Welcome to this yr’s rating of the highest 100 prospects in baseball. I’ve been compiling and writing such rankings for 18 years now, and people of you who’ve learn them earlier than will discover the format right here much like these from the latest previous.
My farm studies masking a minimum of 20 prospects in every group’s system, plus notes on prospects who may seem within the majors this yr or is likely to be breakout prospects for the 2026 rankings, will seem the week of Feb. 3.
For the second yr in a row, the newest draft class is well-represented within the prime 100; final yr’s record had 20 gamers from the 2023 draft class, and this yr’s record has 15, with extra showing on the “prospects who simply missed” column that can run on Wednesday. The 2024 draft was not superb, however the minors proper now … the minors should not good, my pals. It’s simply not very deep, and attending to 100 names I felt good about was as arduous because it has ever been.
A few of it’s the growing tempo with which groups are calling up prime prospects, as 12 of my prime 20 prospects from final yr’s record have graduated, however the larger trigger, for my part, is the compelled contraction of the minor leagues again in 2021, which has rushed extra gamers to Low A earlier than they have been prepared and usually shrunk the time groups are giving to prospects who want extra growth.
Even guys who battle in A-ball have a tendency to maneuver up as a result of gamers are coming proper behind them who want these at-bats or innings, and the result’s extra guys stalling out or regressing or simply by no means taking the step ahead that scouts and/or analysts anticipated. With continued rumors that MLB desires to chop yet one more whole rung from the minors, this yr’s prime 100 ought to be a stark warning that the league is attempting its greatest to strangle the goose that lays the golden eggs.
To be eligible for this record, a participant should nonetheless retain Rookie of the Yr eligibility for 2025, and haven’t any expertise in NPB/KBO, as these are main leagues and calling, say, Roki Sasaki a “prospect” is fairly foolish (to not point out it takes up the area I’d fairly use on an precise prospect).
I additionally don’t embrace the worldwide free brokers who simply signed in January, since in almost all circumstances these guys haven’t been scouted by different groups in a yr or extra. I do know of 1 such man who was below a verbal settlement with the group that signed him earlier than he turned 13. Nobody has an up-to-date scouting report on him. That’s simply not occurring.
I are inclined to favor upside in prospects greater than certainty, however there’s worth in each. A participant who’s all ceiling and no ground isn’t as useful, within the commerce market now or in contemplating his anticipated worth in the long run, as one who has a considerably decrease ceiling however a a lot greater ground. I need gamers who is likely to be stars. After that, I need gamers who is likely to be above-average huge leaguers — however I additionally attempt to needless to say many of those prospects gained’t attain their ceilings, and to think about what different eventualities exist for his or her futures.
I exploit “seasonal age” for gamers, which is their age on July 1, 2025, the midpoint of the calendar. I exploit the 20-80 scale for instruments (or 2-8 — identical scale, completely different dialect), the place 50 is common, 60 is plus, 40 is properly under common, 80 is Pete Crow-Armstrong’s protection, and 20 is Yasmani Grandal’s foot velocity. I attempt to focus on gamers’ instruments, their frames, their degree of athleticism and different bodily attributes, in addition to their abilities, their aptitude, and different psychological or mental attributes as properly.
That is similar to how major-league groups consider gamers, though they may all the time have the benefit of entry to extra and higher information than these of us on the surface can get. The least I can do is attempt to mirror how the trade thinks about gamers, and provide the most correct potential image of the prospects in these rankings by means of each the lens of my very own evaluations and people of the folks throughout the trade whom I most belief.
When referring to beginning pitchers, I acknowledge that that function remains to be evolving and we don’t have 200-inning guys anymore, with plenty of “five-and-dive” (throw 5 innings and hit the showers) or twice-through-the-order guys, however I’ll nonetheless speak about league-average starters and generally discuss with back-end (fourth or fifth starters) or above-average (ace, No. 2, and a few No. 3) starters. Keep in mind that there’s a vary round any projection or prediction for a participant — if I say I believe somebody’s a No. 4 starter, he may need a ceiling as a No. 3 or extra, and the ground of a center reliever or a bulk reliever, the place the No. 4 starter projection is the probably or median end result I see.
And now, on to the rankings …
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Anthony has shot by means of the minors, reaching Triple A in his second full professional season out of highschool, because of the most effective swings in all the minors and an especially superior method for a hitter so younger. A 2022 second-round decide, Anthony modified his setup that offseason, releasing up his fingers to loosen his entire swing by means of contact whereas additionally getting his hips and legs extra concerned to assist him hit the ball more durable, and it paid off nearly instantly.
Since his early 2023 promotion to Excessive A, he’s hit .294/.405/.521 throughout three ranges, ending final season in Triple A with as many walks as strikeouts at that cease. His common exit velocity for Triple-A Worcester was 88 mph, though he did begin to hit the ball on the bottom extra (52 %) in that temporary stint, not a serious concern however one thing to look at as he will get so near a promotion to the majors. He’s very disciplined for his age, chasing simply 20 % of the time in Triple A, with a whiff fee below 9 %, choosing up spin very properly even at a degree when he was going through guys who’d pitched within the majors.
Anthony has largely performed middle within the minors, however he’s not very rangy and he’s possibly a median runner, so he’s more likely to finish up in a nook, supplanted in middle by somebody with plus vary. He’s acquired an opportunity to be a 30-homer, high-average, high-OBP man in proper subject, possibly with plus protection there, which is a “greatest participant within the league” profile.
Walcott began the yr in Excessive A as an 18-year-old, becoming a member of Ethan Salas as the one gamers that younger to start out 2024 wherever above Low A, and he began very slowly, hitting simply .196/.326/.315 by means of the tip of Might. From then on, he cooked, hitting .296/.351/.511 till a late-season promotion to Double A, in order that on the entire he ended the yr with an OBP 17 factors above the Sally League common and a slugging proportion 78 factors above it — all because the league’s youngest common.
The Bahamian-born Walcott appears to be like like a person amongst boys, as he’s 6-foot-4 or 6-foot-5 and clearly greater than his listed 190 kilos, with a large body that’s going to let him pack on some higher physique energy. He’s a wonderful athlete with above-average velocity and will get very excessive marks for his really feel for the sport, together with his capacity to make in-game and in-season changes. He’s acquired great bat velocity and already produces arduous contact at a really excessive fee, so there’s each purpose to hope he could be a 30-homer man with a excessive common even when his strikeout fee stays within the 24-25 % vary.
Walcott is a shortstop now, and never dangerous there, however he’s extraordinarily prone to outgrow the place — he’s going to be bigger than Carlos Correa or Corey Seager, two larger guys who defied expectations to stay at quick. At worst, you’ve acquired a proper fielder who hits for common and energy. He gained’t even flip 19 till the primary week of March, so he has loads of time to maintain turning these immense bodily items into baseball abilities. I believe he’s underrated already, and he’s my decide to be the No. 1 prospect a yr from now.
Basallo is likely to be hopelessly blocked in the intervening time by Adley Rutschman, however he’s the very best catching prospect in baseball proper now, having produced at each degree up by means of Double A earlier than his twentieth birthday whereas exhibiting sufficient instruments and athleticism to mission as an above-average defender. Signed for a $1.3 million bonus in January 2021, Basallo has a implausible swing that’s quick to the ball however arduous sufficient to supply plus energy already, with extra to come back as he matures. He’s proven wonderful plate self-discipline thus far, and has hit left-handed pitching extraordinarily properly all through his profession, avoiding the platoon considerations that bedevil so many left-handed hitting prospects.
Even in a troublesome debut in Triple A, the place he actually struggled to regulate to changeups, he nonetheless topped 110 mph (off a lefty!) and averaged 91 mph throughout all balls he put into play. He’s acquired a minimum of a 70 arm and is athletic sufficient to turn into a 55 receiver and blocker, though proper now he’s succeeding extra on his pure bodily capacity and desires extra polish on the finer factors of catching.
Basallo will most likely be prepared for a big-league function by the tip of 2025, which is able to current a giant dilemma for the Orioles, as they’re one of many solely groups in baseball for whom he wouldn’t be an enormous improve behind the plate — and if Rutschman is “simply” a 3-4 WAR participant, as he’s been the final two years, I’m not so positive that he’s the higher choice.
Jenkins has earned comparisons to Larry Walker since he was a highschool junior, which I all the time suspected was a minimum of a bit of bit pushed by his first title, however there are extra similarities than that. Jenkins can be a tall, athletic, and really robust left-handed-hitting nook outfielder, and he’s superior rapidly by means of the low minors when wholesome by exhibiting distinctive swing choices — he seldom swings and misses (simply 17.5 % final yr) and doesn’t chase pitches out of the zone fairly often (24.6 %), uncommon for a hitter of his dimension and energy potential.
He has a implausible left-handed swing that will get him to the ball rapidly and places the ball within the air extra typically than on the bottom, whereas he’s proven the power to go the opposite approach when pitchers attempt to assault him on the outer third. That really feel to hit as a 19-year-old who’s already reached Double A is a part of what makes him so thrilling as a prospect; he already can hit, and there’s dimension and energy right here for plus energy as he continues to develop and develop.
He’s largely performed middle within the minors, however I nonetheless assume he’s heading to proper subject between his dimension and simply common velocity thus far. He additionally missed nearly two months to start out 2024 with a hamstring damage, so he hasn’t performed a full season but. He ought to return to Double A to start out 2025, and if he stays wholesome, I wouldn’t be shocked in any respect to see him get a call-up in September given how a lot arduous contact he’s already making as a young person.
If Emerson had stayed wholesome all yr, he would have been near the very prime of this record, simply based mostly on how good he regarded and the way properly he carried out when he was capable of take the sphere. The twenty second decide in 2023, Emerson went to Low A to start out final yr as an 18-year-old — his birthday is in late July — and hit .293/.440/.427 in 40 video games, strolling greater than he struck out. The Mariners bumped him as much as Excessive A in early August, and he hit .225/.331/.317 in 29 video games there — however nonetheless made loads of contact — after which hit .370/.436/.537 as one of many youngest gamers within the Arizona Fall League.
The dangerous information is that he performed a complete of 83 video games between the common season and the AFL, hitting the IL in April with an indirect pressure, breaking a bone in his foot by fouling a ball off it in mid-Might, after which leaving Arizona in early November after straining a hamstring. He’s performed about 80 % of his professional innings at shortstop and has proven the vary and instincts to remain there, regardless that he’s simply a median runner; if his propensity to get harm continues as he matures, he could also be higher served shifting to 3rd or second, however he is a lot extra useful at quick that he’ll most likely keep there a minimum of by means of the excessive minors.
He has all the substances to be a hitter for a excessive common and OBP, with a brief path to the ball, wonderful bat velocity and a powerful method for his age. He may solely lack the facility to get to the higher echelons of MLB place gamers, however he additionally has an additional yr (so to talk) to develop that when in comparison with different elite shortstop prospects.
Clark was the third decide within the loaded 2023 draft, and whereas I do know some Tigers followers gnashed their tooth when Wyatt Langford (taken fourth) reached the majors final spring, Clark is among the best possible prospects within the minors and nonetheless initiatives as a star, particularly coming off a really robust 2024. Enjoying at simply 19 all the season, Clark hit .286/.386/.421 within the pitcher-friendly Florida State League, then hit .264/.344/.421 after a July promotion to Excessive A, whereas stealing 29 bases in 33 makes an attempt on the yr.
His pitch recognition and choice stay very robust — he whiffed simply 8.1 % of the time he swung in Low A, and chased simply 22.6 % of the time, per Statcast information from that degree — and he topped out at 106 mph in exit velocity, however he hit the ball on the bottom a ton, as he can get too agency on the entrance aspect and finally ends up on prime of the ball too typically. He’s a real middle fielder who was a 55 runner final yr, down from 70 velocity in highschool, and confirmed simply a median arm, all of which was additionally a bit down from highschool, presumably simply the results of a for much longer season and extra frequent play than he’d skilled earlier than as an novice in Indiana.
His ground is a daily in middle with excessive on-base percentages and plus protection; his ceiling, if the Tigers assist him regain some velocity and get him to loosen up his entrance aspect to drive the ball extra, is a 25-homer/40-steal on-base machine.
Crews was the second decide within the 2023 draft and made his major-league debut about 13 months after signing, advancing rapidly by means of the minors as anticipated however with out the dominance that most individuals anticipated. Crews hit .274/.343/446 in Double A, in a very good hitters’ park in Harrisburg, and .265/.340/.455 at Triple-A Rochester. It was a stable efficiency, boosted by above-average protection in middle subject, however he’s not simply any prospect — he gained the 2023 Golden Spikes award after starring at LSU and beating up on SEC pitching for 3 years.
The excellent news is that his batted-ball information factors to raised outcomes going ahead, as he bumped into some dangerous luck within the majors regardless of hitting the ball fairly arduous in a small pattern; his hard-hit charges in Triple A (43.3 %) and the majors (44.7 %) have been each above the median, regardless that he was simply 22 and younger for each ranges. He’s closed off a few of the bother he had in 2023 with fastballs up within the zone, and missed simply 10 % of the fastballs he swung at within the majors. He hit lefties superb in his temporary pattern within the huge leagues as properly, struggling largely towards breaking stuff from righties, particularly down and away.
Even with the tepid efficiency within the excessive minors, he nonetheless exhibits the underlying traits of an above-average hitter within the huge leagues, and that coupled with what might be grade 55 protection in middle — or plus if he strikes to a nook at any level — would nonetheless make him a minimum of a constant 3-4 WAR participant proper now. I’m nonetheless hopeful there’s extra upside right here with the bat than he’s demonstrated in his year-plus in professional ball.
Williams is probably the most enigmatic prospect within the minors to me: He does completely all the pieces you’d need a position-player prospect to do, besides he strikes out approach too typically — he does all of these different issues regardless of a 28.5 % strikeout fee in Double A final yr that ought to be, if not disqualifying, a serious demerit on his scouting report.
Williams is a plus defender at quick with a simple plus arm. He has 70 velocity and exhibits above-average to plus energy, hitting 20 homers for the second yr in a row. He doesn’t chase pitches out of the zone a lot in any respect — his chase fee final yr was 22 % in response to Synergy Sports activities, which places him properly under the general MLB fee, however when he does chase, he almost all the time whiffs, and he additionally misses pitches within the zone greater than you’d like. It’s a call difficulty fairly than a mechanical one, however Williams performs so properly despite the whiffs that altering his method dangers taking away a few of the manufacturing as properly.
His 2024 season might also undersell his skills, as he was hit on the hand by a pitch in June, missed simply six days, and wasn’t the identical hitter afterward. He was hitting .294/.376/.552 with a 27.1 % strikeout fee on the time of the damage, then hit .220/.324/.382 with a 29.4 % strikeout fee after his return, which makes me suspect he was extra harm than he let on and simply performed by means of it. At worst, he’s a shortstop with plus energy, protection, and baserunning worth who may simply hit for a decrease common due to the strikeouts. That’s a 4-WAR participant in a full season due to the worth of the place, and I wouldn’t rule out him getting past that with even tiny changes to his swing selections.
Campbell was my minor league participant of the yr for 2024 after he posted a .330/.439/.558 line throughout three ranges, from Excessive A by means of Triple A, in his first full yr in professional ball. The Crimson Sox took him within the fourth spherical in 2023 as a redshirt freshman at Georgia Tech, betting on the make-up and the athleticism, and that good scouting work paid off as he not solely hit at each degree however did so whereas enjoying 4 positions — second, quick, third, and middle. He’s a plus runner who’s quick sufficient to play any of these spots, however his fringy arm most likely limits him to second or middle, with second his greatest place proper now and in the long term as properly.
