For my money this is the most difficult list for me to compile in an offseason. There’s a delicate and difficult balance to hold when weighing 2020 returns vs. upside of a partial season. Forrest Whitley probably doesn’t start the year with the big league squad. How does he compare with someone like Patrick Sandoval who’ll likely be on the Opening Day roster?

I value proximity quite highly because ultimately 200 AB/50 IP have to be extraordinary to best 500 AB/150 IP. But at the same time it’s so tempting to cling to the elite prospects in hopes they can make an immediate impact on your team and catapult you in your league. But for every Juan Soto in a season there’s a 2018 Vlad Jr when some rostered him for weeks on end. In your drafts don’t go rookie crazy for your bench or reserve spots, but be sure to take a gamble on a couple of these names.