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

Top Prospect News For Week 1

Which rookies, top prospects and minor league players should you watch in Week 1 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season? Keith Hernandez goes over some top prospect news as the minor league season gets ready to kick off later this week.

Baseball is back! Opening Day of the 2019 MLB slate came and went last week, but now we have the start of the minor league season to look forward to this week. Fantasy owners, especially those in dynasty/keeper leagues, are always looking for the next young stud prospect that might be a difference-maker at the next level.

That's where we come in! If you aren't already familiar with this year's 2019 top-prospects list by MLB Pipeline, here you go. Many of the top names on this list -- Fernando Tatis Jr., Eloy Jimenez, Victor Robles, Francisco Mejia, Kyle Wright, Chris Paddack, Alex Verdugo, Peter Alonso, Josh James, Danny Jansen, Bryse Wilson -- are already on a major league squad and are making noise on fantasy rosters.

We'll be keeping an eye on the hot prospects on the farm throughout the year once minor league action starts and keep you abreast of top prospects and under-the-radar ones that could get that all-important major league call-up. For now, here's a list of some other top names and where they'll begin the 2019 season with their minor league affiliates. Now on to some important prospect news and some other names to know:

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Key Injuries

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

The consensus top overall prospect in baseball and perhaps one of the best prospects ever suffered a strained oblique in spring training, but he is progressing nicely and could be sent to Triple-A Buffalo soon. If it wasn't for his injury, he had a real shot to open the year as Toronto's starting third baseman.

He's only 20 years old but doesn't have anything left to prove with the bat in the minors, slashing .381/.437/.636 with 20 home runs and 78 RBI in 95 games over four levels. Guerrero has an impact bat that will thrive in the hitter-friendly environment at Rogers Centre. Brandon Drury is merely a placeholder until Guerrero is ready, so expect him to see a regular diet of at-bats at the Major League level once he's healed.

Nick Senzel - 3B, OF, Cincinnati Reds

The No. 6 overall prospect transitioned nicely to center field this spring, but injuries continue to slow him down. He will start the year in the minors and is in a boot for up to two weeks after spraining his right ankle. Senzel might not make his big league debut until sometime in May now, but he should be the team's starting center fielder in 2019 and has the tools to challenge for N.L. Rookie of the Year honors if he can just stay healthy.

Alex Kirilloff - OF, Minnesota Twins

He'll make his 2019 debut with Double-A Pensacola but as a member of the injured list with a minor wrist ailment suffered late in spring training. He shouldn't be out long, though, and is coming off a 2018 slash line of .348/.392/.578 while leading the minors with 71 extra-base hits between Single-A Cedar Rapids and High-A Fort Myers. Kirilloff, 21, is expected to be a franchise cornerstone in Minnesota.

Jesus Luzardo - SP, Oakland Athletics 

Luzardo should be a member of the A's rotation eventually in 2019, but he'll be out four-to-six weeks with a rotator-cuff strain in his left shoulder. The good news is the team's top prospect had allowed only one run in 9 2/3 innings while striking out 15 in spring action. Luzardo went 10-5 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in the minors last year.

Hunter Greene - SP, Cincinnati Reds

The No. 36 overall prospect needs Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and is expected to miss all of this season. The 19-year-old struggled early in 2018 at Single-A Dayton (5.53 ERA in 12 starts) but finished strong and posted a 2.93 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings in his last six starts. Greene played in the Futures Game and threw 19 fastballs over 100 mph during the event.

 

D-Backs Call Up Pitching Prospect

Jon Duplantier - SP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona called up their top pitching prospect on Monday from Triple-A Reno and he made his big league debut by tossing three shutout innings (two K's, one hit) against the Padres. He'll only be used in relief in the bigs this time around and could be sent down soon, as he hasn't pitched above Double-A after being selected in the third round in 2016. Duplantier has a four-pitch mix and is 17-4 with a 1.79 ERA, 245 strikeouts and 74 walks in 211 innings in 40 starts.

 

Jays Make Room For More Youngsters

Anthony Alford - OF, Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto on Tuesday sent outfielder Kevin Pillar to the Giants for infielder Alen Hanson, reliever Derek Law and pitcher Juan DePaula. DePaula was the Giants No. 19 prospect at the time and had a 1.71 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 46 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings at Short-Season Staten Island in the Yankees system before he was dealt for Andrew McCutchen. He'll likely open 2019 with Single-A Lansing.

