These 10 prospects will make an impact soon
Vlad Jr., Jimenez, Tucker appear poised to burst on scene
Now that the Draft is behind us -- check out MLB Pipeline's coverage here -- which of the players selected could make the biggest fantasy impact down the road? Here are four candidates, one for each demographic:
:: Complete prospect coverage ::
College hitter: Pirates outfielder Travis Swaggerty (first round, No. 10 overall) is this Draft's best bet to become a 20-20 player.
College pitcher: Which is more impressive: Tigers right-hander Casey Mize's (first round, No. 1 overall) stuff or the precision with which he locates it? His splitter/changeup is the most unhittable pitch in the Draft.
High school hitter: The best pure prep hitter, Mets outfielder Jarred Kelenic (first round, No. 6 overall) also has developing power and the quickness to swipe a few bases.
High school pitcher: Perhaps the biggest steal of the first round at No. 16 overall, Rays left-hander Matthew Liberatore is extremely advanced for a prep arm and should have four solid or better pitches.
Below are MLB Pipeline's updated listing of the top 10 fantasy prospects currently in the Minors. As always, they're ranked on expected 2018 fantasy production in the big leagues, while our Top 100 Prospects list reflects long-term value in all phases of the game.
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B, Blue Jays (Previous rank: 1)
Guerrero, who's batting .407/.457/.667 in Double-A at age 19, was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a left knee injury that isn't considered serious. With Toronto's playoff chances looking slim, it should trade free-agent-to-be Josh Donaldson and install the best prospect in the Minors at third base once he's healthy.
2. Eloy Jimenez, OF, White Sox (Previous rank: 2)
While Chicago is getting little production from its outfielders, Jimenez has destroyed Double-A pitching since missing the start of the season with a strained left pectoral muscle. A rebuilding team has service-time issues to worry about, but on talent alone he belongs in the Majors.
3. Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros (Previous rank: 5)
Unlike the two guys ahead of him, Tucker is with an organization that's playing to win now. As Houston tries to defend its World Series championship, it should plug a hole in left field with a guy who could give them 15 homers and nearly as many steals if he gets regular playing time the rest of the way.
4. Michael Kopech, RHP, White Sox (Previous rank: 4)
Kopech still could stand to improve his control, but he might have the best stuff of any starting pitching prospect and he's easily better than anyone in Chicago's current rotation. He faces the same service-time considerations Jimenez does with the White Sox.
5. Willy Adames, SS, Rays (Previous rank: 7)
Adames took Chris Sale deep in his second big league at-bat, has nothing left to prove in Triple-A and is clearly superior to any of Tampa Bay's middle infielders.
6. Nick Senzel, 3B/2B, Reds (Previous rank: 3)
Back after missing nearly a month while battling vertigo, Senzel is showing why he's considered one of the best pure hitters in the Minors. The two highest OPS marks in Cincinnati's lineup belong to the guys who play his two positions (Eugenio Suarez, Scooter Gennett), however, which could delay his arrival.
7. Christin Stewart, OF, Tigers (Previous rank: 9)
Detroit has the second-fewest homers in the big leagues with 52 and Stewart has the most in the Triple-A International League with 13, so it's time for him to replace JaCoby Jones in left field.
8. Austin Riley, 3B, Braves (Previous rank: 8)
As Atlanta continues to battle Washington for first place in the National League East, it will have to start thinking about upgrading at the hot corner with Riley, who has spent just a month in Triple-A.
9. Willie Calhoun, OF, Rangers (Previous rank: 6)
Though he's having the worst season of his pro career, Calhoun still offers a lot of offensive upside, and last-place Texas needs to start looking toward the future.
10. Mitch Keller, RHP, Pirates (Previous rank: unranked)
Pittsburgh has dropped 14 of its past 19 games and is starting to slide out of contention, in part because of a mediocre rotation. Keller, who combines plus stuff with feel for pitching, could remedy that if he gets the call from Double-A.
Dropped out:Kolby Allard, LHP, Braves (Previous rank: 10).