We know you’re always seeking out the next best prospect. Here’s a post that attempts to help you in that quest. Eddy, Matt and Ralph got together and conducted a short, eight-round draft. The goal? Draft a team of players from outside our Top 150 fantasy list that you think can be 2020 Top 100 prospects.
This format of course lends itself to be a little subjective, but it was a fun way to spice things up rather than flat out rank and aggregate. Here are the players in the order they were drafted with explanations from each manager.
Daniel Lynch, LHP, Royals (Ranked: 164) - I have a thing for tall, nasty left-handers with big velo. Lynch brings all that to the table plus a deep arsenal of secondaries, mixing in a slider, curveball, changeup, and splitter. He showed the ability to miss bats, and overmatch lower level hitters in his pro debut, making nine appearances at the full season level last year fresh from the draft. Assigned to High-A Wilmington to start 2019, Lynch should see about half a season in the Carolina League before heading to Northwest Arkansas. - RL
Brennen Davis, OF, Cubs (Ranked: 170) - The tooled up prep prospect has already filled out significantly since entering pro ball. A mechanical overhaul that’s broken down here shows the recent changes he’s made. Davis is using his lower half more and driving the ball with authority while maintaining his athleticism. The Cubs know how to develop hitters and have been given an athletic project to work with. Watch out. -MT
Luis Oviedo, RHP, Indians (Ranked: 165) - The Indians have a slew of interesting pitching prospects in their ranks and Oviedo sticks out for his plus fastball and feel for three secondary pitches. He set fire to the NYPL as a teenager last year when he had a sub-2.00 ERA and a 27 K-BB% in 48 innings. Still 19 for another month, he’s in the Midwest League and looking to replicate that success in his first full year. I don’t buy his listed weight at 170 pounds, he seems more 185ish based on spring training video, and I’ll be curious to see if his velo creeps up a bit as a result. -EA
Alek Thomas, OF, Arizona (Ranked: 153) - Our own Matt Thompson caught Thomas in his debut series at Kane County, not too far from where the Illinois native was raised. Matt remarked on the strength of his body, almost shocked at how strong he looked. It’s the projection I’ve seen in Thomas’ body since prior to the draft, as well as his collection of across the board tools. Thomas is the type of player with several pathways to success at the next level. Natural athleticism, feel to hit, speed, and instincts will do that. - RL
Luis Medina, RHP, Yankees (Ranked: 190) - The only thing holding Medina back is command, nobody will ever question the stuff. He’s got a 93-97 mph fastball with natural run, a 12-6 hammer and a changeup that has serious wiggle and fade. He needs to maintain a more consistent release point, but there’s a lot to work with despite only being 19. Medina has the best stuff in the Yankees system, which is a scary thing. -MT
Shervyen Newton, 3B/SS, Mets (Ranked: 159) - When I was drafting my players in this exercise, it always came down to upside. Newton and his 6-foot-4 figure has that in spades. Currently nursing a shoulder injury, he’ll eventually begin his year in Columbia for his first year of full-season ball. Plus raw power and a very sharp eye at the plate are primarily why I love the switch hitter. Expect him to move to third base soon, but don’t sweat it because the profile will definitely still play there. -EA
Alexander Canario, OF Giants (Ranked 179) - This is very much a projection pick, but Canario showed the ability to adjust in his stateside debut, showing some serious bat speed and subsequent pop. There’s definitely swing and miss concerns, but the hope is he figures those out as the hit tool improves. A middle of the order hitter with 25+ homers is the dream. - RL
Tony Gonsolin, RHP, Dodgers (Ranked: 167) - Tony G has four pitches and the stuff is headlined by a mid-90s fastball, and a plus split. He also throws a fastball and a slider. He’s got starter stuff and a prototypical innings-eater frame. Gonsolin will begin 2019 in Oklahoma City and is just one phone call away from the show. Last year was his first year as a starting pitcher and he can miss bats and pump strikes. -MT
Tucupita Marcano, 2B, Padres (Ranked: NR) - If you read my article on how I find breakout prospects, Marcano shouldn’t be a surprise draft pick from my end. I’m surprised he wasn’t inside our top 300. To be clear, I don’t think he’s a true breakout, but the second baseman has a heck of a hit tool and plus speed to boot. His ball-to-bat skills are elite and it’s why he consistently has sub-10 K%. He’ll be a better play in average leagues than OBP leagues, but an attractive prospect overall. -EA
Wenceel Perez, SS, Tigers (Ranked: 168) - I LOVE Wenceel! Why? Because toolsy switch-hitting shortstops with projectable frames and feel to hit are generally good targets. Perez has struggled in the early going, but I’ll chalk it up to the cold climate of the April Midwest League. Hoping for a few more walks, a few more homers, and only a slight regression in his contact numbers. - RL
Ethan Hankins, RHP, Indians (Ranked: 169) - It’ll be tough for Hankins to jump into the top 100 fantasy prospects list because the Indians are understandably taking it easy with him. Hankins had a shoulder injury as a prep and was only limited to two innings of work last year in the Arizona Rookie League. I’m rolling the dice here but if he can come back healthy and pitch like he did as a junior in high school, when he was in the conversation to potentially go number one, watch out. He has a chance to be 2020’s Nate Pearson. He will begin the season in extended spring. -MT
