The Best Individual Season in Every MLB Farm System
Which prospect has had the best year for all 30 teams?
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AL East
Yankees: Jhony Brito – RHP – AA/AAA
2022 Stats: 21 app., 20 GS, 106.0 IP, 2.89 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 85 K, 35 BB, 7.6 H/9
A mid 90s fastball and nasty changeup have helped Brito to induce a ton of weak contact at the upper levels. Strikeouts may not be plentiful for Brito, but he is efficient and extremely difficult to square up. Still 24 years old, Brito looks like a high floor No. 4 starter.
Blue Jays: Ricky Tiedemann – A/A+/AA
2022 Stats: 16 GS, 72.2 IP, 2.35 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 110 K, 26 BB, 4.8 H/9, 13.6 K/9
Already looking like one of the biggest steals of the 2021 MLB draft, the former third round pick carved his way to Double-A before his 20th birthday. The southpaw’s fastball, slider and changeup are all above-average and tunnel effectively from his deceptive high three-quarters arm-slot.
Already confident in all three of his offerings, Tiedemann has the chance to be a high-end starter at the big league level.
Rays: Kyle Manzardo – 1B – A+/AA
2022 Stats: 71 G, .335/.437/.638, 21 2B, 18 HR, 64 RBI, 49 BB, 53 K, 181 wRC+
There’s few safer prospect profiles than Manzardo. He hits the ball hard, hardly chases and produces well above-average contact rates. An underslot second round pick in 2021’s Draft, the Rays identified much of the same profile that has allowed them to scoop up similar hitters like Curtis Mead and Jonathan Aranda on the cheap. Tampa may have found an even more talented version in Manzardo.
Orioles: Gunnar Henderson – SS/3B – AA/AAA
2022 Stats: 102 G, .296/.417/.538, 23 2B, 18 HR, 68 RBI, 18-21 SB, 157 wRC+
The youngest player in Triple-A is also one of the most feared. Henderson has put it all together this year, producing 2021 Bobby Witt Jr. type numbers, while exceeding expectations with the glove at short. A simple, sweet swing capable of producing home runs as towering as 480 feet, the sky is the limit for the 21-year-old.
Red Sox: Niko Kavadas – 1B/DH – A/A+/AA
2022 Stats: 97 G, .291/..456/.595, 22 2B, 24 HR, 76 RBI, 86 BB, 186 wRC+
A college senior who was limited to just first base, team’s identified Kavadas as an underslot candidate, but he reportedly was unwilling to accept a steep discount. This caused Kavadas to fall to the 11th round, but he received the overslot signing bonus he wanted and deserved at $250,000.
Kavadas parlayed a dynamite summer on the Cape with 22 homers in his senior season. He hasn’t blinked in his first full season of pro ball, mashing his way to his third level already this year. The big lefty will punch out a bit, but he has launched 24 homers and is fifth in the minors in walks.
AL Central
Guardians: Will Brennan – OF – AA/AAA
2022 Stats: 103 G, .311/.377/.462, 31 2B, 9 HR, 85 RBI, 19-21 SB, 45 BB, 57 K, 127 wRC+
Nothing jumps off the page with Brennan, but the guy just hits. Brennan has tapped into fringy power which has really improved his long-term outlook. An easy plus hit-tool who can stick in center and swipe bags, Brennan has big league regular written all over him.
Twins: Matt Wallner – OF – AA/AAA
2022 Stats: 102 G, .268/.403/.533, 20 2B, 24 HR, 76 RBI, 77 BB, 142 K, 137 wRC+
A 6-foot-5 masher, Wallner is no stranger to the three true outcomes. When Wallner connects, there’s a good chance it’s leaving the yard. Though he strikes out nearly a third of the time, Wallner can really slug.
White Sox: Oscar Colas – OF – A+/AA
2022 Stats: 84 G, .314/.378/.525, 15 2B, 17 HR, 64 RBI, 142 wRC+
Colas solidified himself as one of the top international free agents by posting impressive numbers in Japan’s competitive Nippon Professional Baseball League. Colas boasts impressive bat speed and crushes fastballs. Colas hedges his aggressive approach by rarely missing mistakes and getting to tough pitches. The 23-year-old has exciting offensive upside.
Royals: Michael Massey – 2B – AA/AAA/MLB
2022 MiLB Stats: 87 G, .312/.371/.532, 28 2B, 16 HR, 77 RBI, 13-15 SB, 129 wRC+
Since the day he stepped foot on the University of Illinois campus, Massey has done nothing but hit. A .324 career hitter in 159 collegiate games with just 17 homers, Massey surprised last season by launching 21 homers in High-A along with 50 extra base hits.
It’s been more of the same for Massey in the upper levels, already with 16 homers in 87 games before getting called up to the show.
