Top 100 MLB Prospects for 2025

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 200 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 2nd Round (79), 2022 (BOS) | ETA: 2025

Roman Anthony hammers the ball consistently, producing some of the most impressive batted ball data in minor league baseball, while flying up the ranks. After tearing through Triple-A shortly after his 20th birthday to close out his impressive 2025 season, Anthony solidified himself as the top prospect in baseball.

Offense

Anthony starts upright with his hands rested by his ear before pulling his hands back as he sinks into his back side. While his hands travel a decent distance, the move keeps his upper and lower half in sync while maintaining rhythm, consistently getting into a powerful launch position.

A huge improvement for Anthony in 2024 was his ability to hit breaking balls, seeing his OPS climb from the low 500s against spin to the low 700s. That may sound insubstantial, put when you hit fastballs to the tune of an OPS over 1.000 and velocity 93+ MPH to an OPS above 1.100, even just average numbers against breaking balls should be enough to put up the impressive slash line that Anthony posted in 2024.

Anthony’s raw power is comfortably double plus, with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 109 MPH and hard hit rate of 53% in 2024. While he successfully tapped into more game power at the upper levels, he has room for even more as he could still benefit from finding some more loft in his swing. If Anthony can raise his average launch angle of 9.5 degrees on batted balls 95+ MPH, 30+ homers would be easily attainable.

That said, he still compiles plenty of extra base hits even when he is not leaving the yard, adding 32 doubles and four triples in 130 games. A very patient hitter, Anthony has run a chase rate around 20% between 2023 and 2024, resulting in a walk rate north of 15% in that span. With at least an average feel to hit as well, Anthony has the goods to be a well-rounded, middle-of-the-order masher.

Defense/Speed

An above average runner, Anthony covers plenty of ground and already commands center field with a fair amount of comfort. From the direct routes he takes to the way he played the ball off of Greenville’s jagged center field wall, Anthony has looked the part at each stop.

He may slow down a bit as he fills out, but already getting good jumps with direct routes, Anthony has a decent shot of sticking up the middle. Given the presence of Ceddanne Rafaela and Jarren Duran in Boston, Anthony is likely to move to a corner where he should comfortably grade out as above average. Anthony provides some value on the base paths, but could be more efficient swiping 21 bags on 28 tries in 2024.

Outlook

Anthony was one of the most productive hitters in the minor leagues as a 19/20-year-old at the upper levels and he is still not even a finished product by his standards. If Anthony is able to find a bit more lift without compromising his good feel to hit, he could easily eclipse 30 home runs while getting on base at a strong clip. Consistently hitting the ball hard to all fields, Anthony should consistently run a high BABIP with the potential to pile up doubles in droves if the home run output stalls some. His feel to hit, approach and raw power make him a high floor masher, but he has the offensive upside to be a star.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 200 | Bat/Throw: S/R | 3rd Round (72), 2021 (PIT) | ETA: 2025

Drafted as a two-way prospect who also boasted Power Five offers as a quarterback, Chandler has blossomed quickly as he has focused on pitching, with his athleticism more than evident.

Check out our conversation with Bubba Chandler!

Arsenal

Athletic with elite arm speed, Chandler’s fastball explodes out of his hand with good carry. An easy plus heater, it sits 95-97 MPH, flirting with triple digits while averaging more than 18 inches of induced vertical break. The strong pitch characteristics have helped Chandler pick up elite whiff and chase numbers, especially at the top of the zone.

Working off of Chandler’s lively heater is a plus changeup with late arm side fade. His ability to maintain his arm speed makes it difficult for hitters to differentiate from the fastball. Opponents hit below .150 against the pitch with a ground ball rate north of 50%. He will predominantly throw it to lefties, but it is a good enough pitch to bury in on right-handed hitters.

The third offering for Chandler is gyro slider in the upper 80s. The pitch became more effective for him as he started to throw it harder as it tunnels well off of his fastball to righties. While it’s not a huge swing and miss pitch, Chandler gets a lot of contact on the ground with it.

Rounding things out for Chandler is a curveball in the low 80s that he initially used as an early strike stealer, predominantly to lefties, but he gained more confidence in the offering as an occasional put-away pitch to southpaws in the second half of the 2024 season.

Outlook

As athletic as they come on the mound, Chandler made a huge leap in his first full season exclusively focusing on pitching in 2023 and followed that up with a dominant 2024 at the upper levels. He has really come into his own on the mound, confident in how he wants to attack hitters, but also showing more of a willingness to not lean too heavily on his 70 grade heater.

The progress of Chandler’s secondaries and his ability to keep the ball in the yard as a vert pitcher who likes to attack the top of the zone really helps shore up any concern about him sticking as a starter while raising his ceiling to that of a strong No. 2 starter. After building up to roughly 120 innings in 2024, Chandler appears primed for a big league debut in 2025.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 190 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $4.2M – 2023 (SDP)  | ETA: 2028

Another Padres teenage prospect who is ahead of his years, De Vries is a switch-hitting shortstop with plus power potential. He should climb through the Minor Leagues relatively quickly.

Hitting

Utilizing slightly different setups from each side, De Vries starts from the left side with his feet about shoulder-width apart and his bat resting on his shoulder. He pulls his hands upwards in tandem with a hovering leg kick, getting to his prior to pitcher release. He’s extremely advanced for a teenage hitter, already using his lower half well, along with a swing path that generates consistent lift.

From the right side, De Vries starts slightly open and deeper into base with his hands higher. His pre-swing moves are more repeatable as a righty at this point, with less hand movement and the focus mostly being just a coil as he is already more stacked into his back side weight wise with his hands closer to his slot. The exit velocities are higher from the left side, but his noisier hand load can throw off his timing ever-so-slightly. As a result, De Vries has been more productive in the early going from the right side despite the lower exit velocities.

De Vries handled Low-A well at just 17 years old in large part due to his advanced approach and pitch recognition. His chase rate has dwindled below 20% as the 2024 season has progressed, cutting into his already reasonable strikeout numbers and bolstering his strong walk rate.

That chase crept up a bit in the Arizona Fall League and in High-A, but his ability to recognize spin and off speed has tangibly translated against more challenging competition, especially from the left side. He already posts well above average exit velocities for his age, which paired with his ability to elevate to all fields, gives him at least above average power potential.

Defense/Speed

Like many young, projectable shortstops, there’s a chance De Vries could fill out and lose a step, preceding a move to third base. That said, he looks the part at the position right now, moving pretty well laterally with good instincts. He is comfortable throwing on the run and from different angles, but lacks desired carry on his throws, which can run to his arm side or sink. His first step could improve some as well. An above average runner, De Vries should be a decent stolen base threat capable of grabbing at least 10-15 bags.

Outlook

One of the youngest players in full season ball for the 2024 season, De Vries needed a few months to get his feet wet before really hitting his stride. While he may be more power-over-hit, there’s easily potential for average bat to ball with plus plate discipline to really bolster his offensive consistency. There’s enough impact to handle a slide over to third base if needed. At this point, he looks the part of a future shortstop, but the there’s enough offensive ability to be a well above-average regular regardless of his defensive home.

De Vries’ smooth transition to High-A to start the 2025 season should have him on a relatively fast track through the Minor Leagues, knowing the Padres tendencies. He has flashed more barrel maneuverability in 2025, which will only encourage an aggressive push to Double-A at some point in his age 18 season.

Height/Weight: 5’11”, 185 | Bat/Throw: L/R | CB-A (37) – 2023 (DET) | ETA: 2026

Ahead of his years at the plate with impressive overall baseball instincts, McGonigle adjusted to pro ball seamlessly and looks like one of the most pure hitters in the Minor Leagues.

Offense

A wide, slightly open setup, McGonigle starts well into his legs and uses a toe tap load as his weight shifts into his backside. With two strikes, he will get even deeper into his lower half in his set up while choking up a bit on the bat.

A short, quick swing, McGonigle has an excellent feel for the barrel with the adjustability to get to tough pitches in various spots. An extremely patient hitter, McGonigle only chased around 15% of pitches as a pro, while sporting a contact rate just shy of 90%.

While the power is more gap to gap at this point, McGonigle has flashed juice to the pull side, launching a 111 mph homer at High-A in 2024. He already looks comfortable in left-on-left matchups, staying on breaking balls while still turning around velocity in. Between his bat to ball skills and approach, McGonigle has been able to walk nearly twice as much as he has struck out as a pro, and projects to be at least plus in both of those departments. With his flashes of impact, he could add close to average power, but should be a doubles machine.

Defense/Speed

Despite both an average arm and range, McGonigle moves his feet well enough and puts himself in good spots to make plays at shortstop. He works low to the ground and reads contact off of the bat well, boasting impressive overall instincts and comfort throwing on the run and from different angles.

While his average athleticism may limit him from being an impact defender at shortstop, he may have a shot of sticking there thanks to his strong actions and feel for the game. If he moves to second base, he’d be an above average defender there.

Outlook

McGonigle’s elite bat to ball and plate discipline have made him a monster at the lower levels who is poised to climb through the Minor Leagues quickly. He broke his hamate bone in August, limiting his 2024 campaign to just 74 games, but showed enough in that stretch to solidify himself as one of the best pure hitters in the Minor Leagues.

Even if the power is below average, McGonigle should hit for enough average, walk and mix in enough doubles to be a table-setting, top of the order bat, however he looks like he may be able to add around 15 homers as well as he matures.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $3.2M – 2023 (TEX) | ETA: 2026

A big-framed teenager who already produces massive exit velocities, Walcott handled an extremely aggressive assignment for his age 18 season, posting a 123 wRC+ at High-A before getting a taste of Double-A at the end of the season. Even with his solid production, Walcott is just scraping the surface of his offensive upside.

Hitting

Walcott starts upright with his hands rested on his shoulder, Walcott has simplified his moves in the box, utilizing a small hovering stride in while pulling his hands back slightly to his slot. He generates plus bat speed and exciting power with long levers that he already controls relatively well. Flashing double-plus power to his pull side, Walcott has popped exit velocities as high as 116 MPH as an 18-year-old. He has the tendency to sell out to that pull side, something he cut down on as the 2024 season progressed.

As Walcott started to use the whole field more, he also began to elevate more consistently as well. With that, his production jumped from July onward, hitting .295/.351/.500 over his final 57 games between mostly High-A and a cup of coffee in Double-A.

It will likely always be power-over-hit for Walcott, which is just fine considering the fact that he has 30+ home run upside and has already posted solid overall numbers at levels where he was several years younger than the average player. Further refinement to his approach will surely help buoy his offensive floor and he showed plenty of progress in that regard in 2024.

Defense/Speed

An above average runner, Walcott is a candidate to slow down a bit as he thickens and his actions/footwork at shortstop can be a bit shaky, but he has a rocket for an arm and flashes enough range to play the position. He tends to field balls off to the glove side and relies on his natural athleticism to make plays, facilitating inconsistent results. Despite the shaky mechanics, he does pick the ball pretty well with an arm that would play well at third base if he has to move over to the hot corner. His defensive improvements in 2024 at least should buy him more runway at shortstop while providing optimism for above average defense at third if he moves. A factor on the base paths thanks to his long strides, Walcott swiped 27 bags on 35 tries in 2024.

Outlook

Even though Walcott punched out 32.5% of the time at the Complex in 2023, the Rangers still had the Bahamian slugger skip Low-A entirely, playing the entirety of the 2024 season between High-A (116 games) and Double-A (4 games). For Walcott to slash the strikeout rate to 26% while making such a substantial leap in his age 18 season as a power-over-hit archetype is remarkable and indicative of his natural ability in the box. There may even be more room for power in Walcott’s 6-foot-4 frame, which could push him closer to 35+ home run upside. His improvements defensively should ensure he sticks on the left side of the infield, along with more opportunity to prove he can stick at shortstop. Regardless, it’s Walcott’s bat that can make him a star.

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 210 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 11th round (326) , 2023 (CHC) | ETA: 2027

Extremely toolsy with elite twitch, the Dodgers targeted Hope in the Michael Busch trade for his upside, which he is realizing much more quickly than expected. He has some of the best raw power in Minor League Baseball with the swing path to get into it consistently.

Offense

Starting with his feet just wider than shoulder width with his hands relaxed just below his shoulder, Hope gets into his back side with a small gather, which he down from his medium-sized leg kick he deployed earlier in the 2024 season.

Already launching home runs above 113 MPH and 470 feet, Hope produces ridiculous torque and handles velocity well. His simplified mechanics allows him to repeat his moves consistently, and with his penchant for producing elite bat speed with so little effort, he is able to get his A swing off consistently.

Already flashing plus power in games with the ability to drive the ball with authority to all fields, Hope has the ingredients to be a middle-of-the-order masher. While he is not tall in stature, he is extremely physical. Extremely patient in the box as well, Hope controls his at bats very well and ran a chase rate around 16% in 2024.

Defense/Speed

An easy plus runner, Hope’s closing speed has helped him overcome slow reads and shaky routes in the early stages of his pro career. If he doesn’t find more comfort in centerfield, he would profile well in a corner where his plus arm and speed would place nicely. Despite his plus speed, Hope has been a somewhat tentative on the bases, but should develop into a stolen base threat.

Outlook

Hope has already shifted his outlook from project to rising blue chip prospect in an age 19 season where he missed time due to injury. There’s potential for a coveted combination of plus power and speed that could make Hope a dynamic outfielder with All Star upside. As he continues to look more hitterish, with an advanced approach the once significant perceived risk continues to dissipate. Of course, he will need to maintain his production above Low-A, but all indications point towards him being able to do that, especially after his showing in the Arizona Fall League.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 190 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $950K – 2024 (MIL)  | ETA: 2028

To say Made has stood out in the DSL would be putting lightly. The switch-hitting shortstop could be one of baseball’s next big prospects thanks to his ridiculously quick hands and feel for the barrel paired with elite plate discipline and baseball instincts.

Offense

Starting slightly open and his feet a tad more than shoulder-width apart, Made sinks into his backside in tandem with a rhythmic barrel tip as he pulls his hands down towards his belt; the move is a little more pronounced from the left side. He will likely need to clean up such a loud move as it could be difficult to time and also puts him into a slot that is generally harder to launch from and limits his ability to elevate the ball as much as he should.

The fact that he is able to not only do plenty of damage from his launch position and consistently make contact is a testament to his freakish hands and athleticism in the box. He posts plus contact rates both inside of the zone and outside of the zone while running one of the lowest chase rates you’ll see at the complex level.

Routinely producing batted balls over 100 mph prior to his 17th birthday, Made’s superb bat speed has already been on display in the Dominican Summer League from both sides of the plate, with a max exit velocity of 108 mph already. There’s still some room for strength on Made’s frame, but he should naturally tap into more raw power as he matures.

As he cleans up his operation in the box to be less dependent on raw talent and more conducive to repeating his moves and creating leverage, there should be plus game power in the tank. With his quickness, barrel accuracy and plate discipline, the elusive plus hit and power combination could be attainable for Made.

Defense/Speed

Made’s tooled up on the defensive side of things as well, boasting a plus arm and solid range. Similar to how he operates in the box, it is natural athleticism over fundamentals at this point for Made, sometimes struggling with his first step and reading balls off of the bat. He has a knack for the acrobatic play and is comfortable charging in and throwing on the run. He has a shot to stick at shortstop but has the fallback of a quality third base. An aggressive and efficient base stealer, Made swiped 23 bags on 26 tries through his first 40 pro games.

Outlook

As far off as any prospect on the top 100, there’s still plenty of time for things to go any which way for Made. That said, you’d be hard-pressed to find a prospect below full season ball with a more tantalizing combination of tools and baseball instincts. The Brewers are unsurprisingly very high on Made, making him a candidate to be the latest international free agent who takes the aggressive assignments in stride. There’s five tool upside here.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 220 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 2nd Round (40), 2022 (LAD) | ETA: 2025

Rushing has mashed at every stop with his defense behind the dish progressing nicely. Though he is somewhat blocked by Will Smith, his blend of above average pop and superb on base skills should ensure that he is getting consistent big league at bats soon.

Check out our interview with Dalton Rushing!

Offense

Rushing starts with a slightly open stance and a smooth leg kick to get into his back side. He controls his body extremely well, allowing him to consistently be on time with his smooth left-anded swing that consistently generates loft. Rushing’s strong pitch recognition skills and ability to repeat his mechanics help him get his A swing off consistently, with an average exit velocity of 92 MPH and a Hard Hit rate of 48% at the upper levels in 2024.

A patient hitter with a phenomenal feel for the strike zone, Rushing has consistently walked at a high clip at each level thanks to a career chase rate hardly above 15%. His smooth and repeatable swing helped him post strong numbers left-on-left as well, with an .880 OPS in same-handed matchups in 2024. Rushing has the ability to hit 25+ homers while getting on base at a high clip.

Defense/Speed

Rushing is a good athlete behind the dish who has progressed nicely defensively. He focused hard on his receiving and gained a lot of valuable experience working with the Dodgers talented arms during Spring Training. His catch and throw skills have improved drastically, nabbing 30% of attempted base stealers in 2025 behind good arm strength and a quicker transfer.

While the Dodgers trotted Rushing out in left field at points in 2024 due to the presence of Will Smith at the MLB level, the team prefers to shift his focus back to catcher in 2025. Rushing is on his way to becoming an average defensive catcher if his receiving can come along a little further, but it’s more a matter of finding opportunity for him with the big league club.

Outlook

The bat will lead the way for Rushing, as he is athletic enough to potentially move to first base or corner outfield if the Dodgers want to get him in the lineup. That said, Rushing still has the goods to be an everyday backstop defensively. Offensively, Rushing offers a sound power-hitter’s profile, making 25+ home runs with great on base skills an attainable outcome. He is one of the best catcher prospects in the game.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 235 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $1.3M – 2021 (BAL) | ETA: 2025

Ridiculous power potential for a teenager and production at the lower levels have Basallo rising quickly despite evaluators not being sure where he long-term defensive home may be. He is well on his way to becoming an offensive monster.

Offense

Starting with his bat rested on his shoulder, Basallo features a smooth, rhythmic load to get his hands slotted and sink into his back hip. Already built like a freight train, Basallo produces plus exit velocities power to all fields. He has reached exit velocities as high as 115 mph prior to his 20th birthday and while there may not be a ton of projection in his frame, he will almost surely get stronger as he develops.

Basallo is an aggressive hitter with a fair amount of in-zone whiff, but he has kept his strikeout rate at a palatable rate thanks to his ability to make contact on pitches outside of the zone. He shows some adjustability in the box with relatively simple moves, providing optimism for an average hit tool. Basallo already does a good job of getting into his power in games, especially to his pull side.

That said, there’s even more game power in the tank for Basallo as he could still cut down on the ground ball rate some and improve his swing decisions. Handling aggressive assignments well, Basallo tore through High-A and Double-A as a teenager while posting strong numbers left on left. The biggest question for Basallo will be whether his chase rate north of 30% holds him back at the highest level, but his ability to do damage in seemingly every pitch location and track record of hitting as one of the youngest players at each stop, give him huge offensive upside.

Defense/Speed

A plus throwing arm is the leading defensive tool for Basallo who may be a candidate to move from behind the dish. He moves well enough to continue to get looks at catcher, but his blocking and receiving has a ways to go with the latter particularly standing out as a weakness. His catch and throw skills are strong, gunning down around 30% of attempted base stealers as a pro with impressive pop times. Basallo’s defense may ultimately be fringy, but as long as he is not a liability, his bat will justify several starts per week behind the dish with reps at first base mixed in, which the Orioles have made a point to get him more experience at.

Outlook

If Basallo’s defense can inch closer to big league average, he could be a rare commodity as an elite left-handed power threat at a tough position. His bat pushed him to Triple-A in his age 19 season, but it is still early in his overall development as a catcher. Even if he is only behind the dish in a part-time capacity, his 30+ home run upside from the left side. Average hit and plus or better power will ultimately play anywhere. With Adley Rutschman manning the catching position in Baltimore, Basallo’s most clear path with the org is likely first base while catching a couple times per week. If he were to get traded, he has shown enough improvement defensively to warrant more catching reps as he inches closer to average in that regard.

Height/Weight: 6’5″, 250 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 1st Round (6), 2024 (KC) | ETA: 2025

Caglianone not only possesses the best power in the class, but he will immediately boast some of the best raw power in the Minor Leagues. The Royals are going to let Cags try the two-way thing out of the gate and he does have some intrigue on the mound. That said, his offensive upside is so immense that the focus will likely be shifted to the batter’s box much like Bryce Eldridge.

Offense

Caglianone possesses top-of-the-scale power with better contact skills than most hitters with his build (there’s not many). Starting with a wide stance and his hands high, Caglianone loads with a pronounced weight shift into his back side in tandem with a very small stride. With two strikes, Caglianone spreads out ever wider, barely picking his front foot off of the ground, focusing on just shifting his weight towards his back hip.

For a hitter with such long levers, his minimal stride helps him consistently be on time and see the ball early. That said, it can be difficult to control the weight shift of such a big frame, often swaying back forward prematurely on secondary stuff. His path stays in the zone for so long paired with ridiculous strength, allowing him to get away with a drift more than most hitters, but his swing can be choppy or on a downward angle towards the ball, resulting in too many ground balls and a need to catch the ball further out front to get it in the air. His raw power is encroaching on 80 grade, already flashing exit velocities as high as 120 mph with metal while launching home runs with his “C” swings.

Caglianone’s flatter path and bat speed make him difficult to beat within the zone, where he posted a 92% contact rate in his draft year, though his hyper-aggressive approach can undermine his bat-to-ball skills, bringing his overall contact rate down to 79%. He chased as much as any pro prospect in college baseball, though he did cut his chase rate a good bit in pro ball while continuing to showcase top-of-the-scale power.

Being in a launch position earlier than most hitters, allows him to see the ball earlier, but it can also push a hitter further into swing mode. His improvements against secondary pitches in his draft year was a positive sign, as was his huge leap left on left, hitting over .400 against southpaws followed by an OPS around .950 in the minor leagues leading into his call up. Caglianone has some of the most ridiculous raw power in the Minor Leagues, but he may need to make some adjustments in the box mechanically to facilitate better swing decisions and more lift.

Defense/Speed

Capable of running it up to the upper 90s on the mound, Caglianone has a plus plus arm that could play well in right field. The Royals have split his time between first base and right field in 2025 and while it will take some time for him to get comfortable in the outfield, he has looked relatively comfortable given the circumstances. He is quite comfortable at first base where he could be at least an average defender. He’s a below average runner, but far from a clogger on the base paths.

Outlook

After getting his feet wet in 2024, Caglianone really hit his stride in pro ball as he just focused on hitting, mashing his way from High-A to an MLB debut in a span of 50 games during the 2025 season. His 80 grade power paired with average contact rates and improving chase rates give him the ingredients to be one of the best power hitters in all of baseball. The fact that he is showcasing at least some versatility by playing right field only helps his case as well.

Height/Weight: 6’7″, 220 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (13), 2021 (PHI) | ETA: 2025

The top prep pitching prospect in the 2021 draft, Painter is a wunderkind who is tall enough to play forward on the hardwood, young enough to be a college sophomore, and yet is polished enough to pound the strike zone with multiple plus pitches. Tommy John surgery rains on yet another parade, as the best pitching prospect in baseball (when healthy) won’t be debuting until 2025, at the earliest.

Arsenal

Possessing a five pitch mix that rivals any pitching prospect in baseball, Painter has dominated hitters mostly with his 70 grade fastball that sits 95-97 MPH and has been clocked as high as 101 MPH. The pitch really explodes out of Painter’s hand with tons of life, boasting more than 18 inches of induced vertical break which has helps him generate some of the best in zone whiff rates in the minors.

Painter’s second plus pitch is his 81-83 MPH sweeping slider. The pitch tunnels well off of his riding fastball boasting late, sharp bite away from right-handers. While he mostly uses the slider against same-handed hitters, he has also showed plenty of comfort burying the pitch on the back leg of lefties and has continued to use it more frequently in early counts to steal strikes.

He also features a curveball in the upper 70s which flashes above average as well as a changeup in the upper 80s. He has rarely needed to use the pitch in the lower levels, but continued to use it more frequently as faced stiffer competition.

The changeup was a focus for Painter heading into last season, improving his command of the pitch as well as the improved arm side fade that it now features. Not only does the changeup give Painter a rare fourth speed, but it also gives him a fourth movement direction which is a tunneling nightmare for hitters.

Painter’s focus heading into 2023 was his new cutter, which he unveiled during spring training. The pitch sat 89-90 MPH and appeared to have the makings of another solid offering.

Outlook

The fact that Painter showed such great command of his elite stuff as a 6-foot-7 teenager is remarkable. His strike rate has hovered around 67% all season long while he continued to rely on his fastball less and use his strong secondaries more. It is also impressive how he has continued to add to and refine his arsenal as he has matured.