The departure of Pillar in center field allowed the Jays to call up Alford, their No. 11 prospect. He's a tremendous athlete with some raw power and speed, but Alford's tools haven't translated to much production in the upper minors or in his short big league stints the last two years. Lower-body injuries have also plagued him. If he can improve his approach at the plate and he gets regular playing time in Toronto this year, he's a name to watch.

More MLB Prospects Analysis




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

Kyle Stowers

Hits Game-Winning Grand Slam
Jake Meyers

Homers Twice, Drives In Seven On Saturday
Jrue Holiday

Practices Fully Saturday
Darius Garland

Listed As Questionable For Sunday's Game 1
Mattias Ekholm

Out For Round 2
Corbin Burnes

To Skip Next Start With Shoulder Inflammation
Pavel Dorofeyev

Misses Practice, Remains Day-To-Day
Anthony Volpe

Feels Pop In Shoulder, May Undergo MRI
Sebastian Aho

Back At Practice Saturday
Mark Scheifele

A Game-Time Call For Sunday's Game 7
Ross Colton

To Remain Out For Game 7
Corey Seager

Activated From Injured List, Batting Third As Designated Hitter Saturday
Mackenzie Blackwood

Seeks To Overcome Road Struggles In Game 7
Jake Oettinger

Looks To Bounce Back Saturday
Detroit Lions

Jakobie Keeney-James Signs With Detroit
Tommy Edman

Heading To 10-Day Injured List
Justin Haley

Could Be A Sleeper At Texas
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. A Solid Place-Differential Play At Texas
Savion Williams

Packers Sign Third-Round Rookie Savion Williams
Todd Gilliland

Will Likely Struggle At Texas On Sunday
Ty Dillon

Has Sneaky Potential At Texas
Cody Ware

Fails Pre-Race Inspection And Qualifies 36th At Texas
Jackson Merrill

To Rehab At Double-A, Expected To Return Monday
Philadelphia Eagles

Mac McWilliams Signs Rookie Deal With Eagles
Joe Noteboom

Baltimore Adds Joe Noteboom
Merrill Kelly

Still Dealing With Cramping
Fernando Tatis Jr.

In Saturday's Lineup
New York Mets

Mets, Cardinals Postponed On Saturday
John Williams

Packers Sign John Williams, Five Other Draft Picks
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Out On Saturday
Jalen Ramsey

Ravens A Candidate To Trade For Jalen Ramsey?
Amari Cooper

Cowboys Could Be Best Fit For Amari Cooper
Triston Casas

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Patellar Tendon
Coby Mayo

Promoted To Major Leagues
Yordan Alvarez

Scratched With Hand Inflammation
Clarke Schmidt

Scratched On Saturday With Side Soreness
Miro Heiskanen

Unavailable For Game 7
Riley Greene

Makes History, Homers Twice In The Ninth Inning
Jason Robertson

Will Not Play In Game 7
Connor Hellebuyck

Continues To Struggle Away From Home
Cal Raleigh

Slugs Two Homers, Collects Five RBI On Friday
Cole Perfetti

Nets A Power-Play Goal In Game 6 Loss
Jordan Binnington

Outstanding At Home Again
Cam Fowler

Notches 10th Postseason Point
Philip Broberg

Records Two Points In Friday's Win
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Hits Two More Homers, Cubs Trounce Brewers
Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks Sign 17 Undrafted Free Agents
Elijah Arroyo

Recovered From Knee Injury
Hunter Greene

Shuts Down Nationals, Fans 12 Over Six Innings Pitched
Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Add Nine Rookie Free Agents
Philadelphia Eagles

Jihaad Campbell Not Taking Part In Rookie Minicamp
Jerome Ford

Agrees To Pay Cut
Green Bay Packers

Jaire Alexander Not Participating In Voluntary Offseason Work
Christian Watson

Working Hard In Recovery From Torn ACL
Triston Casas

At The Hospital, Expected To Be Out A While
Fernando Tatis Jr.

