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A reminder that this is strictly a list for 2018. Several of these prospects are among the best in baseball, but for the purpose of this series, it’s just measuring potential impact for the coming season. You can view my top 100 prospects for 2018 and my top prospects by position in our Rotoworld MLB Season Pass.
Without further ado, here’s the top 10 fantasy prospects for the remainder of the 2018 season.
1. Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox
2018 stats: 101 G, .339/.386/.586, 21 HR, 0 SB, 30 BB, 64 SO at Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.
That “rough patch” that Jimenez went through last week didn’t last very long, to no one’s surprise. Jimenez has three games of three-plus hits in his last five, and in his last 10 appearances, he’s hitting .458. The 21-year-old told reporters last week that he was “beyond ready” for a call-up to the majors. It’d be foolish to disagree with him. The White Sox may decide to play the financial game and not let Jimenez make his debut until 2019. That would be an absolute shame. He should be rewarded for this ridiculous season, and if that happens, you should reward yourself by picking him up when they reward him.
2. Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros
2018 stats: 94 G, .327/.387/.580, 23 HR, 20 SB, 40 BB, 82 SO at Triple-A Fresno; 20 G, .154/.254/.212, 0 HR, 5 BB, 11 SO at Houston.
Tucker was sent back down to Fresno to make room for Jose Altuve, and if there was any anger about it, he’s taken it out on PCL pitching. He has at least two hits in every game he’s played in since the demotion, and he’s homered a whopping six times in those five games. Tucker is clearly ready to go, and it’ll take a lot more than a 52 at-bat sample of struggling to convince me otherwise. He’s a sure thing to get called up when rosters expand, and he’s worth a speculative add even if consistent playing time isn’t guaranteed at this point.
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B, Toronto Blue Jays
2018 stats: 88 G, .389/.447/.641, 18 HR, 3 SB, 37 BB, 37 SO at short-season Gulf Coast, High-A Dunedin, Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo.
It’s looking less and less likely that Guerrero Jr. is going to receive a promotion to Toronto. What a shame. This is one of the best seasons I’ve ever seen from a prospect; the ability to make this kind of hard contact with this little of swing-and-miss is borderline unheard of in today’s game. Yes, there are defensive question marks, but he’s not a liability at third, you’re just going to want a really good shortstop playing next to him. He’ll certainly top my list of top prospects for 2019, but I’m still hopeful -- possibly just blindly optimistic -- that we see him in Toronto for a couple of weeks.
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4. Francisco Mejia, C, San Diego Padres
2018 stats: 105 G, .284/.332/.440, 11 HR, 0 SB, 24 BB, 77 SO at Triple-A Columbus and Triple-A El Paso.
Mejia has seen his average drop a tick since we last updated, but for the most part, he’s been an effective hitter while a member of the El Paso roster with an .823 OPS with the club in his 26 games. It’s a little surprising we haven’t seen the 22-year-old up with the Padres yet, but the Padres want him to work on his defense, and considering how far away San Diego is from contention, he’s not necessary at this point. He’ll assuredly get a call when rosters expand next week, and he should get a decent amount of playing time.
5. Willie Calhoun, OF, Texas Rangers
2018 stats: 102 G, .301/.354/.443, 9 HR, 4 SB, 29 BB, 44 SO at Triple-A Round Rock; 22 G, .275/.325/.391, 1 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 17 SO at Texas.
Since being sent down to Round Rock to give Calhoun regular playing time, he’s been mostly effective with the bat, although he is hitting just .244 in his last 10 games. He also has drawn four walks and homered in that time frame, so there’s no reason for concerns -- or added concerns, anyway. Calhoun is arguably the most likely player to receive a call-up of any on this list right now, and his ability to hit for a high average while providing decent pop make him a worthy fantasy addition when that takes place.
6.Touki Toussaint, RHP, Atlanta Braves
2018 stats: 23 G, 130.1 IP, 2.49 ERA, 7 HR, 51 BB, 156 SO at Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett.
Toussaint was once again outstanding for the Stripers on Thursday, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and fanning eight with just one walk. In seven starts at the Triple-A level, Toussaint has a 1.62 ERA in 44 1/3 innings, and he’s struck out 49 hitters in that time frame. Anyone who saw his start against the Marlins knows that Toussaint is ready to go, and the Braves are well aware. There’s just no room at the inn right now. The Braves will find a way for Toussaint to pitch when rosters expand, and if you’re looking for strikeouts -- even if he’s pitching in a relief role -- he’s a worthy add.
7. Alex Verdugo, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
2018 stats: 86 G, .335/.391/.474, 9 HR, 8 SB, 30 BB, 44 SO at Triple-A Oklahoma City; 14 G, .280/.345/.440, 1 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 7 SO at Los Angeles.
Verdugo jumps up this list for two reasons. First, rosters are expanding soon, and there’s no reason to keep Verdugo in Triple-A when the Dodgers will have 40 spots to play with. Second, have you looked at what Matt Kemp has done over the last few weeks? With the Dodgers in a fight for a playoff push, Verdugo offers offensive upside -- and a defensive upgrade -- that could allow him to play a lot more than you think. At the very last, it’s a situation worth monitoring when he gets the call. I certainly would rather have him on my roster and see him not play than not have him and watch him hit.
8. Peter Alonso, 1B, New York Mets
2018 stats: 124 G, .277/.394/.556, 32 HR, 0 SB, 74 BB, 122 SO at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas.
As he has since his promotion to Las Vegas, Alonso has bounced back from a slow period with another strong week, picking up two more homers and upping his OPS to .887 in his time with the 51s. That isn’t close to the impressive 1.012 mark he had with Binghamton, but, Triple-A isn’t as easy as Double-A. You knew that, but it’s a friendly reminder that baseball is hard. Alonso could provide power and run-production if he gets a call, but the Mets may not let that happen until 2019. Bummer.
9.Mitch Keller, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
2018 stats: 24G, 136 2/3 IP, 3.36 ERA, 9 HR, 53 BB, 129 SO at Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis.
Welcome back to the list, Mitch. Keller has pitched exceptionally well in August after struggling mightily in his first few starts in the International League, and he hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last two outings. The Pirates are quickly falling out of contention, and whether it’s to help them get back into the race or just to give Keller a look at big-league hitters, it shouldn’t shock anyone if the 22-year-old sees time with the Pirates before the season ends.
10. Luis Urias, 2B, San Diego Padres
2018 stats: 120 G, .296/.398/.447, 8 HR, 2 SB, 67 BB, 109 SO at Triple-A El Paso.
Urias continues to swing a hot bat for the Chihuahuas. A hot bat is underselling it; Urias has 19 hits in his last 38 at-bats, and he’s also drawn four walks in that time frame. Clearly, the bat is ready to go, but it remains to be seen whether or not San Diego will allow him the opportunity to hit at the highest level. They’d do well to give him the chance to face big-league hitting -- and I think he’ll more than hold his own -- but considering where the Padres are in the race and the financial implications, he also might have to wait until 2019 to make his debut. If he does get a promotion, however, he’s a must-add, especially considering his positional value.
Just missed: Victor Robles, OF Washington Nationals; Justus Sheffield, LHP, New York Yankees; Austin Riley, 3B, Atlanta Braves; Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Oakland Athletics
