Intro

B0wman Chrome regularly proves to be the riskiest of the Bowman Flagship releases every year with a checklist packed full of recent International Free Agents, and this year is no different. Indeed, all five of our Tier 1 prospects with a 1st Bowman logo in 2025 Bowman Chrome are teenagers, either from the 2024 or 2025 signing classes. It may be a bumpy ride, but hopefully it's a fun one.

Check out the full in depth breakdown in the 2025 Bowman Chrome Preview article.

Tier Ranks

Tier 1 - Cream of the crop. Combination of high-end Hit and Power tools that won’t end up as full-time designated hitters. Power/Speed combo players. Elite SP 1 pitchers (very rare). Potential for being perennial All-Stars and award winners.

Tier 2 - Bats that may lack in a certain area such as top-end power, three true outcomes players with huge power, great real life/fantasy players, but not hobby-elite, or tantalizing raw talents. High-end SP 2 pitchers with additional positive factors such as team, arsenal, pedigree, etc.

Tier 3 - May have some hobby interest due to a single factor such as prospect pedigree, team interest, general hobby hype, an interesting carrying tool, etc. 

Tier None - The likelihood of widespread short-term hobby interest, and most likely long-term as well, is close to none. Plenty of pitchers, catchers, role players, hit-tool-only bats, Quad-A power bats, defense-first players, etc. to be found here. Hobby lottery tickets where the odds are stacked against you.

*Catchers and Pitchers are often knocked down a tier just due to their position.

Risk and Ceiling Grades

We also assigned Risk and Ceiling to each player to provide a quick glimpse into each player. 

Risk is a general measure of how far a player has advanced toward making an impact in the majors. So anyone at the Complex level, by rule, is almost always a 9 or 10 risk. On the flip side, a player at the AAA level is most likely a 1-3 level of risk.  

Ceiling is just how significant the player has the potential of being for the hobby. I’ll provide the definition of a 5, and you, the reader, can interpret everything from that: a maximum realistic projection of an MLB regular with 10-15 HR power, .260 average, and one other element of interest (team context, excellent speed, etc). 

Note: We write these break downs throughout the weeks after the checklist is released, so you may occasionally come across slightly out of date stats or news and promotions or call-ups that are not fully accounted for.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Tier 3

Elian De La Cruz (OF, 17)
Big & physically mature corner OF-type. Big bonus, but limited action in DSL - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 6-8 (Both)

Tier None

Yu-Min Lin (P, 22)
2025 Bowman TLDR:
A low-velocity junk-baller lefty reliant upon deception that will have some short term product release juice due to International appeal.
2025 Bowman Chrome TLDR update:
Copy Paste 2025 Bowman TLDR - the fastball isn’t good enough to lead to sustained success at the MLB level as anything more than a back-end starter. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 2, Ceiling: 4 (Auto Only)

Spencer Giesting (P, 24)
Low ceiling innings-eater who should make it to the majors next year. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 2, Ceiling: 3 (Both)

Pedro Catuy (OF, 19)
Remains a raw prospect with no true in-game baseball skills that project to the majors heading into his age-20 season, but a nice toolbox. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 5 (Both)

Athletics

Tier 3

Tommy White (3B, 22)
Tommy Tanks, the former NCAA standout, has shown less raw power as a pro but a fairly refined approach. If the power can come out to play a bit more, the Athletics might have another exciting bat as soon as later next season. - Will Jarvis
Risk: 6, Ceiling: 7 (Both)

Ayden Johnson (3B, 17)
Nice raw power -but it's not playing because he's extremely underdeveloped, both physically and baseball-skills wise. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

Shotaro Morii (SS/P, 18)
A Japanese high school star who turned down the NPB draft to sign as an IFA. Two-way potential with International appeal. Lots of runway for development - high risk, high reward. - Will Jarvis
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 6 (Both)

Atlanta Braves

Tier 2

John Gil (SS, 19)
Burgeoning tools cloud exactly how high his ceiling is. Speed for certain, but flashing up to five tools now. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 6, Ceiling: 8 (Both)

Tier 3

Diego Tornes (OF, 17)
One of the youngest players in the DSL that showed some underlying hints of power even if he didn’t hit anything over the fence. As the top Atlanta international free agent receiving $2.5M, the pedigree, collectable team, and positive reports likely make Tornes a hot commodity in the product. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 7-9 (Both)

