Prospects, in dynasty, are what so many owners spend hours researching, hoping to discover those diamonds in the rough. However, more often than not, we are faced with the harsh reality that more prospects, even top prospects, fail more than succeed. That is why, today, I’m giving a few players who can and should no longer occupy a slot on most dynasty teams.
Luis Alexander Basabe, SF
Fantrax Ownership: 11%
DSE Ownership: 9.6%
For many dynasty players, Basabe may very well be a prospect you’ve seen for a long time – 7 years, to be specific. He was first signed by the Red Sox back in 2012. Since then, he has bounced from the Red Sox to the White Sox and is now on the Giants. In 2020, Basabe finally got a taste of the show for nine games with the Giants but struggled mightily. The single glimmer of light for him was his four walks and five strikeouts in 18 at-bats. His current projections put Basabe as a platoon 4th or 5th OF with mild power and slightly above average speed. Basabe is no longer someone who needs to be rostered or stashed, except for maybe 30-team leagues where a warm body is worth stashing.
Jaylin Davis, SF
Fantrax Ownership: 12%
DSE Ownership: 5.8%
Davis was originally a 4th round pick by the Twins in 2015. He is someone with a tremendous amount of raw power but not the best instincts at bat. Davis has also struggled defensively and is considered a 4th OF or bench fill-in at best. Unfortunately for Davis, I don’t see him making the Giants squad in 2021 and, as such, may not get another taste of the bigs.
Will Benson, CLE
Fantrax Ownership: 15%
DSE Ownership: 11.5%
I’m sure many dynasty owners will say I’m crazy for including a 22-year-old, 6’5″ OF in this droppable list. However, the one indisputable fact I can say about big, strong players with tons of power is that they won’t survive at the MLB level unless they hit. Benson is just that guy. Yes, he’s big, he’s strong, he has TREMENDOUS raw power, but he also strikes out A LOT. I don’t see Benson ever making it at the MLB level because of his plate’s struggles.
Griffin Conine, MIA
Fantrax Ownership: 15%
DSE Ownership: 9.6%
Conine is another young player with tremendous raw power, and, yes, he did hit 22 home runs in A ball in 2019 for the Blue Jays, but he also had a 35.9% K% combined with a 10.9% BB% and committed eight errors on the field. So, yes, he has raw power, but no, I don’t see him making it to the majors and having any type of significant success.
Blake Rutherford, CHW
Fantrax Ownership: 15%
DSE Ownership: 21.2%
The Yankees originally drafted Blake Rutherford in 2016 as the 18th overall pick. Of the 10 other high-school players taken before Blake in that draft, he is the 2nd one I am mentioning in this list (see Will Benson). While Rutherford is a slightly more rounded ballplayer than Benson, his current projection is a weak side platoon 4th OF for a White Sox team loaded with young talent. I don’t see the upside or the appeal at this point and, as such, have sold whatever few shares I had of Blake for other prospects with higher floors.
Corey Ray, MIL
Fantrax Ownership: 15%
DSE Ownership: 23.1%
Corey Ray was originally the 5th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Brewers. Ray was originally drafted based on his raw power and speed and in 2018 showed both those traits hitting 27 home runs and getting 37 stolen bases. Since then, however, Ray has completely fallen off the map. He has fallen so far off that his K% hit a career-high of 38.7% in 2019. Ray may get a small taste of the majors as an injury call-up, but don’t expect any production from him in the majors. At best, he’ll be an emergency call-up to cover an injured OF.
Kevin Smith, TOR
Fantrax Ownership: 11%
DSE Ownership: 13.5%
Kevin Smith was originally a 4th round pick by the Blue Jays in 2017. While Smith has shown flashes of power and speed, the higher levels of pitching he faces, he’s also showing his big-time swing and miss. In 2019, in AA, Smith recorded 32.3% K% with a dismal 6.2% BB%. Considering how loaded the Blue Jays are in the infield with other prospects, I don’t see any path for him to make it to the MLB outside a potential trade. But if Smith continues to strike out at an over 30% clip, I don’t see too many clubs willing to take a chance on him in the future.
Will Craig, PIT
Fantrax Ownership: 9%
DSE Ownership: 13.5%
Will Craig, ideally, would be best suited for a DH role, but since he’s on an NL team, he’s unfortunately out of luck. He’s a player with some power and decent throwing ability, but that’s really the extent of his abilities. He won’t beat-out Colin Moran at 1B or Ke’Bryan Hayes at 3B for starting spots on the Pirates squad, and he’s not better than Todd Frazier, who the Pirates signed this off-season. Craig is also not better than Mason Martin, who’s coming up quickly right behind in the Pirates farm system. Craig is another player, baring a trade, won’t seem to find a spot at the MLB level.
Daz Cameron, DET
Fantrax Ownership: 29%
DSE Ownership: 63.5%
I’m sure many dynasty owners will be upset with me, including Daz Cameron on my list. Still, the fact remains he is, at best, a weak-side platoon 4th, realistically 5th, OF in the Tigers organization. The fact of the matter is the Tigers aren’t going to compete for a couple of seasons unless, of course, “Miggy” hits his 500 home runs and 3000 hits in 2021 and decides to retire, which would free up $32M next season for the Tigers but that is more of pipe-dream than anything else. But I digress; Daz will probably get an opportunity to play in 2021 but, as I just mentioned, as a weak-side platoon with not many upsides. He’ll probably hurt more than help with a roughly 30% K%, not too much power, and almost no SB upside in points leagues. Bottom line, unless you have him in a 30-team league, it’s time to cut your losses and hope to trade him to someone who is still a believer!
As always, feel free to reach out to me via Twitter @drunkenangelz.