Prospects for Redraft and Draft & Hold Leagues

Edouard Julien, Glendale Desert Dogs, Arizona Fall League 2022. Photo credit Gail Verderico, @1baseball_gail on Twitter and @baseball_gail on Instagram

Single Season and Draft & Hold leagues are either drafting now or starting up soon and prospects always play a part in your drafts. When should we draft them? Will they make an impact? Should I gamble on a prospect over a solid veteran? So many questions! I’m hoping to help answer some of them by taking a look at which prospects should be called up this season and what type of impact they’ll have on your team. I’ve sorted them into four sections to help your teams.

High Impact/High Time
High Impact/Low Time
Low Impact/High Time
Low Impact/Low Time

Each player’s rank on his team’s 2023 preseason Top 50 is listed (if ranked).

High Impact/High Time

These are the players that I believe will be on the Opening Day roster OR called up after service time requirements are exhausted. They are players who should perform very well (as well as rookies go) and should help your fantasy team this year in the roles they play.

Francisco Alvarez, C, NYM, #1 on our Mets Top 50 – Not much more can be said about his potential.
Logan O’Hoppe, C, LAA, #1 on our Angels Top 50 – Good late round target as a catcher.

Triston Casas, 1B, BOS, #2 on our Red Sox Top 50 – Will he get the job right out of Spring Training?

Spencer Steer, 2B/SS, CIN, #5 on our Reds Top 50 – Looking forward to seeing what he can do in that park.

Brett Baty, 3B, NYM, #2 on our Mets Top 50 – Correa’s free agency whirlwind couldn’t have ended better for him.
Josh Jung, 3B, TEX, #1 on our Rangers Top 50 – Should hit the ground running right away.

Maikel Garcia, SS, KC, #3 on our Royals Top 50 – The Mondesi trade and Garcia’s performance in Winter League ball gives him a clear shot to start this season.
Gunnar Henderson, SS, BAL, #1 on our Orioles Top 50 – Potential AL Rookie of the Year.
Royce Lewis, SS, MIN, #1 on our Twins Top 50 – Correa’s free agency hurt his natural position but he’ll perform in CF.
Oswald Peraza, SS, NYY, #4 on our Yankees Top 50 – The job is his to run with.
Brice Turang, SS, MIL, #4 on our Brewers Top 50 – Milwaukee didn’t sign anyone to block him from starting.

Corbin Carroll, OF, ARI, #1 on our Diamondbacks Top 50 – Potential NL Rookie of the Year.
Sal Frelick, OF, MIL, #2 on our Brewers Top 50 – He and Mitchell below have great opportunities this season.
Garrett Mitchell, OF, MIL, #3 on our Brewers Top 50 – See above.
Esteury Ruiz, OF, OAK, #6 on our Athletics Top 50 – Possible starting leadoff hitter for Oakland but how much will he hit to take advantage of that speed?

Hunter Brown, RHP, HOU, #2 on our Astros Top 50 – Will probably be in the rotation right out of camp.
Cade Cavalli, RHP, WAS, #4 on our Nationals Top 50 – Will be in the rotation right out of camp.
Taylor Dollard, RHP, SEA, #23 on our Mariners Top 50 – Should rack up strikeouts and holds.
Luke Murphy, RHP, LAA, #28 on our Angels Top 50 – Could be a nice source of strikeouts and holds.
Ryne Nelson, RHP, ARI, #7 on our Diamondbacks Top 50 – Should be a good mid-starter option soon.
Andrew Painter, RHP, PHI, #1 on our Phillies Top 50 – All signs point to him winning the 5th spot in the rotation unless you think Bailey Falter or Cristopher Sanchez will.
Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, BAL, #2 on our Orioles Top 50 – If he was healthy last year, he would have already made his debut.
Sixto Sanchez, RHP, MIA, #16 on our Marlins Top 50 – A lot of people are gonna owe him an engraved apology this season. Ace potential if healthy and 2023 is his year!
Eric Torres, RHP, LAA, #29 on our Angels Top 50 – Another Angel with potential for strikeouts and holds in that bullpen.
Cole Waites, RHP, SF, #8 on our Giants Top 50 – Could be a great source of strikeouts and holds and the occasional save.
Ken Waldichuk, LHP, OAK, #4 on our Athletics Top 50 – The biggest acquisition in the Frankie Montas deal should start the season in the rotation.
Brandon Walter, RHP, BOS, #7 on our Red Sox Top 50 – Finally healthy, should be a big part of the Boston bullpen this season.
Hayden Wesneski, RHP, CHC, #10 on our Cubs Top 50 – Coming off a solid 2022, may slot into the rotation this season.
Yosver Zulueta, RHP, TOR, #5 on our Blue Jays Top 50 – Should grab the 5th starter’s role and put up good numbers if healthy.

High Impact/Low Time

These are players who should start their seasons in the minors with the potential to be called up later in the year and should succeed in the roles they are given.

