Ronald Acuña. Gleyber Torres. Shohei Ohtani. Juan Soto. Walker Buehler.
Those are just five of the 17 preseason top-101 prospects (including 10 among our top-50) who’ve already lost their rookie eligibility in 2018. It’s been The Year of the Aggressive Promotion in MLB, and while the results have been awfully exciting to watch IRL, you might fear they’d leave dynasty prospect lists looking a little sparse.
You’d be worrying for nothing, because while our 2018 Midseason Top 50 Dynasty Prospects List has lost some talent to be sure, it’s also chock-full of exciting names you know and love.
Jeffrey Paternostro has described prospect rankings as “snapshots in time,” and that feels especially true of this top-50 list. Were we to write it just a few weeks later, there are at least a half-dozen guys (Kyle Tucker, Francisco Mejia, Willy Adames, Franklin Barreto, Alex Verdugo, etc) who would likely no longer qualify. If we’d written it a few weeks earlier, names like Soto, Torres and Austin Meadows would still bless this webpage.
Instead, we’re left with an eclectic mish-mosh of players. We’ve got your guys who’ve improved their stock over the past few months, of course, but also a smaller number of former top-25ish talents who we feel are sliding backward. You’ll find some pop-up prospects here as well, but just three new entrants into the prospect pool overall. In total, 31 of the names below were among our preseason top-50. That’s great news for those of you who were paying attention back in February, but also leaves opportunity to snag some new names for players rebuilding their farm systems.
As always, there are a few list-specific disclaimers to go over before we jump in. These rankings are for fantasy purposes only, and do not directly take into account things like an outfielder’s ability to stick in center or a catcher’s pop time. That being said, these factors matter indirectly as they affect a player’s ability to either stay in the lineup or maintain eligibility. Additionally, we factor in home parks and organizational strengths, just as when we are talking about a major-league player. We can’t pretend that these prospects operate in a vacuum, unaffected by park factors. Of course, there’s no guarantee that they will reach the majors with their current organization, so while it is reflected, it’s not a heavy ranking factor. Most importantly, the intention of this list is to balance the upside, probability, and proximity of these players to an active fantasy lineup.
PS Rank stands for “Preseason Rank,” which lets you know where each player ranked in our preseason top-101 list. The “NR” key means the player was not ranked, while “N/A” means they were not eligible.
With all that out of the way (just kidding, we know that only a select few of you who we love very much read the intros), here’s your Midseason Top 50 Dynasty Prospects List for 2018.
The Man Who Transcends Tiers
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B, Toronto Blue Jays (PS Rank: 3)
Somebody Once Told Me: He’s everything you want, he’s everything you need
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Miguel Cabrera
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Jose Abreu with a donk
Fantasy Impact ETA: The day after the Blue Jays get an extra year of control in 2019
Tier 1 – Future Fantasy First-Rounders
2. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego Padres (PS Rank: 7)
Somebody Once Told Me: After a bad April, he’s just toying with Double-A as a teenager
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: The good Ian Desmond
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: The other Ian Desmond
Fantasy Impact ETA: Early 2019
3. Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox (PS Rank: 5)
Somebody Once Told Me: While you were reading this, he crushed a BP fastball over your house
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: A version of Khris Davis who consistently hits .280
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Basically Khris Davis
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mid 2019
4. Victor Robles, OF, Washington Nationals (PS Rank: 2)
Somebody Once Told Me: Yet another talented young baseballer with an elbow injury …
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Listen, we’re not gonna change “Properly Appreciated Starling Marte”
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Ender Inciarte’s skill set with Adam Eaton’s health
Fantasy Impact ETA: Early 2019
5. Jordon Adell, OF, Los Angeles Angels (PS Rank: 33)
Somebody Once Told Me: He’s now the answer to your “who is the next Ronald Acuña” questions.
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Slower Ronald Acuña
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Another reason to be mad at Craig
Fantasy Impact ETA: We’ll say 2020, but that could be conservative
Tier 2 – Prospects You Want to Take Home to Mom
6. Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros (PS Rank: 10)
Somebody Once Told Me: More living proof that talented players make their own opportunities
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Andrew Benintendi
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Fancy David Peralta
Fantasy Impact ETA: Right Now!
