Top 25 Fantasy Baseball Prospects for Week 17

It’s hard to believe but the second half of the season is officially here. With the diminished schedule ahead, the Top 50 list has transitioned to ranking the Top 25 redraft prospects for the remainder of 2021.

Last week’s list lost some key names as a number of clubs called up top prospects for a second-half push towards the playoffs. Players promoted to the majors included the top two players on last week’s list: outfielders Jarred Kelenic (Mariners) and Jarren Duran (Red Sox). Other prospects recalled included pitcher Tanner Houck (Red Sox) and catcher Cal Raleigh (Mariners).

Although the list has eliminated 25 players, you’ll find some additional value this week. I’ve added two new sections: “Sleepers” and “Names to Know for 2022” list.

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Top Impact Prospects for Redraft Leagues

This prospects list is a ranking for 2021 redraft leagues only and is not a dynasty ranking. It also does not include any prospects on MLB rosters.

Top 5 Prospects for 2021

1. Kyle Muller, SP: Returned back to the minors during the All-Star break, Muller has thrown well in two starts at Triple-A. He threw four innings of one-hit ball on July 14 in what was likely his last tune-up before getting recalled. Muller has looked like a new pitcher this year with a deeper repertoire and improved command.

2. Josh Lowe, OF: The Rays have already promoted Wander Franco and Vidal Brujan but Lowe is also deserving of an opportunity in The Show. He’s been a little streaky lately but has three home runs and a stolen base over the past week. The Rays are one club that doesn’t need the trade deadline. No other organization in baseball can be as self-sufficient as Tampa Bay.   

3, Brandon Marsh, OF: Marsh entered the weekend riding a 12-game hit streak and finally looks truly healthy for the first time this season. He’s still striking out quite a bit (26%), but he’s also showing outstanding on-base numbers with a healthy walk rate (14.5%). EDIT: Marsh was promoted to the majors right before the Angels game on Sunday. 

4. Seth Beer, OF/1B: Beer’s July output has been down from his excellent June, but overall he’s had a very promising season in Triple-A. His power and on-base skills could be of benefit to the Diamondbacks in the second half of the year — although he’d be better suited with an American League team due to his poor defensive skills.

5. Keibert Ruiz, C: If the Dodgers make a big splash at the trade deadline, Ruiz could be the player that helps them make that move. He’s MLB-ready and has had an excellent month of July and has shown sustained power – something that had previously eluded him.

Prospects 6-15

6. Luis Patino, SP: It’s hard to believe that Patino is still just 21 years old. He has an excellent K-BB ratio of 41-11 in 29 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level and a solid K-BB ratio of 24-5 in 20 1/3 innings in the majors this season. On most MLB clubs, he’d be an indispensable member of the starting rotation. On the Rays, he's an extra arm for now.

7. Joey Bart, C: Bart got a little taste of MLB action before the All-Atar break, but the Giants appear content to go with Curt Casali and Chadwick Tromp while Buster Posey is sidelined. However, the rookie catcher offers the most offensive upside.

8. Edward Cabrera, SP: Cabrera was recently promoted to Triple-A and is now a stone’s throw away from the major leagues. He has an upside that can rival or surpass that of Trevor Rogers, who has been outstanding in the majors this year.

9. Jo Adell, OF: Adell has seen a hot streak flare-up in conjunction with the return of Brandon Marsh. The former entered the weekend on a 12-game hit streak. He has just two home runs in that stretch, but he’s been a much better hitter and has also cut down on the strikeouts, which is great to see.

10. Jose Miranda, 1B: Miranda had a massive breakout at the Double-A level in 2021 to earn a promotion to Triple-A where he’s been even better. Through 16 games, he has five home runs, a BB-K ratio of 10-12, and a 194 wRC+.

11. Josh Jung, 3B: The Rangers don’t have a ton of incentive to promote Jung this year, but he’s been solid in his return from an injury that has held him to just 23 games so far this season. He already has five home runs and a 135 wRC+.

12. Hunter Greene, SP: Greene has struggled with his command since moving from Double-A to Triple-A, but he’s been much better in his last two starts. On Saturday, he struck out nine batters, allowed just one walk, and gave up two hits in five innings of work. He could be a beast for the Reds as a one- or two-inning man throwing 100-104 mph bullets.

13. Jahmai Jones, 2B: Jones continues to perform well in near obscurity. The 23-year-old infielder has a 140 wRC+. He doesn’t have one major standout tool, but he hits for a decent average, gets on base a lot, has some gap pop, and steals the odd base.

14. Edward Olivares, OF: Olivares may need to cover himself in velcro if he’s going to stick in the majors. He’s been consistently great at Triple-A with a 164 wRC+, but he’s already had four stints with the Royals this season. He has an intriguing power/speed mix.

15. Josiah Gray, SP: It looked like Gray was going to be a significant contributor at the MLB level this season, but a shoulder injury derailed those early-season hopes. He’s back pitching at Triple-A now and has looked good in four appearances as he slowly builds up arm strength and stamina.

Prospects 16-25

16. Brent Rooker, OF: The streaky Rooker has four home runs over the past week. He probably deserves another shot in MLB, but he’s stuck behind some pretty good depth in Minnesota. The power and on-base skills could help a number of clubs.

