Farm Futures: Top 10 Prospects: AL East

For the next six weeks we will be releasing the top-10 prospect rankings in each organization, starting this week with the teams in the American League East. These rankings will be updated throughout the course of the season on Rotowire.com when players switch organizations, lose their rookie eligibility or when a player's development dictates a change in where they are ranked within their team's system. These rankings are intended for dynasty league owners, as many of the players mentioned will not contribute in 2015.

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Rank, Name, Position, Age, Projected Level For Start Of 2015

ORIOLES

1. Dylan Bundy, RHP, 22, Triple-A
2. Hunter Harvey, RHP, 20, High-A
3. Chance Sisco, C/DH, 19, High-A
4. Christian Walker, 1B, 23, Triple-A
5. Zach Davies, RHP, 21, Triple-A
6. Tim Berry, LHP, 23, Triple-A
7. Josh Hart, OF, 20, High-A
8. Dariel Alvarez, OF, 26, Triple-A
9. Mike Wright, RHP, 25, Triple-A
10. Mike Yastrzemski, OF, 24, Double-A

Overview:

There is a massive drop-off after the top two names on this list. Bundy and Harvey should be owned in basically all dynasty formats, and unless your league goes 150-plus prospects deep, that is where the fantasy intrigue ends. A few of the names in the middle of the list could contribute in some fashion in 2015, but there is very little upside after the two potential frontline starters that headline this system.

Most Upside:

Dylan Bundy - There might be a post-hype window to trade for Bundy this offseason, after Tommy John surgery resulted in a lost season in 2013 and rehab outings at the lower levels in 2014. He might be a year or two away from getting all the way back to being the dominant force he was in his first professional season in 2012, but Bundy boasts as much upside as any minor league pitcher not named Lucas Giolito. Look for him to get some starts in the big leagues later this summer, with a good chance to be a part of the Opening Day rotation in 2016.

Best Bet For 2015:

Christian Walker - This is just a name for deep mixed leagues and AL-only formats, but it's conceivable that Walker could get enough at-bats in 2015 to hit double-digit home runs for the Orioles. It is not clear that he has the bat to be an everyday first baseman at the highest level, and he might just end up being a Quad-A guy, but with Steve Pearce and Delmon Young in the mix for significant at-bats in Baltimore, Walker's competition is not very staunch. Look for him to start the year in Triple-A and get the call if someone is struggling or if there is an injury.

RED SOX

1. Rusney Castillo, OF, 27, Majors
2. Henry Owens, LHP, 22, Triple-A
3. Manuel Margot, OF, 20, High-A
4. Blake Swihart, C, 22, Triple-A
5. Rafael Devers, 3B, 18, Short Season
6. Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, 21, Triple-A
7. Michael Chavis, 3B/SS, 19, Short Season
8. Michael Kopech, RHP, 18, Short Season
9. Nick Longhi, OF, 19, Low-A
10. Wendell Rijo, 2B, 19, High-A

Overview:

This might be the deepest system in the big leagues, especially in terms of potential impact fantasy talent. There are 10-12 other names that could reasonably be ranked as top-10 fantasy prospects in the system, and after the first six names on the list, it really comes down to personal preference. One factor for fantasy relevance in this system, especially among the hitters, is that the bar to clear to become an everyday regular is much higher than in other organizations. Look no further than Jackie Bradley, Will Middlebrooks, and Garin Cecchini -- players who were once highly touted, and have now been demoted on the organizational depth chart or traded in favor of better external options. This lessens the edge that players who are presumably close to the big leagues have over players with more upside who are further away. It does not matter how close a player is if they are never going to get a real shot over the incumbent at their position.

Most Upside:

Rafael Devers - Rusney Castillo and Manuel Margot also have strong claims here, but Devers' power is the separator. He is three-to-five years away from getting to The Show, so it does not make sense to roster him in leagues where 50 or fewer minor leaguers are owned, but if everything clicks he could put up prototypical middle-of-the-order numbers while qualifying at third base.

Best Bet For 2015:

Rusney Castillo - This one is easy. For owners in single-season leagues, Castillo should be considered a top-three prospect for 2015, and he has the overall upside to rank as a top-15 prospect in dynasty leagues. Castillo will be the everyday center fielder for the foreseeable future in Boston, and has the potential to hit 15 homers with 25 steals in his first full season. If he hits .290, this is a player who will be a catalyst on championship-winning fantasy teams this season, but even if he hits .260, Castillo will be well worth a top-100 pick.

YANKEES

1. Luis Severino, RHP, 20, Double-A
2. Aaron Judge, OF, 22, Double-A
3. Greg Bird, 1B, 22, Double-A
4. Jorge Mateo, SS, 19, Short Season
5. Ian Clarkin, LHP, 19, High-A
6. Robert Refsnyder, 2B, 23, Triple-A
7. Gary Sanchez, C, 22, Double-A
8. Tyler Austin, OF, 23, Triple-A
9. Leonardo Molina, OF, 17, Rookie Ball
10. Miguel Andujar, 3B, 19, High-A

Overview:

Without many graduations in recent years, the Yankees still had plenty of risers and fallers in their top-10. The Slade Heathcott/Mason Williams/Tyler Austin outfield triumvirate has lost almost all of its luster, and Gary Sanchez has stalled, prompting questions about his potential to stick at catcher and his ability to hit enough to move to first base or DH. Not to fear, however, as the emergence of Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, and others leaves this system in better shape than it has been in several years. Few will be able to contribute before 2016, but there is a well-rounded group of players with significant upside represented in this top-10.