Tigers: Kerry Carpenter – OF – AA/AAA/MLB
2022 MiLB Stats: 97 G, .313/.380/.645, 27 2B, 30 HR, 75 RBI, 169 wRC+
The recently promoted Carpenter has arguably been the best hitter in the minors this season hitting 30 homers while continuing to cut his strikeout rate as the year has progressed. Carpenter’s swing is geared for lift and he generates some easy carry.
A 19th rounder in 2019, Carpenter has looked more the part of a Day 1 pick with the way he has barreled baseballs all season.
AL West
Astros: Justin Dirden – OF – AA/AAA
2022 Stats: 99 G, .324/.409/.613, 37 2B, 21 HR, 84 RBI, 155 wRC+
An undrafted free agent in 2020’s COVID shortened draft, Dirden has combined plus raw power with sneaky athleticism to produce impressive results since he broke into pro-ball last year. Dirden uses the whole field well, has good splits against lefties and can play all three outfield spots which really bolster is chances of being a big league regular.
Mariners: Taylor Dollard – RHP – AA
2022 Stats: 22 GS, 116.1 IP, 12-2, 1.93 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 104 K, 28 BB, 6.3 H/9, 2.2 BB/9
Dollard has dominated hitters with his plus slider which tunnels with his low 90s four-seamer that features more than 16 inches of induced vertical break. Dollard pounds the strike zone and mixes in his changeup and curveball enough to keep hitters on their toes.
Rangers: Aaron Zavala – OF – A+/AA
2022 Stats: 89 G, .287/.432/.472, 15 2B, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 11-16 SB, 75 BB, 84 K, 149 wRC+
Zavala tore through Pac-12 competition at the University of Oregon, getting on base at a .465 clip in 113 collegiate games. The 22-year-old has impacted the baseball even more since joining the Rangers org with intriguing complementary tools.
Zavala has really put it all together this year, continuing to get on base at a ridiculous clip while slugging 31 extra base hits.
Angels: Logan O’Hoppe – C – AA
2022 Stats: 84 G, .276/.398/.524, 11 2B, 20 HR, 55 RBI, 49 BB, 61 K, 148 wRC+
Surprisingly traded to the Angels for Brandon Marsh at this year’s trade deadline, O’Hoppe has been one of the most impressive catchers in all of the minors this season. Twenty homers to go with an 88% zone contact rate and just a 22% chase rate? That will play. Oh yeah, and the defense just keeps getting better.
Athletics: Shea Langeliers – C – AAA
2022 Stats: 95 G, .283/.366/.510, 19 2B, 19 HR, 56 RBI, 88 K, 116 wRC+
One of the main pieces sent over to Oakland in the Matt Olson trade, Langeliers has really solidified himself as one of the most well-rounded catching prospects in the game. Plus defensive ability paired with big time power and good-enough contact rates, Langeliers has a great chance of being an above-average catcher at the highest level.
NL East
Mets: Brett Baty – 3B/OF – AA/AAA/MLB
2022 MiLB Stats: 95 G, .315/.410/.533, 22 2B, 19 HR, 60 RBI, 158 wRC+
Baty has improved in many of the departments evaluators were hoping for this year. The power-hitting third baseman has cut his ground ball rate by nearly 20%, while hitting lefties as well as ever. Not that he needed to hit the ball harder, but he has also seen his average exit velocity jump by a full mile per hour.
Braves: Vaughn Grissom – INF – A+/AA/MLB
2022 MiLB Stats: 96 G, .324/.405/.494, 20 2B, 14 HR, 67 RBI, 27-32 SB, 54 K, 145 wRC+
Another aggressive MLB promotion, Grissom’s elite bat-to-ball skills and electrifying tools were enough for the Braves to bring him up after just 22 Double-A games. Grissom has five-tool upside and can play all over the diamond.
Phillies: Andrew Painter – RHP – A/A+/AA
2022 Stats: 17 GS, 75.1 IP, 1.19 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 118 K, 23 BB, 5.0 H/9, 14.1 K/9
Drafted 13th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, the 6-foot-7 Painter has no business repeating his mechanics as smoothly and seamlessly as he does. Still just 19 years old, Painter’s polish has earned him a promotion to Double-A in his first full season.
Led by an upper 90s fastball that has topped at 102 mph, along with a nasty slider and above-average curve, Painter has punched out hitters at a 40% clip this year.
Marlins: Jerar Encarnacion – OF/1B – AA/AAA/MLB
2022 MiLB Stats: 99 G, .294/.363/.505, 15 2B, 22 HR, 58 RBI, 128 wRC+
A big-bodied corner guy, Encarnacion hits the ball extremely hard and is finally making enough contact for it to result in solid production. After tearing through Double-A, Encarnacion has come down to earth a bit in Triple-A, but is still posting above-average numbers.
