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Predicting Top 20 Dynasty Prospects One Year from Today

A look ahead at the potential top 20 prospects in one year

Trevor Powers
Dynasty 9/22/2024

Projecting prospects is one of the most difficult things to do in all of sports. When thinking about what could happen over the next year, there will be prospects who fall off a cliff, and there will be prospects who rise from the ranks of the unknown. There is no exact science to the process, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to look ahead and dream about what these prospects can be.

When accumulating names for this list, I wanted to focus on potential. If I am going to miss on a prospect, I want to miss on high level tools and ceiling. There are some safe names that have a high percentage chance to be top prospects, that I left off. The reason is because if I am expected to project a year from now, I want to build a list around potential elite impact talents. Some of these prospects might take a step backwards due to their high variance skillsets, but they could also exceed expectations. If you are going to miss on a prospect, miss on tools and talent.

The hardest part about this exercise was who will graduate to the majors by this time next year. I was very aggressive on promotions. I have young talents like Samuel Basallo, Bryce Eldridge, Carson Williams, Roman Anthony, Andrew Painter, and others all graduating to the MLB. I am sure some of them will be still be prospect eligible, but for the sake of this exercise I tried to keep it to prospects who will not be making their debut in 2025. If your favorite prospect isn’t on the list, it’s because they made their MLB debut in my mind, or at least tell yourself that. Let’s dive into the list!

 

1) Sebastian Walcott– SS/3B, Texas Rangers

 

Walcott is a unicorn. Very rarely do prospects make their AA debut at just 18 years old. Even more rarely do those 18-year-olds produce at .265/.344/.452 with 34 doubles and 11 home runs spending time between A+ and AA. Players that young who produce at that level are very rare commodities, which is why Walcott has the potential to be the number one prospect in short order.

As a prospect, Walcott is as tooled up as they come. Standing in at 6 foot 4, 190 lbs, his best tool is his power. It has not directly translated to home run production yet, but that will come with time (and maturity). One of my favorite metrics to evaluate the future impact of a power hitter is doubles. I always say, doubles power becomes home run power with time. I would imagine an 18-year-old Walcott is going to be able to translate the skills that led to 34 doubles to more home runs as he fills out his massive frame, and refines his approach to know what pitches he can do damage on.

There are swing and miss concerns with his game, which could ultimately limit his hit tool’s potential. He will most likely never be a guy who hits .300 or walks more than he strikes out. But that doesn’t mean he can’t develop. The swing and miss concerns have taken a step in the right direction, and he has consistently shown good plate discipline. Those plate discipline skills give him a safe floor as a potential 30 home run bat with solid on base skills. Kyle Schwarber-level production seems like a realistic outlook if he continues to develop.

 

 

2) Walker Jenkins– OF, Minnesota Twins

 

Coming into the 2023 draft, the top five was a star-tudded group, and that group quickly delivered on the hype. Paul Skenes, Wyatt Langford, and Dylan Crews have all made their big league debuts. Max Clark is one of the more polarizing and popular prospects in the game. Jenkins is occasionally the forgotten player within that group, and many believed on draft day that the Twins might have gotten the highest potential impact of the group (this was pre splinker Paul Skenes).

Jenkins pro career started out hot with a .362/.417/.571 slash line in 2023, and that production has continued with a successful 2024 season as he progressed four levels ultimately reaching AA at 19 years old. Jenkins combines a plus hit tool with plus raw power. The power has not translated to pro ball just yet, but standing at 6 foot 3, 210 lbs, it is easy to see the power in there. He only has six home runs this season, but he combines that with 22 doubles. Jenkins is the modern day elite hitter combining plus bat to ball skills (only 47 K’s in 82 games) with impressive raw power. He has the potential to be a true five-tool player, impacting the game at a high level with his bat.

 

3) Lazaro Montes– OF, Seattle Mariners

 

Montes was always regarded as an impact power bat, but his overall profile completely changed in the 2023 season. During his first pro season in 2022, he struck out 74 times in 55 games. During the 2023 season, he struck out just 76 times in 70 games, an impressive improvement for an 18-year-old in his second pro season. That progress took him from a power-over-hit prospect with a questionable hit tool, to a true potential impact talent. On top of the swing-and-miss improvements, he also showcases impressive plate discipline and ability to make good swing decisions. That combination of power and swing decision is going to set Montes up for a ton of success.

