Written by: Ray Butler

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First and foremost, I have so many people and entities to think. To my wife, thank you for happily granting me the time needed to put together such an extensive, exhausting list. The crazy hours exerted wouldn’t be worth it without your love and acceptance. Also, I’m so jealous of your Braves fandom. Fangraphs and Baseball Reference, thank you for your free, easily-accessible statistics. I don’t scout stat-lines to make my prospect list, but advanced-statistical track records are important nonetheless. Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America, Fangraphs, MLB.com, Keith Law and ZiPS, thank you for the work you do and the lists you release. Your direction and voice throughout the years has led me to finding my voice in the baseball writing world.

Last but certainly not least, I want to thank YOU. I’ve said it before, but your commitment and interest in my writing has pushed me to better myself. Your interest has pushed the blog to be its best self. Your interest is going to help us reach heights I never thought were achievable. The future at Prospects 365 is not only extremely bright, but it’s also endless. And it’s endless because of you.

Lots of people have asked, so I’ll clarify now: I made the decision to not include Shohei Ohtani in my prospect list, simply put, because I don’t think he’s a prospect. I could probably be convinced otherwise, but including Ohtani in this list means he would also be included I were to create a farm-systems ranking, and I don’t really agree with that methodology. Ohtani has never played in a minor league game, and other than potential rehab appearances, he likely never will. For what it’s worth, had he been included, Ohtani would have ranked as the 2nd best prospect in baseball.

This list is certainly not bulletproof. I still debate a few of the placements myself, but such is the life of a prospect list. I stand by my work, and I certainly welcome a healthy debate. There are literally an infinite amount of ways you could rank the top 200 prospects in baseball. This is mine:

200. Michael Gettys, OF, SD, Age: 22

Possessing some of the loudest tools in the minor leagues (some good, some not so good), Gettys remains an intriguing player in my eyes. Now 22 years old, I’m hoping the Padres give Gettys a taste of AA to start the 2018 season. The 17 bombs and 22 swiped bags last season are simply undeniable, but so is the unsightly 37.2 K%. Gettys remains worth a mention because if everything ever clicks, he’ll be truly special. Truly. I’ve never wished for a prospect to simply post a 30 K% more than I am with Gettys. Check in on him from time-to-time this season.

199. Renato Nunez, 3B, OAK, Age: 24

The quad-A potential with Nunez might be higher than it is with any other prospect in this entire list, but his strongest tool (power, duh) is a tool you can own for basically nothing in fantasy leagues. He’ll never reach base at an optimal rate, but you know that from the onset. Players with 25-30 HR potential are always worth monitoring, we simply need Nunez to experience some big league success in order to remain with the Athletics. Also, the Athletics might be the most underrated team in the league heading into the 2018 season. Might Nunez play a role in a potential bid for an AL Wild Card spot?

198. Delvin Perez, SS, STL, Age: 19

It was a struggle to remind myself that Perez is still a teenager after scanning box scores nightly only to see him barely surpass the Mendoza Line during the 2017 season. He remains a disciplined hitter, even if the 0 (ZERO!) home runs last season is much more notable. His 70-grade speed should mean we don’t see another season of a .226 BABIP, so I’m expecting much better numbers this season. I’m keeping Perez in the back of my mind heading into the 2018 season and am hoping to be surprised.

197. Luis Alexander Basabe, OF, CHW, Age: 21

I was higher on Basabe than most in the industry heading into last season, only to witness the Venezuelan native triple slash .221/.320/.320 with a 10% increase in strikeout frequency. Basabe hit 12 home runs in 2016 (5 last season) and stole 25 bases (17 last season). I think he may repeat High A to begin the 2018 season, but I certainly haven’t lost all hope. With his second season as a member of the White Sox organization on the horizon, I still suspect big things are in store for LAB.

196. Rowdy Tellez, 1B, TOR, Age: 23

I’m totally stealing this from a Baseball Prospectus post from last season, but Rowdy Tellez was Subdued Tellez in 2017. The decline was truly puzzling. Destined to play a role on the Blue Jays at some point this season, Tellez had a steep decline in power (23 HRs in 2016 to 6 HRs last season) and on base ability (.387 OBP in 2016, .295 OBP in 2017). Like, what the heck? Of course, my favorite baseball saying is that prospect development is almost never linear, and I’m hoping that last season was simply a long bump-in-the-road for Tellez. He’ll play this season as a 23 year old and has plenty of time to figure things out. Tellez remains a prospect who has the chance to someday be an impact major league first baseman.

195. Luis Ortiz, SP, MIL, Age: 22

A fixture in top 100 lists prior to last season, Ortiz actually lowered his ERA during the 2017 season, but his K% decreased and his BB% more than doubled; other peripherals (HR/9, FIP, and xFIP) didn’t do him many favors last season, either. At 22 years old, he’s still got plenty of time to reach his top 100 prospect potential. He’ll probably top 100 IP for the first time as a professional this season, so it goes without saying that 2018 is absolutely crucial for him.

194. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., UTIL, TOR, Age: 24

LGJ was widely thought to have one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in the minor leagues heading into the 2017 season. Now, he’s practically a no-show on prospect lists across the board. The biggest problem with Gurriel Jr. last season was that we didn’t see enough of him. He barely surpassed 250 plate appearances due to injury, and what we did see of him wasn’t overly impressive. Now 24, I imagine the Blue Jays will probably start Gurriel Jr. at AA with the chance to progress him quickly if he can play to his assumed potential AND (more importantly) stay healthy. A player with his potential should remain on your radar.

193. Thomas Szapucki, SP, NYM, Age: 22

Szapucki was great last season (8.4 K/9, 2.90 FIP in 29 IP) before undergoing Tommy John surgery. If you remember, Szapucki had a back injury that ended his 2016 season early. He also started last season on the minor league DL due to a shoulder impingement. Tommy John surgery is obviously much more severe than the other injuries, but I hope we’re not seeing an unfortunate trend with the southpaw. The talent is truly undeniable, but we need Szapucki to get healthy and remain healthy before we can have much faith.

192. Sean Reid-Foley, SP, TOR, Age: 22

After posting a 2.81 ERA in 2016, Reid-Foley posted an earned run average north of five (5.09 to be exact) last season. It was a huge step backwards for a player I ranked the 74th best prospect prior to the 2017 season. The strikeout numbers were acceptable (though there was a slight fall-off), but the BB% rose nearly two percent from 7.3% to 9% (which isn’t dreadful, but notable nonetheless). I’m not sure if the Blue Jays will place SRF in AAA to begin the season, or if he’ll repeat AA at least initially. With some positive regression, a 2018 MLB is certainly not out of the picture for the big right-hander.

191. Yohander Mendez, SP, TEX, Age: 23

I feel like Mendez has been largely forgotten about on prospect lists heading into the 2018 season because he’s been roughed up in brief stints with the Rangers in both 2016 and 2017. I choose to think that a 15.1 IP sample size simply isn’t enough to write off a prospect, especially a left-hander with the arsenal that Mendez has (he also had a strong finish to his AA season). I do think Mendez has one more full-season of minor league development left before he’s truly ready to take a spot in the Rangers’ full-time rotation, but he’s still squarely on my radar as a guy who has a 55 or 60 future value.

190. David Paulino, SP, HOU, Age: 24

Paulino was unlucky (a 4.11 xFIP despite a 6.52 ERA and .354 BABIP) in 29 IP with the Astros last season. Of course, Paulino was also suspended for 80 games last summer due to a positive test for performance enhancing drugs. It went basically untalked about because it was in the middle of the playoffs, but Paulino’s season was actually ended due to elbow surgery to remove a bone spur. He’ll probably be relegated to AAA to begin the season, but he could be the first man up if the Astros’ rotation were to suffer an injury. The talent is certainly there, now we simply need Paulino to remain clean and an opportunity.

189. Corey Ray, OF, MIL, Age: 23

The Brewers insistence on keeping Ray despite their push to contend in 2018 tells me all I need to know about how decision makers feel about him despite his putrid 2017 season. Ray certainly has some holes in his swing, but I’m going to remain patient on a prospect who can potentially impact every offensive category for my fantasy team. Even if the best he has to offer in his second season of professional baseball is a 28% K-rate, I do expect to see a better output of HRs, AVG, and OBP. With his ceiling, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make a reappearance on top 100 lists sooner rather than later. With his floor, I wouldn’t be surprised if he disappeared from the prospect radar altogether. As a fantasy baseball owner, your interest in him has everything to do with how much of a risk you’re willing to take.

188. D.L. Hall, SP, BAL, Age: 19

A 2017 first round draft pick, Hall will simply be getting his feet wet in professional baseball this season. A lefty of average height and build, Hall has some big time bat-missing potential. I’m sure the Orioles will keep Hall’s workload fairly restricted this season, but I’ll be keeping an eye on his K% and BB% nonetheless. I also feel as though I’m contractually obligated to remind you of the Orioles’ recent history development (or lack thereof) of pitching prospects. Here’s to hoping Hall breaks the mold.

187. Hans Crouse, SP, TEX, Age: 19

A second round draft pick in 2017, Crouse was stupid-good in his brief, 20 IP stint in Rookie Ball last season. Crouse will probably follow in the footsteps of fellow Rangers farmhand Cole Ragans and pitch in Short Season A ball in 2018, so we may not have a full-season sample until 2019. Regardless, keep his name in the back of your mind and monitor his development closely.

186. Tyler Beede, SP, SF, Age: 25

Beede took a sizable step back last season, posting a 4.79 ERA and a 6.9 (not that nice) K-rate in AAA. Certainly not the campaign I thought I would see from the player I ranked 100th prior to last season. He’s currently not a bad buy-low option, just remember that he’ll pitch most of the 2018 season at 25 years old; he also remains more of a high-floor guy rather than a guy with an otherworldly ceiling. I thought a 2017 MLB debut was a sure bet for Beede last offseason, now I’m simply hoping he gets a shot in the big leagues sometime this season.

185. Justin Dunn, SP, NYM, Age: 22

Yes, Justin Dunn had an awful 2017 season. No, I’m not giving up on him yet. 2018 should be Dunn’s first 100+ IP season as a professional player, and I suspect we’ll an improved BB-rate and an ERA that more closely resembles the FIP and xFIP (and that’s a good thing). I’ll mention it throughout the release of my top 200 prospects, but it’s SO important to remember that, yeah, Dunn wasn’t great last season. But it was also his first season as a professional player. Patience, patience, patience.

184. Nick Pratto, 1B, KC, Age: 19

A 2017 first round pick, Pratto was immediately viewed as the eventual heir to the first base throne abandoned by Eric Hosmer in Kansas City. It’s beginning to look like Hosmer may resign with the Royals, but Pratto remains a solid prospect nonetheless. At a position that’s relatively starved for talent, Pratto will likely compete with Pavin Smith over the course of the next few seasons to claim the title of the top 1B prospect in all of baseball. Regardless of the outcome of Hosmer’s impending decision, Pratto (who’s only 19) certainly possesses big league potential.

