- Ratings (OVERALL/POTENTIAL) and age are as of July 21, 2044
- 2044 WAR figures are projected out for the rest of the year
- Salary figures in italics are projected arbitration totals
- Players selected in the 2044 First Year Draft were not considered for the list due to lack of professional experience
Part II: #50-#41
Part III: #40-#21
Without further ado, here’s the top twenty for 2044:
- - - - - - - - - -
#20 - Pedro Bustamante, San Antonio, RF 70/75
PREVIOUS RANK: 19
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 1.4 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 5.7 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 4.2 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $15,900,000
REMAINING AAV: $3,975,000
Bustamante busted onto the scene in 2042: it was the year he was selected 3rd overall as well as debuted in the big leagues, putting up an OPS of .898 in 64 games. A right-handed pitching masher who already has a batting title to his name, the Outlaws are breaking every law with the ability to run Bustamante out for the next four years at a steal. Sure, those arb figures will eventually be on the rise, but so is the stock of this young star.
#19 - Carlomaria Donadoni, Edmonton, 1B 70/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 25
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 5.2 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 2.6 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 4.1 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $21,100,000
REMAINING AAV: $7,033,333
Unfortunately for the Argentinian slugger, the Jackrabbits and their fans, and fans of the Brewster in general, Donadoni’s done for the year after rupturing a tendon in his foot in mid-July. The talented hitter was in the midst of an excellent campaign (.293/.342/.567) but he’ll be back terrorizing Frontier Division pitcher before you know it. While Donadoni no longer plays at third as much as anticipated when he was a rookie, he’s become an excellent defensive first baseman, adding just another tool to his chest. His arb numbers start to go up in 2045 and we should expect to see the Edmonton front office start opening talks about extensions soon enough.
#18 - Danya Tchekanov, Long Beach, SP 70/75
PREVIOUS RANK:20
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 25 | 4.3 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 26 | 4.6 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 27 | 6.8 | $13,330,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $13,300,000
REMAINING AAV: $13,300,000
After winning the Nebraska Award in 2041, Tchekanov laid claim to be one of the best, if not the very best, pitchers in the league, especially for his age. Since then he’s been solid to good, but not great, while pitching for a struggling Long Beach franchise. With the Surfers looking at the playoffs again this year, Tchekanov has coincidentally raised his game and will once again be in talks for a Nebraska. Had Long Beach been left out of the postseason again, one could imagine Tchekanov being shopped around to bring back a hoard of prospects to help the Surfers’ future but now, with one year left on his deal, no one is sure of his future. Either way, be it in the Pacific or elsewhere via trade, “Satan’s Whelp” holds tremendous value as a consistent workhorse capable worthy of the “ace” tag.
#17 - Cristián García, New Orleans, SP 65/70
PREVIOUS RANK: 18
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 22 | 6.8 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 23 | 4.7 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 24 | 5.5 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $28,600,000
REMAINING AAV: $9,533,333
Since the 2042 list, Garcia has seen his arbitration AAV go from $4.2M to now a whopping $9.5M, thanks to two straight years of sub-3.00 ERA and an average WHIP of 1.00. We all saw the Baby Crawdads coming up thru the minors and make their debuts over the last three or four years and now it’s time to pay the fee. New Orleans will gladly do it, of course, as Garcia is one of the best and most unheralded arms in the league at just 24 years of age. Pin-point control (with room to improve, some scouts say) and a 100 MPH heater? My oh my, the future sure looks bright for the Domincan lefty, and for the New Orleans franchise as well.
