The final list of the year. Thank you very much to everyone who read it this year. I had fun writing it. I hope you enjoyed reading it.
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 at the top prospects who have a chance to make a fantasy contribution in 2022.
1. Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
2022 stats: 93 G, .307/.425/.610, 24 HR, 31 SB, 67 BB, 107 SO at Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno.
Well, this couldn’t be easier. Carroll will be called up on Monday to play the Phillies and make his MLB debut. He’s capable of contributing in every single category, but just keep in mind that with only a month left in the season, it’s possible Arizona tells the speedy outfielder to take it easy on the swipe attempts. He’s still well worth adding in every possible fantasy format. Could be fun.
2. Gunnar Henderson, INF, Baltimore Orioles
2022 stats: 111 G, .294/.414/.530, 19 HR, 19 SB, 74 BB, 106 SO at Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk.
When asked about Henderson possibly receiving a call-up, Orioles head honcho Mike Elias told reporters that a decision hasn’t been made. While we’d prefer to hear a “oh, heck yeah” it’s better than hearing there’s no chance of him receiving a September promotion. Henderson is one of the elite prospects in the sport, and has a chance to contribute in several -- possibly all -- categories if given that opportunity.
3. Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Rangers
2022 stats: 23 G, .281/.354/.640, 9 HR, 1 SB, 7 BB, 18 SO at short-season RAN and Triple-A Round Rock.
This is admittedly an aggressive ranking on this list -- even with just a month to go -- but look at those numbers, and the comments from Jon Daniels suggest that a promotion is not only a possibility, but close to a probability. The fact is Jung is one of the best hitting prospects in the sport, and while the sample is small, he sure looks ready to roll. The fantasy potential in 2023-beyond is even greater, but there’s plenty of reason to think he can help this season, as well.
4. Triston Casas, 1B, Boston Red Sox
2022 stats: 72 G, .279/.391/.500, 11 HR, 0 SB, 49 BB, 67 SO at Triple-A Worcester.
Whew. Casas is scorching hot right now, and concluded his week with a 2-for-4 effort with a homer against Syracuse on Sunday. The 22-year-old looks ready to contribute, and while there’s no guarantee, it seems very likely the top first base prospect in baseball is going to play at least a couple of weeks in Boston. Those who need help at the corner infield positions need to consider him.
5. Sal Frelick, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
2022 stats: 95 G, .327/.401/.466, 7 HR, 17 SB, 44 BB, 56 SO at High-A Wisconsin, Double-A Biloxi, and Triple-A Nashville.
The Brewers did make a promotion of an outfield prospect this week, but it was Garrett Mitchell instead of Frelick. Ah, well (by the way, Mitchell is an intriguing long-term prospect, but tough to trust in 2022). Frelick has been ridiculous in Triple-A with a .388 average in his 22 game with Nashville, and definitely deserves roster consideration if Milwaukee decides to give their 2021 first-rounder a chance to face MLB pitching.
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6. Ryan Pepiot, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
2022 stats: 16 G, 80.1 IP, 2.58 ERA, 35 BB, 98 SO at Triple-A Oklahoma City; 7 G, 31.1 IP, 4.02 ERA, 22 BB, 36 SO at Los Angeles (NL).
Pepiot returned to the minors last week, and had one of his worst minor league starts of the year; allowing four earned runs and three walks over five innings. We won’t panic over one start, but obviously you’d prefer to see him pitching better at the MiLB level. Pepiot isn’t guaranteed starts down the stretch, but depending on the matchup, it’s very easy to see fantasy relevance when/if he receives a promotion.
7. Gabriel Moreno, C, Toronto Blue Jays
2022 stats: 57 G, .320/.383/.416, 2 HR, 7 SB, 20 BB, 40 SO at Triple-A Buffalo; 18 G, .276/.300/293, 0 HR, 0 SB, 2 BB, 7 SO at Toronto.
Moreno has done a mighty fine job of hitting for average at a position that doesn’t see many do so, and that’s good. Now, about that power. Moreno shows a swing path, bat speed and strength that suggests he can hit a good amount of roundtrippers. It hasn’t shown up in games in 2022. That being said, Moreno has a chance to help fantasy rosters if Toronto gives him another chance to play at that level.
8. Miguel Vargas, Los Angeles Dodgers
2022 stats: 112 G, .304/.402/.511, 17 HR, 15 S6, 69 BB, 76 SO at Triple-A Oklahoma City; 2 G, .250/.250/.375, 0 HR, 1 SB at Los Angeles (NL)
What a season it has been for Vargas, and he’s actually playing better now than he was to start the campaign. The only reason he ranks this low is because the Dodgers are going to win 110 games and there’s just no guarantee of consistent playing time. Still, because of his ability to hit for average and power, Vargas is someone who belongs on radars for this final month-plus.
9. Ken Waldichuk, LHP, Oakland Athletics
2022 stats: 15 G, 66.1 IP, 26 BB, 98 SO at Double-A Somerset, Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Triple-A Las Vegas.
Welcome to the list, Ken. Waldichuk was traded from the Yankees to the Athletics in the deal for Frankie Montas, and now has a good chance to finish the season as a member of the A’s. The southpaw has four strong pitches, and he has improved his ability to land those offerings for strikes. The chance for wins with the A’s may be lacking, but his bat-missing ability helps compensate for the lack of win chances.
10. Curtis Mead, INF, Tampa Bay Rays
2022 stats: 76 G, .298/.390/.532, 13 HR, 7 SB, 36 BB, 62 SO at Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham.
Mead missed over a month with an injury, but he returned last week and has picked up six hits in the four games since he returned. The infielder has as much -- if not more -- offensive upside than Jung does, but isn’t as likely to make a debut in 2022 because of the Tampa Bay situation. If the Rays do give him a shot, however, fantasy managers should sprint to their electronic device to do the same.