183. Braxton Garrett, SP, MIA, Age: 21

I ranked Garrett 69th (nice) in my 2017 top 200 prospect rankings, but he’s since had Tommy John surgery (not nice). The gigantic lefty only threw 15.1 innings left season, but he’s only 20 and has plenty of time to reach the massive ceiling he was given after being drafted by the Marlins in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft. If you play in a dynasty league, the buy-low window with Garrett is shrinking every day. If you play in a deep keeper league, keep an eye on him and consider making the addition when he gets closer to returning to minor league game action.

182. T.J. Zeuch, SP, TOR, Age: 23

An absolute monstrosity of a pitcher (6’7 225 lbs), Zeuch thrived in High-A last season despite less-than-stellar strikeout numbers. Both Zeuch’s curveball and fastball are above average pitches, and he’s probably destined for 100+ IP in AA this season. Zeuch is fantastic at keeping the ball in the yard; if he can improve his strikeout numbers, he’ll be on top 100 lists this time next season.

181. Peter Alonso, 1B, NYM, Age: 23

Alonso will likely be a 23 year old playing in AA to begin the 2018 season, but he’s 1) displayed power at every stop he’s made in the minor leagues, 2) he gets on base at a high clip, and 3) he puts the bat on the ball and doesn’t strike out often. Those factors alone are worth giving him a look, even if his path to the majors is blurry with Dominic Smith assumedly being the heir to the first base throne for the Mets (eventually). If New York is competitive, I could see Alonso being a main piece they could look to move in effort to shore up a position at the trade deadline. Talented players overcome blurry paths, and Alonso was impressive in 2017 during his first full season of professional baseball.

180. Nicky Lopez, SS, KC, Age: 23

Lopez 1) is a valuable base stealer, 2) doesn’t strike out, 3) has the potential to bat .300, and 4) plays a premium position. He may never have the power that elite fantasy shortstops possess (relative to the position), but Lopez has a lot of tools to someday hold value at the big league level. Even if his ceiling is 10 HRs in the big leagues, he’ll get on base and swipe enough bases to make an impact. Lopez will likely start the year in AA (where he finished the 2017 season), and whenever the Royals finally figure out that Alcides Escobar isn’t Carlos freakin’ Correa, Lopez’s path will be much more clear.

179. Jordan Luplow, OF, PIT, Age: 24

Luplow improved in basically every important offensive category from the 2016 season to the 2017 season. He dominated stints in AA and AAA (combining to slash .302/.381/.527 to go along with 23 HRs) before struggling in 87 plate appearances with the Pirates. I’m intrigued to see whether Luplow’s true offensive profile resembles that of last season, or if he’ll find a middle between his 2016 and 2017 campaigns. If he can find a spot as an everyday big leaguer and repeat his success from last season, Luplow will have standard league value. Even with Andrew McCutchen now in San Francisco, the Pirates still have Starling Marte, Gregory Polanco, Austin Meadows, and others who will certainly have their say in the Pirates’ outfield outlook in the near future.

178. Wander Samuel Franco, SS, TB, Age: 17

Wander. Samuel. Franco. What a freakin’ name (even though it’s not even the best name in this batch of top prospects). And what a freakin’ talent. Including Franco on a list like this is based purely on projection and potential, and Franco possesses both of these. He’s 16 years old, so he’s nowhere near making a big league impact (it’s a very similar situation to Kevin Maitan last season), but it’s never too early to put a potential star on your fantasy radar. Since there are no stats to talk about, here’s a few fun facts about the Rays’ youngest gem. He was the consensus (or at least near-consensus) #1 international prospect last season (before Luis Robert became available). He’s a switch hitter. HE HAS TWO BROTHERS WHO ARE ALSO NAMED WANDER FRANCO!!! Fun facts aside, if he can get the hang of professional baseball, Franco should be a fixture on prospect lists for the next four or five seasons.

177. Dillon Peters, SP, MIA, Age: 25

Few prospects in baseball were as triumphant last season and Marlins prospect Dillon Peters. After undergoing Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted in 2014, Peters officially began his professional career in 2015 before competing unrestricted in 2016. Last season, Peters dominated batters in High-A and AA before getting his first taste as a big leaguer late in the regular season. The 31.1 IP big league sample isn’t fantastic thanks to an out-of-character BB%, but that certainly didn’t sour me on the southpaw. He’s 25 years old and small-framed, so he may not have the enormous upside of other pitchers you’ll see on this list. However, I think Peters possesses the floor of a back-end-of-the-rotation starter. The Marlins will certainly give Peters an extended look at some point this season.

176. Mickey Moniak, OF, PHI, Age: 20

Evaluators across the board ranked Moniak last season based mostly on his hit and speed tools with the assumption that Moniak, in his first season of professional baseball, would meet the expectations of a defending #1 overall draft pick. A year later, we’re ranking Moniak based on a harsh reality that he ‘might’ not be great at any aspect of evaluation. We never expected him to hit 20 HRs, but we CERTAINLY expected him to reach base at a MUCH higher clip than the cringe worthy .284 OBP mark he posted last season in Low-A. Of course, one season is wayyyyyy too soon to give up on a #1 overall draft pick, and he’s only 19. But I think we’d all agree that Moniak needs to have a much better showing in 2018 to retain any top prospect or fantasy value moving forward.

175. Jose Siri, OF, CIN, Age: 23

The 24 HRs and 46 SBs last season were truly remarkable, but there’s a reason I (like most industry lists) remain bearish on Siri. He absolutely has to show a willingness to take more walks this season; a 6% walk-rate exposes holes in swings against better competition. Speaking of competition, Siri’s age (he’ll play half of the 2018 season as a 23 year old) was basically league average (which isn’t great) in Low-A last season. A repeat performance of his 2017 season with an increased BB% would lead to a huge bump for Siri on my list, perhaps as soon as my midseason top 100.

174. Taylor Ward, C, LAA, Age: 24

If I don’t have an elite catcher in fantasy baseball, my goal is to acquire or draft a player who isn’t going to absolutely suck the life out of my team. A catcher who will take a walk, won’t strikeout a ton, and will simply be a solid albeit unspectacular piece of my team’s puzzle. Ward fits all of these categories. He ALMOST walked as many times as he struck out last season (57 BBs, 60 Ks). The willingness to take his base led to an appetizing .368 OBP. He never hit more than 15 HRs in a single season, but he’ll check a ton of boxes as you look to fill a catcher void that can be a black hole if you’re not careful. I consider Ward the catcher of the Angels’ future.

173. Evan White, 1B, SEA, Age: 22

Pavin Smith (who you’ll read about when we get closer to the top 100) was the toast of the town in the first base world during the 2017 MLB draft, but White has all the makings of an everyday MLB first baseman. 60 hit tool/60 power tool first basemen are continually becoming harder and harder to find, but White could possibility fit the bill. I think he’ll always hit for a solid average, so if he ever reaches his power potential… watch out.

172. Arquimedez Gamboa, SS, PHI, Age: 20

Arquimedez Gamboa is simply here because I couldn’t afford to leave the name off this list. Just kidding. (But really, I bet Gamboa’s ADP was slightly inflated just so people could say the name.) A switch hitter, Gamboa is really just scratching the surface of his potential. At 20 years old, I think Gamboa will continue to fill out, and I think the power will follow. Gamboa possesses above average plate discipline, and that’ll serve as a great foundation as his physical skills begin to mimic the advanced approach. Even if he’s not worthy of being owned with your fantasy league’s format, bookmark Gamboa’s Fangraphs page and keep it close to your heart. He has real breakout potential in 2018.

171. Colton Welker, 3B, COL, Age: 20

Like Garrett Hampson (who you’ll read about soon), if you’re a fantasy player who obsesses with the path of a prospect, Welker may not be your cup of tea. If you (rightfully) are willing to take a risk on a player with an abundance of talent and tools regardless of a potential muddy path, Welker should be squarely on your radar. Remember: it may take longer than you’d like, but good players always find a way to overcome a sketchy path to the big leagues. Welker may never steal a base on purpose, but man can he hit. I think there’s a chance his ceiling resembles that of a .280 AVG, 25 HR corner infielder. There’s a chance he moves to first base, but his talent might hold value regardless. I expect Welker to be a rather well-known name amongst fantasy baseballers before the end of the 2018 season.

170. Christin Stewart, OF, DET, Age: 24

Stewart spent the entirety of the 2017 in AAA, mashing 28 HRs and posting a .335 OBP (albeit a .256 AVG). There’s nothing wrong with those numbers, which is good, because I think it may be his ceiling. I see a bit of AAAA potential with Stewart, but the Tigers are in full-blown rebuild mode, so when the left handed slugger finally gets promoted to Detroit, the club will certainly be patient with him. At his very best, Stewart might total 30 HRs and a .350 OBP as a major leaguer; my personal opinion perceives him more as a 25 HR, .320 OBP player though.

169. Anthony Banda, SP, TB, Age: 24

Don’t you dare let anyone tell you Banda was bad last season after he was promoted to Arizona. Yes, he did have a 5.96 ERA. Yeah, he walked 3.5 batters per nine innings. He also struck out nearly a batter per inning and posted an FIP of 3.24. All in all, Banda’s first taste of the major leagues was a mixed bag, but the future remains bright for 24 year-old southpaw. Recently traded to Tampa Bay, Banda may need an opportunity to arise for him to make a gigantic impact on your active roster this season, but at the very least he’ll bide his time and continue developing while in AAA.

168. Garrett Hampson, 2B, COL, Age: 23

The problem with the immense amount of talent that the Rockies are currently developing in the minor leagues is simple: How are we supposed to confidently acquire stock in assets whose big league future seems completely blocked? Talent. Founds. A. Way. And Hampson has a TON of a talent. The second baseman ‘should’ continue to post averages north of .300 without breaking much of a sweat. The power is still a work in progress (but 8 HRs last season isn’t terrible), but the calling card is the speed. FIFTY ONE (51!) stolen bases in 2017. Yeesh. At 23 years old, Hampson should begin the 2018 season. He doesn’t have the youth that makes a lot of high-upside prospects so attractive, but I really think there’s a shot that Hampson eventually becomes a 10-12 HR, 25-30 SB, .300 AVG player. Those stats play regardless of age. Depending on what the Rockies decide to do with D.J. Lemahieu (and, in turn, Brendan Rodgers), Hampson’s path could be just as blurry as it seems or not nearly as blurry as it seems—it truly remains to be seen. What doesn’t remain to be seen is that Hampson is extremely talented and could continue his ascent on prospect lists.

167. Domingo Leyba, SS, ARZ, Age: 22

It’s always hard-pressed to say that a prospect lost an entire season of development due to injury, but Leyba had a rough go of it in 2017. Totaling only 96 plate appearances and seeing his season cut well-short thanks to shoulder surgery, Leyba, now assumedly healthy, will be a prime bounce back candidate this season. He’ll probably start in AA, but a quick promotion could be in order if Leyba were to perform to his ability while exhibiting durability. Depending on the performance of the Diamondbacks middle infielders, Leyba could find himself in the mix for a big league promotion down the stretch of the 2018 regular season. On the flip side of that coin, Leyba could also be a valuable trade piece if the Diamondbacks have a positional need at the trade deadline this season.

