- Ratings (OVERALL/POTENTIAL) and age are as of July 21, 2042
- 2042 WAR figures are projected out for the rest of the year
- Salary figures in italics are projected arbitration totals
- Players selected in the 2042 First Year Draft were not considered for the list due to lack of professional experience
Part II: #50-#41
Part III: #54-#21
BBA Today #23: “Trade Value Galore!”
Without further ado, here’s the top twenty for 2042:
- - - - - - - - - -
#20 - Steven Collins III, Edmonton, 3B 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 11
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 23 | 6.5 | $6,875,000 |
2041 | 24 | 6.8 | $10,531,250 |
2039 | 25 | 5.5 | $12,800,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $25,600,000
REMAINING AAV: $12,800,000
The Edmonton front office wisely extended Collins, one of the most popular players in the Brewster, to a three-year extension at the bargain of $12.8M per season. He’s been a monster his entire Jackrabbits career and while he’s traded in a few steals for more home runs in the last two years, Collins has the profile and work ethic to have a long, thriving career late into his 30s. But before we get there, fans of the blue and gold will enjoy watching Collins for at least two more seasons as a tremendous asset.
#19 - Liann-wei Mao, Calgary, 1B 80/75
PREVIOUS RANK: 23
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 23 | 4.5 | $500,000 |
2041 | 24 | 6.1 | $500,000 |
2042 | 25 | 8.0 | $5,350,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $21,200,000
REMAINING AAV: $10,600,000
Mao’s gone from #30 to #23 and now in the top 20 the past three seasons, culminating in this year’s assault on the record books. “Chairman Mao” is on pace to set the all-time Brewster single-seasons records for home runs and runs batted in. Last year, we said “pencil-in a slash line of .310/.380/.610.” Well, bust out your erasers because he’s currently hitting an insane .322/.394/.719. The likely result will be a huge payday and Calgary will have to make some decisions with the rest of their roster in the next 24 months to make it work with their salary cap.
#18 - Don Smith, Phoenix, SP 75/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 32
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 20 | 2.1 | $500,000 |
2041 | 21 | 5.6 | $500,000 |
2042 | 22 | 4.5 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $26,300,000
REMAINING AAV: $8,766,667
#17 - Héctor Márquez, Seattle, SP 65/70
PREVIOUS RANK: 9
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 25 | 5.6 | $500,000 |
2041 | 26 | 7.3 | $6,8750,000 |
2042 | 27 | 4.7 | $8,800,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $24,600,000
REMAINING AAV: $12,300,000
Poor Don Smith…two years in a row he has to share a capsule, first with James Browning comparing the way franchises in different points of their plan handle promoting young pitchers, and now with Márquez. Seattle was wise to buy-out Márquez’ final two seasons of arbitration and tack on a third after inking the crafty veteran to a three-year, $33.4M extension. At the time, Márquez was a former Frick Nebraska winner stringing together top-notch production and, most importantly for this exercise, a workhorse with off-the-charts make-up. Soon Phoenix will be faced with a similar situation, as Smith has three years left of team control and starts to see his salary rise in 2043. Like Márquez, the fellow southpaw has all the talent in the world and is starting to come into his own. However, he doesn't have leadership personality like Márquez, nor is he a dependable source of innings. The latter is what likely led to his price tag in a trade with Des Moines to be lower than many expected, if not also the main reason why the Kernels were open to moving him in the first place. When he’s healthy and on, Smith is a game changer. But his value will remain suspect with his injury history, and certainly as he nears closer to the end of his rookie deal.
#16 - Ronnie Hubbard, Louisville, CF 60/60
PREVIOUS RANK: 19
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 21 | 4.5 | $500,000 |
2041 | 22 | 5.9 | $500,000 |
2042 | 23 | 6.0 | $7,000,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $14,000,000
REMAINING AAV: $7,000,000
Here’s a scary thought: at #16, Hubbard is the lowest-ranked member of the Louisville outfield. Locked up to a three-year under-market extension back in April 2041, Hubbard has 40/40 potential every year to go along with outstanding defense in center. With make-up off the charts, Hubbard continues to out-perform the ceiling set by the scouts and remains one of the more valuable and fun players to follow in the Brewster.
