March 2023 Top 100 Prospects

 March 2023 Top 100 Prospects:

Baseball is just around the corner. Finally! And not long after the milb season will start. Here's my top 100 list for March 2023. Guys close to the bigs get a boost for me and some guys have really made an impression on me this Spring. 

1. Corbin Carroll, OF, ARI
2. Jordan Walker, 3B, STL
3. Anthony Volpe, SS, NYY
4. Elly De La Cruz, SS, CIN
5. Jasson Dominguez, OF, NYY
6. Gunnar Henderson, SS, BAL
7. Jordan Lawlar, SS, ARI
8. Grayson Rodriguez, P, BAL
9. James Wood, OF, WAS
10. Jackson Chourio, OF, MIL
11. Andrew Painter, P, PHI
12. Jackson Holliday, SS, BAL
13. Ricky Tiedemann, P, TOR
14. Kyle Manzardo, 1B, TBR
15. Druw Jones, OF, ARI
16. Ezequiel Tovar, SS, COL
17. Miguel Vargas, 2B, LAD
18. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B, CIN
19. Colton Cowser, OF, BAL
20. Noelvi Marte, SS, CIN
21. Junior Caminero, SS, TBR
22. Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, CHC
23. Josh Jung, 3B, TEX
24. Curtis Mead, 3B, TBR
25. Connor Norby, 2B, BAL
26. Tristan Casas, 1B, BOS
27. Eury Perez, P, MIA
28. Endy Rodriguez, C, PIT
29. Francisco Alvarez, C, NYM
30. Brandon Pfaadt, P, ARI
31. Tink Hence, P, STL
32. Evan Carter, OF, TEX
33. Daniel Espino, P, CLE
34. Jackson Merrill, SS, SDP
35. Marcelo Mayer, SS, BOS
36. TeMarr Johnson, 2B, PIT
37. Elijah Green, OF, WAS
38. Royce Lewis, SS, MIN
39. Zac Veen, OF, COL
40. Sal Frelick, OF, MIL
41. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, MIN
42. Matt Mervis, 1B, CHC
43. Austin Wells, C, NYY
44. Oscar Colas, OF, CHW
45. Edouard Julien, 2B, MIN
46. Gavin Williams, P, CLE
47. Taj Bradley, P, TBR
48. Brett Baty, 3B, NYM
49. Jordan Westburg, SS, BAL
50. Kyle Harrison, P, SFG
51. Robert Hassell III, OF, WAS
52. Joey Wiemer, OF, MIL
53. Harry Ford, C, SEA
54. Kodai Senga, P, NYM
55. Oswald Peraza, SS, NYY
56. Marco Luciano, SS, SFG
57. Michael Busch, 2B, LAD
58. Hunter Brown, P, HOU
59. Edwin Arroyo, SS, CIN
60. Adael Amador, SS, COL
61. Andy Pages, OF, LAD
62. Kevin Parada, C, NYM
63. Brooks Lee, SS, MIN
64. Will Brennan, OF, CLE
65. Bo Naylor, C, CLE
66. Cam Collier, 3B, CIN
67. Masyn Winn, SS, STL
68. Kevin Alcantara, OF, CHC
69. Tyler Soderstrom, 1B, OAK
70. Cedanne Rafaela, OF, BOS
71. Esteury Ruiz, OF, OAK
72. Gavin Cross, OF, KCR
73. Bryce Miller, P, SEA
74. Spencer Jones, OF, NYY
75. Gavin Stone, P, LAD
76. Heston Kjerstaad, OF, BAL
77. Dustin Harris, OF, TEX
78. Gabriel Gonzalez, OF, SEA
79. Hayden Wesneski, P, CHC
80. Alexander Canario, OF, CHC
81. Miguel Bleis, OF, BOS
82. Tanner Bibee, P, CLE
83. Osleivis Basabe, SS, TBR
84. Owen White, P, TEX
85. Everson Pereira, OF, NYY
86. Zach Neto, SS, LAA
87. Logan O'Hoppe, C, LAA
88. Jacob Berry, 3B, MIA
89. Brayan Rocchio, SS, CLE
90. Vaun Brown, OF, SFG
91. Diego Cartaya, C, LAD
92. Mason Auer, OF, TBR
93. Henry Davis, C, PIT
94. James Outman, OF, LAD
95. Ethan Salas, C, SDP
96. Dalton Rushing, C, LAD
97. Brennan Davis, OF, CHC
98. Carlos Jorge, 2B, CIN
99. Cristian Hernandez, SS, CHC
100. Jared Shuster, P, ATL

