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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 2018 season.
1. Alex Reyes, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
2018 stats: 3 G, 16 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0 HR, 6 BB, 31 SO at Low-A Peoria, High-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield.
Welcome to the top spot, Mr. Reyes. I thought long and hard where Reyes belongs on this list, because there are things that he can and can’t control that make him a volatile prospect for the year 2018. At the end of the day, his stuff has just looked too good in his rehabilitation to not call him the best fantasy prospect for this year. Even if he’s pitching in a “hybrid” role, his ability to miss bats with a low WHIP and ERA make him extremely relevant from a fantasy perspective. As good as the names below are, I think Reyes is the one who offers the most upside for the remainder of the campaign. Buckle up.
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2. Nick Senzel, INF, Cincinnati Reds
2018 stats: 39 G, .271/.351/.459, 3 HR, 3 SB, 10 BB, 21 SO at Triple-A Louisville.
Senzel was placed on the 7-day disabled list with vertigo. and just recently began resuming baseball activities in Arizona. The hope is that he’ll be able to return before the end of May, so we likely won’t see Senzel in a Cincinnati uniform before the middle of June, and that’s at the earliest. I still rank him second on my list because of his ability to hit for average and steal bases with an advanced approach at the plate, and think he’ll still be a big contributor once he gets the call.
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3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B, Toronto Blue Jays
2018 stats: 39 G, .421/.472/.697, 8 HR, 0 SB, 16 BB, 15 SO at Double-A New Hampshire.
I really did think about moving Guerrero to the top spot. He’s not just the best prospect in baseball, he might be the best hitting prospect I’ve scouted/covered in my time doing this. And I’m old. The only reason Guerrero ranks this “low” is because of his defense; right now Guerrero is a below-average defender, and the Blue Jays need to get him reps to improve. I still think it’s very unlikely that he makes his debut anytime soon, but if Toronto changes their mind, you need to add him immediately. He’s special.
4. Michael Kopech, RHP, Chicago White Sox
2018 stats: 8 G, 40 1/3 IP, 4.02 ERA, 2 HR, 19 BB, 53 SO at Triple-A Charlotte.
After struggling in his previous three starts, Kopech was sensational on Friday, throwing seven scoreless innings and allowing just two hits and striking out nine. Most importantly, Kopech was back to throwing strikes, walking just two after putting eight men on base via walk combined in his previous two starts. The White Sox continue to mention they won’t rush Kopech, but take it with a grain of salt. Kopech’s stuff is ready to go, and the command is close.
5. Ryan McMahon, INF, Colorado Rockies
2018 stats: 11 G, .225/.286/.394, 3 HR, 0 SB, 6 BB, 25 SO at Triple-A Albuquerque; 28 G, .180/.317/.200, 0 HR 0 SB, 10 BB, 22 SO at Colorado.
McMahon got off to a horrific start after being sent down to Colorado Springs, but things have started to pick up as of late. He’s hit three homers in his last five games, and it’s seen his slugging percentage raise nearly 100 percent in the process. Somewhat disappointingly he’s played mostly first base for the Isotopes, as his most obvious landing spot on the big league roster is second base. Still, McMahon’s ability to hit for average and power -- despite those numbers above -- make him one of the best offensive prospects for 2018.
6. Willie Calhoun, OF, Texas Rangers
2018 stats: 43 G, .265/.326/.398, 4 HR, 0 SB, 13 BB, 25 SO at Triple-A Round Rock.
Calhoun finally homered again on Saturday, his first blast since April 22. The hits have stopped falling over the past week, but he’s still hitting a solid .314/.351/.443 on the month of May after posting just a .673 OPS in April. Calhoun needs to start swinging the bat better before he’s going to get a call to Texas, but the opportunity is there with Texas in clear rebuild mode, and the outfielder is still the best hitting prospect in the Texas system. He should/could be playing everyday for the Rangers before the All-Star break.
7. Willy Adames, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
2018 stats: 39 G, .308/.387/.448, 3 HR, 3 SB, 20 BB, 37 SO at Triple-A Durham.
A tough week for Adames, as he hit just .238 and he’s struck out seven times in his six games since Tuesday. It’s tough to complain about the overall numbers, however, particularly when they’re coming from a shortstop. When Adames will get the call is anyone’s guess, but he certainly looks like he’s ready to contribute at the next level. Once up, he’s someone you should immediately target, as he can put up solid offensive numbers from a premium position.
8. Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox
2018 stats: 30 G, .331/.364/.595, 7 HR, 0 SB, 8 BB, 19 SO at Double-A Birmingham.
The previous weeks are an excellent example of how Jimenez has a chance to help even when the ball isn’t jumping over the fence. Despite not homering since May 8, Jimenez has a slugging percentage of .442 over his last 11 games, and he’s hitting .326 with a .375 on-base percentage in that time frame. Simply put, the kid can really, really hit, and despite the fact he’s still playing at the Double-A level, he has an excellent chance to contribute for the White Sox before the season finishes. Only Guerrero offers higher upside of any hitting prospect still in the minor leagues.
9. Jaime Barria, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
2018 stats: 4 G, 15 IP, 3.60 ERA, 2 HR, 4 BB, 16 SO at Triple-A Salt Lake; 5 G, 25.1 IP, 2.13 ERA, 1 HR, 7 BB, 20 SO at Los Angeles.
The only newcomer to the list isn’t a name that I thought would be writing in any type of prospect list, which just goes to show you that baseball is a tremendously fun and weird game. Barria has been exceptional whenever he’s had a chance to pitch for the Angels in 2018, showing two plus pitches in his fastball and change, and the ability to command those pitches and a so-so slider. Are there pitchers that offer more upside? Plenty, but Barria looks legit, and he should be making more starts for the Angels before the season -- maybe even the month -- finishes.
10. Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros
2018 stats: 39 G, .292/.361/.447, 4 HR, 5 SB, 19 BB, 39 SO at Triple-A Fresno.
Tucker was on my “just missed” list, but with the promotion of Jack Flaherty and the struggles of some of the other players on the previous lists, he earns the final spot. The fifth selection of the 2015 draft, Tucker has a a picturesque swing, and while it’s long, it allows him to make hard contact with a chance for plus power as he fills out his frame as well. The length in the swing also gives him swing-and-miss, but he draws walks, and the ball jumps off the bat when he does make contact. The only issue with Tucker for 2018 is that the Astros outfield is loaded, but if/when Houston finds room for him, he has a chance to excel.
Just missed: Kolby Allard, LHP, Atlanta Braves; Francisco Mejia, C, Cleveland Indians; Mitch Keller, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates; Franklin Barreto, SS, Oakland Athletics
