- Ratings (OVERALL/POTENTIAL) are as of July 28, 2040
- 2040 WAR figures are through July 28, 2040 and projected out for the rest of the season
- Salary figures in grey italics are projected arbitration totals
- Players selected in the 2040 First Year Draft were not considered for the list due to lack of professional experience
We continue our run-through the list, today looking at #40-#21, with the top twenty to be unveiled Monday evening:
- - - - - - - - - -
#40 - John Hale, Madison, C 65/65
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 23 | 3.2 | $500,000 |
2039 | 24 | 2.5 | $500,000 |
2040 | 25 | 4.2 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $15,800,000
REMAINING AAV: $5,266,666
One of only two catchers to make the Top 50 (only one backstop make the list last year), Hale is the rare combination of a young, cost-controlled catcher that is competent both offensively and defensively. On his fourth team in three years, the two-time All-Star still has a few years left in his rookie deal, something rebuilding Madison can build the team around or trade additional help.
#39 - Xavier Rangel, New Orleans, RF 55/55
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 20 | -- | minor leagues |
2039 | 21 | 0.4 | $500,000 |
2040 | 22 | 5.2 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $21,400,000
REMAINING AAV: $4,280,000
A two-time top-100 rated prospect, the diminutive (5'9", 155) outfielder was named to the All-Star team in his rookie campaign, a nice follow-up to his 5.1 WAR season last year in AAA. Despite an average offensive profile, Rangel's skills stem from his efforts in the outfield, where he can play all three positions at a well-above average level, and on the base paths, where he flashes elite speed and base running skills. Scouting reports suggest he may be playing over his head, but a capable CF who can put up 30/30 seasons will always be highly sought after, especially when still on their rookie contract.
#38 - Manuel Martinez, Jacksonville, 1B 70/70
PREVIOUS RANK: 22
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 23 | 4.9 | $500,000 |
2039 | 24 | 4.3 | $500,000 |
2040 | 25 | 4.1 | $4,750,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $16,000,000
REMAINING AAV: $8,000,000
When you have a .911 OPS season and it's deemed a disappointment, like Martinez had in 2039, you know you've got an impressive reputation as a hitter. As mentioned in last year's edition, "the Hurricanes will want to see more offensive growth from Martínez or his value will continue to diminish as he approaches free agency" and that is were we are today. Martinez is a very, very good first baseman, but not elite and he only has two years left of team control and you can expect him to cash in on his next contract.
#37 - Sergei Hopkins, San Fernando, SP 60/70
PREVIOUS RANK: 28
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 21 | 3.7 | $500,000 |
2039 | 22 | 4.2 | $500,000 |
2040 | 23 | 2.4 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $14,500,000
REMAINING AAV: $4,833,333
"The Russian Rocket" is on-pace to fall short of last year's breakout season but is still a tasty morsel should he hit the trade market. Hopkins has yet to make an All-Star team through his first three full seasons in the BBA but that should change soon, as he has an impressive mix of pitches and skill and scouts believe he still has another level of growth which San Fernando would love to see in the last three years of his rookie contract. If there is a lesson to be learned, it's simply this: raise your sons to be lefty starting pitchers in the Brewster.
#36 - Chris Kelly, Jacksonville, SP 70/75
PREVIOUS RANK: 36
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 26 | 5.3 | $9,120,000 |
2039 | 27 | 4.7 | $15,730,000 |
2040 | 28 | 6.8 | $15,730,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $62,920,000
REMAINING AAV: $15,730,000
Kelly's AAV is second-highest amonst the Top 50, however he's still in his 20s, so the risk is considerably lower than Dan Cannon, or other high-paid star pitchers in the league north of thirty years old. Kelly finally made his first All-Star nod this season and expect many more to come with his elite skillset atop the mound. Locked up with a maximum six year extension before the 2039 season by Twin Cities, Jacksonville traded for him at last year's deadline.
#35 - Miguel Rodríguez, Las Vegas, SS 65/65
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 26 | 1.7 | $500,000 |
2039 | 27 | 3.8 | $750,000 |
2040 | 28 | 5.8 | $3,200,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $14,700,000
REMAINING AAV: $7,350,000
Rodríguez's appearance in the Top 50 will probably be his last unless he continues his breakout season and builds on it in the first-half of 2041. With just two years of team control left after this year and average offensive skills, the defensive whiz will likely see his trade value drop as he approaches 30 but remains a key contributor in Las Vegas thanks to his outstanding defensive ability all over the infield, as well as high on-base skills and excellent foot-speed.
