Chappy's Prospect Challenge Part I (Picks 1-160)

joey bart giants — Joey Bart, San Jose Giants, California League, July 25, 2019 - photo credit George Landis on Flickr

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Over the month of April a group of Prospects1500 writers and some good friends of the site conducted a draft for a new prospect challenge league that I created. Over the next few weeks we will be releasing the results of this draft, which spanned 50 rounds and 800 picks.

Of course, draft results from this type of league are useful information for other fantasy GMs if they are viewed in the proper context. With that in mind, here are some important points about the league:

1. Players that have debuted in MLB, even for one appearance, were not eligible for the draft. You won’t see names like Gavin Lux and A.J. Puk on this list.
2. Players are tradeable and can be added/dropped up until they debut in MLB. Once they debut they are a permanent part of the fantasy MLB roster.
3. The premise is to identify prospects that will have the best CAREER fantasy statistics. Once a player debuts their career statistics are counted toward their GMs place in the overall all-time standings. We will have a side competition each season where player positions matter more and lineup strategies come into play, but the primary focus is just piling up the best statistical careers possible in a perpetual dynasty competition.
4. Scoring is 6×6 Roto as follows:

AVG, OPS, R, HR, RBI, SB

QS, IP, K, SV+HLD, ERA, WHIP

In Part I of our recap we look at the first 10 rounds of the draft (picks 1-160) with some owners’ comments after each round:

Round 1

1	Wander Franco (R) – TB	SS	@ChrisEros
2	Luis Robert (R) – CHW	OF	@RyanJames5
3	Jarred Kelenic – SEA	OF	@ChappyisClutch
4	Jo Adell – LAA	OF	@berrys_baseball
5	Julio Rodriguez – SEA	OF	@CorporalEddy
6	Nate Pearson – TOR	P	@tonybps1
7	Adley Rutschman (R) – BAL	C	@0RunsIn1st
8	Dylan Carlson – STL	OF	@Scotty_Ballgame
9	Bobby Witt Jr. (R) – KC	SS	@stoffer81
10	Royce Lewis – MIN	SS	@FsuBailey12
11	Jasson Dominguez (R) – NYY	OF	@JWeisser88
12	Marco Luciano – SF	SS	@KingMSquared
13	Andrew Vaughn (R) – CHW	1B	@TBDubbs11
14	MacKenzie Gore – SD	P	@MyManRob1
15	CJ Abrams (R) – SD	SS	@jacob_swain3
16	Joey Bart – SF	C	@MrNobodyImportant1

Of course it’s no surprise to see Wander Franco come off the board first. Let’s see what a couple of the other GMs had to say about their first round picks:

@tonybps on Nate Pearson at #6:

“I wanted to focus on pitching for my team in this league since there are so few pitchers with ace potential nowadays and Pearson fits the bill here.”

@KingMSquared on Marco Luciano at #12:

“In what would become a theme of mine for this draft, this pick was all about “ceiling”. Higher ranked specs were available but I’m gambling on this kid’s upside. Luciano could very well be the league’s top prospect a year or 2 from now.”

@jacob_swain3 on CJ Abrams at #15:

“Even though he is several years away, his combination of raw power and speed makes him an exciting fantasy prospect.”

Round 2

17	Casey Mize – DET	P	@jacob_swain3
18	Kristian Robinson – ARI	OF	@MyManRob1
19	Drew Waters – ATL	OF	@TBDubbs11
20	Alec Bohm – PHI	3B	@KingMSquared
21	Alex Kirilloff – MIN	OF	@JWeisser88
22	Vidal Brujan (R) – TB	2B	@FsuBailey12
23	Evan White (R) – SEA	1B	@stoffer81
24	Forrest Whitley – HOU	P	@Scotty_Ballgame
25	Riley Greene (R) – DET	OF	@0RunsIn1st
26	Sixto Sanchez (R) – MIA	P	@tonybps1
27	Matt Manning – DET	P	@CorporalEddy
28	Cristian Pache – ATL	OF	@MrNobodyImportant1
29	JJ Bleday (R) – MIA	OF	@berrys_baseball
30	Nick Madrigal – CHW	2B	@ChappyisClutch
31	Luis Patino – SD	P	@RyanJames5
32	Tarik Skubal (R) – DET	P	@ChrisEros

