Dynasty managers are inundated with lists. You have the top prospect lists, and the top prospects for 2026 lists, breakouts, busts, the list goes on and on. None of those are bad, and they are featured content for the dynasty team here at Pitcher List as well. However, sometimes a list is meaningless without numbers. This article (which is part of a series) gives dynasty managers a glimpse into what the fantasy expectations should be for each of the game’s top prospects. This article looks at real-life projections honing in on home runs, stolen bases, and batting averages to guess what each prospect’s ceiling and floor will be in the future.
Shortstop Dynasty Comps
Konnor Griffin– PIT
Dynasty Floor Comp: 2024 Zach Neto
.249 AVG | .318 OBP | .443 SLG | 23 HR | 30 SB | 23.3 K% | 6.5 BB%
In 2024, Zach Neto ranked as the ninth-best shortstop in fantasy baseball according to FanGraphs Auction Calculator. Neto was valued as a $16 player that season. That is the long-term floor projection for Konnor Griffin. Griffin is ranked as the number one prospect in baseball for a reason. His blend of power and speed create and incredibly safe floor. His athleticism ensures he is going to stick at the major league level, whether he is playing shortstop or center field. There is a very slight amount of risk to Griffin’s hit tool. That is difficult to say when Griffin hit .337 as a 19-year-old in Double-A. However, Griffin has a big swing and can be susceptible to breaking balls. His strikeout rate jumped to 23.5% in Double-A last season, and there is a small chance that he posts some inconsistent batting averages at the major league level. Regardless, Griffin is still a safe bet to be a 20/30 player for years to come.
Dynasty Ceiling Comp: 2023 Bobby Witt Jr.
.276 AVG | .319 OBP | .495 SLG | 30 HR | 49 SB | 17.4 K% | 5.8 BB%
Again, Konnor Griffin is the number one prospect in baseball. Finding two shortstop projects that fit both his floor and ceiling was just a sign from above. Bobby Witt Jr finished as the seventh-best player in fantasy baseball in 2023. That season, he was valued as a $41 player and continues to be one of the best players in fantasy baseball year over year. That is the kind of ceiling that dynasty managers should expect from Griffin. The young shortstop is an incredible athlete. He has great pure speed and elite baseball instincts, which leads to high success rates on the bases. He stole 65 bases last season, and it would not be surprising to see him eclipse 50 at the major league level. Griffin’s 6’4″ frame also comes with easy all-fields power. Griffin has no problem driving the ball. He posted a HR/FB% of 22.3% last season, and that number was even higher following his promotion to Double-A. While Griffin’s hit tool may not be elite, his ability to use the whole field and hit a ton of line drives should result in above-average batting averages. Griffin’s ceiling is an elite dynasty asset with the potential to finish as the top overall player in any given season.
True Projection:
When evaluating long-term true projection, I like to instill a confidence level. Another way to say it, I like to put a percent chance that a player reaches his ceiling. Right now, Griffin is scored at an 80% confidence level. He is much more likely to resemble his ceiling comp than his floor comp. For a full-season projection, dynasty managers should expect a .281 average, 28 home runs, and 42 stolen bases. Calling out Griffin’s hit tool is really nitpicking when you look at things. He is still not even 20 years old and has a chance to make the Pirates’ Opening Day Roster. He has five-category upside for dynasty managers and projects to be a cornerstone piece in both real life and fantasy. The fear for young players is making sure they are not rushed through their development. The Pirates pushing Griffin aggressively is not rushing. He is just that good. Dynasty teams who have Griffin should be excited to see what the future has in store. Those looking to acquire him, he is worth buying high on. His floor is a $16 player. That speaks volumes.
JJ Wetherholt – STL
Dynasty Floor Comp: 2024 Masyn Winn
.267 AVG | .314 OBP | .416 SLG | 15 HR | 11 SB | 17.1 K% | 6.4 BB%
The fact that JJ Wetherholt’s first comp is a shortstop in his own organization was pure coincidence. Wetherholt was the team’s first-round pick in 2024 and has quickly turned into one of the game’s top prospects. He has done nothing but hit since leaving West Virginia. What makes Wehterholt such an exciting prospect for dynasty managers is his floor. Floor is not sexy. Floor is not often sought after in dynasty leagues. However, floor is essential to making sure a prospect will at the very least return value in dynasty formats. Wehterholt has incredible contact skills and an excellent hit tool. Between Double and Triple-A, Wetherholt posted an 80.8% contact rate. While the batting average should be safe, the translation of Wetherholt’s power and speed is subject to debate. Wetherholt is a plus athlete, but lacks elite speed. He showed strong success rates on the bases last season, but if his speed declines, he could fall outside of the 20-steal club. The same can be said for his power. Wetherholt posted strong home run rates and good exit velocities last season, but his swing is not one designed for power. He is a bit undersized at 5’10” and is more willing to take what pitchers give him. His focus is on making contact and driving balls into the gaps as opposed to selling out for home runs. In 2024, Masyn Winn was an $8 player and the 16th-best shortstop. Although this outcome would be disappointing, Wetherholt would still be a reliable fantasy asset, even at his floor.
