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10 MLB prospects who can help your fantasy baseball team in 2019

By Brad Berreman

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23:Washington Nationals center fielder Victor Robles (16) steps up to bat against the New York Mets at Nationals Park September 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Washington Nationals lost to the New York Mets 8-6 in the last home stand of the season.(Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23:Washington Nationals center fielder Victor Robles (16) steps up to bat against the New York Mets at Nationals Park September 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Washington Nationals lost to the New York Mets 8-6 in the last home stand of the season.(Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

7. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego Padres

Depending on your notable source (Baseball America, MLB.com, Baseball Prospectus), Tatis is either the No. 2 or No. 3 prospect in baseball heading into 2019. He’s clearly the Padres’ shortstop of the future, as Manny Machado will move back to third base to accommodate him, with the only question being when the 20-year old will make his major league debut.

For what it’s worth, it only took one spring training game for Machado to lobby for Tatis as San Diego’s Opening Day shortstop.

"I think we’re a different team if … he’s in the infield and he’s in that lineup. If he’s in there, we’re going to be a dangerous team, and I think we’re all rooting for him to break camp with us. “He’s a baller,"

Tatis hit .286/.355/.507 with 16 home runs, 43 RBI and 16 stolen based as a 19-year old in Double-A last year, then had a .866 OPS in winter ball. But he has no time above Double-A, and the Padres can use that as an excuse to have him start the season in Triple-A. Manager Andy Green has practically confirmed as much.

"In (Tatis’) case, he’s a couple months above Double-A ball. He’s had two incredibly slow Aprils that unbelievable seasons followed,” Green said. “So, there’s some context there that we’re going to factor into the equation that other people probably aren’t."

But if Tatis can continue his nice start to spring training (.357, two home runs, five runs scored over six games as of this writing), he’ll make a case to be in the big leagues from the start. But in any case, even a May 1 major league debut would line Tatis up to help fantasy owners this year. Once he does get called up, his lineup spot will be worth keeping an eye on.

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