Data has been updated through games on 5/17 and we're now over a month into all full season leagues. Data updates are happening every Thursday and Sunday, so be sure to check in on those afternoons.

Since we just released our Top 600+ Fantasy Prospects I wanted to go through and see who PLIVE+ is buying more than our dynasty team's rankings. We'll call this group of hitters the official "PLIVE+ guys" early in the season.

As always, PLIVE+ data and all our other tools can be found here:

PLIVE+ App Suite
The home to our interactive dynasty lists, projections, tools and more
Prospects LiveSmada

And here is a link to a feed of all my past PLIVE+ articles:

PLIVE+ - Prospects Live
Prospects LiveSmada

Established Prospects

Let's start with players with a decent sample of PA under their belts. For this group, they've accumulated at least 500 PA in their MiLB career and must be currently active. Additionally, I've excluded players with MLB experience or that are over 24 years old.

Thayron Liranzo, C DET (Double-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 9
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 102 (139 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
28 HR, 1 SB, 13.9% BB, 27.9% K, .240/.345/.463, 126 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

His combination of patience and power, especially given his age. Liranzo has an MiLB career 16.4% BB and .226 ISO. He is also one of 42 hitters aged 21 or younger currently at Double-A.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

He's a catcher. Additionally, while PLIVE+ takes into account his 37.4% K to start the season, it's not as scared away from that in his first taste of the upper minors. Especially given his 103 wRC+ thus far.

Summary

PLIVE+ dreams on the HR output with high OBP but history tells us Liranzo is a lot more likely to be a 450 PA catcher than a 600 PA one. Given the rough start with the strikeouts at Double-A and the fact he's a catcher I actually think the dynasty team has been a somewhat aggressive in Liranzo's ranking. In the past it's taken Francisco Alvarez & Samuel Basallo level production to get ranked in the top 10 fantasy prospects as a catcher (and is Basallo really a catcher?). It's unlikely Liranzo reaches those heights.

Luke Adams, 1B/3B MIL (Double-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 12
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 137 (193 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
17 HR, 22 SB, 14% BB, 22.4% K, .223/.373/.389, 120 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

He's simply "hit" at every level with a 198 wRC+ at the complex, 130 wRC+ in Single-A, 153 wRC+ in High-A, and now a 143 wRC+ in Double-A. Additionally he's shown stolen base ability thus far to pair with the decent power and insane OBP.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

It's not about what PLIVE+ doesn't know, but what it doesn't care about, and that's the BA and HBP totals and passive approach. You probably don't want Adams in a BA league and you can see that in the peak projection, but a .233 high mark average in Single-A is tough to look past. He also runs an extremely passive 36% Swing which would rank 2nd lowest in MLB behind Juan Soto. Additionally Adams has an uncanny ability to get hit by pitches. The MLB leader last year was Randy Arozarena with 22 HBP. Luke Adams had 40 HBP (!!) in just 418 PA last season. He also has pressure on the bat as his defensive profile isn't great and likely ends up at first base. Also, despite swiping bags, the actual speed is lacking which makes the 20+ SB projection unrealistic in the majors.

Summary

When you are not sure if a guy is going to hit, then he still hits in the high-minors, it's time to start paying attention... regardless of the question marks surrounding the profile. I'll certainly concede the speed component and highly downgrading him in batting average leagues. But Adams could easily become an OBP monster with 20+ HR over a full season. Greg Hoogkamp was our high rank at 125th overall. It's hard to imagine he wouldn't be a top 100 prospect on my personal list.

Alejandro Osuna, OF TEX (Triple-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 43
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 145 (206 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
17 HR, 19 SB, 8.6% BB, 21.6% K, .263/.334/.427, 114 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

The all-around skillset. Osuna has flashed power, speed, and plate skills. In particular, Osuna has shown vastly improved contact rates leading to a 14.4% K in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A a few days ago.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Osuna stands at 5'9" tall which leaves little room for power growth. Additionally it's unclear whether he can stick in CF, or will be blocked there, which puts a lot more pressure on the bat.

