Farm Futures: Short-Season/Rookie Hitter Index

This is the third annual Short-Season/Rookie Hitter Index. As you should know by now, the short-season and rookie leagues, which begin play every year in mid-June, are the breeding ground of tomorrow's elite prospects. Ronald Acuna, Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr. and Wander Franco all saw their stock catapult in dynasty leagues before they got to Low-A (and in some cases before they played their first pro game). In serious dynasty leagues, if you don't roster these guys in rookie ball, you don't roster them.

What these players do on the field over the next 10 weeks is more important than anything they have done thus far in pro ball. I will update the top 400 prospect rankings as often as possible over the rest of the season, and the players in short-season and rookie leagues are the ones who can help their stock the most.

The whole point of this piece is to provide you a tool with which you can locate breakouts and guys you want to roll the dice on without further help from me. I tried to primarily include players at age-appropriate levels, so the top college guys from the 2019 draft were not included (they can really only hurt their stock in the levels below Low-A). This is such a fluid market for dynasty-league value, that I would recommend doing some of the legwork yourself. Do not hesitate. It's better to grab a guy and cut him for someone else a couple weeks later than to wait on someone and get sniped.

Before getting to the players, I wanted to provide some stuff to keep in mind when you're wading into these waters.

APPROPRIATE AGE

DSL: 16-17

GCL/AZL: 17-18

APPY/PIONEER: 17-19

NORTHWEST/NEW YORK-PENN: 18-19

DO NOT OVERREACT TO DSL STATS

It's just a different game in the Dominican Summer League. The quality of pitching and defense is the worst you will find in pro ball (99% of DSL pitchers should not be rostered in any format). If you have any semblance of an approach, you will put up big numbers there. Additionally, players can run wild on the bases in that league even without plus speed. The stats sometimes translate, but I typically only get excited when it's a player I was excited about before they started raking in the DSL (Julio Rodriguez is a good example from last year).

BEWARE THE R/R CORNER GUYS

When a player is in rookie ball and it is already clear that they won't stick up the middle, there will be pressure on the bat at every stop for the next 3-5 years. The R/R aspect is important to remember, because there is even more pressure on these guys to hit right-handed pitching in order to become everyday players -- a left-handed hitter can at least profile on the strong side of a platoon if they struggle against same-handed pitching. This rule is especially true of guys who are already pretty big, because we can assume they will get even bigger before reaching the majors, which could mean they become a DH-only prospect.

Without further ado, here is this year's Short-Season/Rookie Hitter Index:

The Known Studs

The players in this tier who were not selected in the 2019 draft should already be rostered in RDI-sized leagues. They are listed in approximately the order they will be ranked in the next top-400 update.

Kristian Robinson, OF, Short-Season Hillsboro

George Valera, OF, Short-Season Mahoning Valley

Marco Luciano, SS, AZL

Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Unassigned (likely AZL)

Riley Greene, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Brayan Rocchio, 2B/SS, Short-Season Mahoning Valley

Corbin Carroll, OF, Unassigned (likely AZL)

CJ Abrams, SS/OF, AZL

Keoni Cavaco, SS/3B, GCL

Noelvi Marte, SS, DSL

Brett Baty, 3B/1B, GCL

Everson Pereira, OF, New York-Penn League

Antonio Cabello, OF, Appy League

Antoni Flores, SS, Short-Season Lowell

Gabriel Rodriguez, SS, DSL

Misael Urbina, OF, DSL

Jhon Torres, OF, Appy League

Orelvis Martinez, SS, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Jeremy De La Rosa, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Alexander Canario, OF, AZL

Osleivis Basabe, SS/OF, AZL

Johnathan Rodriguez, OF, Short-Season Mahoning Valley

Alexander Vargas, SS, DSL

Juan Pie, OF, New York-Penn League

Luis Toribio, 3B, AZL

Pedigree Guys Who Could Pop

These prospects all received or are expected to receive seven-figure bonuses (or close to it), but have not blown up yet. Many of these players are either already ranked or will be ranked in the next top-400 update.

Alvin Guzman, OF, DSL

Gunnar Henderson, SS, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Danny Diaz, 3B, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Matthew Lugo, SS, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Eduardo Lopez, OF, DSL

Luis Verdugo, SS, AZL

Jose Lopez, OF, DSL

Tyler Callihan, 2B/OF, Unassigned (likely Pioneer League)

Rece Hinds, 3B/OF, Unassigned (likely AZL)

Junior Sanquintin, SS, DSL

Aaron Bracho, 2B/SS, AZL

Yordys Valdes, SS, AZL

Christian Cairo, SS, AZL

Adinso Reyes, SS, DSL

Jose De La Cruz, OF, DSL

Colin Barber, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

D'Shawn Knowles, OF, Pioneer League

Jeremiah Jackson, SS, Pioneer League

Kyren Paris, SS, Unassigned (likely AZL)

Trent Deveaux, OF, AZL

Alexander Ramirez, OF, DSL

Diego Cartaya, C, DSL

Nasim Nunez, SS, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Victor Mesa Jr., OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Carlos Rodriguez, OF, Unassigned (likely Pioneer League)

Eduardo Garcia, SS, DSL

Joe Gray, OF, Pioneer League

Eduarqi Fernandez, OF, DSL

Larry Ernesto, OF, AZL

Branlyn Jaraba, OF, DSL

Adrian Hernandez, OF, Unassigned (likely Appy League)

Francisco Alvarez, C, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Freddy Valdez, OF, DSL

Kevin Alcantara, OF, DSL

Raimfer Salinas, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Anthony Volpe, SS, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Ronny Rojas, SS, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Sammy Siani, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Joshua Mears, OF, AZL

Jairo Pomares, OF, AZL

Trejyn Fletcher, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Nick Schnell, OF, Unassigned (likely Appy League)

Alejandro Pie, SS, DSL

David Garcia, C, Northwest League

The Sleepers

This is the group I would be tracking for this year's crop of off-the-radar breakouts. Many of these players will be added to the top 400 on the next update.

Wilderd Patino, OF, AZL

Glenallen Hill Jr., SS, Unassigned (likely AZL)

Jeferson Espinal, OF, DSL

Gilberto Jimenez, OF, Short-Season Lowell

Bryan Gonzalez, OF, DSL

Brainer Bonaci, SS/2B, DSL

Elio Prado, OF, DSL

Albert Feliz, OF, DSL

Rafael Morel, SS, DSL

Joe Naranjo, 1B, Unassigned (likely AZL)

Angel Martinez, SS, DSL

Juan Guerrero, SS, DSL

Aiverson Rodriguez, SS, DSL

Yohander Martinez, SS, DSL

Andy Pages, OF, AZL

Cristhian Rodriguez, 3B, DSL

William Lugo, 3B, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Angel Rojas, 2B, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Oswald Peraza, SS, New York-Penn League

Marcos Cabrera, 3B, DSL

Jordan Diaz, 3B, New York-Penn League

Alexander Mojica, 3B, DSL

Albert Fabian, 1B/OF, DSL

Luis Matos, OF, DSL

Joerlin De Los Santos, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Alberto Figuereo, 2B, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Abiezel Ramirez, SS/2B, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Luisangel Acuna, SS, DSL

Alexander Ovalles, OF, AZL

Dasan Brown, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Best of the Rest

These are players I'm tracking, but not necessarily players who need to be on your radar just yet, unless you play in a really deep league. They are not top-400 prospects yet, but all of them are capable of getting there by the end of the year.

