It’s that time of the year, Dynasty League Drafts. In my opinion, there isn’t a format that competes with a Dynasty League as you get to usually keep all of your players from year-to-year. While the initial draft is critically important, each year’s rookie draft, some call it a Dynasty League re-draft is equally important. I personally play in five Dynasty Leagues and spend dozens of hours preparing for them. It’s time well spent as my drafts are 10 rounds deep where we draft a total of 150 players, most of them getting dropped before the season begins in the annual cut-down process.
My goal with this article is to give you at least the first two rounds of players as you prepare for that draft. My guess is that your league-mates will not go this deep, so I’m hoping this will help you with at least your first five rounds.
As always, I look forward to your feedback.
| Rank | Name | Comment |
| 1 | Shoeni Ohtani (LAA, RHP/DH) | The logical number one pick but ONLY if you can compete in 2018 and 2019. If not, trade the pick or go with Luis Robert. |
| 2 | Luis Robert (CHW, OF) | Robert has the highest upside on this list with clear star potential. The question as with Yoan Moncada before him, will he hit enough? I think he will. |
| 3 | Royce Lewis (MIN, OF) | I was low on Lewis when the Twins drafted him 1:1 last June. I was wrong. Every report I’ve received has been very encouraging. |
| 4 | Hunter Greene (CIN, RHP) | Top flight skills combined with character could make Greene a special baseball player. Yeah, he’ll likely have TJ Surgery at some point and there’s always that risk, but the kid could be special. |
| 5 | MacKenzie Gore (SD, LHP) | I don’t like his size, but pitching for the Padres combined with great stuff and athleticism could make him a star. |
| 6 | Kyle Wright (ATL, RHP) | Wright could move very quickly with a 2019 major league debut definitely in the cards. High floor with a chance to be a number two starting pitcher. |
| 7 | Brendan McKay (TB, LHP/1B) | While all the hype is around Ohtani being a dual-player, McKay might have a better chance to accomplish. If not, the upside is a number 3, low-2 starter. |
| 8 | Keston Hiura (MIL, 2B) | If his arm troubles are behind him, Hiura has a chance to be a special hitter. A really nice pick if you are drafting mid-pack. |
| 9 | Jordan Adell (LAA, SS) | Very friendly fantasy tools but with most guys, will he hit enough? At this point, I’m not sure. |
| 10 | J.B. Bukauskas (HOU, RHP) | 6-feet right-handers don’t thrill me, but the stuff is great and the Astros just know how to develop players. |
| 11 | Pavin Smith (ARI, 1B) | Plus hit-tool and plus power are very alluring and give the Diamondbacks a nice alternative when Goldy exits stage-right after the 2019 season. |
| 12 | Alex Faedo (DET, RHP) | He didn’t get any time in professional ball after a long college season, but he has size and stuff that gives him a number two ceiling. |
| 13 | Heliot Ramos (SF, OF) | Had a terrific debut in the AZL that saw him post a 1.049 OPS. I don’t see that kind of upside, but he has the ceiling of a full-time major league outfield. |
| 14 | Nick Pratto (KC, 1B) | He’s a long way off, but with the Royals moving off from Eric Hosmer, he’ll be the first baseman in Kansas City in 2021-22. |
| 15 | Brent Rooker (MIN, OF) | He’s already 23-years-old but hit 11 home runs in 40-games in the FSL. That’s really hard to do. He could move very quickly and see Minnesota in 2019. |
| 16 | Nate Pearson (TOR, RHP) | Big with big current stuff and some athleticism. My love is starting to grow. |
| 17 | Adam Haseley (PHI, OF) | Haseley was taken eighth overall and while he can hit, I’m not convinced on how much power and speed he will eventually have. |
| 18 | Jake Burger (CHW, 3B) | Just another guy in the White Sox organization that can hit with power. |
| 19 | Evan White (Sea, 1B) | Evan White has two plus tools – hit and defend. The problem is he’s a first baseman and the jury is still out on how much power he will develop. If it sounds a lot like Dom Smith, you’re thinking what I am. |
| 20 | D.L. Hall (BAL, LHP) | Hall has a nice arm and throws from the correct side, but the Orioles history of developing pitchers who pitch for them is awful. Buyer beware. |
| 21 | Jeren Kendall (LAD, OF) | There is concern about Kendall’s contact rate but he has plus power and with some speed. Plus, the Dodgers are on an impressive run of drafting and developing players. |
| 22 | Logan Warmoth (TOR, SS) | Very simple swing that can also provide some power. Nice pick by Toronto with the 22nd pick. |
| 23 | Shane Baz (PIT, RHP) | Baz has good stuff, but I’m down on him because it will take 4-5 years to get through the system. If you have patience, take him earlier. |
| 24 | Bubba Thompson (TEX, OF) | A dual-sport athlete that is still learning to play baseball. He could turn into Anthony Alford or maybe the other Bubba. Not sure yet… |
| 25 | Tristen Lutz (MIL, OF) | If you like double-plus raw, Lutz is your guy. It will come with strikeouts and pressure on his batting average, but the power is for real. |
| 26 | Wander Franco (TB, SS) | The Rays spent almost $4 million dollars for Franco last June. He has double-plus speed and can hit, but you better be prepared to wait out his development path. It could take YEARS… |
| 27 | Seth Romero (WAS, LHP) | Has very good stuff but a past that suggest there could be some growing up to do. If the Nationals can work with him, the stuff will play. |
| 28 | Blayne Enlow (MIN, RHP) | He’s on nobody’s watch list. Take him late and thank me later. |
| 29 | Austin Beck (OAK, OF) | Beck was taken sixth and has premium bat speed. But I’m concerned about the hit tool. |
| 30 | Brendon Little (CHC, LHP) | I know several people who really like Little…guys I trust. He’s only 6-feet, but has good stuff and can throw strikes |
| 31 | Everson Pereira (NYY, OF) | The Yankees were at it again when they added Pereira last July. Kid is a plus runner with good bat speed. It’ll take a while, but there is definitely something there. |
| 32 | Eric Pardinho (TOR, RHP) | Somebody told me that Brazilian 17-year-old Eric Pardinho would be a Top 10 pitcher in the minor leagues inside of two -years. I haven’t seen him, but the hype might be starting. |
| 33 | Trevor Rogers (MIA ,LHP) | He was taken 11th overall, but I’m not yet a believer. |
| 34 | Tanner Houck (BOS, RHP) | Has a very nice fastball/slider combination but the delivery suggest a move to the bullpen. |
| 35 | Sam Carlson (Sea, RHP) | Carlson is young and projectable with stuff that is already very good. He was taken in the second round but could surprise quickly. |
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