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Today at RotoBaller, we begin rolling out our Top 10 fantasy baseball prospects lists for every organization in baseball. The National League West clubs are up first.
Ranking prospects over the past year hasn’t been easy. However, with a good portion of the minor league season now behind us, we’re starting to get a good handle on what prospects thrived during the unusual 2020 season and what prospects were hindered by it. From early observations, there is a bigger gap than ever between the top prospects and the average or borderline prospects — likely because the top prospects had opportunities to spend time at the alternate training sites and likely had access to better equipment, etc. The less-fortunate prospects were nowhere near as lucky and were left to their own devices.
To be eligible for the list, prospects must have fewer than 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched at the MLB level. I have also removed a few players that are closing in on those totals. Players selected in the 2021 amateur draft have not been included. They will be added in during our offseason update.
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Arizona Diamondbacks
1. Corbin Carroll, OF
2. Kristin Robinson, OF
3. Alek Thomas, OF
4. Seth Beer, OF/1B
5. Geraldo Perdomo, SS
6. Slade Ceccino, SP
7. Bryce Jarvis, SP
8. Corbin Martin, SP
9. Blake Walston, SP
10. Ryne Nelson, SP
Notes: Considering how bad Arizona is (and has been), the system really should be deeper. There is some nice pitching depth but the hitting side is drying up quickly. Both Carroll and Robinson have been injured. Thomas is having a very nice offensive season, although he still needs to hit more balls in the air. Perdomo showed an advanced bat before the lost 2020 season and now he’s the one that looks lost. There are a lot of interesting arms in the system but none that jump out as more than future No. 3 starters — although keep an eye on Walston and Nelson who are just scratching the surfaces on their potentials.
Just missed: AJ Vukovich
Colorado Rockies
1. Zac Veen, OF
2. Michael Toglia, 1B
3. Chris McMahon, SP
4. Aaron Schunk, IF
5. Ryan Rolison, SP
6. Brenton Doyle, OF
7. Sam Weatherly, SP
8. Elehuris Montero, 3B
9. Ryan Vilade, IF
10. Grant Lavigne, 1B
Notes: This is another system that lacks depth but it looks really nice at the top. It took a little time for Veen to get his feet under him during his first pro season, but he’s now showing why I ranked him above Spencer Torkelson prior to the 2020 amateur draft. Veen has a chance to have three above-average offensive tools: average, power, speed. Here’s hoping the Rockies don’t ruin him. Toglia has shown some promise but the strikeouts are a bit of an issue. Montero is having a solid bounce-back season after coming over from the Cardinals organization so he's worth watching. Colorado pitchers are always a dangerous investment in fantasy because they don't offer much help when pitching at home but Weatherly’s prospect value is on the rise. Keep an eye on him.
Sleeper: Adael Amador.
San Diego Padres
1. CJ Abrams, SS
2. MacKenzie Gore, SP
3. Robert Hassell III, OF
4. Luis Campusano, C
5. Adrian Morejon, SP
6. Justin Lange, SP
7. Jorge Ona, OF
8. Reggie Lawson, SP
9. Josh Mears, OF
10. Reiss Knehr, SP
Notes: Trades and promotions have significantly thinned out the Padres system in a short period of time. Injuries have also taken a toll throughout the list. Abrams has the makings of an impact player at the MLB level but, unfortunately, he’s going to miss the remainder of the season due to a broken leg. Hopefully, the injury won’t have any long-term effects on his plus-plus speed. Gore has had a disastrous 2021 season in part due to blisters but don't give up on him just yet. Campusano was rushed a bit over the past couple of years but he has a chance at becoming an above-average hitting catcher. Mears’ plus-plus power is intriguing if he can dial down the swing-and-miss in his game.
Sleeper: Victor Acosta.
San Francisco Giants
1. Marco Luciano, SS
2. Joey Bart, C
3. Heliot Ramos, OF
4. Luis Matos, OF
5. Kyle Harrison, SP
6. Seth Corry, SP
7. Hunter Bishop, OF
8. Jairo Pomares, OF
9. Will Wilson, SS
10. Luis Toribio, 3B
Notes: It wasn’t long ago that the Giants system was known more for its pitchers than its hitters. Well, things have taken a complete 180-degree turn. The system is loaded with intriguing (but raw) offensive talent that has the Top 10 list overflowing with names to know. Luciano is going to be a special player and Bart should also be an average-or-better regular. Ramos has some holes in his swing but the power is intriguing. Matos is a very good athlete who needs to continue to get stronger and be a little more patient as he moves up. Harrison is a really intriguing arm that could jump up this list in the next year. Corry could slide down the list if he can’t figure out the control issues that have cropped up in 2021. Keep an eye on Pomares; he has some intriguing tools.
Just missed: Caleb Kilian. Sleeper: Aeverson Arteaga.
Los Angeles Dodgers
1. Michael Busch, 2B
2. Bobby Miller, SP
3. Diego Cartaya, C
4. Kody Hoese, 3B
5. Wilman Diaz, SS
6. Ryan Pepiot, SP
7. Andy Pages, OF
8. Miguel Vargas, 3B
9. Andre Jackson, SP
10. Luis Rodriguez, OF
Notes: The system took a hit with the trade with Washington that saw two of the Top 3 prospects depart (Keibert Ruiz and Josiah Gray). Busch has been a bit of a disappointment with far too much swing-and-miss in his game. Hoese has also been close to terrible this year and I have to think he’s playing hurt but he could start really sliding down this ranking soon. Miller and Pepiot have been very good on the mound for the Dodgers although their ceilings might top out as mid-rotation arms (which is nothing to sneeze at). Cartaya has been a beast and could jump up the list even further if he continues to demolish lower-level pitchers. The same can be said for Pages, who has consistently tapped into his raw power this season although he’s battled swing-and-miss issues at High-A ball.
Sleeper: Alex DeJesus
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