW: 24

Stats: 46 PA, .250/.261/.523, 3 HR, 0 SB, 30.4% K rate, 2.2% BB rate
ETA: Late June

25. Jameson Taillon (SP, PIT, - ) – LW: 22

Stats: NA
ETA: Mid August

26. Dylan Bundy (SP, BAL, AA) – LW: 25

Stats: 9 IP, 4.00 ERA, 2.11 FIP, 9.00 K/9, 2.00 BB/9, 0 HR/9, 1.11 WHIP
ETA: Late June

27. Buck Farmer (SP/RP, DET, AAA) – LW: 26

Stats: 15 IP, 4.20 ERA, 1.92 FIP, 12.60 K/9, 3.60 BB/9, 0 HR/9, 1.13 WHIP
ETA: Mid June

28. Raisel Iglesias (SP/RP, CIN, AAA) – LW: 28

Stats: 5 IP, 1.80 ERA, 2.72 FIP, 5.40 K/9, 1.80 BB/9, 0 HR/9, .80 WHIP
ETA: Mid May

29. Byron Buxton (OF, MIN, AA) – LW: 18

Stats: 59 PA, .200/.254/.364, 2 HR, 2 SB, 25.4% K rate, 6.8% BB rate
ETA: Mid August

30. Michael Taylor (OF, WSH, AAA) – LW: NR *

Stats: 19 PA, .412/.474/.588, 1 HR, 2 SB, 36.8% K rate, 10.5% BB rate
ETA: Late July

* Michael Taylor was on the Nationals’ roster to start the season, but was sent down to the Minors and would still qualify as a rookie for 2016 if he wasn’t called up again.