2011 Draft Prep: Top 50 prospects for Fantasy

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Fantasy is all about tomorrow. It's about believing a player can do something before he actually does it. It's the ultimate game of forecast.

So naturally, it begins with the building blocks of tomorrow: the prospects. True, a significant percentage of them don't make an immediate impact, but you want them on your radar. You want to be the one to claim them the very moment their talent aligns with their opportunity.

With that in mind, we present the top 50 prospects to have on your radar in Fantasy. They're not necessarily the ones with the most upside, though that certainly plays a factor. They're not even the ones most likely to contribute this season, though that's again a big part of the equation. They're just the ones whose names you need to know most right now, either because they'll give you something this year or because they'll be potential All Stars down the road.

To distinguish between the immediate and long-term contributors, we've included a "2011 Fantasy impact" scale, ranging from one to five. One means the player has no chance of reaching the majors this year. Five means he's on the opening day roster.

It's not an exact science, but it's a good place to start. As long as you remember these players and keep track of their development, you'll always be a step ahead of the game.

And considering tomorrow tends to get here sooner than anyone expects, that can only be a good thing.

Top 50 Rookies/Prospects for 2011
RK	Player	POS	TM	Age	2010 high	2011 impact
1	Jeremy Hellickson	SP	TB	23	Majors
Dominated upon arrival last season. Might already be the team's second-best pitcher after David Price.
2	Domonic Brown	OF	PHI	23	Majors
Five-category stud owned the minors last year, but Phillies hesitant to give him Jayson Werth 's old job.
3	Craig Kimbrel	RP	ATL	22	Majors
No arguing K potential. If he holds off Jonny Venters for saves, the Braves might not miss Billy Wagner.
4	Aroldis Chapman	RP	CIN	23	Majors
Cuban defector's 100-mph heat was as advertised in 2010. Too bad Reds want him in middle relief for now.
5	Chris Sale	RP	CHW	22	Majors
Was closing last September after getting drafted in June. Might keep closing if he doesn't get to start.
6	Dustin Ackley	2B	SEA	23	Triple-A
MVP of AFL will arrive in 2011. Incredible bat control and emerging power should make him a Fantasy stud.
7	Freddie Freeman	1B	ATL	21	Majors
Unquestioned starter for Braves despite young age. Showed ability to hit for average and power in minors.
8	Michael Pineda	SP	SEA	22	Triple-A
Minors won't contain his high-90s heat for long. He and Felix Hernandez should give M's a deadly duo.
9	Kyle Drabek	SP	TOR	23	Majors
Son of Cy Young winner looked polished in trial run. Will make immediate contribution as fifth starter.
10	Mike Moustakas	3B	KC	22	Triple-A
Former No. 2 pick exploded with .999 OPS in 2010. Should be first of big Royals prospects to arrive.
11	Brandon Belt	1B	SF	22	Triple-A
Came out of nowhere to put up silly numbers last year. Walk rate should make him an instant success.
12	Jesus Montero	C	NYY	21	Triple-A
Prospect rated higher than Buster Posey and Carlos Santana last year needs trade to meet potential.
13	Desmond Jennings	OF	TB	24	Majors
Carl Crawford's heir delayed by signing of Johnny Damon. Will get on base and run plenty when he arrives.
14	Eric Hosmer	1B	KC	21	Double-A
Corrected vision allowed former No. 3 overall pick to exceed hype. May be best pure hitter in minors.
15	Julio Teheran	SP	ATL	20	Double-A
Best of deep pitching system could force his way into the majors. Has drawn Pedro Martinez comparisons.
16	Bryce Harper	OF	WAS	18	DNP -- unsigned
Hasn't even played a game and already the best long-term prospect in Fantasy. Teenage MLB debut is possible.
17	Jake McGee	RP	TB	24	Majors
Former starting prospect now a favorite for saves. Could still start someday, but a nice relief sleeper for now.
18	Mike Minor	SP	ATL	23	Majors
Former first-rounder had great K-to-BB ratio in trial run. Will try to hold off Brandon Beachy for job.
19	Mike Trout	OF	LAA	19	Class A
Some publications like him better than Bryce Harper long-term. Certainly has the numbers to justify it.
20	J.P. Arencibia	C	TOR	25	Majors
Slugging catcher the man for Jays with John Buck (and Mike Napoli) gone. Likely an all-or-nothing type.
21	Chris Carter	OF	OAK	24	Majors
Power-and-patience specialist finished strong after an 0-for-33 debut, but likely ticketed for minors.
22	Zach Britton	SP	BAL	23	Triple-A
Shows upside on level of Brian Matusz and may leapfrog Chris Tillman as preferred injury replacement.