166. Starling Heredia, OF, LAD, Age: 19

Heredia really seemed to pick up some hype at the end of the 2017 season, but he’s gone widely untalked about this offseason. The 20 year old hit .325/.397/.555 with 7 HRs, 34 RBIs and 10 SBs at three stops last season… all in 234 plate appearances. Heredia is easily one of the most raw prospects to be included in my top 200 prospects, but he might also possess one of the highest ceilings. I simply need to see a larger sample size before I slide all my chips to the center of the table, and I should get that this season as Heredia prepares for his first full season of professional baseball. There are certainly some holes in his swing (29.5% K% last season), but I have no doubt that the Dodgers organization will help the 6’2 Heredia develop to his full potential. If I were to make a list of the ten prospects I’m most excited to see this season, Heredia would certainly make this list.

165. Kevin Newman, SS, PIT, Age: 24

I’ll admit it: Kevin Newman made me mad last season. Owner of what was thought to be one of the best hit tools in the minor leagues, Newman scuffled his way to a pedestrian .267/.311/.363 triple slash with just 4 HRs and 11 SBs. None of that screams anything in the ballpark of being worthy of an appearance on top prospect lists. I’m certainly skeptical, but I’m not waving my white flag yet. I’m really interested to see if Newman recommits to taking more walks (9.4% BB% in 2016, 5.3% BB% in 2017) this season. I’m really hopeful that we see a .300 AVG, .350 OBP campaign from Newman in 2018, and I think that’s a real possibility.(which would likely lead to his first big league call up). However, I also wouldn’t be too surprised if he were an afterthought on a hypothetical top 200 prospect list this midseason.

164. A.J. Minter, RP, ATL, Age: 24

I know, I know. No one really like to read about relief pitchers on prospect lists. But you know that I know that, so wouldn’t the fact that Minter makes this list entice you to take notice? I think there’s a really good chance that Minter is closing for the Braves at some point during the 2018 season. There’s some lefty-lefty specialist risk here, but Minter is easily one of the most electric relief pitchers in the minor leagues. With the Braves destined to be one of the best teams in the league in the coming years, there’s a real chance that Minter becomes a top 5-10 closer in fantasy baseball.

163. Tanner Scott, SP, BAL, Age: 24

Scott’s statistics were all over the place last season. A 2.22 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 3.45 xFIP, and 11.35 K/9 (22.2% K%). Sign me up, right? Then you notice that Scott walked an astounding six batters per nine innings and had a LOB% of 84.3%. Something’s gotta give. I think, obviously, the LOB% will regress. But Scott will either overcome the control issues in AAA (where he’ll start the 2018 season), or his electric stuff might be forced to manifest itself from the bullpen. It’s easier said than done, but even at 23 years old, Scott will skyrocket up prospect lists if he can simply cut his BB/9 from 6.0 to 4.0.

162. Jake Burger, 3B, CHW, Age: 22

Looking for an off-the-radar sleeper who doesn’t have much experience in baseball yet could fly through the minor leagues? Burger might be your guy. Need more evidence? A first round draft pick last season, Burger has a grand total of 217 professional at-bats. Who cares? The White Sox still invited the third baseman to big league camp this spring. I also think Chicago will be aggressive with Burger’s placement this season, and I assume there’s an outside shot we see him move all the way up to AAA before the conclusion of the season. Burger hit north of 20 HRs while in college during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and the HR output is something I’ll be keeping a close eye on again this season.

161. Akil Baddoo, OF, MIN, Age: 19

Let me go ahead and get this out of the way… this group of twenty prospect has a few 80 grade names on it, Baddoo including. I don’t know how much of a power threat Baddoo will ever be (5’11 185 lbs.), but his plus speed and developing contact ability make him an intriguing prospect. He’ll get his first shot at full season ball in 2018, so we should get our first real sample from Baddoo soon. I think Baddoo can be a 10-15 HR/20 RBI/.340 OBP guy at his peak, just remember that there’s a ton of variance and volatility projecting (with any certainty) a player who’s never played a full season of professional baseball.

160. Wander Javier, SS, MIN, Age: 19

Five tools? Check. Physical projection left? Check. Premium age? Check. Premium position? Check. At 6’1 but only 165 pounds at 19 years old, Javier should continue developing physically over the next two or three seasons. There’s always so much volatility and variance projecting teenage prospects who have little experience playing professional baseball, but for now, I sense a 15 HR/15 SB seasonal projection for Javier, with plenty of room to grow. There’s a reason the Twins signed him for $4 million. Might we see Javier in full season ball this season?

159. Justin Williams, OF, TB, Age: 22

If you missed out on Williams down the stretch of last season, familiarize yourself with him now. Drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2013, Williams was traded to Tampa Bay in 2014 for Jeremy Hellickson (Arizona might end up regretting that one). In 409 plate appearances in AA last season, Williams slashed .301/.364/.489 with 14 HRs. Those numbers are further accentuated when you consider Williams raised his BB% nearly six percent and lowered his K% over two percent. Now squarely on prospect radars, Williams will likely begin the 2018 season in AAA Durham. With Rays OF prospect Jake Bauers knocking on the door of his first MLB call up, Williams should be next in line. Williams’ .300 AVG, 20 HR potential should make him a household name amongst outfield prospects in the minor leagues.

158. Hunter Harvey, SP, BAL, Age: 23

I could have very easily played Harvey in the 180-200 range with other prospects who are basically #posthype at this point, and you probably wouldn’t have batted an eye. But the truth is, I see more in Harvey. I want to believe. I want to believe so badly. 2018 will be the season that Harvey, now fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, finally gets unleashed. Having only thrown 31.1 IP the past two seasons combined, Harvey is not expected to be on a tight innings restriction this season. Reports are that Harvey has added muscle over the course of the offseason (of course, EVERYONE has added muscle over the course of the offseason, and every one is in the best shape of their life), and the right-hander was added to the Orioles 40 man roster this offseason. It may sound simple, but equally important for Harvey to nearing a big league call up is simply staying healthy and taking the ball every fifth day. I’m excited to see what Harvey’s future has in store.

157. Seth Romero, SP, WAS, Age: 22

Intrigue and ceiling are two of the main things fantasy baseball fans look for in prospect lists, and Romero is certainly both. The big southpaw was dismissed by the University of Houston baseball team after an incident with a teammate (this following other incidents). Romero, who was slated to be one of the top picks of the 2017 draft, consequentially fell to the Nationals with the 25th overall pick in the first round. Romero will play most of the 2018 regular season as a 22 year old, and he’ll either start at Low-A or High-A. There’s obviously some risk with Romero, but if the Danger Zone is your thing, Romero has the makings of a top-of-the-rotation big league starting pitcher. If he stays out of trouble, it’s hard to imagine Romero not being a top 100 prospect this time next season (if not even better).

156. Alex Kirilloff, OF, MIN, Age: 20

I ranked Kirilloff 118th last preseason with the assumption that he’d easily slide into my midseason top 100. I thought there was a decent shot the outfielder took prospect circles by storm in his first full season of professional ball. Instead, the left hander underwent Tommy John surgery before the season even started, postponing his emergence by a calendar year. It’s now been a calendar year (almost, anyways), and Kirilloff is one of the most underrated prospects in the minor leagues heading into the regular season. He’ll play the entire 2018 season as a 20 year old, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Kirilloff flirted with 20 HRs in his first full season. I’ll also be interested in Kirilloff’s walk rate, as it could eventually be the difference in the outfielder being an elite prospect and simply being a top 100-150 prospect.

155. Seuly Matias, OF, KC, Age: 19

This is largely a ranking based on pure potential. Matias will get his first real look at professional baseball this season after spending 2016 and 2017 playing Rookie Ball. He’s easily one of the rawest players in my entire top 200 prospect list, and the massive K% while playing Rookie Ball suggests just that. Drawing comparisons to Nomar Mazara and Domingo Santana (according to Baseball Prospectus’s PECOTA projections), Matias could eventually develop to by the optimal hybrid of the two: A powerful outfielder hampered slightly by a relatively-high K% and a relatively-low BB%. In an organization that is widely unexciting, Matias is worth monitoring throughout the 2018 regular season.

154. Marcos Molina, SP, NYM, Age: 23

Molina missed the entire 2016 season thanks to Tommy John surgery, then had a prolonged start to the 2017 season due to a lat strain. Finally healthy, Molina notched an impressive 3.21 ERA in 106.2 IP, striking out 7.3 batter per nine innings along the way. Molina has a full arsenal of pitches, but the fastball and slider are the showstoppers. I want to see him another year removed from Tommy John surgery before I throw out any definites, but for now, I think Molina is a solid #3 starting pitcher with some room to grow. Here’s to hoping he makes it through the 2018 regular season injury free.

153. Brent Rooker, 1B/OF, MIN, Age: 23

Just what this list needed: A little Mississippi State flavor. One of the oldest members of the 2017 draft class, we know more about Rooker than most other first year players coming into the 2018 season. Rooker is going to mash. He’s always mashed. But I do wonder about a couple of things concerning the former Bulldog: Do the Twins see Rooker as a long-term outfielder, or do they view it as a way to get him into their big league lineup more quickly thanks to Joe Mauer’s current hold on first base in Minnesota? Also, can Rooker overcome some swing-and-miss issues at the professional level to post tolerable on base numbers? My best guess is that the Twins view Rooker as the eventual heir to Mauer’s first base throne in Minnesota, but they need to explore every avenue possible in case Rooker is needed during a potential playoff run this season. As far as his contact ability, I think Rooker will do just enough in the on-base world to hold value in standard fantasy formats. All bias aside, I think Rooker has a big league projection of a .270-.280 AVG, .330-.340 OBP, 20-25 HR player. Of course those numbers play better in the outfield than at first base, but Rooker should be valuable across the board in fantasy baseball; he should also move quickly through Minnesota’s minor league system.

152. Blake Rutherford, OF, CHW, Age: 21

Let’s call a spade a spade: Rutherford massively underperformed expectations last season. .260/.326/.348, 2 HRs, 35 RBIs, and 10 SBs doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, but don’t forget about the pedigree here. A 2016 first round pick who is now with the White Sox, Rutherford finds himself in one of the best farm systems in the major leagues with plenty of time to right the ship. With elite athleticism overflowing from the right-handed outfielder (who’s only 20), I’m holding steady with Rutherford. You should too.

151. Mauricio Dubon, SS, MIL, Age: 24

Dubon’s on base ability regressed significantly last season and he still slashed .274/.330/.382. Even though the shortstop hit a career best 8 home runs (note: some of these homeruns were hit at AAA Colorado Springs) and stole a career best 38 bases, it was somewhat of a disappointing offensive campaign for Dubon. With Orlando Arcia entrenched at the shortstop spot in Milwaukee, the Brewers experimented with Dubon at second base at times last season. I still think Dubon has potential to post a .300 AVG, 10 HR, 30 SB season at his peak, and those number will play regardless of defensive position. An interesting thought is that Dubon could be of interest to opposing teams if the Brewers look to add bullpen or starting pitching depth during the regular season. A hypothetical trade (and Dubon has already been traded once during his professional career) likely wouldn’t hurt Dubon’s chances of sticking at shortstop long term.

