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.
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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.
Ozzie Albies?
Albies came in at 85 on the FGPTS list and 77 on 5 x 5
Can you explain the cost column a little more? Everyone is marked as a 1. However, as but one example, Moncada’s average price is over $9 in FGpts leagues where as Snell is just over $4.
from the second bullet point:
“Since “Cost” is league-dependent (salary, keeper round, etc.), I’ve essentially ignored it here for simplicity by keeping it constant for every prospect.”
Duh…points deducted from me for failing to read. Thanks
Brinson has to be up now, given opportunity and park improvements, right?
Definitely see Brinson gaining some value in Roto leagues but kind of like Nick Williams I worry about his ability to get on base consistently, at least initially, which is why he’s lower in FGPTS
He hasn’t blown anyone away and hit tool may need some seasoning. Trading to Brewers did make his path to major much clear. However as a share owner of Brinson I wouldn’t want him to be rushed.
What’s the outlook for Tyler O’Neill?
O’Neill has had one of the better “pop up” seasons in the minors this year, and has made good strides cutting his K rate without sacrificing a lot of power. He may still be a full year away, but he reminds me a bit of Hunter Renfroe, and i’d say he has positive helium heading in 2017 for sure.
When do you think we see Moncada and Meadows, even if it’s just expanded rosters?
I would not bet on seeing either Moncada or Meadows this season, even in September. I’d bet sometime after the Super 2 deadline next year (if there is one), and I think there’s a chance Moncada beats Meadows to the Show.
If they somehow eliminate the super 2, what does that do to Moncada’s timeline?
Didn’t Tyler Jay get put back into the bullpen? His teammate Stephen Gonsalves is a far more attractive option in my opinion if what I said is true…remember reading he did a couple days ago.
Love that Mitch Keller made the list! Thanks for putting these together
I don’t think Tyler Jay‘s move to the pen in permanent. He’s struggled in a short stint in AA but I think he scouts a lot better than Gonsalves, which is why he gets the nod here. There was talk when he was drafted that he would be moved to the pen but I’d be surprised if the Twins don’t try everything they can to keep him starting next year.
Oh definitely not disputing the Twins plan for him, my Keeper team is heavily invested in their young studs. But the rest makes sense, and ya know, I decided to go watch a little video and I can’t say I was thrilled with Gonsalves’ delivery and arm speed…seems like he kind of loads and freezes slightly revealing the ball behind him.
Unfortunately the Twins just put Jay on the DL 🙁
Christin Stewart?
This is a good catch as I didn’t have Stewart on my original ranking of 90ish prospects, but agree he should make that list, at least. I think he’d probably slot just outside of the 50 above on either list, but he’s having a great season in A+ and if it continues in AA I think he’s jump several of these names above. Good catch.
Awesome list. Just a note: Anderson Espinoza is in San Diego now.
Great catch, thanks
Sure hope Cody Reed turns it around :/