Nationals: James Wood – OF – ACL/A
2022 Stats: 65 G, .318/.423/.548, 23 2B, 11 HR, 56 RBI, 18-23 SB, 42 BB, 63 K, 154 wRC+
One of the exciting pieces moved in the Juan Soto haul, the 6-foot-7 Wood has astounded with his advanced hitting ability. For how long his levers are, an 86% zone contact rate is just absurd and he has already hit homers upwards of 470 feet and 113 mph.
Wood still has plenty of climbing to do through the minors, but his ceiling is quite literally limitless.
NL Central
Cardinals: Alec Burleson – OF – AAA
2022 Stats: 99 G, .325/.366/.532, 19 2B, 20 HR, 77 RBI, 63 K, 137 wRC+
A second rounder in the 2020 MLB Draft, Burleson has responded well to every aggressive assignment from the Cardinals. Burleson detailed his two-strike approach on our prospect podcast “The Call Up” and how he has been able to balance his impressive feel to hit without compromising his power potential.
Brewers: Esteury Ruiz – OF/MIF – AAA/MLB
2022 MiLB Stats: 88 G, .326/.457/.533, 26 2B, 13 HR, 48 RBI, 64-76 SB, 158 wRC+
One of the biggest breakouts this season, Ruiz has paced the minors in stolen bases while producing big time slash numbers. The Padres capitalized on Ruiz’s boosted prospect stock, packaging him for Josh Hader at the trade deadline. We could see him back with the Brewers by the end of the year.
Cubs: Matt Mervis – 1B – A+/AA/AAA
2022 Stats: 103 G, .303/.363/.582, 33 2B, 24 HR, 94 RBI, 148 wRC+
Another impressive college bat who was signed as an undrafted free agent due to 2020’s COVID-shortened draft, Mervis has climbed three levels this year, while driving in runs with the best of them. A simple, but powerful swing Mervis packs a punch, but does not come with too much swing-and-miss.
Reds: Elly De La Cruz – SS – A+/AA
2022 Stats: 96 G, .307/.359/.617, 26 2B, 7 3B, 26 HR, 75 RBI, 36-42 SB, 157 wRC+
One of the most exciting prospects in baseball, De La Cruz is a switch hitter with elite tools. Still just 20 years old, De La Cruz has already hit a homer more than 500 feet with a 90th percentile exit velocity of more than 108 mph.
Similar to James Wood, De La Cruz’s ceiling is just as high as you can dream.
Pirates: Endy Rodriguez – C/INF/OF – A+/AA
2022 Stats: 95 G, .306/.396/.552, 25 2B, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 151 wRC+
One of the most athletic catching prospects in the game, Rodriguez has registered starts at catcher, left field and second base this season. Still somehow an underrated prospect, Rodriguez is a switch-hitter with a plus hit-tool and above-average power potential.
NL West
Dodgers: Gavin Stone – RHP – AA/AAA
2022 Stats: 20 app., 19 GS, 98.1 IP, 1.56 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 135 K, 36 BB, 12.4 K/9
Another Dodgers pitching prospect who has really unlocked another notch, Stone’s mid-90s fastball has jumped more than a full mile-per-hour while his plus changeup and above-average slider have made strides this year. Three impressive pitches and above-average command have Stone looking like one of the most dominant arms in the minors this season.
Padres: Eguy Rosario – INF – AAA
2022 Stats: 107 G, .295/.380/.519, 31 2B, 19 HR, 72 RBI, 20-28 SB, 122 wRC+
Short, stocky with a plus hit-tool, Rosario is one homer away from a 20/20 season in Triple-A while getting on base at a .380 clip. Rosario can play all over the infield, registering starts at shortstop, third and second base this season and could be a nice utility piece for the Padres.
Giants: Kyle Harrison – LHP – A+/AA
2022 Stats: 20 GS, 92.1 IP, 2.24 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 153 K, 40 BB, 5.8 H/9, 14.9 K/9
An overslot prep third-rounder in 2020’s Draft, Harrison’s electric fastball and advanced secondaries have helped him strike out 41% of hitters this season. Harrison is not far off from boasting three plus pitches and if his command continues to improve, he could be a legitimate ace.
Diamondbacks: Corbin Carroll – OF – ACL/AA/AAA
2022 Stats: 86 G, .315/.429/.620, 21 2B, 8 3B, 22 HR, 58 RBI, 30-35 SB, 161 wRC+
One of baseball’s best overall prospects, Carroll is an extremely tough out, who controls his barrel with the best of them. Carroll has a quick bat, good approach and spoils tough pitches with relative ease. While he may not have 30 home run power in the tank at the big league level, he has a great chance to post a 30/30 season in the upper-minors this season with an on-base percentage above .400.
Rockies: Adael Amador – SS – A
2022 Stats: 96 G, .298/.421/.462, 19 2B, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 22-33 SB, 73 BB, 58 K, 134 wRC+
A switch-hitter who hardly whiffs, Amador sprays the ball all over and can surprise you with his pull-side power. Still just 19 years old, Amador is ahead of his years at the plate and has hit Low-A pitching with relative ease.