Painter is a rare talent who is likely to make his big league debut before he can legally buy a beer. It will be interesting to see how Painter’s surgically-reconstructed UCL may impact his overall stuff and command in the long term, but the Phillies could very well have their next generational ace in Painter as he continues to exceed even the loftiest of expectations.

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 185 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $800K, 2024 (MIL) | ETA: 2028

An advanced offensive skillset with plus-plus wheels, Peña has the potential to be a dynamic middle infielder. He feasted on DSL competition in 2024 then hit the weight room hard heading into 2025 adding plenty of functional strength which helped encourage the Brewers to have him skip the Arizona Complex League in tandem with Jesus Made and Peña has not missed a beat in Low-A with significantly more power.

Hitting

Starting upright with his feet a little for than shoulder-width apart, Peña utilizes a medium-sized gather with his front leg as he pulls his hands back. He patterned his moves to be much more cohesive and fluid heading into the 2025 season, helping him engage his more powerful lower half more effectively, aiding an uptick in bat speed and overall impact. His exit velocities leapt from fringy in the DSL to elite for his age in Low-A in a matter of a single offseason.

As he improved his loading pattern, the contact ability has only benefitted as well, making a seamless transition to Low-A where his contact rate was comfortably above 80% through his first 30 games. His entry point is steeper into the zone, but the bat speed is easily plus, making it more manageable. His average launch angle on hard hit baseball’s is still a bit lower than desired, but should improve as he finds more depth in his swing. Between the feel to hit and bat speed there’s plus hit and above average power to dream on for what could be an electrifying offensive profile.

Defense/Speed

Peña is extremely quick on the base paths, comfortably turning in plus run times, but his lateral movement at shortstop leaves a bit to be desired. The arm is plus, which could accommodate a move to third base. A menace on the base paths in the early going of his pro career, Peña only needed 55 pro games to reach 50 stolen bases and has not missed a step in Low-A.

Outlook

Though he’s still somewhat far off, Peña has a relatively polished game with the tools to potentially be an All Star. The uptick in power to go with what could be a plus hit tool and plus wheels is a dynamic skill set does not come around too often. Even if Peña moves to third base or second base, his offensive ability should still make him a high-impact player who can make his mark in many ways. Peña could very well be one of the top overall prospects in baseball by the end of 2025.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (2), 2024 (CIN) | ETA: 2025

A physical freak on the mound, Burns throws plenty of strikes for a flame-throwing, max-effort righty whose command has been better than expected in pro ball. He has simply overwhelmed minor league hitters.

Arsenal

Burns deploys a four pitch mix, but his usage was dominated by his fastball that frequently grabs triple digits and a pair of impressive breaking balls. The fastball sits 97-99 mph, frequently eclipsing triple digits. Despite strong underlying characteristics, his over-the-top release creates a plane that can make the pitch more hittable than expected, especially for left-handed hitters. Lefties posted a whiff rate less than half of that of righties.

The whiff numbers were strong, especially at the top of the zone, but opponents posted an OPS just over .960 against his heater. Those who are less concerned about the damage done on Burns’ fastball cite the bandbox that is Wake Forest’s home field, but the numbers against the pitch were nearly identical on the road.

That’s not to say it cannot become more effective with some tweaks. The velocity and characteristics are there and an organization that helped Hunter Greene overcome his long ball issue with his fastball likely feels confident about its ability to do the same with the talented Burns. He still generates plenty of swing and miss, setting the tone for his breaking balls, there’s just little in-between in terms of the quality of contact.

His upper 80s slider is a tunneling nightmare for hitters as the downward bite really plays up from his high slot. A double-plus pitch, Burns maintained a 70% strike rate on the pitch with a chase rate just below 50%. His low 80s curveball can blend with his slider, but has enough velocity separation to give him a slightly different look that he does not command quite as well. Burns has flashed an improved feel for his changeup since joining the Reds org, mixing it in nearly 10% of the time with some success.

Outlook

Burns is an athletic and powerful right-hander who has been able to maintain his velocity deep into the season throughout each of his three collegiate campaigns. If Burns can establish his fastball at the top more consistently, it would likely help the pitch perform better, but the effort-driven nature of his delivery could challenge his ability to consistently locate it at the top and when he does tug it down, it becomes more hittable. He has located significantly more effectively through High-A and Double-A, utilizing the cut-ride his fastball features on both side of the plate effectively.

His slider easily projects as an elite big league pitch with the curveball looking like a strong third option, especially with some slight tweaks to differentiate it further. It is worth wondering if Burns should play around with a splitter, a pitch that has performed well for plenty of pitchers with a similar release and something the Reds have taught several pitchers over the last couple seasons. With a couple adjustments, Burns could reach his No. 2 upside, but assuming health, his stuff alone will ensure that he has a big league role for a long time.

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (22) – 2023 (SEA) | ETA: 2026

One of the younger prep bats in the 2023 draft class, Emerson’s strong summer circuit and performance for Team USA helped him rise up draft boards. His polish both mechanically and approach wise have helped him stand out immediately as a pro, with the only hiccups being some minor injuries.

Offense

Emerson has a smooth swing from the left-side with a good feel for the barrel. He already uses his lower half well with a smooth, rhythmic leg kick that he starts early and controls effectively, consistently putting him in a good position to make quality contact. Already flashing above average power, Emerson has added 10-15 pounds of muscle ahead of the 2024 season with room for more in his frame. He has the potential to produce at least average game power as he matures.

He’s a rhythmic hitter and when everything is on time, the head of the bat lives in the zone for a long time, giving him a wider margin for contact and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He’s very patient with his approach, chasing at only a 16% clip in 2024. The combination of Emerson’s early load and launch quickness allow him to see the ball longer and make good decisions, but sometimes he can leak forward prematurely, likely because of how early he gets into his back side. That can result in more contact on the ground, which has held Emerson’s power back some.

As Emerson matures, he has a chance to hit for average and around 25 home runs, further bolstered by a knack for getting on base.

Defense/Speed

Nothing jumps off the page when it comes to Emerson’s defensive tools, but he is fundamentally sound and has worked hard on his first step and actions. He is at least an average runner with an above average arm and soft hands. He is much more aggressive to the baseball, picking it on more opportunistic hops with an internal clock that has improved.

He moves well enough in both directions and throws comfortably enough from different angles to stick at the position. Emerson has successfully fought off the third base risk, looking like an above average defender at shortsotp.

Outlook

Emerson’s feel to hit, approach and likelihood of sticking on the left side of the infield make him a high probability big leaguer while there’s enough power potential to be an impact bat. His baseball instincts only help elevate his solid tools across the board along with his chances of sticking at short. How much Emerson slugs will ultimately determine his ceiling, but the exit velocities are there and the fact that he can stick at short takes some pressure off of the bat.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 1st Round (3), 2023 (DET) | ETA: 2027

A superb athlete who gets the most out of his frame, Clark flies, has a rocket for an arm and makes plenty of contact. He made a leap in the bat-to-ball and swing decision departments heading into 2025 that has yielded impressive results.

Offense

Previously starting with a wide, crouched stance and his hands low, Clark narrowed his stance some heading into the 2025 season and raised his hands. He worked hard on his path to handle secondary offerings with more success, which has been evident by a 20% increase in contact rates against non-fastballs along with a drop in chase.

His twitch, wiry strength and athleticism help him produce plus bat speed with ease. Even if the swing is somewhat more geared for line drives, he hits the ball hard to all fields with the ability to flash some pop pull side.

Clark is compact and quick to the ball, helping him see the ball longer and make good swing decisions. His barrel enters the zone early and seems to stay for a long time, helping him make plenty of contact.

Between his quickness to the ball, simple moves and feel for the barrel, it’s easy to see a plus hit tool for Clark. His hard hit rate has jumped by nearly 10% through the first 40 games of the 2025 season to 44% while walking more than he has struck out. Ultimately, it may just be 10-15 home run power, but now showcasing what could be plus hit and plate discipline with improved raw power that should help him split both gaps with consistency, it’s easy to get excited about what Clark could bring to the top of a lineup.

Defense/Speed

A plus plus runner with a strong arm, Clark has the tools to be a superb defender in centerfield. He tracks balls well and has an excellent first step. Running up to 94 MPH on the mound in high school, Clark easily boasts a plus arm. With his football background and ability to get to his top speed quickly, Clark should be a menace on the bases as well.

Outlook

Clark is a workaholic who has really bought into his approach in 2025 and the results have been plenty evident with leaps in the contact and swing decision departments. His mechanical adjustments are also helping him hit the ball harder more consistently. Between the on base skills, defensive ability and speed, Clark’s floor is high, but he continues to push his ceiling higher with improved offensive consistency and impact.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 175 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $1.5M, 2021 (LAD) | ETA: 2027

One of the most polished hitters at the rookie level in 2022, De Paula has an extremely advanced swing and approach, handling Low-A and High-A easily as a teenager.

Offense

De Paula has a simple set up and a slow, controlled and smooth load that helps him see the ball early and repeat his moves. His swing is silky smooth, already controlling his body extremely well with a great good for the barrel. Posting above average contact rates and minuscule chase rates, along with strong numbers against left-handed pitching, De Paula easily projects as a strong on base threat.

He has already demonstrated the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields with more raw power in the tanks as he matures. The exit velocities are comfortably plus for De Paula, with a Hard Hit rate north of 45% in 2024. The next step will be converting that into game power as his swing can be flatter, more geared for line drives, limiting his home run output some.

Given his easy plus raw power and smooth swing, it’s easy to envision plus game power in the future. De Paula’s blend of hit, plate discipline and power potential is as exciting as exciting as just about any outfield prospect in baseball.

Defense/Speed

A fringe-average runner, DePaula as quick enough to cover decent ground in a corner outfield spot, but his reads and instincts are still extremely raw. His above average arm profiles best in right field where he can become a passable defender with more reps. As De Paula continues to fill out, he is unlikely to be much of a factor on the bases, but shouldn’t be a clogger.

Outlook

The most advanced prospect the Dodgers had at the rookie levels in 2022, De Paula has easily been one of the most polished teenage hitters in the minors over the last few seasons.

While the power has not totally translated into games yet, there have been plenty of flashes–especially to the pull-side–posting exit velocities above 114 MPH as an 18-year-old. With his present offensive talent and even more to dream on, De Paula has monster upside at the plate and is set to see Double-A pitching prior to his 20th birthday.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 215 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (5), 2023 (MIN) | ETA: 2026

The Minnesota Twins top prospect, Jenkins has the goods to be a five tool star, but the hit tool has translated more quickly than the power thus far. With a great approach, 6-foot-3 frame and ability to drive the ball in the air, it seems to be more of a matter of when than if the outfielder will tap into at least above average game power, but he needs to be on the field to be able to do that.

Offense

A relaxed setup with simple pre-swing moves, Jenkins is consistently on time with his sweet left-handed swing and requires little effort to hit the ball hard. His athleticism in the box is evident through his ability repeat his moves consistently.

Jenkins is still filling out, but flashes plus power to his pull side already impressively balancing his knack for driving the ball in the air with authority with his advanced feel to hit. He already leverages his advantage counts well to look to do damage while showcasing the barely maneuverability to drive a pitcher’s pitch when he’s behind. Running a chase rate of roughly 17% in 2024, Jenkins provides a rare blend of feel to hit and patience for a hitter of his size and power potential.

Rarely missing fastballs, Jenkins OPS’d nearly 1.000 vs. 92+ MPH with an in-zone contact rate of 90%. He posts competitive contact rates against secondaries, but has the tendency to get onto his front foot a little prematurely, impacting the quality of contact some. With how good his feel for the barrel is and how sound his moves in the box are, Jenkins should improve in this regard as he compiles more at bats.

Jenkins has the ingredients to be a consistently high OBP threat who is capable of launching 25+ home runs. Even if the power stalls, his natural ability to hit and approach would still be enough to be an above average big league bat.

Defense/Speed

A good runner who has looked comfortable in center field, Jenkins has a shot to stick up the middle. Should he move to a corner, his range and above average arm would likely make him at least an above average defender. A good runner, Jenkins was held back by a hamstring issue in 2024, but still swiped 17 bags on 20 tries in 82 games.

Outlook

An advanced swing for a prep bat with tools galore, Jenkins has become one of the best prospects in baseball while still just scraping the surface of what he can be as a player. If he is able to reach closer to his plus power potential, Jenkins could become a star with a game reminiscent of Kyle Tucker. If the power tracks closer to average, he still has the skill set to be a well above-average regular, especially if he sticks in center field.

Jenkins provides a rare floor/ceiling combination in terms of his skill set, but the health risks are becoming more and more difficult to ignore as he is again missing out on important reps through the first several months of the 2025 season with an ankle issue.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 215 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (9), 2024 (PIT) | ETA: 2028

Griffin offers as much upside as any prospect in the class. He’s 6-foot-4, 210 pounds with plus run times and excels defensively both in centerfield and at shortstop. If that wasn’t enough he was an early round pitching prospect on the mound as well.

Offense

Starting upright with a slight bend in his knees and his hands rested right by his slot, Griffin has worked to simplify his operation in the box in order to facilitate more repeatability and contact. Griffin managed his large frame and long levers much more effectively in his senior spring, improving his hit tool outlook.

Griffin can produce big power with minimal effort and has room for even more strength within his frame. As an amateur, his swing can lack fluidity and rhythm at times, looking rushed or crowded at points, but he made some adjustments that helped him look far improved in that regard heading into the 2025 season and the results followed. He has pulverized velocity, posting top-end exit velocities, though he still has the tendency to pull off of sliders.

There’s still some question as to whether Griffin can hit enough, but he took a big step in the right direction to quieting those doubts with his performance at Low-A while showing what could be double plus raw power.

Defense/Speed

A superb athlete who excelled in football and basketball as well before shifting his focus solely to baseball, Griffin turns in double plus run times and projects as a strong defender at both center field and shortstop, projecting as potentially a 70 defender at the former. His a plus arm could play well on the dirt as well, however the defensive potential in center may be just too tantalizing.

For now, the Pirates have actually prioritized his infield reps perhaps knowing that the outfield defense will be there more easily. He has looked quite comfortable at shortstop, with good hand, footwork and instincts. His first step is good both on the dirt and in the grass and he gets to his top speed quickly for such a physical player. He has the potential to be a high-volume base stealer.

Outlook

If there were more clarity on Griffin’s hit tool, he would have likely been a top five pick, but as he has provided that clarity in pro ball, he is quickly leapfrogging many the players who were drafted ahead of him. His tools and upside alone made him an extremely exciting get for the Pirates with the 9th selection, especially in a class that lacked premium defenders.

In addition to the defense, he does just about everything possible to take pressure off of his questionable hit tool, offering a tantalizing blend of power upside and speed that already translates both on the base paths and in the field. Young for the class, Griffin reclassified after last season and turned 18 just a few months before the draft. He’s likely a project that could be worth every bit of the wait. It could look like something similar to 2024 Brenton Doyle if comes together.

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 205 | Bat/Throw: L/L | IFA: $2.5M, 2019 (MIN) | ETA: 2025

One of the most exciting power bats in the lower minors, Rodriguez has monster offensive upside. Injuries have slowed Rodriguez’s development a bit, but he has been fantastic when on the field and appeared to be putting the final pieces together at the upper levels in 2024 before suffering a thumb injury that limited him to 47 games.

Offense

Lightning quick bat speed and an explosive lower half helped Rodriguez put up elite exit velocities as a teenager and he has continued to grow into more juice as he has matured and gotten healthy. Rodriguez unfortunately tore his meniscus in June of his 2022 campaign, cutting his coming out party short with a 1.044 OPS in 47 games. The combination of plus power and patient approach allowed Rodriguez to feast on Low-A pitchers despite a 68% contact rate.

Rodriguez had to shake some rust off in the early going of his 2023 campaign, but really hit his stride once June rolled around. One of the most patient hitters in the Minor Leagues, Rodriguez found himself bordering on overly passive at points, taking pitches he could do damage on leading to far too many deep counts.

He has since done a better job of pulling the trigger on pitches in the zone, while running an unfathomably low chase rate below 10% in 2024. He seemed to have taken another step forward overall, dismantling Double-A and Triple-A competition to the tune of a 1.045 OPS with the aforementioned chase rate resulting in a gargantuan 24.4% walk rate, before thumb issues limited him to just 47 games.

Rodriguez was hitting the ball as hard as ever in 2024, running an average exit velocity of 94.7 MPH, which would have ranked fourth in MLB among qualified hitters. With his ability to hit the ball in the air consistently and leave the yard to all fields, Rodriguez could push towards 40 home runs.

Defense/Speed

An above average runner, Rodriguez covers enough ground to play a viable center field. His reads have continued to improve and despite his big frame, Rodriguez has maintained more agility and quickness than many scouts imagined when he was at the lower levels. If the moves to a corner he could be a borderline plus defender. He swiped 20 bags in 99 games in 2023 and was on pace to exceed that total in 2024 before the Twins encouraged him to stay put at first base to mitigate injury risk.

Outlook

Rodriguez has enough power to clear 30 home runs easily with the athleticism to provide 20+ stolen bases and stick in center field. Pair all of that with one of the most selective approaches in the minor leagues and steady improvements to his overall offensive game and the Twins could have an All Star slugger on their hands. It will be a three true outcome profile, but maybe as exciting of an example as you can find. It’s all about health for Rodriguez heading into 2025.

Height/Weight: 6’7″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (149), 2021 (MIL) | ETA: 2025

A tall, lanky, explosive right-hander, Misiorowski can already touch 102 MPH with his fastball with a pair of wipeout secondaries. The Brewers moved Misiorowski to the bullpen in the second half of 2024, where he looked dominant in Triple-A. The Brewers have given Misiorowski more runway as a starter and he has responded well in 2025 throwing more strikes than ever.

Arsenal

You will primarily see the fastball, cutter, and curveball from Misiorowski, but he will mix in a low 90s changeup on occasion. The fastball is Misiorowksi’s best pitch, averaging 97 MPH while routinely touching triple digits. 

A pitch that has simply overpowered lower level hitters, the fastball features good carry at the top of the zone with outlier characteristics. Some of Misiorowski’s fastballs will flash more arm-side run than others, but that could be a result of his inconsistent delivery.

The go-to out pitch for the big right-hander is his sweeping curve in the mid 80s. He has a decent feel for it, landing the pitch for a strike around 60% of the time while holding opponents to an OPS below .400 in 2024. The downward action of the pitch off of his lively fastball makes for a tunneling nightmare for hitters when Misiorowski is able to hit his spots. 

The third big whiff offering for Misiorowksi is his hard cutter in the low 90s. It is less consistent than his other two offerings due to inconsistent release and action. Sometimes it will break like a true cutter, and others will back up on him at 93-94 MPH. Whether it backs up to his arm side or cuts glove side, hitters have a really tough time with it when it’s around the zone, posting a batting average below the Mendoza line with big in-zone whiff numbers.

Rounding out the arsenal for Misiorowski is a hard changeup in the low 90s. The pitch is firm and inconsistent, but has flashed some potential. He has only thrown a handful this season.

Outlook

Between the effort in Misiorowski’s delivery and his below average command, there was and still is understandable relief risk. That said, he has chipped away at the perceived risk with a great start to the 2025 season at Triple-A, filling up the zone with more consistency. Boasting an elite fastball/breaking ball combination with a cutter that is not far off from giving him a third plus offering, Misiorowski has a rare arsenal from a rare frame. It may be a Dylan Cease situation if he he sticks as a starter, meaning there will be starts here and there where the command derails him, but the stuff is so good that you tolerate those blips.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 190 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (4), 2021 (BOS) | ETA: 2025

A well-rounded game with exciting potential in the batter’s box, Mayer has offset some hit tool concern with added power and the ability to stick at shortstop. Injuries have limited Mayer to fewer than 80 games in back to back seasons, which creating some availability concerns.

Offense

Starting upright and slightly open, Mayer does not feature much pre-swing movement, with a load that is predicated on a coil into his back side and small stride. Mayer unleashes impressive bat speed, but can be long to the ball as he can counter-rotate and too much, resulting in the bat being wrapped behind him some. As a result, Mayer has the tendency to compensate by pulling off with his front side, making it more difficult to stay on softer stuff at the bottom of the zone.

Mayer produced just a .530 OPS against changeups in 2024 with a 300 point OPS gap against all pitch types in the top half of the zone vs. the bottom half, with the struggles being in the latter. One of several Red sox farmhands to benefit from their bat speed program, Mayer saw his average exit velocity jump from 89 MPH to 91 MPH in 2024 while handling velocity with ease. In 2024, Mayer hit nearly .340 with an OPS over .900 against fastballs 93+ MPH while seeing his contact rates climb.

His long levers help him generate the aforementioned impact, but can also contribute to his higher ground ball rates and challenges to hit secondaries. Mayer’s raw power is plus, but he will need to drive the ball in the air more consistently to tap into even just above average game power. He took a bit step forward swing decisions wise in 2024, cutting his chase rate by 8% and overall strike out rate by 4%.

The hit tool is likely to be average at best, but plus raw power and improving swing decisions give Mayer the potential to be an above average offensive threat who is capable of hitting at least 20 home runs with plenty of doubles given his ability to hit the ball hard to all fields.

Defense/Speed

Though just an average runner, Mayer moves his feet well at shortstop and has all of the goods to be an above average defender there. A plus arm, soft hands, good footwork and clean actions help Mayer look silky smooth at short despite not being the most explosive athlete. He has good instincts and the ability to throw from different arm angles, making it easy to project him to stay at the position. Mayer improved his base stealing ability in 2024, swiping 13 bags on 15 tries.

Outlook

Though injuries ultimately cut his campaign short again, Mayer took a big step forward in 2024, after struggling in 43 Double-A games in 2023. Not only did he hit the ball significantly harder, but he also cut his strikeout rate and added value on the base paths. Plus raw power from the left side and the ability to stick at shortstop make Mayer easy to pencil in as the Red Sox future at shortstop even if the hit tool is fringy. The bigger concern is his availability as he tries to eclipse the 100 game plateau for the first time in his career in 2025.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 185 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (49) – 2023 (MIN) | ETA: 2026

A high offensive floor with solid wheels and some added power makes Keaschall an easy bat to buy into as the Twins try to figure out his longterm defensive home.

Offense

Starting slightly open with his hands high, Keaschall gets into his back side with a decent-sized leg kick that he starts early and controls well. He adjusted his base and hand position after his first taste of professional baseball, also adding some additional strength resulting in higher exit velocities.

Keaschall’s feel to hit stands out, making plenty of contact along with good plate discipline that has really improved in pro ball. He grinds out at bats with the ability to spoil tough pitches and enough pop to do pull side damage on mistakes. Keaschall’s average exit velocity of 89 MPH paired with his ability to hit the ball in the air consistently (35% ground ball rate in 2024), give him the potential for around 20 home runs.

His approach is his best attribute, running a chase rate of 15% while navigating his at bats like an MLB vet rather than a hitter who was in his first full pro season in 2024. Keaschall did not have a chase rate above 19% against any pitch type. With the uptick in impact, Keaschall offers a very well-rounded offensive skill set.

Defense/Speed

A standout wrestler in high school in addition to baseball, Keaschall is a great athlete and an above average runner. Despite his athleticism, Keaschall is still searching for a primary defensive home. It did not help that he tried to play through an injured UCL, limiting much of his action to first base and DH before opting for surgery. If his arm is stronger upon his return, Keaschall could project best at second base.

His reads in the outfield were shaky as he attempted to get acclimated, but Keaschall did show good closing speed and has the athleticism to develop out there if the Twins want to go that route. Keaschall struggled to maintain his stolen base efficiency in Double-A, though he should be able to provide 15-20 bags annually.

Outlook

Keaschall really impressed in 2024, mashing to an OPS north of 1.000 in 44 High-A games before putting up quality numbers in Double-A despite playing through elbow discomfort. Defensive clarity will have to wait a little bit longer as Keaschall is expected to be ready to hit at the start of the 2025 season, but won’t see the field until later on. His bat will lead the way for him as he has the goods to be high OBP threat who can push towards 20 home runs. Defensively, he may not be great at a single spot, but has the skill set to be able to get by at second base, first base and left field. There’s reminders of former Twins farmhand Spencer Steer in Keaschall’s game with more time to develop defensively.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round, (26) 2023 (NYY) | ETA: 2027

The son of former big leaguer and second round pick George Lombard, the Yankees were intrigued by Lombard Jr.’s well-rounded game at shortstop along with plenty of physical projection. Combine the projectable frame and bloodlines with the fact that he was one of the youngest players in his class and it’s easy to see why the Yankees were eager enough to shell out $3.3M ($300K over slot) to sign him. Early returns have been validating has he showed up to camp in 2025 stronger with a better swing and the results have followed.

