Most everyone believes Rays infielder Wander Franco will be a future star, but for those in redraft leagues -- ones in which only the 2020 campaign matters -- his value seems to be rather minute. After all, the teenager's big-league promotion is hardly a done deal for this season. For Angels outfielder Jo Adell, Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson, Padres lefty MacKenzie Gore and a host of other top prospects, they seem far more likely to accumulate playing time in the majors this season, but we do not know when it happens or how much they will get. Well, that matters, because if they languish in Triple-A through July or beyond, they are not aiding fantasy rosters.
Solak hit .289 with 27 home runs and an .894 OPS for a pair of Triple-A teams in 2019, as the Rangers acquired him from the Rays organization last July for hard-throwing right-hander Peter Fairbanks. A year prior, the former second-round Yankees selection from the 2016 draft was included in the Steven Souza Jr. three-way trade. Solak does not fit the traditional narrative of a top prospect because of defensive concerns, and he is already 25 years old, so perhaps there is limited growth here. The Rangers used him at second base and third base last season, but more at designated hitter, so that is why he is utility-only in ESPN and most formats.
However, assuming Solak hits, you will not care about the lack of defensive versatility. The Rangers think he can handle center field, pushing him there this spring with the goal of using Danny Santana in a utility role. Perhaps it will not work out, but they want Solak's right-handed bat in the lineup after he hit .293 with five home runs and a .884 OPS over 33 games and 135 plate appearances in August and September. He was hardly overwhelmed at the plate and the Rangers want him playing. As late-round fantasy selections go -- in not only deeper formats, but also perhaps a 10-teamer -- it sure seems like Solak can matter.
Respect the prospect rankings, of course, but Bryan Reynolds, Luis Arraez and John Means hardly profiled as top options a year ago, and in 2018 there was Miguel Andujar, Brian Anderson and Joey Wendle surprising everyone and helping fantasy managers. Give a kid a chance and where he ranks among the top prospects is not terribly relevant for the short- and potentially long-term as well. Solak has power, underrated speed (he stole 21 bases at Double-A Montgomery in 2018) and strong enough plate discipline to handle big-league pitching right now, so yeah, while it might be blasphemous to select him over Franco in a dynasty format, we are talking about one-year leagues.
Fantasy managers often make the mistake of presuming prospects travel a linear path to big-league stardom. Look at megastar and future Hall of Famer Mike Trout as a rookie. It went poorly. When Scott Kingery and the Phillies agreed to a long-term contract before the 2018 season, it signaled to all that this intriguing prospect would start the season in the major leagues. However, Kingery was not ready. He did not hit enough. He hit last season, but those who invested in the ugly 2018 might have ignored him.
Well, do not assume Mariners first baseman Evan White, who signed a similar contract to Kingery's and should open this season as a starter, travels the same statistical path. An awesome fielder, White showed power at Double-A Arkansas and the opportunity is there for regular playing time. Analysts believe White is unlikely to provide power, but after last season, I struggle to assume anything. I think White is capable of more than 600 plate appearances, perhaps leading all rookies there, and counting stats should follow. A .270 batting average with 20-plus home runs seems plausible.
Anyway, here are one man's thoughts on which rookie-eligible options will aid fantasy managers the most this season.
1. Gavin Lux, 2B, Dodgers: Fantastic hitter, potential five-category choice, though it would be nice if the team doesn't bury him in the No. 8 lineup spot.
2. Luis Robert, OF, White Sox: More speed than Lux, but some batting average concerns thanks to his aggressive ways. I will likely fade if he is a top-100 selection.
3. Nick Solak, DH, Rangers: Yep, this is a generous ranking, but I always lean toward rookie bats over rookie arms, especially ones with power.
4. Shogo Akiyama, OF, Reds: Yes, he is a rookie! This walker boasts modest power and speed, but if he leads off, he will score runs.
5. Sam Hilliard, OF, Rockies: Slugger appears to have the left field job, albeit perhaps in a platoon, but with half the games in Denver, that is all we need to know.
6. Evan White, 1B, Mariners: Repeat after me: He has a starting job. I doubt he hits for big power, but I cannot take Eric Hosmer, Joey Votto or even Christian Walker 10 rounds prior.
7. Jose Urquidy, SP, Astros: Unlike the Athletics lefties, this right-hander could stick in the rotation all season with no innings limit. He misses bats and the run support will be there.
8. Yoshi Tsutsugo, OF, Rays: Figures to hit for power but offer little else in roto leagues, though the walks help in points formats.
9. Dylan Carlson, OF, Cardinals: Likely to start the season in the minors, but it should not take long for this patient, power/speed choice to debut.
10. Dustin May, SP, Dodgers: Unlikely to make more than 20 starts because the team has depth, but obvious upside.
11. Jesus Luzardo/A.J. Puk, SP, Athletics: OK, I acknowledge the significant upside, but I guess I will gravitate toward boring veterans like Kyle Hendricks and Kenta Maeda.
12. Sean Murphy, C, Athletics: Good enough pop, and opportunity, that those in ESPN one-catcher formats should look his way in the final round.
13. Kwang-Hyun Kim, SP, Cardinals: Polished lefty could end up in the bullpen depending on Miles Mikolas' health.
14. Spencer Howard, SP, Phillies: Have to assume the team will need him in the rotation early on, so let us project early May. Will be on an innings limit.
15. Clarke Schmidt, SP, Yankees: As with Howard, opportunity should be there and his team needs to win now. That separates him from rehabbing Michael Kopech, for example.
Who missed: If word comes that the Rays could promote Wander Franco at any time, add him. He is that significant. Willy Adames is fine, though, so perhaps Franco plays third base. ... Nick Madrigal of the White Sox can hit for average and run, but, in this case, I believe the scouts who point to a real lack of power. ... I was in on Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller last season, but now I am scared to invest for fear his bad luck in the majors could mean something. ... My interest is piqued about the Orioles considering Hunter Harvey for the ninth-inning role, but this team last had a 20-save option four years ago, so it might not be worth it. I am also not excited about young Orioles batsmen Austin Hays and Ryan Mountcastle and admit it might be franchise-related.