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One of the highest touted prospects in baseball was called up a few days ago. The prospect was Joey Gallo, and he was called up in the wake of Adrian Beltre’s injury. He had a 33.6% strikeout rate at Double-A this season, and a 39.5% rate the year prior, to go along with all the power potential in baseball. I thought that the Rangers would want to at least test him out in Triple-A before calling him up.
Gallo has tremendous power (obviously) and a decent eye at the plate. He will walk a lot, but because he has a long swing that is swinging for the fences he tends to swing and miss at a lot of pitches. He may be able to hit around .270 in the majors, eventually.
With Josh Hamilton now out for an extended period of time, Gallo’s time in the majors may be extended beyond Beltre’s DL stint. Personally I'm not sure about him spending the rest of the season on the big league club. I think his power upside, and batting in the middle of the Rangers, will make up for his low average and high strikeouts. But eventually it may catch up with him this year.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more MLB prospects, rookies and potential call-ups, be sure to check out our MLB prospects for fantasy baseball homepage which has lots of great weekly analysis.
All stats current as of Sunday, June 7th.
Major League Prospects - Fantasy 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 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.
1. Carlos Correa (SS, HOU, AAA) – LW: 1
Stats: 225 PA, .325/.396/.600, 10 HR, 18 SB, 17.3% K rate, 10.2% BB rate
ETA: Early/Mid June
To all those people who may jump off the Correa bandwagon because of his recent ankle injury, don’t panic. He sat last Monday, but has played everyday since and has looked very sharp. At this point, I don’t know why the Astros are waiting.
UPDATE 6/8: This piece was written early on Sunday 6/7, and the Astros apparently aren't waiting for anything at this point. Correa was called up Monday, June 8th and had an impressive debut, notching the Astros' lone RBI vs. dominant lefty Chris Sale. If Correa is on your league's waiver wire, run run run and pick him up.
2. Steve Matz (SP, NYM, AAA) – LW: 2
Stats: 68.1 IP, 1.98 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 9.22 K/9, 3.03 BB/9, 0.40 HR/9, 1.04 WHIP
ETA: Mid June
Like Correa, I don’t know what the holdup is with Steven Matz. He has pitched very well in Triple-A and his lefty counterpart in the Mets rotation, Jon Niese, has continued to struggle.
3. Adam Duvall (1B/3B, SFG, AAA) – LW: 4
Stats: 214 PA, .294/.327/.552, 12 HR, 1 SB, 22.4% K rate, 5.1% BB rate
ETA: Mid June
Between May 28 and June 3, Matt Duffy had a total of three hits in 27 plate appearances. He has decent for the Giants this season, but is beginning to struggle. Meanwhile Adam Duvall continues to slug down at Triple-A. If the Giants want to remain competitive this year, they need the best starting nine they can get and right now they are playing with a weak link. Duvall would immediately provide a powerful spark in that lineup and could help the Giants greatly as well as any fantasy team willing to pick him up.
4. Francisco Lindor (SS, CLE, AAA) – LW: 5
Stats: 218 PA, .258/.338/.368, 2 HR, 8 SB, 13.3% K rate, 11.0% BB rate
ETA: Late June
Speaking of struggling starters, Jose Ramirez. That .184/.252/.245 slash line is terrible. Probably can’t get much worse than that. Francisco Lindor continues to remain somewhat average down in Triple-A, but he certainly has the potential to be a great offensive threat with his speed and decent power. The Indians will probably make the decision sooner rather than later that they need hisbat in their lineup.
5. Andrew Heaney (SP, LAA, AAA) – LW: 6
Stats: 62.2 IP, 3.73 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 8.62 K/9, 2.44 BB/9, 0.29 HR/9, 1.39 WHIP
ETA: Early July
Don’t look now, but Matt Shoemaker is starting to turn things around a bit. But he still hasn’t been 2014 Matt Shoemaker, and when you couple his struggles with those of Jered Weaver and the ticking time bomb that is Hector Santiago (4.27 FIP), it looks likely that Andrew Heaney could have a spot open up in the rotation soon. He has been one of the best starters in all of Triple-A and certainly has demonstrated that he deserves a rotation spot.
6. Daniel Norris (SP, TOR, AAA) – LW: 3
Stats: 28.1 IP, 3.18 ERA, 3.57 FIP, 8.58 K/9, 5.40 BB/9, 0.32 HR/9, 1.55 WHIP
ETA: Late June
The Blue Jays rotation has been horrible this year. R.A. Dickey has both an ERA and a FIP over 5.00; Aaron Sanchez has a decent ERA, but he has walked almost as many batters as he has struck out; and based on WAR, Drew Hutchison is the Blue Jays’ best pitcher and he has a 5.26 ERA and a 3.80 FIP. The Blue Jays need help and Daniel Norris will be that guy very soon. They don’t have the prospect depth to acquire a top of the line starter so they will have to dig into their system and Norris is the most ready of any of their prospects.
7. Jose Peraza (2B, ATL, AAA) – LW: 7
Stats: 194 PA, .293/.333/.379, 2 HR, 14 SB, 8.8% K rate, 5.2% BB rate
ETA: Mid July
Luckily for Jose Peraza, Jace Peterson has started to slow down a bit. There was a point in May when it looked like Peterson was going to hold off Peraza for at least most of the year at the position, but now it doesn’t look like it. Peraza has maintained steady production throughout all of this season while Peterson has been streaky and unproductive at times. Peraza’s elite speed and contact ability should get him to the Majors soon
8. Aaron Nola (SP, PHI, AA) – LW: 8
Stats: 64.2 IP, 1.81 ERA, 2.85 FIP, 6.96 K/9, 0.97 BB/9, 0.42 HR/9, 0.87 WHIP
ETA: Late July/Early August
Ruben Amaro may say that Aaron Nola has a bit to go before he is MLB ready, but he at this point would still be leaps and bounds better than Sean O’Sullivan, David Buchanan, Jerome Williams, or practically anyone else who has started for the Phillies this year (not named Aaron Harang or Cole Hamels). I would be shocked if Nola didn’t get called up before August, but I put early August as his ETA because I understand that there is a chance that he doesn’t get called up until a starter is traded.
9. Brian Johnson (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 9
Stats: 55.1 IP, 2.60 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 9.27 K/9, 2.77 BB/9, 0.65 HR/9, 1.07 WHIP
ETA: Late June
The Red Sox are currently going with a six-man rotation, but it is essentially a guarantee that Eduardo Rodriguez locked up one of those spots. He has been nothing short of outstanding in his brief time there. And while Rodriguez’s success, Buchholz’s recent stellar play, and Porcello’s contract may keep Brian Johnson out of the rotation for now, the other expected starters (Wade Miley and Joe Kelly) have pitched poorly enough to leave Johnson’s name open as a possibility to start for the Red Sox this season.
10. Steven Piscotty (1B/OF, STL, AAA) – LW: 10
Stats: 217 PA, .262/.355/.476, 7 HR, 2 SB, 17.1% K rate, 11.5% BB rate
ETA: Late June/Early July
Mark Reynolds has filled in admirably to this point for the injured Matt Adams, but since being given the starting role Reynolds has yet to hit one extra base hit. In fact, you have to go all the way back to May 19 to find the last time he did. Meanwhile, Stephen Piscotty had a 10-game hitting streak at Triple-A. Piscotty is red-hot right now and would be a huge boost to the Cardinals’ lineup.
11. Corey Seager (SS/3B, LAD, AAA) – LW: 11
Stats: 212 PA, .328/.368/.535, 8 HR, 1 SB, 15.1% K rate, 5.7% BB rate
ETA: Mid July
Corey Seager is one of the most interesting prospects in baseball. I really can’t quite figure out the Dodgers plan for him. They wanted to keep him in the minors for a while, so they acquired Jimmy Rollins. But Rollins has scuffled and now Seager is in Triple-A and performing well. If I had to guess, I would say that he replaces Rollins before too long because the Dodgers can’t afford to have a struggling bat in the lineup.
12. Domingo Santana (OF, HOU, AAA) – LW: 12
Stats: 194 PA, .290/.407/.556, 10 HR, 1 SB, 30.9% K rate, 16.5% BB rate
ETA: Late July
Domingo Santana certainly has an uphill battle to fight in order to see playing time, but I still see him as a likely candidate to be traded this deadline given the Astros outfield depth. He would likely be seen as a starter by any team that he gets traded to and would provide a decent average and outstanding power to any fantasy owner that adds him.
13. Matt Wisler (SP, ATL, AAA) – LW: 13
Stats: 55.1 IP, 3.58 ERA, 3.15 FIP, 7.48 K/9, 1.79 BB/9, 0.65 HR/9, 1.17 WHIIP
ETA: Early July
Julio Teheran has struggled this year and there seems to be no sign of hope for him performing any better. If his struggles continue as much as they have so far, he could be sent to Triple-A to get some rest and try to get his stuff right and that would open the door for Matt Wisler to come in and join this young and talented Braves rotation.
14. Jon Gray (SP, COL, AAA) – LW: 18
Stats: 53.1 IP, 5.40 ERA, 4.76 FIP, 6.41 K/9, 2.87 BB/9, 1.01 HR/9, 1.54 WHIP
ETA: Mid June
Wow! Jon Gray made quite a leap up in spite of some unspectacular numbers. Why is that? It is because Jordan Lyles is now out for the season and the Rockies don’t have much pitching depth at all. If there has ever been a prospect that they want to take their time on, it’s Gray. But their lack of depth may force their hand soon and they may give him the spot if he shows even the slightest bit of improvement (especially after his last start which saw him throw seven innings of shutout ball with only four hits and two walks given up to go along with five strikeouts).
15. Zach Lee (SP, LAD, AAA) – LW: 14
Stats: 56.2 IP, 2.38 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 6.99 K/9, 1.91 BB/9, 0.64 HR/9, 1.09 WHIP
ETA: Late June/Early July
Zach Lee was scratched from his most recent start with what is being called a ‘minor injury.’ That is a little bit alarming even if it is only minor. What is also worrying for fantasy owners is that the Dodgers elected not to use Lee in the Dodgers recent double-header. His call up is being delayed and his fantasy stock is suffering for it even if his minor league numbers have been great.
16. Dylan Bundy (SP, BAL, AA) – LW: 20
Stats: 22.0 IP, 3.68 ERA, 1.88 FIP, 10.23 K/9, 2.05 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.18 WHIP
ETA: Late July
Ubaldo Jimenez has been good in the Orioles rotation. But that would be about it. Everyone else has a FIP over 4.00. The Orioles desperately need pitching and Dylan Bundy is major league ready. Once the Orioles feel that he has recovered enough from his injury, he will be called up and would be a tremendous add by fantasy managers as he has tremendous upside.
17. Alex Meyer (SP, MIN, AAA) – LW: 16
Stats: 40.2 IP, 6.86 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 9.74 K/9, 5.31 BB/9, 0.44 HR/9, 1.84 WHIP
ETA: Late July/Early August
Since being moved to the bullpen, Alex Meyer has yet to give up a run. He has thrown a total of 3.2 innings with eight strikeouts and is starting to look like the prospect that the Twins hoped he could be. The Twins rotation has been good, not great and could always use a little bit of help and Meyer certainly has the stuff and potential to do that. While his call up timetable has certainly been pushed back, there is no doubt that he could see playing time before August if he continues to perform well.
18. Marco Gonzales (SP, STL, AAA) – LW: 15
Stats: 28.1 IP, 6.35 ERA, 5.75 FIP, 6.99 K/9, 2.54 BB/9, 1.91 HR/9, 1.59 WHIP
ETA: Early August
The draft stock of Marco Gonzales is rapidly going down the drain because of his present nagging injury and the fact that he hasn’t performed well when on the field. He is likely to stay on this list for awhile because of the Cardinals preference to solve their problems from within the system rather than go out and pursue other players through trades.
19. Mark Appel (SP, HOU, AA) – LW: 17
Stats: 40.0 IP, 5.85 ERA, 4.34 FIP, 6.53 K/9, 4.05 BB/9, 0.68 HR/9, 1.78 WHIP
ETA: Early August
The struggles of Mark Appel continue. He was asked to be dominant at Double-A in order to be called up and he has been anything but that. This is likely his last week in the Top 20 of this list.
20. Peter O’Brien (C, ARI, AAA) – LW: 21
Stats: 204 PA, .339/.377/.634, 12 HR, 1 SB, 20.1% K rate, 4.9% BB rate
ETA: Late July
The acquisition of Wellington Castillo pushed back Peter O’Brien in the Diamondbacks’ depth chart, but O’Brien is hitting so well that they may call him up anyways. O’Brien has been the best hitter in Triple-A this year by far and could be on his way to Minor League Player of the Year if he doesn’t get called up (which is extremely unlikely).
21. Steven Moya (OF, DET, AAA) – LW: 22
Stats: 196 PA, .251/.287/.437, 7 HR, 1 SB, 29.1% K rate, 4.6% BB rate
ETA: Late July
22. Christian Walker (1B, BAL, AAA) – LW: 23
Stats: 199 PA, .243/.291/.341, 2 HR, 0 SB, 23.1% K rate, 6.5% BB rate
ETA: Early August
23. Miguel Sano (3B/OF, MIN, AA) – LW: 26
Stats: 197 PA, .253/.355/.506, 10 HR, 4 SB, 24.4% K rate, 13.2% BB rate
ETA: Early August
24. Kyle Crick (SP, SFG, AA) – LW: 24
Stats: 35.1 IP, 1.78 ERA, 4.58 FIP, 9.17 K/9, 6.62 BB/9, 0.51 HR/9, 1.44 WHIP
ETA: Late August
25. Byron Buxton (OF, MIN, AA) – LW: 25
Stats: 223 PA, .256/.323/.487, 6 HR, 15 SB, 19.7% K rate, 9.0% BB rate
ETA: Late August
26. Henry Owens (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 19
Stats: 54.1 IP, 3.15 ERA, 4.43 FIP, 6.96 K/9, 5.80 BB/9, 0.50 HR/9, 1.33 WHIP
ETA: Early September
27. Jameson Taillon (SP, PIT, NA) – LW: 27
Stats: NA
ETA: Mid-August
28. Kyle Kubitza (3B, LAA, AAA) – LW: 28
Stats: 228 PA, .291/.360/.458, 3 HR, 1 SB, 25.9% K rate, 9.6% BB rate
ETA: Mid-August
29. Luis Severino (SP, NYY, AAA) – LW: 29
Stats: 42.1 IP, 3.40 ERA, 2.58 FIP, 10.84 K/9, 2.76 BB/9, 0.43 HR/9, 1.18 WHIP
ETA: Late August
30. Jon Moscot (SP, CIN, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 54.1 IP, 3.15 ERA, 4.20 FIP, 5.63 K/9, 3.15 BB/9, 0.83 HR/9, 1.27 WHIP
ETA: Late July/Early August
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