@JWeisser88 on Alex Kirilloff at #21:

“Kiriloff has a sweet swing from the left side and started to show the power he’s always had in the AA Playoffs last year with 4 HR in 4 games. He continued to impress in Spring Training and he looks to be a future middle of the order hitter for the Twins for years to come.””

@Scotty_Ballgame on Forrest Whitley at #24:

“Top 2 or 3 pitching prospect in the game, and possibly #1 with stuff. Couldn’t pass up Whitley at 24 overall. A top 12-18 pick in my book.”

@ChappyisClutch on Nick Madrigal at #30:

“Easily one of my favorite selections in this draft. I know some are skeptical of Madrigal’s power potential, but I’ll always take a guy that flat out hits. He’s a virtual lock to be at the top of the order on an emerging offensive powerhouse on the South side.”

Round 3

33	Jeter Downs – BOS	MI	@ChrisEros
34	Luis Campusano – SD	C	@RyanJames5
35	Noelvi Marte – SEA	SS	@ChappyisClutch
36	Nolan Gorman – STL	3B	@berrys_baseball
37	Daulton Varsho – ARI	UT	@MrNobodyImportant1
38	Robert Puason – OAK	SS	@CorporalEddy
39	Spencer Howard – PHI	P	@tonybps1
40	Oneil Cruz – PIT	SS	@0RunsIn1st
41	Nolan Jones – CLE	3B	@Scotty_Ballgame
42	Brent Honeywell Jr. – TB	P	@stoffer81
43	Taylor Trammell – SD	OF	@FsuBailey12
44	Triston Casas – BOS	3B	@JWeisser88
45	Brennen Davis – CHC	OF	@KingMSquared
46	Corbin Carroll – ARI	OF	@TBDubbs11
47	Jazz Chisholm – MIA	SS	@MyManRob1
48	Grayson Rodriguez – BAL	P	@jacob_swain3

@Scotty_Ballgame on Nolan Jones at #41:

“I’m higher on Jones than most. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him put it all together in 2020/2021. Could be Top 25 overall next year at this time.”

@FsuBailey12 on Taylor Trammell at #43:

“Absolutely love this pick. People are lower on TayTram because he had a “down year” in Chattanooga in 2019, but all that is way overblown in my opinion. Once he got to Amarillo, he adjusted his swing and looked really good. And it wasn’t like he was bad in Chattanooga either. He has plenty of upside for an elite combo of speed and OBP, with power potential too. I have him at #22 in my personal Top 100 list.”

@TBDubbs11 on Corbin Carroll at #46:

“I almost took Carroll at 19 because I didn’t think he would make it back, and was thrilled to get this kind of upside here. He’s a potential top overall prospect type of skill set. Though he’s a bit further away, the upside was too significant to pass on here and I wanted to build a deep OF.”

Round 4

49	Alek Thomas – ARI	OF	@jacob_swain3
50	Jordan Groshans – TOR	3B	@MyManRob1
51	Geraldo Perdomo – ARI	SS	@TBDubbs11
52	Erick Pena – KC	OF	@KingMSquared
53	Ian Anderson – ATL	P	@JWeisser88
54	Trevor Larnach – MIN	OF	@FsuBailey12
55	Logan Gilbert – SEA	P	@stoffer81
56	Francisco Alvarez – NYM	C	@Scotty_Ballgame
57	Matthew Liberatore – STL	P	@0RunsIn1st
58	Bobby Dalbec – BOS	3B	@tonybps1
59	George Valera – CLE	OF	@CorporalEddy
60	Xavier Edwards – TB	SS	@MrNobodyImportant1
61	Hunter Greene – CIN	P	@berrys_baseball
62	Edward Cabrera – MIA	P	@ChappyisClutch
63	Ryan Mountcastle – BAL	1B	@RyanJames5
64	Ke’Bryan Hayes – PIT	3B	@ChrisEros

@jacob_swain3 on Alek Thomas at #49:

“Thomas has the combo of speed and power. I see the SB numbers increasing as he progresses.”