#34 - Ángel García, San Fernando, SS 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 37
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 24 | 3.8 | $3,820,000 |
2039 | 25 | 6.1 | $3,820,000 |
2040 | 26 | 7.6 | $3,820,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $95,400,000
REMAINING AAV: $15,900,000
San Fernando has enjoyed García's services thanks to a nifty three-year extension signed before the 2038 season. In those three years, García has been named to the All-Star team twice and is putting up an MVP-caliber season in 2040. The power-hitting and plus-defensive middle infielder from Mexico will see his value dip once his new six-year extension kicks in next season, but as one of the league's superstars, any team would be happy to pencil García in near the top of their lineup.
#33 - Bing-de Zhào, Rockville, 2B 60/80
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 18 | -- | minor leagues |
2039 | 19 | -- | minor leagues |
2040 | 20 | -- | minor leagues |
REMAINING CONTRACT: --
REMAINING AAV: --
An international free agency signee in 2037, Zhào was quickly named the #9 prospect later that year. One year later, Zhào was considered the top prospect in the minors and in two-plus seasons of professional ball, the Taiwanese infielder has shown promise. Zhào's natural position is 1B, which makes him less desirable but still valuable, however Rockville is giving him a chance to stick at 2B, where the results are less than desirable. Regardless of where he ends up on the diamond, Rockville has a future elite talent on the verge of making the bigs.
#32 - Quinton Lara, Charm City, C 60/60
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 19 | -- | minor leagues |
2039 | 20 | -- | minor leagues |
2040 | 21 | 5.4 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $17,600,000
REMAINING AAV: $3,520,000
When you're a catcher who can hit north of .340 as a rookie, does it really matter what your defensive chops are? Lara has shown to be average behind the plate in the minors, but it's his bat that made him the #8 selection in the 2037 draft. Lara's batting line is likely to regress for the rest of the year, but it's still a sign that he's a young, talented prospect whose value can really help a franchise over the course of their rookie contract.
#31 - Brett White, Jacksonville, RF 65/65
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 21 | 6.1 | $500,000 |
2039 | 22 | 0.4 | $500,000 |
2040 | 23 | 6.8 | $1,750,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $20,600,000
REMAINING AAV: $6,866,666
Last year at time of printing the 2039 edition, White found himself ranked #51, just missing the Top 50 due to a horrific follow-up to his Gillstrom-winning sophomore campaign. All is right again with the left-handed hitting corner outfielder, on pace for 50+ HR and an OPS over 1.000, all well-deserving of his spot on this year's list. As a teenage amateur, White was an all-world talent but scouts downgraded him to merely "good". His 2038 and 2040 seasons are quieting the critics, but with just three years left of team control after this season, Jacksonville will want to get the most of our White and chase another Landis championship.
#30 - Liann-wei Mao, Calgary, 1B 70/75
PREVIOUS RANK: 20
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 21 | -- | minor leagues |
2039 | 22 | 4.5 | $500,000 |
2040 | 23 | 2.8 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $20,400,000
REMAINING AAV: $5,100,000
Expectations were high after Mao was voted an All-Star and won the Frick League Puckett at 1B as a rookie last year. 2040 hasn't been as kind after "The Chairman" missed nearly a month with a broken foot but his current .902 OPS is nothing to poo-poo. With elite bat skills and four more years of team control, the popular slugger has the looks of a franchise talent.
#29 - Alaric Wullenweber, Hawaii, SP 50/80
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 18 | -- | high school |
2039 | 19 | -- | minor leagues |
2040 | 20 | -- | minor leagues |
REMAINING CONTRACT: --
REMAINING AAV: --
A second-round steal by Hawaii in the 2038 draft, the short German with the big name and bigger arm has ascended to the #2 prospect in the Brewster. Based on middling minor league numbers until this year, Wullenweber reputation has been boosted by scouting reports. If he can continue to improve in the next year or two, he should be ready to dominate for the Tropics for several team-controlled years at a great value.
#28 - Todd Rice, Seattle, CF 65/65
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 19 | -- | college |
2039 | 20 | 4.1 | $500,000 |
2040 | 21 | 6.6 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $17,600,000
REMAINING AAV: $3,520,000
The fruits of the infamous 2038 Brewster Draft are starting to already pop up in the big leagues, and Rice, the 23rd-overall pick, is one of them. Few players can boast a projected collective WAR of over 10.0 in their first two seasons. Rice's profile is that of a multiple-time batting champion, doubles-hitting machine, and base-stealing menace. Oh, and how about elite defensive in centerfield? Rice is the very definition of "valuable".
