Among top prospects, infielders rule
New Yorkers could see Yankees, Mets shortstops make leap soon
For fantasy owners in keeper leagues, finding high-ceiling young players is essential to building a roster that’s competitive every year. That’s why we’ve tailored our prospect rankings to the skills that impact fantasy categories the most. And while immediate production is great, this list is tailored toward formats where long-term upside is paramount.
One thing to keep in mind: We’re going on the assumption that players who have made their major league debuts or are entering the majors from another professional league aren’t treated as prospects in most fantasy formats. That’s why you won’t see Yoan Moncada, Dansby Swanson and Yulieski Gurriel on our list, even though they all qualify as rookies in 2016.
1. SS Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees. The MVP of the Arizona Fall League and the centerpiece of the Aroldis Chapman trade with the Chicago Cubs, Torres has shown a superior hit tool for someone who just turned 20.
Against some of the best prospects in the game this fall, a teenage Torres hit .403 in 62 at-bats, with a .513 on-base percentage (14 walks, eight strikeouts) and a 1.158 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS). And in limited action this spring, he has continued to blister the ball at a similar clip.
He’s expected to open the season at Class AA Tampa, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see him get a lateseason call-up. Keeper league owners should watch how his power develops in the minors. He might be too good to keep off the roster in 2018.
2. OF Austin Meadows, Pittsburgh Pirates. There’s no room in Pittsburgh’s outfield, but Meadows, 21, could force his way onto the roster at some point this season to assist in a potential playoff push. It helps that he can play all three outfield positions.
He has a smooth left-handed stroke that has translated into far more doubles than homers. But at 6-3 and 200 pounds, there’s plenty of projectability to his skill set, especially when he has shown a disciplined eye at the plate — posting a .300/.368/.480 (batting average/on- base percentage/slugging percentage) line in four minor league seasons since the Pirates drafted him ninth overall in 2013. The one thing that has held him back is injuries.
3. 1B Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers. You don’t find too many first basemen on top prospect lists, but Bellinger is an exception. He’s a left-handed power hitter and the heir apparent to Adrian Gonzalez.
“I swing to do damage on the ball, that’s the biggest thing. Not always home runs, but I want to make hard contact,” Bellinger, 21, said earlier this spring. That approach has resulted in 56 homers and 174 RBI over the past two seasons as he advanced from high Class A to a brief stint at Class AAA in September. He also made an excellent showing in the Fall League, posting a .314/.424/ .557 slash line in 70 at-bats.
The son of former big-league infielder Clay Bellinger, he’s a good enough athlete that he could see time in the outfield, which could hasten his arrival in the majors.
4. SS Amed Rosario, New York Mets. Off the prospect radar last season, Rosario took a huge step forward with a .324/.374/.459 showing at high Class A and AA as a 20year-old. With above-average speed and the ability to drive the ball to all fields, he conjures images of a young Jose Reyes.
All it could take is one injury in the Mets middle infield for Rosario to get a shot this season. He’s an excellent athlete and should be able to handle the defensive side as his bat gets up to speed.
5. OF Eloy Jimenez, Chicago Cubs. Fantasy owners might have to wait awhile before Jimenez reaches the majors, but from all indications, it’ll be worth it. He made his mark last season at Class A, hitting .329 with 14 homers, 40 doubles, 81 RBI and leading the pitcher-friendly Midwest League with a .901 OPS — at age 19.
But what really got him noticed was the home run and spectacular catch he made at the All-Star Futures Game. At 6-4 and 205 pounds, Jimenez is an electrifying performer who can hit the ball hard to all fields.
6. OF Victor Robles, Washington Nationals. Another precocious teen, Robles has the speed to steal plenty of bases (he had 37 in 110 minor league games last season) and be an outstanding defensive center fielder. Plus, he has advanced plate discipline at a young age.
Over three seasons in the minors, Robles — who doesn’t turn 20 until May 19 — has a .401 on-base percentage to go with his still-developing power. Once he’s ready for the majors (possibly in 2018), he could develop into a true five-tool player.
7. SS Brendan Rodgers, Colorado Rockies. Yet another talented youngster in what’s shaping up to be a golden age for shortstops, Rodgers comes with the prospect pedigree — and the high expectations — of being the No. 3 overall pick in 2015.
The Rockies are pretty well set at short with Trevor Story, so Rodgers, 20, has also seen action at second base. Either way, they’ll give him all the time he needs to develop his skills in the minors. So far, so good. He hit .281 with 19 home runs and 73 RBI in 110 games last season and was named the top prospect in the Low-A South Atlantic League.
8. 3B Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds. The second overall pick in last year’s draft, Senzel showed the maturity of a major college hitter (Tennessee) and Cape Cod Summer League MVP as he put up excellent numbers in his first exposure to pro ball.
After a short stint in the rookie league, the 21-year-old hit .329/.415/ .567 in 58 games with low Class A Dayton (Ohio). He showed power and speed with seven homers and 15 steals. Senzel was probably the most major-league-ready prospect in the 2016 draft class — and his smooth transition only helped reinforce that impression.
9. 3B Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox dealt a couple of their top prospects this offseason to land Chris Sale, but the cupboard is far from bare. Devers, 20, is a powerfully built left-handed hitter who added speed to his résumé last season at high Class A, stealing 18 bases in 24 attempts.
Pablo Sandoval is signed through 2019, which should be perfect timing for Devers to take over at the hot corner, assuming he doesn’t hit his way on to the roster before then. He should begin this season at Class AA. 10. SP Michael Kopech, Chicago White Sox. The rebuilding process on Chicago’s South Side got a huge kick-start with the Sale trade, as they landed last season’s No. 1 prospect (Moncada) and this year’s No.
10. Kopech has a huge arm, with a fastball that occasionally hits triple digits and a slider and changeup that can be also be strong pitches. He struck out 86 in 561⁄3 innings at two Class A stops, but had trouble with control (5.3 walks per innings). The 20-year-old showed better command in the Fall League, where he turned in an impressive performance as one of the starters in the Fall Stars Game.