The Prospect Vault: Fantasy Baseball’s Top 100 Prospects Midseason Update

Other Caveats on this List

1. We only care about fantasy impact, so a hitting prospect’s defensive skill only matters insomuch as it is a determinant in his likelihood of regularly cracking a big league lineup, it is not by itself a consideration. Most “Top Prospect” lists value defensive ability as part of their overall evaluation, and it will be given very little impact here. This will change some rankings considerably, so be cognizant of this difference in methodology. 
2. Positional scarcity and timeline until big leagues matter. A catcher that can provide similar offensive numbers as a 1B will be far more valuable, etc. A prospect closer to the majors is generally more valuable than one further away. We all want deep-sleeper 17-year-olds who are tearing up A-Ball, but the reality is the longer the duration between present day and MLB debut, the more things that can go wrong due to injury and/or circumstance, so there is more inherent risk. This is especially true with pitching prospects. 
3. We will include a smattering of amateur players. Sometimes the best dynasty assets are ones who are not generally on your competition’s radar, whether this be an international free agent or a domestic high school/college prospect. We have updated the rankings to reflect the landing spots for 2022 draftees. Many prospect lists consider only players who are on a minor league roster, we aim to be even more forward thinking than that.
4. I’m a bit more arbitrary and subjective with the definition of prospect than some prospect lists. My definition is more or less, have we seen this player play in the big leagues in the role that he is likely to play in the big leagues? If so, they are not going on the list. So, Vinnie Pasquantino, Oneil Cruz, Riley Greene and the like have graduated, and their absence is not a knock on their talent, but rather a classification. Conversely, Vidal Bruján, while having been given extended playing time, was brought up before he was ready due to circumstance, and thus had not “graduated” in the way we expect prospects in their final form to do. So, if your favorite prospect is not on here and you think he should be, or you want to gripe that a guy has had major league time and shouldn’t be on here, all that tells me is that you skipped over this paragraph. 
5.  A quick note on “Future Value,” which you will see referenced here and on the accompanying spreadsheet. This is on the commonly used scouting scale of 20-80.  This can be used to describe a prospect’s overall grade (80 is likely a Hall of Fame candidate, 20 is fringe organizational depth) or an individual attribute (Giancarlo Stanton has 80 power, Albert Pujols has 20 speed). No one described here will have an overall grade lower than 40, as this is of course a top prospects list, but they may have individual grades of as low as 20 for certain attributes. One of the best things about analyzing prospects for fantasy baseball purposes is that you can find prospects who have elite traits that translate well to fantasy but rank much lower on their overall grade due to poor athleticism or defensive skill. As long as they stay in the lineup, you will still reap the rewards of their elite individual traits, their blemishes be damned. Man, I got excited just typing that

On to the prospects…

1. Francisco Álvarez, Mets C

(Future Value: 60)

A 70 grade in terms of raw power is rare enough for any hitter, and rarer still for a 20-year-old catcher who has consistently been the youngest player against the competition he faces at every level. Francisco Álvarez spent the bulk of his time at High-A, where he amassed 22 HRs and showed he wasn’t a complete washing machine on the base paths, putting up a respectable six SBs. The batting average took a large dip down to .247, but some additional seasoning against increased levels of competition should give him room to grow on that front. If he can continue this offensive arsenal as he advances and maintain his plus defensive grade, he should be with the Mets by 2023. There would be too much to lose in holding him back any longer.

2. Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks OF

(Future Value: 60)

An elite talent who gets a bit overlooked due to both stature (5’10, 165) and injuries (only played seven games in 2021 due to shoulder surgery), but there is plenty to love here. A rare combination of abilities to hit for contact and hit for power complement Corbin Carroll’s elite 70 grade speed, making him a desirable asset in any lineup. It would be nice to see his surrounding cast beefed up a little bit to help contribute to his eventual counting stats, but the flip side of that is there’s not much reason to hold him back if he can show the same level of dominance at AAA that he did in AA thus far in 2022.  

3. Eury Perez, Marlins SP

(Future Value: 60)

An astronomical riser, Eury Perez has as much potential as anyone as his development and physical tools mature. A rail-thin 6’8, 200 LBs, he has already shown the ability to dominate lower levels at only 18 years old, posting a 31% K rate against only a 6% BB rate in 22 innings of High-A. While his development will take time, if he eventually fills out to something closer to 240 LBs, which his frame could easily support, we’re talking about an extremely imposing figure who is likely sitting 98-99 with the ability to push three digits whenever needed, while also being able to mix in 50+ grade curves and changes at will. This is quite the skill set, and while Perez will require patience, it would not at all be surprising to see him as a top-10 prospect within two years, at which time he will still be only 20 years old.  

4. Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles SP

(Future Value: 65)

At 6’5”, 220 Lbs, Grayson Rodriguez is out of central casting for the next great pitcher in the mold of a Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer power pitching archetype. Through 18 starts in AA, he managed to put up a video game-like 39% K rate, which while likely unsustainable at higher levels and over a larger sample, is still indicative of the sheer amount of raw talent Rodriguez has. He’ll also benefit, once he eventually reaches the big leagues, from the massive overhaul Camden Yards has seen, transforming it from an on-brand AL East launching pad to a pretty neutral park overall. All of that coupled with the complete lack of talent in the Orioles existing rotation, and we should almost certainly see Rodriguez’s star begin to shine in 2023, while a cup of coffee this season wouldn’t surprise either.

5. Daniel Espino, Guardians SP

(Future Value: 60)

Another meteoric riser with an impressive heater, Daniel Espino can dial up even the spiciest of four seamers, touching 100 when he wants it. And while the command and lack of refinement in his skill set perhaps present even some risk, Espino certainly has the talent. While he may be facing an uphill battle to ever be a plus command type, there’s a good chance he can become a middle-of-the-rotation starter limited only by inefficiency and lack of an ability to pitch to contact rather than the strikeout ability, which is not in question.  

6. Anthony Volpe, Yankees SS

(Future Value: 60)

Anthony Volpe started the 2022 season slowly, but he has come on as the weather has started to warm, while amassing the counting stats in a big way, with 12 HRs and 35 SBs in only 348 PAs prior to the MLB All-Star Break. 