Roansy Contreras, RHP, Yankees (Ranked: 189) - A wave of lower level Yankees pitchers are approaching quickly. With Medina off the board (and Deivi Garcia already inside the top 150), I decided to snag Contreras. His fastball isn’t blazing (92-94), but he’s flashed a plus curveball with a hell of a bite and a changeup with some drop. A feel for these pitches at his age is wonderful to see and it’s a great foundation to build on as he enters his first full year. -EA
Moises Gomez, OF, Rays (Ranked: 178) - A power hitting corner outfielder with a decent average is what you’re dreaming on with Gomez. He slugged 19 homers in the Midwest League last year and burst onto the radar in a loaded Rays system. He’s struggled mightily early in high-A, and I have my concerns with the approach, but the raw power and strong frame are something to dream on. - RL
Triston Casas, 3B, Red Sox (Ranked: 176) - Casas’ 2019 season was cut short because of a thumb injury. It will be tough for a future first baseman to crack the top 100, but Casas has the raw strength and power to make the leap. Power is the calling card, and that jumps out at you after one look at his 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame. The lefty bat has a swing that will produce natural loft and will hit for power if he’s healthy. -MT
Lazaro Armenteros, OF, Athletics (Ranked: 201) - Remember this guy? The big thing I’m banking on here is Armenteros cutting down his strikeouts. He had a 33 K% clip last year in the MWL and has a near 50 K% in the very young 2019 season. But the power is still there as is a god eye at the plate, but he’s getting eaten up by breakers. Still just 19 until the end of May and already in High-A, it’s too early to give up on him. Obviously two months from now if the strikeouts are a major red flag, I’ll be less excited. For now, we charge on. -EA
Orelvis Martinez, SS, Blue Jays (Ranked: 185) - A big ticket signing last July as the Jays paid a price of $3.5 million to secure Martinez’s signature. Those that have seen him have come away impressed by his short, balanced swing, and ability to make consistent barrel contact. One of the better hitters in the 2018 J2 class I’ve seen Adrian Beltre comps for what it’s worth. This might be a big mover come August. We just need to see him to know how good he is. - RL
Freudis Nova, SS, Astros (247) - This 19-year-old has enough bat to hit in the middle of the order. Nova’s hit and power tools both project out as plus. The bat speed is plus and he doesn’t strike out. The main concern is his hyper-aggressive approach and only 3.4 BB% because of it. He will likely have to move to third base, but if he hits as well as I think he can that doesn’t matter one bit. Super Nova. -MT
Jeremiah Jackson, SS, Angels (Ranked:158) - These last few picks of the draft were a little bit like pulling teeth. I don’t know if Jackson truly has a chance to be top 100 in 2020 as he needs more seasoning. I do think he can be an above-average major leaguer contributing solid numbers in all fantasy categories, but strikeouts and a fringe walk rate give me pause. -EA
Antoni Flores, SS, Red Sox (Ranked: 194) - Jason Pennini got eyes on Flores during instructs and came away raving about his upside. It was enough to earn him the fifth spot in my Red Sox Top 30, and the hype has caught up to the rank. There’s power projection and already approach and feel to hit. The amount of power Flores develops will dictate just how much impact he can have at peak. No doubt about it this is the highest upside player in the Sox system at the moment. Really excited for this season’s New York Penn League, as I should get plenty of looks at Flores over the summer with Lowell. - RL
Jake Fraley, OF, Mariners (Ranked:186) - The Mariners acquired Fraley from the Rays as part of the Mike Zunino deal. The former second-round pick out of LSU had a strong 2018 campaign, at least when he was able to stay on the field. Fraley was a plus runner in college, and hopefully better health can help him get back to that point. The best thing for his career was getting out of a loaded Rays system and moving to a Mariners organization that will give him plenty of opportunities. There’s a chance he plays in the big leagues this season. He improved his walk and contact rates before injuries got in the way last year. There’s a chance he’s already broken out and we just didn’t notice. -MT
Nick Solak, 2B, Rays (Ranked: 154) - Solak was one home run away from a 20/20 season as 23-year-old in Double-A last year. I’ll cede that the power might be a little bit of a mirage as I think he’s closer to a mid-’teens homer guy, but the plus speed is real as is a chance at an above-average hit tool. He’s off to a hot start in Triple-A and the Rays likely deploy him as a utility guy. He’s got off-the-charts makeup and while I know that’s intangible, guys like that usually maximize their tools. -EA
Francisco Morales, RHP, Phillies (Ranked: 297) - I’ve felt Morales has had breakout potential for some time and based on the recent showings it might be coming in 2019. A nasty mid-90s heater, a slider that flashes plus, and a changeup, the arsenal is there now it’s just a matter of executing with it. Starting the season in Lakewood of the Sally League, I like Morales to make his way to Clearwater by late summer. - RL
Joe Palumbo, LHP, Rangers (Ranked: 251) - My last draft choice here is a dart throw, but hear me out. Palumbo missed significant portions of 2017 and 2018 due to Tommy John that he had in April of 2017. He returned in June of 2018 and pitched well. The stuff bounced back; 92-96 on the fastball, upper 70s curveball and a mid-to-high 80s changeup. Most importantly though, he threw strikes. A 5.4 BB% in 45 innings. The former 30th rounder will be in the top 100 conversation if he stays healthy and throws strikes. -MT
Kevin Alcantara, OF, Yankees (Ranked: 267) - A 6-foot-5 16-year-old who might stick in centerfield, has shown a feel to hit better than his peers that age and has a lot of projection left and is in the Yankees org? Sign me up. But I’ll admit even a 2020 Top 100 appearance is very slim simply because the looks will be limited. -EA