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Things are about to get interesting. This week marks the highly-anticipated return of the Minor League Baseball season for 2021. Prospects around baseball have spent more than a year working out at clubs' alternate training sites, extended spring training sites, and/or at their homes. Some players have flourished while others have… well, we don’t really know since there is limited coverage on many of the players.
This year’s Top 50 redraft prospects list (and last year’s) focused mainly on impact prospects that were already in the majors but had yet to exceed the rookie limits with a few near-MLB-ready prospects sprinkled in. After this week’s installment, this list will transition back to its traditional format of focusing solely on prospects that are playing at the minor league level but should have a noticeable impact in 2021 redraft leagues. This weekly feature had to evolve with the times during the unprecedented impacts that the pandemic had on baseball, but that is hopefully behind us now.
Players graduating from the list this week after exceeding the rookie limits (130 ABs for hitters, 50 IP for pitchers) include pitchers Dane Dunning, Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Tejay Antone, Huascar Ynoa, and Adbert Alzolay.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including Best MLB Series, NFL Series, NBA Writer, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
Top Prospects for 2021 Fantasy Baseball
These prospect rankings are for 2021 redraft leagues.
| Ranking | Player | Pos | Team | Age | ETA |
| 1 | Jazz Chisholm | 2B/SS | MIA | 23 | INJURED |
| 2 | Jarred Kelenic | OF | SEA | 21 | MAY |
| 3 | Yermin Mercedes | C/DH | CWS | 28 | MLB |
| 4 | Wander Franco | SS | TB | 20 | MAY |
| 5 | Ke'Bryan Hayes | 3B | PIT | 24 | INJURED |
| 6 | Andrew Vaughn | 1B/LF | CWS | 22 | MLB |
| 7 | Alex Kirilloff | OF | MIN | 23 | MLB |
| 8 | Michael Kopech | RP | CWS | 24 | MLB |
| 9 | Emmanuel Clase | RP | CLE | 23 | MLB |
| 10 | Brandon Marsh | OF | LAA | 23 | MAY |
| 11 | Akil Baddoo | OF | DET | 22 | MLB |
| 12 | James Karinchak | RP | CLE | 25 | MLB |
| 13 | Luis Patino | SP | TB | 21 | MLB |
| 14 | Adolis Garcia | OF | TEX | 28 | MLB |
| 15 | Jo Adell | OF | LAA | 21 | MAY |
| 16 | MacKenzie Gore | SP | SD | 22 | MAY |
| 17 | Chris Rodriguez | RP | LAA | 22 | MLB |
| 18 | Tyler Stephenson | C | CIN | 24 | MLB |
| 19 | Spencer Howard | SP | PHI | 24 | MAY |
| 20 | Tanner Houck | SP | BOS | 24 | MAY |
| 21 | Garrett Whitlock | RP | BOS | 24 | MLB |
| 22 | Nate Pearson | SP | TOR | 24 | MAY |
| 23 | Zach McKinstry | 2B/OF | LAD | 25 | INJURED |
| 24 | Garrett Crochet | RP | CWS | 21 | INJURED |
| 25 | Ryan Weathers | RP | SD | 21 | INJURED |
| 26 | Joey Bart | C | SF | 24 | JUNE |
| 27 | Logan Gilbert | SP | SEA | 23 | MAY |
| 28 | Alejandro Kirk | C | TOR | 22 | MLB |
| 29 | Sixto Sanchez | SP | MIA | 22 | INJURED |
| 30 | Luis Garcia | P | HOU | 24 | MLB |
| 31 | Taylor Trammell | OF | SEA | 23 | MLB |
| 32 | Jonathan India | 2B | CIN | 24 | INJURED |
| 33 | Victor Gonzalez | RP | LAD | 25 | MLB |
| 34 | Taylor Widener | SP | ARZ | 26 | INJURED |
| 35 | Pavin Smith | OF | ARZ | 25 | MLB |
| 36 | Bobby Bradley | 1B | CLE | 24 | MAY |
| 37 | Jarren Duran | OF | BOS | 24 | JUNE |
| 38 | Nick Maton | IF | PHI | 24 | MLB |
| 39 | Vidal Brujan | IF/OF | TB | 23 | JUNE |
| 40 | Nolan Jones | 3B | CLE | 22 | JUNE |
| 41 | Deivi Garcia | SP | NYY | 21 | JUNE |
| 42 | Dom Nunez | C | COL | 26 | MLB |
| 43 | Brent Rooker | OF | MIN | 26 | JUNE |
| 44 | Trevor Larnach | OF | MIN | 24 | JUNE |
| 45 | Matt Manning | SP | DET | 23 | JUNE |
| 46 | Daniel Lynch | SP | KC | 24 | JULY |
| 47 | Alek Manoah | SP | TOR | 23 | JULY |
| 48 | Adley Rutschman | C | BAL | 23 | AUGUST |
| 49 | Heliot Ramos | OF | SF | 21 | AUGUST |
| 50 | Seth Brown | OF | OAK | 28 | MLB |
Top 10 Prospects for 2021
1. Jazz Chisholm, 2B/SS: Chisholm remains on the injured list, but he’s not expected to be out longer than the 10-day minimum.