#16 - Ernest McBride, Hawaii, DH 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 7
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 3.9 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 7.5 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 5.3 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $30,500,000
REMAINING AAV: $10,166,667
#15 - Tony Frost, Nashville, 3B 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 37
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 2.1 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 5.7 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 8.7 | $3,750,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $26,800,000
REMAINING AAV: $8,933,333
Both top-ten picks of the 2039 Draft, McBride and Frost debuted on the Trade Value list last year, placing #7 and #37, respectively. A year later and they’ve met in the middle, but these are not two ships passing in the night. McBride still has tremendous value and potential, as evident of his ability to swat 60 home runs last year and lead the Frick League with an OPS of 1.100. After a torrid July (12 HR in 23 games), McBride suffered a fractured hand, putting him on the shelf until the playoffs. Frost, on the other hand, is looking like a Frick League Silk Award finalist. While scouts like McBride’s offensive profile better, Frost is the better athlete and can play in the field (and do it well). You can’t go wrong with either player, but their teams will be faced with paying upwards of eight-figure annual salaries. Look for extensions soon while their value is at their highest.
#14 - Bing-de Zhào, Rockville, 1B/2B 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 22 | 3.9 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 23 | 0.9 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 24 | 7.1 | $750,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $17,900,000
REMAINING AAV: $8,950,000
After taking a year off from the Top 50 last year, Zhào is back with a vengeance, thanks to a healthy (knock on wood) career year. Zhào’s move to second base has proved profitable, as his bat stands out at that position and his glove passes. As one-half of arguably the most talented middle infield in the Brewster, Zhào is set to cash-in on his arbitration years and potentially a long-term contract.
#13 - Danny Leach, Rockville, RP 75/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 12
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 22 | 3.9 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 23 | 7.8 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 24 | 6.3 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $12,500,000
REMAINING AAV: $4,166,667
After a historic season by a reliever, there was no robbin’ Leach of a Nebraska Award, which will certainly allow him to enjoy the lifestyle of the rich and famous with his next contract. Leach, along with Tiernan O’Macken, became the first relievers to win Nebraska Awards last year and it was more than justified: 7.8 WAR, 2.01 ERA (led the league), 0.75 WHIP (led the league), and a 12 K/9 to just 1.5 B/9 rate. He’s young, he throws heat, he has incredible control and hardly allows extra base hits and his character is lauded around the league. The scary thing is, he could easy transition to a dominate starting pitcher if Rockville ever so choses. Leach is head of the class for the new wave of workman relievers putting up dominant inning totals of 150 or more and his value is as high as it has ever been for a pitcher of the non-starting variety.
#12 - Juan Donéstevez, New Orleans, RF 75/75
PREVIOUS RANK: 5
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 1.5 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 8.5 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 5.8 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $20,800,000
REMAINING AAV: $6,933,333
Rated as high as the 9th-best prospect in the game (2042), Donéstevez had the highest debut in last year’s list in the midst of what ended up being a Puckett-wining campaign for New Orleans with 8.3 WAR and an All-Star nod to boot. A 40/40 threat with a Zimmer-caliber glove (and arm) in right field, Donéstevez was just sidelined for several weeks due to a strained groin, but he should rejoin the Crawdads in the playoffs, if not sooner. While the sweet-swinging lefty from Mexico heals up, he can start shopping for real estate as he’s due a mega-contract in a few years. (Did you know the First-Year Player Drafts in 2037 to 2039 were pretty good? Going to be reeeeally interest how all these bank-busting deals are going to affect the overall market moving forward…)
#11 - James Browning, Louisville, SP 75/80
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 5.4 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 0.6 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 6.4 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $28,000,000
REMAINING AAV: $9,300,000
If you’ve been paying attention (and I really hope you have, otherwise what the hell am I doing this for), you’ve noticed several Top 50 players are currently shelved with more than just minor injuries: Jorge Nevárez (#44), Carlomaria Donadoni (#19), Ernest McBride (#16), Juan Donéstevez (#12). The worst of them all -- and apologies to Sluggers GM Stephen Shaw -- is that of Browning, who is set to have elbow surgery in the next few days. To make things even more upsetting was that the southpaw was in the middle of a Silk Award-caliber season at the time of his injury: 12-4, 2.44 ERA, 0.77 WHIP. Okay, Shaw, divert your eyes, because there is even more bad news: Louisville is trying their best to back-door their way into the playoffs after several other injuries have derailed the back-to-back champions and a loss the magnitude of Browning will be hard to overcome. Am I done? Nope! This major injury is the second in as many years for the talented pitcher, as Browning suffered a torn labrum last April, only to return and dominate in the playoffs. The injuries have to be worrisome and they do affect Browning’s value…admittedly, he was ranked 8th prior to the most recent sidelining. Still, float Browning on the market, even with so many questions surrounding his health and future skills, and Louisville would likely get a sweet return (see Smith, Don). It’s just really too bad that the Brewster has seen a handful of their bright stars miss significant playing time this season.