Volpe is likely to be the next great Yankee shortstop, and he will have ample opportunity to produce in an extremely friendly offensive environment surrounded by a juggernaut of a lineup.  He may require some patience, as a debut prior to late 2023 would be a surprise, but good things are worth waiting for.  

7. Noelvi Marte, Mariners SS

(Future Value: 60)

An international signing in 2018, Noelvi Marte held his own at only 17 years old in Rookie ball, and after the lost season of 2020 absolutely lit everything on fire in 2021. While he did strike out a bit more than you would want at 22.2% in 478 PAs in A-Ball, he also managed to do it while showing extremely respectable power with 17 HRs and elite speed with 23 SBs over that same span. The tools are there for Marte to be an absolute superstar, and his arrival to the Mariners will coincide with plenty of other developing young talents in Julio Rodríguez, Jarred Kelenic and the core of established bats already in the Mariners lineup.  

8. Jordan Walker, Cardinals 3B

(Future Value: 55)

Already an imposing 6’5 220, Jordan Walker looks every bit the part of a corner infielder for decades to come, and he has the 70 grade power to go along with it. What would be uniquely uncommon is if he can keep up 20+ SB potential at this position and frame. While he is a long way off from the big leagues at only 19 years old, any sustained ability to produce that power/speed combo while also hitting .300 would be well worth monitoring. While a positional move to the OF is possible (if not likely), he would still have plenty of value playing every day at a corner OF spot and is likely to pile up plenty of counting stats on his way to multiple all-star appearances, you’ll just have to be patient with his development.

9. Triston Casas, Red Sox 1B

(Future Value: 55)

Another 70 power guy, and to be frank a complete washing machine on the basepaths, Triston Casas separates himself a bit from the fray of 1B prospects with elite pitch selection and plus bat control resulting in a plus hit tool to go along with his other-worldly power. Despite breaking into the minor leagues in 2018, Casas is only 22, and he has had some sustained success, particularly at AA last season with 13 HRs in half a season’s worth of PAs while hitting .284. If he continues on this path, he should be an impact bat in an amazing fantasy environment as early as 2023.

10. Marco Luciano, Giants SS

(Future Value: 55)

As many prospects do, Marco Luciano experienced some growing pains as a 19-year-old playing against more advanced competition in High A. His batting average plummeted, his strikeouts skyrocketed, and perhaps more importantly, he wasn’t there long enough to make the necessary adjustments to really prove what he could do. This will be a critical next step, because as he traverses the upper levels of the minor leagues, Luciano will need to show that he can unlock the 70 grade power he is capable of and couple it with plus contact skills that are available if not yet on display at his current level. The massive frame and eventual move away from SS knocks his fantasy projection down a tad, as he’ll need to hit even more at a less premium defensive position. Still, this is a 20-year-old SS who will develop in a front office known for getting the absolute most out of its homegrown talent (Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, etc). He should be an all-star for years to come, and sooner than later.

11.Marcelo Mayer, Red Sox SS

(Future Value: 55)

Marcelo Mayer is a long way off from the big leagues, but he is one to stash as his hit tool is great, and he also projects to add significant power to his frame as he develops, giving him a similar skill set to current Red Sox Alex Verdugo and Xander Bogaerts. He should maintain the all-important SS eligibility throughout his development due to plus defensive ability at the premium position. While he is a luxury asset and perhaps not the ideal player to focus on for teams competing now, the talent should not go overlooked.  

12. Henry Davis, Pirates C

(Future Value: 55)

Yet another power-hitting catcher, which seems to be all the rage in this prospect class, Henry Davis is the crown jewel of the 2021 class, which is quite the honorific in a draft class that also includes Jack Leiter and Marcelo Mayer. Davis has a great shot at being an all-star, as catchers who are this good from both an OBP and power perspective who can also offer a plus-plus arm and serviceable ability to call a game do not come along often, if ever. He may not reach the big leagues for a few years, but when he arrives, he should have plenty of staying power and be a force in the heart of the lineup.  

13. Jack Leiter, Rangers SP

(Future Value: 55)

Rarely is there quite so much hype about a college pitching prospect, but Jack Leiter was doing unreal things at Vanderbilt and deserved every bit of the recognition he received. While he doesn’t have the most projectable frame, the sitting 95 and elite secondary offerings will play quite well as he matures into a big-league talent. He may never reach the tier of the Coles and Scherzers of the world (few do), but he is absolutely a borderline ace in the making, and he has the floor of an extremely appealing No. 2 starter, which is something you can rarely say about such a young pitching prospect.

14. Gunnar Henderson, Orioles 3B

(Future Value: 50)

Potentially Mike Moustakas-type power here, but with the downside of 2021 Cody Bellinger-type lack of contact, Gunnar Henderson is likely going to be a high-variance prospect. While he would hold significantly more value if he can stick at SS and continue to produce the same amount of power numbers, his defensive future is undecided at present, and he may move to a corner. Only 21 and yet to experience the high minors, there’s still some considerable risk in his projection, but if he stays the course and improves the contact a bit, we could see him put together a very productive if not stellar big league career.  

15. Cade Cavalli, Nationals SP

(Future Value: 50)

Cade Cavalli looks the part of a top-of-the-rotation starter who has an emphasis on velocity, and the skill set doesn’t disappoint. With a 70 grade four-seamer as the clear headliner to his offerings, his ability to comfortably sit 94-98 in combination with a devastating change is enough to get the job done with ease at the lower levels. Cavalli struggled in limited AAA action and should be closely monitored as he begins the 2022 season, as some command issues may flare up resulting in both higher BB% and hard-hit rates than we would want to see. Still, he is a very athletic prospect and has a very high ceiling, even if it may get a bit ugly while he adjusts to not being able to dominate with his four-seamer alone.

16. DL Hall, Orioles SP

(Future Value: 55)

Another big riser, he has a 70 grade four-seamer and gets enough from his curve and change that he can reasonably make it a couple times through the order without much damage. However, the risk, and coupled with his struggles with command and inability to pitch efficiently thus far, is that the Orioles see him in a more valuable role similar to early in Josh Hader’s career as a “fireman” instead of a five-and dive-reliever, a role in which he would not be particularly useful in traditional 5×5 starting, and nowhere near as useful as if he were a starter (or a closer).  