2. Jarred Kelenic, OF: The million-dollar question continues to be: When will Kelenic arrive? I’m betting soon. Perhaps after a week or two of traditional minor league ball to get his bat going.
3. Yermin Mercedes, DH/C: The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles would no doubt love a do-over on letting Mercedes slip through their fingers. He’s hitting for average and power and he’s not slowing down.
4. Wander Franco, SS/3B: Like Kelenic above, Franco’s arrival date remains up in the air. However, the continued struggles of shortstop Willy Adames could pave the way for the phenom.
5. Alex Kirilloff, OF: Kirilloff woke up in a big way on Friday with a two-homer game. He followed that up with another dinger on Saturday. As I mentioned last week, the young hitter has been swinging at everything. However, he showed improvement on Friday. Kiriloff saw 17 pitches which led to the two homers and a walk.
6. Andrew Vaughn, OF/1B: Vaughn has hits in six of his last eight games and is a combined 9-for-27 (.333). The strikeouts remain high, but he’s headed in the right direction.
7. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B: Hayes’ lingering wrist injury is starting to become a concern.
8. Michael Kopech, P: Kopech opened the year in the bullpen, but made a dominant start last week. After missing the last two seasons though, it’s hard to see him throwing a large number of innings in 2021.
9. Emmanuel Clase, RP: Clase keeps chugging along with his dominant stuff and he's playing for a club that doesn’t score many runs ,which means a lot of close games.
10. Brandon Marsh, OF: There’s no real clear path to playing time for Marsh (or Jo Adell) just yet, but he could be ready when the need arises.
Prospects 11-20
11. Akil Baddoo, OF: Baddoo's offense is slipping and he hasn’t shown the ability to make adjustments. His strikeout rate sits at an unsightly 44%.
12. James Karinchak, RP: Emmanuel Clase is getting the majority of the saves, but Karinchack has four holds and two saves of his own. He also has an impressive 22 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings.
13. Luis Patino, P: Patino is young and loaded with potential, but it’s hard to know if he’s going to start a game or come in for long relief with the Rays. That's the annoying part of owning any Rays pitcher not named Glasnow.
14. Adolis Garcia, OF: Garcia is a streaky hitter who’s in a stretch of seven games without an extra-base hit.
15. Jo Adell, OF: The Angels likely want to see how Adell handles Triple-A pitching before they give him another shot given his 42% strikeout rate at the MLB level.
16. MacKenzie Gore, SP: With Chris Paddack hitting the injured list and rookie hurler Ryan Weathers also hurting, the Padres’ pitching is looking a little thin. This could bode well for Gore.
17. Chris Rodriguez, P: The 22-year-old hurler has been excellent in the bullpen with 17 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings, but he has also walked eight batters. He could get an opportunity in the starting rotation in the second half of the year for the pitching-starved Angels.
18. Tyler Stephenson, C: Stephenson has been an offensive beast for the Reds, but he’s still not playing every day behind the plate. Over his last three starts, he’s 5-for-12 (.417).
19. Spencer Howard, P: Howard was sent back down to the minors after inconsistent performances at the MLB level.
20. Tanner Houck, SP: Houck can’t seem to hold down a regular spot in the Red Sox starting rotation, but he has pitched well when given the opportunity. Some stability could help him shine.
Prospects 21-30
21. Garrett Whitlock, RP: Whitlock has been a revelation for the Red Sox. The 24-year-old reliever still has not allowed a run and he has a K-BB of 18-2 in 13 1/3 innings.
22. Nate Pearson, SP: Pearson is healthy again, but the Jays were not impressed with his last performance during a simulated game. As a result, he was sent down to the minors. He should be back before too long.
23. Zach McKinstry, 2B/OF: McKinstry is still rehabbing an oblique injury.
24. Garrett Crochet, RP: Crochet’s velocity was down early in the season and now he’s on the injured list with an upper-back strain.
25. Ryan Weathers, P: Weathers was solid in relief which earned him a shot at starting. Unfortunately, he then got hurt. The good news is that he's not expected to miss much time.
26. Joey Bart, C: Bart was recently added to the club’s taxi squad, but there’s no indication that he’ll get a 26-man roster spot any time soon given that he has nowhere to play.
27. Logan Gilbert, SP: The Mariners have been surprisingly good so far this season, but the club lacks pitching depth. That could open up an opportunity for Gilbert.
28. Alejandro Kirk, C: Kirk’s bat continues to wake up and he had a two-homer game this week. With starter Danny Jansen really struggling with the bat, the rookie could see increased playing time.
29. Sixto Sanchez, SP: Sanchez remains on the injured list with a shoulder injury.
30. Luis Garcia, SP: Garcia has looked good in his last two starts with a K-BB of 12-3 in 10 2/3 innings. During that span, he’s allowed just three runs.
Prospects 31-40
31. Taylor Trammell, OF: Trammell is just 1-for-13 over his last four games and he might be running out of time to prove himself. Jarred Kelenic is looming on the horizon.
32. Jonathan India, 2B: India hit the injured list late last week.
33. Victor Gonzalez, RP: Gonzalez spent a little time on the COVID-19 list while recovering from a reaction to the vaccine, but he has seven holds and a save in 12 games.
34. Taylor Widener, SP: Widener was added to the injured list last Wednesday due to a groin strain.
35. Pavin Smith, OF/1B: Smith has been hitting better lately and is showing a little more pop. He’s 5-for-15 (.333) with a double and a triple over his last three games. He even stole a base recently.
36. Bobby Bradley, 1B: Bradley will open the minor league season at Triple-A but he remains a better offensive option than anyone the Indians have trotted out to the position at the MLB level.
37. Jarren Duran, OF: Duran will open up the minor league season at Triple-A for the Red Sox, but he should be one of the first players recalled if an outfielder gets hurt.
38. Nick Maton, IF: Maton opened his MLB career with hits in his first six games. He then had a three-game hitless streak. However, he’s back at it again with four hits in his last three games.
39. Vidal Brujan, IF/OF: Brujan is going to open the minor league season in Triple-A, but his versatility ensures that he’ll be one of the first hitters recalled when the need arises. His speed would be a welcome addition to many fantasy rosters.
40. Nolan Jones, 3B: Jones will open the year at Triple-A and remains blocked by Jose Ramirez. He has a lot of raw power, but he needs to hit more balls in the air which should be his main focus this season.
Prospects 41-50
41. Deivi Garcia, SP: Garcia made a spot start recently but he currently doesn’t have a clear path to regular pitching opportunities. He’ll play in Triple-A for now.
42. Dom Nunez, C: Nunez showed some real pop early in the season, but he then went 13 games with just one home run. He went deep again on Saturday and is starting to play more often.
43. Brent Rooker, OF: Rooker has been inconsistent this year and also spent time on the injured list. With Alex Kirilloff finally waking up, it could be more difficult for Rooker to find his way back to the majors.
44. Trevor Larnach, OF: Larnach is stuck behind Alex Kirilloff and Brent Rooker for playing opportunities at the MLB level. A strong start to the year in the minors could push him past the latter outfielder who has struggled early on.
45. Matt Manning, SP: Both Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal have been inconsistent this year and are possibly two or three bad starts away from returning to the minors. With a strong start to the minor league season, Manning could earn an opportunity before too long.
46. Daniel Lynch, SP: This young southpaw is one of the most promising young arms in the Royals system, but he’s battled injuries.
47. Alek Manoah, SP: The 11th overall pick from the 2019 amateur draft, Manoah hasn’t officially pitched above short-season ball. However, he dominated in the spring and shut down the Yankees twice. The Jays lack (healthy) upper-level pitching depth, so Manoah could force his way to the majors in 2021.
48. Adley Rutschman, C: Rutschman will be challenged with an assignment to Double-A despite having just 12 games of experience in A-ball.
49. Heliot Ramos, OF: The Giants are off to a great start in 2021, but the hitters haven’t performed overly well. Ramos could help in that regard later this season once he gets some playing time at the minor league level.
50. Seth Brown, OF: Brown has shown flashes of power this season after slugging 37 home runs at Triple-A in 2019, but he’s not seeing regular playing time.
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