7. Nick Senzel, 3B, Cincinnati Reds (PS Rank: 8)
Somebody Once Told Me: Continued to be good at everything until he got hurt
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: A healthier Anthony Rendon
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: A healthier Matt Duffy
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mid 2019
8. Keston Hiura, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers (PS Rank: 17)
Somebody Once Told Me: The 2017 first-rounder can just bleeping hit
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Scooter Gennett, if you believe in him
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: The good version of Neil Walker
Fantasy Impact ETA: About two weeks, depending on what the Brewers do at the deadline
9. Bo Bichette, 2B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays (PS Rank: 15)
Somebody Once Told Me: It wouldn’t work for most people, but it sure does work for him
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Prime Ian Kinsler
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Non-prime Brian Dozier
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mid 2019
10. Brendan Rodgers, SS/2B, Colorado Rockies (PS Rank: 4)
Somebody Once Told Me: He might only be really good instead of great? We’ll take it.
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Alex Bregman at Coors Field
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Functionally not all that different from Willy Adames
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mid 2019
11. Alex Reyes, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (PS Rank: 11)
Somebody Once Told Me: The reports/stats were ridiculous, then he got hurt. Rinse. Repeat.
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: I mean, we’ve already seen it, albeit briefly
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Not healthy enough to be a starter
Fantasy Impact ETA: Opening Day 2019
12. Austin Riley, 3B, Atlanta Braves (PS Rank: 70)
Somebody Once Told Me: There are few questions about the bat, but lots about the glove
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: The best version of Kyle Seager
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: The current version of Jake Lamb, but in the outfield
Fantasy Impact ETA: Early 2019
Tier 3 – Well Worth the Gamble
13. Royce Lewis, SS, Minnesota Twins (PS Rank: 22)
Somebody Once Told Me: Somehow living up to expectations as a 1-1 pick
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: The Jean Segura we’re all enjoying right now
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Hmm, what could possibly go wrong with an uber-toolsy Twins prospect?
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2020
14. Taylor Trammell, OF, Cincinnati Reds (PS Rank: 28)
Somebody Once Told Me: Doing exactly in High-A as he did in Low-A
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Carl Crawford is such a lazy comp, but …
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Brett Gardner
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2020
15. Forrest Whitley, RHP, Houston Astros (PS Rank: 23)
Somebody Once Told Me: Don’t you (duh duh duh-duh-duh) forget about me (SYNTH)
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: A Carlos Carrasco-type back-end ace
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: A Kenta Maeda-type SP3
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2018 for deeper leagues; Early 2019 for everyone else
16. Nick Madrigal, 2B/SS, Chicago White Sox (PS Rank: N/A)
Somebody Once Told Me: The No. 4 overall draft pick is the No. 1 fantasy prospect from his class
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Gonna lean into the wind on this one and say vintage Dustin Pedroia
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Closer to Josh Harrison, maybe
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2020
17. Carter Kieboom, SS, Washington Nationals (PS Rank: 47)
Somebody Once Told Me: Quietly morphing into one of the best prospects in baseball
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Xander Bogaerts
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Pre-breakout Eugenio Suarez
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2019
18. Yordan Alvarez, OF/1B, Houston Astros (PS Rank: 68)
Somebody Once Told Me: A strong Double-A campaign put him squarely among the top upper-minors bats
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: 2018 Eddie Rosario
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Brandon Belt without the concussions
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mid 2019
19. Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox (PS Rank: 19)
Somebody Once Told Me: Injuries have prevented his star from shining, but we still believe
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Shin-Soo Choo
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Denard Span
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2020, if he can stay on the field
20. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Oakland Athletics (PS Rank: 92)
Somebody Once Told Me: He’s comfortably dominating Double-A hitters before he can drink
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: A low-WHIP back-end SP1
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Eduardo Rodriguez
Fantasy Impact ETA: Early 2019
21. Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (PS Rank: 30)
Somebody Once Told Me: Still flashes incredible stuff, but now has an elbow scare
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: The best pitching prospect in baseball
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Anderson Espinoza
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2020
Tier 4: Fast Risers and Steady Climbers
22. Ryan Mountcastle, 3B, Baltimore Orioles (PS Rank: 35)
Somebody Once Told Me: For our purposes he’s a lot like Nick Castellanos, really
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Nick Castellanos
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Less Athletic Nick Castellanos (which, yikes …)
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mid 2019
23. Francisco Mejia, C/OF, Cleveland Indians (PS Rank: 13)
Somebody Once Told Me: Cleveland sure seems intent on messing with his development
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: J.T. Realmuto, minus a few SB
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: So, about catching prospects
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2018
24. Michael Kopech, RHP, Chicago White Sox (PS Rank: 12)
Somebody Once Told Me: Still missing bats, but also missing the plate … like, a lot
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Chris Archer (or a closer)