#10 - Ricardo Rivera, San Antonio, SP 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 10
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 22 | 8.1 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 23 | 6.8 | $7,360,000 |
| 2044 | 24 | 7.4 | $7,550,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $8,550,000
REMAINING AAV: $8,550,000
See that incredible 2042 season? That earned Rivera his first Nebraska Award and stopped Dan Cannon’s attempt at a fourth-straight trophy. No pitcher has tallied more WAR since 2042, so it’s fair to call Rivera the best pitcher in the game. Plus he’s making under $9M a year? What a steal! However, he’s set to be a free agent after next season and as the baseball gods so often remind us: TNSTAAPP. Rivera has had his share of injuries, including two partially torn labrums…does that equal one fully torn labrum? It’s this inherent risk that keeps him from ranking any higher. What San Antonio decides to do will undoubtedly be one of the biggest stories in the next 12 months.
#9 - Juan Rivera, Atlantic City, RF 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 3
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 24 | 8.4 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 25 | 8.2 | $8,125,000 |
| 2044 | 26 | 6.5 | $11,250,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $11,700,000
REMAINING AAV: $11,700,000
The winner of back-to-back Sawyer Silk Awards in 2041 and 2042, the 5’11” left fielder stands taller than almost every other player in the league in terms of skills and production. But take a look at what’s left of contract. Here’s what was said in the 2042 list when Rivera ranked #3: “The premier power hitter in the game today, Atlantic City would be best served to not gamble on their future and extend Rivera sooner than later.” Well, the Gamblers are holding an king and the river card is about to turn. It’s time for Atlantic City to put all their chips in the middle.
#8 - Aaron Haney, Valencia, CF 75/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 8
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 23 | 6.8 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 24 | 7.1 | $8,125,000 |
| 2044 | 25 | 7.9 | $11,200,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $12,200,000
REMAINING AAV: $12,200,000
Do you realize in his first four years (and soon to be fifth), Haney has never had a season WAR total under 6.8? One of the most toolsy and gifted athletes the Brewster has ever seen, Haney, much like #9 Juan Rivera, is approaching the final year of being under team control. As safe as any superstar in the league, pay no attention to his decline in centerfield this year, as Haney has been solid patrolling both left and center during his career. Valencia likely should have already dealt away Haney right now, because as incredible as he is, one man cannot put a struggling franchise like the Stars on his back and lead them to the promised land. Have they missed their window to extract maximum value? Hey, this is a player you can pencil in for solid outfield defense, 50 steals and an OPS of at least .950. I’m mean, c’mon, does it get any more valuable than that, right? The clock is ticking…
#7 - Sawyer Slizz , Brooklyn, CF 70/70
PREVIOUS RANK: 15
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 7.9 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 8.7 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 6.5 | $7,500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $33,400,000
REMAINING AAV: $11,133,333
Okay, time to play a game of “Would Your Rather…?” Would you rather trade for Sawyer Slizz, a 23-year-old centerfielder under team control for three more seasons and coming off a year in which he led the Johnson League in WAR? Or would you rather trade for either Juan Rivera (#9) or Aaron Haney (#8) with just one year a piece left of team control, unsure of their demands or if they’ll even negotiate an extension with a new team? If you answer Slizz, now think about this: what if I told you scouts have quietly downgraded his still-excellent skills from a once 8 Contact/8 Power/6 Eye/11 Defense in February 2043 down to its current 7 Contact/7 Power/5 Eye/10 Defense? Cause for concern? Perhaps. But Double-Z is still holding his own, on pace for a 30/30 year with an OPS of nearly .880. If Brooklyn’s window is now, as they’ve said before, what does that mean for their valuable star going forward?