Baltimore Orioles

Tier 2

Nate George (OF, 19)
Fiery late-round talent that's emerged quickly. Could be 5 tools - only power is really in doubt. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 5, Ceiling: 8 (Both)

Tier 3

Jordan Sanchez (OF, 19)
2025 Complex MVP. A little old to have as much hit tool risk as he has, but the fantastic power potential is undeniable. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 7 (Both)

Tier None

Elvin Garcia (3B, 18)
2025 Bowman TLDR:
Very successful DSL season in 2024 that signals a collection of tantalizing tools, but will need to add significant muscle to get the all-important power tool to a place of Hobby significance.
2025 Bowman Chrome TLDR update:
The lottery ticket did not hit. You don’t completely tear it up if you still have it, but you should consider taking twenty cents on the dollar for any existing stock and not add any more until we see how he looks in 2026. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 6 (Auto Only)

DJ Layton (SS, 19)
Raw 2024 prep with a long way to go in all facets of his game except speed. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 4 (Both)

Boston Red Sox

Tier 2

Harold Rivas (OF, 17)
Projectability CF that's still learning how to hit, but solid potential to get to average or better hit and power. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 7-9 (Both)

Tier None

David Sandlin (P, 24)
Organizational depth pitcher until adjustments are made or proven otherwise. Profiles as a reliever who should get a chance next season, but not the type of auto you'd be thrilled to pull. - Will Jarvis
Risk: 3, Ceiling: 3 (Both)

Sadbiel Delzine (P, 17)
Has a sturdy SP body. DSL pitcher with a low innings count and no true pitch mix at present. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 4-6 (Both)

Natanael Yuten (OF, 20)
Slender-bodied corner OF with contact issues who has never performed at an above-average level. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 3 (Auto Only)

Chicago Cubs

Tier 2

Ronny Cruz (SS, 19)
Great underlying data. Quite raw for now, will need to refine approach to get near his high ceiling. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 8 (Both)

Wilfri De La Cruz (3B, 18)
Makes the game look easy, present ability to hit. Power is a near-certainty but not present - will come eventually. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 7-9 (Both)

Tier 3

Juan Tomas (SS, 17)
Needs to add strength and learn to use levers for us to see exactly who he can be. Good body to grow into though. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

Juan Cabada (3B, 17)
Present power is likely near peak due to body being near-maxed, but room for baseball acumen to grow into at least a fringy prospect. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 4-6 (Both)

Tier None

Yahil Melendez (SS, 20)
Bat hasn't played in full season ball – looks overmatched. With defense slipping down the spectrum, might end up as low-end org filler soon. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 3 (Both)

Brett Bateman (OF, 23)
Good speed, on-base ability. Likely 5th OF / organizational depth for the big league team next year. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 3, Ceiling: 2 (Both)

Angel Cepeda (SS, 19)
His first Bowman auto, but not his 1st Bowman auto (unless Topps messes that up like they’ve been known to do). An interesting upside DSL hitter back in 2023 when he did get his base 1st Bowman card, his struggles in his first year at full-season ball have made him an afterthought in this product. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 5 (Auto Only)

Cincinnati Reds

Tier 3

Liberts Aponte (SS, 17)
Good raw tools, will walk a fine line between power and hit, and gaining physicality at the cost of sticking up the middle. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

Tier None

Jirvin Morillo (C, 18)
A DSL repeater playing catcher with defensive questions that seems to have improved in that area while not making huge steps offensively presents a shrug of the shoulders reaction. One to watch, but not one to buy. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 4-6 (Base Only)

Enry Torres (C, 17)
Swing is a mess. All things considered, hard to imagine his ceiling is more than a backup catcher at present. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 3-5 (Both)

Cleveland Guardians

Tier 3

Juneiker Caceres (OF, 18)
Fantastic hit tool projection, and a good ability to find barrels already at 18. Limited in his other tools. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 6, Ceiling: 7 (Both)

Heins Brito (SS, 17)
Good simple swing, but lack of physical development clouds his path forward at present. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

Tier None

Hiverson Lopez (C, 17)
Strong frame already, and can improve physique further. Disjointed swing that will need to change to get to any power or consistency. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 4-6 (Auto Only)

Colorado Rockies

Tier 3

Kyle Karros (3B, 23)
A legacy bat with an above average to plus hit tool that doesn’t have a huge supply of cards currently on the market. Being an auto-only player likely creates some artificial, short term demand and prices above what his long term skill set should equate to. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 1, Ceiling: 6 (Auto Only)