Offense

Starting upright with his feet a tad more than shoulder width apart, Lombard’s pre-swing moves are rather simple with a minimal leg kick in tandem with a rhythmic hand load. His swing path was somewhat steep in his first pro season, minimizing his window for contact and resulting in more ground balls, but he made some adjustments that improved both his swing path and coordination of his upper and lower half.

He already flashes good bat speed and a solid feel for the barrel as well as athleticism in the box that should help him develop into an average hitter. Where Lombard is particularly impressive is his pitch recognition and feel for the strike zone. He rarely expands the zone and leverages his advantage counts successfully, which in large part encouraged the Yankees to aggressively push him to Double-A within the first few months of the 2025 season.

With his path cleaned up and added strength, Lombard has a chance to tap into at least average power and above average hit. His plate discipline really shores up his offensive outlook.

Defense/Speed

An above average runner, Lombard moves his feet well at shortstop and boasts a plus arm. He is comfortable making throws on the run from different angles and off balance. He has the tendency to sit back on balls from time to time (common for young infielders with big arms), but it’s easy to envision Lombard sticking at the position with above average defense. He swiped 39 bags on 47 tries in 2024 and has been more effective in that department as he has gained more experience.

Outlook

Already with some impressive polish for one of the youngest players in the 2023 class, Lombard looks to have the ingredients of a well-rounded everyday shortstop if the bat can continue to come along. The Yankees have understandably pushed him aggressively given the superb makeup and advanced nature of his game. How much power Lombard can tap into will help elevate his ceiling, but with average or better tools across the board, he seems like a high probability regular at short with plenty more to dream on.

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 170 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $525,000, 2023 (BOS) | ETA: 2027

Signed as a glove-first shortstop in 2023, Arias has developed impressively in the batter’s box, tapping into more impact while maintaining good contact and chase rates. Arias is a strong candidate to be the Red Sox next top overall prospect after Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer graduate given his relative polish and upside.

Hitting

Arias showcases impressive balance and lower half control in the box, gathering into his back side with a slow, hovering leg kick. There’s a chance sharper secondaries at more challenging levels could pull him onto his front side more often, but his strong ability to recognize spin and repeat his moves has helped at Low-A. If his ground ball rate remains elevated, an adjustment to keep his weight back longer should not be too difficult for him given the feel for his lower half that he already has.

He boasts a great feel for the barrel, spoiling tough pitches and posting plus contact rates within the zone. The bat control paired with his chase rate south of 20% in 2024 has made Arias quite difficult to punch out, being set down less than 15% of the time as a pro with a walk rate of nearly 13%. After being promoted to High-A, Arias maintained his ability to recognize spin, but became more swing-happy against fastballs, cutting into his walk rate.

Arias flashes average power to the pull side with above average exit velocities for his age in 2024, though at this stage, his flatter swing path is more likely to result in line drives and doubles rather than high home run totals.

There’s still more room for Arias to add strength and as he develops he could make adjustments to elevate the ball more consistently, but for now, he skews slightly towards hit-over-power with strong on base skills and still enough impact to hit around 15 homers.

Defense/Speed

Though he is just an average runner, Arias gets the most out of his speed thanks to his solid first step and impressive instincts. Good hands and footwork help Arias attack the baseball on the dirt with confidence and is capable of getting the ball out quick. He puts himself in position to make more difficult plays look routine with the ability to make the difficult plays thanks to his above average arm. Despite not being a burner, Arias has been an effective base stealer at the lower levels, going 35 for 41 in that regard in 2024.

Outlook

Solid tools across the board with the instincts and baseball IQ to squeeze the most out of his ability, Arias has the upside to be an above average regular at shortstop, but is at least a high probability big league piece with his defensive value. With the huge leap Arias made from his age 18 to 19 season and seamless transition to Low-A, the Red Sox are understandably optimistic on his chances of becoming an everyday shortstop.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 185 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (6), 2021 (ARI) | ETA: 2023

A premium athlete who continues to impress with his feel in the batter’s box, Lawlar quickly blossomed into one of the game’s more dynamic infield prospects, but injuries derailed his 2024 season.

Offense

Setting up in a medium base with equal weight distribution, Lawlar uses a gathering leg kick along with a barrel tip for timing before unleashing a lightning quick stroke.

The swing produces more quickness than raw bat speed, but there is more bat speed to come as he adds strength and distances himself from injuries. Lawlar’s ability to hit fastballs and approach has helped him handle aggressive assignments, showcasing an advanced knowledge of the strike zone.

Like many young hitters, Lawlar’s swing has a tendency to get big in plus counts, but that is something he should be able to rein in as he matures. Lawlar has the ability to out-slug his standard exit velocities thanks to his ability to generate loft to the pull side. He could ultimately provide 20 homer pop on an annual basis.

His desire to elevate to his pull side can result in him pulling off or swinging over quality breaking balls, which was something he struggled with in his MLB debut in 2023. This should get better as he continues to improve his ability to recognize spin and picks his spots to hunt for pull side damage more effectively. It helps his case that he has flashed the ability to let the ball travel and drive it hard in the air the other way.

Lawlar will need to improve his ability to both recognize and hit spin to succeed at the highest level, but has the ingredients to provide at least average power and hit with good plate discipline.

Defense

Lawlar is an elite athlete with quick-twitch actions on the defensive side of the ball. There are no questions about his ability to stick at shortstop, and his range, hands, and plus arm lead should make him an impactful defender. 

He’s also a plus-plus runner who will flash elite home-to-first times. The defensive tools are loud and he should impact the game with his glove and legs on a nightly basis. 

Outlook

Lawlar’s elite athleticism and solid offensive ingredients give him a great chance to be an everyday shortstop at the highest level, but there’s still room for more consistency at the plate. Health will be important to monitor as well as he has battled a few different ailments since being drafted in 2021

He has the ceiling of a borderline All Star, capable of impacting the game in a variety of ways. If he can tap into 20-25 home-run power in the big leagues, we could see some shades of a Trea Turner-lite.

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 180 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (21) – 2022 (SEA) | ETA: 2025

As polished of a prep prospect as you were going to find from the jump, Young has impressed with his feel to hit, advanced approach, and smooth actions in the field. After an up and down 2024 that ended on a high note, Young came out hot in 2025 hitting the ball more consistently and harder, which yielded fantastic results in the PCL.

Offense

Young hit the ground running in pro ball thanks to his ability to consistently make contact and his patient approach. He has little pre-swing movement, a great feel for the barrel and engages his lower half well, allowing him to consistently be on time and spray line drives. He has demonstrated the ability to get to difficult pitches and is extremely adjustable with a path that enters the zone early and stays through it for a long time.

Since debuting in 2022, Young has walked as much as he has struck out while getting on base at a .430 clip. While power will never be a big part of his game, Young made some mechanical adjustments that helped pattern his load and utilize his lower half more effectively, leading to an uptick in exit velocities in 2025 along with the best contact rates he has posted since the lower levels.

Between his low chase rate and ability to hit with two strikes, Young should be a consistent threat to get on base with low strikeout totals. Young is a high floor bat with on-base skills that should translate as he climbs and potentially enough power to hit 10-15 homers.

Defense/Speed

A smooth defender with great actions and footwork, Young is already an extremely reliable defender. While his arm is average, his instincts and quick feet help him extend his range. Just 19 years old at season’s start, Young could make some gains with his arm strength as he matures physically, which could make him a plus defender at short. Regardless, he has a great chance of sticking there.

An above average runner, Young has the speed to be a factor on the base paths and has been a willing base stealer at the lower levels thus far.

Outlook

Viewed as one of the “safer” prep prospects in the 2022 draft, Young was as advertised in 2023 before being challenged by Double-A pitching through the first two thirds of the 2024 season. He made some changes that helped him finish well in 2024, but left him a little exposed to four seamers at the top. He built on those changes with a setups and moves that have him covering as much of the plate as ever with the highest exit velocities of his career in 2025. He is capable at shortstop which helps his case, but may profile best as a well-rounded second baseman.

Height/Weight: 5’10”, 190 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (7), 2024 (STL) | ETA: 2026

Wetherholt entered the 2024 season as one of the favorites to go first overall in the draft before a hamstring injury sidelined him for a large chunk of the season. He impressed enough in his return to action to rekindle to 1-1 fire, but to the Cardinals chagrin, he slipped to them.

Offense

Starting open and upright, Wetherholt gets into his lower half with a big, rhythmic leg kick that he controls well as an impressive athlete. His path is conducive to elevating with consistency, entering the zone early and staying through it, but his elite bat speed and barrel accuracy also allows him to post plus contact rates while creating leverage to all fields.

He has handled lefties well, with an OPS well north of 1.000 against same-handed pitchers since the start of 2023. His plus plate discipline and ability to recognize spin resulted in as many walks as strikeouts in his collegiate career, solidifying his archetype of a modern leadoff hitter. While sample size was smaller due to the missed time, Wetherholt enjoyed one of the larger leaps in 90th percentile exit velocity among draft prospects in 2024.

Defense/Speed

He’s a twitchy athlete and above average runner who can create some havoc on the base paths when healthy. The plan heading into Wetherholt’s junior season was for him to play a full season at shortstop in an effort to prove to scouts that he could fend off a move to second base. The aforementioned hamstring injury limited him to just 27 games there, where his footwork and actions looked better, though his arm still appears short for the position.

He has a knack for getting the ball out quick, which could hedge the lack of arm strength. It’s probably more likely than not that he moves off of the six, but he has earned a longer look and still has a shot to be an average defender there. If he moves to second base, he’d project as a plus defender there.

Outlook

Plus hit, at least average power and plus plate discipline make Wetherholt a high floor hitter who can climb through the Minor Leagues quickly. The hope is that the recurrent hamstring issue is behind Wetherholt, especially as he takes on a full professional workload at shortstop. Offensively, provides a high floor with still plenty to dream on. If it all works out, Wetherholt should be a high OBP table-setter who can run into 20+ homers and plenty of doubles.

Height/Weight: 6’7″, 220 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (16) – 2023 (SF) | ETA: 2025

Drafted as a two-way prospect, Eldridge quickly turned heads with his bat with the Giants opting to shift his focus there. He has massive power upside while offering more polish than most prep hitters with his profile, being pushed quickly to Triple-A in what was his first full pro season.

Offense

Standing at a wiry 6-foot-7 with long levers, Eldridge already generates impressive bat speed and big exit velocities, but there’s even more in the tank. While there is hit-tool concern with any hitter with an NBA wing’s build, Eldridge has a quick bat and smooth stroke with pretty good body control already. He will whiff plenty, but consistently hitting the ball as hard as he does (93.5 MPH average exit velocity) should allow him to make the most out of his contact, even when the ball isn’t leaving the yard.

It’s difficult to get a fair gauge on where Eldridge’s plate discipline can ultimately be, as he aggressively climbed four levels and expectedly saw his chase rates climb as he faced upper-level pitching as a 19-year-old with a massive strike zone to have to cover. That said, he seems to recognize spin well and consistently attacks good pitches to hit within the zone which can sometimes push him into swing mode over small stretches. Ultimately, he projects as above average in the plate discipline department.

Already launching homers upwards of 460 feet prior to his 20th birthday, Eldridge has room for more strength within his long frame, making 40 home runs not outlandish to dream on. It will be a matter of whether he can hit enough to get into his power consistently. Amid all of his success in 2024, Eldridge still posted below average contact rates. If he is even fringy in that department, 30 home runs seems easily attainable at the highest level.

Defense/Speed

A below-average runner, the Giants started Eldridge in right field defensively, but has since transitioned to first base. He is still getting his feet under him at first base, where he can ultimately be a fine defender with a plus arm.

Outlook

Eldridge has managed to mitigate some the swing and miss concerns with solid plate discipline, but ultimately those fears will not be fully eradicated until he enjoys success at the MLB level. What is becoming increasingly easy to project is Eldridge’s monstrous game power, launching 26 home runs in 140 games if you tack the Arizona Fall League onto his age 19 season.

He cut his ground ball rate below 40%, which paired with his top-of-the-scale exit velocities, make it reasonable to dream on a power bat who can blow past 30 home runs if it all comes together with 40+ in the tank on his best seasons.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (28), 2021 (TB) | ETA: 2025

One of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues, Williams took a big step forward with his plate discipline while launching 20 homers for the second consecutive season. Swing and miss is still a concern, but he looks like the future at shortstop for the Rays.

Offense

Williams starts with an upright stance and relies on his natural bat speed and athleticism to produce thump, but his lack of lower half involvement leaves power/adjustability on the table for him. His bat path is geared for lift, helping him produce plenty of home runs and extra base hits, but also leaving him susceptible to higher whiff figures.

Williams hedges the whiff with an improved approach that he focused on as he made the leap to the upper levels and it translated into a lower strikeout rate in 2024. The lack of adjustability is a concern still as Williams’ out of zone contact rate of 33% was one of the lower figures in the Rays org and could make the transition to the highest level difficult.

Already reaching exit velocities as high as 112 MPH along with a 90th percentile exit velocity around 105 MPH between 2023 and 2024, Williams has the potential to hit plenty of homers given his feel to lift and has already showcased the ability to get into his power in games with 43 homers between his 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Most of Williams’ production came against fastballs at the lower levels, but he improved his output against secondaries significantly in 2024, upping his OPS against non-fastballs by roughly 130 points to .760.

2024 was undoubtedly a step in the right direction offensively for Williams in what was his age 20/21 season. Likely to land at a below average hit tool, continued improvement of his swing decisions will be imperative to his offensive consistency. If he can hit enough, Williams has the power to hit 30 homers, albeit with a low batting average and a high number of strikeouts.

Defense/Speed

Williams is an above average runner with an easy plus arm. His actions are smooth and his feet are quick. He attacks the baseball with confidence and is capable of making difficult throws from all sorts of angles. Williams’ instincts at the position are ahead of his years, making him an easy bet to stick at the position and likely a plus or better defender.

While he is not a burner, Williams is fast enough to be a factor on the base paths. He doubled his stolen base output in 2024, grabbing 33 bags, but he could be more efficient as he was thrown out 11 times as well.

Outlook

A plus defender a shortstop with big power potential is easy to get excited about. Williams will need to build on his improvements offensively, but 30 home run upside with impact defense at short does not grow on trees. A high strikeout rate may just come with the territory, but even if he is just a mistake hitter, Williams has defensive ability and improved on base skills to be an above average regular at shortstop. With another step forward offensively, he can be an All Star.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (11), 2024 (DET) | ETA: 2028

A left-handed hitting shortstop with plus power potential and the tools to stick at the six, Rainer stood out as the top prep player in the 2024 class.

Offense

Rainer made some swing adjustments that helped elevate him in his senior spring. He now starts with his hands higher and uses the ground much more effectively. There’s natural loft in his left-handed swing with plenty of violence, already producing exit velocities as high as 114 MPH in Low-A. Between his present raw power, ability to elevate and room for more strength, it is easy to dream on plus power with Rainer.

Even with his improvements in the box, Rainer is still looking up at an average hit tool. He can be long to the ball, wrapping the bat far behind his head as he loads, which can cause the barrel to lag behind his body. Rainer has a good feel for the strike zone and has recognized spin well as an amateur. The solid plate discipline helps, but Rainer will need to make some strides in the bat to ball department to tap into his plus power potential.

Defense/Speed

A legitimate two-way prospect, Rainer could run it up to the mid 90s on the mound, but notified teams that he would prefer to hit. After playing all over the diamond for the USA National Team, Rainer focused his attention on the shortstop position where he impressed. The game has looked a little quick for him at shortstop in the early going of his pro career, with footwork that is a tad behind, but his double plus arm plays great on the left side of the infield. An average runner, Rainer is a savvy baserunner who will pick his spots to go.

Outlook

Left-handed hitting shortstops with plus power potential and a shot at the position do not grow on trees, especially in a Tigers system that lacks bats that can stick on the left side of the infield. He will need to make some strides in the contact department and refine his defensive mechanics to attain his ceiling, but the ingredients are there for Rainer to be an everyday shortstop and borderline All Star.

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $200K, 2019 (MIL) | ETA: 2024

An impressive defensive catcher with intriguing offensive tools, Quero’s success in both facets of the game at Double-A as 20 years old solidified him as one of the best catching prospects in the game.

Offense

Using a rhythmic leg kick that precedes a short, flat swing, Quero repeats his moves well and produces a ton of line drives. Quero is an aggressive hitter, but drives the ball to all fields well and is able to get to pitches in difficult locations.

Like many young hitters with a solid feel to hit, Quero can give away at bats by taking “B-swings” at pitcher’s pitches early in counts. As the season has progressed, he has slowly cut down his chase rate but his lack of approach caught up to him, struggling over the final couple months of the season. Possessing a good feel for the barrel, Quero makes plenty of contact and projects as an above average hitter if can continue to rein in his high swing rate. 

Quero produced strong exit velocities in 2023, flashing plus raw pop that he started to tap into more consistently. For such an aggressive hitter, Quero identifies spin well and puts good swings on secondary stuff for a younger player at his level.

If Quero can continue to refine his approach, he could develop into an exciting blend of well-above average hit and power at the plate. 

Defense/Speed

Viewed as a glove-first catcher because of his athleticism and maturity/energy behind the dish, Quero earns high marks for the way he commands games and works with pitchers. Quero blocks and receives well while boasting a plus arm behind the dish. His defensive skillset, paired with the intangibles have Quero looking like a potential plus defender behind the dish.

Outlook

A 21-year-old catcher with plus defensive tools and plenty of offensive upside Quero has blossomed into one of the best catching prospects in the game. Despite the Southern League using experimental baseballs that inflated strikeout rates some, Quero only whiffed 18% of the time in 2023 with above average offensive numbers.

Assuming Quero can continue to improve his plate discipline and game power, he has the goods to develop into an All-Star catcher.

Height/Weight: 6’6″, 235 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $1.7M 2022, (SDP) | ETA: 2026

Acquired by the Nationals in the Juan Soto haul, Susana turned heads at the complex with electrifying stuff, headlined by a triple digits fastball that he struggle to reign in. Now filling up the strike zone in High-A, Susana’s stock is skyrocketing.

Arsenal

Easily some of the best raw stuff in the Minor Leagues, Susana offers two distinct fastballs: a four seamer that averages 100 mph and a two seamer at 99 mph. He can run the four seamer up to 103 mph, exploding through the zone and dominating at the top third. His two seamer averages 14 inches of horizontal run and is mostly utilized to blow up righties inside or catch them looking at the back door.

His cutterish slider at 89-91 mph has consistently left hitters baffled, with hard gyro break that dives beneath the barrels of hitters from both sides of the plate. Through his first 18 starts of 2024, opponents hit just .140 against the offering with even splits. His command of the pitch has really come along, landing it for a strike 67% of the time. The action of both his two seamer and slider result in plenty of ground balls, helping him keep his pitch count down.

Susana will also mix in a slurvy curveball in the mid 80s that flashes above average. Rounding out his arsenal is a power changeup that he will mix in a couple times per start in the low 90s. It has a chance to be a solid fourth offering if he finds more comfort and feel for it.

Outlook

Susana has exclusively worked out of the stretch for most of his pro career, however something clicked for him mid-way through his age 19 season, repeating his release point much more consistently with a delivery that does not appear high effort for the output that the 6-foot-6 power pitcher is generating. While two distinct fastballs at 100 mph and a wipeout slider gives Susana the floor of a high leverage arm, his shocking strides in the command department and ability to generate ground balls now have him tracking like a high-upside starter, albeit, still with plenty of volatility.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 5th Round (144), 2023 (TEX) | ETA: 2027

No prospect in the Rangers system took a bigger leap in 2024 than Rosario, seeing his stuff tick up across the board while developing an impressive feel to pitch. Unfortunately, Rosario underwent Tommy John surgery ahead of Spring Training, wiping out his 2025 season.

Arsenal

An electric three pitch mix, Rosario’s fastball sits 96-98 MPH with run and ride from a 5.5 foot release height. The pitch picked up plenty of whiff at the top of the zone, but he will also throw some fastballs with more horizontal action, helping him generate ground balls.

Rosario could benefit from making the fastballs more consistently distinct as sometimes it’s hard to tell if he is intentionally throwing a two seamer or if it was a four seamer that just happened to get more run. Regardless, the sheer velocity and vertical life from a low release height makes the pitch effective even if he is registering equal horizontal and vertical movement with some of his fastballs.

He adjusted his breaking ball once entering pro ball, throwing it nearly two ticks harder with the ability to manipulate it in the mid 80s. Some will feature more sweep, others slurvier with two-plane break. His feel to locate his slider despite the variance in shapes stands out, landing it for a strike at at a near 70% clip. The vertical bite on the pitch paired with his feel for it makes it an effective weapon against left-handed hitters in addition to the wipeout pitch it was to righties who sported a 23% whiff rate against it.

The preferred out pitch to lefties though is Rosario’s splitter, a pitch the Rangers encouraged him to throw more after drafting him. Averaging 15 inches of horizontal movement in the low 90s, the pitch features some similarities to Griffin Jax’s changeup, combining whiff and a gaudy ground ball rate to make it a consistently reliable option in just about any count. He threw it nearly 30% of the time against opposite-handed hitters, but was still comfortable deploying it more than 10% of the time to righties who combined for a .160 batting average against it.

Outlook

The most impressive pitcher in the Rangers system in the 2024 season, Rosario is without a doubt a scouting and development victory for the organization, who grabbed the right-hander in the fifth round of the 2023 draft despite his 7.11 ERA at the University of Miami as a junior.

Rosario’s drastically improved command paired with three pitches that look to be plus resulted in him leading all of Minor League Baseball in K-BB% in 2024 by a comfortable margin. In addition to the big whiff numbers and lack of free passes, Rosario’s ability to get ground balls at an above average clip helped him pitch deeper into games despite the Rangers preferring to keep him around 80 pitches each outing. Rosario has the upside to be an above average No. 3 starter while continuing to shed volatility as he develops.

Rosario and the Rangers will have to wait for his follow up to the breakout season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, likely to make his return during the 2026 season.

Height/Weight: 6’6″, 230 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 3rd Round (71), 2023 (WSN) | ETA: 2026

A powerful prep arm who overpowered hitters on the summer circuit, the Nationals shelled out borderline-first round money to sign Sykora away from the University of Texas in 2023, and it’s paying dividends to open his pro career.

Arsenal

Standing at 6-foot-6 with a three pitch mix that generates plenty of whiff, Sykora really turned heads as an amateur with a fastball that can get into the upper 90s but sits 94-96 MPH. While characteristics are more generic, the pitch performs well off of the sheer velocity from his unique short arm release, setting up his secondaries well. He still has room to improve in regards to his command of the heater, tending to throw too many non-competitive fastballs well above the zone.

His slider is his go-to out pitch at 83-85 MPH with gyro break, tunneling off of his fastball well with the downward action from his tough release. The pitch picks up plenty of swing and miss (25% whiff rate) and when hitters are fortunate enough to get to it, it’s typically weak contact on the ground. He commands the pitch more consistently than his fastball at this point, landing it for a strike nearly 70% of the time.

Rounding out the arsenal for Sykora is a splitter in the mid 80s that flashes above average. He maintains his arm speed well while killing spin to around 1,200 RPM, helping it drop late. With a more consistent feel for the pitch, it could play closer to plus, racking up gaudy whiff numbers when it is around the zone. He has started to find a better feel for the pitch as the season has progressed.

Outlook

For a prep arm with such exciting stuff, Sykora has a pretty good feel to pitch and will even do little things like speeding up his delivery or slowing it down to throw off hitter’s timing. He throws enough strikes to maintain a reasonable walk rate, but he tends to mix in too many non-competitive pitches at this stage, particularly with his fastball. Sykora enjoyed quite an impressive season for a 6-foot-6 prep arm who was still 19 years old at season’s start, already flashing middle rotation upside. As he climbs levels, location and execution will become more important, but three at least above average offerings and a unique delivery makes Sykora the most exciting Nationals pitching prospect not named Jarlin Susana.

Height/Weight: 6’9″, 220 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (26), 2022 (CWS) | ETA: 2025

Standing at a towering 6-foot-9, Schultz throws a surprising amount of strikes with budding stuff. After a flexor issue delayed his start to his pro career in 2023, Schultz dominated the rest of the way and it was more of the same in 2024. His build, stuff and command make him one of the better LHP prospects in baseball. His stuff has backed up a bit in 2025, which is a slight concern as he has struggled to miss bats at the same clip with more free passes.

Arsenal

A tall, lanky lefty, Schultz hides the ball well until his arm whips around at a three quarter release point. Shultz sits 93-95 MPH with his fastball, touching 98 MPH with a ton of late arm side run. The late movement on Schultz’s fastball helps him get hitters to whiff or roll over it frequently. With a long, slender frame and a somewhat low-effort delivery, there’s hope that Schultz can grow into even more velocity.