Most Upside:

Aaron Judge - While Jorge Mateo and Leonardo Molina can challenge Judge for this title, the hulking right fielder gets the edge based on his extreme raw power and the fact that he might be only a year or two away from contributing. It's always risky to bet on a 6-foot-7 hitter, but after Judge's excellent showing in the Arizona Fall League, the hype surrounding him in dynasty leagues will be through the roof heading into the 2015 season.

Best Bet For 2015:

Robert Refsnyder - There was a lot more to like with regard to Refsnyder's prospects for 2015 prior to the Yankees signing Stephen Drew, as there had been a gaping hole at second base. Still, Drew is not a lock to be good, or even mediocre this season, after hitting just .162 in 300 plate appearances last year. If Drew struggles, Refsnyder should get the first crack at taking over the duties at the keystone. He does not have special power or speed, but given how weak the fantasy options are at second base and shortstop, Refsnyder could reasonably hit .275 and get on base at a .350 clip, which would make him a useful middle-infield option.

RAYS

1. Daniel Robertson, SS, 20, Double-A
2. Steven Souza, OF, 25, Majors
3. Alex Colome, RHP, 26, Majors
4. Ryan Brett, 2B, 23, Triple-A
5. Blake Snell, LHP, 22, High-A
6. Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, 22, High-A
7. Enny Romero, LHP, 24, Triple-A
8. Justin Williams, OF, 19, Low-A
9. Willy Adames, SS, 19, High-A
10. Nathan Karns, RHP, 27, Triple-A

Overview:

The Rays' system may not produce any All-Stars, but there are some underrated pieces that can contribute in 2015, and some interesting younger players with some upside that carry a bit more risk. The top player in the system is Daniel Robertson, a shortstop acquired in the Ben Zobrist trade with Oakland who could get on base at a high clip and hit 10-15 homers in his prime. That Robertson checks in as the top guy speaks to the lack of upside in the system. But there are also four players on this list who have already debuted in the big leagues, so there is a lot of safety here.

Most Upside:

Taylor Guerrieri - The answer is actually Adrian Rondon, a shortstop the Rays signed out of the Dominican Republic last summer, but he does not turn 17 until July, so he did not make the top-10. For the purpose of this column, I'll talk about Guerrieri, who may be a bit of a forgotten man in some dynasty leagues. Tommy John surgery in 2013 and a couple failed drug tests have really stalled his development, but no starter has better raw stuff in the Rays' system. For the above reasons, he also carries the most risk among the pitchers on this list, but if he can make solid strides in 2015, the potential of a No. 2 starter could come back into focus.

Best Bet For 2015:

Steven Souza - Alex Colome, Ryan Brett, Enny Romero, and Nathan Karns could all contribute this year as well, but Souza is the only player who is poised to have a starting job all season. It is hard to argue with Souza's success in the upper levels of the minor leagues, hitting 33 homers with 46 steals in 173 games between Double-A and Triple-A over the last two seasons. There should be concerns about Souza's ability to hit for a high average, but if he goes 20/20, he could hit .245 and nobody would complain. In OBP leagues, his value is much higher, as he could get on base at a .370 clip right away.

BLUE JAYS

1. Daniel Norris, LHP, 21, Majors
2. Dalton Pompey, OF, 22, Majors
3. Aaron Sanchez, RHP, 22, Majors
4. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, 22, Disabled List
5. Devon Travis, 2B, 23, Triple-A
6. Roberto Osuna, RHP, 19, High-A
7. Miguel Castro, RHP, 20, High-A
8. Jairo Labourt, LHP, 20, Low-A
9. Max Pentecost, C, 21, Low-A
10. Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, 19, Short Season

Overview:

Toronto's system is flush with high-impact talent that is ready to contribute and risky, high-upside options in the lower levels of the minors. The top four names on this list are all players worth owning in the majority of dynasty formats. Daniel Norris and Dalton Pompey get the nod over Aaron Sanchez, who may be best suited as a dominant closer, which, while valuable, makes him a more volatile option. This is a borderline top-15 fantasy system overall, but it could reasonably be labeled the No. 1 system in baseball in terms of fantasy contributors for 2015.

Most Upside:

Jeff Hoffman - The upside matches the risk with Hoffman, as he had Tommy John surgery in May and even if everything goes perfectly in his return, he is still about three years away from the big leagues. However, he has the potential for three plus pitches, including a fastball that could get back to double-plus if his pre-surgery velocity returns. While the top fantasy prospect in the system, Norris, profiles as a mid-rotation arm, Hoffman has the upside to head up a big league rotation. Even though he slid to ninth in the 2014 draft, in dynasty leagues, Hoffman should actually be taken over Tyler Kolek and Kyle Freeland -- a couple pitchers who were selected ahead of him.

Best Bet For 2015:

Dalton Pompey - The Jays might have the only system in baseball where the top-three prospects not only have the potential to be above-average fantasy options, but will also all contribute in 2015. While Norris makes for a nice sleeper at the back of Toronto's rotation due to his ability to miss bats and Sanchez's filthy stuff could make him a top-10 fantasy closer if given the job full-time, Pompey gets the edge because he is an everyday player with the potential to contribute in all five standard offensive categories. Players like Gregory Polanco and Joc Pederson are more well-known and will likely get drafted well ahead of Pompey, but he should not be forgotten about in single season leagues. It is unclear how much power he will show against high-end pitching, but if Pompey can hit .260-.270, he could approach 40 steals.