2013 Top 150 Fantasy Prospects: 101-150

Welcome to the initial reveal of PTP's Top 150 Fantasy Prospects list: the culmination of months of research, weeks of organization and days of writing on over 400 minor leaguers and their relative Fantasy worth. 

Lists such as these are exceedingly difficult to create, as upside, probability, organizational depth charts all weight into these rankings, as does a combination of in-person scouting, Internet research and statistical analysis. Take all of those factors and add in the uniqueness of Fantasy baseball, and there's plenty to consider with each ranking.

Everyone who makes lists like this immediately has a few regrets once they finally commit to a final copy, but overall I'm proud of the months and months of work this represents, and I hope you can use it to your benefit this season.

As always, players must be under MLB's rookie requirements (130 AB, 50 IP) to qualify, and must be signed with an MLB organization. Feedback is not only welcome, but encouraged.

The bottom third of my list is presented below. Once all three segments have been revealed, I will post the complete rankings -- plus the tiers I use to separate these players -- on one page.

Jesse Biddle's home ballpark slightly detracts from his Fantasy value. Photo by SportsAngle.com.

101) Zach Lee (RHSP, LAD)

Lee is the posterchild for prospects who’ve become underrated after initially being overrated, and he still has No. 3 SP upside even if the strikeouts aren’t there.

102) Jesse Biddle (LHSP, PHI)

Biddle has a similar projection to the names around him as a mid-rotation SP with modest K potential, but his home ballpark could lead to higher HR rates.

103) Cody Buckel (RHSP, TEX)

Don’t let the gaudy MiLB numbers fool you into predicting Fantasy stardom for Buckel, but don’t let the lack of elite stuff cause you to overlook him either.

104) A.J. Cole (RHSP, WAS)

It’s pretty obvious he wasn’t ready for High-A last year, but Cole still possesses No. 2 starter upside and could fly up these rankings with a strong 2013 season.

105) Luis Heredia (RHSP, PIT)

Heredia is already close to maxed out physically, limiting his projection, but I’m on board with those who see a potential No. 2/3 MLB SP a few years down the line.

106) Lance McCullers Jr. (RHP, HOU)

Another player on whom the industry is pretty split, if you love him you see a No. 2 SP but if you’re more cautious you project a high quality reliever.

107) Clayton Blackburn (RHSP, SF)

Blackburn’s MiLB numbers will likely fall back to Earth as his stuff doesn’t have much projection left but I like him as a fast mover with a favorable home ballpark.

108) Wilmer Flores (3B/2B, NYM)

Flores resurrected his prospect status in 2012, once again profiling as a player capable of hitting .280 with 20 homers, though his defense at 2B is suspect.

109) Robbie Erlin (LHSP, SD)

This ranking is all about probability and ballpark, as Erlin is likely just a No. 4 SP but could post some outstanding WHIP and ERA marks as he pitches in Petco.

110) Brett Jackson (OF, CHC)

Jackson’s profile hasn’t changed much over the past three years: if he makes contact he’s an above average starter, but if he doesn’t he’ll be relegated to No. 4 OF status.

111) Gary Brown (OF, SF)

There’s a chance Brown is nothing but a weakside platoon CF, but he made adjustments after a rough start to 2012 and some buy-low opportunity exists here.

112) Matt Adams (1B, STL)

Adams missed his chance to solidify his role in the Cards’ organization and will likely need a trade to realize his upside as a Fantasy corner infielder.

113) Corey Seager (3B, LAD)

I recognize that this ranking means I’m lower than some in the industry on Seager, but I see more of a good offensive 3B than a star in the making and he’s years away.

114) Jorge Bonifacio (OF, KC)

Wrist injuries are to hitters what shoulder injuries are to pitchers, and given that most of Bonifacio’s upside is tied to his power there’s real cause for concern.

115) Hak-Ju Lee (SS, TB)

Lee is another player who rebounded nicely after a rough start to his 2012 season, and while his average may hover around the .260 mark he has 40-steal potential.

116) Jonathan Villar (SS, HOU)

He gets lost in a deep system but Villar is an exciting Fantasy player who could contribute modestly in every category save for AVG/OBP if he stays on the field.

117) Dan Vogelbach (1B, CHC)

I get that he can hit and I see the value in that but he’s likely headed for a career as a DH, which hurts his Fantasy worth unless he reaches his Billy Butler-esque ceiling.

118) Lewis Brinson (OF, TEX)

Brinson’s professional debut was impressive and he has tantalizing upside, but it’s important not to overrate him thanks to one excellent stint.

119) Blake Swihart (C, BOS)

Swihart is a good reminder that patience is a virtue when it comes to C prospects, and while his 2012 stats look pedestrian the scouting reports remain strong.

120) Tyler Thornburg (RHP, MIL)

The majority of prospect analysts think Thornburg’s stature and fastball plane mean he’s destined for the bullpen, but I’d give him a shot to stick as a mid-rotation SP.

121) Domingo Santana (OF, HOU)

If the improved approach Santana showed last year isn’t a fluke, he becomes an exciting prospect capable of hitting 25 homers with acceptable OBPs.

122) Chris Owings (SS, ARI)

Owings has solid Fantasy upside thanks to above-average pop from a middle infielder, but the odds that he makes enough contact to use that power aren’t great.

123) Carter Capps (RHSP, SEA)

Take a close-to-the-majors, potentially dominant high-strikeout reliever and put him in the spacious confines of Safeco Field? I’ll take two, please. 