Schultz’s sweeper has the potential to be a devastating pitch, averaging 16 inches of horizontal break from his low release point. He is confident during the pitch away from lefties as well as down on the back leg of righties. It was the potential to be a wipeout pitch if Schultz can command it consistently.

Rounding out the arsenal is a changeup that has really come along in his second pro season. Schultz’s ability to use his fastball and sweeper to take care of right-handed hitters takes some pressure off of the immediate need for a changeup, but even an average change would improve Schultz’s starter outlook a good bit.

Outlook

The fact that a 6-foot-9 prep southpaw has been able to pound the strike zone through his first two pro seasons really solidified his starter outlook through his first two pro seasons, though his shaky start to 2025 has stifled that momentum some, walking more batters than he did in the previous season in half the innings.

Already possessing good stuff from a tough angle to pick up with, it seems like Schultz has the fall back of becoming a lights out reliever, but he has flashed the ability to not only stick as a starter but potentially sit towards the top of a rotation.

Using his fastball to generate more ground balls will be a key to go deeper into starts and keep the pitch count down as his 70-grade slider and developed changeup should help him consistently get whiffs as well as the sheer velocity on his fastball when he wants to dial it up at the top. One way or another, Schultz has a great chance of filling a big league role.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 235 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (16), 2022 (CLE) | ETA: 2025

As athletic of a 6-foot-4, 230+ pound baseball player you’ll find in the Minor Leagues, DeLauter’s Junior season and professional debut was wiped out by a broken foot before another foot issue delayed his start to 2023. He has made up for lost time by putting up huge numbers in High-A, Double-A and the Arizona Fall League, flashing a potentially elite blend of hit and power. DeLauter will get another late start to the season in 2025 after undergoing sports hernia surgery during Spring Training.

Offense

Big and strong with a compact swing, DeLauter is direct to the baseball but still packs a punch. He struggled to control his lower half at times at James Madison University, drifting prematurely onto his front foot which could cause bat drag.

He has cleaned things up since joining the Guardians organization, engaging his lower half and holding his back hip more effectively. There’s still a noticeable slide forward as he swings, which results in the short finish that can look like he is cutting off his swing.

It is not necessarily a major detriment because of how efficient his path is, how much bat speed he generates and his barrel accuracy. The one area that could be a challenge for is hard stuff in, as it is even more difficult to avoid being crowded or tied up on velocity inside if there is any premature forward move.

He has already posted exit velocities as high as 112 mph on multiple occasions with a 90th percentile exit velocity above 104 mph in 2023. There’s likely more power in the tank as he continues to improve his base.

DeLauter’s barrel accuracy and efficiency to the ball is extremely impressive, running plus contact rates both in and out of the zone. The icing on the cake is his patient approach, drawing free passes at a decent clip, while running a chase rate below 20%. Good pitch recognition skills and impressive barrel control have helped him produce strong numbers against secondary offerings as well.

A potential blend of plus hit and power with a good approach, DeLauter boasts more offensive upside than any prospect in the Guardians system with multi-All Star upside.

Defense/Speed

A plus runner, DeLauter looks the part in centerfield with good reads and comfortable routes. If he slows down, his plus arm would play well in either corner where he could be a plus defender, but he has the ability to stick in center.

Outlook

Having only played a total of 100 collegiate games including his time on the Cape prior to his pro debut in 2023, DeLauter has had a lot of layoff time and not a lot of at bats. Factor in that DeLauter’s limited collegiate at bats was mostly against weaker competition at James Madison University and it is even more impressive how he was able to demolish his way through High-A, Double-A and the Arizona Fall League.

Potential for a rare blend of hit and power paired with good speed and a chance to stick in center give DeLauter an exciting profile that could quickly make him one of the more exciting outfield prospects in baseball. There’s shades of Kyle Tucker lite here if he can stay on the field.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 215 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 3rd Round (91), 2024 (NYM) | ETA: 2025

Once a two-way prospect, McLean’s impressive feel to pitch has shifted the focus to the mound where he offers exciting projection based on the athleticism and data. He has converted the projection into production in 2025, elevating both his quality of stuff and consistency.

Arsenal

McLean utilizes a five-pitch mix, but predominantly throws his fastball, slider and cutter. The fastball sits in the mid-90s, reaching 97 MPH from a low release point with some run and ride. McLean’s feel to spin it particularly stands out, especially for a pitcher as inexperienced as he is.

His sweeping slider averages nearly 17 inches of horizontal break while sitting right at zero vertically. Generally a pitch shape that would yield noticeable platoon splits, the sharpness and McLean’s feel for it makes it effective against opposite-handed hitters as well, averaging more than 3,000 RPM. Landing it for a strike roughly two thirds of the time as a pro is particularly impressive given how much horizontal action it features in the mid 80s.

McLean’s upper 80s gyro cutter gives him a second above average offering, mixing it to righties and lefties evenly. The downward action it features makes it an effective ground ball pitch, especially to righties.

The fourth offering for McLean is a sweeping curveball that he will flip in sparingly, but has the potential to be a quality offering if he can find more consistency with it. The 78-80 MPH pitch averages 19 inches of horizontal break with 12 inches of vertical at more than 3300 RPM.

His changeup lags far behind the rest of his arsenal, landing it for a strike less than 50% of the time in 2024 with an understandably low usage rate of roughly 8%.

The presence of McLean’s cutter and curveball and the effectiveness of his slider against opposite-handed hitters help negate the need for a useful changeup, as he struck out left-handed hitters at a 4% higher clip in 2024 despite lacking a usable change.

Outlook

After a strong first full season of pitching as a starter, McLean is a candidate to make a big leap in 2025 given his feel to spin it and athleticism on the mound.

For context, he threw twice as many innings in 2024 as he did in his entire collegiate career. The part-time hitting he was doing in his first pro season and a half is no longer as well, only adding to the intrigue of what McLean can progress to with his focus now being more isolated.

With his pitch mix and ability to get contact on the ground, McLean has a good chance to stick as a back-end starter, with the upside to be a middle rotation option in a quality rotation.

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (1), 2024 (CLE) | ETA: 2025

As sound of an offensive profile as you’ll find, Bazzana pushed his ceiling higher by adding power ahead of his junior season. The Aussie is a gamer of all gamers and should not spend much time in the Minor Leagues.

Offense

Starting crouched with his hands relatively high and close to his slot, Bazzana gets into his back side with a rhythmic leg kick and a slight pull backwards with his scap. An extremely athletic operation in the box, Bazzana repeats his moves well and is consistently on time. His feel for the barrel has always stood out, getting to pitches in all four quadrants with ease while still elevating with consistency, but there’s been more swing and miss in his max-effort swing in pro ball.

His is particularly adept to getting to pitches on the inside part of the plate, turning fastballs around in spots that would blow up a lot of hitters. He creates a great angle for pulling the ball in the air while remaining as efficient as possible to pitches in that location, showcasing comfortably above average to his pull side. He handles left on left matchups with ease and comfort as well.

Bazzana’s has a fantastic feel for the strike zone and stays committed to his approach despite being pitched around as much as anyone in college baseball. Between his naturally smaller strike zone, control of the barrel and approach, he is extremely difficult to punch out. There’s plus hit and at least average power in the tank for Bazzana with a knack for getting on base that can push him over the top.

Defense/Speed

Bazzana exclusively played second base in his draft year, where he is sure-handed with a fringy arm. A plus runner, it could be worth auditioning him in centerfield or left field where his elite makeup and instincts could help him catch on quickly. He should be a threat on the base paths, stealing 66 bags in 77 tries during his collegiate career.

Outlook

Though he’s maxed out physically, Bazzana leaves nothing on the table. He answered the power questions by launching 28 home runs in his draft year (and 6 in just 33 games on the Cape), with a big leap in exit velocities and an improved ability to pull fastballs to bolster his case. The second base profile is not ideal, but Bazzana compensates for it in just about every other facet of his game with face-of-the-franchise makeup. Even if the raw power trends closer to average in pro ball, Bazzana’s hit tool and plate discipline should allow him to tap into 20+ homers while being an on base machine if he can find more consistency with his lauded bat-to-ball in pro ball.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 210 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 1st Round (17), 2023 (PHI) | ETA: 2026

Plus power and good on base skills make Miller an exciting offensive piece; his positive swing adjustments only add to the intrigue.

Offense

Previously featuring a significant barrel tip/hitch that he could overcome thanks to his plus bat speed, Miller made things easier on himself heading into his first full pro season, starting his hands up higher and quieting his pre-swing moves. He also found a better feel for his base, narrowing his stance with more of his weight stacked towards his back side.

Simpler moves and a stronger base have helped Miller make more consistent contact and produce impressive impact. As he has tapped into plus exit velocities, Miller’s more efficient bat path has made it easier for him to do damage to the pull side in particular — something he struggled with as an amateur and in his first stint as a pro.

Miller’s strike zone awareness is well above average, recognizing spin more consistently than his peers and leveraging his advantage counts effectively. While lower level walk rates should be taken with a grain of salt, Miller should sustain his strong walk rates as he climbs levels.

Defense/Speed

Miller has exclusively seen action at shortstop as a pro, and while he may profile best at the hot corner, his instincts and improved footwork have helped him progress at short. The glove actions are not always the smoothest, particularly to his back hand, but he is more comfortable ranging to his left staring and has little problem throwing across his body.

The lack of comfort and range to the back hand and inconsistent glove work overall will probably result in Miller sliding over to the hot corner.An above average runner, Miller is not afraid to pick his spots to run and should mix in 15-20 stolen bases annually.

Outlook

It’s easy to like Aidan Miller’s offensive profile. He is a young hitter with standout bat speed, an advanced approach and has already demonstrated the ability to make positive swing adjustments. Even if he moves off of shortstop, there’s enough impact and defensive ability for him to be an above average regular at the hot corner. Miller has the goods to be a very well-rounded hitter, possessing the power upside to hit 20-25 homers with plenty of doubles and a strong OBP.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 185 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (19), 2024 (NYM) | ETA: 2027

Much like his OSU teammate Nolan McLean, Benge was a legitimate two-way talent for the Cowboys. After a big freshman season, Benge tapped into much more power in his draft-eligible sophomore year, making it clear his future was in the batter’s box and there might be room for even more impact.

Hitting

A noisy operation in the box, Benge starts with an open stance and rocks into his back side with a big leg kick and barrel tip. He starts it all very early with impressive lower half control and balance that likely spills over from his experience on the mound.

After struggling to elevate in 2023, Benge slashed his ground ball rate by more than 10%, more than doubling his home run total to 18 while increasing his slug by 130 points. Upon shifting his focus to the batters box, Benge has tapped into much more raw power, posting above average exit velocities in High-A.

Benge could still benefit from getting the ball in the air more frequently and his moves may be difficult to time up against upper-level pitching. He has great hand-eye with impressive swing variance to get to pitches in tough spots.

A patient hitter, Benge has continued to draw walks at a high clip as a pro and can be difficult to put away. With the added raw power, Benge’s ceiling has been pushed a bit higher, with 20 home runs not completely out of the realm of possibility, but at least the chance to hit 15 with plenty of doubles.

Defense/Speed

He predominantly played right field in his collegiate career, but he looks like he can play up the middle. Though he’s closer to an average straight-line runner, Benge’s athleticism paired with the great reads he gets and efficient routes give him a good shot of becoming an average center fielder. If he moves off of the middle, he would grade as an easy plus defender in a corner where his plus arm would play well.

Outlook

Benge is a unique athlete who may just be scraping the surface of the player he can ultimately be. Early returns in 2025 have Benge on an upward trajectory as he has clearly added impact and made a seamless transition to High-A Brooklyn where some hitters can get frustrated by the ball flight. He has a wiry build and could probably add some more strength without losing speed and It’s not uncommon for two-way players to add mass upon shifting their focus from the mound. Added strength could also facilitate a simpler operation in the box. Benge has the potential to be an everyday center fielder with average or better tools across the board.

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 180 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (14), 2023 (BOS) | ETA: 2025

A key part of the haul for Garrett Crochet, Teel is an bat-first catcher who the White Sox are hoping can translate his impressive athleticism into improved defense.

Offense

Starting with his hands high, Teel utilizes a leg kick that gets him well into his lower half as he loads his hands deep over his back foot. His pre-swing moves that require plenty of athleticism to repeat, but he controls his body well with a decent feel for the barrel.

Teel does not possess a ton of power, but he consistently gets his best swing off and has room to add more strength to his wiry frame. He has average power potential, but sprays plenty of line drives gap-to-gap, even if the home run output is somewhat subdued. There should still be around 15 home run potential in there for Teel with plenty of doubles.

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Between his feel for the barrel and solid approach, Teel should be a steady on-base threat who is capable of slugging enough to complement his hit-first profile.

Defense/Speed

While Teel is an athletic catcher, he could be more technically sound behind the dish. He improved his ability to limit the running game, allowing his above average arm to shine through, but his receiving and blocking is still below average. The receiving came along further than the blocking at Triple-A, but both will need to continue to improve for Teel to be an average defender. The step in the right direction in 2024 paired with his athleticism and arm provide hope that he can get there. Teel runs well for a catcher and could mix in 10-15 stolen bases per year.

Outlook

The ceiling may not be as high for Teel as some other top 100 prospects, but with his on base skills from the left side paired with average power potential give him the chance to be a comfortably above average offensive threat for a catcher. The defense will need to continue to come along, but Teel earns high marks for his makeup and work ethic with the tools to develop into an average backstop.

Height/Weight: 5’8″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (14) – 2022 (NYM) | ETA: 2025

Compact but explosive, Williams is a great athlete with more impact than his frame would suggest. His polish at the plate helped him fly through the minor leagues, reaching Double-A in his age-19 season in 2023, before having most of his 2024 wiped out by wrist surgery.

Offense

A relaxed, narrow setup, Williams uses a decent-sized leg kick to gather into his back hip, but controls his lower half well. Despite his smaller frame, Williams is strong with a powerful lower-half, using the ground well to create power.

Between his lower half control and minimal movement with his hand load, Williams is consistently on time and leverages his small strike zone well. One of the more patient hitters in Minor League Baseball, Williams has chased less than 15% of pitches as a pro, walking at an 18% clip.

Producing average exit velocities, Williams consistently drives the ball in the air consistently with good carry to the pull side, giving him a chance to hit for close to average game power.

The contact rates may be closer to average, but his hit tool is bolstered by what could be double plus plate discipline. Even if the home run total is closer to 10, he Williams’ ability to hit the ball decently hard in the air to all fields paired with his speed should make him a candidate to accumulate plenty of extra base hits.

Defense/Speed

Williams has slowed down some since being drafted, putting on some weight ahead of the 2024 season. It more effected is ability to get to his top speed than footwork at shortstop, which actually looked improved.

He works low to the ball with good hands and an above average arm that is capable of making throws from different angles. While he can make the tough throws, he has the tendency to sail a few too many relatively routine throws, especially when he sits back on the ball.

With the improved footwork and actions, Williams looks like he can be an average shortstop.

With how quickly Williams has climbed through the minors and the presence of Francisco Lindor at the highest level, the Mets have mixed in center field reps where he relies on his natural athleticism to get by, but has the closing speed and arm to be solid out there and has flashed the ability to track the ball well.

Williams has the fallback of second base where he should be an above-average defender as well. Aggressive on the bases, Williams swiped 45 bags on 52 tries in the 2023 season.

Outlook

While the 2024 season was mostly a lost one for Williams, he is still ahead of schedule as he gets set for his age-21 season. With Williams’ added weight in 2024 not necessarily being completely useful gains, he could benefit from getting closer to his 2023 game shape given how important speed is to his game.

Elite on base skills amplify an offensive profile that will likely feature average hit and average-at-best power. Williams and Termarr Johnson became the first teenagers since 2005 to walk 100 times in a Minor League season in 2023.

The defensive side of things will be important to monitor in 2025 as Williams is clearly capable of providing versatility, but if he can take a step forward with more consistent reps in center field, he becomes significantly more valuable. Williams has the floor of a quality utility piece but has the offensive upside and speed to be an above-average regular.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 211 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (7), 2022 (CHC) | ETA: 2025

One of the pitching breakouts of the 2023 MiLB season, Horton entered 2024 as one of baseball’s best pitching prospects with a chance to make his MLB debut by mid-season. Unfortunately, a shoulder issue put an end to his campaign in May. His stuff ticked down in limited action in 2024, but the hope is he regains his 2023 velocity and pitch shapes as he returns from injury.

Arsenal

A power arsenal headlined by a plus fastball and slider, Horton sits 95-97 MPH with his heater when healthy, touching 99 MPH on occasion. It’s a cut-ride fastball, that plays well at the top third and Horton will pound the zone with it, registering a strike rate north of 70% as a pro.

Horton’s slider hovers in the mid 80s with around 12 inches of horizontal break when he was healthy. Despite the sweeper action it features, Horton found plenty of success with the pitch against opposite-handed hitters as well thanks to the sharp, late break it features and his quality command of the pitch. Since the start of the 2023 season, Horton landed the pitch for a strike 68% of the time while holding opponents to a batting average below .150

The preferred weapon for Horton against left-handed hitters is his changeup at 86-88 mph, which he made major strides with in the second half of the 2023 season after adjusting to a split grip. He is still trying to find a more consistent feel for it, but tends to miss low if anything. It has flashed above average, just with too many non-competitive pitches to project it as an above average offering at this stage.

Horton’s curveball is an average offering in the mid 80s with slurvy action. He has favored the changeup a bit more but if his results continue to be inconsistent, his curveball could be a reliable third offering to left-handed hitters.

Outlook

A late bloomer on the pitching side of things as a two-way player who had to undergo Tommy John surgery early in Horton’s collegiate career, before flashing exciting enough stuff in 53 innings to assert himself as a first round arm. His dominance through a career-high 98 1/3 innings in 2024 solidified him as one of the top pitching prospects in the game, but he returned in 2025 with his velocity down before being shut down for the season.

When healthy, Horton boasts a plus fastball and slider combination with the latter looking like a borderline 70-grade pitch. At more than two ticks slower, Horton’s cut-ride fastball was much less effective prior to hitting the IL. Assuming he regains his previous velocity figures, Horton has fringe-No. 2 upside, but until he’s healthy on the mound, it is a waiting game to see what

Height/Weight: 6’5″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 4th Round (103), 2020 (BAL) | ETA: 2024

Mayo established himself as one of the best power-hitting prospects in the minor leagues before a rough MLB debut both offensively and defensively. Still just 23 years old for the entirety of the 2025 season with back to back seasons of Triple-A success under his belt, Mayo still projects as a middle-of-the-order power bat.

Check out our interview with Coby Mayo!

Offense

Boasting a huge frame and long levers, Mayo has stood out as one of the best power hitters in the minor leagues thanks to his ability to crush balls in the air to the pull side. Mayo worked with the Orioles on some minor swing tweaks heading into the 2023 season to help him tap into more power, and the results have been evident. Between 2023 and 2024, Mayo boasted a 90th percentile exit velocity of 107 MPH with a ground ball rate of just 34%. He launched 54 homers and 131 extra base hits in 233 upper level games in that span.

He absolutely pulverizes fastballs, mashing them to an OPS over 1.100 in 155 Triple-A games, but an OPS around .750 against all other offerings. Mayo’s swing being so heavily geared for pull side lift, can result in him pulling off of breaking stuff and pitches on the outer half. Mayo’s OPS was roughly 350 points higher on the inner half than the outer half in 2024.

Mayo will likely strikeout at a high clip at the big league level, but he has demonstrated good plate discipline and the patience to draw walks at an above average clip. Mayo has the game power to launch 30 home runs with 40 to dream on if it all comes together.

Defense/Speed

Mayo moves well for his size and has a plus arm at third base. He has worked hard at his defense, improving his footwork and actions. The game sped up on him at the MLB level, casting more doubt over his glove, but he has showed the ability to be a passable defender at the hot corner. With the focus on his third base defense, Mayo has not received as many reps at his plan b option of first base. If he has to move off of third, he has the ability to be an average defender at first base with more reps.

Outlook

The potential for double plus game power gives Mayo middle of the order upside if he can make consistent enough contact at the MLB level. While it will help Mayo’s case if he can be within arm’s reach of average defense at third base, his bat will ultimately determine whether or not he reaches his all star upside. If the hit tool stalls, he can still be a mistake hitter whose big power earns him a platoon role, but all indications through the upper minors are that the Orioles have a potential middle-of-the-order bat.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 205 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (29), 2023 (SEA) | ETA: 2027

Tools galore with a feel to hit that may be better than anticipated, Farmelo has a chance to be a dynamic centerfielder. A torn ACL in June of 2024 ended Farmelo’s impressive start to the season with a return expected around mid-way through 2025.

Offense

Starting slightly crouched with his barrel flat, Farmelo gathers into his back side with a sizable leg kick. He sometimes looks rushed with the big move, but cuts down the height of his stride with two strikes or when pitchers are quicker to the plate. It’s also a rather new move for him, using a toe tap in his load as an amateur.

Farmelo’s swing path is geared for lift, but he has showed an improved feel for the barrel and some adjustability that he appeared to lack at points as an amateur, providing optimism for an above average hit tool. There’s above average juice to dream on as Farmelo continues to grow into his frame and gains more comfort swinging for damage in the box.

Farmelo is a patient hitter, already showing a good feel for the strike zone. The improved feel to hit takes some pressure off of the need to slug, but there’s potential for average hit and above average power buoyed by strong plate discipline.

Defense/Speed

An absolute burner, Farmelo turns in double plus run times and has already translated that speed into impact on the base paths and in center field. With an average arm and his elite athleticism, he has the ingredients to be a well above average defender up the middle and a high-volume base stealer.

Outlook

Already an exciting prospect based on sheer tools, strides in the contact department in the early going of his professional career only adds to the intrigue. There’s potential for a dynamic everyday centerfielder who can pack a bit of a punch and get on base at a good clip. It will be interesting to see how he returns from his ACL tear, but given his age and explosiveness, he should bounce back fine. Swing wise, it would be more of a concern if it were his back (left) knee that he injured rather than his right.

Farmelo will enter his age 20 season with less than 50 pro games under his belt, but he has already flashed enough upside both offensively and defensively to be one of the top prospects in the Mariners system. Once gets back into the swing of things, Farmelo has the skill set to see his prospect stock soar in the back end of 2025 and beyond.

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 170 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $1.1M – 2021 (CLE) | ETA: 2026

The prize of the Guradians’ 2021 IFA class, Genao immediately stood out with his polish at the plate and ability to pick it on the left side of the infield. He has tapped into a bit more impact in 2024.

Offense

A switch hitter, Genao starts slightly more crouched and open from the left side of the plate with his hands higher. He gets into a sizable leg kick from both sides with a big hand load, but has a good feel for his body and repeats his moves pretty well. As he faces more challenging pitching, he may benefit from toning down the operation, but the contact rates have been consistently strong through the lower levels. He has already flashed the ability to do so, sometimes simplifying to a toe tap with two strikes.

Power is unlikely to be a huge part of his game, but Genao offers a bit more impact than the other switch-hitting middle infield types in the Guardians org with an average exit velocity above 88 mph. He has more pop from the right side, with slightly higher exit velocities and lower ground ball rates while he makes more consistent contact from the left side.

Though he does not walk much, Genao makes good swing decisions overall and sticks to his approach, helping him perform better than most with two strikes. A well-rounded hitter, Genao has the ingredients to climb the Minor Leagues quickly.

Defense/Speed

Comfortable actions, a good arm and solid instincts give Genao a good chance at sticking on the left side of the infield. His range is fringy for shortstop, though the aforementioned instincts and arm strength help compensate. It took time for Genao to regain his quickness after a meniscus tear during 2023 Spring Training, but he is now moving like an above average runner, who could steal 20 bags annually.

Outlook

The most intriguing of the Guardians middle-infield prospects, Genao has made a big leap in 2024 thanks to health and simply settling into pro baseball. His feel for the game on both sides of the ball, likelihood of sticking on the left side of the infield and advanced ability to swing it from both sides make Genao a high-probability big leaguer who could grow into an above average regular.

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 180 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $90K, 2024 (PHI) | ETA: 2028

An under-the-radar IFA signing in the 2024 class, Tait quickly looked like a gem of a find, mashing his way off of the complex prior to his 18th birthday.

Offense

Tait features an unorthodox set up, starting so upright he almost looks like he is leaning back against a wall with his hands just above his belt buckle. Right as the pitcher breaks from his glove, Tait pulls his hands up to his slot along with a gathering leg kick that he synchronizes well. He already flashes above average pop to his pull side, flashing exit velocities as high as 111 mph. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 104.5 mph is far ahead of his peers.

He can be a bit pull-happy at times, though he has showcased a feel for the barrel to drive the ball hard to all fields. Like many young, productive hitters, Tait can be aggressive in the box. Still, his ability to spoil tough pitches has helped him maintain a strikeout rate comfortably below 20% as a pro. Already pulling the ball in the air with frequency, Tait seems like a safe bet to develop into at least above average power.

