A reminder on how this works: This is a list for the 2022 season only. It is not a list of the top overall prospects, but the players who have the best chance of making a difference in 2022.
Also, it’s only a list of prospects who are currently in the minors/have prospect eligibility, so players on MLB teams do not count.
Those warnings out of the way, here’s a look at the top prospects who have a chance to make a fantasy contribution in 2022.
1. Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
2022 stats: 88 G, .311/.426/.611, 22 HR, 31 SB, 61 BB, 98 SO at Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno.
So, you saw the comments. Just remember that we had Carroll in the top spot before Mike Hazen told reporters that the outfield will be promoted before the end of the season. Now, the question of course becomes when, as “before the end of the season” is objective, but also isn’t. This is an outfielder who can do a lot of bit of everything, so unless you have the greatest bench ever created, Carroll should be on your roster.
2. Cade Cavalli, RHP, Washington Nationals
2022 stats: 20 G, 97 IP, 3.71 ERA, 39 BB, 104 SO at Triple-A Rochester.
Pretty easy to put Cavalli in the second spot, again thanks in part due to comments from members of the organization. The right-hander impressed again on Friday with five innings of one-run baseball with eight strikeouts. Cavalli deserves a ton of credit for turning around what looked to be a disaster of a season -- or at the very least quite a disappointing one -- into a solid effort that all but assuredly will end with him pitching in the bigs.
3. Gunnar Henderson, INF, Baltimore Orioles
2022 stats: 105 G, .298/.416/.542, 19 HR, 19 SB, 74 BB, 106 SO at Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk.
Henderson’s slash of .289/.319/.511 over his last 10 games isn’t at the level of those numbers above, but the overwhelming majority of hitters would be happy to “struggle” to a slash like this. As of Monday, the Orioles are 2.5 games back of the Seattle Mariners for the final Wild Card spot (also the top wild card spot since there’s a three-way tie for that position as of publication). Baltimore decided to get worse at the deadline. Will they hold Henderson back despite the fact he clearly makes them better for the stretch run? We’ll see.
4. Triston Casas, 1B, Boston Red Sox
2022 stats: 66 G, .268/.376/.481, 10 HR, 0 SB, 42 BB, 63 SO at Triple-A Worcester.
Casas, on the other hand, is seeing those hits fall in, and he’s showing off his impressive approach at the plate as well. Those numbers above are solid, but it’s worth pointing out that the infielder was slashing .244/.348/.451 when he returned from his ankle injury on August 11, which tells you how much better he’s been since. Casas can flat-out hit, and there’s a very good chance he’s in Boston near the start of September.
5. Sal Frelick, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
2022 stats: 90 G, .334/.408/.478, 7 HR, 17 SB, 42 BB, 53 SO at High-A Wisconsin, Double-A Biloxi, and Triple-A Nashville.
Oh my. Frelick over his last 10 games: .487/.545/.564 with one steal. His overall numbers in Triple-A over 17 games: .446/.520/.554 with more walks (9) than strikeouts (2). It might be fair to say that the Brewers were not expecting Frelick -- their 2021 first-round selection -- to play for them in 2022. It’s also fair to say that they may not have a choice. The potential fantasy impact is substantial.
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6. Francisco Álvarez, C, New York Mets
2022 stats: 98 G, .244/.354/.490, 23 HR, 0 SB, 58 BB, 111 SO at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse.
This list is not just about talent and opportunity, but performance. There’s no denying that Álvarez is one of the best prospects in baseball -- many scouts I’ve spoken with have him right at the top -- but at some point, the hits have to fall. A .167 average in 31 games with Syracuse tells you that they’re just not. All that being said, if the Mets give Álvarez a chance, fantasy managers should do the same.
7. Gabriel Moreno, C, Toronto Blue Jays
2022 stats: 54 G, .322/.389/.415, 2 HR, 7 SB, 20 BB, 38 SO at Triple-A Buffalo; 18 G, .276/.300/293, 0 HR, 0 SB, 2 BB, 7 SO at Toronto.
Now that’s more like it. Moreno still isn’t hitting the ball over the fence at a level you’d like to see, but a hot run -- and we do mean hot -- saw him raise both his average and slugging percentage over 15 points. The only reason Moreno ranks this low is there’s no room in Toronto right now. The talent competes with any player on this list outside of Carroll.
8. Miguel Vargas, Los Angeles Dodgers
2022 stats: 106 G, .296/.390/.493, 15 HR, 15 SB, 64 BB, 74 SO at Triple-A Oklahoma City; 2 G, .250/.250/.375, 0 HR, 1 SB at Los Angeles (NL)
Vargas had a very short stay in Los Angeles, but held his own in his two chances. He’s been excellent in Triple-A all year, and is widely considered -- for good reason -- one of the best infield prospects in the sport. It may take an injury for Vargas to get back in Los Angeles, but he’s capable of fantasy quality if/when he gets a chance to play again.
9. Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Rangers
2022 stats: 18 G, .333/.405/.773, 8 HR, 1 SB, 6 BB, 14 SO at short-season ROK and Triple-A Round Rock.
I’m going to be honest with you, I was holding out hope that we might be able to put Jung on this list again, but felt like it was wishful thinking considering the timing of his shoulder surgery in February. I’m very happy to be wrong, but kinda right, but wrong. Jung is hitting .390 with a 1.322 OPS in his 10 games with Round Rock, and showing the talent that makes him one of the top infield prospects in the sport. There’s no guarantee he debuts with Texas this year, but the offensive upside is palpable if the Rangers give him that cup of coffee or two.
10. Brayan Bello, RHP, Boston Red Sox
2022 stats: 18 G, 96 IP, 2.34 ERA, 36 BB, 129 SO at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester; 5 G, 17 IP, 8.47 ERA, 11 BB, 15 SO at Boston.
Bello returned to Triple-A on Thursday as he rehabs from his left groin strain, and pitched solidly with 4 1/3 innings of one-run baseball with five strikeouts. As you can tell from the stats above, his success in the minors hasn’t translated to the highest level, and it’s understandable to be pessimistic. That being said, it’s also foolish to give up on Bello’s talent based on that small of sample. If he doesn’t have to face the juggernauts, there’s reason for fantasy optimism when he returns.
