Dynasty Hot 100: Your Fantasy Draft Guide To First-Year Players

Image credit: CJ Abrams, left (photo by Bill Mitchell) and Adley Rutschman, right (photo by Mike Janes/Four Seam Images).

Baseball America reports on the draft and international amateur market year round. With that in mind, we decided to focus our collective scouting intel and intuition into the first ever Dynasty Hot 100 ranking to help inform fantasy players during dynasty draft season.

Senior writer Ben Badler covers the July 2 international market for BA. National writer Carlos Collazo covers the draft. The two combined their expertise to create the basis for the Dynasty Hot 100, which ranks first-year prospects for dynasty leagues from a BA point of view.

The vast majority of players covered in the Dynasty Hot 100 were either 2019 draft picks or Latin American amateurs who signed during the 2019-20 international signing period. These talent sources supply the most coveted prospects in typical 2020 dynasty drafts.

Most dynasty leagues draft in February or March. That’s why our Dynasty Hot 100 eligibility window encompasses all players who signed with a major league organization for the first time since last March 1.

Notes
H stands for batting/pitching hand, where an asterisk (*) denotes lefthanded, blank signifies righthanded and a pound sign (#) means switch-hitter.
— We omit signing bonuses for Venezuelan players for safety concerns.
BA Grades appear in the 2020 Prospect Handbook and estimate players’ projected major league value on the 20-80 scouting scale.