Defense/Speed

Tait has the ingredients to be an average defender behind the dish as he matures. He has strong hands, giving him a chance to come along as a receiver. He is advanced on the catch and throw side of things as well, with an above average arm and quick pop times. He has even flashed the ability to throw from his knees when needed. His blocking is a bit behind, sometimes tardy to his spot, but he is capable of moving well back there.

Outlook

Tait’s age 17 season could not have been much more impressive. On the surface, his numbers were among some of the best in the Florida Complex League. Beyond that, his batted ball data was as solid as anyone at the complex as a catcher. The Phillies were so impressed with his polish that both he and Starlyn Caba were aggressively promoted to Low-A where the game did not appear to speed up much at all for the teenage backstop. Tait’s bat will lead the charge, but there’s a chance the glove will support his case too.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $3M, 2022 (OAK) | ETA: 2026

Morales set the record for strikeouts in Cuba’s 18u league before defecting to Mexico in 2021 where he continued to train and solidify himself as one of the more intriguing international free agent arms in 2023. His electrifying four pitch mix has quickly made him one of the higher upside arms in the Minor Leagues.

Arsenal

A four pitch mix headlined by a fastball that sits in the upper 90s, Morales boasts loud stuff that should result in a much higher strikeout rate as he refines his command. The fastball sits 96-98 mph with above average induced vertical break from a 5.7 foot release height. The velocity and characteristics combination could make Morales’ heater a double plus pitch, especially if he could consistently locate it at the top, but he misses over the heart of the plate too frequently.

Morales has two quality breaking balls however it is his changeup that has emerged as his most dominant pitch in 2024. He maintains his arm speed from his long arm action well, making it extremely difficult for hitters to pick up. The pitch features 11 mph of separation from his fastball with impressive fade.

When he is locating it, his slider flashes plus and is right there with his changeup. It averages more than 15 inches of sweep and will flirt with 3,000 RPM. The sweepy action of the pitch makes it more effective to righties, but it is sharp enough to back leg lefties. The pitch breaks so much that he struggles to locate it consistently; his long arm action may play a part in that too.

Morales prefers his curveball with two plane break at 81 mph against left-handed hitters who frequently swing over it. He commands the pitch slightly better than his slider though both have registered a strike rate in the mid 50% range.

Outlook

Still just 21 years old for the entirety of the 2024 season, Morales has plenty of time to reach his mid-rotation ceiling and took a step forward with his secondary command. With improvement to his fastball command, his secondaries should play up further along with his fastball likely performing far better. Like many young, electrifying arms, Morales has a realistic fallback of a nasty high-leverage arm, but his four pitch mix belongs in the middle of a rotation. It just comes down to whether he can sync his long arm action and delivery more consistently.

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 185 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (20), 2023 (TOR) | ETA: 2027

Few prospects enjoyed more helium heading into the 2023 draft than Nimmala. One of the youngest players in the class, his present bat speed and projectable frame has evaluators dreaming on what could be. A slow start to his pro career that included a Development List stint slowed the momentum some, but he returned looking much more polished at the plate while tapping into his intriguing power potential more consistently.

Offense

A quick stroke grooved for lift, Nimmala really began to lean into his ability to pull the ball in the air in his first full pro season. The loft in his swing resulted in some challenges with swing and miss, something he improved upon after a brief stint on the Development List to refine some of his swing mechanics. His subtle changes aided his ability to turn on velocity which spilled into his ability to recognize spin as he looked less rushed in the box.

Nimmala extended those improvements into the 2025 season where he made a seamless transition to High-A thanks to his significant improvements against secondaries and enhanced adjustability in the box, spoiling tough pitches with a tangible increase in the O-Contact department. He has also getting his A swing off more consistently, pushing his average exit velocity and hard hit rate up.

The hit tool will likely be fringy for Nimmala, but his improving swing decisions and the ability to already get into his game power give him the ingredients to be an above average offensive threat. There’s still room to fill out physically and he could still stand to use his lower half a bit more effectively to tap into more pop.

Defense/Speed

An average runner with good footwork and range at shortstop, Nimmala has the arm strength to stick at the position with the actions to be a good defender there. Nothing jumps off of the page, but he consistently puts himself in good positions to make plays with fluid actions. Though he does not record the best home-to-first times, Nimmala still provides some value on the base paths and was 9-for-10 on stolen bases in 82 Low-A games in 2024.

Outlook

Nimmala’s strong second half and ability to make mechanical tweaks in his age 18 season is encouraging. Even with the improvements, there’s some risk to the profile given the swing and miss (29.7% K-Rate after Dev. List), but his chances of sticking at shortstop and advanced feel to get into his power in games helps round out his profile. The hot start to 2025 only helps his case.

Plate discipline will be an important wrinkle for Nimmala, who will likely need to walk at a decent clip to maintain desired on base numbers and his tangible improvements to both recognize and hit spin provide optimism in that department. There’s potential for above average power and defense at short if the hit tool continues to trend in the right direction.

Height/Weight: 6’5, 210 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 1st Round-A (35), 2023 (MIA) | ETA: 2026

The top southpaw in the 2023 class, White already has an impressive feel for a strong three pitch mix. He’s a candidate to climb quickly if he can find a bit more consistency with his delivery.

Arsenal

Towering at a lanky 6-foot-5, White already has a good feel for his body and mechanics, a rarity for pitchers of his profile. The one thing that can throw off his command a bit at times is his long arm action, but his arm path also plays into the deception he creates, hiding the ball behind him before working down on the mound. The result is a fastball that can spring onto hitters more quickly than others at the same velocity despite just average extension.

His fastball sits in the mid 90s, touching 98 mph and flashing decent carry. While that is already plenty of velocity, his projectable frame and relatively low-effort delivery make him a candidate to see an uptick as he matures. Regardless, it’s already a plus heater.

Both White’s curveball and changeup are already above average with the latter looking like a plus pitch in the early stages of his pro career. The sweeping curveball sits in the low 80s with two plane break and roughly 14 inches of horizontal break. It is a big whiff pitch left on left but he has the tendency to leave it up at times, especially to righties. That said, it is still a great third option to opposite-handed hitters, especially when he buries it towards their back leg.

White’s preferred weapon to righties is his mid 80s changeup, which mirrors his fastball well thanks to his ability to maintain his arm speed and unique arm action. Averaging around 15 inches of horizontal movement, the plus pitch fades under barrels.

Outlook

Though he was the 35th overall selection in the 2023 draft, his $4.1 million signing bonus was top 20 pick value and good for the fourth highest payday among arms in the class trailing only: Paul Skenes, Rhett Lowder, Chase Dollander and his teammate Noble Meyer.

Already flashing three above average or better offerings as a teenage southpaw, White pitched his way out of Low-A Jupiter after just eight impressive starts to begin the 2024 season. While there’s probably a little more to dream on stuff wise, it’s pretty easy to envision a potential middle-rotation arm, assuming White’s command continues to progress nicely.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 195 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 6th Round (182) – 2023 (MIL) | ETA: 2027

Projectable with good contact skills and a chance to stick at shortstop, the Brewers snagged Pratt in the sixth round, shelling out an over slot $1.35 million to sign him away from Ole Miss. Pratt’s polish stands out above all, with an overall game that is difficult to poke a hole in.

Offense

A simple setup with a short, direct swing, Pratt boasts strong bat-to-ball skills, especially for a hitter of his longer frame. Pratt’s path is more geared for line drives,. That said, he is comfortable catching the ball deep and can drive the ball to all fields with a hovering stride that he starts early as he pulls his hands back. His early, rhythmic move allows him to be on time with consistency, producing an in-zone contact rate of 86% in 2024 between Low-A and High-A.

Pratt leaves a bit to be desired bat speed wise at this stage, limiting his power output and resulting in some challenges against velocity. He hit just .225/.315/.337 against 93+ MPH in 2024. Pratt pulverized left-handed pitching to an OPS just under 1.000 and recognizes spin pretty well, though he can be a bit more expansive against fastballs.

Pratt has flashed some sneaky power to the pull side, but is presently below average in that department, placing more pressure on the hit tool. While he’s an above average hitter, he will likely need to tap into at least average power to carry an above average offensive profile. The good news is, Pratt has room within his frame to add more strength and boasts polish at the plate that is difficult to teach.

Defense/Speed

For as long of a frame as Pratt carries, he moves his feet well with good actions and a strong arm. Much like the offensive side of his game, Pratt is polished with advanced instincts that give him a good chance to stick at shortstop. An average runner, Pratt flexes his baseball IQ on the base paths as well picking his spots to swipe bags at a high efficiency, going 27 for 30 in 2024.

Outlook

The Brewers have enjoyed some success identifying young, but advanced hitters over the last few years and Pratt may be the latest example. His feel to hit, likelihood of sticking on the left side of the infield and baseball instincts give him a solid floor, but to comfortable project as an everyday shortstop for a first devision team, he will likely need to tap into more power. Well ahead of schedule, Pratt will begin his age 20 season at Double-A.

Height/Weight: 6’5″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 4th Round (122), 2023 (STL) | ETA: 2025

A completely different pitcher stuff wise than the guy who threw 156 pitches for Stanford in the Super Regionals, Mathews has seen his fastball jump by three ticks while the quality of his secondaries followed suit.

Arsenal

A four pitch mix, Matthews boasts three above average offerings or better rounded out by a curveball that he will mix in to steal strikes. The fastball now sits 94-95 mph, touching 97 mph with good carry from a below average release height, helping it play up in the zone and set up his pair of plus secondary offerings.

His changeup has been his best pitch since his collegiate days, and now with even more velocity separation, it has been a devastating pitch to right handers. Averaging 12 inches of horizontal movement and more than 13 mph of separation from his fastball, it’s no surprise that righties are barely hitting over .100 against the pitch in his professional career.

The slider has blossomed into a plus pitch, now being thrown in the mid 80s with sharp, cutterish action that he will sometimes manipulate to have more sweep as well. He has plus command of the pitch, landing it for a strike more than 70% of the time while picking up strong chase and whiff numbers.

His 76-78 mph curveball is a great taste-breaker that he will mix in more to left-handed hitters. It’s a solid fourth offering.

Outlook

Mathews he still has the pitchability that made him a successful pitcher at Stanford, but now with potentially two plus pitches and a quality fastball. He has posted one of the best strikeout-to-walk rates in Minor League Baseball since being drafted and has an arsenal that can keep both lefties and righties at bay. Mathews is a high floor arm with middle-rotation upside.

Height/Weight: 6’2”, 200 | Bat/Throw: S/R | 3rd Round (105) – 2022 (LAD) | ETA: 2026

A well-rounded, switch-hitting shortstop, Freeland made a leap offensively in 2024, elevating his ceiling to a potential above average regular at the position.

Hitting

An upright and slightly open setup from both sides of the plate, Freeland’s operation in the box is simple, utilizing a toe tap and slight barrel tip as he loads. Freeland’s repeatable moves helped him find the barrel more consistently, bolstering his contact rate by 7% in 2024. The improved timing also helped Freeland’s swing decisions, cutting his chase rate all the way down to roughly 15%, helping him walk at a 15% clip.

Elevating the ball more consistently with an average exit velocity that jumped to 91.5 MPH, Freeland launched a career-high 18 home runs while mixing in 35 doubles and triples in 136 games. Freeland is a better hitter from the left side, posting better contact rates and an OPS more than 100 points higher. There’s enough power to hit 20 home runs with the feel to find both gaps that should allow for plenty of doubles.

Defense/Speed

Freeland has the tools to be an average big league shortstop, but could move off of the position in deference to a more impactful glove. His above average arm would play well at third base where his range would be above average as well. He would comfortably project above average at second base too. An above average runner, Freeland has great instincts on the base paths, swiping 31 bags on 33 tries in 2024.

Outlook

Average or better tools across the board with the instincts to get the most out of his abilities, Freeland is a relatively high probability MLB regular if he can sustain his improvements bat-to-ball wise. Freeland projects as an above average regular who can move around the infield, but with a bit more defensive progress, you wouldn’t have to squint too hard to see an above average everyday shortstop.

Height/Weight: 5’8″, 235 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $1.5M – 2021 (CHC) | ETA: 2025

A bat-first profile, Ballesteros offers an exciting blend of hit and power that helped him climb three levels as a 19-year-old in 2023 and reach Triple-A as a 20-year-old in 2024. He has raked at every stop, but he offers little value beyond the bat.

Offense

Starting upright with his barrel resting on his shoulder, Ballesteros gets into his backside with a big leg kick that he starts as the pitcher breaks his hands. Though it’s a big move, he controls it well and starts it early, helping him consistently be on time.

The big gather allows Ballesteros to really utilize his powerful lower half, holding his backside well before unleashing impressive rotational explosion. The controlled violence Ballesteros possesses with his swing is hard to find, controlling the barrel exceptionally well with a bat that seemingly lives in the zone forever, but with plus bat speed.

His path gives him a wider margin for error, entering the zone deep and maintaining his direction and bat angle well. As a result, Ballesteros has the ability to drive the ball with carry to all fields. 20 of his 44 extra base hits in 2024 were to the opposite field. His wider margin for error helps him get away with a slightly aggressive approach as he is able to spoil tough pitches and adjust when fooled.

While there may not be much projection on his frame, he could convert some of his mass to strength as he matures, potentially helping his power reach the plus territory. Right now, his pop is comfortably above average, boasting a 90th percentile exit velocity of 105 MPH with flashes of plus pop to his pull side (113 MPH max).

Left-on-left matchups were a challenge for Ballesteros in 2023, posting an OPS below .600, before improving drastically in that regard in 2024 (.804 OPS). Offensively, he has the goods to be an everyday big league bat.

Defense/Speed

Big and bulky, Ballesteros is a work in progress behind the dish. A below average blocker, his thicker build limits his mobility behind the dish. His arm is plus, but he tends to be inconsistent with his pop times, though he has flashed average throw times down to second base when everything goes right. He threw out just 12% of base stealers in 2024.

Standing at just 5-foot-8 with measurements being thrown out an inch in either direction depending on who you ask, Ballesteros would be shortest first baseman in MLB, perhaps increasing the importance of him sticking behind the plate. He may only be a part-time catcher, with a lot of his at bats coming from the DH spot.

Outlook

Ballesteros is a natural hitter in every sense. His ability to handle aggressive assignments with relative ease only helped hammer that notion home. The focus for Ballesteros has been the defensive side of things since reaching Triple-A, working through the offseason in the Arizona Fall League and at the Cubs complex to get his defense to a passable level.

He most likely projects as a below average defender behind the dish who splits time at DH, placing more pressure on the bat. The good news is, he has a chance to hit for both average and power while fending off platoon concerns.

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 4th Round (125), 2023 (CLE) | ETA: 2027

A contact-oriented backstop with a great feel for the strike zone, Ingle made a smooth transition to pro ball offensively, hitting over .300 with an OPS near .900 in 110 games between High-A and Double-A.

Hitting

Starting with his feet about shoulder-width apart and his weight stacked on his back side, Ingle holds his back side well through his hovering stride against fastballs, but can drift a bit prematurely against secondaries. While Ingle still gets bat on ball against secondaries at a similar clip, there’s a large gap in quality of contact, with an average exit velocity of 90.5 mph against fastballs versus just 85 mph against all other offerings.

Ingle’s feel for the barrel and patience still stand out, producing plus contact rates and a chase rate of just 20%, on his way to an on base percentage north of .400 between High-A and Double-A in 2024..

He is undoubtedly a hit-over-power bat, but there’s at least some feel to pull the ball in the air, giving him the potential for 10-15 home runs. If he can improve his quality of contact against secondaries, Ingle has the ingredients to supplement his on base skills with plenty of doubles.

Defense/Speed

Ingle is an athletic catcher who moves well behind the dish. His receiving has progressed since he split time between catching and outfield at Clemson, now grading out close to average. His arm is average, but plays up thanks to his quick transfer and release. Ingle relies on athleticism more than technique still with the latter continuing to come along, giving him the potential for average defense behind the dish.

Outlook

With a high offensive floor and defense that has progressed nicely behind the dish, Ingle is a high-probability big league catcher. His feel to hit and approach give him the potential to be a high OPB threat which could make him an above average primary catcher assuming the glove reaches average as it projects to.

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 200 | Bat/Throw: L/L | CB-B (73), 2024 (ATH) | ETA: 2026

One of the most biggest breakout arms of 2025, Jump has seen his fastball velocity climb by two ticks as a pro while finding a much better feel for his breaking balls.

Arsenal

Jump’s fastball leads the way, now sitting in the mid 90s with plus carry, averaging 18 inches of induced vertical break from a below average release height. He also has a slight hesitation in his delivery that seems to only add to the uncomfortable nature of his fastball for hitters. The velocity and life it features makes it a big whiff pitch within the zone as well as a chase pitch at the top.

Working off of his plus fastball is a pair of breaking balls with the sweeper leading the way at 82-84 MPH. Jump’s breaking ball shapes have some variance that seems to be unintentional, but he still has little trouble landing them for a strike consistently. Sometimes it’s more of a true sweeper, other times it’s shorter horizontally with a bit more depth vertically.

Jump’s curveball is a bit more consistent shape wise, featuring two-plane break at 79-81 MPH. He prefers to throw it to righties, showcasing a good feel to back door it as well as bury it towards the back leg of hitters.

Lagging well behind is Jump’s changeup, which he only mixes in around five percent of the time with a strike rate below 50%.

Outlook

Jump’s uptick in stuff and improved pitchability helped him breakout in a big way in the early going of the 2025 season and he did not miss a beat after quickly being pushed to Double-A. His standout fastball will easily be a plus pitch at the highest level and with a pair of breaking balls that he has developed a great feel for to go with it, Jump now looks like a potential No. 3 starter who should at least land as a quality No. 4 option.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 220 | Bat/Throw: S/R | 1st Round (12), 2024 (BOS) | ETA: 2026

A switch hitter with big power potential and an elite arm Montgomery has the potential to be a force in a corner outfield spot assuming the hit tool continues to come along. He was acquired alongside three other Red Sox prospects as part of the Garrett Crochet haul.

Offense

Starting slightly bent at his knees before sinking further into his back side with a leg kick, Montgomery effectively gets his lower half involved, capable of producing eye-popping bat speed from both sides of the plate. While exit velocities were up across college baseball last season, Montgomery enjoyed one of the largest leaps in the country in that department, seeing his 90th percentile exit velocity jump by more than four mph at around 110 mph.

In addition to improved exit velocities, Montgomery looked much more natural with his right-handed swing in 2024, finding much more rhythm and consistency in his moves. It’s extremely difficult to sneak a fastball by him, hitting well over .400 with 7 home runs against 93+ MPH in 2024. It is a max-effort swing with violence that can work against adjustability, making him less likely to spoil tough pitches or pull out a B swing when he’s fooled. Changeups can be particularly difficult for Montgomery.

Getting his most powerful swing off consistently with quality hand-eye should allow him to continuously punish fastballs and hangers, but there’s even more importance placed on his swing decisions. While the hit tool is likely to be fringy, Montgomery’s strides with his right-handed swing and ability to tap into his game power give him 30 home run upside. He will need to improve his ability to recognize spin to reach that upside though.

Defense/Speed

Montgomery is at least an average runner who moves well enough cover enough ground in a corner, accentuated by an arm that could be 80 grade. He should be at least an average defender in either corner.

Outlook

A two-way talent through his first couple collegiate seasons, Montgomery tapped into more power as he shifted his focus predominantly to the batter’s box. Despite transferring from a hitter-friendly PAC-12 to the gauntlet that is the SEC, Montgomery increased his production, solidifying himself as a sure-fire top 15 pick. Swing and miss concerns may have caused the outfielder to slip to the Red Sox at pick No. 12 and there’s a real chance he’s fringy in that department.

Being a switch-hitter with easy plus raw power and the ability to play a solid corner helps hedge potential contact concerns, but improved swing decisions could really shore up his offensive profile. The profile could be similar to Anthony Santander offensively.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 200 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $800K, 2022 (DET) | ETA: 2026

He may not stick behind the dish, but it’s Briceño’s immense offensive upside that makes him an intriguing prospect. He showcased just that by torching the Arizona Fall League after a knee injury limited him to just 40 Low-A games in 2024 and has kept the impressive slug rolling into 2025.

Offense

Starting upright and open with his bat rested on his shoulder, Briceño gathers into his back side with a big leg kick that is slow and controlled as he pulls his hands into his slot. Already standing at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Briceño repeats his moves well for such a young, big framed hitter, posting solidly average contact rates as a pro.

The exit velocities are also comfortably plus for Briceño, which has started to translate into consistent game power as he has improved his swing path. There was a clear shift upon returning form his knee injury, as he started to drive the ball in the air more consistently at the end of the regular season and carried that momentum into the Arizona Fall League where he paced all players with 10 home runs in just 25 games, including several tape measure shots to the pull side. He also put on quite a show in batting practice, demolishing home runs to all fields.

The added loft in his swing and his longer levers will likely result in a bit more whiff as he climbs levels, but his ability to recognize spin and above average feel for the zone help hedge strikeout concerns. It’s ultimately all about the game power for Briceño anyways and he now looks like he can launch 30+ homers if it all works out.

Defense/Speed

At the edge of outgrowing the position, Briceño’s receiving and blocking are below average, though he has made some progress as a pro. His arm is average but his catch and throw can be a bit choppy. There’s a good chance Briceño ultimately moves to first base.

Outlook

It’s hard to argue against the batted ball data of Briceño and he has shown flashes of what can be an exciting offensive player. A move to first base surely puts more pressure on the bat, but with game power that could push beyond plus territory, he should be able to handle it. With what looks like at least a fringy hit tool and above average plate discipline, Briceño has the offensive ingredients to be an above average big league power bat and if he can catch once or twice per week that only helps his case.

Height/Weight: 6’4, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 6th Round (187), 2023 (SEA) | ETA: 2027

The brother of outfielder T.J. Hopkins, Brody was a two way player at Winthrop University, but struggled mightily with command issues. The Mariners drafted him as a pitcher in the sixth round of the 2023 draft and he has since started to find the zone with a little more frequency. His stuff still far outpaces the command, but that is more a testament to his six pitch mix from a unique slot. The Rays acquired Hopkins as part of the Randy Arozarena return.

Arsenal

You can tell Hopkins had the athleticism to be a quality college outfielder by the way he moves on the mound, turning inwards with a high leg kick before uncorking from a low three-quarters angle that has him releasing the ball at a 4.8 foot release height. Hopkins wields two different fastballs, a four seamer that averages 96 MPH and a sinker a tick below that, averaging more than 17 inches of horizontal break, resulting in plenty of ground balls. Getting even just 14 inches of induced vertical break on his fastball from such a low release point makes it a great swing and miss offering at the top as well.

Hopkins slider is his best swing and miss pitch in the upper 80s with slurvy two-plane action. He will also mix in a sweeper at roughly the same velocity, with 13 inches of horizontal, playing up from his release point. His 89-91 MPH cutter is a reliable fourth offering that he will mix in slightly more to lefties, especially as his changeup lags behind the rest of his arsenal. Movement wise, Hopkins changeup has a chance to be a quality pitch, but he struggles to land it for a strike, with far too many non-competitive pitches mixed in.

Outlook

Hopkins has a standout pitch mix that can miss a ton of barrels, exemplified by his 27% strikeout rate in 2024, but he also gets plenty of contact on the ground, sporting a ground ball rate of 54%. He will need to improve upon his below average command, though his strike throwing ability was significantly improved from his draft year at Wintrop. There’s reliever risk, where Hopkins could easily be an elite high leverage option, but his athleticism and pitch mix should give him plenty of runway as a starter, especially in a Rays org that has had success helping stuffy pitchers find the zone.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 205 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (31), 2021 (MIA) | ETA: 2026

After a couple frustrating seasons to start his pro career (so it goes with high school catchers), Mack broke out in a big way in 2024, launching 24 home runs while showcasing plus defense behind the dish.

Hitting

Starting upright with his hands high over his head and the barrel pointed towards right field, Mack pulls his hands down and back as he shifts his weight into his back side. Despite his hands traveling relatively far, Mack handles velocity extremely well, with an OPS around 1.000 against all fastballs and north of 1.100 against 93+ MPH.

On the contrary, Mack really struggles against spin, posting an OPS around .500 against sliders and curveballs. A combination of pitch recognition issues and inconsistent body control likely contribute to the poor results against breaking balls, often spinning off with his front side and/or drifting onto his front foot prematurely.

His average exit velocity of 90 MPH and 90th percentile exit velocity of 104 MPH are comfortably above average and there may even be room for a bit more from Mack, especially as he finds more lower half control and balance. His feel to elevate paired with above average raw power give him 20-25 home run potential at the highest level, even if the hit tool is below average. Mack’s plate discipline has continued to progress, which could help take some pressure off of his contact skills.