17. Cody Thomas, OF: Thomas continues to have a nice season at the Triple-A level. He could add some additional pop to the A’s lineup as the club chases a playoff spot. He’s probably as good or better than Seth Brown, who has played in 71 games for Oakland.

18. Kevin Smith, 3B/SS: Smith has been a little streaky lately, but he’s picked things up over the past week or so. He’s making better contact again and has six hits with two home runs over his past three games. Smith could be a trade chip at the upcoming deadline.

19. Lewin Diaz, 1B: Diaz entered the weekend on fire with five hits — including three home runs — over his past two games. Incumbent first baseman Jesus Aguilar has an outside shot at being dealt at the trade deadline, which would open up playing time for Diaz.

20. Drew Waters, OF: The addition of Joc Pederson significantly reduces the likelihood that Atlanta will hand regular playing time over to Waters or Cristian Pache in the second half of the season. Still, Waters and his plus speed could help at some point along the way if he continues to show more with the bat.

21. Nick Lodolo, SP: When healthy, Lodolo has pitched very well. Unfortunately, he’s also been battling blister issues. He’s thrown just twice since June 12 but looked good on Saturday when he allowed just three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in four innings of work. He could be a helpful arm for the Reds in the second half as the Reds battle for a playoff spot.

22. Shane Baz, SP: Baz will lose development time while at the Summer Olympics, but he could still make an impact in the latter half of August and beyond. He has 82 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A this season.

23. Jose Barrero, SS: Barrero’s bat has perked up since moving from Double-A to Triple-A. He’s shown improved patience at the plate and also has four home runs in 14 games.

24. Joe Ryan, SP: Like his teammate Shane Baz, Ryan will play for Team USA in the Summer Olympics. He’s been very good at Triple-A as a starter but is more likely to help out of the bullpen later this year.

25. Cade Cavalli, SP: The Nationals are in a funny spot. They’re quite a ways out in the wildcard race, but they’re not that far off from first place in the NL East. If the club thinks they have a shot at the playoffs, Cavalli could get the call to help out either in the starting rotation or the bullpen.

2021 Redraft Sleepers

Yariel Gonzalez, 3B/2B: Gonzalez has consistently been one of the better players at the Triple-A level in 2021. A late-bloomer at 27, he has a .303 battering average with 15 home runs in 56 games this season.

Jake Meyers, OF: The Astros continue to roll along just fine, but Meyers could help at some point in the second half of the year. He has a .329 batting average, 15 homers, and eight steals in 57 games. Overall, he has a 140 wRC+.

Names to Know for 2022

Julio Rodriguez, OF: Just 20, Rodriguez had a 165 wRC+ at High-A ball before moving up to Double-A where he has a 146 wRC+ through 14 games. If the Mariners are close to a playoff spot later this year, it’s possible that he comes up in 2021.

Bobby Witt Jr., SS: With the playoffs not in the cards for Kansas City this year, it’s incredibly unlikely that we see Witt Jr. in the majors in 2021. Next year could be a different story as he’s looked outstanding in Double-A despite the missing year and skipping over both A-ball leagues. He has a 147 wRC+ at Double-A and has made adjustments.

Adley Rutschman, C: One of my concerns with drafting Rutschman first overall as a catcher is that the position can really wear a player down. I think we’re seeing that with Rutschman during his first full pro season. Let’s look at his triple-slash lines by month: May: .293/.465/.573; June: .290/.395/.480; July: .205/.286/.341.

Nick Pratto, 1B: After an ugly 2019 season and a lost year in 2020, Pratto is now looking more like the player Kansas City thought they were getting when they selected him in the first round out of high school in 2017.

Grayson Rodriguez, SP: Between High-A and Double-A this season, the hard-throwing Rodriguez has 85 strikeouts in 58 innings of work. He could become the player we thought we were getting with Nate Pearson.

Riley Greene, OF: Greene doesn’t get as much love as he should, but he’s basically been in the same situation as Bobby Witt Jr. as a 20-year-old prospect playing in Double-A for the entire season after skipping over A-ball (although Greene spent 24 games at Low-A in 2019).

Spencer Torkelson, 1B: The first-overall pick in the 2020 amateur draft really mashed at the A-ball level, but he’s been a little less effective at Double-A. In reality, it’s really a small-sample size issue with some bad luck involved. His BABIP in A-ball was .363 and it’s well-below-average at .228 at Double-A.

CJ Abrams, SS: Abrams had an outside shot at reaching the majors in 2021 with the ultra-aggressive Padres (his speed could have been ultra-valuable in the playoffs), but a broken leg ended that hope.

Nolan Gorman, 3B: Gorman looked really good while playing at Double-A during the first two months of the season but his approach has taken a step back over the past month. Oddly, he earned a promotion to Triple-A during that time and he’s struggled so far at the new level.

MacKenzie Gore, SP: Yes, the 2021 season has been a lost year for Gore, but his struggles over three months should not erase the promise he’s shown over the past few years. Blister problems have caused issues for a pitcher that normally shows above-average control.

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