#6 - Larry Stinson, San Antonio, 1B 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 2
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 6.8 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 8.5 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 5.5 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $30,500,000
REMAINING AAV: $10,166,667
As a wee 21-year-old rookie, Stinson rocked 44 home runs and had an OPS over 1.000 en route to a Gillstrom Award and being named the Johnson League’s best first baseman, the most demanding offensive position. What did the broad-shouldered lefty do as a follow-up? How’s 55 home runs and an OPS over 1.000 en route to another Puckett Award. Oh, and a shiny Sawyer Silk Award as the best player in the Johnson. Period. Already one of the most feared bats in the Brewster, Stinson should be a fixture not only on this list, but as a small circle of ballplayers considered the best hitters in today’s game. Don’t mind the slide from the #2 spot last year…as you’ll see, he was leapfrogged strictly due to his limitations as a first baseman, albeit maybe the best one in the league.
#5 - Rubén Vázquez, San Antonio, SP 70/80
PREVIOUS RANK:21
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 19 | -- | minor leagues |
| 2043 | 20 | 4.8 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 21 | 5.8 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $26,900,000
REMAINING AAV: $6,725,000
Vázquez, 21, is the youngest player in the Top 50, but he’s not exactly wet behind the years with over 50 big league starts under his belt. Armed with the best changeup in the league and a plus-slider, plus incredible control and crafty swing-and-miss stuff, Ruben hasn’t even scratched the surface of his vast potential. Paired with offensive young studs like Stinson and Bustamante, the Outlaws are in shape to go on a title run for the next five or six years, if not more. Even though the pitching environment has improved league-wide since Vázquez debuted, every team will give up a king’s ransom for the rights to acquire burgeoning star.
#4 - Daniel Pepper, Rockville, SS 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 9
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 4.5 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 5.9 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 5.8 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $29,400,000
REMAINING AAV: $9,800,000
Remember when Bing-de Zhào was called “one-half of arguably the most talented middle infield in the Brewster”? Well, here’s the other half. When Pepper debuted in the Top 50 in 2042 (#44), it was said that he “looks like a very solid offensive contributor with defensive versatility.” He’s certainly struggled this season playing shortstop full-time but he’s got the skills to one day be at least league-average, and he’s been more than just a solid offensive contributor. There are not many shortstops who can hit over 30 homers and get on-base at a .370 clip. Based on his incredible rookie season (1.202 OPS in 75 games), many scouts believe Pepper has yet to hit his stride. Expect big things in the future for the switch-hitting Englishman as he leads one of the best franchises in the league before his 24th birthday.
#3 - Alaric Wullenweber, Hawaii, SP 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 1
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 22 | 6.7 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 23 | 6.8 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 24 | 7.5 | $6,875,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $32,200,000
REMAINING AAV: $10,733,333
Aki Kondo, the top free agent pitcher this past off-season, was signed to a deal paying him just over $30M per year. A tidy sum but a figure that likely several other teams would have spent if they had the room in the budget, especially in light of his terrific 2044. Now consider this: Wullenweber, easily in the conversation as the #1 or #2 pitcher in the game, is projected to make $32M for the next three years. Sure, his arb figures could creep up even more, but that right there is the definition of value. His trophy cabinet back home in Germany is collecting dust but it should start piling up a few Nebraska Awards in the coming seasons.
