Our 2024 Top 400 Prospects of the game are available for your review.  We have made the Top 100 available for everyone.  If you would like to see the remaining list, please consider joining us at Patreon.com/Prospect361

1. Jackson Chourio (OF, Mil) – The raw tools are special. All he needs is time to develop, and once he does, he has superstar upside.

2. Jackson Holliday (SS, Bal) – He’s showing all the tools to be a star.

3. Wyatt Langford (OF, Tex) – He has 20-30 upside with high OBP skills, and it won’t take him long to make his Major League debut.

4. Junior Caminero (3B, TB) – He produces some of the best exit velos in the Rays system, which should translate into 30+ home runs at the highest level. He’s overly aggressive at the plate, which might pressure his OBP.

5. Jordan Lawlar (SS, AZ) – He has all the tools to be a star.

6. Dylan Crews (OF, Was) – He has an advanced approach at the plate with high-end exit velocities.

7. Paul Skenes (RHP, Pit) – He has the size and arsenal to be a #1 starter. Given how hard he throws, there is risk of early arm troubles, as seen with Hunter Greene.

8. Jasson Dominguez (OF, NYY) – Plus bat and foot speed with a feel to hit. He looked great in his MLB Debut and then blew out his elbow.

9. Evan Carter (OF, Tex) – A plus hit tool with speed and power.

10. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (RHP, LAD) – The stat line says he’s a CY Young pitcher. His physicality gives me pause.

11. Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF, CHC) – He has a well-rounded game with plus speed, solid power potential, and a feel to hit.

12. Marcelo Mayer (SS, Bos) – He had a poor season because of a shoulder injury. When healthy, his ceiling is a 20-home-run bat who hits with high on-base skills with modest stolen bases.

13. Walker Jenkins (OF, Min) – Athletic with a lefty swing built for 30+ home run future pop.

14. Ricky Tiedemann (LHP, Tor) – Spent a chunk of the season on the IL with bicep tendonitis. When healthy, it is a power arsenal with a fastball-sweeper-heavy arsenal.

15. James Wood (OF, Was) – He’s athletic with significant power and speed potential. There is significant swing-and-miss in his game.

16. Kyle Manzardo (1B, Cle) – He can really hit, and with some more launch, he could develop into a 20+ home run hitter.

17. Kyle Harrison (LHP, SF) – He has a solid arsenal that was able to get big-league hitters out. His control in Triple-A backed up, but in the Majors, he was fine.

18. Colt Keith (3B, Det) – A feel to hit with 20+ home run power. A move to second or first base my be in the cards long-term.

19. Noelvi Marte (3B, Cin) – He growing into double-plus power, but as he fills out, speed will become less part of his game. I think he hits with a chance to be a full-time regular with impact potential.

20. Sam Basallo (1B, Bal) – An athletic catcher with a feel to hit and potential future plus power.

21. Cole Young (SS, Sea) – He’s demonstrating a plus hit tool with speed and solid power potential.

22. Jackson Jobe (RHP, Det) – He started the season on the IL with a back issue, but when he returned, he showed the kind of stuff that made him the number three overall player selected in the 2021 Draft.

23. Harry Ford (C, Sea) – Speed and power with a feel to hit. If he can stay behind the plate, he could be one of the top fantasy catchers in the league.

24. Ethan Salas (C, SD) – He might have a special blend of a feel to hit and power.

25. Spencer Jones (OF, NYY) – There is speed, and power, but also the potential for significant swing-and-miss in his game.

26. Masyn Winn (SS, Stl) – He showed more power in Triple-A, but the data upon his promotion to the Majors showed below-average exit velos and launch angles.

27. Jackson Merrill (SS, SD) – He’s showing solid power and speed with an excellent feel to hit.

28. Max Clark (OF, Det) – Extremely athletic with plus speed and plenty of bat speed to project future power.

29. Emmanuel Rodriguez (OF, Min) – Huge raw power with a feel to hit. His game could have some swing-and-miss, but the whole package could make him a star.

30. Kevin Alcantara (OF, CHC) – He’s tooled-up, but at 6-foot-6, there will likely be some swing-and-miss in his game. Regardless, there is a setup for an impact player at the highest level.

31. Chase DeLauter (OF, Cle) – He’s a big guy who meaningfully cut down his strikeout rate in 2023. Usually, hitters of his length will have swing-and-miss in his game, but he’s not showing that for now.

32. Tyler Black (3B, Mil) – He’s always been able to hit and is starting to show more pop as he fills out. He has the ceiling of a full-time regular who can play multiple positions.

33. Jett Williams (OF, NYM) – He’s a toolsy player who is walking as much as he’s striking out.

34. Brooks Lee (SS, Min) – He has a plus hit tool with average power and below-average speed. It’s the definition of a high-floor player.

35. Edwin Arroyo (SS, Cin) – He’s held his own as one of the youngest players in High-A showing power and speed.

36. Termarr Johnson (SS, Pit) – He has a natural feel to hit with high walk rates. I think there will be enough physicality to hit 15 to 20 home runs annually.