Montes is one of the more productive prospects in all of minor league baseball being named California League MVP. He is not just a prospect you get to dream on the potential. This season he slashed .288/.397/.484 with 21 home runs and 21 doubles in 116 games. Add in 105 RBI’s (overrated stat), and it is one of the more impressive seasons for such a young player. Many compare Montes to Yordan Alvarez, which is an extremely lofty comparison, but you can see the size and profile comparisons. He truly has the potential to be a special bat at the MLB level if he continues to develop.

 

 

4) Kevin McGonigle– SS/2B, Detroit Tigers

 

Drafted in 2023 alongside Max Clark, McGonigle was in the shadow of Clark’s popularity. While many talk about Clark more, McGonigle has been the more impressive of the group since their collective debuts.

All Kevin McGonigle does is hit. He hit on the summer circuit as a prep prospect. And he has hit above .300 in both seasons since his debut across three levels. He has the potential to have the best hit tool in all of minor league baseball. But what makes McGonigle’s potential seem real, is the increase in power during the 2024 season. After only hitting five extra-base hits in 2023, he upped that number to 25 this season. If the power keeps progressing, he has all the traits to be an impact hitter. He has elite bat-to-ball skills with only 38 strikeouts in 95 pro games. There is bat speed, and physicality to his frame, but his approach limits his power. As he continues to mature and starts to take more chances to hit for power, he will develop into a middle-of-the-order bat. The combination of bat to ball skills and developing power is very exciting.

 

5) Leodalis De Vries– SS, San Diego Padres

 

De Vries spent much of this season as a 17-year-old in A Ball and showcased some very solid tools. The stats were not all great, but there is a lot of good in the stat line. On the bad side, he only hit .237 on the season. On the good side, he showcased impressive swing decisions with a .361 OBP, and combined that with 22 doubles and 11 home runs. A player that young playing in full season is naturally going to struggle a little, but he flashed enough tools to see the potential to be a top five prospect in all of baseball next year. If he continues to hit for power and improves the hit tool, we could be talking about the best prospect in all of baseball.

 

 

6) Xavier Isaac– 1B, Tampa Bay Rays

 

The Rays selected Isaac in the first round of the 2022 class as a surprise to many in the industry. The Rays embodied “if you are going to miss, miss on tools.” Isaac is as physically imposing as any prospects standing at 6 foot 4, 240 lbs. Physically, he could be playing defensive end at a P5 football school. That physicality directly translates to the game of baseball. Power is Isaac’s best tool, and it has led to 37 home runs over the last two seasons. He combines that impressive power with impressive on base numbers, that makes it easy to see his potential at the MLB level. The swing and miss increased a concerning amount this season compared to last, but the power and plate discipline gives him the floor as an impact power bat at the MLB level.

 

7) Felnin Celesten– SS, Seattle Mariners

 

Celesten is one of the more impressive athletes in the prospect ranks. He was a little old for complex league at 19 years old, but he put up great numbers as you would expect from an older prospect. He hit .352/.431/.568 with 10 doubles and three home runs. The power has seemingly showed up faster than many expected and that is what makes his potential so exciting. Celesten grades out as a plus runner, and it is easy to imagine him continuing to grow into more power. The power-speed combination is extremely enticing as Celesten will transition into full season competition.

 

8) Thomas White– LHP, Miami Marlins

 

The 2024 season has been very good to Thomas White. After being drafted in 2023, he only pitched 4.1 IP. It is a small sample size but in those innings, he walked six hitters. The main concern with White was the ability to throw strikes. This season, White has taken a huge step forward. In 96 IP between two levels, he has pitched to a 2.81 ERA with 120 strikeouts and only 38 walks. Those walk numbers are not ideal, but compared to the small sample of 2023, that is a huge step forward. If White consistently throws the ball in the strike zone, he has three plus pitches that he can use to attack hitters. White’s upward trajectory he showcased this year is why he has the potential to be the top pitching prospect in the game.

