This article is part of our Farm Futures series.
For serious dynasty league owners, the start of Short-Season and Rookie league play is one of the best times of the year. We finally get to see what that shiny new toy looks like in game action. Between now and the end of the season, prospects from these leagues will emerge as top-400, top-200, and even top-100 prospects. It was this time last year when Royce Lewis, Keston Hiura, Jo Adell, Luis Robert, Drew Waters, Tirso Ornelas, Heliot Ramos, Calvin Mitchell, Jeisson Rosario, Jhailyn Ortiz, and Esteury Ruiz began putting together their resumes. Now all 11 of those hitters are top-60 prospects in dynasty leagues. If you are asleep at the wheel over the next two months, you will miss out on the next crop of exciting, toolsy teenage building blocks in leagues that allow in-season pickups.
So which players should you be keeping an eye on? I've done that work for you. What follows is a list of the top 117 hitters in Short-Season or Rookie leagues (I don't include pitchers in this article because most of you don't care about Rookie-level pitchers -- just know that Francisco Morales is the short-season pitcher I'm watching most closely right now). I decided to put out the list a little earlier than I did last season, so there will not be many 2018 draftees included, because most have not been assigned to an affiliate. Some of these guys are already household
For serious dynasty league owners, the start of Short-Season and Rookie league play is one of the best times of the year. We finally get to see what that shiny new toy looks like in game action. Between now and the end of the season, prospects from these leagues will emerge as top-400, top-200, and even top-100 prospects. It was this time last year when Royce Lewis, Keston Hiura, Jo Adell, Luis Robert, Drew Waters, Tirso Ornelas, Heliot Ramos, Calvin Mitchell, Jeisson Rosario, Jhailyn Ortiz, and Esteury Ruiz began putting together their resumes. Now all 11 of those hitters are top-60 prospects in dynasty leagues. If you are asleep at the wheel over the next two months, you will miss out on the next crop of exciting, toolsy teenage building blocks in leagues that allow in-season pickups.
So which players should you be keeping an eye on? I've done that work for you. What follows is a list of the top 117 hitters in Short-Season or Rookie leagues (I don't include pitchers in this article because most of you don't care about Rookie-level pitchers -- just know that Francisco Morales is the short-season pitcher I'm watching most closely right now). I decided to put out the list a little earlier than I did last season, so there will not be many 2018 draftees included, because most have not been assigned to an affiliate. Some of these guys are already household names in even the shallowest dynasty leagues, due to being high draft picks or high-profile international signings. However, most of them are available on waivers, and have yet to bust onto the scene.
Players are sorted by league and listed from most upside to least upside, not necessarily in order of their ranking in the top 400. Part of the reason for this is that these player's ranking in the top 400 will be changing quite a bit in the coming weeks. Another reason is because most dynasty league owners are looking to hit a home run when scouring Short-Season and Rookie leagues for prospects, and are therefore primarily concerned with upside/tools. In order to paint a quick picture of each player, age and top tool are listed. Leagues are listed from most advanced to least advanced.
New York-Penn League (Short-Season)
Travis Swaggerty, OF, West Virginia (Pirates)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Run
Seth Beer, OF/1B/DH, Tri-City (Astros)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Power
Wadye Ynfante, OF, State College (Cardinals)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Run
Canaan Smith, OF, Staten Island (Yankees)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Marcos Brito, 2B, Vermont (A's)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Tyler Freeman, SS, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Jeremy Eierman, SS, Vermont (A's)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Power
Gilberto Celestino, OF, Tri-City (Astros)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Delvin Perez, SS, State College (Cardinals)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Jose King, SS, Connecticut (Tigers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Christopher Torres, SS, Batavia (Marlins)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power
Adam Hall, SS, Aberdeen (Orioles)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Jameson Hannah, OF, Vermont (A's)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Run
Jonathan Guzman, SS, Williamsport (Phillies)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Carlos Machado, OF, Tri-City (Astros)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Hit
Brayan Gonzalez, 2B, Williamsport (Phillies)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Tyler Esplin, OF, Lowell (Red Sox)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Sam McMillan, C, Connecticut (Tigers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Gresuan Silverio, C, Connecticut (Tigers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Ricardo Mendez, OF, Auburn (Nationals)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Jose Sanchez, SS, Auburn (Nationals)
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Ben Pelletier, OF, Williamsport (Phillies)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Cole Brannen, OF, Lowell (Red Sox)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Henry Pujols, 3B, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Ricardo Cespedes, OF, Batavia (Marlins)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Hit
Juan Uriarte, C, Brooklyn (Mets)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Hit
Northwest League (Short-Season)
Julio Pablo Martinez, OF, Spokane (Rangers)
Age: 22
Top Tool: Run
Mason House, OF, Tri-City (Padres)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Nelson Velazquez, OF, Eugene (Cubs)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Mc Gregory Contreras, OF, Vancouver (Blue Jays)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Jonathan Sierra, OF, Eugene (Cubs)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Diego Rincones, OF, Salem-Keizer (Giants)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Miguel Aparicio, OF, Spokane (Rangers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Andy Yerzy, C, Hillsboro (Diamondbacks)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Josh Stowers, OF, Everett (Mariners)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Hit