#2 - Wilson Andrade, Charm City, SS 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 14
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 7.8 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 5.7 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 9.2 | $8,500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $25,500,000
REMAINING AAV: $8,500,000
The doubles machine showed surprising home run power in 2042 when he parked 31 dingers over the fence. This year he’s upped it to 40-homer potential while raising his batting average back above .330 after a season of “only” hitting .295. With more tools than carpenter’s convention, Andrade is the top talent at the most coveted position but his value doesn’t just derive from some Econ 101 supply-and-demand lesson, he’s just plain incredible. Signed to a sweet extension with two more years to go (take note GMs), the Jimmies are loving having this building block around.
#1 - Théo Bourges , Louisville, CF 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 4
| YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2042 | 21 | 9.3 | $500,000 |
| 2043 | 22 | 6.2 | $500,000 |
| 2044 | 23 | 10.4 | $7,500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $33,400,000
REMAINING AAV: $11,133,333
Were you expecting anyone else? As if Louisville didn’t already have enough arrows in their quiver, here are Bourges’ season-highs in his first three years: 37 HR (on pace for over 50 this season, by the way), .351 AVG, .432 OBP, .688 SLG, 42 steals. That's 40/40 potential with the ability to win a batting title and maybe the best defensive centerfielder in the league. Pardon my French, which is Bourges’ first language, but holy fucking shit. I don’t want to hear that his $11M AAV for the next three years hurts his value. This is the best player in baseball making a third of what he’d get on the open market. Let’s just sit back and enjoy this once-in-a-generation talent.
- - - - - - - - - -
And there you have it, the conclusion of the sixth (!) annual BBA Trade Value Series! Who was left out or who should be shown the door? Who needs some helium to rise higher or who needs to be knocked down a rung or two?
Additionally, here's a few charts breaking down the Top 50:
| TEAM | PLAYERS IN TOP 50 |
|---|---|
| Yellow Springs | 6 |
| San Antonio | 5 |
| Brooklyn | 4 |
| New Orleans | 4 |
| Rockville | 4 |
| Edmonton | 3 |
| Hawaii | 3 |
| Louisville | 3 |
| Madison | 3 |
| Boise | 2 |
| Charm City | 2 |
| Nashville | 2 |
| Atlantic City | 1 |
| Long Beach | 1 |
| Montreal | 1 |
| Omaha | 1 |
| Phoenix | 1 |
| Sacramento | 1 |
| San Fernando | 1 |
| Seattle | 1 |
| Valencia | 1 |
- New Orleans falls from the top spot after having five players make the Top 50 last year.
| DIVISION | PLAYERS IN TOP 50 |
|---|---|
| Atlantic | 16 |
| Heartland | 15 |
| Frontier | 11 |
| Pacific | 8 |
- The Atlantic Division claims the most tallies for a second-straight year.
| POSITION | PLAYERS IN TOP 50 |
|---|---|
| SP | 11 |
| LF | 7 |
| 1B | 6 |
| RF | 6 |
| CF | 5 |
| 3B | 4 |
| 2B | 3 |
| RP | 3 |
| SS | 3 |
| C | 1 |
| DH | 1 |
- Once again, starting pitching reigns supreme, however the totals have dropped from 14 in 2042 to 12 in 2043 and now 11.
- After having no relief pitchers make the list from 2039-2042, the elite-stopper trend continues has three relievers make the Top 50 for a second-straight edition.
- The catching position had a boon a few years ago but has only had one backstop make the Top 50 for two consecutive seasons. As a taxing position that lends itself to volatility, plus no real standout catchers to be found in recent drafts or international free agent classes, it’s understandable why the number of reliable, valuable players at the position has dropped.
- Valued first basemen continues to be on the rise. Four 1B made the Top 50 in 2042, then five last year and now six. Despite being the least demanding defensive position (besides DH), the still-prevalent offensive environment, plus the sluggers hitting their primes from the famous Super Drafts has seen many of the leagues stars shine at that position.
- If you don’t have a franchise corner outfielder by now, what are you even doing?!?
For those interested, you can see the Top 50 spreadsheet (plus the honorable mention and additional players considered) below:
