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The number of prospects capable of impacting your fantasy baseball season is dwindling but some remain.
Rosters have been expanded at the MLB level but the minor league playoffs are also in full swing. As a result, some prospects with the potential to impact the big leagues are still in the minors. But they will likely be called up with the conclusion of their playoff runs.
Other prospects affiliated with MLB teams in the playoff hunt, such as Carter Kieboom or Tanner Houck (if the Red Sox can be considered still in a playoff race), will be kept in game shape in case injuries on the big league clubs necessitate emergency recalls to The Show.
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Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings (1-10)
1. Kyle Wright, RHP, Braves (AAA) (ETA: September)
The Braves’ Triple-A affiliate was eliminated from the playoffs recently so Wright will be up any day now. The right-hander had a strong finish to the season and then pitched well in his one playoff start with two runs allowed in six innings and six strikeouts.
2. Carter Kieboom, SS, Nationals (AAA) (ETA: September)
Kieboom remains the most talented, most MLB-ready player not in the Majors right now despite an 11-game, big-league trial earlier in the year. He’s working out and staying in game shape in case he gets the call. Kieboom hits for average, power and posts excellent on-base numbers.
3. Bryse Wilson, RHP, Braves (AAA) (ETA: September)
Wilson couldn’t escape the constant elevator ride that’s been his season — even with September roster expansion. The right-hander was optioned down to Triple-A over the weekend to start the deciding game of the Triple-A semifinals for the Braves’ affiliate. Wilson pitched well but the team was eliminated so Wilson should be back up (for good) shortly.
4. Bobby Bradley, 1B, Indians (AAA) (ETA: September)
Bradley’s bat perked up a bit at the end of the minor league regular season and he carried that moment over to the playoffs. His club is moving on to the championship round. Once the playoffs are over, Bradley should be back up in the Majors although playing time could be hard to come by unless he gets hot quickly. He finished the minor league regular season with 33 home runs in 107 games.
5. Keegan Akin, LHP, Orioles (AAA) (ETA: September)
The Orioles appear to be another club that could be playing the service time game in September. Akin will be added to the 40-man roster this fall so getting a look at him this month makes sense unless the front office is convinced his control isn’t MLB-ready. The lefty has swing-and-miss stuff when he can find the plate, as witnessed by his 131 strikeouts in 112.1 innings.
6. Jorge Mateo, SS, Athletics (AAA) (ETA: September)
Mateo finished the Triple-A season on a cold streak and has been similarly ineffective in the playoffs. But with Oakland in a precarious playoff spot, expect him to get a promotion to the Majors when the minor league playoffs are completed. Even if he’s not hitting well, he can provide baser running value and steals.
7. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pirates (AAA) (ETA: September)
There’s still a small chance that Hayes will receive a promotion this September although the likelihood gets smaller every day. Either way, Hayes will be added to the 40-man roster this fall to protect him from the 40-man roster.
8. Justin Dunn, RHP, Mariners (AA) (ETA: September)
Dunn had a solid season in Double-A with a K-BB of 158-39 in 131.2 innings and will be added to the 40-man roster this November — if he’s not promoted to the Majors before that. For now, he’s pitching in the Double-A playoffs.
9. Rogelio Armenteros, RHP, Astros (AAA) (ETA: September)
The Astros continue to fight a losing battle with pitching depth so expect Armenteros to get another big league look once the Triple-A playoffs are over for the Triple-A club. In his one playoff start, the burly right-hander struck out nine batters in 5.2 innings. He also has a K-BB of 18-5 in 18 big league innings.
10. James Karinchak, RHP, Indians (AAA) (ETA: September)
Injury issues took a chunk out of Karinchak’s season but he still produced video-game-like strikeout numbers with a K-BB of 74-17 in 30.1 innings. His control has been off in the minor league playoffs and he doesn’t have to be added to the 40-man roster for another year but if the big league club finds its back against the wall in the chase for a playoff spot, he could get a look.
Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings (11-15)
11. Edward Olivares, OF, Padres (AA) (ETA: September)
Olivares has been playing in the Double-A playoffs so he could be up for a look in September once his team is finished playing. He’s already on the 40-man roster so the only thing standing in his way is potential service time issues but the Padres have shown little concern for that compared to other clubs. Olivares has speed and power potential.
12. Joe Palumbo, LHP, Rangers (AAA) (ETA: September)
If Palumbo can recover from the blister he developed in his MLB start in late August then he could see some innings in September for the Rangers. He finished the Triple-A season with a K-BB of 108-35 in 80.2 innings.
13. Deivi Garcia, RHP, Yankees (AAA) (ETA: September)
Garcia’s transition to reliever at the end of the year really didn’t go well. The young right-hander struggled even more with his control and melted down as his Triple-A club was eliminated from the playoffs. He walked four batters and allowed five earned runs in an inning of relief. Still, he’s shown swing-and-miss stuff at the upper levels of the minors when he can find the plate on a more consistent basis.
14. Logan Allen, LHP, Indians (AAA) (ETA: September)
Allen should get a promotion to the Majors once Cleveland’s Triple-A team is finished with the playoffs. The southpaw hasn’t been overly effective in the Majors due to inconsistent command and control but he’s shown the ability to miss bats when he’s throwing well.
15. Bobby Dalbec, 3B, Red Sox (AAA) (ETA: September)
Dalbec finished the year with 27 home runs and 73 walks in 135 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. He’ll be added to the 40-man roster no later than November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The setback to Michael Chavis’ rehab could accelerate Dalbec’s timeframe.
More MLB Prospects Analysis
