2020 Dynasty League First Year Player Rankings

WEEKLY HOT PROSPECTS 2 Nothing beats playing in a Dynasty League. You get to manage not only the current year roster but also future rosters. The inclusion of minor league players makes this all possible and what has more than likely led you to Prospect361.com.

While the initial draft is exciting and of the utmost importance, the subsequent annual first-year player drafts can be equally critical for long-term success. The term first-year player drafts may be a new term for many of you because some of you might call it a rookie draft, or the annual redraft. Whatever you might call it, it’s the annual draft that allows you to pick up players that have been signed since the last draft. In the Dynasty Leagues in which I play, there are 10 rounds and you can also pick up anyone currently on the waiver wire.

This list provides my “Pref list” for the order in which I will be drafting players. It might not be the way you would draft. You see, I’ve become very aggressive over the years and have drafted for upside with at least my first two to three picks. I just don’t play it conservatively. That said, if I had the first pick with a Champion-level team and need a young catcher, I might, in fact, take Rutschman. But for the most part, I draft for upside and skew towards young hitters and college arms.

This year, I might have gone off the deep end. I have several 16 to 17-year-olds on the list and high at that. Let’s face it, young Latin players with big skills are more professional baseball-ready than ever before. With a down draft-year and a big international free agent class, four players make it from the international market; not including two Japanese players.

While our Top 100 list has been vetted by many people, this list is my list. It’s how I will draft. Again, you might draft differently and that is totally fine. Please give me your feedback.

1. Jason Dominguez (NYY, OF)

In a Dynasty League FYPD, I’m going with the player that has the most hype and therefore trade value.

2. CJ Abrams (SD, SS)

Abrams has 80-grade speed which fantasy owners crave. Early returns indicate he’ll be able to hit a little as well.

3. Bobby Witt Jr. (KC, SS)

I’m dismissing the “old draftee” narrative. He’s got great bat speed, can run and a motor that doesn’t stop.

4. Adley Rutschman (Bal, C)

In two catcher leagues where you want to draft conservatively, Rutschman is your guy. He could have the offensive upside of Buster Posey.

5. Andrew Vaughn (CHW, 1B)

Vaughn would be my second pick if I want to play the game conservatively. He’s undersized, but can really hit and with some tweaks to his launch angle, should hit 20+ home runs.

6. Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (TB, OF/DH)

There’s not huge upside with Tsutsugo, but if you are competing, he’s a nice play as he should have enough power to hit 18 to 22 home runs.

7. Riley Greene (Det, OF)

He’s young and talented with a great swing. He didn’t impress in his professional debut, but he could develop plus power to go along with a little speed.

8. Corbin Carroll (Ari, OF)

He’s a bit undersized but hits the ball with authority to go along with plus speed.

9. JJ Bleday (Mia, OF)

I’m not a big fan of the swing, but he played well in college with a chance to hit for solid power.

10. Nick Lodolo (Cin, LHP)

This draft isn’t big on arms, but Lodolo has the stuff to be a least a mid-rotation arm if not more. He should work through the system quickly.

11. Shogo Akiyama (Cin, OF)

Should hit at the top of a good lineup in Cincinnati. There’s not a ton of power and speed, but he should get on base with a chance to score plenty of runs.

12. Josh Jung (Tex, 3B)

Has a solid hit-tool but the question is how much power he will develop.

13. Robert Puason (Oak, SS)

He received the same bonus as Jasson Dominguez and possess some exciting tools. His approach and contact skills will need to develop, but if it all comes together, he could be a Top 10 shortstop in the game.

14. Erick Pena (KC, SS)

Toolsy kid who’s bat might be more advanced than Puason.

15. Luis Rodriguez (LAD, OF)

A chance for plus in-game power who should be able to hit. He’s already a big kid and as he fills out, speed will not be a big part of his game.

16. Matt Allan (NYM, RHP)

Was the best high school arm in last June’s draft and the Mets grabbed him. With a history of developing pitchers, I’m investing.

17. Michael Toglia (Col, 1B)

Plus raw power meets Coors Field. There will be plenty of swing-and-miss in his game, but he has a chance to see regular at-bats.

18. Alex Manoah (Tor, RHP)

Big and powerful arm that should move quickly through the Blue Jays system.

19. Gregg Jones (TB, SS)

He was the fastest guy in the draft and while he’ll likely develop into a fourth outfielder, if he can hit a little, his speed could be a huge bonanza to fantasy owners.

20. Brett Baty (NYM, 3B)

He has big power but it will likely come with a lot of strikeouts.

21. George Kirby (Sea, RHP)

College arm with a plus fastball. In his debut, he struck out 25 in 23 innings without issuing a walk.

22. Hunter Bishop (SF, OF)

Walked as much as he struck out in his debut but it came with a .229 batting average. He might be too passive at the plate, but he’s athletic with plenty of bat speed.

23. Braden Shewmake (Atl, SS)

Plus hit tool with a little bit of pop and speed.

24. Will Wilson (SF, SS)

Good power with some on-base skills but he needs to cut down on his strikeout rate.

25. Hudson Head (SD, OF)

Excellent tools with an approach that should allow him to get to those tools. He’s a long way off but is a very intriguing prospect.