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Tyler Glasnow (or a set-up guy)
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mid 2019
25. Willie Calhoun, OF/UT, Texas Rangers (PS Rank: 24)
Somebody Once Told Me: Still proving he can hit, still proving he should be a DH
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Corey Dickerson
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: One of those humans from WALL-E
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2018
26. Willy Adames, SS, Tampa Bay Rays (PS Rank: 37)
Somebody Once Told Me: Quietly good at everything, but not great at anything
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Asdrubal Cabrera
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: The Absolute Unit stage of Jhonny Peralta’s career
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2018
27. Garrett Hampson, 2B/SS, Colorado Rockies (PS Rank: 84)
Somebody Once Told Me: For once it’s Bret who’s insanely high on the speedy MI
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Whit Merrifield in Coors
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Jose Peraza in Coors
Fantasy Impact ETA: Early 2019
28. Franklin Barreto, 2B/SS, Oakland Athletics (PS Rank: 21)
Somebody Once Told Me: The swing-and-miss issues aren’t getting better …
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: 85% of Tim Anderson
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Slower Jonathan Villar
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2018/Early 2019
29. Mitch Keller, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (PS Rank: 25)
Somebody Once Told Me: We hesitate to ever call a pitching prospect safe, but …
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: A sturdy, dependable SP3, like The Good Rick Porcello
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Doesn’t miss enough bats to dominate; think Michael Fulmer
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mid 2019
30. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, San Diego Padres (PS Rank: 42)
Somebody Once Told Me: You know when a Low-A pitcher is on our list, he’s special.
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Madison Bumgarner
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: I mean, he’s a teenage hurler
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2021
31. Jesus Sanchez, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (PS Rank: 54)
Somebody Once Told Me: Crushing High-A as a 20-year-old
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: The modern day Matt Kemp
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Last year’s Matt Kemp
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2021
Tier 4.5: We Just Can’t Help Ourselves
32. Peter Alonso, 1B, New York Mets (PS Rank: NR)
Somebody Once Told Me: The bat is real and he’s on the doorstep
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Rhys Hoskins
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Have we gotten to Dan Vogelbach yet?
Fantasy Impact ETA: As soon as the Mets wake up and release Jose Reyes
33. Luis Garcia, SS, Washington Nationals (PS Rank: 76)
Somebody Once Told Me: [“‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky’ – Michael Scott” – Ben Carsley”]
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: The next great shortstop prospect
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: You’ll have waited a long time for Orlando Arcia
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2021
34. Leody Taveras, OF, Texas Rangers (PS Rank: 34)
Somebody Once Told Me: Reminder number 3,419 not to scout the statline
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: A.J. Pollock
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Cameron Maybin
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2020
35. Drew Waters, OF, Atlanta Braves (PS Rank: NR)
Somebody Once Told Me: Teenagers who show power and speed in full-season ball have our attention
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Lorenzo Cain, but ideally healthy
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: There’s a long way to go here, but something like Jake Marisnick
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2021
Tier 5: A Whole Bunch of Toolsy Outfielders, Mostly
36. Yusniel Diaz, OF, Los Angimore Dorioles (PS Rank: 50)
Somebody Once Told Me: He just keeps hitting and getting on base
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Prime Melky Cabrera
Hey Now, You’re a … Oh … Too Soon: Prime Kole Calhoun
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mid 2019
37. Alex Verdugo, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (PS Rank: 40)
Somebody Once Told Me: Still hits, gets on base and … does nothing else
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: A 2018 Honda Civic with Sport Mode
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: A CPO 2015 Honda Civic without a backup camera
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2018
38. Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland Indians (PR Rank: 43)
Somebody Once Told Me: Pitching well, but not quite dominating, in Double-A at 21
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Imagine if Julio Teheran was consistent
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: A right-handed Kyle Freeland
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2019
39. Alec Bohm, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies (PS Rank: N/A)
Somebody Once Told Me: There will be many bad puns in his future when he dongs
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Eugenio Suarez
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: The full Maikel Franco experience
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2020
40. Alex Kirilloff, OF, Minnesota Twins (PS Rank: NR)
Somebody Once Told Me: Well, he’s certainly not rusty at all after missing 2017 due to Tommy John
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Mitch Haniger
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Mitch Moreland, but in the outfield
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mitch, uh, 2020
41. Seuly Matias, OF, Kansas City Royals (PS Rank: 85)
Somebody Once Told Me: The next dude truly deserving of an 80 power grade
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Who we still want Joey Gallo to be
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Won’t make it past Double-A
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2022
42. Heliot Ramos, OF, San Francisco Giants (PR Rank: 45)
Somebody Once Told Me: Still toolsier than Home Depot, but not performing
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: The next Jo Adell
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: At least he’ll still be named Heliot?
