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2021 Dynasty Hot 100: Your Fantasy Draft Guide To First-Year Players

Dynasty Hot100 2021

Even in a typical year, your dynasty league's first-year player draft can be a challenge to navigate, simply because of the high volume of players.

But 2020 was anything but typical. Because of the pandemic, only one 2020 draft pick—White Sox lefthander Garrett Crochet—appeared in an official pro game. Every other player who turned pro in 2020 had his season shortened by the pandemic. High schools and colleges stopped playing in March. International amateurs saw the opening of the signing period pushed from July to January.

Thus dynasty leaguers must contend with less performance data and fewer in-person looks than ever before. That makes scouting information you can trust more important than ever, and that's where Baseball America can help with its second annual Dynasty Hot 100 ranking of first-year players.

Just like last year, draft guru Carlos Collazo and international guru Ben Badler provide BA subscribers with invaluable context and updated information on the top 100 prospects you should be looking at in first-year player drafts.

And since our first installment in early February, we've continued to gather information on first-year prospects. Our March 19th update includes several risers and new additions to the list:

PODCAST: Carlos, Ben and Matt discuss the 2021 Hot 100

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Notes
H stands for batting/pitching hand, where an asterisk (*) denotes lefthanded, blank signifies righthanded and a pound sign (#) means switch-hitter.
— We have omitted signing bonuses for international players until, it most cases, they become official.
BA Grades appear in the 2021 Prospect Handbook and estimate players' projected major league value on the 20-80 scouting scale. Click through each player to access all scouting reports we have on file for him.