23	Devin Mesoraco	C	CIN	22	Triple-A
Former first-rounder showed why with 26 homers last year. Only aging Ramon Hernandez stands in his way.
24	Lonnie Chisenhall	3B	CLE	22	Double-A
Top prospect on rebuilding club may not be 30-homer guy, but should be productive. Will debut in 2011.
25	William Myers	OF	KC	20	Class A
Converted catcher not as well known as Mike Moustakas or Eric Hosmer but has similar upside offensively.
26	Jordan Walden	RP	LAA	23	Majors
Kind of a dark horse for saves right now but has stuff to claim the job by midseason and keep it long-term.
27	Matt Moore	SP	TB	21	Class A
Latest in what has become a rich pitching tradition for Rays. May be best strikeout artist in minors.
28	Danny Espinosa	2B	WAS	23	Majors
Projected starter deserves look in Fantasy for power and speed, but likely no help in batting average.
29	Brent Morel	3B	CHW	23	Majors
All but declared the starting third baseman already. Not much power yet, but a consistent .300 hitter in minors.
30	Jarrod Parker	SP	ARI	22	DNP -- injured
A risk after Tommy John surgery, but should regain elite form quickly. Wasn't far off at time of injury.
31	Kenley Jansen	RP	LAD	23	Majors
Numbers on par with Craig Kimbrel, but with more innings. If Jonathan Broxton falters again, look out.
32	Mike Montgomery	SP	KC	21	Double-A
The best in a whole slew of Royals pitcher prospects, but still unlikely to arrive before September.
33	Jason Kipnis	2B	CLE	23	Double-A
Still learning second base, but bat appears major-league ready. Rebuilding Indians likely won't hold him back.
34	Jordan Lyles	SP	HOU	20	Triple-A
Astros rushing their one legit prospect. His long-term chances are good even if he struggles at first.
35	Jerry Sands	OF	LAD	23	Double-A
Hitting for average and big-time power in minors. Door could open for him with Dodgers undecided in left field.
36	Brett Jackson	OF	CHC	22	Double-A
Proved worth with big across-the-board numbers in 2010. If injury clears way for him, he won't look back.
37	Matt Dominguez	3B	FLA	21	Double-A
Marlins determined to make him the starter despite so-so numbers in minors. Has upside, but may struggle.
38	Casey Kelly	SP	SD	21	Double-A
Converted shortstop's numbers didn't match stuff last year. Only a matter of time before he becomes an ace.
39	Dee Gordon	SS	LAD	22	Double-A
Still raw, but speed doesn't slump. As fragile as Rafael Furcal is, Gordon could be a sneaky sleeper.
40	Derek Norris	C	WAS	22	Class A
Good power and patience for catcher. If Nationals didn't have three of them already, he'd rank higher.
41	Kyle Gibson	SP	MIN	23	Triple-A
Not as dominant as some prospects, but could be legit No. 2 for Twins. And he could get chance this year.
42	Grant Green	SS	OAK	23	Class A
Emerging power threat at power-weak position in need of better approach, but old enough to get his shot.
43	Nick Franklin	SS	SEA	20	Double-A
Surprised as one of three minor-leaguers to go 20-20 in 2010. Encore performance would make him elite.
44	Wilson Ramos	C	WAS	23	Majors
Still hasn't tapped into power potential, but Nats think enough of him to give him shot at starting job.
45	Ivan Nova	SP	NYY	24	Majors
Doesn't get much hype but throws hard and held his own in debut. Supporting cast could make him a sleeper.
46	Nick Weglarz	OF	CLE	23	Triple-A
High walk rate and improving power potential could make him an instant hit if glove doesn't hold him back.
47	Hank Conger	C	LAA	23	Majors
Bat is already major-league ready, but Mike Scioscia prefers defense at catcher. Expect an uphill battle.
48	Cory Luebke	SP	SD	26	Majors
Near-certain rotation spot earns him a look in Fantasy. He could factor, but he's no ace in waiting.
49	Brandon Beachy	SP	ATL	24	Majors
Crazy numbers put him on map last year, but deep organization gives him small window to secure a role.
50	Lucas Duda	OF	NYM	25	Majors
Surprise contributor last year could be surprise starter in a Mets outfield full of injury-prone veterans.
Best of the rest: Brett Lawrie, 2B, TOR; Chris Archer, SP, TB; Jonathan Singleton, OF, PHI; Shelby Miller, SP, STL; Jacob Turner, SP, DET; Yonder Alonso, 1B, CIN; Martin Perez, SP, TEX; Jameson Taillon, SP, PIT; Aaron Hicks, OF, MIN; Manny Machado, SS, BAL; Dayan Viciedo, 3B, CHW; Tyler Matzek, SP, COL; Manuel Banuelos, SP, NYY; John Lamb, SP, KC; Michael Taylor, OF, OAK; Jean Segura, 2B, LAA; Alex White, SP, CLE; Tony Sanchez, C, PIT; Andrew Brackman, SP, NYY; Danny Duffy, SP, KC; Jaff Decker, OF, SD; Anthony Rizzo, 1B, SD; Zack Cozart, SS, CIN; Jose Iglesias, SS, BOS; and Ben Revere, OF, MIN.

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