With our Midseason Fantasy Top 100, we obviously couldn’t fit some of the lower ranked names we’re high on. Sometimes you can’t justify a ranking based on 80 percent hype (Eddy learned his Jhon Torres lesson). What follows are the next 10 prospects had we gone that far.
101. Jarren Duran, 2B (BOS) - Duran popped up early in the season and landed himself on dynasty owners’ radars after slashing .387/.456/.543 in 50 games at High-A with an astronomical .480 BABIP to boot. At Double-A he’s struggled (.595 OPS in 30 games) to adjust to arguably the biggest jump a minor leaguer can make. He’s become much more a slap hitter at this level and currently looks overmatched which tempered our rankings. He’s still notched 24 steals and shows above-average raw in batting practice, but in game his swing is too leveled and he gets on top of the ball too often, leading to a high GB%. We’re still feeling out the ceiling and floor. Preseason: Not Ranked
102. Matthew Liberatore, LHP (TB) - Remember what we said about McKay and the Rays bucking the trend on slow-rolling prospects in our main list? Liberatore might be next in line. The 19-year-old prep lefty is dominating the Midwest League (1.55 ERA/2.64 FIP in 52.1 IP) striking out a batter an inning. He’s got mid-rotation upside and with the Rays’ development, we expect him to reach his potential on his plus fastball and double-plus curveball. Expect a promotion to Charlotte later this year. Preseason: 92
103. Daniel Lynch, LHP (KC) - The University of Virginia product has seen his fastball bump up into the mid 90s and has a plus slider to go with it which is the best of his arsenal of secondaries. The five-pitch mix plays up due to above average command. The lefty just resumed throwing after a bout with arm soreness. Preseason: 164
104. Brusdar Graterol, RHP (MIN) - The injuries and missed development time continues to pile up for Graterol. The electric stuff and ability to harness it has never been a problem for Graterol, but staying on the field is pesky. Blessed with a fastball that sits upper-90s, touching 100, Graterol mixes two above-average or better secondaries in his slider and changeup. His shoulder injury, the previous Tommy John, as well as a laundry list of other ailments are the reason Graterol has dropped outside the Top-100, despite his frontline upside. The pitch mix, ability to miss bats, and feel to pitch will capture your heart, and his health will break it. Preseason: 72
105. Noelvi Marte, SS (SEA) - The physical 17-year-old was the prize of the Mariners 2018 J2 class after he signed for $1.5 million. Strong with a powerful, projectable frame, Marte could be a future 30-homer bat but may have to move off of shortstop as he matures. Preseason: 246
106. Abraham Toro, 3B (HOU) - The switch-hitting Toro has unlocked some power to add to his intriguing offensive skill set. He has always taken his walks and made more than enough contact, but finding his power has shot him up prospect lists. He’s currently hitting a strong .299/.388/.503 for the Astros Double-A affiliate. He has a top of the scale arm, but some questions with his overall athleticism might make him a utility option or a trade chip. Preseason: Not Ranked
107. Bobby Bradley, 1B (CLE) - Called up in late June, Bradley has spent parts of six seasons in the Cleveland organization. A first base only three-true-outcome profile, Bradley has slashed .253/.344/.508 with 138 home runs in just over 600 games. His slashline is representative of who he is. He’ll work deep into counts and take his walks, (though his walk numbers have dropped over the last few stops in the upper minors) but there’s also major contact issues. His propensity to swing and miss on hittable pitches and expand the zone hurt his overall profile. Bradley just can’t hit the ball with consistency to really get the most of his plus raw power. He feasted on the International League this year, but the strikeouts were a major red flag. Ultimately despite the warts Bradley is here because it’s hard ignore the power and potential upside in OPS formats. Preseason: Not Ranked
108. Evan White, 1B (SEA) - Using the term five-tool player for a first base only profile feels like an oxymoron. In the case of Evan White it’s appropriate. As the first baseman has average or better tools across the board. His ability to get to his power in games has truly boosted White’s stock in 2019. Previously many, myself included, viewed White as a right-handed contact over power hitter with a plus glove at first base. Not a profile teams put a huge value on. It’s still a sub-.200 isolated slugging, but he’s hitting the ball harder this year and more frequently in the air. The hope is White develops into a .280 hitter with 20 home run power. Preseason: 160
109. Brandon Marsh, OF (LAA) - We know that Marsh has the raw power to become a dynamic homer and steals contributor but we’re getting a little tired of waiting for it to show up in games. His on-base skills remain great and his steals should stay with him through his prime, but whereas 25/20 was the expectation a year or two ago, now we’re wondering if it’s 15/20 profile. His GB% crept up in Double-A and his strikeouts remain north of 25 percent, which isn’t a great trend. Of course, he hasn’t made it to Triple-A yet where the balls might unlock that power we expected and he’s still 21 so hope is still there, but the excitement levels aren’t the same. Preseason: 87
110. Edward Cabrera, RHP (MIA) - A multitude of Marlins pitchers have had tremendous seasons in the minors and outside of the Zac Gallen division, perhaps no one more than Cabrera. The 21-year-old crushed Jupiter (24.2 K-BB%, 2.02 ERA/2.24 FIP) in 11 starts and has two Double-A starts under his belt already. In the preseason we predicted he had the upside of a high-strikeout backend starter and we might be ticking up a little higher to high strikeout SP3/SP4. There’s still projection left on the body. Preseason: Not Ranked