The Home of Fantasy Sports Analysis

MLB ProspectsFantasy Baseball

2019 First Year Player Draft Rankings (Plus International) UPDATED 7/17

By Eric Cross
MLB Draft Adley Rutschman
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 26: Oregon State's catcher Adley Rutschman (35) talks to the pitcher Oregon State's Christian Chamberlain (34) after the inning during the first game against Arkansas of the finals in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Arkansas beats Oregon State 4 to 1. (Photo by John Peterson/Icon Sportswire)

Hot damn, it’s MLB draft time. Seems like just yesterday we were analyzing the 2018 crop and now some of them are in Double-A and/or breaking into my top-10 overall prospects. Our little prospects are growing up so fast (sheds a single tear). This year we have a distinguished top-3 that have been locked in for months now. After the top three, 4-10 are very close. You have a few power-hitting outfielders, some speed plays, and our first international prospect to choose from.

There’s no Casey Mize type pitching prospect in this draft. In fact, there aren’t many arms that scream future #1 or #2 overall starter either outside of a handful of guys. Instead, there’s a ton of safe, high floor arms this year. The first of those arms checks in just outside the top-10 and only 13 pitchers make my initial top-50.

Before we get going, just remember, saying a player “has the upside” to do this or “projects” to do that, is just that; Upside and projections. Each player develops differently and few ultimately reach their projected upside. But that’s what makes baseball fun, right? It’s such a hard game to excel at. After examining this year’s draft class, here are my initial top-50 for dynasty FYPDs. I’ll be adding and tweaking these moving forward, so stay tuned.

If you aren’t playing your dynasty leagues on Fantrax, you’re missing out on the deepest player pool and most customization around. Just starting out in a dynasty league? Then check out Eric Cross’ Top-250 prospects and Top-300 Dynasty League Rankings.

Initial FYPD/INTL Rankings after MLB Draft

1. Andrew Vaughn, 1B, California

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 3 – Chicago White Sox

You could honestly make a case for any of these top-3 as the #1 guy this year. A lot will likely go with Adley Rutschman, but personally, I give the slightest of edges to Andrew Vaughn. His combination of a plus hit tool and double-plus raw power give him the potential to be one of the top offensive first basemen in baseball down the road.

Vaughn finished his collegiate career at California slashing .377/.495/.695/1.190 with 34 doubles,  50 home runs, and more walks (116) than strikeouts (72) in 156 games. His 43.1% extra-base hit rate in 2019 and 38.5% for his career top Rutschman’s 35.6% and 31.3% respectively. It’s splitting hairs, as both have the skills to hit for a high average and plenty of power, but if I had the 1.1 in a FYPD, I’d take Vaughn.

2. Bobby Witt Jr, SS, Colleyville Heritage HS (TX)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 2 – Kansas City Royals

If you want to grab the highest upside in your FYPD, Witt fits the bill. His combination of power and speed is something Vaughn and Rutschman cannot match, mainly because Vaughn and Rutschman don’t run. However, Witt doesn’t possess the type of hit tool that Vaughn and Rutschman have. So, along with that highest ceiling, Witt also has the lower floor of this top three.

 

3. Adley Rutschman, C, Oregon State

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 1 – Baltimore Orioles

This whole “Don’t value catchers highly in dynasty/FYDP” stigma needs to be squashed. Especially so when the catcher is one of the best pure hitters and one of the top power bats in this year’s draft class. Rutschman dominated during his final collegiate season at Oregon State, slashing .427/.584/.772/1.356 with 16 home runs and a 69/36 BB/K ratio in 52 games. Rutschman went 1st overall to Baltimore and is a locked in top-3 pick for FYPD drafts due to his ability to hit for a high batting average and plenty of power. He’s likely to slot in just behind Joey Bart in my prospect rankings. And you all know how highly I value Bart. yeah, Rutschman is THAT good.

4. C.J. Abrams, SS, Blessed Trinity HS (GA)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 6 – San Diego Padres

If speed is what gets your motor running, let me introduce you to C.J. Abrams. The Georgia prep shortstop possesses double-plus speed and above-average to plus contact skills. He’s a below average defender at shortstop at present, so a move to second base might be in his future, but the offensive upside is certainly there. Abrams could be this year’s Xavier Edwards and has more power upside than Edwards does which is mighty enticing.