Tyler Soderstrom, C/1B, OAK, #1 on our Athletics Top 50
Gabriel Moreno, C, ARI, #5 on our Diamondbacks Top 50

Matt Mervis, 1B, CHC, #4 on our Cubs Top 50

Ji Hwan Bae, 2B, PIT, #12 on our Pirates Top 50
Nick Gonzales, 2B, PIT, #4 on our Pirates Top 50
Nick Yorke, 2B, BOS, #4 on our Red Sox Top 50

Zach Neto, SS, LAA, #2 on our Angels Top 50
Ezequiel Tovar, SS, COL, #1 on our Rockies Top 50
Anthony Volpe, SS, NYY, #1 on our Yankees Top 50

Miguel Vargas, 3B, LAD, #3 on our Dodgers Top 50
Addison Barger, 3B, TOR, #4 on our Blue Jays Top 50

Alexander Canario, OF, CHC, #5 on our Cubs Top 50
Brennen Davis, OF, CHC, #3 on our Cubs Top 50
Moises Gomez, OF, STL, #8 on our Cardinals Top 50
Nolan Jones, OF, COL, #13 on our Rockies Top 50
Edouard Julien, OF, MIN, #4 on our Twins Top 50
Jordan Walker, OF, STL, #1 on our Cardinals Top 50
Joey Wiemer, OF, MIL, #5 on our Brewers Top 50
James Outman, OF, LAD, #12 on our Dodgers Top 50
Ceddanne Rafaela, OF, BOS, #3 on our Red Sox Top 50

Mick Abel, RHP, PHI, #2 on our Phillies Top 50
Taj Bradley, RHP, TB, #4 on our Rays Top 50
Wilmer Flores, RHP, DET, #2 on our Tigers Top 50
Kyle Harrison, LHP, SF, #1 on our Giants Top 50
Ronny Henriquez, RHP, MIN, #27 on our Twins Top 50
Ben Joyce, RHP, LAA, #12 on our Angels Top 50
Bobby Miller, RHP, LAD, #2 on our Dodgers Top 50
Erik Miller, LHP, SF, #16 on our Phillies Top 50 (traded after articles were published)
Reese Olson, RHP, DET, #10 on our Tigers Top 50
Ryan Pepiot, RHP, LAD, #7 on our Dodgers Top 50
Eury Perez, RHP, MIA, #1 on our Marlins Top 50
Brandon Pfaadt, RHP, ARI, #4 on our Diamondbacks Top 50
Quinn Priester, RHP, PIT, #5 on our Pirates Top 50
Ethan Small, LHP, MIL, #17 on our Brewers Top 50

Low Impact/High Time

These are players who could get more playing time but probably won’t make a great impact due to their role (mop-up reliever/backup utility infielder/5th outfielder). I’m not calling any of these players busts by any means but, as we know, many players struggle during their first taste of the majors as they adjust. Those struggles, however, could present buy-low opportunities from disgruntled owners.

Diego Cartaya, C, LAD, #1 on our Dodgers Top 50
Bo Naylor, C, CLE, #5 on our Guardians Top 50

Ryan Noda, 1B, OAK, #19 on our Athletics Top 50

Curtis Mead, 2B, TB, #3 on our Rays Top 50
Enmanuel Valdez, 2B, BOS, #10 on our Red Sox Top 50

Ryan Kreidler, SS, DET, #8 on our Tigers Top 50

Jordan Groshans, 3B, MIA, #11 on our Marlins Top 50

Alec Burleson, OF, STL, #3 on our Cardinals Top 50
Will Brennan, OF, CLE, #17 on our Guardians Top 50
Oscar Colas, OF, CWS, #2 on our White Sox Top 50
Colton Cowser, OF, BAL, #4 on our Orioles Top 50
Cade Marlowe, OF, SEA, #20 on our Mariners Top 50
Austin Martin, OF, MIN, #7 on our Twins Top 50
Heliot Ramos, OF, SF, #19 on our Giants Top 50
Michael Toglia, OF, COL, #11 on our Rockies Top 50
Zac Veen, OF, COL, #2 on our Rockies Top 50

Jordan Diaz, UT, OAK, #7 on our Athletics Top 50

Cole Henry, RHP, WAS, #8 on our Nationals Top 50
Drey Jameson, RHP, ARI, #6 on our Diamondbacks Top 50
Cole Sands, RHP, MIN, #28 on our Twins Top 50
Thad Ward, RHP, WAS, #26 on our Nationals Top 50
Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP, MIN, #5 on our Twins Top 50

Low Impact/Low Time

These are players who may see a few games throughout the season or as a September call-up and their impact will be minimal to your fantasy teams. We should be aware of these players in case they force the issue to play more or if their teams experience injuries or trades which could expand their opportunities.