March 2023 Top Prospects 50-100

50. Kyle Harrison, P, SFG

51. Robert Hassell III, OF, WAS

52. Joey Wiemer, OF, MIL

53. Harry Ford, C, SEA

54. Kodai Senga, P, NYM

55. Oswald Peraza, SS, NYY

56. Marco Luciano, SS, SFG

57. Michael Busch, 2B, LAD

58. Hunter Brown, P, HOU

59. Edwin Arroyo, SS, CIN

60. Adael Amador, SS, COL

61. Andy Pages, OF, LAD

62. Kevin Parada, C, NYM

63. Brooks Lee, SS, MIN

64. Will Brennan, OF, CLE

65. Bo Naylor, C, CLE

66. Cam Collier, 3B, CIN

67. Masyn Winn, SS, STL

68. Kevin Alcantara, OF, CHC

69. Tyler Soderstrom, 1B, OAK

70. Cedanne Rafaela, OF, BOS

71. Esteury Ruiz, OF, OAK

72. Gavin Cross, OF, KCR

73. Bryce Miller, P, SEA

74. Spencer Jones, OF, NYY

75. Gavin Stone, P, LAD

76. Heston Kjerstad, OF, BAL

77. Dustin Harris, OF, TEX

78. Gabriel Gonzalez, OF, SEA

79. Hayden Wesneski, P, CHC

80. Alexander Canario, OF, CHC

81. Miguel Bleis, OF, BOS

82. Tanner Bibee, P, CLE

83. Osleivis Basabe, SS, TBR

84. Owen White, P, TEX

85. Everson Pereira, OF, NYY

86. Zach Neto, SS, LAA

87. Logan O'Hoppe, C, LAA

88. Jacob Berry, 3B, MIA

89. Brayan Rocchio, SS, CLE

90. Vaun Brown, OF, SFG

91. Diego Cartaya, C, LAD

92. Mason Auer, OF, TBR

93. Henry Davis, C, PIT

94. James Outman, OF, LAD

95. Ethan Salas, C, SDP

96. Dalton Rushing, C, LAD

97. Brennan Davis, OF, CHC

98. Carlos Jorge, 2B, CIN

99. Cristian Hernandez, SS, CHC

100. Jared Shuster, P, ATL

Spring Training Storylines 2023

Finally! Spring Training is almost here followed quickly by the WBC. Here are some fantasy relevant storylines to follow:

Starters Finally Healthy:

Chris Sale: This is a story line every year but I'm especially interested to see Chris Sale. Boston could certainly use some good injury news for once this off season. When Sale has been healthy he's been pretty good still. The problem is that's been a small sample size. Is this finally the year? You can roll the dice on him but he's a lottery ticket at this point. 

Freddy Peralta: On Fantrax Freddy Peralta's ADP has hovered around 130-140. The metrics are so good but the shoulder just wasn't last year. He's not pitching in the WBC which I'm grateful for. Here's to hoping he looks good this Spring. If you can get him at a discount right now and have room to roll the dice I would. If he's healthy this spring that ADP is going to soar. 

Kenta Maeda: Remember him? Finally coming back from TJ surgery. His last season before injury was a little disappointing but if you're looking for a late dart throw you could do worse. He's expected to have a normal Spring Training so we should have a good sense of where he is by opening day and late March drafts. 

Tyler Glasnow: Glasnow came back briefly at the end of 2022 for just a handful of innings but looked good. He should hit the ground running, hopefully with not too must rust after a normal off season. 

Young Opportunities: 

Position battles may benefit some from WBC as some young guys may get a longer look. Here's some young guys I'm excited to watch

Vaughn Grissom: Dansby walked and right now the SS options are Grissom, Orlando Arcia, and....Ehire Adrianza? This feels like Grissom's job to lose. If he struggles the Braves could roll with Arcia but I can't imagine that lasting long. Maybe the Braves bring in an Elvis Andrus or someone late, but I'll be watching and cheering for Grissom to take this job and run with it. 2B rankings need him to. 

Position Locks: Guys like Corbin Carroll, Gunnar Henderson, Logan O'Hoppe, Josh Jung, Francisco Alvarez, and Miguel Vargas shouldn't have much trouble cracking the Opening Day roster, but these guys are still some of my favorites to watch. A few of these would really have to have an awful spring to start in AAA. Some do have a little to prove, but all could be contributors to fantasy lineups early. 