37. Zac Veen (OF, Col) – He had hand surgery in June that hopefully addresses his power issues. If it does, he’s a 20-20 player, maybe more.

38. Andrew Painter (RHP, Phi) – He had TJS in July and will likely miss the entire 2024. Prior to the injury, the ceiling was a #1 starter.

39. Adael Amador (SS, Col) – He could develop into one of the better hitters in the league with solid stolen base potential. He needs to add loft to his swing project power.

40. Jacob Misiorowski (RHP, Mil) – Tall and thin with two 70-grade pitches in his fastball and slider. He needs to develop a third pitch and work on repeating his delivery.

41. Tink Hence (RHP, Stl) – Extremely athletic with an impressive four-pitch mix.

42. Drew Gilbert (OF, NYM) – He has a high floor as a solid Major League regular but lacks the tools to be a stat-stuffing fantasy player.

43. Curtis Mead (3B, TB) – Plus hit tool with enough hard contact could give him 18 to 20 future home run pop with a high batting average and OBP.

44. Matt Shaw (SS, CHC) – Plus power with a feel to hit and speed early in his career.

45. Brayan Rocchio (SS, Cle) – Despite a ho-hum MLB Debut, he still controls the strike zone with plus speed. The power will be below average.

46. Carson Williams (SS, TB) – He has exciting tools with some concern about how much contact he will make.

47. Colson Montgomery (SS, CHW) – He has a feel to hit with solid power potential. There will not be a ton of stolen bases.

48. Druw Jones (OF, AZ) – It was another challenging season, mostly due to injuries. I know fantasy managers are anxious, but you need patience, as the tools are still there.

49. Colton Cowser (OF, Bal) – High on-base player with emerging power and some speed early in his career.

50. Sebastian Walcott (SS, Tex) – Athletic with elite bat speed that produces hard contact.

51. Dalton Rushing (C, LAD) – He has above-average power with high on-base skills. There is some swing-and-miss in his game.

52. Luisangel Acuna (2B, NYM) – He’s a plus runner with a feel to hit. It’s unlikely he’ll for a ton of power, but there is enough bat speed to project some.

53. Mick Abel (RHP, Phi) – He has size and the big fastball but still needs time to develop his command and control.

54. Marco Luciano (SS, SF) – The bat has significant power potential, but the swing and miss increased as he faced better pitching.

55. Ronny Mauricio (SS, NYM) – There is 20-20 potential, but it will come with a .300ish OBP.

56. Yanquiel Fernandez (OF, Col) – His carrying tool is his 70-grade raw power. He expands the strike zone, causing him to strike out too much. There is little to no speed.

57. Colt Emerson (2B, Sea) – High-floor player who should hit with 15+ home run pop.

58. River Ryan (RHP, LAD) – Athletic pitcher with a plus fastball-cutter and a workable change-up. He needs to focus on throwing strikes, and with his athleticism, odds are he will.

59. Kyle Teel (C, Bos) – He has a plus hit tool with average power.

60. Bubba Chandler (RHP, Pit) – He’s athletic with a huge fastball. While he has a long way to go, the upside is significant.

61. Roman Anthony (OF, Bos) – He’s athletic with better strike zone control than his draft book indicated.

62. Gabriel Gonzalez (OF, Sea) – Showing an ability to make contact with a solid approach. There is plus, if not double-plus, power lurking in the bat.

63. Heston Kjerstad (OF, Bal) – If the improved contact skills are real, we might be looking at a full-time power-hitting corner outfielder.

64. Everson Pereira (OF, NYY) – There is 20+ home run pop with speed early in his career. There continue to be questions about how much contact he will make.

65. Justin Crawford (OF, Phi) – He has the athleticism to make him an impact player. He does need to get stronger, and given his age, there’s a strong possibility that he will.

66. Coby Mayo (3B, Bal) – The swing suggests 25+ home run power potential, but it will likely come with pressure on his batting average.

67. Drew Thorpe (RHP, SD) – One of the breakout pitchers in 2023 who showed swing-and-miss stuff while pounding the strike zone.

68. Gavin Cross (OF, KC) – He has the talent to be a 20-20 player with enough contact to post a .260+ batting average. There is more chase in his swing than was anticipated.

69. Noah Schultz (RHP, CHW) – He’s tall and lanky with a chance to grow into velocity. The delivery is a lower three-quarter with effort.

70. Alex Ramirez (OF, NYM) – He repeated High-A, and while he controlled the strike zone better, it wasn’t quality contact.

71. Sammy Zavala (OF, SD) – He has plus bat speed and is expected to grow into a 20+ home run hitter. Early in his career, he could steal 15+ bases.

72. Owen White (RHP, Tex) – His strikeout rate is down, but the stuff is plenty good enough to get guys out.

73. Ceddanne Rafaela (OF, Bos) – He has top-of-the-chart speed, but the approach is overly aggressive, and that could limit his ceiling.

