Farm Futures: 178 AL East Prospects You Need To Know

Farm Futures: 178 AL East Prospects You Need To Know

This article is part of our Farm Futures series.

Usually I use these divisional articles to write up every fantasy-relevant prospect in each team's farm system, but given the lack of a minor-league season in 2020, there's just not much new to say about a large percentage of the prospect universe. I am still going to rank the fantasy-relevant prospects in all 30 systems, and I've already written outlooks on the site for the majority of the top-250 prospects on my top 400. I'm also providing a list of prospects in each org. that could contribute in 2021 along with an overview of each system. 

Feel free to ask me any prospect-related questions in the comments or on Twitter.

ORIOLES

 NamePositionDOBSigned
1Adley RutschmanC2/6/19982019 Draft
2Grayson RodriguezRHP11/16/19992018 Draft
3Ryan MountcastleDH/1B/OF2/18/19972015 Draft
4DL HallLHP9/19/19982017 Draft
5Heston KjerstadOF2/12/19992020 Draft
6Gunnar HendersonSS6/29/20012019 Draft
7Maikol Hernandez3B/SS10/4/20032020 J-2
8Adam HallSS/2B5/22/19992017 Draft
9Keegan AkinLHP4/1/19952016 Draft
10Yusniel DiazOF10/7/19962015 IFA
11Hudson HaskinOF12/31/19982020 Draft
12Terrin Vavra2B5/12/19972018 Draft
13Anthony ServideoSS3/11/19992020 Draft
14Rylan Bannon2B/3B4/22/19962017 Draft
15Coby Mayo3B/RF12/10/20012020 Draft
16Dean KremerRHP1/7/19962016 Draft
17Jordan WestburgSS/3B2/18/19992020 Draft
18Michael BaumannRHP9/10/19952017 Draft
19Luis A. OrtizLHP9/17/2002

Usually I use these divisional articles to write up every fantasy-relevant prospect in each team's farm system, but given the lack of a minor-league season in 2020, there's just not much new to say about a large percentage of the prospect universe. I am still going to rank the fantasy-relevant prospects in all 30 systems, and I've already written outlooks on the site for the majority of the top-250 prospects on my top 400. I'm also providing a list of prospects in each org. that could contribute in 2021 along with an overview of each system. 

Feel free to ask me any prospect-related questions in the comments or on Twitter.

ORIOLES

 NamePositionDOBSigned
1Adley RutschmanC2/6/19982019 Draft
2Grayson RodriguezRHP11/16/19992018 Draft
3Ryan MountcastleDH/1B/OF2/18/19972015 Draft
4DL HallLHP9/19/19982017 Draft
5Heston KjerstadOF2/12/19992020 Draft
6Gunnar HendersonSS6/29/20012019 Draft
7Maikol Hernandez3B/SS10/4/20032020 J-2
8Adam HallSS/2B5/22/19992017 Draft
9Keegan AkinLHP4/1/19952016 Draft
10Yusniel DiazOF10/7/19962015 IFA
11Hudson HaskinOF12/31/19982020 Draft
12Terrin Vavra2B5/12/19972018 Draft
13Anthony ServideoSS3/11/19992020 Draft
14Rylan Bannon2B/3B4/22/19962017 Draft
15Coby Mayo3B/RF12/10/20012020 Draft
16Dean KremerRHP1/7/19962016 Draft
17Jordan WestburgSS/3B2/18/19992020 Draft
18Michael BaumannRHP9/10/19952017 Draft
19Luis A. OrtizLHP9/17/20022019 J-2
20Kyle BradishRHP9/12/19962018 Draft
21Carter BaumlerRHP1/31/20022020 Draft
22Tyler Nevin1B/DH5/29/19972015 Draft
23Darell HernaizSS8/3/20012019 Draft
24Jahmai Jones2B8/4/19972015 Draft
25Luis GonzalezOF11/2/20022019 J-2
26Drew RomLHP12/15/19992018 Draft
27Kevin SmithLHP5/13/19972018 Draft
28Zac LowtherLHP4/30/19962017 Draft
29Elio PradoOF11/29/20012018 J-2
30Kyle StowersOF1/2/19982019 Draft
31Ryan McKennaOF2/14/19972015 Draft
32Wilmer FelicianoOF4/6/20042020 J-2
33Garrett StallingsRHP8/8/19972019 Draft
34Alex WellsLHP2/27/19972015 IFA

Players We Could See In 2021: Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez, Ryan Mountcastle, DL Hall, Keegan Akin, Yusniel Diaz, Terrin Vavra, Rylan Bannon, Dean Kremer, Michael Baumann, Kyle Bradish, Tyler Nevin, Jahmai Jones, Kevin Smith, Zac Lowther, Ryan McKenna, Alex Wells