Rk H Player Pos Org Age Source T100 BA500 J2 Bonus Grade Risk ETA
1 * CJ Abrams SS SD 19 HS 22 4 $5,200,000 65 V High 2023
Shows feel for the barrel to go with game-changing speed and potential impact extra-base power
2   Andrew Vaughn 1B CWS 22 4YR 30 3 $7,221,200 60 High 2021
High-probability big leaguer thanks to lengthy hitting track record; excellent zone control and power
3   Bobby Witt Jr. SS KC 20 HS 24 2 $7,787,400 65 V High 2023
Close to a lock to stick at shortstop and overflowing with plus tools; if he hits, he’s a superstar
4 # Adley Rutschman C BAL 22 4YR 5 1 $8,100,000 70 High 2021
Potential franchise catcher has high offensive, defensive ceiling; plus abundance of leadership, pedigree
5 # Jasson Dominguez OF NYY 17 IFA 38 1 $5,100,000 65 Extreme 2024
Explosive power/speed package, but also an advanced hitter for his age with high all-around baseball savvy
6 * JJ Bleday OF MIA 22 4YR 46 6 $6,670,000 60 High 2021
Hitting ability and recently developed power should allow him to profile in a corner; solid speed
7 * Corbin Carroll OF ARI 19 HS 90 12 $3,745,500 55 V High 2023
Patient, disciplined approach and routinely puts the barrel on the ball; fast and savvy baserunner
8 * Riley Greene OF DET 19 HS 49 5 $6,180,700 60 V High 2023
Plus hitting potential with a smooth lefthanded swing; raw power now that could translate in the future
9   Luis Rodriguez OF LAD 17 IFA 2 60 Extreme 2024
A sweet swing, big power and a track record of hitting well in games, both for average and power
10 * Erick Pena OF KC 17 IFA 3 $3,897,500 55 Extreme 2024
Outstanding blend of high physical upside to project for big power and an advanced bat
Rk H Player Pos Org Age Source T100 BA500 J2 Bonus Grade Risk ETA
11   Maximo Acosta SS TEX 17 IFA 4 60 Extreme 2024
Draws comps to Gleyber Torres both physically and skill set; shortstop who can hit, hit with power
12 # Greg Jones SS TB 21 4YR 51 $3,024,500 50 High 2022
Elite runner who will steal plenty of bags with impressive on-base skills; could wind up in center
13 * Nick Lodolo LHP CIN 22 4YR 78 8 $5,432,400 55 High 2022
Control and polish over pure stuff with a high likelihood of turning into a No. 4-type starter
14   George Kirby RHP SEA 22 4YR 20 $3,242,900 55 High 2022
Advanced strike-thrower who works off a plus fastball and has shown flashes with secondaries
15 * Brett Baty 3B NYM 20 HS 15 $3,900,000 55 Extreme 2023
Older, lefthanded prep bat with outstanding power to all fields and improved defense at third
16   Josh Jung 3B TEX 22 4YR 93 17 $4,400,000 55 High 2022
Opposite-field approach has limited in-game power to this point, but should hit for a high average
17 * Bryson Stott SS PHI 22 4YR 10 $3,900,000 55 High 2022
Solid all-around player with some power and speed; good chance to stick in the middle infield
18 * Hunter Bishop OF SF 22 4YR 7 $4,097,500 55 V High 2022
High-risk, high-reward type with outstanding raw tools, but a limited track record of hitting
19 * Braden Shewmake SS ATL 22 4YR 27 $3,129,800 55 High 2021
Athletic, lefthanded hitter who can play all over the field; frame suggests increased power is possible
20 # Robert Puason SS OAK 17 IFA 5 $5,100,000 55 Extreme 2025
Excellent athlete with high-end tools at a premium position, though some risk in bat
Rk H Player Pos Org Age Source T100 BA500 J2 Bonus Grade Risk ETA
21 * Zack Thompson LHP STL 22 4YR 11 $3,000,000 55 High 2022
Swing-and-miss stuff in the zone with steadily improved control; medical history adds risk
22 # Logan Davidson SS OAK 22 4YR 19 $2,424,600 50 High 2022
Physical shortstop with power-speed combination; poor wood bat history introduces high risk
23 * Yoshitomo Tsutsugo OF TB 28 NPB 50 Medium 2020
Counting numbers won’t be as impressive in the U.S. but should be capable of 20+ HR in a platoon role
24 * Gunnar Henderson SS BAL 19 HS 30 $2,300,000 55 Extreme 2023
Offers defensive, offensive upside; plus arm and increasing power with added strength
25 # Michael Toglia 1B COL 21 4YR 63 $2,725,000 55 High 2022
Younger for a college player with an exciting blend of power and on-base skills; limited to 1B
26 * Blake Walston LHP ARI 19 HS 40 $2,450,000 55 Extreme 2024
Lean, athletic and projectable lefthander; one of the best strike-throwers in the 2019 prep class
27   Bayron Lora OF TEX 17 IFA 6 $3,900,000 55 Extreme 2025
Swing and miss risk, yes, but a chance for 40-plus homers if everything clicks
28   Jackson Rutledge RHP WAS 21 JC 14 $3,450,000 55 High 2022
An 80-grade fastball and multiple plus secondary offerings give plenty of upside; some reliever risk
29   Alek Manoah RHP TOR 22 4YR 13 $4,547,500 55 High 2022
High-octane fastball/slider combination gives him two plus pitches; lack of a third adds reliever risk
30 # Adael Amador SS COL 17 IFA 7 $1,500,000 55 Extreme 2025
Relatively polished for his age, good bat from both sides of the plate with chance for power as well
Rk H Player Pos Org Age Source T100 BA500 J2 Bonus Grade Risk ETA
31   Matt Allan RHP NYM 19 HS 16 $2,500,000 55 Extreme 2023
Physically mature prep righty with power fastball/curveball combination and No. 3 upside
32 * Hudson Head OF SD 18 HS 128 $3,000,000 50 Extreme 2023
High upside with raw tools, but limited prep track record; has plenty of speed and raw power
33 * Hedbert Perez OF MIL 17 IFA 8 55 Extreme 2025
Chance for plus speed-power combination with a sweet swing and high baseball IQ
34 * Michael Busch 2B LAD 22 4YR 24 $2,312,000 55 High 2022
Strong lefthanded bat with power potential and some defensive versatility; undersized for first base
35   Will Wilson SS SF 21 4YR 22 $3,397,500 50 High 2022
Lacks the speed of a typical shortstop but brings a high-level bat and solid-average power
36 * Brandon Williamson LHP SEA 22 4YR 86 $925,000 55 High 2022
Under-the-radar lefthander with big upside thanks to pure stuff; excellent K and BB rates
37 # Arol Vera SS LAA 17 IFA 9 55 Extreme 2025
Physical shortstop may end up at third base, but hitting ability and power jump out
38 * Jhon Diaz OF TB 17 IFA 10 $1,500,000 50 Extreme 2025
Little, but one of the top pure hitters in the 2019 IFA class with good speed and sneaky pop
39 # Reggie Preciado SS SD 17 IFA 12 $1,300,000 50 Extreme 2025
6-foot-4 shortstop has performed well in games, high physical upside for power spike once he adds weight
40   Aaron Schunk 3B COL 22 4YR 117 $1,102,700 50 High 2022
Two-way player in college without any standout tool, but solid hit/power combo and impressive debut
Rk H Player Pos Org Age Source T100 BA500 J2 Bonus Grade Risk ETA
41   Quinn Priester RHP PIT 19 HS 23 $3,400,000 55 Extreme 2024
Checks plenty of boxes with clean delivery, solid frame, good strikes and solid stuff with room for more
42   Brennan Malone RHP PIT 19 HS 18 $2,202,200 55 Extreme 2024
Elite frame with a fastball regularly into upper 90s; needs more consistent secondaries to start
43   Daniel Espino RHP CLE 19 HS 25 $2,500,000 55 Extreme 2024
Exceptional upside potential thanks to potential 80-grade fastball; size and arm action add reliever risk
44   Matt Canterino RHP MIN 22 4YR 34 $1,100,000 50 High 2023
Solid three-pitch mix plays up with deception; long track record of starting success at Rice
45   Seth Johnson RHP TB 21 4YR 28 $1,722,500 50 High 2023
Athletic, converted righthander has the raw tools to succeed but needs plenty of refinement; plus fastball
46   Kody Hoese 3B LAD 22 4YR 29 $2,740,300 55 High 2022
A breakout junior campaign at Tulane led to a first-round selection; big power but limited track record
47 * Kameron Misner OF MIA 22 4YR 26 $2,115,000 50 High 2022
Above-average tools across the board with 70-grade raw power; overly passive approach hurts him
48   JJ Goss RHP TB 19 HS 33 $2,042,900 55 Extreme 2024
Polished prep strike-thrower who improved stuff as a senior to increase upside; strong fastball, slider
49   Shea Langeliers C ATL 22 4YR 9 $3,997,500 55 High 2022
Standout catch-and-throw skills make him a high-probability big leaguer; average bat and solid power
50   Josh Wolf RHP NYM 19 HS 54 $2,150,000 55 Extreme 2024
Added strength in senior year pushed fastball velocity to 97 mph; natural feel to spin an easy plus curveball