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2022
43. Estevan Florial, OF, New York Yankees (PS Rank: 18)
Somebody Once Told Me: Still toolsier than Home Depot, but hurt *and* not performing
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: The next Jo Adell
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Late career Melvin Upton
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2021
Tier 6: Some of Our Personal Favorites
44. Adrian Morejon, LHP, San Diego Padres (PR Rank: 78)
Somebody Once Told Me: It’s a step forward we wanted and it’s a step forward we got
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Patrick Corbin
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: A borderline SP4 with no impact categories
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2020
45. Jahmai Jones, 2B/OF, Los Angeles Angels (PR Rank: 39)
Somebody Once Told Me: It’s a transition year; don’t hold it against him too much
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Brandon Phillips
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Not a second baseman
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2020
46. Esteury Ruiz, 2B, San Diego Padres (PR Rank: 94)
Somebody Once Told Me: Ho hum, just another high-upside Padres prospect
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Look at those steals and extra-base hits
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Look at that plate discipline
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2021
47. Khalil Lee, OF, Kansas City Royals (PR Rank: 97)
Somebody Once Told Me: Already in Double-A as a 20-year-old
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Odubel Herrera
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Gerardo Parra
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2020
48. Travis Swaggerty, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (PR Rank: N/A)
Somebody Once Told Me: Tenth overall in the draft, but 48th in our hearts
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Andrew Benintendi less 20 points of batting average
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Cesar Hernandez in the outfield
Fantasy Impact ETA: 2021
49. Luis Urias, 2B/SS, San Diego Padres (PR Rank: 69)
Somebody Once Told Me: Holding his own in Triple-A at 21
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Cesar Hernandez with shortstop eligibility
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: The modern Starlin Castro
Fantasy Impact ETA: Mid 2019
50. Chris Paddack, RHP, San Diego Padres (PR Rank: NR)
Somebody Once Told Me: Carved up High-A hitters without mercy in his return from TJ
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Mike Clevinger in Petco
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: He’s a pitcher with TJ, so …
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2019
The Guys We Couldn’t Quite Rank
¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Seranthony Dominguez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (PR Rank: NR)
Somebody Once Told Me: Great, now Bret is gonna keep making Ben write about RP prospects
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: A top-10 closer
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Not a closer (or hurt)
Fantasy Impact ETA: Right now!
¯\_(ツ)_/¯. A.J. Puk, LHP, Oakland Athletics (PS Rank: 26)
Somebody Once Told Me: Tommy John, why art thou so cruel?
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Prime Robbie Ray
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: Josh Hader without the tweets
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2019
¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (PR Rank: 29)
Somebody Once Told Me: Much of his value was tied up in floor/proximity, and now he’s hurt, so
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: A solid SP3/4 who was worth the wait
Hey Now, You’re an Oriole: An SP5/6 who really wasn’t
Fantasy Impact ETA: Late 2019
Honorable Mention: Jordyn Adams, OF, LAA; Kolby Allard, LHP, ATL; Lazaro Armenteros, OF, OAK; Michel Baez, RHP, SD; Dylan Cease, RHP, CHW; Nick Gordon, 2B/SS, MIN; Brusdar Graterol, RHP, MIN; Hunter Greene, RHP, CIN; Brandon Marsh, OF, LAA; Brendan McKay, LHP/1B, TB; Ryan McMahon, INF, COL; Casey Mize, RHP, DET; Josh Naylor, 1B, SD (God damnit Bret); Tyler O’Neill, OF, STL; Tirso Ornelas, OF, SD; Cristian Pache, OF, ATL; Buddy Reed, OF, SD; Blake Rutherford, OF, CHW; NYY; Anderson Tejeda, SS, TEX; Colton Welker, 3B, COL; Kyle Wright, RHP, ATL
Before You Ask: Ronald Acuña would’ve ranked first. Juan Soto would’ve ranked third, behind Acuña and Vladito.
Dan Vogelbach Mention: Dan Vogelbach, 1B/UT, SEA
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high earner because of the SBs doesn’t make him top 50?