Summary

Osuna had such a loud Spring Training that some were calling for him to debut with the big league squad. However, he went back to Double-A and continued the plate discipline gains and earned the quick promotion to Triple-A. Personally, the performance and proximity outweigh the lack of a carrying tool and the potential 15/15 bat out of the gate would have me valuing him much higher than the 206th ranked prospect. Tom Gates was our high man at 103rd and I think that's warranted.

Nelson Rada, CF LAA (Double-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 48
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 193 (284 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
9 HR, 41 SB, 12.2% BB, 20.1% K, 0.267/0.362/0.379, 113 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

It starts with age to level. Rada spent the entirety of 2024 at Double-A and while he didn't light the world on fire, he held his own with an 89 wRC+. Once you add on a patient approach and wheels, you've got a highly projectable prospect. This season Rada is back at Double-A as a 19 year old and has a 133 wRC+ on the back of a 15.9% BB. Toss in 15 SB over 138 PA and you can see where why PLIVE+ gives him a 41 SB projection. Rada, Sebastian Walcott and Ethan Salas are the only 19 year old players at Double-A, and Salas just went down with a major injury.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

While PLIVE+ knows Rada is an Angels prospect, I'm not sure it really KNOWS. Also PLIVE+ does it's best to blend speed only prospects into the rankings, but may overrate their actual utility.

Summary

It's clear that PLIVE+ is a lot more willing to go out on a limb for a speed-only 19 year old at Double-A than our dynasty team. I don't blame them really, especially when guys like Victor Scott II and Chandler Simpson can arise virtually for free. What's a little unclear is why he dropped 100 spots on multiple lists since the February update. He's still in a select group of age-to-level prospects and hitting more at the level thus far. Perhaps part of the problem is a lack of Rada's peak projection actual existing in today's game. Typically zero-power players are challenged in the zone which results in more balls in play and a lower BB%. Brice Turang put together the closest line last season and he only walked 8.1% of the time. In order to do that, Turang showed patience while also running high contact rates, something that Rada is far from doing.

Aron Estrada, INF/OF BAL (High-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 69
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 447 (734 - dropped off lists)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
14 HR, 34 SB, 6.8% BB, 17.4% K, 0.268/0.323/0.409, 106 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

Primarily, PLIVE+ loved what Estrada did at Single-A last season. Over 388 PA he hit 8 HR with 31 SB while running a 16.8% K equating to a 136 wRC+. Then, Estrada held his own after getting promoted to High-A. Over a 98 PA sample he stole 8 more bases with a HR while maintaining the low K rate.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

The power projection is limited given the 5'8" frame, however Rhys White did throw a 45 power grade on him. Estrada ranked as our 12th best Orioles prospect in our pre-season list as a super-utility type player.

Summary

Estrada is by far the highest ranked hitter on PLIVE+ that didn't make a list in our May Top 600 prospects update. Given the lack of upside and uninspiring numbers at High-A so far, it's understandable. He's a floor over ceiling guy who's still in the lower levels. PLIVE+ thinks Estrada is a good bet to become a major league hitter given strong age-to-level indicators and lack of strikeouts. Also, the stolen bases should impact the fantasy game. Given he plays every spot in the field other than 1B and C, I'm getting Willi Castro vibes. In deeper leagues where just getting PAs can be difficult, Estrada should be prioritized over some low-probability lottery tickets.

Jacob Reimer, 3B/1B NYM (High-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 75
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 223 (338 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
16 HR, 2 SB, 10.5% BB, 20.4% K, 0.251/0.341/0.405, 112 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

PLIVE+ likes Reimer's plate discipline and loves what Reimer has done to start the year at High-A. After only hitting 8 HR in 419 PA in 2023 and none over 95 PA in a lost 2024 season, he's hit 7 HR in just 148 PA. According to PLIVE+, no other established prospect has risen their stock more over the last month.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Honestly, drawing a blank here. If the profile was just low power, no speed, then we'd be looking at a non-factor in fantasy, but it's clear some power has arrived.

Summary

Not to beat up on our dynasty rankings here, but I think we may have whiffed on Reimer this time around. Matt Thompson was the highest putting him 208 on his list but honestly, he should likely be valued higher than that. If Reimer continues to hit, and gets called up to Double-A in the summer the stock will soar.