Miguel Amaya, C, CHC, #21 on our Cubs Top 50
Korey Lee, C, HOU, #14 on our Astros Top 50
Donny Sands, C, DET, not ranked on our Tigers Top 50

Zach Gelof, 2B, OAK, #2 on our Athletics Top 50
Connor Norby, 2B, BAL, #8 on our Orioles Top 50
Brayan Rocchio, 2B, CLE, #4 on our Guardians Top 50
Eguy Rosario, 2B, SD, #4 on our Padres Top 50
Lenyn Sosa, 2B, CWS, #6 on our White Sox Top 50
Terrin Vavra, 2B/OF, BAL, #24 on our Orioles Top 50

Jake Alu, 3B, WAS, #19 on our Nationals Top 50
Joe Perez, 3B, HOU, #8 on our Astros Top 50
Casey Schmitt, 3B, SF, #3 on our Giants Top 50
Mark Vientos, 3B, NYM, #9 on our Mets Top 50
A.J. Vukovich, 3B, ARI, #15 on our Diamondbacks Top 50

Gabriel Arias, SS, CLE, #6 on our Guardians Top 50
Elly De La Cruz, SS, CIN, #1 on our Reds Top 50
Matt McLain, SS, CIN, #6 on our Reds Top 50
Braden Shewmake, SS, ATL, #6 on our Braves Top 50
Blaze Alexander, SS, ARI, #10 on our Diamondbacks Top 50

Hunter Bishop, OF, SF, #27 on our Giants Top 50
Peyton Burdick, OF, MIA, #12 on our Marlins Top 50
Griffin Conine, OF, MIA, #30 on our Marlins Top 50
Dominic Fletcher, OF, ARI, #17 on our Diamondbacks Top 50
Hudson Haskin, OF, BAL, #21 on our Orioles Top 50
Nick Loftin, OF, KC, #4 on our Royals Top 50
Otto Lopez, OF, TOR, #17 on our Blue Jays Top 50
Simon Muzziotti, OF, PHI, #25 on our Phillies Top 50
Andy Pages, OF, LAD, #6 on our Dodgers Top 50
Michael Siani, OF, CIN, #34 on our Reds Top 50
Kyle Stowers, OF, BAL, #9 on our Orioles Top 50
George Valera, OF, CLE, #1 on our Guardians Top 50
Ryan Vilade, OF, PIT, #24 on our Pirates Top 50

Zach Brzykcy, RHP, WAS, #14 on our Nationals Top 50
Dylan Dodd, LHP, ATL, #10 on our Braves Top 50
Jose Butto, RHP, NYM, #13 on our Mets Top 50
Joey Cantillo, LHP, CLE, #24 on our Guardians Top 50
Xzavion Curry, RHP, CLE, #16 on our Guardians Top 50
Daniel Espino, RHP, CLE, #2 on our Guardians Top 50
J.T. Ginn, RHP, OAK, #15 on our Athletics Top 50
DL Hall, LHP, BAL, #2 on our Orioles Top 50
Emerson Hancock, RHP, SEA, #6 on our Mariners Top 50
Seth Johnson, RHP BAL, #12 on our Orioles Top 50
Hayden Juenger, RHP, TOR, #15 on our Blue Jays Top 50
Janson Junk, RHP, MIL, #26 on our Brewers Top 50
Caleb Kilian, RHP, CHC, #16 on our Cubs Top 50
Jack Leiter, RHP, TEX, #3 on our Rangers Top 50
Luis Medina, RHP, OAK, #23 on our Athletics Top 50
Cody Morris, RHP, CLE, #11 on our Guardians Top 50
Kyle Muller, LHP, OAK, #5 on our Athletics Top 50
Andew Politi, RHP, BAL, #36 on our Orioles Top 50
Cam Robinson, RHP, MIL, #20 on our Brewers Top 50
Connor Seabold, RHP, COL, did not rank on our Red Sox Top 50 before the trade to Colorado
Jared Shuster, RHP, ATL, #3 on our Braves Top 50
Chase Silseth, RHP, LAA, #4 on our Angels Top 50
Jonathan Stiever, RHP, CWS, #22 on our White Sox Top 50
Gavin Stone, RHP, LAD, #5 on our Dodgers Top 50
Thomas Szapucki, LHP, SF, #18 on our Giants Top 50
Freddy Tarnok, RHP, OAK, #13 on our Athletics Top 50
Connor Thomas, RHP, STL, #19 on our Cardinals Top 50
Abner Uribe, RHP, MIL, #19 on our Brewers Top 50
Louie Varland, RHP, MIN, #10 on our Twins Top 50
Darius Vines, RHP, ATL, #12 on our Braves Top 50
Victor Vodnik, RHP, ATL, #5 on our Braves Top 50
Blake Walston, LHP, ARI, #14 on our Diamondbacks Top 50
Gavin Williams, RHP, CLE, #3 on our Guardians Top 50
Brandon Williamson, LHP, CIN, #7 on our Reds Top 50
Forrest Whitley, RHP, HOU, #9 on our Astros Top 50
Angel Zerpa, LHP, KC, #10 on our Royals Top 50:

Bonus Names

These are players who passed rookie thresholds last year by a only a few at-bats or innings pitched but are definitely worth looking to see if they are available in your leagues:

Darick Hall, 1B/OF, PHI
Shea Langeliers, C, OAK
Sam Huff, C, TEX
Oswaldo Cabrera, SS/OF, NYY

Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.




2 Comments

  1. He’s actually a good choice for Low Time and I should have put him on there. Especially being on the 40 man roster he only has to supplant Austin Hedges and Kevin Plawecki for a shot. Yep – he would be a nice option if I had a redo.

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