17. Nick Yorke, Red Sox 2B

(Future Value: 55)

A small-ish 2B with an elite contact tool and gap power that may one day have the opportunity to challenge for batting titles, Nick Yorke must be giving the fans at Fenway extreme Dustin Pedroia vibes. While he wasn’t expected to hit for a ton of power, the elite contact skills and combo of enough power and enough speed in a dream offensive environment for such a skill set has him projecting as a top-of-the-order premium fantasy asset, especially if the defense is good enough to remain at 2B, which it ought to be. He’ll have to keep up the performance at upper levels, as he has only seen High-A thus far, but if we see a repeat of the skill set at AA in 2022, it’s not unrealistic that we see his timeline accelerate a bit for a 2023 callup.  

18. Luis Campusano, Padres C

(Future Value: 55)

Luis Campusano is a hitting machine, and while he has yet to show it at the big league level, the underlying talent is there for him to hit .280 and 20 HRs once he settles into the 1A role to whomever the Padres decide to make their 1B, and that would immediately make him a top-5 fantasy catcher in all of baseball. The defense is not elite, but it should be serviceable enough for him to stay at the position, and the addition of the NL DH should keep his bat in the lineup even on days where he isn’t in the squat.  

19. Josh Jung, 3B Rangers

(Future Value: 55)

Josh Jung’s ascension here is mainly due to promotions of other players, as he is still injured, yet he remains likely to hit in the middle of an improving Rangers lineup when healthy, possibly as soon as September of this season, and certainly in 2023. A name that has been on the radar for some time now, Jung is thought of as a solid enough defender to stick at 3B, offering a little bit of extra value to his prospect profile by likely not having to end up at 1B or a corner OF spot.  He’s shown plenty of ability to hit for contact, hitting .348/.436/.652 across 156 PAs in AAA, so if he can show some power at higher levels (nine HRs in that same span), he will be an offensive force to be reckoned with. The Rangers’ supporting cast got quite a bit better with FA additions of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien to the heart of the lineup, so there may be less pressure on Jung to produce big numbers right away in a premium lineup spot than if the Rangers were still sporting an early-stage rebuild sort of lineup like the kind they trotted out in 2021.  

20. Diego Cartaya, Dodgers C

(Future Value: 50)

The only negative about Diego Cartaya thus far is his lack of meaningful professional playing time, but he has impressed at the lower levels when given the opportunity. Still young (only 20) and a bit raw, he’ll likely need most if not all of 2022 to refine his skill set, but when he gets to the big leagues, the Dodgers should be able to integrate him plenty while allowing Will Smith some time in the lineup at the DH spot, putting him in an extremely appealing situation from a surrounding cast perspective. Further, if Cartaya is able to continue some semblance of the torrid power he showed in A-Ball, we’re likely talking about a power hitter who could put up 30 HRs if given 450 PAs, and he would be doing it at the most premium of defensive positions. There’s a lot of projection in this, and there’s no reason to believe he’s Adley Rutschman just yet, but there’s also a lot to like with Cartaya.  

21. Luis Matos, Giants OF

(Future Value: 50)

Sometimes the hit tool is misunderstood in the sense that it is about making contact. Yes it is that, but it is much more than that. It’s about pitch recognition and pitch selection and the ability to drive the ball when you do make contact such that you get +EV BBEs more often than not. But, if it *were* just about contact, my goodness, Luis Matos would have an 80 grade hit tool.  Hitting .313 with only a 12% K rate across nearly 500 PAs in A-Ball during the 2021 season, there’s plenty of talent here, if also some questions about proximity to debut and stature. At only 20 years old and 5’11, 160, Matos will need to mature in every sense of the word prior to a potential big-league call up, but there is plenty of potential. He’s also shown 20+ HR power upside, which would be a welcome surprise especially if he is able to stick in a premium defensive position like CF.  

22. Kyle Harrison, Giants SP

(Future Value: 50)

Kyle Harrison is a supremely confident LHP with a hard fastball and devastating slider that has had wild success in the low minors, and he has piled up the strikeouts along the way. Remind you of anyone???? While it is probably too early to consider him the second coming of Madison Bumgarner (lest we forget, Bumgarner was already pitching in the World Series at Harrison’s age), Harrison almost certainly has the highest ceiling of any pitcher currently in the Giants system not named Logan Webb, and he should have every opportunity to develop in an organization that has been consistently getting the most from its pitchers.

23. Elly De La Cruz, Reds SS

(Future Value: 50)

An 80 power, 70 speed prospect is alluring regardless of circumstances or blemishes, but Elly De La Cruz has a pretty big one. He has struggled to make contact across all levels, and the lack of pitch recognition and undesirable approach have played a big role in that. Even if he sacrificed some power for a more measured approach, he would likely find plenty of success and be plenty appealing. Only 20 years old, there’s still room for growth, but we’ll want to monitor this K% closely. If it stays in the 30%+ range for too long, he’ll have a tough time having any major league aspirations. 

24. Robert Hassell, Padres OF

(Future Value: 50)

Robert Hassell was expected to hit for average, and he didn’t disappoint in that category one bit, putting up a .323/.415/.482 in A-Ball. There wasn’t much power behind it, yielding only seven HRs, but the gap power that is currently manifesting in doubles may turn into something more as he continues to fill out his frame. The 31 SBs was a nice surprise for a prospect thought to have above average but not elite (55 grade) speed, so if the power does come along we are talking about a pretty tantalizing fantasy asset who could chase for batting titles along with also providing something like a 25/25 full season. Even at a non-premium position (he likely ends up as a corner OF), that is a top-25 pick annually.  

25. Colton Cowser, Orioles OF

(Future Value: 50)

Colton Coswer is a bit of a throwback – a 70 hit tool but not much power and only serviceable speed, this is a player who should exist in the 1980s, not the 2020s. Yet, here we are with Cowser’s skill set presenting itself, and despite his youth, there’s a not overly protracted path to his debut given the lack of premium talent in the organization ahead of him. An elite hit tool will always play, and in Cowser’s case, it gives him enough of a floor that a big-league regular hitting .320 and scoring 90+ runs per season.

