Five Prospects on the Verge of Fantasy Baseball Impact

Prospects like Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger have made a significant impact in fantasy baseball this season. Who will be next?

The Mets’ shortstop Amed Rosario is the highest ranked prospect yet to make the jump to the major leagues. The fantasy baseball world is eagerly anticipating his debut; he is already owned in more than half of all CBS leagues.

Two of the best players in the minor leagues have graduated to the highest level of the game with the White Sox promoting second baseman Yoan Moncada and the Red Sox calling up third base sensation Rafael Devers.

We take a quick look at the Minor League prospects that could make the jump to the majors within the next couple of weeks.

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Dominic Smith (1B-NYM)

Ownership: ESPN 5%, CBS 22%, YAHOO 5%

The 22-year-old has destroyed Triple-A to the tune of .341 AVG and .924 OPS in 419 at-bats. Smith has consistently hit for average, batting over .300 for three straight seasons. This year, the left-hander has a career-high 15 home runs, with 32 doubles and an impressive 34 walks to 74 strikeouts.

With Lucas Duda shipped off to the Rays, there is an obvious vacancy at first base for the Mets. Wilmer Flores and his .295/.347.614 slash line will handle duties at first base until Smith, MLB’s No. 41 ranked prospect, is promoted.

Rhys Hoskins (1B-PHI)

Ownership: ESPN 2%, CBS 20%, YAHOO 5%

Another minor league slugger on the verge of a shot at the big leagues. The right-hander has launched 24 home runs in 105 games in Triple-A this season with a .283 AVG and .948 OPS. Hoskins patience at the plate is even better than that of Smith, with 58 walks to 67 strikeouts.

After a dreadful April, incumbent first baseman Tommy Joseph steadied the ship and has hit 15 home runs with a .834 OPS since May 1. An injury or trade would open up playing time for Hoskins, MLB’s No.71 prospect, to make his debut in the majors.

Ozzie Albies (2B-ATL)

Ownership: ESPN 2%, CBS 23%, YAHOO 4%

Last season, Albies hit .292 between Double-A and Triple-A with 30 stolen bases as a 19-year-old. He is an exceptional talent that needs to be owned in all leagues. In Triple-A this season, Albies is slashing .285/.330/.444 while filling up the rest of the stat categories with 21 stolen bases, 21 doubles, eight triples and nine home runs. And he is still only 20-years-old.

MLB’s No.19 ranked prospect is obviously the Braves second baseman of the future, but they are adamant that he will not be promoted until he is ready. Currently, veteran Brandon Phillips has held down the second base role with a serviceable eight home runs, eight stolen bases and .293 AVG.

Willie Calhoun (2B-LAD)

Ownership: ESPN 1%, CBS 8%, YAHOO 1%

With Chris Taylor having made left field his own, the Dodgers are rolling out Logan Forsythe (.239 AVG) and Chase Utley (.233 AVG) at second base. This is not an adequate level of production when compared to the Astros (Jose Altuve) and the Nationals (Daniel Murphy).

In Triple-A, 22-year-old Willie Calhoun has hit 23 home runs with .928 OPS to build on last season’s 27 home runs in Double-A.

Coming up through the ranks, Calhoun’s defense was questionable, but he has worked hard to improve it, and MLB’s No.69 ranked prospect would at least offer average defense in the majors.

Amed Rosario (SS-NYM)

Ownership: ESPN 14%, CBS 56%, YAHOO 23%

Despite being 21-years-old, Rosario is destroying Triple-A with a .329/.367/.465 slash line with seven home runs and 19 stolen bases. MLB’s No.2 ranked prospect had an almost identical slash line last season but has developed more power in 2017.

There is little doubt that Rosario, who is the highest ranked prospect yet to debut in the majors, is the Mets’ shortstop of the future. It is highly likely that his promotion will be immediately after the July 31 trade deadline.

Pre-season, Rosario was the consensus number three prospect. He has nothing left to prove in the minors and just Jose Reyes keeping the shortstop position warm for him in the majors.

Next: Early look at 2018 Fantasy Baseball draft

All five of the players are just a trade or an injury away from impacting fantasy baseball leagues everywhere. Check your waiver wire and get your claims in before it is too late.