Alfonsin Rosario, CF/RF CLE (High-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 78
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 225 (341 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
25 HR, 12 SB, 7.8% BB, 30.7% K, 0.233/0.305/0.429, 104 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

Given that Rosario is one of just 32 prospects projected for 25+ HR by PLIVE+, it's the power. But chip in the 12 SB projection and you get just 10 players listed, many of which profile as well below average by wRC+. Additionally, Rosario has cut the strikeouts (and walks) significantly through 100 PA in High-A .

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

According to our offseason scouting report by Rhys White, Rosario profiles more as a right fielder which will put more pressure on the bat. Also, are we changing the hit tool grade after just 100 PA in High-A?

Summary

Alfonsin Rosario was traded to the Guardians from the Cubs this offseason. It appears that Cleveland has unlocked something in Rosario who has gone from a 59.3% Contact in 2024 to 69.9% in the 2025 small sample. The power looks legit, albeit mostly pull side pop at present. The 25 HR, 12 SB projection is exciting but he'd likely need to stick in CF to get the PA opportunity to reach it without the swing and miss improving further. The PLIVE+ ranking makes sense if you're trying to shoot the moon on a power profile, but I think our dynasty rankings hedge the downside a bit better here. That said, Rosario is still a player you should be paying attention to.

Low Career PA Prospects

Moving on to the prospects who are below 500 PA, here's who PLIVE+ likes better than our consensus fantasy prospect rankings.

Andrew Salas, 2B/SS/CF MIA (Single-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 16
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 200 (302 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
14 HR, 32 SB, 13.5% BB, 20.5% K, .259/.361/.396, 117 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

He's a 17 year old at Single-A and showing strong plate skills, contact rates and speed. It's only been 133 PA but Salas is displaying similar bat to ball and plate skills as his older brother, Ethan Salas, did during his Single-A stint in 2023.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Quite a lot given the lack of PA and age, but in particular PLIVE+ doesn't know really anything about his game power. The 14 HR projection is straight regression to the mean based on age-to-level. Salas has only registered two extra base hits across 29 games, a double and a triple. However, at 17 years and 2 months old, Salas is listed at 6'2" 180 lbs.

Summary

Even though Andrew Salas didn't come with as much fanfare as his older brother, it's possible he'll be more fantasy relevant given he's not a catcher. The PLIVE+ ranking looks aggressive on the surface. But the age to level nearly guarantees Salas ends up a future MLB player, while the small sample 138 wRC+ highlights his ability to play at the level. Obviously we'll have a bit of a wait before we see Salas in the bigs, but it's hard not to envision Salas rising in our next update.

Dameury Pena, 2B MIN (Single-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 47
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 245 (373 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
19 HR, 12 SB, 7.8% BB, 12.6% K, 0.268/0.331/0.431, 114 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

PLIVE+ is all about elite walk to strikeout rates, and that's what Pena showed last year as an 18 year old in complex ball. Over 140 PA, he had a 13.6% BB and 6.4% K, while chipping in 3 HR and 4 SB.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

The homers in complex ball are likely overrating the actual power potential. Pena ranked as our 17th best Twins prospect pre-season and Adam Kiel wrote the is around his power & speed:

His power is currently well below average, and he is reaching as much as possible with a good ability to pull the ball in the air. There does not appear to be much room left on the frame, but he could get 10-12 homers. He is a fringe-average runner who will steal the random base but is not likely to add much with his legs. 

Summary

It's looking like PLIVE+ is overestimating the power potential, but you never know exactly how an 18/19 year old is going to fill out. There are not many players that age who limit strikeouts like Pena did in the Complex last year, but it was also just a 140 PA sample. Looking at this season, the strikeouts are up a bit (9.5%) and walks down a bit (6.3%) in another very small 63 PA sample. It's understandable why the dynasty team isn't all-in like PLIVE+ is here. This is a case where Pena is looking like a very likely MLB player given the plate skills at his age, but the fantasy impact isn't quite as promising. Still just 2% owned on Fantrax, Pena is a solid investment in deep leagues.

