Farm Futures: Short-Season/Rookie Hitter Index

For serious dynasty league owners, the start of short-season and rookie league play is one of the best times of the year. We finally get to see what that shiny new toy looks like in game action. Between now and the end of the season, prospects from these leagues will emerge as top-400, top-200, and even top-100 prospects. It was this time last year when Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Leody Taveras, Jesus Sanchez, Bo Bichette, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Taylor Trammell began putting together their resumes. Now all seven of those hitters are top-50 prospects in dynasty leagues. If you are asleep at the wheel over the next two months, you will miss out on the next crop of exciting, toolsy teenage building blocks in leagues that allow in-season pickups.

So which players should you be keeping an eye on? I've done that work for you. What follows is a list of the top 97 hitters in short-season or rookie leagues. Some of these guys are already household names in even the shallowest dynasty leagues, due to being high draft picks or high profile international signings. However, most of them are available on waivers, and have yet to bust onto the scene.

Players are sorted by league and listed from most upside to least upside, not necessarily in order of their ranking in the top 400. Part of the reason for this is that these player's ranking in the top 400 will be changing quite a bit in the coming weeks as I complete a large-scale update. Another reason is because most dynasty league owners are looking to hit a home run when scouring short-season and rookie leagues for prospects, and are therefore primarily concerned with upside/tools. In order to paint a quick picture of each player, age and top tool are listed. Leagues are listed from most advanced to least advanced.

New York-Penn League (Short-Season)

Will Benson, OF, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Oscar Gonzalez, OF, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Jhailyn Ortiz, OF, Williamsport (Phillies)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Nolan Jones, 3B, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Miguelangel Sierra, SS, Tri-City (Astros)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Thomas Jones, OF, Batavia (Marlins)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run

Leonardo Molina, OF, Staten Island (Yankees)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run

Cole Stobbe, 3B, Williamsport (Phillies)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit

Wilkerman Garcia, SS, Staten Island (Yankees)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit

Vidal Brujan, 2B, Hudson Valley (Rays)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run

Reynaldo Rivera, OF, Connecticut (Tigers)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power

Abraham Toro-Hernandez, 3B/C, Tri-City (Astros)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power

J.J. Matijevic, OF/1B/2B, Tri-City (Astros)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Hit

Bryce Denton, OF, State College (Cardinals)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Ulysses Cantu, 1B, Mahoning Valley (Indians)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Northwest League (Short-Season)

Luis Almanzar, SS/3B, Tri-City (Padres)
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit

Evan White, 1B/OF, Everett (Mariners)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Run

Pavin Smith, 1B, Hillsboro (Diamondbacks)
Age: 21
Top Tool: Hit

Brayan Hernandez, OF, Everett (Mariners)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run

Daulton Varsho, C, Hillsboro (Diamondbacks)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power

Miguel Aparicio, OF, Spokane (Rangers)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit

Aramis Ademan, SS, Eugene (Cubs)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit

Kevin Melean, 3B/2B/SS, Tri-City (Padres)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit

Kole Enright, 2B, Spokane (Rangers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit

Greifer Andrade, OF, Everett (Mariners)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power

Kevin Vicuna, SS, Vancouver (Blue Jays)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run

Appalachian League (Rookie)

Delvin Perez, SS, Johnson City (Cardinals)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run

Wander Javier, SS, Elizabethton (Twins)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Derian Cruz, SS, Danville (Braves)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run

Gilberto Celestino, OF, Greeneville (Astros)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run

Dermis Garcia, 3B, Pulaski (Yankees)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Isranel Wilson, OF, Danville (Braves)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Seuly Matias, OF, Burlington (Royals)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Brent Rooker, OF, Elizabethton (Twins)
Age: 22
Top Tool: Power

Michael Gigliotti, OF, Burlington (Royals)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Run

Anthony Dirocie, OF, Kingsport (Mets)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Run

Ronaldo Hernandez, C, Princeton (Rays)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit

Trey Cabbage, OF/3B, Elizabethton (Twins)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power

Walker Robbins, OF, Johnson City (Cardinals)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Nicholas Shumpert, 2B/3B, Danville (Braves)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Hit

Jeison Guzman, SS, Burlington (Royals)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit

Pioneer League (Rookie)

Pedro Gonzalez, OF, Grand Junction (Rockies)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Brandon Marsh, OF, Orem (Angels)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Ryan Vilade, SS, Grand Junction (Rockies)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Jeter Downs, OF, Billings (Reds)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run

Chad McClanahan, 3B, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Cristian Santana, 3B/2B, Ogden (Dodgers)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power

Gabriel Garcia, 1B, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit

Payton Henry, C, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Power

Romer Cuadrado, OF, Ogden (Dodgers)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Gabriel Maciel, OF, Missoula (Diamondbacks)
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run

Miles Gordon, OF, Billings (Reds)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run

Franly Mallen, 2B, Helena (Brewers)
Age: 20
Top Tool: Hit

Ricky Aracena, SS/2B, Idaho Falls (Royals)
Age: 19
Top Tool: Hit

Arizona League (Rookie)

Jordon Adell, OF, Angels
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run

Austin Beck, OF, A's
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Keston Hiura, 2B, Brewers
Age: 20
Top Tool: Hit

Jeisson Rosario, OF, Padres
Age: 17
Top Tool: Run

Lazaro Armenteros, OF, A's
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Heliot Ramos, OF, Giants
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power

Bubba Thompson, OF, Rangers
Age: 19
Top Tool: Run

Nick Pratto, 1B, Royals
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit

Jonathan Sierra, OF, Cubs
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Starling Heredia, OF, Dodgers
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Luis Campusano, C, Padres
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Johnathan Rodriguez, OF, Indians
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power

Mason House, OF, Padres
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Tirso Ornelas, OF, Padres
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power

Chris Seise, SS, Rangers
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit

Ronny Brito, SS/2B, Dodgers
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

MJ Melendez, C, Royals
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Jordy Barley, SS, Padres
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit

Gabriel Arias, SS, Padres
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit

Cash Case, SS, Reds
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Yovanny Cuevas, OF, Cubs
Age: 18
Top Tool: Hit

Eguy Rosario, 2B, Padres
Age: 17
Top Tool: Run

Marcos Brito, SS, A's
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit

Lenyn Sosa, SS, White Sox
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit

Gulf Coast League (Rookie)

Kevin Maitan, SS/3B, Braves
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power

Royce Lewis, OF, Twins
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run

Yasel Antuna, SS, Nationals
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power

Mark Vientos, SS/3B, Mets
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power

Carlos Vargas, SS, Rays
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Adam Haseley, OF, Phillies
Age: 21
Top Tool: Hit

Pedro Diaz, OF, Rays
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Calvin Mitchell, OF, Pirates
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Drew Waters, OF, Braves
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Gregory Guerrero, SS/3B, Mets
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Yunior Severino, 2B, Braves
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit

Jonathan Guzman, SS, Phillies
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit

Luis Garcia, SS, Nationals
Age: 17
Top Tool: Hit

Akil Baddoo, OF, Twins
Age: 18
Top Tool: Run

Dominican Summer League (Rookie)

Luis Robert, OF, White Sox
Age: 19
Top Tool: Power

Victor Garcia, OF, Cardinals
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power

Daniel Montano, OF, Rockies
Age: 18
Top Tool: Power

Freudis Nova, SS/3B, Astros
Age: 17
Top Tool: Power