@FsuBailey12 on Trevor Larnach at #54:

“I considered Larnach in Round 3 and was ecstatic when he fell to me in the 4th. This is incredibly good value. He is consistent, has the ability for plus power, and is even more valuable in OBP leagues.”

@berrys_baseball on Hunter Greene at #61:

“After getting Adell, Bleday, and Gorman with my first three picks I knew I was going to go pitcher here. While Greene’s stock may not be what it once was in some circles, I am still one of the higher prospectors on the fireballing right hander. I was very happy with Greene as my first pitcher in the fourth round.”

Round 5

65	Josiah Gray – LAD	P	@ChrisEros
66	Nick Lodolo – CIN	P	@RyanJames5
67	Shane Baz – TB	P	@ChappyisClutch
68	Daniel Lynch – KC	P	@berrys_baseball
69	Simeon Woods Richardson – TOR	P	@MrNobodyImportant1
70	Brailyn Marquez – CHC	P	@CorporalEddy
71	Josh Jung – TEX	CI	@tonybps1
72	Heliot Ramos – SF	OF	@0RunsIn1st
73	Jose Garcia – CIN	SS	@Scotty_Ballgame
74	Jesus Sanchez – MIA	OF	@stoffer81
75	Ronny Mauricio – NYM	MI	@FsuBailey12
76	Tyler Freeman – CLE	SS	@JWeisser88
77	Orelvis Martinez – TOR	MI	@KingMSquared
78	Clarke Schmidt – NYY	P	@TBDubbs11
79	Josh Lowe – TB	CI	@MyManRob1
80	Luis Garcia – WSH	2B	@jacob_swain3

@MrNobodyImportant1 on Simeon Woods-Richardson at #69:

“Buy SWR stock now. He’s going to be the next stud arm once Gore and the gang become major leaguers, and there is a chance he catches up.”

@Scotty_Ballgame on Jose Garcia at #73:

“Just outside our overall Top 100 on Prospects1500, Garcia is a favorite among many of our writers and I didn’t want to lose out. Showed immense promise with his 2019 performance. Star in the making!”

@FsuBailey12 on Ronny Mauricio at #75:

“Mauricio is a Top 50 prospect in my opinion (I ranked him at #48), so to get him at 75 feels like a bit of a steal. He’s further away from the Majors than any of my other picks so far, but his upside of power and plate discipline was too good to pass up.”

Round 6

81	Hunter Bishop – SF	OF	@jacob_swain3
82	Brandon Marsh – LAA	OF	@MyManRob1
83	Aaron Bracho – CLE	2B	@TBDubbs11
84	Michael Toglia – COL	1B	@KingMSquared
85	Maximo Acosta – TEX	SS	@JWeisser88
86	DL Hall – BAL	P	@FsuBailey12
87	Michael Busch – LAD	2B	@stoffer81
88	Hudson Head – SD	OF	@Scotty_Ballgame
89	Monte Harrison – MIA	OF	@0RunsIn1st
90	Brady Singer – KC	P	@tonybps1
91	Brayan Rocchio – CLE	MI	@CorporalEddy
92	George Kirby – SEA	P	@MrNobodyImportant1
93	Jackson Kowar – KC	P	@berrys_baseball
94	Seth Beer – ARI	OF	@ChappyisClutch
95	Bryson Stott – PHI	SS	@RyanJames5
96	Shane McClanahan – TB	P	@ChrisEros

@FsuBailey12 on DL Hall at #86:

“I wanted to secure an elite pitcher, and that’s exactly what I did. Hall has three above average pitches and possesses consistent velocity. I was expecting him to have a true breakout season in 2020.”

