Minor-league baseball started this week and, after a lost year for so many prospects, things should be so intriguing this season. Fantasy baseball managers in redraft formats should generally be relying upon proven veterans for immediate statistical purposes but, for those stashing for the future, we recommend paying attention to all the news -- and perhaps getting out there in person to a minor-league game or five. Frankly, I am keeping my eyes on so many prospects (big names and small) that I do not know exactly where to begin.
I guess I will start with the Boston Red Sox because I can see they have a tantalizing combination of skilled players close to the majors, combined with potential opportunity. For example, outfield prospect Jarren Duran and second baseman Jeter Downs hit in the first two spots for Triple-A Worcester in that team's first two games. They did not do much offensively, but they will hit. Toronto Blue Jays prospect Nate Pearson fanned eight in 3 2/3 innings of the opener, by the way. We will see him in the majors this month.
Duran is a speedy center fielder who used to hit mainly singles, but then he gained some muscle, altered both his swing and approach, and we should expect more power now -- hopefully without spiking his strikeout rate. OK, I want to see it! Downs, who came over from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Mookie Betts trade, is not a big power option, but he should hit for a high average, get on base a lot and, while he is there, steal plenty of bases. There is a pathway to seeing Duran and Downs atop Boston's lineup this summer, though Downs seems to be the more likely option.
The reason why these fellows could matter in fantasy leagues this season is because while the first-place Red Sox are rather loaded offensively, that is not so in center field or at second base. Enrique Hernandez was never going to post a high on-base percentage because he is not a leadoff hitter. Alex Verdugo can play center field, but he is better in right field. Franchy Cordero, not surprisingly, is failing to hit his weight, just as in previous seasons. Boston's lineup features multiple All-Stars, but beyond that, it lacks production. There is room to make upgrades, and Duran and Downs are both closer than people realize to providing them.
Anyway, I can find prospects in every major-league organization worth watching closely this month, next month and beyond. That said, it is rare to find a contender with both obvious lineup holes and top prospects ready to fill them, should they perform well in the minors. In addition, slugging first baseman Triston Casas is starting out at Double-A Portland. Time will tell if he can make more contact than Bobby Dalbec, who predictably cannot make enough of it in the majors. Perhaps Michael Chavis, hitting after Duran and Downs for Worcester, forces his way back to the majors in some role soon. We will be watching.
The list
Because I was interested (and thought perhaps you would be as well), here are the top-10 hitting prospects in the minor leagues in order of ESPN standard league roster percentage, along with some brief thoughts. This excludes rookie-eligible players already in the majors such as Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Andrew Vaughn. We can get to MacKenzie Gore and the standout pitchers next week!
1. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Seattle Mariners (rostered in 43.8% of ESPN standard leagues): Fantasy managers quickly invested here because they assumed that Kelenic would be in the majors sooner than the next fellow on this list. Kelenic is a five-tool fantasy option who looks ready to contribute right away and no, Seattle's outfield is not too crowded. This could well happen in May. Go get him!
2. Wander Franco, SS, Tampa Bay Rays (27.8% rostered): The Rays could use Franco, who had three hits and a stolen base in his Triple-A Durham debut on Tuesday and homered on Wednesday. He can handle either infield spot on the left side and would be an immediate offensive upgrade. Yes, Franco is barely 20 years old but he would probably be one of the top two or three hitters in Tampa Bay's lineup right now. Again, this promotion could happen soon.
3. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City Royals (6.8%): Witt thrived in March, but there is little-to-no indication that a promotion to the majors is pending anytime soon. Things could change if Adalberto Mondesi cannot return to health or if nobody hits at second base. Is Witt ready? Well, he looked ready in March.
4. Adley Rutschman, C, Baltimore Orioles (4.9%): This percentage could be bloated because of dynasty leagues and the name recognition from Rutschman being a No. 1 overall selection, but it seems unlikely he gets a big-league promotion before September, if at all in 2021.
5. Julio Rodriguez, OF, Seattle Mariners (3.6%): One could argue that his offensive ceiling is higher than that of Kelenic, but Rodriguez is 20 years old and starting this season at High-A Everett. It would be a big shock if he jumped numerous levels and debuted this season.
6. Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Detroit Tigers (3.6%): Perhaps similarly, Torkelson starts at High-A West Michigan, so it would be quite a jump to the majors in 2021. The Tigers plan to feature him at third base, which makes sense and bears scrutiny. It would certainly add to his value if he is competent there.
7. Jasson Dominguez, 1B, New York Yankees (2.2%): He was born in 2003. No, really. Do you feel old? I think it is safe to say his big league debut will not be in 2021 ... or 2022.
8. Joey Bart, C, San Francisco Giants (2.1%): I raved about Buster Posey in my Wednesday blog entry, and he blocks the path to the bigs for the defensive-minded Bart. I am not sure Bart can hit at the highest level anyway, and would invest in better hitting prospects.
9. CJ Abrams, SS, San Diego Padres (2.1%): His promotion -- which again seems unlikely in 2021, so fantasy managers in redraft formats may want to stash others -- could come at either middle infield spot or in center field. This kid can both hit and run and I want to see his numbers this season.
10. Marco Luciano, SS, San Francisco Giants (1.9%): He turns 20 in September. There's tantalizing potential here, but again, he's not likely to get to the majors until 2023.
Others: Frankly, I am surprised Blue Jays 3B Austin Martin missed this top 10. Perhaps the mere act of writing about him will change that! Martin will certainly hit and should slide through the minors rather quickly. I also see Texas Rangers 3B Josh Jung (when healed from a foot stress fracture) debuting this summer, as well as Miami Marlins OF JJ Bleday.