My first year playing in a DSE Dynasty Fantasy Baseball League was quite an eye-opener. After buying a startup team and waiting for that league to fill and draft, I bought an orphaned team in a league entering its second year. I had been playing fantasy baseball for nearly 35 years and was feeling confident about knowing the game and minor league players, too. I had only played redraft leagues up to this point and never had to roster minor leaguers. I downloaded a Prospects List from a reputable site just to have a backup to my draft plan. Then our annual Minor League Amateur Draft started. Oh, boy…
Most amateur Top 50 players were held over from the previous year. By the end of Round 2, the Top 100 seemed all gone and my downloaded list was rendered useless. Owners were now drafting players I had never even heard of. After mad panic “googling”, I learned most of these players were17 years old and none of them had even reached the AA level yet. Boy, was I lost! If only I could’ve found a list of Deep Prospect Sleepers before the draft to give me an edge.
So…I have compiled a list of 15 players you should keep an eye on. The criteria for this list is as follows:
- Players are all outside of the most accepted Top 100 lists.
- Prospects have not made it to AA level ball yet.
- Players are not projected to reach MLB until 2021 or later.
- All prospects listed are less than 5% owned on Fantrax – meaning they just might still be available in your DSE Dynasty League.
Francisco Alvarez (C), NYM, 17, ETA: 2022
On pure power potential alone, the Mets awarded a 16-year-old Alvarez with $2.7 million. Alvarez will need a few years to learn how to handle pitchers, but NY is hoping for its own homegrown Mike Piazza. Expect Alvarez to be a Top 50 prospect by the time he reaches AA in the next 12-18 months.
Michael Toglia (1B), COL, 21, ETA: 2022
A big (6’5”, 226lbs) switch hitter, Toglia, was a first-rounder who grades out as a plus defender with good power potential. While at UCLA, Toglia showed a lot of inconsistencies at the plate in terms of patience and resulting strikeouts. The Rockies can afford to give him time to improve in the minors.
Michael Busch (2B), LAD, 21, ETA: 2022
The Dodgers are working Busch at 2B to provide him a clearer path to MLB success. Busch played 1B & OF in college and was consistently in the Top 10 for his outstanding walk rate. He has demonstrated a decent power stroke in the Cape Cod League even after transitioning to a wood bat.
Brett Baty (3B), NYM, 19, ETA:2022
The 12th overall pick in 2019, most scouts have given Baty a 70-grade for power. Quite large (6’3”, 210 lbs) for 3B, Baty may be destined for 1B. A lot of fantasy owners will pass because they think Pete Alonso blocks his ascension to The Show. Mets will eventually find a place for his bat in the lineup.
Alexander Vargas (SS), NYY, 17, ETA 2022
The Yankees thought enough of a then 16-year-old Vargas to slot$2.5 million for the international prospect. He hit well in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) but has scuffled at the plate in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League (GCL). Vargas is only 6 foot, 155 pounds and likely struggling as his body fills out and matures. He has time to figure out his swing as his frame continues to grow.
Jairo Pomares (OF), SF, 19, ETA: 2022
The Giants have every reason to be excited about Pomares, who showed speed and the ability to hit for contact as well as power in the Arizona League. With one of the worst OFs in MLB, Pomares may get a chance to shine sooner than later.
Gilberto Jimenez (OF), BOS, 19, ETA: 2022
Jimenez has spent most of his time this year learning to switch hit and has proven adept. Jimenez produced a .804 OPS batting just right-handed in the DSL. Experimenting from both sides of the plate in the New York-Penn League, his OPS climbed to .871(and he has better off-handed lefty bat splits).
Lolo Sanchez (OF), PIT, 20, ETA: 2021
In four minor league seasons, Sanchez has been a consistent base stealer with decent on-base ability. Getting a grasp on breaking balls at the plate in AA will be his biggest priority and will help clear a path to The Show. The Pirates do not expect power to ever develop but foresee an everyday CF with 20+steal per year.
Nick Lodolo (P), CIN, 21, ETA: 2021
TCU left-hander Lodolo was the 7th overall pick in the 2019 Draft and has quickly dominated Rookie and Low A hitters – already earning MiLB promotions. Lodolo has a 2.45 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP after his first 18.1 professional innings pitched. During that same span, his strikeout per nine innings is 14.73. Expect more rapid promotions.
George Kirby (P), SEA, 21, ETA: 2021
Kirby has worked as both a starter and reliever in the minors and possesses plus-rated control and a four-pitch arsenal. In a Northwoods League (NWL) short-season that features elite college players, Kirby struck out 25 in 23 innings and did not walk a single batter. Expect Kirby to reach AA in 2020 and be waiting in AAA by 2021 for the call-up.
Alek Manoah (P), TOR, 21, ETA: 2021
The huge (6’6”, 260 lbs) righty, has dominated the NWL since being drafted in the first round out of West Virginia in the 2019 MLB Draft. Manoah has a WHIP of just 1.06, an ERA at 2.65 and he has a 27:5 K:BB ratio. Manoah worked as both a starter and reliever in college and that versatility might help him reach Toronto sooner than later.
Matthew Allan (P), NYM, 18, ETA: 2022
Allan was considered the top prep arm available in the 2019 MLB Draft. He has two pitches graded at 70+ (fastball and 12-6 Curve). Unfortunately, those are his only two pitches coming out of high school and will have to use his early pro career to work on a 3rd pitch. Developing a quality changeup in MiLB will likely project him to as a front end starting rotation anchor.
Daniel Espino (P), CLE, 18, ETA: 2023
With a fastball that often exceeds the 100-mph mark, Espino is actually known for wild movement on all of his pitches (fastball, curveball, and slider) coming out of high school. Unfortunately, the aforementioned movement translates to control problems that will have to be overcome before making any significant MiLB progress. He is only 18 and hitters should be wary when he figures out those pitch breaks.
Adam Kloffenstein (P), TOR, 18, ETA: 2021
Projected as a mid-rotation starter, Kloffenstein is another large-framed (6’5”, 243 lbs) Blue Jays pitching prospect (like Manoah) and is often praised in scouting reports as athletic with a sound delivery. A lot of upside and often under-rated due to his lack of MiLB innings pitched thus far.
Tahnaj Thomas (P), PIT, 20, ETA: 2023
Don’t let Thomas’ awful minor league pitching stats alarm you. Thomas was originally a SS in the Cleveland farm system and was converted to pitcher before being traded to Pittsburgh in the Jordan Luplow deal. His pitching stats in the DSL and Arizona leagues were not good at all, but that means most fantasy owners will overlook him. The Indians front office believes he has a very special arm and that is coming to fruition since his latest minor league stop in Bristol. He could be a force on the mound once he masters his control.
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