@0RunsIn1st on Monte Harrison at #89:

“”In @stoffer81’s Marlins Top 50, he ended Harrison’s short bio with ‘Do not forget he has the potential to be an impact 5 tool player.’ I’m a believer that Harrison could be that 5 tool player. He definitely will have to make some adjustments, but I think he could be a very strong fantasy candidate down the road.”

@ChappyisClutch on Seth Beer at #94:

“If only he played for the Brewers. I saw Beer play in Fayetteville last year and he looks the part of a future star. I see him as a four or five hole slugger for 10+ years in the big leagues. And yes, I am getting his jersey.”

Round 7

97	Daniel Espino – CLE	P	@ChrisEros
98	Jonathan India – CIN	3B	@RyanJames5
99	Cristian Javier – HOU	P	@ChappyisClutch
100	Alek Manoah – TOR	P	@berrys_baseball
101	Isaac Paredes – DET	MI	@MrNobodyImportant1
102	Jordan Balazovic – MIN	P	@CorporalEddy
103	Bryce Ball – ATL	1B	@tonybps1
104	Deivi Garcia – NYY	P	@0RunsIn1st
105	Mason Martin – PIT	1B	@Scotty_Ballgame
106	Nick Neidert – MIA	P	@stoffer81
107	Travis Swaggerty – PIT	OF	@FsuBailey12
108	Brett Baty – NYM	CI	@JWeisser88
109	Gilberto Jimenez – BOS	OF	@KingMSquared
110	Peyton Burdick – MIA	OF	@TBDubbs11
111	Luisangel Acuna – TEX	MI	@MyManRob1
112	Shea Langeliers – ATL	C	@jacob_swain3

@ChappyisClutch on Cristian Javier at #99:

“Javier is the first in a series of personal favorites that I was able grab at a decent value in this draft. 2019 saw Javier rise from A ball all the way to AAA with a trail of strikeout victims littered in his wake. When this guy gets to Houston and Brent Strom works his magic…it’s going to be carnage.”

@berrys_baseball on Alek Manoah at #100:

“After Greene I went on a run of pitchers that featured Daniel Lynch, Jackson Kowar, and ended with what I would call a solid selection in Alek Manoah at pick 100 overall. I think he is a sure fire big leaguer and honestly in some spots I was targeting that kind of floor due to the nature of the league.”

@KingMSquared on Gilberto Jimenez at #109:

“Maybe a round or 2 early but this kid’s skill set was too much to pass up. I knew he was on Scott’s radar so I pounced!”

Round 8

113	Ethan Hankins – CLE	P	@jacob_swain3
114	Daulton Jefferies – OAK	P	@MyManRob1
115	Sherten Apostel – TEX	3B	@TBDubbs11
116	Jeferson Espinal – ARI	OF	@KingMSquared
117	Luis Rodriguez – LAD	OF	@JWeisser88
118	Lewin Diaz – MIA	1B	@FsuBailey12
119	Tyler Stephenson – CIN	C	@stoffer81
120	Shogo Akiyama – CIN	OF	@Scotty_Ballgame
121	Grant Lavigne – COL	1B	@0RunsIn1st
122	Yoshitomo Tsutsugo – TB	OF	@tonybps1
123	Keibert Ruiz – LAD	C	@CorporalEddy
124	Andres Gimenez – NYM	UT	@MrNobodyImportant1
125	Leody Taveras – TEX	OF	@berrys_baseball
126	Estevan Florial – NYY	OF	@ChappyisClutch
127	Kody Hoese – LAD	CI	@RyanJames5
128	Jackson Rutledge – WSH	P	@ChrisEros

@TBDubbs11 on Sherten Apostel at #115:

“Apostel is a good power bat who has strong on-base ability. He is a common target for me once some of the bigger name power prospect bats come off the board.”

@tonybps1 on Yoshitomo Tsutsugo at #122:

“Yoshi should start or at least platoon this season in Tampa. After Scott took Shogo, I knew I needed to take Yoshi here before another owner took him. He gives me a solid foundation of hitting to help me this year and in the future.”