26. Oswald Peraza, Yankees SS

(Future Value: 55)

Another example of the Yankees’ seemingly endless supply of middle infielders from Latin America, Oswald Peraza is a defense and speed prospect primarily, but not incredibly so. While the power tool hasn’t shown up in a major way just yet (only 12 HRs in 353 PAs in AA as a 21-year-old), it may not be too far behind. The hit tool is doing just fine, hitting around .300 in both High-A and AA last season, and he has always shown the ability to make solid contact and minimize Ks at every level. The difference-making tool for fantasy purposes is going to be his SB ability, which he showcased by swiping 38 bags across three levels in 2021.  

27. Vidal Bruján, Rays 2B/OF

After some regular PAs, the Rays decided Vidal Bruján was not ready to be an MLB regular and optioned him back to AAA for additional seasoning. He didn’t hit for much power or average at the MLB level, and that was somewhat expected, but he was also expected to be a terror on the basepaths. Instead, he was a massive disappointment, having been caught stealing five times in only nine attempts. He’ll need to do everything better in order to have a regular job at the big-league level, but he’s only 24 and still capable of showing the necessary growth.  

An extremely Rays prototype player, Brujan is athletic and versatile enough to man multiple positions, with 2B and OF being the likeliest deployments, but realistically he could play anywhere. With super utility swiss-army knife Joey Wendle now further south in Florida, Brujan’s timeline is accelerated, and he should receive meaningful big-league work in 2022. His 70 speed translated into 44 SBs over 441 PAs in AAA in 2021, so even if he only sees 400 PAs for the Rays in 2022, he’ll be a useful source of SBs without being a drag AVG or OBP the way some elite base-stealers can be.  

28. Brayan Rocchio, Guardians SS

(Future Value: 50)

A diminutive switch-hitting SS with plus athleticism, more power and speed than first meets the eye and a likable flair for the game should conjure up equal parts nostalgia and bitterness for the Cleveland faithful. While we can’t project him to be “the next Francisco Lindor,” because Lindor is an all-star and Brayan Rocchio is a 50 grade prospect, there is a ceiling here, and that would be a great one for Rocchio to shoot for. Rocchio hit for far more contact than power in his first two seasons, but he showed a fair amount of pop in 2021 hitting 15 HRs between High-A and AA. If the trend continues and he adds something close to 20 HR power along with plus contact, speed and elite defense, a star may be born in Cleveland once again.  

29. Cole Winn, Rangers SP

(Future Value: 50)

Solid across the board and with plenty of pedigree as a first-round pick, Cole Winn doesn’t have the most overpowering four-seamer but has developed some plus offspeed offerings in his curve, slider and change. This, combined with his command-first approach, makes him somewhat of a throwback archetype, but the Rangers will be excited for his development to bring any sense of stability to their rotation. Probably more of a future asset than a current one, his time at AAA in 2022 (he only has eight innings at that level prior to this season) should be a good indicator of what we can expect early on in his big-league career. 

30. Brennen Davis, Cubs OF

(Future Value: 55)

Originally drafted as a toolsy, projectable athlete, Brennen Davis was able to unlock his potential relatively quickly and utilize a contact-focused approach to ascend quickly through the minor leagues. With 25+ HR power and enough speed to be interesting to go along with plus defense that will keep him in the lineup and an underwhelming Cubs depth chart that won’t provide a ton of competition for PAs, he should get every opportunity to rack up counting stats.  

31. Brett Baty, Mets 3B

(Future Value: 50)

Brett Baty is out of central casting for longevity at 3B – 6’3, 210 lbs and 70 grade power with above-average defense will certainly play. Not much experience yet at the higher levels with only 176 PAs at AA, but that is right on track for his age (only 22), and the 2022 season should be one of growth and maturation for him as he targets a 2023 debut. If there is a warning sign to watch out for, it is a lack of fly balls, which should be an easy enough mechanical correction as he develops toward big-league stardom. If he can convert some of the doubles into HR by the time he reaches the big leagues, he’s an all-star very quickly.  

32. Bobby Miller, Dodgers SP

(Future Value: 50)

Like many pitching prospects who are able to crack top 100 lists, Bobby Miller is built exceptionally well for a starters role, filling out a 6’5, 220 LB frame nicely with the accompanying velocity on his four-seamer you would expect from a pitcher of this stature, sitting 94-98 comfortably. He also has shown a plus slider that can touch 89, with a serviceable curve and change that give him the upside of a No. 2 starter if everything falls into place. His highest and best use may end up as a high-leverage reliever, which is the only reason his ranking isn’t higher. That, coupled with the Dodgers tendency to not give full workloads to anything but their absolute aces, (namely Walker Buehler) means Miller, if he stays in the Dodgers organization, may end up a better real-life asset than a fantasy one, but the ceiling is there.

33. Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics C/1B

(Future Value: 50)

Let’s start by saying that if we knew Tyler Soderstrom was going to continue to be a catcher, he would likely be quite a bit higher on this list, possibly in the top 10. He absolutely crushed A-Ball pitching to the tune of .306/.390/.568 and 12 HRs over only 254 PAs. He is a plus hitter with plus power who can’t run at all, and so catcher is the logical spot, but he hasn’t shown enough yet to be considered a lock to stay at the position instead of moving to a corner infield spot. What’s more, Sean Murphy is still team controlled and won’t be due for free agency until 2026, so the A’s don’t exactly need Soderstrom to develop as a catcher defensively when his bat will be ready much sooner. While the positional switch would expedite his path (good!) it would likely also zap some of his premium positional value (bad!) leaving him as an exciting but not necessarily premium fantasy asset.  

34. Ronny Mauricio, Mets SS

(Future Value: 50)

A wiry 6’3 166 frame might not lend itself to much power, and before the 2021 season not many were expecting Ronny Mauricio to hit for much power, as his hitting prowess had mainly been of the contact variety up until this point. However, with 19 HRs across 420 PAs in 2021 while seeing only a slight dip in his average, still hitting a respectable .242, we might just see the coveted budding power and speed combo at a premium position in SS. With decent speed (only nine SBs in 2021 but optimism for development) and serviceable enough defense to stay at the position, along with being a switch hitter to boot, there is certainly a path to Mauricio becoming a star, but how likely that path is and how long it will take remain reasonable questions.  