Rk H Player Pos Org Age Source T100 BA500 J2 Bonus Grade Risk ETA
51   Jimmy Lewis RHP LAD 19 HS 56 $1,097,500 55 Extreme 2024
Tantalizing upside with a 6-foot-6 frame, pro bloodlines, clean delivery; has plenty of starter traits
52   Robert Dominguez RHP NYM 18 IFA 11 55 Extreme 2025
Huge pop-up arm; a lot of unknowns still, but starter traits and up to 99 mph
53 # Jose Salas SS MIA 17 IFA 13 50 Extreme 2025
Power-speed potential, plus runner now with physicality to impact ball; OF move is possible
54 * Bryant Packard OF DET 22 4YR 118 $386,600 45 High 2022
Plus hit potential with extensive collegiate track record to go with plus raw power; limited defensively
55   Keoni Cavaco SS MIN 19 HS 31 $4,050,000 55 Extreme 2024
Biggest pop-up player in the 2019 class thanks to plus raw power and arm strength; epic struggle in debut
56   Peyton Burdick OF MIA 23 4YR 183 $397,500 50 High 2022
Undersized, right-right corner outfielder brings massive power and solid speed; impressive pro debut
57   Brenton Doyle OF COL 22 4YR 199 $500,000 45 High 2023
Plus runner with above-average arm strength and power; outstanding debut in Pioneer League
58 * Ismael Mena OF SD 17 IFA 15 $2,200,000 50 Extreme 2025
70-grade runner; high contact bat from 6-foot-2 frame; projectable body, sweet swing
59   Benyamin Bailey OF CWS 18 IFA $35,000 50 Extreme 2024
Physical monster led the DSL in OBP; above-average run and power, though will likely slow down
60   Alexander Ramirez OF NYM 17 IFA 16 $2,050,000 50 Extreme 2025
Bat risk is there, but power-speed combo, excellent athlete with high physical upside
Rk H Player Pos Org Age Source T100 BA500 J2 Bonus Grade Risk ETA
61   Roberto Campos OF DET 17 IFA 17 $2,850,000 50 Extreme 2024
Short stroke and big power from Detroit’s big-dollar IFA signing
62 # Jose Pastrano SS CLE 17 IFA 18 50 Extreme 2025
Quick, compact swing from both sides with above-average speed as well
63   Kevin Made SS CHC 17 IFA 20 $1,500,000 50 Extreme 2025
Fast hands, surpsing pop for wiry build and a knack for contact in games
64   Matthew Thompson RHP CWS 19 HS 48 $2,100,000 55 Extreme 2024
Long track record of prep dominance with mid-90s fastball, potential plus slider; needs to improve control
65   Chase Strumpf 2B CHC 22 4YR 42 $1,050,300 50 High 2023
Offensive-minded 2B with solid hit tool and good walk rate; below-average arm and fringy glove
66   Davis Wendzel 3B TEX 23 4YR 55 $1,600,000 50 V High 2023
Well-rounded, hit-over-power college 3B and impressive athlete who can play SS in a pinch
67 * Ethan Small LHP MIL 23 4YR 45 $1,800,000 50 High 2021
Potential fast-mover who led D-I in strikeouts; average stuff plays up with deception and excellent control
68 * Tyler Callihan 2B CIN 20 HS 37 $1,497,500 50 Extreme 2023
Advanced prep bat with above-average hit, power potential; defensive home uncertain, likely 3B or 2B
69 # Dauris Lorenzo SS HOU 16 IFA 23 $1,800,000 50 Extreme 2025
Not at toolsy as other IFA shortstops, but sweet swing from both sides with good bat control
70 # Estiven Machado SS TOR 17 IFA 24 55 Extreme 2025
Quick-twitch athlete with a short, efficient swing from both sides to hit in games
Rk H Player Pos Org Age Source T100 BA500 J2 Bonus Grade Risk ETA
71   Aeverson Arteaga SS SF 17 IFA 25 50 Extreme 2025
Well-rounded SS with plus speed, good bat-to-ball skills, high baseball IQ
72 * Shogo Akiyama OF CIN 32 NPB 45 Low 2020
Must battle for ABs in crowded outfield, but has a chance to be a Nori Aoki type with less steals, more power
73 * Logan Wyatt 1B SF 22 4YR 36 $997,500 50 High 2023
Physical 1B who loves to walk and knows the zone better than most; needs to tap into power
74   Brady McConnell SS KC 22 4YR 59 $2,222,500 50 High 2023
Exciting power-speed combination comes with plenty of strikeouts; likely to move off of SS
75 # Nasim Nunez SS MIA 19 HS 43 $2,200,000 55 Extreme 2024
70-grade runner with a chance to be disruptive on the bases, but very light bat; gifted defender
76 * Ronnier Quintero C CHC 17 IFA 14 $2,900,000 50 Extreme 2025