5. Jasson Dominguez, OF, Dominican Republic

Signed: New York Yankees

This might initially seem high for a 16-year-old international player that is several years away from the Majors. But if you watch video of Jasson Dominguez for longer than two seconds, you’ll understand why he’s top-10 here. Plus tools as far as the eye can see and a projectable frame. With his combination of hit, power, and speed, there’s no international player I’d rather have this year than Dominguez. And frankly, it’s not that close either.

6. Riley Greene, OF, Haggerty HS (FL)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 5 – Detroit Tigers

This is the best pure prep hitter in the 2019 draft. Greene might not have the power/speed upside that Witt possesses, but the hit tool is easily plus and this is a downright beautiful left-handed swing. There’s some above-average to plus raw power here, but he’ll need to add some loft to his swing to fully capitalize on that raw power. Minimal speed, but you have to love the batting average upside and 20+ homer pop.

7. Hunter Bishop, OF, Arizona State

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 10 – San Francisco Giants

This might higher than you’ll see Bishop elsewhere but I love the power and speed blend that he brings to the table. After a lackluster first two collegiate seasons, Bishop added strength and loft to his swing and really took off this spring, hitting .356 with 22 homers and 11 steals in 51 games. There are still some improvements to be made to his hit tool, but the power/speed blend is so enticing.

8. J.J. Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 4 – Miami Marlins

Like Bishop, J.J. Bleday broke out the power bat during his final collegiate season at Vanderbilt, mashing 25 home runs to go along with a .346 average and as many walks as strikeouts. With an above-average to plus hit tool and plus raw power, Bleday has the potential to hit for both a high average and 25+ home runs. He immediately becomes one of the top two position prospects on Miami’s system along with Victor Victor Mesa.

9. Kameron Misner, OF, Missouri

Drafted: CBA, Pick 35 – Miami Marlins

This was one of my favorite picks of the first day of the draft. When talking about the top power/speed threats in the 2019 class, Kameron Misner is firmly in that conversation. He’s able to generate easy plus raw power from his big 6’4 frame and a quick swing that generates natural loft. Add in his plus speed and you have a potential 20/20 threat or better down the road. Misner has really improved as an overall hitter too, even if his drop in batting average from 2018-2019 doesn’t indicate so. With a clean swing and sound mechanics, Misner should be able to hit for a decent average to go along with his intriguing power/speed profile.

10. Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 8 – Texas Rangers

There’s a theme in the 2019 draft class. Sprinkled throughout the first two rounds are AVG/HR threats with below-average speed. Josh Jung fits that mold quite well. He didn’t hit for a ton of power at Texas Tech but has displayed an above-average hit tool with plus raw power. There’s a ton of bat speed as well so once he starts hitting the ball in the air more consistently, additional power should come.

11. Corbin Carroll, OF, Lakeside HS (WA)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 16 – Arizona Diamondbacks

After taking Alek Thomas last year, the Diamondbacks added another speedy outfielder with a plus hit tool this year with their first pick, taking prep bat Corbin Carroll 16th overall. Carroll is an electrifying athlete with elite speed, plus contact skills, and an advanced approach at the plate. He might never get past the 10-15 HR range, but the rest of the profile is enticing.

12. Brett Baty, 3B, Lake Travis HS (TX)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 12 – New York Mets

This is a sneaky good pick for the New York Mets. Baty kind of reminds me of last year’s #12 overall pick, Jordan Groshans. Both are infielders from the Texas prep ranks with above-average hit tools and above-average to plus raw power. His defense at the hot corner is suspect, though, he has a strong throwing arm, which might force a move off the position, but Baty’s contact skills and raw power would profile just fine at any position. I’d even say he has more raw power than Groshans has shown and has a swing that produces natural loft. It wouldn’t be surprising at all is Baty ended up as one of the top-5 or so hitters from this draft class.

13. Kody Hoese, 3B, Tulane

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 25 – Los Angeles Dodgers

Mark my words, Kody Hoese is going to be one of the sneaky-good picks of this year’s first round. He added strength and loft this season and ow possess easy plus raw power to go along with above-average contact skiils and a sound plate approach. He’s able to generate plenty of bat speed with a clean swing and quick wrists. There’s not much speed projection here, but Hoese should be able to hit for both average and power moving forward.

14. Erick Pena, OF, Dominican Republic

Signed: Kansas City Royals

Outside of Jasson Dominguez, there’s no international prospect I’d want more on my dynasty teams than Erick Pena. With a quick left-handed seing, Pena is able to make consistent hard contact with easy plus raw power. The tools are here to hit for both average and power while adding in double-digit steal totals as well.

15. Daniel Espino, RHP, Georgia Premier Academy (GA)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 24 – Cleveland Indians

Like I mentioned above, upside arms aren’t as plentiful as they were in last year’s draft. However, if you want to put your money on one high-upside arm, I’d recommend Daniel Espino. With a electric mid to upper-90’s fastball and two plus breaking pitches, Espino has plenty of upside in his arm. He’ll just need to improve his changeup and overall command to capitalize on that potential.

16. Robert Puason, SS, Dominican Republic

Signed: Oakland Athletics

With the Robert Puason signing, the Oakland Athletics nabbed the top infield prospect in this year’s J2 crop. Puason is a solid defender at shortstop with plus speed and above-average contact skills at the plate. There’s some sneaky good raw power here as well. If you want to take him as the 2nd INTL guy behind Dominguez due to his shortstop eligibility, I wouldn’t argue it.

17. Jackson Rutledge, RHP, San Jacinto Junior College (TX)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 17 – Washington Nationals

If you’re going off pure stuff, Jackson Rutledge is one of the top arms in this draft class. He throws in the mid to high-90s with armside run on his fastball and has shown two plus breaking pitches with his slider being the best of the bunch. The changeup and command are behind and need to be developed if he wants to reach his lofty ceiling, but there’s plenty of upside to dream on here.

18. Greg Jones, SS, UNC Wilmington

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 22 – Tampa Bay Rays

If anyone can challenge or exceed Abrams on the speed scale, it’s Greg Jones. The lightning-quick shortstop swiped 40 bases in his final collegiate season at UNC Wilmington while showing an improved hit tool and approach. There are still some questions surrounding his long-term projections at the plate, but if he can continue to improve as a hitter, there’s substantial upside here.

19. Bryson Stott, SS, UNLV

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 14 – Philadelphia Phillies

Bryson Stott is a hitter through and through. He has shown a plus hit tool and sound plate approach throughout his collegiate career at UNLV, hitting above .350 with a XBH% above 40% in each of his last two seasons. The power is likely capped in the teens, but with his quick swing, clean mechanics, all-fields approach, and feel for hitting, Stott should hit for a high average to go along with his above-average to plus speed that could translate to 20-25+ SB.

20. Mike Toglia, 1B, UCLA

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 23 – Colorado Rockies

Every time I look at my rankings, I feel like I slide Toglia up a spot or two. Call me crazy, but I tend to get a tad giddy at the thought of a hitter with plus-plus raw power playing his home games in Coors Field. He just needs to work on making more consistent contact and keeping his strikeouts in check to capitalize on his mammoth power potential.

21. Bayron Lora, OF, Dominican Republic

Signed: Texas Rangers

If we’re talking strictly power potential, Lora has a strong case to at the top of the list. With a strong 6’3 frame, Lora already has plus raw power with the potential for more as he continues to develop. If he can continue to show at least an average hit tool, the upside is here for Lora to be a middle of the order bat.

22. Nick Lodolo, LHP, TCU

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 7 – Cincinnati Reds

Remember when I mentioned that there was a bunch of “safe, high-floor arms” in this draft? Well, Nick Lodolo is prime example of that. Lodolo really increased his draft stock with a strong final collegiate season at TCU, posting a 2.18 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9, and 11.2 K/9. A big 6’6 southpaw, Lodolo features three above-average to plus pitches with plus command of his entire arsenal. Might not have the upside of a top-of-the-rotation starter, but arguably has the highest floor of any pitcher in this draft with the upside of a rock-solid mid-rotation starter.

23. Brennan Malone, RHP, IMG Academy (FL)

Drafted: Round 1C, Pick 33 – Arizona Diamondbacks

There are three or four big upside pitchers in this year’s draft and Brennan Malone is one of them. A prep arm from IMG academy in Florida, Malone has one of the best fastball/breaking ball combinations in the draft. He’ll sit in the low to mid-90’s consistently on his fastball with plenty of life and gets sharp two-plant tilt on his slider. Both the changeup and curveball are behind. If he can turn that changeup into a third weapon and continue to refine his command, there’s huge upside here.

24. Keoni Cavaco, 3B/SS, Eastlake HS (CA)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 13 – Minnesota Twins

This ranking could very well end up being 5-10 spots too low before long. Cavaco brings an enticing power/speed blend to the table, although, there are some questions around how much average he’ll ultimately hit for. If he can make strides in that area, he has the skills to end up as a top-10 player from this draft class.

25. Alek Manoah, RHP, West Virginia

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 11 – Toronto Blue Jays

With one of the best farm systems in all of baseball, the Blue Jays could afford to go with an upside pick in the first round this year and that’s exactly what they did with the selection of Alek Manoah. Manoah attacks hitters with a plus fastball/slider combination, but has struggled with consistently commanding his arsenal and developing his changeup, though, the changeup has flashed above-average at times. There’s solid upside here, but the floor isn’t quite as high as others.

26. Matthew Allan, RHP, Seminole HS (FL)

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 89 – New York Mets

The fact that Allan wasn’t drafted in the first two rounds might signal some signability concerns, but I feel a little better now that he went in the third round. Maybe it’s this growing cautious approach with high school arms. Who knows. Allan uses a three pitch mix with a low to mid-90’s fastball, plus curve, and a changeup that has flashed above-average to plus. With those three potential plus pitches and solid command, Allan has the upside of a #2 starter. Lets hope the Mets offer him enough to sign and not go to the University of Florida.

27. Matthew Wallner, OF, Southern Mississippi

Drafted: CBA, Pick 39 – Minnesota Twins

28. Will Wilson, SS, NC State

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 15 – Los Angeles Angels

29. Michael Busch, 1B/OF/2B, North Carolina

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 31 – Los Angeles Dodgers

30. Quinn Priester, RHP, Cary-Grove HS (IL)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 18 – Pittsburgh Pirates

31. Tyler Callihan, 3B, Providence HS (FL)

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 85 – Cincinnati Reds

32. George Kirby, RHP, Elon

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 20 – Seattle Mariners

33. Shea Langeliers, C, Baylor

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 9 – Atlanta Braves

Shea Langeliers was by far the hardest guy for me to rank. He was taken much higher than this ranking due to his outstanding defensive skills, but he’s not quite as advanced on the offensive side of the ball. With that being said, he’s not a zero offensively by any means and has been improving at the plate. If you want safe, Langeliers is your guy. The defensive skills will carry him to the Majors as long as he shows adequacy at the plate, which I believe he will.

34. Sammy Siani, OF, Penn Charter HS (PA)

Drafted: CBA, Pick 37 – Pittsburgh Pirates

35. Reece Hinds, 3B, IMG Academy (FL)

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 49 – Cincinnati Reds

36. Braden Shewmake, SS, Texas A&M

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 21 – Atlanta Braves

37. Logan Davidson, SS, Clemson

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 29 – Oakland Athletics

38. Zack Thompson, LHP, Kentucky

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 19 – St. Louis Cardinals

39. Gunnar Henderson, SS, Morgan Academy (AL)

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 42 – Baltimore

40. J.J. Goss, RHP, Cypress Ranch HS (TX)

Drafted: CBA, Pick 36 – Tampa Bay Rays

42. Logan Wyatt, 1B, Lousiville

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 51 – San Francisco Giants

43. Brady McConnell, SS, Florida

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 44 – Kansas City Royals

44. Chase Strumpf, 2B, UCLA

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 64 – Chicago Cubs

45. Anthony Volpe, SS, Delbarton HS (NJ)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 30 – New York Yankees

46. Trejyn Fletcher, OF, Deering HS (ME)

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 58 – St. Louis Cardinals

47. Josh Wolf, RHP, St. Thomas HS (TX)

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 53 – New York Mets

48. Matthew Lugo, SS, Beltran Academy (Puerto Rico)

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 69 – Boston Red Sox

49. Kyren Paris, SS, Freedom HS (CA)

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 55 – Los Angeles Angels

50. Seth Johnson, RHP, Campbell

Drafted: CBA, Pick 40 – Tampa Bay Rays

Photo/Video Credit: John Peterson/Icon Sportswire, Rob Friedman/Pitching Ninja, Chicago White Sox, Ben Badler, MLB Pipeline, Prep Baseball Report.

Eric Cross is the lead MLB/Fantasy Baseball writer and MiLB prospect analyst for FantraxHQ and has been with the site since March 2017. In the past, he wrote for FantasyPros and FanSided. He is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) and a contributor in the best-selling Fantasy Baseball Black Book. For more from Eric, check out his author page and follow him on Twitter @EricCross04.

Fantrax is one of the fastest growing fantasy sites of 2019. With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.

More fantasy goodness More from author
Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.