Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 Prospects You Should Be Ready to Grab
As we tread deeper into the 2011 MLB season, it's only natural to speculate the impact that some of the best prospects in the game are going to make.
Currently two full months into the year, teams are starting to look in all directions to plug some of their most dire needs.
Whether their prized prospects are already in the majors and looking for a more permanent opportunity to effect their ball club, or if a minor league stud is awaiting the call to the big show, summer call-ups and prospect impacts are starting to whirl.
While many of the most heralded players will not be called upon during 2011, there are still many talented prospects who will not only effect the playoff picture in the MLB, but the seasonal outcome of many fantasy baseball leagues.
Fantasy owners have had bad luck as of late, losing such guys as Buster Posey and dealing with nagging injuries from Josh Hamilton, Chase Utley, Matt Holliday and Grady Sizemore.
Not to mention many teams have been effected by early struggles from top options like Derek Jeter, Ubaldo Jimenez, Chris Carpenter and other fantasy must-starts.
These are the types of scenarios that have fantasy gurus glued to their computer and fingers on their mouse.
A quick call-up or breakout debut can easily spark a massive frenzy in any fantasy league, creating a mad dash to see you grabs the next big thing.
We've already seen great additions to the fantasy scene this year with such players as Michael Pineda, Eric Hosmer and Zach Britton making an immediate impact.
It's only a matter of time before another young producer gets the nod and could change your team for the better.
Here are the top 10 players to keep an eye on for the next few weeks, based on potential and call-up probability.
10. Juan Nicasio, SP, Colorado Rockies
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Nicasio is up and running.
The 24-year-old, who owned a 2.22 ERA through 56.2 innings in Triple-A this year, has brought his talents to the big leagues.
After being called up to start on May 28, the young righty turned in a spectacular performance against the St. Louis Cardinals, going seven innings with two strikeouts and only six hits, on his way to his first major league win.
For Nicasio, who's call-up couldn't of come at a better time for a suspect Rockies rotation, his next few starts will not only decide if Colorado will keep him on the major league level but if fantasy owners should add him to their rosters.
The young prospect has shown over his past few seasons in the minors that he's capable of striking batters out at a high pace, while limiting walks and not allowing too many runs.
Keep a watchful eye.
2011 Minor League Stats: 5-1, 2.22 ERA, 56.2 Innings, 63 SO:10 BB
9. Brandon Belt, 1B, San Francisco Giants
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Belt is back.
After the Giants' main squeeze, Buster Posey, went down for the rest of the season, prospect Brandon Belt is back in the big leagues.
The 23-year-old struggled in his first stint in the majors, batting .200 with one home run in 55 at-bats, so expectations should be held in check.
However, Belt's ability to make contact and post a solid K:BB ratio makes him an excellent target for deeper mixed leagues.
Even more so when you figure that San Francisco will be looking for a hot hand to lend them some help in their lineup after losing Posey to a broken leg.
Belt got his first start Sunday since being re-called. He went 1-3.
If Belt gets more comfortable at the plate, along with the comeback of Pablo Sandoval looming in the next week or so, the rookie might be able to help the Giants offensively and fantasy teams alike.
2011 Minor League Stats: .337, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 27 BB in 101 AB
8. Desmond Jennings, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
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Jennings is absolutely on fire.
The Rays' expected "Next Carl Crawford" has maintained solid production throughout the entire start to 2011.
Jennings, 24, is currently on a career pace in home runs, walks and slugging.
This is exactly what the Rays want to see and even more so what fantasy owners want to see.
If Jennings can continue hitting for power, including doubles and triples, he'll start to resemble an early Carl Crawford even more.
The heralded outfield prospect could be on his way to the big leagues considering the hot start from Sam Fuld has sizzled out.
Jennings is no doubt a top-flight hitter, seemingly ready to be a 10 HR/40 SB type of player when he's given a full chance to start.
But even if he gets called up sometime in June, fantasy owners will be more than happy to have his services for just a few months.
2011 Minor League Stats: .274, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 9 SB, 37 SO:27 BB
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7. Rubby De La Rosa, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
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De La Rosa is officially in the big leagues.
Is he being utilized like fantasy owners want him to be?
No.
The 22-year-old is currently being called on from the bullpen, evoking questions as to why the Dodgers don't start him.
It all depends. Los Angeles could surely use a young spark to light a fire under the butts of their ball club, but you have to be careful with a young arm like Rubby.
Throughout his first few appearances out of the pen, the young kid has thrown three innings of one run ball, earning a win on Friday.
The project that is De La Rosa will surely be similar to Joba and other "pen first" pitchers, giving their ball clubs a chance to season their young arms and get them ready for some late season starts.
If that's the case, fantasy owners need to be ready to add the young gun whenever it deems reasonable.
Reserving a spot on your roster is probably not the right way to go about it, but keeping a close eye on a potential high-end option in NL-only leagues couldn't do much harm.
2011 Minor League Stats: 2-2, 2.92 ERA, 40 innings, 52 SO:19 BB
6. Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals
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If you're an active fantasy player, there's no secret to who Mike Moustakas is.
Easily one of the biggest hitting prospects in all of baseball, Moustakas continues to produce at the minor league level.
The immediate problem with the 22-year-old third baseman is that he's 22.
While there's no rush for the Royals to bring him up from Triple-A to either sit on the bench or struggle at the plate, his presence is too darn impressive.
He's easily the second coming of David Wright and what fellow Kansas City hitter Alex Gordon was supposed to be, even though Gordon is producing fairly well in 2011.
Don't be surprised if the Royals call up "Moose" at the end of the year, but a sooner rather than later approach for Kansas City may be in the cards, considering they've already called up fellow prospects Eric Hosmer and Daniel Duffy.
I shouldn't have to tell you this, but keep a serious eye out for Moustakas.
2011 Minor League Stats: .270, 8 HR, 37 RBI, 9 Doubles in 178 AB
5. Jordan Lyles, SP, Houston Astros
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One of the most prized pitching prospects the Astros have had in the past few years, Jordan Lyles is ready to make his mark at the big league level.
Currently slated to make his major league debut on Tuesday against the Cubs, Lyles has a chance to wow his managers and make his MLB stint a little longer than expected.
With Wandy Rodriguez going on the DL, the 20-year-old has a chance to earn a roster spot for the rest of the year.
Tuesday is his chance.
Lyles has been very productive throughout his minor league career, striking guys out nearly one per inning.
However, he has struggled with giving up the long ball, so pitching at the major league level might not help.
But he's been given the chance to earn his keep, and if a dominate start Tuesday is what he has to do to stay away from the minors, then so be it.
At this point, Lyles should be added immediately in deeper mixed leagues, considering he's due for two starts in the upcoming scoring period.
2011 Minor League Stats: 3-3, 3.20 ERA, 41 SO in 59 IP
4. Brandon Crawford, SS, San Francisco Giants
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After Crawford hit a grand slam in his first ever major league game, a lot of fantasy owners scrambled to add the shortstop to their rosters.
Rightfully so.
The 24-year-old Giants prospect has made an immediate impact on his ball club.
He's added versatility and youth at the shortstop position and looks ready to carry his minor league power over to the big leagues.
As an all-around good hitting shortstop, Crawford should be added immediately in NL-only leagues and should be given heavy consideration in mixed leagues.
His minor league past should be enough evidence that the young middle infielder can turn into a Derek Jeter-type of hitter. Of course, without the rings.
2011 Minor League Stats: .322, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 5 Doubles in 59 AB
3. Dustin Ackley, 2B, Seattle Mariners
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Ask the Mariners. Ask the man himself. Dustin Ackley is ready to be called up.
The 23-year-old second baseman is one of the most prominent prospects in all of baseball.
He's already been tagged as the savior of the Mariners' offense. And considering Seattle has outstanding pitching with King Felix and Mr. Pineda, a little offense could go a long way.
Ackley is a dual threat of power and speed. He also offers a great feel for extra-base hits, culminating in his 10 triples over the past year and a half in the minors.
His home run hitting ability is still a little raw, but the young hitting prospect is more than ready to start taking swings at the big league level.
Ackley would be eligible at a very thin position, making his major league potential similar to that of a Brandon Crawford.
If or when he gets called up to the majors, Ackley would serve as an immediate add in all fantasy leagues.
The only downfall is that his lineup protection in Seattle is nearly nonexistent
2011 Minor League Stats: .290, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 13 Doubles and 2 Triples
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, San Diego Padres
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Anthony Rizzo is on a tear.
The 21-year-old is ready to be a major league first baseman.
His production through 2011 has been downright off the charts.
Rizzo has knocked in 59 runs on 15 home runs through just 176 at-bats in Triple-A.
What!?
Your telling me he's still down in the minors as you read this right now?
Yes. Sadly, the Padres are keeping Rizzo down in their farm system so they can avoid arbitration for one more year.
While that may be a smart organizational decision, you can only keep this kind of talent buried in the minors for so long.
Rizzo has enough power and contact ability to become the second coming of Adrian Gonzalez for San Diego, so keeping him out of their big league lineup seems more moronic than monetarily savvy.
It's only a matter of time before the young power house gets the nod from his skipper to pack his bags and head to sunny San Diego.
Once that happens, Rizzo is a must-add in all fantasy leagues, and maybe even a must-start after his first week in the majors.
2011 Minor Leagues Stats: .369, 15 HR, 59 RBI, 5 SB, 25 BB in 176 AB
1. Brett Lawrie, 2B, Toronto Blue Jays
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The only reason why Lawrie is listed before Rizzo is strictly based on his positional potential.
The potential fantasy add of the year has become one of the top prospect targets in all formats.
His power and speed combo offers enough production to be compared to Brandon Phillips or even Chase Utley for that matter.
The 21-year-old is just a week or so away from being called up to the big leagues, considering the slow starts from many of the Blue Jays' infielders.
His second base position is being blocked by the struggling Aaron Hill, but that doesn't mean he can't move to third or shortstop.
Lawrie has the offensive ability to become a must-start option in any league by the end of month.
Watch him closely and be ready to pounce on the waiver wire.
While other people are waiting to add Adam Lind or Pablo Sandoval back from injuries, you could add Lawrie and improve your middle-infield significantly.
2011 Minor League Stats: .350, 14 HR, 44 RBI, 11 SB, 18 Doubles and 3 Triples in 214 AB
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