74. Brady House (SS, Was) – After a difficult 2022, he played better but fell into the same poor habits that led to problems in 2022. There is still significant future power potential.

75. Jace Jung (2B, Det) – He has developed a highly leveraged swing that produces more over-the-fence power but at the expense of some swing-and-miss.

76. Diego Cartaya (C, LAD) – He came into camp out of shape and never got it going. No other way to say it. It was a bad season, and his prospect status has fallen.

77. Jeferson Quero (C, Mil) – A smallish catcher with a feel to hit with pop.

78. Jared Jones (RHP, Pit) – He has a plus arsenal with a fastball that can touch triple-digits, an above-average change-up, and a slider and curveball that show promise. He’s still very raw and needs time to develop.

79. George Valera (OF, Cle) – There’s still plenty of bat speed, although he might have become too passive at the plate.

80. AJ Smith-Shawver (RHP, Atl) – He had a great season and made his way all the way to Atlanta.

81. Miguel Bleis (OF, Bos) – He missed most of the season with shoulder surgery. There are significant tools, but the hit tool has a long way to go.

82. Dylan Lesko (RHP, SD) – He’s back from TJS, and while the control is not there, the stuff looks back to pre-surgery form.

83. Carson Whisenhunt (LHP, SF) – His double-plus change-up is his money pitch. He throws strikes with a 92 to 94 MPH fastball and a decent curve.

84. Robby Snelling (LHP, SD) – He has a plus curveball and enough velocity on his fastball to suggest a future mid-rotation starter, if not more.

85. Ryan Bliss (OF, Sea) – After a challenging season in 2022, has made a nice bounce back by showing better contact.

86. Xavier Isaac (1B, TB) – The early returns show a potential plus hit tool but with above-average power. Conditioning will likely always be an issue.

87. Noble Meyer (RHP, Mia) – He has all the building blocks to pitch at the top of the rotation.

88. Orelvis Martinez (3B, Tor) – There continues to be significant power potential, but with continued concern about how much contact he will make.

89. Anthony Solometo (LHP, Pit) – The arsenal looks extremely promising, and his control improved as he got deeper into the season.

90. Dyan Jorge (SS, Col) – A potential impact player with a feel to hit. He needs to get stronger and likely will.

91. Jonatan Clase (OF, Sea) – His carrying tool is his speed and aggressiveness on the basepaths. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts.

92. Dustin Harris (OF, Tex) – He has more speed and less power than I initially thought. He does post a high on-base percentage.

93. Rhett Lowder (RHP, Cin) – 70-grade change-up with a chance for at least a 60 slider. Plus, he throws strikes. If the Reds can get him to throw harder, he has the ceiling of a number two starter.

94. Justin Foscue (2B, Tex) – He has the potential for a plus hit-tool with 15 to 20 home run pop.

95. Ricardo Cabrera (SS, Cin) – Power and speed potential with a feel to hit.

96. Gavin Stone (RHP, LAD) – His velocity and movement were off early in the season but seemed to return to form over the summer.

97. Cam Collier (3B, Cin) – He’s a high-floor player that projects as a plus hitter with 20+ home run pop.

98. Mason Miller (RHP, Oak) – I have no idea where to put him. Stuff is crazy, but I don’t think he stays healthy. But he should be included as he qualifies.

99. Jacob Melton (OF, Hou) – Toolsy outfielder with contact concerns. If he can shorten up his swing, there could be something there.

100. Cristhian Vaquero (OF, Was) – An exciting package of tools with 70-grade speed and a feel to hit. He needs to get stronger and likely will.

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The Rangers are always the last organization that I write about.  In the past, it’s been a struggle to find the different ways to say the same thing…high-upside, high-risk, no pitching.  This year, it was different…much different.

The system is tremendous. Sure, there are high-upside players that might not hit enough, but there are some flat-out studs on the list and the best group of pitchers they’ve ever had.

Wyatt Langford tore up the minors after being drafted last July.  Evan Carter looked like one of the best players on a Major League team that won the World Series.  While everyone is going bonkers over Ethan Salas, Sebastian Walcott might have a higher fantasy upside (if he hits enough).  It goes on and on.

I do like the pitching and will let you read about that, but even Jack Leiter might have finally figured some things out.

For an organization to have a Major League team this good with tremendous depth in the minor leagues can only be rivaled by the Dodgers.  That’s saying A LOT!

Enjoy the read and get as many of these players rostered on your Dynasty League team as possible.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Wyatt Langford
• Biggest Mover: Sebastian Walcott and Abimelec Ortiz
• Biggest Disappointment: Jack Leiter
• Emerging Prospect: Echedry Vargas

 The list can be found here.

Third Base is deep in talent with plenty of options at the top and in the middle and a host of young talent in Jordan Westburg, Junior Caminero, Tyler Black, and Colt Keith, all looking to leave their mark in 2024. I won’t be rushing to fill Third Base this year, preferring to choose from the likes of Josh Jung, Alec Bohm, and Isaac Paredes in the teen rounds.

