A friend of mine finally started playing dynasty baseball and he can’t stop raving about his league. I know the feeling. There is nothing closer to being a sports GM than deep dynasty fantasy baseball. If you haven’t tried it yet, I’d strongly recommend you make sure to get on that quickly. One of the most important aspects of crafting a strong dynasty team is building through the farm system. Every league has a team that always seems to own the best prospects even without making a bunch of trades, and their secret is always the same. Get the high upside players before they breakout and fly up the prospect charts. I released my top 500 prospects last week and today, I’ll give you 33 names who I could see soaring up lists by this time next year. The players who make an appearance in this breakout piece today are already higher on my personal top 500 list than the general consensus. What I am predicting here are how high they will leap according to the general consensus in 2019. Let’s jump into it starting at the top.
Check out the Top 500 Worldwide Prospects
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Players who could be top 10 prospects by this time next year
Estevan Florial (OF – NYY)
Florial was already a top 40 prospect in most publications going into 2018 despite a stat line that didn’t jump off the page. Granted, he was a teenager playing against primarily 22 and 23 year olds, but with a prospect that high, incredible stats typically accompany them. He missed most of last year after getting surgery on his hamate bone and took a step backward in terms of production so chances are, you’ll see him around #50 or #60 on most lists. The fact of the matter, however, is that we’ve got one of the most athletic prospects in the game and he just so happens to have near-ideal makeup. That combination is rarely kept down for long unless injuries persist so expect him to rise quickly and perhaps even into the top three overall by next winter.
A friend of mine finally started playing dynasty baseball and he can’t stop raving about his league. I know the feeling. There is nothing closer to being a sports GM than deep dynasty fantasy baseball. If you haven’t tried it yet, I’d strongly recommend you make sure to get on that quickly. One of the most important aspects of crafting a strong dynasty team is building through the farm system. Every league has a team that always seems to own the best prospects even without making a bunch of trades, and their secret is always the same. Get the high upside players before they breakout and fly up the prospect charts. I released my top 500 prospects last week and today, I’ll give you 33 names who I could see soaring up lists by this time next year. The players who make an appearance in this breakout piece today are already higher on my personal top 500 list than the general consensus. What I am predicting here are how high they will leap according to the general consensus in 2019. Let’s jump into it starting at the top.
Check out the Top 500 Worldwide Prospects>
Players who could be top 10 prospects by this time next year
Estevan Florial (OF – NYY)
Florial was already a top 40 prospect in most publications going into 2018 despite a stat line that didn’t jump off the page. Granted, he was a teenager playing against primarily 22 and 23 year olds, but with a prospect that high, incredible stats typically accompany them. He missed most of last year after getting surgery on his hamate bone and took a step backward in terms of production so chances are, you’ll see him around #50 or #60 on most lists. The fact of the matter, however, is that we’ve got one of the most athletic prospects in the game and he just so happens to have near-ideal makeup. That combination is rarely kept down for long unless injuries persist so expect him to rise quickly and perhaps even into the top three overall by next winter.
Other Breakout Prospects in this Tier
Players who could be top 25 prospects by this time next year
Jazz Chisholm (SS – ARI)
Much like Florial above, Chisholm has had his progress slowed from a few injuries, but his stock started to explode in the second half last year and especially into the Arizona Fall League where he was among the most impressive players. Despite weighing just 165 pounds, Jazz already possesses excellent power, swatting 54 extra base hits in just 112 games last year. He still has plenty of untapped potential at the plate and while he will need to cut down on the strikeouts, the kid has the makings of a Silver Slugger. You can bet that will come in handy in fantasy leagues where offense is difficult to come by at shortstop.
Other Breakout Prospects in this Tier
Players who could be top 50 prospects by this time next year
Kristian Robinson (OF – ARI)
Let’s stick with the Diamondbacks and, in fact, the second prospect in a row from the Bahamas. Robinson is a former international bonus baby who has loud tools and perennial all-star upside. He began to tap into that in the second half last year, batting .306/.384/.488 over the last month and a half. That would be impressive enough if he were the same age as everyone, but rather, Robinson was still 17 years old, dominating 20 and 21 year olds. The kid is oozing with power potential and could eventually blossom into a complete fantasy monster.
Other Breakout Prospects in this Tier
Players who could be top 75 prospects by this time next year
Malcom Nunez (3B – STL)
Prior to the Cardinals signing Nunez, he was among the top prospects in Cuba. He came thundering onto the scene in 2018, putting up Barry Bonds-like numbers in the Dominican Summer League. Nunez hit an absurd .415/.497/.774 over 44 games and no, that isn’t a typo. The knock on Nunez is that he is already physically mature and doesn’t have much projection remaining, but when you have off-the-charts bat to ball skills, plus-plus plate discipline and a true professionals approach at the dish, athleticism is of little concern. I can think of a future Hall-of-Famer who had similar concerns to his name when he was destroying the minor leagues and I think you’ll agree that Albert Pujols turned out just fine.
Other Breakout Prospects in this Tier
Players who could be top 100 prospects by this time next year
Yadier Alvarez (SP – LAD)
I hate the term “never again” that is far too often thrown around in fantasy sports. So what if he burned you before. If he is a value now, buy without hesitation. Alvarez has the be the single most talented prospect outside the top 200 right now. There is a reason Alvarez was considered a top 25 prospect by multiple publications just two years ago. The kid had filthy movement and a devastating fastball in his repertoire. The issue, of course, is his 7.2 BB/9 which is up from an already concerning 4.9 the year prior and 3.2 before that. Still, though, the strikeouts remain and he is utterly unhittable. Command can come and go, but you can’t teach ace-like stuff. Yadier has it just like Kerry Wood (7.8 BB/9 in 1997 MILB) and Randy Johnson (8.2 BB/9 in 1987 MILB) before him.
Other Breakout Prospects in this Tier
Players who could be fringe top 100 prospects by this time next year
Luis Medina (SP – NYY)
“Ok, I can understand 7.2 BB/9, but you can’t be serious about a guy with 11.5 BB/9 and a 6.25 ERA in Rookie Ball, right? RIGHT?” Oh, I’m serious. I’ll pass on the mediocre prospects who would be happy to get two years in a big league bullpen or as a fourth outfielder. Give me the best arms in the world and let’s see if we can win the lottery. Medina is an absolute flame thrower with disgusting movement. Chances are high that we’ll never see his name on an MLB roster, but if someone can teach him to throw strikes, we’ve got a super prospect on our hands.
Other Breakout Prospects in this Tier
Thanks for reading and good luck this season!
Check out the Top 500 Worldwide MLB Prospects