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Fernando Tatis Jr.'s Forearm
Damian Lillard

Undergoes Successful Surgery
Sebastian Aho

Misses Practice For Personal Reasons
Eric Robinson

Misses Friday's Practice
Oliver Bjorkstrand

Recovering From Surgery
Victor Hedman

Nursing Broken Right Foot
Brandon Hagel

Diagnosed With Concussion
Tyler Tucker

To Remain Out On Friday
Nikolaj Ehlers

Expected To Return Friday
Ross Dwelley

Returns To 49ers
San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco Adds D.J. Humphries
Green Bay Packers

Collin Oliver Signs Four-Year Deal With Green Bay
Philadelphia Eagles

Smael Mondon Jr. Inks Rookie Deal With Philly
Deiveson Figueiredo

Returns To Action
Cory Sandhagen

Set For UFC Des Moines Main Event
Bo Nickal

Set For Co-Main Event
Reinier de Ridder

An Underdog At UFC Des Moines
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks To Win Second Consecutive Fight
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Daniel Marcos

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Hunter Renfrow

Ulcerative Colitis Kept Hunter Renfrow Out Of NFL In 2024
Montel Jackson

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys Sign First-Rounder Tyler Booker To Four-Year Deal
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Trying To Get Something Done With Trey Hendrickson?
Cameron Smotherman

Set For His Second UFC Bout
Serhiy Sidey

A Favorite At UFC Des Moines
Mason Jones

Set To Open Up UFC Des Moines Main Card
Jeremy Stephens

Returns For UFC Des Moines
Isaiah Stewart

Out On Thursday
Amen Thompson

Fills Stat Sheet In Game 5 Victory
Stephen Curry

Held To 13 Points Wednesday Night
Anthony Edwards

Struggles To Score In Series-Clincher
Rudy Gobert

Comes Up Big In Game 5 Victory
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Battles Back Issue In Game 5 Loss
LeBron James

Undecided On Future
Derrick Jones Jr.

Fine For Thursday
Maxi Kleber

Available For Lakers Debut Wednesday
Jonathan Kuminga

Out With An Illness
Jimmy Butler III

Ready To Play Wednesday
Isaiah Stewart

In Danger Of Missing Another Game Thursday
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Build Off Last Week's Runner-Up Finish
Gary Woodland

Could See Success At CJ CUP
Cam Davis

Making First Appearance At TPC Craig Ranch
Sam Burns

Could Be Due For A Great Week At TPC Craig Ranch
Patrick Rodgers

A Solid Value Play At TPC Craig Ranch
Jamal Murray

Explodes For 43 Points In Game 5
Carson Young

Looking To Recapture Form At CJ Cup
Jayson Tatum

Fires In 35 Points In Series-Clincher
Matt McCarty

An Intriguing Value Play At CJ Cup
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Logs Massive Triple-Double In Game 5
Maxi Kleber

Listed As Questionable For Game 5
Will Zalatoris

Searching For Putting Form At CJ Cup
Rob Dillingham

Out On Wednesday
Jae'Sean Tate

Still Out On Wednesday
Sam Stevens

A Risky Play With Upside At CJ Cup
PGA

Sungjae Im Riding Momentum Into CJ Cup
Ben Griffin

Looking To Stay Hot After First Career Win
Jake Knapp

Looking For More Success At TPC Craig Ranch
Mackenzie Hughes

Is An Interesting Option At CJ Cup
Aldrich Potgieter

Trending Downward For CJ Cup
Taylor Pendrith

Plays Well In Houston Recently
PGA

Niklas Norgaard May Not Be Cut Out For Texas
Rasmus Hojgaard

Could Be Up Or Down In Texas
Scottie Scheffler

The Untouchable Favorite At CJ Cup
Tom Kim

A Popular Name To Avoid At TPC Craig Ranch
Austin Eckroat

Looking To Find Success Again At TPC Craig Ranch
Ben Kohles

Finishes Tied For 59th At Corales Puntacana Championship
William Byron

Ends With A Strong Top-Five Finish At Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Bad Luck Continues With Talladega Crash
Kyle Larson

Has A Career-Best Performance At Talladega
Ian Machado Garry

Gets Back On Track With UFC Kansas City Win
Brad Keselowski

Talladega Run Ends Early After Crashing
Carlos Prates

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Zhang Mingyang

Still Undefeated In The UFC
Anthony Smith

Retires After UFC Kansas City Loss
Giga Chikadze

Takes Unanimous Decision Loss
Giga Chikadze

Takes Unanimous-Decision Loss
David Onama

Extends Win Streak At UFC Kansas City
Michel Pereira

Drops Decision At UFC Kansas City
Abus Magomedov

Extends His Win Streak
Chase Elliott

Recovers from Speeding Penalty to Finish Fifth
Joey Logano

Finishes Last at Talladega After Disqualification for Missing Spoiler Brace
Ryan Preece

Loses Talladega Race First in Photo Finish Then in Post-Race Inspection
NASCAR

Poor Toyota Strategy Arguably Cost Bubba Wallace Winning Chances at Talladega
Christopher Bell

Unhurt After Hard Contact with Inside Retaining Wall
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF