With baseball season five weeks away, let us take a look at 10 MLB prospects who could become fantasy baseball contributors in 2016.
Each year, fantasy baseball players look and speculate which MLB rookies will make an impact in the upcoming season. With farm systems being the focal point to most teams in today’s game, we are blessed with a young crop of talented, young prospects. This year, it is no different, as there are plenty of MLB prospects capable of making a splash in fantasy baseball for 2016.
Some of the players on this list saw time last season; however, they did not record enough at-bats or games to lose their rookie eligibility. Their time spent in 2015 should only help out in the upcoming season in 2016. However, there are other prospects who hope to make their MLB debut in the upcoming season, offering some late-round upside in fantasy baseball.
From Los Angeles to New York, there are a vast array of young prospects capable of making an impact for the 2016 fantasy baseball season. Let us take a look at whom makes the top-10 fantasy rookies for the upcoming season.
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Blake Snell is the most obvious pitcher left off the list, but I question if he is ready to take on big league hitting on a regular basis. Snell ascended from High-A to Triple-A in 2015, posting stellar numbers at every stop. The only downfall with pitchers who earn multiple promotions in a season is that they sometimes find it difficult to replicate their success in the following season.
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Blake Snell is a great prospect in every aspect; however, some regression is bound to happen in 2016. Thus, the Rays should not rush Snell into the big league rotation. Pecota picked the Rays to win the A.L. East, and if Snell dominates in Spring Training or early on in the minor leagues, he should be a big contributor to the Rays’ success.
If and when Snell earns his promotion, he jumps to the sixth-rated spot on this list, falling right behind Steven Matz. Blake Snell is certainly a guy to keep a close eye on heading into Spring Training, because he offers immense upside as a left-handed starting pitcher. Keep a close eye on Snell heading into fantasy baseball drafts.
In addition to Snell, Jose De Leon makes for an under-the-radar rookie arm to keep a close eye on in 2016. De Leon, unlike Julio Urias, should make an impact for the Dodgers in 2016. The real question is when will he make an impact? Jose De Leon could make an impact as soon as April or May, but he could not see his MLB debut until September.
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With how stellar Corey Seager performed last season, it would not be surprising for the Dodgers to be patient with Jose De Leon next season. If he dominates at Triple-A, the Dodgers will have no choice but to see how he performs at the MLB level. Keep an eye on De Leon and Snell in fantasy baseball this season. Could be a steal during the season.