Dynasty Ceiling Comp: 2025 Geraldo Perdomo
.290 AVG | .389 OBP | .462 SLG | 20 HR | 27 SB | 11.5 K% | 13.5 BB%
Masyn Winn is safe, but that does not mean he automatically lacks upside. Wetherholt ranks as one of the game’s top prospects in large part due to his combination of floor and ceiling. Wetherholt’s hit tool has already been discussed. He has great contact skills and barrel control. His swing is smooth, consistent, and projects to translate well at the major league level. There is a real chance that Wetherholt turns into a .300 hitter. On top of that, Wetherholt posted a 91.4 average EV in Triple-A last season to pair with a 20.8 HR/FB%. His 600 PA pace in Triple-A was 27 homers. This projection does not get him quite to 27 homers, but there is 20 home run upside in his bat. Wetherholt also showed off the ability to steal bases at a high clip last season. He went 23/26 on the bases and could easily steal 25+ bases at the major league level. Wetherholt is as well-rounded as they come. His ceiling may not be as high as Griffin’s, but it is still substantial. Geraldo Perdomo was the third-best shortstop in fantasy last season and was a $29 player. If that is the outcome for Wetherholt, dynasty managers will be more than pleased.
True Projection:
In terms of confidence level, Wetherholt scores even higher than Griffin at 85%. As mentioned before, Wetherholt’s floor is amongst the safest in all of baseball. He has already proven capable of handling Triple-A pitching. His hit tool is incredibly safe, with almost no holes in his swing. He takes walks, hits line drives, and controls the barrel extremely well. Wetherholt’s raw skill set is not likely to ever land him as the top player in fantasy. However, that does not mean he should be overlooked. There is a high probability that Wetherholt turns into a 20/20 player. That combined with elite batting averages, is extremely rare and valuable. His defensive versatility and athleticism give him an opportunity to make the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster. He can play shortstop, second, and third base, which could open the door for even more fantasy value. Those rostering Wetherholt in dynasty should be excited and confident about what the future has in store.
Jesús Made– MIL
Dynasty Floor Comp: 2019 Lorenzo Cain
.260 AVG | .325 OBP | .372 SLG | 11 HR | 18 SB | 17.0 K% | 8.0 BB%
Unlike Wetherholt and Griffin, Jesús Made does not have a chance to make the Brewers’ Opening Day roster. Made signed with the Brewers back in 2024 out of the Dominican Republic. His dynasty value has risen quickly thanks to impressive on-field performances. While Made has the twitchy athleticism that dynasty managers love to target, he is still very raw. In 115 games last season, Made hit just six home runs. Made’s bat speed and projectable frame suggest there is significant raw pop here, but there is a chance his game power never develops. That is the floor outcome here. Made is a great athlete who has already shown off impressive contact skills. The batting average and stolen bases should be stable. That being said, 11 home runs would be relatively disappointing for the hype surrounding him. Dynasty managers should be aware that a season like Lorenzo Cain’s 2019 year is within the range of outcomes for Made.
Dynasty Ceiling Comp: 2023 Christian Yelich
.278 AVG | .370 OBP | .447 SLG | 19 HR | 28 SB | 22.2 K% | 12.3 BB%
The flip side of that is the reality in which Made’s game power develops. The twitchy athleticism for Made is obvious. The ball jumps off his bat. His current swing, from both sides of the plate, comes at a more neutral or negative approach angle. This prevents him from getting to significant game power and likely caps his future game power around 20 home runs. Even though he lacks the 30+ homer upside that some other prospects possess, Made still has plenty to offer. His contact skills are phenomenal. He posted a 78.3% contact rate at 18 years old last season. He controls the zone well, works walks, and hits a ton of line drives. This, in addition to his plus speed, creates an enticing fantasy profile. Even without reaching 20 home runs, Christian Yelich still finished as the 12th-best outfielder and a $24 player in 2023. Made may never turn into the best player in fantasy, but there is a chance he is a near-elite dynasty asset for years to come.
True Projection:
The hype around Made has reached exorbitant levels in recent months. He is an extremely athletic and well-rounded prospect. His offensive production at age 18 is rare and deserves recognition. For fantasy, though, there are real unknowns in his projection. How does the game power develop? If he adds game power, does his speed take a hit? These are the difficult questions when evaluating an 18-year-old prospect. There is still so much unknown. The part that dynasty should have confidence in is his hit tool. Made has great contact skills and a mature understanding of the strike zone. The realistic expectation should be high batting averages, strong walk rates, 13-18 homers, and 20-25 stolen bases. He projects to be a very solid fantasy asset and an excellent real-life asset for years to come. His development in 2026 will go a long way towards establishing whether reaching the ceiling projected in this article is a realistic outcome.
Sebastian Walcott– TEX
Dynasty Floor Comp: 2024 Luis Robert Jr.