150. Jake Rogers, C, DET, Age: 23

Franklin Perez and the aforementioned Daz Cameron were the headliners, but Rogers could someday be thought of as one of the (if not ‘the’) best pieces of the return when the Tigers traded Justin Verlander to the Astros at least season’s deadline. Rogers’ 18 HRs, 350 OBP, and 20.8 K% last season should alone be enough to excite you. Rogers was part of the return to the Tigers in the Justin Verlander deadline trade last season, and I suspect he’ll start in AA this season. He won’t get the “newcomer” hype of Keibert Ruiz, but Rogers (who is above average defensively behind the plate) is worth taking a chance on if you suspect you’ll need a catcher in 2020.

149. Dustin May, SP, LAD, Age: 20

Yadier Alvarez (who you’ll read when we get to the latter stages of this list) is no longer unrivaled as the pitching prospect with the most potential in the Dodgers’ farm system. At a slender 6’6 180 pounds, May shouldn’t be done developing physically. The lanky lefty struck out an impressive 8.6 batter per nine innings last season and had an FIP that was nearly half-a-run better than his ERA. Both were comfortably in the threes. As he continues to develop, May will become increasingly intriguing. The major thing to watch is the continued development of May’s changeup. If it can become an above average pitch, May will likely become a top 100 prospect. Without it, May will likely project as a back-end-of-the-rotation starter or high-leverage reliever.

148. Daz Cameron, OF, DET, Age: 21

Much like another prospect you’ll read about shortly, Cameron was part of the return received by the Tigers in the Justin Verlander trade last season. Cameron is a plus athlete who is beginning to tap into his power potential, smacking 14 HRs last season to pair with his 32 stolen bases. When you consider Cameron finished with a .351 OBP, we have ourselves an interesting prospect. At only 21 years old, Cameron should continue developing power while gaining experience in the Tigers organization. Since Detroit is in the midst of a complete rebuild, they can afford to let Cameron develop fully before considering a potential call up. At this rate, the outfielder might get a cup of coffee at the end of next season.

147. Tristen Lutz, OF, MIL, Age: 19

Lutz made a mockery of Rookie Ball in a 111 PA sample after being drafted at the tail end of the first round last season, and the 19 year old outfielder should start in full season ball in 2018. Lutz’s calling card is his power, but it certainly looks like he possesses the skills to hit for power while not sacrificing batting average or on base percent. With Lewis Brinson and Monte Harrison now members of the Marlins organization, I think Lutz is currently the best outfield prospect in the Brewers organization. With the ceilings of Lutz and fellow farmhand Corey Ray, the Brewers likely have two outfield prospects with MLB All-Star ceilings.

146. Will Smith, C, LAD, Age: 23

Smith would have long been titled the ‘catcher of the future’ if he played for the majority of organizations in the MLB, but he’s not even the best catcher in the Dodgers’ farm system. A backstop capable of hitting double-digit home runs, reaching base at an above average clip, and stealing a handful of bases, Smith will likely begin the 2018 regular season in AA with a chance to be promoted to AAA sometime this summer or fall. With Keibert Ruiz’s stardom continuing to emerge, Smith will almost certainly be an attractive trade asset for the Dodgers this regular season. If traded, Smith’s prospect status will likely receive a small bump depending on his new organization.

145. Nolan Jones, 3B, CLE, Age: 20

If I had to choose a #141-160 prospect who has the best chance of someday being a top 20 prospect, I think I’d roll with Jones. A 2016 second round draft pick, Jones began last season in Rookie Ball before finishing the season at Low-A. I’m interested to see what happens to the .317/.430/.482 triple slash he posted in Low-A when his BABIP regresses from the .417 mark, but a 6’4, Jones’ current ceiling resembles that of a .300 AVG, 25 HR third baseman. He should his first taste of full-season ball to begin the 2018 season, and Jones could find his way onto several midseason top 100 lists (or, of course, I could be scratching my head).

144. Ronald Guzman, 1B, TEX, Age: 23

I keep waiting (and waiting, and waiting) for Guzman to reach his 20 HR, .300 AVG potential. The first baseman hit 16 HRs in 2016, and I thought he was destined to break the 20 HR mark for the first time in his career last season. Instead, Guzman only mustered 12 HRs in 527 PA in AAA in 2017. I MAINTAIN that I truly believe Guzman will one day be a big-time slugger, even after he becomes a post-hype player. Guzman should make his MLB debut sometime this season, and I’ll be watching him closely. He’s a guy who’ll be on my queue throughout the regular season, and I’ll remain ready to pull the trigger if his physical tools lead to a higher home run output. For now, he’s a high floor first baseman.

143. Jorge Guzman, SP, MIA, Age: 22

Drafted by the Astros in 2015, traded to the Yankees prior to last season, traded to the Marlins prior to this season. 2018 will mark Guzman playing for his third organization in three seasons. A lowered BB% highlighted somewhat of a breakout season for Guzman last season, and he could potentially surpass 100 IP for the first time in 2018. If he continues developing physically and keeps the walk-rate low, there’s real potential for Guzman to become one of the best right handed pitching prospects in baseball. Yes, I’m excited.

142. Adam Haseley, OF, PHI, Age: 22

Haseley is a prototypical ‘high-floor/low-ceiling’ prospect. He has all the makings of an outfielder who will hit anywhere from .280 to .300 on a yearly basis, score a lot of runs, steal a few bases, and hit a few homeruns. He’s safe, and you know what you’re getting into if he’s on your fantasy team. He’ll always be solid, but what are the chances he becomes spectacular? Simply put, Haseley needs to become more of a home run hitter OR more of a base stealer in order for that to happen. The Phillies (in my opinion) are on the rise, and Haseley has a chance to progress through their system quickly. There’s always a spot on a top 200 prospect list for a player who has the floor of Haseley’s, but I think the 2018 regular season will show us if he’s capable of being a top 100 guy.

141. Adbert Alzolay, SP, CHC, Age: 23

What Alzolay lacks in premium youth (he’ll play the entire 2018 season as a 23 year old and will likely start in AA), he makes up for in the box score. Between High-A and AA last season, Alzolay logged 114.1 IP and finished with an ERA of 2.99. What’s more, he averaged around 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings and a low walk rate. There’s a lot to like here. As a member of the Cubs organization, the path to the majors is obviously cloudy, and Chicago doesn’t exactly have an appetizing recent track record of developing starting pitching in the minor leagues. Alzolay has the tools to break that trend, though. With the Cubs moving most of their farm talent over the past few seasons to improve their major league club, Alzolay will almost certainly be a topic of conversation amongst trading partners if Chicago needs to make a move at the trade deadline.

140. Danny Jansen, C, TOR, Age: 23

This time last year, I really thought that in 2018, the Blue Jays catcher prospect I’d be hyping on a prospect list would be Max Pentecost. Instead, I’m writing about Jansen, and with good reason. More walks than strikeouts in 2017. Ten home runs throughout three levels (High-A, AA, AAA). A combined 10 HRs, .323 AVG, and .400 OBP. What’s there not to like? Okay, okay. Maybe you wish he hit for more power. But listen to me: I’d rather get 10 HRs and a 9% K% from my catcher than 15 HRs and a 20% K%. With Pentecost’s positional future in serious question, it’s looking like Jansen may be the eventual heir to Russell Martin’s throne in Toronto.

139. Mike Matuella, SP, TEX, Age: 24

High-risk, high-reward. Perhaps no prospect on this lists fits that title better than Matuella. The 23 year old has literally been through the ringer. He was diagnosed with spondylosis (a lower back condition) in 2014. In 2015, he underwent Tommy John surgery. Both of these occurred while Matuella was still in college. Instead of being a top draft pick, the Rangers took a chance on the battered right hander in the third round. After a grueling rehab and a setback that prolonged the timeline of his return, Matuella threw 75 IP in 2017, totaling a 4.20 ERA (though his FIP and xFIP were better) and a 7.2 K/9. Nothing too magical from the outside looking in, but the numbers are quite remarkable when you consider the injuries and that the 75 IP was his first taste of professional baseball. At a gigantic 6’6 220 lbs., Matuella is built to eventually have the capability of withstanding the toll of a 162 game season. He boasts three above average pitches, and the most important factor in Matuella’s outlook is simply remaining healthy and gaining experience. He’s certainly not a top 100 prospect in my eyes (yet), but if everything clicks right and Matuella continues to show durability, there’s potential to be a #2 starting pitcher.

138. Ryan Castellani, SP, COL, Age: 22

Yes, Castellani is a pitcher for the Rockies. I know, I know. And then you look at his stats from last season, and you probably wonder why he’s on a list like this, much less #138. The first thing that jumps off the page at me is that Castellani’s FIP and xFIP are both nearly a run better than his ERA last season. He’s not a heavy strikeout guy, but he also pitched in AA as a 21 year old this past season. As a Rockies’ pitcher specifically, Castellani keeps the ball in the yard (0.92 HR/9 last season), and he has a slightly above average ground ball rate (45.1% GB% last season, which was actually the lowest number he’s posted in four seasons as a professional). It’s always best to tread carefully when getting your hopes up about a Rockies pitcher, but Castellani has the makings of an above average big league pitcher. Heck, he’s not even the only Rockies pitching prospect you’ll read about in my #121-140 rankings!

137. Freicer Perez, SP, NYY, Age: 22

If size is your thing, Perez is almost certainly on your radar. Standing at a monstrous 6’8, Perez enjoyed a fantastic first full season in professional ball last season and will look to build on that momentum last season. Still extremely raw, Perez is viewed as a high-ceiling prospect whose potential hinges greatly on his ability to repeat his mechanics continuously (like most tall pitching prospects). With his height, I’d like to see Perez continue to develop physically. We’ll likely see the Dominican native in High-A to start the season, and a repeat performance from last season with a slight uptick in strikeout frequency should land Perez in several midseason top 100 prospect lists.

136. Chris Shaw, OF, SF, Age: 24

Shaw may not be Heliot Ramos, but he ‘could’ be one of the most underrated prospects on this entire list. Giants’ position player prospects tend to be underrated in prospect list thanks to the hellish offensive conditions at AT&T Park, but it’s hard to look at Shaw’s .292 AVG and 24 HR output last season at 23 years old and not fantasize of a player who has an outside shot of hitting .300 with 30 HRs at their peak, even in San Francisco. Shaw isn’t a stolen base threat, and there’s certainly some swing-and-miss tendencies in play. But at the price you’ll be asked to play, why not take a chance on a player with Shaw’s ceiling? Especially when the outfielder could play a role with the Giants’ major league club sometime in 2018.

