
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.
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