1. Austin Riley, ATL – Riley led all his peers by slugging 37 home runs last year. 117 runs scored and captured the #1 spot in that category. We have now witnessed three consecutive seasons of 30 or more home runs. I call a best-of-five H2H battle against Jose Ramirez a closely fought 3-2 victory for Riley. It’s time for him to stake his claim as the best in the game at the “hot corner.”
2. Jose Ramirez, CLE – Another 20-20 season for Jose Ramirez in 2023, his third-in-a-row. The odds are high that we’ll be discussing his fourth-in-a-row next year.
3. Elly De La Cruz, CIN – He hits the ball a ton and runs like the wind. The only question would be the hit tool and his “Baezish” approach to swinging at any and everything. There is risk, but it doesn’t come without some amazing potential rewards. SS-69
4. Rafael Devers, BOS – Devers has now compiled three 30-100 seasons in the past five years. The odds are pretty high that he’s producing somewhere near that level again in 2024. If you prefer to pass on the risk associated with Elly De La Cruz, move Devers up a spot.
5. Gunnar Henderson, BAL – 2023 was an outstanding year for the 22-year-old star, but there is still room for improvement. Is a 30 home run, 90 RBI, 110 runs scored with 15 stolen bases season in his future? I wouldn’t bet against it. SS-83
6. Ha-Seong Kim, SDP – I don’t know if Kim will repeat the 38 stolen bases he accumulated in 2023, but 30 thefts should be within reach. Toss in 15-to-20 home runs with that multi-position eligibility, and you have a player who should be on everyone’s radar. 2B-106, SS–20
7. Nolan Arenado, STL – 2023 was the first full season since 2014 in which Arenado didn’t hit at least 30 home runs with 100 RBIs. What an amazing run for the future HOF’er. A 26 HR, 93 RBI campaign is still far from shabby; it wasn’t what we’ve come to count on from him consistently. Is a bounceback in order?
8. Manny Machado, SDP – Machado DH’d all of September while dealing with a sore elbow, eventually going under the knife in early October to repair the extension tendon in his right elbow. Will he be ready to swing a bat and DH come April? Down-shifting for 2024 makes a lot of sense. The question is, how far?
9. Royce Lewis, MIN – There is no doubting the skills; the health issues have proven to be a challenge. What are the odds of seeing Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton penciled in on the same lineup card?
10. Alex Bregman, HOU – Mid-20’s power with 90 RBI and 100 runs scored from the tenth ranked 3B illustrates the depth at this position to a “t.”
11. Josh Jung, TEX – The only thing missing from his excellent rookie campaign was 100 or so at-bats, which he lost when he fractured his left thumb. Jung is on the right team with a good place in the order and possesses the skill set to produce many a 30-90 season. I’m all in!
12. Spencer Steer, CIN – The roster flexibility is sweet, as are the 23 home runs, 86 RBI, and 15 stolen bases he amassed last year. The Twins came up with the short end of the stick on this deal. 1B-73, OF-47
13. Noelvi Marte, CIN – The Reds are chock-full of excellent young prospects, and 2023 brought us the debut of Noelvi Marte in August, and he didn’t disappoint. Let’s see what Rich Wilson has to say about Marte. “He’s growing into double-plus power, but speed will become less part of his game as he fills out. I think he hits with a chance to be a full-time regular with impact potential.” That works for me!
14. Isaac Paredes, TBR – “Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me.” He isn’t fooling me thrice. 1B-25
15. Alec Bohm, PHI – Bohm had his first 20 home run campaign and finished three RBI shy of a 100 RBI season in ‘23. Hitting in the five-hole in that high-powered Phillies offense comes with its perks. 1B-80
16. Max Muncy, LAD –The 30 HR + power potential and that stacked Dodgers lineup should have him running those RBI totals into the 90s. The only concern is the BA. It’s not quite Kyle Schwarber-level BA, but it’s in the same area code. Move him up in OBP Leagues as he has proven to be very successful finding his way to first via the free pass.
17. Jake Burger, MIA – The power potential has always existed. He simply struggled to stay healthy. Just remember that a .220-to-.230 BA could be the price paid for that big-boy power.
18. Eugenio Suarez, ARZ – He really enjoyed playing half his games in the Great American Ballpark. T-Mobile Park, not quite so much. The move to Arizona and the friendly confines of Chase Field won’t hurt him in his quest for a rebound and a return to the 30-home run club.
19. Ryan McMahon, COL – Low 20’s home run power with 70 RBI and Runs Scored is a safe floor. In Colorado, the hopes were much higher.
20. Ke’Bryan Hayes, PIT – Mid-teen power combined with mid-teen speed just doesn’t seem enough for this highly skilled youngster. It’s okay, but okay isn’t good enough, at least not for me.
21. Jordan Westburg, BAL 2B-50
22. Junior Caminero, TBR
23. Jeimer Candelario, CIN 1B-21
24. Luis Rengifo, LAA 2B-66, SS-37, OF-21
25. Maikel Garcia, KCR
26. Matt Chapman, TOR
27. Tyler Black, MIL
28. Matt Vierling, DET OF-114
29. Ezequiel Duran, TEX SS-37, OF-35
30. Colt Keith, DET
31. Wilmer Flores, SFG 1B-61
32. Brett Baty, NYM
33. Michael Busch, CHC
34. Willi Castro, MIN OF-83
35. DJ LeMahieu, NYY 1B-56
36. Anthony Rendon, LAA
37. Nick Senzel, WAS OF-54
38. Patrick Wisdom, CHC
39. Zach McKinstry, DET 2B-48, SS-23, OF-57
40. Josh Rojas, SEA 2B-49
41. D. Davis, SFG
42. Brayan Rocchio, CLE
43. Chris Taylor, LAD SS-31, OF-60
44. Yoan Moncada, CWS
45. Jon Berti, MIA SS-64
46. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TOR OF-78
47. Andruw Monasterio, MIL 2B-32
48. Nick Madrigal, CHC
49. Abraham Toro, OAK
50. Kyle Farmer, MIN 2B-45, SS-40
51. Curtis Mead, TBR
52. Taylor Walls, TBR 2B-37, SS-32
53. Bryan Ramos, CWS
54. Nicky Lopez, CWS 2B-49
55. Oswald Peraza, NYY
56. Edmundo Sosa, PHI
57. Owen Miller, MIL 1B-35, 2B-42
58. Ramon Urias, BAL
59. Carter Kieboom, WAS
60. Jace Peterson, ARZ
61. Coby Mayo, BAL
62. Aledmys Diaz, OAK SS-40
63. Jordan Diaz, OAK 2B-28
64. Eguy Rosario, SDP
65. Alan Trejo, COL 2B-49
66. Matthew Batten, SDP

