MLB Fantasy Prospects

Top 25 Fantasy Keepers Under 25-Years-Old: Part I

by Ben Carsley, Staff Writer

What do Matt Kemp, Tim Lincecum, and Troy Tulowitzki have in common? None of them qualify for this list of the Top 25 best fantasy cogs under the age of 25.

Using the cut-off date of Opening Day 2010 as my guide, I poured over every roster and checked the age of every fantasy relevant player on every MLB team. After excluding everyone with a DOB that ends in 84 or later, here are my results. Fresh from my cheat-sheet to your computer screen, I present to you a keeper-league owner’s best friend: The Top 25 Under 25.

As you will see, this feature is split into two parts. No worries, I won’t tease you – the Top 12 is in the first installment.

All Average Draft Positions (ADPs) are courtesy of Mock Draft Central.

1) Evan Longoria (3B, Tampa Bay Rays) Age: 24, ADP: 9

• (2nd among 3B)

An absolute fantasy monster, Longoria has everything a fantasy owner could want from a first round pick, as he is balanced, reliable, and plays a shallow position. Longoria is one of the best and most exciting players in the game, and I have no problem with his ADP. That said, in non-keeper leagues, I’m not sure if I agree with him going behind the suddenly undervalued David Wright. Grab Longoria in the bottom half of the first round, and except a monster season of .285/35 HRs/120 RBIs/8 SBs.

2) Justin Upton (OF, Arizona Diamondbacks) Age: 22, ADP: 24

• (6th among OF)

Baseball America’s second highest rated prospect in 2006, fantasy owners have long had their eyes on Upton, who’s ADP has been steadily rising over the past two years. I’m as much of a believer in his potential as anyone, and I think he makes a great third-round pick, making his current ADP of 24 very fair. I like Upton to hit .290-30-90 with 18 SB this year, although I wouldn’t be surprised if he hit 20 points better either. Don’t take him over Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp, or Carl Crawford, but you can make the argument that Upton is the fourth best fantasy outfielder heading into the season (although I personally like Grady Sizemore more).

3) Felix Hernandez (SP, Seattle Mariners) Age: 23, ADP: 32

• (5th among SP)

While I personally refrain from drafting pitchers within the first four rounds of a draft, King Felix’s talent is undeniable. Thus, his ADP of 32 is fair. He’s currently ranked behind only Tim Lincecum, Roy Halladay, C.C. Sabathia, and Zack Greinke, and while I would personally rank Hernandez above Greinke, they’re too close for me to have a serious problem with it. Hernandez has only gotten better each year since being called up to the majors, and I expect that trend to continue in 2010. Watch Hernandez go 18-6 with a 2.25 ERA and 220 Ks this season, and enjoy as he anchors your fantasy staff.

4) Pablo Sandoval (3B, San Francisco Giants) Age: 23, ADP: 38

• (6th among 3B)

I’ve never been a huge Sandoval believer, but even his biggest fans should accept that selecting the “Kung Fu Panda” in the fourth round is a reach. Sandoval is a good fantasy option at third base, and I like him to hit around .315-22-90, but those numbers do not warrant him being selected before players like Justin Morneau or Ichiro Suzuki. Sandoval would be a fine choice in the early sixth/late fifth round, but if he’s my fourth-best fantasy player, I’m not going to feel too comfortable.

5) Yovani Gallardo (SP, Milwaukee Brewers) Age: 24, ADP: 88

• (17th among SP)

Gallardo is one of my favorite fantasy pitchers headed into this year, and I’ve waited on pitching and made him my fantasy ace in several of my drafts thus far. Gallardo represents great value with his current ADP, as fantasy owners who select him will be getting a stud four-category producer in the ninth round. The Brewers’ defense is less than phenomenal, but I still expect Gallardo to take a step forward and go 16-8 with a 3.50 ERA and 225 Ks this year. Adam Wainwright and Javier Vazquez have higher ADPs, but ride Gallardo instead in 2010.

6) Tommy Hanson (SP, Atlanta Braves) Age: 23, ADP: 80

• (16th among SP)

Gallardo and Hanson are basically interchangeable in my rankings, as I believe Hanson will have a phenomenal year as well. All of Hanson’s advanced stats (such as an insanely low, Sabathia-esque 0.7 HR/9) suggest that he will continue to have success in 2010. While I’m not quite ready to give him the title of fantasy ace yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if he earns that distinction this year. I project that Hanson will go 16-4 with a 3.25 ERA, 190 Ks, and a very low WHIP. He’s a solid pick from the seventh round on and a superb No. 2 fantasy starter.