35. Austin Martin, Twins OF

(Future Value: 50)

While the NBA is trending toward a new era of positionless basketball, Austin Martin is similarly yet another iteration of a positionless baseball prospect. While he’s plenty athletic, some throwing issues will likely keep him from operating consistently on the left side of the IF, so we are looking at either a future 2B or OF. But regardless of where he ultimately finds a home on the diamond, Martin can hit! While 30 HR power may never be in the cards, the combination of gap power and plus speed should be good enough for him to regularly flirt with .300, which combined with elite pitch selection and 20+ SB potential is a particularly compelling asset, especially if he can stay at 2B.  

36. Zac Veen, Rockies OF

(Future Value: 50)

Steady progress so far for Zac Veen, so this drop isn’t so much anything he did wrong as that the Rockies seem to be bringing him along conservatively, which lengthens his timeline a bit. While the eventuality of home games at Coors does add some additional sheen to Veen’s profile, he would have a bright future just about anywhere. While not everyone will end up being Charlie Blackmon, Veen’s combination of speed and power translated well in his first minor league season, hitting 15 HRs and swiping 36 bags as a 19-year-old in A-Ball. Even more encouragingly, his hit tool showed up better than expected, hitting .301 over nearly 500 PAs, when this was thought to potentially be an average- to below-average skill of his. If he can hit even .270 at higher levels with the power/speed combo, he will be shooting up these rankings in the years to come.  

37. Michael Busch, Dodgers 2B

(Future Value: 50)

The Dodgers may be honing in on their heir apparent to Max Muncy with Michael Busch, if the former continues to be plagued with injuries and the latter continues to hit for power at a torrid pace at the highest levels. Spending the entirety of the 2021 season in AA, Busch showed plenty of pop for a 2B, with 20 HRs and a .218 ISO while playing convincing enough defense that he might actually stay at the keystone sack instead of having to move to a corner. He’ll have to iron out some platoon splits if he wants to avoid being benched at the major-league level when facing a southpaw, but that sort of development is expected from an excellent Dodgers staff. His projection is somewhere between Mike Moustakas and Max Muncy, with that level of pop as the most likely attribute to persist throughout his career.

38. Nick Pratto, Royals 1B

(Future Value: 50)

A brief call-up due to a massive lack of vaccinations in the Royals organization allowed Nick Pratto to flash in a series with the Blue Jays immediately before the All-Star Break, but he has already been optioned back down to AAA, allowing him to continue to be eligible for The Prospect Vault.

Pratto is an interesting case, having gone from an abysmal season in 2019 resulting in a 35% K rate and hitting below the Mendoza line to becoming a 36 HR power threat who still managed a .383 OBP across AA and AAA in 2021. He still struck out plenty (29%), but if he becomes the next big three true outcomes player and puts up 30+ HRs per season, that will certainly be an acceptable result for him and for the Royals. He probably will never hit .300 or be a massive power threat you hope for, but could have a shot at being something like an inverted Joey Votto – above-average power while striking out a bit too much. Still, his profile should end up as a useful fantasy asset in the thick of an up-and-coming lineup.  

39. Termarr Johnson, Pirates 2022 First-Round Pick 2B

(Future Value: 70)

We did it!  We found a 2022 draft class guy! The odds-on favorite for the first-overall pick pre-draft, Termarr Johnson ended up slipping to fourth overall to the Pirates. He is extremely slight of build and plays middle infield, which would make him an unorthodox choice from that perspective, but he can hit. Thus far, he’s received comparisons to all of Wade Boggs, Vlad Guerrero (Sr.), José Ramírez and Wander Franco, which should make anyone step back and take a second look. Only 17 years old, he’s a long way off from the big leagues, so you’ll need to have a very long outlook for him to be worthy of a stash, but there is no denying he is a special talent.

40. Jasson Dominguez, Yankees OF

(Future Value: 50)

With as much hype as there was over Jasson Dominguez’s professional debut, it would have been difficult if not impossible for him to live up to it, but it can also be the case that failing to meet extremely lofty expectations and still eventually being a pretty good if not great player can all be possible at the same time. Only 19 and still maturing physically, as well as in need of plenty of refinement in his approach, the hit tool and raw power are still going to be there, and the speed as it pertains to fantasy in the form of stolen bases will be as well when he reaches base more (he likely will not be a career low .200s hitter). He hasn’t hit for a ton of power just yet, but the speed is apparent, with 19 swipes through 324 PAs in A-Ball.  

41. Andy Pages, Dodgers OF

(Future Value: 50)

A new-age player in every sense, the 21-year-old Andy Pages is probably always going to strike out more than is desirable, but he will do so with enough power and enough walks to go along with the strikeouts that he is a fantastic fit for today’s focus on “three true outcomes” results.  The power is absolutely real, and he probably will end up even higher than his current 60 grade projects, with 19 HRs in fewer than 300 PAs as an 18-year-old in rookie ball, and 31 as a 20-year-old in High-A. While it will be a couple years before he is unleashed on the major leagues, Pages will be a force to be reckoned with when he is fully developed.  

42. Orelvis Martinez, Blues Jays 3B/SS

(Future Value: 50)

A young and fairly raw international prospect, there’s no shortage of talent or ability to hit, and that was put on full display in 2021 with eye-popping barrel rate and EV numbers at the lower levels. While there’s going to be some growing pains, in particular with what will likely end up as a higher than desirable strikeout rate as the pitching gets better, the basis of a power-hitting 3B archetype is there and may come to fruition enough to see an MLB debut as soon as 2023 if he continues the torrid hitting output. Another addition to the Blue Jays cadre of young and talented bats, Orelvis Martinez would find himself in an extremely opportune offensive environment to extract the most fantasy value from his skill set.