RkHPlayerPosOrgAgeSourceT100BA500BonusGradeRiskETA
1Spencer Torkelson1BDET214YR51$8,416,30070High2022
High-probability offensive tools with top-of-the-scale power potential; middle-of-the-order masher
2Austin MartinSSTOR224YR192$7,000,82565High2022
Elite hit tool with proven track record against SEC pitching; athleticism to offer defensive versatility
3Ha-Seong Kim2BSDP25IFA7855High2021
Kim is your best bet for a position player who will deliver immediate value this year as a well-rounded player who could be an above-average hitter and play multiple positions.
4Nick Gonzales2BPIT224YR515$5,432,40055High2022
Chance for high-end hit tool at a middle infield spot; questions about power potential & usable speed
5*Zac VeenOFCOL19HS867$5,000,00060Extreme2024
Chance for above-average bat and plus or better power; corner profile with average speed
6Max MeyerRHPMIA224YR4410$6,700,00060High2022
Explosive two-pitch combination with fastball and slider; chance to miss plenty of bats in starting role
7*Asa LacyLHPKCR224YR373$6,670,00060High2022
Loud stuff from the left side, chance for above-average arsenal across the board with solid control
8*Robert HassellOFSDP19HS8516$4,300,00060Extreme2024
Best pure hitter in 2020 prep class; well-rounded profile with chance for solid power/speed combo
9*Heston KjerstadOFBAL224YR6213$5,200,00060High2022
Corner outfield profile with standout power potential; homers in college came with high whiff rate
10*Garrett MitchellOFMIL224YR916$3,242,90060Extreme2023
Outstanding raw toolset; elite runner, center field profile with raw power—medical, hit tool risks
11Cristian HernandezSSCHC17IFA2026
Chance to be an impact, middle-of-the-lineup hitter with advanced swing mechanics and power for his age.
12*Tyler SoderstromCOAK19HS9218$3,300,00060Extreme2024
Advanced prep bat with plus hit & power potential; impressed at A's alternate site; catcher questions
13Emerson HancockRHPSEA224YR574$5,700,00060High2022
Well-rounded arsenal with chance for plus command; questions about FB/SL impact, swing & miss rate
14*Garrett CrochetLHPCWS224YR7415$4,547,50055High2021
High-octane fastball with proven ability to miss bats in the bigs; injury questions and reliever risk
15*Carlos ColmenarezSSTBR17IFA2026
Lefthanded-hitting middle infielder with a sweet, easy stroke from the left side, impressive bat speed and power for his size.
16*Austin HendrickOFCIN20HS979$4,000,00060Extreme2024
Best raw power in 2020 prep class; Chance for prototypical right field profile but high-risk
17Aaron Sabato1BMIN224YR35$2,750,00050High2023
Elite raw power, strong track record of production in ACC; 1B only with limited defensive value/speed
18*Reid DetmersLHPLAA214YR8$4,670,00055High2022
Polished college lefthander with advanced command, hammer curve; velocity could cap upside
19*Pete Crow-ArmstrongOFNYM19HS17$3,359,00055Very High2024
Safe prep profile with 70-grade run, defense tools in center field; feel for the barrel but impact questions
20Cade CavalliRHPWAS224YR22$3,027,00055High2023
Picturesque delivery/frame with better pure stuff than college performance; breakout pro candidate
21Mick AbelRHPPHI19HS9911$4,075,00060Extreme2024
Well-rounded with few holes to speak of outside of track record; top-of-the-rotation upside
22Wilman DiazSSLAD17IFA2026
Promising mix of tools, athleticism and in-game skills for his age, including a sound swing and power with a chance to stay at shortstop.
23J.T. GinnRHPNYM224YR23$2,900,00055Extreme2023
When healthy, showed potential 70s with FB and SL with good command; Tommy John adds risk
24*Austin WellsCNYY214YR21$2,500,00050High2023
Offensive-oriented backstop with strong college power production; needs to refine defense to stick
25Cole WilcoxRHPSDP214YR24$3,300,00055Very High2023
Physical righthander with big fastball; carries reliever risk given spotty command history, secondaries
26Jared KelleyRHPCWS19HS12$3,000,00055Extreme2024
Power armed prep means plenty of risk, but size and and ease of operation could make him an outlier
27Slade CecconiRHPARI224YR32$2,384,90055High2023
Strong combination of size, pure stuff and command; needs to prove health and durability in pro ball
28Bobby MillerRHPLAD224YR28$2,197,50055High2023
Power arm with electric fastball/slider combination; needs to refine command/sequencing to start
29Justin Foscue2BTEX224YR36$3,250,00050High2023
College performer with above-average hit/power potential; defensive limitations and mild toolset
30Nick LoftinSSKCR224YR29$3,000,00050High2023
Solid-average all-around toolset, more than sum-of-his-parts type; should stick in middle infield
31Jordan WestburgSSBAL224YR33$2,365,50050High2023
Plus runner with plus raw power; should stick on the left side of the infield; needs to cut down whiffs
32Ed HowardSSCHC19HS20$3,745,50055Extreme2024
Instinctual and nuanced defensive shortstop; overall upside reliant on all-around offensive growth
33Jordan Walker3BSTL19HS34$2,900,00055Extreme2024
Long limbed corner infield with plus power potential; moves well but still could move to 1B long-term
34Tanner BurnsRHPCLE224YR26$1,600,00050High2022
Plus fastball but solid SEC starting track record due to advanced command than overwhelming stuff
35Chris McMahonRHPCOL224YR30$1,637,40050High2023
Three above-average pitches with solid control; mid-rotation upside but some injury history adds risk
36#Gage Workman3BDET214YR51$1,000,00050High2023