135. Bobby Bradley, 1B, CLE, Age: 22

Bradley made some of the on-base strides that we were hoping to see last season, raising his AVG by 16 points and lowering his K% nearly seven percent. He walked less, though, which led to his OBP actually decreasing from .344 in 2016 to .331 last season. The home run output decreased as well, which is likely the biggest reason for the drop in his ranking (I ranked Bradley as the 82nd best prospect in baseball prior to last season). Yonder Alonso recently signed a two year deal with the Indians, but he’s certainly not viewed as the first baseman of the Cleveland’s future. Bradley will continue to develop on the farm (he’s expected to play in AAA this season) with the expectation he’ll be major league ready sometime next season.

134. Erick Fedde, SP, WAS, Age: 25

Fedde got a shot with the Nationals last season, and things, quite simply, did not go well. Fedde posted a 9.39 ERA in 15.1 IP (though the 4.12 xFIP is much better) before being shut down with a right forearm strain. A Tommy John surgery recipient, any sort of arm injury or discomfort is always worrisome, but the Nationals were adamant that they were simply being abundantly cautious. As for the 2018 season, Fedde will duke it out with A.J. Cole for the final spot in the Nationals rotation. Even if he loses out on an Opening Day spot, it’s a safe bet to assume, barring injury, Fedde will be a heavy contributor to the Nationals pitching staff this regular season and for the foreseeable future.

133. Lucas Erceg, 3B, MIL, Age: 23

If you’re wondering where you’ve heard Erceg’s name before, you probably remember his eye-opening success last season during spring training. In the minor league playoffs last season, Erceg was promoted all the way from High-A Carolina to AAA Colorado Springs. It was certainly a challenging assignment, but Erceg showed (albeit in a small sample) that AAA pitching wasn’t overwhelming whatsoever. The on base ability regressed some last season, and Erceg will need to replicate his 2016 success in order to insert himself into midseason top 100 lists. Like most Brewers prospects, Erceg would hypothetically be a subject of trade talks if Milwaukee needed to add pieces throughout the regular season.

132. David Peterson, SP, NYM, Age: 22

Peterson is 1) a gigantic left handed pitcher, and 2) a prospect who dominated in a short sample in Short-Season A last season despite falling victim to a .444 BABIP. The number 20 overall pick last season, Peterson struck out an unsightly 14.7 batters per nine innings as he got his feet wet in professional baseball. I feel like projecting a Mets’ starting pitcher prospect is simply projecting the next wave of MLB starter to get freakishly injured, but Peterson could very well break the mold. The southpaw will almost certainly get his first taste of full season ball in 2018, and Peterson could eventually take his major league place amongst starting pitchers named Syndergaard and deGrom. Fingers crossed.

131. Shed Long, 2B, CIN, Age: 22

I struggle to determine just how ‘in love’ with Shed Long I am. There’s no way he’s a legit power hitter at the MLB level, right? Long stands at 5’8 and only weighs 180 pounds. But… he’s hit 15 and 16 HRs in the last two seasons respectively. The stolen base output diminished last season as Long only totaled nine stolen bases after registering 21 swiped bags in 2016, but the .358 OBP in 2017 is impossible to ignore. Long is viewed as the second baseman of the Reds future, even if that future won’t officially begin until sometime in 2019 or later. As Long continues to progress in minor league difficulty, I’m thoroughly interested to see if the HR numbers remain consistent. I’m also interested to see if Long will reestablish himself as a stolen base threat this season, or if we’ll get to X that category off of future contributions. Long is easily one of the most intriguing middle infield prospects heading into the 2018 regular season.

130. Peter Lambert, SP, COL, Age: 21

Don’t mind me, I’m just ranking another Rockies’ pitching prospect in my top 200 prospect list. And Lambert isn’t the last one! Lambert is a year younger than Ryan Castellani (a pitcher you hopefully just got done reading about), but he’s already surpassed 140 IP in a single season before throwing a competitive pitch at the age of 21. Impressive. Lambert has improved his K/9 during each of his three professional seasons, and I expect that trend to continue this season. A trend I hope comes to a stop is Lambert’s GB%, which has decreased in each of his three seasons as a pro (42% last season). Inducing weak contact on the ground is absolutely crucial as a Rockies pitcher, and Lambert’s fate on prospect lists depends heavily on his ground ball output in the near future. Lambert will pitch in AA this season with a chance at an MLB debut sometime in 2019.

129. Harrison Bader, OF, STL, Age: 24

Bader is in a really weird spot for evaluators, list makers, and fantasy baseball players. He played in 32 MLB games last season with the Cardinals, totaling 92 plate appearances. The small sample wasn’t that great, but Bader retained prospect status nonetheless and is less than a calendar year removed from being a top 100 prospect across the board throughout the industry. Bader will reportedly battle Tyler O’Neill this spring for a spot in the Cardinals’ everyday outfield, with the loser likely being relegated to AAA Memphis. Bader will strike out his fair share, but he has 25 HR/10 SB potential, which means you could do far worse when targeting outfield prospects heading into the 2018 season.

128. Franklyn Kilome, SP, PHI, Age: 23

I have an irrational love for Franklyn Kilome. I can’t really explain why, but I do. If I had to guess? It’s probably because I feel as though Kilome is one of the most athletic pitchers in the minor leagues. The 6’6 Kilome (who only weighs 175 pounds, let’s hope that improves) threw 127 innings last season, compiling a 2.83 ERA and striking out 103 batters along the way. As Kilome continues to tap into his athletic potential, I expect the strikeout numbers to really progress at some point, perhaps as early as this season. I absolutely love the pitchers in the Phillies system, and while Kilome may not rank as highly as some of his fellow teammates and farmhands, the Dominican Republic native might have a higher ceiling than any Phillies pitching prospect not named Sixto Sanchez.

127. Jaime Barria, SP, LAA, Age: 22

A three level pitcher in 2017, Barria totaled 141.2 IP and a 2.80 ERA last season for an Angels system that has quickly risen to prominence. He’ll never be an elite strikeout pitcher, but Barria should eventually be a major league starting pitcher who you can plug into your rotation with little concern. Barria will probably begin the 2018 season in AAA, but there’s a chance (especially with the sketchy injury history of a lot of the Angels’ starting pitchers) that Barria, at some point, plays a role in the Angels’ major league rotation.

126. Zack Littell, SP, MIN, Age: 22

Know what I hate? When prospects receive somewhat of a downgrade when they get traded to an organization in a smaller market. Littell almost cracked my midseason top 100 list last season, and I’ll be danged if I exclude him from this list simply because he now plays with the Twins instead of the Yankees. Littell, by definition, is a high floor prospect. He’ll never crack the top 20. Heck, he may never even crack the top 50. But Littell’s floor makes him an upper-echelon #4 starting pitcher, with room to develop into a #3. An 11th round pick in 2013, Littell posted an eye opening 2.12 ERA while striking out 142 batters in 157 IP between High-A and AA with the Yankees and Twins. A 2018 MLB debut is certainly not out of the question for Littell, and an encore of his 2017 performance would force ALL industry evaluators and websites to take notice of the 22 year old.

125. James Kaprielian, SP, OAK, Age: 24

Like other industry prospect lists, I ranked Kaprielian comfortably inside of my top 100 heading into last season. Then disaster struck. It was announced in April that Kaprielian would undergo Tommy John surgery, ending the youngster’s season before it really got started. During his rehab process, Kaprielian was traded to the Athletics as part of the Sonny Gray acquisition by the Yankees. Kaprielian is nearing full-health, and even posted a video of him throwing recently on Twitter. He won’t play in the limelight of a big market team, but Kaprielian still has a ton of upside and, with expected development, could eventually pitch as a #2 starting pitcher in fantasy circles. He’s one to monitor very closely this season.

124. Brian Anderson, 3B, MIA, Age: 25

Opinions and outlooks on Anderson throughout the prospect and fantasy baseball community are all over the place. His cup of coffee with the Marlins last season didn’t go so well, but Anderson DID show major untapped power potential throughout AA and AAA before receiving his first MLB call up. Now that the Marlins can afford to be as patient as possible, Anderson should be an everyday player whose ceiling lies somewhere at the 20 HR, .340 OBP mark. Those aren’t superstar numbers for a third baseman in the fantasy world, but when you combine them with the fact that his strikeout numbers will never kill you, Anderson could hold value in standard fantasy formats.

123. Isan Diaz, IF, MIA, Age: 22

I ranked Diaz as the 50th best prospect last preseason (yikes) because I saw massive power potential at a premium position. Diaz was only 20 at the time, and I thought his contact skills would continue improving as he gained more experience in the Brewers system. Basically, every part of my thought was wrong. The power potential remains, but Diaz struggled last season in High-A. He had 132 fewer PA due to fracturing his right hamate bone in August, but Diaz’s home run total decreased from 20 in 2016 to 13 last season. His AVG and OBP decreased. The wRC+ decreased by more than 40 points. Even the K%, which was already a poor 25.2% in 2016, worsened to 26.6% in 2017. So why does Diaz even deserve a spot at all this season? Because he’s a 21 year old with 25 HR potential at second base. Because he gets the fantastic opportunity to ‘reset’ after being traded to Miami as part of the Christian Yelich trade. Sure, Diaz has holes in his swings that could potentially hinder him from reaching his potential. But giving up on a 21 year old with massive potential because of a bad season leads to people losing sleep as their league mates win championships with players like Diaz playing key roles. I’m certainly not concern-free when I evaluate Diaz, but I’m choosing to hold steady to see what 2018 has in store before doing anything rash.

122. Zack Collins, C, CHW, Age: 23

After our draft last season, one of my league mates made the argument that Zack Collins was ‘the best catching prospect in the game’. The comment was made in reference to me drafting Francisco Mejia nearly two rounds after Collins was taken. Lol. Like many catchers, you perceive Collins differently depending on whether your league is an AVG or OBP league. Why? Collins only mustered a .224 AVG last season between High-A and AA. He posted a .370 OBP between the two leagues. With 19 HRs last season, the power is everything we thought it would be. The defensive performance (which was the biggest concern this time last season) developed to an extent in 2017, though the White Sox still acknowledge that Collins needs to further develop from a blocking and game management standpoint. Collins has reportedly been revamping his swing this offseason in effort to be quicker to the ball, and it’ll be interesting to see how the adjustments manifest themselves in game action this season.

121. Brandon Marsh, OF, LAA, Age: 20

If any prospect in my current 121-140 range is capable of someday becoming a top 10 or 20 prospect, my money is on Marsh. A five-tool player, Marsh destroyed Rookie Ball pitching last season, leading to a .350/.396/.548 triple slash with 4 HRs and 10 SBs in only 192 plate appearances. Yeah, that’s one way to announce your professional arrival. Marsh is an elite athlete who’s built to one day become an elite power hitter. At 6’4 210 lbs., Marsh is built like an NFL wide receiver, and he’s still learning to use his frame to its full potential. Not only will Marsh get a shot at full season ball this season, but I think there’s a chance he progresses quite quickly through the Angels’ system. There’s some injury history here, but Marsh has one of the best compilation of tools in the minor leagues. Now might be the last time to acquire him without paying an arm and a leg.