@ChrisEros on Jackson Rutledge at #128:

“A giant at 6′-8″, Rutledge has a high 90’s fastball, an upper 80’s slider, and an above avg curve. Love the potential here. He wouldn’t have lasted much longer in this draft.”

Round 9

129	Sam Huff – TEX	C	@ChrisEros
130	Dane Dunning – CHW	P	@RyanJames5
131	Braden Shewmake – ATL	MI	@ChappyisClutch
132	Jordyn Adams – LAA	OF	@berrys_baseball
133	Kameron Misner – MIA	OF	@MrNobodyImportant1
134	Antonio Cabello – NYY	OF	@CorporalEddy
135	Jorge Mateo – OAK	SS	@tonybps1
136	Mason Denaburg – WSH	P	@0RunsIn1st
137	Joe Ryan – TB	P	@Scotty_Ballgame
138	Triston McKenzie – CLE	P	@stoffer81
139	Jhoan Duran – MIN	P	@FsuBailey12
140	Greg Jones – TB	UT	@JWeisser88
141	Alexander Canario – SF	OF	@KingMSquared
142	Jared Oliva – PIT	OF	@TBDubbs11
143	Khalil Lee – KC	OF	@MyManRob1
144	Luis Matos – SF	OF	@jacob_swain3

@tonybps1 on Jorge Mateo at #135:

“I took Mateo hoping that he finally gets a chance to play this year in Oakland and, if so, he can give me a major advantage in steals.”

@Scotty_Ballgame on Joe Ryan at #137:

“Love the K potential. I know Ryan is one of Bailey’s favorite Rays pitching prospects and I was happy to draft him 2 slots before he would have selected him.”

@JWeisser88 on Greg Jones at #140:

“Although I haven’t seen as much Greg Jones as I would’ve liked to, from what I saw, he has top of the scale speed and has a really good feel for hitting while showing the ability to continue to improve. He should be a great source of stolen bases with a chance to hit for a nice average. Whether or not he plays shortstop or moves the outfield is yet to be determined but I have plenty of solid middle infield prospects so I’m good either way.”

Round 10

145	Mark Vientos – NYM	3B	@jacob_swain3
146	Ricky Vanasco – TEX	P	@MyManRob1
147	Luis Frias – ARI	P	@TBDubbs11
148	Miguel Amaya – CHC	C	@KingMSquared
149	Diego Cartaya – LAD	C	@JWeisser88
150	Brice Turang – MIL	SS	@FsuBailey12
151	Jay Groome – BOS	P	@stoffer81
152	Jake Cronenworth – SD	MI	@Scotty_Ballgame
153	Keoni Cavaco – MIN	MI	@0RunsIn1st
154	Francisco Morales – PHI	P	@tonybps1
155	Miguel Hiraldo – TOR	3B	@CorporalEddy
156	Matthew Allan – NYM	P	@MrNobodyImportant1
157	Quinn Priester – PIT	P	@berrys_baseball
158	Braxton Garrett – MIA	P	@ChappyisClutch
159	Owen Miller – SD	MI	@RyanJames5
160	Ivan Herrera – STL	C	@ChrisEros

@jacob_swain3 on Mark Vientos at #145:

“Feel like I got good value on this pick. Vientos goes about things in a quiet way but has consistently put up solid numbers. Still only 20 years old.”

@TBDubbs11 on Luis Frias at #147:

“Frias has the foundation to be a really dynamic starting pitcher in the future with a high K rate if his secondaries continue to develop.”

@FsuBailey12 on Brice Turang at #150:

“Turang has good plate discipline and is an above average defender. If he adds some power to his profile this pick could end up being a steal. I have him ranked at #97 in my personal top 100 list.”

That’s it for Part I, but the fun is just getting started. Look for the next installment, with Rounds 11-20, in the coming days. In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you in the comments or on Twitter.