Top 50 Fantasy Prospect Ranking Update
Earlier this season I introduced the Prospect Scorecard as a way of better comparing and identifying the best fit prospect value for your specific fantasy league. Today I’ll get a head start on my own 2017 prospect rankings by using the Scorecard methodology to rank the current top 50 prospects for Ottoneu. Even if you don’t play Ottoneu specifically, the 4 x 4 and FGPTS prospect rankings can serve as a good proxy for most OPS or wOBA-centric fantasy leagues, and the traditional 5 x 5 prospect rankings should cover a large portion of the rest.
A few notes before we get to the rankings:
- 2016 MLB draftees were not included/considered.
- Since “Cost” is league-dependent (salary, keeper round, etc.), I’ve essentially ignored it here for simplicity by keeping it constant for every prospect. Feel free to use the Scorecard to make changes that reflect true player costs for your league.
- I recognize that some of these players may not be “rookie” eligible come 2017, but we’ll deal with that in later versions. These rankings below are intended to represent the 50 most valuable prospects for fantasy leagues (depending on format).
- It’s quite possible I’m missing an obvious player that should be ranked, so let me know. If you want to see the full list of players I considered, you can view it here.
FanGraphs Points Top 50 Prospects Update (August 2016)
| Player | Team | Age | POS | Scouting | Scoring | Impact | Hype | Cost | Score | |
| 1 | Alex Bregman | Astros | 22 | SS | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 21.0 |
| 2 | Andrew Benintendi | Red Sox | 22 | OF | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 20.5 |
| 3 | Yoan Moncada | Red Sox | 21 | 2B | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 20.5 |
| 4 | Alex Reyes | Cardinals | 21 | RHP | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 20.0 |
| 5 | Joey Gallo | Rangers | 22 | 3B | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 19.0 |
| 6 | Austin Meadows | Pirates | 21 | OF | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 19.0 |
| 7 | Lucas Giolito | Nationals | 22 | RHP | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 19.0 |
| 8 | J.P. Crawford | Phillies | 21 | SS | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 18.5 |
| 9 | Blake Snell | Rays | 23 | LHP | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 18.5 |
| 10 | David Dahl | Rockies | 22 | OF | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 18.0 |
| 11 | A.J. Reed | Astros | 23 | 1B | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 18.0 |
| 12 | Willson Contreras | Cubs | 24 | C | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 18.0 |
| 13 | Tyler Glasnow | Pirates | 22 | RHP | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 17.5 |
| 14 | Trea Turner | Nationals | 23 | SS | 4.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 17.0 |
| 15 | Josh Bell | Pirates | 23 | 1B | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 17.0 |
| 16 | Dansby Swanson | Braves | 22 | SS | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 16.5 |
| 17 | Clint Frazier | Indians | 21 | OF | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 16.5 |
| 18 | Rafael Devers | Red Sox | 19 | 3B | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 16.5 |
| 19 | Cody Reed | Reds | 23 | LHP | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.5 |
| 20 | Jameson Taillon | Pirates | 24 | RHP | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.5 |
| 21 | Victor Robles | Nationals | 19 | OF | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 15.5 |
| 22 | Brendan Rodgers | Rockies | 19 | SS | 4.5 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.5 |
| 23 | Jose Berrios | Twins | 22 | RHP | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 15.5 |
| 24 | Hunter Renfroe | Padres | 24 | OF | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| 25 | Yadier Alvarez | Dodgers | 20 | SP | 4.0 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| 26 | Willy Adames | Rays | 20 | SS | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| 27 | Dan Vogelbach | Mariners | 23 | 1B | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| 28 | Cody Bellinger | Dodgers | 21 | 1B | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| 29 | Aaron Judge | Yankees | 24 | OF | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| 30 | Reynaldo Lopez | Nationals | 22 | RHP | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| 31 | Jose De Leon | Dodgers | 24 | RHP | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 32 | Josh Hader | Brewers | 22 | LHP | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 33 | Lewis Brinson | Rangers | 22 | OF | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 34 | Ian Happ | Cubs | 21 | 2B | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 35 | Jeff Hoffman | Rockies | 23 | RHP | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 36 | Anderson Espinoza | Red Sox | 18 | RHP | 4.0 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 37 | Sean Newcomb | Braves | 23 | SP | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 38 | Orlando Arcia | Brewers | 22 | SS | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 39 | Manuel Margot | Padres | 21 | OF | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 40 | Bradley Zimmer | Indians | 23 | OF | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 41 | Nick Williams | Phillies | 22 | OF | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 42 | Gleyber Torres | Yankees | 19 | SS | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 43 | Eloy Jimenez | Cubs | 19 | OF | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 44 | Amed Rosario | Mets | 20 | SS | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 13.5 |
| 45 | Gary Sanchez | Yankees | 23 | C | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 13.5 |
| 46 | Alex Verdugo | Dodgers | 20 | OF | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 13.5 |