The Mariners system hit on all (or most) cylinders in 2023.  Cole Young and Harry Ford have developed into two of the best prospects in the game.  If you believe Ford is the better prospect and should be #1 overall, it would be tough to argue against you.  I ultimately went with Young, more because Ford is still projected as a catcher.

The Mariners also did very well in the 2023 MLB Draft when they drafted three excellent high school players.  They grabbed Colt Emerson with the #22 pick and then went with two high-upside high school players, Johnny Farmelo and Taj Peete, with picks 29 and 30.  Emerson got off to a blistering start and might move more quickly through the minor leagues than I initially thought.

The Mariners appear on the doorstep of a nice playoff window.  They’ve got a young and talented Major League team and plenty of depth in their minor league system.  The Baseball GM book states in the opening paragraph – That’s how you do it.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Cole Young
• Biggest Mover: Tyler Locklear
• Biggest Disappointment: Emerson Hancock
• Emerging Prospect: Felnin Celesten

The list can be found here.

The strength in the A’s system is their pitching.  If Mason Miller stays healthy, he could become a top-of-the-rotation starter.  However, and I will stress, he’s never been able to stay healthy.  Joey Estes, Luis Morales, and Joe Boyle are also very interesting, and Boyle and Estes should see time in Oakland next season.

I’m not impressed with their hitters.  I did not like Jacob Wilson, their first-round pick last July.  He should develop into a fine Major Leaguer, a second-division starter, or a utility player on a Championship team, but with the sixth pick in one of the best drafts in the past decade, you just have to do better.  There were plenty of players with more upside that also had high floors.

Denzel Clarke, Maxy Muncy, and Darell Hernaiz will all make it to Oakland over the next few years, but I see modest success.  If Clarke can ever hit, watch out.

 Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Mason Miller
• Biggest Mover: Joey Estes
• Biggest Disappointment: Jacob Wilson
• Emerging Prospect: Luis Guanipa

The list can be found here.

At first glance, shortstop looks deep with plenty of great options, but just like a good well, they eventually will dry up. By the time you get through the first five rounds at least eleven and possibly more of the shortstops ranked below will be off-the-board. There are also numerous multi-position eligible players at shortstop, which again puts pressure on the position. One can go from riches to rags very quickly. Take what the draft gives you, but don’t let the top-tier shortstop pass you by. This year, wander Franco is not included in the rankings as the odds of seeing him play in MLB in 2024 are minuscule, at best.

1. Bobby Witt Jr., KCR – Sophomore slump? Not in the cards for the 23-year-old stud. Witt Improved in virtually every offensive category and looks set to be an overall Top-5 pick for years to come.

2. Trea Turner, PHI – It took Turner a while to get rolling last year, but he compensated for a spotty start in his new home in Philadelphia by posting 16 homers with 46 RBI in August and September. He was a perfect 30-for-30 on the basepaths, and for the sixth time in eight years, he has reached the 30 stolen base plateau. What’s not to like?

3. Francisco Lindor, NYM – Met’s fans have clearly forgotten about that horrid 2021 debut. The past two years have seen Lindor produce stellar numbers, and there’s no reason to think that 2024 will be any different.