#15 - Jefferson Pierce, Calgary, SP 65/65
PREVIOUS RANK: 25
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 23 | 5.7 | $2,500,000 |
2041 | 24 | 4.5 | $3,200,000 |
2042 | 25 | 6.8 | $7,900,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $68,000,000
REMAINING AAV: $13,600,000
Pierce is dominating in the first season of a newly minted six-year extension. “Black Lightning” has appeared in the top 25 all four years of this annual feature, proof he’s as consistent and valuable as they come. Relying on his 100+ fastball and plus-secondary off-speed pitches, Pierce is one of the top strikeout artists in the league. With an AAV under $14M, the 6’9” righty actually might be more valuable on the Pioneers than in the open market.
#14 - Larry Stinson, San Antonio, 1B 65/80
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 19 | -- | minor leagues |
2041 | 20 | -- | minor leagues |
2042 | 21 | 7.5 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $18,000,000
REMAINING AAV: $3,600,000
#13 - Carlomaria Donadoni, Edmonton, 1B/3B 70/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 45
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 19 | -- | minor leagues |
2041 | 20 | -- | minor leagues |
2042 | 21 | 7.2 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $18,400,000
REMAINING AAV: $3,680,000
Frank Thomas III and Bo Jordan. Sid the Kid and Ovi. Federer, Djokovic and Nadal. Magic and Bird. So often are all-time greats forever linked with a fellow legendary contemporary. This very well may be the case for Stinson and Donadani. Both are 21-year-old first basemen, both were 2038 first rounders, both debuted in 2042, both play in the Frontier Division. And both can flat out mash. Stinson projects to be an average defensive first baseman at best, with chances he moves to DH down the road, while Donadani is a good enough fielder that he can fill-in at third in a pinch. This razor-thin difference is what puts Donadani just one spot ahead between two of the most valuable assets in the entire league.
#12 - Ángel González, Vancouver, CF 70/70
PREVIOUS RANK: 7
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 20 | 4.3 | $500,000 |
2041 | 21 | 8.5 | $500,000 |
2042 | 22 | 4.8 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $30,500,000
REMAINING AAV: $10,166,667
González went from the runner-up in the Gillstrom to winner of the Silk Award as a baby-faced 21-year-old. González looks like he’ll have a few 40/40 seasons on the back of his baseball card over the next decade to go with a .900 OPS. That said, his 8.5 WAR season is currently sandwiched between two sub-5.0 WAR seasons, so did he just play above his head or is he strictly just a very, very good player? With defensive metrics starting to slip and his AAV reaching eight figures, the Salvadoran centerfielder could see his value vary in the next few years, but make no question, this kid is awesome.
#11 - Ricardo Rivera, San Antonio, SP 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 20
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 20 | 4.9 | $500,000 |
2041 | 21 | 0.8 | $500,000 |
2042 | 22 | 9.6 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $22,600,000
REMAINING AAV: $7,533,333
Rivera suffered a season-ending partially torn labrum last May, a tragic event but one that didn’t catch anyone by surprise. The flame-throwing righty has bounced back in a big time, as his projected 9.6 WAR can attest to, and he’s currently the man trying to stop Dan Cannon’s attempt to win a fourth-straight Nebraska. San Antonio bought out the remaining three years of arbitration and now Rivera starts making some coin. The only thing holding Rivera back from being a top 10 value, if not the best pitcher in the league, is his fragile arm.
#10 - Aaron Haney, Valencia, CF/LF 75/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 6
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 21 | 7.3 | $500,000 |
2041 | 22 | 7.4 | $500,000 |
2042 | 23 | 5.0 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $30,500,000
REMAINING AAV: $10,166,667
While he may not be the next Dennis French as suggested in the 2040 list, Haney has carved out his own notoriety as a Silk Award winner at the age of 21. Unfortunately, this year he’s hit a snag at the plate, but that’s only in the scope of the incredible numbers he put up in his first two seasons. With three years left of arbitration, it’ll be interesting to see what Valencia does, as the Stars are facing their first losing record in five years while also have one of the lower-rated farm systems in the Brewster. Do they continue to let his arbitration run out, do they lock him up long-term soon, or do they dare trade away Haney for a king’s ransom?