Sneaky Value: Spencer Steer has a real chance to make some noise in GAB. He has a little experience under his belt and ample opportunity in a great place to hit. He just needs to earn the job this spring. 

Everyone is crazy for Estuery Ruiz and he absolutely should play after being the centerpiece for Sean Murphy. But my favorite sneaky speed guy is Ji-Hwan Bae. He had a great 2023 swiping 30 bags with a great average and OBP. He can play 2B or OF. The Pirates do have some options....I guess you'd call them...for OF. But at 2B he needs to beat Rodolfo Castro and NRI and very well could give you 30+ steals with a solid average and OBP. The power is still coming along. He just needs to win the job. 

Some guys I honestly have no clue how it shakes it. Cubs did everything they could to block Matt Mervis but how long does that last? What do the Yankees do with Oswaldo Cabrera and Peraza? Does Grayson Rodriguez actually have a shot and breaking in the rotation? Same with Andrew Painter? What prospect will make it almost impossible to send to AAA? Elly De La Cruz? 

Bullpens:

Who closes in LA? Yankees? Texas? Miami? Is Chapman back in KC? Oakland? There's always sneaky value it seems in guys who grab the closer job. This is usually more listening to managers and who they talk about than actually what we can learn in the spring but for some of these battles the hot hand may at least get the first look. 

Lineups:

This is kind of position battles too, but how do the need rules impact lineups? Do speed guys return to top of the lineups? Who opens in the Yankees Outfield? The Dodgers actual have a number of lineup openings so how does that shake out? This is the suttle stuff that shakes out in the final days when you see who actually is in the lineup and where as Spring Training comes to a close. 

I'm sure there are many, many more. Who are you watching?

Top 50 FYPD 2023

1. Jackson Holliday, SS, BAL

The last year plus for Holliday has been insane. His stock has absolutely soared. I love his smooth swing and plate discipline. The upside is certainly there but matched with his floor he comes in as my 1.1.

2. Druw Jones, OF, ARI

Jones and Holliday are a tier by themselves for me. The ceiling is massive, so if that's your thing, he's probably your 1.1. The hit tool though will determine that ceiling. 

3. TeMarr Johnson, 2B/SS, PIT

The three spot in this class is tough. You can make an argument for 3-4 guys. But I'm going with the guy with the hit tool. Johnson may have the best hit tool in this class, and that's really saying something. He didn't have a great debut but I'm not worried about the bat. For a high school bat he's actually a pretty safe pick. 

4. Elijah Greene, OF, WAS 

I feel like we have heard about Greene for like 5 years. There was a time he was the no doubt 1.1 in this class. There's still an argument for that honestly. The tools are all there to be a super star 5 category future first round overall pick. But there's also some bust risk here because of the contact skills and swing and miss. If you want to shoot for the moon there's an argument for him going anywhere in these first four picks. 

5. Kodai Senga, P, NYM 

Here's a tough one to rank. The Mets gave this guy a lot of money, which should mean something...but who didn't the Mets give money to this off season (Correa...sorry Mets fans). The risk here is the same as any pitcher coming over but also there's some command questions. But he also has a good fastball and a pitch they call the ghost forkball. I like the sound of that. If you're contending and have a high pick via a trade or something this your pick. 

6. Kevin Parada, C, NYM 

My first college bat off the board might be a surprise but I honestly don't get why he's falling down boards. He can mash. I don't really care where he plays. The guy can hit. I watched a lot of Parada last year and he should be a quick mover with a ceiling of a top 2-3 catcher if he sticks there. There's plenty of pop in his bat. 

7. Brooks Lee, SS, MIN 

Another fast mover. Lee is big for SS so I'm not sure he sticks there but his bat will play regardless of where he ends up. The hit tool is really, really good. How much power he gets too is why he's falling down some boards but this is another example of me trusting the guy who can get the bat on the ball consistently.

8. Cam Collier, 3B, CIN

Collier was not really on my radar going into the draft. He absolutely burst onto the scene in his debut. There's not much more he could do and looks to be another exciting young Reds infielder. You can dream on this profile being a plus bat across the board. You can make an argument for him as high as 3 or 4. 

9. Gavin Cross, OF, KCR

Cross has a lot of tools and should provide a lot of power and speed while being a pretty quick mover. He should push through multiple levels next year. For OBP leagues he gets another bump as well. 