Ronald Rosario, OF, Everett (Mariners)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Power
Appalachian League (Rookie)
Wander Franco, SS, Princeton (Rays)
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Everson Pereira, OF, Pulaski (Yankees)
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Nolan Gorman, 3B, Johnson City (Cardinals)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Mark Vientos, SS/3B, Kingsport (Mets)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Sherten Apostel, 3B, Bristol (Pirates)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Yunior Severino, 2B, Elizabethton (Twins)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Oswald Peraza, SS, Pulaski (Yankees)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Carlos Vargas, SS/3B, Princeton (Rays)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Pedro Diaz, OF, Princeton (Rays)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Greyson Jenista, 1B, Danville (Braves)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Power
Conner Uselton, OF, Bristol (Pirates)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power
Leandro Cedeno, 1B, Johnson City (Cardinals)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Mason Martin, 1B, Bristol (Pirates)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Ricky De La Torre, SS, Elizabethton (Twins)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Jonatan Machado, OF, Johnson City (Cardinals)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Cash Case, 2B, Greeneville (Reds)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Pioneer League (Rookie)
Kevin Maitan, 3B/1B, Orem (Angels)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Jean Carmona, SS, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Lenyn Sosa, SS, Great Falls (White Sox)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Je'Von Ward, OF, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Daniel Montano, OF, Grand Junction (Rockies)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Livan Soto, SS, Orem (Angels)
Age: 17
Top Tool: Run
Chad McClanahan, 3B, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power
Buddy Kennedy, 3B, Missoula (Diamondbacks)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Yeison Coca, 2B, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Arizona League (Rookie)
Kristian Robinson, OF, Diamondbacks
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Trent Deveaux, OF, Angels
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Alexander Canario, OF, Giants
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
George Valera, OF, Indians
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Xavier Edwards, SS/2B, Padres
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Quentin Holmes, OF, Indians
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Jeremiah Jackson, SS/2B, Angels
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Luis Verdugo, SS, Cubs
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Ernesto Martinez, 1B, Brewers
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
D'Shawn Knowles, OF, Angels
Age: 17
Top Tool: Run
Jake McCarthy, OF, Diamondbacks
Age: 20
Top Tool: Run
Johnathan Rodriguez, OF, Indians
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Jordy Barley, SS, Padres
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Anderson Comas, OF, White Sox
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Aaron Familia, 3B, Brewers
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Alexander Campos, SS, A's
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Jonathan Ornelas, SS, Rangers
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Harvin Mendoza, 1B, White Sox
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
David Garcia, C, Rangers
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Alek Thomas, OF, Diamondbacks
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Leuri Mejia, OF, Rangers
Age: 17
Top Tool: Run
Marcos Gonzalez, SS, Indians
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Richard Palacios, 2B, Indians
Age: 21
Top Tool: Run
Cesar Izturis Jr., 2B, Mariners
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Blaze Alexander, SS, Diamondbacks
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Kevin Richards, OF, A's
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Reivaj Garcia, 2B, Cubs
Age: 16
Top Tool: Hit
Ismael Munguia, OF, Giants
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Gulf Coast League (Rookie)
Alec Bohm, 3B/1B, Phillies
Age: 21
Top Tool: Power
Freudis Nova, SS, Astros
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Jordan Groshans, SS/3B, Blue Jays
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Ronny Mauricio, SS, Mets
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Raimfer Salinas, OF, Yankees
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mets
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Joe Perez, 3B, Astros
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Victor Garcia, OF, Cardinals
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Anthony Garcia, OF, Yankees
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Anthony Seigler, C, Yankees
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Nick Schnell, OF, Rays
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Antonio Arias, OF, Yankees
Age: 20
Top Tool: Hit
Lamar Sparks, OF, Orioles
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Triston Casas, 3B/1B, Red Sox
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Jelfry Marte, SS, Rays
Age: 17
Top Tool: Run
Braulio Vasquez, 3B, Braves
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Luis Garcia, SS, Phillies
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Samuel Inoa, C, Pirates
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Luis Aquino, OF, Nationals
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Dominican Summer League (Rookie)
Danny Diaz, 3B, Red Sox
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Julio Rodriguez, OF, Mariners
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Ronny Rojas, SS, Yankees
Age: 16
Top Tool: Power
Miguel Hiraldo, SS, Blue Jays
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Larry Ernesto, OF, Brewers
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Carlos Rodriguez, OF, Brewers
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Antoni Flores, SS, Red Sox
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Pedro Martinez, SS/3B, Tigers
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Ynmanol Marinez, 3B, Marlins
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
