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As promised, I am going to fill you all in on the recent news involving recovering starting pitchers, Dylan Bundy and Jameson Taillon. Bundy will be shut down indefinitely, which does not necessarily rule him out for a possible call-up this year, but it certainly pushes the time table back.
Jameson Taillon on the other hand is going to undergo hernia durgery and will miss two months. That likely does essentially eliminate any chance of a 2015 promotion for the Pirates prospect.
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.
Removed from the list
• Miguel Sano – called up
• Jameson Taillon – injury
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. Corey Seager (SS, LAD, AAA) – LW: 1
Stats: 322 PA, .310/.357/.517, 12 HR, 3 SB, 13.0% K rate, 6.8% BB rate
ETA: Mid-July
So the Dodgers declined to allow Corey Seager to play in the All-Star Futures Game. What exactly does that mean? Probably nothing, but it could possibly mean that they are considering promoting him before the All-Star break. He more than any other prospect on this list is worth a stash at this point in time.
2. Brian Johnson (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 2
Stats: 80.2 IP, 2.68 ERA, 3.29 FIP, 8.48 K/9, 2.68 BB/9, 0.67 HR/9, 1.08 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July
Red Sox manager John Farrell recently said that “with each passing start he’s [Brian Johnson] getting closer.” Unfortunately, Yahoo fantasy owners will be disappointed to know that Johnson is unable to be added so there will be no stashing the young left-hander. But when promoted, Johnson will definitely be worth the add.
3. Jose Peraza (SS, ATL, AAA) – LW: 6
Stats: 321 PA, .284/.310/.356, 2 HR, 21 SB, 9.3% K rate, 3.7% BB rate
ETA: Late July
Jose Peraza really does not have much left to prove at Triple-A this season. His batting average is right around where most would expect it to be, he steals bases and is rarely caught, and he neither walks nor strikes out. With the Braves potentially in a playoff chase, they could look to plug him in left field where he has been playing some. Luckily in Yahoo leagues, that speedy left fielder will only qualify as a shortstop bringing above average offensive production to a weak offensive position.
4. Aaron Nola (SP, PHI, AAA) – LW: 4
Stats: 94.1 IP, 1.72 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 7.35 K/9, 1.34 BB/9, 0.38 HR/9, 0.93 WHIP
ETA: Early August
If it is even possible, Nola has been better at Triple-A than he was in Double-A. His FIP at Double-A was 2.84 and at Triple-A it currently sits at 1.98. Granted it is a smaller sample size, but if nothing else it shows that the promotion has not overwhelmed the 22-year-old righty. Nola has earned that call up once Hamels is dealt.
5. Daniel Norris (SP, TOR, AAA) – LW: 7
Stats: 62.2 IP, 3.88 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 8.76 K/9, 4.16 BB/9, 0.43 HR/9, 1.52 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July
Daniel Norris has continued to pitch well at Triple-A and though his replacement Marco Estrada has filled in nicely, the Jays still have some issues to address in that rotation. If they fail to acquire any starters between now and the trade deadline, Norris will likely be the arm that is inserted into the rotation.
6. Peter O’Brien (C, ARI, AAA) – LW: 12
Stats: 319 PA, .279/.320/.514, 15 HR, 1 SB, 22.6% K rate, 4.7% BB rate
ETA: Early August
Peter O’Brien continues to hit extremely well at the Triple-A level and is offensively Major League ready. Whether he comes to the Majors to play outfield or catcher, the bat will be what brings him up soon. The most important fact involving O’Brien is that in Yahoo leagues, he is available and he qualifies at the relatively weak offensive catcher position.
7. Luis Severino (SP, NYY, AAA) – LW: 14
Stats: 79.1 IP, 2.61 ERA, 2.59 FIP, 8.62 K/9, 2.50 BB/9, 0.23 HR/9, 1.03 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July
This season, the Yankees starting rotation has a 4.30 ERA which is good for 23rd best in the Majors. And while their FIP indicates that they could turn things around eventually, but CC Sabathia’s contract and reputation can only keep him in the rotation for so long given his 5.59 ERA and 4.57 FIP. Luis Severino would be an immediate improvement in the rotation and while they will likely wait a couple more starts before calling him up, there is no doubt that he has earned a call up.
8. Kyle Schwarber (C/OF, CHC, AAA) – LW: 13
Stats: 281 PA, .318/.425/.575, 14 HR, 1 SB, 22.1% K rate, 15.7% BB rate
ETA: Early September
It is very unlikely that Kyle Schwarber will see time in the Majors before September, but he has the kind of bat that is really game changing in fantasy baseball. He can contribute in all offensive categories except stolen bases and can do so while qualifying for the catcher position. Because it is unlikely that he will be up for a while, owners would be wise to wait on stashing Schwarber until it gets closer to September.
9. Zach Lee (SP, LAD, AAA) – LW: 11
Stats: 61.2 IP, 2.19 ERA, 3.67 FIP, 6.71 K/9, 1.75 BB/9, 0.58 HR/9, 1.01 WHIP
ETA: Mid-July
Carlos Frias is set to return to the rotation after the All-Star Break, but he may lose that spot to Zach Lee at some point. Lee has been quite good this season at Triple-A while Frias has struggled both in the statistics of ERA and FIP. A trade for another starter could cost the Dodgers more prospects than they would like to give up. A call up of Zach Lee: priceless.
10. Hector Olivera (3B, LAD, AAA) – LW: 8
Stats: 56 PA, .358/.393/.528, 2 HR, 0 SB, 14.3% K rate, 5.4% BB rate
ETA: Early August
Hector Olivera should be coming off the DL sometime soon. Justin Turner has certainly provided great offensive production at third base this season, but he could be seen as trade bait at the deadline based on the idea that his value may never be any higher. A deal sending Turner away could make even more sense given that the Dodgers have made abundantly clear that they are prepared to give the 30-year-old Olivera the starting third base role in the future after signing him to a six year $62.5 million deal.
11. Joe Ross (SP, WAS, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 61.1 IP, 2.93 ERA, 3.19 FIP, 8.66 K/9, 2.05 BB/9, 0.73 HR/9, 1.13 WHIP
ETA: Mid-August
Stephen Strasburg is back on the DL and that means that his spot in the rotation has opened back up. They will likely try to work around it for now, but Joe Ross has been in the Majors frequently this season and has pitched very well. He is likely going to be the starter to re-enter the rotation with Strasburg gone and he should be owned as long as Strasburg is hurt.
12. Robert Stephenson (SP, CIN, AAA) – LW: 16
Stats: 78.1 IP, 3.68 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 10.23 K/9, 4.94 BB/9, 0.92 HR/9, 1.23 WHIP
ETA: Early August
If Robert Stephenson can get his command issues in check, then there is no reason that he shouldn’t jump into the Reds rotation after the trade deadline. Anthony DeSclafani and Michael Lorenzen look like the only two starters who are almost guaranteed to pitch for the Reds in August as Mike Leake and Johnny Cueto are likely to be dealt and Josh Smith is likely to be sent down. Because Stephenson is so great at striking out hitters, he would immediately become fantasy relevant in the event of his promotion.
13. Tyler Duffey (SP, MIN, AAA) – LW: 15
Stats: 97.1 IP, 2.68 ERA, 2.01 FIP, 8.51 K/9, 1.76 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.12 WHIP
ETA: Early August
The imminent reinstatement of Ervin Santana certainly does harm to Tyler Duffey’s chances of being called up soon, but it doesn’t entirely prevent Duffey from being promoted. Trevor May has been placed in the Twins bullpen (in spite of an impressive 3.20 FIP). Tyler Duffey is great at keeping the ball in the yard as evidenced by still 0 home runs allowed this year. He could be a great fantasy option in deep leagues and some mixed leagues if he is called up.
14. Adam Duvall (1B, SF, AAA) – LW: 9
Stats: 331 PA, .264/.311/.492, 16 HR, 2 SB, 22.7% K rate, 6.0% BB rate
ETA: Late July
The impressive play of Matt Duffy continues to push back any potential call up of Adam Duvall. Duffy has been one of the Giants’ best hitters since becoming a regular and has even been seen batting third in their lineup from time to time. There have been questions to whether or not Duvall is ready to play third base, but if needed the Giants would be willing to take the risk on him. He could even be used as trade bait at the deadline.
15. Jon Gray (SP, COL, AAA) – LW: 10
Stats: 90.1 IP, 4.88 ERA, 4.29 FIP, 7.57 K/9, 3.09 BB/9, 0.90 HR/9, 1.52 WHIP
ETA: Late July
Take away one start in June and Jon Gray has been really good since May 26. Take away his outing on June 27 and Gray has an ERA of 2.79 with 40 punchouts in 45.2 IP. Gray really doesn’t have anything left to prove at Triple-A. Given the current state of the Rockies rotation, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be called up.
16. Stephen Piscotty (OF, STL, AAA) – LW: 5
Stats: 326 PA, .261/.356/.457, 10 HR, 5 SB, 15.6% K rate, 12.3% BB rate
ETA: Early August
If Stephen Piscotty was going to be called up, it probably would have happened already. Mark Reynolds has been terrible at first base for the Cardinals and Xavier Scruggs is probably not the long term answer for them. Piscotty has certainly not disappointed this year and by all means warrants a call up and a chance to prove himself, but at this point it is anyone’s guess at when that promotion will happen.
17. Joey Gallo (3B, TEX, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 154 PA, .299/.416/.606, 9 HR, 1 SB, 31.8% K rate, 16.9% BB rate
ETA: Early September
Some may consider Joey Gallo’s time in the Majors to be a success, but I am not one of them. Gallo flashed the power, but a .306 OBP with a 43.9% K rate is proof that he is not yet Major League ready. Sometime developing could help him cut down on the strikeouts and raise the average a bit and there is no doubt that he will be back up in September. At this point, Gallo can provide a lot of home run and RBI production to fantasy owners, but will simultaneously be a major detractor in terms of batting average.
18. Jose Berrios (SP, MIN, AAA) – LW: 18
Stats: 90.2 IP, 3.08 ERA, 3.12 FIP, 9.13 K/9, 2.38 BB/9, 0.60 HR/9, 1.11 WHIP
ETA: Mid-August
If Tyler Duffey doesn’t get called up to join the rotation this season, then it would likely be Jose Berrios who gets the promotion. Berrios has been nothing short of outstanding down in Double-A this season and was recently called up to Triple-A. If Berrios dominates in Triple-A like he did in Double-A, it will likely be him instead of Duffey. If he struggles, they may wait until 2016 to see him at the Major League level.
19. Zach Davies (SP, BAL, AAA) – LW: 21
Stats: 75.1 IP, 2.75 ERA, 2.73 FIP, 8.12 K/9, 3.58 BB/9, 0.12 HR/9, 1.30 WHIP
ETA: Early August
Ubaldo Jimenez and Wei-Yin Chen have been great and Kevin Gausman has looked sharp in his brief time in the rotation. But that’s about it. Now Dylan Bundy has been shut down indefinitely meaning that Zach Davies is one of their last internal options. Davies has earned a spot in the rotation and could be a major help for the Orioles. He also strikes out enough hitters to become fantasy relevant in mixed leagues and is a great waiver wire option in deep leagues.
20. Trea Turner (SS, WAS, AAA) – LW: 30
Stats: 323 PA, .307/.359/.454, 6 HR, 15 SB, 19.8% K rate, 7.7% BB rate
ETA: Early September
The Nationals acquired Trea Turner to be the heir to the shortstop position when Ian Desmond leaves via free agency. However, Desmond has struggled a lot both at the plate and in the field this season. The Nationals are probably going to let Desmond work through the struggles due to his history of providing phenomenal offensive production. But Turner has put Desmond on the hot seat and he could steal Desmond’s job when he is called up in September.
21. Aaron Blair (SP, ARI, AAA) – LW: 26
Stats: 100.0 IP, 3.06 ERA, 4.20 FIP, 7.11 K/9, 2.70 BB/9, 0.99 HR/9, 1.15 WHIP
ETA: Late August
22. Brandon Nimmo (OF, NYM, AAA) – LW: 20
Stats: 234 PA, .278/.350/.378, 2 HR, 0 SB, 18.4% K rate, 8.5% BB rate
ETA: Early August
23. Henry Owens (SP, BOS, AAA) – LW: 25
Stats: 90.2 IP, 3.28 ERA, 4.02 FIP, 6.85 K/9, 4.76 BB/9, 0.50 HR/9, 1.18 WHIP
ETA: Mid-August
24. Robert Refsnyder (2B, NYY, AAA) – LW: 28
Stats: 328 PA, .280/.373/.387, 5 HR, 10 SB, 12.5% K rate, 11.3% BB rate
ETA: Mid-August
25. Josh Bell (1B, PIT, AA) – LW: NR
Stats: 330 PA, .313/.384/.426, 3 HR, 5 SB, 10.3% K rate, 10.6% BB rate
ETA: Early September
26. Buck Farmer (SP/RP, DET, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 75.1 IP, 3.35 ERA, 2.86 FIP, 8.00 K/9, 2.63 BB/9, 0.36 HR/9, 1.21 WHIP
ETA: Mid-August
27. Christian Walker (1B, BAL, AAA) – LW: 23
Stats: 319 PA, .275/.332/.395, 5 HR, 0 SB, 22.3% K rate, 7.8% BB rate
ETA: Early September
28. Dylan Bundy (SP, BAL, AA) – LW: 17
Stats: 22.0 IP, 3.68 ERA, 1.78 FIP, 10.23 K/9, 2.05 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 1.18 WHIP
ETA: Early September
29. Yorman Rodriguez (OF, CIN, AAA) – LW: NR
Stats: 293 PA, .267/.307/.422, 8 HR, 3 SB, 24.9% K rate, 5.5% BB rate
ETA: Early August
30. Mark Appel (SP, HOU, AAA) – LW: 22
Stats: 72.0 IP, 5.00 ERA, 4.63 FIP, 7.00 K/9, 3.38 BB/9, 1.13 HR/9, 1.54 WHIP
ETA: Mid-August
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