Cristian Arguelles (OF, 18)
Played fantastically in his DSL repeat. Looks like a solid hit tool-centric flyer with some power upside now. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 6-8 (Both)

Tier None

Alessander De La Cruz (OF, 19)
A former DSL repeater that had a strong second season in the DSL in 2024 but reverted back to his underwhelming results in his first season stateside at the Complex in 2025. Looks more like a backup outfielder than a starter in an org notorious for a questionable development approach. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 4 (Both)

Detroit Tigers

Tier 1

Cris Rodriguez (OF, 17)
Wide awake power threat already. Solid potential to retain enough hit-ability and athleticism to occupy the highest of hobby rungs. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 8-10 (Both)

Tier None

Justice Bigbie (OF, 26)
Older bat-first backup corner OF profile without considerable power. Close to a need-based call-up. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 2, Ceiling: 2 (Both)

Nestor Miranda (3B, 19)
Big-bodied slugger with contact issues who will be 20 by the time he takes his first stateside AB. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 4-6 (Both)

Houston Astros

Tier 1

Kevin Alvarez (OF, 17)
Could be a hobby monster. Great power projection. Building through his hit tool at present to great effect. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 8-10 (Both)

Tier 3

Miguel Ullola (P, 23)
Great organization to channel his ability to handle high workload with poor-command & high-K. Might not be a true SP, but is hobby relevant regardless. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 4, Ceiling: 6 (Auto Only)

Tier None

Bryce Boettcher (OF, 23)
Currently playing linebacker at Oregon. Good defense and speed, but all his other baseball skills are quite raw. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 4-6 (Both)

Zach Cole (OF, 25)
Defense-first, some power but with big time contact issues. Has ridden a hot streak to the majors. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 1, Ceiling: 4 (Both)

Ethan Pecko (P, 23)
A diverse arsenal, back-end starting pitcher that lives up in the zone. Houston gets the most out of these types of profiles, so it’s entirely possible, and maybe even likely, that he exceeds expectations. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 2, Ceiling: 5 (Auto Only)

Caden Powell (3B, 21)
2024 JuCo power bat with contact and K issues. Will likely move to 3B long-term. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 4 (Both)

Kansas City Royals

Tier 2

Ramcell Medina (SS, 17)
Sweet swing with a good approach already, some power projection. The rest is TBD by body development. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 7-9 (Both)

Tier 3

Asbel Gonzalez (OF, 19)
2025 Bowman TLDR:
By the time you start reading this sentence, Gonzalez has stolen second base, and by the time you finish reading this sentence, he’s stolen third base. Plus speed, above average hitter that lacks power who can stick in center field.
2025 Bowman Chrome TLDR update:
The hit tool didn’t live up to the hope this season, limiting his opportunities. So instead of stealing an absurd amount of bases this season, he stole a substantial amount of bases. The hit tool needs to trend positively in 2026. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 6 (Auto Only)

Blake Wolters (P, 20)
2025 Bowman TLDR:
Some prospect buzz coming out of the 2023 draft hasn't lived up to a mid-rotation or better projection held back by command issues, giving up too much contact, and a lack of strikeouts.
2025 Bowman Chrome TLDR update:
Another down season for Wolters that ended earlier than expected - the prospect pedigree is getting close to evaporating. We can safely ignore his cards until we see consistent and successful outings in 2026. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 6 (Auto Only)

Warren Calcaño (SS, 17)
Big IFA bonus but only played 9 games in the DSL. Good toolkit in general. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 6-8 (Both)

Moises Marchan (C, 17)
Most defensively polished of the DSL catchers in this product. Offensive potential as well, but it hasn't quite come together yet. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

Tier None

Corey Cousin (OF, 18)
Speedy 2024 Draft prep who hasn't played professionally yet due to injury. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 4-6 (Auto Only)

Darison Garcia (SS, 18)
Contact oriented speedster with zero pop that most likely finds a role as an end of the bench, pinch runner, defensive replacement, Terrance Gore type of role. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 3 (Auto Only)

Los Angeles Angels

Tier 3

Gabriel Davalillo (C, 17)
Big bonus, big power, bad body. Defense needs to take a leap, but his bat is so good that he could make it as a DH-type. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 6-8 (Both)

Tier None

Anyelo Marquez (2B, 19)
Fading 2023 IFA signing that still needs across the board improvement. Likely headed back to the Complex at age 20. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 2 (Both)

Los Angeles Dodgers

Tier 2

Ching-Hsien Ko (OF, 19)
Great Complex league performance, solid approach, still learning how to get to his clear plus power potential. Corner OF profile. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 8 (Both)

Miami Marlins

Tier 2

Andrew Salas (OF, 17)
Low-A at 17 all year was very challenging. All tools except power flashed, but have not yet blossomed. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 8 (Both)

Tier 3

Kevin Defrank (P, 17)
High-ceiling DSL arm with an advanced mix for his age and a great fastball. Could get to Low-A next year. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 6-8 (Both)

Milwaukee Brewers

Tier 3

Jose Anderson (OF, 18)
Physically mature, played the year at 18 in Low-A. Present contact issues will be tough to overcome, but has power. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 6 (Both)

Kenny Fenelon (OF, 17)
Raw, immature hitter with some power potential and dynamism. Projection will be determined by how much his hit tool develops. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 6-8 (Both)

Tier None

Marco Dinges (C, 22)
Offensive tools broke out this year and are good for a catcher, but still a project defensively. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 6, Ceiling: 5 (Both)

Cristopher Acosta (SS, 17)
Lacking in projectability plus poor DSL results makes it tough to create the case for an MLB-starter ceiling. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 4-6 (Both)

Minnesota Twins

Tier 3

Haritzon Castillo (SS, 17)
Great contact hitter with some pop, if not true power. Could move quickly if moved to 2B. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 6-8 (Both)

Santiago Leon (SS, 17)
Good defensive projection. Very passive at the plate, which has eroded his performance and made him looked overmatched. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

Teilon Serrano (OF, 17)
Toolsy lotto ticket-type. Currently has lots of contact issues, but speed, fielding, and power all max out as above average. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

New York Mets

Tier 1

Elian Peña (3B, 17)
Overcame a woeful start in the DSL and posted multiple 3 HR games, ending with an OPS of .949. The prospect pedigree, the highly collectable team, and the strong DSL results all lead to a Tier 1 chase in this product. - Will Jarvis
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 8-10 (Both)

Tier None

Chris Suero (C, 21)
Atypical speedy catcher profile. Some power, could be a backup soon with the upside of a utility role. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 3, Ceiling: 4 (Both)

Nick Lorusso (1B, 25)
An older, late round college bat who profiles as a Quad-A/org depth type if everything breaks right. - Will Jarvis
Risk: 6, Ceiling: 2 (Auto Only)

New York Yankees

Tier 2

Cam Schlittler (P, 24)
An up and coming high octane arm that’s already had small sample size success at the MLB level on the most collectable team in the baseball card hobby. Big time potential but there’s a small note of caution as he's outperformed his peripherals thus far. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 1, Ceiling: 8 (Both)

Carlos Lagrange (P, 22)
High ceiling pitcher with amazing stuff. Command has improved to the point where he's now a probable SP, and perhaps as soon as 2026. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 5, Ceiling: 8 (Both)

Tier 3

Chase Hampton (P, 24)
2025 Bowman TLDR:
Injuries have sapped the Hobby juice out of this future mid-rotation starter who we likely don’t get to see until the end of next season at best.
2025 Bowman Chrome TLDR update:
No change from the Spring when he had just gone under the knife for elbow surgery. The good - an upside pitcher currently wearing a Yankees uniform. The bad - he’s not going to be putting that uniform on for a while. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 8 (Auto Only)

Sabier Marte (P, 21)
High ceiling, SP potential, but hasn't bloomed yet and currently has an injured elbow. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 6 (Auto Only)

Mani Cedeno (SS, 17)
Very raw -- stiff at the plate. Good power but probably needs a swing change to access it. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

Tier None

Cade Smith (P, 23)
Breaking-ball centric righty with command issues. Back-end SP or RP profile, good floor. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 5, Ceiling: 4 (Auto Only)

Stiven Marinez (SS, 18)
Swing is a complete mess. Needs coaching and a DSL repeat to get set on a path as a utility-type. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 4-6 (Both)

Philadelphia Phillies

Tier None

Mavis Graves (P, 21)
High-K backend lefty SP ceiling. Needs command improvements. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 6, Ceiling: 5 (Auto Only)

Alirio Ferrebus (C, 20)
Hyper-aggressive, contact oriented. Needs more power, but might end up finding enough barrels to make it as a 1B. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 5 (Both)

Nieves Izaguirre (SS, 17)
Small player with a swing not geared for impact or contact. Hard to imagine significant projection. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 3-5 (Base Only)

Pittsburgh Pirates

Tier 2

Johan De Los Santos (OF, 17)
Extremely mature hitter for his age with potential for a bit of power who's also a speed demon. Could be a quick riser. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 7-9 (Both)

Tier 3

Jhonny Severino (SS, 20)
A power speed infielder that struggled with the hit tool in his first full season at Single-A in 2025. He needs to tone down his free-swinging approach and be more selective on the basepaths to let his talent shine and point the trend arrow back up. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 6 (Both)

Tier None

Will Taylor (OF, 22)
Former elite talent whose injury history has impacted what he's been able to show on the field. Doesn't have strong in-game tools. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 5 (Both)

San Diego Padres

Tier None

Deivid Coronil (SS, 17)
Projectable frame, no positive in-game results yet. Should repeat the DSL. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 4-6 (Base Only)

Jhoan De La Cruz (SS, 17)
Small-bodied infield utility profile. Should have better batted ball results as he matures, but not to the point of much power. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 3-5 (Both)

Henry Baez (P, 22)
Innings eater that should see time with the A's next year. High-K upside not apparent. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 3, Ceiling: 4 (Auto Only)

Kale Fountain (1B, 20)
Raw power bat not showing power yet due to swing change. Positive things happening, but not performing yet. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 4 (Both)

Kai Roberts (OF, 24)
Speedy senior sign that hasn't performed at all. Move along, move along. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 1 (Both)

Seattle Mariners

Tier 3

Yorger Bautista (OF, 17)
Massive power potential, but big issues with pitch identification put a pause on projecting him too highly. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 6-8 (Both)

Kendry Martínez (2B, 17)
The top International Free Agent signing of the Mariners in 2025 produced very disappointing results in his DSL debut. A hit and defense prospect, the hit tool was not as advertised and for the moment, the main selling point is his pedigree. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 4-6 (Both)

San Francisco Giants

Tier 1

Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez (SS, 17)
A top 5 prospect in the product, Gonzalez was arguably the top International Free Agent in this most recent class if we ignore Roki Sasaki. He’s got all the ingredients of a Tier 1 prospect with plus speed at present and a potential 5 tool skill set. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 8-10 (Both)

Tier 2

Bo Davidson (OF, 23)
Power speed outfielder that has a great story of coming from the JUCO and UDFA ranks to a potential future Top 100 prospect. The hit tool is the only question mark - everything else we like - plus raw power, above average speed and the ability to play anywhere in the outfield. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 6, Ceiling: 8 (Both)

Tier 3

Yulian Barreto (SS, 17)
A roughly $1M International Free Agent signing in the most recent class, Barreto is a hit and speed infielder. His flat swing led to better than average contact rates but not much impact with a sub .100 ISO and just one home run. The bonus pedigree holds some value, and a decent statline, ignoring the power, may give some short term value. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

Djean Macares (OF, 17)
Most ever money given to a prospect coming out of Aruba, but Macares did little to build on that potential hype tagline in his first pro season. Made a lot of contact, but it was rarely good contact. Unsurprisingly did not have any in game power and doesn’t look like he’ll grow into much leading to a backup outfielder role as the most likely trajectory. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 3-5 (Both)

Tier None

Zander Darby (2B, 22)
A classic baseball grinder type that is more the sum of his parts rather than possessing any standout tool. More than likely ends up as a backup infielder that won’t move the needle for the Hobby. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 4 (Both)

Jakob Christian (OF, 22)
Aggressive power hitting corner bat with strikeout issues and a swing grooved to lift the ball. A lottery ticket option because of the power and collectable team, but Quad-A risks are lurking. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 5 (Both)

Robert Hipwell (3B, 22)
Passive approach at the plate combined with a big whiff rate is not a good combination, even if he does take his fair share of walks. A work in progress at third base that’s now leading to more reps at first base is again not a good combination. Two bad combinations equal zero Hobby interest. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 3 (Both)

St. Louis Cardinals

Tier 1

Rainiel Rodriguez (C, 18)
Easily a top 5 prospect in the product and arguably the top one, with plus power and a plus hit tool. Minor concerns with defensive home and how his body will mature that put a slight cap on his Ceiling. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 9 (Both)

Tier 3

Royelny Strop (OF, 17)
Physical player with a long swing, timing and pitch recognition issues. Power would be his best asset should it get fixed. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 5-7 (Base Only)