43. Kahlil Watson, Marlins SS

(Future Value: 50)

Not an overwhelming performance from Kahlil Watson in either direction thus far in 2022, but there is plenty of story left to be written on the 19-year-old middle infielder, and it will be exciting to see his talent mature as he does physically.  We likely won’t see him in the major leagues for several years, as he is only 18 and still very much filling out his frame. That said, he projects for both plus power and plus speed at a premium defensive position, and you could do far worse than that in your dynasty leagues. As far as pure stashes go, he may be as good as it gets.  

44. Drey Jameson, Diamondbacks SP

(Future Value: 50)

Similar to Ryne Nelson, Drey Jameson has a well-rounded set of offerings and would project well as a starter if the Diamondbacks are interested in keeping him in that role. While Jameson struggled in Low-A in 2019, the pandemic allowed him a chance to retool, and he did so in a big way, boosting his K rate upwards of 30% in AA and nearly that high in High-A. He did this while also minimizing walks and showing much better control and command, while also reducing his BAA at every level.  

45. Edward Cabrera, Marlins SP

(Future Value: 50)

Prospects of this size (6’5, 220) with multiple plus off-speed pitches (in Edward Cabrera’s case a change and a slider) have every opportunity to make it as big-league starters, and although Cabrera’s MLB debut in 2021 left plenty to be desired, better days are likely ahead. There were no control issues throughout the lower levels of the minors, so whether it is an adjustment period or a small sample blip on the radar, he has better odds of returning to his usual form over a full big-league season. Whether he cracks the Marlins rotation or not is another story. There’s all of a sudden quite a bit of young talent here – the entire rotation is 26 or younger – but an injury or move to the bullpen for someone like Jesús Luzardo could result in a substantive amount of starts, and quite a bit of fantasy value for Cabrera as soon as this season.  

46. Miguel Vargas, Dodgers 1B/3B

(Future Value: 50)

Miguel Vargas is very well-rounded in his approach (and less so in his physique due to a noticeable change in his conditioning), and he is a bit of a throwback with his high-contact rate without compromising too much power. He managed to hit 16 HRs in 370 AA PAs and did so while only striking out 15% of the time. This resulted in an impressive .321/.386/.583 line that has the potential to translate into a .300-20-80 guy consistently at the big-league level, which would be a useful enough fantasy asset anywhere. But if Vargas can stay at 3B instead of having to move to 1B and can add enough steals to avoid being a complete zero in that category, he starts to get pretty compelling. While we’ve never seen double-digit steals from him at any level, he’s shown enough in 300+ PA seasons to provide evidence that 15 or so steals aren’t completely outside expectations.  

47. Brooks Lee, Twins 2002 1st Round Pick SS

(Future Value: 65)

A college coach’s son, Brooks Lee has all the intangibles one would expect, but he puts together an impressive on-field resume as well. With an extremely advanced hit tool for an amateur (65+) and some developing power, the switch-hitting Lee would be an exceptional commodity if he stays at SS, and a very good one due to the rare bat skills no matter where he ends up. All he has ever done is produce, and that should continue throughout his future career.  

48. Iván Herrera, Cardinals C

(Future Value: 50)

It’s been a long time since we have considered anyone besides Yadier Molina as the Cardinals primary catcher, and longer still since baseball has been without a catching Molina brother entirely. Yet, all things must end, and Yadi is pushing 40, far too old to be regularly taking the squat for much longer. Iván Herrera is serviceable enough defensively to be the heir to the throne, and he provides decent power (probably a 20-25 HR ceiling) while not being a massive detriment in the hit column, and that is enough to make him an eventual top-10 fantasy catching asset. He also adds some more OBP ability with a decent BB% (13.7% in AA in 2021), which is somewhat unexpected for a player with his profile and tools.  

49. Taj Bradley, Rays SP

(Future Value: 50)

Taj Bradley is lankier, but otherwise profiles stylistically similar to Bobby Miller as a live arm who sits consistently in the mid-90s and has a wipeout slider that has resulted in exceptional K% against low minors competition. Still only 21, Bradley’s mental and physical development should continue in an adept Rays organization that has done extremely well getting the most out of raw but toolsy pitchers. Bradley has also shown improved control as he has progressed through the various levels of the Rays system, sporting a lower BB% at each level and most recently getting it whittled down to only 7.4% at High-A. If he can continue this progress and keep up the impressive K% numbers at the higher levels, he could end up as the next iteration of Chris Archer, Tyler Glasnow, Shane Baz or anything in between. All would be acceptable and then some from the former fifth-round pick, and a quality fantasy asset.  

50. Xavier Edwards, Rays 2B

(Future Value: 50)

Part of the joy of getting to know prospects is that every now and then you discover a player archetype that is a relic of eras past, attempting to play a modern game in an archaic manner, and having at least enough success to be noticeable. Such players are not just fish out of water, they are fish living in trees. Xavier Edwards is precisely this kind of fish, a diminutive middle infielder who has never and will never hit for power, but makes plenty of contact (has hit over .300 at every level), plays elite defense and might be the fastest player in the Rays organization (or most organizations). While it is probably lazy to compare every fast prospect to Billy Hamilton, Edwards may very well answer a fascinating hypothetical. What would happen if Billy Hamilton could hit? I, for one, am very excited to see what that would look like. 

51. George Valera, Guardians OF

(Future Value: 50)

As with a number of young players, the strikeout numbers (30% in limited AA time in 2021, some concern with previous numbers in Low-A ball as well) are going to give us pause. With that risk comes plenty of reward, though, as George Valera showed impressive power in High-A, hitting 16 HRs in only 263 PAs while maintaining a .291 ISO. We may see him make a big-league debut in 2022, ready for it or otherwise, as the Guardians don’t have much depth in front of him either in their farm system or at the MLB level. While the numbers may not jump off the page, and struggles are likely to be seen when he gets there, we’ll want to stick with Valera. The power is real, and there is enough pitch recognition skill that he will adjust with repetition.  

52. Quinn Priester, Pirates SP

(Future Value: 50)

Decent size and an excellent breaking ball are useful complements to Quinn Priester’s middling four-seamer, and while he still has a good amount of work in front of him at higher levels, the talent for Priester to be a high-end No. 2 if not an ace is certainly there. The key for him will be developing his changeup as a weapon and out pitch against LHBs who aren’t willing to bite on his curve/cutter arsenal. All of that said, being in another organization might be best for his development, so we may need to temper expectations a bit unless he is moved or flashes signs of success despite the Pirates organizational ineptitude.

53. Mark Vientos, Mets 3B

(Future Value: 45)

Mark Vientos isn’t quite a Joey Gallo or Adam Dunn type in that he does have some ability to hit for contact. He managed to hit .281 even while striking out 28% of the time at AA, but he should also have 40+ HR upside if he ever gets a full season’s worth of PAs. While the Mets 2022 lineup is likely too stacked for Vientos to see any regular playing time, he is certainly capable of lighting up enough AAA pitching that he forces the issue this season, and he would be source of cheap power, especially with the implementation of the DH creating a role for players who are less than elite with the glove.

54. Roderick Arias, Yankees Wunderkind

(Future Value: 60)

Only 17, the Yankees most recent international prize will look to make bigger waves than Jasson Dominguez when he gets his first real test in professional ball. A very well-rounded prospect, Roderick Arias grades out at 55+ in every tool evaluation, and a switch-hitter with plus contact and power skills would be rare enough if he didn’t also have 20+ SB speed and play an elite SS on the defensive side of the ball. Still, there’s gobs of projection into evaluating a 17-year-old, and as such, there’s plenty of international signings that crash and burn, so we can’t responsibly rank Arias any higher until he proves what he can do in a full minor-league season. Until then, it’s the bottom third of the top 100 and cautious optimism regarding Arias.

55. Ryne Nelson, Diamondbacks SP

(Future Value: 45)

Ryne Nelson is a bit old (24) for only having experience at AA, but he’s dominated at all levels and strikes out just about everyone, checking in at 30%+ K rates at every level. While the frame may still be filling out a bit despite the age (he is 6’3 but only 183 lbs), there might be even more velocity to tap behind what is already a 70 grade fastball. While he was a reliever in college, he has a diverse enough arsenal of offerings and can be efficient enough with his control that a starting role may be in his future. Even if Arizona decides he might be better off as a reliever, his stuff is live enough that a closing role could be in his future, so he could still have fantasy upside.  

56. Asa Lacy, Royals SP

(Future Value: 55)

Probably the best case of a post-hype sleeper, Asa Lacy’s fall is similar to that of MacKenzie Gore but with the exception of not having much success at any point in his minor league career.  Still, the skill set exists, and it would be very unusual for a starter of his caliber to just fade completely, so a comeback story could be in the works. He’s got a plus-plus four-seamer/slider combo, but the lack of command presents considerable bullpen risk, but if he can put it all together he’s still got ace upside as a starter.  

57. Dustin Harris, Rangers 1B

(Future Value: 45)

Dustin Harris is an interesting prospect, as he has an unusual combination of tools for a 1B prospect. His hit tool is a work in progress, but there’s still some upside there even after hitting over .300 and as high as .372 at four different minor-league stops thus far. His power is likely his best tool, and while 10 HRs in 306 PAs in A-Ball isn’t anything to write home about, hitting another 10 in only 160 PAs in High-A raises an eyebrow or two. But the least likely aspect of his game for his positional archetype is the athleticism, not on defense, mind you, which is why he is likely limited to 1B. But he still has a chance at playing 3B as well, which would increase his value. Lack of defensive ability aside, though, he stole 20 bags in A-Ball last season, which is about as unthinkable as Billy Butler stealing 20 bags in half an MLB season. I hope you’re enjoying picturing that as much as I did. If Harris continues to hit for average and power and steal bases at this rate, he’ll be moving up the ranks in no time.  

58. Liover Peguero, Pirates SS

(Future Value: 50)

Liover Peguero is the type of fantasy asset who is relevant not because of anything in particularly that he does, but rather because the whole package will dictate that he is an everyday player who will pile up enough counting stats while also bringing some strong rates to the table (60 hit tool and 60 speed will almost certainly contribute to above average BABIP). Peguero should also play plus defense at a premium position, so even with the lack of power, he should have plenty of opportunity to contribute positively.  

59. Jacob Berry, Marlins 2022 1st Round Pick 1B

(Future Value: 60)

While he can’t run and probably doesn’t have much of a defensive home other than 1B as he develops, Jacob Berry can hit extremely well, including what will likely grade as 70+ power when he has a chance to be evaluated as a minor leaguer. Having torn up pitching in both the Pac-12 and the SEC, Berry will look to make an impact as he takes on the next challenge as a pro. Having gone sixth overall to the Marlins as a college bat, he shouldn’t take more than a couple of seasons to make an impact at the big-league level if he stays healthy.  

60. Heliot Ramos, Giants OF

(Future Value: 50)

Heliot Ramos is probably a floor not ceiling type of prospect at this point, which is probably a bit of a disappointment given his first-round draft capital and his hot start at the lower levels.  There has been warranted criticism of his approach, as he strikes out far more frequently than you would want from a guy who has only displayed moderate power thus far while having the potential for far more. It is still possible that he gets enough playing time and fills out enough physically to be a 20-20 guy year in and year out, which is valuable even at a corner OF position, but he’ll likely only hit .260 or so, so it isn’t as though you’re getting an extremely well-rounded asset along with your counting stats, and doing it as an OF is less valuable than doing it at a premium defensive position. Still, he’s only 21, and any marked improvement in any of his hit, power or speed tools would likely boost him from being an average fantasy asset to being a pretty good one.  

61. Emerson Hancock, Mariners SP

(Future Value: 50)

Emerson Hancock has lost a bit of his initial luster after putting up a solid if moderately underwhelming 2021 campaign marred by a shoulder injury that led to his being shut down. While that’s never what you want to see early in the career of a sixth-overall pick, Hancock is also plenty talented, and the shoulder issue did not include any structural damage, so his being shut down was both precautionary and indicative of how highly the organization values him. If he can stay healthy in 2022 (likely primarily at AA), the needle will be pointing way up as he develops into a real MLB fantasy asset in 2023 and likely works his way much higher up this list.  