Dynasty Overview: Based on what I've seen in dynasty and redraft leagues, every prospect in this system is either overrated (Mountcastle, Heston Kjerstad, Kremer, Jordan Westburg, Jones) or properly rated. DL Hall is one guy that I'm worried I might be a little too low on — he's in my top 100 obviously, but it's hard to reconcile his ridiculous stuff with his (to date) very shaky command. If Hall were to improve as a strike thrower, he could pitch at the top of a rotation pretty easily. I could be too low on Westburg as well, I just didn't like the way his athleticism seemed to be trending, and he struck out too much in college for a player who had trouble accessing his raw power in games. With Kjerstad, I see Mike Moustakas in left field. That's a really solid bat, but not one I'm prioritizing in dynasty leagues. That player archetype (three-category thumper) is not hard to acquire.

RED SOX

 NamePositionDOBSigned
1Jeter Downs2B/SS7/27/19982017 Draft
2Triston Casas1B1/15/20002018 Draft
3Gilberto JimenezOF7/8/20002017 IFA
4Tanner HouckRHP6/29/19962017 Draft
5Blaze Jordan1B/3B12/19/20022020 Draft
6Bobby Dalbec3B/1B6/29/19952016 Draft
7Jarren DuranOF9/5/19962018 Draft
8Thad WardRHP1/16/19972018 Draft
9Brainer BonaciSS7/9/20022018 J-2
10Jay GroomeLHP8/23/19982016 Draft
11Luis RaveloSS11/5/20032020 J-2
12Nick Yorke2B4/2/20022020 Draft
13Bryan MataRHP5/3/19992015 J-2
14Noah SongRHP5/28/19972019 Draft
15Miguel BleisOF3/1/20042020 J-2
16Kelvin DiazOF3/17/20032019 J-2
17Matthew LugoSS/2B5/9/20012019 Draft
18Hudson Potts3B/1B10/28/19982016 Draft
19Eduardo LopezOF5/8/20022018 J-2
20Wilkelman GonzalezRHP3/25/20022018 J-2
21Chih-Jung LiuRHP4/7/19992019 IFA
22Juan ChaconOF12/4/20022019 J-2
23Bryan GonzalezOF9/18/20012018 J-2
24Connor SeaboldRHP1/24/19952017 Draft
25Aldo RamirezRHP5/6/20012018 IFA
26Ronaldo HernandezC11/11/19972014 IFA
27Andrew PolitiRHP6/4/19962018 Draft
28Ceddanne Rafaela2B/OF9/18/20002017 J-2
29Eduard BazardoRHP9/1/19952014 J-2
30Brayan BelloRHP5/17/19992017 J-2
31Connor WongC/3B/2B5/19/19962017 Draft
32Darel Belen1B/OF5/21/20002019 IFA
33Garrett WhitlockRHP6/11/19962017 Draft
34Luis PeralesRHP4/14/20032019 J-2
35Nick DeckerOF10/2/19992018 Draft
36Chris MurphyLHP6/5/19982019 Draft
37Jeisson RosarioOF10/22/19992016 J-2
38Tyreque Reed1B/DH6/6/19972017 Draft
39Cameron Cannon2B/3B10/16/19972019 Draft
40Christian Koss2B/3B1/27/19982019 Draft

Players We Could See In 2021: Jeter Downs, Triston Casas, Tanner Houck, Bobby Dalbec, Jarren Duran, Bryan Mata, Hudson Potts, Connor Seabold, Ronaldo Hernandez, Eduard Bazardo, Connor Wong, Garrett Whitlock

Dynasty Overview: Downs and Casas are a 1A/1B duo at the top. Gilberto Jimenez and Blaze Jordan are polar opposites in terms of skill set, but they both have very high ceilings and could break out in the next year or two. I like Brainer Bonaci, Luis Ravelo and Kelvin Diaz as potentially undervalued deep-league fliers. There are a lot of interesting arms in this system, but most are over a year away from the big leagues. I might like Thad Ward more than the Red Sox do, which is mildly concerning, but I still think he could make some noise in the upper levels of the minors this year if he shows solid command of his deep repertoire.

YANKEES

 NamePositionDOBSigned
1Jasson DominguezOF2/7/20032019 J-2
2Clarke SchmidtRHP2/20/19962017 Draft
3Austin WellsC/OF7/12/19992020 Draft
4Deivi GarciaRHP5/19/19992015 J-2
5Luis MedinaRHP5/3/19992015 J-2
6Alexander VizcainoRHP5/22/19972016 IFA
7Oswald PerazaSS6/15/20002016 J-2
8Luis GilRHP6/3/19982015 IFA
9Josh Smith2B8/7/19972019 Draft
10Ezequiel Duran2B5/22/19992017 J-2
11Fidel MonteroOF 2020 J-2
12Antonio GomezC11/13/20012018 J-2
13Kevin AlcantaraOF7/12/20022018 J-2
14Alexander VargasSS10/29/20012018 J-2
15Estevan FlorialOF11/25/19972015 IFA
16Yoendrys GomezRHP10/15/19992016 J-2
17Enger Castellano3B/1B/OF12/2/20022019 J-2
18Anthony VolpeSS4/28/20012019 Draft
19T.J. SikkemaLHP7/25/19982019 Draft
20Chris Gittens1B/DH2/4/19942014 Draft
21Marcos Cabrera3B10/10/20012018 J-2
22Beck WayRHP8/6/19992020 Draft
23Everson PereiraOF4/10/20012017 J-2
24Trevor Hauver2B11/20/19982020 Draft
25Matt SauerRHP1/21/19992017 Draft
26Raimfer SalinasOF12/31/20002017 IFA
27Ryder GreenOF5/5/20002018 Draft
28Anthony GarciaOF9/5/20002017 J-2
29Antonio CabelloOF11/1/20002017 IFA
30Hans MonteroSS/2B12/25/20032020 J-2

Players We Could See In 2021: Clarke Schmidt, Deivi Garcia, Estevan Florial, Chris Gittens

Dynasty Overview: This is a pretty unique farm system in that only a small handful of the 30 fantasy-relevant prospects have a chance to reach the majors in 2021. I wouldn't completely rule out one of Luis Medina, Alexander Vizcaino or Luis Gil debuting out of the bullpen late in the year, but it wouldn't be in a fantasy-relevant role. Schmidt will be a faller on the next top-400 update due to his recent elbow injury, and he's completely off the redraft radar now, although hopefully he gets healthy and can be heard from this summer. The new buzzy prospect du jour is Fidel Montero, who is seen as the top prospect from their 2020 international class, even though he didn't get as big of a bonus as Hans Montero (no relation). These guys who pop late in the process can sometimes turn out to be huge risers in the ensuing years. Of course, this farm system is littered with hitters from the international market who performed below expectations when they came stateside, but Fidel has the power/speed tools we're looking for, it's just a matter of how much he hits.

RAYS

 NamePositionDOBSigned
1Wander FrancoSS/2B/3B3/1/20012017 J-2
2Randy ArozarenaOF2/28/19952016 J-2
3Josh LoweOF2/2/19982016 Draft
4Carlos ColmenarezSS/2B/3B11/15/20032020 J-2
5Luis PatinoRHP10/26/19992016 J-2
6Vidal Brujan2B/OF2/9/19982014 IFA
7Heriberto HernandezDH/OF/C12/16/19992017 IFA
8Shane McClanahanLHP4/28/19972018 Draft
9Shane BazRHP6/17/19992017 Draft
10Seth JohnsonRHP9/19/19982019 Draft
11Xavier Edwards2B/OF8/9/19992018 Draft
12Greg JonesSS/OF/2B3/7/19982019 Draft
13Taylor WallsSS/2B/3B7/10/19962017 Draft
14Taj BradleyRHP3/20/20012018 Draft
15JJ GossRHP12/25/20002019 Draft
16Osleivis BasabeSS/OF9/13/20002017 IFA
17Nick BitskoRHP6/16/20022020 Draft
18Brent HoneywellRHP3/31/19952014 Draft
19Brendan McKayLHP12/18/19952017 Draft
20Kevin Padlo3B/1B7/15/19962014 Draft
21Joe RyanRHP6/5/19962018 Draft
22Cole WilcoxRHP7/14/19992020 Draft
23Jhonny PironOF6/2/20042020 J-2
24Jose PenaOF12/24/20022019 J-2
25Ian SeymourLHP12/13/19982020 Draft
26Hunter BarnhartRHP2/14/20022020 Draft
27Pedro Martinez2B/3B1/28/20012018 IFA
28Blake HuntC11/10/19982017 Draft
29Curtis Mead2B/OF10/26/20002018 IFA
30Josh FlemingLHP5/18/19962017 Draft
31Gabriel AriasSS 2020 J-2
32Jesus QuevedoSS9/12/20032020 J-2
33Alejandro PieOF/3B/SS1/31/20022018 J-2
34Drew StrotmanRHP9/3/19962017 Draft
35Alika WilliamsSS3/12/19992020 Draft
36Jhon DiazOF10/1/20022019 J-2
37Nick SchnellOF3/27/20002018 Draft
38Esteban Quiroz2B2/17/19922017 IFA
39John DoxakisLHP8/20/19982019 Draft
40Michael GigliottiOF12/14/19962017 Draft
41Garrett WhitleyOF3/13/19972015 Draft
42Logan DriscollC/OF11/3/19972019 Draft
43Niko HulsizerOF2/1/19972018 Draft
44Cal StevensonOF9/12/19962018 Draft

