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Future Sluggers At Corner Infield
If you missed the first part of our series on top prospects and rookies for the 2015 fantasy baseball season, click here. Otherwise, keep reading for the lowdown on the best corner infield options. This list is dominated by those who man the hot corner because the majority of prospects start at other positions before being moved to first. Both corners run relatively deep for fantasy purposes though, so if you roll the dice on a young guy who busts, there should be a decent safety net.
Here's the list. Prepare to be shocked by who kicks things off:
Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
Well, duh-doy. You don't need me to tell you about Bryant at this point. He destroyed the minors last year, is wreaking havoc this spring, and should be on the Cubs roster just after Tax Day. He's not likely to post a high average until he can cut down on the strikeouts, but the power and patience should translate immediately. Bryant has a short swing that nonetheless generates power to all fields. His contact issues are well-documented at this point, yet the contact he does make is consistently high quality. As a bonus, double digit steals are a possibility. There's a ton of upside here.
Miguel Sano, Minnesota Twins
Before missing last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Sano was considered by many to be Bryant's equal or better. They certainly share the same three true outcomes archetype. While Sano has been optioned to Double-A to start the season, he should be able to hit his way into a promotion this year. Trevor Plouffe isn't the picture of health or an especially good player so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Sano grab the job. Even at the tender age of 21, the projection systems like Sano to at least hold his own at the big league level. Bonus: In Yahoo leagues, Sano retains shortstop eligibility.
Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers
Ridiculous power, lots of walks, even more strikeouts...sensing a trend? Gallo's got a little more work to do than either Bryant or Sano before he's MLB ready - note the 39.5 (!) K% he posted in 291 PA at Double-A - but his potential is similarly enticing. And with how snake-bitten the Rangers have been lately, Gallo will probably be pressed into service with the big club after Adrian Beltre finally goes full Super Shredder on the next teammate who rubs his head and everyone lands on the DL.
D.J. Peterson, Seattle Mariners
Peterson showed no ill effects from the nasty beaning that ended his first professional season, as he hit 31 homers across two levels. and showed solid plate discipline. He's not likely to stick at third long-term, and Seattle has Kyle Seager locked up beyond the end of the decade anyway. But Peterson definitely has the bat to play across the diamond, and Logan Morrison is injury prone and thoroughly mediocre. Peterson will hit, it's just a question of when he'll get the chance to strut his stuff in The Show.
Maikel Franco, Philadelphia Phillies
Franco is perhaps the least exciting prospect on this list, but he does have a pretty decent shot at logging meaningful time in the majors this year. Cody Asche isn't a particularly daunting obstacle, and if the Phillies somehow manage to find a taker for Ryan Howard, Franco's first in line for a call-up. In his age-21 season at Triple-A, Franco struggled at times but more or less held his own and improved steadily as the season progressed. ZiPS thinks he can step in right now and be a league-average hitter, forecasting a .259/.289/.446 line with 23 homers.