4. Gunnar Henderson, BAL – 2023 was an outstanding year for the 22-year-old star, but there is still room for improvement. Is a 30 home run, 90 RBI, 110 runs scored with 15 stolen bases season in his future? I wouldn’t bet against it. 3B-84

5. Corey Seager, TEX – 30 home runs, 90 RBI, 90 runs scored, and a .285 BA as a floor makes Seager one of the best low-risk picks in the game.

6. Elly De La Cruz, CIN – He hits the ball a ton and runs like the wind. The only question would be the hit tool and his “Baezish” approach to swinging at any and everything. There is risk, but it doesn’t come without some amazing potential rewards. 3B-32

7. CJ Abrams, WAS – CJ Abrams hit two home runs and stole seven bases in 284 at-bats as a rookie in 2022. In 2023, he hit 18 home runs and stole an eye-popping 47 bases in 563 at-bats. Of those 47 stolen bases, 33 came after the All-Star break. Has any player elevated his stock more in one year than Abrams?

8. Matt McLain, CIN – McLain was moving up the NL ROY ranks quickly until he was sidelined by a strained oblique that cost him the month of September. The MLB resume might be short, but the skills are anything but short. 2B-37

9. Ha-Seong Kim – I don’t know if Kim will attain the lofty level he accomplished in 2023 (38 SB), but 30 thefts should be within reach. Toss in 15-20 home runs with that multi-position eligibility, and you have a player who should be on everyone’s radar. 2B-106, 3B-32

10. Nico Hoerner, CHC – If you want a Top-10 SB threat and a handful of home runs, Hoerner’s your guy. Could a 50-stolen-base season be in his future? 2B-135

11. Bo Bichette, TOR – 25, 13, and 5 are relatively important numbers. Those are the stolen base totals produced by Bo Bichette over the past three years, starting with 2021. Remember those numbers when you sit down to draft this Spring.

12. Ezequiel Tovar, COL – Tover enjoyed a solid rookie campaign, slugging 15 homers, driving in 73 runs, and swiping 11 bases. What makes this accomplishment even more impressive is he posted those numbers as a 21-year-old with only 285 at-bats above High-A. If you told me he’s a Top-10 shortstop heading into 2025, I wouldn’t debate that point.

13. Anthony Volpe, NYY – Expectations were high for the young shortstop. Were they potentially too high? A 21 homer 24 stolen base season as a rookie is pretty darn good, but there is no doubting that.209 BA leaves a bit to be desired. Better days could be right around the corner.

14. Dansby Swanson, CHC – If you were looking for a repeat of the great 2022 season, you were likely disappointed by his ’23 effort. Drop the bar a bit. There’s nothing wrong with low-20’s power, 80-to-90 RBI, and ten thefts with a .250 BA.

15. Trevor Story, BOS – A full season from Trevor Story is more than likely a 20-20 campaign. The last time we saw an entire season of Trevor Story was in 2021.

16. Oneil Cruz, PIT – I get it. That was quite the half-season produced by Cruz in 2022, but I’m not paying for it this year. I’ll let someone else roll the dice after the fractured ankle and subsequent surgery that cost him the entire 2023 season.

17. Xander Bogaerts, SDP – Bogaerts set a single-season high in stolen bases with 19, but who didn’t see their SB numbers rise with the rule changes implemented last year? With each passing year, that great 2019 season looks more and more like an outlier.

18. Thairo Estrada, SDP – Estrada is a very solid option as a mid-teen power/20+ stolen base middle-infielder. Set the bar at a reasonable level, and it won’t lead to disappointment. 2B-101

19. Jackson Holliday, BAL – Another talented young Baltimore prospect is on the cusp of a debut. Jackson Holliday could be better than his father, and Dad was a good player.

20. Willy Adames, MIL – You can pencil in mid-20 home run power and a low BA. Those strikeout numbers are on the verge of alarming, and he likely won’t improve as he approaches his 30s.

21. Carlos Correa, MIN
22. Tommy Edman, STL 2B-51, OF-49
23. Luis Rengifo, LAA 2B-66, 3B-23, OF-21
24. Orlando Arcia, ATL
25. J.P. Crawford, SEA
26. Jeremy Pena, HOU
27. Ezequiel Duran, TEX 3B-22, OF-35
28. Liover Peguero, PIT 2B-33
29. Chris Taylor, LAD 3B-28, OF-60
30. Javier Baez, DET
31. Geraldo Perdomo, ARZ 2B-28
32. Masyn Winn, STL
33. Brice Turang, MIL 2B-119
34. Zach McKinstry, DET 2B-48, 3B-52, OF-57
35. Vaughn Grissom, BOS
36. Marco Luciano, SFG
37. Jose Caballero, TBR 2B-64
38. Zach Neto, LAA
39. Jordan Lawler, ARZ
40. Taylor Walls, TBR 2B-37, 3B-39
41. Jorge Mateo, BAL
42. Miguel Rojas, LAD
43. Jon Berti, MIA 3B-41
44. Gabriel Arias, CLE 1B-35
45. Enrique Hernandez, FA 2B-36, OF-36
46. Paul DeJong, CWS
47. Joey Wendle, NYM
48. Aledmys Diaz, OAK 3B-40
49. Tim Anderson, FA
50. Kyle Farmer, MIN 2B-45, 3B-43
51. Osleivis Basabe, TBR
52. Amed Rosario, 2B-36
53. Colson Montgomery, CWS
54. Jackson Merrill, SDP
55. Elvis Andrus, FA 2B-63
56. Garrett Hampson, KCR OF-53
57. Braden Shewmake, CWS
58. Adalberto Mondesi, FA
59. Darell Hernaiz, OAK
60. Nasim Nunez, WAS

The Angles feel lost to me.  The Major League team has some famous players and arguably two of the best players ever to put on a uniform over the past five years.  Yet, they finished 16 games below .500.