Tier None

Sammy Hernandez (C, 21)
2025 Bowman TLDR:
Contact-first backup catcher profile that’s a major work in progress behind the dish in an org full of future MLB catchers.
2025 Bowman Chrome TLDR update:
Literally the only thing that’s changed since I first took a look is that he’s now getting reps at first base because Tier 1 catcher Rainiel Rodriguez is now being allocated reps on the Palm Beach roster, and that’s the least likely long term home for Hernandez. Spend your Hobby dollars elsewhere. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 3 (Auto Only)

Yairo Padilla (SS, 18)
Speed, hit, and fielding at SS are likely to carry him to the high minors or more. But almost no power. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 5 (Both)

Nathan Church (OF, 25)
MLB 4th OF is his present and future. Good hit tool, but aggression keeps it from getting to above average. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 1, Ceiling: 4 (Both)

Tampa Bay Rays

Tier 3

Maykel Coret (OF, 17)
High ceiling across the board. Long-levers, hasn't learned how to use them to get to power yet. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 7-9 (Both)

Warel Solano (3B, 17)
Great feel to hit, power could develop. Loses some ceiling because he's moved down the speed and defense spectrum already. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 6-8 (Both)

Tier None

Matthew Etzel (OF, 23)
Fringy. But that's both a floor and a ceiling, and he should see the majors next year. The hope is that his hit tool shows as average. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 2, Ceiling: 4 (Auto Only)

Trevor Harrison (P, 20)
A back-end pitcher that has room for more as he matures and becomes more of a pitcher than a thrower. The numbers look really good but the video tells the story that there is still a long way to go. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 4 (Auto Only)

Raymer Medina (2B, 17)
Messy, immature swing that led to little impact in his first year in the DSL. Surprisingly cromulent defender at SS thus far. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 4-6 (Both)

Texas Rangers

Tier 3

Alejandro Rosario (P, 23)
2025 Bowman TLDR:
Huge riser in 2024 that went from off the radar to a potential SP2 with strikeouts galore. And then the elbow popped this past February and we all shed a tear over here at Prospects Live.
2025 Bowman Chrome TLDR update:
His elbow is still non-functional and there has been zero public information as to why it hasn’t been fixed. Mysterious to say the least, and at this point, it’s a huge red flag that has the word “AVOID” in bold capital letters printed on it even if I was enamored with his tape pre-injury. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 8 (Auto Only)

Devin Fitz-Gerald (SS, 20)
Middling ceiling but produced very well in the Complex as an older prep. Power is his his weakest tool, average projection or better elsewhere. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 6 (Both)

Elorky Rodriguez (OF, 17)
Great DSL performance on the surface, but lack further physical projection. There is no loud tool, and defense could be an issue. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

Tier None

David Ortiz Jr. (1B, 17)
Mini-Papi isn't much of a prospect. No plate recognition, poor batted ball results when he does make contact. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 1-3 (Auto Only)

Toronto Blue Jays

Tier 3

RJ Schreck (OF, 25)
Plus hit tool outfielder with high OBP but struggles against same side pitchers leading to platoon concerns. Average tools across the rest of the board cap his upside. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 1, Ceiling: 5 (Both)

Cristopher Polanco (SS, 17)
The Blue Jays big signing in the most recent International Free Agent period was way too passive at the plate in his first pro season in the DSL leading to very underwhelming results. The prospect pedigree buys him the benefit of the doubt, but lacking a strong power tool tanks any hint of interest from a Hobby perspective. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 10, Ceiling: 4-6 (Both)

Washington Nationals

Tier 2

Luke Dickerson (2B, 20)
Strong, speedy 2024 cold-weather prep who has flashed a nice hobby ceiling. Needs a few swing adjustments to improve quality of contact. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 7, Ceiling: 8 (Both)

Tier 3

Brayan Cortesia (SS, 17)
As far as "safe" DSL players, he's in the top 5. But needs more physical development to say he has much of a true offensive ceiling. - Max Arterburn
Risk: 8, Ceiling: 5-7 (Both)

Tier None

Carlos Taveras (1B, 19)
2025 Bowman TLDR:
Physically looks like he should have above average power or better but hasn’t delivered on that at any level. His Single-A debut in 2025 has been rough, and as a 1B/LF type, he’s going to need to get to that power or be relegated to org depth.
2025 Bowman Chrome TLDR update:
My mild pessimism in the spring has turned to full on cynicism after Tavares had zero positives to build on in his first pass at Single-A, leading to a demotion to the Complex in mid-August. - Joe Lowry
Risk: 9, Ceiling: 3 (Auto Only)