A reminder on how this works: This is a list for the 2022 season only. It is not a list of the top overall prospects, but the players who have the best chance of making a difference in 2022.
Also, it’s only a list of prospects who are currently in the minors/have prospect eligibility, so players on MLB teams do not count.
Those warnings out of the way, here’s a look a the top prospects who have a chance to make a fantasy contribution in 2022.
1. Oneil Cruz, SS/OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
2022 stats: 5 G, .235/.381/.294, 0 HR, 2 SB, 4 BB, 6 SO at Triple-A Indianapolis.
With seven players leaving the list -- including the top four -- it’s no surprise that we have a new top name. The question is how long he’ll remain on this list. Cruz isn’t off to a blistering start, but this is far too small a sample size to be worried over. The infielder has a chance to contribute in several fantasy categories, and is worth stashing on benches until Pittsburgh deems him worthy.
2. Adley Rutschman, C, Baltimore Orioles
2021 stats: 123 G, .285/.397/.502, 23 HR, 3 SB, 79 BB, 90 SO at Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk.
Rutschman is still out with his triceps injury, but again, it’s not supposed to be a long-term situation. The backstop will likely need to get at least a couple of weeks’ worth of games in because of the layoff, but this is a catcher who can hit for average, power and get on base. The risk with rookie catchers is widely known -- or should be, anyway -- but Rutschman can absolutely be an exception to the rule.
3. Nick Lodolo, LHP, Cincinnati Reds
2022 stats: Has not pitched
Lodolo’s placement this high is a bit of a cheat -- those of you who have read this list over the last five years should be used to me cheating -- as we know he’s going to make his MLB debut on Wednesday against the Guardians. That’s a fairly safe landing spot against a weaker lineup (he says about the team that scored 17 runs on Sunday), and Lodolo has the arsenal to succeed right away. He’ll be in my fantasy lineup(s), anyway.
4. Riley Greene, OF, Detroit Tigers
2021 stats: 124 G, .301/.387/.534, 24 HR, 16 SB, 63 BB, 153 SO at Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo.
It looked like Greene was on his way to making the Opening Day roster with Torkelson for the Tigers, but baseball can be pretty cruel sometimes. Instead of squaring off against the White Sox on April 8, Greene will be out ‘thanks’ to a fracture in his right foot. He’s not expected to need surgery, but the fracture will keep him out 6-8 weeks. He still deserves to be placed on this list as an outfielder capable of helping in several categories, and he should be back with Detroit before the end of June. It’d be a lot easier to justify carrying him on the roster if you could place him on the injured list, but he’s a must-add as soon as Detroit gives him the chance.
5. Alek Thomas, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
2022 stats: 5 G, .227/.292/.273, 0 HR, 0 SB, 2 BB, 4 SO at Triple-A Reno.
Thomas just missed being on the list last week, and with the mass exodus of prospects, it’s not hard to place him on this list. Despite those numbers above -- again, the sample size is so small here, what are we doing? -- the former second-round pick is an outfielder who can spray the ball to all parts of the field and also has above-average power in his left-handed bat as well. He’s also speedy, but his 40/67 career stolen base mark tells you there’s work to be done. Still, Thomas can help in a lot of categories, and will be worth an add when Arizona gets him into whatever colors the Diamondbacks are wearing that week.
6. Jarren Duran, OF, Boston Red Sox
2021 stats: 2 G, .375/.500/.500, 0 HR, 1 SB, 2 BB, 1 SO at Triple-A Worcester.
Duran’s season got off to a late start because of a positive test for COVID-19, but he’s been strong in his first two games back. The 25-year-old struggled mightily in his first taste of MLB action, but this is a left-handed hitting outfielder who has a skill set that is extremely appealing from a fantasy perspective; particularly the power-speed combination. There’s no room for him right now, but Duran may force his way onto the Red Sox, and fantasy managers should find a way to do the same to their rosters when that happens.
7. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
2022 stats: 1 G, 4 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 BB, 7 SO at Triple-A Norfolk.
Welcome to the list, Grayson. We’ve been expecting you. The right-hander is the best pitching prospect in the sport -- and likely other sports, there aren’t too many pitching prospects in the NHL -- and he was sensational in his first Triple-A start. Baltimore is awful so there won’t be a ton of win chances when he gets the call, but because of his ability to miss bats and throw strikes, managers can make due. He has a chance to be a pitching star, and soon.
8. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, San Diego Padres
2022 stats: 1 G, 5 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0 BB, 7 SO at Triple-A El Paso.
This is not the first time that Gore has been on this list. On the contrary. But it’s nice to see him back again, isn’t it? Gore was dominant in his first start of the year, and it appears the tweaks he made to his delivery are paying off. Don’t forget that Gore was once the best pitching prospect in baseball, and he has the stuff to be a successful fantasy option. It looks like it should be for the Padres at some point this year.
9. Brennen Davis, OF, Chicago Cubs
2022 stats: 6 G, .125/.333/.313, 1 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 9 SO at Triple-A Iowa.
Like many young hitters, Davis isn’t off to the best start, but it’s encouraging to see him drawing free passes even while the hits aren’t falling. The hits should start falling soon, as Davis has a plus hit tool with a power grade that isn’t far behind. Sprinkle in quality speed, and Davis has all the tools necessary to be fantasy relevant for a long time. His first taste of MLB action should come this summer, and he’ll be worth a roster add for fantasy managers needing help in the outfield.
10. Nolan Gorman, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
2022 stats: 5 G, .235/.278/.588, 2 HR, 0 SB, 1 BB, 8 SO at Triple-A Memphis.
Gorman was off to a terrible start to his Triple-A campaign, but hit two homers on Sunday to make those numbers above much more palatable. Again, the sample is so small here none of it should be taken seriously unless it fits my narrative. Gorman has tremendous power in his left-handed bat, and reports indicate he’s handled second base quite well. There’s no real timetable as to when he’ll be a member of the St. Louis lineup, but Gorman can make the team better, so it’d be an upset if he wasn’t a regular for the Cards before 2022 comes to an end.
Next in line: Shane Baz, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays; Triston Casas, 1B, Boston Red Sox; Royce Lewis, INF/OF, Minnesota Twins; Vidal Brujan, INF/OF, Tampa Bay Rays; Nick Pratto, 1B, Kansas City Royals