Asbel Gonzalez, CF KC (Single-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 58
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 212 (318 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
11 HR, 54 SB, 7.9% BB, 17.2% K, 0.265/0.343/0.384, 108 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

Everything but the power. This season has been insane for the 19 year old and that's highlighted by his 35 SB in 35 G, paired with a 143 wRC+. Gonzalez has also reduced the K% significantly thus far at 11.4%

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

PLIVE+ shows Asbel Gonzalez's high-level as Double-A because he had a 4 game stop over there at the end of last season. It only weights the 8 PA worth of Double-A performance in the rating, but it does boost his likelihood of making the majors in the model. So he's likely overrated by a few spots.

Summary

Asbel Gonzalez was highlighted in the first PLIVE+ article of the season and has quickly become a known name since then due to the insane SB rate. What I like most about Asbel is that he's an aggressive swinger but doesn't run high K rates. Additionally, he's not small. Listed at 6'2" 170 lbs, Gonzalez has the potential to grow into some power. Alex Kempton mentioned this in his scouting report on Gonzalez where he ranked as the 14th best Royals prospect preseason:

Gonzalez is an above-average runner with short but athletic strides and can steal bases. In the OF, he gets good reads on balls and reasonable first steps; while he has an average arm, he is an above-average fielder; it’s likely he will be able to stick in CF even as he finishes filling in his frame. While he’s still pretty raw, Gonzalez has the potential to be a platoon/utility outfielder in the future with his feel for the strike zone/above-average field tool; he needs to fill in his frame to get stronger and clean up his timing at the plate to fulfill his potential and be a more well-rounded hitter, but he could develop into an exciting prospect if he finds some power as he puts on weight/finishes filling in his frame.

Despite being further away, I think we've under-ranked him a bit in our recent fantasy prospect release. The SB upside that comes with good plate skills and a decent frame for power doesn't really exist. Players like Victor Scott II and Chandler Simpson didn't play in Single-A until 21 or 22 years old after being drafted. Gonzalez is 2+ years ahead and gets to hone his skills and develop in pro ball. A lot to like here.

Javier Mogollon, 2B CHW (Single-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 59
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 216 (327 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
22 HR, 24 SB, 12.3% BB, 32% K, .220/.322/.405, 105 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

The combo of power, speed and OBP. The complex line last season was quite insane as he hit 8 HR with 16 SB and a 18.3% BB, 38.3% K and .433 BABIP over 180 PA. Despite just 3 HR in 117 PA he's added 10 other XBH backing the power potential shown at the complex and DSL.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Last season's 38.3% K is taken into account in the projection, but PLIVE+ doesn't know the specific likelihood of a player carving out a role given the elevated swing and miss in complex ball. Additionally, Mogollon is listed at 5'8" so the over-the-fence power is likely capped.

Summary

On the surface you may want to ignore Mogollon, especially given the elevated K% last season. But he's turned his contact around in Single-A and has run a 25.6% K through 117 PA while keeping the same Swing%. The 172 wRC+ is backed by a continued 18% BB, elevated BABIP and XBH. The peak projection of 32% K is a hedge between the extreme 2024 and the improved 2025 numbers. If the contact gains stick, we've got a pretty loud profile on our hands.

Owen Carey, OF ATL (Single-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 64
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 267 (407 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
17 HR, 18 SB, 6.7% BB, 15.9% K, .265/.324/.420, 109 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

Carey was one of just a few 18 year old hitters starting the year at Single-A and he was profiled in my PLIVE+ update about those hitters last month. Additionally, PLIVE+ likes the combo of low K% (13.9%) and results (.293/.373/.406).

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Really just that Carey was a 15th round draft pick, so he's not living up to some sort of elevated pedigree.

Summary

I feel like Owen Carey is my biggest win in the early season. He was generally unknown prior to highlighting him and now after 151 PA he's got a 130 wRC+ in Single-A as one of the youngest players at the level. Kyle Sonntag just profiled Carey in his latest Dynasty Baseball Pickups article and recommended him in leagues with 300+ players rostered. Our current prospect rank of 407 will rise as each member of our team adds him to their list. The fact that PLIVE+ already views him as a top 100 prospect says a lot and I'm excited to have a share.