Most organizations with a weak Major League team are rebuilding.  Therefore, their minor league system is strong.  Unfortunately, that is not the case with the Angels.  Their system is a bottom-five organization in the league.  It’s just not pretty, and if I were a fan, extreme patience is the name of the game.

I’ll point you to three players I find intriguing.  Caden Dana has the size and arsenal to pitch at the top of the rotation and is not talked about enough.  Ben Joyce has a big arm and could be a Major League closer one day.  And finally, Kevyn Castillo looks like he can really hit.  He’s 18 and still in the DSL, but he’s one to watch.  The rest?  There’s talent, and some may develop into full-time regulars, but all have flaws, and I’m not sure there is a star in the bunch.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Nolan Schanuel
• Biggest Mover: Caden Dana
• Biggest Disappointment: David Calabrese
• Emerging Prospect: Kevyn Castillo

The list can be found here.

While the Astros system is not what it used to be, it’s stronger than I initially thought before digging in.  I love Jacob Melton, and assuming he can make enough contact, the tools are extremely loud.  2024 will be a critical year to see if the solid contact he made last season translates.  Zach Dezenzo and Luis Baez also have intriguing upside with a chance to be a Top 100 prospect eventually.

The Astros have always been able to find pitching in their organization, and perhaps Spencer Arrighetti is better than I think, but he looks like a reliever.  Forrest Whitley is still kicking around, but I haven’t a clue what his ceiling is or even if he’ll make it – what a disappointment.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Jacob Melton
• Biggest Mover: Waner Luciano
• Biggest Disappointment: Pedro Leon
• Emerging Prospect: Roiner Quintana

 The list can be found here.

The Giants’ system is sound, led by Kyle Harrison and Marco Luciano. Both saw time in the Major Leagues in 2023, with Harrison having more success than Luciano. I still like Luciano long-term, but there will be swing-and-miss in his game that fantasy managers will have to deal with. Bryce Eldridge is an intriguing prospect with tremendous raw power, with concern about how much contact he will make. He looked good in his professional debut, so hopefully, he can build on that. 

The system also has depth, with several high-end prospects in the lower levels of the minor leagues. Rayner Arias was one of the best performers in the DSL in 2023, and Reggie Crawford could emerge as a two-way player. I like him better as a pitcher, but he’s athletic enough to be considered a hitter at the highest level, and that athleticism should help him as a pitcher.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Kyle Harrison
• Biggest Mover: Mason Black
• Biggest Disappointment: Vaun Brown
• Emerging Prospect: Rayner Arias

The list can be found here.

You can go early and grab an elite-level talent, work the middle tier and find a host of steady power/speed threats, or cherry-pick the bottom tier and play the spec game. Second base is deep in proven talent with plenty of options to fill every potential roster build. Pick the one that works and roll with it. Vaughn Grissom doesn’t qualify at Second Base on draft day, but will very early in the 2024 season, giving you another intriguing upside option.

1. Mookie Betts, LAD – Betts slugged 39 home runs, drove in 107 runs and posted a .307 BA last year. Toss in the 126 runs scored and 14 stolen bases plus the added bonus of 2B eligibility and you have one of the best players in the game. OF-107

2. Marcus Semien, TEX – 2023 was another stellar year, his best since the monster 2021 season with the Jays. You say Albies, I say Semien. There is really no wrong answer.

3. Ozzie Albies, ATL – 2023 was Albies best season as a pro. He set career highs in both home runs with 33 and RBI with 109. It doesn’t get much better than that.

4. Jose Altuve, HOU – The only thing missing from Altuve having a banner campaign was 200 or so at-bats. If he slides don’t let it be too far as there’s still plenty of mileage left in the tank.

5. Matt McLain, CIN – McLain was moving up the NL ROY ranks quickly until he was sidelined by a strained oblique that cost him the month of September. The MLB resume might be short, but the skills are anything but. SS-33

6. Ha-Seong Kim, SDP – I don’t know if Kim will attain the lofty levels he accomplished in 2023 (38 SB), but 30 thefts should be within reach. Toss in 15-20 home runs with that multi-position eligibility, and you have a player that should be on everyone’s radar. 3B-32, SS-20

7. Nico Hoerner, CHC – Little Nico Hoerner sat at the corner, swiping those bases at will. Along came a catcher, who said “I’m gonna getcha”, but only seven times in 50 tried did it come true. If you want a Top-10 SB threat, he’ll get the job done. SS-20

8. Gleyber Torres, NYY – A safe floor of 25 home runs and 70 RBI is at-hand. Torres will even kick in low double-digit stolen bases for good measure.