#27 - Jim Armstrong, New Orleans, SP 70/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 24
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 21 | 1.7 | $500,000 |
2039 | 22 | 4.7 | $500,000 |
2040 | 23 | 2.6 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $17,800,000
REMAINING AAV: $4,450,000
Armstrong boasts the pedigree of a generational talent: first-round draft pick (2035), top-ten prospect ranking (#7 in 2038), led the league in K/9 at age 22, and an elite three-pitch mix that could be the best in the entire Brewster. That all said, Armstrong has yet to put it all together; missing a month earlier this year didn't help his cause. But ask nearly any general manager in the league and they would call Armstrong one of the very best and valuable young pitchers the league has seen in the last ten years.
#26 - Juan Rivera, Atlantic City, RF 70/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 25
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 19 | -- | college |
2039 | 20 | -- | minor leagues |
2040 | 21 | 3.2 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $18,900,000
REMAINING AAV: $3,780,000
Only two years removed from playing college ball, Rivera has already made it to the bigs and is holding his own in his rookie season. Rivera is the sort of five-tool talent front offices dream of. Atlantic City is not yet ready for prime time, but when they are, Rivera will be the cornerstone of the franchise. Rivera is an elite talent with as much value as he has promise.
#25 - Mario Barrera, New Orleans, 3B 65/65
PREVIOUS RANK: 19
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 22 | 4.2 | $500,000 |
2039 | 23 | 6.1 | $500,000 |
2040 | 24 | 3.5 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $19,800,000
REMAINING AAV: $6,600,000
Barrera's summary in last year's list called him "one of the least exciting guys to make this list, as he wasn’t a hyped prospect and he doesn’t have super loud tools or a bunch of notable highlights." That was before winning the Johnson League Puckett Award at third base. Unfortunately, Barrera has failed to follow-up on his breakout season (although an .899 OPS is wonderful) and he'll see his salary drastically jump up in these last three years of arbitration, but he's still a solid option at a position that teams continually struggle to find long-term solutions.
#24 - Ernesto Ramos, Yellow Springs, SP 60/70
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 23 | 3.2 | $500,000 |
2039 | 24 | 4.2 | $500,000 |
2040 | 25 | 6.7 | $850,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $11,000,000
REMAINING AAV: $5,500,000
Ramos is under two more years of team control thanks to a nice two-year contract extension buying out the final years of arbitration. His breakout 2040 is one reason why Yellow Springs finds themselves with the second-best record in the league. Thanks to an elite set of pitches, Ramos will be highly sought after in the 2043 free agent market. Until then, he's both a critical player in the Nines' quest to finally take home a Landis trophy, as well as a valuable trade chip should Yellow Springs want to move him in the next two years.
#23 - Júlio Barajas, Rockville, RF 60/70
PREVIOUS RANK: 39
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 17 | -- | high school |
2039 | 18 | 3.7 | $500,000 |
2040 | 19 | 4.6 | $850,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $22,100,000
REMAINING AAV: $4,420,000
Moving up in the rankings isn't easy, as it requires a player to provide outstanding production to off-set the one less year of team control and a likely salary increase in arbitration. Barajas, another darling from the 2038 draft class, put up nearly 4.0 WAR in less than 80 games. Go ahead, re-read that, take a cold shower and come back...I'll wait. His follow-up this year isn't as impressive but it's still on a pace for over 4.0 as a teenager. The offensive wunderkind has tons of potential and remains one of the most valuable players in the Brewster.
#22 - Eru Likiliki, Nashville, SP 60/70
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 21 | 3.7 | $500,000 |
2039 | 22 | 5.3 | $500,000 |
2040 | 23 | 3.5 | $1,050,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $15,900,000
REMAINING AAV: $5,300,000
Likiliki's scouting reports are a mixed bag, but the flame-throwing sidearmer gets the most out of his stuff and diverse pitch arsenal. One red flag is his medical history, but as long as he's making starts every five days, the Bluebirds will take what they can squeeze out of the Samoan hurler. "Doodles" is likely to make oodles on the free agent market in a few years, but until then, Nashville has themselves an interesting pitcher profile and one heck of a trade asset, if needed.
#21 - Ronnie Hubbard, Louisville, CF 65/65
PREVIOUS RANK: 33
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2038 | 19 | -- | college |
2039 | 20 | 5.6 | $500,000 |
2040 | 21 | 6.7 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $24,400,000
REMAINING AAV: $6,100,000
Oh, look...another product from the 2038 Mega-Draft. Through his first two years, Hubbard has put up incredible numbers but scouts believe his profile is nothing spectacular offensively. Hubbard makes up for it with deft base running (on pace for 58 steals this season) and outstanding defense in both left and center. That said, Hubbard is currently hitting .343 and likely to hit over 30 HR for s second straight season. With make-up off the charts, Hubbard continues to out perform the scouts and remains one of the more valuable and fun players to follow in the Brewster.