#9 - Dennis French, Boise, RF 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 5
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 23 | 8.2 | $7,000,000 |
2041 | 24 | 8.1 | $10,000,000 |
2042 | 25 | 7.7 | $11,187,500 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $107,000,000
REMAINING AAV: $17,833,333
Sure, he just signed a nine-figure extension earlier this year but at a well-below market value of $17.8M per season, there are 31 other teams who would gladly take on that contract or move the earth to make it fit into their budget. A move from centerfield to right is a slight knock against his value, but he’s still a good defender who is a lock to earn over 7 WAR per season for the remainder of his contract.
#8 - Wilson Andrade, Charm City, SS 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: NR
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 19 | 1.3 | $500,000 |
2041 | 20 | 3.0 | $500,000 |
2042 | 21 | 8.2 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $25,800,000
REMAINING AAV: $6,450,000
Andrade earns the honor of being this year’s highest-ranked first-timer. Welcome, Wilson! The 6’3”, five-tool shortstop flirted with .400 for the first half of this season and was named to his first All-Star team. A plus-plus defender with 30 dinger pop looks every bit the star many expected when he was the first-overall selection in the oft-discussed 2038 “Super” Draft. Sky is the limit with Andrade and provides Charm City with a rare commodity to continue to build around.
#7 - Danya Tchekanov, Long Beach, SP 75/80
PREVIOUS RANK:1
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 23 | 5.6 | $500,000 |
2041 | 24 | 8.5 | $500,000 |
2042 | 25 | 4.1 | $6,900,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $39,900,000
REMAINING AAV: $13,300,000
Tchekanov's was named the league’s top value last year en route to his first Nebraska Award. Wisely, the Long Beach front office bought out the remaining two years of his arbitration in June and added an additional year in a great three-year extension. Sure, he’s fallen from the top spot down to #7, but the difference between the two is as thin as his opponents’ batting average. Durable, still just 25 and owning the best four-pitch repertoire in the league, “Satan’s Whelp” is one hell of an elite talent and valuable asset for the Surfers.
#6 - Félix Román, Boise, CF 75/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 10
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 20 | 4.6 | $500,000 |
2041 | 21 | 8.0 | $500,000 |
2042 | 22 | 8.4 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $29,700,000
REMAINING AAV: $9,900,000
The true five-tool superstar has officially arrived and has ascended to the point that people are wondering if he’ll out-WAR teammate Dennis French over the next six seasons. A move to centerfield has only helped the value of the 40/40 threat and Boise will likely look to lock up their 1A Face of the Franchise in a few years to a similar extension that French signed earlier this season.
#5 - Théo Bourges , Louisville, LF 75/75
PREVIOUS RANK: 34
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 19 | -- | minor leagues |
2041 | 20 | 5.8 | $500,000 |
2042 | 21 | 9.6 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $37,200,000
REMAINING AAV: $7,440,000
Bourges has seen his arbitration estimates more than double since last year’s edition thanks to his incredible Frick League Gillstrom Award-winning season and amazing follow-up this year. At press time, the Frenchman was second in OPS and WAR in the Frick for the league’s best team. Unfortunately for the rest of the teams in the Brewster, Bourges will be an MVP candidate for the next decade as one of the best valued players around.
#4 - Semei Kwakou, Louisville, RF 75/75
PREVIOUS RANK: 2
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 20 | 5.9 | $500,000 |
2041 | 21 | 5.6 | $500,000 |
2042 | 22 | 8.9 | $8,500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $17,000,000
REMAINING AAV: $8,500,000
It’s not an indictment that Kwakou has fallen from the top spot in 2040 to #2 to now #4, it’s merely a product of his AAV rising thru arbitration and his free agency approaching. Making under $9M per year while flirting with 9 WAR is ridiculous and Louisville is likely laughing the loudest. A candidate for a Triple Crown every year, the Nigerian superstar remains on the Brewster’s Mount Rushmore of value.