Defense/Speed

Mack has all of the tools to be a plus defender behind the dish. His receiving grades out well above average while his arm is plus, throwing out 34% of attempted base stealers in 2024. A good blocker who is technically sound, Mack committed just one error during the 2024 season. The the Marlins are as eager to see Mack work on the finer things such as pitch calling and preparation, which they believe could be the final pieces of the puzzle for him to be a clear plus asset behind the dish.

Outlook

With the hit tool likely to be below average, the power development has been huge for Mack’s case of still having starting catcher upside. If Mack can improve his ability to hit secondaries, he has a chance to be an above average regular, but even if the hit tool is below average, his defensive ability and above average power should make him at least a quality back up option. Still just 22 years old for the entirety of the 2025 season, Mack should start the year at Triple-A with a chance for a late-season call up.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 220 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 1st Round (5), 2024 (CHW) | ETA: 2026

An elite fastball, slider combination paired with deception made Smith the most dominant pitcher in the country for Arkansas, setting the NCAA record for strikeouts-per-nine. Smith has hit a wall command wise in pro ball that has provided some cause for concern.

Arsenal

A unique release and a pair of 70 grade offerings make Smith a miserable at bat for hitters of either side of the plate. His fastball sits in the mid 90s with impressive ride and run. Righties struggled to a batting average below the Mendoza line against the heater, but the late action on the pitch often tied up left-handed hitters who struggled to a batting average barely over .100 in his junior season. In terms of release characteristics, there’s some overlap with Josh Hader. His improved command of the fastball paired with the big in zone whiff numbers make it easy for Smith to erase hitter’s counts.

Smith’s mid 80s slider is perhaps even more dominant, sharing similarities to that of Carlos Rodon’s with two-plane break. Of the nearly 500 sliders tracked in 2024, opponents hit just .100 against it with a swinging strike rate north of 25%. Because of his short-arm delivery and deception, the pitch is difficult for hitters to pick up, allowing him to still pick up plenty of whiffs even if he leaves it up. The late downward action in addition to the sweep resulted in a ground ball rate above 60% when hitters were able to make contact.

The distant third pitch for Smith is an upper 80s changeup that was far improved in 2024. He doubled his usage of the pitch to 10% and found some effectiveness with it as the season progressed. It is still an inconsistent offering for him, but flashed at least average and should play up off of his fastball and arm action.

Outlook

The second pitcher selected in the 2024 Draft could probably slot right into a big league bullpen with his fastball, slider duo, but the White Sox have a loftier vision for the Arkansas product who could be a frontline arm with further refinement of his command and changeup, both of which were far improved in his draft year. It has been a bit of a shock to the White Sox and scouts alike how much Smith has struggled to throw strikes in the early going of his pro career, but it could be health related as he has dealt with some elbow soreness before being shut down temporarily.

While they’re different arms, the Garrett Crochet found success as a starter with the White Sox after finding a a feel for a cutter that bridged his fastball and slider while also developing a good enough feel for his changeup to effectively mix it in a handful of times per game. It will be interesting to see if the White Sox try to diversify Smith’s arsenal similarly, which could elevate him to that frontline upside. If his changeup continues to progress alone, he could be a strong No. 3 starter. With the quality of his fastball and slider, Smith has the fallback of an elite high leverage reliever.

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 185 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 7th Round (198), 2022 (ARI) | ETA: 2027

A 7th round pick who signed for fifth round money out of high school, Crisantes is a well-rounded ballplayer with a polished offensive game.

Offense

Starting slightly stacked on his back side with his hands relaxed in front of his shoulder, Crisantes gathers with a small leg kick that will vary from small to medium in size depending on how he is feeling timing wise. He has a great feel for his body and pre-swing moves, consistently putting himself in a good position mechanically and timing wise.

A short, quick stroke, Crisantes is efficient to the ball, but still does a good job of hitting the ball in the air, giving him the potential to provide plenty of doubles and around 10-15 home runs despite average exit velocities. Though he only hit seven home runs in his 97 games in 2024, he racked up 38 extra base hits and maintained a 38% ground ball rate.

Crisantes is extremely patient in the box, running a chase rate below 20% and helping him walk at a 12% clip (only 16 K%). While the walk rate will likely slip some as he faces more advanced pitching, Crisantes’ above average contact ability and approach should make him a steady on base threat.

Defense/Speed

An above average runner, Crisantes offers average range and an average arm at second base with the instincts to be a solid defender there and mix in at third base if needed. He picks his spots well to run on the base paths, swiping 30 bags on 33 tries in 2024.

Outlook

Crisantes does lacks the tools that most other 50 future value prospects possess, but his sound offensive profile and superb instincts make him a relatively high offensive floor. His 145 wRC+ as a 19-year-old in Low-A thrusted him towards the top of the Diamondbacks prospect list no matter who you ask, and there’s enough offensive upside to dream on an everyday infield role. He projects best as an above average hitting second baseman.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 240 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (29), 2022 (TB) | ETA: 2025

A big, left handed masher bat with foul pole to foul pole power, Isaac has the potential to be an offensive force.

Offense

Starting slightly open with his weight slightly favoring his back side, Isaac uses an early and slow load to get himself into a powerful launch position. When everything is in rhythm, his swing is smooth and the power is near the top of the scale, but he struggled to control and time up his big pre-swing moves against upper level pitching in 2024.

Athletic for a 6-foot-4, 240 pound slugger, Isaac has demonstrated the necessary adjustability in the box to do damage even when he is a bit out front or fooled, as his “B” swings pack a punch as well. In his age 20 season, Isaac sported a ridiculous 56% Hard Hit rate, along with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 108 MPH, placing him among the top in the minor league.

Isaac hedges the swing and miss with a decent ability to recognize spin and has run a chase rate in the low 20% range as a pro. He took a step forward in left on left matchups in 2024, providing some hope that he can fight off a platooning.

Offering as much power potential as just about any hitter in the minor leagues, it will just come down to whether Isaac can hit enough to get into it. He has the athleticism and mobility to do so and has already shown a willingness to tinker with his mechanics and simplify things.

Defense/Speed

Isaac looks like an average defender at first base, but given his athleticism, the Rays gave Isaac some looks in the outfield during his time in the Arizona Fall League as well where he did not look too shabby given his lack of experience. He can get moving once he’s underway and picks his spots to run well, swiping 27 bags on 30 tries in roughly 200 games between 2023 and 2024.

Outlook

Isaac has the potential to develop into a middle-of-the-order masher at the highest level. Not only does he posses as much power potential as just about any prospect in baseball, but his swing is not as stiff and rigid as most other prospects who swung and missed as much as he did in 2024. Isaac will need to improve his contact rates at the Double-A level, though he has been pushed agressively for a hitter of his archetype, getting his second taste of the upper levels in a season where he will be 21 years old for its entirety. There’s some shades of Triston Casas if Isaac can find a bit more consistency offensively.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 250 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $2.5M – 2022 (SEA) | ETA: 2026

An imposing figure with as much raw power as you’re going to see from a teenage hitter, Montes has 40 home run upside, but swing and miss concerns and a high DH likelihood make him a risky prospect.

Offense

A gargantuan human, Montes towers at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, easily producing elite exit velocities as a teenager. Starting with a wide stance, Montes utilizes a big leg kick that he controls well. For such a big frame, Montes repeats his moves well, but there’s still whiff concern, especially as he faces more challenging pitching.

Montes didn’t quite post the same gaudy exit velocities in 2024, seeing his hard hit rate drop by 7% and his 90th percentile exit velocity by a tick to 105 MPH, but that did not compromise his power as he hit balls in the air consistently as ever, cutting his ground ball rate by more than 10%.

The approach continued to come along for Montes as the 2024 season progressed, not only cutting his chase rate, but making more sound swing decisions overall. The contact rates are concerning, however Montes’ ability to consistently do damage in games and draw walks helps hedge that. The upper levels will be a very telling challenge for the power-hitting lefty, who has sky-high impact to dream on if the hit tool will allow.

Defense/Speed

While it is still somewhat of an adventure in the outfield, he has made some progress to at least be able to corral the routine batted balls. Odds are, he will be the weakest defensive outfield option on an MLB roster and could wind up at first base or DH entirely.

Outlook

With next to no value beyond his bat, it’s going to be important for Montes to hit enough to tap into his double plus power potential. Maintaining his ability to draw walks as he climbs levels will be key for the slugger as well, especially with his likelihood of running a high strikeout rate. If it all comes together, Montes could become one of the most dangerous power hitters in baseball, but he still has a ways to go.

Height/Weight: 6’6″, 215 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (3), 2024 (COL) | ETA: 2026

Condon put up one of the best collegiate seasons of all time as a redshirt sophomore, winning the Golden Spikes Award while breaking the Georgia program record in just two seasons. His blend of hit and power could match what the Rockies were hoping to get from Kris Bryant when they signed him to a $182 million deal. A very shaky pro debut slowed the momentum Condon built in his draft year, highlighting some of the hit-tool concerns that kept him from being a slam dunk top pick.

Offense

Starting with his hands rested just in front of his shoulder and a slight bend in his knees, Condon sinks further into his base as he loads with an early toe tap that leads into a stride. The toe tap helps Condon get his weight back and breaks up what would be a big move for a hitter with levers as long as his, making it easier to control.

Condon likes to catch the ball out front, handling velocity well, even at the top of the zone, with a contact rate of 87% and an OPS near 1.300 against fastballs 93+ MPH in 2024. His desire to catch balls out front and go pull side can cause him to lose direction and while he is able to get on plane for fastballs, he has the tendency to leave the zone too quickly on secondary stuff. That said, he rarely misses hangers and put up video game numbers against fastballs.

Despite improvements overall against secondary stuff, Condon’s contact rate drops from 90% against fastballs to just 70% against spin. His ability to pull velocity in the air elevates bodes well for his game power, but there’s some concern that his path is geared towards that and not much else.

6-foot-6 with a relatively slender frame, Condon should grow into the 70 grade power that he is already knocking on the door of. He has a good feel for the strike zone for a player who has to deal with such a large zone. Continued refinement of his swing decisions would help hedge the pull-dependency concern as there are plenty of examples of hitters with far less power (I.E. Isaac Paredes) whose unrelenting approach allows them to be pull-dependent sluggers.

Though it was not a large sample, his pro debut only further emphasized the aforementioned swing path and pitch recognition concerns against higher quality breaking stuff.

Condon is too good against fastballs and hanging breaking balls not to find some level of success, but to attain his lofty ceiling, he might need to make a slight adjustment path wise or reach towards the plus territory in the plate discipline department.

Defense/Speed

After splitting time between first base and right field in 2023, Condon saw action at all three outfield spots and even third base. He was not a disaster at third and could get a longer look there, but he is also good enough in an outfield corner to fend off a move to first base, if the hot corner is not in the cards.

Outlook

It’s difficult to argue against a hitter who put up the best offensive season of the BBCOR era, even in a year where home runs sky-rocketed across the country. The fact that Condon looked decent enough at third base to potentially get a look there with a fall back of corner outfield helps his case, though it will ultimately be all about the bat for former Georgia Bulldog.

There could not have been a much better landing spot for him than the Rockies as his blend of big power and decent hit is easy to dream on in a cavernous Coors Field that is a mile above sea level and suppresses secondary movement. Even though he lacks some desired adjustability with his swing, Condon has flashed good enough bat to ball to get into his double plus raw power enough to launch 30+ homers if it all works out.

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $1M – 2021 (CHC) | ETA: 2027

After a strong showing in extended Spring Training, Rojas earned an aggressive assignment to Low-A shortly after his 18th birthday and put up strong numbers. High-A for his age 19 season was a challenge, but he still posted strong underlying batted ball data.

Offense

Still a bit raw offensively, Rojas relies on natural ability in the box, making plenty of contact with above average exit velocities for his age. While he is still learning to tap his raw power in games, his average exit velocity of 88 MPH and 90th percentile of 102.5 MPH were both strong figures for a hitter who did not turn 19 years old until a month until the 2024 season.

His hands are a little noisy in his swing and he has the tendency to leak forward prematurely, creating some timing issues against secondaries. When everything is in sync, Rojas boasts an above average feel for the barrel, running an in zone contact rate just under 90%. Rojas is still developing swing decision wise and being one of the youngest hitters at every stop is a challenge as he continues to improve his ability to recognize spin, but he has demonstrated good patience and feel for the strike zone, chasing less than 25% of the time.

He almost surely will add at least some strength as he matures, pair that with some better swing patterning as he gains experience, 20 home runs seems like it could be attainable. If he falls a little short, his feel for the barrel, exit velocities and ability to drive the ball to all fields should result in plenty of doubles.

Defense/Speed

A slightly above average runner, Rojas is more quick than fast. The game looked more sped up on him at High-A and he seemed to struggle with the cold weather in the early going of the Midwest League resulting in more errors. Rojas improved as the season progressed, starting to attack balls more aggressively with the footwork to complement his above average arm when ranging to his backhand. He has the ingredients to become an average defender at shortstop, but may end up projecting best at second base.

Outlook

It’s very early in the development of Rojas and the way that the Cubs have handled him should be a clue into how excited the team is both about his potential and his maturity. The hope is that Rojas’s actions will become more natural as he gains more reps, but if he moves to second base, there’s enough offensive upside and defensive tools to project as an above average regular.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 220 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (55), 2024 (SEA) | ETA: 2028

Sloan was a first round consideration for several teams, but it was the Mariners who were able to reel in the prep right-hander with a $3 million bonus (29th pick value) in the second round. The arrow pointed upwards for Sloan as the draft approached, touching the upper 90s with a pair of intriguing secondaries.

Arsenal

Sloan is a big, powerful right hander with a strong lower half, helping him produce mid 90s velocity without major effort. He works down on the mound well, throwing from a high three-quarters release, resulting in a 5.6 foot release height. This creates a unique angle for hitters from his 6-foot-5 frame.

While the fastball characteristics do not jump off of the page, Sloan already sits in the mid 90s and locates the pitch well. His delivery is low-effort providing optimism for more velocity and good overall consistency with the pitch.

Sloan has a great feel for his secondaries, both of which have a chance to be above average or better. His sweepy slider already flashes plus in the low 80s getting more than 13 inches of horizontal movement while hovering around zero in the vertical movement department. From his slot, it is a devastating pitch to righties.

He already shows a decent feel for his splitter in the mid 80s, flashing above average with the tendency to get firm on him. As he finds more consistency with it, he should have a strong third offering that features enough late movement to be mixed in to righties as well.

Outlook

Sloan is the ideal template for an organization that has had plenty of success developing arms. He’s just shy of Logan Gilbert’s body with a unique release and an advanced feel to spin it. There’s some things he likely needs to clean up shape wise with the fastball and while command is far from a concern, how well he is able to hit his spots with so much movement in both directions in his arsenal will help determine his ceiling as well. It wouldn’t be outlandish to dream on a No. 2 starter, but he has a great chance of at least landing as a back end starter.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | CB-A (34), 2023 (MIN) | ETA: 2027

A big right-hander who was one of the youngest players in his draft class, Soto is raw on the mound but progressed nicely in his first pro season.

Arsenal

An infielder for much of his time as an amateur, Soto focused on the mound later than many of his peers, quickly turning heads with his upper 90s fastball and natural feel for a changeup. He will throw a four seamer and two seamer, both sitting in the mid 90s in 2024 but have ticked up in 2025.

His fastballs previously left left a bit to be desired in terms of shape and characteristics, but he found more vert with his four seamer, now featuring good carry in the upper 90s. His two seamer averages about seven inches less of induced vertical break and four inches more of horizontal break.

Soto’s best pitch is his plus changeup, in the mid 80s with sword-inducing fade, averaging around 17 inches of horizontal run. The vertical drop of the pitch widens his margin for error, still getting whiff within the zone when leaves it higher than he intended. The movement is so difficult for hitters, that Soto confidently throws it right-on-right as a put away pitch, with same-handed hitters going 1-for-31 against it with 18 strikeouts.

Like many of the arms in the Twins organization, Soto will utilize both a slider and cutter. They’ll morph together some and Soto’s harder cutters in the upper 80s can back up over the middle. His slider looks like it can be an average third offering. The effectiveness of Soto’s changeup against both lefties and righties hedges the need for the slider to be anything more than average.

Outlook

One of the youngest players in the Florida State League at the start of the 2024 season, Soto entered pro ball with less amateur innings under his belt than most other teenage arms as a converted shortstop. There’s plenty of pitching success stories with converted shortstops hopping onto the mound and Soto has the talent to be another.

Soto really hit his stride over the final three months of the season, pitching to a 3.67 ERA over his final eight starts while only allowing four extra base hits and he appeared to be building on that finish and them some with his strong camp and significantly improved stuff in the early going of the 2025 season before a minor triceps issue placed him on the 7-day IL.

If Soto can sustain his fastball shapes and velocity along with continued gains in the command department, there’s middle rotation upside, but at this point there’s risk that he could become too changeup dependent. He’ll be just 19 years old for the entirety of the 2025 season, which given his limited experience on the mound, provides optimism that he can continue to progress.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 7th Round (209), NYM (2022) | ETA: 2026

Tong was the breakout arm in the Mets system for 2024, riding a nearly two tick leap with his fastball to a 3.03 ERA in 113 IP with a ridiculous 34% strikeout rate across mostly Low and High-A. The stuff has been even better in 2025, catapulting Tong into the conversation with some of the better pitching prospects in the upper minors.

Arsenal

A unique, over-the-top release and slight cross-fire delivery make Tong an uncomfortable at-bat for hitters. Tong enjoyed another uptick with his fastball in 2025, now averaging 95 MPH the pitch plays up further for Tong as he averages more than 19 inches of induced vertical break from a release height slightly above six feet.

With the carry and deception, Tong dominates within the zone, generating elite whiff rates, while also getting chase at the top. An even bigger development than the uptick in velocity has been Tong’s changeup in 2025. Sitting in the mid 80s, the pitch is difficult to pick up out of his hand. It averages roughly 20 inches of total separation from the fastball, one of the highest marks in MiLB.

Tong’s downer curve ball in the upper 70s flashes above average, but his inconsistent feel for it makes it difficult to rely on. When he is able to locate it, it’s a strong third offering.

Tong made progress with a mid 80s slider in 2024, mostly utilizing it against righties with success, but he will tend to tug it glove side too frequently. The development of his changeup and effectiveness of it right on right has cut into the usage further and much like his curveball, Tong has really struggled to land it consistently.

Outlook

Yet another fastball uptick paired with what now could be a double plus changeup has elevated Tong significantly. When he’s on, there’s few arms in the minor leagues more effective and overpowering. He will need to find more consistency with his spin and overall command to reach his potential as a starter, still fighting to stay above an overall strike rate of 60%. He has middle-rotation upside, but there’s still some reliever risk with the right-hander.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 230 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 6th Round (193), 2023 (PHI) | ETA: 2025

After a undergoing Tommy John surgery as a freshman at Minnesota and struggling to throw strikes afterward, Klassen saw things click in pro ball, quickly looking like a steal by the Phillies in the sixth round. Klassen was packaged as the headliner, along with Samuel Aldegheri, in the Angels return for Carlos Estevez.

Arsenal

The stuff is loud for Klassen boasting a fastball that averaged 97 MPH in 2024 along with a pair of nasty breaking balls. His fastball can flirt with the dead zone, but Klassen generates whiffs off of sheer velocity and deception, turning inwards and hiding the ball as he strides forward before uncorking somewhat of a sling shot delivery.

His breaking balls really play up from this slot, with a 90 MPH gyro slider that hovers around zero inches of vertical and horizontal break, darting sharply below bats. It was one of the best performing breaking balls in the minor leagues in 2024, holding opponents to an OPS below .400. Klassen’s power curveball at 85-87 MPH with slurvy two-plane action. He will utilize it more against left-handed hitters who OPS’d below .500 against it in 2024.

Outlook

Klassen still is below average in the command department and the maximum effort in his delivery lends concern that it may be difficult for him to consistently throw strikes as a starter. His sheer quality of stuff and pair of breaking balls that are effective to lefties and righties could continue to help him fend off the reliever risk, but he will need to take another step forward in the command department in 2025 to stick as a starter and push closer to his middle-rotation upside. If he moves to the bullpen, Klassen could be a wipeout high leverage arm.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 190 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $5.8M, 2021 (SD) | ETA: 2027

A wunderkind of a catching prospect, Salas signed for $5.8 million as the top prospect in the 2023 IFA class and was immediately thrusted into big league spring training action, followed by a Low-A assignment prior to his 17th birthday and a High-A assignment before he turned 18. His offensive output has expectedly been meager given his unprecedented assignments, but the talent to be a good big league catcher has still been evident.

Offense

Salas starts upright with his weight slightly stacked on his back side before sinking a bit further into his back hip with minimal hand movement in his load. His pre-swing moves are slow and controlled, while his swing is quick. Salas incorporates his lower half really well, producing plus bat speed and above average pop.

He already has a great feel for the zone and recognizes spin well, though his chase rate did climb by five percent to 25% at High-A. The jump was mostly predicated on a spike in chase against fastballs, not breaking balls, pointing towards a young hitter who is perhaps a little overzealous rather than challenged to recognize spin.

His feel to hit is impressive for his age, posting league-average contact rates at High-A despite being the youngest player in any full season league. Given where Salas is already at, it’s easy to imagine him developing into an above average hitter. There may not be a ton of room for projection, but the teenager simply maturing will likely result in added power with his four home runs in 24 Arizona Fall League games already providing some optimism that he can start to trend closer to his average power potential in 2025.

Defense/Speed

It’s hard to remember a more advanced teenage catching prospect when it comes to receiving than Salas, reeling in the ball smoothly with elite hands. He moves well behind the dish making strides as a blocker in his first pro season.

The Padres brass has raved about the maturity of Salas and the way he handles bullpens since he arrived at the complex which should translate into strong game calling. Already with a well above average arm, Salas has a plus arm and his improved transfer resulted in a 28% caught stealing rate in 2024. He has goods to be a plus defensive catcher as he hammers down the fundamentals.

Outlook

Salas has the ability to be an elite defender with above average offensive average offensive production. The Padres have challenged Salas more than any prospect in professional baseball in recent memory, making it difficult to draw much from his career .657 OPS in 179 games. That said, evaluators will likely want to see progress offensively for Salas in what will be his third pro season. That may be a bit unfair, but so it goes when you are regarded as one of the top catcher prospects in the game prior to the performance that generally merits it.

On talent alone, Salas still deserves to be considered one of the best prospects at his position as even with below average offensive production, his defensive ability and intangibles should make him a big league catcher for a long time. He likely lands somewhere in the middle as a glove first catcher who is still a net positive with the bat, such as Gabriel Moreno.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (32), 2022 (CIN) | ETA: 2026

An advanced feel to hit helped Stewart make a smooth transition into pro ball, posting a 134 wRC+ through his first two seasons with as many walks as strikeouts. Limited value beyond the bat puts more pressure on Stewarts ability to convert his raw power into game power as he progresses.

Offense

Startling slightly open, Stewart gathers with a moderate leg kick and simple hand load that he starts early, helping him be on time consistently. Short and direct to the ball, Stewart’s compact stroke results in plenty of contact and positive results against velocity.

Stewart naturally likes to work inside the baseball, driving the ball from centerfield to right field most frequently. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 105 mph and Hard Hit rate of 46% is comfortably above average, but being geared to pull the ball so infrequently seems to result in more doubles than home runs for Stewart. Even though he handles velocity well, his load can be a bit rushed at times, which may contribute to his challenges to pull the ball in the air as frequently as he’d like.

Slashing his ground ball rate by 8% from 2023 to 2024 helps his case to dream on average game power, as does his good feel for the barrel. He recognizes spin well and is a patient hitter overall walking at a roughly 15% clip as a pro. Above average contact skills and approach help solidify Stewart’s offensive floor, but if he can convert his above average raw power to even just average game power, he should be more than productive enough to be an everyday third baseman.

Defense/Speed

Stewart has worked on his quickness as a professional which has translated into better footwork at the hot corner, though his range is still fringy. He doesn’t necessarily make everything look the most natural, but his above average arm and decent hands help him make the plays he needs to make. He started to see more reps at second base as well in 2024 where he’s a bit clunky, but passable. Though he is not the fleetest of foot, Stewart is an opportunistic base stealer, swiping 25 bags on 31 tries through his first 210 professional games.

Outlook

While it is hit-over-power at this point, Stewart’s above average raw power and declining ground ball rate provide belief that he can tap into average game power. With limited value beyond the bat, it would greatly help his chances of sticking as an above average regular, but with the ability to at least move between two infield positions and great on base skills, he is a high probability big leaguer whose ceiling will be dependent on whether the high Hard-Hit rates convert into game power.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 3rd Round (87), 2024 (CIN) | ETA: 2027

Few prospects have seen their stock endure more turbulence than Sirota. Viewed as a potential top 10 pick heading into the 2024 collegiate season, he really struggled through the first half, falling to the Reds in the third round before being traded to the Dodgers along with a compensation pick for Gavin Lux. Sirota burst onto the scene as one of the best hitters in the Minor Leagues through the first several months of the 2025 season, posting significantly higher exit velocities with wood than he did with metal the year prior.