124) Dan Straily (RHSP, OAK)

Straily is a fun prospect in that stats indicate he’s a stud while scouts indicate he’s average, leaving middle ground as a No. 4 SP his most likely outcome.

125) Roberto Osuna (RHSP, TOR)

He’s not the second coming of Roger Clemens as some Jays fans seem to believe, but there’s a lot to like with Osuna’s size, velocity and feel for pitching.

126) Zach Eflin (RHSP, SD)

I am more than happy to become The Internet’s resident Eflin bandwagon driver, and I think you’ll see him make a big jump up these lists in 2014 or 2015.

127) Joe Ross (RHSP, SD)

There is no shortage of prospect analysts who are significantly higher on Ross than I am, but at a certain point the talent needs to translate into production.

128) Grant Green (2B/OF, OAK)

Another victim of prospect post-hype, if you think of Grant more as an above-average 2B and forget the star SS he was “supposed” to become it’s a nice package.

129) Joc Pederson (OF, LAD)

A classic “sum of parts is greater than whole”-type grinder, Pederson can contribute modestly but meaningfully in all six Fantasy categories if he gets playing time.

130) Henry Owens (LHSP, BOS)

It’s time to readjust your expectations if you think Ownes is a future ace, but being a tall lefty can mask a lot of other deficiencies and Owens still has some projection left.

131) Michael Fulmer (RHSP, NYM)

Fulmer possesses upside as a big John Lackey-type No. 2/3 MLB starter, although I’m not in love with his delivery and don’t think he’s a fast mover.

132) Garin Cecchini (3B, BOS)

Cecchini’s plus hit tool, developing power and baserunning savvy would have him higher on this ranking but he’s almost a lock to move off 3B if he stays in this org.

133) Josh Bell (OF, PIT)

Bell’s plus hit/plus power profile mean he still gets a spot on this list but it’s never a good thing when a player this raw misses as many reps as Bell did in 2012.

134) Robbie Grossman (OF, HOU)

Grossman does nothing extraordinarily well but nothing poorly either, and he should see MLB time in the coming seasons, albeit with little talent around him.

135) Tim Wheeler (OF, COL)

Hamate bone injuries are scary and can lead to prolonged power outages, but Wheeler is still a toolsy OF who will call Coors Field his home.

136) Jared Cosart (RHRP, HOU)

I’ve been low on Cosart forever and still don’t view him as a starter, but he is now close to MLB-ready and I like his profile as a high-strikeout setup man.

137) Bruce Rondon (RHRP, DET)

I think giving Rondon a try at closer is a bad idea for the Tigers, but you can’t argue with velocity and he’ll rack up strikeouts if you can tolerate the WHIP.

138) Rob Brantly (C, MIA)

Boring, safe and ready now, Brantly is an ideal target as a cheap No. 2 catcher in leagues with such rosters, as he should provide a decent average and 8-10 HR pop.

139) Brad Miller (SS, SEA)

Most believe the bat will play at the next level, but whether he can stick at SS is up for more debate: that’s a problem given the presence of Franklin and Dustin Ackley.

140) Kyle Parker (OF, COL)

Parker profiles as a more athletic Jonny Gomes in my book, but a Gomes who plays half his games in Coors Field is someone Fantasy owners should find interest in. 

141) Hyun-Jin Ryu (LHSP, LAD)

Your guess is as good as mine: I have no idea how the Dodgers plan to use Ryu or what is ultimate ceiling is, but he could serve as a No. 4 SP on a good LAD club.

142) John Lamb (LHSP, KC)

Once considered the best of a promising group of Royals starters that have largely crashed and burned, Lamb is back from TJ surgery and should not be forgotten.

143) Jorge Alfaro (C, TEX)

With tools you can dream on and an approach that causes nightmares, Alfaro could blossom into a Top 10 Fantasy backstop but a low chance of doing so.

144) Corey Spangenberg (2B, SD)

A disappointing and injury-plagued 2012 campaign sees Spangenberg take a big hit on these rankings, though his speed and positional eligibility remain intriguing.

145) Matt Wisler (RHSP, SD)

Another in a seemingly endless line of potential mid-rotation starters for the Padres, Wisler is a great buy-low candidate as he’s gone undetected in a deep system.

146) Alex Colome (LHP, TB)

While the stuff is great, the command and the profile make for a murky profile as a starter moving forward. He has a high floor as an impact lefty setup man, though.

147) Jose Berrios (RHSP, MIN)

I get that Berrios is advanced for a pitcher his age, but considering most agree that his ceiling is as a No. 3 SP I don’t get the rush to boost him up the rankings.

148) Marcus Stroman (RHP, TOR)

The suspension for PED use is disappointing, for sure, but Stroman still profiles as an impact reliever who will reach MLB quickly, though he’s tempting as a SP too.

149) Jose Campos (RHSP, NYY)

If you’re looking to invest in a lottery ticket you could do worse than Campos, who has a troubling injury history but legit No. 2 SP upside and could move quickly.

150) Richie Shaffer (3B, TB)

A steal late in the first round of the 2012 draft, Shaffer will have to move off of 3B thanks to Longoria but will still be Fantasy-relevant as an OF thanks to his pop.

Just Missed: D.J. Davis (OF, TOR), Bryce Brentz (OF, BOS), Matt Skole (CI, WAS), Mark Montgomery (RHRP, NYY), Trayce Thompson (OF, CHW)