7) Jay Bruce (OF, Cincinnati Reds) Age: 23, ADP: 116

• (38th among OF)

It pains me to write about the type of season I believe Bruce is going to have, because as an active participator in fantasy leagues, I don’t want to see him lose his sleeper status. I believe Bruce will break out in a huge way this year and be a Top 50 fantasy player, hitting .280-35-100. Many of you will be skeptical of that projection, but anyone with Bruce’s talent, a BABIP of .221, and a 16.8 HR/FB percentage is destined for greatness. Even if those advanced stats don’t convince you, please at least help change the fact that Bruce is being selected behind players such as Brad Hawpe, Alex Rios, and Jason Kubel. Grab Bruce in the eight or ninth round, watch him pile up the power numbers, and don’t forget to thank me in October.

8) Matt Wieters (C, Baltimore Orioles) Age: 23, ADP: 91

• (4th among C)

Wieters is a rare example of a player whose ADP and positional ranking make perfect sense to me. After a solid but unspectacular 2009 season, I project Wieters to hit .285-20-85 this year, and do believe that he will be the fourth most valuable fantasy catcher, behind only Joe Mauer, Brian McCann, and Victor Martinez. The tenth round is a great spot to grab Wieters, and I wouldn’t call grabbing him in the ninth to be much of a reach either.

9) Brett Anderson (SP, Oakland Athletics) Age: 22, ADP: 155

• (35th among SP)

Anderson is another one of my favorite sleepers headed into the 2010 season, as I see the lefty becoming a Top 25 fantasy starter. Anderson needs to do a better job of working out of jams (only a 67-percent LOB), but has the arsenal needed to shut down hitters in the spacious Coliseum. I believe Anderson will have a breakout year and go 15-9 with a 3.75 ERA and 170 Ks, outperforming many pitchers drafted ahead of him, such as Scott Baker, Max Scherzer, and Wandy Rodriguez. Anderson’s current ADP has him going in the 16th round, and unless I was already loaded in the starting pitching department, I would grab him there in a heartbeat.

10) Gordon Beckham (2B/3B, Chicago White Sox) Age: 23, ADP: 87

• (10th among 2B, 9th among 3B)

I love Beckham’s position versatility this year, and given the shady track records of Aaron Hill and Ben Zobrist, he could end up being a Top Seven second baseman for fantasy owners. I project an all-around solid .285-20-70 line with 10 SBs for Beckham this year, and believe he’ll be even better in the future. The eighth round is a little too early to take him for my tastes, and I’d still rather have Dan Uggla, but given his 2B eligibility, Beckham is a borderline Top 100 fantasy player in my book.

11) Adam Jones (OF, Baltimore Orioles) Age: 24, ADP: 89

• (30th among OF)

I feel the same way about Jones that I do about Sandoval, in that I do like him, but apparently not as much as some, as his current ADP has him as a ninth round selection. Fantasy owners can dream on Jones, as he has 30 HR/20 SB potential, but his low ISO and 28.1% FB rate lead me to believe he may never quite hit the 30 HR threshold. I project Jones to hit .275-20-80 with 18 SBs, which makes him a fine 11th-13th round pick, but until Jones proves he can start generating some more lift with his swing, he’s not a Top 100 player to me.

12) Clayton Kershaw (SP, Los Angeles Dodgers) Age: 22, ADP: 94

• (19th among SP)

People will likely be surprised to see Kershaw this far down on the list, and based on upside alone, he’s the best pitcher in this ranking not named Felix. But people forget that even Hernandez needed a few years in the majors before he fully dominated, and I see Kershaw following the same path. I believe Kershaw will be very useful as a fourth fantasy starter this year, but he’s being well over-drafted because of his name value, and is not someone I would select with one of my first ten picks. Kershaw will likely be a Top 10 pitcher some day, but for now, I expect him to go 15-8 with a 3.50 ERA and 180 Ks, making him a good but overvalued fantasy asset.

Follow this link to see 13 thru 25...

Oakland A's Great Rickey Henderson Works With Prospects Chris Carter and Michael Taylor

by Stephen Sheridan, Managing Editor

The Associated Press reported that “Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson arrived at the Oakland Athletics’ spring training facilities Saturday and at least a two dozen A’s were listening intently as he spoke on stealing bases, among other subjects.” Athletics GM, Billy Beane, invited Henderson to spring training after the greatest base-stealer in history spent time with the club’s instructional league teams.

MLBFP contributor Jamie Engber snapped the following shot of top prospects Chris Carter and Michael Taylor receiving some pointers from Henderson:

“I just want to ask, ‘How do you do it and how can I do it?”’ Taylor told the AP, “I’d like to know how he got his jumps and what to look for. Even if I learn one thing, it’s worth it.”

Growing up, I had a framed, Rickey Henderson rookie card hanging in my bedroom, so I’m feeling kinda’ nostalgic as I type this post, y’all. It’s because of this guy that I can honestly tell the world that other fantasy baseball prospect websites were “the symbol” of good analysis. “But today, [MLBFP] is the greatest of all-time. Thank you.”

You can head on over to Fathead.com and purchase an autographed picture of Rickey celebrating his record-breaking stolen base, among other great baseball memorabilia items.

2010 MLBFP Divisional Series: Top 10 American League West Fantasy Prospects

by Ben Carsley, Staff Writer

As you know, all good things must come to an end, so it’s time to wrap-up my Top 10 Fantasy Prospects by Division Series. It’s been quite the journey, covering everyone from Jason Heyward to Jay Jackson, and giving dynasty league owners enough material to last for several seasons. For you impatient prospect gurus, our final division, the American League West, features some of the game’s most major league-ready prospects.

The Top 10

1) Neftali Feliz (SP/RP, Texas Rangers)  ETA: 2010

Acquired from the Braves as part of the Mark Teixeira trade in 2007, Feliz has some of the highest upside of any prospect in baseball. Feliz has an absolutely electric arm, and his tailing, 98 mph fastball may already be on the short list of best heaters in the game. In terms of his secondary offerings, he still needs to develop command and consistency with his breaking pitch and changeup. Called up to the majors late last season as a reliever, Feliz dominated the American League, going 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 20 relief appearances. If Feliz finishes games, he has the makings of a Joe Nathan-type shutdown closer, capable of saving upwards of 40 games a year with a sub-2.00 ERA, making him a Top 60 fantasy player. Feliz has always posted great strikeout numbers, as he averaged a 10.6 K/9 ratio in his four seasons in the minors, and this trend is almost certain to continue in the bigs. If he masters his command and develops an dependable secondary arsenal, the sky is the limit for Feliz. In fact, as a starter, he has Pedro Martinez-like upside. For now, though, my crystal ball tells me Feliz turns into reliever, and that he will be closing games in Texas by June. Feliz is a good pick in all leagues, but be careful not to overdraft him just because he’s a sexy pick.

2) Justin Smoak (1B, Texas Rangers)  ETA: Mid-2010

A future first round fantasy pick, Smoak has all the makings of an elite, four-category fantasy producer. Smoak soared through the Rangers’ minor league system and reached Triple-A in just his second professional season. A true switch hitter, with serious power from both sides, Smoak is not just a hacker, as he has compiled a .292 BA and .403 OBP in the minors as well. Smoak is frequently compared to Mark Teixeira, and while there are some similarities, Smoak’s smoother swing but slightly inferior raw power reminds me more of Chipper Jones. In his prime, lines of .300-30-100 are well within reach for Smoak, which will make him a Top Five fantasy first baseman. Chris Davis currently blocks Smoak at first base, but the switch-hitting slugger is too good of a hitter to keep in the minors for long. Look for Smoak to get the call to the majors in June or July, and start hitting right away. He will be long gone in dynasty leagues, and isn’t worth reaching for in shallow redraft mixed leagues, but in deep mixed leagues or AL-only leagues, Smoak isn’t a bad late-round flier if you can afford the roster spot. There’s a bevy of good young first baseman in the minors right now, but Smoak is the best of the bunch.

3) Dustin Ackley (2B/OF, Seattle Mariners)  ETA: Mid-2011

The second overall pick in the 2009 draft, the Mariners were more than happy to select Ackley as their consolation prize to the Stephen Strasburg sweepstakes. Ackley has an extraordinarily advanced bat for someone who has just been drafted, which is why I have aggressively projected him to be major league-ready after only a season and a half in the minors. A potential five-category producer, the only grey area in Ackley’s game is his power, as his ceiling is probably 25 homerun power. Notably, some scouts believe he may be restricted to the 10-15 homerun range. What is not in dispute is that Ackley has the hitting skills to hit .320 in the majors, and has enough speed to steal 20-40 bases a year. Ackley’s ultimate fantasy value is hard to project without knowing where he lands on the diamond. If he’s an outfielder, or second baseman in the ideal fantasy world, he could be a Top 30 fantasy player, with an ultimate Derek Jeter-like ceiling of hitting .320-20-70 with 30 stolen bases. If Ackley doesn’t develop power or has to move to first base (his college position), his value would obviously diminish. He should be owned in all dynasty leagues, and will begin to make fantasy contributions early next season.

4) Martin Perez (SP, Texas Rangers)  ETA: 2011

Perez has the highest upside of any pitcher in the division – even greater than Feliz – and is one of the Top Five pitching prospects in baseball. Perez will be just 19-years-old this season, and if all goes well, he should finish the year in Triple-A. Armed with an above average fastball, a devastating curveball, and a good changeup, Perez has the necessary weapons to shut down hitters at any level. Perez struggled in a brief stint at Double-A last season, but went 5-5 with a 2.31 ERA and 105 Ks in only 94 IP in Single-A. A potential Top Three fantasy pitcher, Perez often draws comparisons to fellow Venezuelan southpaw Johan Santana, and while I generally try to stay away from consensus comparisons, it’s a fair projection based on Perez’s upside. I expect Perez to breeze through Double-A and receive a promotion to Triple-A by July, which would put him on track for a chance to crack the Rangers’ rotation in 2011. Perez is not a bad candidate to be the No. 1 fantasy prospect in all of baseball at this time next year; his dynasty league owners should hold on to him at all costs.

5) Chris Carter (1B/OF, Oakland Athletics)  ETA: Mid-2010

One of the best power hitters in the minors, Carter has racked up 118 homeruns in his 5 years as a professional, including totals of 25, 39, and 28 over the past 3 seasons. Carter is very limited defensively, and listing him as an outfield option is probably too generous. Notably, however, shouldn’t become a full-time DH for a few years, giving him increased fantasy value in the meantime. Carter hit a career-high .337 in Double-A last season, and while I do believe his new emphasis on pitch selection will pay some dividends, fantasy owners should expect batting averages more along the lines of .270-280 for Carter in the majors. Carter has sweet upside for a fantasy first baseman. Adrian Gonzalez-like number (.275-35-90) are well within his reach when he hits his prime. For now, Carter is blocked by several “Quad-A” players, such as Daric Barton and Jake Fox, but he will likely force himself into the lineup by July. Carter could use another half-season of seasoning in Triple-A, so he might not be worth grabbing in redraft leagues just yet. If he does somehow win a starting job out of spring training, however, he;s a solid late-round flier for any owner looking for a quick power fix, and could hit 15 bombs if given 300 ABs.

6) Michael Taylor (OF, Oakland Athletics)  ETA: Mid-2010

A big corner outfielder, with solid tools across the board, Taylor is one of the more underrated prospects in baseball. Toronto, which received Taylor from the Phillies in the Roy Halladay trade, then sent the outfielder to Oakland for 1B/3B prospect Brett Wallace It’s somewhat puzzling why Toronto made this move as Taylor was arguably the third-best outfielder in their organization for the brief time he was in the fold. Regardless, Taylor now faces a similar quandary as fellow prospect Chris Carter, in that he is not blocked by any one good player, but rather by a plethora of below-average ones. If Taylor received 500 ABs in 2010, he would be a borderline fifth fantasy outfielder, capable of hitting .280-15-70 with 10-plus stolen bases as well. Unfortunately, I don’t see the A’s allowing Taylor to receive any significant ABs until July or August, meaning he may be a fantasy non-factor for much of 2010. In his prime, I like Taylor to be a better-hitting Hunter Pence-type outfielder, capable of putting up lines of .300-20-80 with 15 swipes. For now, leave Taylor undrafted in redraft leagues, but see if you can trade for him in dynasty leagues and expect him to produce enough in 2011 to be a solid third fantasy outfielder.

7) Hank Conger (C, Los Angeles Angels)  ETA: 2011

One of the better catching prospects in baseball, Conger finally stayed healthy in 2009 and put up some impressive numbers. As a 21-year-old in Double-A, Conger hit .295-11-68 with a .369 OBP in 458 ABs, restoring his status as an elite prospect. Conger is a switch-hitter with solid power from both sides of the plate, although he hits for a slightly better average from the right and with more pop from the left. Conger faces some obstacles that may delay his big league ETA. He’s blocked by two good major league catchers in Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis, and is only adequate defensively, which wouldn’t hold him back in many organizations, but may in one run by Mike Scioscia. Still, Conger’s upside is a Top Seven fantasy catcher, capable of hitting .290-20-80, similar to the modern day Jorge Posada. Overshadowed by other catching prospects, such as Carlos Santana, Buster Posey, and Derek Norris, there’s a chance Conger may be available in dynasty leagues. If he is, Conger is a nice grab, as he’s one of the five best catching prospects in the minors.

8) Michael Saunders (OF, Seattle Mariners)  ETA: 2010

Saunders would be higher on this list, but the Mariners’ offseason moves seem to indicate they don’t think he’s ready for regular major league ABs quite yet. After the Mariners acquired Milton Bradley and Eric Byrnes, and resigned Ken Griffey Jr., the odds of Saunders getting 300-plus ABs this year are pretty slim. An all-around average offensive player, Saunders would have been a nice sleeper as a fifth fantasy outfielder this year, capable of hitting .280-15-80 with five stolen bases, if he was given 400 ABs. He will never be a huge contributor to any one fantasy category, but profiles as a Conor Jackson-type solid utility player, capable of boosting team batting average and runs while providing some power and speed. Saunders is still worth drafting in AL-only leagues, but has lost most of his value in redraft leagues. Significantly, Bradley is injury-prone and Byrnes hasn’t been productive since 2007, thus owners should still keep their eyes on Saunders this season. He’s a nice waiver wire pickup if he starts getting regular ABs.

9) Tanner Scheppers (SP, Texas Rangers)  ETA: mid-2011

Although Scheppers was drafted just this past year, his great fastball, filthy curveball, and developing changeup make him nearly major league-ready. If Texas converts him to a reliever, it’s not out of the question that Scheppers could reach the majors by the end of 2010, and fare pretty similarly to how Nefatli Feliz did in the bullpen in 2009. In this role, Scheppers could develop into a Joakim Soria-like Top 10 fantasy closer. If they allow Scheppers to take his time and develop as a starter, he has top-of-the-rotation stuff, and his arsenal of pitches reminds me a lot of Yovani Gallardo, which would make him a solid No.2 fantasy starter. My instincts tell me that Scheppers’ future is directly linked with Feliz’s. If Feliz can start, Texas will likely groom Scheppers to be their closer of the future. If Feliz becomes the Rangers’ fireman, than Scheppers will likely be allowed to start. Either way, dynasty owners should be all over Scheppers. He does have some significant injury history, but his upside is too great to ignore.

10) Grant Green (SS, Oakland Athletics)  ETA: 2012

The 13th overall pick in the 2009 draft, Green’s prospect star as diminished a little bit, as he was once the favorite to be the first position player taken in last year’s draft. A fast, athletic shortstop with a line-drive swing, Green doesn’t have tremendous power potential, but could contribute solidly in every other fantasy category, especially for a middle infielder. Some scouts question whether Green can stay at shortstop. Of course, if he has to move to third base or the outfield, his fantasy value would take a tremendous hit. The A’s believe Green will grow into some power, and if he does, he could be an elite fantasy shortstop. For now, however, I see a little Edgar Renteria in Green. In the future, look for .290 BA/10 HRs/75 RBIs/20 SBs lines from Green; Top 10 fantasy shortstop material. Green should move fairly quickly, and given that only Cliff Pennington blocks him from major league ABs, he could push for time as early as July 2011.

The Next Five

11) Mike Trout (OF, Los Angeles Angels)  ETA: 2013

One of my favorite sleeper prospects, the best thing Trout can do for fantasy owners is stop growing. The favorite to be Torii Hunter’s heir in center field, Trout has five-category fantasy potential and plus speed, but may lose some of that ability if he keeps filling out. As of right now though, Trout compares favorably to Johnny Damon, and is someone I highly recommend to dynasty league owners looking for a prospect bargain.

12) Peter Bourjos (OF, Los Angeles Angels)  ETA: 2011

Bourjos faces somewhat of a conundrum, as he has Hunter in front of him and Trout behind him, threatening his major league playing time. Bourjos’ defensive ability means he’s a better major league prospect than fantasy one, but he still has plus-speed, and could wind up as a poor man’s Jacoby Ellsbury, hitting .280 with 40-plus stolen bases.

13) Trevor Reckling (SP, Los Angeles Angels)  ETA: 2011

Reckling faces an uphill battle to be a starter, as he needs a third pitch and better command, but his fastball and disgusting slurve give him some serious potential. Rushed in 2009, the Angels will likely hold Reckling back a bit in 2010 to give him time to reach his Randy Wolf-like potential as a No .3 innings eater and No. 5 fantasy starter.

14) Max Stassi (C, Oakland Athletics)  ETA: 2013

Taken in the third round of the 2009 draft, Stassi was a first-round talent but fell do to signability issues. He’s a few seasons away, but has the ability to be a Top 10 fantasy catcher in the Jason Varitek mold, capable of providing stellar defense, while hitting .280-20-80 per season in his prime. Dynasty owners looking for a catcher may want to consider taking Stassi before his name value catches up with his potential.

15) Adam Moore (C, Seattle Mariners)  ETA: 2010

Moore isn’t a terrific prospect, but is the favorite to be Seattle’s starting catcher in 2010. If given 450 ABs, he’s capable of posting Kelly Shoppach-like numbers -- .270-15-60. Sadly, that makes Moore a borderline starter in AL-only leagues, as he should outhit Jason Kendall, Lou Marson, and possibly John Buck.

Grant Desme (OF, Oakland A's) Retires to Pursue Priesthood

Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayoB3), had the line of the day when he Tweeted, “A's prospect Grant Desme enters priesthood. I know he was hoping to get the call, but I don't think this is what the A's had in mind.”

John Paul Morosi of Fox Sports broke the story:

Desme is leaving the game at a time when his fortunes seemed to be rising fast. He batted .288 with 31 home runs and 89 RBIs in 131 games last year. Then he starred in the Arizona Fall League, where some of the game’s top prospects compete. He likely would have started this season at Class AA.

There is no doubt that this 23-year-old’s star was on the rise, making his decision all the more shocking. Back in November, MLBFP’s Bill Root was gushing over Desme’s upside, advising readers to snatch him up in keeper leagues and predicting a September call-up later this year. Desme put on a fireworks display in the Arizona Fall League. He batted .315 and racked up 72 total bases, including 11 homers, in just 108 at-bats during the five-week season.  His performance earned him the 2009 AFL MVP. Though as confidant as Desme looked at the plate in the fall, he seemed equally as confidant in his decision to retire from baseball. The following is from his conference call with reporters today, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle:

“I'm doing well in baseball. But I had to get down to the bottom of things, to what was good in my life, what I wanted to do with my life. Baseball is a good thing, but that felt selfish of me when I felt that God was calling me more. It took awhile to trust that and open up to it and aim full steam toward him. I love the game, but I'm going to aspire to higher things.”

Wow. The great Roberto Clemente once said, “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth.” Grant Desme is going to make a difference in this world, just not on the baseball diamond. 

Just one fantasy baseball geek’s opinion, but I find this kid’s decision refreshing. Especially during this particular time, as Major League Baseball enters its arbitration period and player contracts garner so much attention.  This kid, gleaming with potential, looks past it all to pursue a higher calling. 

MLBFP wishes you all the best, Grant!

The Perfect Re-Gift: Michael Taylor (OF, Oakland A's) - Scouting Report and Interview

Contributed by Mike Feifel, Senior Writer/Lead Photographer

Let’s take a look at Michael Taylor, who will make the trip from Philly to Oakland (after a brief pit-stop in Toronto), as a part of the Roy Halladay mega-trade. We scouted Taylor on a regular basis. We interviewed him. We have the numero uno fantasy scoop on this dude. Period.

Taken in the fifth round of the 2007 draft, Taylor steadily worked his way through the Philadelphia farm system and was on the cusp of a big league call-up. Looking for a comparison, you fantasy shoppers? Think a sleek Frank Thomas. I know, a tough image to visualize. The take-home point is this: Taylor is massive, but can move on the bases and in the field. His rise through the Phillies system is marked by nothing but success. In his 2008 stops at Low-A Lakewood and High-A Clearwater, Taylor batted .346, ripped 39 doubles, clobbered 19 homers, and swiped 15 stolen bases. He pretty much spent the first half of the 2009 season at Double-A Reading. As the Eastern League’s Player of the Month in June, he had a .369 BA with eight doubles, five homers and 19 RBIs. Not too shabby.

Based on his stellar first half performance, the 24-year-old Taylor was named to the Eastern League All-Star game before his mid-season promotion to Triple-A. Continuing to rack up the awards, he was named Eastern League (Double-A) Rookie of the Year. Further, Taylor was chosen by Baseball America as being the “Best Batting Prospect” and the “Most Exciting Player” in the same league.

As a beat writer for the Phillies’ Triple-A club (the Lehigh Valley IronPigs), I had the pleasure of watching Taylor on a daily basis. At 6-6, 250-pounds, Taylor’s blend of speed and power is scary (fantasy) good. Though hampered by an abdominal strain that left him on Lehigh Valley’s disabled list for a bit, Taylor batted .320 for the season and became the first IronPig to hit for the cycle. This speedy mass of humanity also slugged 20 home runs, stole 21 bases, and drove in 84 runs, all in just 116 games.

Great minor league numbers, but how will that translate into the majors? Although Taylor will not be a 40 home run hitter, he will be a well-rounded player that hits for average and pop. The ball jumps off his bat and he drives the ball from gap to gap. Taylor’s speed allows him to grab extra bases and score additional runs. On numerous occasions, the big man left my jaw sitting in my complimentary press box fries. Yeah, the perks of being a writer, tell me about it.

To top it all off, after having the opportunity to interview him, Taylor’s personality and mental toughness is that of a superstar. Since his youth, he has been dealing with type-1 diabetes. Checking insulin levels on a daily basis is a challenge for a professional athlete. Taylor summed up his personal hurdle best when he stated, “I have to be diligent in what I am doing. I always want to know where I am. I don’t want to be surprised. I don’t want to be in the third inning and have a ‘low’ sneak up on me.”

His body’s response to the food he ingests changes as seasons progress and the weather changes; thus, determining the level of dosage for his insulin. His diabetes should not affect whether or where you draft him, as Taylor has never been taken out of a game because of his condition and is determined to keep that streak alive. In between innings, he’ll do what it takes to keep his insulin levels within an optimal range for peak performance.

Already noted, Taylor has the personality and confidence of a budding star. He openly speaks to fans at the park about his diabetes. One day, he will make a great spokesperson. “I’m not at the level that I can be a national spokesman, but I have had families come up to me after games,” Taylor said.

His fantasy value right now could not be higher after his trade to the hitter-friendly American League and the opportunity-friendly Athletics. Trust me, Ryan Sweeney isn’t going to be an obstacle to “The Big Speedy Hurt” (I try). His new team is once again retooling behind Billy Beane. Taylor will receive a major league call in July 2010 and will be a sweet rookie reserve on your squads. Grab him late in redraft AL-only leagues and stash him for the long haul in keeper leagues.

You don’t meet many fantasy prospects like Taylor. He possesses the advanced skills and maturity to make a significant fantasy impact sooner than most expect. Have faith in your trusty beat writer.

#13 MLB Fantasy Prospect: Aroldis Chapman (SP, Free Agent, Cuba) - Scouting Report

It’s not easy for me to place Aroldis Chapman in MLBFP’s Top 25. This Cuban defect could easily become a prospect reject.

That said, even though Chapman is as raw as a diaper-rashed baby’s bottom and has yet to sign with a major league squad, he deserves a spot on his list for one reason – his mouth-watering upside. We are talking about a 21-year-old (yeah, we all want to examine the birth certificate) with a 6-4, 179-pound projectable frame and the ability to hit triple digits on the radar gun. Shoot, even the biggest Chapman-haters can’t deny that his age, body-type, and arm trigger a reaction from the salivary glands.

Chapman is primarily a three-pitch-pony. He’s armed with a mid-90s fastball, late-moving slider and a developing curveball. The lanky southpaw throws a splitter and a variety of changeups as well, but those pitches are works-in-progress. Chapman’s already has the fastball velocity and nastilicious slider to have some big league success. After watching some tape on this dude, I’m convinced the slider could become his signature in the bigs rather than his heater. The pitch is extremely deceptive because it’s on an almost-identical plane as the fastball until it sends left-handed hitters fishing and back-doors right-handed batters.

Why is Chapman’s downside as dangerous as his upside? Well, the Cuban sensation still hasn’t mastered his control or command. Chapman has been known to go on walk-fests and tends to miss his spots even when he’s around the plate. For example, Chapman has had the following BB/9 rates in Cuba over the past four years: 9.0, 5.5, 4.5 and 4.7. These rates will be even higher in the majors given the transition from Cuban baseball to MLB. Trust me, major league hitters will patiently force him to find the plate, and will hammer him if he consistently makes mistakes in the zone. Chapman needs time to become a pitcher rather than a thrower; his velocity alone won’t make him a fantasy force.

There have also been questions about Chapman’s maturity and mental makeup. Can he handle the pressure of the mammoth contract once he signs? Will he melt on the mound when he experiences adversity? Will he work hard enough to become a stud pitcher? These are all still open questions. Chapman needs to plant himself on a team with a top-notch pitching coach, who can perfect his mechanics/off-speed pitches, and supporting veterans who can look over his shoulder.

Chapman is reportedly looking for a $40-60 million deal. The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays have all expressed interest in the international free agent. Chapman recently fired his agent, Edwin Mejia, who was deep in negotiations with many teams. Chapman has replaced Mejia with the Hendricks brothers to finish off a deal. This is a hint he may be headed to the Bronx because of the Hendricks brothers’ deep-rooted relationship with the Yanks. Our man, Scoops Sheridan, predicted back in July that Chapman would end up in pinstripes. We will soon find out if he was on the mark.

It’s obvious I have major reservations about Chapman. In fact, there’s a real possibility he only ends up slightly better than fellow Cuban, Jose Contreras, if he remains a starting pitcher. Yikes. Nevertheless, you can’t pass on him in limited-pool keeper league drafts because of his projectable body, power repertoire, and enormous ceiling. Further, even if Chapman is moved to the back of the bullpen because he can’t develop a solid third pitch, he will still provide great value in most formats as dominant closer.

Chapman will have initial struggles. He is more of a project prospect than a blue-chipper. You need to have long-term patience and a pro-risk mentality to acquire him. Don’t overpay for Chapman in trades because of the hovering red flags, but scoop him up in keeper league drafts if he’s there for the taking.

Check out the video on Chapman below. Future ace? The Yankees’ dominant closer in 2015? Overrated and overhyped No. 4 starter? Let’s hear your thoughts.

Is Grant Desme's (OF, Oakland Athletics) Arizona Fall League Performance a Desert Mirage?

Every year an underrated prospect has a coming-out-party at the Arizona Fall League. This year it’s Grant Desme. Let’s examine whether this kid is the real fantasy deal.

Desme suffered a host of injuries (hammy, wrist, shoulder, etc.) over his first two years in the minors. The A’s simply didn’t know what they had with him until this year. Needless to say, the organization and hardcore fantasy owners were (should be) impressed.

In fact, Desme was entitled to mucho props for his 2009 season even before the AFL fun began. The 2007 second rounder posted the following stats between Low-A and High-A: .288 BA/31 HRs/31 Doubles/40 SBs/.365 OBP/.568 SLG. Unbelievable…numbers like that and he still flew further under-the-radar than Richard Henne’s wayward and boy-less balloon.

The Grand Poobah of scouting – A’s GM Billy Beane – must be salivating over what Desme is doing in the desert. Through 19 games, Desme has a .354 BA, 10 HRs (1st in AFL), .433 OBP, and .785 SLG (1st in AFL). The 6-2, 205-pound OF is only four bombs away from the AFL record of 14 held by Brandon Wood. Don’t get me started on a Wood tirade, that dude has always deserved more of a chance. But I digress…

So, what’s the catch with Desme? You know there has to be one because he’s been on the down-low. Well, let’s just say that along with the massive power, comes a fair share of swing-and-misses. Desme had an alarming 30.4 percent strikeout rate and 148:54 K/BB ratio (486 ABs) between both Single-A levels. The concern is that Desme’s strikeout propensity will kill his batting average at higher-levels and turn him into a Jack Cust-like performer, or worse.

I am here to calm the masses and to get you thinking fantasy. First, you have to expect some whiffs with the massive power. It comes with the territory – especially for a timing hitter like Desme who has a little toe-tap-hitch when he loads up his swing. Second, Desme is an extremely intelligent player and is making strides in the AFL to cut down on his Ks (10 Ks in his last 40 AB). Obviously, he still has some work to do, but he’s already stated he will focus on this aspect of his game going forward. Third, he’s learning to take walks (12.7-percent BB rate at High-A), so the strikeouts shouldn’t keep Desme off the A’s roster. Finally, based on the major league squad’s power-less nature, they will need a bomber like Desme planted in the starting lineup.

You don’t find too many fantasy prospects with Desme’s power and speed combo. From a power perspective, Desme has the potential to hit 25-35 HRs per year in the bigs. In terms of speed, he has the potential to put up 25-30 stolen bases in a year thanks to good wheels and savvy/aggressive base running ability. Remember, the A’s have become more of a running team in the past couple years, so they won’t hesitate to cut Desme loose on the bases.

Grab Desme in keeper leagues because of his upside fantasy tools. Sure, the strikeouts are a concern, but the possible rewards from owning this dude are much greater than the risks. Remember, as we’re always trying to teach you at MLBFP, think fantasy potential when it comes to these prospects.

Desme will receive a 2010 September call-up and become a staple in the A’s lineup by June of 2011.

#21 MLB Fantasy Prospect: Chris Carter (1B/DH, Oakland Athletics) - Scouting Report

All this Chris Carter does is hit homers.

Okay, he does a little more than that, but I couldn’t resist. This beast didn’t  get the credit he deserved headed into the season. Carter hit .259, with 39 HRs, and .569 SLG last year at High-A. Yet, many prospect experts focused on his high strikeout rate (30.8%) and kept him off their prospect lists. While the swing-and-miss tendency worried me as well, I plugged him in at No. 78 on my preseason Top 200 Fantasy Prospect List. Yes, this is where I’m looking for some sturdy pats on the back.

Carter came into the season as the 6th ranked prospect in the Oakland system according to Baseball America. However, BA just ranked him 3rd on their recent list of 2009 Standout Prospects. Yep, the 6’4”, 225 lb kid is starting to turn fantasy heads; he has established himself as the best power-hitting prospect in the game. Go ahead, I challenge you to name a better power-hitting gem in the minors. Bring it.

Carter hit .337, with 24 HRs, and a .567 SLG at Double-A this year. He was promoted to Triple-A in late August and more than held his own. In fact, Carter has gone Kanye West-crazy with the stick in the Pacific Coast League Playoffs, hitting bombs in each of the first four playoff games. It’s already obvious that Carter’s “all-fields” power translates to any level.

The big man cut down on his strikeouts this year as well. Specifically, in 490 ABs at Double-A, Carter cut his strikeout rate down to 24.3%. There’s no question he needs work on this aspect of his game. But, let’s not go critique crazy, dudes with power like this can get away with striking out more than your average bear. It comes with the bomber territory.

Significantly, it ain’t all dingers and whiffs with Carter. He raised his minor league batting average over 70 points from last year. Further, he took 85 free passes between Double-A and Triple-A. Carter’s ability to take a walk will earn him a regular job in the majors and make him a more attractive fantasy asset. Of course, if he could close some of the massive holes in his swing, he could be a fantasy star.

Carter has nice athletic ability for a big dude. There’s been some talk about moving him to the OF because of his “relatively” impressive agility. I placed “relatively” in quotes because he’s being compared to other men his size; I don’t think Carter is swift enough to be an OF. The talk has picked up since the A’s acquired defensively-challenged 3B Brett Wallace. There are persistent rumors that Wallace will be permanently moved to first base. This is a situation that bares monitoring.

My best guess is that Carter locks down the DH spot for the A’s at some point next year and settles into that role for the long-term. This is a potential 2010 fantasy impact rookie you want to get your paws on immediately. Kids with raw power and sweet plate discipline don’t come around the fantasy diamond too often. While Carter’s home park will do some power-sapping, don’t let that dissuade you from making a move for him in your keeper leagues. You can probably get him cheap if your league mates are going off last year’s prospect lists. Make the move now.

Wade Davis amd Michael Brantley Among Those Featured in "New Kids on the Diamond"

Our Bill Root features eight September call-ups in his final "New Kids on the Diamond" column of the season over at RotoExperts.com. Root puts the spotlight on:

• Wade Davis (SP, TB, bottom photo by mwlguide)
• Carlos Torres (SP, CWS)
• Clayton Mortensen (SP, OAK)
• Dan Hudson (SP, CWS)
• Josh Thole (C, NYM, right photo by slgckgc)
• Michael Brantley (OF, CLE)
• J.R. Towles (C, HOU)
• Justin Maxwell (OF, WAS)

Stay tuned as one or more of these up-and-comers may be featured as one of MLBFP's Top 25 Fantasy Prospects for 2010!