Each month, The Dynasty Guru will provide a prospect update, including notable performances (good and bad), assignments, promotions, trades, injuries, and suspensions. Most importantly, the monthly update will examine prospects with increasing and decreasing fantasy value, from the elite to the obscure.

On Monday, we briefly touched upon notable prospects breaking camp. Today, we focus upon early assignments, injuries, and notable rankings movement for the 2019 Top 500 Fantasy Prospects and other noteworthy prospects.

2019 Catcher Prospect Assignments

Top 500 Rank Player Opening Day Age 2019 Level ETA 25 Francisco Mejia SD 23.42 MLB - 52 Joey Bart SF 22.29 A+ 2021 56 Danny Jansen TOR 23.95 MLB - 73 Keibert Ruiz LAD 20.69 AA 2019 80 Daulton Varsho ARI 22.74 AA 2020 113 Ronaldo Hernandez TB 21.38 A+ 2021 124 Will Smith LAD 24.00 AAA 2019 137 Andrew Knizner STL 24.15 AAA 2019 142 Willians Astudillo MIN 27.46 MLB - 149 M.J. Melendez KC 20.33 A+ 2021 160 Zack Collins CHW 24.14 AAA 2019 165 William Contreras ATL 21.26 A+ 2021 172 Sean Murphy OAK 24.47 AAA 2019 176 Miguel Amaya CHC 20.05 A+ 2021 227 Bo Naylor CLE 19.10 A 2022 268 Austin Allen SD 25.20 AAA 2019 287 Connor Wong LAD 22.86 A+ 2020 304 Luis Campusano SD 20.50 A+ 2021 318 Anthony Seigler NYY 19.77 EST 2022 372 Diego Cartaya LAD 17.56 EST 2023 378 Tyler Stephenson CIN 22.62 AA 2020 328 Jake Rogers DET 23.94 AA 2019 386 Andy Yerzy ARI 20.73 A 2022 426 Eric Haase CLE 26.28 AAA 2019 459 Garrett Stubbs HOU 25.84 AAA 2019 478 Cal Raleigh SEA 22.34 A+ 2021 481 Alejandro Kirk TOR 20.39 A 2022 - Ryan Jeffers MIN 21.82 A+ 2021 - Ivan Herrera STL 18.83 A 2022 - Will Banfield MIA 19.36 A 2022 - Josh Breaux NYY 21.48 A 2021 - Payton Henry MIL 21.76 A+ 2021 - Blake Hunt SD 20.38 A 2022 - Hendrik Clementina CIN 21.78 A+ 2021 - Mario Feliciano MIL 20.36 A+ 2021 - Israel Pineda WAS 18.99 A 2022 - Rafael Marchan PHI 20.09 A 2022

Catcher Prospect Notes

Last year, Ronaldo Hernandez, M.J. Melendez, William Contreras, Miguel Amaya, and Luis Campusano impressed in Low-A. This year, the next batch of potential Low-A breakout catcher prospects include Bo Naylor, Andy Yerzy, Alejandro Kirk, Ivan Herrera, Will Banfield, Blake Hunt, Israel Pineda, and Rafael Marchan. Notably, Pineda turns 19 years old today, and Herrera is still 18 years old until June.

Notable March rankings movement: Danny Jansen, Toronto Blue Jays (56 to 32); Ronaldo Hernandez, Tampa Bay Rays (113 to 93); M.J. Melendez, Kansas City Royals (149 to 129)

Notable injuries: Brett Cumberland, Baltimore Orioles

No assignment: Anthony Seigler, New York Yankees

2019 First Base Prospect Assignments

Top 500 Rank Player Opening Day Age 2019 Level ETA 15 Peter Alonso NYM 24.31 MLB - 39 Nathaniel Lowe TB 23.73 AAA 2019 120 Grant Lavigne COL 19.59 A 2022 157 Tyler Nevin COL 21.83 AA 2020 126 Evan White SEA 22.92 AA 2020 154 Nick Pratto KC 20.48 A+ 2021 130 Brent Rooker MIN 24.41 AAA 2019 169 Bobby Bradley CLE 22.83 AAA 2019 222 Matt Thaiss LAA 23.89 AAA 2019 234 Pavin Smith ARI 23.14 AA 2020 260 Rowdy Tellez TOR 24.03 MLB - 283 Dan Vogelbach SEA 26.28 MLB - 300 Ibandel Isabel CIN 23.77 AA 2020 310 Gavin Sheets CHW 22.93 AA 2020 315 Luken Baker STL 22.05 A+ 2021 332 Roberto Ramos COL 24.25 AAA 2020 368 Chad Spanberger TOR 23.41 AA 2021 384 Josh Ockimey BOS 23.44 AAA 2019 403 Will Craig PIT 24.37 AAA 2020 427 Dermis Garcia NYY 21.23 A+ 2021 444 Ryan Noda TOR 22.99 A+ 2021 458 Darick Hall PHI 23.68 AA 2020 466 Reynaldo Rivera DET 21.79 A+ 2021 480 Connor Joe SF 26.62 MLB 2019 490 Heriberto Hernandez TEX 19.28 EST 2023 495 Zack Shannon ARI 22.77 EST 2021 498 Curtis Terry TEX 22.48 A 2022 - Lewin Diaz MIN 22.36 A+ 2020 - Jared Walker LAD 23.15 AA 2021 - Frank Schwindel KC 26.75 MLB 2019 - Ryan Costello MIN 22.79 A+ 2021 - Brad Zunica SD 23.44 AA 2020 - Tyreque Reed TEX 21.81 A+ 2022

First Base Prospect Notes

Grant Lavigne will enjoy the hitter-friendly confines of McCormick Park this year. Not only is the park located at a higher elevation in Asheville, but its dimensions are tiny (left field: 326 ft; left-center: 370 ft; center field: 373 ft; right-center: 320 ft; and right field: 297 ft). Expect a big year from Lavigne!

Nick Pratto is among an impressive group of Royals hitting prospects in Wilmington, including Seuly Matias, M.J. Melendez, Kyle Isbel, and Brewer Hicklen.

Notable March rankings movement: Nathaniel Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays (39 to 29); Tyler Nevin, Colorado Rockies (157 to 87); Grant Lavigne, Colorado Rockies (120 to 95); Brent Rooker, Minnesota Twins (130 to 150)

Notable injuries: none

No assignment: Zack Shannon, Arizona Diamondbacks; Heriberto Hernandez, Texas Rangers

2019 Second Base Prospect Assignments

Top 500 Rank Player Opening Day Age 2019 Level ETA 10 Nick Senzel CIN 23.75 AAA 2019 12 Keston Hiura MIL 22.66 AAA 2019 37 Nick Madrigal CHW 22.04 A+ 2020 38 Garrett Hampson COL 24.47 MLB - 47 Luis Urias SD 21.82 AAA - 55 Vidal Brujan TB 21.14 A+ 2020 74 Brandon Lowe TB 24.73 MLB - 79 Jahmai Jones LAA 21.65 AA 2020 97 Esteury Ruiz SD 20.12 A+ 2021 118 Isan Diaz MIA 22.84 AAA 2019 139 Nick Solak TB 24.21 AAA 2019 155 Jeter Downs LAD 20.67 A+ 2021 158 Shed Long SEA 23.60 AAA 2019 171 Cavan Biggio TOR 23.96 AAA 2019 261 Rylan Bannon BAL 22.93 AA 2020 270 Kevin Kramer PIT 25.49 AAA - 274 Richard Palacios CLE 21.87 INJ 2021 281 Tucupita Marcano SD 19.53 A 2022 285 Andy Young ARI 24.88 AA 2020 288 Luis Santana HOU 19.69 EST 2022 325 Yunior Severino MIN 19.49 A 2022 336 Eli White TEX 24.76 AAA 2019 349 Samad Taylor TOR 20.71 A+ 2021 374 Travis Blankenhorn MIN 22.65 A+ 2020 382 Kody Clemens DET 22.87 A+ 2021 405 Ramon Urias STL 24.82 AAA 2019 437 Nick Dunn STL 22.16 A+ 2021 442 Tyler Frank TB 22.20 A+ 2021 451 Daniel Brito PHI 21.18 A+ 2020 463 Ezequiel Duran NYY 19.85 EST 2022 500 Rochest Cruz CHC 19.76 EST 2023 - Kean Wong TB 23.95 AAA 2019 - Carlos Cortes NYM 21.74 A+ 2021 - Esteban Quiroz SD 27.11 AAA 2019 - Drew Jackson BAL 25.67 MLB 2019 - Jonathan Willems CIN 20.39 A 2022 - Otto Lopez TOR 20.49 A 2022 - Marcos Brito OAK 19.06 A 2022 - Michael Helman MIN 22.85 A+ 2020

Second Base Prospect Notes

Following the trade to the Dodgers, Jeter Downs will immediately enjoy a move from the Florida State League to the California League, where he will play at hitter-friendly Rancho Cucamonga. Last year, the team hit .274/.351/.474!

Notable March rankings movement: Garrett Hampson, Colorado Rockies (38 to 28); Luis Urias, San Diego Padres (47 to 37); Tucupita Marcano, San Diego Padres (281 to 196)

Notable injuries: Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds (right ankle sprain); Richard Palacios, Cleveland Indians (torn labrum)

No assignment: Luis Santana, Houston Astros; Jayce Easley, Texas Rangers

2019 Third Base Prospect Assignments

Top 500 Rank Player Opening Day Age 2019 Level ETA 1 Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. TOR 20.03 AAA 2019 24 Austin Riley ATL 21.99 AAA 2019 32 Nolan Gorman STL 18.88 A 2021 49 Jonathan India CIN 22.29 A+ 2020 57 Alec Bohm PHI 22.65 A 2020 68 Ryan Mountcastle BAL 22.11 AAA 2019 89 Colton Welker COL 21.47 AA 2020 101 Ke'Bryan Hayes PIT 22.17 AAA 2019 102 Nolan Jones CLE 20.89 A+ 2021 108 Michael Chavis BOS 23.63 AAA 2019 110 Elehuris Montero STL 20.61 AA 2021 148 Mark Vientos NYM 19.30 A 2022 152 Triston Casas BOS 19.20 A 2022 162 Malcom Nunez STL 18.05 EST 2023 177 Bobby Dalbec BOS 23.75 AA 2020 191 Edwin Rios LAD 24.94 AAA 2019 193 Hudson Potts SD 20.42 AA 2020 201 Sherten Apostel TEX 20.05 A 2022 213 Miguel Vargas LAD 19.36 A 2022 244 Kevin Maitan LAA 19.13 A 2022 262 Abraham Toro HOU 22.27 AA 2020 265 Jean Carlos Encarnacion BAL 21.20 A 2021 280 Jake Burger CHW 22.97 INJ 2021 319 Drew Ellis ARI 23.33 AA 2020 338 Jonathan Ornelas TEX 18.84 A 2022 370 Lucas Erceg MIL 23.91 AAA 2020 380 Kevin Cron ARI 26.11 AAA 2019 387 Josh Fuentes COL 26.11 AAA 2019 400 Danny Diaz BOS 18.24 EST 2023 433 Brandon Howlett BOS 19.54 A 2021 454 Jose Miranda MIN 20.75 A+ 2021 474 Ty France SD 24.71 AAA 2019 492 CJ Alexander ATL 22.70 AA 2021 494 Diosbel Arias TEX 22.69 A+ 2021 - Luis Toribio SF 18.50 EST 2023 - Buddy Kennedy ARI 20.48 EST 2022 - Cristian Santana LAD 22.09 AA 2020 - Bret Boswell COL 24.48 AA 2020 - Jacob Gonzalez SF 20.76 A 2021 - James Nelson MIA 21.44 A+ 2020 - Enmanuel Valdez HOU 20.25 A 2022 - Jake Holmes PHI 20.74 A 2022

Third Base Prospect Notes

This year, the wealth of talent at third base is in Low-A, where you can find Nolan Gorman, Alec Bohm, Mark Vientos, Triston Casas, Sherten Apostel, Miguel Vargas, Jonathan Ornelas, and Brandon Howlett.

In addition, several top third base prospect likely will debut this year, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Austin Riley, Ryan Mountcastle, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Michael Chavis.

Notable March rankings movement: Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates (101 to 76); Mark Vientos, New York Mets (148 to 113)

Notable injuries: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (strained left oblique); Josh Fuentes, Colorado Rockies (left hamate surgery)

No assignment: Malcom Nunez, St. Louis Cardinals; Luis Toribio, Arizona Diamondbacks

2019 Shortstop Prospect Assignments

Top 500 Rank Player Opening Day Age 2019 Level ETA 4 Fernando Tatis Jr. SD 20.24 MLB - 6 Wander Franco TB 18.08 A 2021 8 Bo Bichette TOR 21.06 AAA 2019 11 Royce Lewis MIN 19.81 A+ 2020 17 Brendan Rodgers COL 22.64 AAA 2019 23 Carter Kieboom WAS 21.57 AAA 2020 40 Andres Gimenez NYM 20.57 AA 2020 64 Jazz Chisholm ARI 21.16 AA 2020 65 Luis Garcia WAS 18.87 AA 2021 67 Xavier Edwards SD 19.64 A 2022 77 Gavin Lux LAD 21.35 AA 2020 87 Oneil Cruz PIT 20.48 A+ 2021 98 Nico Hoerner CHC 21.88 AA 2020 100 Kevin Smith TOR 22.73 AA 2020 109 Isaac Paredes DET 20.11 AA 2020 114 Jorge Mateo OAK 23.76 AAA 2019 145 Luis Garcia PHI 18.49 A 2023 146 Jordan Groshans TOR 19.38 A 2022 147 Marco Luciano SF 17.55 EST 2023 150 Ronny Mauricio NYM 17.98 A 2022 194 Anderson Tejeda TEX 20.91 A+ 2020 195 Wander Javier MIN 20.25 EST 2021 198 Freudis Nova HOU 19.21 EST 2022 199 Brayan Rocchio CLE 18.21 EST 2023 200 Orelvis Martinez TOR 17.36 EST 2023 202 Lucius Fox TB 21.74 AA 2020 204 Luis Rengifo LAA 22.09 AAA 2019 206 Brice Turang MIL 19.35 A 2022 208 Tyler Freeman CLE 19.85 A 2021 219 Jeremiah Jackson LAA 19.01 EST 2022 223 Nick Gordon MIN 23.43 AAA 2019 228 Cole Tucker PIT 22.74 AAA 2019 242 Wenceel Perez DET 19.41 A 2022 243 Ryan Vilade COL 20.11 A+ 2021 246 Shervyen Newton NYM 19.93 A 2022 249 Noelvi Marte SEA 17.45 EST 2023 295 Yu Chang CLE 23.61 AAA 2019 303 Willi Castro DET 21.93 AAA 2019 308 Jeremy Eierman OAK 22.55 A+ 2021 313 Mauricio Dubon MIL 24.69 AAA 2019 337 Antoni Flores BOS 18.46 EST 2023 340 Aaron Bracho CLE 17.93 EST 2023 344 Nicky Lopez KC 24.04 AAA 2019 346 Miguel Hiraldo TOR 18.56 EST 2023 352 Gabriel Rodriguez CLE 17.10 EST 2023 355 Blaze Alexander ARI 19.80 EST 2022 359 Alexander Vargas NYY 17.41 EST 2023 363 Geraldo Perdomo ARI 19.43 A 2022 385 Osiris Johnson MIA 18.44 INJ 2022 391 Gabriel Arias SD 19.09 A+ 2020 409 Terrin Vavra COL 21.88 A 2021 414 Jose Devers MIA 19.31 A+ 2021 418 Taylor Walls TB 22.72 EST 2020 424 Aramis Ademan CHC 20.54 A+ 2020 445 Kevin Newman PIT 25.65 MLB - 453 Jose Garcia CIN 20.98 A+ 2021 464 Yasel Antuna WAS 19.42 INJ 2021 467 Juan Guerrero COL 17.55 EST 2023 470 Chris Seise TEX 20.23 A 2022 476 Edmundo Sosa STL 23.06 AAA - 485 Eddy Diaz COL 19.12 EST 2023 - Adam Hall BAL 19.85 A 2021 - Owen Miller SD 22.37 AA 2021 - Richie Martin BAL 24.27 MLB 2019 - Jonathan Arauz HOU 20.65 A+ 2020 - Frainyer Chavez TEX 19.84 A 2023 - Jacob Amaya CHC 20.57 A 2021

Shortstop Prospect Notes

Shortstop boasts several of the youngest assignments, including Ronny Mauricio in the South Atlantic League (turning 18 years old tomorrow!); Wander Franco in the Midwest League; Gabriel Arias in the California League; and Luis Garcia (WAS) in the Eastern League (still just 18 years old).

Notable March rankings movement: Luis Garcia, Washington Nationals (65 to 45); Gavin Lux, Los Angeles Dodgers (77 to 47); Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates (87 to 67); Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs (98 to 83); Isaac Paredes, Detroit Tigers (109 to 89); Luis Garcia, Philadelphia Phillies (145 to 105); Ronny Mauricio, New York Mets (150 to 110); Wander Javier, Minnesota Twins (195 to 163); Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks (363 to 198); Noelvi Marte, Seattle Mariners (249 to 199)

Notable injuries: Nick Gordon, Minnesota Twins (acute gastritis); Osiris Johnson, Miami Marlins (out for 5-6 months due to a tibial stress fracture in his right leg); Yasel Antuna, Washington Nationals (Tommy John surgery)

No assignment: Wander Javier, Minnesota Twins; Brayan Rocchio, Cleveland Indians; Freudis Nova, Houston Astros; Antoni Flores, Boston Red Sox; Blaze Alexander, Arizona Diamondbacks

Jesse Roche's 2019 Prospect Series

Please feel free to post comments, questions, or your own observations!

Tomorrow, I will detail assignments and injuries for outfield prospects

Follow me on Twitter @jaroche6