His swing has a bit of funk to it and he can get flat by means of contact, leading to a 60 % groundball fee in his temporary time in Triple A, however he has an unimaginable eye on the plate and will get the bat to the ball constantly sufficient for arduous contact. He does have some holes he’ll must work on, together with four-seamers up and something shifting down and in below his fingers or at his entrance hip, a few of which can simply be a operate of his restricted expertise earlier than attending to Triple A. He’s additionally already gained 10-15 kilos of additional muscle this winter, which might assist with bat management and getting some extra loft by means of contact. He might simply be a plus defender at second and at worst ought to publish excessive OBPs with 20-30 steals and 50+ extra-base hits a yr.
The 2024 season was a misplaced yr for Lawlar, who tore a ligament in his proper thumb in March, then harm his left hamstring twice whereas on rehab assignments, limiting him to only 104 regular-season PA and maintaining him out of the majors completely after he debuted in 2023. He did go play for Licey within the Dominican Winter League and doubled his enjoying time for the calendar yr, though he didn’t hit as properly there, leaving him most likely no additional alongside than he was this time final yr.
He’s a extremely athletic shortstop who has proven he could make arduous contact to hit for prime averages, hitting extra line drives to the gaps than balls into the seats, solely attending to extra energy when he performed within the hitters’ havens of Amarillo and Reno in 2023. His swing is fairly quick to the ball, with good follow-through that’s on a decrease airplane for line drives, and his wrists are so robust that he’s going to a minimum of get to a excessive doubles complete and possibly nonetheless hit 15-20 homers at his peak. He didn’t run a lot final yr however has plus velocity and good instincts on the bases, all of which might additionally assist him if he finally ends up shifting to middle subject in deference to a plus defender at shortstop. If left on the place, he might be a 50/55 defender, because of some robust work by Arizona’s participant growth crew.
I did be aware some considerations about him lunging out of his swing in 2023, however that’s all on the again burner now as we wait to see the wholesome model of him return this spring coaching. He is acquired a powerful ground as an on a regular basis man, at quick or middle or possibly even second, but when he can keep wholesome and push that energy to extra like 20 homers or 60+ extra-base hits, he’d be extra of an All-Star.
Jobe is the very best pitching prospect within the minors proper now, though each candidate for that record has missed a while with accidents up to now two years, Jobe included, so purchaser beware. He’s acquired a four-pitch combine highlighted by a high-spin four-seamer that sits 94-98 when he’s beginning and an elite changeup, the most effective within the minors, that has great late tumble, and that he can throw to either side of the plate and makes use of towards left- and right-handed batters. He’s additionally acquired a sweeper-slider and a tough slider, each of that are extra weapons towards righties, though the sweeper might be going to be the fourth pitch in his arsenal within the majors.
He has cleaned up his supply considerably since 2023, so he ought to be higher positioned to repeat it and throw each extra strikes and higher strikes going ahead, as excessive stroll charges have been one of many solely negatives on his report back to date — he walked 12.6 % of batters he confronted in Double A and Triple A final yr, which is a big reward to batters given how arduous his stuff is to hit. He’s additionally had plenty of non-arm accidents, lacking the primary half of 2023 with a decrease again damage and two months of 2024 with a hamstring pressure, so he’s thrown simply 252 2/3 complete innings in three full professional seasons, together with time within the AFL in 2023. Which will level to a restricted workload in 2025, particularly since he’s prone to spend most or all of it within the majors. It’s No. 1 starter upside if he can go from 45 management to 55, which he definitely ought to given his athleticism and the place the supply stands now.
Painter was supposedly on the bubble to make the Phillies out of spring coaching in 2023, when he was nonetheless 19, however ended up with a UCL tear that required Tommy John surgical procedure and worn out that season and all of 2024 as properly. He returned in the course of the Arizona Fall League this offseason and threw 15 2/3 innings over six outings, nonetheless pumping 96-98 with good carry, exhibiting a plus curveball and slider, with solely the changeup lagging behind.
He’s constructed like a workhorse starter at 6-foot-7 and a listed weight of 215 that’s most likely outdated by 10-plus kilos, though the elbow tear and two misplaced years a minimum of push his timetable to take 30 turns in a big-league rotation again a bit. He’s most likely going to demolish Triple-A hitters this yr and find yourself within the majors in some type of reduction or swing function because the Phillies handle his innings and attempt to develop his changeup and his command, particularly coming off a layoff the place he’s prone to nonetheless have some rust. The wholesome model of Painter ought to be a 200-inning, No. 1 starter.
Miller was the Phillies’ 2023 first-round decide, coming off a senior season at J.W. Mitchell Excessive College north of Clearwater that ended for him in early March when he broke a hamate bone. Between the damage and the truth that he was 19 on the draft, he slid down some groups’ draft boards, which was the Phillies’ windfall after they chosen him with the twenty seventh decide, as he’s rapidly turn into their greatest position-player prospect.
Final season, he ripped by means of Low-A Clearwater with a .275/.401/.483 line in 39 video games the place he topped out at 108 mph, then began sluggish in Excessive A earlier than taking off in his final month and a half there, ending up with a .258/.353/.444 line earlier than a final-week promotion to Double A, all very spectacular for a participant in his first full yr within the minors.
He has completely performed shortstop since he signed, and opposite to predraft studies, he’s performed it very well, to the purpose the place nobody appears to query whether or not he can keep on the place. He’s acquired superb instincts and exhibits above-average vary in each instructions, with a plus arm, enjoying protection like he desires to make each play. I noticed him proper after the promotion to Excessive A and famous an excessively aggressive method and tendency to get on prime of the ball; inside about two weeks, he’d already adjusted and was seeing extra pitches and driving the ball once more. He’s even a plus runner now who stole 23 bases in 28 makes an attempt final yr, doubtless including much more worth to his recreation.
Miller has performed simply 122 video games in professional ball, and gained’t flip 21 till June, so he’s nonetheless acquired time on his aspect and I believe extra energy to come back. With Trea Turner’s protection slipping — his Runs Above Common on protection hasn’t been constructive since 2021 — Miller is likely to be the Phillies’ future at shortstop, and before you assume.
Shaw is likely to be the Cubs’ beginning third baseman this April, and he’s earned the shot after reaching Triple A in his first full professional season and hitting higher because the season progressed. Shaw began 2024 in Double A, the place he overcame some dangerous luck on balls in play to hit .279/.373/.468 with only a 17.5 % strikeout fee, after which bumped as much as Triple A and hit .298/.395/.534 with a 19.7 % strikeout fee. He makes very constant arduous contact, averaging 89.3 mph in Triple A with a ninetieth percentile exit velocity of 106. He makes use of a really rotational and clear swing that tends to place the ball within the air.
He’s a shortstop by commerce however has performed second and third as properly within the minors, a mirrored image of the Cubs’ wants, with second base most likely his greatest place and his third-base protection playable if not fairly common but. He’s a 55 runner with wonderful instincts and will most likely deal with middle or left if wanted. Shaw is among the greatest bets to hit for a excessive common of any prospect within the minors, and will add one other half-grade of energy to get final yr’s 21 homers up into the 25-30 homer vary in his greatest years. Relying on his place and the way a lot he can enhance his protection, he might be a 5-WAR participant at his peak.
Quero was No. 12 on final winter’s prime 100, however had only one regular-season plate look in 2024 earlier than he tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder, ultimately present process surgical procedure to restore it that ended his season. He’s supposedly on observe to be prepared for spring coaching, so in idea he’s nonetheless simply pretty much as good of a prospect as he was a yr in the past, along with his throwing most likely the most important query, though the lack of a yr of at-bats additionally hurts nearly any prospect this aspect of Chipper Jones. It was notably a disgrace for Quero after he labored to enhance his conditioning the prior yr so he might maintain up below a full yr of catching duties.
As a hitter, he exhibits a brief swing with robust follow-through, hitting 16 homers in 90 video games in 2023 and projecting to 20-plus homers in his peak years within the majors. He had proven a bent to swing too arduous, mitigating it thus far as a result of he has robust fingers and wrists to manage the bat by means of the zone. He’ll must shake off the rust from the layoff, after which can resume engaged on recognizing changeups from lefties and spin from righties, each of which have been vulnerabilities for him in 2023. Assuming his arm is OK — it was most likely a 70 on pure arm energy, so he has some wiggle room — and the surgical procedure hasn’t adversely affected his swing, he nonetheless initiatives as a star who’s a plus defender and a really robust hitter for the place.
Dashing bounced again from a concussion he suffered in 2023 that impacted his efficiency, placing collectively an excellent 2024 season that has him banging on the door of Chavez Ravine, hitting .271/.385/.512 between Double A and Triple A with stable protection and improved efficiency towards velocity. Dashing has proven wonderful zone consciousness since his debut, with a chase fee of simply 21 % throughout each ranges final yr, and his hard-hit fee in Triple A was 44 %, similar to Alec Bohm and Kyle Tucker within the huge leagues.
He can overstride a bit of and get off steadiness, particularly given how arduous he swings, however when it’s all synced up his swing is geared to supply arduous contact in that preferrred zone of angles off the bat for energy. He’s a stable receiver who threw out 30 % of runners final yr, and is likely to be underrated as a defender as a result of he’s such a very good hitter (one thing baseball followers who have been on-line within the Nineties may know as Nichols’ Legislation of Catcher Protection — a catcher’s defensive repute is inversely proportional to their offensive skills).
The Dodgers simply gave Will Smith a mammoth contract, however he’s additionally been banged up fairly a bit the final two years, so Dashing’s imminent arrival within the majors is likely to be proper on time. If he’s even a .340 OBP, 20-homer man, which appears cheap given his manufacturing and underlying information from 2024, that may make him one of the crucial useful catchers in baseball.
Salas was one in every of two 18-year-olds to start out 2024 above Low A, together with Walcott. Salas’ season was superb in context, however didn’t fairly dwell as much as the hype or the scouting studies coming into the yr. He hit .208/.288/.311 for Excessive-A Fort Wayne, with only a 21 % strikeout fee; his .256 BABIP does level to some dangerous luck, however his contact high quality went backwards as properly, and the simple energy he confirmed in 2023 — or can present in BP — was absent in video games many of the common season. He was higher within the Arizona Fall League, hitting as many homers there (4) in 23 video games as he did in 111 video games for Fort Wayne, which performs in a foul hitters’ park.
He’s nonetheless a plus defender and earns reward for his work with pitchers and coaches, giving him a really excessive ground as a catcher who has proven nice contact abilities and a minimum of proven plus energy in BP. He gained’t flip 19 till June 1, so he has a ton of time to carry all of this collectively. Nevertheless, on the very least there’s much more skepticism about his likelihood to turn into a star amongst different scouts and execs than there was a yr in the past.
The Orioles went under-slot with their prime decide within the abbreviated 2020 draft so they may go over slot for 2 gamers within the fourth and fifth rounds, and Mayo, the fourth-rounder, has greater than justified their method, as he’s already reached the majors at age 22 after hitting properly at each cease within the minors.
Mayo spent most of 2024 in Triple A, hitting .287/.364/.562 there with 22 homers in simply 89 video games round an IL stint (he broke a rib attempting to catch a foul ball). His batted-ball information from that degree was simply as spectacular — his exit velocity topped out at 114.9 mph, his ninetieth percentile EV was 107.2 mph, and his hard-hit fee was 41 %, all of which might be above the major-league medians for these figures. His Barrel fee was over 12 %, which might have ranked within the prime 50 had he completed it within the huge leagues.
He is 6-5 and does have lengthy levers so his swing can get huge, a few of which is the pure tradeoff for the type of energy he shows, however might also level to an extended adjustment interval within the majors as pitchers exploit that size. He hasn’t swung and missed excessively within the minors, nonetheless, and he has made small changes to his method and his mechanics as he’s moved up, so there’s each purpose to assume he’ll achieve this within the majors. He’s performed third and first in professional ball and has made himself right into a succesful defender on the sizzling nook, however first base will all the time be the simplest choice — or presumably proper subject, as he has loads of arm and strikes properly sufficient for a nook outfield spot. His bat appears to be like prefer it’ll play wherever, with 30-35 homer upside and a ok plan on the plate to ultimately get to league-average or higher OBPs.
Chandler was a part of the Pirates’ 2021 draft class, the place they took Henry Davis with the primary decide and went properly below slot so they may signal a number of different first-round skills to over-slot offers — with Chandler by far the very best of the group to this point. The previous quarterback-shortstop-pitcher is now completely on the mound, and 2024 was a giant step ahead for him, as he moved by means of Double A to Triple A and reduce his stroll fee from 10.9 % in 2023 to eight.6 % throughout all of final yr.
Chandler has the most effective four-seamers within the minors, 94-99 with distinctive form and life, giving it the phantasm of rise, and hitters simply can’t do something with it: Triple-A batters whiffed on it 27 % of the time they swung, and after they did hit it they have been extra prone to go the opposite approach as a result of they couldn’t pull it. He’s largely fastball-slider-changeup now, barely utilizing the curveball, so he can deal with enhancing only one breaking ball. It’ll most likely all the time be his third-best pitch, however it was efficient towards righties final yr, and his changeup remains to be a plus pitch for him that he can use towards either side.
The Pirates let him work a bit of deeper into video games in 2024 and he confirmed no lack of stuff, whereas this was the second yr in a row that he pitched a full season, so he ought to be able to step into the big-league rotation by midyear. He solely turned a full-time pitcher in 2023, so he should have extra progress forward of him on the mound than the everyday 22-year-old, and he’s each bit the athlete you’d anticipate from somebody who was dedicated to Clemson for 2 sports activities. Even when the slider isn’t greater than a fringe-average pitch, he appears to be like like he’ll a minimum of be a No. 2 starter with the 2 elite weapons and the potential for above-average command as he matures.
Schultz has gone from barely pitching as a senior at Oswego East Excessive College outdoors Chicago as he was coping with mono to changing into the very best left-handed pitching prospect in baseball simply two years later. He’d made solely 16 appearances within the minors coming into 2024, having missed time the yr earlier than, however spent most of his season in Double A as a 20-year-old and dominated, placing out 32 % of batters he confronted and posting a 1.48 ERA.
He’s 6-9 and actually makes use of the peak to his benefit, coming at hitters from a low slot with good extension in order that hitters make weak contact on his fastball regardless that it doesn’t miss many bats. He’ll sit 93-96 as a starter, with excessive spin charges however not a ton of life to it, a plus-plus slider as his out pitch, together with a high-spin curveball and maybe too-firm changeup, though thus far he’s had no points with platoon splits.
He’s going to earn comparisons to Chris Sale as one other lanky low-slot lefty, however he’s a unique animal; he may by no means miss bats on the identical fee, however will generate plenty of weak contact and preserve the ball within the park as an alternative. So long as he stays wholesome — and that’s not assured, because the historical past of 6-9 or taller pitchers is fairly grim — he’s going to have a future of giving hitters nightmares as a top-end starter.
Rodriguez had a typical yr for himself — he walked and struck out loads, made very arduous contact, and acquired harm. In 47 video games complete throughout 4 ranges, he hit .280/.459/.567 with a 24.4 % stroll fee and 29.7 % strikeout fee, hitting 9 homers in that span, or roughly a 31-homer tempo. He injured his proper thumb whereas stealing a base in April, tried to come back again and play by means of it, however reinjured it in September and ended up having a “cleanup process” on it after the season. He makes extraordinarily arduous contact when he’s wholesome, although. Even in his temporary time in Triple A, he put 13 balls in play, peaking at 114.6 mph and averaging 90.1. And his information of the strike zone is actual; he even introduced his chase fee down from about 14 % final yr to 11 % this yr and simply 8 % in his temporary time in Triple A.
Rodriguez calmed down his leg kick a bit of bit final yr, though it doesn’t appear to have made a lot distinction in his outcomes, and he nonetheless most likely must swing extra typically at pitches within the zone. If he stays in centerfield, with this energy and endurance he might be a greater Mike Cameron (46.7 profession WAR, so don’t scoff). It’s extra doubtless Rodriguez results in proper subject, the place his uncommon profile as a hitter will nonetheless make him an above-average common, and there’s the potential for extra if he will get a bit of extra aggressive on the plate — and might keep on the sphere for a full season.
Domínguez might by no means fairly be the Mickey Mantle-esque star that the earliest hype round him indicated, however he’s going to be an excellent participant — extra so if the Yankees simply go away him in middle subject and let him hit. Signed for a $5 million bonus as a 16-year-old in 2019, Domínguez was very bodily mature for his age then, and confirmed plus energy early on in his profession because of this. He’s additionally a 70 runner and has 30/30 upside if he hits sufficient to get to it, and thus far, he has hit for contact and common up by means of Triple A, hitting .287/.363/.465 there final yr in his return from 2023 Tommy John surgical procedure.
He’s a switch-hitter with actually good swings from either side of the plate, however has all the time been higher from the left aspect and has struck out 29.3 % of the time when batting right-handed over the past two years, one factor that bears watching as he strikes to the majors. He’s a pure middle fielder and a very good one, with vary from that plus velocity together with stable instincts to learn balls off the bat. There’s some hit device danger, particularly towards southpaws, and he doesn’t have the identical room for bodily projection that almost all prospects his age nonetheless do. I see sufficient current energy and energy — his EV50 in Triple A was 101.6 mph, which might have ranked fourth on the Yankees final yr — to mission him as a 25-30 homer man as is, and with the velocity and protection that also makes him a properly above-average common and occasional All-Star.
McGonigle was the Tigers’ second decide in 2023, however took dwelling a first-round bonus to purchase him away from a scholarship to Auburn, and his professional debut made that seem like a screaming discount for Detroit. (It helps that the present draft bonus system wildly undervalues the very best gamers.) His 2024 was bookended by accidents, however after recovering from a hamstring pressure, he hit .326/.407/.470 in his 60-game stint in Low A, then acquired off to a stable begin in Excessive A earlier than he broke the hamate bone in his proper hand, ending his season.
The center infielder from a small non-public faculty outdoors of Philadelphia has a really clear, easy swing with good hip rotation to drive the ball to the gaps, and the superb ball-strike recognition he confirmed as an novice has definitely carried over — he walked greater than he struck out at Low A and at Excessive A, with 11 walks and simply 4 strikeouts in 14 video games on the latter cease. He’s performed quick and second in professional ball however doesn’t have the vary or quickness for shortstop, profiling a lot better at second and maybe ending up a 55 defender there.
If there’s a knock on his recreation, it’s that he’s not as projectable bodily as many of the guys forward of him on this record; he makes loads of arduous contact now, however there’s not a lot room on his 5-10-ish body to get stronger, so any additional energy positive factors (he had 5 homers in 74 video games, though the Florida State League is dangerous for energy hitters) should come from swing tweaks. He’s most likely going to have a really lengthy profession as an above-average common who ranks among the many league leaders in OBP with simply common or fringy energy and stable protection at second … and, if he hits what I’d arbitrarily name a ninety fifth percentile end result, retire with 2,500 hits.
Celesten is likely to be a celebrity, if he can keep on the sphere and benefit from his prodigious bodily skills. Signed in January 2023 for a $4.2 million bonus, Celesten missed all the 2023 advanced season with a hamstring pressure, then went to the Arizona Advanced League (skipping the DSL) to start out 2024 and hit .352/.431/.568, which put him within the prime 10 within the league in common and slugging amongst all gamers with a minimum of 100 PA. He missed a month with wrist ache, returned for one recreation in late July, after which shut it down, ultimately present process surgical procedure to restore a damaged hamate bone. The group stated it was an previous damage, so he did all that on the plate whereas enjoying by means of an damage that usually saps a ton of energy from a hitter. He’s a real switch-hitter with plus velocity, an above-average to plus arm, and good actions at shortstop, lagging behind in a few of the much less tangible elements like his inside clock and getting higher reads off the bat. If he has the work ethic to match his instruments, he’s going to be a celebrity.
Bazzana was the primary decide within the 2024 draft out of Oregon State, the place the Australian infielder had starred for 3 seasons because the Beavers’ second baseman, ending with a .407/.568/.911 line as a junior. Cleveland despatched him proper to Excessive A, the place he struggled a bit of out of the gate, enduring a five-game hitless stretch in his second week there earlier than warming up for his final month-plus on the degree and ending with a .238/.369/.396 line in his professional debut.
He’s a really polished WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) participant, providing little in the way in which of bodily projection but additionally incomes plaudits in every single place for his acumen for the sport, main evaluators to consider he’ll have the ability to make changes as he faces higher pitching. He has an odd begin to his swing with the bat again behind his rear shoulder and pointing down, however he’s prepared when it issues and has a brief path to the ball as soon as his fingers get began. He confirmed unimaginable plate self-discipline in school and most of that carried over into the minors, as he nonetheless didn’t chase a lot (22 %) and solely struggled towards sliders in that temporary stint, notably left on left.
Bazzana is restricted to second base or presumably left subject. Cleveland’s commerce of Andrés Giménez clears the keystone for him, and there’s each purpose to anticipate him to see the majors a while this yr given his superior method and current energy/energy. Even when he’s simply common on protection, his propensity to hit for prime averages and get on base with most likely 20ish-homer upside ought to nonetheless make him an All-Star.
De Paula is among the greatest pure offensive prospects within the minors proper now, with an unimaginable method on the plate that resulted in a .268/.404/.405 line between Low A and Excessive A with 84 walks (good for 14th in all the minors) and simply 95 strikeouts. He makes arduous contact proper now, with robust exit velocities that you simply may not infer from his energy output (simply 10 homers, 17 doubles, three triples), as he doesn’t get the ball within the air as typically as you’d like simply but. He’s a 40 runner and isn’t an awesome defender wherever, so the hope is he finally ends up a forty five defender in an outfield nook, whereas the concern is he finally ends up at first base or at DH.
The bat will play wherever, particularly if his energy emerges with age and extra muscle on his 6-3 body, notably in his wrists and forearms, permitting him to manage the bat head higher by means of contact to hit the ball on a line. I’m betting on that taking place given his age, physique, and distinctive command of the strike zone.
Baldwin is such a very good defender behind the plate that he’s nearly definitely going to be somebody’s on a regular basis catcher, and if his uncooked energy retains exhibiting up in video games because it did after a midseason promotion to Triple A, he’s going to make some All-Star groups. He was Atlanta’s third-round decide in 2022 out of Missouri State, the place he wasn’t a full-time participant till his draft yr, and he’s improved considerably as a hitter since getting into professional ball, loosening up on the plate to attempt to get to extra of that plus energy. He had a sluggish begin in Double A however Atlanta promoted him to Gwinnett in early June, after which he took off, hitting .298/.407/.484 on the greater degree with 12 homers in 72 video games.
He hits the ball extraordinarily arduous — his common exit velocity in Triple A was 92 mph, his EV50 was 103, and his ninetieth percentile EV was 107 — so there’s each purpose to assume the facility is actual. He whistles the bat by means of the zone with wonderful bat velocity, and even with a reasonably excessive beginning place he hasn’t had bother attending to pitches on the backside of the strike zone thus far. He’s an excellent blocker and receiver with plus arm energy however simply fringy accuracy thus far, resulting in a profession 20 % caught stealing fee within the minors. A 20-homer catcher with plus protection will rank among the many greatest backstops within the majors, and Baldwin appears to be like like he could be a minimum of that, and possibly will debut this yr.
Mayer regarded like he was on observe to be the highest prospect in baseball round midyear, however he acquired harm but once more, along with his final recreation in 2024 approaching July 30, additional underscoring his historical past of lacking time with accidents. He was within the midst of a bounce-back season on the plate, returning to Double A and hitting .307/.370/.480 there whereas reducing his strikeout fee from 26 % to only below 20 %, when the damage struck, though he was promoted on paper to Triple A after he hit the injured record.
Mayer has a really fairly left-handed swing with good loft in his end, projecting to plus energy down the street, most likely 25-30 homers a yr. He’s a powerful athlete and has the arm and fingers to be a plus defender, flashing that vary at instances however needing to be extra constant on routine performs. He murders fastballs, with the bat velocity to catch as much as top-end velocity, whereas offspeed stuff gave him extra bother than ever in 2024. It could be mechanical, as he’s locking his entrance knee very early and attempting to hit with a totally agency entrance aspect, leaving him weak to stuff down at or under his knees; if that’s the problem, it’s additionally fixable, and he hasn’t all the time hit this fashion.
Extra regarding is that Mayer has but to play in 100 video games in a professional season, topping out at 91 in 2022, lacking time as a consequence of a lumbar pressure (2024), shoulder irritation (2023), a sprained wrist (2022), and “again points” (2022). He’s 22 now and nonetheless has celebrity potential — a 30-homer shortstop with plus protection and what ought to be above-average OBPs goes to be the very best participant on his group usually. He has to point out he can play 140 video games in a yr and get again to hitting offspeed stuff to be that type of prospect once more.
Eldridge performed as a lot as any prospect in 2024, with 565 complete plate appearances throughout 4 ranges of the minors and a stint within the Arizona Fall League, the place he was understandably gassed. He carried out properly on the first three stops as a 19-year-old in his first full professional season. He was a two-way participant in highschool who had arm energy as a pitcher however no breaking ball to talk of, so whereas the Giants kind of stated he’d proceed to pitch after they drafted him, everybody wised up and instructed him to go hit.
He’s 6-7 however has a brief swing for somebody that dimension, one which’s much more geared in direction of contact than the type of big-fly, loft-oriented swing you may anticipate from such a tall hitter, and he stored his strikeout fee to only 25 % till he acquired to Triple A, which is all the time the most important concern with any hitter his top (or taller). He appears to be like like he’ll be an enormous energy hitter, however whereas he makes arduous contact, I’m anticipating greater averages and doubles totals however a extra modest dwelling run output within the 20-25 homer vary.
He has performed some proper subject however it’s apparently an Eldridge horror present on the market, so first base it is going to be. He nonetheless has work to do there, however there’s actually nothing stopping him from changing into a minimum of a 55 defender on the place, and he does give fielders a giant goal for his or her throws. The Giants pushed him very arduous final yr, so 2025 ought to be a consolidation yr for him, the place maybe he begins in Double A and will get a future there earlier than shifting as much as the hitter-friendly PCL. He’s their subsequent franchise participant, however wants time to be able to take care of major-league pitching, particularly as he had extra bother with offspeed stuff as he moved up the ladder final yr.
The Mets needed Sproat so badly, they drafted him twice. He determined to not register 2022, selecting as an alternative to return to Florida to attempt to enhance his draft inventory, and he did, going a spherical greater in 2023 and possibly making one other $500,000 within the course of. He reached Triple A in his first full professional season, dominating Excessive-A and Double-A hitters with a five-pitch combine. He had a 2.05 ERA on the season and 110 Ks with 31 walks in 87 2/3 innings when he was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse. He struggled in seven begins there, permitting 36 hits, together with seven homers, in simply 28 innings, as his fringy command got here again to chunk him, with too many fastballs left about belt-high and extra skilled hitters higher capable of decide up a few of his offspeed stuff.
He works closely off a four-seamer that’s been as much as 99-100 and sits 96-97, whereas his greatest pitch is a slider that’s above-average to plus relying on the day; he’ll throw a good change, a curve, and a two-seamer as properly. It’ll all the time be management over command, as he’s so aggressive that it’s arduous to foresee him ever firming it down sufficient to be exact along with his areas. He’ll must perform a little little bit of refinement to make the final leap to the majors, as hitters will hit your stuff, regardless of how good it’s, should you put it on a tee for them. He has some similarities to Edwin Jackson, an enormous stuff man who was extra of a No. 4 starter for many of his profession, though I believe Sproat has higher management than Jackson did on the identical age.
De Vries signed final January for $4.2 million, the second-biggest bonus within the 2024 worldwide free agent class, and the Padres have been unusually aggressive with him — who am I kidding, they all the time do that — in sending him to not the DSL, to not the Arizona League, however to Low A, making him the one 17-year-old common wherever in full-season ball final yr. He greater than held his personal, hitting .237/.361/.441 with a really respectable 23.3 % strikeout fee that was barely higher than the Cal League common. He has an actual knack for centering the ball and as he will get stronger his batting common goes to climb in a short time, since he already has the contact abilities. He is aware of the strike zone extraordinarily properly for somebody so younger, and he hardly ever misses fastballs; he had extra bother with different pitch sorts, unsurprising given his full lack of prior expertise wherever in professional ball, however didn’t panic with two strikes and solely swung and missed barely extra typically in these spots. His common season resulted in mid-August when he strained his proper shoulder on a diving play, however in an indication that the damage wasn’t too severe, the Padres despatched him to the Arizona Fall League, the place he was, in fact, the youngest participant. He turned 18 in October, so he’s youthful than some highschool gamers who’ll be drafted on Day 1 this upcoming July. De Vries was already exhibiting indicators of changes when he acquired harm, reducing his whiff and chase charges on varied pitch sorts within the second half, and he has barely begun to develop into his 6-2 (precise top) body. He’s acquired an opportunity to stay at shortstop, he’s a plus runner, and he may find yourself with 20+ homer energy. Give him a full, wholesome yr together with the good thing about all of the expertise he acquired in 2024 and he is likely to be a prime 10 prospect by subsequent January.
Wetherholt may need gone No. 1 in final yr’s draft had he had a full, wholesome spring for West Virginia, however a hamstring damage restricted him to 36 video games for the Mountaineers, simply 27 of them within the subject, so he ended up going No. 7 to the Cardinals — and that appears like a steal for St. Louis. Wetherholt had the most effective swings within the draft class and a protracted observe report of hitting for common and excessive contact charges, hitting .449/.517/.787 as a sophomore after which .331/.472/.589 regardless of clearly enjoying harm for a few of his junior yr.
He’s not very bodily, however makes loads of arduous contact — his hard-hit fee in Low A after the draft was 55 %, precisely the identical as his hard-hit fee from the spring, and he topped out at 109 mph in Palm Seaside — because of a brief, environment friendly swing that will get probably the most from his decrease half (when his decrease half is unbroken). He moved to shortstop from second and third as a junior, however in fact by no means performed it at full energy after the primary weekend, so whereas the secure guess is that he finally ends up at second base, he hasn’t had an opportunity to point out a lot at shortstop but. No matter his place, his swing mechanics and his method on the plate level to excessive averages and plenty of doubles energy, sufficient to make him a long-time common who may problem for some batting titles.
“The Jaguar” made his big-league debut in September, simply over three years after the Cubs acquired him from the Yankees for Anthony Rizzo in a commerce that labored out properly for each golf equipment. Alcántara began slowly in 2024 and hit the injured record in early June with an damage to his left shoulder, however after he returned, he took off on the plate, hitting .292/.388/.459 between Double A and Triple A in 63 video games earlier than the callup. He’s 6-6 and lanky, with a ton of room to maintain filling out and including energy past what he already exhibits — almost half of his balls in play in Triple A have been hard-hit (95 mph or higher exit velocities) — whereas he is nonetheless growing the wrist and forearm energy to remain on airplane by means of contact and get the ball within the air extra, with a 51.7 % groundball fee within the minors final yr.
Alcántara has labored his approach as much as turn into a plus defender in middle as he’s improved his focus and his reads on balls off the bat. He’s not prepared for the majors but, between the tendency to get on prime of the ball and a few actual bother with sliders as soon as he reached Triple A (he whiffed at simply over half of those he swung at there), however along with his plus protection and velocity and the 30-40 homer potential, he has probably the most upside of anybody within the Cubs system.
Condon was the No. 1 participant on my predraft rankings final yr and went to Colorado with the third decide, however his post-draft efficiency couldn’t have differed extra from what he did within the spring for Georgia. Condon gained the Golden Spikes Award with a .433/.556/1.009 line for the Dawgs, hitting 37 homers in 60 video games, setting the varsity’s profession dwelling run report and the NCAA’s single-season report since they switched to BBCOR bats. In 109 PA for Excessive-A Spokane, nonetheless, Condon hit .180/.248/.270, struck out 34 instances (31.1 %), and walked simply 4 instances. Pitchers noticed a 6-6 hitter with lengthy levers within the field and went after him arduous in with fastballs and smooth away with sliders and changeups.
Condon is a formidable athlete who made extraordinarily arduous contact as an novice, rating among the many leaders in Division 1 with a ninetieth percentile exit velo of 111.8 mph, and he did modify within the spring when pitchers went after him with breaking stuff, forcing them to come back again to the fastballs on which he feasted. He’s performed third base and everywhere in the outfield, enjoying passably on the sizzling nook and in middle, however the broad consensus is that he’s going to finish up in proper given his body and certain eventual dimension. He did have a lingering hand damage when he first signed which will have affected him on the plate, however that may’t clarify away all the struggles. Maybe he was urgent; maybe he simply hadn’t seen breaking stuff of that high quality earlier than; maybe it’s only a tiny pattern.
I don’t assume his ceiling has modified in any respect — he’s a 30-homer bat with the type of contact high quality that results in excessive BABIPs and averages, and he ought to be a plus defender in an outfield nook — however there’s extra uncertainty right here than there was on draft day.
Kurtz was the very best hitter in a loaded Wake Forest lineup final spring, main the group previously often known as the Oakland A’s to take him with the No. 4 decide, after which he continued to rake in his professional debut. He hit .368/.520/763 in 50 PA between Excessive A and Double A, harm his hamstring, then hit .353/.450/.608 in 60 extra PA within the Arizona Fall League. He’s restricted to first base — the horror — so he must hit, however thus far he’s hit in every single place, and it’s particularly promising that he’s been swinging the bat extra since he signed, as he walked a ton in school (78 instances final spring) and will look passive on the plate. He’s up from swinging 33 % of the time in school to 38 % within the minors, and that’ll most likely enhance a bit of extra as pitchers understand simply how good his ball/strike recognition is. When he does swing, he makes extraordinarily arduous contact; his ninetieth percentile exit velocity at Wake Forest was over 111 mph, and he continued to hit the ball arduous in his temporary time within the minors.
There’s a very good likelihood for 30-homer energy with 70-80 walks or extra per season, and that’s going to make him a star and presumably the very best participant within the Sacra … er, the Athletics lineup.
Arizona took Crisantes within the seventh spherical in 2022 out of Nogales (Ariz.) Excessive College, only a few minutes from the U.S.-Mexico border, however the infielder didn’t debut till 2023 or play a recreation within the subject till 2024 after he underwent two Tommy John surgical procedures — the second to restore the primary — as a excessive schooler. By way of 121 video games within the minors, nonetheless, he’s hit .342/.427/.486 with a extremely mature method and sufficient arduous contact to mission him to a 60 or higher hit device within the majors. It’s a extremely easy, clear swing with a bit of loft in its end, producing a 27.4 % line-drive fee in 2024, and he’s robust sufficient already for properly above-average contact high quality for a young person. (The MLB common line-drive fee in 2024 was 19.6 %.)
His protection is a piece in progress between his recovering arm and a number of other years off the sphere; he most likely suits greatest at second base, as he’s athletic sufficient for the place and it doesn’t require a ton from his arm, whereas he lacks the vary for brief or the twitchiness for third. There’s all the time plenty of danger in prospects whose worth is primarily tied up of their hit device — to not be too apparent, but when they don’t hit for prime averages, they don’t have anything to fall again on — which is why Crisantes isn’t even greater on this record. All the things about Crisantes, from the swing to the batted-ball information to the efficiency, says he’s going to hit a ton.
Teel was a part of the four-player bundle that Boston despatched to the White Sox for lefty Garrett Crochet, and proper now he looks like the very best guess to be Chicago’s main catcher this yr after he completed 2024 in Triple A. The Crimson Sox 2023 first-round pick of Virginia, Teel began his first full professional season in Double A, hit .299/.390/.462, then moved as much as Triple A with Kristian Campbell and hit .255/.374/.343 in 28 video games at that final cease. He’s a wonderful athlete who strikes very properly behind the plate and has a plus arm, with solid-average velocity that’s extra evident underway than out of the field. He is acquired fast fingers on the plate and a brief path to the ball with a bit of loft in his end, far more prone to hit for common than for energy given his good-not-great contact high quality and the way in which his swing works.
He has had some bother with lefties in professional ball, placing out 31 % of the time he’s confronted them in solely about 130 PA, and he’ll want extra reps towards southpaws to keep away from changing into a platoon participant. His glove is prepared, and his bat is a minimum of prepared sufficient to make contact towards righties. The White Sox have the posh of time to let him proceed to develop within the majors and hope he reaches his upside of a solid-average or higher common behind the plate.
Montgomery was No. 4 on my predraft board final yr, however slipped to the No. 12 decide after he broke his ankle in Texas A&M’s Tremendous Regional sequence in June. The Crimson Sox drafted him, though that can turn into some extent of trivia since he by no means performed a single recreation for Boston earlier than they traded him this offseason to the White Sox within the Garrett Crochet deal, giving Chicago two of the highest six gamers from my 2024 draft board together with their very own first-round decide, lefty Hagen Smith.
Montgomery is a switch-hitter with energy each methods, hitting a lot, a lot better from the left aspect, making constantly arduous contact — his hard-hit fee final spring for Texas A&M was a pleasant 69 %, placing him within the prime 1 % of all Division 1 hitters. He was a two-way participant by means of his sophomore yr at Stanford earlier than he transferred to School Station, so in fact he has a plus-plus arm and is a minimum of a 55 defender in proper. The 2 huge questions round Montgomery are whether or not the ankle damage will have an effect on him in any respect going ahead and whether or not he ought to quit hitting right-handed, as he struck out 29 % of the time that approach final spring with only a .227/.395/.485 line (versus .355/.465/.819 left-handed). It’s 30-homer upside with robust protection and the arduous contact to maintain his batting common above the median so long as he comes again at one hundred pc.
Therefore can be one of many best possible pitching prospects in baseball if he confirmed he might keep on the mound for a full season of labor, however the 2020 draftee has but to succeed in 100 innings in anyone season — simply pitching extraordinarily properly when he’s on the mound. He’s small, listed at 6-1, 195, however very, very athletic, and his arm is electrical. He’ll contact 98 and sit 94-95 as a starter with a 70 changeup and a slider that’s a minimum of common and performs up as a result of it’s a unique look and form than the opposite two pitches. He’s by no means had a severe arm damage, lacking most of 2021 with shoulder discomfort that by no means required surgical procedure, shedding a couple of month of 2024 with some type of pressure or pull in his aspect. He did go 90+ pitches in a number of begins for the primary time final yr, and posted his greatest strikeout fee (34.1 %) and ERA (2.71) of any stint he’s had in full-season ball.
He is likely to be a man who pitches like a No. 1 or a No. 2 however solely does so on the workload of a swingman or a back-end starter, though I by no means prefer to underestimate a participant who’s this athletic.
Burns was the No. 2 decide within the 2024 draft and the primary pitcher taken, coming off a dominant spring at Wake Forest that noticed him strike out greater than 40 % of opposing batters. His fastball has been as much as 100 and sits 96-98 with huge induced vertical break, and his slider is a 70 with late, tight break alongside each axes. School hitters couldn’t contact the slider, whiffing two-thirds of the time they tried (so the lesson isn’t strive). He has a 55 curveball and a straight changeup with some tumble to it that’s his weakest pitch, most likely his major space for work going ahead now that he’s in professional ball.
He has some effort to his supply, together with a slight head-snap, however thus far he hasn’t had any bother throwing strikes or finding his major two pitches. If his command and management maintain up, he’s a possible No. 2 starter, and will comply with one other former Wake Forest pitcher, Rhett Lowder, in reaching the majors inside 15 months of his draft day.
Crawford held serve final yr, persevering with to hit the ball arduous and get on base at a excessive clip (.360 general between Excessive A and Double A), but additionally persevering with to place the ball on the bottom 60 % of the time as a result of his swing has him coming down on the prime of the ball. He’s a 70 defender in centerfield and an 80 runner who swiped 42 luggage in 51 makes an attempt final yr and possibly might steal 60 with out breaking a sweat. He overstrides on the plate, so he’s regularly off-balance, and doesn’t load his fingers in any respect from a excessive setup, leading to a bat path that always has him coming down in direction of the zone. A few of it is a matter of energy, as Crawford was all projection when the Phillies drafted him within the first spherical in 2022, and he nonetheless has plenty of bodily progress forward of him, however some is mechanical and it’s time for him to make some actual changes to get in higher place to drive the ball.
He’s going to have plus uncooked energy, and that mixed with elite protection and velocity will make him an affect participant for a very long time if he can change his swing to get that uncooked energy into video games.
Arias destroyed the Florida Advanced League final season as an 18-year-old, hitting .355/.471/.584 to win MVP honors and earn a bump as much as Low A, the place he greater than held his personal with a .257/.331/.378 line and only a 17.4 % strikeout fee. He’s acquired instruments and athleticism to spare, exhibiting wonderful bat velocity and wrist energy already, together with a implausible swing that has nice rhythm to it and lets him get his decrease half concerned for extra energy. He’s a real shortstop with smooth fingers and stable instincts already, exhibiting a plus arm and above-average velocity on either side of the ball. Arias simply turned 19 in November and possibly will get to Excessive A sooner or later this yr, given how good his contact abilities are already. He has the upside of a plus defender at quick with above-average OBPs and 20 homers a yr, with the one main danger simply his age and the space he has to journey to get to the majors.
Smith was a draft-eligible sophomore final yr who reworked his swing and his physique to surge to a .387/.488/.654 line in his sophomore yr at Florida State, elevating his common by over 100 factors, and touchdown with the Cubs on the No. 13 decide. He then had the very best professional debut of any prospect within the draft, hitting .313/.396/.609 throughout three ranges and ending up in Double A. That ended his Cubs profession, as they traded him to Houston within the Kyle Tucker deal this offseason, instantly making him the Astros’ No. 1 prospect.
Smith’s swing will get the bat to the zone rapidly, and he makes plenty of very arduous contact, topping out over 115 mph within the spring for Florida State, and the Cubs already managed to get him to raise the ball extra typically to show that loud contact into extra energy. He’s solely performed third base since signing and that’s his greatest long-term end result; that appeared like wishful considering as lately as 2023, however his improved conditioning offers him an opportunity to remain there, with first base or proper subject additionally potentialities. He appears to be like like he can flat-out hit, and may get to 25 homers too. If he does that as a 3rd baseman, he may have the ability to fill Alex Bregman’s footwear in Houston and make just a few All-Star groups.
The Brewers went over slot within the sixth spherical in 2023 to signal Pratt, who was fortieth on my draft board (so an early second spherical expertise), and his first full season was a rousing success. Pratt performed a minimum of 55 protection at quick, with some scouts saying it’s already plus, and he confirmed a approach higher method on the plate than simply about any highschool hitter from Mississippi I can bear in mind. He hit .295/.394/.395 in Low A final yr, with a 12.2 % stroll fee and simply an 18.3 % strikeout fee in a league the place the general strikeout fee was 25.3 %. He moved as much as Excessive-A Wisconsin for the playoff run and had a more durable time … besides that he launched 5 homers in 23 video games there, greater than he had hit in 73 video games in Low A.
There’s energy in there, possibly 15-20 homers a yr, though even when he’s extra within the 10-12 class, plus protection and actually robust on-base abilities will make him a stable or higher common at shortstop. If his energy output does preserve enhancing as he will get a bit of older and stronger, he’s acquired an opportunity to be a 4-5 win participant.
Younger had one other very stable yr on the plate whereas being younger for his degree, hitting .271/.369/.390 as a 20-year-old in Double A, all comfortably above the averages for the Texas League (.240/.327/.374), regardless that he was the fourth-youngest common on the degree. He’s all the time been a complicated hitter for his age with distinctive really feel for contact; information from Synergy Sports activities present him with a whiff fee of simply 19 % final yr, and nothing over 22 % on any of the massive 4 pitch sorts.
His swing is handsy and doesn’t generate a lot energy, though he does make arduous sufficient contact to maintain his common up, and will get the ball within the air sufficient to possibly see him as a 40-doubles, 10-homer man within the majors. He can play shortstop however most likely will find yourself outmoded by a plus defender, whereas he’s performed extraordinarily properly at second and is likely to be a plus defender himself at that spot. He’s a no-doubt huge leaguer, with the ground of an excellent platoon infielder who can play a number of spots however possibly sits towards good lefties, and a powerful likelihood that he’s a minimum of a solid-average common at one of many two center infield positions.
Ballesteros is among the greatest pure hitters within the minors, and should you actually consider he can catch, he’s a prime 20ish prospect — however his physique is lower than preferrred for the place and he’s most likely going to finish up someplace else. Ballesteros performed all of 2024 at age 20 and hit properly at three stops, .299/.372/.495 in Double A, .281/.340/.454 in Triple A, after which .317/.376/.557 in 19 video games within the Arizona Fall League. He doesn’t miss pitches within the zone, though to be truthful, his strike zone isn’t very huge, however does get overly aggressive with two strikes and expands the zone considerably. He might all the time simply be a “swing first, ask questions later” hitter, since he could make contact with so many pitches, and he’s acquired grade-55 energy already.
He’s heavy, even after shedding some weight (and maintaining it off) within the final yr, and that’s going to make it arduous for him to deal with on a regular basis catching duties, as he’s not very agile behind the plate, and his just-average arm doesn’t assist issues. He might be an occasional backstop who largely handles first base and/or DH, gaining plenty of worth from the video games he does catch and from what ought to be constantly excessive batting averages with 15-20 homers a yr.
Detroit picked up Liranzo together with Trey Sweeney within the commerce that despatched Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers, solely to go on an inconceivable run to the playoffs after the deadline, which looks like a win-win to me. Liranzo began the yr slowly for Excessive-A Nice Lakes, and was hitting .220/.344/.356 on the time of the deal, however then considerably inexplicably took off with the change of surroundings — he hit .315/.470/.562 in 26 video games for the Tigers’ affiliate in West Michigan, then went to the AFL and hit .375/.492/.667 in 15 extra video games, strolling greater than he struck out at each spots.
He’s fairly cellular behind the plate and has a 70 arm, needing to work extra on receiving to stay a full-time catcher. His bat is particular — he’s acquired a quiet, straightforward swing that also produces plus uncooked energy as a result of he’s so robust to start with, and his ball/strike recognition is great already. He had no bother adjusting to offspeed stuff within the AFL, in distinction to a lot of the common season the place he bumped into some issue with sliders and changeups. He was on the youthful aspect for Excessive A at age 20 and possibly ought to spend all of this yr in Double A to work on his catching and preserve tightening up that pitch recognition. It’s 25-homer, .350+ OBP upside in a switch-hitter, and if he’s even a forty five catcher, he’ll be a 4-5 win participant in his peak years.
Lowder reached the majors simply over a yr after the Reds took him with the No. 7 pick of Wake Forest, exhibiting three pitches with a ton of motion albeit rather less velocity than he had proven in school. His greatest pitch as an novice was his changeup, which is difficult to select up out of his hand and has each fading and tumbling motion to it, however it was truly much less efficient at producing whiffs than his 92-95 mph four-seamer or his high-spin slider in his six big-league begins, even simply towards lefties.
All three of his pitches ought to be above-average, with the run serving to the fastball play up and sharp downward break to the slider, so it was stunning that he gave up a lot contact, with a 41 % hard-hit fee, in his debut. Even with that top contact fee, Lowder was very fortunate within the majors, with a 1.17 ERA however a 3.10 FIP, and even that latter determine doesn’t modify for the improbability of permitting 0 homers in 30 innings. He’s major-league prepared and possibly a league-average starter given his present velocity and what appears to be like like 55 management and possibly 45 command, with in fact the prospect to get past that if he begins working much less within the coronary heart of the zone along with his fastballs. (You could not give a rattling, however he’s the primary participant named Rhett in big-league historical past.)
The highest lefty within the 2024 draft class, Smith acquired higher yearly at Arkansas, culminating in a yr the place he struck out 17 batters in his second outing towards an Oregon State lineup that featured eventual No. 1 decide Travis Bazzana. Smith labored at 92-97 with a plus slider and will get some added deception from a cool supply and a beginning place on the intense first-base aspect of the rubber, though that latter level makes it more durable for him to find his fastball or changeup to his glove aspect (which might be inside to righties). He takes an enormous stride in direction of the plate and generates a ton of arm velocity, coming from a slot under three-quarters which, given who drafted him, brings the title “Chris Sale” to thoughts.
He had Tommy John surgical procedure in highschool, lacking his senior yr, however has been wholesome ever since and noticed his velocity and outcomes creep up annually. He’s a possible No. 2 starter, though I’d prefer to see him transfer a bit of extra in direction of the center of the rubber so he can work extra successfully to either side of the zone.
Boston shocked everybody in 2020 after they took Yorke, a highschool second baseman who needed to transfer off shortstop after shoulder surgical procedure, within the first spherical, however his first full professional season in 2021 appeared to vindicate them when he hit .325/.412/.516 at each A-ball ranges. His follow-up in 2022 was marred by a number of accidents, together with a nagging left wrist difficulty that interrupted his stint within the Arizona Fall League, and his 2023 fell someplace in between, so it appeared like he’d settled in as a future common however one with out a lot upside. He did nothing after returning to Double A to start out 2024, however from the second Boston promoted him to Triple A, he became Rogers Hornsby, hitting .333/.420/.498 even by means of a commerce to the Pirates for Quinn Priester. These numbers got here with tons of arduous contact: He peaked at 111 mph, half his balls in play have been arduous hit (95 mph+), and the typical velocity of that higher half (his EV50) was 101.9 mph, all of which have been comfortably above the MLB medians.
His swing could be very easy and direct; it doesn’t have a ton of loft, so he’s most likely not going to be a giant energy man (barring a swing change), and as an alternative ought to run excessive BABIPs and averages, possibly difficult for the league lead in doubles. He’s a solid-average defender at second and his throwing has improved sufficient that he’s not going to have any bother staying there, though the left aspect of the infield might be out of the query. My evaluations of Yorke have been far and wide since he was drafted, so take this with much more grains of salt than traditional, however I’m shopping for Yorke now as a future 55, an above-average common who’ll have some years when he is an All-Star as a result of he hits for such a excessive batting common.
Rocker’s street to the majors was … uh, rocky? Sorry, I’ll work on that. He was the No. 10 decide in 2021, however the Mets didn’t like one thing in his post-draft bodily, so he went to indy ball and pitched properly sufficient to go No. 3 to Texas in 2022, however blew out his elbow six begins into his professional debut the subsequent yr. He returned in 2024 and the Rangers stored shifting him up as he stored posting, ultimately getting him three begins within the majors in September the place he regarded pretty much as good as he had since his freshman yr at Vanderbilt.
He had lowered his arm slot again in 2022, however it’s again to its authentic place, which permits him to get extra depth on his slider. The slider is definitely plus and is likely to be a 70 as soon as once more, and retains him on prime of his 94-97 mph four-seamer. His path from right here is basically about him — he has succeeded up to now by out-stuffing guys, and being very aggressive with these two major pitches (he has a curve and changeup, however makes use of them much less), however within the huge leagues he’s going to have to point out higher command to get forward of hitters and to keep away from plenty of four-inning, 85-pitch begins. This can be a guess that he’ll make these changes and find yourself a minimum of a mid-rotation starter, maybe somebody who pitches at the next degree than that however must skip some begins right here and there to maintain him wholesome.
Ryan’s 2024 season featured his big-league debut, so yay, however it was bookended by two accidents, the latter of which most likely will preserve him out till 2026 as he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in August. He began the yr on the shelf with a sore shoulder, however did attain the majors for 4 begins the place he confirmed electrical stuff, sitting 96-98 with experience on the four-seamer and each the slider and cutter flashing 55 or higher. The cutter was new for him in 2024 and provides him one other weapon for lefties, because it appears to be like identical to his four-seamer however has a bit of last-second break downward to idiot hitters, though within the majors he leaned on the changeup greater than the cutter. He’s a transformed infielder who’s very athletic on the mound and has already made unimaginable progress in command and management and has proven the power to make changes from one yr to the subsequent. The damage and the misplaced time do harm his general outlook. He is a No. 2 starter if he comes again at one hundred pc and might maintain up for a full season.
Quero got here to the White Sox within the 2023 deadline deal that despatched Lucas Giolito (briefly) to the Angels. He reached Triple A final yr in his first full yr in Chicago, hitting properly at two ranges with very robust OBPs. He’s a complicated hitter for his age, which balances out a few of the lack of projection in his physique, as he’s not prone to get that a lot stronger and additional enhancements should come from tweaks to his mechanics or swing choices. He’s a swap hitter who’s positively higher from the precise aspect, with giant platoon splits the final two years — in that span, he hit .342/.440/.510 towards lefties, and .242/.351/.370 towards righties. His greatest space of enchancment final yr was utilizing his robust ball/strike recognition to swing extra — he swung at 39 % of pitches he noticed in 2023, then upped that to 47 % final yr, and, lo and behold, he hit higher throughout the board, together with boosting his slugging proportion towards right-handed pitchers by 111 factors. He hit 16 homers final yr, however doesn’t mission to supply a lot if any extra energy than that; he’s extra prone to be a high-doubles man with robust on-base abilities.
Quero stays a solid-average defender with a median arm, nonetheless engaged on a few of the finer factors of the place but additionally a no-doubt catcher whose bat appears to be like prefer it’ll make him a daily there. He could also be higher off in some type of smooth platoon function, relying on how a lot of the development towards righties was actual, however there’s nonetheless on a regular basis ceiling right here.
Genao had a disappointing yr in 2023 in Low A, hitting .263/.345/.385 in 72 video games after lacking the primary two months with a torn meniscus, however he went again to Low A to start out 2024 and hit all yr lengthy — .341/.383/.553 repeating Low A, then .322/.377/.463 after a June promotion to Excessive A. He’s grown considerably since he was first measured at his “official” top and weight of 5-9, 150, gaining vital energy but additionally attending to the purpose the place he may find yourself outgrowing shortstop. He’s a switch-hitter who’s higher from the left aspect however succesful sufficient from the precise aspect to stick with it, truly hitting with extra energy right-handed in every of the final two years. He’s a median runner and never terribly twitchy, with second or third base extra doubtless than shortstop, however his bat ought to nonetheless make him an above-average common at both spot.
Mathews was a senior signal out of Stanford in 2023 who succeeded with a plus changeup and above-average command however labored at 90-92 when going as soon as every week. He gained a ton of velocity final offseason, nonetheless, working 92-97 on the four-seamer, with a slider that’s more practical now within the mid-80s regardless of low spin charges and smooth break. The end result was that he raced from A-ball by means of 4 ranges and led all minor-league pitchers with 202 strikeouts, solely working into some bother when he acquired to Triple A.
His arm velocity on the changeup is rather like it’s on the fastball, however the pitch comes out 10 mph or extra slower and has some tumble as properly, flummoxing hitters who assume it’s coming in at 94, and the funk in his supply additional provides to the deception of the pitch. That stated, I don’t love the supply; there’s plenty of effort behind the funkiness, and he takes a modest stride with some head-snap at launch. He was badly overworked as a university senior, particularly within the postseason, after which noticed his velocity leap up very quickly inside a yr, which appears in my expertise to typically precede elbow accidents (that is based mostly on anecdotal proof, to be clear). He’s clearly handed many of the Cardinals’ different pitching prospects and might be the very best man known as up for a rotation spot within the majors if there’s an damage — or in the event that they transfer one in every of their veterans in a commerce earlier than Opening Day.
I want the Brewers would simply give Black the first-base job and name it a day; he ought to outperform Rhys Hoskins’ 2024 line fairly handily after hitting .258/.375/429 in Triple A final yr. Black is extraordinarily disciplined on the plate and already has a repute for combating for each strike; his chase fee is sweet at 20 % (simply in Triple A), not distinctive, however he linked with these ultimately extra half of the time, both fouling them off or placing them in play. He hardly ever whiffs and has proven he can hit lefties up by means of the highest ranges of the minors. He doesn’t throw properly sufficient for the left aspect of the infield after shoulder surgical procedure, though he runs properly sufficient to possibly play middle and definitely might play second if the Brewers didn’t have already got Brice Turang there. He’s a really succesful first baseman, if an untraditional one, with common energy and his actual energy in getting on base. Black can be extra useful at one other spot, which is why he’s on this place within the rankings, however for his present group he’s additionally their greatest inside choice at a less-valuable place he can play.
White was the Marlins’ second decide within the 2023 draft, an enormous highschool lefty out of Massachusetts who had huge stuff however questions round his lengthy arm swing and current command. He turned plenty of that on its head in spring coaching final yr, exhibiting up in unimaginable form and with a transparent willpower to get higher any approach he might, and ended up pitching higher after a midyear promotion to Excessive A. White topped out at 97.6 mph within the Florida State League final yr and sat 94-96 along with his high-spin four-seamer, getting good experience on the prime of the zone, together with an simply plus changeup and a slider that regarded about common however performed exceptionally properly even at a comparatively low velocity for the pitch (largely 78-82). His supply is fairly straightforward, maybe nonetheless missing deception — a priority scouts raised when he was an novice — however it didn’t have an effect on him wherever in A-ball and I wouldn’t change something proper now. If he will get extra energy to the slider, which a minimum of has above-average spin charges to work with, he might simply have three plus pitches, with a 200-inning starter’s construct and what now appears to be like like a minimum of common command. White did an awesome job making ready himself for the season final winter and the Marlins may need a future ace.
Hope was a part of the four-player commerce that despatched Michael Busch and Yency Almonte to the Cubs, bringing Hope and Jackson Ferris to the Dodgers, a deal that acquired the Cubs their greatest season from a primary baseman since 2019, however that has additionally given the Dodgers two of their prime six prospects. Hope appeared like a longshot when the Cubs took him within the eleventh spherical in 2023 out of a small highschool in central Virginia; he was an amazing athlete with plus velocity however no historical past of hitting even first rate pitching and poor instincts within the outfield. Quick ahead a yr and he’s turn into a a lot, a lot better hitter in each approach, enhancing his pitch choice and recognition, getting stronger (to the purpose the place he most likely doesn’t have plenty of bodily projection left), and changing into a minimum of a median defender in an outfield nook.
He doesn’t chase pitches out of the zone and he actually doesn’t miss something inside, no matter pitch sorts. He’s extra weak to velocity up and/or away and pitchers are going to attempt to assault him there or down with offspeed stuff, however he’s made so many changes already it appears cheap to guess he’ll modify once more as wanted. He’s each little bit of a 70 runner and exhibits plus energy already, and you may mission 30/30 on him fairly simply if he continues to hit and management the zone as he strikes up the ladder. He did have some extra bother with higher pitching within the AFL, and the transfer as much as Excessive A and a worse hitter’s setting this yr will inform us extra about simply how superior he’s and the way a lot time he may have to get to the majors. Hope’s upside is gigantic, with a large variance in potential outcomes.
Briceño signed with the Tigers in January 2022 for $800,000 as a catcher with some offensive potential, however at this level it appears to be like like he’s simply going to be a primary baseman who mashes. He had performed solely 11 video games above the advanced leagues coming into 2024, then acquired harm 28 video games into the Florida State League season, lacking three months with a strained PCL in his proper knee. To make up for a few of that misplaced time, he went to the Arizona Fall League, the place he was one of many youngest gamers at 19 and one in every of a really small variety of gamers there who hadn’t performed above Low A but. In 25 video games, he hit completely all the pieces. It’s a hitter’s setting out within the desert, positive, however his .433/.509/.867 line was ok to guide the league in common and slugging.
He’s a giant man, listed at 6-4, 200, and possibly stronger than that, however his swing could be very straightforward and quiet, and he’s reached 109 mph in every of his two stints in Low A already, with an EV50 simply over 100 mph. He additionally confirmed robust pitch recognition within the Florida State League and in Arizona, and infrequently swung and missed; if there’s a knock on his offense, it’s that he’s a bit of too pull-heavy now, though he’s additionally hardly had the necessity to attempt to do anything. He solely performed first base in Arizona with Thayron Liranzo there, and Briceño was already iffy as a catcher even earlier than the knee damage. I believe his future is at first, and it’d behoove the Tigers to only put him there now and let him go rake fairly than sluggish his growth or danger additional damage at a place he’s already unlikely to play. He is likely to be a prime 20 prospect in a yr from his bat alone.
Caglianone was a two-way star at Florida, hitting 35 homers as a junior whereas additionally making 16 begins, though his future is way brighter as a hitter than on the mound. He has 80 uncooked energy and did work to chop his strikeout fee from his sophomore yr (18.1 %) to his junior yr (8.2 %), lacking much less typically on pitches within the zone. He nonetheless chases pitches out of the zone approach too typically, doing so almost 40 % of the time final spring, and must develop extra of a two-strike method and work on going the opposite approach on pitches outdoors, as he’s very pull-heavy.
As a pitcher, has been as much as 99 and exhibits a minimum of a median changeup, however it’s a cross-body supply with plenty of effort to it, leading to properly under common management (15.4 % stroll fee in two years for the Gators), and he’s already had one Tommy John surgical procedure in highschool. The Royals have stated thus far that they intend to let him hit and pitch, which most likely means he’s going to remain at first base to guard his arm; I’d like to see him simply deal with hitting, given the 40-homer upside and the necessity for some huge changes, which could additionally let him deal with proper subject.
Williams had a breakout yr in 2023, however he began to really feel ache in his proper wrist throughout an terrible begin in April final season and ultimately had surgical procedure that stored him out for precisely 4 months, limiting him to 30 complete video games together with his rehab task. He didn’t hit properly wherever aside from the one six-game sequence he spent in Triple A, nonetheless drawing loads of walks however with none affect when he did make contact — which might simply be a results of the wrist damage. He went to the Fall League to select up some extra at-bats, and was a forty five defender at quick there and working nearer to common than plus, and is likely to be higher suited to second base whatever the presence of Francisco Lindor at shortstop in Queens. It’s a compact swing mixed with superb ball/strike consciousness, and he might be a high-average/high-OBP second baseman with 55-60 protection, which might make him a stable or higher common. His 2024 season was only a misplaced yr, and whereas he can’t get these at-bats again, it’s additionally potential that we’ll have to only disregard what he did do when he performed as a result of he wasn’t one hundred pc.
Keaschall was the Twins’ second-round decide in 2023 out of Arizona State and completed his first full professional season in Double A, hitting properly at two ranges with very excessive contact charges and a few stunning energy. Keaschall has all the time proven good consciousness of the strike zone and that carried over into professional ball, with a chase fee below 20 % on the season, and wonderful pitch recognition to go together with it. He’d had points with fastballs up in school, however he’s looser on the plate now and will get to these pitches extra typically. He’s additionally staying again longer earlier than transferring his weight to his entrance aspect, permitting him to get extra energy from his decrease half and serving to him swat 15 homers in 102 video games final yr.
He’s near a 60 runner and will find yourself a 55 or higher defender at second, simply missing the arm to maneuver to quick or third, and range-wise he appears to be like greater than able to dealing with centerfield. He performed with a torn UCL final yr and ended up present process Tommy John surgical procedure in August, so we’ll must see what his arm energy appears to be like like on his return. He’s a really doubtless common so long as he can nonetheless deal with the throws from second base, and his bat may even profile if he has to maneuver to left within the worst case situation.
Dana didn’t belong within the huge leagues final season, and his 9.58 ERA in three begins shouldn’t be held towards him. He had a wildly profitable yr as a 20-year-old in Double A with simply 76 innings of earlier professional expertise. He posted a 2.52 ERA within the minors, placing out 27.2 % of batters and strolling simply 7.2 %, making 23 begins for Rocket Metropolis after which the three extra for the Angels to make for about as full a season of labor as you’ll discover for a 20-year-old pitching prospect.
Dana largely works with a 92-95 mph fastball and an above-average slider, with an occasional changeup that has good deception and a bit of tumble, and a curveball that’s not dangerous however that he barely makes use of. He’ll have to make use of the changeup extra to proceed to maintain lefties in examine, as he did in Double A, however in any other case he has a very good pitch combine and his supply ought to get him to a minimum of above-average command. He’s acquired a stable ground as a No. 4 starter and is younger sufficient to maintain refining his pitches and his general pitching plan and get to a No. 2.
Rosario posted a 7.11 ERA in his draft yr for the College of Miami, and a 7.05 ERA as a sophomore, regardless of a very good arm and a possible out pitch in his splitter that he barely used, as Miami had him working extra sinker/changeup. The Rangers took him within the fifth spherical for the standard of his stuff — clearly not for the standard of his outcomes — and instructed him to throw the splitter and go together with a four-seamer up, and voila!, immediate prospect!
He works from the intense third-base aspect of the rubber, getting some extra deception towards righties, as he has the splitter for lefties and might nonetheless be efficient towards them even with out throwing offspeed stuff on the internal third to them. He has elite management already, pounding the strike zone along with his fastball and strolling simply 3.7 % of batters he confronted at each ranges of A-ball final yr, though that’s prone to go up as older hitters lay off the splitter when it’s out of the zone. He repeats his supply to maintain up the management, and whereas he’s not very tall he appears to be like robust sufficient to deal with a starter’s workload. At the same time as is, sitting 92-95 with the plus splitter and a maybe-average slider, he ought to be a mid-rotation starter and get to the majors this yr.
Waldschmidt acquired first-round buzz for a lot of the spring of 2024 however ended up sliding to the No. 31 decide, presumably as a result of groups had considerations concerning the ACL tear he suffered a yr prior. Proper now that appears like a boon for the Diamondbacks, who took him with their second choice of the draft. He had the most effective pure hit instruments within the draft, hardly ever lacking a fastball and usually not chasing a lot on any pitches. He hit .370/.500/.653 for Kentucky regardless of a large setup and no stride, which restricted how a lot he might generate energy from his decrease half and resulted in a swing that might get too steep as he tried to loft the ball. He does have room so as to add 20-25 kilos, and has already made some small mechanical changes to attempt to loosen up his hips and preserve his swing in that optimum vary for energy. In tutorial league, the DBacks tried him at third base, the place he final performed as a freshman at Charleston Southern earlier than he transferred to Kentucky, however the outcomes weren’t good and he ought to simply go to an outfield nook and keep there. He has .300 common/25-homer upside if he can loosen up these hips.
Montes is a big, lumbering prospect from Cuba who hits the ball exceptionally arduous, so the pure comparability is to a younger Yordan Alvarez, who was older than Montes when he first performed in full-season ball however reached the majors days earlier than his twenty second birthday. Montes is extraordinarily robust and has produced exit velocities properly north of 110 mph, with clear 40 homer upside so long as he hits sufficient to get to it. He’s not as pure of a hitter as Alvarez, though the Mariners labored with him on pitch choice and a two-strike method final yr and he did see higher swing choices general. He raked in Low A as a 19-year-old, hitting .309/.411/.527 with only a 19.1 % strikeout fee, then moved as much as Excessive A across the midpoint and hit .260/.378/.427 there with a 29.6 % strikeout fee, nonetheless making arduous contact however much more whiffs on stuff within the zone.
He’s going to finish up at first base, as he’s already actually huge for an outfield nook and doesn’t have a lot vary, however there’s a reasonably good likelihood he hits for sufficient energy and takes sufficient walks to be an above-average common there. I don’t assume Montes is admittedly the subsequent Yordan; he doesn’t have the identical type of hit device, however he additionally doesn’t have Yordan’s knees, which each required surgical procedure when he was 23 and made him even much less cellular than he was earlier than.
Ingle was a part-time catcher at Clemson when Cleveland took him within the fourth spherical in 2023 and introduced him as a catcher, a mission that in fact would make his high-contact, low-power bat much more viable. A yr and a half later, the mission appears to be like like a convincing success, as Ingle reached Double A final yr, has walked greater than he’s struck out as a professional, and has improved his protection to the purpose the place he’s clearly going to remain at catcher.
Ingle is aware of the strike zone extraordinarily properly, and he whiffed simply 14 % of the time he swung final yr, with a brief, fast swing that has a bit of extra raise in its end than it did in school, bringing his groundball fee down from 55 % as a university junior to 45 % final yr. His protection isn’t fairly however he can catch and block, and a fast switch helps his fringy arm play as much as the purpose the place he’s sufficient towards the working recreation. He hit 11 homers final yr between Excessive A and Double A, all off right-handed pitchers, and he’ll have to point out he could make higher high quality contact towards lefties, whereas now he simply walks towards them. He’s small however properly put collectively, and along with his contact and on-base abilities he might be a .375 OBP/.400 SLG man, which is a heck of a daily behind the plate even when he’s simply fringy defensively.
Freeland broke his hamate bone in his draft yr in 2022, then struggled in his full-season debut in 2023, hitting .240/.345/.362 in Excessive Some time coping with some minor accidents. His manufacturing took off final yr after getting totally wholesome and making some small changes to his swing. He ripped by means of Excessive A and hit .245/.370/.422 in half a season in Double A earlier than a promotion to Triple A to complete the season, the place he hit .243/.335/.396 however had some wonderful underlying information. Born with a clubfoot that required a number of surgical procedures, Freeland runs near common and performs an average-ish shortstop now with a plus arm. He’s dabbled a bit of at second and third, enjoying about 50 innings at every spot final yr, and the chances are he’ll find yourself at a kind of spots in the long term.
He’s a switch-hitter who doesn’t publish large exit velocities but additionally doesn’t publish plenty of low ones both, averaging over 91 mph in his temporary Triple-A time regardless of by no means hitting something above 107. He’s additionally a really disciplined hitter who doesn’t chase or whiff fairly often, and has proven above-average energy already, with 53 extra-base hits final yr, together with 18 homers. There isn’t actually any projection right here past additional growing the hit device towards higher pitching. He doesn’t actually need to do something extra to be a stable common at second or third, or an above-average one if he does handle to stay at shortstop.
Chourio spent all of 2024 in Low A as a 19-year-old and ended up rating tenth in all the minors with 86 walks, probably the most drawn by any teenager in minor league baseball final yr. Jackson’s youthful brother can be a centerfielder and a very good athlete, a switch-hitter and centerfielder proper now who might find yourself in a nook as he continues to fill out and who might find yourself simply hitting left-handed. He’s a powerful defender proper now up the center with above-average velocity, so if he can keep that even with the bodily projection he has left, he might stay in middle in the long run.
His plate self-discipline and hand-eye are excellent, resulting in chase and whiff charges properly above (higher than) common, though he wants so as to add some hand energy to get some extra constant loft in his end. His groundball fee in 2024 was 49.3 %, which was truly his lowest fee at any cease in professional ball. He’s been a lot better from the left aspect; batting right-handed final yr, he hit simply .245/.409/.283, with extra walks (16) than complete bases (15). It is likely to be a bat velocity query, as his right-handed bat path appears to be like superb and he truly will get a bit of extra loft than he does left-handed.
He doesn’t have Jackson’s ceiling, however there’s a situation right here the place Jaison stays in middle and figures out hitting towards lefties sufficient to be a grade 60 participant, with 20ish homers and really excessive OBPs, and the ground is admittedly stable given his very actual endurance and chance of plus protection in a nook. His 2024 did finish with a damaged wrist, so it’s potential he gained’t get all of the energy again till a while this summer time.
Rainer was the second highschool participant taken within the 2024 draft and the highest excessive schooler on my draft board, rating extremely as a real shortstop with a plus arm and sneaky energy that provides him the prospect to be a two-way affect participant. He’s a plus defender with nice instincts, exhibiting actual management on his highschool group on the sphere (corresponding to directing different gamers on positioning) and a plus arm that’s been as much as 95 on the mound. He’s power-over-hit proper now, with plenty of leverage in his swing and good loft to drive the ball to all fields, however his bat velocity is simply truthful and when he noticed good velocity as an novice he struggled. He’s nonetheless fairly uncooked, particularly for a California highschool child, with plenty of room for bodily and abilities enhancements, and the Tigers will most likely have the ability to assist him tighten up the swing to be shorter to the ball. It’s 20-homer upside in a plus defensive shortstop so long as he hits sufficient to get to it.
Nimmala was one of many youngest draftees in 2023, turning 18 4 months after he was picked, and as such ought to have began 2024 within the advanced league fairly than Low A, however after a torrid spring coaching the Jays despatched him to the Florida State League … and he struggled, hitting .167/280/.306 with a 34 % strikeout fee earlier than the Jays despatched him again to the advanced to reset. After three weeks there, he went to the advanced league for just a few video games, then returned to Low A and hit .265/.331/.564 the remainder of the way in which. He ended up main the Florida State League in slugging (.476) and completed fifth within the league with 15 homers, all because the league’s youngest qualifying hitter. He’s a real shortstop with good actions and a plus arm, and the facility he confirmed on the sphere is legit, as he’s acquired very robust fingers and wrists, with a swing that’s very rotational and places the ball within the air a ton — his groundball fee in Low A final yr was simply 31.4 %. He’s nonetheless solely 19 and stays projectable sufficient to finish up a 30-homer bat in just a few years; proper now it’s extra constantly arduous contact (his ninetieth percentile EV in Low A was 102.3 mph, and his EV50 was 99.0 mph on the dot) than large top-end EV (peak was 107). He’s nonetheless a high-risk, high-reward participant, as he continued to strike out 29.7 % of the time in his second go-round in Low A, and usually must tighten up his pitch recognition and convey his chase fee (31 %) down a minimum of a bit of. I preserve coming again to his outcomes for his age, although — he was youthful than Dante Nori, the Phillies’ first-round decide in 2024, for one instance — and the potential for large energy at a place up the center. He’s nonetheless each bit the prospect that made him a first-rounder within the 2023 draft — and a top-10 expertise by myself board.
Caba was the centerpiece of the commerce that despatched Jesús Luzardo to the Phillies, because the Marlins went for some ceiling by including the younger shortstop, who is among the greatest defensive infielders within the minors. Caba is likely to be an 80 defender already, with a plus arm, unimaginable instincts, and fast actions on the place. He performed all of 2024 at age 18 and hit .254/.427/.335 within the Florida Advanced League, strolling 51 instances and placing out simply 34, earlier than a late-season promotion to Low A, the place he nonetheless made contact however solely hit .179/.304/.190. His method is actual — fairly than that of somebody who’s up there to stroll — and now he must get stronger to have the ability to do extra when he does put the ball in play. His swings are good from either side of the plate; he can open his hips too early from both aspect, robbing him of a few of the energy he may get from his decrease half. He solely turned 19 in November, so he’s going to get stronger from right here. He doesn’t want plus and even common energy to be a high quality common given his protection and his on-base abilities.
Cleveland drafted Velazquez within the first spherical in 2023 and instantly moved him out from behind the plate to permit him to develop his bat and maybe attain the majors extra rapidly than he in any other case would have. His first full professional season was a promising register that route. He acquired off to an awesome begin as a 19-year-old in Low A, hitting .261/.371/.441 within the first half, earlier than carrying down within the second half. He’s a giant, robust child, however a greater hitter than you may anticipate at first look, placing out simply 20.1 % of the time in Low A at the same time as one of many youngest gamers in full-season ball, and he does make arduous sufficient contact to mission to 25 homers at his peak. He hits with a large stance and no stride, only a toe-tap for timing, so he doesn’t get all the facility he might out of his decrease half and his swing can flatten out as a result of he doesn’t totally rotate his hips.
The Guardians tried him in left subject final yr in addition to at first base, and he was succesful sufficient that they’ll most likely preserve that alive as a chance for him going ahead. His future is in his bat, with contact abilities and zone consciousness that set him up very properly for future success, and cleanup-hitter upside if he loosens up a bit of to drive the ball extra simply.
Horton was getting near a big-league callup final yr when he suffered what was first known as a lat pressure in his begin on Might 29. It turned out to be a Grade 2 pressure of the subscap muscle in his rotator cuff, and his season was over. He’s nonetheless rehabbing and ought to be good to go for spring coaching, though the Cubs might select to maintain him on a pitch or innings restrict as he builds again up.
Horton has two plus pitches in his wipeout slider, which he added close to the tip of his final yr at Oklahoma, and a changeup that’s improved considerably because the Cubs acquired their fingers on him. His fastball is 92-96 however performs down from it as a result of he doesn’t have plenty of deception. It has a bit of reduce and pitch fashions prefer it, however hitters prefer it too, hitting it arduous when it’s within the zone. He’s most likely going to must be a 40 % fastball man and work extra to the perimeters of the zone with it, because it’s not a high-ride pitch for the highest of the zone and positively not one he can use within the coronary heart to get whiffs, however he has the 2 actual weapons to get guys out and has proven above-average management up by means of Double A. He’s a starter so long as he’s wholesome, possibly a No. 3 who takes a short while to determine his optimum pitching plan. We’ll know much more as soon as he will get right into a recreation in Arizona.
Dollander’s 2024 season was kind of a consolidation yr for him, as he acquired a few of his slider again however doesn’t have it as a constant plus pitch because it was again in 2022. As a sophomore at Tennessee, he had a wipeout slider, simply a grade 70, and will have been the very best school pitcher within the nation that spring, however that offseason he went to some kind of self-styled professional and switched to a sweeper that was ineffective — though it helped the Rockies get him on the ninth decide within the 2023 draft. His changeup has improved considerably within the final two years to be a solid-average pitch, with a bit of wiggle on the finish to assist however largely deceiving hitters from how he throws it. The slider is the important thing; when it’s on, it’s 85-87 with arduous tilt and a giant transfer away from right-handers. It may well find yourself extra cutter-like at 89-90, nonetheless efficient however with a unique form that makes it look extra just like the fastball, and will even be his greatest method to lefties fairly than the changeup. The Rockies have already helped him get a part of the way in which again to his 2022 kind, and if they will get that slider to be extra constant, it’ll be an actual out-pitch, and the weapon he’ll want given his simply common command and management. He has a fourth starter ground, however extra upside because the slider develops or recovers.
Mitchell’s first yr in a full-season league was a combined bag, a web constructive on the finish that didn’t reply a few of the considerations that dated again to when the Royals first drafted him at No. 8 in 2023. He’s acquired energy, almost getting to twenty homers as a young person in Low A, and the Royals have helped loosen him up a bit of by lowering the very large stance he utilized in highschool to a extra typical one which has him again within the field to start out, giving him plenty of room to stride ahead and get his hips rotating. He confirmed wonderful ball-strike recognition final yr as properly, and whereas he had some issue with offspeed stuff, he’s shedding extra of these pitches after they’re not strikes than he did earlier than.
He appeared to put on down by the summer time; he hit .257/.391/.468 within the first half, placing out too typically (31.2 %), then hit .195/.338/.372 from the All-Star break till a promotion to Excessive A for the final two weeks of the season. Mitchell isn’t a lot of a runner, a minimum of not by the stopwatch, however he’s improved his baserunning considerably and stole 25 luggage in 32 makes an attempt. He has a cannon of an arm, with common to above-average receiving and blocking abilities now that might find yourself plus. Mitchell has already made some huge changes since he signed, which is the very best harbinger of a participant’s capacity to make additional changes. I’m inspired by the progress in his swing choices; if he continues that pattern, he’s going to finish up an above-average common, even when it takes him one other three or so years to get to the majors.
Arroyo missed all the 2024 common season after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder in March, present process surgical procedure that stored him out till the Arizona Fall League, the place he performed 18 video games however regarded understandably rusty. He has the instruments to be a plus defender at quick, with wonderful vary and a powerful arm, however stays very inconsistent within the subject, missing nice timing, dropping his arm on plenty of throws, and in any other case making scouts query whether or not he’ll have the abilities to remain there long run. He has bat velocity and has proven he can deal with good fastballs, nonetheless needing to get stronger and to enhance his breaking-ball recognition. He’s additionally an above-average to plus runner who ought to add worth on the bases.
He’s nonetheless simply 21 and has time so as to add that energy and work on the pitch recognition, though he’s misplaced most likely 400 or so at-bats that he can’t simply recuperate as a result of damage. Arroyo has on a regular basis ceiling as a shortstop if he can bear down and get extra constant on protection, or he might be a stable common at second base if he fills out some extra and begins hitting the ball more durable.
I very hardly ever put worldwide free brokers on my prime 100 earlier than they’ve performed a recreation within the U.S. advanced leagues, however two issues labored in Made’s favor this yr: the minors are as skinny as ever in elite prospects, and he’s actually *&^ing good. Made signed for simply $950,000 in January 2024 and had a repute as a power-over-hit man, however as an alternative he confirmed up within the DSL and confirmed a far more mature method on the plate than anticipated, strolling greater than he struck out — that’s not that tough to do within the DSL, simply don’t ever swing — and making superb swing choices. He’s barely begun to fill out however already makes arduous, loud contact from either side of the plate, getting in comparison with Jackson Chourio on the identical age, however with higher batted-ball information. He’s a shortstop now with a plus arm that can assist him with a probable transfer to 3rd base as soon as he’s a bit of older, and the Brewers have already given him time at third and second, so they might be considering alongside the identical traces. He might simply be a prime 20 prospect presently subsequent yr if the method and the loud contact carry over to the ACL and even Low A.
Ford had a combined yr in 2024, shifting as much as Double A and persevering with to get on base, albeit with barely worse outcomes throughout the board on the plate, whereas his protection behind the plate was worse and there’s extra likelihood now that he finally ends up at DH than there was a yr in the past. He nonetheless has very robust plate self-discipline, chasing pitches out of the zone simply 19 % of the time, about one-third of these have been pitches only one ball’s width outdoors of the zone. He has proven he can lay off many right-handers’ sliders down and away. He has extra uncooked energy than his .367 slugging proportion would suggest, however final yr he simply didn’t sq. the ball up wherever close to as constantly has he had earlier than, and his tendency to pop up pitches a bit of above the belt acquired worse. He’s a plus runner and nice athlete who strikes properly behind the dish, however he’s a forty five receiver proper now and his plus arm hasn’t translated into even common caught-stealing charges.
The Mariners did strive him just a few video games in left subject this yr, however the early returns weren’t promising. He’s 21, is aware of the strike zone, has untapped energy, and could be very athletic, all causes to nonetheless consider there’s upside right here, however Ford’s 2024 season was type of a disappointment, and if he doesn’t keep behind the plate I’m unsure the bat will profile as a daily at another spot.
King spent two years at Division II Wingate College, then transferred to Wake Forest for his junior yr and excelled for the Deacons regardless of the large leap in competitors, hitting .308/.377/.577 with only a 12 % strikeout fee. He largely performed third base and centerfield for Wake, sometimes shifting to shortstop when Marek Houston was harm or wanted a day without work, however the Nats took King with the No. 10 decide and solely performed him at quick in his professional debut. He’s a 55 defender there now and will nonetheless enhance given his lack of expertise and restricted instruction there.
He’s acquired a fast bat and could be very aggressive on the plate, particularly early in counts, as a result of he can put so many pitches in play, even ones out of the zone — for now, a minimum of, as that doesn’t all the time work as you get additional up the ladder. He’s acquired sneaky pop, possibly good for 15 homers a yr, however his recreation goes to be way more about hitting for contact and common, since his present swing doesn’t get a ton of raise on the ball. His 55/60 velocity makes him a stable defender in middle if shortstop doesn’t work out, however he’s most dear at quick and I believe he’s going to hit greater than sufficient to be an excellent common there.
Arroyo wanted to get to extra energy, and he did in 2024, repeating Low A and boosting his slugging proportion by 127 factors, then heading as much as Excessive A and hitting .290/.397/.519 — all earlier than his twentieth birthday. He signed in January 2022 with the repute of being a complicated hitter, and that’s been true, as he has an awesome method that has him aggressive throughout the strike zone with out increasing outdoors of it too typically. He’s quick with a stockier construct, with actually no likelihood to remain at shortstop, so there was extra strain on him to hit the ball more durable, and he did so, with huge enhancements in his batted-ball information and his energy output. He hit 5 homers complete in 61 video games in 2023, then hit 23 in 120 video games final yr. He barrels the ball very constantly and places it within the air over 60 % of the time. Within the subject, he has a plus arm and ok fingers to remain on the dust someplace, enjoying nearly all of his reps at second base final yr however with third base additionally a chance so long as he doesn’t get a lot larger from right here. We’ve seen loads of undersized infielders turn into All-Stars lately as a result of they may sq. the ball up for frequent arduous contact, together with José Ramírez and Alex Bregman. That’s Arroyo’s absolute best-case situation, in fact, however so long as he stays on the dust he ought to be a minimum of an on a regular basis participant.
Bradfield’s full-season debut went just about as anticipated, as he continued to play elite protection in middle and present 80 velocity, however he hasn’t made any adjustments on the plate to attempt to drive the ball extra constantly. He’s the most effective defensive centerfielders within the minors, with large vary because of his velocity and good reads off the bat, and that and his velocity give him a reasonably clear ground as a fourth outfielder. That’s buttressed by his high-contact method; he whiffed solely 15 % of the time he swung final yr, in response to information from Synergy Sports activities, and chased pitches out of the zone solely 17 % of the time.
He’s nonetheless acquired an excessively sophisticated swing that leads to plenty of groundballs, though the Orioles are working with him to attempt to get him to hit extra line drives to the outfield, even simply over the infielders’ heads, and let his legs do their factor. He’s slight and never prone to ever hit for greater than below-average energy, however he’s robust sufficient to ambush the occasional pitch and pull it out to proper. He began 2024 slowly however improved because the season went on, ending with a month in Double A the place he hit .287/.395/.396, which I believe might be his best-case situation within the majors. Add protection that might be +15 runs in a full season in middle and also you’ve acquired a 5-WAR participant. He simply has to maintain progressing on the plate, mechanically and in manufacturing, to get there.
Collier’s 2024 season was a combination of some superb stuff and a few dangerous as properly, as he mashed as a 19-year-old in Excessive A but additionally confirmed up approach larger than he had the yr earlier than and he must get his conditioning below management. He was one in every of solely 9 youngsters to play all of 2024 at Excessive A or above, solely turning 20 in November, and hit .248/.355/.443 with 20 homers, tying for second in homers within the Midwest League behind a 23-year-old. He continued to enhance his swing choices, reducing approach down on his chase fee from 2023 and choosing up pitch sorts higher, at the same time as he was very younger for his degree.
The dangerous is that Collier has let his physique get away from him, as he’s gotten so heavy that he may find yourself at first base, which is a waste of his athleticism and raises considerations about his make-up and work ethic. There’s simply no purpose for a 19-year-old along with his body to get this heavy — he’s listed at 210, however I’d guess he’s nearer to 240 — this quickly. His 30-homer upside would nonetheless make him a daily at first or DH, and he’s most likely to finish up with 60+ walks a yr. He’s extra useful at third base, in fact, with a powerful sufficient arm for it, and he’s additionally going to place himself liable to again and knee issues if he doesn’t handle his dimension.
Griffin was the very best instruments prospect within the 2024 draft class — that means he had the very best general mixture of bodily instruments, with potential 60 or 70 grades in energy, velocity, arm, and fielding in centerfield, however nobody appears to know if he’s going to hit. The Pirates took a shot with the No. 9 decide within the draft and should be affected person, because the historical past of highschool hitters from Mississippi is fairly dismal due to the caliber of competitors these hitters face as amateurs. He’s performed quick and middle however appears to be like a lot better within the outfield, with professional studies on his shortstop protection from instructs not particularly glowing, and he’s acquired a 70 arm that produced low-90s velocity when he pitched. It’s additionally large uncooked energy with a swing that generates a ton of leverage, each good from his hip rotation and dangerous from his deep hand load that creates an extended path. He does have fast fingers and will have the ability to modify to a shorter swing with out sacrificing a lot energy if any, assuming the Pirates resolve to go that route. There’s a ton of danger right here — a number of scouts have seen him, raved concerning the instruments, and instructed me “I simply don’t know if he can hit” — however Griffin presents 30/30 upside with plus protection in middle.
Sykora was the primary decide on Day 2 of the 2023 draft, and signed with Washington for a first-round bonus. All he did in 2024 was pitch like a first-rounder, as he struck out 39.2 % of Low-A hitters he confronted and walked simply 8.2 % in 85 innings throughout 20 begins, posting a 2.33 ERA. He’s a large already, and his supply has legs and arms flying in every single place, so it have to be terrifying for hitters to see all of that mass coming in direction of them, adopted by a small projectile that is likely to be shifting at 99 mph. He sits extra 93-96, with a slider that ranged from the higher 70s to the mid-80s with quick however abrupt downward break, and a heavy split-change round 83-85, with each of the offspeed pitches lacking a ton of bats this yr.
The arm remains to be type of late relative to his entrance leg, and all of the shifting elements within the supply make me suspect it’ll all the time be extra management than command for him. He additionally doesn’t appear to pitch down along with his four-seamer in any respect, which could not be a difficulty however simply strikes me as uncommon. Sykora pitched like a future ace final yr, and he has two pitches that might get him there. He might have merely out-stuffed Low-A hitters, nonetheless, and I want to see him do it towards extra superior hitters earlier than shopping for in utterly.
Caldwell would have been a top-10 decide within the 2024 draft if he have been 6-1 fairly than his precise top, which is certainly lower than his listed 5-9 and is likely to be as little as 5-6. Nobody doubts that he can play, although — it’s probably three plus instruments in his hit, run, and subject grades, with an average-ish arm and below-average energy. He’s acquired a compact swing and wonderful plate self-discipline, approaching at-bats like a leadoff hitter whose job is to get on base any approach he can. There’s particular bat velocity right here, sufficient to activate good velocity, however there isn’t common energy now and he doesn’t have the projection to get there. His greatest path to changing into a daily — and even an above-average one — is to be a high-OBP, high-contact hitter who steals bases and performs plus protection in middle, even with six-to-eight homers a yr. He’s not the subsequent Corbin Carroll, one other undersized outfielder who the Dbacks chosen and developed right into a celebrity, however he might transfer rapidly by means of A-ball if his plate self-discipline is admittedly pretty much as good as marketed.
I nonetheless consider Misiorowski is one hundred pc a reliever, however I additionally assume he’s going to be the most effective relievers in baseball as soon as he will get accustomed to the function. His stuff is so good that he punched out 30 % of batters he confronted in Double A after which once more in a short stint in Triple A, regardless that he’s acquired possibly 40 command should you’re type. He averaged 98 on his four-seamer in Nashville, topping out at 100.7 mph, and his slider sits 90-93, with each pitches simply grading out at 70 and presumably 80. His low- to mid-80s curveball offers him a unique look, with some sharp downward break, though his command of that pitch is the worst of the three. He routinely will get greater than 7 1/4 ft of extension, so hitters actually haven’t any likelihood, and given how wild he’s anyway, who can blame them for standing there and never swinging? He walked 14.3 % of batters he confronted final yr, with possibly the very best two-pitch combo within the minors, the place he might ship hitters a telegram to inform them what’s coming they usually nonetheless couldn’t hit it. It’s a really high-effort supply and he hasn’t toned it down in any respect since he signed, which additional factors to a reduction function. If he strikes to the bullpen, I believe he’ll strike out 40 % of batters or extra and proceed to restrict arduous contact, and turn into the most effective relievers within the majors. I simply don’t see any approach that supply and command might work in a rotation.
No participant on this record shocked me extra by making the reduce than del Castillo, who didn’t make my Arizona prime 20 final yr, after I stated he “might floor as a succesful backup, with some on-base abilities and sufficient protection to catch a couple of times every week.” Oops. He hadn’t hit a lot in any respect in a stint in Triple-A Reno, one of many minors’ greatest hitters’ parks, in 2023, however returned there in 2024 and hit .311/.392/.597 with a career-high 26 homers, hitting properly on the street as properly.
He was initially drafted in 2021 as a below-average defensive catcher who might hit however didn’t present a lot energy. He’s labored to enhance his receiving and blocking to the purpose that he’s a median defender with a forty five arm who can actually hit and possibly has 20-homer energy. He barreled up 10 % of balls he hit whereas in Triple A, and his EV50 there was 101 mph, with a swing geared to supply arduous line drives. He’s greatest suited to a hybrid function the place he catches a few of the time and performs first or DHs the remainder of the time to get him into the lineup as a lot as potential. I don’t assume he’s a star, however I do assume he’s an on a regular basis participant proper now.
Taylor had a bizarre first full yr in professional ball in two methods — he ended up hitting for extra energy with much less contact than I believe anybody fairly anticipated, and the way in which he acquired to all these strikeouts (24.8 % in Excessive A, 36.8 % in Double A) was type of uncommon as properly. Taylor hits the ball arduous and ended up with an awesome line in Excessive A past the strikeouts, hitting .269/.389/.513 with 44 extra-base hits in 84 video games, earlier than struggling in 30 video games in Double A, the place he hit .194/.290/.435 — nonetheless exhibiting energy, however in fact with approach too many Ks. He did increase his bat path a bit of, making it steeper to fabricate some extra raise, which could clarify the rise in strikeouts — he truly doesn’t chase a lot in any respect, and he doesn’t miss a ton in-zone, however when he does broaden, it’s type of disastrous for him.
Common readers of mine know I don’t like DeLauter’s swing — in any respect, actually. It’s the worst-looking swing on this record. I’m not even positive who’s second. However DeLauter has additionally had success in every single place he’s performed thus far within the minors, and the most important knock on him proper now isn’t the truth that wanting straight at his swing will flip you to stone, however that he hasn’t been capable of keep on the sphere for a full season. For the reason that Guardians took him with the No. 16 decide in 2022, at which level he was already out with a damaged bone in his left foot, DeLauter has performed in simply 96 regular-season video games, plus two stints within the AFL. The unique fracture price him the rest of 2022. He required surgical procedure in that winter after he re-fractured it, then suffered one other fracture in that foot in April 2024, then developed turf toe in his first recreation again from that damage. He strained his hamstring in late August and missed one other month.
On the plus aspect, he’s hit very properly when he’s been capable of play. He destroyed A-ball pitching, hit .271/.353/.436 in 36 video games in Double A throughout two years, and went 7-for-23 with two homers in Triple A this yr, adopted by his second straight yr of wonderful manufacturing within the AFL.
As for the swing, he opens his hips very early after which nearly drags the bat by means of the zone, with a swing that appears like he’s attempting to scoop the ball and pull it out to proper. Because of this, he doesn’t hit something on the outer third for any energy in any respect, and in a small pattern thus far lefties have actually crushed him, particularly with breaking stuff. He’s going to must make some changes to get him on time to the zone extra constantly, and I believe major-league pitchers are going to assault that entrance hip with velocity up and in, which he can solely hit on the bottom, after which go smooth away to use the swing. No one has actually completed that successfully thus far in his profession, nonetheless, so possibly he’s simply ok to work round them and use his excessive contact abilities to drive pitchers to pitch to his strengths — Dustin Pedroia did one thing comparable, and he had a really unorthodox swing as properly. DeLauter’s additionally a 55 runner and is likely to be a plus defender in a nook, though I believe his propensity to get harm most likely makes centerfield a non-starter.
Mauricio missed all of 2024 after tearing his ACL whereas enjoying winter ball, then had a minor setback in his rehab that may delay his return additional, though proper now he’s anticipated to be prepared for the beginning of the common season. Previous to the damage, he was the Mets’ prime prospect, with lightning in his wrists that produces grade-70 energy, peaking at 117 mph in his temporary major-league debut. He’s simply approach too aggressive on the plate, chasing offspeed stuff out of the zone at a fee that’s not going to be sustainable for a major-league common — which is why the lack of a year-plus of plate appearances was so damaging for him, as he must work on ball/strike and pitch recognition, and the easiest way to do this is by enjoying. I’ve stated earlier than he jogs my memory a ton of Alfonso Soriano, who had equally electrical wrists, by no means discovered shortstop, and wasn’t something near “affected person” on the plate, however improved his method sufficient to hit 412 homers and play 16 years within the majors. That’s a best-case situation for Mauricio, and possibly extra unlikely after the damage. We’ll must see the place he’s on his return, what he’s swinging (or not swinging) at, and the way he strikes within the subject.
That is the, uh, get off the pot yr for Johnson, as it’s for a number of of his classmates from the 2022 draft (Druw Jones, Cam Collier). He’s getting into his age-21 season and nonetheless hasn’t proven the plus hit device everybody appeared to assume he had as an novice. Johnson did not publish a .250 batting common for the second yr in a row and hit for even much less energy in 2024 than he had in 2023, once more drawing a ton of walks whereas hitting too many groundballs and pop-ups. Johnson has wonderful bat velocity and clearly is aware of the strike zone, and he confirmed actual progress in the course of the season because the Pirates labored with him on his swing choices to get him to do extra injury on pitches on the internal half. He additionally moved additional again within the field, and because of these changes, he reduce down on his whiff and chase charges after the All-Star break and pulled the ball extra typically. Sadly, none of it translated into extra hits or extra energy. A .237/.367/.386 season line isn’t going to make him greater than an additional man within the majors. He has too good of a swing and an excessive amount of plate self-discipline to not hit a minimum of within the excessive .200s.
Meyer was the No. 10 decide within the 2023 draft, far and away the very best highschool pitching prospect in that draft class, however he confirmed up for his first spring coaching behind his friends, along with his fastball velocity down a number of ticks after his private offseason program. Whereas his velocity did ultimately enhance, it was a harbinger of a primary yr that was a combined bag, to place it mildly. He’d touched triple digits in highschool with excessive spin charges on his fastball and two breaking balls, however in his first outing within the common season final yr he was simply 90-93, constructing as much as 93-97 in his remaining outing in Low A on Might 25. He’s acquired a really lengthy arm swing and his arm could be a little late, regardless of which he nonetheless exhibits a plus slider that generated a 41 % whiff fee in Low A. His changeup continued to enhance and it’s plus when he lands it, with too many ending out of the strike zone proper now, whereas his curveball backed up and wasn’t the identical plus weapon it was for him in highschool. His management general was nowhere close to the place it ought to be, as he walked 16.3 % of batters he confronted in Low A and 17.9 % in Excessive A, approaching a degree the place it’s truthful to query if he’ll ever have the management to be a major-league starter. Meyer confirmed No. 1 starter stuff in highschool and he flashed a few of it final yr, however this wasn’t the identical man the Marlins drafted. I’m not giving up on him as a future above-average starter, to be clear, because the stuff is simply too good, however am acknowledging that his odds of ending up a reliever went up at the same time as he acquired by means of his age-19 season with out damage.
Hamm was Detroit’s fifth-round decide in 2023 after his first full yr as a starter for Center Tennessee State. He had an unusually excessive arm slot — almost excessive — for a beginning pitcher however an actual weapon in his curveball. He went to Excessive A final yr and reduce his stroll fee from 10.4 % in 2023 earlier than the draft to 7.8 % within the minors this previous season, placing out 30.6 % of batters with a full assortment of pitches. His curveball remains to be plus, his slider is a minimum of solid-average, and his straight changeup is surprisingly efficient — it’s arduous to throw a changeup from that top of a slot, however he does it, and hitters don’t particularly take care of it. He’s working way more to his glove aspect now than he did in school, utilizing the fastball and slider that approach, because the slider is his solely pitch with a lot horizontal motion, and he had no platoon cut up in any respect in Excessive A final yr. The knock on Hamm is that he didn’t maintain his velocity all season, and he acquired hit a bit of extra because the fastball velo declined over the course of the summer time. It was his first full professional season, and he solely spent one spring as a full-time starter in school, so this was probably the most he’d ever pitched with out some type of break or layoff, which is the one purpose I’m keen to chop him some slack on the velo dip. If that occurs once more, he’s most likely a reliever, and has the weapons to be a very good one. His spot on the highest 100 is a guess that he’ll keep a starter with extra expertise and maybe a bit of work with the Tigers’ energy and conditioning group, ending up a stable No. 3 or extra. If that doesn’t work, he might be a bulk reliever given what number of efficient offspeed pitches he has, simply working lower than a starter to attempt to preserve his velocity up.
Jones’ second full yr within the minors went loads higher than his first. For one factor, he stayed wholesome all yr, enjoying 109 video games after enjoying simply 41 (together with rehab video games) the yr earlier than. For one more, he began to supply for the primary time in professional ball, hitting .275/.409/.405, tying for twelfth in all the minors with 85 walks — identical as his draft classmate Termarr Johnson. It’s not all excellent news, as he nonetheless hit the ball on the bottom approach too typically (57.2 % of the time) for a man with plus uncooked energy, and his protection in middle was extra typically grade 60 than 70 — or grade 80, like his father’s.
He’s proven extra in-game energy the opposite approach than to his pull aspect, and doesn’t actually attempt to activate stuff on the internal third but. His ball/strike recognition turned out to be way more superior than anticipated, and the truth that he got here again in addition to he did from a 2023 season that was ruined by a number of accidents and a few seen uncertainty on the plate is a constructive signal. He might nonetheless find yourself simply an additional outfielder however I believe it’s too quickly to imagine that, given the facility and plus protection he confirmed as an novice.
The Jays’ 2024 first-round decide on the No. 20 decide was ranked thirteenth by myself board, and the No. 3 starter within the class (once more, my rankings), coming off a dominant yr for East Carolina the place he struck out 145 in 93 innings (40.3 %) and posted a 2.03 ERA — and didn’t flip 21 till two weeks after the draft. He has one of many shortest arm actions I’ve ever seen on a prospect of his caliber, however the stuff that comes out is plain, as he has a 91-96 mph four-seamer and a plus splitter with large backside and even some lateral motion, together with a good slider within the mid-80s he makes use of largely versus right-handers. His quick arm stroke and the form of his stuff make him way more of a north-south pitcher and I believe he’ll have to seek out one thing to work a bit of extra east-west, simply to maintain hitters sincere on either side of the zone. The supply does fear me, as a result of it’s uncommon, and quick arm actions like this typically find yourself within the bullpen. He’s been wholesome the final two years as a starter for ECU, nonetheless, and I wouldn’t change something given how good the stuff is. I’d transfer him as rapidly as potential, as you’re not ready for any projection on the present pitches, and see a possible No. 3 starter within the close to future.
Cespedes’ stateside debut was restricted to 25 video games and 105 PA earlier than he broke a hamate bone, however he flashed a few of why he earned a $1.4 million bonus in January 2023. He’s small however robust, with a robust swing for somebody his dimension that backs up the numbers he’s produced thus far, with 11 homers in 71 profession video games between the DSL and Florida Advanced League. He hit .319/.400/.615 in that temporary stint in Florida final yr, placing out simply 19 instances within the 105 PA, exhibiting robust command of the strike zone already. He’s not going to stay at shortstop, nonetheless, and may find yourself at third base fairly than second given his body and the way his physique appears to be like now at age 19. He’ll transfer to Low A this yr and will take a while to get all his hand energy again; past that, he appears to be like like a hitter who might transfer rapidly by means of the low minors as a result of he’s stronger and extra polished than the everyday teenaged hitter, with the upside of an above-average common at third with fringy protection however a powerful all-around offensive recreation.
Lombard was the Yankees’ first-round decide in 2023 out of a South Florida highschool, and he spent all of 2024 in full-season ball when he would beforehand have spent it on the now-defunct short-season degree — yet one more instance of a participant harm by the contraction of the minors. His general line of .231/.338/.334 is unimpressive, however below the hood there’s fairly a bit to love. Lombard injured his hamstring in April, spending two weeks on the injured record however apparently battling it on and off all year long even after he returned. He did make some arduous contact that didn’t present up in his stat line, topping out at 110 mph, and there’s nonetheless a ton of projection on his 6-2 (or taller) body to come back into extra bat velocity and ultimately in-game energy. He simply wasn’t prepared for full-season ball; he might decide up offspeed stuff fairly properly however had a tough time catching as much as plus fastballs and ended up behind within the rely too typically. When wholesome, he’s a plus runner, which could slide down in direction of 55 velocity as he will get larger. He’s additionally prone to transfer off shortstop however find yourself a plus defender at third or second, most likely third given his above-average arm and eventual dimension. There’s plenty of maybes right here, and the floor numbers aren’t spectacular; simply keep in mind that, like plenty of youngsters, he didn’t belong in regardless of the heck Low A is at this level, and that he acquired on base in addition to he did, flashing some very arduous contact for a young person, is definitely very promising.
Mack was the No. 31 decide within the 2021 draft, then missed most of 2022 with accidents and had a disappointing 2023 in Excessive A, hitting .218/.295/.287, though he did keep wholesome sufficient to get 503 plate appearances. He returned to Excessive-A Beloit to start out 2024 and took off, hitting so properly in 13 video games that the Marlins very properly bumped him as much as Double A, the place he hit .241/.322/.456 with 22 homers in 112 video games and a 25.7 % strikeout fee as a 21-year-old. Solely 4 minor-league catchers hit extra homers than Mack did final yr; two are on this record, one can’t actually catch, and the final is 33 years previous. It’s all-fields energy — 9 of his 24 complete homers on the season have been to left or centerfield. He’s improved behind the plate to turn into an above-average receiver and possibly even a plus framer, whereas he’s all the time had a plus arm and threw out 34 % of runners final yr. He nonetheless has to work on some pitch recognition, as he was approach higher towards fastballs and his inexperience towards pitchers who might actually spot a slider or drop a changeup away confirmed. The bar to be an on a regular basis catcher within the majors is so low, nonetheless, that even when Mack finally ends up a .290 OBP man with 20 homers and 55 protection, he’d be an excellent common, and that’s properly inside his attain.
Stewart moved as much as Excessive A final yr and hit .279/.391/454 in 80 video games for Dayton as a 20-year-old earlier than struggling an “off-field” damage, tearing a tendon in his wrist. It required surgical procedure and ended his season. He continues to point out a really superior method, recognizing all pitch sorts and commanding the strike zone, and has tweaked his swing since he first signed to hit much more line drives and fewer groundballs. He had a 27.8 % line-drive fee in 2024, which might have ranked third within the Midwest League if he’d certified, and he makes arduous contact, simply with out sufficient loft or large exit velocities to place the ball within the seats. It’s a brief path to the ball with some raise to it, however with extra doubles energy that places plenty of line drives into the gaps. I don’t assume he’s acquired the projection left to finish up a 20-homer man, however he has a repute as each a tough employee and a man who likes to work out, so I wouldn’t say it’s not possible. He’s a fringy defender at third and performed some second as properly in 2024, most likely a forty five defender at both spot, with first base the default choice if he can’t keep elsewhere on the dust. The worst-case situation is he’s a 10-homer first baseman with above-average OBPs, a daily on some groups however not all; the best-case one is the place he sticks at third, will get stronger for 20+ homers, and has OBPs near .400 … which might most likely make him an MVP candidate, now that I spell it out.
(Prime photograph illustration by Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Images from left to proper — Jackson Jobe, Samuel Basallo, Roman Anthony, Sebastian Walcott: Tim Warner, Christopher Pasatieri / Getty Photographs; Brace Hemmelgarn / Minnesota Twins / Getty Photographs; Chris Bernacchi / Diamond Photographs by way of Getty Photographs)