Hitting

Starting with his feet a bit wider than shoulder-width and his back foot pigeon-toed inwards, Sirota utilizes a rhythmic hand load that can be a little noisy, but he seems to time his moves well in large part to him starting his load early with good lower half balance. The more upright setup was a large shift from his crouched stance he featured at Northeastern, where he struggled to keep his weight back and had the tendency to pull off of the baseball.

The changes have yielded significantly improved results, seeing his 90th percentile exit velocity leap from 103.5 MPH with metal to 108 MPH with wood through his first 30 or so pro games. There’s still some swing and miss, with a hit tool that will likely be fringy at best, but he hedges that concern with an extremely selective approach and strong ability to recognize spin.

Now flashing what could be plus power and comfort driving the ball to all fields, Sirota could slug more than enough if he skews closer to the three trout outcome outlook offensively, though there’s still time to iron things out further bat-to-ball wise.

Defense/Speed

An above average runner, Sirota gets good jumps in centerfield with an above average arm giving him a good shot of sticking up the middle with the ability to be a plus defender in a corner. Stolen bases are not a huge part of his game, but he should provide some value on the base paths.

Outlook

Sirota’s outlook has shifted as he has tapped into what could be plus power, taking some pressure off of the hit tool. With his knack for drawing walks and chance of sticking in center or providing defensive value in a corner, Sirota has the potential to be an above average outfield option. His ability to mash lefties and play all three outfield spots gives him a solid floor of at least a platoon piece.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 220 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 2nd Round (45), 2020 (SD) | ETA: 2025

A big left-handed hitter with some of the best raw power in the minors, Caissie has immense power upside while making progress with his approach and defense.

Offense

Standing at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Caissie possesses some of the best raw power in the Minor Leagues with potentially more in the tank. Starting upright, Caissie sinks into his back side as he loads with a simple toe-tap for timing.

Caissie has found more consistency with his pre-swing moves as he has compiled at-bats, syncing his upper and lower half more effectively. This has not only helped him hit the ball harder, but also in the air more consistently, converting more of his 70-grade raw power into usable game pop.

When everything is in sync for Caissie, you can see flashes of a potentially special power bat. His long levers which help him create his massive power can also result in a bit too much whiff, but he has steadily made progress in that regard while being challenged with relatively aggressive assignments to the upper levels.

Since the start of the 2023 season, Caissie’s 90th percentile exit velocity of 109 MPH is one of the better figures in the minor leagues. He has posted solid splits left on left, aiding his overall hit outlook.

Defense/Speed

Caissie moves well for his size, but his limited experience in the outfield heading into 2022 was evident in his reads and routes. He has come a long way since then, projecting as an average defender in right with a plus plus arm. Caissie is an above average runner when underway and started to become more of a factor on the base paths, swiping 11 bags on 13 tries in 2024.

Outlook

Despite being young for the level, Caissie turned in another strong offensive campaign, producing a 121 wRC+ in his age 21 season at Triple-A. Caissie has the power to eclipse 30 home runs with ease, but the hit tool questions will cast a slight shadow over his profile until he proves it at the highest level. He could benefit from being a bit more selective at the plate as well. With his strides defensively and solid numbers left on left, Caissie looks like a quality everyday corner outfielder who likely skews towards the three true outcomes.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (7), 2023 (CIN) | ETA: 2024

Lowder made his closing argument as the second best college arm in the 2023 draft by going toe-to-toe with Paul Skenes in a winner-take-all semifinal game in Omaha. As expected, Lowder flew through the minor leagues, making his MLB debut after just 22 starts where he showed well. Lowder is a high floor arm with middle-rotation upside.

Arsenal

A four pitch mix, Lowder wields a pair of fastballs: a four seamer that averaged just above 94 mph in 2024 and a sinker a tick slower. Lowder utilizes the four seamer more frequently to lefties and while nothing jumps off of the page, he varies the shape between run and ride and true ride, throwing hitters off. Across all levels, Lowder held left-handed hitters to an OPS right around .600. The sinker is his preferred weapon to righties, averaging 17 inches of horizontal break while picking up a ground ball rate north of 60%.

Lowder’s mid 80s slider is his best pitch. The gyro action it features and his feel to consistently locate it resulted in a ground ball rate north of 50% in 2024 with high chase figures. His 86-88 mph changeup has not been as consistent as a pro, but has the potential to be a comfortably above average pitch.

Outlook

Plus command of a quality four pitch mix makes Lowder a high probability MLB starter. The effectiveness of his duo of fastballs in his pro debut and MLB debut only help his case. If Lowder can regain his the feel for his changeup he flashed at Wake Forest, he has the upside of a No. 3 option. His ability to get contact on the ground and prevent free passes makes him a great fit to handle the offensive haven that is Great American Ball Park.

Height/Weight: 6’0”, 175 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $297,500 – 2023 (LAD) | ETA: 2028

A well-rounded ballplayer with a chance to stick in centerfield, Quintero tore up the DSL and Arizona Complex League, reaching Low-A prior to his 19th birthday in 2024.

Hitting

Starting upright with his hands high, Quintero gathers with a hovering leg kick, showcasing good athleticism and patience in the box. His upper and lower half can get out of sync, impacting his ability to tap into power consistently. He flashed average pop in his age 18 season, posting exit velocities as high as 109 MPH, but his average exit velocity of 84 MPH and elevated ground ball rate were likely a result of being out of sync.

Quintero emerged in 2025 with much more patterned swing mechanics and a path more conducive to lifting the ball. He cut his ground ball rate by nearly 10% through the first third of the 2025 season while his average exit velocity jumped to 89 MPH through his first 40 games. His sub 20% chase rate helped him walk at a 17% clip between the Arizona Complex League and Low-A, which paired with his slightly above average contact rates, should help him keep the strikeout rate in check.

Since the hit tool is likely closer to average than plus, it will be important for Quintero to tap into more power as he matures. There’s room for strength within his frame, giving him the potential to flirt with 20 homers while getting on base at a strong clip. His patience should help hedge some of the in-zone whiff.

Defense/Speed

A plus runner, Quintero already looks the part in centerfield, getting good jumps with the closing speed to cover plenty of ground. With an above average arm as well, he has the ingredients to be an above average defender up the middle as he refines his routes a bit more. Quintero is an aggressive base runner, swiping 32 bags on 38 tries in 83 games in 2024.

Outlook

Quintero’s average offensive skill set and potential for above average defense in centerfield give him a great chance of at least landing as a bench outfield piece, but if he is able to tap into more power there’s enough upside to be an everyday centerfielder. If Quintero responds well to his first full season at Low-A, he could see his prospect stock rise quickly.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (43), 2024 (CWS) | ETA: 2028

The Gatorade High School Player of the Year in back-to-back years in Michigan, Bonemer enjoyed a decorated high school career, but produced inconsistent results on the summer circuit, causing him into late first round consideration. The White Sox were thrilled to sign him away from a UVA commitment with first round money ($3 million), betting on his exciting offensive upside which stacked up with just about any prep hitter outside of the top 15 picks.

Offense

Starting upright with a slight favor towards his back side weight wise, Bonemer utilizes a very simple operation in the box with almost no hand movement and just a short stride. He is so stagnant that it may result in him being too stiff or lacking rhythm. That said, he has showcased a decent feel for the barrel with a direct path that points towards a potentially average hit tool. He has already demonstrated a great feel for the strike zone, recognizing spin well with a solid approach. Through his first 50 pro games, he sported a chase rate right around 16%.

There’s not a ton of room for strength to be added to his frame, but he is already physical, producing above average exit velocities with what looks like minimal effort. He also has had little issue elevating with consistency in the early going of his pro career. There’s good on base skills and above average power to dream on.

Defense/Speed

Bonemer has the arm and actions to stick on the left side of the infield, with the White Sox brass encouraged by his defensive chops at shortstop in the early going. There’s a chance he could slide over to third base, where he would likely project as an average defender or better. He’s an above average runner who should be a decent threat on the base paths.

Outlook

Bonemer created some positive buzz with a strong showing in the bridge league at the end of 2024 and carried the success into a hot start to his full season career in 2025. Early returns have made it easy to envision above average power in Bonemer’s future with the plate discipline and sneaky athleticism to further elevate his profile. If he can stick at shortstop, Bonemer’s stock will soar, but even with the chance of moving to third base, his offensive abilities have made him one of the more intriguing prospects in the White Sox organization.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/L | 1st Round (39), 2022 (SDP) | ETA: 2025

A top linebacker recruit in high school, Snelling is one of the more athletic pitchers you’ll find. After dominating to a 1.82 ERA across 103.2 IP. His stuff backed up a bit in 2024 and with that his command at points, resulting in a frustrating sophomore year before being traded to the Marlins as the headliner in the Tanner Scott/Bryan Hoeing return.

Check out our interview with Robby Snelling!

Arsenal

A good feel for three pitches, Snelling features a fastball, curveball and changeup. Starting with his fastball, Snelling sat more 92-94 MPH in 2023, then saw his velocity drop a tick in 2024 before making some mechanical tweaks heading into 2025 that have allowed him to tick up to 93-96 MPH with improved carry.

In addition to his improved quality of fastball, Snelling’s mechanical tweaks helped him get his command back to where it typically has been, throwing strikes at an above average clip. He has leaned back into his sweeping curveball that had been effective for him early in his career, finding success with it in the upper minors both from a command and whiff perspective.

Snelling’s third offering is a changeup that is at least average and has benefitted from his improved fastball velocity and shape. He is not as consistent with it as his fastball and curveball, but it is a strong third pitch, averaging more than 13 inches of vertical separation and another six inches of horizontal.

Snelling added a gyro slider heading into 2025 which is a decent taste-breaking offering, especially left on left.

Outlook

After taking the Minor Leagues by storm in 2023, Snelling hit a wall in 2024 and was traded to the Marlins as part of the Tanner Scott/Bryan Hoeing return. As he detailed on The Call Up, Snelling worked hard in the offseason to optimize his mechanics and delivery, emerging in 2025 with the loudest stuff of his career and regained command. Snelling is a high probability back end starter who now looks like he could be pushing his ceiling a bit higher.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 205 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 4th Round (119), 2024 (CIN) | ETA: 2027

A California prep bat, Reimer was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, turned in an impressive first pro season in 2023 before injuries limited him to just 21 regular season games in 2024. The Mets sent Reimer out to the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost reps, where he posted mostly average numbers, but started to make the mechanical adjustments that have him breaking out in 2025.

Hitting

Reimer previously started with his weight stacked on his back side and back knee bowed out towards home. Starting so stacked with his back knee at that angle likely made it more difficult to hold his weight back as he began his launch, resulting in some drift forward.

He now starts more upright, coiling into his back side with rhythm along with his barrel getting into a slot that is much easier to get on plane (he dropped his hands too low with the bat more vertical as he loaded before).

These improvements have Reimer’s barrel living in the zone much longer while putting him in a more powerful position to hit. He has cut his ground ball rate by 10% while his hard hit rate has jumped from 33% in 2023 and 2024 combined to a whopping 49% through his first 50 games in 2025.

While finding more barrel depth, Reimer has maintained solid contact rates while his pitch recognition skills and feel for the strike zone stand out. There’s above average power potential with the feel to hit and approach to get into it.

Defense/Speed

Not necessarily the fleetest of foot, Reimer’s range is fringy at third base, but he has an above average arm and is comfortable throwing on the run and from different angles. He may ultimately profile best at first base, but Reimer should be able to provide passable defense at third.

Outlook

Earning high marks for his work ethic and knowledge of his swing, Reimer followed an injury-riddled 2024 season with tangible adjustments in the box and added strength that have him breaking out offensively in 2025. Even if there is limited value beyond the bat, Reimer has the offensive ingredients to get on base at an above average clip and hit 20-25 homers.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 175 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (8) – 2023 (KC) | ETA: 2026

A big power bat with the tools to stick behind the dish, Mitchell offers as much upside as just about any catcher prospect.

Offense

Starting narrow and upright, Mitchell starts his load with a sink into his back side before a simple hand load and stride. He already utilizes his lower half exceptionally, controlling his body well with a swing that generates both loft and violence. His power to the pull side is already plus, blasting home runs upwards of 450 feet. Plus exit velocities prior to his 20th birthday and a ground ball rate around 30% make it easy to dream on at least 60 grade juice from Mitchell.

Hit tool was a concern for Mitchell as an amateur and while he may not compete for batting titles, the bat to ball has been better than many scouts expected, cutting his strikeout rate steadily as he has compiled more professional games. Mitchell is patient at the plate, running a chase rate below 20%, though his ability to recognize spin will have to improve some for his plate discipline to reach plus territory. He’s still projects to be at least above average in that regard. Palatable contact rates and a good approach could be all Mitchell needs to tap into his 30 home run upside.

Defense/Speed

A good athlete, Mitchell was an intriguing pitching prospect on the mound as an amateur as well, running his fastball up to 97 mph. He moves well behind the dish and is a strong receiver who works below the baseball very well with the hand strength to frame strikes at the top as well.

He has the arm to be an elite run stopper, but struggles with the transfer and has had some major accuracy issues in his first full pro season. Most of his throws would sail arm side while others would be spiked. If he can shore up the catch and throw side of things, Mitchell could be an above average defender. A fringy runner, Mitchell is savvy on the base paths and will steal bags when he is overlooked.

Outlook

Mitchell’s ability to tap into his plus raw power in games during his first full pro season paired with a better-than-expected contact rate and great feel for the strike zone make him an extremely exciting bat alone. The fact that he can not only stick behind the dish but potentially be solid there makes him an even more intriguing prospect. There’s shades of Cal Raleigh here with less chase.

Height/Weight: 5’9″, 185 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (29), 2024 (ARI) | ETA: 2028

Speed and twitch with an advanced feel for the barrel make Caldwell an exciting top-of-the-order type with staying power in center field.

Hitting

Starting slightly open with his weight on the ball of his front foot, Caldwell uses a small stride in tandem with a hand load that slots beneath his back shoulder, but his quick hands and impressive body control allow him to turn the barrel quickly and get on plane with elevated velocity.

A quick, compact stroke with the athleticism to allow him to be adjustable in the box, Caldwell has the ability to spray the ball all over the yard and get to pitches in all four quadrants. His path can be a bit flat, resulting in more ground balls than desired, though he has an easier time elevating pitches on the inner half, where he flashes average pop.

Cardwell does a good job of leveraging his smaller strike zone, recognizing spin well and laying off of velocity above the top of the zone. An advanced hitter for his age, Caldwell has the makings to handle the transition to pro ball more easily than his peers. Though he’s not the most imposing figure, his pound for pound strength and twitch give him enough power upside to hit plenty of doubles and around 15 homers. His line drive oriented path may result in a bit more of the former at the expense of the latter.

Defense/Speed

A plus runner, Caldwell covers plenty of ground in the outfield where he has a great motor and instincts. Between his closing speed and natural feel to track down balls efficiently with good jumps, Caldwell projects as a plus defender up the middle, even with a fringy arm. The same instincts spill onto the base paths where Caldwell should be able to wreak havoc and steal bases in bunches.

Outlook

A bit of a Kevin McGonigle/Jett Williams hybrid, Caldwell has the ingredients to similarly break out in a big way in his first pro season. Even if Caldwell’s power remains below average, his feel to hit, approach and defensive value in center field should make him an everyday player and WAR accumulator. If he is able to find fringy power, Cadlwell could be a well-above average regular at a premium position.

Height/Weight: 6’7″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $10,000, 2022 (NYY) | ETA: 2026

A towering, lanky right-hander, Lagrange worked on his conditioning and delivery heading into the 2025 season and the results have followed. Lagrange is throwing harder than ever along with more strikes.

Arsenal

Lagrange looks like a giant on the mound and has worked to make his delivery more simple and repeatable, sitting in the upper 90s with what looks like minimal effort. Lagrange’s fastball has ticked up to 98 MPH on average, touching 101 MPH with some run and ride.

Working off of his plus fastball is a sweeper and a slider that have both looked much improved for Lagrange. The gyro-slider sits in the mid 80s and can be tough for hitters to pick up out of his hand, making it his preferred secondary offering against lefties. His low 80s sweeper is a well above average pitch right on right while the changeup flashes average with the chance to be a quality fourth offering.

Outlook

Lagrange will need to expand on his impressive start in 2025 to fully shed the reliever risk that came with him after being challenged to throw strikes in his first several pro seasons, but he has taken a huge step in that direction by increasing his strike rate by 13% through his first eight starts of the 2025 season. After dealing with a back issue in 2024, Yankees have let Lagrange push close to 100 pitches in his starts in 2025 and he has successfully held his velocity deeper into starts. If Lagrange continues on his trajectory he could reach towards a middle-rotation outlook, but his improvements have him looking like at least a strong back end option with pops of more or a high leverage relief arm.

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $350K – 2019 (BOS) | ETA: 2026

Built like an NFL running back, Garcia is physical and athletic. He could use more refinement both offensively and defensively, but his natural ability really started to shine through in his breakout 2024 campaign that saw him climb three levels.

Hitting

Starting upright, Garcia gets into his lower half with a big leg kick as he sinks into his back side. His hands are extremely quick, but his swing is grooved for lift. The loft paired with strong bat speed helped Garcia launch 23 home runs and 52 extra base hits in 107 games in 2024, but also contributed to some challenges against elevated fastballs as well as staying on spin at times.

Garcia is an aggressive hitter, with a chase rate north of 30% and fringy contact rates, providing some concern that he could be challenged to get into his power consistently enough at the upper levels, but considering the fact that he started his age 22 season at the Double-A level in 2025, Garcia has plenty of time to refine his offensive game.

Defense/Speed

An above average runner, Garcia can cover a fair amount of ground in center field, but his jumps could be quicker and his routes more efficient. His closing speed and ability to finish plays make him capable of potentially sticking in centerfield, but he may project best in a corner where his plus arm will play well. Garcia’s speed hasn’t yet translated into a ton of stolen bases, as he was 17 for 24 in that department in 2024. 

Outlook

After two below average seasons to start his pro career, Garcia broke out in a big way in 2024, climbing three levels while posting an OPS near .900. The power and speed combination is exciting from Garcia, but he will need to clean up his approach and sharpen his reads and routes to continue on an above average regular track, but he has a good chance of at least settling as a toolsy platoon option.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 170 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $1.2M – 2022 (CLE) | ETA: 2027

The younger brother of Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio, Jaison is a switch-hitter with good contact skills and athleticism.

Offense

A switch hitter with a similar setup from both sides, Chourio starts slightly open with a hovering leg kick that gathers him into his backside. His athleticism is evident in the box, showcasing impressive adjustability and a good feel for the barrel. Already using his base well, Chourio is able to tap into a bit more impact than his slender frame may suggest. That said, he’s more likely to be a 10-15 home run threat with plenty of doubles.

Chourio is patient and sticks to his approach, helping him walk more than he has struck out at the lower levels. He is still working on recognizing breaking balls more consistently, but hedges that with the aforementioned adjustability, getting to tough pitches with B swings.

While his left-handed swing is a little more natural, the splits have been pretty consistent from both sides of the plate in Chourio’s professional career. It’s hit-over-power, but Chourio’s ability to draw walks and tap into at least gap-to-gap pop could make him a fun top of the order bat.

Defense/Speed

Despite being a plus runner, Chourio is a bit shaky in centerfield both from a reads and actions perspective. He likely projects best in a corner where his above average arm would play fine. Chourio has improved as a base stealer each season, looking like a potential 20-30 bag threat.

Outlook

Chourio’s feel to hit, approach and athleticism make him a higher floor prospect relative to his lower-level peers. The likelihood of moving off of centerfield puts more pressure on the bat, but there’s plenty of room to add strength on Chourio’s frame and he has already flashed some sneaky pop. He has the ingredients to be a top-of-the-order table setter who gets on base at a high clip.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 205 | Bat/Throw: R/R | PPI (31), 2024 (ARI) | ETA: 2027

A bat-first prospect who saw action all over the diamond throughout his collegiate career before settling on left field, Waldschmidt possesses intriguing offensive upside, but his limitations defensively place more importance on him tapping into more power.

Hitting

Starting wide and crouched, Waldschimdt deploys a no stride approach, shifting his weight into his back hip with a small hand load. While it is a simple operation, Waldschmidt’s swing is max effort and geared for lift, often swinging so hard his helmet nearly falls off of his head. His strong plate discipline and simple pre-swing moves aid his solid contact rates despite the violence once he launches.

Waldschmidt’s path is geared for pull-side lift and his uphill path can result in some challenges with stuff at the top of the zone as well as soft stuff down and away, though he has been more effective against pitches in both locations as a pro. He hedges that concern with his selective approach and ability to turn around velocity in general. Between his collegiate season and brief pro debut, Waldschmidt ran a chase rate of just 15%. There’s potential for a blend of average hit and power, accentuated by a knack for getting on base.

Defense/Speed

Despite being an above average runner, Waldschmidt struggled to find a steady defensive home throughout his collegiate career due to unnatural actions and a below average arm. Upon transferring from Charleston Southern to Kentucky, Waldschmidt predominantly was stashed in left field where his speed helped compensate for iffy reads and floating routes. Waldschmidt provides value on the base paths and should be a threat for around 20 bags annually.

Outlook

Waldchmidt was off to a fantastic start on the Cape before tearing his ACL. He still was able to return to the field for the start of the 2024 season, but the missed summer and injury did not help the already prevalent defensive questions surrounding him. As a result, Waldschmidt slipped to the Diamondbacks with the 31st overall pick. He has the offensive ingredients to get on base at a high clip and provide 20-25 home runs. If Waldschmidt can develop into a passable defender in left field, there’s enough offensive value to be a big league regular.

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (12), 2021 (SEA) | ETA: 2026

Ford is very unique. He has come along a good bit defensively, but is still a bit of a tweener offensively. His approach, defense and speed should carry him with the leap behind the dish taking plenty of pressure off of the bat.

Offense

A physical 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, Ford generates impressive bat speed and a lofty swing geared for lift. Ford scrapped the leg kick in favor of a toe tap in 2024, but still battled the tendency to drift forward prematurely. He found more balance and consistency with his lower half heading into 2025 and the results have been evident, especially with velocity. He also featured quite a lofty path that helped him slug more than his exit velocities would imply, but made it difficult to cover the top of the zone.

The shift against velocity has been dramatic for Ford in 2025 as he is giving himself more time to get the barrel out with an uptick in bat speed. His path is slightly flatter which has resulted in a higher ground ball rate, though his exit velocities and contact rates have climbed, helping him do more damage on contact, hitter-friendly PCL aside.

Ford’s elite plate discipline helps solidify his offensive floor as he his likely to get on base at a strong clip even with average contact rates. It’s a unique offensive profile, but even with a 15+ homer outlook he could provide above average production.

Defense/Speed

Drafted as a project defensively, Ford has made significant progress as a blocker and receiver, cutting his passed balls from 20 in 2023 to just five in 2024. Ford’s transfer and arm strength have made gains at the upper levels as well, helping him limit the run game at an improved clip. He should be an average defensive catcher.

An easy plus runner, Ford also saw action in left field for the first time in his pro career towards the end of his Double-A season. The Mariners have somewhat put that experiment on ice as Ford has progressed behind the dish, but could be worth revisiting if he forces his way to the big leagues. An aggressive base runner, Ford swiped 35 bags on 44 tries in 116 games during the 2024 season, though he has been more hesitant to steal in Triple-A.

Outlook

Ford earns high marks for his makeup and work ethic and his steady improvements as a catcher only help validate that assertion. Even if the hit and power are average at best, his superb on base skills and speed should help maximize his offensive value and the uptick in contact and quality of contact in 2025 with what looks like solidly average defense behind the dish only helps solidify his high probability of landing as a big league regular.

Height/Weight: 5’9″, 225 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $450,000, 2022 (PHI) | ETA: 2027

Signed for $450,000 out of Venezuela in 2022, Escobar struggled through his first two pro seasons in the Dominican before what looked to be the beginning of a breakout in the Arizona Complex League, posting a .966 OPS through 24 games, limited by shin splints in both legs. He has picked up right where he left of in the Florida State League, an intriguing blend of hit and power.

Hitting

Starting upright with his front foot up on his toes and pointed inwards with the bat upright, Escobar utilizes a hovering stride, keeping his weight back well while staying in rhythm. His hands are impressively quick, boasting above average bat speed and he does not get cheated on his swings.