Jorge Barrosa, OF, Short-Season Hillsboro

Liover Peguero, SS, Pioneer League

Dairon Cuevas, SS, DSL

Luis Rubio, SS, DSL

Asdrubal Martinez, OF, DSL

Kevin Infante, OF, DSL

Angel Gomez, OF, DSL

Naysbel Marcano, C, DSL

Reivaj Garcia, 2B, Short-Season Eugene

Yohendrick Pinango, OF, DSL

James Beard, OF, AZL

Anderson Comas, OF, Pioneer League

Ilvin Fernandez, SS, DSL

Raynel Delgado, SS/2B/3B, Short-Season Mahoning Valley

Sterling Romero, OF, DSL

Korey Holland, OF, Short-Season Mahoning Valley

Eddy Diaz, SS, Pioneer League

Warming Bernabel, SS/3B, DSL

Pedro Mota, SS/2B, DSL

Yoan Bravo, SS, DSL

Cristian Gonzalez, 3B/SS, DSL

Omar Diaz, OF, DSL

Miguel Palma, C, DSL

Omar Florentino, SS, DSL

Wilmin Candelario, SS, DSL

Ender Avendano, 2B, DSL

Felix Valerio, 2B, AZL

Carlos Roa, SS, DSL

Micah Bello, OF, Pioneer League

Jaylen Palmer, 3B, Appy League

Luis Castillo, 2B/SS, DSL

Anthony Garcia, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Antonio Gomez, C, GCL

Roberto Chirinos, SS, Appy League

Agustin Ramirez, C, DSL

Kevin Richards, OF, New York-Penn League

Marcus Smith, OF, AZL

Lawrence Butler, OF, New York-Penn League

Jamari Baylor, SS, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Alexeis Azuaje, 2B, DSL

Sergio Campana, OF, DSL

Orlando Chivilli, SS, DSL

Hudson Head, OF, Unassigned (likely AZL)

Jose Velez, OF, DSL

Charlis Aquino, SS, DSL

Euribiel Angeles, 2B, DSL

Eduard Hidalgo, OF, DSL

Garrett Frechette, 1B, AZL

Victor Bericoto, 1B/OF, DSL

Asdrubal Bueno, 2B, DSL

Jonatan Clase, OF, DSL

Malcom Nunez, 3B/1B, Appy League

Adanson Cruz, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Victor Garcia, OF, Appy League

Carlos Soler, OF, Appy League

Diego Velasquez, C, DSL

Gionti Turner, 2B, Appy League

Daiwer Castellanos, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Jelfry Marte, SS, Appy League

Cody Freeman, SS/2B, AZL

Randy Florentino, C, AZL

Johan Lopez, OF, DSL

Heriberto Hernandez, 1B/C, AZL

Jose Rodriguez, C, DSL

Efrenyer Narvaez, C, DSL

Miguel Hiraldo, 3B/2B, Appy League

Leonardo Jimenez, SS, Appy League

Alberto Rodriguez, OF, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Andry Arias, 1B, Unassigned (likely GCL)

Pitchers

I only included pitchers that I like enough to roster before they get to full-season ball. In most cases, picking up rookie-level pitchers is a poor use of a roster spot. Many of the pitchers listed here from the 2019 draft class may not pitch at all this season, as teams look to give them rest after a long spring season. They are listed in approximately the order they will be ranked in the next top-400 update.

Ethan Hankins, RHP, Short-Season Mahoning Valley

Adam Kloffenstein, RHP, Northwest League

Matthew Allan, RHP, Unassigned

Daniel Espino, RHP, AZL

Brennan Malone, RHP, Unassigned

Blake Walston, LHP, Unassigned

Osiel Rodriguez, RHP, DSL

Quinn Priester, RHP, GCL

Jimmy Lewis, RHP, Unassigned

Carlos Vargas, RHP, Short-Season Mahoning Valley

Richard Gallardo, RHP, AZL

JJ Goss, RHP, Unassigned

Tahnaj Thomas, RHP, Appy League

Frank Lopez, RHP, AZL

Yoendrys Gomez, RHP, Unassigned

Yordi Rosario, RHP, Appy League

Junior Santos, RHP, Appy League

Heitor Tokar, RHP, Unassigned

Taj Bradley, RHP, Appy League