Correa headlines list of top fantasy prospects
Every week, the MLBPipeline.com crew will rank the top 10 fantasy baseball prospects in the Minor Leagues. These rankings are based solely on expected 2015 fantasy production in the Major Leagues, in contrast to the MLBPipeline Top 100 Prospects list, which reflects long-term value in all phases of the game.
Looking for young talent to help your fantasy squad out? Particularly for those in American League-only formats, then Boston seems to be the place to look of late.
First, it was last week's No. 1 fantasy prospect, Rusney Castillo, getting the call. He's gone just 3-for-15 so far, but he has the kind of power-speed combination any fantasy player should love.
Next up was lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, who has made numerous appearances on this Top 10 over the season's first two months. The southpaw made his Major League debut on Thursday against the Texas Rangers, fanning seven in 7 2/3 scoreless innings after posting solid Triple-A numbers this month. Even with a couple of so-so starts in May, Rodriguez still had an ERA under 3.00 and a nifty 1.10 WHIP in eight Triple-A starts. It might be best to take a wait-and-see approach with how big league hitters treat the southpaw before going all-in.
Video: BOS@TEX: Rodriguez throws 7 2/3 scoreless in ML debut
This week's Minor League fantasy prospect top 10, with some brand new names, is below:
1. Carlos Correa, SS, Astros (last week's rank: 2): OK, they're not all new. Correa is getting his feet under him in Triple-A, with three homers in his past 10 games. He continues to be extremely effective on the basepaths and is now 18-for-19 in stolen-base attempts.
Video: HOU@PHI: Correa hits a solo shot to left field
2. Luis Severino, RHP, Yankees (last week's rank: unranked): Severino just got bumped up to Triple-A after striking out 11.4 per nine in eight Double-A starts (while walking only 2.4). He might start for Scranton this weekend, so keep an eye out. The big league rotation has a 4.22 ERA and is banged up, so let the countdown begin.
3. Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers (last week's rank: 9): Seager had a 6-for-6 day with six RBIs on Thursday afternoon. He's now at .324/.367/.490 in 25 Triple-A games. Meanwhile, veteran Jimmy Rollins isn't doing much at the plate, and the formerly red-hot Alex Guerrero has cooled down to hit .262 in May. Seager has continued to get some work at the hot corner.
Video: LAD@TEX: Seager singles to right to plate Jensen
4. Daniel Norris, LHP, Blue Jays (last week's rank: 3): Norris hasn't pitched poorly since being sent down to Triple-A, just like he wasn't all that bad in the big leagues. But he was sent down to work on his command, and he's walked 5.4 per nine since the demotion. Norris will get back to Toronto, but he'll have to right the ship control-wise first.
5. Jose Peraza, 2B, Braves (last week's rank: 5): Peraza's .329 May has him up to .298 for the season, and his 14-for-15 steals mark should be of interest to fantasy players. Jace Peterson has been OK, but not great, and Peraza could start putting on more pressure.
Video: Top Prospects: Jose Peraza, 2B, Braves
6. Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians (last week's rank: 6): Lindor's offensive performance in Triple-A continues to be on the inconsistent side, but he's also one of the best defensive shortstops at any level. Jose Ramirez continues to scuffle with the bat (.181 AVG). The Indians are playing better of baseball of late. How long before they realize Lindor will give them an even bigger lift?
7. Dalton Pompey, OF, Blue Jays (last week's rank: 7): Pompey is still having trouble getting the bat going, but you shouldn't forget about his potential to rack up stolen bases. He's swiped five despite not hitting in 16 games in Triple-A, and did steal 43 bags in the Minors in 2014.
Video: TOR@BOS: Pompey dives to hold Ramirez to sac fly
8. Steven Matz, LHP, Mets (last week's rank: 10): A 1.99 ERA, .200 BAA and a 9.7 K/9 ratio? What's not to like? Matz would look good right behind Noah Syndergaard, don't you think?
9. Aaron Nola, RHP, Phillies (last week's rank: unranked): The 2014 first-rounder is still in Double-A, but he shouldn't be. Nola's 1.87 ERA is fifth in the Eastern League, and his 0.88 WHIP is third, thanks to his miniscule 1.1 BB/9 rate. Meanwhile, the Phillies' rotation is 13th in the National League in ERA, and the team is 10 games out.
Video: Nola on his love for the game and his 2015 goals
10. Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (last week's rank: unranked): Gallo didn't make his 2015 debut until April 25, and he's already tied for third in the Texas League in home runs with eight. He's also hitting .315 and drawing walks while, yes, continuing to strike out. It's worth noting Gallo has played five games in left field. There's no spot in Texas right now, but he could really provide a lift to the big league team if they make room for him.
Dropped out: Castillo, OF, Red Sox (last week's rank: 2); Brian Johnson, LHP, Red Sox (last week's rank: 4); Marco Gonzales, LHP, Cardinals (last week's rank: 8).