10. Chase DeLauter, OF, CLE

He's one of the toughest guys to rank. He could be the best player in the class or a complete bust. Both seem pretty possible. He played at a small school and struggled at times against bigger programs. Especially against lefties. But at the same time he was absolutely dominant against pretty much everyone else. Selecting DeLauter feels like rolling the dice more than a usual college bat, but that roll of the dice could also land you a fast moving impact bat. 

11. Zach Neto, SS, LAA

12. Spencer Jones, OF, NYY

13. Dylan Lesko, SP, SDP

14. Jacob Berry, 3B, MIA 

15. Dalton Rushing, C, LAD

16. Kumar Rocker, P, TEX

I'm probably the high guy on Rocker. Sure there's injury risk here and we've only seen limited action from him. Rangers did get him at unslot value. All things considered though this is still a very interesting profile. There's certainly risk but in the teens I'm fine to roll the dice on him. The big fastball and wipe out slider are a dynamic duo. 

17. Masataka Yoshida, OF, BOS

18. Jace Jung, 2B, DET 

19. Jett Williams, SS, NYM 

20. Drew Gilbert, OF, HOU

I'm a little lower than most on Gilbert. I saw a lot of him last year as a Vols fan. He has a lot of things going for him. Tremendous defense in CF. Solid tools across the board. But he's more of a floor player for me than ceiling. One of those guys who is a better real life player than fantasy. 

21. Cole Young, SS, SEA

22. Felnin Celesten, SS, SEA

A note on international guys in general first. These guys are all boom and bust it seems. So this is either a absolute steals or a wasted pick and there really hasn't been much in between. Remember when we used an early first round pick on Kevin Maitan and Robert Puason? But also on Marco Luciano and Jasson Dominguez. All those guys carried pretty much the same pedigree as Celesten. So, do you feel lucky? 

23. Brock Porter, P, TEX

24. Cade Horton, P, CHC

25. Cooper Hjerpe, P, STL

26. Connor Prielipp, P, MIN

This stage of an FYPD I'm taking the upside of a SP who should be ready to go right out of the gate and immediately make this pick a steal. If it wasn't for an injury there's a chance Prielipp would have been a top 10 pick in this class. I'm willing to gamble on that at this point. 

27. Jud Fabian, OF, BAL

Once upon a time Fabian was in the discussion for the number one pick of this class. Then the strikeouts came and he really faded. But then he landed in a fantastic place to get developed and showed a lot of that promise that had him in the 1.1 conversation during his debut. This feels like a great place to take a bat that has the tools to really rise quickly. 

28. Dylan Beavers, OF, BAL

29. Ivan Melendez, 1B, ARI

30. Carson Whisenhunt, P, SFG

Pretty much the same thing I said about Prielipp I feel about Whisenhunt. Only he fell down boards because of suspension and not injury. The stuff is electric though and I trust the Giants to develop him. He already had a tremendous start to his pro career last year. Another month or so of that at another level and he would have been a top 15 pick in this class. 

31. Ethan Salas, C, SDP

32. Brandon Barriera, P, TOR

33. Owen Murphy, P, ATL 

34. Eric Brown Jr. SS, MIL

35. Daniel Susac, C, OAK

36. Jordan Beck, OF, COL

I saw a lot of Beck last year too (I'm a Tennessee fan in case you haven't pieces that together). Beck has a great hit tool. The power is there too, although I have always felt like he should get to a little more. Maybe that little bit more will come at Coors. There's not really much speed but the glove is solid and will help him stick in the OF. 

37. Blade Tidewell, P, NYM

I might as well right about another relevant former Vol, although I didn't see a ton of him last year. He spent a lot of the year hurt and fell to the second round as a result. He has a big fastball and wipe out slider but needs another pitch. There's big strikeout stuff that had him start the year as a top 10 draft prospect. There's also a decent amount reliever risk though. 

37. Landon Sims, P, ARI

39. Jackson Ferris, P, CHC

40. Tyler Locklear, 1B, SEA 

41. Justin Crawford, OF, PHI

42. Joendry Vargas, SS, LAD

43. Brandon Mayea, OF, NYY

44 Noah Schultz, P, CHW

45. Sterling Thompson, OF, COL

46. Peyton Graham, SS, DET

47. Robby Snelling, P, SDP

48. Xavier Isaac, 1B, TBR

49. Gabriel Hughes, P, COL

50. Jacob Misiorowski, P, MIL

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