Players We Could See In 2021: Wander Franco, Randy Arozarena, Josh Lowe, Luis Patino, Vidal Brujan, Shane McClanahan, Shane Baz, Taylor Walls, Brent Honeywell, Brendan McKay, Kevin Padlo, Joe Ryan, Josh Fleming, Drew Strotman

Dynasty Overview: The Rays, who have the game's best farm system, are great at developing and acquiring talent, but they are still an undesirable location for our dynasty prospects. The bar to clear to be an everyday player or to be handled like a traditional starting pitcher is just so high, that we can assume guys like Brujan and McClanahan will not get a fantasy-friendly role immediately. We want our non-elite Rays prospects to get shipped to a different organization. Lowe, Heriberto Hernandez, Seth Johnson, Taj Bradley, Osleivis Basabe and Jose Pena are some of my personal favorites in this system. I'm basically out on Honeywell, as it's hard to see him making it as a starter given his extremely long injury history. I'm also quite low on McKay after being too high on him a couple years ago. He's more of a No. 4 starter than a No. 2, and this shoulder injury is quite concerning.

BLUE JAYS

 NamePositionDOBSigned
1Austin MartinOF/3B/2B3/23/19992020 Draft
2Jordan Groshans3B11/10/19992018 Draft
3Nate PearsonRHP8/20/19962017 Draft
4Simeon Woods RichardsonRHP9/27/20002018 Draft
5Orelvis Martinez3B/2B11/19/20012018 J-2
6Alek ManoahRHP1/9/19982019 Draft
7Adam KloffensteinRHP8/25/20002018 Draft
8Alejandro KirkC11/6/19982016 IFA
9Manuel BeltreSS1/9/20042020 J-2
10CJ Van EykRHP9/15/19982020 Draft
11Estiven MachadoSS/2B10/4/20022019 J-2
12Gabriel MorenoC2/14/20002016 J-2
13Julian MerryweatherRHP10/14/19912014 Draft
14Otto Lopez2B/OF/SS10/1/19982016 J-2
15Miguel Hiraldo3B/2B9/5/20002017 J-2
16Sem RobberseRHP10/12/20012019 IFA
17Cristian FelizOF9/7/20022019 J-2
18Trent PalmerRHP10/18/19982020 Draft
19Eric PardinhoRHP1/5/20012017 J-2
20Yosver ZuluetaRHP1/23/19982019 IFA
21Rikelvin De CastroSS1/23/20032019 J-2
22Dasan BrownOF9/25/20012019 Draft
23Ryan Noda1B/DH3/30/19962017 Draft
24Leonardo JimenezSS5/17/20012017 J-2
25Will RobertsonOF12/26/19972019 Draft
26Josh PalaciosOF7/30/19952016 Draft
27Peniel Brito3B/OF12/20/20022019 J-2
28Endri Garcia2B/3B/OF11/9/20022019 J-2
29Victor MesiaC1/18/20032019 J-2
30Joey MurrayRHP9/23/19962018 Draft

Players We Could See In 2021: Nate Pearson, Simeon Woods Richardson, Alek Manoah, Alejandro Kirk, Julian Merryweather, Josh Palacios, Joey Murray

Dynasty Overview: This is my favorite system for pitching prospects (not saying it's the best, just my favorite), just edging out Kansas City in that regard. I've got at least one share of all the top arms other than Pearson. He's not technically prospect eligible due to days on the active roster, but I'm a huge Thomas Hatch fan, and he'd be a top-150 prospect if eligible. Manoah is a guy I'm probably higher on than most, yet I wish I had even more exposure to him than I do. I see frontline potential there if the changeup is indeed as good as it's rumored to be. I suppose it's possible that one of Austin Martin or Jordan Groshans could see the majors this year, but it would need to be as an injury replacement. Manuel Beltre and Estiven Machado are a couple of my favorite under-the-radar infielders from the last two international signing classes. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Anderson
James Anderson is RotoWire's Lead Prospect Analyst, Assistant Baseball Editor, and co-host of Farm Fridays on Sirius/XM radio and the RotoWire Prospect Podcast.
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