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While their value is highly established in dynasty and keeper leagues, there are still prospects that are worth holding onto in redraft leagues while you wait for their call up to the big leagues. Each week I'll be looking at my top ten prospects from our top 200 consensus prospects who currently aren't in the majors, but could be worth holding in a bench spot given their potential value for the rest of the season. These rankings are based solely on their potential 2014 value, and do not include any players that are already in the majors as of yesterday.
Graduates So Far
George Springer, Trevor Bauer, Tommy La Stella, Marcus Stroman, Jon Singleton, Eddie Butler, Kevin Gausman, Gregory Polanco, Andrew Heaney, Jake Marisnick, Oscar Taveras, Taijuan Walker, Mookie Betts
This Week's Graduates
Arismendy Alcantara - Darwin Barney went on paternity leave, and Alcantara was called up to spend the two days Barney was gone with the team. It was announced on Thursday night that Alcantara would stay up with the team through at least Sunday, which could potentially lead to a longer stay. Most likely he's back on this list next week, but you never know.
Jimmy Nelson - The long wait is over, as the Brewers announced they would call up Nelson to take Marco Estrada's spot in the rotation today. He's worth a look in nearly all formats, as he has been otherworldly in the minors this year. Just remember that there could be an adjustment period for him, like any other prospect.
Note: The All-Star break can bring some unusual looking roster moves, with players like Bud Norris optioned just to keep him on schedule. I'm not counting Taijuan Walker as in the minors, as it is expected that he will return after the All-Star break, but that his team simply wanted another reliever and had the ability to send him down to stay on schedule also.
1. Joc Pederson (#32)
RANK LAST WEEK: 1 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: The four-headed outfield machine that is Puig, Crawford, Kemp, Ethier and Van Slyke
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME OF CALLUP: The second that another of these four are required to go on the disabled list.
Crawford has returned to the major league roster, adding another road block to the Joc Pederson major league debut. That said, Pederson has returned to the field after missing nearly 15 games due to a shoulder injury. It seems at this point that he may be destined to stay down in the minors, but watch to see if the Dodgers make a big trade, because Pederson will almost assuredly headline that deal if it happens.
2. Andrew Heaney (#34)
RANK LAST WEEK: Graduate
BLOCKED BY: Unclear
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: Late July
Heaney was demoted back to AAA after a tough start against St. Louis on July 5th, but there is no one currently slotted into the 5th starter spot for the Marlins after the break. He'd be up on the list with Taijuan if we had seen a bit more conclusive evidence that he will be the call up, but we haven't as of yet.
3. Javier Baez (#3)
RANK LAST WEEK: 2 (-1)
BLOCKED BY: Starlin Castro, Darwin Barney, Emilio Bonifacio, Not being on the 40-man Roster, Arismendy Alcantara
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: All-Star Break Late August
I had anticipated at this point that Baez would hit well enough to force the issue of having him in the majors, but it hasn't happened to the extent needed, hence the new timeframe and ranking.
4. Noah Syndergaard (#19)
RANK LAST WEEK: 3 (-1)
BLOCKED BY: Jacob deGrom, Daisuke Matsuzaka
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: Late July
Much better outing from Syndergaard in Albuquerque last week, allowing 1 run and six hits over 7 innings and striking out 8. There have been rumors that Bartolo Colon may be available in trade, which would also help to open up a spot for Syndergaard in the majors.
5. Alex Meyer (#51)
RANK LAST WEEK: 5(No change)
BLOCKED BY: Mike Pelfrey, Sam Deduno and Kevin Correia and Yohan Pino
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: June late July
Meyer will be available for the Futures Game this Sunday in his team's ballpark in Minnesota, He would still have to be added to the 40-man roster to be called up, but there is the potential for an opening with Ricky Nolasco now on the disabled list.
6. Jonathan Gray (#22)
RANK LAST WEEK: 6 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: Franklin Morales, Tyler Matzek and Christian Friedrich and Yohan Flande
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: Late July
There have been trade rumors this week that Jorge de la Rosa may be available as well in trade, which could open up a spot for Gray also. It seems like the team is ready to let him pitch in AA for the foreseeable future though.
7. Archie Bradley (#7)
RANK LAST WEEK: Honorable Mention
BLOCKED BY: Michael Bolsinger
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: Late August
Bradley returns to the top 10 with these graduations, but until he pitches at AAA I don't think we see him in the majors. The Diamondbacks have started selling, sending Brandon McCarthy to the Yankees and other players rumored as trade chips, we could see Bradley by season's end.
8. Wilmer Flores (#157)
RANK LAST WEEK: 8 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: Daniel Murphy
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: August 1st
Have a week, Wilmer Flores. Since the last Buy and Hold (a total of 10 games), Flores had 6 home runs, 21 RBI, and hit .341.
9. Kris Bryant (#8)
RANK LAST WEEK: 9 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: Mike Olt and Luis Valbuena
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: Mid-August
Only three home runs this week. Slacking, Bryant, slacking.
10. Rob Refsnyder (NR)
RANK LAST WEEK: 10 ()
BLOCKED BY: Brian Roberts, Brendan Ryan, and Zelous Wheeler
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: mid-July
Refsynder has been seeing a little bit of time in the outfield, which appears more and more like a point of weakness in the Yankees' lineup. The team seems content to let Brian Roberts and Brendan Ryan continue to get playing time, but with Carlos Beltran hitting the disabled list Refsynder may be the best available option in the outfield as well.
Honorable Mentions (in Alphabetical Order by Group)
Hitters
Matt Davidson, 3B, CHW (#64)
Maikel Franco, 3B, PHI (#36)
Francisco Lindor, SS, CLE (#35)
Jake Marisnick, OF, MIA (#69)
Pitchers
Rafael Montero, RHP, NYM (#95)
Robert Stephenson, RHP, CIN (#17)
Matt Wisler, RHP, SDP (#67)