Defensive questions, but huge raw power for a catcher, drives ball with ease to all fields
77   Nick Quintana 3B DET 22 4YR 81 $1,580,200 45 High 2023
Elite prep prospect out of Las Vegas; hit for power in college but strikes out at a high clip; solid defender
78 # Michael Harris OF ATL 18 HS 248 $547,500 55 Extreme 2023
Two-way prep player with upside as a hitter thanks to power-speed combo; pushed aggressively in debut
79 * Antoine Kelly LHP MIL 20 JC 242 $1,025,100 50 High 2023
Upper-90s fastball from big-framed lefty; potential above-average slider but inconsistent control
80 * Emmanuel Rodriguez OF MIN 17 IFA 19 $2,500,000 50 Extreme 2025
Likely corner OF with a simple, quiet LH swing who drives ball well to all fields
Rk H Player Pos Org Age Source T100 BA500 J2 Bonus Grade Risk ETA
81 * Sammy Siani OF PIT 19 HS 44 $2,150,000 55 Extreme 2023
Smooth, consistent swing from the left side; above-average hitting potential but lacks standout tools
82   Jasiah Dixon OF PIT 18 HS 189 $225,000 45 Extreme 2024
Exciting athlete with 70-grade speed, raw power and arm strength; could fit in CF or RF; strong pro debut
83 * Luis Medina OF MIL 17 IFA 21 $1,300,000 50 Extreme 2025
Raw power among the best in the IFA class; power-over-hit profile
84   Anthony Volpe SS NYY 19 HS 52 $2,740,300 55 Extreme 2023
Bulldog mentality and natural leader with solid tools and polished defense; greater than the sum of parts
85   Kendall Williams RHP TOR 19 HS 58 $1,547,500 55 Extreme 2024
Tall, lanky RHP has shown feel for five pitches and good strikes despite size; creates good angle
86   Drey Jameson RHP ARI 22 4YR 50 $1,400,000 50 High 2023
Electric arm speed out of an undersized frame; up to 97 mph with average slider; below-average control
87   Matthew Lugo SS BOS 19 HS 74 $1,100,000 55 Extreme 2024
Potential for five above-average tools, but plenty of refinement needed on both sides; projectable frame
88   James Beard OF CWS 19 HS 100 $350,000 50 Extreme 2024
One of baseball’s fastest players; began hitting for surprising power as a senior but faces hit tool questions
89   Joshua Mears OF SD 19 HS 93 $1,000,000 50 Extreme 2023
Physically mature, right-right corner outfield type with now power and more to come in the future
90   Brandon Lewis 3B LAD 21 4YR 215 $372,500 45 High 2023
70-grade raw power out of an easy swing and strong frame; limited history against high-quality pitching
Rk H Player Pos Org Age Source T100 BA500 J2 Bonus Grade Risk ETA
91   Brayan Medina RHP SD 17 IFA 22 $700,000 50 Extreme 2025
Athletic power arm up to 95 mph, chance to throw 100; SP components with three-pitch mix
92 * John Doxakis LHP TB 21 4YR 53 $1,127,200 50 High 2023
Lefty with a fringy fastball; he gets by with funk, deception and command
93 * Tommy Henry LHP ARI 22 4YR 46 $750,000 45 High 2023
Consistent, polished LHP with above-average three-pitch mix; trending in the right direction stuff-wise
94   Cameron Cannon 2B BOS 22 4YR 94 $1,300,000 50 V High 2023
A solid college hitter with fringe power; utility potential thanks to defensive versatility
95 # Ivan Johnson 2B CIN 21 JC 110 $397,500 45 Extreme 2023
Plus raw power from both sides, but some holes in the swing that could be exploited; average runner
96   Andrew Dalquist RHP CWS 19 HS 67 $2,000,000 55 Extreme 2024
Standout athleticism and strike-throwing with a solid, if unspectacular, three-pitch mix
97   Trejyn Fletcher OF STL 19 HS 64 $1,500,000 50 Extreme 2024
Ultra-athletic with plus arm, plus raw power and plus speed; very limited prep track record of hitting
98   Jack Kochanowicz RHP LAA 19 HS 61 $1,247,500 50 Extreme 2024
Big prep righty with current physicallity and more room to add velocity; stuff plays up thanks to extension
99   Kyren Paris SS LAA 18 HS 70 $1,400,000 50 Extreme 2024
One of the youngest players in the 2019 class with excellent speed and defensive skill; limited power
100 * Matt Wallner OF MIN 22 4YR 49 $1,800,000 50 High 2023
Two-way collegian with plus arm strength; prefers hitting and could play RF with plus power potential

 

 

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