Fantasy: 15 rookies to target in drafts

Rookies should be hot commodities in fantasy baseball following tremendous campaigns for first-year players like Julio Rodriguez, Adley Rutschman, and Michael Harris II in 2022.

Here are 15 rookies who could be difference-makers on your roster.

Average draft positions are from FantasyPros as of March 13.

Top rookies to draft

Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks - OF (ADP 76)

Carroll is projected to be the starting left fielder for an up-and-coming Arizona Diamondbacks squad chock-full of promising young talent. The 22-year-old speedster, who recently signed an eight-year, $111-million extension, looked terrific during a 32-game stint with Arizona last season. He posted an .830 OPS (133 OPS+), and 15 of his 27 hits were of the extra-base variety. Steamer projects a 17-homer, 18-steal campaign for Carroll in 2023.

Gunnar Henderson, Orioles - 3B, SS (ADP 83)

MLB's top prospect flew up draft boards after a solid 34-game debut with the Baltimore Orioles in which he posted a .348 OBP with seven doubles and 18 RBIs. The Alabama native is expected to hit in the middle of Baltimore's lineup, which should give him plenty of opportunities to drive in runs. Combine that with his speed and power potential, and he may be the top rookie available to fantasy managers.

Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles - SP (ADP 186)

Rodriguez is another Orioles rookie primed for a breakout fantasy campaign. Baltimore expects its top pitching prospect to begin the year in the rotation after a terrific minor-league season in which he posted a 2.62 ERA and 13.0 K/9 across three levels. Steamer projects a 3.90 ERA and 135 strikeouts, which is worth using a mid-to-late round pick on.

Triston Casas, Red Sox - 1B - (ADP 202)

Casas is going to get a shot to prove himself as the starting first baseman for the Boston Red Sox. The 23-year-old held his own during a September call-up, belting five homers with a 113 OPS+, but he didn't show much in the way of batting average (.197). The power and on-base potential make him intriguing enough to keep an eye on.

Josh Jung, Rangers - 3B - (ADP 219)

Jung's time has finally come. After plenty of hype and an impressive minor-league track record, the No. 8 selection in the 2019 draft will get his chance to be the Texas Rangers' starting third baseman. The 25-year-old struggled in 26 big-league games last season but has 20-homer potential. That isn't too shabby for a player projected to go in the 13th round of 16-team leagues.

Risky rookies with upside

Hunter Brown, Astros - SP, RP (ADP 220)

Brown was terrific during a brief regular-season stint for the Houston Astros and carried that success into the postseason. The 24-year-old looked unhittable during Houston's World Series run. He should begin the season in the Astros' rotation but will probably end up in the bullpen or minors when Lance McCullers returns from injury, so be careful about drafting him too high.

Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies - SS - (ADP 248)

Tovar is the future at shortstop for the Colorado Rockies, who are giving him the best chance to win the job out of spring training. There are plenty of reasons to believe he'll do it, too. The Venezuelan raked in the minors last year, hitting .319/.387/.540 with 14 homers and 17 steals. That same success didn't translate to the bigs during a cup of coffee, which is why Tovar is a roll of the dice instead of a sure thing.

Miguel Vargas, Dodgers - 1B - (ADP 245)

The Dodgers have a solid track record of success with homegrown players, and Los Angeles seemingly has high hopes for Vargas this season. The 23-year-old is expected to get a lot of infield reps for the NL West champs, with Steamer projecting him to reach 13 homers, 53 RBIs, and nine steals. However, Vargas could spend a lot of time on the bench if the Dodgers decide to use Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas more frequently.

Anthony Volpe, Yankees - SS - (ADP 344)

With Oswald Peraza and Isiah Kiner-Falefa blocking his way, Volpe is a long shot to begin the year with the New York Yankees' big-league squad. But MLB's No. 5 prospect is having a strong spring and posted an .802 OPS with 21 homers, 65 RBIs, and 50 steals in the minors last season. An injury could also change everything, though Volpe looks like a bench stash for now.

Elly De La Cruz, Reds - 3B, SS - (ADP 373)

De La Cruz is unlikely to break spring camp with the Reds' big-league squad, but Cincinnati's top prospect could debut in 2023. The dynamic 21-year-old infielder was ridiculous in the minors last season, hitting .304/.359/.586 with 28 homers, 86 RBIs, and 47 steals. There should be plenty of opportunity for him to get his shot on the rebuilding Reds, especially when Kevin Newman is the only player blocking his arrival. De La Cruz is worth a stash.

High-impact prospects on the verge

Jordan Walker, Cardinals - 3B - (ADP 215)

Walker sits behind Henderson as MLB's top infield prospect after a terrific Double-A campaign in 2022. Unfortunately, the St. Louis Cardinals also employ Nolan Arenado at the youngster's natural position. Walker can play the outfield, but St. Louis is pretty stacked there as well, with Tyler O'Neill, Lars Nootbaar, and Dylan Carlson. Walker will get his chance eventually, but don't expect it to be anytime soon.

Francisco Alvarez, Mets - C - (ADP 273)

New York Mets fans have been clamoring for Alvarez to be on the big-league squad for some time and got a little taste when he appeared in five games last season. The club has its sights set on the World Series, so the veteran pitching staff will likely prefer experienced options like Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido behind the dish for now. Alvarez isn't far off, though.

Andrew Painter, Phillies - SP - (ADP 325)

Painter recently sailed past Rodriguez as MLB's top pitching prospect following a magnificent 2022 campaign in which he posted a 1.56 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 13.5 K/9 across two minor-league levels. He's still only 19, and the Philadelphia Phillies' rotation added Taijuan Walker to a group that already included Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Ranger Suarez. His recent UCL sprain is also expected to keep him out for at least four weeks.

Brett Baty, Mets - 3B - (ADP 345)

Like Alvarez, Baty isn't far from joining the Mets. The 23-year-old had a shot to prove himself last season but struggled to the tune of a .586 OPS. He performed much better in the minors, and with Eduardo Escobar on an expiring deal, Baty's next chance could come sooner rather than later.

Bobby Miller, Dodgers - SP - (ADP 583)

Miller has the potential to be an elite strikeout guy at the big-league level and could be up quicker than anticipated with so many question marks surrounding the health of the Dodgers' rotation. Los Angeles is likely to allow him extra time in the minors, but he's certainly worth keeping an eye on.