120. Nick Gordon, IF, MIN, Age: 22

This might be a head scratcher for you, but here’s a question that’s beginning to be asked more and more in prospect circles: What is Gordon really, really good at? As a fantasy baseball owner, what part of Gordon’s game can you hang your hat on? The middle infielder was once viewed as a player that shared a lot of the same tools as his older brother (Mariners OF Dee Gordon) with a little more power and a little less speed. It’s true that Gordon possesses a little more pop than his older brother (though he’s never hit double digit home runs in a single season), but he only stole 13 bases last season. The K% jumped to 23.2% and he batted .270. I’m certainly not ready to write Gordon off as a potential fantasy asset, and he’ll likely be a fine real-life MLB regular. I do, however, have some genuine concerns moving forward as to whether you should own him on your fantasy team.

119. Yusniel Diaz, OF, LAD, Age: 21

In just his second professional season, Diaz was solid across the board in 2017. .292/.354/.433, 11 home runs, and 9 stolen bases. Even though he’s 21 years old, I still feel like much of the top 120 placement with Diaz is based on projection. What he ‘could’ be. The stats in his two professional seasons won’t jump off the page when you compare them to many of the other prospects on this list, but they become much more attractive and inviting when you consider that Diaz is still extremely raw and has been (on average) 3.2 years younger than the average competition at each level he’s competed. What’s more, I kind of get the sense that we’re either really close to Diaz officially breaking out, or we’re really close to deciding that he may never be the superstar the Dodgers hoped he’d be when the Cuban native signed a $15.5 million contract in 2015. I lean more towards Diaz potentially breaking out, which means you’d be ranked much higher when I release my midseason top 100 list.

118. Kevin Maitan, SS, LAA, Age: 18

So, it turns out that a 17 year old playing professional baseball (even Rookie Ball) may not exactly look like the next coming of Ted Williams. Quite frankly, Maitan looked a typical 17 year old baseball player: Lots of strikeouts and not a lot of walks. An unspectacular professional debut (even though it was just a 176 PA sample), paired with a trade from the Braves to the Angels, led to a notable descension (or complete omission) on industry prospect lists for Maitan. As I’ve already claimed that it’s too early to give up on prospects who are in their early-to-mid 20s on this list, it’s certainly to early to throw in the towel on Maitan. Remember when Maitan was being compared to this generation’s Derek Jeter? It feels like yesterday. Give Maitan some time to familiarize himself with a new organization, then reevaluate his status following this season.

117. Andres Gimenez, SS, NYM, Age: 19

Long term projections for Gimenez are all over the map. The facts are this: Gimenez played in full-season ball as an 18 year old last season. He struck out only 15.3% of the time, had 14 stolen bases, and finished with a .346 OBP. If you don’t consider the fact that he only hit four home runs, those numbers are thought-provokingly impressive. I choose to believe that Gimenez will continue to develop physically, which means the power numbers will continue to improve. Seeing as Gimenez may possess one of the most advanced approaches in the minor leagues (and easily the most advanced approach of an 18 year old in full-season ball), I think the shortstop’s offensive numbers will continue to progress each season for the foreseeable future. For now, I’ll set his MLB projection at 15 HRs and 15 SBs with a .350 OBP and very few strikeouts. I wouldn’t trust the Mets organization to sharpen my pencil with a $100 pencil sharpener, but there’s a chance that Gimenez could eventually develop into a bonafide star.

116. Nate Pearson, SP, TOR, Age: 21

Possessor of a triple digit fastball, Pearson was silly good in the small, 20 IP sample he produced in Rookie Ball and Short Season A after being drafted last summer. The Blue Jays really think Pearson will someday supplant Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez at the top of their rotation someday, and the 6’6 240 pounder may have the stuff to do just that. At 21 years old, Pearson will play his first full season of professional baseball in 2018. His offspeed offerings can vary in quality from time to time, and there does seem to be some bullpen risk here. However, there’s no reason to think that Toronto won’t do absolutely everything in their power to make Pearson a top-of-the-rotation arm who could make his MLB debut as early as sometime next season.

115. Cole Tucker, SS, PIT, Age: 22

47 stolen bases. .358 on base percentage. Shortstop. Interested yet? Tucker seems to be a classic case of “please just find a way to hit 10 HRs” in fantasy circles. He’s useful and valuable regardless, but could develop into somewhat of a star with a little more pop. The Pirates swear they aren’t rebuilding, but their roster is vastly taking a new shape and will continue looking for impact bats. I think there’s a decent chance that Tucker eventually becomes a face of the new-look Bucs. He’s flying under fantasy radars, so now might be your best shot to acquire game-changing speed at an attractive price.

114. Beau Burrows, SP, DET, Age: 21

The “analytics vs. scout’s eye” debate will certainly reach its peak with Luis Urias (who you’ll read about decently soon) this preseason, but I feel like Burrows may be a close second. Analytics see a pitcher who finished with a 3.20 ERA and more strikeouts than innings pitched last season between High-A and AA. Scouts see a pitcher with one above average pitch who began to show flaws after being promoted to AA last season. Burrows’ profile is truly fascinating, and we’ll get to pick our side and watch it all unfold in 2018. After scanning a few industry lists that I trust, I find my ranking of Burrows somewhere in the middle. I find myself skeptical of Burrows’ ability to consistently fool batters as the level of competition improves, yet I can’t belittle Burrows’ success from last season. With Burrows likely returning to AA to begin the 2018 season, we’ll get a quick idea (even at the tender age of 21) as to whether Burrows is here to stay, or if his dominance of High-A hitters last season was, in retrospect, a fluke.

113. Anderson Espinoza, SP, SD, Age: 20

So, the floor is certainly lower here than it was this time last year, but the Pedro Martinez comparisons didn’t simply disappear because Espinoza (who won’t turn 20 until next month) had Tommy John surgery at the end of last season. Espinoza didn’t throw a competitive pitch last season, and he’ll miss the entirety of this season as well. There’s a lot of risk associated with a pitcher who misses two whole seasons due to injury, thus the cautious ranking here. If you play in a dynasty league, you should be doing everything you can to buy-low on Espinoza with the admission that he’s a long-term hold. The Venezuelan still has plenty of time to right the ship.

112. Dane Dunning, SP, CHW, Age: 23

I don’t get why Dunning isn’t receiving more hype. I understand that Alec Hansen is very good and has a chance to be a star, but that doesn’t mean Dunning should simply be an afterthought. When you consider that the Nationals have traded both Dunning and Jesus Luzardo (who you’ll read about later), considering their current 5th SP situation, you might get sick to your stomach. Dunning has the build to be a future innings eater in the big leagues, not to mention he struck out well more than a batter per inning last season between Low A and High A. The ERA and xFIP was almost equally impressive. The White Sox will soon be really, really good. Dunning should eventually be a fixture in one of the best rotations in baseball, even if he’s a high-end #4 SP.

111. Yu-Cheng Chang, SS, CLE, Age: 22

Yes, I see the 2017 batting average and on base percentage. Yeah, I see the strikeout rate too. Do you see the 24 home runs and 11 stolen bases though? At shortstop? Those don’t grow on trees. Even if Chang’s MLB potential is a HR-only middle infielder, I’m willing to bet that the career low .254 BABIP from last season positively regresses in 2018. I really think Chang is capable of a .330 OBP, 20 HR, 10 SB line at his peak.

110. Chris Rodriguez, SP, LAA, Age: 20

A former 4th round, 20th pick (eyeball emoji), Rodriguez’s ranking has been skewed in many lists due to the variance between his ERA and FIP. If ERA didn’t exist, Rodriguez would likely be an across-the-board top 100 prospect who will pitch most of the 2018 regular season as a 19 year old. Rodriguez’s highest placement so far has been Low-A, but the advanced peripherals are very promising despite an unsustainable BABIP. Rodriguez has hovered around striking out a batter per inning (despite being nearly four years younger than his average competition) with a low BB%. Rodriguez is also well ahead of his time in keeping the ball in the yard. The Angels system has experienced a meteoric rise over the last calendar year… don’t forget to include Rodriguez when you discuss the best names that the organization has to offer in the prospect world.

109. Mitchell White, SP, LAD, Age: 23

If you’re looking for a guy outside of my top 100 who might make the most unexpected MLB impact during the 2018 regular season, it might be White. I know the Dodgers rotation may seem packed and it may seem unlikely, but my goodness. White’s performance during his first full season of professional ball is undeniable. 2.93 ERA, 88 strikeouts in 73.2 innings pitched. Now hear me out: What if White takes the same career path as fellow Dodgers prospect Walker Buehler? White pitches well throughout the 2018 regular season, then gets promoted to Los Angeles to perform out of the bullpen in the latter stages of the regular season. Then, in 2019, White begins the season in the bullpen (to lightly restrict innings) before getting fully unleashed down the stretch. We’d all take that, right? That’s not as wild of a thought as you might think. White may have more bullpen potential than Buehler (and Buehler has a decent amount of bullpen potential), but the talent and raw stuff is simply nasty. Let’s not forget that he plays for an organization that’s known for developing home-grown arms.

108. Touki Toussaint, SP, ATL, Age: 22

I love. Touki. Toussaint. I love him. I think I’d give my right arm to see him become a big-time major league starting pitcher. I think Toussaint has some of the best pure stuff in the minor leagues, and the variance between his ERA and FIP last season allow him to be just underrated enough heading into 2018 to make him a breakout candidate. Toussaint made moderate improvements with his control last season, and I think he’ll further improve in that category this season. My biggest worry is the other arms in the Braves’ system. Toussaint relies heavily on an elite fastball and curveball, but the changeup is still developing (though scouts think it could be a major league average pitch someday). With an arsenal that’s still fully developing being paired with sketchy control at times, Toussaint could eventually become a high-leverage bullpen arm for a Braves team that will be rising to prominence just as Toussaint becomes ready to play a role in Atlanta. I’ll buy his shirsey regardless, but I hope he finds a way to remain a starting pitcher (I think he’s got a decent shot, thanks in no small part to his plus athleticism). If he does, he has one of the highest ceilings of any pitching prospect in baseball.

107. Jorge Alfaro, C, PHI, Age: 25

Patience is a virtue. Unless it isn’t. I feel like Alfaro has been a fixture on fantasy lists for nearly a decade. We thought 2016 would be Alfaro’s breakthrough season. Then we thought 2017 would be Alfaro’s breakthrough season. Neither happened. So where does that leave us heading into the 2018 season? Well, as of the middle of February, it seems like Alfaro is the favorite to be the Phillies’ everyday catcher behind the plate this season. There’s our window of hope. If Alfaro secures the job, the next step would be displaying the plus-plus power that has eluded the catcher recently (12 HRs last season, 15 HRs in 2016). I’m far from a fan of the low OBP and the high K%, but the catcher position is such a black hole that any sort of lottery ticket is worth acquiring at Alfaro’s low price. My fingers are crossed that Alfaro breaks through completely once he’s finally given an everyday shot at the big league level.

106. Riley Pint, SP, COL, Age: 20

I haven’t cared about a pitcher’s win/loss record in years, but I couldn’t help but laugh at Pint’s 3-16 record last season. Yikes. We all had (at minimum) slight reluctance ranking Pint last season due to him being a ‘Rockies pitcher’, but my goodness. The BB%. The ERA. The FIP. The ungaudy strikeout numbers. It was truly a freshman professional performance to forget for “maximum amount of ice cream I have ever consumed in one sitting.” Just as concerning as the numbers is the fact that multiple scouts noted that Pint’s 70 grade fastball played flatter than it should, which is obviously a no-no at any professional level. Regardless of anything that happened last season, Pint will pitch the entirety of the 2018 season as a 20 year old, and I’m willing to give him one more shot before genuinely evaluating my long-term stance on the pitcher labeled as the future ace of the Colorado Rockies. Here’s to hoping my ‘narrowly outside of the top 100’ ranking for Pint this preseason doesn’t feel irrationally aggressive this time next season.

105. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, PIT, Age: 21

The difference in Hayes’ 2016 and 2017 statistics are staggering. The third baseman seemed to be headed in the right direction in 2016 when he decreased his GB% and increased his FB%, but that trend reversed itself last season. Hayes’ homerun output decreased from 6 to 2 (lol) despite an increase of more than 100 PA last season, but the stolen bases dramatically increased from 6 to 27. The OBP also increased mightily from .323 in 2016 to .345 last season. All over the place. If I believed more in Hayes’ power potential, he would have been a very intriguing candidate to be a potential superstar prospect. As it stands, like fellow farmhand Cole Tucker, I’m hoping Hayes displays enough power to confidently acquire him in the near future.

104. Brett Phillips, OF, MIL, Age: 24

Despite the ranking, I’ll readily admit that it’s hard to have much confidence in Phillips 2018 season or near-future outlook. It’s certainly not all his fault, I mean, the Brewers acquired two All-Star caliber outfielders who will roam the green grass of Miller Park for the foreseeable future. So where does that leave Phillips. Hopefully? It leaves him eventually traded. Phillips’ 2017 numbers are typical Phillips numbers: Above average power, above average OBP, well above average number of strikeouts. If your team can absorb the strikeouts without skipping much of a beat, Phillips (thanks to his across-the-board contributions) can hold some major value. However, as I’ve already stated, he might need a trade in order to be a consistent big league contributor beginning this season. If you’re willing to bet on that, you were already willing to take on the strikeout frequency. My eyes and ears will be open on Phillips this season.

103. Pavin Smith, 1B, ARZ, Age: 22

A first baseman who hits .300, strikes out very little, and has untapped power potential? Yes please! Look, Smith walked more than he struck out in a 223 PA sample in Short Season A after being drafted last summer. There’s no such thing as a safe prospect, and that certainly holds true at a low-floor, high-ceiling position like first base. However, Smith’s floor might keep you comfortable at 1B for a decade. Think Eric Hosmer (ugh) with potentially more power (!!!!!!!!!). Don’t worry about the fact that Paul Goldschmidt is only 30 years old. Grab Smith whenever and wherever you can and #TrustTheProcess.

102. J.B. Bukauskas, SP, HOU, Age: 21

One of the more underrated arms of the 2017 MLB Draft, Bukauskas is an intriguing right hander who has a chance to rise quickly through one of the best developmental organizations in baseball. Bukauskas was a strikeout machine at the University of North Carolina, and, despite an unimposing build, projects as a middle-of-the-rotation starter whose name you’ll misspell a countless amount of times throughout his professional career. It’ll be hard for any prospect to repeat the 2017 success of Astros farmhand Forrest Whitley, but Bukauskas is certainly a prime candidate to make the next big jump for the Astros in the world of both prospect lists and big league projection

101. Stephen Gonsalves, SP, MIN, Age: 24

I understand your lack of giddiness with Gonsalves. He’s not ridiculously young, he doesn’t have jaw-dropping strikeout numbers, and he doesn’t play for an exhilarating organization. I get it. But pitching is the most volatile position in the prospect world, a high floors will leave your heart unbroken much more often than high ceilings. I think Gonsalves is a solid #3 SP who will flash more at times; he’ll also strike out nearly a batter per inning at the MLB level. Sometimes, “you could do a WHOLE lot worse” makes more sense than “yeah, but this guy has an outside shot at being a superstar.” Gonsalves is the solid, consistent starting pitcher who will play an unsung role in winning your fantasy team a league championship someday.

100. Chance Sisco, C, BAL, Age: 23

My fingers are crossed, but it’s looking like this may be the last time we have to include Sisco on our prospect lists! With Wellington Castillo now in Chicago, the path has been seemingly cleared for Sisco to be the Orioles Opening Day catcher. It’s about time. The backstop sacrificed some contact ability (career high K%) for some extra pop (career high 9 HRs) last season. I’m not sold on him ever being a star, but I do think he’ll be drafted regularly in standard formats throughout his big league career. Here’s to Sisco being ineligible for this list by the time we get to midseason.

99. Michael Chavis, 3B, BOS, Age: 22

Chavis exploded onto the scene last season, mashing 31 HRs and slashing .282/.347/.563 between stops at High A and AA. The performance was enough to land Chavis on prospect lists across the industry heading into the 2018 season, but what will the encore look like? The third baseman is unlikely to duplicate the .360 BABIP he posted in High A last season (he had a putrid .265 BABIP in 24 more PA in AA after being promoted), and I project him more of a .260/.325/.450 player moving forward. I hope to be surprised. Interestingly, Chavis played some first base in Peoria during the Arizona Fall League. With Rafael Devers seemingly the Red Sox third baseman for the foreseeable future, Chavis’s future (defensive position and, possibly, long term team) will obviously play a huge role in his value moving forward.

98. Dylan Cease, SP, CHW, Age: 22

Why ‘pitcher wins’ is the most useless stat in baseball, exhibit 34,829,470,273: Cease went 1-10 last season despite compiling a 3.28 ERA with a sub-3 FIP while striking out 126 batters in 93.1 IP. Crazy. CRAY-ZEE. This time last season, Cease had been labeled as the pitching prospect who was finally going give the Cubs a viable ‘homegrown’ starting pitcher. Then, Cease was traded to the White Sox alongside Eloy Jimenez in exchange for Jose Quintana. The White Sox will soon be one of the best teams in the MLB, and Cease certainly has a chance to play a major role in any future success. A Tommy John surgery recipient, if he performs to his projections this season, Cease will be knocking on the door of a major league debut during Spring Training next season.

97. Colin Moran, 3B, PIT, Age: 25

At 25 years young, there’s a bit of #posthype associated to Moran. But thanks to a swing change and a new opportunity with a new club, the third baseman could kick down the door and become a fantasy mainstay in 2018. Moran increased his FB% by more than ten percent, which led to a career high 19 HRs. Moran also increased his AVG and OBP and lowered his K%. None of that really mattered, though (because the Astros’ infield is set for the next decade), until Moran was traded to Pittsburgh (along with others) in exchange for SP Gerrit Cole. He should be penciled in as Pittsburgh’s every day third baseman, and there’s a real possibility that Moran is a .300 AVG/25 HR hitter at his peak.

Side note: I originally scoffed at the Pirates’ return for Gerrit Cole, but I’ve since convinced myself that both Moran and Joe Musgrove will be above average MLB players. I suppose we’ll see.

96. Logan Allen, SP, SD, Age: 21

Allen doesn’t get the same hype that a lot of Padres prospects are currently receiving (maybe because he was originally drafted by the Red Sox), but it’s time to take note. One of my favorite things about Allen: he surrendered only three home runs in 125 innings pitched last season (his first full professional season). Oh, he also struck out 143 batters. He walk numbers aren’t high. Allen is an underratedly solid prospect whose buy-low window is quickly diminishing. There’s a chance the Padres stick him back in High-A to begin the 2018 season, but I think we’ll see Allen pitch predominantly in AA during his second full season of pro ball.

95. Dustin Fowler, OF, OAK, Age: 23

It’s a true shame that a lot of average baseball fans only remember Dustin Fowler as the Yankees player who suffered a gruesome leg injury in his first ever MLB game. During his rehab, Fowler was traded from the Yankees to the Athletics, where he’s hoping to become an outfield staple beginning this season. A lot of Fowler’s value lies in his ability to steal bases, so I’m very interested to see if he continues swiping bags at the same rate as he did in past seasons (25 SBs in 2016, 13 SBs in 70 games last season). Fowler has never been one to take many walks, so I’m interested to see if he can maintain a batting average north of .280 in the major leagues. The 23-year-old lefty is currently viewed as the favorite to land the Athletics starting center fielder job, so Fowler should be an instant-impact prospect if you can grab him this preseason.

94. Alex Faedo, SP, DET, Age: 22

Faedo has actually been drafted by the Tigers twice (once as a senior in high school, once as a member of the Florida Gators), and the 6’5 225 pound right-hander has the chance to absolutely blaze through Detroit’s minor league system. The knock on Faedo (by some) is that he doesn’t possess an overpowering fastball (and some scouts question whether he’ll be able to strike professional batters out consistently like he did at Florida). The critique comes with the caveat that the fastball still has some projection remaining. Faedo’s slider has been given a 70 grade future projection, and his best asset may be his advanced game management. Two things I’ll be looking for in Faedo this season: 1) What level he begins the season at, and 2) how consistently he can strike out professional hitters.

93. Ryan Mountcastle, IF, BAL, Age: 21

It appeared Mountcastle would be ranked much higher than 93rd on this list early last season. Then, Mountcastle was promoted to AA and proceeded to slash .222/.239/.366 in 159 PA. In all, Mountcastle totaled 18 HRs and 8 SBs with a .287 AVG in 538 plate appearances last season. That’s the good. The bad? Mountcastle walked a grand total of 17 (SEVENTEEN!) times in 538 plate appearances last season. That’s good for a 3.2% BB%. How is that even possible? Now, Mountcastle is an above average athlete and has plenty of time to develop better plate discipline and a more selective eye. He’ll likely begin the 2018 season back in AA, and Mountcastle’s future status on prospect lists will have everything to do with how willing he is take more walks beginning this season.

92. Sandy Alcantara, SP, MIA, Age: 22

The centerpiece of the Marlins’ return for OF Marcell Ozuna, Alcantara will now take his triple digit fastball to perhaps the worst team in the major leagues. Alcantara got his first taste of major league baseball at the end of last season despite having a relatively disappointing season in AA Springfield. I remain rather skeptical as to whether Alcantara will remain a starting pitcher throughout his career, but I do think a trade to the Marlins (who can afford to be patient) helps that cause. Based on pure stuff, Alcantara is more than capable of racking up strikeouts at the big league level. However, the command will have everything to do with Alcantara either being a well above-average big league starting pitcher or the pitcher who posted a 7.6 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 125.1 IP last season in AA.