.224 AVG | .278 OBP | .379 SLG | 14 HR | 23 SB | 33.2 K% | 6.6 BB%
So often, prospects with twitchy athleticism are viewed as projects. Their projection is incredible, but there are red flags present in their profiles. Luis Robert Jr. is a perfect comp for Sebastian Walcott. Robert himself was viewed as a top prospect with twitchy athleticism, and he has flashed that at the major league level. The flip side to that has been inconsistent production and struggles in limiting his strikeout rate. That is the risk when it comes to Walcott. Walcott’s tools are phenomenal. He has great speed and good power, but his big swing is overly aggressive at times and struggles with consistency. His contact rates improved dramatically in 2025. Seeing this progression continue in 2026 would do a lot to raise his projected floor. Dynasty managers should be confident in the stolen bases, but need to keep in mind that there are risks to his hit tool.
Dynasty Ceiling Comp: 2023 Fernando Tatis Jr.
.257 AVG | .322 OBP | .449 SLG | 25 HR | 29 SB | 22.2 K% | 8.3 BB%
In a similar sense to Luis Robert Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr. was also a twitchy athlete who exploded onto the scene at the major league level. The difference between the two has been more consistent production. Walcott improved his contact rate up to 73.9% in 2025 despite playing as a 19-year-old in Double-A. While Walcott may never hit .300, the improvements to his hit tool create potential for steady batting averages. From there, his raw tools create an extremely high ceiling. Walcott has great power from his 6’4″ frame. He has a quick swing and gets to his pull side well. His HR/FB rates have been pedestrian, but there is 25-homer power here. Walcott is also a great athlete with plus speed. In 2023, Tatis finished as the 16th-best outfielder and a $20 player. There is substantial dynasty upside in Walcott’s profile. He is still only 19 years old and has an outside chance to make his major league debut in 2026.
True Projection:
The ceiling is more likely than the floor. Walcott’s hit tool risk is real. However, he has already shown an ability to adjust and make improvements at such a young age. There is a chance that his hit tool continues to get better as he develops. There is also no denying his raw power. The ball jumps off Walcott’s bat, and it is a bit surprising that he has not seen his HR/FB% increase. Dynasty managers should still expect 20+ home runs out of Walcott. There is a slight amount of risk in Walcott’s speed as his body fills out. He has already started to play more at third base and could move there full-time in 2026. Even projecting a bit of regression to his speed, Walcott still projects as a 20/20 player. He should be a reliable dynasty asset for years to come, regardless of where he lands defensively.
Arjun Nimmala– TOR
Dynasty Floor Comp: 2024 Daulton Varsho
.214 AVG | .293 OBP | .407 SLG | 18 HR | 10 SB | 26.7 K% | 9.4 BB%
The Jays selected Arjun Nimmala with their first-round pick in 2023. Nimmala’s professional career has been filled with inconsistency. He struggled to start, made some adjustments, caught fire at the beginning of 2025, and then struggled during the second half of the season. These inconsistencies make Nimmala an incredibly tough projection. The risk in his profile stems from his hit tool. A big right-handed swing that is filled with inconsistencies. When Nimmala connects, the power is significant. However, contact has proven to be an issue. Nimmala rolls over on good breaking balls and could struggle with strikeouts. He also has good but not great speed and could slow down as he adds more muscle. The risk is that Nimmala struggles with strikeouts, posts poor batting averages, and steals less than he has up to this point. He should be a safe bet for production in the power department, but that is about it. The upside is significant, and the fantasy potential is tantalizing, but Nimmala’s profile carries plenty of risk.
Dynasty Ceiling Comp: 2015 Justin Upton
.251 AVG | .336 OBP | .454 SLG | 26 HR | 19 SB | 25.6 K% | 11.0 BB%
Nimmala hit .232 in 2024 and .224 in 2025. While high batting averages are not likely to ever be his calling card, Nimmala is still only 20 years old. If Nimmala can keep the strikeouts in check, he has a chance to post respectable batting averages. The real ceiling in his profile comes from his power. Nimmala is not the biggest (just 6’1″), but he has incredible bat speed. Nimmala generates significant torque in his swing and consistently gets to his pull side. The secondary part of Nimmala’s ceiling is his speed. Nimmala stole 17 bases last season and is a strong athlete. He moves well and has not added too much muscle up to this point. If he can maintain his speed, he could get close to that 20-steal threshold. For those in on-base leagues, Nimmala has also posted double-digit walk rates in each of the past two seasons. In 2015, Justin Upton finished as the 19th-best outfielder and a $19 player. Nimmala’s ceiling is not as high as some of the other players above him, but he holds significant potential for dynasty managers.
True Projection:
Unlike the other prospects, Nimmala’s future projection is much more up in the air. Watching Nimmala play, the raw tools are evident. That being said, Nimmala has failed to produce consistent offensive results in either of his first two professional seasons. There is risk here. In terms of a confidence score, I went with 50%. That landed me at a .235 average, 20 homers, and 13 stolen bases. There is upside for more, and Nimmala is still incredibly young. However, right now, dynasty managers should not expect much in terms of batting average moving forward. 2026 marks a crucial year of development for Nimmala. This season will go a long way toward determining his ultimate dynasty value.
Photo by Icon Sportswire | Featured Image by Justin Redler (@reldernitsuj on Bsky/Twitter)