 

9) Aiden Miller- SS, Philadelphia Phillies

 

Aiden Miller has showcased impressive skillsets since debuting during the 2023 season. During last season, he hit .303 with a .425 OBP only striking out 15 times in 20 games. Many regarded Miller as one of the better power hitters in the class, so showcasing the ability to hit for average and get on base was very exciting for his potential. Well, the power showed up this season. This season the average took a step backwards, but he hit 28 doubles and 11 home runs across three minor league levels. He still showcased impressive plate discipline and on base abilities. That combination of impressive power and on base abilities, gives Miller a great opportunity to be a middle of the order threat.

 

10) Chase Burns– RHP, Cincinnati Reds

 

Chase Burns had the best stuff in the 2024 draft class. The fastball runs up to 101 with life at the top of the zone, and the slider and curveball both flash plus potential. The slider this college season generated above a 70% whiff rate, and the curveball was in the same ballpark. Burns on draft day had a better combination of stuff than Paul Skenes had. Skenes developed the splinker after debuting in pro ball, but Burns has a better three-pitch mix on draft day. We have seen how dominant Skenes has already been, and Burns can follow his path. The Reds decided to shut Burns down for the 2024 season, but don’t be surprised when he dominates hitters immediately next season. He has MLB ready stuff, so he could move fast next season.

 

 

11) Travis Sykora– RHP, Washington Nationals

 

The Nationals have a track record of success in developing tall right handed power arms. Sykora is now joining a long lineage of prospects fitting that mold, and he is on an absolute heater right now. As you can see below, during the playoffs he has been dominant. He has struck out 18 hitters in 10 innings with only one walk. That is the icing on the cake for an elite season where he pitched to a 2.33 ERA with 129 strikeouts in 85 IP. The fastball has legit 80 grade potential sitting between 95-98 flashing up to 101. He also throws a splitter that flashes plus potential, and blends with his four seam fastball well. The slider also flashes plus at times. Sykora has shown three pitches consistently in the strike zone, and he has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation arm as he continues to progress.

 

 

12) Jesus Made- SS/3B, Milwaukee Brewers

 

As a 17-year-old in his first pro season, Made put up absurd numbers. He slashed .331/.458/.554 with nine doubles, six triples, and six home runs. Add in 28 stolen bases, and the foundation for an elite talent is there. Made showcases an extremely mature approach at the plate, making great swing decisions. He combines that impressive approach with plus bat to ball skills. Many had him pegged as a power over hit prospect, but he immediately showed plus bat to ball skills. The ability to walk more than he struck out, while also hitting for power is very impressive. If continues to show impressive exit velocity numbers, with a sound approach, and plus bat to ball skills, he has the makings of an elite prospect. Get used to hearing the Jesus Made name.

 

13) Demetrio Crisantes- 2B/3B, Arizona Diamondbacks

 

A seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft, Crisantes is a true diamond in the rough. Very rarely do you see a hitter taken that late in the draft become an immediate impact player. Through two seasons, he has combined to hit .342 while showcasing solid power. Power is never going to be his calling card, but he has hit 30 doubles and eight home runs through two seasons. Being 20 years old, it is easy to imagine the power developing as he continues to fill out his frame and mature as a hitter. His contact abilities will continue to be his calling card, but if the power continues to progress (seven home runs in 2023) he can be a middle-of-the-order bat in Arizona. You can see the impressive raw power opposite field homer in the video below.

 

 

14) Max Clark– OF, Detroit Tigers

 

Max Clark is one of the most popular prospects in recent memory. Occasionally popularity can increase a prospect’s profile unintentionally, and that may be the case with Clark. Clark is a better baseball player than he is Dynasty prospect. He plays elite defense, great base runner, makes solid contact, and many more attributes that do not directly show up on the box score. That will make him a valuable big leaguer, but does not increase his potential impact as a fantasy player.

With that said, his ceiling is still high and this season was a step in the right direction. He massively improved both his average and slugging numbers. He had 21 doubles, six triples, and nine home runs this season, which were all an improvement. Clark is more hit over power, but there is bat speed and projection to the frame. If he continues to add strength, it is easy to imagine 20 home runs in his profile. Combine that with 70-grade speed and plus defense, and the Tigers have a solid prospect on their hands.

 

15) Josue De Paula– OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

 

De Paula has been a riser amongst the prospect ranks for multiple seasons now, and I anticipate that trend to continue. De Paula had an unbelievable 2022 year in his first professional season with .349/.448/.522 slash line showcasing both impressive hit tool and power abilities. Since then it has not been as smooth, but the Dodgers have continually been aggressive with him, pushing his to High-A as a 19 year old.

