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 Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Leody Taveras, Jesus Sanchez, Bo Bichette, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Taylor Trammell began putting together their resumes. Now all seven of those hitters are top-50 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 97 hitters in short-season or rookie leagues. 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
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 Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Leody Taveras, Jesus Sanchez, Bo Bichette, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Taylor Trammell began putting together their resumes. Now all seven of those hitters are top-50 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 97 hitters in short-season or rookie leagues. 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 as I complete a large-scale update. 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)
Will Benson, OF, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Oscar Gonzalez, OF, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Jhailyn Ortiz, OF, Williamsport (Phillies)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Nolan Jones, 3B, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Miguelangel Sierra, SS, Tri-City (Astros)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Thomas Jones, OF, Batavia (Marlins)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Leonardo Molina, OF, Staten Island (Yankees)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Cole Stobbe, 3B, Williamsport (Phillies)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Wilkerman Garcia, SS, Staten Island (Yankees)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Vidal Brujan, 2B, Hudson Valley (Rays)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Reynaldo Rivera, OF, Connecticut (Tigers)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power
Abraham Toro-Hernandez, 3B/C, Tri-City (Astros)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power
J.J. Matijevic, OF/1B/2B, Tri-City (Astros)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Hit
Bryce Denton, OF, State College (Cardinals)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Ulysses Cantu, 1B, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Northwest League (Short-Season)
Luis Almanzar, SS/3B, Tri-City (Padres)
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Evan White, 1B/OF, Everett (Mariners)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Run
Pavin Smith, 1B, Hillsboro (Diamondbacks)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Hit
Brayan Hernandez, OF, Everett (Mariners)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Daulton Varsho, C, Hillsboro (Diamondbacks)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power
Miguel Aparicio, OF, Spokane (Rangers)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Aramis Ademan, SS, Eugene (Cubs)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Kevin Melean, 3B/2B/SS, Tri-City (Padres)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Kole Enright, 2B, Spokane (Rangers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Greifer Andrade, OF, Everett (Mariners)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power
Kevin Vicuna, SS, Vancouver (Blue Jays)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Appalachian League (Rookie)
Delvin Perez, SS, Johnson City (Cardinals)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Wander Javier, SS, Elizabethton (Twins)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Derian Cruz, SS, Danville (Braves)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Gilberto Celestino, OF, Greeneville (Astros)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Dermis Garcia, 3B, Pulaski (Yankees)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Isranel Wilson, OF, Danville (Braves)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Seuly Matias, OF, Burlington (Royals)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Brent Rooker, OF, Elizabethton (Twins)
Age: 22
Top Tool: Power
Michael Gigliotti, OF, Burlington (Royals)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Run
Anthony Dirocie, OF, Kingsport (Mets)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Run
Ronaldo Hernandez, C, Princeton (Rays)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Trey Cabbage, OF/3B, Elizabethton (Twins)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power
Walker Robbins, OF, Johnson City (Cardinals)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Nicholas Shumpert, 2B/3B, Danville (Braves)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Hit
Jeison Guzman, SS, Burlington (Royals)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Pioneer League (Rookie)
Pedro Gonzalez, OF, Grand Junction (Rockies)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Brandon Marsh, OF, Orem (Angels)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Ryan Vilade, SS, Grand Junction (Rockies)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Jeter Downs, OF, Billings (Reds)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Chad McClanahan, 3B, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Cristian Santana, 3B/2B, Ogden (Dodgers)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power
Gabriel Garcia, 1B, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Payton Henry, C, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power
Romer Cuadrado, OF, Ogden (Dodgers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Gabriel Maciel, OF, Missoula (Diamondbacks)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Miles Gordon, OF, Billings (Reds)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Franly Mallen, 2B, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Hit
Ricky Aracena, SS/2B, Idaho Falls (Royals)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit
Arizona League (Rookie)
Jordon Adell, OF, Angels
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Austin Beck, OF, A's
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Keston Hiura, 2B, Brewers
Age: 20
Top Tool: Hit
Jeisson Rosario, OF, Padres
Age: 17
Top Tool: Run
Lazaro Armenteros, OF, A's
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Heliot Ramos, OF, Giants
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Bubba Thompson, OF, Rangers
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run
Nick Pratto, 1B, Royals
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Jonathan Sierra, OF, Cubs
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Starling Heredia, OF, Dodgers
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Luis Campusano, C, Padres
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Johnathan Rodriguez, OF, Indians
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Mason House, OF, Padres
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Tirso Ornelas, OF, Padres
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Chris Seise, SS, Rangers
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Ronny Brito, SS/2B, Dodgers
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
MJ Melendez, C, Royals
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Jordy Barley, SS, Padres
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Gabriel Arias, SS, Padres
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Cash Case, SS, Reds
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Yovanny Cuevas, OF, Cubs
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit
Eguy Rosario, 2B, Padres
Age: 17
Top Tool: Run
Marcos Brito, SS, A's
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Lenyn Sosa, SS, White Sox
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Gulf Coast League (Rookie)
Kevin Maitan, SS/3B, Braves
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Royce Lewis, OF, Twins
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Yasel Antuna, SS, Nationals
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Mark Vientos, SS/3B, Mets
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Carlos Vargas, SS, Rays
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Adam Haseley, OF, Phillies
Age: 21
Top Tool: Hit
Pedro Diaz, OF, Rays
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Calvin Mitchell, OF, Pirates
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Drew Waters, OF, Braves
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Gregory Guerrero, SS/3B, Mets
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Yunior Severino, 2B, Braves
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Jonathan Guzman, SS, Phillies
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Luis Garcia, SS, Nationals
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit
Akil Baddoo, OF, Twins
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run
Dominican Summer League (Rookie)
Luis Robert, OF, White Sox
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power
Victor Garcia, OF, Cardinals
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
Daniel Montano, OF, Rockies
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power
Freudis Nova, SS/3B, Astros
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power