His early load and ability to hold his back side with minimal hand movement allows him to see the ball early, turning around velocity well with good pitch recognition skills. Though the path can be somewhat flat, Escobar’s out-front contact point allows him to elevate to the pull side and drive hard line drives to all fields.

Escobar’s ability to draw walks and produce above average contact rates within the zone paired with his above average raw power give him the potential to be an above average offensive threat who could hit plenty of doubles and potentially flirt with 20 homers if he finds a bit more depth in his swing.

Defense/Speed

Escobar has a stocky build limiting his range at second base, though his arm is well above average for the position. He is likely an average defender in the best-case scenario. Though the speed is fringy, Escobar will swipe a bag when the opportunity presents itself and is not a clog on the base paths.

Outlook

It’s an bat-driven profile for Escobar, but he has the potential to be an above average offensive threat at second base. There’s a great chance for at least average hit, accentuated by above average plate discipline and power. Escobar has had an easy time with Low-A competition despite the lost reps in 2024 and could see his prospect stock continue to rise if he can maintain his offensive output in High-A, which the underlying data points towards.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (26), 2022 (MIN) | ETA: 2025

Petty tossed a career-high 137 innings in his age 21 season at the upper levels in 2024, hedging some of the durability concerns that had clouded his outlook some in the past. His fastball shape remains a bugaboo, but his secondaries and feel to pitch continue to get better.

Arsenal

A five pitch mix, Petty wields a pair of fastballs and a pair of sliders, along with a changeup. His fastball velocity has never been a question, sitting in the upper 90s since he was in high school. The four seamer averaged 97 mph in 2024 while the two seamer sits nearly two ticks lower. From his low release height, Petty’s four seamer plays slightly better, but it hovers around the dead zone, resulting in hitters barreling it at a high clip despite the plus velocity.

It’s likely difficult for Petty to create the desired ride from his low three-quarters release, but he also struggles to kill vert on his sinker, leading the two to blend together near the aforementioned dead zone. He only threw the two seamer in 2023 to mixed results, but seems to have more comfort throwing the four seamer both harder and for strikes.

Petty’s best pitch is his 89-91 mph gyro slider that darts below barrels of both righties and lefties. Because of how much arm side run his fastballs generate, the glove side cut plays up, resulting in righties waving at it when he locates it on the outer half while lefties can easily get tied up. The sheer velocity of the pitch and late action allows Petty to get away with leaving the pitch up, but it’s wipeout when he locates it in the lower third of the zone.

He introduced a sweeper in 2024 and found a much more consistent feel for it in the second half of the season, averaging around 13 inches of horizontal break. He took a half tick off of it over his final 15 starts, generating an extra inch of horizontal while locating it more consistently with sharper bite. Opponents hit .175 against the pitch over that span.

Petty’s changeup looks like an average offering, but has flashed more than that, averaging around 17 inches of arm side run, creating more than 30 inches of horizontal separation from his fastball and sweeper. He has the tendency to drop is arm a bit lower for his changeup, making it slightly easier for hitters to pick up while challenging his ability to consistently locate it, landing it for a strike just 54% of the time in 2024.

Outlook

An impressive athlete on the mound, Petty has cruised through the minor leagues and finds himself knocking on the door of a 2025 debut despite being a cold weather prep arm who was traded roughly a year into his professional career. He has clearly played around with his fastball in an effort to find the most effective shape and use.

If he is able to create more vertical and horizontal separation between his fastballs, it’s easy to see middle-rotation upside with a pair of impressive breaking balls and serviceable changeup to complement. Until then, he likely projects closer to a solid No. 4 starter.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 190 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $30K , 2021 (LAD) | ETA: 2026

A switch-hitter with plus raw power Liranzo already looks like one of the biggest steals in the 2021 IFA class for just $30k.

Offense

On the left side, Liranzo starts open with his hands high, featuring a big leg kick that he controls well. From the right side, his feet are even to start and he sinks into his backside before a much smaller stride. Inconsistencies from the right side have resulted in Liranzo tinkering with different pre-swing mechanisms, something he has not needed to do from the left side. The right-handed swing has come a long way and looks much more natural after his latest adjustments.

Liranzo has boasted plus exit velocities since he was a teenager, launching tape-measure shots upwards of 450 feet and 114 mph. His path can flatten out some, but he compensates for that with his high-end exit velocities and ability to drive the ball to all fields with authority.

Approach wise, Liranzo seems to get better each time you check in, especially from the left-side of the plate. Improved pitch recoginition and plate discipline has helped hedge his struggles with secondary stuff, but he will need to improve his ability to hit sliders in particular as he climbs levels.

The hit tool may ultimately be fringy, but there’s plus game power to dream on as he learns to elevate with a bit more consistency with an above average ability to draw free passes.

Defense/Speed

A solid blocker, Liranzo is athletic behind the dish and moves well. While his arm is plus, his catch and throw skills need some work, struggling to get the ball out of his glove smoothly at times and throwing flat footed. His iffy pocket awareness can impact his framing at points as well. His mobility and arm should make him passable at the position and his framing will look solid through stretches before the ball will just pop out of his glove a couple times per game. Overall, he should be able to get by at catcher.

Outlook

Liranzo provides a tantalizing profile as a switch-hitting catcher with plus power and good shot at sticking behind the dish. Projecting as a fringy hitter at best, his swing decisions and ability to tap into his impact in games will be important. Considering the positive trend and helpful adjustments we have seen from the right-handed swing alone, there’s good reason to believe that he can continue to mitigate the whiff enough.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 220 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 3rd Round (85) – TOR – 2021 | ETA: 2026

One of the most talented pitching prospects in the minors, Tiedemann has the potential for three plus pitches along with decent command. It’s all about availability for the southpaw who will return from Tommy John surgery in 2026 having thrown just 140 innings since 2022.

Arsenal

Throwing from a low arm slot, Tiedemann generates a ton of arm speed allowing his already impressive arsenal to play up. The southpaw has three impressive offerings but the combination of his plus fastball and plus changeup has helped him carve up more experienced hitters.

Tiedemann’s fastball sits 94-96 MPH, topping at 99 MPH with plenty of ride and arm-side run. The pitch really jumps out of his hand from the low release point and gets on hitters quickly. Tiedemann maintains his arm speed really well with his plus changeup, making it really difficult to differentiate out of his hand. The change sits in the mid 80s with roughly 18 inches of arm-side fade.

His sweeper has started to emerge as his best out pitch in 2022 and he started to favor it far more than his changeup in 2023. The pitch features sharp break in the low 80s. Tiedemann gained confidence in the pitch as the year went on, dominating hitters to the tune of a .140 batting average with a swinging strike rate of 22% in 2023.

A big guy at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Tiedemann can struggle at times to sync up his mechanics, but has has a decent feel for his entire arsenal giving him a chance for average command. His stuff is so good that he can succeed in a rotation with fringy command.

Outlook

Tiedemann easily could’ve debuted in 2023 had arm flare ups not taken him off course over the last couple seasons. He showed well in the Arizona Fall League before dealing with leg issues that delayed his start to the 2024 season just to ultimately be shut down in his first Triple-A start with what would be a turn UCL.

Tiedemann’s command was understandably inconsistent as he dealt with arm issues and bounced back and forth from the IL to the mound, but even in his dominant 2022 showing, the feel to land his secondaries came and went. After more than a year of a layoff, his command will be an important wrinkle to monitor beyond velocity and his overall arm health. All things considered, Tiedemann still has frontline upside given his three plus pitches from the left side, but he will need to prove he can handle the workload and throw enough strikes.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 230 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (20), 2024 (TOR) | ETA: 2026

Comfortably the third best college arm in the 2024 class behind only Chase Burns and Hagen Smith, Yesavage slipped to the latter third of the first round due to some health concerns, but early returns have justified the Blue Jays decision to take him at pick No. 20 as Yesavage’s good feel for a quality three pitch mix should help him get to Toronto quickly.

Arsenal

Yesavage releases his three pitch mix from what would be one of the highest points in baseball, roughly 7.1 feet high. Such a towering release point can hedge the perceived ride of a fastball, but Yesavage averages north of 20 inches of induced vertical break in the mid 90s, still making it an above average fastball that can play well at the top. There’s also more deception built in compared to the average over-the-top release, as his shoulders rock backwards with his glove high.

The high release and ability to hide the ball works in the favor of his secondaries, both of which featuring good vertical separation from the fastball. Yesavage took a huge leap with his splitter in his draft year, with the pitch looking like a plus offering in the mid 80s. Averaging nearly 20 inches of total separation, the pitch is difficult to pick up out of the hand, generating high chase rates and a lot of ground balls.

Yesavage’s 86-88 MPH gyro slider was his most trusted secondary through his collegiate career. The vertical action on it makes it effective against hitters of both handedness, though it plays best against righties, where it flashes above average. It was a consistent weapon for him in his junior season picking up a third of his strikeouts with it, while allowing just one extra base hit.

Outlook

The Blue Jays started conservative with a relatively conservative assignment, kicking his pro career off at Low-A where he immediately overwhelmed hitters. It’s more control over command for Yesavage, but his ability to generate both high chase and whiff rates has helped him navigate in starts where he is not around the zone as much. Despite the conservative assignment, Yesavage is a likely candidate to climb quickly with the pitch mix to dream

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 215 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $3.7M, 2023 (TB) | ETA: 2028

Huge power potential is what earned Guerrero a nearly $4 million pay day in the 2023 IFA cycle and he immediately put that power on display in a handful of DSL games before going down with a shoulder injury. He returned to action in 2024 looking like a force from the left side once again.

Offense

Starting stacked on his back side with his bat rested on his shoulder, Guerrero loads with a coil and moderate stride. Already posting exit velocities of 109 mph prior to his 17th birthday, Guerrero topped that in the early going of the 2024 season with 111 mph off of the bat in the Florida Complex League. There’s some concern that Guerrero could be stiff in the box as he matures which could have a negative impact on his hit tool.

That said, he presently moves pretty well in the box for how physical he already is and has demonstrated the ability to handle velocity well in the early going of his pro career, rarely swinging and missing through fastballs. Already possessing a good feel for the strike zone, Guerrero should walk plenty and can hedge hit tool concerns with good swing decisions.

There’s easy plus power to dream on with Guerrero and while he comes with some risk contact wise, early returns have been positive in that department and the plate discipline only helps.

Defense/Speed

An average runner, Guerrero is still finding his footing in the outfield, projecting best in a corner spot where his plus arm will play well. He is still seeing some action in centerfield in the meantime, but will likely slide over to right field as he climbs levels. He is quick enough to mix in a handful of bags annually.

Outlook

It’s all about the bat for Guerrero, but the fact that he can potentially provide average defense in a corner helps his outlook. Even with a fringy hit tool, his plus power and on base skills could make him a middle of the order masher. Guerrero is far off and is as high variance as just about any prospect you’ll find ranked as highly as he is. That said, getting more looks at the big ticket IFA has made it clear that he has huge upside. Guerrero will need to prove that he can stay on the field as well, only playing 35 games in the last two seasons at the DSL and Florida Complex League due to a recurrent shoulder issue.

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 225 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 3rd Round (87), 2023 (MIL) | ETA: 2027

Huge power potential with more polish than you’d expect from a 6-foot-4, 225 pound teenager, Bitonti turned heads at the Complex in his age 18 season, earning himself a promotion to Low-A where he continued to impress. He will need to overcome his whiff concerns, but has the components to do so.

Hitting

Starting upright with his hands rested in front of his back shoulder, Bitonti uses a gathering top tap as he sinks deep into his back side. He controls his lower half extremely well for such a long-levered hitter, engaging his back side effectively to help him do damage and consistently drive the ball in the air. Bitonti’s barrel lives in the zone for a long time, giving him a wider margin for error contact wise and allowing him to do damage to all fields.

Bitonti is already plenty patient in the box, running a chase rate below 20% in 2024 while walking at a 16% clip between the Complex League and Low-A. Already hitting home runs as hard as 111 MPH prior to his 19th birthday, there’s more room in the tank for Bitonti from a raw power perspective. He already gets into his pop in game thanks to a 30% ground ball rate and a hard hit rate north of 50%.

The aforementioned swing path of Bitonti also aids his ability to hit lefties as well, posting strong numbers left on left in his first pro season. Though there’s inevitably going to be swing and miss with a player of Bitonti’s profile, he hedges that with his approach and some adjustability in the box. Even when he is fooled, he has demonstrated the ability to stay back enough to do damage on his B swings. Bitonti easily boasts 30 home run upside with good on base skills.

Defense/Speed

Bitonti has transitioned to first base where he profiles as a potentially above average defender given his athleticism for his size and decent hands. He’s a sneaky runner for a player of his stature, swiping 12 bags on 15 tries in 2024 and is on pace to exceed that number in 2025.

Outlook

It was a standout first full pro season for Bitonti, mashing 16 homers in just 79 games between the Complex League and Low-A as an 18-year-old. As is the case with any corner infield profile, Bitonti is going to need to mash to be an impactful big leaguer, but he has the potential to do just that with plus plus raw power and an advanced feel to elevate with consistency.

Pair hard hit baseballs at the ideal angles with a patient approach and it’s easy to dream on an exciting power profile and palate the presumably high strikeout rate. Bitonti has 30+ home run upside with above average defense at first base. More whiff has crept into his game in 2025 and the Brewers are working with Bitonti to pattern his load and manage his long levers more consistently. If he can even be a 40 grade hitter, he will likely slug enough to be an above average big league power bat.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 190 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 2nd Round (51), 2024 (CIN) | ETA: 2028

Looks have been limited of Lewis as he is set to make his official pro debut in 2025, but he flashed intriguing tools across the board in the bridge league, providing some early validation for the well over-slot $3.05 million deal the team signed him to.

Hitting

Starting upright with his hands rested just above the letters on his chest and the bat vertical, Lewis utilizes a leg kick that will vary from medium to no stride with two strikes. Previously having the tendency to flatten out, Lewis cleaned up his path some in his draft year, getting his hands to a better spot prior to launch to create a more ideal angle to the ball.

Lewis is impressively explosive rotationally, coiling into his back side with his load before uncorking elite bat speed. He is aggressive and his max effort swing could result in a lack of adjustability, however the raw power is eye-popping for a 19-year-old who has continued to add strength. There’s plus power or more to dream on with the question being whether he hits enough to get into it.

Defense/Speed

A plus runner, Lewis moves his feet well with an adequate arm for shortstop. Like many young prep infielders, his actions and internal clock are a work in progress, but his quickness gives him a good chance to stick at the position. He should be a factor on the base paths with his quick burst speed.

Outlook

Positive changes both mechanically and physically had the arrow pointing upwards for Lewis as the draft approached and his showing in the bridge league only helped that. There’s enough athleticism and upside to dream on an everyday shortstop if the progress continues and while it looks like a power-over-hit profile, the power and athleticism may be immense enough to tolerate the bat-to-ball and approach lagging behind some.

Height/Weight: 5’9″, 170 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $1.3M – 2023 (CLE) | ETA: 2028

A prototypical Guardians prospect, Francisca boasts impressive bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate and a solid glove up the middle, earning him a $1.3 million pay day in the 2023 IFA period.

Offense

Only slightly different setups from each side of the plate, Francisca starts crouched from the left side and open. His pre-swing moves are very similar, utilizing a rhythmic leg kick from both sides of the plate. His barrel accuracy and knack for hitting immediately stood out from both sides of the plate upon entering pro ball, making it to the Arizona Complex League prior to his 18th birthday and to Low-A shortly after, where he put up a 141 wRC+ in 29 games.

Small in stature, Francisca is capped power wise, but generates above average bat speed, especially from the right side. His path is flatter, resulting in more ground balls, though that should improve as he cleans up his mechanics a bit.

Already possessing a solid approach, Francisca has walked more than he has struck between the DSL and Complex, with an ability to recognize spin that is ahead of his peers. There’s potentially a scrappy, low strikeout, high contact profile here with enough bat speed to produce plenty of doubles.

Defense/Speed

A good athlete with above average wheels, Francisca is ahead of his years in the field, reading hops well with soft hands and an above average arm. He’s still getting comfortable throwing from different angles and on the run, but that should come with reps. He has the chops to stick at short, though a move to second base isn’t out of the question. Francisca swiped 19 bags on 23 tries in 2024 and appeared to grow more comfortable with the green light as the season progressed.

Outlook

Mashing between the Complex League and Low-A shortly after his 18th birthday, Francisca is cut from a similar cloth to many of the prospects who the Guardians have moved through the Minor Leagues quickly. Relatively speaking, the floor is higher for Francisca than most teenage middle-infielders, though it’s worth wondering how much upside there is given his frame and lack of a true plus tool. Having such an advanced feel to hit from both sides of the plate with at least gap to gap power and a shot to stick at short, there’s a table-setting middle-infield profile to dream on.

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 180 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $4.7M – 2023 (SEA) | ETA: 2027

Extremely toolsy and projectable, Celesten earned the second biggest pay day out of the 2023 IFA class. His pro debut was delayed until 2024 due to a hamstring injury, playing just 32 games before undergoing wrist surgery for what Mariners officials called a prior hamate issue that had been lingering. He has five tool potential, but is very raw and it is hard to develop from the IL.

Offense

A switch hitter with an athletic swing form both sides of the plate, Celesten features a big leg kick that he starts early and controls well. His right-handed swing is a bit ahead of his left-handed swing, controlling his lower half more effectively with a more efficient path. It’s not uncommon for right-side dominant switch-hitters to fight some swing path and drift issues from the left side and Celesten already boasts impressive bat speed from both sides. Cleaning up his path some should help him mitigate his higher ground ball rates.

Already whippy with impressive impact for his age, Celesten is wiry with room for more strength. There’s at least above average power projection as he fills out and utilizes the ground more effectively. Admittedly, plate discipline is difficult to put a grade on at this point considering how little Celesten has played at this point. Even limited looks at the prized free agent make it easy to understand why he commanded so much attention as his offensive tools are tantalizing.

Defense/Speed

Quick and twitchy, Celesten moves his feet well at shortstop with impressive range. His glove work is impressively advanced, comfortable picking to his backhand or crashing in to his forehand with smooth actions while getting the ball out quick. He possesses a well above average to potentially plus arm as well. It’s easy to envision plus defensive potential with Celesten. A plus runner, Celesten takes galloping strides that chew up plenty of ground quickly. He should be a factor on the base paths.

Outlook

Limited looks make Celesten still a tough read heading into 2025. After the hamstring strain wiped out his chance to play in the Dominican Summer League last season, Celesten leapt straight to the Complex League to make his pro debut as an 18-year-old and flashed his star potential that earned him a nearly $5 million payday, but was limited to just 32 games.

He finished the year on a torrid streak despite the presumed nagging wrist issue, picking up 11 hits in his final 15 at-bats. Power and speed from both sides of the plate with defensive tools at shortstop does not grow on trees. Acknowledging that plenty has to go right, Celesten could be a switch-hitting five-tool shortstop with as much potential as just about any prospect who played at the complex in 2024.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 200 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (18), 2024 (TB) | ETA: 2028

Advanced for a prep bat, Gillen slid just beyond the middle of the first round due to a rough injury history and an anticipated change from the infield dirt to the outfield as a pro. Gillen had surgery for a torn labrum in 2022 and dealt with knee and wrist issues after that with a delayed start to the 2025 season due to a calf issue. 

The Rays moved Gillen to centerfield where his plus wheels could play well as he gains more experience and reps, but his offensive upside is what the organization was mostly betting on when they snagged him 18th overall. 

Already with a smooth left-handed swing and patient approach, there’s power to dream on in Gillen’s 6-foot-3 frame as he matures physically and learns to utilize his lower half more effectively. He has showed signs of doing so in the early going of his pro career, popping exit velocities as high as 112 MPH with a hard hit rate north of 45% through his first 25 Low-A games. He may ultimately trend towards hit-over-power, but with potentially plus raw power in the tank and plus plate discipline, there would still be plenty going for him offensively.

Getting through a full pro season healthy will be an important first step, especially when taking on a physically demanding position like centerfield. The Rays may take Gillen’s development slowly, but he has a chance to provide above average power and plus speed at a premium position.

Height/Weight: 5’9″, 170 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $3M, 2023 (PHI) | ETA: 2028

A slick fielding shortstop, Caba is a switch-hitter who is far more advanced at the plate than his peers.

Offense

A switch hitter with a quiet operation from both sides, Caba is a contact-oriented hitter with a quick and compact stroke. Between his efficiency and feel for the barrel, Caba has posted some of the better contact rates at the complex. Like many shorter-levered contact hitters, Caba’s swing path is a bit flatter, resulting in more ground balls. He has already flashed more gap to gap impact in 2024, driving fastballs in the air more consistently than he did in the Dominican Summer League.

Caba’s knowledge of the strike zone is also advanced for his age, running one of the lowest chase rates in both the DSL and Complex Leagues and helping him walk twice as much as he has struck out as a pro.

While there’s room within Caba’s modest frame for some more strength, he’ll likely be a below average power source. There’s potential for plus hit and plate discipline that would make him an ideal top of the order bat.

Defense/Speed

A plus runner with great footwork at short, Caba is a rangy shortstop with an above average arm and mature instincts. He attacks the ball with confidence, demonstrating the ability to make difficult throws on the run from different angles. He projects as an easy plus defender with potentially elite defensive ability at shortstop. He should be an above average stolen base threat.

Outlook

One of the more advanced players you’ll find below full season ball, Caba has the ingredients to climb through the Minor Leagues quickly. He compensates for his lack of power projection by providing value in just about every other facet of the game. Between his likelihood of sticking at shortstop and contact/on base skills, Caba’s floor is higher than most other teenage prospects while still offering enough upside to dream on an above average everyday shortstop.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (56) – NYM (2023) | ETA: 2025

Drafted by the Mets twice, (90th overall in 2022), it was dazzling stuff that made Sproat a first round candidate as the 2023 draft approached, however below average command dropped him to the second round. Sproat exploded in 2024, looking like one of the more exciting pitching prospects in baseball before his stuff and command regressed in Triple-A clouding his outlook some for the time being.

Arsenal

At his best, Sproat boasts three above average offerings with his fastball and changeup being plus. Featuring a four-seamer and two-seamer at the University of Florida, Sproat has since cut down his usage of the latter in favor of his four-seam fastball with improved ride in the upper 90s. He lost some of that ride with the Triple-A baseball as his spin rate dropped below 2,000 RPM. As a result, he has leaned back into the two-seamer to try to get more ground balls given the dip in whiff within the zone on the four seamer.

His sweeper has lost nearly 200 RPM too, lacking the bite that it had at Double-A in 2024 while his power changeup at 88-92 mph has become firmer after it was a devastating put-away pitch to both lefties and righties in 2024.

There’s likely going to be some continued trial and error for Sproat at Triple-A as he works to become accustomed to the different baseball which clearly affected the quality of his stuff and command, but it is still a head scratcher given how impressive the stuff was in 2024.

Outlook

Stuff wasn’t an issue for Sproat, but he emerged in 2024 with a more complete arsenal. To see essentially every offering back up is concerning as command has always come secondary for the right-hander. He has looked more the part of a ground ball pitcher who slots into the back of a rotation in Triple-A which is a far cry from the middle-rotation upside he flashed at High-A and Double-A. It’s somewhat of a wait and see thing for Sproat as he tries to get right.

Height/Weight: 6’7″, 215 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (68), 2023 (CHC) | ETA: 2027

A tall, lanky right-hander Wiggins can flirt with triple digits while flashing a pair of impressive secondaries, it’s all about finding the strike zone for the former second round pick as he distances himself from his 2022 Tommy John surgery.

Arsenal

Wiggins’ four pitch mix is headlined by his 95-98 MPH fastball with decent run and ride from a high release. Lefties particularly struggle with the heater as it runs away from them, posting above average whiff and chase rates on the pitch. His feel for the changeup is ahead of his slider, both of which hover around 85-88 MPH. It gets good vertical separation with decent arm side fade, making it an effective swing and miss offering within the zone and giving him a second plus pitch.

Wiggins’ slider features short, gyro action and while he predominantly throws it against right-handers, the shape should make it an effective offering against opposite-handed hitters as well. Wiggins clearly has more confidence in his changeup at this point, posting a strike rate 10% higher while using it more as the season progressed.

Outlook

The Cubs knew Wiggins would be a project when they drafted him 68th overall in 2023, especially considering the fact that they would be taking over the back end of his rehab from Tommy John surgery. He returned with his high octane stuff, striking out 28% of batters in his pro debut while working up to nearly 60 innings, all great indicators heading into his 2025 campaign. He has built on that momentum through his first dozen outings of 2025, cutting his walk rate below 10%.

If Wiggins cannot rein it in, it’s easy to see a transition to the bullpen where he could feature closer stuff in short spurts. Still with plenty of time before needing to force that issue, Wiggins will begin the year in High-A in 2025 and if his command can even reach fringe-average, his arsenal should allow him to stick in a rotation.