Top 50 Prospects for Fantasy Baseball Redraft: Week 6 Rankings

August 28, 2020

Marc Hulet updates his top 50 fantasy baseball prospects rankings list for redraft leagues for Week 6 of the 2020 MLB season, analyzing MLB rookies and call-ups.

For the first time this year, we have a new player atop the rankings of the Top 50 Redraft Prospects for 2020. Young Phillies' third baseman Alec Bohm has wrestled the top spot away from Chicago White Sox's five-tool threat Luis Robert.

If you’ve been following this ranking all season long, you’re probably the proud owner of Mariners' outfielder Kyle Lewis, who has since graduated from the list (with more than 130 MLB at-bats). Lewis started the year with a strikeout rate of more than 50% but continually showed improvements and a strong approach in key situations. He was aggressively ranked on the list and now has a 190 wRC+ in 29 games in 2020.

Despite the hitters listed above, the main strength of the rookie class of 2020 has been the pitching depth. That depth has gotten even stronger over the past couple of weeks with the promotions of Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Sixto Sanchez, and Triston McKenzie.  With the trade deadline less than a week ago and a lot of teams fighting to make the expanded playoffs, we could start to see more top hitters arrive, such as Alex Kirilloff and Wander Franco, to help even things out.

The Top 50 Redraft Prospects for 2020

Notes on Prospects 1-10

1. Alec Bohm, 3B, Phillies: Bohm has been an offensive force for the Phillies with a wRC+ of 171 through his first 10 big-league games. He’s walking more than he’s striking out but the scariest part is that he has yet to fully tap into his raw power. In other words, there’s more to come.

3. Jake Cronenworth, IF, Padres: Whatever changes Cronenworth made in 2019 continue to benefit him during his first taste of MLB action. The young versatile player currently has a 177 wRC+ and his outstanding plate rates (10% walk rate, 13% K rate) suggest his success has been for real. And while he’s hit only three home runs, he’s stinging the ball to the tune of a 31% line-drive rate.

5. Gavin Lux, IF, Dodgers: The Dodgers are in first place on the strength of the pitching staff and there is room to improve offensively with just three or four everyday hitters performing at or above expectations. Add in a need to keep the veteran hitters healthy before the expanded playoffs start and Lux could be up right after the trade deadline — if not before.

6. Sixto Sanchez, SP, Marlins: Sanchez had an impressive debut by hitting 100 mph on the radar gun numerous times, although he struck out just four hitters in five innings. Control has always been a strength of Sanchez’s and he didn’t walk anyone in his debut but his command still needs some work to realize his full potential at the MLB level.

7. Joey Bart, C, Giants: Bart recently received his much-anticipated promotion to the Majors. There has been a little swing-and-miss to his game early but he’s also been hitting the ball with authority and three of his four hits have been for extra bases. He’s a strong catching option for the second half of the year.

9. Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers: Skubal had a better outing in his second MLB start by striking out five batters in 2.1 innings of work. The lefty is only scratching the surface of his potential as he gets comfortable at the big-league level. He hasn’t shown his best curveballs or changeups yet due to his command struggles, and those offerings will really help him combat tough right-handed batters.

10. Alex Kirilloff, OF, Twins: The Twins have had a strong season to date and sit atop the AL Central division and, unfortunately for Kirilloff, the club’s best hitters play at his potential positions (LF, RF, DH, 1B). Still, I expect Kirilloff to get a shot at playing once the trade deadline dust settles as the club prepares for the expanded playoffs.

Notes on Prospects 11-30

11. Wander Franco, SS, Rays: Clubs have been aggressive with young players in 2020 and, with the Rays trying to hold off the Yankees for first place in the AL East, Franco could be primed for some key playing time in September. The young infielder is just 19 but he showed a very advanced bat in 2019 (157 wRC+ in High-A) and was primed to spend much of 2020 at Double-A and Triple-A.

12. Casey Mize, SP, Tigers: Mize had another rough outing during his second big-league game. The good news is that the underlying numbers suggest he’s been OK with a 23% strikeout rate and a 5% walk rate. He’s had some bad luck when trying to strand base runners and he’s given up a .400 BABIP. Once he discovers the feel for his splitter… watch out.

13. Brendan Rodgers, 2B, Rockies: The good news is that Rodgers is back in the Majors. The bad news is that the Rockies still aren’t giving him regular playing time. Outside of Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story, no Rockies hitter is really lighting the world on fire so you have to figure this young hitter will get a real good chance to play soon. Once he settles in, his natural talent should take over and result in above-average offensive numbers.

16. Triston McKenzie, SP, Indians: McKenzie had a “stand up and take notice” moment during his MLB debut by striking out 10 batters with just one walk in six innings. The tall right-hander has always been loaded with potential but entered the 2020 season after missing the previous year-and-a-half due to injuries. If he can stay healthy, McKenzie can be an impact arm for Cleveland in the second half of the year and into the playoffs.

18. Tony Gonsolin, P, Dodgers: There aren’t many teams that would option a player to the alternate training site after they posted a 0.00 ERA after three starts but most teams don’t have the Dodgers’ depth. Prior to the season, I pointed to Gonsolin as one of the most talented starting options in the organization and nothing has changed that opinion. He’ll be back soon.

20. Sam Hilliard, OF, Rockies: Like Tony Gonsolin above, Hilliard was another player that I expected big things from in 2020. He got off to a slow start but he’s really heating up now. The big difference is the contact rate. After striking out more than 50% of the time in July, Hilliard has worked hard to bring the strikeout rate down and it’s sitting at a more reasonable 27% in August. Over his past five games, he has six hits, two home runs, and a stolen base.

21. Jordan Romano, RP, Blue Jays: If Romano is still available in your league, now is the time to snap him up. The Blue Jays have been playing well lately and this reliever now has two saves over his last two appearances after previously racking up five holds. He’s inducing ground balls at a clip of almost 60% and a strikeout rate of 37%.

25. MacKenzie Gore, SP, Padres: The Padres have more or less emptied the alternate training site of its top impact arms — save for Gore. With the club sitting in second place in the NL West, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the young hurler get the call soon although it may be trying to save his bullets to ensure he’s at full strength for a playoff run.

30. Dane Dunning, SP, White Sox: Dunning isn’t flashy but he has four average-or-better offerings and we saw them on full display during his debut — even if his command was off. The young hurler struck out seven batters in 4.1 innings but gave up too many key hits. He should eventually settle in as a solid fourth starter type.

Notes on Prospects 31-50

31. Keibert Ruiz, C, Dodgers: The Dodgers have a lot of depth already but if the club decides to make a big splash by the trade deadline, Ruiz could be one of the players on the move to another organization. He’s young, full of natural talent, and is close to (if not fully) MLB ready. For now, he’s back at the alternate training facility now that Will Smith is back from the injured list.

32. Matt Foster, RP, White Sox: Foster has come out of nowhere to be one of the most important arms for the White Sox. He’s made nine appearances and has yet to allow a run. His K-BB of 17-3 in 13.1 innings is excellent and big-league batters are having a tough time (.095 batting average) thanks to his excellent changeup.

40. Adrian Morejon, P, Padres: Morejon had a rough second start against the Houston Astros but he’s still showing solid secondary numbers thanks to his 96 mph fastball and promising splitter. He has a K-BB rate of 7-2 through 4.2 innings. Once he starts improving his fastball command, we should see better results.

44. Josh Lowe, OF, Rays: Like Wander Franco, Lowe is another player that should be called upon once September hits to help the Rays position themselves well for a long playoff run. Lowe has an intriguing mix of power and speed.

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