9. Andres Gimenez, CLE – Gimenez is penciled into the two-hole and it’s the perfect spot for that mid-teen power and 25-to-30 thefts.

10. Ketel Marte, ARZ – Marte recorded his second-best season as a pro on an improving DBacks squad. The career high 71 walks will keep him at the top-of-the-order.

11. Bryson Stott, PHI – Mid-teen power and 25-to-30 thefts seem to be a very common denominator at Second Base. Stott took a big step upwards last year and now joins this group.

12. Zack Gelof, OAK – Gelof enjoyed a great rookie campaign, slugging 14 homers with an equal number of stolen bases in only 270 at-bats. A 20-20 season could be in the cards for the A’s youngster.

13. Thairo Estrada, SFG – Another very solid option in the mid-teen power/20+ stolen base club. Power/speed options are plentiful at the keystone corner. SS-24

14. Nolan Gorman, STL – Yeah, he strikes out a bunch, 148 times in 406 at-bats, but when not showing off the miss part of his swing and miss game, he hit the ball out of the park 27 times. There could be a host of 30 HR type seasons in this youngster’s future.

15. Tommy Edman, STL – Edman enjoyed another typical Tommy Edman type season other than the big dip in the run scored category. It would certainly help if he could find his way back to the top-of-the-order but a .307 OBP won’t help his cause. SS-48, OF-49

16. Brandon Drury, LAA – In 2022 he hit 28 homers and drove in 87 runs with a .263 BA. In 2023 he hit 26 homers and drove in 83 runs with a .262 BA. Let’s call this a trend and show Drury a little more respect than he’ll probably get on draft day. 1B-47

17. Jorge Polanco, MIN – Polanco has all the tools to be a Top-10 producer at Second excepting one. In 2022 he managed to get in 375 at-bats and followed that up with another injury riddled campaign in 2023. Is a bounce back season in order in 2024?

18. Luis Arraez, MIA – If you’re looking to boost your BA/OBP numbers, Arraez is the player to get it done. Last year he posted a .354 BA and .393 OBP and found his way to double-digit power with ten home runs. That will work rather well as a middle-infield option.

19. Jonathan India, CIN – When you have Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz occupying your two MI slots, where does that leave the 2021 NL ROY? At DH, at least for now. For all the talk about 2023 being a down year India still managed to hit 17 home runs, steal 14 bases and score 78 runs in only 454 at-bats.

20. Ryan McMahon, COL – 2023 proved to be an okay year for McMahon, but is okay good enough? Expect more of the same okay type numbers in 2024. Okay? 3B-130

21. Edouard Julien, MIN
22. Jordan Westburg, BAL 3B-29
23. Brandon Lowe, TBR
24. Luis Rengifo, LAA SS-23, 3B-37, OF-21
25. Zach McKinstry, DET 3B-52, SS-23, OF-57
26. Whit Merrifield, FA OF-84
27. Gavin Lux, LAD
28. Geraldo Perdomo, ARZ 2B-28
29. Taylor Walls, TBR SS-32, 3B-39
30. Jeff McNeil, NYM OF-68
31. Brice Turang, MIL SS-22
32. Jake Cronenworth, SDP 1B-106
33. Liover Peguero, PIT SS-39
34. Brendan Donovan, STL OF-26
35. Luis Urias, SEA
36. Ji Hwan Bae, PIT OF-62
37. Davis Schneider, TOR
38. Josh Rojas, SEA 3B-48
39. Amed Rosario, FA SS-104
40. Cavan Biggio, TOR 1B-20, OF-27
41. Andruw Monasterio, MIL 3B-56
42. Dylan Moore, SEA OF-29
43. Miguel Vargas, LAD
44. Michael Massey, KCR
45. Luis Garcia, WAS
46. Mauricio Dubon, HOU OF-38
47. Brendan Rodgers, COL
48. Enrique Hernandez, FA SS-74, OF-36
49. Xavier Edwards, MIA
50. Enmanuel Valdez, BOS
51. Kyle Farmer, MIN 3B-43, SS-40
52. Jordan Diaz, OAK 3B-38
53. Owen Miller, MIL 1B-35, 3B-23
54. Andy Ibanez, DET OF-21
55. Connor Norby, BAL
56. Ronny Mauricio, NYM
57. Nicky Lopez, CWS 3B-29
58. Alan Trejo, COL 3B-23
59. Adam Frazier, FA
60. Elvis Andrus, FA SS-52
61. Justin Foscue, TEX
63. Masyn Winn, STL
64. Jose Iglesias, FA
65. Joey Ortiz, BAL
66. Livan Soto, LAA
67. Andrelton Simmons, FA
68. Alan Trejo, COL