Mike Sirota, OF LAD (High-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 81
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 178 (262 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
23 HR, 4 SB, 8.3% BB, 25.8% K, .244/.311/.428, 106 wRC+

What PLIVE+ Likes

Obviously it's the absolute demolition of Single-A. Sirota ran a 194 wRC+ over 115 PA before being promoted to High-A last week. Then immediately, Sirota has made a strong impression at the new level with two HR in three games.

What PLIVE+ Doesn't Know

Sirota was an advanced college bat whose Sophomore performance put him in the conversation of a mid-to-late first round pick heading into 2024. The performance took a step back and so did his draft stock as Sirota slid all the way to the middle of the 3rd round. So hitting at Single-A isn't really unexpected here. On the flip side, while he hasn't done much on the basepaths, Sirota is a plus runner and peak projection of 4 SB is likely a low mark.

Summary

Things are evolving at quite the rapid pace for Sirota and we can't blame the dynasty team for their ranking right before a crazy hot streak and promotion. In fact the PLIVE+ hitter ranking has improved by 20+ spots since starting to write this on Friday. Given he's only got 129 professional plate appearances under his belt, the peak projection will continue to evolve with each passing week. Currently the BB% peak projections are regressed heavily and given his plate discipline in college the projection will likely increase. It's too bad the Dodgers traded for him because if he were doing this on the Reds there would likely be a lot less hype.

Other PLIVE+ Standouts

There are a few other players who PLIVE+ likes more than our prospect rankings and wanted to make sure they got mentioned.

Luis Pena, SS/3B MIL (Single-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 3
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 38 (47 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
17 HR, 56 SB, 7.8% BB, 13.2% K, .274/.337/.436, 117 wRC+

He's bouncing around the top few spots of the leaderboard on each update. The crew put him 47th in the prospect list but that'll rise as even in the last week he's shown more power. PLIVE+ has been all over Pena and I'd recommend getting him in trades now before he's a universal top 10 prospect.

Robert Calaz, OF COL (Single-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 10
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 39 (49 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
26 HR, 10 SB, 8.7% BB, 26.6% K, .255/.325/.467, 120 wRC+

Calaz had a ton of hype and somehow PLIVE+ has gone even further ranking him as the 10th best hitter. There's swing and miss to his game, but given the significant power as a 19 year old PLIVE+ is betting that he overcomes it.

Aroon Escobar, OF PHI (Single-A)

PLIVE+ Hitter Rank: 34
Top 600+ Hitter Rank: 76 (99 overall)

Peak Projection (per 600 PA)
22 HR, 5 SB, 10.1% BB, 21% K, .258/.342/.437, 119 wRC+

Escobar has lit the world on fire and his 171 wRC+ at Single-A currently matches his wRC+ at the complex in 2024. He's traded some contact for aggressiveness and it's seemed to pay off thus far. I'd say our dynasty team is bought into Escobar, but PLIVE+ is even more so.

Other Ranked Hitters of Note

  • A.J. Ewing, 2B/OF NYM (High-A)
  • Hao-Yu Lee, 2B DET (Triple-A)
  • Starlyn Caba, SS MIA (Single-A)
  • Kyle DeBarge, 2B MIN (High-A)
  • Jeremy Rodriguez, SS NYM (Single-A)
  • Engelth Urena, 1B NYY (Single-A)
  • Adrian Pinto, 2B TOR (High-A)
  • Esmerlyn Valdez, 1B PIT (High-A)
  • Mikey Romero, SS BOS (Double-A)
  • Sam Antonacci, 2B CHW (High-A)
  • Kahlil Watson, 2B/OF CLE (Double-A)
  • Bo Davidson, OF SF (High-A)
  • Joseph Sullivan, OF HOU (High-A)

Other Un-Ranked Hitters of Note

  • Miguel Rodriguez, C/1B BAL (Single-A)
  • Tyler Rodriguez, OF MIL (Single-A)
  • Starlyn Nunez, 2B/3B BOS (Single-A)
  • Marco Dinges, C MIL (Single-A)
  • Ricardo Olivar, C/LF MIN (Double-A)
  • Carlos Gutierrez, OF SF (Single-A)