Athletic third baseman with above-average power potential and above-average speed; strikeout questions
37Bryce JarvisRHPARI234YR37$2,650,00055High2023
Big strides with stuff, command in draft season; pro bloodlines but struggled at D-Backs alternate site
38*Daniel CabreraOFDET224YR42$1,210,00050High2023
Professional hitter with simple swing; corner profile and limited supplemental tools puts pressure on power development
39*Kyle HarrisonLHPSFG19HS71$2,497,50055Extreme2025
Advanced prep southpaw with depthy breaking ball, starter traits; big velocity gains in instructs
40*Jared ShusterLHPATL224YR43$2,197,50050High2023
Pitchability lefty with plus changeup, average FB/SL; upside depends on velo, breaking ball improvement
41Carson TuckerSSCLE19HS61$2,000,00050High2025
Draft riser after physical growth, increased speed; pro bloodlines, all-around toolset, feel for the barrel
42Cole HenryRHPWAS214YR44$2,000,00050High2023
Physical righthander with plus fastball, downer curve; needs to improve consistency, command
43Nick BitskoRHPTBR19HS19$3,000,00055Extreme2025
Upside northeast arm with plus FB/CB combination; extreme risk given track record, labrum surgery
44Pedro PinedaOFOAK17IFA2026
One of the top power/speed threats in the international class, some length to his stroke but plenty of bat speed and athleticism at a premium position.
45Maikol HernandezSSBAL17IFA2026
You can shoot for upside with Hernandez, who has grown taller (6-foot-4) and leaner, with promising athleticism, power and speed if everything clicks.
46*Isaiah GreeneOFNYM19HS49$850,00050Extreme2024
Advanced feel for the barrel, unfazed by velocity and high-end stuff; tweener outfield profile
47C.J. Van EykRHPTOR224YR46$1,797,50050High2023
High-floor type with average-ish tools across the board, repeatable delivery and starter track record
48*Zach DeLoachOFSEA224YR87$1,729,80050High2023
Bat, offensive approach is the calling card; on-base skills, controls the zone but limited power & speed
49Masyn WinnSS/RHPSTL19HS47$2,100,00055Extreme2025
Explosive athlete with real two-way ability; speed and power as a hitter, FB up to 98 on the mound
50*Dax FultonLHPMIA19HS52$2,400,00050Extreme2025
High-upside lefty with projectable frame and current hammer curve; recovering from TJ, needs innings
51Jared JonesRHPPIT19HS41$2,200,00055Extreme2025
Uber-athletic prep two-way player with premium stuff on the mound; high risk given effort, physicality
52Carmen MlodzinskiRHPPIT224YR25$2,050,00050High2023
Safe college starter profile; good command but sinker FB, inconsistent secondaries could limit upside
53Alex SantosRHPHOU19HS45$1,250,00055Extreme2025
Starter traits with high-spin fastball, feel for spinning breaking balls, but a high-risk demographic
54Freddy ZamoraSSMIL224YR73$1,150,00055Extreme2024
Plus defender with 55-grade speed when healthy, average bat; torn ACL prevented draft season
55Justin LangeRHPSDP19HS50$2,000,00050Extreme2025
Big-time risk/reward type with massive arm talent, FB up to 98; rudimentary skills across the board
56Jeff CriswellRHPOAK224YR53$1,000,00045High2024
Arm strength righty up to 98 with potential plus breakers; effort and control questions add reliever risk
57Nick GarciaRHPPIT224YR56$1,200,00050Very High2024
Conversion arm with surprisingly advanced starter traits, deep pitch mix; short track record on the mound
58Casey Schmitt3BSFG224YR76$1,147,50050High2023
Plus defensive potential at 3B with big arm; pure hitter in college but questions about in-game power
59Nick Yorke2BBOS19HS96$2,700,00050Extreme2024
Risky prep 2B profile but chance for plus hit tool with impressive bat speed, approach; limited toolset
60Cristian SantanaSSDET17IFA2026
Santana was one of the better hitters in games in the Dominican Republic, with a short, compact stroke and potential 15-plus home run power.
61*Evan CarterOFTEX18HS$1,250,00050Extreme2025
Under-the-radar draftee who Texas paid handsomely; Five-tool potential with power/speed combo; strong instructs performance
62Danny De AndradeSSMIN17IFA2026
One of the top international prospects, De Andrade should stick somewhere in the dirt, with a chance to hit and hit for power.
63Manuel BeltreSSTOR17IFA2026
Other international prospects have bigger raw tools, but Beltre has a compact swing and is one of the best pure hitters in the class.
64Jackson Bryan ChourioSSMIL17IFA2026
Chourio projects to play somewhere in the middle of the diamond, with an exciting package of power and speed.
65AJ Vukovich3BARI19$1,250,00050Extreme2024
Vukovich could end up at 1B, but even so, he has a promising combination of patience and outstanding raw power.
66Denzer GuzmanSSLAA17IFA2026
A likely third baseman, Guzman has a sound swing with good bat speed and power potential, one of the most advanced offensive players in the international class.
67*Manuel PenaSSARI17IFA2026
A probably 3B/2B, Pena is one of the top offensive threats from the Dominican Republic, with an advanced lefty swing and projectable power.
68*Starlin Aguilar3BSEA17IFA2026
Aguilar is one of the most advanced pure hitters in the class with a sweet lefty swing, good bat speed and power, though he will probably start at third base and has some first-base risk.
69Clayton BeeterRHPLAD224YR58$1,196,50050High2023
Loud two-pitch combo with high-spin heater, downer CB; lack of third pitch & control lead to reliever risk
70*David CalabreseOFLAA18HS67$744,20045Extreme2025
70-grade runner should stick in center field; bat-to-ball skills but lacks power with small frame
