The following is a new list we created listing the top rookies in baseball. The list is based on long-term career outlook rather than current performance. Instead of following a traditional “prospect list” format where players are only removed after the meet the mlb definition of rookie (i.e., 45 days, etc)—during the season—players called up to the major leagues are immediately moved onto this list.
The list is not perfect, and we will continue updating to add any players we might have missed. Furthermore, the number of players will expand to at least 75 as the season progresses. Hopefully, the list will help fantasy leaguers evaluate some of the best young players. This group has to be the best rookie class I have seen, so expect to hear many of these names for a long time.
The top rookies are:
1. Stephen Strasburg (P—WAS)
2. Jason Heyward (OF—ATL)
3. Mike Stanton (OF—FLA)
4. Carlos Santana (C—CLE)
5. Pedro Alvarez (3B—PIT)
6. Buster Posey (C/1B—SF)
7. Neftali Feliz (P—TEX)
8. Mike Leake (P—CIN)
9. Jaime Garcia (P—STL)
10. Justin Smoak (1B—TEX)
11. Starlin Castro (SS—CHI)
12. Brian Matusz (P—BAL)
13. Alcides Escobar (SS—MIL)
14. Austin Jackson (OF—DET)
15. Wade Davis (P—TB)
16. Reid Brignac (SS—TB)
17. Ike Davis (P—NYM)
18. Gaby Sanchez (1B—FLA)
19. Jon Niese (P—NYM)
20. Jhoyls Chacin (P—COL)
21. Jake Arrieta (P—BAL)
22. Chris Heisey (OF—CIN)
23. Drew Storen (P—WAS)
24. Jennry Mejia (P—NYM)
25. Brennan Boesch (OF—DET)
26. Brad Lincoln (P—PIT)
27. Andrew Cashner (P—CHI)
28. John Axford (P—MIL)
29. Dayan Viciedo (3B—CWS)
30. Jose Tabata (OF—PIT)
31. Jonathan Lucroy (C—MIL)
32. Craig Kimbrel (P—ATL)
33. Eric Young, Jr. (OF—COL)
34. Wilson Ramos (C—MIN)
35. Neil Walker (2B—PIT)
36. Ian Desmond (SS—WAS)
37. Ruben Tejada (SS—NYM)
38. Dan Runzler (P—SF)
39. Michael Saunders (OF—SEA)
40. Lou Marson (C—CLE)
41. David Freese (3B—STL)
42. John Jaso (C—TB)
43. Danny Valencia (3B—MIN)
44. Luis Atilano (P—WAS)
45. Alex Avila (C—DET)
46. Kila Ka’aihue (1B—KC)
47. Scott Sizemore (2B—DET)
48. Mat Gamel (3B—MIL)
49. Jason Donald (INF—CLE)
50. Daniel Schlereth (P—DET)
How about Roger Bernadina? He is still young and rookie eligible prior to this season and looks to be the current favorite to keep the Nationals RF job for the whole season.
I thought about putting Bernadina on there, especially b/c the performance this season has been pretty solid. I eventually replaced him w/ Schlereth because of Bernadina’s age (26) and prospect-ranking coming into the season. I could easily be proven wrong on that decision, especially because Roger is getting significant playing time in the Nationals’ outfield.
A few questionables. Ike Davis over Brennan Boesch? Freese also seems really low even if it’s career outlook. Pretty good list. Even though there’s a few that have yet to play in the MLB.
Ruben Tejada is very high considering all he’s riding in AAA is batting average (.294, 2 SB and 1 HR) that isn’t there in the majors (.256, 0 HR, 0 SB) and unless he’s going to move to a new position I don’t see him taking playing time from Jose Reyes.
Good points. Yeah, Brennan Boesch at #25 isn’t giving him a lot of credit for the numbers he’s posted this season. Tejada’s numbers aren’t spectacular, but what encourages me is he was able to post respectable competition last season at a really young age (at 19 in AA:.284, 5 HR’s, 46 RBI’s, 19/3 SB). Playing time is a legitimate concern, but I could easily see him moving over to 2B to ultimately compete w/ Reese Havens, or Tejada could be trade bait if the Mets try picking up another veteran this season.
Tyler Colvin?!