91. Bryse Wilson, SP, ATL, Age: 20

Man, do the Braves have a ton of great arms on the farm. A fourth round pick in 2016, Wilson excelled in his first professional season, posting 139 strikeouts and a 2.50 ERA in 137 innings in Low-A. Wilson doesn’t necessarily have one pitch that blows hitters and evaluators away. Instead, the right-hander leans on his ability to not walk batters nor allow homeruns. His fastball projects as an above average pitch, and he’ll likely be a 20 year old pitching in High-A to begin the 2018 regular season. It would not surprise me at all if Wilson eventually ranked higher than at least one of the Braves pitchers you’ll read about later in this list (Kolby Allard, Mike Soroka and Kyle Wright).

90. Aramis Ademan, SS, CHC, Age: 19

The conversation has shifted from “Geez, the Cubs farm system is STACKED!” to “Geez, the Cubs farm system SUCKS!”, and I simply feel like that’s allowed Ademan to become somewhat of a hidden gem. As an 18-year-old last season, Ademan hit 7 HRs and stole 14 bases while finishing with a .324 OBP in 317 plate appearances. Ademan was three years younger than his average competition in his Short Season A and Low-A placements. The future projection is also exciting: At 5’11 160 pounds, Ademan will continue to fill out as he gains more experience. The speed is here to stay and the power should continue increasing, so I’ll throw a dart and project Ademan as a future 15 HR/20 SB/.340 OBP player. The Cubs have absolutely no reason to rush him, so Ademan will continue progressing comfortably through a Cubs system known for developing position players.

89. Matt Manning, SP, DET, Age: 20

Manning no longer has the luster of a first year player and hardly threw 50 IP last season, and I feel like those facts alone led to his omission on a couple of lists I’ve studied so far this preseason. Not here. At 19 years old (now 20), Manning dominated Short Season A and Low-A to the tune of 62 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched with a 2.68 FIP. The 4.4 BB/9 isn’t great, but I’m more than willing to chalk that up to Manning’s first taste of professional baseball (and only his third year of focusing on pitching…. In his entire life). At 6’6, Manning certainly has the stature of a typical MLB starting pitching bulldog. He’s greener than a gourd, but with more experience, Manning has the realistic ceiling of a high-K, athletic, #2 starting pitcher.

88. Carter Kieboom, SS, WAS, Age: 22

Kieboom looked well on his way to enjoying a breakout season in 2017 before injuring his hamstring in May. The injury limited Kieboom to only 255 PA; he hit 9 HRs and slashed .297/.396/.493 between stops at Rookie Ball, Short Season A and Low-A. Kieboom possesses an attractive floor and ceiling, but I like the floor particularly. He may never be a valuable base stealer, but Kieboom looks like a consistent double-digit homerun hitter who will reach base at a rampant pace thanks to an advanced eye and willingness to take walks. It should be noted that Kieboom would likely be a top target for the Marlins if the Nationals get serious about acquiring catcher J.T. Realmuto.

87. Shane Baz, SP, PIT, Age: 19

Prepare yourself to hear this phrase as long as Baz is a prospect: It’s all about his command. Baz had arguably the deepest arsenal of any prep pitcher draft in last season’s MLB draft, and that arsenal will be on display in 2018 during Baz’s first full season of professional baseball. The repertoire only matters, though, if Baz develops more consistent command. There’s no reason to think he won’t improve like any other 19 year old top 100 prospect, but the current tools make Baz somewhat of a low-floor/high-ceiling prospect. When it all clicks (and the Pirates have a recent track record of developing pitchers), Baz could be the next in a long line of Texas fireballers to make a big-time big league impact.

86. Albert Abreu, SP, NYY, Age: 22

We still haven’t gotten the full Albert Abreu Experience yet thanks to injury, but there’s a lot to like about the Dominican Republic native. Already drawing comparisons to current Yankees stud Luis Severino, if he can stay healthy, Abreu could easily be a top 50 prospect across the board by midseason. Don’t let the 175 pound label given to Abreu on team and statistical websites fool you: the right hander is built with a sturdy lower body that will help him maintain his velocity deep into starts and throughout a 162 game season. The Yankees should at least think about placing Abreu in AA Trenton to begin the 2018 season; as far as projections go, I think Abreu is capable of striking out more than a batter per inning while maintaining an ERA in the low-to-mid 3’s. There’s an outside chance that Abreu eventually develops into a #2 SP, and you know I don’t use that projection loosely.

85. JoJo Romero, SP, PHI, Age: 21

With Sixto Sanchez’s rise to prominence, Adonis Medina’s emergence, and Franklyn Kilome’s elite athleticism and eye-opening potential, I feel like Romero is often an afterthought in discussions about the future of the Phillies’ pitching staff. Use this to your advantage. Romero was simply fantastic last season in Low-A and High-A, totaling a 2.16 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 129 IP in his first full professional season after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB draft. Romero has above average command (7.0 BB%) and keeps the ball in the yard extremely well for someone with such little professional experience. The southpaw might not have the astronomical ceiling of future teammate Sixto Sanchez, but Romero has mid-rotation potential nonetheless.

84. Jake Bauers, 1B/OF, TB, Age: 22

If 13 HRs, 20 SBs and a .368 OBP in 2017 weren’t enough to get you excited about Bauers heading into this season, now he’s got clear opportunity. The ink just dried on the Rays designating Corey Dickerson for assignment. Logan Morrison isn’t expected to return to the club, and although Tampa Bay did just acquire C.J. Cron, Bauers almost certainly figures into the Rays plans this season. The stolen base potential will be handy for a player who should maintain dual 1B/OF eligibility, and a .350 OBP/20 HR should be attainable after getting accustomed to the big leagues. Bauers will certainly be more valuable in OBP leagues than AVG, but the lefty will probably hold value across the board beginning sometime this season.

83. Brandon Woodruff, SP, MIL, Age: 25

One of the few pitchers in the history of the world to not get completely obliterated by the friendly hitting confines in AAA Colorado Springs, Woodruff enters the 2018 season as a candidate to land the final spot in the Brewers rotation to begin the regular season. Like the aforementioned Colin Moran, despite being a 25-year-old prospect, Woodruff is an absolute perfect player for any rebuilding team who also needs to fill its active roster spots. The ceiling may be somewhat limited due to unspectacular strikeout numbers, but Woodruff should eventually become a consistent innings eater that will check a lot of boxes for your fantasy rotation.

82. Cole Ragans, SP, TEX, Age: 20

I know this is a relatively unique take, but I think Ragans is already one of the best left handed pitchers in the minor leagues, with a chance to someday be the best. The 13.7 K/9 last season was otherworldly; the 5.5 BB/9 last season was obviously suboptimal. Ragans posted a solid 3.42 xFIP in his first season of professional ball (Short Season A), and he has the tools to be a top-of-the-rotation big league southpaw. I’ll be keeping an eye on his walk rates this season in High-A. At 6’4 190 lbs., he’s built to eventually be able to take the ball every fifth day over the course of a 162-game season. At 20 years old for the entirety of the 2018 season, I think there’s a chance he doubles the 57.1 IP he totaled in 2017. There’s a ton of variance possible, but I currently view Ragans as a future #2 SP who could knock on the door of a big league debut as a 21 year old in 2019.

81. Max Fried, SP, ATL, Age: 24

Another southpaw, Fried was actually better after being promoted to Atlanta than he was in AA and AAA last season. While Fried was still with AA Mississippi (and in the same rotation as Kolby Allard and Mike Soroka), I had a chance to speak with a handful of scouts about the trio of prospects. Almost unanimously, they preferred Fried to Allard or Soroka (while admitting that all three would eventually be ‘big league guys’). Fried’s long-term ceiling in the big leagues might eventually be as high as his control takes him. He’s certainly capable of missing bats, but at times, his pitch count gets away from him due to working deep counts and walking hitters. Fried will compete against fellow lefties Sean Newcomb and Luiz Gohara for the final two rotation spots in Atlanta his spring. The short straw will likely begin the season in AAA Gwinnett.

80. Tyler Mahle, SP, CIN, Age: 23

If you only look at the ERA in Mahle’s first 20 IP in the big leagues at the end of last season, you would think that the right-hander kicked down the door with a vengeance during his first stint in the MLB. The peripherals aren’t nearly as kind, but there have certainly been far-worse first go-arounds under the bright lights. Mahle finds himself in the midst of a competition to secure the final spot in the Reds’ big league starting rotation heading into the regular season. There are seemingly a handful of competitors vying to fill the spot, and since Mahle has the least amount of service time compared to his opposition, it’s easy to conjure up the thought that he’ll likely begin the regular season in AAA. Some folks seem to think the Reds will be the surprise team in the MLB this season (I certainly don’t), but if that theory materializes, Mahle will almost certainly play a big league role at some point during the season. Don’t fret if you have stock in Mahle and he doesn’t break camp with Cincinnati; I think he’s a solid #3 SP with a lovable floor regardless of when he finally finds his footing in the big leagues.

79. Kyle Lewis, OF, SEA, Age: 23

I strongly considered bumping Lewis down in my list due to the latest news of him undergoing arthroscopic knee injury (the latest of several issues he’s faced with his right knee), but I decided to hold steady here. This time last season, I thought Lewis and Corey Ray would ascend through prospect lists both A) together, and B) quickly. Ray barely made my #Top200 list at all, and while Lewis made my list comfortably, his future is almost equally cloudy. Lewis has barely surpassed 300 professional PA, yet he’s already received the dreaded ‘injury-prone’ label. The knee issues are truly troubling, but the Mariners are hoping (following the scope) that Lewis’s discomfort is officially in the past. If the issues are behind him, Lewis could convincingly re-establish himself as a top prospect during the 2018 regular season. If there’s another recurrence sometime this season, my ranking of Lewis will seem overly aggressive and perhaps even ignorant. I’m near the end of my rope with Lewis, but I’m giving him one more shot and reevaluating at the midseason point before beginning to wave my white flag.

78. Fernando Romero, SP, MIN, Age: 23

I’ve said it a countless amount of times already, but allow me to say it again here: Fernando Romero continues to fly under the radar amongst top pitching prospects in the game. I know it’s hard to get overly excited about a 23 year old who’s never pitched above AA, but Romero has never had a full-season of professional baseball in which he has totaled an ERA over 3.53. Romero’s professional path was decelerated slightly thanks to undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014, but the right-hander seems destined to make his MLB debut well before 2020. Look, the Twins are going to be a lot better than most people give them credit for, and as the rotation stands right now, Romero has an excellent chance to take his place in the major leagues sometime during the 2018 regular season. The walk-rate was oddly high last season, but the BABIP suggests that Romero was unlucky on balls hit in play. He may not possess the ceiling of a superstar, but Romero should eventually be a starting pitcher you can plug into your rotation without much continual stress.

77. Jesse Winker, OF, CIN, Age: 24

I know that now is a really weird time to attempt board the Jesse Winker hype train, but I think I’m finally coming around on appreciating the value he brings to the table. If you demand that your fantasy outfielders hit 30 HRs, Winker is certainly not the player for you. Heck, if you demand yo