71Hudson HaskinOFBAL224YR211$1,906,80045High2024
Well-rounded toolset with chance for solid power/speed combo; swing has a lot of moving parts
72Pedro LeonOFHOU23IFA2024
Leon got the biggest bonus in the international class ($4 million), but a lot of teams didn't see much of him; he has big power, but we need to see him tested against better pitching.
73*Yeison MorrobelOFTEX17IFA2026
Morrobel is a lean, athletic outfielder with a fast, high-contact bat and lots of strength projection to hit for power, though as he fills out he could end up in a corner.
74Daniel VazquezSSKCR17IFA2026
Vazquez projects as an athletic shortstop with ample strength projection remaining his frame, giving him a chance to drive the ball with impact as he fills out.
75Yhoswar GarciaOFPHI19IFA2025
Garcia signed last year in March, so he might still be eligible in your league; he's an outstanding athlete with well above-average speed, though uncertainty comes with his hitting given the limitations from the pandemic.
76#Patrick BaileyCSFG224YR14$3,797,50050High2023
Advanced, polished defensive catcher with above-average raw power; fringy hit tool from both sides
77*Samuel ZavalaOFSDP16IFA2026
Zavala has a lot of hitterish tendencies, with a knack for barreling balls from the left side, an all-fields approach and emerging power as he's getting stronger.
78Christian RoaRHPCIN224YR64$1,543,60050Very High2023
Solid-average four-pitch mix with solid control provide high floor; back-of-the-rotation starter type
79Blaze Jordan3BBOS18HS90$1,750,00050Extreme2025
Famous prep power bat; massive raw power is the calling card, risk to move from 3B to 1B
80*Danyer CuevaSSTEX17IFA2026
The Rangers scored Maximo Acosta and Luisangel Acuña out of Venezuela; they have another talented Venezuelan infielder this year in Cueva, a high-contact hitter with a smooth stroke.
81Alerick SoularieOFMIN214YR175$900,00050High2024
Old-school hitter with crouched, handsy swing; lacks power to profile in corner outfield, chance for 2B
82Yoelqui CespedesOFCWS23IFA2024
Cespedes has good bat speed and power for his size, but teams have minimal scouting looks at him recently in part due to the pandemic, so we need to see how he fares against better arms.
83*Ariel AlmonteOFCIN17IFA2026
Almonte is a physical 6-foot-4 outfielder with a relatively compact swing for someone his size, with a sound grasp of the strike zone for his age and a chance to hit for plus power.
84Coby Mayo3BBAL19HS79$1,750,00045Extreme2025
Plus-plus raw power out of a large, physical frame with plenty of arm for the hot corner; bat needs time
85Dillon DinglerCDET224YR27$1,952,30050High2024
Athletic backstop with strong defensive skills; shortened 2020 season prevented potential offensive breakout
86#Zavier WarrenCMIL224YR122$575,00050Very High2024
Solid on-base skills, baseball IQ & average toolset; value reliant on ability to stick behind the plate
87*Nick SwineyLHPSFG224YR85$1,197,50050High2024
Reliever-turned-starter showed improved control in small sample; funky lefty with FB into mid-90s
88Casey MartinSSPHI224YR38$1,300,00050Extreme2024
First-round caliber toolset with plus power, speed, defense; approach, consistency are huge questions
89Jose FernandezSSARI174YR2026
One of the best sleepers in the international class, Fernandez has huge physical upside with a chance to be an impact hitter who could stay at shortstop.
90Miguel BleisOFBOS17IFA2026
Bleis sticks out for his lean, athletic frame and physical upside in center field as the top signing in Boston's international class.
91#Victor AcostaSSSDP17IFA2026
Acosta's value stems from his true shortstop skills, with a slashing offensive approach from both sides and more impact from the left side.
92Alika WilliamsSSTBR224YR31$1,850,00050High2024
Top defensive SS in 2020 class, fluid and smooth defender; contact skills but little power limits offense
93Kyle NicolasRHPMIA224YR68$1,129,70045High2024
Power arm with FB up to 100, firm slider up to 90; needs third pitch to start, heavy reliever risk
94#Abel BastidasSSDET17IFA2026
Long, lanky switch-hitter with a knack for finding the barrel and the physical projection to grow into more power and a chance to stick at shortstop, though he might outgrow the position.
95Hans MonteroSSNYY17IFA2026
Montero is steady across the board, a middle infielder with a compact swing, good bat speed and a line-drive approach.
96Ambioris TavarezSSATL17IFA2026
Likely ticketed for third base or a corner outfield spot, Tavarez has big bat speed and power potential.
97Ian SeymourLHPTBR224YR93$1,243,60045High2024
Deceptive southpaw with average FB, above-average CH; ultra competitive and could wind up in pen
98Gabriel GonzalezOFSEA17IFA2026
A strong, stocky outfielder, Gonzalez could end up in a corner, but he has hit well in games with power, albeit with an aggressive approach he may have to reign in.
99Armando CruzSSWAS17IFA2026
Cruz is a defensive wizard, which won't help much other than in his ability to stick at shortstop, with a split camp on his bat but solid contact skills and a high baseball IQ in all facets of the game.
100*Samuel BasalloCBAL16IFA2026
If you're comfortable with 16-year-old catchers, Basallo is worth a roster spot; he's huge for a catcher, but he has a compact swing and huge power for his age.
Ha Seong Kim (Photo By Mike Ehrmann Getty Images) (2)

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