#3 - Juan Rivera, Atlantic City, RF 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 4
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 21 | 5.4 | $500,000 |
2041 | 22 | 9.7 | $500,000 |
2042 | 23 | 8.6 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $30,500,000
REMAINING AAV: $10,166,667
Your 2041 Johnson League Silk Award winner, ladies and gentlemen. So what’s next for the uber-talented lefty outfielder? Likely a back-to-back MVP thanks to a 60+ HR pace and 1.100+ OPS. 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.
#2 - Alaric Wullenweber, Hawaii, SP 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 8
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 20 | -- | minor leagues |
2041 | 21 | 7.1 | $500,000 |
2042 | 22 | 6.6 | $500,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $34,700,000
REMAINING AAV: $6,940,000
Wullenweber’s AAV has jumped from $3.3M to $6.9M thanks to what looks like a second-straight 6+ WAR season. We’re guessing the Hawaii front office is okay with that. The top-ranked pitching value in the game, the German power pitcher has lived up to his previous status as the top prospect in baseball. With Wullenweber under team control for five more seasons, Hawaii has their sights set on a run of Pacific Division titles over the same time period.
#1 - Dong-po Thum, Yellow Springs, 3B 80/80
PREVIOUS RANK: 3
YEAR | AGE | WAR | SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
2040 | 22 | 7.0 | $500,000 |
2041 | 23 | 7.2 | $500,000 |
2042 | 24 | 9.7 | $8,125,000 |
REMAINING CONTRACT: $22,400,000
REMAINING AAV: $11,200,000
.330 hitter. Check. .400 on-base skills. Check. 70 steals ability. Check. Zimmer-level defense at two positons. Check. Under 25 years old. Check. Great make-up and fan favorite. Check. Yes, he’s set to make over $11M next year. Yes, the Nine potentially only have two more years of Thum’s service. But when you flirt with 10 WAR, a figure not reached by a hitter since Lucas McNeill in 2033, you realize that there’s not much Thum can’t do. And what we know he can do is produce as the league’s top trade value asset.
- - - - - - - - - -
And there you have it, the conclusion of the fourth 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 |
---|---|
Louisville | 6 |
Edmonton | 5 |
Rockville | 4 |
San Antonio | 3 |
Yellow Springs | 3 |
Boise | 2 |
Brooklyn | 2 |
Calgary | 2 |
California | 2 |
Charm City | 2 |
Chicago | 2 |
Montreal | 2 |
New Orleans | 2 |
Valencia | 2 |
Atlantic City | 1 |
Hawaii | 1 |
Las Vegas | 1 |
Long Beach | 1 |
Madison | 1 |
Nashville | 1 |
Seattle | 1 |
Twin Cities | 1 |
San Fernando | 1 |
Vancouver | 1 |
Phoenix | 1 |
Des Moines | 0 |
Charlotte | 0 |
Portland | 0 |
Wichita | 0 |
Jacksonville | 0 |
Mexico City | 0 |
Omaha | 0 |
- Louisville holds the top spot for a second year in a row.
- It's interesting that Des Moines and Wichita both traded a player within the Top 50 but the return didn't net back the same value, at least in a one-for-one aspect.
- In three years, Jacksonville has gone from four mentions to now zero.
DIVISION | PLAYERS IN TOP 50 |
---|---|
Frontier | 14 |
Heartland | 14 |
Atlantic | 13 |
Pacific | 9 |
- Frontier was thiiiiiis close to bragging rights until Alex Ramírez was shipped to the Pacific.
- It's not by coincidence that the weaker Pacific Division features several fewer "highly valued" players than the other three divisions.
POSITION | PLAYERS IN TOP 50 |
---|---|
SP | 14 |
RF | 6 |
LF | 6 |
3B | 5 |
CF | 4 |
1B | 4 |
2B | 4 |
C | 4 |
SS | 3 |
DH | 0 |
RP | 0 |
- There was quite a shift in positional concentration from last year, with starting pitchers and centerfielders dropping by five and four players, respectively. Catchers jumped from one to four.
- Surprisingly shortstop, one of the more coveted positions to fill with marquee talent, ranks low. Unsurprisingly, the draft classes for shortstops have been weak in recent seasons, likely the biggest factor in this trend.
For those interested, you can see the Top 50 spreadsheet (plus additional players considered) below: