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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 that 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. We've also reached the point in the season where a majority of this list is unlikely to have a particularly large impact. Once we reach the roster expansions on September 1st, we probably won't see any more call ups of note at that point.
Graduates So Far
George Springer, Trevor Bauer, Tommy La Stella, Marcus Stroman, Jon Singleton, Eddie Butler, Kevin Gausman, Gregory Polanco, Andrew Heaney,Oscar Taveras, Taijuan Walker, Arismendy Alcantara, Jimmy Nelson, Wilmer Flores, Allen Webster, Mookie Betts, Jake Marisnick, Javier Baez, Jake Lamb, Trevor May
This Week's Graduates
Rafael Montero - The injury to Jacob deGrom opened up a rotation spot, and with Montero on the 40-man roster already, made for an easy solution for the Mets.
1. Joc Pederson (#32, Midseason #11)
RANK LAST WEEK: 1 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: All those outfielders, man
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME OF CALLUP: September 1st
Pederson is going to get to a 30-30 season in the minors (which almost never happens), but due to those outfielders already in Los Angeles, he'll likely keep destroying AAA pitching until the end of the month. He had a huge week, hitting 5 home runs and stealing two bases while hitting .313, so that should work as your reminder of what could happen if he gets consistent playing time.
2. Andrew Heaney (#34, Midseason #22)
RANK LAST WEEK: 2 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: Jarred Cosart, Brad Hand, Tom Koehler and Brad Penny?
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: Early September
The Marlins opted to add Brad Penny to the rotation last week, and has not embarrassed himself in his two starts so far. Heaney has already set a career high in innings pitched with a total of 133 this year, so it's possible that the team doesn't bring him up in September to limit his innings. That said, the Marlins are still hanging around in the wild card race (4 games back before Friday's game), so they may use him in the bullpen in September.
3. Mookie Betts (#60, Midseason #16)
RANK LAST WEEK: 3 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: Jackie Bradley, Brock Holt?
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: September 1st
Bradley remains a plus defender in center field, but he still will need to hit at least a little bit to stay in the lineup. Betts seems likely to return when rosters expand, and the Red Sox would be best served to find out whether he can play center field before the offseason.
4. Noah Syndergaard (#19, Midseason #15)
RANK LAST WEEK: 4 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: Jacob deGrom, Bartolo Colon, Rafael Montero
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: Late August
Montero was added to the rotation for the spot vacated by Jacob deGrom's disabled list stint, but with deGrom expected to return after a couple of starts, it seems unlikely that Syndergaard will get that call. Of course, it is still possible that Bartolo Colon is traded on a waiver deal, as it is unclear whether he has been put on waivers yet or not.
5. Kris Bryant (#8, Midseason #1)
RANK LAST WEEK: 5 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: Mike Olt and Luis Valbuena
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: Mid-August
Look at those totals for the season: .336 average, 40 home runs, 103 RBI, 15 stolen bases, 108 runs scored. In 122 games. He would absolutely be the #1 on this list if I thought there was anything more than a remote chance he gets called up before the end of the season.
6. Alex Meyer (#51, Midseason #41)
RANK LAST WEEK: 6 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: Mike Pelfrey, Sam Deduno and Kevin Correia, Yohan Pino, Logan Darnell, Tommy Milone
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: September 1st
Trevor May was called up, made one atrocious start (seven walks!) and was moved to the bullpen immediately. Tommy Milone is now holding down that rotation spot, and with Ricky Nolasco returning on Friday, we may not see Meyer at all. It's hard to determine if they are going to bring him up at all, but could be a nice source of strikeouts if they do.
7. Taijuan Walker (#6, Midseason #8)
RANK LAST WEEK: 7 (No change)
BLOCKED BY: The Mariners' front office?
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: late August
James Paxton returned to the majors, and it seems is holding down the rotation spot that I had anticipated Walker would get. Sigh.
8. Francisco Lindor (#35, Midseason #21)
RANK LAST WEEK: 9 (+1)
BLOCKED BY: Mike Aviles and Jose Ramirez
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: late August
Ramirez has been playing every day for the Indians at shortstop, but is a bit stretched there defensively and has managed to raise his average on the year to .215 with a very strong last five games. Lindor should still get a shot at some point before the end of the year.
9. Jorge Soler (#37, Midseason #39)
RANK LAST WEEK: HM
BLOCKED BY: Chris Coghlan, Justin Ruggiano
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: September 1st
Soler has been excellent since returning from his injury, and could provide homeruns in bunches if called up before the end of the year. He's already on the 40-man roster, so we may only have to wait until the rosters expand to see him take over in right field. He could give you 5-7 home runs down the stretch if he heats up for that timeframe.
10. Jonathan Gray (#22, Midseason #20)
RANK LAST WEEK: 8 (-2)
BLOCKED BY: Franklin Morales, Tyler Matzek,Franklin Morales
ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR CALLUP: late August
The news that both Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez would have season-ending surgeries does not bode well for a potential call up, especially since the 40-man roster is full and would require Gray to be added. I'm still holding out a little bit of hope, but he may drop off this list entirely next week at this rate.
Honorable Mentions (in Alphabetical Order by Group)
Hitters
Matt Davidson, 3B, CHW (#64)
Maikel Franco, 3B, PHI (#36, Midseason #33)
Rob Refsnyder, 2B/OF, NYY (NR)
Jorge Soler, OF, CHC (#37, Midseason #39)
Pitchers
Archie Bradley, RHP, AZ (#7, Midseason #14)
Nick Kingham, RHP, PIT (#145)
Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, BOS - Ranaudo appears destined to be on the shuttle between Pawtucket and Boston for the rest of the season, and could be in line for a couple more starts at this rate.
Robert Stephenson, RHP, CIN (#17, Midseason #23)
Matt Wisler, RHP, SDP (#67, Midseason #36)