De Paula is an easy prospect to dream on. He has impressive bat to ball skills, combined with bat speed and a projectable frame. As he continues to mature and add strength the plus hit tool, should combine with plus raw power. He also showcases impressive plate discipline It is not out of the question to see De Paula consistently hit between .280-.300 with 25-30 home runs. He still has some development ahead of him, but he has the chance to be a special talent.

 

16) Emil Morales- SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

 

This is an aggressive placement, but Morales showcased high-level talent in his first season. At 17 years old he slashed .342/.478/.691 with 14 home runs and 11 doubles. On top of those impressive numbers, he almost walked as much as he struck out, showing a good combination of barrel skills and plate discipline. The most impressive part of his production is the power. When looking at prospects that young, usually they either showcase impressive power with a ton of swing and miss, or projectable raw power with a plus hit tool. Morales showcased both. I anticipate he will be tested next year, and if he continues to produce this spot might be low for him.

 

 

17) Joendry Vargas– SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

 

Another year, another Dodgers player development clinic. They consistently identify and develop talent better than the rest of the league, and this trio is no different. Vargas has put up extremely impressive numbers in two years of professional baseball. He has combined to hit .316/.415/.513 with 21 doubles, 11 home runs, and 30 stolen bases over 87 professional games. Vargas has shown very impressive plate discipline during the last two seasons, and what makes his profile even easier to dream on is the frame. He is currently listed at 6 foot 4, 175 lbs, and it is easy to imagine him filling out the frame and adding power. The combination of the present hit tool and power to dream on makes Vargas a fun prospect to follow.

 

18) Charlie Condon– OF/3B, Colorado Rockies

 

Charlie Condon put up a historic season at the University of Georgia this spring. He broke the BBCOR era home run record while hitting .433. He showcased both impressive exit velocity numbers, on top of above-average contact rates. So far in pro ball, he has massively struggled, hitting .180 with only six extra-base hits. That stretch of struggles is a complete outlier to his career. He dominated in two years at Georgia, progressively getting better each season. He has double-plus raw power, and a plus hit tool. That combination, plus playing in Colorado will make him a valuable middle of the order big league bat.

 

19) Jace Laviolette- OF, 2025 Draft

 

The only 2025 draftee to make the list. Laviolette is going to join the ranks of some of the impressive college bats of the recent draft classes. Standing in at 6 foot 6, 230 lbs, his power is his best tool. Through two years, he has already hit 50 home runs with 21 as a true freshman and 29 as a sophomore. He will have a legit shot to push 30 this season, potentially ending his career as Texas A&M all time home runs leader. The profile does not come with concerns. He has not put up high averages over his two seasons, and he has shown some swing-and-miss tendencies, leaving questions about his hit tool. The power is for real, and if he can take a step forward in his hit tool, he will be a top-20 prospect. Think Spencer Jones, but with a better college track record.

 

 

20) Vance Honeycutt– OF, Baltimore Orioles

 

This ranking is simply wishcasting. This was my favorite draft pick in the 2024 draft due to both Honeycutt’s immense tools, and the Orioles track record of developing hitters. Honeycutt has struggled in his debut season of professional baseball. He is hitting .176 with one extra-base hit and striking out almost 50% of the time. Not exactly a recipe for success. But for anyone who read my pre draft article on Honeycutt, this comes as no surprise. He has things he needs to improve on, and they were not going to come right away.

When looking at Honeycutt’s potential, he was always going to need an offseason to make swing adjustments. The Orioles have maximized the potential of seemingly every hitter they have drafted, so there is no doubt in my mind they have a plan in place. The issue is it is very hard to implement that plan when a hitter is expected to face 95 mph with a banger slider at 7 PM every night. If they are making swing adjustments during the season, Honeycutt was destined to struggle. But if they are waiting until the offseason, we already knew the swing and approach were flawed. This season’s results change nothing in my evaluation of Honeycutt. He’s flawed. We knew that already. But if it clicks, 20 will be the lowest ranking he will ever be on a prospect list.

One response to “Predicting Top 20 Dynasty Prospects One Year from Today”

  1. mattmaison says:
    September 23, 2024 at 9:30 AM

    “Aidan” Miller

    Reply

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