| 47 | Jake Bauers | Rays | 20 | OF | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 13.5 |
| 48 | Jorge Mateo | Yankees | 21 | SS | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 13.5 |
| 49 | Francis Martes | Astros | 20 | RHP | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 13.5 |
| 50 | Franklin Barreto | Athletics | 20 | SS | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 13.5 |
5 x 5 Top 50 Prospects Update (August 2016)
| Player | Team | Age | POS | Scouting | Scoring | Impact | Hype | Cost | Score | |
| 1 | Yoan Moncada | Red Sox | 21 | 2B | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 20.5 |
| 2 | Alex Bregman | Astros | 22 | SS | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 20.5 |
| 3 | Andrew Benintendi | Red Sox | 22 | OF | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 20.5 |
| 4 | Alex Reyes | Cardinals | 21 | RHP | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 20.5 |
| 5 | Austin Meadows | Pirates | 21 | OF | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 19.0 |
| 6 | Blake Snell | Rays | 23 | LHP | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 19.0 |
| 7 | Trea Turner | Nationals | 23 | SS | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 19.0 |
| 8 | Lucas Giolito | Nationals | 22 | RHP | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 19.0 |
| 9 | David Dahl | Rockies | 22 | OF | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 18.5 |
| 10 | Joey Gallo | Rangers | 22 | 3B | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 18.0 |
| 11 | J.P. Crawford | Phillies | 21 | SS | 5.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 18.0 |
| 12 | Tyler Glasnow | Pirates | 22 | RHP | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 17.5 |
| 13 | A.J. Reed | Astros | 23 | 1B | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 17.0 |
| 14 | Clint Frazier | Indians | 21 | OF | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 16.5 |
| 15 | Victor Robles | Nationals | 19 | OF | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 16.5 |
| 16 | Willson Contreras | Cubs | 24 | C | 3.5 | 3.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 16.5 |
| 17 | Rafael Devers | Red Sox | 19 | 3B | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 16.0 |
| 18 | Dansby Swanson | Braves | 22 | SS | 4.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 16.0 |
| 19 | Josh Bell | Pirates | 23 | 1B | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 16.0 |
| 20 | Cody Reed | Reds | 23 | LHP | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.5 |
| 21 | Brendan Rodgers | Rockies | 19 | SS | 4.5 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.5 |
| 22 | Jameson Taillon | Pirates | 24 | RHP | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.5 |
| 23 | Jose Berrios | Twins | 22 | RHP | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 15.5 |
| 24 | Manuel Margot | Padres | 21 | OF | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| 25 | Lewis Brinson | Rangers | 22 | OF | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| 26 | Orlando Arcia | Brewers | 22 | SS | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 27 | Yadier Alvarez | Dodgers | 20 | SP | 4.0 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 28 | Hunter Renfroe | Padres | 24 | OF | 3.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 29 | Aaron Judge | Yankees | 24 | OF | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 30 | Reynaldo Lopez | Nationals | 22 | RHP | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 31 | Nick Williams | Phillies | 22 | OF | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 32 | Anderson Espinoza | Red Sox | 18 | RHP | 4.0 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 33 | Ian Happ | Cubs | 21 | 2B | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 34 | Jorge Mateo | Yankees | 21 | SS | 3.5 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 35 | Gleyber Torres | Yankees | 19 | SS | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 36 | Willy Adames | Rays | 20 | SS | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 37 | Franklin Barreto | Athletics | 20 | SS | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 38 | Cody Bellinger | Dodgers | 21 | 1B | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 39 | Eloy Jimenez | Cubs | 19 | OF | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 40 | Alex Verdugo | Dodgers | 20 | OF | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 41 | Amed Rosario | Mets | 20 | SS | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 42 | Jose De Leon | Dodgers | 24 | RHP | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 43 | Josh Hader | Brewers | 22 | LHP | 3.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 44 | Bradley Zimmer | Indians | 23 | OF | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 45 | Jeff Hoffman | Rockies | 23 | RHP | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 46 | Sean Newcomb | Braves | 23 | SP | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 47 | Dan Vogelbach | Mariners | 23 | 1B | 3.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 48 | Gary Sanchez | Yankees | 23 | C | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 13.5 |
| 49 | Francis Martes | Astros | 20 | RHP | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 13.5 |
| 50 | Brett Phillips | Brewers | 22 | OF | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 13.5 |
As always, your comments are welcome.
Trey is a 20+ year fantasy veteran and an early adopter of Ottoneu fantasy sports. He currently administers the Ottoneu community, a network of ~1,200 fantasy baseball and football fans talking sports daily. More resources here: http://community.ottoneu.com
Where would Julio Urias fit into these lists?
Thanks.
Urias would rank just below A. Reyes on both lists. I didn’t include him because he was a guy I was pretty sure would not qualify as a prospect going into 2017, but looking back that could be true of several others too.