X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Five Rookies / Prospects You Should Draft in 2015

By mikelachance816 [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Jake Bogardus discusses the top 5 fantasy baseball rookies and MLB prospects that you should be looking to draft in 2015. Kris Bryant, Rusney Castillo, Jung-Ho Kang and more.

MLB Rookies & Prospects to Make Fantasy Impacts

Whether you are a 5 year old opening your presents on your birthday or a 40 year old getting a new fancy car during your mid-life crisis, everybody loves new toys. Rookies and prospects are the new cars of the MLB and untapped potential is their fuel.

The appeal of drafting a young stud and having them carry you to a fantasy league championship, a-la Mike Trout in 2012,  can cause for some over-drafting of young players, but with the right approach, drafting young players can be of massive value.

The names below are the top five player's that I would draft considering this season only. Some names such as Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, and Addison Russell, generally considered top five prospects in baseball, will not appear on this list because they are unlikely to contribute at the major league level this season (they should however be considered in drafts with Minor League roster spots or keeper leagues). Additionally, players were only considered for this list if that did not already hit the MLB rookie year qualifications of 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched, or 45 on an MLB active roster.

 

Kris Bryant - 3B, CHI

I've seen quite a few fantasy professionals list player's other than Bryant as their number one prospect for the upcoming fantasy season. The reason being he probably isn't going to break camp with the Cubs so that the team can reserve an extra year of control on his contract. He'll probably be in the minor's for the first month while the Cubs bide their time, but to me, five months of Kris Bryant plus one month of a replacement is still going to be more valuable than a full season of anyone else on this list. Bryant has major power to all fields, hitting 43 homers last season while maintaining a .325 AVG and 1.098 OPS while splitting plate appearances equally in AA and AAA (297 PA each). Yes, Bryant will strike out a bunch in the bigs and the average will likely settle in this year in the .270 range, but the power and run producing potential is real at a fantasy scarce position in 3B. Lastly, have you seen this recent spring training bomb? I'm not sure that it's landed yet.

My projection: 450 AB, 26 HR, 80 RBI, 65 R, 7 SB, .265/.345/.515

 

Rusney Castillo - OF, BOS

While Castillo, 27 years old on Opening Day, is the second oldest player on this list, he remains rookie eligible after his defection from Cuba resulted in a 7 year $72.5 million dollar deal last season with the Red Sox. At 27, Castillo has already developed his power potential and should provide 12-15 HR with the potential for more hitting in the friendly Fenway Park. The real value in Castillo though is in his legs. Castillo has plus speed that could result in a 25+ steal season. Even if he struggles at first with making contact, speed doesn't slump. Castillo should be able to find his way on base enough to help fantasy teams in the SB category while also providing some power and run production numbers from your outfield roster spot.

My projection: 500 AB, 15 HR, 70 RBI, 70 R, 28 SB, .275/.330/.420

 

Jorge Soler - OF, CHI

Unlike his Chicago Cubs teammate Bryant, Soler is almost guaranteed to break camp with the team and be an instant contributor. The 23 year-old outfielder will likely start in right for the Cubs and provides a solid all around game. Soler has plus power and absolutely crushed minor league pitching this past season .340/.432/.700 over 200 minor league AB spread across mainly AA and AAA. Soler added 15 HR in those 200 AB and continued showing that power at the Major League level hitting 5 HR in just 89 AB with the Cubs. So, what is a guy with 25-30 HR potential, good contact skills, and a starting job doing at 3rd on this list? Well, Soler comes with some injury risk. He's had several leg issues in the past that have forced him to miss time and have influenced the Cubs to have him tweak his running style to try to keep his legs healthy. Soler won't help you on the base paths with SB, but he will provide upside in the power categories while maintaining a healthy average.

My projection: 525 AB, 25 HR, 75 RBI, 70 R, 4 SB, .275/.330/.470

 

Joc Pederson - OF, LAD

Though the Matt Kemp trade this offseason seemingly clears the Dodgers center field position for Pederson to take over, there is still some uncertainty as to how much playing time Pederson will get, especially as long as Andre Ethier remains on the team despite his trade requests. The fact of the matter is that the job should be Pederson's and ultimately the Dodgers will find a way to get his talent on the field. Pederson went 30/30 last season in just 445 triple-A AB while triple slashing .303/.435/.582. Some fantasy experts are wary of these numbers because he was playing in the extremely hitter friendly confines of Albuquerque, but he's flashed the power/speed combo throughout his minor league career and it's just too juicy to pass up in fantasy. Even if Ethier is traded, there is a chance that Pederson sits out against lefties in a platoon with Scott Van Slyke, so playing time is certainly something to consider here, but the tools are real.

My projection: 470 AB, 22 HR, 65 RBI, 65 R, 20 SB, .250/.330/.440

 

Jung-Ho Kang - MI, PIT

Kang, 28 years old, may be the biggest unknown going into fantasy drafts as he transitions from South Korea to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League. As always with rookies, the first question is about opportunity. Kang can play all over the infield, but he does join a crowded one in Pittsburgh. Kang's value comes from his unique ability as a power-hitting middle infielder. You should be able to slot him in either the SS or 2B slots of your roster and get a power boost where you may not normally expect one. Kang hit 40 HR in Korea last season and has already shown his power in spring training, going the opposite way for a home run in his debut. Kang will be able to find some playing time in the early season as a utility man, eventually transitioning to a starting roll somewhere in the infield once he proves he can handle big league pitching.

My projection: 420 AB, 18 HR, 55 RBI, 50 R, 10 SB, .260/.330/.425

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
Jordan Clarkson

Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Trent Grisham

Exits With Hamstring Tightness
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks Reach Agreement on a New Contract
Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell Heading to Dallas
Denver Nuggets

Bruce Brown Jr. Heading Back to Denver
Atlanta Hawks

Clint Capela Returning to Houston
Cameron Johnson

Traded to Denver
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Michael Porter Jr.

Traded to Brooklyn
Matt Chapman

Could Return for Start of Giants Homestand
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Return on Saturday
Yanquiel Fernández

Yanquiel Fernandez Called Up to Majors
Tyler Mahle

Dealing With Rotator-Cuff Strain
Brooklyn Nets

Ziaire Williams Expected to Return to Nets
Austin Wells

to Miss Next Two Games
Tre Mann

Set to Become an Unrestricted Free Agent
Bo Bichette

Scratched With Sore Knee
Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF