Players That Just Missed The Fantasy Top 100 Prospects List

Whenever you create a list or ranking it’s inevitable that worthy candidates will fall just short. It’s a matter of personal preferences that often make the difference between making the cut and just missing.

Just as we do with our traditional Top 100 Prospect list, we have compiled a list of prospects that just missed inclusion on the Fantasy Top 100 Prospects. 

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C Edgar Quero, Angels: A strong balance of plate skills drive Quero’s profile. The backstop enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, hitting .312/.435/.530 over 111 Low-A games. Quero’s balance of contact, approach and power makes him a worthy choice in a variety of dynasty formats. 

OF/1B Dustin Harris, Rangers: A breakout 2021 saw Harris hit .327/.401/.542 over 110 games across two levels of Class A. A strong combination of contact, approach, power and baserunning make Harris an attractive option in fantasy. While his numbers were down a little in Double-A in 2022, he still hit .257/.346/.471 over 85 games. The outfielder hit 17 home runs and stole 19 bases in 2022, his second consecutive season with 15 or more home runs and 15 or more steals.

3B Jhonkensy Noel, Guardians: A powerful slugger capable of blasting tape-measure shots off of his loud barrel, Noel possesses premium power with the ability to get to it in games. He hit .229/.310/.489 with 32 home runs across three levels in 2022. While his power is noteworthy, Noel’s profile is dragged down by below-average bat-to-ball skills and an overly aggressive approach. Noel will need to tone down his swing-and-miss tendencies to succeed at the upper levels. 

2B Jonathan Aranda, Rays: One of the more advanced hitters in the upper minors over the past few seasons, Aranda debuted in the big leagues in 2022. The infielder struggled over 32 games with the Rays but has a long track record of success in the upper minors. He’s limited defensively and there’s some questions around his ability to hit premium velocity. Still, he hit .318/.394/.521 over 104 games with Triple-A Durham. 

SS/2B Luisangel Acuna, Rangers: The younger Acuña had an up-and-down season. He impressed during his time with High-A Hickory, hitting .317/.417/.483 over 54 games. Upon promotion to Double-A Acuña struggled, hitting .224/.302/.349 over 37 games. At just 20 years old, his struggles at Double-A are not a cause for concern yet. He did struggle with contact, but has projectable power and at least average swing decisions. There’s potential for Acuña to post above-average offensive production at peak.  

SS Angel Martinez, Guardians: A classic Guardians prospect, Martinez is a hit tool-driven middle infielder with solid power. A switch-hitter, he pairs excellent bat-to-ball skills with strong swing decisions. While neither his power or speed grade out as anything more than average. Martinez is a well-rounded player but lacks a standout tool. 

SS/3B Orelvis Martinez, Blue Jays: After a 30-home run campaign as a 20-year-old in Double-A, one would expect Martinez’s profile to rise in dynasty leagues. Unfortunately, outside of his home run total it was a frustrating year for Martinez. His overly aggressive approach has led to struggles with contact, as Martinez swings early and often in counts, rarely waiting for the right pitch. If Martinez can make improvements to his swing decisions he could easily recapture his prospect pedigree. 

3B Colt Keith, Tigers: An injury-shortened campaign likely robbed Tigers fans of an exciting minor league breakout for Keith in 2022. Billed as an advanced hitter coming into the 2020 draft, Keith has proven his amateur reports correct with a strong combination of contact, approach and power. A full, healthy season will likely catapult Keith onto the Top 100 list.  

3B Deyvison De Los Santos, D-Backs:  De Los Santos is a prodigious power hitter with an aggressive approach. Few players hit the ball as hard, and as consistently, as De Los Santos. There’s concerns around his approach and flatter bat path allowing him to fully get to his plus-plus raw power, but he’s young enough to improve in those areas. While De Los Santos plays third base now, he’s likely a first base-only profile long term. Still, he’s a prospect worthy of a roster spot in the majority of dynasty leagues. 

3B Casey Schmitt, Giants: A standout defender in the infield, Schmitt’s bat caught up to his defense in 2022. Schmitt reached Triple-A by season’s end, hitting .293/.365/.489 across three levels. Schmitt’s profile is driven by average or better bat-to-ball skills and a swing geared to optimize his hardest contact. He’s an aggressive swinger who’s prone to expanding the zone, and his lack of approach and middling exit velocity data has led to some questions about his bat’s viability at the highest level. 

OF Alec Burleson, Cardinals: The Cardinals outfielder made his MLB debut in 2022, hitting just .188/.264/.271 over 16 games. Despite the poor line Burleson’s underlying numbers were strong. He struck out in just 17% of his plate appearances while walking 9.4% of the time. Burleson has a nice combination of contact, approach and at least average power with the ability to handle an outfield corner competently. 

OF Josue De Paula, Dodgers: The cousin of former NBA all-star Stephon Marbury, De Paula was a revelation in 2022 in the Dominican Summer League. The outfielder hit .349/.448/.522 with more walks than strikeouts. A standout athlete with refined plate skills, De Paula is a potential breakout candidate when he comes stateside in 2023. 

OF Will Brennan, Guardians: For those that followed our content throughout 2022, you’ll be quite familiar with Brennan. A well-rounded player, Brennan has always been a prospect held in higher regard by the Cleveland front office than by the public. Brennan hit .314/.371/.479 over 129 games between Double-A and Triple-A with double-digit home run and stolen base totals in 2022. Brennan has a good balance of skills that could translate to a potential table-setter skill set. 

OF Joey Wiemer, Brewers: Boasting a special combination of athleticism and power, Wiemer broke out in 2021, hitting .295/.403/.556 in his pro debut. In 2022, Wiemer’s below-average bat-to-ball skills surfaced, as the outfielder hit .256/.336/.465 with a 26.8% strikeout rate. The unusual part of Wiemer’s season is that he performed better in Triple-A than he did in Double-A, as he ran a strikeout rate above 30% at the Double-A level. 

OF Aaron Zavala, Rangers: A strong all-around offensive performer, Zavala’s carrying tool is his elite on-base ability. Across two levels in 2022 Zavala walked 17.3% of the time, while showing above-average bat-to-ball skills and respectable power. Zavala has dealt with a litany of injuries throughout his career, but when healthy there’s no doubting his ability to get on base and produce runs. 

OF Matt Wallner, Twins: If you like huge power, Wallner is likely a player that will pique your interest. Wallner, a 2019 supplemental first-rounder, made his MLB debut in 2022, but struggled over 18 games, striking out in 38.5% of his plate appearances. While it’s a three true outcomes skill set, Wallner has big upside in leagues that focus on on-base percentage and slugging. After hitting 27 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022, Wallner could be poised to contribute with a rebuilt Twins team in 2023. 

OF Heston Kjerstad, Orioles: It was a tumultuous few years after Kjerstad went second overall in the 2021 draft. After dealing with myocarditis, Kjerstad got a late start to his 2022 campaign after dealing with aa hamstring injury sustained in spring training. Kjerstad showed signs of rust in 2022, but his overall line across both Class A levels was a strong .309/.394/.457. He continued to impress following the season as he participated in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .357/.385/.622. 

OF Jonny DeLuca, Dodgers: One of the more underrated players in the Dodgers system, DeLuca was added to the Dodgers 40-man roster this winter. A speedster with at least average power, DeLuca set personal highs for home runs and slugging in 2022. With potential for 20-home run, 20-stolen base upside, DeLuca is a name who could play his way onto the Top 100 early this year with a strong performance, which could also propel him into the Dodgers outfield picture by June.

OF Anthony Gutierrez, Rangers: A Jan. 15 signee in 2022, Gutierrez made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League, hitting .352/.408/.538 before seeing a promotion to the Arizona Complex League as a 17-year-old. A tooled-up outfielder with plus power and above-average running ability, Gutierrez could be a potential breakout star this summer in his full-season debut. 

OF Grant McCray, Giants: A standout athlete with true 70-grade speed and above-average power, McCray enjoyed a breakout 2022, hitting .289/.383/.514 with 23 home runs and 43 stolen bases. While the tools are tantalizing, McCray’s lack of bat-to-ball skills do provide some risk for his profile. 

OF Alex Ramirez, Mets: As a 19-year-old, Ramirez held his own in full-season ball, hitting .281/.346/.436 across two levels of Class A. Ramirez is an aggressive swinger with above-average bat-to-ball skills and potential for plus power. He’s an above-average runner who stole 21 bases in 2022 and doesn’t project to slow down much as he ages. 

OF Tyler Gentry, Royals: One of the more underrated hitting prospects in the game, Gentry was an early season standout in the frigid High-A Midwest League over the first few months, hitting .336/.434/.516 over 35 games. He saw a promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas in mid-June and hit .321/.417/.555 over 73 games there. 

OF Gabriel Martinez, Blue Jays: The Venezuelan outfielder broke out with Low-A Dunedin early in 2022, hitting .288/.349/.483 over 65 games. He saw a promotion to High-A Vancouver over the final month-plus of the 2022 campaign, hitting .324/.381/.490 over 28 games. Martinez has a standout combination of bat-to-ball skills and power that masks an overzealous approach and lack of athleticism. In order to develop into an above-average offensive contributor at peak, he’ll need to refine his rather raw approach. 

SP Bryce Miller, Mariners: Armed with one of the best fastballs in the minor leagues. Miller dominated across three levels, striking out 30% of the batters he faced while allowing free passes in just 8.5% of plate appearances in 2022. His fastball and slider combination is a true one-two punch capable of keeping even the strongest opposing batters honest. 

SP Chase Silseth, Angels: Almost no one could have predicted Silseth’s rapid rise to the big leagues early in 2022. Armed with a four-pitch mix, led by a mid-90s fastball with multiple shapes, Silseth dominated Double-A competition before seeing a promotion to the big leagues in May. Despite his accelerated path there are still areas of improvement remaining for Silseth. However, his strong performance early in his professional career hints at untapped potential perhaps overlooked during his time as an amateur. 

SP Taj Bradley, Rays: A year ago Bradley likely would have made this list. Is it fair to hold his Triple-A struggles against him? That’s for you to decide but it certainly doesn’t negate Bradley’s upside. Armed with plus weapons in his mid-90s fastball and hard slider, Bradley has bat-missing ability. His lack of a true third pitch is a current stumbling block for big league success. 

SP Wilmer Flores, Tigers: A nondrafted free agent following the 2020 draft, Wilmer Flores’ younger brother has emerged as one of the best pitching prospects in the game, mixing a low-to-mid-90s fastball, a cutter and a curveball. Flores goes right after opposing hitters, showcasing an advanced feel for his entire arsenal. 

SP Dylan Lesko, Padres: A poorly timed elbow injury likely robbed us of a standout debut from the top prep pitcher in the 2022 draft. Lesko wowed scouts at the National High School Invitational last spring with his advanced arsenal before having Tommy John surgery. He should return late in 2023 and could be poised to ascend up lists early in 2024. The nature of his injury and relative risk for prep pitchers kept him off the list for now.