62. Jace Jung, Tigers 2022 1st Round Pick 2B

(Future Value: 55)

The younger Jung isn’t much of a defender and likely will not end up manning the hot corner like his older brother, but that’s where the weaknesses stop. He is a 60+ grade hitter both for power and for contact, and it may end up significantly higher than that. The ability to DH when he isn’t playing 2B or wherever he ends up, regardless of the organization he goes to, will be a nice option for him to continue to accrue counting stats by getting PAs on a regular basis. With limited hitting options in front of him in the Tigers organization, he could rocket through their system (much like Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene before him).

63. Brice Turang, Brewers SS

(Future Value: 45)

In today’s game, one of the most important skills you can have is to get on base via the walk, which Brice Turang has shown the willingness and ability to do in large quantities at every stop, and he has done so without striking out much at all. While there is plenty of power in his skill set, his approach has limited that thus far, making him more of a spray hitter throughout his minor-league career, and he’ll need to realize more power potential to be a useful fantasy asset going forward. Still, he plays great defense and runs well at a premium position, and hits and walks enough that he should be in a decent lineup spot when he does crack the big leagues, so having some patience with his power may be the responsible play here.  

64. Jordan Lawlar, Diamondbacks SS

(Future Value: 50)

Jordan Lawlar is the sort of prospect who is more a real-life asset than a fantasy one. He is a 60 grade defender and runner and hits enough to be live as an all-around player, but he doesn’t have any exceptional hit tool. The pitch recognition, bat control and power are all above-average but nothing is elite. Still, well-rounded guys usually have staying power and pile up counting stats, so he is one to keep an eye on. Worth noting, though, is that he is a long way off from the big leagues on a team that is not competitive enough to warrant an accelerated start to his service time, and he’s already shown some injury risk in his short time as a professional.  Tread with caution, but by no means should he be dismissed.

65. Sal Frelick, Brewers OF

(Future Value: 45)

While we haven’t seen much of Sal Frelick as a professional hitter just yet, it appears that is precisely what he will be. Combining excellent bat control and pitch selection with elite speed is a recipe for creating a fantasy asset who should get on base plenty, and Frelick did exactly that in limited minor league time after being drafted last season, putting up .400+ batting averages in his initial tours through the lower levels, driven by a nearly .500 BABIP in that same duration. While he would be fortunate to make it to even regular double-digit HR seasons, the hit and speed combo is compelling enough to expect that he should make it through the Brewers ranks quickly and have an impact when he arrives in MLB.

66. Sam Bachman, Angels SP

(Future Value: 45)

Sam Bachman is an experienced arm having dominated at the collegiate level, striking out 93 in only 59 innings in his final collegiate season. He did miss two starts that season with a lingering shoulder injury which is somewhat of a concern for any fireballer (he has hit 102 previously), but Bachman should become a force to be reckoned with if he stays healthy throughout his development. He will likely need to get more out of his changeup and/or develop a curve or other off-speed pitch to unlock his highest potential as a starter, but he should be able to get through AA at minimum with just the power FB/SL combo he sports currently. We will probably see the K% numbers creep down a bit as he learns to pitch instead of just bringing gas all the time, but even as a 23% K rate type guy, he will be very useful if he is able to manage hard contact at the higher levels.

67. Brady House, Nationals SS

(Future Value: 50)

It may seem like we are “bringing down the House” a bit too much here, but the reality is that the lack of walks and plethora of Ks were both expected, so long as they accompanied massive power. Thus far, the power hasn’t shown up, and that is a major concern when it is such an outsized portion of the bull case for Brady House.  

He might play good enough defense to stick at SS, but the frame is quickly outgrowing that. He is a long, long way off from the big leagues at only 18 years old, but he’s a name to watch to see how he progresses against professional pitching. There’s massive raw power here, even if we haven’t seen it yet.  

68. Brandon Mayea, Yankees SS/OF

(Future Value: 65)

Brandon Mayea is expected to sign with the Yankees in the 2023 signing period. He’s nearly as athletic as Vaquero, and while he hasn’t had precisely the development that scouts were hoping for physically, he is still young and has plenty of time once he becomes a professional to fill out his physique. Even without that development, the hit and power tools are likely superior to not just Vaquero, but any other prospects his age or in the low minors. If he can develop and stay healthy, Mayea should be a star.  

69. Cristhian Vaquero, Nationals OF

(Future Value: 55)

Cristhian Vaquero has received high praise for his athleticism, and in so doing made a name (and a relative fortune) for himself as he was given just under $5M to sign with the Nationals at the age of 16. The sky’s the limit in terms of his talent, and although he will likely be an OF which will cap his fantasy value in terms of positional scarcity, he is a true five-tool talent and will likely grade out at 60+ in each category once evaluations start to roll in, something that is unheard of in most prospect evaluations. The only things keeping him from being in the top 50 is his age and the fact that he is an OF, but this is a special talent.

70. Chase DeLauter, Guardians 2022 1st Round Pick

(Future Value: 55)

Already a very good-sized 6’4 235 at only 20 years old, the JMU product can hit a ton and has done so throughout his JMU career and also against an upgrade in competition at the Cape. While he will be an OF, he is likely athletic enough to play CF and has a strong enough arm to play RF, so he’ll manage to stay on the field and likely hit .300 with 30 HRs more years than not.  Chase DeLauter is a premium player even if he doesn’t have any one extremely elite skill, and he should make an impact on whatever team he joins within 3-4 seasons.

71. Jordan Balazovic, Twins SP

(Future Value: 45)

A disaster of a season so far, marred by injury and inconsistency, we are either seeing the beginning of the end for Jordan Balazovic, or the fall before his climb to greatness, but any way you slice it 2022 has been bad. He’s not quite ready to be written off as a prospect, but he’s close.

Similar to Edward Cabrera, Balazovic has the frame and athleticism from which aces are made, but he has the benefit of not having been rushed into facing big-league hitting. He’s developed a changeup to add to his arsenal of major-league ready fastball, slider and curve, so the hope is even with the less than stellar command he’s shown so far, he can have success at higher levels while refining his ability to hit his spots. While we may see an MLB debut in 2022, we will likely need to wait until 2023 to see what he can offer over the course of a full season.

Full List

Check out the full list of 71 players here.

*denotes a player who is currently injured